Chapter 245: The Self-Destructing Truck Pettigrew! The Magical World Is Truly Spectacular!
Not only Hogwarts, but the entire magical world fell into a state of shock!
Diagon Alley.
Wizards buying potion ingredients stood with gaping mouths, staring blankly at the massive water screen hovering overhead. They forgot to even collect their change.
Hogsmeade.
At the Three Broomsticks Inn, the surprisingly busy proprietress sprayed out her drink. She pointed at the short, pudgy potato figure, shrieking, "Pettigrew, he's Pettigrew! I've seen him!"
Even the confused patients at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries suddenly became lucid. Wizarding village residents forgot the mischievous pixies they'd been chasing.
Nearly every wizard in Britain's central areas saw that "dead and resurrected" war hero!
Ministry of Magic.
"What are you all doing?! Get that thing down immediately!" Minister Cornelius Fudge roared at his subordinates, pointing at the dozens-of-meters-high giant water screen in the central atrium. He was absolutely furious, trembling with rage!
It occupied an entire wall of the central hall, allowing all Ministry staff to see it. It was blatantly slapping him in the face!
However, all his subordinates were frozen in shock.
Arthur Weasley stared blankly at the water screen showing Pettigrew, who should have died in battle. His briefcase fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Merlin! How... how is this possible? Wasn't Pettigrew already dead?! What exactly happened back then?"
No one paid attention to Fudge's increasingly furious trembling. He forced down the anxiety in his heart, muttering to himself, "It's nothing. Ethan is simply trying to expose his evil schemes to the magical world. It can't possibly threaten my position and authority!"
Meanwhile, within Third Tier Painting, "A Moment of History: An Eternal Love."
Peter Pettigrew gazed around in confusion.
What was I just doing?
His mind felt completely muddled. Memories were shrouded in fog, indistinct.
"Peter, what's wrong?" Peter suddenly snapped back to attention, looking up to meet James Potter's concerned gaze. He instinctively flinched and smiled nervously. "Nothing, it's nothing."
James misunderstood. He patted Peter's shoulder, gave him a thumbs up, and flashed a confident grin.
"Don't worry! With Sirius as my and Lily's Secret Keeper, Voldemort will never find us here!"
Hearing that name, Peter jolted violently. Fear flickered through his eyes, and his hands began trembling involuntarily.
James noticed nothing, still envisioning the future. "After the war ends, Lily and I will travel the world! We'll bring little Harry and let him see those smelly mummies inside the pyramids!"
"James!" Lily scolded him playfully, hitting his arm lightly, her face radiant with happiness.
"Of course, we'll be victorious," Peter stammered.
A shadow flickered across his face.
He remembered everything now. He'd pledged himself to Voldemort. After all, Voldemort's terror and strength were well-known. The wizards had no chance of victory. So I've done nothing wrong. These are the idiots who can't see reality and foolishly resist!
Peter stared at the three discussing the Fidelius Charm, his fists clenching. His eyes darted as he thought: Sirius is the Secret Keeper. I need to remember his hiding place and deliver it to the Dark Lord.
Just then, Sirius suddenly spoke. "You know what? I just had a thought."
"What if we made Peter the Secret Keeper instead?"
Everyone paused.
Then James's eyes brightened. He clapped his hands excitedly. "Great idea! You and I are closest, so Voldemort will definitely think you're our Secret Keeper, not Peter!"
Sirius smiled carefree. "Exactly. Reverse psychology. That's what I thought too."
Peter: ?
What do they mean? They think I'm too insignificant and cowardly to be a Secret Keeper?
Peter's expression darkened further.
Yes, that's always been the case. I'm just their follower, their "Wormtail." They never treated me as an equal!
But immediately after, a wave of wild joy surged through him.
If he became the Secret Keeper, he could reach the Dark Lord directly! And he could spare them the trouble of interrogating Sirius!
With this realization, Peter blurted out, "Yes, yes! I'm willing to be your Secret Keeper!"
James frowned. "Can you handle it? I'm worried Voldemort might—"
Peter snapped irritably, "Do you think I can't do it?"
James laughed it off. "Of course not. We've never doubted your resolve. You're our brother, just like Sirius! I trust you absolutely won't reveal our secret!"
Peter's bluster deflated. He looked away, stammering, "Of course, naturally..."
After discussing it, they quickly completed the ritual, making Peter their Secret Keeper.
Meanwhile, Harry, watching the entire scene, had his mind blown.
Peter is the Secret Keeper? Not Sirius?
Didn't Sirius betray my parents to Voldemort, leading to their deaths?
If the Secret Keeper was changed to Peter at the last moment, then who actually leaked the secret?
What exactly does Ethan know?
An invisible storm brewed in Harry's heart, sweeping across every wizard watching the water screen, spreading across nearly the entire British magical world!
Hogwarts Great Hall.
Complete silence. It was as if a mass silencing charm had been cast. Students, professors, and Aurors all stood with gaping mouths, staring blankly at the water screen!
Merlin's beard. Is this real? Pettigrew was actually the Secret Keeper back then? Or did Ethan deliberately distort history? What's happening? Play the rest!
Gryffindor table.
Dean Thomas, Muggle-born and absolutely enthralled, kept his eyes glued to the screen without blinking.
"It's like watching a prime-time soap opera. I wish I had popcorn," he muttered excitedly, desperate to know how events would unfold!
However, someone else broke down.
"Peter Pettigrew!" Professor Snape squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with shock and hatred. His knuckles holding the wand turned white with veins, trembling with the desire to rush inside and hit that rat-faced potato with a Cruciatus Curse ten times over!
Harry Potter! If you don't act now, I'm giving Gryffindor a hundred points!
But his words couldn't reach inside the painting.
The image shifted. The warm, cozy tones vanished, replaced by a collapsed ruin. The pretty little house toppled like a sand dune.
"Hssss—!" Everyone sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.
Even the previously excited Dean fell silent.
At this moment, it was impossible to view this "image" as merely a painting. It felt like real history.
Harry stood dumbly in the ruins. In the distance, brilliant fireworks nearly lit up the entire night sky, and anomalous meteor showers streaked across it, illuminating his pale face.
Faintly, he could still hear voices from the air: "The Dark Lord is dead! Harry Potter is our Savior!"
Harry opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked. No sound emerged.
Until a warm hand pressed down on his shoulder.
He turned and saw a grinning demon mask with jutting fangs.
Harry: "?!!"
WTF?!
His shoulder was pressed hard, trapped by those fierce, demonic eyes. For a moment, Harry thought Death Eaters had come to collect him!
Until the familiar, clear voice came from behind the mask. "Don't be afraid, Harry. I'll watch it with you."
Harry: ...
Oh, it's Ethan.
Honestly, I'd prefer Death Eaters right now.
Ethan is definitely thinking about how "thoughtful" he's being.
Despite this, Harry felt an urge to smile. He didn't ask the rookie question, "Why are you wearing such a terrifying mask?" Instead, he just wiped his eyes and waited silently, tense and anxious.
Soon, two figures suddenly exploded onto the scene!
Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew!
The former was grabbing the latter, his eyes blood-red like a beast driven to the edge. His furious roar resonated through every viewer's ears!
"Why? Why did you betray James and Lily?!"
"Why did you reveal their location to Voldemort?!"
BANG!!!
It hit like a hammer strike!
Everyone's heads rung. Their eyes flew open in disbelief at what they'd just heard!
Daily Prophet Headquarters.
Rita Skeeter's red lips gaped wide enough to swallow an apple! Her Quick-Quotes Quill blurred with speed!
Pettigrew was the actual traitor?! A wrongful case spanning over twelve years in the Ministry?! The magical world is truly spectacular!