Sirius Black... acquitted...
The woman's pronouncement echoed like a golden bell, reverberating in the air.
Sirius sat blankly on the chair, his gaze vacant and bewildered.
He did not hear Fudge snort angrily, pushing his chair forcefully and striding out; did not see the few wizards hurriedly leaving after Fudge; nor did he realize when Dumbledore's hand left his shoulder.
People gradually left along the aisles, some whispering, some looking at him with expressions of sympathy or disdain, but he was oblivious to it all.
He stared at the floor ahead, seemingly lost in thought yet seeing nothing.
Until someone came beside him, took his hand, pulled him up, and hugged him tightly.
Remus...
Sirius thought of this brother he hadn't seen in so long, he wanted to speak, but his throat felt blocked by something. So his arms trembled as he raised them, hugging Lupin with force.
The warmth of human touch was like sunlight, pulling him out from the dark hell.
After a long while, they released each other.
"Remus..." Sirius's facial muscles twitched as he revealed a stiff smile: "I never expected to see your old self again..."
"I'm sorry, Sirius." Lupin whispered in repentance: "For eleven years, I didn't trust you... I should have known, of all people, you were the least likely to betray James..."
"No, I was indeed wrong." Speaking of the past, Sirius couldn't help but show a painful expression: "I foolishly suggested an idea, thinking it was the most perfect plan... If it weren't for me..."
He shook his head, unwilling to say more, not wanting to hear Lupin comfort him.
He saw the boy standing next to Lupin—messy black hair, green eyes, full of nervousness and anticipation.
How much he resembled James in his youth!
It was as if that friend was standing in front of him again.
Sirius was momentarily dazed, his mouth opening and closing several times before he finally found his voice.
"Harry?"
"Uh... it's me." Harry said somewhat timidly.
To Harry, Sirius was both a stranger and a familiar face.
Stranger because it was their first meeting, familiar because Lupin had shared many stories of their youth in recent days.
They went to school together, played together, lived in the same dormitory, confronted students from Slytherin, and often explored the campus at night;
In second grade, they discovered Lupin's secret of being a werewolf, but did not distance themselves.
To accompany Lupin during his werewolf transformations, James and Sirius learned to become Animagus by fifth grade;
James pursued Lily, initially hitting walls, but eventually succeeded in dating her in seventh grade, becoming as happy as a fool...
Sirius left the Pure-Blood supremacy of the Black Family at sixteen, and lived with the Potter Family. 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 Phoenix, fighting against Voldemort and the Death Eaters...
Lupin did not mention the bad parts, completely omitting Peter Pettigrew's betrayal.
His story was filled with friendship, adventure, courage, vibrant young men crafting a beautiful and aspirational tale.
Though it was the first time meeting Sirius, Harry felt he had known him for a long time.
Despite Sirius's current appearance seeming quite daunting, upon closer look, one could see the handsome contours on the face now thin as a skeleton.
Sirius's lips quivered, taking a long time before saying: "The last time I saw you, you were so small..."
He gestured with his hands a size like a small ball, then slightly enlarged it, realizing it wasn't quite right.
Harry didn't know what to say, merely smiled shyly.
Sirius looked at him, hesitating to say: "I don't know if anyone has told you... that... Harry, I am your godfather..."
"Yes, I know." Harry nodded.
He hesitated for a moment, walked forward, and gently hugged Sirius.
Sirius bent down to hug him, his arms trembling slightly.
"Your parents appointed me as your guardian should they meet misfortune..."
Sirius said hoarsely: "Of course, I know I don't really have the rights to take you away from your current family... but if you wish... if you want... I hope to take care of you..."
Before Sirius could finish speaking, Lupin interrupted him.
His existing, only friend laid a hand on his shoulder and smiled, saying:
"Sirius, you've just regained your honor, there's no need to rush. Go home, take a bath, change clothes, you need to eat nutritious food to recuperate well?"
Sirius: "..."
What Lupin said made sense, but somehow his smile seemed a bit fierce?
"Well... alright..."
Sirius said hesitantly, looking at Harry, about to say something when Lupin interjected:
"Oh, and I need to introduce you to someone. You don't know him, but regarding your case being retried, he is actually the greatest contributor."
Sirius's attention immediately shifted, asking: "Who is he?"
"His name is Vid Gray, Harry's classmate, also my employer and student." Lupin said proudly: "Though he is only twelve, he is the smartest young wizard I've ever met."
Sirius thought he misheard: "Twelve years old?... Employer?"
"Yes..." Lupin tried to introduce Vid to Sirius, but turning around found Vid's seat already empty.
"If you're looking for that boy," said Moody, who hadn't left, "Dumbledore called him away, and as he left, asked me to tell you not to wait for him."
...
The crowd climbed the stairs, rushing to take the elevator. The underground space was oppressive and dark, not a place people liked to linger.
Vid unconsciously stopped, looking towards a nearby corridor.
The corridor was pitch black, with no doors or windows, not even torches on the walls. At the end of the corridor was a black door, silently beckoning one to approach.
"That's the Department of Mysteries." Dumbledore said: "A top-secret room of the Ministry of Magic, it contains many things, their forms of existence difficult to understand and control."
"Even you can't, professor?" Vid asked.
"I must admit, that place makes me feel as ignorant as a child." Dumbledore smiled: "Though many believe I possess more magic than others, in the pursuit of magic, I am merely an apprentice."
"What kind of magic is there?"
"Many." Dumbledore said: "For instance, those concerning time, death, prophecy. Many knowledgeable and excellent wizards research the most mysterious and dangerous magic there day and night. They are called Unspeakable, never revealing to others the contents of their work in their lifetime."
"Unspeakable..." Vid pondered for a moment, then asked: "Professor, why did you call me?"
"I want to thank you, Vid." Dumbledore said calmly: "In the matter of Sirius, I made a mistake of subjective assumption."
"I once presented to the Ministry of Magic that Sirius was the Secret Keeper for the Potter Family, and after his imprisonment, did not investigate thoroughly..."
"If I had visited Sirius in prison, even just once... I should have realized he wasn't the betrayer."
Vid did not reproach Dumbledore, he thought and said: "When you initially thought he betrayed, you must have been very angry... and disappointed."
"Indeed." Dumbledore said: "I've seen too many talented young people fall into darkness, I thought Sirius was one of them..."
"But Mr. Blake shouldn't blame you for this." Vid said: "Their plan deceived everyone... if Peter Pettigrew hadn't betrayed, it was actually a great strategy."
"Yes, who would have thought?" Dumbledore sighed: "Close friends turning unrecognizable in an instant, making you wonder... if you ever truly knew them..."
Vid glanced at Dumbledore, only seeing half of his side face silhouetted by torchlight.
He didn't know if Dumbledore was reminded of someone.