The next morning, the Hogwarts Express left the station amid thick smoke. Maka stood on the platform and waved goodbye to Harry and the others. He seemed distracted, and Willie was standing next to him - which made Hermione feel awkward for no reason.
When Maka's figure was so small that he could no longer see it, Harry and the others retreated into the carriage.
"That Willie didn't show up for the whole semester, but just when Maka decided to stay in school, she showed up again!" Hermione said seriously, "There must be something wrong with this!"
"What's the problem with this!" Ron said nonchalantly.
Hermione pursed her lips and looked back at Harry - now Harry was looking at Hogwarts, which was already hidden from view by a mountain.
It will take two whole months to see Hogwarts again!
"Oh, cheer up, Harry!" Hermione comforted her friend.
"I'm fine," Harry said quickly, "I was just thinking about the holidays."
"Yes, I've been thinking about it too," Ron said, "Harry, you must come and live with us... I will make an agreement with my parents, and then I will give you a 'spicy message'. Now I Now you know how to talk nonsense!"
"It's the phone, Ron," Hermione said. "Seriously, you should take Muggle Studies next year..."
Ron ignored her and continued.
"...There is the Quidditch World Cup this summer! How about it, Harry? Come stay at my house and we can go to the game together! Dad can always get tickets from work."
The suggestion cheered Harry up.
"Yeah, I bet the Dursleys would be happy to let me go...especially after what I did to Aunt Maggie..."
"Harry," Hermione suddenly looked back and said, "Look, what is that thing outside the window?"
Harry turned and looked outside, only to see a huge shadow quickly rush in through the open window and land firmly on the empty seat next to Harry.
That's Marfa! That big owl from Maka!
Hedwig on one side shrank, and was suddenly pushed aside by Marfa. Crookshanks sat up in his seat and looked at it warily with his big yellow eyes.
Mafa stood on one leg on the seat, released her other paw, and a small gray owl suddenly rolled down next to the seat cushion.
Then, it casually placed the envelope in its mouth on Harry's lap, and then immediately spread its wings and flew out of the window. The whole process was very fast, which made the three people in the car a little unresponsive.
At this time, Crookshanks turned his attention to the little owl again, and it seemed a little interested. Ron noticed this sensitively and grabbed the little owl.
Harry picked up the letter. It was addressed to him!
He tore the letter open and shouted, "It's from Sirius!"
"What?" said Ron and Hermione in confusion. "Is there anything else he hasn't said? Read it quickly -"
———
Dear Harry:
I hope this letter will be received before you go to your aunt and uncle's house. I wonder if they were used to owls delivering messages.
In fact, when you receive this letter, it means that I have left Hogwarts - I will not tell you where I am hiding in case this letter is delivered to someone else by mistake. I've always been a little skeptical about the reliability of owls, but Maka looks very reassuring.
I believe the dementors are still looking for me, but they have no hope of ever finding me again. I plan to have some Muggles see me soon, away from Hogwarts, so that the castle's security can be removed.
During our brief meeting, there is one thing I never had the chance to tell you, and that is that I was the one who sent you the Firebolt.
…
———
"Ha!" Hermione said triumphantly. "Look! I told you it was from him!"
"Yeah, but he didn't do anything with it, did he?" Ron said, "Ouch!"
The little owl, now squawking happily on his hand, had given him a peck on one of his fingers, seeming to think it was a way of showing kindness.
———
…
Maka asked his Marfa to help me go to the post office and order the owl - I used your name, but told them to withdraw the money from my own vault at Gringotts No. 711.
Think of it as your thirteenth birthday present from your godfather.
I think I gave you a fright the night you left your uncle's house last year, and I would like to apologize for that. I just wanted to see you before I went north, but I think you seemed quite frightened when you saw me.
Enclosed is something for you that I think will make your time at Hogwarts more enjoyable next year. If you need to find me, just send me a letter! Your owl will find me... and I will write to you soon.
Sirius
———
Harry searched eagerly inside the envelope, which contained a piece of parchment. He looked over it quickly, and suddenly felt warm all over his body and contented in his heart, as if he had drank a bottle of hot butterbeer in one breath.
On that piece of paper, there was this sentence written: I, Sirius Black, the godfather of Harry Potter, hereby give my permission for him to go to Hogsmeade for the weekend.
"That's good enough for Dumbledore!" Harry said happily, and he read Sirius's letter again. "Wait a minute, there's a postscript... Oh! Ron, this little owl is for you to keep!"
Ron's eyes widened immediately, and the little owl was still hooting excitedly.
"Raise it?" he said uncertainly, looking at the owl carefully.
After looking at it for a while, to the great surprise of Harry and Hermione, he took it to Crookshanks to sniff.
"What do you think?" Ron asked Crookshanks. "Is it definitely an owl?"
"Huh?" At this moment, Hermione seemed to find something outside the window, "Another owl!"
Harry and Ron both turned to look, but the gray-brown owl did not slow down, but flew straight towards Hogwarts.
…
The person who received the letter was Maka.
For him, this letter was definitely not good news. Because, at this time, a notification document came from the Ministry of Magic.
———
Dear Mr. MacLean:
According to relevant intelligence and records of personnel involved in this department (Department of Magical Law Enforcement), you are significantly related to the serial murder cases in Hogsmeade.
Due to your actions that day, it has been confirmed that the wizard died. Law enforcement officers from the Ministry of Magic will arrive at your location within a short time. The Ministry of Magic will confiscate your wand and impose temporary detention and cooperation with the investigation.
Rufus Scrimgeour
Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror Office.
———
Although Maka had already been prepared to visit the Ministry of Magic, the strong and unscrupulous wording of this notice made him frown.
The notice only mentioned that he had killed someone, but it did not indicate the identity of the deceased at all. Logically speaking, after Peter Pettigrew was frozen, the black energy that enveloped his body had completely disappeared, so the Ministry of Magic obviously knew his true identity.
Although there may be a confidential relationship involved, this cannot stop Maka from guessing other possibilities.
He had a hunch that there must be other things waiting for him here!
"It smells of conspiracy." Maka shook the notice casually, showing a thoughtful expression...
When two Aurors appeared in the school with a whole team of beaters, not only Dumbledore, but also several professors were alarmed.
"What happened?" Professor McGonagall looked at the Aurors blocking the school gate in surprise, with a surprised look on her face.
"Who knows!" said the little Professor Flitwick sharply.
And just over there in the castle, Snape also came out, and walking beside him was Dumbledore. Maka followed the two of them, looking like she was coming to watch the fun.
However, in the surprised eyes of several professors, Maka came to the front.
"Who is in charge this time?" He looked around and said calmly, "I am Maka McClain."
"I am." An Auror came out and looked at him hesitantly, "Then... let's call out the wand first!"
Maka nodded, took out the wand from her sleeve, and handed it out.
"... Please come with us. Regarding cases related to Hogsmeade, we need your cooperation in the investigation - you should have received the notification document from the Ministry of Magic, right?" After the Auror confirmed the file, he cautiously After putting away Maka's wand, she stretched out her hand and said, "Please."
Maka turned around, and after looking at each other with Dumbledore, he walked to the Auror without any resistance.
"This... God! What happened?" At this time, Professor Sprout suddenly ran over and asked loudly, "What on earth did McClain do? Why did he-"
But Dumbledore reached out to stop her.
"Pomona, Maka is just here to cooperate with the investigation. It's okay." He stared at Maka for a while with bright eyes, and then said calmly to the Auror, "Say hello to Fudge and me!"
The Auror nodded seriously and left with Maka.
"Albus... what happened? Why did MacLean..." Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ask.
"It's the incident in Hogsmeade," Dumbledore said. "I will follow up closely. Everyone, please go back first!"
He paused, then looked at Willy who was standing aside, looking silently outside the school gate and said, "Miss Blois?"
"... Do I need help?" Willy turned around and asked expressionlessly.
"I don't think it's necessary yet." Dumbledore smiled, "Things are not as complicated as imagined."
Willie nodded and passed directly by Dumbledore, heading all the way to the greenhouse. Dumbledore looked at her back with curious eyes, showing a thoughtful look.