Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 427 Sirius's Letter
On the way back to King's Cross Station, the weather was exceptionally good. The sky was cloudless, and the warm sunlight shone through the windows, making it very comfortable.

Siren, Harry, and Hermione chatted all the way, discussing Percy Weasley's situation.

In fact, Siron knew that Percy couldn't possibly be a Death Eater, but the Ministry of Magic obviously didn't think so... because Percy was just too lucky.

A staff member who had been working at the Ministry of Magic for less than a year suddenly became Barty Crouch's assistant and would even go to Hogwarts to referee the Triwizard Tournament when he was busy with work.

That's a three-way battle for supremacy, second only to the Quidditch World Cup in Europe in terms of fame. Percy, a recent graduate, is going to be a referee?
With so many people in the Ministry of Magic, even if they needed to find a replacement, it wouldn't be his turn.

But Barty Crouch had specifically assigned him to the job... This unreasonable decision was magnified after his betrayal was exposed.

Although Celen knew that the traitorous Barty Crouch was an imposter, the others did not, and they firmly believed that there must be some connection between the two.

Furthermore, there's something Siren didn't mention: the Ministry of Magic needed a 'target' to fill the void left before Barty Crouch's arrest, to show people that the Ministry of Magic hadn't been doing nothing.

Percy, the 'accomplice who couldn't escape in time,' was naturally the perfect target.

In this situation, helping Percy get acquitted is no easy task.

They discussed it for a long time, but couldn't come up with a definite solution. The only one they could think of seemed to be Dumbledore.

If Dumbledore is willing to help, things might turn around. Otherwise, Percy won't be released until the Aurors capture Barty Crouch.

Moreover, Sirius doubted whether the Aurors could ever find the real Barty Crouch.

They talked until noon, when the lunch delivery cart arrived, and then they stopped talking.

The three of them bought a lunch. To be honest, the taste was so-so, but it was cheap and the only option on the train.

In the afternoon, they talked about the three escaped Death Eaters again, discussing what measures the Ministry of Magic would take to re-arrest them.

Hermione believed that, just like last year, the Aurors and Dementors would work together to hunt them down.

But Harry had a different opinion.

"Those Dementors are useless; they only harm innocent people."

He still hasn't forgotten how those Dementors attacked him time and time again, their tone anything but polite.

“I think they should bring Alastor Moody back into the Auror ranks,” he said. “Remember? Ron said before that he captured half of Azkaban’s prisoners.”

"And most importantly, it's already the holidays, but Professor Moody is still fine, uninjured, and not arrested."

"It must be because he is powerful enough to fight against the curses of the Defense Against the Dark Arts. Someone like that can definitely find those hidden Death Eaters."

Harry's reminder made Sherren and Hermione realize that Moody, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, had actually survived the entire school year unscathed.

This is truly... the first time in decades.

Before this, even the luckiest Professor Lu Ping had endured criticism for a period of time and had to resign voluntarily to avoid a storm.

As for Moody, nothing happened to him. He even had dinner with everyone last night.

“Maybe there’s no such thing as a curse on Defense Against the Dark Arts class,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “The previous professors could only teach for one year, which was more due to their own limitations.”

"Think about it, Quirrell was willing to be Mystic's puppet, Lockhart was a fraud, Professor Lupin was a werewolf... Although I also really enjoyed his classes, I can't deny that what I'm saying is true."

"Professor Moody didn't have these problems, so he was able to hold on until the holidays."

“I feel like I’ve heard something similar before.” Harry looked at Hermione thoughtfully, then suddenly clapped his hands. “I know, you said the same thing in our second year.”

Hermione blushed slightly.

Having once been infatuated with Gilderoy Lockhart is probably the darkest part of her past that she least wants to talk about. At the time, she firmly believed that Gilderoy Lockhart was different from other Defense Against the Dark Arts professors and could definitely break the curse.

Needless to say, Ron made fun of her a lot because of this.

The thought of Ron made her feel down again, and she said softly, "I really hope Percy is alright."

Harry was conflicted. As Ron's friend, he felt he should appear more worried. But the thought of soon leaving the Dursleys and living with Sirius filled him with uncontrollable joy.

And the closer he got to King's Cross station, the stronger this feeling became, to the point that he had to tell a lot of old jokes to mask it.

Finally, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform 9. Students began to disembark, and chaos ensued in the aisles.

Siren, Harry, and Hermione carried their suitcases out of the carriage and struggled through the crowd.

As soon as he got outside, Harry couldn't wait to cross the platform partition; he had so much to say to Sirius.

At this time of year, Mrs. Weasley would always be waiting outside the station, and people coming out would spot her immediately.

But today, the person standing there has become Vernon Dursley…

Wait, Uncle Vernon?
Harry paused, frozen in place.

"Boy, what are you doing? Get over here right now!" Uncle Vernon roared, his face grim and clearly displeased. "Hurry up! Do you know how much time you've wasted?"

That impatient tone and irritating attitude—it was definitely Uncle Vernon.

Harry walked over cautiously.

"Uncle Vernon, didn't anyone tell you that you didn't need to come pick me up this year?"

"Ha, that's great." Vernon chuckled. "But unfortunately, no one has come to tell me this good news. Are you coming or not?"

Harry wanted to refuse outright and tell him that he would be living with his godfather this year and would never return to Little Wheekin.

He had already searched the area twice, but still couldn't find Sirius.

He must be late, he thought to himself, taking a deep breath as he turned and said:
"I'm not going back this year..."

“Harry.” At this moment, Siron stepped forward quickly, interrupting him, and handed him a piece of parchment with dog paw prints on it.

“I found this on the platform; it must have been left by Sirius Black,” Sirius said.

He had just found this parchment in a crack in the partition wall of the platform. Its location and features were very obvious, and one could immediately think of Sirius Black.

But Harry was too excited at the time, only thinking about leaving the platform as soon as possible, and didn't notice that there was something else in the gap of the wall.

"what?"

Harry casually opened the parchment and glanced inside; it was indeed Sirius Black's handwriting:

Sorry, Harry, I might have to break my promise.

I have something important to do, and I might be very busy afterwards. You'll probably be staying at the Dursleys' house for your holidays this year… but I've already warned them, and they won't dare give you any more trouble.

Forgive me, I will definitely come to pick you up next year, no matter what happens.

Sirius
……

(End of this chapter)