Chapter 126

When Harry and Lupin returned to Gryffindor dormitory, Zhang Qiu was still pacing the eighth-floor corridor; she seemed calmer, but deep worry still lingered in her eyes.

"We can't alert the snake, Harry," Lupin said. "Go get Ron out, but don't let Peter know."

That was easy, Harry thought.

As Harry entered the dormitory, he spoke loudly: "Ron, the weather's so nice—let's go for a walk."

He was certain that if Scabbers was Peter in disguise, this wouldn't arouse suspicion.

Ron grumbled about needing to eat something, then followed Harry out.

"Mr. Weasley, I must tell you something terrible," Lupin said seriously. "Your pet may be disguised as an illegal Animagus—it's a very dangerous fugitive."

"What? It's not April Fools' Day yet, is it?" Ron blinked in confusion.

"It's true. And he likely betrayed my parents," Harry said gravely.

"But wasn't it Black who betrayed your parents? How could he possibly be Scabbers?" Ron was even more baffled.

"He's called Scabbers now, isn't he?" Lupin asked in a tone that didn't expect an answer. "Before that, he was a friend of Harry's parents—Peter Pettigrew. We called him Wormtail."

"Everyone once believed he was killed by Black, but evidence shows he's still alive and has been hiding in your family using his Animagus form," Lupin said slowly. "Why would he do this? What drives a normal man to abandon his identity, vanish his name, and become a rat?"

"Indeed, Ron, haven't you noticed? Scabbers has lived far longer than any normal rat could," Harry added.

"I still find it hard to believe, but if you say so, there must be a way to verify it," Ron said. "I'll trust you this once, Harry."

"Then we need to take Scabbers out now, without letting him suspect anything, and bring him to the Shrieking Shack," Lupin said.

"The Shrieking Shack!" Ron exclaimed.

"Come to think of it, I've got some experience with that place," Harry said, running over to Zhang Qiu. "Zhang Qiu, do you still have that Sleeping Charm you used on Pei Xu before?"

"Now?" She glanced at Harry in surprise, then quickly flipped through her divination notebook. "You skipped ahead—skipped a lot."

"What?"

"You've figured out the rat isn't a rat, right?" She looked at the small notebook.

"You knew all along? Then why didn't you tell us?" Harry paused, then realized: "Oh—so divination meant this wasn't the right time to act yet?"

"Exactly. The truth should have been revealed in June," she sighed, pinching several pages of the notebook. "So much hasn't happened yet..."

"Don't dwell on it. Even if we miss this chance, I'll help you make it up later," Harry said. "Right now, we need Peter and Sirius to face each other—you must lend us your charm."

"No," she said coolly. "I'll speak to Professor Lupin."

Zhang Qiu turned the notebook back to its first page. Harry felt her demeanor had changed drastically.

"Lemus Lupin," she said. "Harry and Ron must be present during the confrontation. I will guarantee their safety."

"Zhang Qiu?" Lupin frowned. "I know you're older than them and know some Eastern magical arts, but this is far too dangerous."

"I swear by the name of Xuan Jun," Zhang Qiu revealed the mark on the first page of her journal. "Harry and Ron's safety will be absolutely guaranteed."

"If you insist," Lupin sighed. "Then I can't oppose it."

"Now go back to your dorm and get Scabbers—and the Invisibility Cloak. Harry, come out first and hand the Cloak to Professor Lupin. We'll use the Disguise Charms," Zhang Qiu ordered. "I'll go get my sword and charms."

"Ron, don't put Scabbers in your pocket. Use Harry's cauldron—line it with padding, pretend you're taking him to the Hogsmeade pet clinic for treatment or medicine."

Ron nodded, but Harry suddenly realized something was wrong—he'd been using the Jumping Cauldron disguised by Dumbledore. Zhang Qiu's words meant she'd already prepared to re-enter the Maze of Life and Death.

Soon, they met again at the corridor outside Gryffindor dormitory. This time, Lupin wore the Invisibility Cloak, while Ron placed Scabbers in Harry's Jumping Cauldron, lining it with padding and covering it with a lid. They spoke carefully, pretending they were merely taking Scabbers to the Hogsmeade pet hospital.

"Harry, hold Scabbers for me—I'm tying my shoelace," Ron winked.

Harry took the cauldron, waited a moment, then passed it to Lupin. Scabbers would think he was back in Ron's hands—unaware he was now held by Lupin.

Throughout the journey, Harry and Ron chattered nonstop about Quidditch, because silence would seem strange between them, and talking about anything else might raise suspicion.

Lupin knew exactly how to pass through the Whomping Willow's secret passage—just strike a knot on the trunk to calm the tree. They descended into the tunnel, wound through its twists, and arrived at the Shrieking Shack. Harry suddenly understood: the rumors of the Shack being haunted were likely just the Marauders moving about in their secret base.

Emerging from the tunnel, they reached the Shack's basement. Sirius was upstairs, so now it was time to conceal themselves.

Zhang Qiu handed each of them three Disguise Charms and whispered they must hide in shadows—less likely to be seen.

Treading carefully on the rotting stairs, the four ascended slowly. Lupin deliberately left a hint of his heel visible so Harry could follow. They entered a bedroom where Sirius, filthy and corpse-like, slumped against the bed.

Sirius's ears were sharp—he heard footsteps and shot upright, staring fixedly at the doorway, his expression tense.

"Relax, Sirius. It's me—Lupin," Lupin removed the Invisibility Cloak, still holding the cauldron.

Suddenly, the cauldron shook violently, but Lupin pressed the lid down hard. After a brief struggle, Scabbers fell still.

Sirius's eyes lit up instantly. Harry, watching from the corner, saw him nearly lunge forward.

"But don't move yet," Lupin leveled his wand at him. "I'm not certain yet. I only know one of you is lying."

Sirius gave a helpless smile and sat back down.

Lupin lifted the lid and said softly: "Return to your true form, Peter. If you've forgotten, I'll help you."

Scabbers hopped out of the cauldron. A blinding flash of light erupted—and as if watching a sped-up film, a head slowly sprouted from the floor, then limbs unfolded like budding shoots. In the next instant, a man stood where Scabbers had been, rubbing his hands nervously.

He was short—Ron in third year was taller. His thin, pale hair was matted, and his scalp was bald on top. He looked like a bloated man who'd suddenly shrunk—emaciated. His dirty skin matched Scabbers' fur; his pointed nose made one instinctively think of a rat.

Peter's small, watery eyes darted around them. His breathing was rapid and shallow. Harry saw his gaze flick toward the door, then away.

"You have to protect me, Lupin," he nearly wailed. "I knew this devil wouldn't give up. I knew it."

"Calm down, Peter. Let me hear your side," Lupin stood beside him, wand still trained on him.

"I truly wonder what drove a man to live as a rat for thirteen years, refusing even to claim the Knight's Badge of Merlin," Lupin said slowly. "If you were truly as heroic as the newspapers claimed."

"It was all Sirius's plot. That night, he came to my home to kill me," Peter looked terrified. "I tried to flee, but he cornered me. Perhaps because he thought victory was certain, he boasted about his plan."

"After Voldemort fell, he feared retribution. So he planned to claim James secretly changed the Secret-Keeper to me. Then, by killing me, he could use the Black family's wealth and influence to escape punishment. I was terrified. My wand was knocked from my hand—I had no choice but to escape using my Animagus form."

Lupin looked uncertain, then asked: "If Sirius intended to manipulate his lineage to twist the truth, like Lucius..."

"You know I've always cared nothing for that," Sirius interrupted.

"Don't interrupt me, Black," Lupin kept his gaze fixed on Peter. "Then why did he need to kill you?"

"Because he feared I'd confront him. If Dumbledore found out, he'd instantly know who was lying," Peter said. "He had to ensure there'd be no witnesses. And it's not too late yet—the statute of limitations hasn't expired."

"You lived as Scabbers in the Weasley household, where every child attended Hogwarts," Lupin pressed. "You had countless chances to seek Dumbledore's help. Why didn't you?"

"Because, because..." Peter fidgeted, twisting his hands, unable to speak the next words.