Chapter 162: Sirius and Lupin
Sirius Black… acquitted…
The woman's pronouncement boomed like a golden bell, echoing in his ears.
Sirius sat motionless in the chair, his eyes blank and bewildered.
He didn't hear Fudge snort angrily, push his chair back forcefully, and stride away; he didn't see several Wizards hurrying after Fudge; nor did he notice when Dumbledore's hand left his shoulder.
People gradually left through the side aisles, some talking in hushed tones, some looking at him with expressions of pity or disgust, but he was oblivious to it all.
He stared at the floor in front of him, yet it was as if he saw nothing.
Until someone came up to him, took his hand, pulled him up, and then hugged him tightly.
Remus…
Sirius thought of his long-unseen brother, Remus. He wanted to speak, but his throat felt as if it were blocked by something. So his arm trembled as he raised it, then hugged Lupin back with equal force.
The warmth of another human felt like sunshine, pulling him out of the dark abyss.
After a long while, they finally released each other.
"Remus…" A muscle twitched in Sirius's face, and he managed a stiff smile: "I never thought I'd live to see you old…"
"I'm so sorry, Sirius." Lupin confessed in a low voice: "For eleven years, I didn't believe you… I should have known. Of all people, you were the least likely to betray James…"
"No, I was indeed wrong." When recalling that time, Sirius couldn't help but show a pained expression: "I foolishly made a suggestion, thinking it was the most perfect plan… If it weren't for me…"
He shook his head, unwilling to say more or to listen to Lupin try to comfort him.
He saw the boy standing beside Lupin—messy black hair, emerald green eyes, filled with tension and anticipation.
He looked so much like James when he was young!
It was as if his friend was standing before him again.
Sirius's expression flickered, and his mouth opened and closed several times before he finally found his voice.
"Harry?"
"Uh… that's me." Harry said somewhat reservedly.
Sirius was both a stranger and a familiar figure to him.
A stranger because they were meeting for the first time, but familiar because Lupin had told him many stories about their youth over the past few days.
Going to school together, playing pranks together, living in the same dormitory, fighting against Slytherin students, and often exploring the campus at night;
In their second year, they discovered Lupin was a Werewolf, but they didn't distance themselves from him because of it.
To keep Lupin company when he transformed, James and Sirius learned to become Animagi in their fifth year;
James pursued Lily, always hitting a wall at first, then finally succeeded in dating her in seventh year, happy as an idiot…
Sirius left the Pure-blood Black family at sixteen and lived at James's house. James's parents treated him as well as they treated their own second son…
After graduating, they all attended James and Lily's wedding, with Sirius as the best man. Then they all joined the Order of the Phoenix to fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters…
Lupin didn't mention the bad parts, completely omitting the involvement of the traitor, Peter Pettigrew.
His stories were full of friendship, adventure, and courage, with energetic young men creating a beautiful and desirable narrative together.
Although it was Harry's first time meeting Sirius, he felt as if he had known him for a long time.
Even though Sirius looked a bit scary now, if he looked closely, he could see his once handsome features beneath the skeletal thinness of his face.
Sirius's lips trembled, and it was a long moment before he spoke: "The last time I saw you, you were only this big…"
He gestured with his hands to indicate the size of a small ball, then felt it wasn't quite right and enlarged the gesture slightly.
Harry didn't know what to say and smiled shyly.
Sirius looked at him, hesitating: "I don't know if anyone has told you… um… Harry, I'm your godfather…"
"Yes, I know." Harry nodded.
He hesitated, then stepped forward and gently hugged Sirius.
Sirius bent down to hug him, his arms trembling slightly.
"Your parents appointed me as your guardian, should anything happen to them…"
Sirius said hoarsely: "Of course, I know I don't really have the right to ask you to leave your current family… But, if you're willing… if you want to… I'd like to take care of you…"
Sirius's words were cut off by Lupin.
His only remaining friend put an arm around his shoulder and smiled at him:
"Sirius, you've just been exonerated, there's no need to rush. First, go back, take a shower, change your clothes. I think you also need to eat something nutritious and get some rest, right?"
Sirius: "…"
What Lupin said still made perfect sense, but why did his smile look a little… menacing?
"Alright… alright…"
Sirius mumbled, looking at Harry, about to say something, when he heard Lupin speak again:
"Oh, right, there's someone else I need to introduce you to. You don't know him, but he's actually the one who deserves the most credit for getting your case re-opened."
Sirius's attention immediately shifted. He asked, "Who is he?"
"His name is Wade Grey. He's Harry's classmate, and also my employer and student," Lupin said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Even though he's only twelve, he's the smartest Young Wizard I've ever met."
Sirius thought he'd misheard. "Twelve?… Your employer?"
"That's right…" Lupin wanted to introduce Wade to Sirius, but when he turned around, he saw that Wade's seat was empty.
"If you're looking for that kid just now," Moody, who hadn't left yet, said, "Dumbledore called him away. He asked me to tell you not to wait for him before he left."
...
The crowd moved up the steps, eager to take the elevator. The underground space was oppressive and dim, and no one liked to linger there.
Wade, however, unconsciously stopped and looked at a corridor nearby.
The corridor was pitch black, with no doors or windows, and not even a torch on the walls. At the end of the corridor was a black door, as if silently beckoning people closer.
"That's the Department of Mysteries," Dumbledore said. "It's the Ministry of Magic's top-secret room. There are many things inside whose existence is difficult to comprehend and control."
"Not even you, Professor?" Wade asked.
"I have to admit, that place makes me feel as ignorant as a toddler," Dumbledore chuckled. "Although many people believe I possess more magic than others, when it comes to magic, I am merely an apprentice."
"What kind of magic is in there?"
"Many kinds," Dumbledore said. "For example, about time, about death, about prophecy. Many learned and brilliant Wizards work there day and night, researching the most mysterious and dangerous magic. They are called Unspeakables, and they will never reveal the nature of their work to anyone throughout their lives."
"Unspeakables…" Wade thought for a moment, then asked, "Professor, did you need something from me?"
"I need to thank you, Wade," Dumbledore said calmly. "Regarding Sirius's situation, I made an error in judgment."
"I once testified to the Ministry of Magic that Sirius was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, and I didn't investigate thoroughly after he was imprisoned…"
"If I had visited Sirius in prison, even just once… I would have realized he wasn't the traitor."
Wade didn't criticize Dumbledore. He thought for a moment and said, "You must have been very angry… and disappointed when you first thought he betrayed them."
"Indeed," Dumbledore said. "I've seen too many talented young people fall into darkness. I thought Sirius was one of them…"
"But Mr. Black shouldn't blame you for that," Wade said. "Their plan fooled everyone… If Peter Pettigrew hadn't betrayed them, it was actually a very good strategy."
"Yes, who could have known?" Dumbledore sighed deeply. "Close friends suddenly become unrecognizable, making you wonder… if you truly ever knew them…"
Wade glanced at Dumbledore, seeing only half of his profile, outlined in shadow by the torchlight.
He wondered if Dumbledore was thinking of someone.
Chapter 2 will be postponed until the evening.
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