Under the stunned gazes of all present, the white light emanating from Harry coalesced into a towering phantom behind him, easily twice a man's height.
When Snape discerned the phantom's features, his heart sank completely.
But he showed no intention of giving up.
This was the best chance to send these three to meet Merlin. Miss it, and the opportunity might never come again.
His black robes billowing, Snape channelled all his magical power, unleashing two more invisible blades—formless yet whistling through the air with audible force.
Had Lawrence himself appeared, victory would have been impossible.
But this was merely a phantom formed by peculiar magic—perhaps containing a fraction of Lawrence's power. Yet he refused to believe he couldn't even defeat a mere shadow.
Did you think you were the Dark Lord?
The moment the phantom fully materialised, it didn't hesitate—it simply swung out a slap.
A palm composed purely of magical power shattered the spell mid-air, but the two subsequent invisible blades left gashes across the phantom's form.
"Hmm~!"
The phantom's eyes had been lifeless until now, its earlier counterattack merely a pre-programmed response. Yet suddenly, both pupils flickered with newfound vitality.
A swirl of mist gathered, and the wounds inflicted by the Laceration Curse were instantly mended by the Mending Charm.
"Professor Snape, why are you targeting Harry?"
Wayne's voice carried a hint of mockery: "Could it be... you're trying to capture him in Dumbledore's absence and deliver him to Voldemort?"
"I've heard you were once a Death Eater. Planning to resume old habits?"
Snape saw black for a moment, nearly fainting from rage.
He'd witnessed false accusations before, but never had someone so brazenly pronounced him guilty!
Back when he'd disclosed his entire history to secure investment, Lawrence had learned everything—how could he not know Snape was now Voldemort's greatest enemy?
"Lawrence! This isn't the time for jokes! Can't you see who's standing behind Potter? That's the fugitive Black! Help me apprehend him!"
"Wayne, don't listen to Snape," Harry interjected urgently. "Sirius is innocent! The real murderer is Peter Pettigrew—that bound man over there!"
Harry wanted to explain further, but Snape gave him no chance. With another flick of his wand, a shower of sparks erupted while the damaged floor transformed into jagged blades surging towards Wayne.
The phantom raised its hand—a sweeping shockwave neutralised all spells as shadowy tendrils writhed across the ground, coiling around Snape's arms.
Two Laceration Curse blades sliced through the darkness, making Snape eye the phantom warily.
He hadn't anticipated Lawrence's mere shadow being this troublesome.
Just how much had the boy progressed in two years?
"Apologies, Professor. This power was my birthday gift to Harry—it makes no judgments, simply resolves one crisis for him."
As Wayne spoke, his hands traced several gestures. The room's round table and wooden bed morphed into a golden eagle and a snarling wolf, both fixated on Snape.
"Bombarda!"
The fireball struck the wolf, obliterating half its form, but Wayne's magic swiftly restored it.
Snape sneered: "Really? Even if it were Dumbledore?"
"Certainly." Wayne's lips curled. "After all, it'd be Harry Potter who made this power attack Dumbledore—what's that got to do with Wayne Lawrence?"
Harry's eyelid twitched violently. He'd have to be insane to pit Wayne against Dumbledore.
"I'll help!" Though disarmed, Sirius could still transform.
While his dog form couldn't cast spells, his agility and strength increased significantly—perfect for close combat.
A massive black dog materialised, baring its fangs as it charged at Snape.
Wayne, however, frowned. "You're still a suspect right now. What makes you think you can intervene?"
As he spoke, shadows surged across the ground like gaping maws, swallowing the entire corridor whole, leaving only a dog's head exposed.
If this weren't mid-battle, Snape would have awarded Wayne fifty points on the spot.
"Sirius!"
Lupin gasped, watching the struggling black dog on the ground. He wanted to help, but with Pettigrew still nearby, he forced down his concern.
"Professor, haven't you had enough?"
Wayne, too, had lost patience with being Snape's sparring partner. He spread his palm, brilliant light rapidly coalescing.
"Final Spark!"
Snape's instincts screamed danger. Without hesitation, he halted his assault and conjured his strongest Shield Charm.
The beam of light erupted forth, illuminating the room like daylight. The transparent barrier held for barely a second before shattering. The beam continued unimpeded, striking Snape squarely in the chest.
The impact sent him flying backwards, crashing through the wall and leaving a human-shaped hole before tumbling onto the muddy ground outside.
Every organ in Snape's body seemed to tremble, his chest burning with the sting of magical burns.
Then, against his will, his body levitated and floated back into the room.
The wands he'd confiscated were retrieved by Wayne and returned to their rightful owners.
"Professor, I trust you've calmed down now?"
Lying on the floor, Snape looked up to meet Wayne's amused gaze.
The young man added, "Apologies. I should've held back, but remembering how you docked me twenty points for not using proper address... well, I just couldn't help myself."
Snape's eyelid twitched violently.
That was ages ago! You're still holding a grudge?
"Pfft—"
Ron couldn't suppress his laughter, though he immediately fell silent under Snape's icy glare.
Harry shot him a pitying look.
He knew Ron would face difficult days ahead.
Mocking Snape to his face... Did you think you were Wayne?
Shadows writhed again, restraining Snape just as they had Sirius in his dog form.
After placing the two rivals side by side, Wayne floated opposite the group and asked, almost perfunctorily, "So. What exactly is happening here?"
Harry, having explained once already, took up the role of narrator again. With Wayne present, he spoke more freely, offering greater detail while Lupin occasionally interjected.
Wayne nodded absently. When they finished, he crooked a finger, summoning Pettigrew for inspection.
The rat-like man forced an ingratiating smile. "Young Master Lawrence, you're a kind Hufflepuff. Please, show mercy! I'll remember your generosity forever!"
Wayne tilted his head in mock confusion. "Wasn't I just saving you? Without my intervention, all three of you would be inside a Dementor by now."
Peter Pettigrew had no rebuttal.
"Wayne, could you release Sirius?"
Harry kicked Pettigrew aside and pleaded, watching the struggling black dog.
"Letting go is absolutely out of the question." Wayne shook his head. "Your words alone aren't enough to prove his innocence, though transforming him back is possible."
With that, he pointed a finger, reverting Sirius to human form while the black substance still bound him tightly.
"Professor, I've grasped the situation now..." Wayne turned to Snape. "Your argument makes sense. Black is indeed an indirect murderer."
"Boy, I'm not—"
"Silence." Wayne's indifferent glance instantly muted Sirius before continuing, "But this was a matter between brothers. Your impulsiveness turned you into an actual murderer instead."
"Even if the Ministry doesn't convict you, Dumbledore would never let you remain as Slytherin's Head of House. You must leave this castle."
The final sentence carried profound implications. Snape's pupils contracted slightly.
Understanding the underlying meaning, his fury gradually dissipated as calmness returned.
True, he could momentarily satisfy himself by handing all three to the Dementors for a one-way trip to meet Merlin. But what then?
Parting ways with Dumbledore, barred from the castle—how could he protect Harry? How could he use Dumbledore and Wayne's influence to take revenge on Voldemort?
Seeing clarity return to Snape's eyes, Wayne knew his message had landed.
"Release me," the greasy bat said coldly.
Wayne snapped his fingers. The black restraints retreated from Snape, reverting to his own shadow—a sight that made Harry gaze enviously.
When would he master shadow-binding to this degree?
Wayne's form grew slightly translucent. "I'll leave the rest to you. Meet me in the Headmaster's Office—password's West Lake Vinegar Fish."
Lupin's eyebrows rose.
Another Eastern dish?
Might try that someday.
"Oh." Wayne suddenly remembered something, tapping Peter Pettigrew lightly as the rat-man became encased in his own shadow. "Animagi escape easily, especially rats. This way, he can't break free, even transformed."
"See you all shortly."
With a wave, Wayne dissolved into light, vanishing.
The moment he disappeared, Sirius's silencing charm lifted simultaneously.
Brief silence filled the room until Lupin broke it.
"Snape, shouldn't we head out now?"
Snape gave him an icy look. "You lead. I'll be watching from behind."
"Any suspicious movement... I won't hesitate to strike."
Lupin smiled wryly, gesturing at the two trussed-up 'prisoners'. "You really think they can break free?"
"What a monster," Sirius muttered. "That kid and I must be natural enemies..."
"What?" Even Harry, standing nearest, couldn't catch it.
"Nothing. Just saying he's impressive." Sirius improvised. "Beating Snape like a dog with just a magical projection—he's really your age?"
He couldn't very well tell Harry he'd known Wayne for months.
Through various acrobatic performances, he had managed to live quite comfortably for a few days on snacks exchanged from Wayne, which then attracted more badgers to feed him.
Unfortunately, the open days lasted only briefly, and for the vast majority of the time, he still went hungry.
To Sirius's relief, Wayne didn't seem to recognise his Animagus form.
"Hurry up, don't waste my time," came Snape's cold voice, cutting short their conversation.
Lupin levitated Peter Pettigrew and Sirius, leading the way, with Harry and Ron in the middle. Snape, wand in hand, brought up the rear, the Lumos spell never fading as he watched them all warily.
To make it easier to talk to Harry, Sirius had Lupin turn him around so he faced backwards.
"Handing Peter over—do you know what that means?"
"You're free," Harry said.
"Yes..." Sirius smiled. "But I don't know if anyone's told you... I'm your godfather."
"Yeah, I know." Harry nodded slightly.
He'd learned this while eavesdropping on Fudge and the professors.
At the time, Harry had only felt anger and sorrow at his father's poor judgment.
Now, in these circumstances, hearing it from Sirius himself, his heart suddenly beat faster, his steps lightening.
A few paces away, Snape's expression darkened further at their conversation.
"Ah, good that you know," Sirius said awkwardly, as if embarrassed. "Your parents appointed me as your guardian..."
"If you'd like, well—once I'm fully cleared—would you want to make a different sort of home with me? Of course, if you're more used to your current life, I could—"
"Absolutely!"
Harry cut him off immediately. "Definitely. I've wanted to leave there for ages. Do you have a house? Oh, I forgot—you've just got out, so probably not. Doesn't matter, I've got some money in my vault. We could buy a little place somewhere remote."
Harry was already imagining life with Sirius. Though the Dursleys treated him better now, it was only because of Wayne.
Deep down, they still despised him.
Living with Sirius would mean being part of a proper wizarding household – they could install a fireplace, use Floo Powder, and visiting the Weasleys would become much easier.
"No, I have money, really. I'm quite wealthy, and I own a large house too."
As if to prove he wasn't a burden, Sirius spoke excitedly: "I despise the Black Family, but as their last remaining heir, the entire Black Family fortune belongs to me."
"Is it a lot?" Ron immediately perked up at the mention of inheritance.
"Quite substantial – several vaults' worth." Sirius said, "I watched your match, Harry. You fly brilliantly, just like James did."
"I'd originally ordered a Firebolt as your Christmas present, but their orders are backed up until the end of this year. My apologies."
"Firebolt?" Ron's eyes widened. "Then you really are loaded."
"Of course." For the first time, a genuine smile broke across Black's gaunt face. "Harry, with me, you needn't worry about such things. I only want to give you the happiest life possible."
Ron gazed enviously, resolving to ask his mother later whether he might have some wealthy godfather too.
Meanwhile, Snape's teeth were practically grinding to dust behind them.
In the blink of an eye, Black was transforming from a fugitive into life's winner. Fate was truly unjust!
The remaining time was spent with Black and Harry planning their future life together, occasionally drawing Lupin into their discussions.
Their laughter echoed through the night air.
Before they knew it, they'd entered the school grounds and returned to the castle.