Chapter 120 Werewolf Vs. Dog
Just when both were in despair, thinking that everything was coming to an end, Evan saw a black dog, huge as a bear, suddenly emerging from the side alley.
It was Sirius Black who fiercely leaped onto the werewolf's body from the side.
The two men rolled into the snow. Black grabbed the werewolf's neck and pulled him away, keeping him away from Evan and Hermione.
Greyback was clawing wildly, trying to tear apart the big black dog.
The werewolf and the dog tussled together, their jaws against each other's chin and their claws tearing through the skin.
The other three stood aside, completely overwhelmed by the spectacle. If Evan's orthodox magical duel with Greyback was impressive, what to say about Black's physical encounter with the werewolf?
They collided in the most primal way possible, biting into each other's flesh until it bled.
"Fool, leave the dog and go bite the two young wizards," the dark wizard shouted.
He waved his wand and was ready to separate the werewolf from the large dog on top of it.
But he immediately stopped upon seeing a figure beyond the ordinary running towards him from the alley.
It was Hagrid, shouting the names of Evan and Hermione.
The Dark Wizard cast a stunning spell at Hagrid. Just like with Greyback, it jolted him slightly, and he yelled.
"Curse it, curse it!" The Dark Wizard shouted as he prepared to use "Avada Kedavra."
Before he could do so, red lights came from behind Hagrid, and he had to duck to avoid the spells.
Evan struggled to lift his head and saw Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and the two Ministry of Magic Aurors following Hagrid.
It was a rescue. He and Hermione were safe.
Finally, Evan could calm down. He was truly tired and exhausted that day, with nothing left in him.
It didn't take long for him to see nothing but darkness.
"Enough, it is sufficient! I will never cooperate with a werewolf again, NEVER!" The black masked man rose from the ground. He rushed towards Sirius Black and Greyback rudely, waving his wand.
They were separated, and Black tried to run back but failed.
The dark wizard immediately grabbed his werewolf companion and they seemed to disappear like a ghost.
Black blinked, his body bruised, and he groaned before stepping back, looking at Evan and Hermione. Then he vanished into the dark corner of the street.
…
When Evan regained consciousness, he realized he was back at the school's hospital. His limbs felt as heavy as lead, and his eyes were too heavy to lift.
He forced his eyes open and found himself lying on a comfortable bed. He could see Madam Pomfrey at one end of the room, with her back turned, leaning over the edge of the bed.
Evan shifted his head on the pillow. Hermione was lying on the bed to his right. Moonlight shone on her head, eyes wide open.
She looked terrified, and upon seeing Evan awake, her face showed relief.
Seeing Evan wanted to speak, Hermione quickly placed a finger on his lips, then gestured towards the side door of the school hospital. The door was ajar, and Evan heard the voice of the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, from the outer hallway seeping through the door.
"This is so shocking and alarming. The werewolf Fenrir Greyback appeared in Hogsmeade. And he attacked two students! It was a miracle that neither of these two children died."
"Luckily, the Mason boy is very strong. He withstood the monster for a while, if not for that..." That was Professor McGonagall's voice.
"Yes, Minerva, thanks to Evan!" Fudge nodded uncomfortably. "Who would have imagined this would happen? When the attack occurred, we were actually seated at the nearby Three Broomsticks inn. If it had been a more serious incident, I can scarcely imagine what the Daily Prophet will say tomorrow morning."
"The Ministry was already in a mess because of Sirius Black's escape, and now Fenrir Greyback comes to add fuel to the fire. Both are the most dangerous and wanted criminals at the moment," Fudge sighed. "And the Dementors, I just saw them. They demanded reinforcements and an increase in their numbers."
"You won't approve their demand, will you, Fudge? There are already 200 of those monsters lurking outside Hogwarts. This is not Azkaban. Those dreadful creatures are everywhere. How are we supposed to teach?" Professor McGonagall said sharply, "Albus won't agree on this matter."
"Exactly!" exclaimed Professor Flitwick. "I believe we can't just keep increasing the number of Dementors without thought. They have had no effect except to instill fear. They have failed to capture Sirius Black or stop Greyback. Two months ago, they even attempted to enter the school."
"It is true that I don't like them either. But given the current situation, I find it very difficult not to approve it. Just like we did after the Basilisk attack last semester, the Ministry of Magic must take actions to ensure the safety of the young wizards attending Hogwarts," Fudge twisted uncomfortably. "I will talk to Dumbledore about this, and he will agree."
"There is nothing more to discuss on this matter. I have already expressed my stance on it, Cornelius," Dumbledore's voice was heard. He had just arrived at the school infirmary. "Do you remember the conversation we had before the start of the semester? Two hundred Dementors is the limit of what I can accept."
Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Fudge smiled and recalled the conversation.
Rather, it was more of an agreement. He agreed to support Dumbledore in hiring a werewolf to become a professor at Hogwarts, while Dumbledore supported his decision to bring the Dementors around the school to assist the Ministry of Magic in capturing Sirius Black as soon as possible.
Looking at Dumbledore's serene face, Fudge felt ashamed. There was a strange feeling in his heart. Even though he was the Minister of Magic, the man he was facing was currently the greatest white wizard in the world. He had no choice but to accept his choices.
He felt truly conflicted, but Fudge had to admit that he needed Dumbledore's support.
With Dumbledore's prestige, he knew it wouldn't be an easy task if he had to replace him with anyone else.