The three of them were startled when they saw Professor McGonagall's Patronus.
Sirius and Lupin knew very well what it meant for Professor McGonagall to use the Patronus Charm at a time like this. It was a means of communication known only to members of their Order of the Phoenix.
Professor McGonagall had most likely gone to notify Professor Dumbledore, which immediately put both of them at ease.
Douglas knew only that this method of communication existed, but did not understand it in much depth.
He really had not expected Professor McGonagall to react so strongly at first, even going so far as to suspect the Imperius Curse.
Ultimately, he had not lived through that war and did not understand their pain at being betrayed by a comrade and losing close friends.
He asked again:
"Professor, have you notified the Ministry of Magic?"
Still staring at Sirius, Professor McGonagall gave a cold snort and said:
"The headmaster of Hogwarts is Albus Dumbledore, not the Ministry of Magic."
"Oh," Douglas said, then pulled over a stool and sat down.
Hearing the movement, Professor McGonagall turned to give Douglas a surprised look.
When she looked back at Sirius, she saw that Lupin and Sirius had also sat down on stools.
For a moment, Professor McGonagall could not make sense of the situation.
Douglas placed both hands on the table to show that he would not reach for his wand.
"Professor, given your position, you should know about the Secret Keeper for the Fidelius Charm back then. The real Secret Keeper wasn't Sirius, but Peter Pettigrew."
After seeing their actions, Professor McGonagall lowered the wand she had been pointing at Sirius, but did not put it away.
Frowning, she said:
"Douglas, don't let yourself be deceived... Pettigrew, that poor, foolish boy, went after