Fudge didn't stay long in the Headmaster's Office, soon leaving with the two unconscious Death Eaters.
About half an hour later, the Dementors stationed around the castle and in Hogsmeade also received their orders and withdrew from the castle.
No news could be better than this.
Though most students had no idea what happened, that didn't stop them from celebrating those annoying creatures being driven away—joy filled every corner of the castle.
The day before the holidays, Kael went to the Hospital Wing to visit Professor Lupin, who was still recovering.
Harry and the others were there, and a big black dog crouched beside them... Madam Pomfrey stood nearby, eyeing them with a scrutinizing look.
She couldn't understand why the Headmaster allowed students to bring pets in here.
Professor Lupin lay in bed, wrapped head to toe in bandages—looking like a moving mummy.
Sirius propped himself up with his hind legs, sprawled beside the bed, panting up at Lupin with an eager, fawning expression.
Seeing Professor Lupin like this, Kael felt a bit embarrassed too.
Strictly speaking, the state Professor Lupin was in had everything to do with him.
That night, after Fawkes brought the werewolf and Devil's Snare to the Headmaster's Office, they simply tossed him aside.
The story between Black and Peter was so captivating, and with the werewolf gagged by the Devil's Snare, unable to make a sound, he was just forgotten in the corner.
Not until the next morning, when the exhausted werewolf transformed back into Professor Lupin and lost consciousness, did he finally struggle free from the Devil's Snare, crashing onto the floor with a loud bang.
That bang, in fact, was what alerted Sirius Black, who'd been so excited he spent the night awake at the window dreaming of his future—he realized his old friend was still here.
Having been bound all night—even with a werewolf's strong body—Professor Lupin had several broken bones by the time he was sent to the Hospital Wing, was completely spent, and hadn't recovered even now.
When Kael entered the Hospital Wing, he happened to catch Harry asking about the rumor circulating around the castle.
"I just ran into Malfoy…" Harry said anxiously, "He said you're a werewolf and you're getting kicked out of school. Is it true?"
"Of course not." Lupin smiled, "I resigned on my own terms. I wasn't kicked out."
"Why though?" Harry asked. "Just because you're a werewolf?"
"Isn't that reason enough?" Lupin sounded very calm.
"But besides us, no one else knows about your identity…"
"No, Harry!" Lupin shook his head. "There are plenty of smart students at school, like Kael and Hermione. I'm sure they've already figured out who I am."
"It must be Malfoy who spread it, and Snape too…" Harry said angrily. "Hermione told me he'd hint about you being a werewolf whenever he was filling in for classes."
"It doesn't matter anymore, Harry."
Lupin smiled, "When afternoon comes, the owls will bring in parent letters... They won't want a werewolf teaching their kids—at least most parents won't."
"Plus, after what happened last night, I believe they're right. I could've bitten you… That must never happen again."
"You could try keeping Devil's Snare in your office…" Ron offered carefully, "I think that could convince most people to let you stay."
Hearing Ron's suggestion, Lupin felt the aches from his injuries creeping back.
Just then, Kael walked up to the bed.
"Ron's idea isn't bad." He placed a big box of Honeydukes sweets on the bedside cabinet and said with a grin, "If you ever want, I can lend you that Devil's Snare."
"Better not." Lupin quickly shook his head, "I don't think I can take another round of that… But Kael, why do you always carry such dangerous plants around?"
"Pure coincidence." Kael mumbled, "And I think Devil's Snare is pretty safe, honestly."
Compared to the other plants in his trunk, Devil's Snare was already the least harmful—its only real superiority was over things like Dittany and Ruta Graveolens, purely ornamental.
Seeing Kael didn't want to talk, Lupin let it go and changed the subject: "Sirius told me everything. I thank you on his behalf."
The big dog also looked at him gratefully.
"I just gave a suggestion, that's all." Kael waved it off. "And anyway, it's too soon for thanks. Wait until he's totally cleared. Then we'll talk."
"What are you talking about?" Harry eyed them suspiciously, "Sirius is in the clear now?"
"Nothing." Lupin shook his head, offering no explanation.
The matter was still secret, not something Harry should know. After spending almost a year with him, Lupin realized this kid couldn't keep any secrets at all.
No matter how Harry pressed, he wouldn't say a word.
Left with no option, Harry had to swallow his doubts and change the topic.
"So—where are you going next?"
"No idea." Lupin sighed. "It's almost impossible for a werewolf to find a job…"
Sirius pawed at the floor, visibly agitated.
He wanted to tell Lupin, he could stay at his house after leaving Hogwarts.
But Lupin didn't look at him, continuing, "Maybe I'll try the Wizard Examination Board… This year's N.E.W.T included the Patronus Charm, and the pass rate was unusually high, so Professor Marchbank reached out to me and specifically asked if I'd like to join the Examination Board."
"But I don't know if she's aware of my identity. And a werewolf, likely wouldn't make it into the Ministry of Magic anyway."
Harry looked a bit down.
"Cheer up, it's okay." Lupin smiled. "I'm used to this—plus, I get a final month of wages from the school, which should last me for a while."
"If you're interested, you could consider Romania." Kael said suddenly.
"What?" Lupin looked at him.
"The Fire Dragon Reserve." Kael said, "No one there cares whether you're a werewolf."
"Really?" Lupin's eyes lit up, incredulous. "Aren't they scared?"
"Think about it—would people who deal with Fire Dragons and Dark Wizards every day be afraid of a werewolf?"
Kael said, "And actually, that's an advantage. A werewolf who's taken Wolf Poison Potion can do a lot, and having a werewolf around helps keep troublemakers at bay.
I heard they've hired werewolves before, but most couldn't resist the temptation of Dragon Eggs, so they were soon let go."
Lupin lowered his head, thinking hard.
Sirius pawed at the floor even faster, but nobody paid him any mind.
Kael went on, "You might have it tough over there, especially during full moons—you may even have to face Fire Dragons on your own—but Dragon Tamers get a pretty decent salary…"
Lupin fell into thought again.
He didn't mind hardship, wasn't afraid of facing fire dragons, and the high salary was quite the temptation.
The only thing holding him back was the distance.
With Sirius about to be exonerated, he had so much to say to his old friend and really didn't want to run off far away at such a crucial time.
Forget it, he thought, with a bit of gold in his pocket, he'd just wait for now.
Lupin decided to hold off finding a job until Sirius was truly cleared of his name.
...