The Reductor Curse might not be a high-level spell, nor particularly hard to learn, but it's certainly not something one can dodge with ease.
Without any preparation, the chances of getting hit are high.
And for an ordinary dog... nearly impossible.
So when the massive black dog actually avoided the Reductor Curse, every face around twisted into an expression of disbelief. Their eyes reflected shock, as if they had just witnessed something impossible.
Except for Hermione, who stood calmly beside Draco.
Her composure suggested she had expected this outcome all along. What surprised her instead was Ron Weasley's reaction—sharper and quicker than even Harry Potter's. From an observer's standpoint, such things were easier to notice.
Draco, however, who had long suspected Ron Weasley was hiding something, stared intently at the large black dog that clearly bore hostility toward the Weasley. He could feel something wrong about it—or rather, anyone could.
The black dog almost seemed aware that the spell used moments ago was the Reductor Curse.
More than that, after realizing it couldn't easily gain the upper hand, the beast stopped its reckless assault. Its wary, murderous eyes gleamed with an intelligence far beyond what one would expect from a dog.
But why was it attacking Ron Weasley? And what did that earlier explosion have to do with this black creature?
More importantly, Hermione had clearly come to Draco because she'd been in danger. The problem was, Draco was now in a state where he couldn't even cast the simplest spell...
...
Harry Potter, unaware that others were hiding nearby, now looked at Ron with a strange expression as he raised his wand.
More than wondering when Ron had mastered the Reductor Curse, Harry was preoccupied with why this black dog was attacking Ron.
"Ron, did you do something to this dog?"
What Harry didn't mention was that he'd seen this dog before, and it reminded him of the death prophecy from Divination class.
Ron, however, had no recollection of the dog whatsoever and couldn't understand why it was attacking him...
"Of course not! This dog must be mad!"
"And is it even really a dog? Are you sure it doesn't have some other Magical Creatures' blood in it?"
Just as they were at an impasse, a rustling sound and faint squeaking came from Ron's arms. Whether it was an illusion or not, the squeaking carried a sense of fear and panic.
"Scabbers, be quiet."
"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!!"
"What's wrong with Scabbers? Is he scared?"
Ron frowned, preoccupied with the dog across from him, leaving him no time to tend to Scabbers, who had suddenly gone wild.
Because of this distraction, Ron and the others failed to notice the bloodshot eyes in the large black dog's gaze. Its ferocious expression sent a chill down the spine. It seemed to have transformed into this state after hearing Scabbers' voice...
"WOOF-ROAR!!"
The sudden low growl drew everyone's gaze.
There stood the black hound, eyes bulging wide and body twisted into an unnatural posture. Its agonized snarl and bulging veins made everyone's skin crawl. The eerie sight made Harry and the others instinctively step back a few paces.
Pansy, witnessing this, nearly gave away her own presence.
"What is this!?"
"What's going on?"
"That's... Animagus transformation!!"
"Animal... transformation..."
"An Animagus. This isn't just a dog—it's a wizard's Animagus."
Pansy, gifted in Transfiguration and dedicated to mastering it, instantly recognized what was happening before her.
Yet, as she watched the massive black dog gradually shift into human form, confusion clouded her eyes. Among all registered Animagi at the Ministry, Pansy couldn't recall anyone with a black hound as their Animagus.
Could it be an illegal Animagus?
As Pansy stood stunned, Hermione tugged nervously at Draco's robes. She seemed to have something urgent to tell him...
"Listen to me! That dog... no, that wizard is Sirius Black!"
"Sirius Black??"
"The Azkaban escapee?"
Watching the image begin to manifest human limbs, Draco suddenly understood why the Dementors couldn't capture him.
If Sirius Black had maintained his Animagus form all along...
...
"Eek!!"
"That's the Animagus Professor McGonagall told us about!?"
The past Hermione also recognized the situation he was in. Of course, the present Hermione still didn't know his identity.
However, it was unclear whether Sirius Black hadn't undergone systematic training, or if his long life on the run had left him severely weakened. This made his Animagus transformation appear far more harrowing and painful than Professor McGonagall's effortless elegance.
After all, that hoarse cry and the way he was violently tearing at the grass looked utterly agonizing and distressing...
Just as Harry Potter and the others hesitated over whether to leave now, the man's transformation finally came to an end.
Sirius Black first gasped for breath several times before slowly rising to his feet. The sheer effort made one fear he might collapse at any moment.
The instant he looked up, Harry Potter, recognizing the face, instinctively tightened his grip on his wand.
"Who are you?"
Beyond the unnerving rasp of his voice, his condition was dire.
The Sirius Black before them had filthy, matted hair that hadn't been combed in ages, hanging down to his elbows, his original features completely obscured. Were it not for the glint in the eyes set deep within his dark, sunken sockets, he might have been mistaken for a corpse. Waxy skin clung to his skeletal frame, making him look like a skull brought to life.
At that moment, he grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.
"Harry Potter."
Had Hermione not pointed him out, Draco would never have recognized this man as his fugitive uncle.
That... Sirius Black...
...
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