"Mr. Black ," Allen said suddenly.
Sirius Black recoiled at hearing someone address him that way and stared at Allen as if he'd never seen anyone like him before.
Even the two Aurors were staring at Allen in disbelief.
" Handing over Pettigrew , do you know what that means?" Allen said, circling around a bush. "You're free now."
"I will never forget..." Sirius said in a deep voice, but before he could finish, Allen interrupted him.
"I know your character; what I'm trying to say is, think of Harry ," Allen reminded him.
"As far as I know, you are his godfather. If his parents are in an accident, you can provide Harry with a better life as his guardian," Allen said quickly.
" Harry would absolutely be happy to leave that house that treated him so well."
Allen looked at Sirius Black and noticed, for the first time, a genuine smile appearing on his weary face.
The transformation he brought about was astonishing; it was as if someone ten years younger had emerged from behind that skinny mask.
Allen suddenly realized that the other guy was the handsome young man who had been everyone's favorite at Hogwarts during his youth .
Sirius Black slowly shook his head.
After that, they didn't speak again until they left Hogwarts .
Immediately after leaving Hogwarts , Albert andthe othersapparated to the Ministry of Magic .
Albert gestured forAllen and Professor Snape to follow him, while Lloyd walked behind them with his arms crossed.
D'Artagnan and the other Aurors drove away Sirius Black and Pettigrew .
Albert didn't stop; he walked quickly and led Allen and the others to the elevator,bringing them directly to the Minister's office.
Albert politely knocked on the door, and after receiving permission, they entered. Upon entering, they found Mr. Harris sitting in a chair opposite the Minister's desk, smiling at them.
A warm feeling surged through Allen's heart, and a very slight smile appeared on his face.
The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge ,wore his usual striped cloak. He rose andpolitely shook hands with Professor Snape .
Then she turned her gaze to Allen, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her lips.
Allen, despite the minister's smile, immediately concluded that a storm was brewing in the minister's mind .
"You must be Allen, you're truly a young talent!" Fudge said, showing off his pearly white teeth with a very friendly demeanor.
"Thank you, Mr. Minister ," Allen replied, neither humble nor insistent, but politely and courteously.
This situation caused Fudge to truly appreciate her; very few young people could maintain such a calm and self-assured demeanor when meeting with someone who was the Minister of Magic .
" You're the one who discovered Sirius and Peter , aren't you?" Fudge's expression softened.
Allen nodded, and before he could say anything more, there was a sudden knock at the door.
A middle-aged male wizard with short, neatly combed gray hair entered. His facial expression was extremely serious, and it was immediately clear that he would be difficult to deal with.
He nodded slightly to Professor Snape , his gaze lingering for a moment on Allen.
Allen looked fearlessly into his eyes, and it was Crouch who finally averted his gaze .
" Mr. Minister , I have urgent matters to discuss with you," Crouch said sternly, without the slightest hint of a smile on his face.
Fudge frowned, " Albert , take Professor Snape and Allen to the next room for a moment."
Allen obediently followed Albert and they parted ways.
It was a rather large hall. Professor Snape sat comfortably in a chair, his gaze distant and his expression vacant; it was clear he had no interest in speaking with Allen.
Allen found a chair, sat down, and while flipping through a book on the table, he also settled his ears to listen to the activity in the next room.
Allen's keen hearing allowed him to overhear the conversation in the next room, which was filled with references to hidden daggers.
" I heard the Aurors captured the fugitive Black and Peter, who died years ago ?" It was Crouch's voice, devoid of any emotion.
"Mr. Crouch's sources are indeed very knowledgeable; we just acquired them." There was a slight hint of dissatisfaction in Fudge's tone.
" I believe Sirius Black should be immediately sent to Azkaban . As for Pettigrew , he's most likely a fake; we need to verify whether Black is under the influence of the Confundo spell ," Crouch said .
"I suppose our Aurors are capable enough to tell whether a person is sane or under a spell." Fudge was rarely so assertive in Crouch's presence , and inwardly quite pleased.
"I also request that the Magic Law Enforcement Office retry this case, and I will summon Wizengamot members to the hearing ."
"Well, if Sirius Black is found guilty in the trial, I will demand that his slanderers be brought to justice as well ." Crouch's voice turned cold.
"A trial for slanderers?" Fudge asked in astonishment.
"I have reasons to believe this is a stain on my personal image. Whatever the final outcome, I will be branded as having hastily judged the case." There was a barely perceptible trace of anger in Crouch's tone.
" Peter is still alive; that's an undeniable fact. Are you thinking of denying all of that?" Fudge quickened his pace.
"What a lovely and charming story, who told you, Mr. Minister ?" Crouch asked calmly, as if he had controlled his emotions.
"Mr. Crouch , this is not a story; I have a responsibility to report the truth I have discovered to the Minister ." Mr. Harris's voice echoed.
" Is this a Christmas present you gave to the Minister ?" Crouch joked calmly, but his joke wasn't funny at all.
"Then I'll give you a sentence as a gift." Crouch paused, "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes."
A sudden silence fell over the next room. Allen could almost guess that Fudge was staring at Mr. Harris in astonishment, utterly bewildered .
Because it was a Latin expression and meant "Beware of enemies who bring gifts."
How interesting; was Crouch telling Fudge to stay away from Mr. Harris , or from himself?
Or was this Crouch's declaration of war on Fudge ?
A mysterious smile appeared at the corners of Allen's lips.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Crouch said goodbye and left the Ministry office.
Allen could only hear a low, unintelligible murmur of conversation; Mr. Harris and Fudge were clearly speaking in hushed tones.
After a while, Mr. Harris pushed open the living room door and entered.
" Professor Snape , it is a pleasure to meet you, even under these circumstances." Mr. Harris greeted Professor Snape politely .
His tone was extremely polite, no different from that of an ordinary student's parent speaking to a teacher.