With Professor Snape's testimony, the verdict was no longer in doubt.
The members of the Wizengamot began to vote by a show of hands, with an almost overwhelming majority supporting acquittal.
Cornelius Fudge's face was extremely grim. He scanned the courtroom, trying to find dissenting voices, but no one spoke up.
Dolores Umbridge also fell silent, her sickly sweet smile now rigid like a slab of stone.
"Well then..." Cornelius Fudge took a deep breath, forcing a smile.
"The Wizengamot has voted, Sirius Black... acquitted."
The sound of the gavel echoed in the courtroom.
Harry ripped off the red wig on his head, threw it to the ground, and excitedly punched the air.
"That's great!"
"Indeed, it's exhilarating." Ron leaned over, his expression peculiar.
"But, Harry, why are you dressed like that?"
"Charlie told me to wear it." Harry blushed slightly.
"Don't ask me why, I don't know either."
Ron scratched his head, clearly not understanding, but didn't ask further.
The members of the Wizengamot gradually left their seats, whispers rising and falling.
Sirius was led down from the defendant's stand by the enforcement officers, all his shackles removed.
He stood there, somewhat dazed.
Free?
Just like that, free?
He looked down at his hands, then up at the dome of the courtroom; everything felt so unreal.
Just then, he saw Severus Snape's retreating back.
Sirius gritted his teeth and quickly chased after him.
"Wait, Snape."
Severus Snape stopped, slowly turned around, his disgust unconcealed.
Sirius stood before him, opened his mouth, and finally only managed to say one thing.
"Thank you."
Severus Snape sneered, "You think I'll change my opinion of you because of this?"
"I know you hate me." Sirius said sincerely.
"About the past... I'm very sorry."
"You're just like Potter, both arrogant idiots." Severus Snape's voice grew colder.
"What I did had nothing to do with you; I just didn't want the real murderer to be hailed as a hero. Especially since he also killed..."
He suddenly stopped, his face growing even darker, and he turned and left directly.
Sirius stood there, watching him leave, silent for a long time... After Sirius was freed, he fulfilled his promise and transferred the ownership of the House of Black's vault and ancestral home to Charlie.
However, this would take a few days, and he had been busy with these matters in the days following his release.
Meanwhile, Charlie, Ron, and Harry returned to Hogwarts to attend the final House Cup feast of the term.
The Great Hall was still adorned with silver and green, and Slytherin's House points were still in first place.
After all, with Professor Snape, Slytherin had too much of a head start.
But no one in Slytherin was excited or relaxed.
They were all watching the teachers' table with grave anticipation.
All the Professors were present at the teachers' table, even Professor Lupin, who often missed due to his health.
However, his face was as pale as ever.
"Seriously, I have a bad feeling about this," Goyle whispered.
"Shut your crow mouth!" Draco snapped at him.
But he still couldn't help but look towards the Hufflepuff long table.
For the past two years, at the very last moment, they had been overtaken by that man.
Would it happen again this year?
Under the despairing gazes of the Slytherin House, Dumbledore rose and walked to the podium.
The Great Hall instantly fell silent.
"Before announcing the winner of the House Cup, I have a few points to make." Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall.
Draco instantly deflated, like a salted fish that had lost its dream.
That line again! It was the same line for the past two years!
Dumbledore continued, unaffected.
"Many things have happened this school year, the most shocking of which is undoubtedly the uncovering of a twelve-year-old miscarriage of justice."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Mr. Charlie White discovered the truth, vindicated a hero, and caught the real traitor. This required immense courage and wisdom."
The Slytherin students were enveloped in an atmosphere of despair.
"Therefore, I have decided to award Hufflepuff 200 points!"
A deafening cheer erupted from the Hufflepuff long table.
The decorations above the Great Hall rapidly changed, silver and green fading as yellow and black banners unfurled everywhere.
Hufflepuff's points surpassed Slytherin's, winning the House Cup.
The Slytherin students were on the verge of tears.
"It finally happened, just as expected. Three years, and it's been like this every single year." Pansy lay on the table, her voice filled with despair.
"It's okay, don't be disappointed, there are still four more years."
Draco slumped in his chair, speaking weakly.
After the feast, the students gradually left the Great Hall and boarded the train back to London.
Charlie found an empty compartment and sat down. Just as he finished putting away his luggage, Hermione pushed open the door and walked in.
"Can we sit here?"
"Yes." Charlie leaned by the window, resting with his eyes closed.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron squeezed in.
Not long after the three sat down, the compartment door was pushed open again.
Lupin stood at the doorway, carrying a worn suitcase, his face still pale:
"Excuse me, is there any room here?"
"Of course!"
Harry immediately stood up and offered his seat to Lupin.
Ron, however, froze. He looked at Lupin, his eyes somewhat unnatural.
He had learned in the courtroom that Lupin was a Werewolf, and he felt a little scared.
Hermione noticed Ron's unusual behavior and whispered, "What's wrong?"
Ron mumbled softly, head down.
"Lupin... is a Werewolf..."
"What?" Hermione frowned, not having heard clearly at all.
Lupin had already sat down. He looked gently at Ron: "He said I'm a Werewolf."
Ron's face instantly turned crimson. Being overheard mumbling about someone to their face was truly embarrassing.
"I already knew that," Hermione said calmly.
Lupin smiled: "You're very clever, Miss Granger."
"It wasn't that hard to guess, actually." Hermione looked proud.
"You always took leave during the full moon, Professor, and your face was pale. And that essay on Werewolves, when Professor Snape made us write it, I guessed it then."
Ron continued to grumble softly:
"You knew and you didn't tell me."
"Sorry, Professor, I didn't mean to..."
"It's alright." Lupin waved his hand.
"It's a normal reaction, I'm used to it."
Harry then asked expectantly:
"Professor, will you still be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts Class next term?"
He didn't care if Lupin was a Werewolf.
In these three years, Lupin was the Professor with the best teaching ability and the most capable of engaging students' interest. Most students liked his class, including Harry.
For Harry, next term was practically a perfect start.
With his godfather, he could openly go to Hogsmeade, and there was the Quidditch match with the Rocket Crossbow.
If Professor Lupin could continue to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, it would truly be impeccable.
Lupin, however, shook his head.
"Regrettably, I won't be returning." His voice was calm, but a hint of weariness was hidden in his eyes.
"Many people at the trial were student parents. They sent letters to the school, demanding my resignation. Although Dumbledore constantly spoke up for me, the School Board felt I was unsuitable to continue as a Professor."
Harry's expression instantly fell.
"That's not fair!" Hermione said indignantly.
"As long as Werewolves drink the Wolfsbane Potion, they are completely controllable during transformation and won't harm anyone at all!"
"I can understand the parents' concerns." Lupin gave a bitter smile.
"After all, they are their children; they just want to protect their children."
The compartment was silent for a moment.
Charlie leaned by the window, looked at Lupin's worn robes, and asked:
"Then what do you plan to do next? You'll need to make a living, won't you?"
Lupin was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"I don't know yet." His tone was flat; he had long grown accustomed to this nomadic life.
"These past few years, I've been doing odd jobs outside, and I have to disappear for a few days every full moon. Even without revealing my Werewolf identity, not many people are willing to hire me."
Harry looked at Lupin, an indescribable sadness welling up in his heart.
Perhaps this year was the best year Professor Lupin had experienced since graduating.
Just then, Charlie slowly spoke.
"Why don't you come work for me?"
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