Chapter 137 Howls To The Director

Due to Professor Lupin's issue, the atmosphere in the castle was somber.

Evan didn't know how many more people couldn't sleep that night. Nevertheless, he couldn't find peaceful rest either.

Hermione, lying on her bed beside him, seemed to be in the same predicament. She spent the whole night tossing and turning, worried about Lupin and Ron.

In the latter part of the night, Evan was once again awakened by a nightmare.

He sat up in the middle of his bed, and in the dim candlelight in the hallway, he watched the snow fluttering outside the window.

He recalled his conversation with the Director. He wasn't sure if his Occlumency had worked. Nonetheless, Dumbledore dominated the conversation anyway.

Moreover, he had no clue about the Director's plans.

Evan wasn't convinced by the Director's reason for not capturing Peter Pettigrew directly, which was to allow him and Harry to help Ron resist the Imperius curse. But doing so was too risky.

As a masterful strategist, Dumbledore must be concealing something beyond what he had told Evan.

He sighed! No matter how much he pondered, he couldn't deduce what it was. But one thing he was certain of was that Dumbledore had included him as part of his plan to defeat Voldemort because of his connection to Harry and his outstanding performance in the past two years.

Well, if he simply didn't understand, it was better not to dwell on it!

Dumbledore had his strategy, and Evan should work with his own plan.

He was not a plaything for Dumbledore to manipulate at will and ultimately become another victim in his confrontation with Voldemort.

Evan was determined to act according to his own will. He wanted to change his destiny and that of everyone.

He would by no means sacrifice Sirius Black, Fred, Colin, etc., nor would he stand idly by watching Hermione marry Ron. All these things needed to change, and he would start with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.

"By the end of this year, I will prevent Voldemort's return and grow much stronger..."

Evan thought this as his eyelids grew heavier.

The battle with Greyback left him terribly tired and utterly exhausted. After a few moments of resolve, he drifted back to sleep.

The next morning, Evan was startled awake by a commotion in the castle.

"What's happening?" He quickly rose from the bed and grabbed his wand.

"I don't know," Hermione shook her head as she just woke up.

"You both better not move! Get back to your beds!" Madam Pomfrey entered from outside looking worried. "I knew these noises would wake you up. It's terrible, a huge disaster outside."

"Why?"

"It's Lupin, that poor man!" Madam Pomfrey handed Evan the latest edition of the Daily Prophet and said, "Look! Almost everyone now knows he's a werewolf."

Evan quickly scanned the newspaper he held in his hands, and Hermione joined in. The entire edition was dedicated to reporting on the previous day's werewolf uprising, events, victims, detailed analysis, etc., along with articles criticizing Fudge and the Ministry of Magic.

Worries and anger had been mounting ever since Sirius Black's sudden prison break.

The main culprit was Cornelius Fudge. People were extremely enraged at the Ministry.

And along with Fudge, Dumbledore was also under scrutiny. Though the wording in the Daily Prophet was more subtle, many individuals, especially parents, were deeply shaken by the revelation that he had hired a werewolf. Pure-Blood families, led by Malfoy, even called for his resignation.

In summary, both Fudge and Dumbledore were under immense pressure, and the situation was dire.

As for Professor Lupin, being the only werewolf captured by the Ministry, many wizards demanded his immediate transfer to Azkaban. Some even suggested that he should be sentenced to death or left to the Dementors' kiss to deal with him.

Upon reading that particular paragraph, Hermione's face turned pale. She remembered what Professor Lupin once said about those who were kissed by a Dementor, and how they became living dead with their souls lost forever.

If that were to be his fate... Hermione did not even want to imagine such a thing.

Just as she was about to speak with Evan, another strong tremor shook the castle. It was like an earthquake. Even the walls were trembling.

A few seconds after the shock, a loud and shrill echo came from below, sounding like...

"What voice is that?" asked Hermione, raising her head with concern.

"Yes, it's an Eavesdropping Owl. Since morning, the owls have been constantly bringing letters from parents to the school. It's been terrible," said Madame Pomfrey. "Although every teacher has had their share, most were addressed to the Headmaster."

"Eavesdropping Owls sent to the Headmaster?" Hermione didn't seem to react to that, "Where is Professor Dumbledore?"

"Who knows! He hasn't returned since he left last night," said Madame Pomfrey, worried. "He must be busy with these matters about the werewolves and Professor Lupin. Even though he's not at Hogwarts, the letters keep coming non-stop. They're about to flood the Great Hall!"

Just as Madame Pomfrey finished her words, Harry entered the room.

He had a disheveled, dejected, and distracted appearance, with dark, heavy circles under his eyes.

"Good morning, Evan. Good morning, Hermione," Harry said weakly.

"Hello, Harry! You look dreadful," Hermione anxiously examined his face.

"I'm really not well. If you had seen the scene in the Great Hall, your face would be as affected as mine," Harry sat on the chair next to Evan's bed and continued, "Snape and Malfoy's plan was successful. At breakfast, hundreds of owls arrived with Howlers, all accusing Dumbledore and Professor Lupin. You didn't see the disgusting expression on Malfoy's face and the rest of the Slytherin students!"

"But besides them, everyone believes in Professor Lupin's innocence!"

"It's pointless. No one wants to believe us! All the adults are listening to Ron's nonsense. Accusing Professor Lupin of attacking students," Harry said angrily, "I really want to hit him until he regains his senses!"

"Harry, there must be some misunderstanding about that," she said, concerned. "Ron is..."

She stopped. When Evan returned the night before, he told her about his conversation with Dumbledore. She knew Ron must have been so abnormal the previous night because of that spell.

She wasn't sure if she could talk about the plan between Evan, Dumbledore, and Sirius Black.