"This is impossible!"
"I must have heard wrong... I must have!"
Ron finally couldn't contain himself. He shouted out his confusion and shock, staring at Dumbledore with disbelief, his eyes holding a desperate hope that he had simply misheard.
But Dumbledore didn't repeat the information Ron hoped he'd misunderstood. Instead, he shook his head, denying Ron's claim of mishearing.
"Your Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew'sAnimagus form. Whether it's the missing index finger on his right hand or the scene I witnessed with my own eyes last night—watching him transform from rat back to human—everything proves this conclusively."
"If this were untrue, then Sirius's actions would be inexplicable."
Sirius had finished consuming all the potions required for one treatment cycle. His complexion looked ghastly. Observing Ron's face—which wasn't much better than his own—and sensing the boy's lingering disbelief, he released a weary sigh.
"Though this revelation might devastate you, please trust me—and trust Dumbledore's judgment. I've witnessed Peter perform his Animagus transformation countless times. That... damned, revolting rat form of his has been seared—permanently—into my memory. I will never forget it."
Initially, Sirius addressed Ron in comforting tones, but when the subject turned to Peter Pettigrew, his entire demeanor transformed—becoming savage and menacing. He practically snarled through gritted teeth as he completed his statement.
Ron recoiled from the sudden murderous aura Sirius emanated. His already pallid complexion grew even whiter as he stood frozen, paralyzed with shock.
"Sirius."
Dumbledore glanced at the barely controlled Sirius, who recognized his loss of composure. Taking a deep breath, he inclined his head toward Ron.
"Forgive me, child. I frightened you."
"Ah... yes..."
Ron hadn't yet recovered from processing the overwhelming information and Sirius's intimidating presence. His mouth responded automatically to Sirius's apology.
But he immediately rallied, desperate to say more—hoping to alter everyone's perception and attitude toward Scabbers.
"There must be some mistake... Is there additional evidence? I still refuse to believe Scabbers is this so-called Peter Pettigrew. You've identified the wrong rat!"
"Or perhaps this is some elaborate deception by Sirius!"
When humans experience shock, they often lose rationality, clinging desperately to information they believe correct while remaining obstinately convinced of their position.
"Actually, we've already captured Peter Pettigrew. If you doubt this, you may confront him directly."
With these words, Sirius descended from the hospital bed. Lupin hurried to support him as he limped toward a corner of the headmaster's office, where a white cloth mysteriously hung, concealing whatever lay behind.
!
Could it be...
Both Harry and Ron's faces drained of color. Nearby, Hermione—who had somehow positioned herself on the sofa, listening with the attentiveness of someone enjoying a fascinating tale—maintained perfect composure. Beside her, Glenn couldn't be bothered glancing in that direction, absorbed in whatever occupied his hands.
Both Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew were unsuitable for public appearance until the Ministry of Magic arrived for their transport to trial and verdicts were rendered. This explained why Sirius—tortured systematically by Snape's curses and covered in wounds—and Peter Pettigrew—kicked unconscious by Glenn with a diagnosed second-degree concussion—were housed in Dumbledore's office rather than Madam Pomfrey's hospital wing.
With a violent yank, Sirius tore away the white cloth. Peter Pettigrew's bound form lay exposed on the hospital bed, his right arm—severed by Glenn's gunfire—having undergone preliminary treatment and successful reattachment, though recovery time remained uncertain.
"Hmm?"
As Sirius removed the concealing cloth, Glenn raised an eyebrow.
In that instant, one person's previously steady heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
"Peter Pettigrew is conscious."
Glenn immediately announced this conclusion to everyone present.
Then resumed tinkering with his magical device.
Information delivered—handle it yourselves.
Sirius momentarily froze. He remembered this young wizard from their brief encounter yesterday afternoon in the Shrieking Shack. Sirius retained vivid impressions of Glenn's actions. For him to appear here now, seemingly unsurprised by these revelations, suggested prior knowledge—certainly no ordinary person.
So Sirius chose to trust Glenn's assessment.
Before others could react, he grinned with malicious satisfaction and—ignoring his pain—kicked over Peter Pettigrew's hospital bed. The occupant tumbled directly to the floor.
Most unfortunately, the impact point was Peter Pettigrew's recently reattached right hand.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Pig-like screams erupted from Peter Pettigrew's throat. He couldn't maintain his unconscious charade under such excruciating agony. The unbearable pain from his right hand caused tears and mucus to stream down his face.
Sirius felt no sympathy whatsoever. He seized Peter Pettigrew's sparse, greasy hair and viciously hauled him upright before hurling him at Ron's feet.
Following Hermione's mischievous suggestion, Glenn promptly removed Peter Pettigrew's restraints, exposing his repulsive face and corpulent body to everyone's scrutiny.
Especially Ron's.
Peter Pettigrew crashed directly onto Ron's shoes. This grotesque human projectile terrified Ron so thoroughly that he immediately stumbled backward, tripped over himself, and collapsed. Using hands and feet, he scrambled away until striking the wall—finally stopping.
"Peter, Remus and I have reached a decision... we're executing you immediately!"
Before Peter Pettigrew could recover from his arm's agony, Sirius advanced with menacing, deliberate steps. Lupin beside him hesitated momentarily, then likewise turned and drew his wand.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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