Harry Potter knew the truth: Sirius Black was his godfather. He didn't want Sirius to die, yet he admired Erwin Cavendish. Torn between the two, Harry shook his head. "I don't know, Professor! I don't think Mr. Erwin is wrong. I just... I don't want Sirius to die, but I know I can't change Mr. Erwin's mind."
Dumbledore frowned. This was not the boy he had hoped to guide.
"Child," Dumbledore said gently, "everyone makes mistakes. Even Erwin."
But Harry stood firm. "No, Professor, you're wrong. Mr. Erwin has done so much for the wizarding world and for Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick—they all say his contributions are immense! Hogwarts today owes so much to him. How could a person like that be wrong?"
Dumbledore's temples throbbed. Why had his chosen one turned out like this?
It suddenly struck him: Ron and Hermione. He had intended for them to balance Harry—Ron to tie him to the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione to provide wisdom and caution. But Erwin had systematically dismantled that plan. He had marginalized Ron, and as for Hermione and Draco Malfoy, both had become Erwin's admirers.
With them by his side, Harry was inevitably swayed toward Erwin.
Dumbledore felt a chill run down his spine. Had Erwin planned this all along? Was today's confrontation just a test of their relative power? Did Erwin intend to sideline him completely?
Dumbledore trembled. If that was the case, the situation was already beyond his control.
"Don't worry, Harry," Dumbledore sighed, forcing a smile. "Sirius will be alright. Your Potions Professor holds considerable influence with Erwin. He will leave the final choice to him, and Severus is more forgiving than you might believe."
Harry looked relieved, but Dumbledore's mind was racing.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, Severus Snape clenched his wand, his knuckles white. A look of grim satisfaction crossed his face.
"Alright, Erwin," Snape said, his voice low. "Let them go."
Erwin glanced at him, then swung his wand. With a sickening crack, the magic binding Sirius Black and Remus Lupin snapped their arms. Both men cried out in agony. Erwin ignored them.
"Shall we return, Godfather?" Erwin asked.
Snape nodded, stepping over the fallen men without a backward glance. They walked toward the castle.
Once they were a safe distance away, Sirius and Lupin exchanged a look.
"We really made a mess of things," Lupin whispered, a bitter smile on his face.
Sirius remained silent. They had known they were in the wrong for a long time, but some wounds refused to heal.
Inside Snape's office, Erwin sat comfortably in a chair.
"Are you injured?" Snape asked, scanning him for damage.
Erwin shook his head. "Don't worry, Godfather. I'm fine."
Snape nodded, his eyes sharp. "You were testing Dumbledore's strength today."
Erwin smiled. "Nothing escapes you. Yes, I wanted to see the gap between us. I wanted to know how close I am to overturning the board."
"Erwin," Snape demanded, his voice tightening. "What are you planning? What is your ultimate goal?"
Erwin paused, his expression turning serious. "I want to survive, Godfather. I need the power to overturn the board if I'm to live through this. If I don't, I'll die in this war. I have no intention of dying."
Snape hesitated, his gaze softening slightly. "No matter what happens, I won't let you die before I do."
"I believe you," Erwin said, though his voice remained pragmatic. "But it's not that dire. I'm still far behind Dumbledore, but I've found a way to close the gap."
Snape's pupils contracted. "You're planning to move against the other families?"
Erwin nodded. "They're forcing my hand, Godfather. I've come of age, and the political storm is inevitable."