Chapter 155 Black's Expectations

"Thank you, Harry! Thank you for saving me. James would be proud of you..." Peter Pettigrew gasped and opened his arms to hold onto Harry's knees.

"Don't mention my father's name, you are not worthy to speak it!" Harry said, spitting on the ground and disgustingly pushing Peter's hands away. "Get off me! I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for Sirius! I don't want him to become a murderer because of you!"

"Harry!" Black looked at Harry, without anger, and for the first time, appeared calm.

Harry returned the gaze. No one moved except Peter, and no sound was made. Pettigrew was clutching his chest, gasping and breathing heavily.

"You are the only person who has the right to decide, Harry," Black gazed with great relief, as if he were seeing his old friend James, and said slowly, "But before making any decision, I hope you think carefully and consider what he has done."

"I know he has done many wrong things that I will never forgive. He should pay for what he did. We could hand him over to Dumbledore or to the Dementors! He could go to Azkaban. If anyone deserves that place, it's him!"

The small Peter, gasping behind, upon hearing "Azkaban" and "Dementors", his pale face lost color. He remembered his conversation with Evan in Lupin's office. The Dementors would not forgive him. They would surely give him the Dementor's kiss!

That is the worst possible fate, worse than death.

From then on, his soul would be irrevocably lost. He would live in a dead body and would always be the Dementors' prey in the dreadful Azkaban.

No, this cannot happen!

Pettigrew had a spark of determination in his eyes. He could not let himself be captured and taken to the Dementors. He had to escape.

Twelve years ago, he sacrificed a finger to escape from Sirius Black; he could escape this time, whatever the price may be.

He touched Harry's robe and hesitated.

His eyes glanced at the open castle door. He had a great opportunity. Outside was the Forbidden Forest. It would be perfect to hide in his Animagus form. Moreover, the Dementors were not far. They were stationed on the wall and did not know that Black was innocent.

If Black came out, they would capture him instantly and proceed to give him the kiss.

"I haven't lost yet. If only I can get through this door!"

Pettigrew thought of the magical barrier that threw him back, of Evan's wand that did not obey his orders; he did not understand what was happening. It was beyond his reach, but he had to try again.

Perhaps he could kidnap Harry to flee with him!

Maybe that magic at the portal only works when one person passes. Perhaps if someone is with him, they could both escape.

Peter tightly grabbed Harry's robe. He hesitated and did not act immediately.

He was too close to Evan and Black, and he was not completely sure; if Harry resisted, if he failed to get his wand in the attempt, the consequences would be disastrous.

A moment later, Pettigrew saw Ron standing by the door. Ron's face was as pale as his, filled with pain and confusion.

Peter knew that Ron was trying to resist the Imperius Curse, but he had not yet freed himself from its control.

His eyes fixed on the wand in Ron's hand. He needed that wand. It was his only hope.

While Pettigrew was making a decision, the conversation between Black and Harry continued.

"Do you know what it means to hand Peter over instead of killing him outright?"

"I know!" said Harry, "It means you are vindicated!"

"Yes..." Black hesitated and said, "I don't know if anyone ever told you, Harry, I am your godfather!"

"Evan told me!" Harry said softly.

"That boy knows everything. This time, I was able to catch Peter thanks to him. I truly owe him a lot. I will try to repay him," thought Black recalling Evan's words at the owl post office yesterday. In a nonchalant tone, he said, "But Harry! There is something I must tell you. I am your godfather. Your parents appointed me as your guardian if anything were to happen to them..."

Evan, Harry, and Hermione were waiting for Black to continue. They all sensed what he was about to say.

Under their gaze, Black hesitated. He had never seemed so nervous before.

"Think about it, Harry! Once my name is cleared... if you want a... a different home... you can..." Black looked at Harry. "I will understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle."

"What... live with you?" Harry stared at him, unable to wait to say, "Leave the Dursleys?"

"Of course, I thought you wouldn't want to," said Black quickly. "I understand, I just thought that..."

"Are you mad?" said Harry, his voice as hoarse as Black's. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Do you have a house? When can I move?"

"Do you really want to?" Black couldn't believe what Harry had said. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious," Harry replied. "This is something I've always dreamed of."

Upon hearing Harry, Black's haggard face lit up with the first genuine smile Evan had ever seen from him. The transformation was striking, as if a person ten years younger was shining through the exhausted mask.

Everything had ended. That was probably the best possible outcome for this year's event.

Peter had been captured and Black had been saved. In the upcoming summer break, Harry could move in and live with Sirius. As for leaving the Dursleys and its impact on the Blood Protection granted to Harry through his mother's sacrifice, that is something Dumbledore must concern himself with.

Everything seemed to have resolved perfectly, except for Ron still not being free from the Curse.

The conversation deeply moved Ron, but it appeared to be insufficient. It did not help him strengthen his will enough to resist Peter's control.

Evan sighed. If Ron doesn't succeed this time, it means he may still be under Voldemort's or other dark wizards' control in the years to come. He needed to be careful with him. Being controlled by Peter this time was a lesson! When Ron shows any unusual behavior, he must act decisively.

Evan's eyes fell on Ron, who was standing there, ready to use the counter spell on him.

But suddenly he realized that Ron had subtly shifted from the corner where he was before to where Peter Pettigrew was.

In that position, he appeared as a human shield, completely blocking everyone's wands against Peter.

Evan had a premonition, but had not yet reacted, when Peter Pettigrew, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly stood up...