#303 - Chapter 303: Strange Godfather
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid paced back and forth, seemingly unable to stay still for a moment.
"How could Harry and those little ones dare to venture into the Forbidden Forest after dark? I specifically told them to wait inside."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, curfew has arrived. Shouldn't we really go into the Forbidden Forest to look for Harry and them?"
"The Forbidden Forest at night is truly not safe, especially since I heard wolves howling earlier."
Dumbledore looked up at the moon in the sky, his face expressionless, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
After hearing Hagrid's words, he smiled reassuringly.
"Hagrid, take it easy. Sebastian and Severus have already gone in to find Harry and them. I think they'll be back soon."
"Look, aren't those their figures?"
Hagrid looked closely and indeed spotted lights flickering in the Forbidden Forest.
He couldn't restrain himself any longer and strode towards the approaching figures.
"Harry, Hermione, Ron, how could you run into the Forbidden Forest..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a gaunt-faced man following behind Harry.
The man's appearance was extremely familiar; he had seen him on various wanted posters not long ago.
"Sirius Black! You bastard, how dare you show up at Hogwarts! I'll break your bones!"
Hagrid roared and lunged at Sirius, swinging his fists.
Seeing the enraged Hagrid, Harry and his friends quickly tried to stop him.
"Don't be rash, Hagrid! There's been a misunderstanding here."
At the same time, Harry stepped in front of Hagrid, afraid that Hagrid's fist would land on Sirius even a moment later.
"Misunderstanding!" Hagrid glared at Sirius. "What misunderstanding could there be? He's the one who..."
Before he could finish speaking, he saw a small figure, and in an instant, all the words were stuck in his throat, choking him until his face turned red.
Merlin!
That seems to be Peter Pettigrew!
Wasn't he killed by Sirius long ago? How could he suddenly be resurrected?
Hagrid stared blankly at Peter Pettigrew, unable to understand what was going on.
Dumbledore stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone through his half-moon spectacles.
"The disturbance caused by the Dementors has alarmed the reporters and Aurors in Hogsmeade. They are waiting for the truth outside the gates of Hogwarts."
"Before we let them in, we need to find a place to discuss what happened tonight."
"Headmaster," Sebastian suggested, "Why not go directly to the Duelling Club? That way, we won't disturb the students."
"Harry and the others can explain the details later."
Dumbledore nodded, agreeing with Sebastian's suggestion.
The group marched to the Duelling Club. As curfew approached, the Duelling Club had become completely quiet.
Sebastian waved his wand and created a resting area in the Duelling Club.
Dumbledore sat on a chair and nodded slightly, gesturing for them to begin.
Harry nodded and began to recount all the details of what had happened tonight, starting from finding Scabbers and asking Hagrid to check him.
Hermione and Ron sat next to Harry, occasionally adding some details to his explanation.
Dumbledore listened quietly, without interrupting.
After listening to Harry and his friends' account, a look of emotion appeared on his face.
"So that's what happened. I completely understand the course of events now."
"Sirius, I must apologize to you. If I had trusted you more back then, and visited you in Azkaban after you were captured, perhaps you wouldn't have had to stay in Azkaban for so long."
"Don't say that, Headmaster Dumbledore," Sirius had no intention of blaming Dumbledore. "It was my own choice back then."
It was he who had suggested James change the Secret-Keeper without telling anyone, which ultimately led to the indirect deaths of James and Lily. Therefore, he voluntarily allowed the Aurors to capture him and never protested his innocence.
"It was ultimately my mistake..." Dumbledore sighed and stood up, addressing the group.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley, it's getting late. You should return to your dormitories to rest."
"Hagrid, go to the school gate and help the reporters and Aurors obtain visitor passes so they can come in and witness what happened."
"As for Sebastian and Severus, you two..."
Before he could finish speaking, Snape stood up: "I'm a bit tired tonight, so I'll go back to my dormitory to rest."
He walked out without hesitation, showing no interest in staying to see Sirius clear his name.
Sebastian also stood up: "Headmaster, I'll escort Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley back to the castle first, and then come back after getting something for Severus."
"As for Harry, let him stay here for a while. After all, he and Black have a special relationship, and they may have something to say to each other."
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded. "Then let's do that. I also need to notify Cornelius."
"The Aurors can't handle such a big matter; Cornelius must come forward in person."
People gradually dispersed, and the Duelling Club became quiet again, leaving only Peter Pettigrew, bound by alchemical chains, and Harry and Sirius, staring at each other.
Harry felt a bit awkward. He didn't know how to face this unfamiliar godfather.
Thinking that the other party was his father's best friend, he hesitated for a moment and stammered.
"God... Godfather..."
"Harry," Sirius tried his best to offer a friendly smile, "You can just call me Sirius."
Feeling the other party's gentle attitude, Harry slowly relaxed.
"Sirius, congratulations on your freedom. From now on, you will no longer be hunted by the Ministry of Magic, and you won't have to live in fear anymore."
"Thank you," Sirius smiled in relief.
He looked at Harry and said somewhat awkwardly, "By the way... your parents once made me your guardian."
"Of course, if you want to continue living with your aunt's family, I have no objections."
"I'm just saying, if you want to move out..."
"I already moved to Aunt Mia's house," Harry said. "I only go back to my aunt's house for a month during the summer vacation each year."
Hearing this, Sirius was a little stunned.
So Harry goes to Mia's house during Christmas.
With Mia taking care of him, Harry can indeed live better.
After all, he is almost penniless now, and even if he wants to take care of Harry, he is powerless.
Sirius smiled self-deprecatingly and swallowed the words he was about to say completely.
Just then, messy footsteps came from outside the Duelling Club, and then dozens of reporters swarmed in.
Upon seeing Sirius, their eyes lit up one by one, like hungry wolves seeing delicious food, carrying various equipment and rushing over.
