Hogwarts: A little lion in the skin of the Eagle School

"Little Black!"

John didn't notice Professor Lupin's odd behavior and happily waved to Little Black.

However, this sound also woke up the stunned Xiao Hei.

Without the slightest hesitation, it turned and fled toward the castle gate.

John wondered if Little Black was frightened by the noise and bustle here.

The next moment, Professor Lu Ping chased after him without the slightest hesitation.

He also pulled out a magic wand.

"Professor Lupin!?"

John was taken aback, not knowing what was going on, but he immediately followed after them.

Moonlight streamed through the castle's high windows onto the stone path, and three figures flashed by in the moonlight.

Little Black was incredibly fast, but Professor Lupin had no intention of letting it go. He pointed his wand forward, and a beam of silver light burst forth from the tip of the wand.

"Legs stiffen and he dies!"

With a snap, the curse landed on the stone pavement, and Xiao Hei nimbly dodged it by sidestepping.

"Professor! Wait a minute! Blackie isn't a dangerous stray dog!"

John, not understanding why Professor Lupin would suddenly attack Little Black without explanation, shouted from behind.

But Professor Lu Ping seemed not to hear him and continued to pursue him relentlessly.

Little Black ran ahead with great speed and agility, as if he knew every corner of the castle by heart.

They quickly made their way to the covered bridge behind the castle.

Continuing forward leads to the direction of the "Hit-and-Run Willow," but Xiao Hei didn't continue forward.

Xiao Hei leaped onto the railing of the covered bridge, glanced back at Lu Ping, and looked at him with an inscrutable expression.

Before Professor Lupin could wave his wand again, Little Black leaped into the valley beneath the covered bridge.

Professor Lupin and John followed closely behind to the edge of the covered bridge and looked down.

Little Black's figure was swallowed up by the darkness below the valley and disappeared without a trace.

"Little Black!!"

John anxiously leaned on the railing and shouted loudly, his voice echoing through the valley, but there was no response.

Professor Lu Ping stood by the covered bridge, gazing intently at the dark valley.

"Professor! Why did you attack Xiao Hei! It's not a stray, rabid dog!"

"You killed him!"

John abruptly turned to Professor Lupin and questioned him, his voice filled with anger.

Professor Lupin slowly withdrew his wand without speaking, his face showing a hint of sadness.

The wind howled through the valley as Professor Lupin silently gazed at the darkness beneath his feet.

After a long while, he slowly spoke.

"No, John, he won't die."

After a brief silence, Professor Lu Ping spoke slowly.

John was taken aback by these words. Wouldn't he die if he fell from such a height?

John looked toward the valley where Little Black had disappeared.

He knew that Xiao Hei was no ordinary person, but to survive a fall was beyond ordinary.

"Professor, do you know Xiao Hei? Is Xiao Hei a magical creature?"

John pressed on, and from Professor Lupin's words, it seemed he knew Little Black quite well.

Professor Lupin shook his head without answering, and instead asked John a question.

"John, why do you know that black dog?"

John paused for a moment upon hearing Professor Lupin's question.

Professor Lu Ping's hostility toward Xiao Hei prevented him from answering immediately.

"John, listen to me, that black dog is dangerous."

"It's not as simple as it seems on the surface."

"Just tell me where you met him and where you want to find him, and I'll take care of the rest."

Professor Lupin crouched down, placed his hands on John's shoulders, and spoke seriously and earnestly.

Seeing Professor Lupin's serious expression, John hesitated.

"...Before answering that question, Professor, please tell me what exactly Xiao Hei is, and why you wanted to capture it."

After a moment of silence, John also did not answer, but insisted on asking his own question first.

Professor Lu Ping's gaze became complicated, as if he was weighing whether or not he should speak.

He slowly stood up and looked at the distant night sky.

"...John, there are some things I can't tell you right now."

"But there's one thing I can assure you, I won't hurt him for now. I just need to ask him some questions face-to-face."

Professor Lupin's words not only failed to resolve John's doubts, but actually made the problems worse.

Because Professor Lupin's attitude towards Xiao Hei didn't seem like he was treating an animal...

John stared into Professor Lupin's eyes, trying to find a trace of a lie.

But in the end, all that was seen was deep anxiety and a kind of unspeakable obsession.

"...I can take you to it, but I must go with you."

In the end, John chose to give in.

He didn't think Xiao Hei was in any danger.

It's a certified good dog by Daju, and after spending several days with it, he never sensed any malice from Xiao Hei.

Professor Lupin is also a professor certified by Dumbledore, and he is equally trustworthy.

John was also unable to decide which side he should stand on.

So in order to find out the truth, he had to go along.

Seeing John's resolute expression, Professor Lupin fell silent.

It was as if she was weighing whether or not she should agree to John's offer.

The secret of that black dog cannot be easily revealed to John.

"Professor, I've known Xiao Hei for a while now, and I don't think it's dangerous."

"I admit it is somewhat unusual, but it is definitely not an evil entity."

"I think there might be some misunderstanding between you."

"If I go with you, maybe you can sit down and have a proper talk."

Professor Lupin's gaze flickered slightly, as if John's words had touched him.

Memories of the past flooded my mind like a tide.

Professor Lu Ping also hoped that he had misunderstood him.

But so many years have passed, and he has never offered even a single explanation.

Now he's inexplicably appeared here again. If he could, Lu Ping would really like to punch him hard first.

Then ask about what happened back then.

Just as Professor Lupin was lost in his memories, struggling with whether or not he should agree to John's request, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

"What are you doing here?"

They were both startled and turned around to see Professor Snape standing on the covered bridge.

Snape's gaze swept between the two men, finally settling on Lupin, a hint of hostility in his eyes.

"Merrick, come behind me."

His voice remained cold as he spoke to John.

"Uh... Professor, we just came out for a walk to clear our heads..."

"immediately."

"..."

John wanted to say something more, but Professor Snape simply gave him a cold, unquestionable rebuke, and John had no choice but to obey.

"Severus, don't be nervous, it's not a full moon today."

Professor Lupin seemed to understand Snape's intention, regained some of his usual composure, and said with a light laugh.

"Oh, so you do have some self-awareness after all."

Snape scoffed, but his gaze remained fixed on Lupin.

"But that's not what I wanted to say."

"Remus Lupin, where were you thirty minutes ago?"

Professor Snape had somehow acquired a wand.

He raised his wand and pointed it at Lupin, a red light flashing at the tip.