Fudge lowered his voice and said:
"We've received information that Black is very likely a werewolf. The Ministry of Magic has also questioned some people, and Sirius's removal from the Black family tree back then may well have had something to do with his identity..."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Just as Fudge finished speaking, Douglas choked on the mouthful of liquor that had just reached his throat.
"Sorry, Minister. It's been a long time since I last had a drink. I'm not quite used to it. Please, go on."
Fudge's words had not only made Douglas choke; everyone else at the table froze at them too.
Hagrid hiccuped and said loudly in surprise:
"How's that possible? We all know the werewolf is..."
Before he could finish, Professor McGonagall interrupted him irritably.
"Hagrid!"
Professor McGonagall glanced around as she spoke, and the nearby customers who had looked over at Hagrid's voice all lowered their heads.
Douglas promptly poured Hagrid a drink, held it to his mouth, and said:
"Drink. Don't talk!"
Fudge clearly did not know that Lupin was a werewolf, but he thought Hagrid meant the infamous werewolf Fenrir Greyback. He shrugged and said:
"Hagrid, you must understand that Greyback isn't the only werewolf in the world. Sirius may very well have been one of Greyback's victims..."
Madam Rosmerta said in puzzlement:
"If I remember correctly, Black and Potter were as close as brothers at school. If Black's a werewolf, could it have happened after graduation?"
Fudge shook his head, cautiously glanced around, and then said quietly:
"No. Our investigation found that the Black family struck Sirius from the family rolls very early on. We suspect the real reason behind it may have been that Black's werewolf blood tainted their pure wizarding bloodline.
"As for why he was so close to