Chapter 135 Two Letters
The next morning, the Hogwarts Express left the station with heavy smoke, and Maca stood on the platform and waved goodbye to Harry and the others. He looked distracted, and Willie was standing next to him - which made Hermione feel awkward for no reason.
When Maca's figure was too small to be seen anymore, Harry and the others retreated into the carriage.
That Willie didn't show up for the whole semester, but just when Maca decided to stay in school, she showed up again! Hermione said seriously, There must be something wrong!
What's wrong with that! said Ron nonchalantly.
Hermione pursed her lips, and looked back at Harry - at the moment Harry was staring at Hogwarts, which had been obscured by a mountain.
It will take two full months to see Hogwarts again!
Oh, cheer up, Harry! Hermione reassured her friend.
I'm fine, said Harry quickly, I was just thinking about the holidays.
Yeah, I've been thinking about that too, said Ron, Harry, you must come and live with us...I'll talk to my parents and I'll call you. Now I know how to 'talk' now!
It's the phone, Ron, said Hermione, seriously, you should take Muggle Studies next year...
Ron ignored her, and he continued.
...the Quidditch World Cup this summer! How about it, Harry? Come stay with me and we'll go to the games together! Dad can always get tickets from the office.
The suggestion cheered Harry up.
Yeah, I bet the Dursleys would be happy to let me go... especially after what I did to Aunt Marge...
Harry, said Hermione, looking back suddenly, look, what's that thing outside the window?
Harry turned to look outside, only to see a huge shadow rushing in through the open window quickly, and landed firmly on the empty seat beside Harry.
That's Marfa! Maca's big owl!
Hedwig on one side shrank back, and it was pushed aside by Mafa. And Crookshanks sat up in his seat, watching it warily with his large yellow eyes.
Mafa stood on the seat with one leg, and let go of the other paw, and a small gray owl rolled down to the side of the cushion.
Then, it casually placed the envelope in its mouth on Harry's lap, and immediately spread its wings and flew out of the window. The whole process was very fast, which made the three people in the carriage a little unresponsive.
At this time, Crookshanks looked at the little owl again, and it seemed a little interested. Ron noticed this sensitively, and grabbed the little owl.
Harry picked up the letter, it was addressed to him!
He tore open the letter and cried out, It's from Sirius!
What? said Ron and Hermione, puzzled. Is there anything else he didn't say? Just read—
—————
Dear Harry:
I hope this letter will be received before you arrive at your aunt's and uncle's. I don't know if they are used to owl delivery.
In fact, when you receive this letter, it will mean that I have left Hogwarts - I will not tell you where to hide, in case this letter is handed to someone else by mistake. I've always been a little skeptical about the reliability of owls, but Maca seems reassuring.
I believe the dementors are still looking for me, but there's no hope of them ever finding me again. I intend to have some Muggles see me soon, away from Hogwarts, so that the castle's security can be lifted.
One thing I haven't had a chance to tell you during our brief meeting is that it was me who sent you the Firebolt.
...
—————
Ha! said Hermione triumphantly.
Look! I told you it was from him!
Yeah, but he didn't mess with it, did he? said Ron. Ouch!
The little owl, now croaking happily in his hand, had pecked one of his fingers as if it thought it a way of showing kindness.
—————
...
Maca asked his Marfa to help me go to the post office to order this owl - I used your name, but told them to go to my own vault at Gringotts 711 to get the money.
Consider it a thirteenth birthday present from your godfather.
I think I frightened you, the night you left your uncle's house last year, and I would like to apologize for that. I just wanted to have a look at you before I went north, but I think you looked quite frightened when you saw me.
I enclose a few things for you which I think will make your stay at Hogwarts more enjoyable next year. If you need to find me, just send me a letter! Your owl will find me...and I will write to you soon.
Sirius
—————
Harry looked eagerly inside the envelope, which also contained a piece of parchment. He looked at it quickly, and suddenly felt warm and satisfied, as if he had swallowed a bottle of hot butterbeer in one gulp.
On that piece of paper, there was such a sentence written: I, Sirius Black, the godfather of Harry Potter, hereby consent to his going to Hogsmeade village on weekends.
That's good enough for Dumbledore! said Harry happily, and he went to read Sirius' letter again. Wait a minute, there's a postscript... Oh! Ron, this little owl is for you!
Ron's eyes widened immediately, and the little owl was still screaming excitedly.
Keep it? He said uncertainly, looking at the owl carefully.
After looking at it for a while, to Harry's and Hermione's amazement, he took it to Crookshanks to sniff it.
What do you think? Ron asked Crookshanks, sure it's an owl?
Huh? At this moment, Hermione seemed to have found something outside the window again, It's another owl!
Both Harry and Ron turned their heads to look, but the taupe owl did not slow down, but flew straight towards Hogwarts.
...
The person who received the letter was Maca.
For him, this letter is definitely not good news. Because, at this time, a notification document from the Ministry of Magic.
—————
Dear Mr. McLean:
According to the relevant information and the transcripts of the personnel involved in this department (Department of Magical Law Enforcement), you have a significant connection with the serial homicides in Hogsmeade.
Due to your actions that day, the death of the wizard has been confirmed. Law enforcement officers from the Ministry of Magic will arrive at your location in a short time. The Ministry of Magic will confiscate your wand and give you temporary detention and punishment for cooperating with the investigation.
Rufus Scrimgeour
Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror Office.
—————
Although Maca had long been prepared to go to the Ministry of Magic, the strong and unscrupulous wording of this notice made him frown.
The notice only mentioned that he had killed someone, but it didn't say anything about the identity of the deceased. Logically speaking, after Peter Pettigrew was frozen, the black air surrounding his body had completely disappeared, and the Ministry of Magic had obviously known his true identity.
Although there may be a confidential relationship involved, this cannot prevent Maca from guessing other possibilities.
He had a hunch that there must be other things waiting for him!
There's a smell of conspiracy. Maca shook the notice casually, showing a pensive expression...
Not only Dumbledore, but even several professors were alarmed when two Aurors showed up at the school with a whole team of strikers.
What happened? Professor McGonagall looked at the Aurors blocking the school gate in surprise, his face full of surprise.
Who knows! said the little Professor Flitwick sharply.
And just beyond the castle, Snape also came out, and Dumbledore was walking beside him. Maca followed the two of them, as if they had come to watch the fun.
However, under the surprised eyes of several professors, Maca came to the front.
Who is the person in charge this time? He looked around and said calmly, I am Maca McClain.
I am. An Auror came out and looked at him hesitantly, Then... call out the wand first!
Maca nodded, pulled out his wand from his cuff, and handed it out.
...Please come with us. Regarding the Hogsmeade-related case, you need to cooperate with the investigation—you should have received the notification document from the Ministry of Magic, right? The Auror confirmed the file, and then Carefully put away Maca's wand, then stretched out his hand and said, Please.
Maca turned his head and looked at each other with Dumbledore before he walked to the Auror without any resistance.
This... God! What happened here? At this moment, Professor Sprout suddenly ran over and asked loudly, What did McClain do? Why did he-
But Dumbledore stopped her with his hand.
Pomona, Maca is just here to cooperate with the investigation, it's fine. He stared at Maca with piercing eyes for a while, and then said calmly to the Auror, Say hello to Fudge and me!
The Auror nodded seriously, and left with Maca.
Albus...what's the matter? Why would McLean... Professor McGonagall couldn't help asking.
It's about the Hogsmeade incident, said Dumbledore. I'll follow up. Everyone, go back first!
He paused, then looked at Willie, who was standing aside and silently looking outside the school gate, and said, Miss Blois?
...Do I need help? Willie turned around and asked expressionlessly.
I don't think it's necessary for the time being. Dumbledore smiled, Things are not as complicated as imagined.
Willie nodded, and walked directly past Dumbledore, all the way to the greenhouse. Dumbledore looked at her back with curious eyes, showing a thoughtful look.
