Several scattered bits of information she had previously organized popped into her mind, integrating with the newly acquired information.
At the same time, the image from that newspaper gradually became clear in Lynn's mind.
Scabbers, the rat perched on Ron's shoulder, was missing a toe on one paw... the information chain was completely filled. Lynn immediately arrived at the final calculation: "Scabbers..."
She murmured softly, and both Hermione and Ron, standing beside her, turned to look at her at the same time.
"What?" they both asked.
"Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew."
"The ones in that newspaper should be The Weasley Family. Peter, that traitor, turned into a rat and was perched on that boy's shoulder. I've seen his Animagus form too many times; I could never be mistaken!"
Lynn and Sirius's voices rang out simultaneously. Ron, whom Sirius was pointing at, felt a 'boom' in his head.
"Merlin's floral bedsheets..."
Ron stumbled back a step. At this moment, he didn't doubt Lynn or Sirius's words at all.
After all, Lynn's analyses were never wrong, and Sirius had just taken Veritaserum.
So, so he had actually shared a bed with a betrayer for three years.
And this betrayer was the culprit who caused the death of his best friend's parents!
*Gag*...
Ron couldn't help but cover his mouth and double over, feeling so disgusted he wanted to vomit.
"Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't know..."
"Ron." Harry shook his head, stood up, and patted his back.
No more words were needed; they understood each other.
"A rat... no wonder he could vanish from the scene." Headmaster Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"Mr. Weasley, is your rat still here?"
Professor McGonagall turned to Ron with a serious expression. Ron, looking pale, shook his head.
"He's gone. Ever since," Ron paused and glanced at Sirius, "ever since Mr. Black broke into Hogwarts last time, he disappeared."
"This is troublesome."
Professor McGonagall rubbed her temples, nursing a headache. Where could they find Peter Pettigrew now? Not to mention his Animagus form was a rat; he could hide anywhere and they'd never find him.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew somber. No one wanted to see the guilty escape punishment, especially Harry, whose expression was filled with intense frustration.
However, when he looked at Sirius, his expression softened involuntarily.
It was already good enough. His father's friend could clear his name. It was good enough... surely if his father knew, he would be very relieved too.
Lynn blinked mechanically as various pieces of information and data began to flash through her mind at high speed; even a personality analysis of Peter Pettigrew surfaced.
"Given that Peter Pettigrew is already considered dead in the eyes of the public, he will absolutely not expose himself. Therefore, he will keep himself in his Animagus state and will not easily revert."
Lynn spoke in a steady, cold voice, and everyone's eyes naturally gravitated toward her.
The whispering Young Wizards also fell silent. Lynn was analyzing again. This time, would her analysis lead them to the truth and to Peter Pettigrew?
Everyone present except Sirius was looking at her, anticipating her words.
"Furthermore, based on what Professor McGonagall said, Peter Pettigrew usually followed Sirius Black and James Potter during school. It can be inferred that he chooses to befriend students with superior magical skills."
Lynn's voice remained flat. Her gaze slowly moved to Sirius Black. "From this, I conclude that his own magical level is not high."
"Right," Sirius gritted his teeth resentfully, "he only managed to master his Animagus form with James's help."
Nodding calmly, Lynn continued her deduction. "Therefore, it can be determined that Peter Pettigrew does not possess the ability to use Wandless and Non-verbal Spells, and Apparition is prohibited within Hogwarts Castle and its grounds."
"If he cannot revert from his Animagus form, he cannot leave the vicinity of Hogwarts, whether by Levitation Charms, Apparition, or any similar means."
"Leaving Hogwarts solely in an Animagus form is too difficult. According to analysis, it would take Peter Pettigrew at least two weeks in rat form to run beyond the boundaries of the Forbidden Forest or Hogsmeade Village."
"From his personality analysis, he would not do this unless he was at a total dead end. In his view, he hasn't been completely exposed; the only threat is Sirius Black alone, who is himself a wanted man. Therefore, he will believe he is not yet at a dead end."
"Comprehensive analysis," Lynn's eyes gradually brightened, and the breathing of those around her grew shallower, "indicates he is still within the grounds of Hogwarts."
"This..." Sirius, the only one who hadn't heard Lynn's analyses before, looked at her dumbfounded. Were the Young Wizards nowadays all this formidable?
They were so different from his own generation!
"Narrowing the scope further, due to certain reasons..." Lynn paused and glanced at Harry, who vaguely understood the unspoken reason.
"I can confirm that Peter Pettigrew is not inside Hogwarts Castle, not near the Black Lake, and not on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest."
"The remaining locations within Hogwarts are deep within the Forbidden Forest, Hagrids Hut, and the depths of the Black Lake."
"The danger level deep in the Forbidden Forest is too high. Without a wand, Peter Pettigrew cannot ensure his safety. Excluded."
"The same applies to the depths of the Black Lake; he cannot survive there without a wand. Excluded."
"The final remaining option," Lynn looked calmly out the window, "is Hagrids Hut. The living environment is safe, and food and water are abundant. According to comprehensive calculations, the probability of Peter Pettigrew hiding there is greater than eighty-five percent."
"Minerva."
Headmaster Dumbledore nodded to Professor McGonagall without hesitation. She acknowledged him and strode out of the boys' dormitory.
Her dark green robes billowed slightly behind her, and her wand emitted a few faint sparks in her hand.
Now, it was time for the true criminal to face justice.
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