In the fireplace of the Gryffindor Common Room, the flames crackled.
But Hermione's heart was colder than the winter night outside the window.
Lia had already transformed back into her Ragdoll Cat form, curled up on her lap, purring steadily.
Her Constant Body Temperature radiated through the wool skirt like a small heater.
Yet Hermione could not find true peace until that "bad thing" was dragged out.
"Lia, let's go find Professor McGonagall," Hermione whispered, stroking the cat's silky back fur.
Hermione really couldn't think of how to successfully take down an adult Wizard right under Ron's nose.
She didn't disturb anyone, not even telling Harry.
Harry's emotions were extremely unstable right now, and Ron... he was currently the biggest obstacle.
Holding Lia, Hermione walked out of the common room, the corridor filled only with their faint footsteps.
At the door of the Transfiguration Professor's office.
Hermione took a deep breath and knocked softly.
"Come in."
Professor McGonagall's voice was as stern as ever, carrying the displeasure of being disturbed late at night.
When she saw her most prized student standing at the door with Lia in her arms, she couldn't help but feel curious.
"Miss Granger and Miss Lia? Something must have happened for you to come so late. If it's not urgent, why don't you sit down and tell me slowly?" Her gaze swept between Hermione's face and the cat.
After calmly inviting them to sit and pouring two cups of Black tea, the elderly Witch did not believe anything could happen in Hogwarts that was beyond control.
"Professor, I need your help," Hermione said, getting straight to the point after a sip of tea. "The matter is very, very urgent, and very absurd."
Professor McGonagall nodded, a gentle, faint smile on her face. "Go on."
Hermione placed Lia on the chair beside her; Lia transformed back into human form and took a sip of tea, imitating Hermione.
Feeling it wasn't a flavor she liked, she put it back on the table.
"Professor, you remember seeing Lia in Hogsmeade," Hermione stated, not as a question but as a fact.
Professor McGonagall's lips thinned into a line, a silent admission.
Hermione spoke extremely fast, yet every word was crystal clear. "She has a special talent. She can distinguish lies in the form of a scent."
"A scent?" Professor McGonagall's brow furrowed into a knot. This was already beyond the scope of Transfiguration.
"Yes, Professor. Today at the Three Broomsticks, we heard Minister Fudge's conversation regarding Sirius Black and... and Peter Pettigrew." Hermione stared intently into Professor McGonagall's eyes. "Lia told me that the account of 'Peter Pettigrew's death' is filled with the scent of lies."
The office fell into a dead silence.
Professor McGonagall's face instantly turned grim, and she steadied herself against the edge of the desk. "Miss Granger, do you realize what you are saying? This is an extremely serious accusation."
"I know!" Hermione's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were incredibly firm. "So, I had her look for the source of that 'lie.'"
"Professor, that scent, that stench representing 'Peter Pettigrew is still alive'..."
She paused for a moment, struggling to voice the conclusion:
"It's on Scabbers, Ron Weasley's pet rat."
"Absurd!" Professor McGonagall refuted subconsciously, but then she looked at Hermione's urgent gaze and then at Lia's clear, certain eyes.
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