"I, I, you... I was just under the Imperius Curse, right, I was just under the Bl—Voldemort's Imperius Curse. Or maybe Sirius Black's!"
Wormtail looked at the gaping hole Voldemort's self-destruction had blasted through both floors of the castle. Seeing the Basilisk, still faintly fragrant from being roasted, he immediately found what he thought was the most convincing thing to say.
"Ah, that's a very interesting story..."
Sirius had also come to his senses.
Although he looked just as stunned, never having imagined that a young wizard could kill Voldemort single-handedly, the facts were right in front of him. He wasn't seeing things because a Dementor had eaten his brain. This unbelievable thing had really happened!
But just as Sirius was about to continue, a spell shot in from a distance.
"Expelliarmus!"
Bang!
The spell slammed into Sirius and sent him flying. His wand sprang from his hand, spun through the air, and landed in Snape's cold hand.
He was the first professor to arrive.
"Harry! You've been far too reckless!"
Snape disarmed Sirius before bellowing at them, all the while keeping a wary eye on his surroundings.
He had been able to attack from so far away because Voldemort's Fiendfyre had exploded earlier, blasting apart the bathroom walls and giving him a direct view inside.
Seeing the half-dead Basilisk and the disastrous scene, Snape's eyes turned grave. He remained on guard against Voldemort, who might still be lurking nearby.
The professors had all arrived now. Snape's only task was to buy time.
After being knocked down by the Disarming Charm, Sirius scrambled back to his feet.
"Snape! Couldn't you figure out what was going on first? You haven't changed at all—you're still full of arrogance and prejudice!"
"Snape, kill Sirius quickly! You won't get another chance!"
Wormtail hurriedly chimed