At the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid paced back and forth, looking towards the Forbidden Forest, as if he couldn't sit still for a moment.
"Harry and those little rascals, how could they venture into the Forbidden Forest after dark? I told them to wait inside."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, curfew has arrived. Do we really not need to go into the Forbidden Forest to find Harry and the others?"
"The Forbidden Forest at night is truly not safe, especially since I heard wolf howls 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, calm down. Sebastian and Severus have already gone in to find Harry and the others. I think they will surely be back very soon."
"Look, isn't that them?"
Hagrid looked closely and indeed saw lights flickering in the Forbidden Forest.
He could no longer hold back and strode towards the approaching figures.
"Harry, Hermione, Ron, how could you run into the Forbidden Forest...?"
Before he finished speaking, he saw a gaunt 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 scoundrel, how dare you appear at Hogwarts? I'll break your bones!"
Hagrid roared and lunged at Sirius, swinging his fists.
Seeing the enraged Hagrid, Harry, Hermione, and Ron quickly tried to stop him.
"Don't be impulsive, Hagrid! There's some misunderstanding here."
At the same time, Harry took a step and stood in front of Hagrid, fearing that even a moment's delay would cause Hagrid's fist to land on Sirius.
"Misunderstanding!" Hagrid glared at Sirius, "What misunderstanding could there be? He's the one who..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw a short figure, and all his words instantly got stuck in his throat, choking him until his face turned red.
Merlin!
This looks like PeterPettigrew!
Wasn't he killed by Sirius long ago? How did he suddenly come back to life?
Hagrid stared blankly at PeterPettigrew, unable to understand what was going on.
Dumbledore stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone in the arena through his half-moon spectacles.
"The Dementors' unusual activity has alarmed reporters and Aurors from Hogsmeade. They are waiting outside the Hogwarts gates for the truth."
"Before we let them in, we need to find a place to properly discuss what happened tonight."
"Principal," Sebastian suggested, "Why don't we go directly to the Duelling Club? That way, we won't disturb the students."
"The detailed account can be told by Harry and the other two later."
Dumbledore nodded, agreeing with Sebastian's suggestion.
The group grandly arrived at the Duelling Club. As curfew approached, the Duelling Club had completely quieted down.
Sebastian waved his wand, setting up a resting area in the Duelling Club.
Dumbledore sat on a chair and nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, signaling that they could begin to speak.
Harry nodded and began to recount everything that happened that night, starting from checking Scabbers with Hagrid, omitting no details.
Hermione and Ron sat beside Harry, occasionally adding to his explanation.
Dumbledore listened quietly, without making any interruptions.
After listening to Harry, Hermione, and Ron's account, a look of emotion appeared on his face.
"So that's how it is. I completely understand what happened."
"Sirius, I owe you an apology. If I had trusted you more back then, and visited you in Azkaban after your arrest, perhaps you wouldn't have stayed in Azkaban for so long."
"Don't say that, Headmaster Dumbledore," Sirius showed no intention of blaming Dumbledore, "It was my own choice back then."
It was his own decision to suggest James change his Secret-Keeper without telling anyone, which ultimately led to the indirect deaths of James and Lily. Thus, he willingly allowed himself to be captured by the Aurors and never once cried injustice.
"It was my mistake after all..." Dumbledore sighed, stood up, and said to 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 gates and help the reporters and Aurors with their visitor passes so they can come in and bear witness."
"As for Sebastian and Severus, you two..."
Before he finished speaking, Snape stood up: "I'm a bit tired tonight, so I'll return to my dormitory to rest first."
He walked out without hesitation, showing no intention of staying to see Sirius cleared of his name.
Sebastian also stood up: "Principal, I'll first escort Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley back to the Castle, and then I'll return after getting something for Severus."
"As for Harry, let him stay here a bit longer. After all, he and Black have a special relationship; perhaps they have something to say."
"Very well," Dumbledore nodded, "Then let's do that. I also need to inform Cornelius."
"The Aurors can't handle such a big matter; Cornelius must personally appear."
People gradually dispersed, and the Duelling Club became quiet again, leaving only PeterPettigrew, bound by alchemy chains, and Harry and Sirius, staring at each other.
Harry felt a bit awkward now; he didn't know how to face this unfamiliar godfather.
Thinking that the other person was his father's best friend, he hesitated, then stammered.
"God... Godfather..."
"Harry," Sirius tried to show the friendliest smile, "You can just call me Sirius."
Feeling the other'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, nor will you have to live a life of constant fear."
"Thank you," Sirius smiled with relief.
He looked at Harry and said somewhat awkwardly: "Oh, by the way... your parents once asked me to be your guardian."
"Of course, if you want to continue living with your aunt's family, I have no objection."
"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 one month during the summer holidays each year."
Hearing this, Sirius was a bit stunned.
So, during Christmas, Harry went back to Mia's house.
With Mia taking care of him, Harry could indeed live better.
After all, he was almost penniless now, even if he wanted to take care of Harry, he was powerless.
Sirius chuckled self-deprecatingly, swallowing the words he was about to say.
Just then, messy footsteps came from outside the Duelling Club, followed by dozens of reporters swarming in.
Upon seeing Sirius, their eyes lit up, like hungry wolves seeing food, and they rushed over with various equipment.