Truth

"Could it be... why didn't anyone tell me?"

Lupin looked at Black in disbelief.

What happened to the agreement of a group of four? It turns out these three people aren't including him.

"Sorry..."

Black lowered his head in shame.

Because of Lupin's Werewolf identity, they were indeed intentionally or unintentionally wary of each other at the time.

Seeing Black's expression, Lupin immediately understood.

As a Werewolf, Lupin had lived with discrimination and prejudice since childhood. He had long since become accustomed to it.

Although it was his best friends who suspected him this time, it was all so many years ago. Now, everything has changed, and there's no point in dwelling on those things anymore.

"But why didn't you say it back then?"

Even if Black had told the 'truth' back then, people might not have believed him. But Professor Dumbledore and other members of the Order of the Phoenix would likely have launched an investigation.

"Because I am guilty. It was I who strongly suggested that James secretly replace the Secret Keeper with Pettigrew. My arrogance completely destroyed the Fidelius Charm."

Therefore, it's not wrong to say that I killed James.

"After killing Little Star and completing my revenge, being imprisoned in Azkaban is the punishment I deserve."

Lupin fell silent.

He could understand Black's thoughts. But that was precisely why he didn't know what to say.

Where is Little Pettigrew?

Lupin certainly couldn't believe Black's words alone.

There should still be some time before Black is executed. He wants to use this time to personally investigate the truth of the matter.

"He's dead."

Black said in a low voice.

He was both happy for Peter's death and deeply regretful that he hadn't been able to kill him with his own hands.

"Dead!?"

Lupin looked at Black with suspicion.

He increasingly felt that what the other party had said before was all a lie to him.

Black sensed distrust in Lupin's voice, but he didn't pay it any mind.

"Perhaps this is karma."

Black thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile.

"You know, Pettigrew's Animagus is a rat. He infiltrated the Weasley family and disguised himself as an ordinary pet rat."

Black had no intention of defending himself; he simply stated the facts as he knew them.

"Just recently, I heard Harry say that the mouse that Pettigrew was disguised as was was accidentally killed by a Little Wizard named Beru?"

Lupin thought for a long time but couldn't recall any Little Wizard named Beru. But now wasn't the time to dwell on such things.

"I'll go find Professor Dumbledore right now and tell him about it."

After saying that, Lupin walked quickly out of the classroom, ignoring Black's shouts behind him trying to stop him.

After leaving the classroom, Lupin did not immediately go to the Headmaster's Office to find Dumbledore as he had previously stated.

Although time is of the essence, he must first verify the truth of the matter.

The Faculty Lounge contains every issue of the Daily Prophet from recent periods.

After recalling the timing of Black's escape, Lupin quickly focused on July.

It didn't take Lupin much effort to find the issue of the Daily Prophet that Black had mentioned.

Staring at the Weasley family portrait in the newspaper, Lupin's gaze settled on the gray rat in the center of the photo.

To be honest, after all these years, Lupin can no longer quite remember what Peter's Animagus looked like.

However, looking at the rat's mutilated paw, and recalling the report from over a decade ago, as well as Black's previous words, Lupin felt that what Black said was very likely true.

Rolling up the newspaper in his hand, Lupin quickly ran towards Dumbledore's office.

At this moment, Ron from the Weasley family should still be in the Headmaster's Office. Perhaps he can get more detailed information from him.

It has to be said that Black was really lucky.

Because of Christmas, most of the Ministry of Magic's staff are on holiday.

By the time Professor McGonagall finally managed to contact Fudge after going through countless detours, it was almost dawn.

Upon receiving the good news that "Black has been arrested," Fudge immediately forgot his annoyance at being woken up.

He jumped out of bed, hurriedly dressed, and immediately used Floo Powder to get to the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts.

Led by Dumbledore, Fudge soon met Black, who was bound tightly.

"Professor Dumbledore, I think we should execute Black immediately! We can no longer allow such a vicious criminal to continue living!"

Fudge rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with excitement.

For various reasons, Fudge has been having a very difficult time lately. It's almost driven him to the brink of a nervous breakdown, and he keeps thinking that some troublemakers are trying to harm him.

Now, if Black is executed, he can use this achievement to suppress those despicable Reactionary Force.

"Of course, Cornelius, I fully support your idea. But..."

Before Fudge's smile could even fully bloom, Dumbledore's "but" shut him down.

As everyone knows, but usually, the comments that follow are not kind.

"However, Hogwarts is, after all, a magic school, not Azkaban. It is inappropriate to execute prisoners here."

So I have a small request: I hope you can take Black away from Hogwarts before executing him.

"No problem!"

Fudge nodded in agreement without hesitation.

He thought Dumbledore was up to something again.

Is that all?

This is such a small matter, it's not a big deal at all!

Let alone executing him outside Hogwarts. Even if Dumbledore wanted to specify an execution location, Fudge, in his current excellent mood, would agree without hesitation.

Of course, if Dumbledore had specified his family, Fudge would have politely declined.

Before long, the Auror, who had been urgently summoned, arrived at Hogwarts.

As for the Dementor, they were waiting outside Hogwarts because Dumbledore had strictly forbidden Hogwarts from entering.

In fact, even without Dumbledore's intervention, the Dementor would never have entered Hogwarts, that ominous place.

Keep in mind that it hasn't been long since the shocking "mass killing incident"!

Five Auror escorted Black, walking casually toward the gates of Hogwarts.

They showed no sign of tension whatsoever.

Putting aside Black's half-dead state, this is Hogwarts, after all!

With Dumbledore here, how could they possibly be attacked here?

It does not exist.

Didn't you see even Minister Fudge humming a tune, walking briskly, looking relaxed and carefree? If he had a dance partner, he probably would have danced with you.