Harry clenched his fists, glaring angrily at the short, stout, gray-haired man.
Minister of Ministry of Magic Cornelius Fudge, with an anxious look on his face, but with a hint of smugness, spoke in a crisp tone:
"I know, it's very bad, but we have to come... Peter Pettigrew, Gilderoy Lockhart, and Gall Trocar are still at large, it's really terrible... very terrible... the public is in great panic, and the Ministry of Magic has to conduct a more thorough investigation..."
"So you're here for Sirius? You think he's involved with these things?"
Lupin said coldly, pressing down on Harry's shoulder and pushing him back, preventing him from getting involved.
Harry gritted his teeth, stepped back a few paces, and turned to look quickly.
In the corner, crouched a large black dog, staring coldly at Fudge and others.
At this moment, Harry felt only relief—the Ministry of Magic did not know Sirius was an Animagus.
Even more fortunately, before the Ministry people came in, Sirius had just transformed into a big dog, demonstrating the process of Animagus transformation for Harry.
Knowing that Vid had already successfully learned the Animagus transformation, Harry was eager to master this magic as well.
Sirius, knowing this, was not only not feeling Harry was aiming too high but was very happy to teach Harry Transfiguration Technique.
"James also began learning Animagus around this time! It took us three years to learn! You might be faster!"
Sirius said.
He was usually very busy, almost always out, but whenever he came home, he'd definitely turn into a big dog and play with Harry for a while.
Harry restrained himself from focusing too much on the black dog, opened the Friendship Book, and quickly sent out a message.
Dumbledore, who was busy with something, hadn't replied for a long time.
The adult wizards didn't pay much attention to his actions, Fudge just kept staring at Lupin with a non-compromising look, distressed as he scratched his hair.
"I know... I've heard you're very good friends, Remus Lupin, and I've heard you have significant influence at Aslan Magic Workshop..."
"Yes."
Lupin suppressed his anger and said, "Just a week ago, we donated the world's largest Flow Mirror to the Ministry of Magic. Three days ago, Aslan held an exclusive interview with the Minister to promote the Ministry's recent policies."
"Yes, yes, I know, we've always worked well together. You're a decent man, dear Remus, so we've never doubted you."
Fudge said somewhat unnaturally.
If it weren't for Lupin being so deeply involved with Aslan Magic Workshop, and Aslan being a big taxpayer for the Ministry while donating limited edition products to the Ministry including Fudge himself several times...
Fudge would now order the Aurors to arrest Remus Lupin for investigation.
After all, he had once been one of Peter Pettigrew's close friends.
But now, Lupin couldn't be touched.
When he resolutely stood in front, not even Sirius, this unemployed drifter, could be easily caught.
"But Remus, have you never thought about it? Before this, no prisoner had ever escaped from Azkaban... but after Sirius was released, jailbreaks happened..."
"But it's already been almost a year since Sirius left Azkaban! Those three people went in after him!"
Harry couldn't help but loudly retort, "How could he help them escape? Open the prison locks for them from thousands of miles away?"
"Hahaha..."
Fudge politely laughed a few times, then looked at Harry with pity, as if he were a clueless little fool.
With as gentle a tone as the Minister of Ministry of Magic could muster, Fudge said:
"Harry, maybe after Sirius got out, he communicated with Peter or Lockhart about some details of Azkaban? He stayed in Azkaban for eleven years, no one knows that place better than he does..."
"He taught them how to escape, even provided shelter for them after they did, which explains why we've been unable to find any trace of those three for so long..."
"Minister Fudge, you are insulting Sirius!"
"That's impossible. Sirius hates Peter Pettigrew more than anyone else, he would never do that!"
Lupin and Harry's angry voices erupted almost simultaneously, and in front of the fireplace, the black dog bared its sharp teeth, growling threateningly.
Fudge remained unfazed, seemingly finding their resolve somewhat amusing.
"Remus, Harry, people change... a sane person would go mad after eleven years in Azkaban, let alone... well... the matter between Sirius and Peter Pettigrew back then, no one really knows, right?"
Fudge avoided looking at Harry's fiery green eyes, and as he rubbed his cane, his words sounded like the Devil's whisper.
"You see, twelve years ago, Pettigrew accused Sirius of being a traitor; last year, Sirius accused Pettigrew of being the traitor... it was all their own words, right?"
"Ah, I know you're going to say Veritaserum... but we all know, some people can resist its effects..."
Harry felt a lump in his throat, trembling all over, too angry to speak.
—How dare he... how dare he slander Sirius right in front of them!
He gritted his teeth and said, "If I was with Sirius every day, if he meant any harm, I'd already be dead!"
"Well..." Fudge said, "You used to be with Pettigrew all day, too! You were even in the same dorm, and he didn't harm you... Who can guess what these people think?"
The more Fudge spoke, the more he found his reasoning compelling, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Maybe the Death Eaters have some sort of consensus—not to act against you without orders or something..."
Harry couldn't listen anymore; he turned and stomped up to his room.
Fudge didn't mind, thinking the kid finally realized he trusted the wrong person, and continued trying to persuade Lupin to hand over Sirius.
Back in his bedroom, Harry spread open the Friendship Book, disappointed that Dumbledore still hadn't responded. He flipped through the thick parchment journal, thinking about who else he could ask for help.
Professor McGonagall? No, she might have Sirius cooperate with the investigation. Professor McGonagall always follows the rules... Hermione, Ron... Vid...
—Vid?
Harry's heart stirred, quickly scribbling a line of hurried words—
[Harry: The Ministry of Magic wants to take Sirius, I can't reach Dumbledore, what should I do?]
[Vid: Tell me in detail?]
Harry briefly summarized the cause and effect.
[Vid: I got it. I'll find someone to help you, just be patient.]
Vid thought for a moment and contacted the school's House-Elves—
[Vid: Hey guys, who among you is free now?]