Hogwarts: I'm Truly a Model Wizard

The Dementor floated away unsteadily, fading into the darkness until it was completely gone. Kyle turned back and found everyone staring at him with a mixture of surprise and awe.

"What's wrong?" he asked, bemused.

"Kyle, weren't you scared at all just now?" Harry blurted out.

Harry hadn't caught most of Kyle's exchange with the Dementor, but he'd seen Kyle standing directly in front of it, seemingly calm, for an unnervingly long time. The mere presence of Dementors chilled Harry to his core, and Kyle had stood there talking to it as if it were nothing.

"Why be afraid?" Kyle shrugged. "This is Hogwarts, after all."

"Are you… are you all right?" Hermione asked, her voice a little shaky.

"Of course," Kyle replied. "I told the Dementors that Sirius wasn't here, and they left."

Hermione nodded, visibly relieved. First they'd had to deal with a werewolf, and then a horde of Dementors. Her legs felt weak, and she wanted nothing more than to return to the dormitories and collapse into bed. But they still had to get to Professor Dumbledore first.

She glanced back at the still-bound werewolf wrapped in Devil's Snare. "What about… Professor Lupin? We can't just leave him here."

"Not to worry," Kyle said, looking back toward the castle. As if on cue, a fiery red bird was flying rapidly toward them, its wings glowing against the dark sky.

It was Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix.

Fawkes folded his wings and landed gracefully on Kyle's shoulder, tilting his head slightly, as if asking for instructions.

"We need to get Professor Lupin back to Professor Dumbledore," Kyle explained, gesturing at the werewolf bound up like a dumpling. "Could you take him there for us?"

Fawkes nodded, gliding over to the werewolf. He latched onto Lupin's fur with his talons, lifting him effortlessly before flying back toward the castle.

"Oh my goodness, was that a Phoenix?" Hermione gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. "I've read about them, but I never thought I'd see one in person!"

"It was," Harry confirmed. "His name's Fawkes. I saw him in Dumbledore's office once."

Ron, however, was frowning. "I'm more concerned about Professor Lupin. Did you see how Fawkes carried him—by the fur? Is that really… okay?"

Kyle nodded. "When he's in werewolf form, it's fine. Werewolves are physically much stronger than regular wizards." He motioned them onward. "Come on, let's hurry back. Professor Dumbledore's probably waiting."

They quickly made their way back to the castle, with Sirius remaining in his dog form, reluctant to change back just yet. Fortunately, they encountered no patrolling professors or Filch as they made their way to the eighth floor.

As if they'd been expected, the stone gargoyle at the entrance shifted aside as soon as they approached, revealing the staircase behind it. Harry, eager and a little nervous, was the first to step inside, with Sirius trailing close behind, his back legs quivering slightly as he tried to keep up.

At the top of the stairs, the oak door to Dumbledore's office was already open. Professor Dumbledore stood behind his desk, dressed in a pink velvet nightshirt patterned with small strawberries, a soft smile on his face.

"I suspect some rather interesting events have taken place this evening, given that so many of you have chosen to break the rules all at once," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Would any of you care for some pumpkin juice before you tell me your story?"

"No, thank you, Professor," Harry, Ron, and Hermione replied in unison, all a bit too anxious for refreshments.

"Could I have a glass of lemonade?" Kyle asked with a grin.

"With sugar?" Professor Dumbledore inquired.

"No sugar at all."

As soon as he spoke, a tall glass of lemonade appeared on a nearby table. Kyle took a sip, the sharp, sour taste waking him up instantly.

Before Kyle could finish his drink, Harry blurted out, "Professor, Sirius Black is innocent! Peter Pettigrew was the real traitor!"

"Oh!" Professor Dumbledore's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "While I expected an interesting story, I must admit, you've surprised me right from the start."

He regarded Harry thoughtfully. "So, how did you come to this conclusion? To my knowledge, Peter Pettigrew has been dead for twelve years and was even awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class."

"That's a lie! He's alive!" Harry declared, lifting the cage he held. "This is Peter!"

"And he's been hiding as a rat in my house for twelve years," Ron added, glaring down at Scabbers with disgust, as if his long-time pet's true identity was a personal betrayal.

Dumbledore's piercing blue gaze shifted to Scabbers. Just then, Kyle retrieved the Marauder's Map from his pocket, holding it up to reveal Peter Pettigrew's name, plainly visible in the headmaster's office.

"Oh, how I've missed that map," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "The last time I saw it was… oh, about fifteen years ago. Curious, isn't it supposed to be in Filch's office?"

Kyle took another sip of his lemonade and offered no explanation, while Dumbledore, seeming amused, merely gestured for Harry to continue.

"Well, actually, it wasn't the map that led us to Peter…" Harry shook his head and then began to recount the night's events, starting with Professor Lupin's arrival in the Gryffindor common room. Dumbledore listened attentively, not interrupting once, as Harry sped through the story in about ten minutes.

"So," Dumbledore mused at last, turning to the large black dog sitting on the floor, "it was Sirius Black… Animagus. I see. That would explain why no one has managed to find you."

The black dog barked once in affirmation, sitting up straighter.

"Professor, he had no choice!" Harry said earnestly. "We all saw it—Scabbers kept hitting his head against the wand. No normal pet could have done that."

Dumbledore's expression softened, though instead of responding directly, he gave Harry a thoughtful look. "Harry, you seem to believe Sirius's story. Have you considered the possibility that he might be lying to you?"

"I don't think he is," Harry replied firmly. "I feel like he's telling the truth. And if he were lying, he wouldn't have dared come here with us, would he?"

"First of all, thank you for placing your trust in me, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly. "But it's very late, and after tonight's excitement, I suggest that you all return to your dormitories, have some hot cocoa, and get a good night's sleep."

"But Professor—what about Sirius?" Harry asked, unable to hide his concern.

"Leave that to me, Harry," Dumbledore reassured him with a gentle smile. "If Sirius Black is indeed innocent, I assure you, I'll find a way to clear his name."

"Well… okay…" Harry nodded reluctantly, still brimming with questions—especially about whether he might finally be able to leave the Dursleys and live somewhere he didn't have to hide his things under loose floorboards. But with Dumbledore's assurances, he had no choice but to nod and head for the door, followed by Ron and Hermione.

"Good night, Professor," the three of them murmured as they exited, one by one.

Kyle was about to follow them, but just as he reached the door, he heard Dumbledore call softly, "Kyle, could you stay a moment?"