The Daily Prophet's reporter and photographer went straight to Sirius, because the earlier rumor that he was a werewolf had sparked a bout of panic.
Later, the Ministry of Magic had come forward to testify and clear up Sirius's identity. They had thought the matter was over, only for it to blow up again today.
"Mr. Black, if I heard correctly just now, your good friend Professor Remus Lupin just said he has werewolf blood.
"And a few months ago, you were the very person falsely rumored to be a werewolf-is there a connection between the two? Is this a publicity stunt you're using to attract attention? Or is all of this true?"
The Quick-Quotes Quill automatically recorded the interview on parchment.
Sirius had been watching Lupin on the platform intently. At the reporter's question, he glanced at him, then turned his gaze back to the platform.
"During working hours, please address me by my position: director of the Academic Affairs Office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Er, all right, Director Black."
Sirius nodded in satisfaction. Unfortunately, he lacked a cup of tea at hand, so he could not imitate Douglas's bureaucratic manner.
"As for whether it's true, keep listening to Remus and you'll find out. Let me ask you something. If a werewolf held a position at Hogwarts, what do you think the consequences would be?"
"That would be utterly unbelievable. A dangerous werewolf, among so many young wizards, and every full moon... how could Dumbledore dare? How many students would get hurt?"
Sirius took a stack of parchment out of his cloth bag and said casually:
"In all these years, have you ever heard of a werewolf hurting anyone at Hogwarts? Judging by your age, you must at least have overlapped with us there, wouldn't you