Once the emotional storm had passed, Douglas extended his invitation again.
"Truly, you two won't join me for breakfast?"
Lupin hesitated a moment, then took a seat at the table.
Douglas picked up a meat bun and tossed it to Sirius, who was still standing. Lupin glanced between the two men, then asked quietly,
"Where is he?"
Sirius took a bite of the bun before answering,
"Still with the boy. But don't worry—this fellow's drugged him…"
Lupin stared at Douglas in disbelief.
"Drugged?"
Douglas handed Lupin a bun as well. Lupin accepted it, took a bite, but never took his eyes off Douglas.
Douglas nodded.
"That's right. I added a special potion to Ron's rat feed. It strengthens the body—makes you healthier without noticing. There are some minor side effects, though. The eater gets a bit addicted to the feed and becomes especially sleepy…"
Of course, Douglas didn't mention its greatest effect.
Lupin eyed Sirius, who was already reaching for a second bun after wolfing down the first, then looked at his own half-eaten bun. After a moment's thought, he popped the rest into his mouth.
"I still don't understand—when did you two get together?"
Then he remembered the scene on the Hogwarts Express, and looked at Douglas and Sirius in shock.
"Did you break Padfoot out of Azkaban? I remember the wooden talisman you gave Harry caught a Dementor on the train, and there was a corporeal Patronus inside. Don't tell me all that was just a coincidence."
Douglas was about to explain, but Sirius cut him off.
"Let me tell it."
He was genuinely afraid that if Douglas started talking, Lupin would end up tricked into ten years of servitude as well.
Douglas listened quietly, occasionally adding a detail or two. At least Sirius knew what not to say—he kept quiet about the secret of the Defence Against the Dark Arts office fireplace, and, perhaps out of pride, didn't mention his own ten-year "service contract."
When their story ended, Lupin's eyes were red as he looked at Sirius for a long time before finally whispering,
"I'm sorry."
Sirius shook his hair, putting on a careless front.
"We're even, aren't we? I suspected you back then, too."
Lupin, clearly moved, was about to say more when Douglas interrupted, businesslike as ever.
"Ahem, let's get to the main point. Professor Lupin, the next part of the plan needs you to provide Harry and the others with some key information at crucial moments. Can you do that?"
Lupin collected himself, frowning.
"But I still don't understand. If we're protecting Padfoot's future, why not just catch Wormtail—Peter Pettigrew—and turn him over to the Ministry, rather than sending a bunch of underage kids to investigate?"
Douglas shook his head slowly.
"It's not that simple. The Ministry only admitted a few months ago—under Dumbledore's pressure—that Hagrid's old conviction was a mistake.
If we try to overturn another 'ironclad' case, it'll shake the Ministry's already fragile nerves. And this isn't just about clearing Sirius's name. Don't forget—they awarded Pettigrew the Order of Merlin, First Class. He's still a celebrated hero in the wizarding world…"
At this, Sirius gave a scornful snort, and Lupin's fists clenched.
Douglas continued,
"So this time, Dumbledore's influence alone won't be enough to clear Sirius's name. Prejudice is a mountain—and to move it, we need every ounce of help we can get.
That's why the children are our best hope. Most have complicated family networks behind them, and, most importantly, I think their parents will be far more willing to believe the truth uncovered by their own children…"
As for the darker reasons, Douglas kept those to himself.
—
At the school bulletin board:
[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Charon Detective Society]
To enrich campus culture, broaden students' extracurricular activities, and improve the all-round abilities of young wizards,
this society is officially established on September 5th, 1993, at the suggestion of Professor Holmes.
Charon is the ferryman of the River Styx in Greek mythology, and also the name of Pluto's largest moon.
Charon's orbit matches Pluto's rotation exactly, so they always show the same face to each other—only by moving beyond deception can one see the truth on the far side.
Recruitment Principles: Justice, Fairness, Openness
Eligible Applicants: All students from the four Houses
Application Period: September 6th–September 30th
Application Location: Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, after 5:00 p.m. daily
Society Activities: Exploring Hogwarts's hidden secrets, uncovering the truth behind wizarding mysteries, etc. (Members may post paid tasks.)
President: Harry James Potter
Vice Presidents: Hermione Jane Granger, Ronald Bilius Weasley
...
At the Gryffindor table, Ron was instantly swamped by a sea of students, all clamoring to know what the new society was about.
At first, Ron did his best to explain and encourage everyone to sign up. But as the crowd grew—students from other Houses joining in—he felt as if five hundred owls were screeching in his ears, every one a different species.
He deeply regretted not joining Hermione in the library when she'd asked.
The notice caught the eye of students from every House; even upper years began analyzing the hidden meanings behind it.
"See that name? Professor Holmes."
"Harry Potter's his nephew. Remember that troll last year?"
"Come on, let's ask—if Harry posts a task, will it involve magical gadgets Professor Holmes made?"
Draco Malfoy glanced at the notice, a sly smile curling his lips.
He turned to those around him.
"You think those reckless lions would actually accept Slytherin students?"
The Slytherins around him looked over—everyone knew that, aside from Professor Snape, Draco Malfoy was Harry Potter's greatest rival in Slytherin.
Interest in the matter spread until it reached Professor McGonagall herself.
She frowned as she read the copied notice. Without a word, she took the parchment and left her office.
—
Inside the Defence Against the Dark Arts office, the three men were chatting over tea when a sharp knock interrupted them.
Seeing through the enchanted mirror that it was Professor McGonagall, Douglas quickly stopped Sirius from transforming into a dog.
"No need. Don't you trust Professor McGonagall?"
Sirius glared at Douglas.
"We agreed I'd hide! Why do you want to tell everyone who walks in that you're hanging out with a wanted man?
And it's not about trust—she was my Head of House, you know."
Lupin chuckled.
"Every time we got into trouble, Professor McGonagall would lecture us for ages. Honestly, even now, if I'd done something wrong, my first instinct on seeing her would be to run the other way.
Open the door, Douglas. The more people who know about Padfoot, the safer you'll be."
Douglas grinned at these former Hogwarts legends.
"I get it, I get it. I still go weak at the knees when Professor Sprout gets angry."
He stepped forward and opened the door.
Professor McGonagall strode straight in, handing Douglas the notice as she spoke.
"Douglas, there are things you might not understand. We need to have a serious talk…"
Douglas had barely taken the parchment when he felt a powerful force yank him behind Professor McGonagall. Like a mother hen shielding her chick, she spread her arms and positioned herself in front of Douglas, wand raised and pointed at Sirius.
Even facing her former students and comrades, Professor McGonagall didn't attack immediately. Of course, that was also because neither Lupin nor Sirius had drawn their wands.
She shot Lupin a fierce, anxious look.
"Remus, what have you done? Why is he here… What have you done to Douglas?"
Lupin gave a wry smile, spreading his hands to show he wasn't reaching for his wand.
"Professor, I only just found out Sirius was here, and—"
But McGonagall cut him off, rounding on Sirius with fury.
"What are you playing at, Black? Did you use the Imperius Curse on Douglas?"
Sirius, stung by the accusation, glared at her, then at Douglas—who looked as if he was enjoying the show.
He felt a sudden wave of injustice. If only he really had used the Imperius Curse—ever since being tied up by a house-elf, every word from Douglas felt like a curse keeping him in line.
Douglas cleared his throat.
"Professor—"
"Quiet!" McGonagall snapped, not taking her eyes off Sirius.
A silver cat leapt from the tip of her wand, spun once in the air, and vanished.
"Black, I've already notified Dumbledore. I don't know how you managed to get into the school, but I will not allow you to harm a single student or professor here."
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