The reversal of the Sirius Black case had sent shockwaves through every corner of Hogwarts castle, creating ripples that touched everything from casual corridor conversations to the atmosphere within the walls.
Students who had spent months casting nervous glances over their shoulders and jumping at unexpected sounds now walked with confidence.
The oppressive weight of fear that had settled over the school like a suffocating blanket had finally been lifted, replaced by an almost giddy sense of relief and normalcy.
The most visible change ca with the departure of the Aurors who had transford Hogwarts into sothing resembling a fortress under siege. Gone were the stern-faced magical law enforcent officers who had patrolled the corridors with wands at the ready, their sharp eyes constantly scanning for threats.
No longer did students have to submit to questioning whenever they wished to visit the library after hours or take an evening walk in the grounds. The heavy atmosphere of suspicion and constant vigilance had evaporated allowing the castle to breathe freely once more.
January 26th marked nearly two weeks since Peter Pettigrew's trial, and the castle had settled into a rhythm that felt both familiar and refreshingly peaceful.
The winter evening had arrived early, as was typical for the Scottish Highlands at this ti of year, turning the sky in deep purples and navy blues that gradually gave way to the star-studded darkness of night.
In Adrian's private office, warm light flickered from several enchanted lamps. The room slled pleasantly of old parchnt, herb tea, and the faint woody scent of the oak desk that was at the center of the space.
"How has Sirius been adjusting to his freedom lately?" Adrian leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head, speaking to Remus who sat before him. "Oh and Peter—I heard that he's already been transferred to Azkaban for his final... appointnt?"
Remus sat in the armchair across from Adrian, holding a cup of steaming tea in his hands—he had just returned from the Ministry of Magic.
Weak sunlight fell across his face, making him appear even more aged.
However, Remus's mood was quite good at the mont.
"I was able to visit Sirius yesterday," Remus said, taking a sip of his tea before continuing. "He's still under official Ministry surveillance, of course—they're quite insistent about maintaining their observation protocols for the full month they initially specified. But at least he can move about freely now."
A genuine smile appeared at the corners of Remus's mouth. "He's even begun cleaning and restoring the Black family Manor at 12 Grimmauld Place. According to his letter, the place has been sealed and abandoned for so long that it's beco sothing of an archaeological expedition just to make the ground floor habitable again."
Remus's expression grew colder as he addressed the second part of Adrian's question.
"As for Peter..." He paused, his jaw tightening almost indiscernibly. "He was transferred to Azkaban three days ago and placed in the highest security isolation cell they maintain. The Dentors have been given clear instructions regarding his case. Tomorrow morning, he will receive his final judgnt."
Adrian nodded in acknowledgnt, but his mind had already seized upon a detail. The ntion of 12 Grimmauld Place had triggered knowledge and planning that he kept carefully hidden behind his normal expression.
Deep within that ancient Black family residence lay one of the most dangerous objects in the wizarding world: Salazar Slytherin's locket, transford into a Horcrux by Voldemort's magic.
Adrian had attempted to locate and retrieve the locket on several previous occasions. However, like many old wizarding residences, 12 Grimmauld Place was warded against unauthorized entry with spells that made it literally impossible to find unless granted explicit permission by the property's owner.
At that mont, the last ray of sunlight outside the window disappeared below the horizon, and the office suddenly darkened.
"Are you ready, Remus?" Adrian snapped his fingers, and several wall lamps automatically lit up.
Remus nodded and stood up from his chair, his expression sowhat grave.
Tonight was the full moon.
"Are you certain I should spend the full moon night inside Hogwarts castle?" Remus said nervously. "Perhaps..."
"Relax," Adrian waved his hand casually. "We've already tested it. You can control yourself now, can't you?"
"But—"
Remus wanted to say more, but suddenly his body stiffened.
Ti had run out. The full moon had risen.
As if sensing sothing, he imdiately took out the third version of the purification potion Adrian had given him from his pocket, uncapped it, and drank it down.
"How do you feel?" Adrian asked curiously, leaning closer.
Remus shook his head and placed the empty vial on the desk. "I don't feel particularly anything."
Adrian waved his hand, and the window snapped open with a "bang." The round moon hung in the sky, casting cold silver light.
"Wait, I can control it."
Remus suddenly frowned, his pupils contracting sharply as he began to transform.
The next second, a werewolf appeared in the office.
"I feel sowhat more lucid," the transford Remus said hoarsely, "but other than that, there's no difference."
"Let see."
Adrian walked in circles around werewolf Remus, finally shaking his head with regret. "It seems the formula still needs adjustnt. But I'm certain everything is developing in the right direction."
Remus let out a long breath and sat back in the chair. The wooden armrest creaked under the weight of his wolf claws.
"Please be gentle with my chair, Remus," Adrian said with mild amusent.
"Oh, my apologies," Remus replied, his gravelly voice carrying a tone of embarrassnt as he scratched behind one of his ears with movents that seed oddly tad for such a fearso-looking creature.
He had forgotten he could freely switch between forms.
However, just as Remus tried to change back to human form, an accident occurred.
His limbs and body returned to human shape, but his head remained in its fierce wolf form—he had beco a monster with a wolf's head and human body!
"Well now, Remus," Adrian said, his voice carrying a tone of surprised delight rather than alarm. "This is certainly an unexpected developnt. What else might you be capable of?"
Remus looked down at his perfectly human hands, flexing fingers that appeared completely normal, then reached up to touch his still-transford head. The contradiction between what he could see and what he could feel was initially disorienting, but as he adjusted, excitent began to replace confusion.
"I believe I understand what's happening," He said. "Let see if I can..."
He closed his eyes.
The next second, his right hand suddenly twisted and deford, wolf claws reappearing, while his head began to slowly recover. His fangs retracted, fur receded, and finally returned to human features.
It seed this was Remus's change this ti—the ability to control partial werewolf transformation of his body.
"Very good," Adrian nodded with satisfaction. "It looks like you're beginning to master this power. We're accomplishing sothing unprecedented."
Remus looked at his right claw with complex emotions. Honestly, he had never thought of mastering this kind of power.
If possible, he would rather have everything related to werewolves leave his body entirely.
Of course, reaching this current state was already a stroke of luck.
Half an hour later, after Remus had successfully demonstrated his ability to shift between various states of partial transformation, Adrian suggested they take a walk through the castle grounds to test the stability of his control in a more challenging environnt.
Though full darkness had settled over the castle and surrounding grounds, the official curfew ti had not yet arrived, aning that students were still permitted to move about the common areas and outdoor spaces.
There were still a few scattered students in the courtyard, including so familiar faces.
As Adrian and Remus strolled along one of the walkways that bordered the main courtyard, a familiar figure erged from behind one of the stone pillars.
"Good evening, Professor Westeros, Professor Lupin," Cedric called out politely.
"Good evening, Cedric," Adrian replied warmly, genuinely pleased to encounter one of his more promising students. "It's quite late for you to be wandering the grounds. Is everything alright?"
As he spoke, Adrian's eyes noted that Cedric was not alone. Partially concealed behind the sa pillar from which the young man had erged stood Emily Brant, a fourth-year Hufflepuff student.
Emily was one of those students who rarely drew attention to herself—average height, brown hair typically pulled back in a practical ponytail, modest robes that never quite seed to fit properly, and a tendency to blend into crowds rather than stand out from them.
Most professors would have been hard-pressed to rember her na or pick her out from a group of her housemates.
However, Adrian had developed a particular interest in Emily due to her extraordinary affinity with the unicorns that lived in the Forbidden Forest.
During Care of Magical Creatures lessons, the usually skittish creatures would approach her without hesitation, allowing her to stroke their manes and even feed them by hand.
"Emily ntioned that she wasn't feeling particularly well," Cedric explained. "She thought so fresh air and a quiet walk might help her feel better. I offered to accompany her to make sure she was safe."
Adrian nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Emily's face for a mont before showing an understanding smile. "Of course, the courtyard at night is indeed suitable for clearing one's mind. We won't disturb you then."
Emily's cheeks flushed slightly. "We'll return to the common room soon, Professor."
After saying this, she imdiately pulled Cedric away.
Cedric looked puzzled as he was dragged off.
Seeing this, Adrian couldn't help but smile.
It was normal for a student as excellent and handso as Cedric to be popular with the girls.
They seed to have interrupted a wonderful date tonight.
However, Remus obviously didn't care about this matter. He seed distracted from the beginning, frequently looking up at the moon overhead.
"What's wrong?" Adrian asked. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Remus paused, then shook his head and sighed. "I just want to look at the moon more. For , such opportunities are rare."
"Well, that's up to you. The moon won't affect anything."
As Adrian spoke, he communicated with the Tree of Wisdom in his mind.
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