Blake stood silently.
If something strange was happening, it must be because of him. It made sense to question him.
"Well… here's the situation," Blake began. "Harry needs to learn the Patronus Charm, but there's little that truly makes him happy. I thought… maybe if he could see his parents—even if just their spirits—it might help."
Dumbledore's lips parted, stunned. Summon Harry's parents to make him happy?
To Blake, this was as easy as sipping honey water.
"When did you awaken this new ability?" Dumbledore asked, helpless.
"New ability? No… didn't you see it at Nurmengard?" Blake replied, surprised.
"You mean…" Dumbledore's eyes widened.
The night little Lily was created, Blake had traded the ashes of lost souls for a new one—magic tied to the undead.
"Tell me honestly. Do you pay a price for doing this?" Dumbledore asked, concerned.
"Let's talk later. Whatever the cost was, I've paid it. For now, focus while there's still time," Blake urged.
Dumbledore sighed, giving Blake a long look before turning to the ghosts of James and Lily Potter.
"It's been a long time… James, Lily."
Blake reminded them, "Time is short. Say what you must."
James stepped forward, no hesitation. "Professor, our secret keeper wasn't Sirius—it was Peter Pettigrew. We switched secretly. Sirius was just a decoy."
Dumbledore's expression hardened.
"Yes," James continued. "Peter was the traitor, not Sirius. We think he'd already turned before we made the change. You remember how many Order members died? We always suspected a traitor."
James glanced regretfully at Lupin. "Sirius even suspected… Remus. I'm sorry."
Lupin stiffened. Even though Sirius's suspicion had been logical, it still stung.
"I understand," Lupin forced a smile. "It's in the past."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "So Sirius was wrongly imprisoned all this time…"
He began pacing, blue eyes flashing. "Sirius stayed locked up for years. Why escape now? What changed?"
"Could it be Harry?" Lupin asked. "He's been following Harry's trail."
"During the holidays, Harry even ran into Sirius!" Lupin added.
"What? When?" Harry exclaimed, shocked.
He remembered seeing no one but the Knight Bus conductor.
Dumbledore turned to Lupin, who looked hesitant.
"Professor… I've been keeping a secret."
James gave him an encouraging nod.
Lupin sighed. "During my monthly… illness, I'd vanish for a time. James and the others noticed and discovered the truth: I'm a werewolf."
"But instead of abandoning me, they all became Animagi to stay with me during full moons."
Even Peter, timid as he was, risked learning it. Lupin's voice softened at the memory.
Dumbledore's eyes gleamed. "They all succeeded?"
"Yes, Professor."
"What were their forms?"
"James was a stag, Peter a rat, and Sirius… a large black dog."
"A black dog?!" Harry shouted.
He recalled seeing one—not understanding it then.
"That's right," Lupin confirmed. "The black dog you saw… was Sirius."
"When you mentioned it on the train, I wondered why he didn't attack… now I know. He'd never harm his godson."
"Godson?" Harry blinked. "I have a godfather?"
"Yes," James said gently. "Sirius has always been your godfather."
A complicated look crossed Harry's face. Family—he hadn't expected that.
Dumbledore murmured, "Peter Pettigrew… he's alive, isn't he?"
The room froze.
Dumbledore explained, "Sirius believed Peter was dead—killed by his own wand. So he stayed in Azkaban, crushed by guilt. But somehow, he learned Peter was alive. That changed everything. Vengeance replaced regret."
Blake grinned quietly. Dumbledore's reasoning really was brilliant. No wonder Voldemort feared him.
Dumbledore glanced at Blake, catching that smirk, and narrowed his eyes. Had Blake already known all this?
Feigning ignorance, Dumbledore continued. "We must find Sirius—and Peter. Only then can the truth come out."
James asked, "Can I testify?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No. Blake…"
Everyone fell silent. They knew Blake had paid dearly to summon the undead. How could they ask more of him?
Even if the Ministry believed the spirits were real, they'd call it a trick. Sirius had been condemned without a trial. If his innocence was revealed, it would disgrace the Ministry—especially Fudge.
The only path forward was clear.
"We must capture Peter Pettigrew alive," Dumbledore declared.
"If Sirius followed the Hogwarts Express, Peter may be hiding at Hogwarts."
"But if he's in his rat form…" Lupin sighed, "He knows every secret passage. He could vanish."
"Still, we must find him—and protect Sirius. If the Dementors get to him first…" Dumbledore's voice grew cold. "They'll suck out his soul."
Silence fell again.
Lily turned to Blake. "Thank you for letting me see my son. But I think… it's time for us to go."
James agreed. "We can't help more, and staying might hurt you."
"You're leaving so soon?" Blake patted his pocket. "I brought snacks—raw chickens. I can keep this going for a while!"
"No," Lily said firmly. "We won't be selfish."
She turned to Harry, eyes tender. "Be strong, Harry. I know you're hurting."
"I am strong!" Harry choked. "I've always been strong…"
"I'm proud of you," Lily whispered, trembling.
"Take care of yourself, son."
James ruffled Harry's hair. His hand passed through. "You've grown into a real man, Harry."
He turned to Blake. "Send us back… divide us."
"If you insist," Blake nodded, chanting a spell.
A soft breeze stirred the room. This time, Harry didn't feel cold.
James and Lily gave Harry one last look, then turned and walked hand in hand into the gray mist. Their footsteps faded into silence.
Harry broke down, sobbing.
Blake said nothing. He walked into the mist, cleaning up the ritual, then removed the fog and returned quietly.
"Professor Lupin," Blake said, "You mentioned Peter was blown up—only a finger was found, right?"
Lupin nodded. "That's what we believed. But now it seems he escaped as a rat."
"Then… as a rat, he'd be missing a finger?"
"Yes."
Blake sighed. "I think I've seen such a rat."
"What? Where?" Lupin asked, alert.
"Actually… you've seen it too. Remember the train? I caught a mouse named Banban. One paw was missing a finger."
Lupin's face twisted in shock.
"You mean… the mouse you tricked?"
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