https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-574-Hagrid-s-Makeover-Operation-2/13685732/
Chapter 575: Black-style Training
Sunday’s Hogsmeade basked in warm sunlight, golden beams filtering through the window and casting dappled patterns across the attic floor. Wade emerged from the Vanishing Cabinet, turned, and closed the door behind him. After waiting another ten minutes, he heard the faint, rhythmic thud-thud-thud of knocking from within.
He opened the cabinet to find Harry, breathless and disheveled, stepping out.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Harry said, adjusting his crooked glasses. "Professor McGonagall pulled me aside—she found a few small issues with my assignment from last week."
Wade nodded in understanding. "You cut corners while writing your essay again, didn’t you?"
Harry grimaced. "Just once… I was running out of time, so I wrote it from memory. Who knew I’d mess up two points on the Prohibition of Experimental Transformation Act?"
"Next time, remember to let Hermione double-check it after you finish," Wade said, pushing open the attic’s main gate.
The old door hinges groaned as the stairs creaked under footsteps. Moments later, Sirius Black appeared at the top, arms wide, grinning broadly.
"Ha! My two brave warriors!" he boomed. "Come here! Remus baked a cake—we’ve been waiting ages!"
Harry instinctively walked forward and hugged Sirius warmly. Wade offered a polite nod. "Good afternoon, Sirius Black."
Remus Lupin peered over the stairs, his expression gentle. "I thought you’d be here earlier. Was there an incident?"
"Need I say more?" Sirius winked at his friend. "The entire magical world’s talking about the champions. I bet half the girls in Britain would love to say hello."
"We were helping Hagrid with a makeover," Harry explained seriously. "He seems to have developed a crush on the headmistress of Beauxbatons."
He recounted the morning’s events—how they’d transformed Hagrid’s appearance in secret, much to his own surprise.
"Hagrid?" Sirius burst into laughter. "The big oaf finally realized he needs a girlfriend?"
"I’ve seen photos of Madame Maxime in the newspaper," Remus said. "She’s probably about his height, right?"
"Exactly," Wade confirmed. "And she carries herself with elegance. Hagrid was completely smitten."
"That’s wonderful," Remus said sincerely. "They’re both in similar situations—finding someone who can truly match you… it’s not easy."
He remembered, clearly, the kindness Hagrid had shown him after he’d been forced into becoming a werewolf.
Downstairs in the living room, Remus pulled a golden-brown cake from the oven. The rich scent of cream and chestnuts filled the air. Sirius, meanwhile, directed the teapot to pour steaming black tea into several mugs.
Harry settled onto the sofa and began describing the selection process and the other schools’ champions.
"…Viktor, Seraphina, Babuaya—everyone looks strong. Most of them are already adults."
"One of them’s younger than us," he added. "A student from the Magic Institute. She’s been studying magic since she was six. Apparently, she’s extremely talented."
"To be honest," Harry admitted, "I still feel like I’ve been hit in the head with a Quaffle—dazed and disoriented."
"Don’t sell yourself short, Harry," Sirius insisted, slapping him hard on the back. "You’ve got real talent!" He grinned. "From today on, I’ll be your sparring partner. I’ll train your dueling skills. And I’ll teach you a few spells I invented back in my school days—guaranteed to catch opponents off guard!"
"Sirius," Remus sighed, "this is a formal competition. It’s being broadcast across the entire magical world. If Harry humiliates his opponent publicly, it won’t reflect well."
"Remus," Sirius shot back, feigning offense, "do you really think I only know how to prank people?"
"Alright, my mistake," Remus conceded, raising his hands. "I should’ve known you wouldn’t mess with Harry’s moment."
"...Of course," Sirius muttered, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes.
"Harry, Wade—be careful of Igor Karkaroff, the headmaster of Durmstrang," Remus said, slicing the cake. "You remember me telling you about him? He was once a Death Eater. He betrayed his allies during the trial—only then did he earn his freedom."
"Everyone knows he was a Death Eater," Harry muttered. "So why’s he allowed to be headmaster?"
"Because Durmstrang doesn’t see dark magic the way we do," Sirius said, raising an eyebrow. "And the rest of their staff and students aren’t trustworthy either. Gellert Grindelwald’s been active there. His influence is already deep—there’s a good chance some of the champions are from the Wizard Purity Party."
Wade rubbed his nose. "That’s probably why Dumbledore asked Professor Moody to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. He wanted someone with real experience."
"Exactly," Sirius said. "Old Auror’s instincts are sharper than any spyglass. But keep your eyes open—watch for anything odd. Don’t go near Durmstrang students without good reason. Understood?"
"Got it," Harry replied, nodding, then stabbing a piece of cake and shoving it into his mouth.
After dessert, Harry donned the Invisibility Cloak, and Wade used a Disguise Charm. The four of them stepped outside into a clearing ringed by ancient oak trees.
"Wade completed his first Animagus transformation right here," Remus said, patting the trunk of a nearby tree with a soft smile. "We almost lost him."
Harry, who’d heard the story before, asked Sirius, "Did you two go through the same thing? Did you forget who you were after changing?"
"Not everyone struggles like Wade," Sirius explained. "He charged in too fast. We took years to begin the transformation. James and I barely lost ourselves—only Wormtail…"
He paused. His expression darkened for a split second before returning to calm.
"He tried to burrow into a hole after transforming. We had to pull him back."
Harry stayed silent. Living with Sirius and Remus had finally given him a home—the kind he’d once longed for, with parents who loved him. The pain of losing his own parents had eased, and he could now accept their passing with a measure of peace.
But he knew Sirius never would. Having once known such deep love, the loss had carved a wound that never healed.
When Harry fell quiet, Sirius quickly pulled himself together.
He clapped his hands, his black hair whipping in the breeze.
"Alright, children! Are you ready for Black-style training?"
(End of Chapter)
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