Chapter 126 Conspiracy Revealed
Professor Lupin, who had been holding his head bowed, rose painfully and stood there alone and miserable.
His eyes wandered among all of them, finally settling on Harry again.
He seemed to be searching for a place to hide, but Ron seized the opportunity to cast another spell. Professor Lupin howled measurably and dodged his attack.
"What on earth are you doing, Ron?" Harry shouted angrily. "Stop attacking. He's Professor Lupin. He's not dangerous!"
"Stay away from this monster, Harry," Ron said coldly. "He's a werewolf. He will harm everyone. I'm saving you!"
"No, he won't. He's Professor Lupin. He's safe. Stop..."
Harry tried to stop him, but Ron didn't seem to be listening.
The light at the tip of his wand grew brighter, and without any sign of hesitation, he cast another spell.
Harry had never seen Ron's spells be so powerful.
Is it truly Ron? Everything is truly abnormal today!
If Slytherin students were given an early warning and knew that Professor Lupin was a werewolf, why would Ron also show up here?
This all feels like a well-written play that had been prepared in advance; all it needed was the audience's presence to give the signal for the show to begin.
Harry couldn't comprehend what was happening, from Evan and Hermione being attacked by a werewolf in Hogsmeade, then Dumbledore's departure, the downpour of owls in the Great Hall, and now Professor Lupin transforming into a werewolf, and Ron appearing in his office. Everything was too abnormal.
Then it was as if an invisible web was weaving itself, overwhelming Harry. He could sense the existence of a powerful conspiracy.
He shook his head and tried to regain his composure. Regardless of what was hidden behind the scenes, he first needed to stop what was happening in front of him.
However, the scene began gradually spiraling out of control. Under Ron's leadership, all Slytherin students began casting spells at Professor Lupin.
Dozens of lights were heading his way at the same time. He was hit and sent flying.
He crashed against the back wall and fell heavily to the ground, covered in blood. He shook his head and rose again. The wounds healed in the blink of an eye. Professor Lupin raised his head with a miserable and terrifying howl.
The entire office was in chaos, with enchantments, screams, cries in all directions.
Some were retreating, and others advancing. More and more students drew their wands to attack the werewolf.
"No!" Harry shouted, trying to stop them, but the scene was too chaotic.
He saw Ron attacking Professor Lupin again. Quickly waving his wand, he shouted, "Protego!"
Harry halted Ron's spell and aimed to protect Professor Lupin. But there were too many spells, and his shield couldn't absorb them all. Not to mention that the magical level of many older students was much stronger than his, causing the shield to shatter instantly.
Professor Lupin groaned, angrily waving his claws and emitting a terrible roar towards the young wizards.
"Stop the attack. Stop it. He's not a werewolf. He's Professor Lupin!" Harry shouted helplessly.
As soon as he stopped shouting, he saw a curse directed at him.
It was from Malfoy. He was looking at him maliciously. He seized this opportunity to attack.
Just as the curse was about to hit Harry, the terrifying werewolf behind him leaped and blocked the spell for him.
Harry knew that Professor Lupin was saving him, but in the eyes of others, this image seemed more like that of a murderous werewolf pouncing towards Harry.
"You monster, stay away from Harry!"
Harry heard Ginny's cry, and looked over Professor Lupin's shoulder to see Ginny shouting at him and Ron, her eyes red from tears.
Upon hearing Ginny's voice, Professor Lupin visibly shuddered.
But upon seeing the curse getting closer to Harry, he hurriedly rushed to protect him from harm.
Lupin shielded Harry with his body. Due to the frightening appearance of the werewolf, misunderstood by all.
Previously undecided, the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff students who initially did not act, drew their wands and joined the battle.
"No, I'm fine. He's protecting me..." yelled Harry miserably.
Alongside Lupin and Harry, Ron's spell struck again, disregarding the fact that Harry was in Professor Lupin's arms.
Or perhaps, like Malfoy, he was aiming at Harry.
Seeing the red light approach, Lupin hastily shielded his students!
Ron's spell grazed his friend's cheeks, hitting Professor Lupin square on the head.
Lupin growled, his voice filled with pain, and blood ran down his forehead.
Although transformed into a werewolf, thanks to the Polyjuice Potion, Lupin still retained his human mind. With the strength provided by his transformation, counterattacking was easy.
But he couldn't; those children in front of him were his students.
Lupin didn't know how the boy named Ron Weasley knew his identity as a werewolf. Ten minutes earlier, he suddenly burst into his office and pointed his wand at him. He said nothing, just stood there frozen and seemed scared.
Just as Lupin was poised to act, footsteps were heard outside the door. Ron, who had not acted, suddenly cried out for help, obviously not having done anything.
More and more students entered, and he hurried to hide under the table.
But it was futile. Lupin didn't understand what was happening. Perhaps he should leave first. He must have scared this group of kids.
Just as Lupin hesitated, another round of spells flew towards them.
As the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff students also joined in the attack, this wave carried hundreds of curses with it.
Even with the mighty vitality and physique of the werewolf, he shouldn't be able to withstand so many attacks. If these spells reached him, Lupin would perish.
Seeing the spells approaching, Lupin wanted to hide. But he immediately dismissed that idea. If he moved now, Harry, who was in his arms, would be hit by those spells. It would be nearly impossible to escape.
"Perhaps I will die here. My only regret is not being able to personally capture Sirius Black for James, Lily, and Peter Pettigrew. Fortunately, this morning I revealed the truth to Harry. This boy resembles his father, James. He will catch Black in my place."