Dumbledore ultimately took Zhang Xiao along. Perhaps the aging pillar of the Wizarding World felt it would be good for Zhang to encounter certain things early.
Using some method Zhang Xiao could not identify, he turned Peter back into the sleeping rat Scabbers and casually tucked him into his pocket.
Apparently, this was a very safe way to transport him.
See? See? I told you, Zhang Xiao muttered inwardly.
Tying the Philosopher's Stone to Dumbledore's belt would have been the simplest, safest measure.
Zhang Xiao had thought Dumbledore might have some special passage into the Ministry of Magic. Instead, he first took him to Diagon Alley using Floo Powder.
Then he strolled leisurely through the Muggle streets like an old man who had not been out shopping in ages.
Perhaps noticing Zhang Xiao's confusion, Dumbledore said softly:
"We must give the Ministry a little time to react."
The old man and the boy walked along a thoroughly desolate street. Apart from a few shabby-looking, low-rise office buildings, there was not even a decent convenience store.
The occasional passersby seemed oblivious to them, allowing Dumbledore and Zhang Xiao to stroll along and chat at their leisure.
"Zhang, how do you think the Ministry will handle this?"
Zhang Xiao considered it for a while. In particular, the way Umbridge had previously been thrown out to take the blame had left him with a very low opinion of the Ministry-or rather, Fudge.
Fierce in appearance but timid at heart, full of schemes but unable to decide; afraid for his own skin when great deeds called, yet willing to risk his life for petty gains. No hero at all.
"How will they handle it?
Without you, this would obviously be much easier for the Ministry.
For example, they could simply collude with Peter, make