Chapter 188: The best Christmas gift

Ivan and Hermione watched each other as the atmosphere in the room grew eerie.

"That scarf!", Hermione stammered, her voice getting lower and lower, "I had originally intended to sew a Gryffindor lion on it, but I couldn't do it. So in the end..."

"Don't worry about it, Hermione!" Seeing Hermione's appearance, Ivan smiled and said, "Actually, I really like this pattern, and this scarf."

"But it's not as good as the one Cho Chang sent. It's very poorly stitched." Hermione's face was a seductive crimson. She said nervously, "I did this sort of thing for the first time. I'm not very skilled in some areas. I should have..."

"Still don't get it, Hermione? This scarf may have many flaws, and the workmanship is not too fine, but it's really the first thing I've ever received, that a girl has sewn for me by hand. In fact, it's the intention that touches me the most," Ivan said as he looked at Hermione.

Hermione blushed more and more as she heard Ivan's words. She looked down and couldn't speak, and seemed to be shy to the extreme.

It was rare to see Hermione like this. Ivan couldn't help but be moved. Up and down, his eyes fell uncontrollably on the girl's skin outside her pajamas. Looking at Hermione's slender white wrists and ankles, Ivan swallowed and he couldn't tell why, a strange, but very strong, feeling rose from deep inside him.

Ivan had a feeling that if he did anything at that moment, Hermione would not object. "Hermione..."

As he was about to continue, Harry looked up and said, "Ivan, Hermione, do you see Sirius's gift?

"Sirius' gift?!"

Hearing Harry's reminder, Ivan and Hermione paused for a moment, and the strange atmosphere instantly disappeared as they hurried to look down and search.

In the pile of presents, they saw gifts from Hagrid and Lupin, and even Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout wrote Christmas cards for them, but no gift from Sirius Black.

This was impossible. He couldn't bring himself to say it, but Ivan saw Sirius personally ordering a Fire Saeta for Harry at the Owl Post Office. That should be the most important Christmas present this year. No one but Black was generous enough to buy a Fire Saeta for a young wizard, not even Lucius Malfoy.

As the latest model of world-class limited edition flying broomstick, the price of the Fire Saeta was out of this world, more expensive than the broomsticks of all the young wizards in the school.

"How come Sirius's present isn't here, Professor Lupin clearly...," Harry was halfway through his sentence, when he suddenly stopped. He saw the door to the infirmary open, and Sirius Black walked in with a smile.

Sirius' appearance was different from what Ivan, Harry and Hermione remembered of him. Just a week ago, when they had last met at the castle, Sirius' face was thin and unkempt, and surrounded by unkempt, black, long hair.

But now?!

Sirius was wearing a new sky blue robe, his hair was shorter, cleaner and tidier, and his cheeks were fuller, making him look younger, closer to the Sirius of 12 years ago, closer to his beautiful image before he was captured.

"Sirius?!" Harry stood up from the bed and looked at Black in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes hard and thought he was in a dream.

When Professor Lupin came yesterday, he also told them that Sirius' case was at the Ministry of Magic. The Wizengamot's trial had reached a critical point, and he couldn't leave yet.

But now, what is he seeing?

It was simply amazing that Sirius appeared in the Hogwarts School infirmary in front of them.

"Merry Christmas, Harry, Ivan, Hermione!" Sirius spread his arms wide and smiled, "How are your three little bodies recovering?"

"We're fine, Sirius!" Harry shouted hurriedly. He jumped out of bed and went over to give Black a big hug. Ivan and Hermione hugged him too.

All three had smiles on their faces for the first time in a while.

Ever since they learned that Peter Pettigrew was Ron's rat, and that they knew the truth of all the events of that year, knowing that Sirius Black was being wrongly chained, Ivan, Harry and Hermione were in a depressed and tense mood.

They had to be cautious in dealing with everything; for fear that Peter Pettigrew would run away.

This uneasiness reached its peak when Ron was controlled by Peter Pettigrew, Professor Lupin was accused of attacking his students, and Sirius was captured by Snape, nearly taking everyone's breath away.

However, now that Sirius was walking around Hogwarts, the three knew it was all over, and they finally managed to prove Black's innocence.

"Sirius, how are you?" Harry said with red eyes, his tears spilling out of control.

"I'm fine, Harry!" Sirius gently rubbed his head, his face full of kindness and love. "I daresay you three certainly haven't seen the 'Daily the Prophet' this morning. With your help and effort, I have been acquitted by the Wizengamot, just before."

Hearing his words, Ivan hurriedly found the 'Daily the Prophet' mixed in the pile of gifts. The headlines on the front page of the magazine were the smiling Sirius Black and the gaunt and sad Peter Pettigrew. The photos of the two people were in stark contrast.

Below the photo was a large article headline: Black was found not guilty by the Wizengamot, and Peter Pettigrew is found guilty of treason and will be sent to Azkaban.

Ivan looked briefly at the case. The article described the trial process, Sirius Black's history, the evidence against Peter Pettigrew, etc.

Considering the impact of this incident, the Wizengamot put a special approval procedure in place. After the evidence and the routine investigation, the final vote was held, which was surprisingly quick. After Black's case, there was a trial for other crimes committed by Peter Pettigrew.

"It's a pity I can't kill Peter Pettigrew myself, but I have to say things are pretty good now." Sirius said with a smile.

"This is already the best possible outcome!" Harry wiped away his tears, hugged Sirius tightly again, his body trembled and he looked very excited.

Afterwards, the four people talked a lot.

They kept talking about the truth of the year's events, what happened in the castle a few days ago, the future, and so on.

Especially Harry, he kept talking about his future plans.

"Okay, okay, you three, these words can be said later, we have time." Sirius smiled and said, "Today is Christmas, you're not going to be in the infirmary all day."

Ivan, Harry and Hermione looked at Sirius in amazement.

"Come on, I saw Dumbledore before I came. He agreed to let me take you three shopping." Sirius said happily, "I haven't sent you a Christmas present yet, but I have a surprise prepared for each of you."