Chapter 440: Lupin’s Decision to Stay or Leave
Fudge didn't linger long in the Headmaster's office and soon left, taking the two unconscious Death Eaters with him. About half an hour later, the Dementors stationed around Hogsmeade received their orders and withdrew from the vicinity of the castle.
The castle was instantly lighter and livelier. Although most students had no idea what had actually happened, that didn't stop them from celebrating the departure of those ominous creatures, and an infectious, joyful atmosphere spread through Hogwarts.
The day before the holidays, Kyle made his way to the Hospital Wing to visit Professor Lupin, who was still recovering. Harry and his friends were there as well, accompanied by a large black dog... Madam Pomfrey stood nearby, observing them with a highly disapproving expression. She couldn't understand why the Headmaster had allowed students to bring their pets into the hospital wing.
Professor Lupin lay in bed, swathed in bandages, looking like a barely mobile mummy. Sirius, in his dog form, was perched by his bedside, licking Lupin's face in a display of loyal affection.
Seeing Lupin in this condition, Kyle felt a twinge of guilt. Technically, he'd had a hand in Lupin's current state. That night, after Fawkes had brought the werewolf and Devil's Snare to the Headmaster's office, Kyle had left him there. Perhaps because Sirius's and Peter's story had been so captivating—and the Devil's Snare had successfully silenced the werewolf—Lupin had been forgotten in the corner.
It wasn't until early the next morning, when the exhausted werewolf transformed back into Professor Lupin and fell unconscious, that he finally broke free from the Devil's Snare and crashed to the floor. The noise had alerted Sirius Black, who had spent the night leaning against the window, excitedly dreaming of a new future. Only then did he realize his old friend was still trapped in the office.
After spending the whole night bound, even Lupin's werewolf-strengthened body had taken a beating. By the time he was brought to the Hospital Wing, he had multiple fractures and was severely weakened, and he had yet to fully recover.
As Kyle walked into the room, he overheard Harry questioning Professor Lupin about the rumors circulating around the castle.
"I just ran into Malfoy..." Harry said, his voice full of worry. "He said you're a werewolf and that you're going to be expelled. Is that true?"
"Of course it's not true," Lupin replied with a smile. "I resigned of my own accord, I wasn't expelled."
"But why?" Harry asked. "Just because you're a werewolf?"