Chapter 188 The Best Christmas Gift

Evan and Hermione looked at each other, and the atmosphere in the room became peculiar.

"This scarf!" Hermione hesitated, her voice trailing off. "I originally intended to sew a Gryffindor lion on it, but I couldn't. So in the end..."

"Don't worry about it, Hermione," seeing Hermione's appearance, Evan smiled and said, "I actually really like this design and this scarf."

"But it's not as good as the one Cho Chang sent. It's very poorly sewn," Hermione's face turned a fiery red. Nervously, she said, "This is my first attempt. I'm not very skilled in some areas. I should have..."

"Don't you understand yet, Hermione? This scarf may have many imperfections, and its craftsmanship may not be very fine, but I received the first thing my girl personally sewed for me. In fact, this intention is what moved me the most."

Hermione blushed more and more upon hearing Evan's words. She lowered her gaze and couldn't speak; she seemed extremely shy.

It was rare to see Hermione this way. Evan couldn't help but be touched. From head to toe, his eyes uncontrollably fell on the girl's skin outside her pajamas. Observing Hermione's slender and pale wrists and ankles, Evan swallowed hard, unable to explain why, a strange, yet very intense, strange feeling arose from the depths of his heart.

Evan had the feeling that if he did something at that moment, Hermione wouldn't object.

"Hermione..."

Just as he was about to continue, Harry suddenly looked up and said, "Evan, Hermione, have you seen Sirius's gift, how can I find it?"

"Sirius's gift?!"

Upon hearing Harry's reminder, Evan and Hermione paused for a moment, and the strange feeling instantly disappeared. They looked down quickly.

In the pile of gifts, they saw gifts from Hagrid and Lupin, and even Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout had sent them Christmas cards, but there was no gift from Sirius Black.

This was impossible. He didn't dare say it, but Evan saw Sirius personally ordering a Firebolt for Harry at the Owl Post Office. This should be the most important Christmas gift of the year. No one except Black was generous enough to buy a Firebolt for a young wizard, not even Lucius Malfoy.

As the latest model, a limited edition of a world-class broomstick, the price of the Firebolt was incredible, more expensive than the brooms of all the young wizards at school.

"How is it possible that Sirius's gift is not here, Professor Lupin clearly..."

Harry was in the middle of his sentence when he suddenly stopped. He saw the door of the room opening, and Sirius Black entered with a smile.

Sirius's appearance was different from what Evan, Harry, and Hermione remembered about him. Barely a week ago, when they last saw him in the castle, Sirius's face was thin and unkempt, surrounded by messy long black hair.

But now!

Sirius was wearing a brand new sky-blue robe, had shorter, clean, and tidy hair, and full cheeks, making him look younger, more like the Sirius from 12 years ago, closer to his handsome image before being captured.

"Sirius?!" Harry sat on the bed and looked at Black incredulously. He rubbed his eyes hard and thought he was dreaming.

When Professor Lupin came yesterday, he also told them that Sirius's case was ongoing at the Ministry of Magic. The Wizengamot trial had reached a critical point, and he still couldn't get out.

But now, what is he seeing?!

It was simply incredible that Sirius actually appeared in the infirmary of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before them.

"Happy Christmas, Harry, Evan, Hermione!" Sirius opened his arms and smiled. "How are your three little bodies recovering?"

"We're fine, Sirius!" Harry exclaimed eagerly. He jumped out of bed and embraced Black tightly. Evan and Hermione also hugged him.

The three displayed a wide and relieved smile for the first time in a long while.

Ever since they found out that Peter Pettigrew was the rat, and learned the truth about all the events of the year, knowing that Sirius Black was unjustly imprisoned, Evan, Harry, and Hermione had been in a depressed and tense mood.

They had to be cautious about everything, fearing that Peter Pettigrew would escape.

This unease peaked when Ron was controlled by Peter Pettigrew, Professor Lupin was accused of attacking his students, and Sirius was caught by Snape, leaving everyone breathless.

However, now that Sirius was back at Hogwarts, the three knew that it was all over; they had finally managed to prove Black's innocence.

"Sirius, how are you?" said Harry, his eyes red, tears flowing uncontrollably.

"I'm fine, Harry," Sirius gently stroked his head, his face full of kindness and love. "I dare say you three haven't looked at the 'Daily Prophet' this morning. With your help and effort, I have been acquitted by the Wizengamot, just now."

Upon hearing his words, Evan quickly found the "Daily Prophet" among the pile of gifts. On the front page of the newspaper were photos of a smiling Sirius Black and a disheveled and sad Peter Pettigrew. The images of the two individuals strongly contrasted.

Underneath the photos was the big headline of the article: Black was found innocent by the Wizengamot, and Peter Pettigrew was declared guilty of treason and will be sent to Azkaban.

Evan briefly reviewed the case. The article described the trial process, Sirius Black's history, the evidence against Peter Pettigrew, and so forth.

Considering the impact of this incident, the Wizengamot initiated a special approval procedure. After the tests and routine interrogation, there was a final, incredibly swift vote. Following Black's case, there was the trial for other crimes committed by Peter Pettigrew.

"It's a pity I can't kill Peter Pettigrew myself, but I must say things are quite well now," Sirius said with a smile.

"This is the best possible outcome!" Harry exclaimed, wiping away tears, embracing Sirius tightly once again, trembling with emotion.

Subsequently, the four engaged in deep conversation.

They discussed the truth of the year's events, what had occurred in the castle a few days ago, the future, and more.

Particularly Harry, who couldn't stop talking about his future plans.

"Alright, alright, you three, those words can be said later, we have time," Sirius smiled and said, "Today is Christmas, you're not going to stay in the hall all day."

Evan, Harry, and Hermione looked astonished at Sirius.

"Come on, I saw Dumbledore before coming. He agreed to let me take the three of you shopping," Sirius said happily, "I haven't sent you a Christmas gift yet, but I have a surprise ready for each of you."