Chapter 490: Who Is the Godchild, After All?
Neville had always thought that Harry only had an aunt and uncle—people Harry had described as mean enough to deny him even a Hogsmeade permission form. Hearing now that Harry had a godfather came as a complete shock, even more surprising than seeing Kyle emerge from the Gryffindor common room.
"You have a godfather?" Neville exclaimed, wide-eyed. "I've never heard you mention it before!"
"I only found out recently myself," Harry replied with a grin, stuffing sweets into Neville's pocket. Before, he'd had no choice but to keep Sirius's existence a secret due to his fugitive status, but now that Sirius had been acquitted, he could finally share the good news openly.
Harry kept his excitement in check, though. Since he hadn't yet read the official news or received a letter confirming it, he avoided mentioning Sirius's name directly.
Hermione, watching Harry's excitement, felt a wave of happiness for him. She knew how much he had been hoping for this day. But... she lowered her head thoughtfully, as if something was troubling her.
Harry, meanwhile, was preoccupied with the candy bucket he'd set down on the table, dividing his attention between the sweets and the window. Each time an owl flew by, he leapt up expectantly, only to sit back down with a disappointed sigh when it wasn't his.
"Don't you find something odd about all this?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"What's odd?" Harry murmured, distracted, his eyes still fixed on the window.
"Kyle," Hermione replied firmly.