Fudge's political show came to an end.
The flamboyant, clamorous wave of heat he had stirred up swiftly cooled before the silent formation below the dais and vanished without a trace.
Silence returned to the stage.
Sirius stepped forward. He used no magical amplifier, yet his voice reached everyone's ears clearly.
"The second part of the graduation ceremony."
"Presentation of certificates."
His words were like a starting pistol.
The formation of graduates below moved at his call.
The young man standing at the very front stepped out of the ranks.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
His pace was not fast, and the interval between each step was as precise as a metronome.
He stepped onto the red carpet and walked toward the dais.
Behind him, without anyone prompting him, the second person automatically filled his place, keeping the formation intact.
The entire process was quiet and orderly, with a military strictness to it.
The young man reached the dais and stood still.
He looked at no one below, his gaze fixed solely on his instructor, Remus Lupin.
First, he bent into a deep, ninety-degree bow.
Lupin's eyes were filled with a gratified smile.
From the silver tray held by the assistant beside him, he picked up two certificates and personally handed them over.
One had a red silk cover, with a line of lettering stamped in gold thread: [Wolfmane Academy Certificate of Completion].
On the parchment inside was an assessment written in Lupin's own hand: [Full-moon transformation control grade: excellent. Approved for graduation.]
They made no attempt to conceal what they were.
The other was made of tough dragon-hide parchment, cold to the touch.
In its lower right corner was a searing official Ministry of Magic embossed seal, its shape constantly shifting.
[Special Qualification Certification for Werewolf Wizards].
One represented the academy's