The Detective Agency's Name Really Isn't Meant to Target Lupin / You Need Photos and Proof to Bring a Rat to Justice

The Thestral carriage arrived at Hogwarts Castle. Harry looked around as he alighted, but couldn't find Sirius. It seemed he was well hidden.

He also spotted Ron, who had been constantly bothered by Colin, and thankfully, the rat in his hand was still there.

After entering the Great Hall, Harry, his two companions, and others sat at the Ravenclaw table. He glanced at the High Table and noticed that Lupin and Hagrid were already seated there.

Noticing Harry's gaze, the former nodded seriously, while the latter waved excitedly, almost knocking over the wine glass in front of him.

"Hi, Hermione ~" At that moment, Penelope, Ravenclaw upperclassman who had become the student council president, came over. "Professor Flitwick just told me that you need to see him alone after the banquet to discuss your course selections. But he also told you to focus on the banquet first."

"I understand, thank you, senior," Hermione replied gratefully.

"So, the course you chose really was problematic, wasn't it?" Luna Lovegood, standing to the side, gave her assessment with wide eyes.

"This has nothing to do with you~"

"Sigh..." Looking at the two girls who had clearly started bickering since their reunion, Harry couldn't help but sigh, thinking that the days ahead were likely to be filled with arguments.

The noise in the Great Hall continued for a while, until Professor McGonagall arrived at the center of the Great Hall with a bench and the Sorting Hat, at which point everyone fell silent.

The new year of college divisions has begun!

The new students whose names were called stepped forward one by one to be screened by the Sorting Hat. Harry glanced around and noticed Will was in the middle of the line.

However, a name that preceded his caught the attention of Harry, Meghan, and Harry.

"Astoria Greengrass Greengrass, Slytherin."

As a member of Pure-blood family, it was not surprising that this pretty eleven-year-old girl was sorted into Slytherin.

Upon seeing her, Harry, Harry, and his two companions all thought of Greengrass, the unfortunate boy who was glared to death by the Basilisk last school year.

"Will Henry Potter ... I never imagined someone like you would enter the Wizarding World." The Sorting Hat seemed a bit stuck when Will was sorting the children into their houses. "Hmm... given your situation, which house should I put you in?"

"My brother told me that if you're torn about your house during sorting, it means I can choose," Will said earnestly after taking a deep breath. "I want to be sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Oh, so confident?" the Sorting Hat asked curiously. "How can you be so sure that you possess intelligence that matches Ravenclaw's?"

"I can't be sure," Will said, shaking his head. "But I'm certain that if I asked and you didn't comply, my brother will set you on fire again."

"You... Oh, damn it, don't mention that again! Alright, Ravenclaw it is Ravenclaw, you get going!!"

Upon learning that the 'brother' Will mentioned was actually Harry, the school bully, the Sorting Hat hurriedly and angrily banished him to the long table in Eagle House.

It's all Colin's fault, though. He kept bragging to Will about Harry's 'heroic deeds' back in Diagon Alley.

Colin was indeed quite disappointed at this point, since he had a very good conversation with Will and was even thinking about whether he could get Will into Gryffindor as well.

However, he also knew that Will was, after all, Harry's 'relative,' and it would be more convenient for him to be taken care of if he were in Eagle House.

Besides, Colin didn't have time to dwell on these things right now, because he was busy taking care of Ron's mice.

With a piece of cheese in his left hand and a bottle of rat stimulant in his right, are you moved, Scabbers?

Well... with Lupin sitting in the High Table, Scabbers certainly didn't dare to move an inch.

The sorting process for first-year students was drawing to a close, and when a dark-haired girl named Romilda Vannie was sorted into Gryffindor, it meant that all the freshmen had found their place.

After that, Dumbledore also stood up in the main seat.

"Welcome to Hogwarts for the new school year!" Dumbledore's booming voice echoed throughout the Great Hall. "Before the banquet begins, my friends who live in the Black Lake have something to tell you: the water quality of the school's Black Lake has significantly improved after a holiday of cleanup."

"In the days to come, I hope that everyone at Hogwarts will always remember: do not damage the environment of the Black Lake."

Chapter 275 The name of the Detective Society wasn't intentionally targeting Lupin.

In his first speech of the year, Dumbledore addressed the issue of maintaining the Black Lake's water quality, which sounded somewhat like a government work report.

After that, he gestured towards the new faces in the High Table.

"Next, I am pleased to announce that two new teachers have joined our faculty this year. The first is Professor Remus Professor Lupin, who has generously agreed to fill the vacancy in the Defense Against the Dark Arts course."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Lupin rose and gave a slight nod, but the applause in the Great Hall was not particularly enthusiastic.

Especially the students who just entered the second grade this year, hardly anyone clapped.

The students were tricked by Lockhart last year, and now the 'old man' Lupin is the complete opposite of Lockhart in terms of clothing; in short, he doesn't look like a proper wizard at all.

Moreover, if he were to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts to second-year students, it would mean that Harry could no longer substitute for them.

However, they had no choice but to accept it, as it was a decision already made by the school.

"As for the second new teacher, it is our gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid." After a brief pause, Dumbledore continued, "He will succeed Professor Kettleburn, who retired last year, as the new teacher of the course 'Care of Magical Creatures'."

Applause rang out again, with Hagrid, as a Hogwarts elder, receiving more applause than Lupin, but it was still lukewarm.

"Furthermore, I must solemnly announce that, given that the two new teachers may require some assistance, we have specially added a teaching assistant this year for both Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures. And this teaching assistant is... third-year student Harry Granger!!"

Dumbledore's words silenced the room instantly, and at that moment, almost everyone's eyes were fixed on Harry at Eagle House's table.

Dumbledore then seized the opportunity to continue, "For Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, Harry will serve as an assistant teacher for the third year and below, and will continue to substitute for the instructor when the teacher is unavailable, just as he did last year; as for Care of Magical Creatures Class, he will continue to work with Hagrid, responsible for all courses from the third to the seventh year. I think... no one should object to this arrangement, right?"

As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the Great Hall, especially from Harry's close friends and the new second-year students, who practically clapped until their hands were red.

To put it bluntly, Harry received more applause as a teaching assistant than Lupin and Hagrid combined.

Just as Dumbledore said, no one would object to this decision, because Harry's aura was simply too dazzling.

In terms of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry is the 'The Boy Who Lived' who defeated the Dark Lord as an infant. Since enrolling in Hogwarts, he has been revered as the 'Hogwarts God of War' for his unparalleled fighting prowess. Last year, he even directly killed the ancient Basilisk in the Chamber.

Regarding the Care of Magical Creatures, Harry is a beloved student whom the renowned scholar Newt Scamander repeatedly emphasizes as being "like a son." In the latest edition of * Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, Newt even made a special annotation... Harry was the first to discover that the Occamy could understand Parseltongue!

At this moment, many people might be thinking to themselves that if Harry weren't only a third-year student, his role would definitely not be just that of a 'teaching assistant'.

"Thank you all for your support. I will fulfill my responsibilities as a teaching assistant and will not let you down."

Seeing Albus Dumbledore's wink, Harry rose to greet him and said with a smile, "Also, taking advantage of this opening banquet, I'd like to announce something... Given that Hogwarts has indeed had quite a few strange incidents in the past, such as the Chamber of Chamber and various thefts, I've decided to establish a Detective Society. From now on, if any professors or students have any problems they can't solve, they can all entrust them to my Detective Society to handle."

Harry's words caused another uproar in the Great Hall.

By openly promoting himself at the opening banquet, Harry once again demonstrated what a school bully really is, and just how much the Hogwarts faculty dote on him.

As for the Detective Society, some students definitely need it... like Neville, who often loses things.

"Oh right, I haven't mentioned the name of the Detective Society yet." Suddenly remembering something, Harry quickly slapped his forehead. "My newly formed Detective Society is called... Werewolf Kill!"

"Puff!!"

The name Harry uttered caused all the teachers present to look strange at the same time, and Lupin, who had just raised his glass, spat out all the wine in his mouth.

Of course, Harry didn't choose this name intentionally to target anyone; he just picked it randomly after learning his 'previous life' nickname.

After all, the Prophet and the Doctor (Witch) are already available, plus Hermione, who is good at researching and fighting, the divine roles in Werewolf Kill are complete.

(Colin, Will: Meow meow meow~)

"In short, although this is a Detective Society made up entirely of students, I think you all have absolutely no need to doubt our abilities."

As Harry continued speaking, his tone took on a strange quality, and the faces of the teachers in the High Table tensed up simultaneously.

The main event is about to begin!

"Today, we'll solve the Werewolf Kill Detective Agency's first case... the bombing murder case from twelve years ago! In that case, twelve ordinary people died tragically, and my godfather Sirius Black, was unjustly sent to Azkaban. And the real culprit... is now hiding in this very Great Hall!!"

Just as all the students began to chatter noisily, the doors of the Great Hall at Hogwarts suddenly slammed shut.

"It's just a little game of cat and mouse, everyone, there's no need to panic." Seeing that the students seemed to be in a state of panic, Harry chuckled and reassured them.

"Meow~"

As if in response to Harry, Mrs. Norris, who had been standing quietly beside Filch, suddenly let out a long howl, and then her seven children slowly stepped out from all directions.

At the same time, Crookshanks, whom Hermione was holding, jumped off the long table, and Hedwig, who had been perched on Harry's shoulder, also spread her wings!

Nine cats and an owl... This tense scene immediately silenced the students in the Great Hall.

Ron's spotted Scabbers was now stiff and limp on him, not daring to move an inch!

"Woo..." Crookshanks walked proudly through the group of students, still with its round face and bowed legs, but in this situation, no one dared to make fun of it.

"Meow!"

As he approached the Gryffindor table, Crookshanks suddenly let out a fierce roar and leaped directly in front of Ron!

The other eight cats, who had received the signal, along with Hedwig the owl, simultaneously swooped down from all directions toward the Gryffindor table.

"Crookshanks ... what are you doing?" Ron was startled when Crookshanks stared at him. "Hermione, can't you control your cat... no!"

However, before he could finish speaking, Crookshanks slapped at Scabbers with his paw, startling the stiff rat so much that it tumbled to the ground and ran away.

In an instant, the entire Gryffindor long table was thrown into chaos.

Meanwhile, the nine cats led by Crookshanks and Mrs. Norris, plus Hedwig flying above the Great Hall, have begun to pursue and intercept the fleeing mice.

A grand opening act for the new year has begun!

Chapter 276 Bringing the Rat to Justice Requires Pictures and Proof

"Damn it... what are you doing? You suddenly said you were catching some murderer, but now you're attacking Scabbers?!"

Well, the first act of the grand opening act began with Ron's furious roar.

Faced with Crookshanks swaggering in front of him, he angrily drew his newly bought wand, but Mrs. Norris and Hedwig simultaneously blocked his way.

In that brief moment of respite, the administrator Filch arrived from behind Ron, grabbing him and taking away his wand.

Now Ron could only stand there and watch helplessly as his mouse was surrounded and intercepted by a group of expert mousers led by Harry.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore in the stands was also busy. He casually waved his wand, easily expanding the area in the center of the Great Hall and setting up a protective barrier in front of the students to prevent accidental injuries in the event of a fight.

"Peter Pettigrew Peter, you can't escape." Harry glared indifferently at the rats scurrying about. "It's time to settle the debt from twelve years ago!"

As Harry spoke, the nine cats and one owl that were hunting him simultaneously exerted their strength, driving Scabbers directly to the center of the spacious Great Hall, and fixing their twenty watchful eyes on him.

"Harry, what did you say... Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew? Impossible, you must be mistaken! He's just an ordinary mouse in our house, how could he possibly be an Animagus?!"

Ron struggled to get forward and stop him, but he was firmly held by Filch and couldn't break free at all.

"Ginny, Percy, George, Fred! Who's going to say something for me?!"

He kept calling out to his brothers and sister, hoping they would step in and help 'poor Scabbers,' but none of the other four Weasley responded to his expectations.

Although Ginny's feelings for Harry were nipped in the bud, she still idolized Harry and wouldn't lower her standing in Harry eyes for a mouse.

As for the other three Weasley, they were either rigid or liked to fool around, but without exception, they were all much smarter and more rational Ron.

Is Scabbers a normal mouse?

The biggest problem is precisely what Ron said.

Can an ordinary mouse live for over ten years like Scabbers, passing from Percy to Ron, and still be alive after the two brothers?

Besides, why didn't Harry go find other mice instead of targeting Scabbers?

This matter concerns the innocence of his godfather, Sirius. With a mind as sharp as Harry's, would he possibly admit to something wrong?

These are questions that most people, if they are willing to use their brains, should be able to figure out quickly.

But after assessing the events of last year's Chamber, Harry felt that Ron definitely couldn't understand it.

Ron Weasley is a somewhat reckless but essentially kind-hearted person, and it is precisely because he is such a good person that Harry feels he doesn't need to offer any explanation to him.

Because he is more concerned about the people or things around him, such as Ginny was involved in the Chamber incident, and Scabbers in front of him.

Harry could easily imagine that Ron would react the same way no matter who brought it up with Ron beforehand.

First, they shouted "Impossible!" Then they desperately protected Scabbers from anyone else's investigation. Finally, after much arguing and the truth finally came out, they regretted it and changed their tune...

Based on this whole process, Harry swore that if he were Peter Pettigrew, he would have Apparition and escaped the moment Ron uttered the first word.

So, Harry could only apologize to Ron for now, and he could always compensate him with a new mouse later.

"Screech!" Finally, unable to withstand the pressure, Scabbers let out a sharp cry, and then, at its maximum speed, it dashed out towards the Great Hall door without a care in the world.

As he ran, his originally rat-like body suddenly began to grow rapidly, quickly transforming into a short, stout man with a sleazy appearance, and forcefully shoved aside the two cats blocking the way.

"Alohomora!!" The fleeing man roared the incantation towards the front, and in an almost eerie way, he opened the previously locked door!