Everything Was So Strange

"Shocking... shocking... a hero who should have died twelve years ago was found at Hogwarts, it's truly Lynch..."

In Professor McGonagall's office, Minister Fudge paced back and forth, fiddling with a green hat in his hand.

"I've never heard of such a thing... Peter... still alive? Unbelievable... but..." He rubbed his hands together in confusion.

"Where has he been for the past twelve years?" Fudge murmured.

"Who found him?!" The minister suddenly looked up, staring at Peter who was tied up.

"It was Harry and me," Ron said hastily.

"Oh." Fudge glanced at Ron.

He ignored Ron, patted Harry on the shoulder, and gave him a fatherly smile. "Harry, how did you find him?"

"We were in the meadow not far from the castle when Peter suddenly appeared," Harry said.

"It seemed he wanted to attack us, but it was too open there, and I spotted him... He didn't have a wand, so Ron and I subdued him."

"Did he attack you?" Fudge shouted, seemingly incredulous.

"Why? How could this be... He's a recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class..."

Lupin kept a close eye on Peter.

He's still alive, which means William and Hermione's guess was probably right:

Sirius is innocent!

The person with the most complicated feelings was Professor Snape. He was completely at a loss, staring intently at Peter, finding it hard to accept.

Peter was still alive, right before his eyes. Even if he were a fool, he could sense that something had gone wrong back then... something he didn't know about.

Everyone stared at Peter was tied up.

He kept his head down, his thin, light-colored hair was disheveled, and there was a large bald patch on the top of his head.

Peter looked like an obese person, but he lost a lot of weight in a short period of time, which caused his skin to sag.

His pointed nose and watery little eyes also made him look shifty and sneaky.

Peter glanced at everyone out of the corner of his eye, his breathing rapid.

Good evening, everyone...

Peter spotted Lupin in the corner and cried out in a high-pitched voice, "My friend... my old friend... you're here too... that's wonderful... I've missed you so much."

And you, Snape... You're still alive, that's good...

"Now that you've said your piece, can you explain... why you're still alive?!"

Snape's dark pupils were fixed intently on Peter.

Peter lowered his head, avoiding Snape's gaze.

He seemed unable to speak, muttering, "Aba... Aba..."

The office door was suddenly pushed open, Dumbledore strode in.

William, Hermione, and Anne came in with him.

"Before Peter gives his instructions, I think we need to bring in another person to confront him..."

Dumbledore glanced at the doorway.

"Come in, Sirius... You've been waiting twelve years for this night, haven't you?"

"That's right, the revenge I've been longing for for twelve years!" A wizard walked in.

Black was dressed in a simple black robe. His face was thin but clean, and his beard and long hair were shaved.

"Black!" Fudge exclaimed in surprise. "Albus, that criminal! Where did you catch him?!"

"Cornelius, I didn't capture him," Dumbledore smile.

"I was lucky to have a group of students who were even smarter than me... it was William, Hermione, and Anne who found him."

"I'll go and call the Dementor right away..." Fudge said impatiently.

"What's the rush?" Dumbledore said seriously.

"As you can see, the dead Peter has come back to life. Aren't you interested in the truth of what happened back then?"

"The truth... what truth?" Fudge hesitated.

To be honest, the fact that Peter was still alive was beyond his expectations!

"The truth is... who betrayed the Potters, and who is serving Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked patiently.

Hearing the name Voldemort sent chills down many people's spines.

"Headmaster... Professor Dumbledore," Peter said breathlessly, "It's Black, of course! I'm the hero..."

"I really don't understand why a hero like you would hide your identity and live as a rat for twelve years?" Dumbledore said coldly.

"What rat?" Fudge was taken aback.

"Peter, like Black, is an illegal Animagus," Dumbledore said softly.

"During Christmas, after Hermione discovered that Black was a black dog, William discovered Peter's true identity."

He hid in the Weasley family for twelve years.

Fudge stared in disbelief, muttering, "Insane, absolutely insane!"

"No, I just... got tired of fighting and killing, and hid out of fear!" Peter screamed.

"I've taken one of the Dark Lord's most capable men to Azkaban. Those Death Eaters will definitely not let me go."

I'm scared... Do you remember the Longbottoms were driven mad by their torment?

"How dare you say that!" Black's face contorted as he roared.

"Me, Voldemort's most capable man? When have I ever secretly lingered around someone more powerful and influential than me?"

But you, Peter... I really don't understand why I didn't immediately assume you were the spy.

You've always preferred friends stronger than you so they could take care of you; it used to be us... me and Lupin... and James... and then you sided with Voldemort!"

Peter kept his head down, avoiding everyone's gaze.

"It was my suggestion that Lily and James made you their Secret Keeper," Black said through gritted teeth.

"I thought that was the perfect plan... You must have been very proud of yourself when you leaked it to Voldemort, right?"

Bang!

A loud bang rang out in Snape's hand; he gripped his wand, his face grim.

His face contorted, and he said in a hoarse voice:

"Principal, I suggest giving them both Veritaserum; they'll confess everything immediately."

I will find out who is telling the truth... who is... the... person... who... deserves... to... die!

"I agree!" Black was startled, as if he had only just noticed Snape. "I can use it now!"

Peter opened his mouth and closed it several times, as if he had lost the ability to speak.

A moment later, he suddenly lamented and admitted, "You don't know... the Dark Lord... you don't know... his power."

"That's the most powerful demon king in history!" Peter sobbed. "You can't defeat him! I don't want to die!"

"But your master is dead!" Black roared. "And you'll die with him soon!"

"Yes, he just tried to hurt me and Harry, and tried to steal our wands," Ron roared. "He must not be forgiven."

"That's right!" Harry shouted, seemingly very excited.

He pulled out his wand and glared at Peter with hatred:

"He made me lose my parents! He ruined everything I had! I want him dead right now!"

"No, no, child," Fudge exclaimed with delight, "The Dementor is right outside the school gate... We can easily execute him."

But it must go through a trial, a retrial of Wizengamot... that would be big news!

Barty Crouch... he's... finished!

Hehe~

William listened silently, glancing up at Fudge, then at Harry and Ron.

Everything tonight... seems so strange.

That's so weird!

(Please vote for this post, everyone!)

Thank you to the two generous contributors, "Wandering aimlessly in the sunlight" and "Qianhuan×Qianyu," for their generous donations.