Chapter 132 Ron's Accusations

The students formed a line and approached to embrace Professor Lupin. They all hugged the werewolf.

An apparently simple action not only represented their great courage; it was also a sign of trust.

They whispered to Professor Lupin and spoke words from the depths of their hearts. Many students were moved and broke into tears.

Only Ron and the Slytherin students remained motionless, displaying indifference as if they had nothing to do with them.

"All this is touching, but what does it really tell us?" Lucius said in a low voice. "All we saw was a group of fools who were not afraid of being killed by a werewolf."

"You just said you needed proof. Here it is!" Harry looked at Lucius and shouted, "What more do you want? Professor Lupin is obviously innocent; he didn't attack us at all. We are safe."

"Tut-tut, foolish boy, if I were you, I wouldn't think like that. Werewolves are not to be trusted." Lucius looked disdainfully at Harry and said with a smirk, "He hasn't bitten you yet. Probably because he's satiated, or..."

"Or because there are so many people here affecting his appetite," Snape added to Lucius, grim. "We all know that, like a real wolf, werewolves have the habit of attacking solitary prey."

He glanced at Lupin maliciously, his small black eyes gleaming.

"Severus..." Dumbledore gently reminded.

"I know you trust him, Headmaster," Snape did not look at Dumbledore. His gaze was fixed on Lupin, and he said with a very disgusted tone, "But he has betrayed your trust, even though he took the Wolfsbane Potion tonight, due to the nature of the werewolf, he still couldn't help but attack the students, Weasley can prove it."

"I can prove that this werewolf attempted to attack me..."

"Ron, do you know what you're talking about?" Harry glared angrily at Ron, clenching his fists as his body trembled.

"I'm just speaking the truth, Harry," Ron avoided Harry's gaze. He turned his head to the side and continued in a subdued, monotonous voice. "That werewolf is not trustworthy. He can harm us. We can't take that risk!"

"Unlike other werewolves, Professor Lupin is innocent," Harry yelled, Ron's words making him shake, he gasped heavily. "We proved it, simply by embracing him. We..."

"Just a bunch of brave fools!" Lucius scoffed. "Maybe they don't even know that there's a werewolf uprising happening outside the school tonight. They may not realize the gravity of this incident. But as a father of a student, I completely disagree with having a werewolf lingering at Hogwarts. What do you think, Minister?"

"Oh, I believe what you're saying makes sense. Dealing with werewolves, we must be cautious, especially in this current situation, we can't take any more risks," Fudge said. "I'm sorry, Lupin, we have to take you away."

Fudge's words fell like a final judgment. Professor Lupin trembled. Harry looked extremely frustrated. He couldn't believe this decision.

"You can't take Professor Lupin away. He didn't attack anyone!" Harry shouted, hastily stepping in front of Lupin.

Behind him, other young wizards stepped forward one after another.

"I'm sorry, boys, I know you all believe in Lupin," Fudge said hesitantly. "But after all, he is a werewolf. Some people at the school don't believe in him. Someone even accused him of attacking students. We can't ignore any accusations!"

As he spoke, he turned and looked at Ron, standing in a corner.

"Mr. Weasley?" Fudge asked with uncertainty.

"Yes, this werewolf attacked me," Ron whispered, "I will officially lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Magic."

"You're lying! Professor Lupin is innocent!" That was the last straw; Harry's voice rose violently. He murmured resentfully, tears streaming uncontrollably.

"As I said before, I am simply stating the truth."

"Very well, Mr. Weasley! Regarding your accusations, the formal acceptance by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will be sent to you tomorrow. Now we must hurry back. This night has truly been dreadful!" Fudge continued. "I still have a werewolf rebellion to deal with. Thankfully, we managed to capture one of them."

"No," Harry quickly interrupted Fudge and made one final effort.

Fudge stepped back and looked at Harry and the other young wizards standing in front of Lupin.

"Stay away, Potter! You have caused enough trouble already!" Snape shouted. "We are saving you from this werewolf!"

"I'm fine; I don't need your saving!" Harry gasped, reluctant but resolute, "I don't know what happened to Ron tonight, but I can prove that Prof. Lupin is innocent. He had a hundred chances to harm me this year! I have been alone with him many times and learned from him how to resist Dementors. If he wanted to bite or kill me, why didn't he do it then?"

"Don't ask me about the mind of a werewolf." Snape drew his wand and said sharply. "I repeat, step aside, Potter!"

Harry remained silent. He stood with arms outstretched in front of Professor Lupin, demonstrating his determination through actions.

Evan, Hermione, and the other young wizards also stepped forward and stared firmly at Snape.

"Alright, Snape," Fudge said frantically. "Don't blame them. These children have experienced very terrible things today. Greyback just attacked in Hogsmeade. Now they are facing their most trusted teacher transformed into a werewolf. These things surely disturb them..."

"Wait, Minister," Evan hastily interjected. "I believe Ron's claims are invalid. It might be because..."

"Evan, on that matter, I want to speak with you alone," Dumbledore suddenly interjected, cutting off Evan's words.

Evan blinked and looked at Dumbledore in astonishment. Clearly, he hadn't said anything yet. What did the Headmaster want to discuss with him?

Or rather, did he already know that Ron was being controlled?