The Listener Returns

Strictly speaking, the unique characteristics of each of the four houses at Hogwarts are also the unique constraints they each face.

Just like the intellectual bullying that exists in Ravenclaw, the courage and loyalty of Gryffindor are also a form of invisible bullying.

Pettigrew is currently being limited by this academy-like characteristic. He actually feels that he can wait and there is absolutely no need to gamble his life just to get ahead a little bit.

But since both Potter and Black were willing to risk their lives to train in Animagus Transformation ahead of time for their brother, he couldn't say that, because doing so would be seen as cowardly and disloyal.

"Ultimately, I'm different from them! Their Transfiguration grades have always been excellent, while I only managed an E after giving it my all. It was the same when I joined the Wizard Sage Party; they both passed, while I simply couldn't..."

It was clear that Pettigrew was under a lot of pressure; his speech became faster and faster as he spoke, and his tone even seemed to indicate that he was on the verge of collapse.

Manus listened quietly to him for a long time, only waving his Wand occasionally to hang a sign on the door saying he wasn't there, so as not to be disturbed.

By the time Pettigrew realized he had been too engrossed in his speech, more than ten minutes had passed since he entered the abandoned classroom. His rapid-fire delivery suddenly became incredibly restrained.

"I'm sorry... I think I said a bit too much..."

"It's alright. Thanks to your detailed description, I have a general understanding of your predicament."

Manus's smile remained unchanged, without the slightest hint of reluctance or subtle mockery, which relieved Pettigrew.

"Well then, let's confirm this... What do you want me to help you with right now?"

When Manus brought up a practical question, Pettigrew hesitated for a moment.

Yes, what kind of help do I really want?

Want Manus to provide a safe method for Animagus Transformation? Impossible.

Putting aside the fact that Pettigrew didn't think Manus would help him so much for no reason, from Pettigrew's perspective, this was also the first time Manus had learned that they were going to do something so outlandish, and this method was obviously not something that could be come up with in a short time.

And Pettigrew has less than a week left before he has to undergo his Animagus transformation, whether he's lucky or unlucky.

To be precise, the full moon will occur in six days from today.

No matter how miraculous Manus is, it's impossible for him to come up with a way to guarantee his safety during the Animagus Transformation in six days.

Does Pettigrew intend to back down from the Animagus Transformation and seek Manus's protection after doing so?

No, Pettigrew is not a member of the Wizard Sage Party, so he has no reason to seek asylum from Manus, and he himself is also... conflicted.

Pettigrew and Lupin weren't entirely without affection for each other. To be honest, if you were to rank the Marauders in pairs, he would definitely be grouped with Lupin.

Lupin's family was not wealthy, nor was Pettigrew's family rich.

Lupin was always wary in Gryffindor because of his Werewolf identity, and dared not get close to anyone except the other Marauders. Pettigrew himself was not a very outgoing person either, and only had a few close friends.

Putting aside their shared dormitory and their status as the Marauders, Pettigrew and Lupin are from one world, while Potter and Black are from another.

If possible, Pettigrew would certainly like to train himself to become Animagus so he can be with Lupin when he transforms into a wolf.

To be honest, refusing Potter's request and saying he wouldn't practice Animagus anymore... what's limiting him isn't just how he'll survive in Gryffindor afterward; he also feels guilty about it.

The problem is that Pettigrew genuinely doesn't believe in his own abilities and can't be absolutely certain that he won't have an accident while practicing Animagus Transformation.

So... why did he come to see Manus?

After thinking it over, Pettigrew spoke somewhat absentmindedly:

"Maybe I just wanted someone to listen to what I had to say... Thank you."

"You're welcome. This isn't the first time I've been a listener... Don't leave yet."

Seeing that Pettigrew's last wish had been fulfilled, Manus thought for a moment and then called out to him:

Are you free after this?

"Oh? Um, I'm free."

Pettigrew nodded. Aside from attending classes, he didn't have anything else he absolutely had to do. He usually just followed the other three people, not knowing where they were going, but just going with them.

"So... would you be interested in doing a set of questions?"

Manus pulled out a piece of parchment.

Although he was shocked that Manus could pull out a scroll so easily, Pettigrew instinctively reached out and took it as Manus had instructed, before saying somewhat uncertainly:

"My grades aren't good. I've only gotten two O's in four years, and those were just luck. I probably won't pass the questions that get me into Wizard Sage Party."

"This isn't a comprehensive question; it's just about Transfiguration. Since you're going to study Animagus, you should at least have some understanding of this... Try it and see how you do. It'll give you a sense of your true level, won't it?"

As he spoke, Manus took out a quill pen and handed it to Pettigrew.

Hearing Manus's words, Pettigrew paused for a moment, then thought they made some sense, so he took the quill and began to work...

"On a scale of 100, I would give it 98 points."

After finishing his approval, Manus nodded and looked at Pettigrew:

"By my standards, you undoubtedly qualify to practice Animagus; in fact, scoring over 70 points already qualifies you."

Of course, being qualified here means meeting the standards required to learn Animagus as described in the book, not that practicing Animagus will definitely not lead to any accidents.

This standard, of course, does not have a clear quantitative boundary. It was roughly determined by Manus based on his research on the Animagus magic itself and information such as the age and published papers of Animagus practitioners in the past.

If one's Transfiguration ability reaches the level of 70 on this exam, then theoretically there are historical cases of successful Animagus training.

Of course, Manus wouldn't recommend someone to learn from a score that's stuck at 70, but 98 is definitely far beyond that standard.

"Huh? How could this be... Can I take another look?"

Pettigrew retrieved his test paper, staring blankly at the answers.