[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts":3,"chapter-the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-chapter-275":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Transfiguration Master of Hogwarts",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2320980,4539,"Chapter 275","the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-chapter-275",275,"\u003Cp>The interrogation, driven by Dumbledore, began soon, and since it was deep into the night, only Hogwarts professors and Ministry officials were present to witness it; Harry and his two friends were also granted a place to observe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirius Black, bound tightly, was brought in first; he had regained consciousness and looked utterly hollow, as if he already accepted his fate—without Peter Pettigrew’s capture, he had no way to prove his innocence with an absurd story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professors exchanged glances, their faces filled with sorrow; they had taught at Hogwarts for many years, had all taught Sirius Black, had watched him grow up, and seeing their once brilliant student reduced to this, they could not help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, another man, tightly bound, was escorted into the hall by Dumbledore himself; the man’s eyes darted around, scanning everyone, casting pleading glances at each person…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ministry officials showed no reaction, but the professors immediately grew agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor McGonagall wore a look of recollection. “That man looks like Peter Pettigrew—though he’s changed a great deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Peter Pettigrew has been dead for twelve years; it can’t be him. Maybe a relative? But why did Dumbledore arrest him—and escort him himself?” Professor Flitwick replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That man is Peter Pettigrew!” A cold voice suddenly rang out. Professor Snape appeared beside Flitwick, his Polyjuice Potion effects fully gone; his appearance had been tidied, showing no trace of battle. He stared fixedly at Peter Pettigrew, speaking with absolute certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Severus, how can you be certain he’s Peter Pettigrew?” Flitwick asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was my old classmate!” Snape replied briefly, his gaze sweeping over Harry and his two friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry and his friends noticed Snape’s deathly stare and quickly lowered their heads, though it did nothing to dim their good spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirius Black also saw Peter Pettigrew; his expression turned incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—ah—” Overwhelming joy robbed him of speech; he thrashed wildly toward Peter Pettigrew, but was quickly pinned to the ground by Ministry Aurors—yet he continued to struggle without relent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the hall sensed something strange, and curiosity stirred in all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrogation began at once; as it deepened, every face grew grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Peter Pettigrew denied everything, many of his statements fell apart under scrutiny; as a household hero and a recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, his twelve-year disappearance after faking his death was the greatest inconsistency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his story was logically plausible, and Sirius Black had no direct evidence, so the situation stalled…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the observers all had their own scales; from both sides’ testimonies, they had formed their own inclinations—and most leaned toward Sirius Black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the deadlock continued, a man suddenly rose from among the observing wizards, raising his hand high to signal he wished to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry turned and saw it was Professor Snape; he was startled at once—he had never seen Snape like this. Snape’s eyes were slightly red, his face as cold as if frozen; Harry suddenly realized that compared to this, Snape’s usual demeanor toward him had seemed almost gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister Fudge also noticed Snape’s raised hand. Seeing the stalemate had dragged on, he simply gestured for Snape to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peter Pettigrew, seeing Snape about to speak, seized it as if it were a lifeline. “Severus—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please! Please! Think back—how Black used to bully you! I never laid a hand on you back then…” Peter Pettigrew crawled toward Snape on the ground, but was quickly dragged back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Snape regarded Peter Pettigrew with icy eyes, unmoved by his words. He turned to Minister Fudge, pulled out a crystal-clear vial from his robes, and spoke in a restrained voice: “Minister, under these circumstances, I recommend the use of Veritaserum—naturally, with your explicit authorization.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must uncover the true traitor!” When he said “traitor,” Snape’s voice carried a tone of grinding teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge hesitated after hearing Snape’s words, then glanced at Dumbledore, who whispered briefly with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fudge quickly made his decision: authorization for Veritaserum was granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the Minister held considerable power; authorizing Veritaserum was nothing to him. Moreover, the Ministry could no longer afford further errors—it must uncover the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Fudge’s decision, Peter Pettigrew collapsed like a pile of mud onto the floor; seeing his reaction, every doubt in everyone’s mind vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since this was not a real court, Sirius Black remained imprisoned—for now, he simply awaited formal procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s attitude toward Sirius Black visibly softened; no one stopped Harry and his friends from rushing over to embrace him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry was utterly immersed in joy; he had never imagined so much could happen in just a few hours—and this event would profoundly alter his future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Harry suddenly felt someone watching him; he turned quickly and saw Professor Snape, expressionless, turning his gaze away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry suddenly felt a deep sense of guilt toward Snape; he wanted to step forward and say something, but Snape only gave him one long look before leaving the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry watched Snape walk alone through the castle courtyard; the moon, like a silver plate, rose once more in the sky, pouring its bright light over the earth, over Snape’s figure, gilding him in silver, stretching his shadow long behind him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Harry felt Snape’s posture seemed more hunched today, his steps more unsteady; he wiped his glasses to see more clearly—only to find Snape had vanished from his sight…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(https:\u002F\u002F)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please remember the original publication URL of this book: . Mobile reading URL:\u003C\u002Fp>",909,"2026-06-20T16:09:24.693Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","396c43c22f293a52a40f8dd256d1c545b8f9b9580d4dff47e000f90e6d02b6f5","the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-chapter-276","the-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-chapter-274",284,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-transfiguration-master-of-hogwarts-cover.jpg"]