Chapter 433: Just Knock on the Door
Chapter 433: Just Knock on the Door
Professor Lupin shared some trivial stories from his school days with Harry, who listened with fascination.
When Professor Lupin mentioned their graduation, he glanced at Sirius Black, as he had been helping Dumbledore reach out to other werewolves after graduation and was unaware of what had transpired.
By the time he received the news, James and Lily were dead, and Voldemort had fallen, as if the once formidable Death Eater forces had crumbled overnight.
Even the werewolves he had been in contact with, after losing many members, retreated back into the shadows, never to be found again.
As Professor Lupin finished speaking, Black had already descended from mid-air.
"It all started with a prophecy..."
He sat on a dilapidated stool, and under everyone's gaze, he slowly revealed the truth of that year.
Professor Trelawney made a savior's prophecy, saying that the child who would defeat Voldemort had already been born. There were two children born that year, and Dumbledore ultimately chose Harry.
But somehow, the Death Eaters also learned of this information.
"It must have been Peter who betrayed us..." Black clenched his teeth, "Dumbledore had told James not to let anyone else know, but he still told us..."
"What happened next?" Harry asked eagerly.
"James and Lily took you and fled from the Death Eaters' pursuit," Black recalled, "Then they followed Dumbledore's suggestion and used an ancient magic to protect you as you grew up.
The Loyalty Oath Charm.
It's a magical spell that hides secrets within a person's heart, like the address of a house.
As long as the Secret Keeper doesn't reveal James and Lily's location, even if Voldemort sticks his nose to the window, he won't be able to see them."
Upon hearing this, Harry understood Black's meaning.
"So, Peter was the Secret Keeper, right?"
"It's all my fault!"
Black suddenly started pounding his head, his voice hoarse, "I was the Secret Keeper, but at the last moment, I convinced Lily and James to switch to Peter... I thought it was a good strategy... a decoy, Voldemort would definitely come after me, and he wouldn't think they'd use Peter, such a weak and incompetent person...
I'm the one who got Lily and James killed..."
Black became more agitated as he spoke, but whenever he clenched his teeth in anger, he would think of Peter's current situation, and then burst into another fit of hysterical laughter.
Even in his laughter, Harry couldn't hear a trace of happiness.
When Black calmed down again, he continued to speak, prompted by others' questions, but his words were incoherent.
He mentioned seeing Pettigrew's photo in the newspaper and how he had escaped from Azkaban as an Animagus and came to Hogwarts.
"So that dog was you!" Harry pointed at him.
"Yes, it was me," Black grinned, "I wanted to see you, so I went to Privet Drive, but I'm sorry, I scared you at the time."
Harry didn't know what to say... Black had scared him more than once, as that big black dog had kept him on edge for months.
"I'm sorry, Sirius," Lupin walked over and hugged him.
"Long time no see, Remus," Black hugged him back, "You should have punched me hard."
"I was thinking the same," Lupin nodded, and without warning, punched Black in the face, "You should have told me this earlier."
Black flew backwards and fell to the ground, but he laughed again.
Professor Lupin walked over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up, and the two hugged again.
"Forgive me, Remus..." Black said.
"No need for that, Bigfoot, old friend," Lupin said, "And I forgive you for once thinking you were a traitor."
"Of course."
"A weary smile crept across Sirius Black's face.
'Sorry...'
Although they didn't want to interrupt the brothers' bonding moment, it was already late, and Kyle didn't plan on staying in this place all night.
He walked over and handed the cage containing Blinky to Sirius.
'Now he's yours... But as compensation, you have to buy Ron a new pet. How about an owl?'
'Of course, no problem. It's the least I can do.'
Ron, who had been frowning, lit up at these words.
Why didn't you say so earlier...
If we knew Blinky could be exchanged for an owl, why go through all this trouble?
Sirius took the cage with a grim expression, as if he wanted to devour Blinky. Then, he turned to Kyle, about to thank him, but suddenly remembered something...
'I think I've seen you before,' Sirius said, 'Do you remember? In Hogsmeade, you gave me a bag of jerky. It was the most delicious thing I've had in years.'
'Oh, that time...' Kyle feigned realization, 'That was well-deserved. Your Hoop Trick was amazing...'
An awkward silence filled the room.
'Hoop Trick?' Professor Lupin asked, his expression perplexed, 'You can do that?'
'Um...' Sirius' eyes darted, but he quickly regained his composure and stared back defiantly.
The uncensored version can be read on 69shu! 6=9+shu_ba.
Anyway, he was a dog back then, so what's the big deal about the Hoop Trick? It was just to fill his stomach; there's no shame in that.
'Ha...' Professor Lupin let out a soft laugh, which echoed in the small room.
It was like a fuse had been lit.
Ron and Hermione both turned away, shrugging their shoulders.
'Pfft...'
Even Harry, who had been immersed in the truth, couldn't help but laugh.
Feeling that this might be inappropriate, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand and changed the subject. 'What do you plan to do with Blinky... Peter?'
'Of course, I'll kill him!' Sirius glared at the unconscious rat in the cage, 'But this is fine too. Let him stay a rat forever!'
'Can he really not change back?' Harry asked softly, 'I mean... It's not worth you becoming a real murderer because of him.
And Peter is the real betrayer. If anyone deserves to go to Azkaban, it's him, not you...'
Sirius' eyes were bloodshot, and he was breathing heavily.
If he could, he would love to be rid of those Dementors forever. Only then could he openly take care of Harry.
But the problem was, Sirius didn't even know if Peter could change back...
In unison, everyone's gaze shifted to Kyle.
'Actually, it's possible,' Kyle said, 'After the wizards discovered the Animagus who couldn't change back, they researched related potions.
'Remember the people who were petrified by the basilisk in our second year?'
Everyone nodded; that time, Hogwarts almost closed down, so it was still fresh in their memories.
'The Revive Potion that finally cured their petrified state was invented then. It's the only way to bring him back.'
'But...'
Looking at the surprised group, he continued, 'Before making a decision, I think it's best if you meet with Professor Dumbledore first.
After all, everyone believes you're a traitor now, and Peter is the hero. No one will believe a traitor's words... You won't even have a chance to defend yourself. The Dementors won't listen to your explanations.
Unless you can convince Professor Dumbledore to help you.'
'You're right,' Sirius calmed down, 'I'll go tomorrow.'
'No need to wait. Go now,' Kyle said, 'He's awake. Just knock on his door.'
Thanks to book friend "Wheel of Misfortune" for the 10000 reward!
Thanks to "Solitary Wanderer" for the reward!
Thank you.
(End of Chapter)
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