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Chapter 429: Dumbledore's Odd Behavior
Chapter 429: Dumbledore’s Odd Behavior
"Albus?"
"Professor Dumbledore?!"
Everyone present exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Dumbledore’s figure.
However, along with their surprise, the Professors’ faces also showed a hint of shame. They had been notified to capture Sirius Black, but ended up being disarmed and captured one by one.
Lupin, Harry, and the others hurriedly spoke up, ready to explain what had happened to Dumbledore to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
But before they could speak, Malfoy scrambled over to Dumbledore, pointing at Ivan and the others and shouting.
"Professor Dumbledore! Lupin is actually a Werewolf, and he colluded with the Ministry of Magic’s fugitive, Black, to trick everyone into coming here and capture us. And Hals, he must have planned all of this. He’s in league with Lupin and Black. They were even going to kill me!"
Despite usually disliking the headmaster, Malfoy had forgotten his usual complaints in this critical moment. Dumbledore immediately became a savior in his eyes.
As he spoke, Malfoy glared fiercely at Ivan and the others, his face filled with relief at having escaped death, mixed with an indescribable excitement.
He felt that his arch-rival, Ivan, would definitely be expelled this time, and might even be sent to Azkaban!
"You’re finished, Hals!" Malfoy shouted.
Unfortunately, after listening to Malfoy’s words, Dumbledore merely nodded, indicating that he had understood, but did not react with the anger Malfoy had anticipated, nor did he cast a spell to bind Ivan and the others.
Ivan found Dumbledore’s attitude strange but did not dare to be negligent, quickly defending himself.
"Professor Dumbledore, here’s what happened. I accidentally discovered that Ron’s pet rat was actually an Animagus, so out of curiosity and concern, I investigated and forced him to transform back to his original form."
Ivan laid out the explanation he had prepared, detailing everything to Dumbledore.
However, before Ivan could finish, Dumbledore interrupted him.
"Stop for a moment, Hals! I do intend to hear your explanation, but not here, and not now."
"You, Lupin, Black, and Harry, come to the Headmaster’s Office in about an hour. I will be waiting for you there. We will have plenty of time to talk then", Dumbledore emphasized.
Ivan looked at the old headmaster with confusion, unable to understand his meaning.
Why did he want to talk in the Headmaster’s Office? Was there something inappropriate about here? Was it because some things shouldn’t be heard by Ron, Malfoy, and the other children?
But they were already involved; he couldn’t let this misunderstanding continue.
Dumbledore did not answer Ivan’s questions. Instead, he turned to the disarmed and bound Professors, waved his wand to release them, and said.
"Professors, when you return to the castle, gather all the students in the Great Hall and maintain order. I have some important matters to announce!"
"Also, if you have any questions, please wait until then to ask them."
Flitwick, Hooch, and the others exchanged glances. Sprout, who had just been captured and was still confused, looked bewildered.
However, since Dumbledore had made the arrangements, they trusted him and suppressed their doubts.
"Very well! Then it’s settled. We will meet in one hour at Hogwarts Castle!" Dumbledore nodded, noting their reactions.
After saying that, Dumbledore waved his wand and disappeared into the Shrieking Shack.
A golden light flickered, and Ivan saw something shiny and golden tied to Dumbledore's right hand as he cast the spell before leaving.
He vaguely realized what it was but wasn't sure.
"Albus just left like that? What should we do now?" Sprout frowned, eyeing Sirius Black and the others warily.
"Back to the school, let's do as he said!" Flitwick hadn't expected Dumbledore to leave so suddenly and could only say helplessly.
Then, Flitwick turned to look at Harry. "If you don't mind, I hope to hear the rest of the story on the way back!"
"Of course!" Harry nodded quickly.
Sirius Black and Lupin returned the confiscated wands and apologized to everyone. Except for Severus Snape, who had a sour look on his face, everyone else accepted it gladly.
Ivan took the rat-transformed Peter from Dobby and, along with everyone else, returned to Hogwarts through the secret passage in the Shrieking Shack.
On the way, Harry recounted the entire story to everyone, and this time, no one interrupted or caused trouble.
"Goodness, is this true? How could the Ministry of Magic do this? They actually arrested a hero who resisted the Dark Lord and sent him to Azkaban? Didn't you defend yourself in the trial?"
Madam Hooch looked at Sirius Black, astonished, finding it hard to believe that what Harry said was true. It was simply too crazy!
"They would have to give me that chance first! The Ministry of Magic threw me to the Dementors right after they caught me, without any trial", Sirius Black said sarcastically.
"This is absolutely the Ministry of Magic's negligence! According to the rules, every prisoner should be tried before being sentenced!" Professor Sprout said angrily.
The others looked at Sirius Black with sympathy. Being wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban for over ten years due to the Ministry of Magic's negligence must have been terrible. Not going mad already spoke to his mental resilience.
Sirius Black didn't dwell on this point much. The torment he endured in Azkaban was also a form of self-punishment, which made him feel slightly better and less guilty when he thought about that incident.
As they continued to exchange information, the Professors, now aware of the truth, gradually let down their guard.
At this moment, Ivan suddenly spoke up. "We're almost there. Everyone, stop for a moment! The exit ahead is guarded by a Whomping Willow. If we go out like this, we might be attacked."
"So the secret passage leads here?" Professor Sprout mused. There was only one Whomping Willow in Hogwarts, so she easily guessed where the entrance and exit of the secret passage were.
Seeing this, Ivan waved his wand and struck the knot on the Whomping Willow, making the tree stop moving and lose its ability to attack. The Professors were quite impressed.
They had been Professors here for decades, and yet they probably knew less about the castle than Ivan did.
No wonder Sirius Black could easily sneak in before!
(End of Chapter)
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