The Return to Hogwarts

Since Amos Tower stopped being the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, he has seen these kids much less often, especially Hermione and Ron. Apart from occasionally exchanging greetings, they haven't had a proper conversation with Professor Blaine for a month or two. So, when he asked them questions, Hermione and Ron were a little reserved.

"The Ministry of Magic has decided to formally accept Lucius Malfoy's lawsuit, with the trial scheduled for next April. We want to help him—"

Hermione's eyes were red, but her gaze towards him was filled with sorrow. Amosta understood that the girl was probably blaming him for being Hagrid's nominal boss but ignoring Hagrid's current predicament.

So that's how it is. No wonder Hagrid was in low spirits when he asked for leave that day. I asked him a couple of questions, but Hagrid wouldn't say anything. He probably didn't want to cause trouble for himself.

"So, you want to help Hagrid prepare a defense statement?"

Amosta glanced at the dusty files and asked a question. After receiving an affirmative answer, he nodded.

"Hagrid should be grateful to have friends like you who genuinely care about him."

With that, he walked past them, preparing to head towards the restricted book section.

Ron whispered a reminder to Hermione to shut up, but Hermione was clearly dissatisfied with Professor Blaine's nonchalant attitude. She glared at him indignantly, about to question him about why he didn't care about his subordinates, when suddenly Harry, looking sullen, opened his mouth.

"Professor Blaine!"

Amosta raised an eyebrow, slowly turned around, and wore a gentle smile.

"What's wrong, Potter? Is something the matter?"

"You know those things, don't you?"

Now, both Ron and Hermione gave Harry meaningful looks, hoping he would shut up, but Harry ignored them. The flickering torchlight on the wall reflected in his emerald eyes, and he asked, slightly out of breath.

“I mean, my parents died at Voldemort's hands because of Black's betrayal, and you've known that all along, haven't you? Because you've been tracking down that filthy, stinking traitor!”

The library wasn't empty; a young wizard, upon hearing Harry call out Voldemort's name, slid off his stool in fright and sat on the floor, staring at the scene with a terrified expression.

call--

"Let's talk in my office—"

"After a sigh," Amosta said.

Chapter 227 Where is your courage?

Amosta led the anxious Hermione and Ron, along with Harry, who had calmed down after being blown by the cold wind, through the corridors adorned with ribbons of holly and mistletoe. He enthusiastically explained to the three young wizards that these decorations were all his doing.

Harry, Harry, and their two friends followed Professor Blaine into his office on the third floor. Compared to the other young wizards, they were already quite familiar with the place.

Professor Blaine's office hadn't changed much, except that a brand-new sofa and coffee table had been placed in the previously empty space at the back of the door, finally making the office look less shabby.

Outside the window, the snow was still pristine, and tiny snowflakes drifted in the air like dandelions. The temperature kept dropping, and the sun hadn't come out for a week. The vast Black Lake was covered with ice crystals, and it probably wouldn't be frozen solid for more than a few days.

"Let's get straight to the point, Harry—"

Amosta gestured for Harry and the others to sit down, then pulled out his wand and flicked out a ball of fire to light the fireplace. He then sat down on the sofa against the wall.

Are you blaming me for not telling you the truth?

Ron and Hermione sat on either side of Harry. Under Professor Blaine's watchful eye, they dared not make any rash moves, but they still did their best to remind Harry not to be too impulsive.

"You mean, everyone thinks I don't need to know this—"

Harry knew he should remain calm, since Professor Blaine hadn't killed his parents. However, when Professor Blaine asked directly, a fire ignited within Harry, burning him with rage. He abruptly raised his head, resolutely meeting Professor Blaine's unfathomable eyes.

"My parents died at the hands of his best friend, and now that same person wants to storm Hogwarts and slaughter everyone, but..."

Harry said, panting.

“Professor Dumbledore McGonagall, Hagrid, the Ministry of Magic, and you all thought I didn’t need to know any of this.”

"Harry."

Hermione kept giving him anxious winks, but Harry completely ignored her.

"Do you know what I could hear when the Dementors were near me, Professor? I heard my mother screaming, pleading with Voldemort. She wasn't begging for herself, but begging Voldemort to spare me. And they met such an end because they trusted the wrong person."

"Brother, we've already discussed these things privately. That Blake will get his comeuppance, I guarantee it!"

Noticing Professor Blaine's eyes darken, Ron, unusually, mustered his courage and spoke, while Hermione's eyes were already brimming with tears.

Harry practically roared as he spoke these words. He had expected Professor Blaine to immediately defend himself, offering some high-sounding reasons, or perhaps some words of comfort similar to those offered by Hermione and Ron. But no, Professor Blaine simply stared at him with a cold gaze.

If I haven't misunderstood you—

Amosta's tone carried a chill, a tone he only used when operating as the Golden Viper.

"You want to kill Blake with your own hands, don't you?"

Ron had asked this question before, but Hermione interrupted Harry before he could answer. Now, facing the same question again, Harry's anger flared. Ignoring Hermione's quiet pleas, he stubbornly said...

"Yes, Professor, if I could do that!"

Amos Tower laughed, a cold laugh, and nodded slightly as he looked at the arrogant Harry.

Even if you know you are no match for Blake, even if you know that your reckless actions will render your parents' sacrifices futile and cost you your life in vain?

Harry's stubbornness wavered for a moment, but he still steeled himself and said...

"At the very least, my parents certainly don't want their son to be a coward."

"very good!"

Amosta stood up expressionlessly, radiating a powerful sense of oppression. In the void, magic surged into a storm, and even the blazing flames in the fireplace flickered under this almost tangible pressure.

A raw killing intent swept through the room. The room, which had been warm just moments before, now felt like winter. Amostella leaned forward slightly, and this tiny movement sent chills down Ron and Hermione's spines, which were already frozen in place. Static electricity crackled through their hair, causing them to hallucinate. In a daze, they both seemed to see a ferocious dragon lower its hideous head and spread its wings that blotted out the sky!

"don't want--"

Hermione murmured weakly, tears streaming down her face.

At that moment, she truly believed that the single-minded Harry had angered Professor Blaine, and now, this powerful wizard, who, apart from Headmaster Dumbledore, was perhaps unmatched at Hogwarts and even in the wizarding world, was about to kill Harry!

What should she do?

Ron looked like he was on the verge of fainting, and Harry was also teetering on the brink of collapse amidst Professor Blaine's rage. Only Hermione was still able to keep her mind working.

Time converter!

Hermione suddenly thought of this and used the Time-Turner to go back in time to prevent the three of them from going to the library that night, or to go back in time to warn Professor McGonagall!

Hermione knew that what she was doing might cause her a huge disaster, but she couldn't think of any other way to stop Professor Blaine, who looked like he was about to kill her!

Hermione clenched her teeth and shakily raised her hand, but Amosta's gaze swept over her, the chilling coldness of which made her petite body tremble and sway, even her breath freezing.

Amosta suddenly raised his right arm holding the staff, the tip pointing directly at the fireplace that flickered like a candle in the wind. The red-hot firewood spun and scattered brilliant sparks in mid-air. One of the firewoods transformed into a dagger and landed in his hand, while the other hovered in mid-air beside him, undergoing a complex transformation.

A few seconds later, a man appeared, and the moment Harry, Hermione, and Ron saw his cruel face, they all felt as if an icy hand had gripped their hearts.

That's Sirius Black!

Harry vowed he would never forget that face, just like on Muggle television news and wizard wanted posters. The man had a gaunt and haggard face, his hair was dirty, messy, and tangled, and below his cracked lips were two rows of dark yellow teeth.

He was wearing Azkaban’s dirty prison uniform, and he was so thin that you could count his ribs!

Black took the dagger from Amostall, walked around the coffee table, and approached Harry step by step, his eyes, clouded with shadows, gleaming with bloodlust.

Black reversed the dagger, pointing the sharp blade at himself, and reached the handle towards Harry. The wide grin on his face was almost as wide as Peeves's.

"If you want revenge for your parents, Potter—"

'Black's' hoarse voice was like the sound of a millstone grinding dried bat carcasses in Professor Snape's class; he grinned menacingly.

“Then kill me, Potter. Put this dagger to my neck and plunge it in.”

Harry instinctively stepped back, but he forgot that there was a sofa behind him, so he plopped down on his backside, his eyes filled with fear that had completely overwhelmed his hatred.

"Put this dagger into my neck, Potter, and let my blood splatter all over you. Hurry up, I'm waiting for you to do it."

"No"

Harry kept shrinking back, shaking his head and desperately dodging the daggers, his face as pale as the snow falling on the playground!

"Don't do that, Professor!"

Hermione burst into tears, covering her face, unable to bear looking at 'Black' approaching Harry.

Suddenly, the intense murderous aura in the office disappeared, and the matches in the fireplace blazed brightly again. The warmth quickly dispelled the chill, and the whole world seemed to brighten up.

'Black' and the dagger silently turned into a few wisps of embers that slowly fell. Amostella tilted her head, looked at the stunned Harry, and said with a slight smile,

"Where is your courage, Harry?"

Chapter 228 Secret Passage

Where is your courage, Potter?

When Professor Blaine said those words, Hermione breathed a huge sigh of relief, feeling as if a tremendous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt completely revitalized. She finally understood that Professor Blaine didn't intend to kill the three of them; he was simply 'educating' Harry in his own way!

Harry realized this too. His dry, pale lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word, looking utterly lost and dejected.

Yes, where is my courage?

Harry asked himself, he had thought that his hatred for Black would make him do anything to take a life, but it turned out that he was not as brave as he had imagined. He didn't even have the courage to kill a fake Black!

“I’m sorry, Harry, I misled you.”