Chapter 162: Sirius and Lupin

Words : 1515 Updated : Oct 8th, 2025

Sirius Black... acquitted... The woman's pronouncement echoed like a resounding bell, reverberating in his ears. Sirius sat dumbly in his chair, and his gaze was empty and dazed. He didn't notice Fudge's angry huff as he pushed his chair back forcefully and stormed out; he didn't see several wizards hastily following Fudge; nor did he realize when Dumbledore's hand lifted from his shoulder. People began leaving down the aisles, some whispering to each other, others casting him glances of either sympathy or disdain, but he was oblivious to it all. He stared at the floor in front of him, seeing nothing. Until someone came up beside him, took his hand, pulled him to his feet, and embraced him tightly. Remus... Sirius thought of this brother he hadn't seen in so long. He wanted to speak, but it was as if his throat was blocked. His arms trembled as he lifted them and returned Lupin's embrace just as fiercely. The warmth of human contact felt like sunlight, pulling him out of the darkness of his personal hell. After a long while, they finally released each other. "Remus..." Sirius' facial muscles twitched as he attempted a stiff smile. "I never imagined I'd live to see you... looking old." "I'm so sorry, Sirius." Lupin's voice was low and remorseful. "For eleven years, I didn't believe in you... I should have known... of everyone, you were the least likely to betray James..." "No, I made mistakes," Sirius admitted, and his face was clouded with pain at the memory. "I foolishly made a suggestion, thinking it was the best plan... If it hadn't been for me..." He shook his head, unwilling to continue or to let Lupin console him. Then he noticed the boy standing next to Lupin—messy black hair, bright green eyes, filled with a mixture of nervousness and hope. How much he looks like James in his youth! It was as if that friend was standing before him once more. Sirius seemed dazed for a moment, his mouth opened and closed before he finally found his voice. "Harry?" "Uh... yes, it's me," Harry said a little awkwardly. To Harry, Sirius was both a stranger and someone oddly familiar. A stranger because they were meeting for the first time, familiar because Lupin had shared so many stories about their younger days together. Going to school, playing pranks, sharing the same dormitory, clashing with Slytherin students, and sneaking around the castle at night for their adventures... In their second year, they discovered Lupin's secret—he was a werewolf—but they didn't distance themselves from him because of it. To keep Lupin company during his transformations, James and Sirius managed to learn Animagus transformation by their fifth year. James pursued Lily and faced constant rejection at first, but finally succeeded in asking her out in their seventh year, and celebrated like a fool... At sixteen, Sirius left the pureblood Black family and moved in with James. James's parents treated him like a second son. After graduation, they attended James and Lily's wedding together, with Sirius as the best man. Then, they all joined the Order of the Phoenix, and fought against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Lupin didn't mention the darker parts, nor did he bring up the traitor, Peter Pettigrew. In his stories, there was only friendship, adventure, courage—the youthful spirit of boys filled with energy, creating a beautiful and inspiring story together. Although this was Harry's first time meeting Sirius, he felt as if he'd known him for ages. Despite Sirius's current gaunt appearance, one could still see traces of his former handsomeness in his skeletal face. Sirius's lips moved slightly, and after a long pause, he finally said, "The last time I saw you... you were just this small..." He made a gesture the size of a small ball with his hands, then, realizing that wasn't quite right, widened it a bit. Harry wasn't sure what to say and gave him a shy smile. Looking at him, Sirius hesitated and said, "I don't know if anyone's ever told you... that... Harry, I'm your godfather..." "Yes, I know," Harry nodded. He hesitated, then stepped forward and gently hugged Sirius. Sirius bent down to embrace him, and his arms trembled slightly. "Your parents appointed me as your guardian in case anything ever happened to them..." Sirius's voice was hoarse. "Of course, I know I don't have much right to ask you to leave your current family... but if you're willing... if you want... I would like to take care of you..." Before he could finish, Lupin interrupted. His one remaining friend put an arm around his shoulders as he smiled warmly and said to him: "Sirius, you've just cleared your name. There's no need to rush. How about going back, taking a bath, changing into some clean clothes? I think you could also use some nutritious food to help you regain your strength," Lupin suggested. Sirius: "..." Lupin's words made sense, but somehow his smile looked just a little... mischievous? "Alright... fine," Sirius replied awkwardly. He glanced at Harry, and was about to say something, when Lupin continued: "Oh, and I should introduce you to someone. Although you haven't met him, he was actually the key to reopening your case." Sirius's curiosity was piqued. "Who is he?" "His name is Wade Grey. He's Harry's classmate and also my employer—and my student." Lupin spoke with a hint of pride. "He's only twelve years old, but he's the smartest young wizard I've ever met." Sirius thought he'd misheard. "Twelve? ... Employer?" "Yes..." Lupin was about to introduce Wade to Sirius but turned around only to find that Wade's seat was empty. "If you're looking for that boy," Moody, who hadn't yet left, interjected, "Dumbledore called him away. He asked me to tell you not to wait for him." ... Crowds were moving up the steps, hurrying toward the elevators. The underground space felt stifling and dim, and no one wanted to linger there any longer than necessary. Wade, however, found himself stopping and glancing down a nearby hallway. The corridor was pitch black, with no doors or windows—there wasn't even a torch on the walls. At the end stood a black door, silently beckoning anyone who might be tempted to approach. "That's the Department of Mysteries," Dumbledore said. "It's the Ministry's most classified area. Many things inside defy understanding, and are difficult to control." "Even for you, Professor?" Wade asked. "I must admit, that place makes me feel as ignorant as a child," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "Many may think I know more magic than most, but in the grand journey of magic, I am still but an apprentice." "What kind of magic is in there?" "A great deal," Dumbledore replied. "For example, there are studies on time, death, and prophecy. Many learned and gifted wizards work tirelessly there, studying the most mysterious and dangerous branches of magic. They are called Unspeakables, and throughout their lives, they never disclose the nature of their work to anyone." "Unspeakables..." Wade thought for a moment before asking, "Professor, is there something you need from me?" "I want to thank you, Wade," Dumbledore said gently. "Regarding Sirius's case, I made an error in judgment based on my own assumptions." "I once vouched to the Ministry that Sirius was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, and after he was imprisoned, I didn't pursue a detailed investigation..." "If I had visited Sirius in prison, even just once, I might have realized that he was not the traitor." Wade didn't criticize Dumbledore but thought it over and said, "When you believed he'd betrayed them, you must have felt very angry... and disappointed." "That's true," Dumbledore agreed. "I had seen so many bright young people fall into darkness, and I assumed Sirius was another one of them..." "But I doubt Mr. Black would blame you for it," Wade said. "Their plan misled everyone... if Peter Pettigrew hadn't betrayed them, it would have been a brilliant strategy." "Yes, who could have foreseen it?" Dumbledore sighed deeply. "To see a close friend transform so suddenly... it leaves you questioning whether you ever truly knew them..." Wade looked at Dumbledore, whose face, half-lit by the torchlight, revealed only a shadowed profile. He wondered if Dumbledore was recalling someone from his own past. -------------------------------- ????????Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!! Your support is greatly appreciated! 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Chapter 162: Sirius and Lupin

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