To many in the hall…
Lupin seemed even less reliable than Lockhart.
At least Lockhart managed to present himself as a proper wizard, while Lupin wore patched robes.
Would it kill him to use a simple mending charm?
"Look! Look at the way Snape's staring at him," Ron whispered, tugging on Harry's sleeve as if uncovering a monumental secret.
"He was my father's friend," Harry replied succinctly. "Back in school, I think he used to beat up Professor Snape."
Ron froze, pursing his lips.
Well…
That actually made a lot of sense.
Lupin, with an expression of practiced calm, resumed his seat, seemingly accustomed to cold stares.
Dumbledore continued, "Now, let us welcome our second new professor."
"I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn has submitted his resignation. Please understand—he's a man who loves magical creatures, but he's no longer up for the task."
The upper-year students burst into laughter.
The younger students, on the other hand, looked confused, not quite grasping the joke.
"To replace him as Care of Magical Creatures professor, Rubeus Hagrid has graciously agreed to take on this role in addition to his duties as Keeper of Keys and Grounds."
The announcement was met with hesitation.
For a moment, no one clapped.
Harry, however, started clapping first.
He trusted Hagrid's expertise in magical creatures. Their occasional conversations on the subject had often left Harry impressed by Hagrid's deep understanding.
Following Harry's lead, the Gryffindor table erupted in enthusiastic applause.
The Hufflepuffs joined in cheerfully.
Even the Ravenclaws reluctantly followed suit.
Only the Slytherins clapped sparsely, their disdain clear.
Hagrid beamed at Harry, his face hidden within his thick beard lighting up with a grateful smile.
"I should've known," Ron muttered, clapping as well. "Who else but Hagrid would have us buy biting books?"
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them might have been a better choice," Hermione said with a tinge of worry. "Not every student will figure out how to tame that book."
Ron blinked in surprise. "Tame it? You mean that book can actually be tamed?"
"You didn't figure that out?" Hermione asked, equally shocked.
This was the third-best student in their year?
Ron's ears turned red. "I just used a Binding Charm to keep it tied up."
"Same," Harry admitted with a nod.
Relieved, Ron lost his guilt.
Even Harry hadn't figured it—
"Spines are its weak point," Harry added matter-of-factly.
"You… you knew?" Ron stammered.
Harry nodded.
"Then why'd you do the same thing as me?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"To tease Hedwig once in a while," Harry said with a shrug. "She didn't deliver many letters this summer, and Aunt Petunia kept feeding her treats. She's put on weight—two whole rings!"
"If she gets any heavier, she won't be able to fly."
Hermione recalled something and exclaimed, "No wonder Hedwig felt so heavy when she landed on my head the other day!"
Dumbledore waved his wand, and food appeared along the long tables.
Harry and his friends enjoyed their meal.
Meanwhile, the Sorting Hat endured an endless barrage of affection from Crookshanks.
After dinner, as Hermione cradled Crookshanks in her arms, the cat bit down stubbornly on the Sorting Hat, unwilling to let go of its new toy.
"Let go. I need it tonight," Harry said, lightly tapping Crookshanks on the head.
Obediently, the cat released the hat.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "He listens to you so well."
"He's afraid of me," Harry replied, stroking Crookshanks' head and tugging on one of his ears. "He's a clever one."
Crookshanks let out a soft meow, a sound that was more genuine than pretentious.
"Be careful," Hermione warned. "If you're not back by midnight, I'm telling Professor McGonagall."
Harry nodded. "Don't worry. If I can't make it back in time, I'll use my Patronus to send you a message."
"If you don't hear from me, then tell Professor McGonagall…"
Suddenly—
The amulet on Harry's chest began vibrating violently again.
He looked around.
Lupin was chatting with McGonagall.
Snape wasn't looking at him but was glaring daggers at Lupin, his eyes filled with hatred, loathing, and a trace of… concern?
Harry's mind raced.
So… Lupin likely knew about that incident with his mother?
He scanned the hall.
Malfoy, looking sullen, was walking with a group of upper-year students, paying no attention to Harry.
A few Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor girls were glancing his way. When they noticed him looking back, they blushed and quickly averted their eyes.
They didn't seem malicious.
So who was it?
Harry frowned.
Parting ways with Hermione and Ron on the third floor, he made his way toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
As he left the crowd behind, the amulet stopped vibrating.
He paused mid-step.
Besides Hermione and Ron, fewer than ten Ravenclaw and Gryffindor students had been walking with him earlier. Could the malice have come from one of those strangers?
If it were a Hufflepuff, it would make more sense—after all, last year, with Dumbledore's "help," Harry had stolen their House Cup.
Knock knock knock.
Harry rapped on the door. Almost immediately, Lupin opened it.
The amulet was silent.
"Harry, come in," Lupin said, ushering him inside.
Instead of entering right away, Harry waved his wand, transforming his robes into a small deer that bounded into the room.
The deer hopped around, checked every corner, and then leapt back out, signaling the all-clear.
Only then did Harry step inside.
"If James had been as cautious as you, things might've been different," Lupin said wistfully, shaking his head. "He and Sirius were reckless to a fault."
"I figured as much," Harry replied. "You'd have to be pretty fearless to befriend a werewolf."
Lupin shook his head with a wry smile. "James was braver than you think. He even accompanied me on full moons when I transformed."
Harry froze, leaning back slightly and patting himself down. "I'm sure I don't have any werewolf bites."
"I've never bitten anyone," Lupin said, dragging over two chairs. "If I had, Dumbledore wouldn't have hired me."
Harry sat down. "Let's continue our train conversation."
"How do you think Sirius Black escaped Azkaban?"
Lupin sat across from him, choosing his words carefully. "Do you know about Animagi?"
"Professor McGonagall gave me several of my dad's notes on Transfiguration," Harry replied. "I'm planning to try Animagus transformation this year."
Lupin blinked, startled. "You're just like your father—brilliant. But he didn't approach professors for guidance. He, Sirius, and Peter tried Animagus transformation recklessly, on their own."
"They were careless, but lucky. All three succeeded."
"All three…"
Harry caught on quickly. "So Sirius used Animagus transformation to escape Azkaban?"
The amulet remained silent.
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates