[201] Shadows Cast Long

At that moment, Hall's voice echoed softly in Lupin's ear. "So, Professor Lupin, do you still think Gilderoy Lockhart is up to the task?"

Lupin opened his mouth but found himself unable to say the word. He couldn't go against his conscience.

"...That's only one side of him. I've heard he's Ravenclaw, maybe he..."

Hall interrupted him. "As far as I know, his best spell is Obliviate."

Lupin looked at Hall with surprise, wondering where he'd learned that.

Hall smiled slightly, offering no explanation. He'd said all he could. In any case, he didn't think highly of Gilderoy Lockhart.

"If I could, I'd like to stay at Hogwarts and continue as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Lupin said with a deep sigh. "But my identity..."

He shook his head. Luckily, his werewolf identity hadn't been discovered this past year. But Lupin could imagine what he'd face if it were accidentally exposed. If possible, he didn't want it to come to that. It was fine as it was now. The DADA professorship was inherently a rotating position. He was resigning now; perhaps he could return in the future.

Lupin smiled and looked at Hall. "I know you know my identity. I also want to thank you for taking care of me throughout last year."

Hall shrugged. "I was paid, Professor. You don't need to feel guilty."

Lupin smiled again. He already knew this kid's personality, but seeing him in person still made him think — it's not so bad.

"Sirius is a reckless person. He's always been like that." Lupin finally let go of that indescribable feeling. "He's proud, but he's also impulsive. Many times he does things that seem irrational to ordinary people. When I was here, I could stop him. But now he's alone..."

Lupin pulled a storage bag from his worn suit. "Here are five thousand Galleons."

Hall raised an eyebrow. Five thousand Galleons — that was almost half of Lupin's salary. So Lupin worked for free last year?

But Lupin didn't seem to care about the Galleons. Compared to money he could earn again, Lupin cared more about his only remaining friend. "I have no other requests. I just hope you can lend a hand when he's not acting rationally or calmly."

"That's all?" Hall tilted his head.

Lupin nodded. "That's it. That's enough."

Hall was still a student, only in his third year. He couldn't place all the responsibility on Hall's shoulders.

"Okay, I agree." Hall unceremoniously took the Galleons. The heavy weight felt good. Although he'd received a considerable share from Malfoy, the most enjoyable part of making money was the process of earning. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of Sirius for you."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Lupin looked a little worried but said nothing. As long as Hall could lend a hand at the most crucial moment, preventing Sirius from being blinded by anger, that would be enough.

Sirius noticed Lupin's long absence. "Remus?" He walked towards Lupin and saw Hall with him. His expression immediately became strange. "You... Reg..."

Hall waved his hand. "Still researching and researching. Don't rush. Rushing won't help."

Sirius glared at him angrily. "Can't you hurry up!"

"It's already fast enough. I'm already a third-year student." Hall sighed. He's only thirteen. Wasn't that fast enough?

Sirius was speechless. He almost forgot — Hall was only thirteen. Hall agreeing to the research was already difficult enough, but the thought of Regulus lying there made Sirius's mind unable to calm down.

"If you can't calm down, then keep it to yourself," Hall said bluntly. "I'm not lying to you. I have made progress, but it's just a feeling, a guess. Understand? I can't be sure yet. I need time."

Growth takes time. Exploring Hogwarts takes time. Uncovering secrets takes even more time.

Lupin smiled and glanced at Hall. The two exchanged a knowing look. "Sirius, let's go see Harry."

The mention of Harry instantly drew Sirius's attention. For Sirius, Harry was more important now.

The Weasleys had scattered. Flourish and Blotts, Madam Malkin's — everyone had something to buy. Molly was struggling to resist the urge to go into the secondhand robe shop.

Ron, unaware of Molly's inner turmoil, was still loudly proclaiming, "Mum! I want ice cream!"

Molly slapped Ron on the head. "Do I look like ice cream?"

Ron was silenced. Although Molly was quite fierce, she still bought a box of ice cream for every child in the family, including Harry.

"Ron's already in third year. I can't say he's not as mature as Hall, but I think he's not even as mature as Ginny!" Molly sighed. "Does he think about anything other than food?"

"Hahaha, with Hall around, Ron will definitely graduate." Compared to the worried Molly, Arthur was much more open-minded. Graduating? Wasn't that a given? No one in their family would drop out.

"Hall, long time no see!" Hermione greeted Hall excitedly.

Ron said sourly, "Didn't you see Harry and me?"

Harry licked his ice cream, looking bewildered.

Harry's gaze fell on the cat in Hermione's arms. "Is this your pet? The cat... is very cute." He said it with difficulty.

Ron then noticed the large ginger cat. "Oh! That face, so flat!" Uniquely ugly.

Before Ron could finish, Hall elbowed him in the waist without hesitation, giving him a shut-up look.

"Very cute. What's its name?" Hall greeted Hermione with a smile.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione didn't notice Ron's disgust. She was already used to Ron's low emotional intelligence. "This is my birthday present this year! I was planning to buy an owl, but I spotted Crookshanks right away. Brilliant fur, a flat face, a chubby tail like a bottle brush. Isn't it adorable?"

Harry and the fierce-looking Crookshanks locked eyes. Crookshanks bared its teeth. Harry quickly looked away. He couldn't bring himself to say adorable.

But Hall nodded in agreement and reached a hand toward Crookshanks. He didn't pet it directly, instead holding his palm to its nose, letting it get used to his scent.

Crookshanks, sensing something from Hall, buried its head in Hermione's arms in fear.

"Are you scared, Crookshanks? Hall is a good person, my friend. You don't need to be afraid." Hermione stroked its fur. Crookshanks remained nestled in her arms, refusing to look up.

"I'm sorry, Hall. Crookshanks seems a little afraid of you."

Hall smiled and shook his head. "It's okay. Crookshanks is cute. Just don't get scared."

Hermione was conflicted. She wanted to go with them, but Crookshanks was afraid of Hall. In the end, she decided to go alone. "Hopefully, Crookshanks will be a little braver when school starts and won't be so afraid of you."