As exams approached, all subjects entered the revision period.
The young wizards' homework visibly increased. Not only that, they had to review knowledge learned earlier in the year that they'd long since forgotten.
Compared to others, Wayne was even busier.
Due to his agreement with Professor McGonagall, although he hadn't attended several classes, he still had to take the final exams and achieve good results.
For Wayne, anything less than full marks was unacceptable.
He aimed to be the first man to graduate from Hogwarts with full marks in all subjects.
Fortunately, with Hermione's notes, Wayne's revision didn't involve any detours, saving considerable time.
The most troublesome subject was Muggle Studies. Hermione hadn't taken it either, so Wayne had to rely on other students' notes, attempting to understand Muggles from a wizard's perspective.
...
In the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Lupin took everyone to a specially prepared classroom.
This room had been magically altered into a maze-like structure containing many dark creatures covered in their lessons. The students' task was to treat these creatures as obstacles and successfully navigate to the final stage.
Such an engaging practical lesson was naturally everyone's favourite. The students' enthusiasm was exceptionally high, with only Wayne sitting bored at the finish line, chatting with a Red Cap.
Lupin had forbidden him from participating while also making him responsible for the students' safety in the maze.
As compensation, Lupin would give him full marks for Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Red Caps were troublesome dark creatures that typically appeared in groups, living in holes in ancient battlefields or anywhere stained with human blood.
Like the border between Scotland and England, where wars frequently occurred in ancient times.
Even the Forbidden Forest didn't have them - Lupin had acquired this one through his own channels.
Wayne had talked with Lupin before. Prior to coming to Hogwarts, Lupin had been more like a bounty hunter, taking jobs dealing with dark creatures everywhere, which acquainted him with many 'talented individuals' in related fields.
But due to his werewolf status, the wizards he knew were mainly from the lower strata, offering little profit, hence his impoverished state.
The thought that Lupin would leave after the term ended actually made Wayne feel somewhat reluctant.
His potion hadn't been successfully tested yet...Werewolf disease truly lived up to its reputation as an 'incurable illness'. Wayne had modified the formula several times, yet it only reduced Lupin's werewolf traits during transformation, with considerable side effects remaining.
A complete cure was still a long way off.
If Lupin left at the end of the term, discussing his condition would become far more complicated.
...
"Harry, have you noticed Professor Lupin keeps looking at me today?"
Outside the classroom, Harry and Ron whispered while queuing.
"Really? Maybe you're imagining it?" Harry said dismissively. If anyone, Lupin would be watching him – their relationship had grown closer than Ron's through Patronus Charm lessons.
"Pay attention," Ron muttered. Harry observed more carefully and realised it was true.
Standing by the doorway, Lupin sent Neville into the first challenge before glancing back with an unreadable expression on his pale face.
Harry pondered. "Maybe he's worried about your final grades?"
Ron's face fell – that was entirely possible.
Finally, as students ahead entered the maze one by one, Harry and Ron reached Lupin, only to be stopped.
"Ron, I heard you've had some... disagreements with Hermione over pets?"
Ron exhaled in relief – so that's why Lupin had been watching him. His expression then darkened with irritation.
"Hermione's fat cat is outrageous! With all that pet food around, and other people's rats it ignores, it only ever stalks my Scabbers!"
"That's just animal nature. Cats chasing mice is instinctual," Lupin soothed. "Don't let small matters damage your friendship."
"I heard... Wayne's quite fond of Hermione's cat, too."
"Yeah." Ron slumped further. He wouldn't dare cross Hermione, let alone Wayne.
The memory of his humiliating gender-swap incident remained painfully fresh...
"I carry Scabbers everywhere now, terrified that wretched cat might eat him any day."
Ron looked utterly aggrieved. "He's an old fellow over ten years old – can't he just enjoy his retirement in peace?"
Lupin's expression grew inscrutable. "Then you'd best protect your rat. Don't let him out of your sight."
"Thanks, Professor. I will."
...
After class, Lupin detained Harry again, with Ron lingering nearby.
"Harry, how's your Patronus Charm progressing?" Lupin asked.
Harry scratched his head sheepishly. "The mist is quite dense now, but still not taking shape."
After Malfoy mastered the charm, Wayne moved on to new lessons. Harry had since learned from Lupin, albeit inconsistently. With Dementors fading from students' view, Harry's motivation had waned.
Not just Harry – even Lupin's monthly Patronus workshops had ceased last month.
"And you, Ron?"
"Me?" Ron blinked, surprised by the question. "I'm worse than Harry – my mist dissipates almost immediately."
Lupin pondered for a moment before saying, "What you're lacking is some real external pressure. It would be ideal if we could practise with actual Dementors."
Harry asked doubtfully, "But didn't you already return your Dementor?"
"How about this?" Lupin lowered his voice. "If you're willing, I could take you to find a Dementor this weekend evening – at the Shrieking Shack. You know the place, I presume?"
Harry looked tempted, while Ron exclaimed excitedly, "Are you taking us on a nighttime excursion? Or to Hogsmeade?"
"No, this is just... extra tutoring. I'll speak with Professor McGonagall about it," Lupin said cautiously. "Just this once. If you still can't produce a Patronus afterwards, I won't help you again."
Ron nodded eagerly, agreeing immediately, while Harry hesitated slightly.
After some thought, however, he too agreed.
After Lupin left, Ron asked curiously, "Harry, you didn't seem too keen earlier. Are you scared of Dementors?"
"Of course not," Harry immediately retorted. Even if he were, he wouldn't admit it. "I... I just feel this scenario seems familiar... Quirrell tricked me the same way last year."
Ron stared at him in astonishment, surprised by Harry's wild association, but quickly recovered and reassured him, "How is this the same? Didn't you tell me Professor Lupin was your father's friend?"
"Besides, he said we'd need Professor McGonagall's permission to go out. Most importantly... Snape hates him. Really, really hates him."
Ron's reasoning sounded perfectly logical, and Harry found himself nodding along.
Indeed, Lupin's performance throughout the year had proven him to be an outstanding teacher. How could he be compared to Lockhart?
Moreover, Harry had already been tricked by two consecutive Defence Against the Dark Arts professors. Surely there couldn't be a third year of misfortune?
Sure enough, later that evening, Lupin returned with a note of permission from Professor McGonagall, putting both boys more at ease.
...
Come Sunday evening, after dinner, Harry and Ron arrived at Lupin's office.
"Professor, shall we set off now?"
"No rush. I need to fetch the castle gate keys from Mr Filch first."
Lupin donned his shabby overcoat and led Harry and Ron out, heading to the second floor.
Both boys disliked the caretaker intensely and waited outside rather than entering Filch's office.
Through the slightly ajar door, they faintly heard Lupin searching for something.
As they walked towards the school gates, Harry couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer.
At his question, Lupin smiled casually. "Just an ordinary map. Something from my student days with considerable sentimental value."
Harry nodded in understanding, then asked, "Could you tell me more stories about my father?"
"Of course, but consider it a reward," Lupin agreed with a smile. "If we succeed tonight, I'll tell you everything I know."
"Oh," he added casually, "Ron, how's your pet? Is it doing well?"
"Still no energy." Ron looked down at his bulging pocket. "He's been sleeping ever since he ate something this evening."
Lupin nodded but didn't pursue the matter further.
After walking for about an hour, when darkness had completely fallen, they arrived at the village of Hogsmeade.
The village was unusually quiet at night. Apart from some noise still emanating from the Three Broomsticks, all other shops had closed.
The three of them walked to the end of the street, passed through a small copse, and came before a dilapidated house.
"Are there really Dementors here?" Ron asked nervously as they approached. "I've only heard this place is haunted. Older students say it makes howling noises in the dead of night—that's why it's called the Shrieking Shack."
"There are no ghosts in the Shrieking Shack, I'm absolutely certain of that. Perhaps... the Dementor has already left?" Lupin drew his wand and entered the shack first.
Finding nothing inside, he frowned slightly.
"Looks like we've come all this way for nothing today," Harry said disappointedly.
"Indeed," Lupin sighed. "As compensation, let me tell you something about your father."
Harry instantly perked up. "Thank you, Professor."
"No need for formalities, Harry." Lupin waved his wand, and three small stools flew over from the corner. He gestured for Harry and Ron to sit down.
"So, what would you like to know?"
Harry thought for a moment. "I'd like to know how my parents got together."
"Lily?" Lupin unconsciously smiled.
"It's a very long story—perhaps too long for one evening."
Harry shook his head to indicate he didn't mind. "Just tell me what you can."
"Then let's start with our little group." Lupin paused, his gaze inadvertently drifting to Ron's pocket.
"I know about that," Harry interjected. "Black, Pettigrew, and my father—they were all together back then."
"And me," Lupin said softly.
"What?" Harry stared at him in shock.
"Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail."
"Those four nicknames represented James, Black, myself, and Peter Pettigrew."
"In those days, the four of us were inseparable. Though our reputation at school wasn't exactly stellar."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Harry asked, puzzled. "You only said you and my father were good friends—not as close as you're describing now."
"Because of guilt... and cowardice." Lupin looked up at the sky. Fortunately, it wasn't a full moon tonight—he felt no urge to transform.
"Guilt?" Harry grew even more puzzled. "Why guilt?"
"Because I knew some of Sirius's secrets, yet didn't tell Dumbledore."
"What secrets?" Ron and Harry exchanged glances, both growing increasingly confused.
"Sirius was an Animagus. And not just him – your father was too, as was Peter Pettigrew."
"A what now?" Ron's mind short-circuited, feeling he'd heard the term somewhere before.
Harry, with better recall, remembered immediately.
"It's Professor McGonagall's ability to turn into a cat."
"Oh!" Ron's face lit with understanding. "So what animals did they transform into?"
"Prongs was a stag, Padfoot was a big black dog, and Wormtail was a rat."
"What about you? Why do they call you Moony?" Ron pressed. Harry's expression darkened abruptly.
A big black dog...
He'd seen a big black dog many times this past year.
On Privet Drive. In Diagon Alley. At Quidditch matches. In Hogsmeade...
No, it couldn't possibly be Black.
If it were him, Harry would have been caught – or killed – long ago.
Lupin met Ron's curious gaze and said softly, "I'm a Werewolf. Moony represents what I am."
"What?!" Ron fell off his stool in shock.
"Don't be afraid. Even as a Werewolf, it's not the full moon. I won't transform."
Though Lupin's reasoning was sound, Ron still scrambled backwards fearfully.
The commotion startled Scabbers awake in his pocket, the rat poking its head out nervously.
Harry too snapped from his thoughts, but instead of retreating, he asked, "Professor, why are you telling us this?"
"Even if I didn't say it now, I'd have to tell everyone by term's end. I'm only sharing this now to show good faith."
"Because... I need to ask for your help with something."
Lupin's gaze locked onto Ron's pocket.
"Could you hand Scabbers over? He strongly resembles an old friend of mine."
Scabbers suddenly thrashed violently. Ron clutched him protectively, eyeing Lupin with suspicion.
"What are you on about? How could Scabbers be your so-called Peter Pettigrew?"
"Peter's been dead for years – killed by Black! Scabbers is my pet!"
"We eat together, bathe together, sleep together! How could he be some Animagus? Look how you've frightened him!"
"Harry, let's go." Ron grabbed Harry's arm to leave.
At that moment, a massive dark shape burst through the door, pinning Ron to the floor.
"Argh! What the hell is that?!"
Ron shrieked. Harry instantly recognised the dark shape as the big black dog he'd seen multiple times.
Ignoring Ron's struggles, the dog pinned down Scabbers, who'd tried fleeing in the chaos.
As everyone watched in shock, the dog's form began shifting, transforming into a gaunt, hollow-eyed man.
"Sirius Black!"
Harry's vision went red. Blood pounded in his ears as he whipped out his wand without hesitation, bellowing: "Expelliarmus!"
A jet of red light struck the now-human Black mid-snarl, sending him flying backwards.
Lupin hadn't anticipated Harry acting so decisively either, but instead of paying attention to Sirius, he swiftly transformed a small stool into a cage, trapping Scabbers inside, then shouted loudly:
"Accio cage!"
No matter how Scabbers struggled, the cage still landed in Lupin's hands.
Watching Lupin anxiously help Sirius Black up from where he'd crashed into the wall, only one thought dominated Harry's mind now.
I've suffered betrayal three times.
And all bloody Defence Against the Dark Arts professors!