Chapter 258: Coming to an End
Both Sirius and Lupin were in poor condition, so Dumbledore didn't take them to the headmaster's office but went directly to the hospital wing on Hogwarts' second floor to find Madam Pomfrey.
Sean and Harry followed behind them.
Looking at Sirius ahead, who was maintaining his black dog form, Sean gripped his wand hidden in his sleeve and waved it gently while quietly reciting a spell.
At that instant, the black dog form of Sirius inexplicably rolled around on the ground, leaving Lupin and the others around completely bewildered. Snape seized the opportunity and immediately mocked: "Ha, has staying in dog form too long made you think you actually are a dog? Are you starting to roll around to please others?"
Hearing Snape's words, Sirius immediately turned around and kept baring his teeth at Snape in a threatening manner.
"Heh, what are you doing? Trying to please me?"
Seeing the sarcastic smile on Snape's face, Sirius's front paws scratched several marks on the ground, obviously preparing to pounce in Snape's direction.
But just then, Harry immediately crouched down and reached out to hold Sirius, not wanting him to conflict with Snape, or rather, not wanting Sirius to cause trouble for Snape in front of Dumbledore.
But just as Harry extended his hand to embrace Sirius, Sirius suddenly raised his right front paw and gently placed it on Harry's outstretched hand, while grinning and sticking out his tongue with a silly smile as he looked at Harry.
"???"
"???"
"???"
Soon, Sirius, who had been grinning with his tongue out, immediately came to his senses. He jerked his paw back from the stunned Harry's hand, quickly retreated some distance, looked at himself in disbelief, then looked at Snape, and bared his teeth at Snape again. Sirius's meaning was clear. He was questioning whether Snape had done something.
Seeing Sirius's state, although Snape had just mocked him, he was also very surprised, so this time he completely ignored Sirius and looked toward Dumbledore instead.
Seeing Snape's gaze, Dumbledore suddenly smiled and then gently waved his hand.
Seeing Dumbledore's gesture, Snape immediately knew that Dumbledore understood what had happened, so Snape just gave a cold laugh at the snarling Sirius and said no more.
"Alright, Sirius, there's no one else here now, and the children haven't come out yet. Return to human form."
For Sirius and the others, Dumbledore was completely trustworthy.
Therefore, when he heard Dumbledore's words, he immediately released his Animagus form and returned to his very dishevelled and haggard appearance.
Just after transforming back to human form, Sirius immediately roared at Snape: "Snivellus, were you playing tricks!"
Looking mockingly at Sirius, Snape sneered: "If I really had made you display that series of embarrassing behaviours just now, then you should know I would have done far more than just that."
Although Sirius was very angry at Snape's words, he had to admit they were right. If his strange behaviour just now was really Snape's doing, he would definitely have done something much worse.
Could it really be that I've maintained Animagus form for too long?
I'll need to be more careful about this in the future.
With Dumbledore's intervention, both Sirius and Snape quieted down. They entered the hospital wing and received examinations from Madam Pomfrey. Although she was greatly surprised by Sirius's appearance, Madam Pomfrey didn't have much of a reaction and, as always, fulfilled her duties by examining both Sirius and Lupin.
"Goodness, poor man, another incident caused by those Dementors. He nearly had his soul sucked out."
Madam Pomfrey turned to examine Professor Lupin. Obviously, Madam Pomfrey knew about Professor Lupin's werewolf identity. She carefully checked Professor Lupin's condition. Compared to Sirius, although Professor Lupin's condition was also poor, it was much better.
"Professor Lupin has the usual condition. I'll give him stabilising and nutritional potions in a moment. This one is more troublesome, but with plenty of rest and medication, he should recover."
Hearing Madam Pomfrey's words, Sirius immediately smiled and said to her: "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Your medical skills are as excellent as ever."
Madam Pomfrey looked at Sirius and smiled: "I remember you. Back in your year, you and Professor Lupin, along with two others, were the most troublesome little group, and you visited me quite often."
"Yes, that was a long time ago."
Seeing Sirius's expression, Madam Pomfrey smiled and didn't continue further. Although her presence wasn't strong, she knew about many things.
The group of four back then could be considered the most troublesome little group at Hogwarts at the time, and indeed the four of them had the best relationship.
But now, only two remained out of the four.
One had died, and one had betrayed them.
Some things were better left known but unspoken.
"Minerva, you stay here to look after Remus and Sirius.
Severus, you escort Harry and Sean back. I think after waiting all night, it's time for them to rest. I'll allow them to skip Monday's classes.
Of course, if they want to continue attending classes, they can do that too.
I'm going to the Ministry now to find some old friends, then I'll speak with Fudge about Sirius's situation."
Having said this, Dumbledore was about to leave.
But just then, Dumbledore suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Sean: "Oh, I almost forgot. Nicolas asked me to tell you that he's already explained things to Master Antonius, and also, Nicolas will be staying at Hogwarts until the school holidays. You can go directly to him for lessons at the usual times. He's staying in the room next to my office."
"Alright, thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
"No need to thank me."
With those words, Dumbledore turned and left the room.
Snape didn't give Harry any chance to speak with Sirius and the others, and despite Sirius's angry roars, he directly took Harry away from the hospital wing.
After escorting them to the tower entrance, Snape left with Sean.
Standing at the entrance to the Slytherin common room, Snape ordered Sean to go back and sleep before turning to leave.
When Sean returned to his room, he immediately saw Kulkan looking at him quietly with a resentful expression.