Chapter 433: Just Knock Next Time
Chapter 433: Just Knock Next Time
Professor Lupin shared some trivial stories from his school days with Harry, but the boy listened with rapt fascination.
As the conversation turned to the time of their graduation, Lupin's gaze shifted to Sirius Black, as he had been occupied with helping Dumbledore reach out to other werewolves and was unaware of the events that had transpired here.
By the time he received news, James and Lily were dead, and Voldemort had fallen, causing the once formidable and terrifying Death Eater forces to crumble seemingly overnight.
Even the werewolves he had been in contact with retreated back into the shadows, their numbers greatly diminished.
By the time Lupin finished his story, Black had already descended from mid-air.
"It all started with a prophecy..."
Seated on a dilapidated stool, he slowly revealed the truth of that fateful year under the watchful eyes of everyone present.
Professor Trelawney had made a prophecy about the Savior, foretelling the birth of a child who would vanquish Voldemort. Two children were born that year, and Dumbledore ultimately chose Harry.
Somehow, the Death Eaters had also gotten wind of this information.
"It must have been Peter who leaked the information..." Black said through gritted teeth. "Dumbledore had instructed James to keep it confidential, but he still told us..."
"And then what happened?" Harry asked eagerly.
"James and Lily went into hiding with you, evading the Death Eaters' pursuit," Black recalled, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "They eventually decided to take Dumbledore's advice and use an ancient form of magic to protect you as you grew up—the Fidelius Charm.
It's a remarkable spell that hides a secret within a person's heart, such as the location of a house.
As long as the Secret-Keeper didn't divulge James and Lily's whereabouts, even if Voldemort pressed his nose against their window, he wouldn't be able to see them."
Hearing this, Harry began to understand what Black was implying.
"So, Peter was the Secret-Keeper, right?"
"It's all my fault!"
Black suddenly started pounding his head, his voice hoarse with anguish. "I was supposed to be the Secret-Keeper, but at the last moment, I convinced Lily and James to use Peter instead... I thought it was a clever plan... a decoy, Voldemort would come after me and never suspect they would use someone as weak and incompetent as Peter...
I'm the one who led Voldemort to Lily and James..."
The more Black spoke, the more agitated he became. But each time his anger rose, his thoughts turned to Peter's current predicament, and he would break into hysterical laughter once more.
However, even in his laughter, there was not a hint of joy to be heard.
When Black eventually calmed down, he continued his story in a disjointed manner, prompted by the curious queries of the others.
He recounted how he had seen Padfoot's picture in the newspaper and recognized it as Peter, as well as how he had used his Animagus form to escape Azkaban and make his way to Hogwarts.
"So, you were that dog!" Harry exclaimed, pointing at him.
"Yes, it was me," Black admitted with a lopsided grin. "I wanted to see you, so I went to Privet Drive, but I'm sorry, I seem to have scared you."
Harry didn't know what to say... Black had scared him more than once with that massive black dog, and he had been living in fear for months because of it.
"I'm sorry, Sirius," Lupin said, walking over to embrace his old friend.
"It's been a long time, Remus," Black returned the embrace, "You really should have given me a good thrashing."
"I was thinking the same thing," Lupin nodded, and without warning, he threw a punch at Black's face, "You should have told me all this sooner."
Black tumbled backward, landing on the ground, but he was laughing again.
Lupin walked over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up. The two friends embraced once more.
"Forgive me, Remus..." Black said.
"Nonsense, Padfoot, old friend," Lupin replied, "And will you forgive me for once suspecting you of being a spy?"
Though he hated to interrupt their brotherly reunion, it was getting late, and Kyle wasn't planning on spending the entire night in this place.
He walked over and handed the cage containing Scabbers to Black.
"He's yours now... But as compensation, you should get Ron a new pet. How about an owl?"
"Of course, it's the least I can do," Black agreed.
At the mention of a new pet, Ron's gloomy expression instantly brightened.
You could have told us earlier...
If we knew Scabbers could be exchanged for an owl, why go through all this trouble?
Black's face twisted into an ugly expression as he took the cage, looking as if he wanted to devour the rat within. Then he turned to Kyle, intending to thank him, but suddenly, he paused as if remembering something...
"I think I've seen you before." Black's gaze sharpened. "Do you remember? In Hogsmeade, you gave me a packet of beef jerky. It was the most delicious thing I've eaten in decades."
"Oh, that time." Kyle feigned a look of realization. "You deserved it. Your Fire-Circling performance was amazing..."
An awkward silence filled the room once more.
"Fire-Circling?" Professor Lupin looked at Black with a peculiar expression. "You can do that?"
"Umm..." Black's gaze shifted uneasily, but he quickly regained his composure and stared back defiantly.
So what if he was a dog at the time? Fire-Circling was impressive, and he had been hungry. There was no shame in that.
"Ha..." Professor Lupin let out a soft laugh, which echoed clearly in the confined space.
It was like a spark igniting a powder keg.
Ron and Hermione turned away, their shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Pffft..."
Even Harry, who had been absorbed in the revelations, couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Feeling that it was inappropriate, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand and changed the subject. "What do you plan to do with Scab... Peter?"
"I'm going to kill him, of course!" Black glared at the unconscious rat in the cage. "But for now, I'll let him stay like this—a helpless rat!"
"Can't you change him back?" Harry asked softly. "I mean... it's not worth becoming a real murderer because of someone like him.
After all, Peter is the real betrayer. If anyone deserves to be in Azkaban, it's him, not you..."
Black's eyes reddened, and he breathed heavily.
If possible, he wanted nothing more than to be free of the Dementors forever so he could openly care for Harry.
But the problem was, Black didn't know if Peter could be changed back...
Almost as if reading each other's minds, everyone turned to look at Kyle.
"Actually, it is possible," Kyle said. "After discovering that Animagus who couldn't change back, wizards researched a potion for that very purpose.
"Remember the people who were petrified by the Basilisk in our second year?"
Everyone nodded. The incident had nearly led to the closure of Hogwarts, so it was hard to forget.
"The Reviving Potion that eventually restored them was invented at that time. It's the only way to bring him back."
"However..."
He continued, seeing the surprised looks on their faces. "Before you make any decisions, I think it's best to speak with Professor Dumbledore first.
After all, everyone believes you're the traitor, and Peter is the hero. No one will believe a word spoken by a supposed traitor... You won't even get a chance to explain yourself to the Dementors.
Unless you can convince Professor Dumbledore to help you."
"You're right," Black said, his tone calming. "I'll go see him tomorrow."
"No need to wait. You can go now. He's a light sleeper. Just knock," Kyle suggested.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
