Chapter 129: Courage

All the young wizards held their breath, and their eyes focused on Ivan, who was being hugged tightly by the werewolf.

The look on their faces showed that they suspected that this thin boy might be bitten at any moment by the ferocious werewolf.

But that did not happen, and Ivan was calm as if there was nothing to fear.

On the other hand, the werewolf clinging to him whimpered, everyone saw the horrible wolf's face drenched in tears.

After Ivan, Harry also stepped forward and hugged Professor Lupin.

He was a little clumsy in his movements, but he hugged him much longer than he hugged Ivan.

"Professor, whether you're a werewolf or not, I trust you." Harry wiped away his own tears and choked back. "You're my father's friend and you're the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher I've ever seen!"

Professor Lupin winced when he heard Harry's words.

If Ivan reminded him of Sirius Black, Harry was exactly like his father, James.

Looking at Harry's face, Lupin went back in time remembering his feelings in his school days.

The office fell silent and no one spoke.

What Ivan and Harry gave them was a concrete demonstration. The young wizards were considering the possibility that Lupin was safe.

Everyone knew Harry and Ivan.

At Hogwarts, the two boys were almost equally famous.

In fact, compared to the savior Harry, many young wizards had a better impression of Ivan and it seemed natural for them to trust him.

Even though Harry had a better reputation, because they thought he had defeated Voldemort, many young wizards inexplicably thought of dark wizards whenever they saw Harry. Because of his character and his ability to speak Parseltongue, there were still rumors that he was going to end up as the Third Dark Lord.

As for Ivan, although his parents were ordinary Muggles, ever since he enrolled in school, the boy had revealed to everyone his noble self-confidence, his excellent learning ability, his easy-going character, his unparalleled courage and his innate qualities of a king and a leader.

Although such things may sound empty, there was a reason why everyone believed in Ivan. With his unprecedented magical newspaper, handsome looks and strong magical power, Ivan left a deep impression on all the students, especially the girls.

Last semester he went deep into the Chamber of Secrets to hunt the Basilisk. Then he scared off the Dementors on the Quidditch pitch a few months ago. And just today, he faced and survived a werewolf attack. Ivan was becoming very popular; and he was the center of attention of all the students at school.

Although no one talked about it, many young wizards and even senior students secretly admired him.

If only Harry trusted Professor Lupin, many people would still doubt him.

But even Ivan said that this creepy werewolf was safe, he told everyone that Lupin had taken the Wolfsbane potion. He also proved it by hugging Remus. Almost all of the young wizards began to think about whether they should trust Lupin or not.

The discussions gradually began to heat up, but suddenly it stopped.

Everyone was surprised to see Hermione emerge from the crowd. Her teary eyes glistened as she looked at the three of them, Ivan, Harry and Lupin. She seemed moved by the scene.

Step by step, she made her way to Professor Lupin in her werewolf form, and it was clear that Hermione was still a little afraid, but her gaze was unmistakably determined.

She stepped forward and hugged Professor Lupin.

"We all trust you, Professor!" whispered Hermione.

Hearing Hermione's words, Lupin's body shook uncontrollably.

Hermione's actions were even more touching than Ivan and Harry's.

After all, he hadn't had much contact with Hermione before now. Lupin never expected her to.

"You're right, Hermione!" Ivan looked at the other young wizards and asked softly, "Who else trusts the werewolf, and who wants to come and hug him?"

No one spoke, and no one moved.

Under Ivan's burning gaze, everyone lowered their heads.

Many wanted to go over and hug Professor Lupin, as they had done. But as soon as they saw his terrifying appearance, they hesitated again.

The knowledge was not enough to make them move. Not everyone had that much courage.

After a while of silence, someone unexpectedly stood out in the crowd.

It was Neville. He was shaking as he stepped out and his face was red. And he shuddered as he approached Professor Lupin. As he passed Snape, the latter glared at him and, out of fear, Neville almost fell over.

However, he was able to stand. He still remembered that in class, when he faced the Boggart, it was Professor Lupin who gave him the courage to face his deepest fears.

Although he usually lacked courage, he remembered the feeling that day.

It was bravery!!!

Neville walked slowly over to Professor Lupin and hugged him silently.

He said nothing. His flushed round face was full of pride. Hugging was just a simple gesture. But here, the one to hug was a werewolf. To do it in front of the whole school required great courage. No one could do such a thing.

Ivan knew at that moment that Neville had overcome many difficulties in the background.

Compared to him, Harry and Hermione, this simple hug was especially meaningful to both Neville and Professor Lupin.

Watching Neville's actions, the young wizards returned to confusion.

Unlike the three ahead of everyone else, Ivan, Harry and Hermione, Neville was an ordinary student in everyone's eyes. He normally had nothing to do with the limelight, and his name among those who knew him was synonymous with oblivion and cowardice.

No one ever thought he would have the courage to do something like this.

Neville was gasping for breath. In the eyes of the others, he only briefly hugged Professor Lupin, but to him it was a challenge of a caliber he had never faced before.

Ivan rushed over and held Neville, who looked a little weak-legged.

"I did it, Ivan!" said Neville in a trembling voice. "I'm not afraid. I hugged Professor Lupin. I think he won't hurt anyone."

It was all like a dream. Even Neville couldn't believe he had just hugged a werewolf.

"Yeah, you're the best Neville!" Ivan pulled Neville into a chair next to him.

In all honesty, Ivan didn't expect that after he finished his words, Neville would be the first to step forward.

He had to admit that this ordinary, forgetful boy next to him had a value that no one else could match.

Unlike Harry, Neville's personality was introverted and delicate. The courage within him was usually well hidden. But as a true Gryffindor, Neville was definitely the most reliable companion in critical moments of bravery,