Chapter 127

"Because I was deeply shaken," Peter said evasively. "That night, Sirius used a terrible explosion curse—I lost a finger. In fear and pain, I felt my mind slipping."

"It took over ten years for me to realize I wasn't a rat at all—I was a man," Peter grew more confident as he spoke. "But when I realized that, I didn't feel urgent about changing back. Ron Weasley loved and cared for Scabbers so much. I thought I'd stay as Scabbers a little longer—he'd be heartbroken if I left."

Harry felt Ron gripping his hand tightly.

"And thinking back, I had a duty to atone. If only I'd volunteered earlier to be the Secret-Keeper instead of James," Peter's face twisted with guilt. "I wasn't like Sirius, obsessed with Britain's wealth and power. I could've fled far away—to Albania, anywhere no one would find me—and James would've been perfectly safe."

"Out of guilt and pain, I deceived myself—I pretended I was truly James's Secret-Keeper," Peter said, tears streaming down his face. "I thought if I kept hiding, if no one could find me, then James would still be alive, still safe in his hiding place, untouched by anyone…"

Amid Peter's quiet sobs, not only Lupin but Harry too felt the truth growing murky and uncertain.

"You think living as a rat counts as atonement?" Sirius snarled. "A thousand deaths wouldn't be enough for you!"

"Don't rush, Sirius. What about you?" Lupin pointed his wand at him again. "Didn't you spend thirteen years in prison out of guilt and atonement too? Assuming you're truly innocent."

Sirius's lips twitched—he looked furious—but neither he nor Peter had wands. Facing Lupin with a wand, all he could consider was how to earn Lupin's trust.

"Clearly, Professor Werewolf," came a low, chilling voice. "Sirius never changed. He's always been a vile creature."

While their attention was fixed on Snape, who had just dispelled his Invisibility Charm, the three children replaced their Invisibility Charms with new ones.

"He only wants your trust, so he can find an excuse to get close to Harry," Snape's wand never wavered from Sirius. "This has nothing to do with the rat. Sirius escaped because he heard the Dark Lord has returned, hasn't he?"

"What? Voldemort has returned?" Sirius looked stunned.

"Correct. He's gathering his old followers. You're here on a secret mission, aren't you?" Snape spoke slowly. "You plan to kill Harry—and perhaps dispose of that loose end from ten years ago as well."

"Looks like it's you who's on a mission, Snivellus?" Sirius sneered.

"I never intended to harm Harry, even though he's nearly identical to his detestable father," Snape hissed. "Between us, there's only old grudges. But with you? It's a blood feud."

"Because of this shack?" Sirius scoffed. "If you hadn't insisted on probing Lupin's secrets…"

Lupin, aware the three children were still inside, was already numb to it—but he didn't know the children knew he knew.

"But above all, you betrayed Lily!" Snape roared. "I can never forgive…"

"But I told you the real traitor is Wormtail!" Sirius shouted back.

"Who cares about this rat?" Snape shook his head. "Would James have chosen him as Secret-Keeper? Would the Dark Lord have asked him for James's whereabouts? Even that red-haired boy never tested a potion on him."

In truth, Ron never tested potions on Scabbers because he was utterly confident his potions would fail.

"Then… I'll go now?" Peter whispered. "I want to return to Ron—he really loves Scabbers."

Before Peter could move, the broken wardrobe in the Shrieking Shack burst open. Agent Johnny English of the Auror Office, clad in a crisp black suit, stepped out, one hand holding a wand, the other a gun, cold and unyielding.

"Professor Doudou?" Snape looked confused.

"Call me Agent English," he said, pulling out his credentials with his left hand and displaying them to all present.

Sirius stared at the badge nearly brushing his nose—and the wand held between two fingers behind it. After a brief hesitation, he leapt up and snatched Johnny's wand.

Now Sirius and Snape pointed wands at each other. Lupin kept his eyes on Peter, subtly shielding the children behind him. Only Johnny stood with one hand holding his badge, the other his gun—looking utterly Muggle.

Johnny blinked slowly, tucked his badge back into his coat, and said, "Since you're all… ah-ha!"

He pulled out another wand.

"Aces always have a backup plan," he said, pointing the wand at Peter. "None of you are leaving now."

In Snape's icy gaze, Johnny continued: "Setting aside the facts, the two of you are guilty of illegal Animagus transformation alone—you both deserve at least a year in Azkaban."

"And if the Dark Lord has returned, I need his exact likeness to issue a wanted poster," Johnny turned his wand to Snape. "We all know you were once one of his favorites, aren't you?"

Lupin instantly pointed his wand at Peter. "I nearly forgot—Snivellus isn't necessarily on our side. You think he's protecting you?"

"Even for illegal Animagus," Peter said, "Agent English, you can take me away—as long as Black gets the punishment he deserves and can never kill again."

Sirius's eyes burned with fury; Harry noticed his wand tip flickering faintly green.

"Take Sirius back. Sentence him to ten years first. The rest can wait," Johnny nodded. "Now, drop your weapons…"

"Expelliarmus—ah!" Sirius began to cast the Disarming Charm—but Johnny shot his wand clean off. Harry was astonished: a good marksman really was useful.

Snape and Johnny conjured ropes together, binding Sirius tightly. Then Johnny stepped into the wardrobe with him—and vanished in an instant.

"They must've Apparated," Lupin said. "But Professor Doudou really has a thing for wardrobes."

"As for you, Rat," Snape sneered, lowering his wand. "Best look out for yourself."

"I think Agent English has already spoken for the Ministry," Lupin said cheerfully. "The evil liar is Black. You just need to register as an Animagus."

"Really?" Peter's voice sounded uncertain.

"Relax, Peter," Lupin comforted him. "Given you helped them capture Sirius, I'm sure the Ministry will award you a medal. In these dark times, your courage is invaluable."

"The Dark Lord won't let you live," Snape snorted. "But what's that to me? Stay a rat if you like—I'm kind enough not to tell anyone."

"Regardless, I'm glad you're still alive," Lupin ignored Snape's sarcasm. "Come on, Peter. Let's have a drink."

Snape rolled his eyes and left through the secret passage. Lupin signaled Harry to dispel the Invisibility Charm. The two adults and three children headed to the Three Broomsticks.

"Book us a room for our friend," Lupin said. "He's just returned from a wilderness expedition—he needs a good bath."

"Indeed," Peter said awkwardly. Living as a rat hadn't bothered him—but now, as a man, his own smell was almost unbearable.

While Peter went upstairs to bathe, Lupin ordered each child a butterbeer. Then, slightly embarrassed, he said, "You've probably guessed something already. I think it's better to be completely honest."

Harry and Zhang Qiu's expressions were strange; only Ron looked genuinely confused.

"What I'm about to tell you—don't be afraid," Lupin paused. "I'm a werewolf."

"Wow…" Harry did his best to act as if he'd just learned this.

"The Shrieking Shack isn't haunted—it's where I transform every month at Hogwarts," Lupin said, lowering his voice, weary.

"When I was very young, I was bitten. My parents tried every remedy to cure me—but back then, and even now, lycanthropy is irreversible. I couldn't attend school—what parent would let their child be near a werewolf?"

"Then Dumbledore became headmaster. He's a compassionate man. To help me attend school, he arranged the Shrieking Shack, the Whomping Willow, and this secret passage," Lupin stared straight at Harry. "Every month, I slip out of the castle and spend the night in the Shrieking Shack… The Whomping Willow hides the passage and prevents anyone from stumbling in during my transformation—accidents could be fatal."

"Thankfully, things are better now. Dampierre invented the Wolfsbane Potion—and Professor Snape can brew it—it lets me keep my mind during transformation."

Don't you ever wonder why your transformation day feels off? Harry glanced at Zhang Qiu—but didn't ask.