Back to the Castle

Now that Dumbledore knew about them, things would be much easier. With his influence and a little maneuvering, Sirius Black's name could surely be cleared.

They didn't care how Dumbledore had found them there.

After all, when Lupin had transformed in the Shrieking Shack during the full moon, Dumbledore had been the one to plant the Whomping Willow at the entrance as cover.

It wouldn't be surprising if he had made other arrangements there, too.

Dumbledore was no naive do-gooder. Though he had accepted Lupin as a werewolf, he couldn't have done so without taking precautions.

Lupin was a good man, but once he transformed, there was no telling what might happen. If he bit or killed a few students, how would Dumbledore answer to their parents? He was a professor who took his responsibility to his students seriously.

The group set off for the castle, taking the floating Peter with them.

"You little brat. You really didn't hold back against me," Sirius Black grumbled in the passageway, leaning on Eli with a disgruntled look.

"Heh, I was just trying to save time." Eli scratched his head sheepishly. Sirius was his godfather, after all. Now that he was calling Eli to account, Eli couldn't exactly fight back.

"By the way, wasn't that move of yours Snape's Sectumsempra? Are you close to him?"

"Pretty close. Professor Snape has taught me a lot. Potions, spells—he teaches me both."

Sirius Black patted Eli's shoulder, his expression grave. "Don't get too close to that man. He's bad news. His head's full of Voldemort's bullshit ideas."

The moment Sirius Black mentioned Snape, his face filled with contempt.

Unlike Lupin, his hatred of Snape had never faded, and he made no effort to hide it.

Sirius Black came from the distinguished pure-blood Black family, but he