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Chapter 151: Lupin Takes the Blame
Chapter 151: Lupin Takes the Blame
The group entered the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore, who had been writing a letter at his desk, immediately noticed the unconscious Peter Pettigrew the moment they walked in.
The white-bearded headmaster strode over and examined the disheveled Peter closely before turning his gaze to Lupin and the others.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is Mr. Pettigrew?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Professor," Lupin replied.
They locked eyes, and for a moment, Voldemort felt that Dumbledore must have understood what had transpired.
However, the headmaster did not say so outright. Instead, he waved his wand to conjure enough chairs for everyone before saying, "Please, take a seat, and tell me your story."
The group exchanged glances.
The Weasley twins, Fred and George, shot a look at Bide, intending to keep the secret of the Marauder's Map and trying to figure out how to concoct a plausible story without revealing the truth.
But Lupin spoke first.
"During my school days, James and I, along with a few others, created a map that could show the names of everyone in the school..."
Fred and George stared at him, their eyes wide with surprise.
"Y-you're one of the mapmakers?"
Lupin smiled at them. "Yes, that was me. 'Moony' was the nickname my friends gave me back in school. By the way..."
He looked at Harry and continued, "James was 'Prongs,' Sirius was 'Padfoot,' and Peter..."
Lupin's gaze shifted to Peter Pettigrew, and his voice took on a disdainful tone as he said, "'Wormtail'—a nickname he earned because his Animagus form is a rat."
Harry looked from Peter to Lupin, intrigued by the story of his father's school days but also aware that now was not the time to ask questions.
He sat quietly by Lupin's side, much like a child seeking comfort from a parent, his demeanor calm and obedient.
Dumbledore's eyes flickered towards Harry, but he said nothing.
Lupin then proceeded to recount the events leading up to their arrival, having already learned the general course of action from Bide earlier. His narrative was persuasive, each word carrying a weight of conviction.
Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Bide allowed Lupin to take the majority of the blame.
In Lupin's story, Bide had noticed Peter Pettigrew's name frequently appearing on the Marauder's Map in Harry and Ron's dormitory. Knowing that there was no student by that name in their year at Gryffindor, he had mentioned it to Lupin during their exchange of letters.
Fred and George glanced at each other.
By saying this, Lupin made it seem as though the Marauder's Map had been given to Bide by him. This conveniently concealed the fact that Fred and George had stolen the map from Filch's office and frequently used it to sneak out of school.
"What a stand-up guy!" Fred communicated with his eyes.
George nodded vigorously in agreement, and although they hadn't spoken much yet, their favorable opinion of Lupin had already skyrocketed.
They had never met an adult who was so easy to get along with.
Of course, Lupin hadn't forgotten the names of his old "friends," and he immediately realized something was amiss.
Since he couldn't enter the school himself, Lupin had asked Bide to capture Peter Pettigrew, and Bide had then sought the help of the Weasley twins...
"Why didn't you ask me for help?" Harry asked, confused. "Since Ron and I share a dormitory, it would have been more convenient."
"Because the two of you are together day and night, and he's familiar with you," Bide replied, making up an excuse on the spot. "If you accidentally revealed your intentions, he might have taken you hostage instead."
Harry blinked. "But Fred and George ended up exposing themselves anyway!"
"Well, I guess Bide figured that even if we caught Ron's rat bullying him, he'd only think he was unlucky and not suspect that his cover was blown," George said, coughing lightly.
Surprisingly, everyone found this explanation reasonable!
The mischievous twins often caused trouble, but no one expected them to be of help in a situation like this.
Percy, on several occasions, wanted to say something but held back due to the presence of the professors, causing his ears to turn red from the effort of staying silent.
Professor McGonagall was seething with anger.
"Lupin!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with fury. "I thought you would have matured by now, but you're even more reckless than James was in his youth! How could you put these children in harm's way by asking them to capture Peter?"
"If... if Peter was indeed..." Lupin's voice trailed off, and he didn't finish the sentence.
"They could have been injured or even killed!" Bide and the Weasley twins involuntarily flinched at her words.
"Sorry," Lupin lowered his head in apology, readily taking the blame, "I was overwhelmed and didn't think it through..."
Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly, and she sighed.
"I understand your feelings, James and Lily... Oh dear... But regardless, you shouldn't have put the children in harm's way like that. Even if nothing had happened, I must say that what you did was absolutely wrong..."
"Yes." Lupin acknowledged sincerely, "I should have contacted you or Professor Dumbledore... But I was afraid that if I hesitated, he would disappear completely..."
Professor McGonagall's expression was filled with compassion as she shook her head, choosing to remain silent.
The "children" who had narrowly escaped danger remained quiet as quails.
Lupin continued his narrative.
As instructed by Lupin, Bide captured Peter Pettigrew and brought him through the secret passage to Hogsmeade -
Professor McGonagall was so angry that she was panting. If it weren't for the fact that Lupin had already graduated, she would have deducted a significant number of points from her house.
- Lupin interrogated Peter and confirmed that he was indeed the betrayer, while Sirius was falsely accused due to Peter's framing.
Betrayer?
A sense of foreboding filled Harry as he stared intently at Lupin, his heart pounding fiercely.
- Who had Peter betrayed?
However, Lupin did not elaborate further and quickly moved on to how he, along with Bide and Peter Pettigrew, returned to the school to seek Dumbledore's assistance in handling the aftermath.
"So... the Secret-Keeper back then was..." Professor McGonagall asked incredulously.
"It was Peter." Lupin's face contorted with pain, "Sirius switched the Secret-Keeper at the last moment... He thought it would be safer that way..."
Professor McGonagall wanted to say something, but upon seeing the bewildered look on Harry's face, she refrained.
It wasn't right to burden a child with hatred prematurely.
"Can we be certain that what Peter said is the truth?" Dumbledore asked, "You know, he's been lying for over a decade... How can we prove that he's not making up stories now?"
"I'm sorry, Professor," Lupin said shamefully, "I used a Truth Potion..."
Using a Truth Potion without authorization was illegal, but everyone present could understand Lupin's state of mind, and no one questioned his actions.
"I think we need to notify the Ministry of Magic." Dumbledore stood up and said, "Ron Weasley and Bide Grey, please stay. Professor McGonagall, would you please escort the other children back to the common room and then ask Arthur and Molly to come to the school?"
"Of course." Professor McGonagall replied.
Harry quickly asked, "Can't I... can't we stay too?"
"I'm afraid not, Harry," Dumbledore said bluntly, "You probably won't be of much help with Peter Pettigrew's interrogation."
"Oh..."
Harry had no choice but to look on enviously at the two who were allowed to stay, and he left with Professor McGonagall.
Ron silently mouthed to him, "I'll tell you everything later."
Harry nodded slightly, feeling a little better.
"Professor!" Percy eagerly raised his hand, "Scabbers used to be my pet, and I might be able to provide some information as well."
"We can help too!" The Weasley twins chimed in, "We were also involved in the capture!"
"...I think one person will suffice." Dumbledore decided.
Fred and George were still reluctant to leave, but Professor McGonagall sternly said, "No more arguments, Mr. Weasley! The Headmaster has made his decision."
Fred had no choice but to leave, and as he walked out the door, he mouthed to Bide -
Be sure to tell us all the details later!
They were eager to be a part of this, finding it far more intriguing than any of their pranks.
Unfortunately, the cruel adults excluded them from the process.
Bide nodded slightly, promising to do so.
(End of Chapter)
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