Charlie didn't speak. He tapped his wand a few times under the table, casting Spells on Ron, Hermione, Ernie, Justin, and Harry.
Hermione's mouth said it was too much, but her body was honest; she sat up straight, her ears perked up.
The voices from the next table clearly reached their ears.
Madam Rosmerta was complaining:
"These Dementors have ruined business; guests don't dare to go out before dark."
Fudge's voice sounded, official:
"There's no choice, Rosmerta, it's for everyone's safety. Sirius Black is still at large, and we must take measures. I'm sure you heard about what happened at Hogwarts on Halloween."
"I did hear some things," Madam Rosmerta nodded.
Professor McGonagall looked at Hagrid, very annoyed.
"Exactly how many people did you tell about this, Hagrid?"
Hagrid let out a simple, foolish laugh, trying to muddle through.
Madam Rosmerta held her wine glass, her voice tinged with nostalgia:
"Honestly, I still can't believe Sirius would turn to You-Know-Who. He was so brave when he was at school; whenever someone bullied a younger student, he was always the first to rush out."
Fudge sneered, placing his cup heavily on the table.
"Brave? He could betray his best friend. The bravery of such a person is merely a pretense."
Madam Rosmerta shook her head and sighed.
"But their relationship was so good back then, Sirius Black and James Potter, inseparable."
"That was all a disguise," Fudge's tone grew colder.
"James trusted him so much, asked him to be his best man at his wedding, and even made him Harry's godfather when he had a child. What was the result? He delivered the James family directly into You-Know-Who's hands."
The cup in Harry's hand trembled.
He knew Black had caused his parents' deaths, but he had never known these details.
Draco had only said Black was a Death Eater, a traitor, but had never mentioned his relationship with his father.
Godfather.
The word was like a dull knife, stirring back and forth in Harry's heart.
His breathing was a little short, his chest felt tight, and waves of nausea rose within him.
Charlie turned his head and glanced in Harry's direction. Although he couldn't see the person, he could feel the suppressed emotion.
He didn't speak, continuing to listen to Fudge.
Fudge took a sip of wine and continued:
"When Lord Voldemort was hunting James and Lily, Dumbledore suggested they protect their home with the Fidelius Charm. It's a very powerful protective magic that can seal any secret into a person's soul."
Madam Rosmerta nodded.
"I've heard of that Spell. As long as the Secret-Keeper doesn't speak, no one can learn the secret."
Madam Rosmerta put down her wine glass, her voice filled with doubt: "So, Black was their Secret-Keeper?"
Professor McGonagall sighed, her eyes behind her glasses showing regret:
"That's right. Originally, Dumbledore suspected someone close to James was informing You-Know-Who, so to be safe, he offered to be the Secret-Keeper. But James insisted on Black being the Secret-Keeper."
"Why?" Madam Rosmerta asked, puzzled.
"Because James was worried that if Dumbledore became the Secret-Keeper, Black would be seen as a suspect," Professor McGonagall's voice grew even lower.
"He trusted that traitor too much."
Hagrid slammed the table, making the cups jump.
"Despicable traitor! How dare he—"
"Hagrid! Quiet!" Professor McGonagall quickly stopped him.
Hagrid scratched his head awkwardly, his voice dropping a few decibels:
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall. But it's a good thing that scoundrel was caught, the day after You-Know-Who was killed by Harry."
Fudge took a sip of wine and picked up the thread:
"This brings us to the true hero—James's other friend, Peter Pettigrew. He pursued Black alone, wanting to avenge James. Unfortunately, that cruel Black was more powerful, blasting him into pieces with a Spell right on the street."
"Oh my goodness," Madam Rosmerta covered her mouth.
"Twelve Muggles died at the scene," Fudge's voice grew even darker.
"Only one small finger remained of Peter's body. The Ministry of Magic posthumously awarded him the Order of Merlin, First Class."
Charlie's brows furrowed when he heard that name.
Peter Pettigrew?
Isn't that the name on Ron's bed? He had seen it clearly on the marauders map that night.
Because Charlie found male-on-male too eye-watering, he hadn't paid attention to them later. But Fudge's words made him re-examine the matter.
Charlie turned his head and looked at Ron.
Ron was holding his cup, listening intently, completely unresponsive.
This was very wrong. If he suddenly heard someone had the same name as his friend, he should at least be a little surprised.
Charlie lowered his voice:
"Ron, do you know this Peter Pettigrew?"
Ron paused, blinking blankly.
"Who? No, I don't know him."
Charlie stared at his expression for a few seconds, finding it completely unfeigned.
Given his intelligence, he couldn't fake such a natural reaction.
Charlie continued to ask:
"Then, do you sleep with anyone at night?"
Ron looked at him, puzzled.
"I always sleep alone," he paused.
"If I had to say who I sleep with, it would be Scabbers."
Charlie narrowed his eyes.
"Is Scabbers missing a toe on one of his paws?"
Ron froze, his mouth agape in surprise.
"How did you know? Have you observed Scabbers?"
Charlie didn't answer him, his mind rapidly connecting all the clues.
A rat that had lived for over a decade.
Missing a toe on its paw.
The person named Peter Pettigrew, whose body only had one small finger left.
Charlie had an answer.
If the names displayed on the marauders map weren't wrong, Scabbers was also an Animagus, and his true form was Peter Pettigrew.
Peter Pettigrew, who should have died, transformed into a rat and lived anonymously for over a decade.
Interesting.
Charlie stood up and told everyone:
"I have something to do back at the Castle."
As his words fell, his figure vanished from the spot.
The next second, Charlie appeared in the dormitory. He pulled out the marauders map from under his bed and tapped his wand on the parchment.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Ink spread across the parchment, and the map of Hogwarts gradually appeared.
Charlie found the location of the Gryffindor Tower and carefully scanned every labeled name.
Although most people in the Castle had gone to Hogsmeade, first and second years were still miserably stuck at school doing homework.
None.
There was no name of Peter Pettigrew anywhere in the tower.
Charlie frowned. Ron had left Scabbers in the dormitory before going to Hogsmeade. According to his guess, he should have found Peter Pettigrew's name by now.
Had he guessed wrong?
He put away the map and Apparated again.
This time, he landed in front of the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.
Because he had never entered the Gryffindor common room, he couldn't Apparate directly inside.
Sir Cadogan in the portrait was brandishing his sword, and upon seeing Charlie appear, he immediately shouted: "Halt! State the password!"
"Open up," Charlie said, a little impatiently.
"No password, I absolutely won't open the door! That is a knight's code!"
Charlie drew his wand, pointed it at the portrait, and golden flames gushed from the tip of the wand.
The flames rolled in the air, and the temperature was so high that Sir Cadogan in the portrait quickly retreated a few steps.
"This is the password. If you don't open the door, I'll burn you to death," Charlie said indifferently.
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