Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 114 Peaceful Coexistence

What to do when your dog is disobedient?

Let's just beat him up!

Since Sirius wasn't very cooperative, Thea, to prevent any unforeseen complications, simply knocked him unconscious and took him away.

Rather than letting him continue living a life of hiding and running, Thea felt she should fulfill her duty as a niece.

Sirius had never encountered anything so outrageous!

My pet elf!

Join forces with a stranger!

He knocked himself unconscious!

Any one of his messages could make the headlines of the Daily Prophet, yet Sirius experienced it all in a single day.

If James were still alive, he would definitely use this as a dark history to make fun of him for the rest of his life!

Sirius's lips had just curled into a smile when reality dragged him back to earth.

Harry!

Did something happen to him?

Could he have been attacked as well?

Sirius's thoughts gradually cleared, and with all his might, he finally managed to slowly open his eyelids.

The pain in the back of his head suddenly became clear, and the dizziness made him unable to tell where he was.

The familiar decorations gave Sirius a sense of being in another world, and he was speechless for a moment.

"You're awake?"

The familiar voice immediately reminded Sirius of everything that had happened last night. His eyes widened instantly as he looked at the other person's composed movements and asked in a trembling voice:

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Prolonged hunger and dehydration made Sirius's voice rough and unpleasant.

Thea closed the book in her hand, casually picked up a glass of water from the table and handed it to the other person. She frowned as she looked at the haggard-looking wizard before her, and said in a calm voice:

"Let me introduce myself. I am Dorothea Black, my mother is Bellatrix, and I am the heiress of the Black family."

"What? You're Bella's daughter?"

Sirius was shocked again. He used his remaining sanity to try to recall the memories in his mind. He remembered that Bella was married to Rodolphus, so how come this girl's last name was Black?

“Uncle, I think you should drink some water before you speak.” Seeing the obvious confusion on his face, Thea repeated her usual explanation:

“The Lestrange family gave up custody of me, so I changed my surname to my mother’s surname.”

Sirius felt a little uncomfortable being called "uncle" by Thea, and quickly took a sip of water to cover it up.

"My clothes..."

"While you were unconscious, I cast a revealing spell on you and then had Kreacher change your clothes."

Thea explained calmly.

"……oh."

Sirius lowered his head, the pain in the back of his head constantly reminding him of his days in Azkaban, dark and hopeless.

“There are painkillers and white dextrose next to you. I’ll have Kreacher bring breakfast up in a bit,” Thea said, standing up from her chair.

"You need to get some rest. Even if you don't like it here, at least for now, this is the safest place in the entire wizarding world."

Sirius ignored what Thea said, as if the few questions he had just asked had exhausted all his strength.

Thea didn't indulge him. After going out and instructing Kreacher to bring up breakfast, she plunged into the training room to continue working on the Patronus Charm.

For the next few days, Sirius stayed obediently in his room, and Kreacher brought him all three meals a day.

However, he would sometimes sneak into Thea's training room without saying a word and watch Thea practice the Guardian Spell.

The long prison sentence had completely silenced the man, but Thea knew that he would never give up his goal of escaping.

Perhaps because the Black family now has Thea as an heir, most of the portrait artists have turned a blind eye to Sirius. Even though Walbuga is still picking on Sirius, the two still maintain a basic peace when facing Thea.

At least they won't start arguing loudly in front of Thea.

But Kreacher really couldn't stand Sirius, and after a big argument, Dobby became the one to bring Sirius food.

Inside the large old house, the four living creatures and the portrait barely maintained a semblance of peace.

As the start of the school year drew closer, Thea keenly sensed that Sirius's heart was like a volcano about to erupt.

Finally, at breakfast one day, Sirius said goodbye to Thea.

As soon as the other person finished speaking, Thea paused for a moment with her knife and fork, then put them down.

Sirius noticed this, and a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.

After spending so many days together, he realized that Thea had no ill intentions towards him. Even though he kept a cold face, she still treated him like an uncle.

Thea, unaware of the other person's thoughts, wiped her mouth and said calmly:

"I thought you would leave quietly."

"However, please be careful."

Even if you choose Porter over me, I still wish you a safe return.

Thea's words left Sirius feeling deeply ashamed, yet he was unable to refute them.

But Thea wasn't satisfied and continued to say hurtful things: "I've modified the old house's defenses. Once I start school, this house will be yours."

Thea didn't even look at Sirius. "During the holidays, I'll return to Malfoy Manor. After all, you need it more than I do..."

"What? You want to go back to Malfoy Manor?!"

Sirius exclaimed in surprise before Thea could finish speaking.

"Yes, my custody is with Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius, so you don't need to worry about my daily life."

"Then why are you spending this whole holiday here?"

When Thea heard the question asked, she finally looked at the other person's face. At that moment, silence spoke volumes.

Sirius scratched his head awkwardly, his face flushed, but he couldn't say anything.

"By the way, are you innocent?"

Thea stared intently at Sirius, not missing a single expression on his face.

A fleeting look of pain and surprise crossed the other person's eyes, and they solemnly replied, "Yes, I..."

"All right."

Thea interrupted the other person's long-winded explanation and said calmly, "Since you are innocent, I will help you."

"You...what did you say?"

Sirius's tone betrayed his surprise, "You believe me so easily?"

“Yes,” Thea said seriously, “I believe in you. And I will help you, with all my might.”

Sirius looked at the serious expression on Thea's face. He wanted to laugh, but tears involuntarily streamed down his face.

Twelve years!

It's been a full twelve years!

He thought he didn't care anymore, after all, it was his fault back then, but Thea's words today rekindled his hope.

He only realized now that deep down, he yearned for freedom, longed to one day openly embrace Harry, and longed to catch that damned rat!

"be careful."

Thea stood by the window, watching the big black dog disappear into the street, and murmured to herself.

It's almost time for her to head to Hogwarts.