Chapter 311: Who's Free?
Harry clenched his fists, glaring at the short, stout man with gray hair.
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge wore an anxious expression, yet beneath it flickered a smugness. His voice was crisp and clear.
“I know this is terrible… but we had to come. Peter Pettigrew, Gilderoy Lockhart, and Garr Troke are still at large. This is truly dreadful… absolutely dreadful. The public is terrified. The Ministry of Magic must conduct a more thorough investigation…”
“So you’re after Sirius Black? You think he’s involved?”
Remus Lupin spoke coldly, pressing a firm hand on Harry’s shoulder and gently pushing him back, keeping him from stepping forward.
Harry gritted his teeth, retreating a few steps, then quickly glanced over his shoulder.
In the corner, crouched beside the fireplace, sat a massive black dog. It stared at Fudge and the others with icy, unwavering eyes.
At that moment, Harry felt a surge of relief.
The Ministry didn’t know Sirius Black was an Animagus.
Even luckier—before the Ministry officials had entered the door, Sirius Black had just transformed into the dog form, demonstrating the Animagus transformation to Harry.
Now that Harry knew Wade had successfully mastered Animagus, he was desperate to learn it too.
And Sirius Black? He didn’t see Harry’s ambition as foolish at all. Quite the opposite—he was thrilled to teach him Transfiguration.
“James Potter started learning around this age! We took three years to master it. You might do it even faster!” Sirius had said with a grin.
Though Sirius was usually busy, rarely home, whenever he returned, he’d always transform into the big black dog and spend time playing with Harry.
Harry forced himself not to stare at the dog. Instead, he opened his Book of Friends and sent a quick message.
Dumbledore didn’t respond. Not even after a long while.
The adult wizards barely noticed. Fudge kept staring at Remus Lupin, who stood firm, his eyes unyielding. The Minister scratched his head in frustration.
“I know… I’ve heard you two are close friends, Remus Lupin. I know you hold real influence at Aslan Magical Workshop…”
“Yes,” Remus said, voice tight with suppressed fury. “Just a week ago, we donated the world’s largest Streaming Mirror to the Ministry. Three days ago, Aslan gave the Minister a special interview—helping promote the Ministry’s latest policies.”
“Ah yes, yes—I know. We’ve always worked well together. You’re one of the few individuals I truly trust, Remus. That’s why we’ve never doubted you.”
Fudge’s tone was careful, almost too smooth.
If it weren’t for the fact that Remus Lupin was deeply tied to Aslan Magical Workshop—especially since Aslan was one of the Ministry’s largest taxpayers and had gifted them limited-edition products, even to Fudge personally—
Then Fudge would’ve already ordered an Auror to arrest Remus Lupin for questioning.
After all, he had once been one of Peter Pettigrew’s closest friends.
But now, Remus couldn’t be touched.
And because he stood resolute in front of the door, even Sirius Black—the unemployed, wandering wizard—was protected by that shield.
“But Remus… haven’t you ever thought about it? Before Sirius Black escaped, no prisoner had ever broken out of Azkaban. Yet ever since he was released, these escapes have happened…”
“But Sirius Black left Azkaban nearly a year ago!” Harry burst out, voice rising. “The three of them only went in after him! How could he help them escape? Open their cell doors from thousands of miles away?”
“Ha-ha…” Fudge chuckled politely, then looked down at Harry with pity—as if he were a foolish child who just didn’t understand.
“Harry,” Fudge said gently, “perhaps Sirius Black shared details about Azkaban with Peter Pettigrew or Lockhart after his release? He spent eleven years there. No one knows that place better than he does.”
“He taught them how to escape. And even after they were free, he may have hidden them. That would explain why we’ve been unable to find them for so long.”
“Fudge, you’re insulting Sirius Black!”
“That’s impossible,” Harry and Remus spoke almost in unison, their voices sharp with fury.
Behind them, the black dog in the corner bared its teeth, lips curling back in a low, threatening growl.
Fudge remained unmoved. If anything, he seemed amused by their defiance.
“Remus, Harry… people change. A sane man would go mad after eleven years in Azkaban. And as for Sirius Black and Pettigrew—what really happened between them? Who knows? No one does, right?”
He didn’t meet Harry’s blazing green eyes. Instead, he lowered his head, stroking his wand thoughtfully. His words slithered out like whispers from the depths of a demon’s throat.
“Twelve years ago, Pettigrew accused Sirius Black of betrayal. A year ago, Sirius Black accused Pettigrew of the same thing. Both were just stories from the same people, weren’t they?”
“Ah, I know what you’ll say—Veritaserum. But we all know some people can resist its effects…”
Harry felt his throat tighten. His body trembled. He was so furious he could barely speak.
How dare he… how dare he slander Sirius Black to his face?
He clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ached.
“If I were with Sirius Black every single day, and he meant me harm, I’d already be dead.”
“Hmm…” Fudge mused, stroking his chin. “But you were with Pettigrew every day too, weren’t you? You shared a dormitory. And yet, he never harmed you. Their thoughts… who can truly know?”
He nodded to himself, as if convinced.
“Maybe Death Eaters have some kind of unspoken rule—never touch you, for some reason…”
Harry couldn’t stand it anymore. He turned on his heel and stormed back to his room, his footsteps echoing sharply.
Fudge paid no mind. He assumed the boy was finally realizing he’d made a mistake in choosing his target. He resumed trying to persuade Remus to hand Sirius Black over.
Back in the bedroom, Harry opened his Book of Friends again. Dumbledore still hadn’t replied.
He flipped through his thick parchment notebook, searching for someone else to turn to.
Professor McGonagall? No—she’d likely demand Sirius Black cooperate with the investigation. She followed rules to the letter.
Hermione… Ron… Wade…
—Wade?
A spark ignited in Harry’s mind. He grabbed his quill and scribbled frantically:
【Harry: Ministry of Magic wants to take Sirius Black. I can’t reach Dumbledore. What do I do?】
【Wade: Tell me more.】
Harry quickly summarized the situation.
【Wade: I understand. I’ll get someone to help you. Wait patiently.】
After a moment’s thought, Wade reached out to the school’s House-elf.
【Wade: Guys, who’s free right now?】
(End of Chapter)
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