Chapter 262: Response
Chapter 262: Response
After leaving the Hospital Wing, Felix stood by a window in the castle corridor, watching the young wizards returning from their holiday appear at the bottom of the long slope. Even though he couldn't hear their voices, he could imagine their excited conversations from their body language.
"School starts tomorrow. I should ask Percy Weasley about the eleventh and twelfth years during the feast. This timing is hard not to speculate about..." Felix muttered to himself. "And Dumbledore and Lupin's conversation, even though the specific details are unknown, judging by the Headmaster's subsequent actions, I can make some guesses."
"It seems I've stepped into a pivotal moment in a drama. Will it end in a mundane conclusion or a shocking twist?"
"Felix—"
Professor Mcgonagall's voice came from the other end of the corridor. She hurried over, her robes fluttering behind her.
"My Patronus couldn't find you..." She stopped in front of Felix, her chest heaving as she quickly said, "Dumbledore has arranged a series of tasks. Hagrid and Snape are going to the station to pick up the students, Flitwick is modifying the school's boundary magic, and a few secret passages need to be temporarily sealed... Dumbledore himself is meeting with the Centaur leader—"
Felix's heart skipped a beat. He asked tentatively, "Did Headmaster Dumbledore mention anything about the rat?"
"Oh", Professor Mcgonagall gave him a strange look. "Dumbledore said you might know, and that I shouldn't keep it from you. But it's best not to spread it—"
"I need to check the Hospital Wing and the common room to see if the Weasleys' rat is still there. Merlin, when Dumbledore told me, I couldn't believe it. That rat could be a Dark Wizard's Animagus."
"Is there anything I can do, Minerva?"
"There are two secret passages in the castle that connect directly to Hogsmeade. I need your help to seal them off..."
Later, in the staff room next to the Great Hall, Felix saw Dumbledore again. He was having a serious conversation with Professor Mcgonagall.
"Percy Weasley told me it was the twelfth year..."
In addition to Mcgonagall, Felix saw Lupin, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Lupin looked exhausted, more tired than ever.
Professor Mcgonagall continued her report to Dumbledore, "...Hagrid and Snape completed their tasks without any issues, and Flitwick still needs some time. As for the seven secret passages, four have been sealed for a long time, and the other three—Whomping Willow, you asked me to leave alone for now, and the remaining two—" She looked at Felix.
Felix said, "The one-eyed witch statue on the fourth floor of the castle has been sealed, and the passage behind the mirror on the fifth floor has collapsed."
After a brief pause, he couldn't help but ask, "Dumbledore, I don't understand. Are you worried Black might come in through the secret passages? Why don't we set a trap?"
Dumbledore gently shook his head. "The risk is too high. They connect directly to the castle's interior. I've left the Whomping Willow passage by the Forbidden Forest, which might help us find Black's trail."
He looked at the three of them and said in a low voice, "Before the truth is revealed, I don't want too many people to know. The three of you: one is deeply entangled with the past, one is my trusted deputy, and one might have already picked up on the clues..."
"I need to tell you: Sirius Black's betrayal of the Potters is in doubt. The person believed to have been killed by him, Peter Pettigrew, may still be alive, and has been living as Ron Weasley's pet rat, Scabbers, for twelve years."
Mcgonagall gasped, "Merlin! Is it true? Albus, you mentioned a Dark Wizard before..."
Lupin looked at Felix, who remained calm and composed, showing no surprise. Just as Dumbledore had said, Felix Hep was a remarkably perceptive person. Was this the most outstanding student Slytherin had produced in decades?
Half a term had passed, and Lupin had come to know this young professor better. When he first learned about Felix's performance at school, he nearly dropped his jaw.
This was far more impressive than what they had done back then, including that famous duel that shook the wizarding world. He had heard the full story and had since kept his distance from Felix, fearing that too much contact might expose his true identity...
Dumbledore replied softly, "I'm not sure, Minerva. The two most crucial people are still at large—Black is still on the run, and Scabbers the rat has disappeared. He might even be gone for good..."
Lupin interjected, "That's unlikely. I know him well. If Scabbers is indeed Peter Pettigrew, he will be watching from a safe distance, waiting until the situation plays out as he expects before showing himself."
Dumbledore nodded, "That's another reason I don't want to make the secret public. Besides the lack of evidence, I'm actually hoping Ron Weasley's pet will come forward on its own, which would save us a lot of time."
Professor Mcgonagall asked anxiously, "Albus, should we tell the Potters' friends?"
"Best not to", Dumbledore declined her suggestion, "Minerva, the more people who know the secret, the greater the risk of it leaking. If the Potters' friends even hint at what they know, we might never see that rat again."
He paused, "And the worst-case scenario is that the rat might harm them."
Felix suggested, "Perhaps we could leak some information to Hermione Granger. We can't watch them all the time, and from what I know of these three students, they are likely to investigate on their own."
Dumbledore looked troubled, "That is a concern, Felix. You know Hermione Granger well. Do you think she can handle this task?"
"I don't see any problem", Felix glanced at Lupin, "She is very good at uncovering the truth and keeping secrets."
At the end of this brief discussion, Lupin couldn't help but ask Dumbledore, "Can we inform the Ministry of Magic to show mercy when they face Sirius Black?"
"On what grounds?" Dumbledore countered, his bright blue eyes shining in the dim room.
"Everything we've discussed is based on assumptions—our guesses about the current questions. But Black was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, and you agree with that, Remus. I provided that critical testimony to the Ministry of Magic years ago. According to the information I have, he offered no defense during his private questioning, which is why I was so disappointed in him..."
"We have no evidence. A simple photograph of a common rat won't be enough for the Ministry of Magic to accept your testimony. And once they know your identity—" Dumbledore said, "Your words will be heavily discounted."
Lupin's expression darkened. If he were to testify, he would have to reveal the events of the past, including his werewolf condition. Everyone in the magical world knew how the Ministry of Magic treated werewolves.
"Remus, we have done the best we can."
The short meeting ended, and Professor Mcgonagall and Lupin left. "Felix—" Dumbledore called out from behind, and Felix looked at the Headmaster with confusion.
"If you capture Black—I have no doubt you will—I want you to keep him under control. Don't let anyone else know, especially Severus and the Ministry of Magic."
"I understand the Ministry of Magic, but Professor Snape—"
"Their misunderstanding runs too deep. I fear Severus might act irrationally." Dumbledore showed a rare look of weariness, "I have to consider more, Felix."
"…I promise, Headmaster."
Felix turned and left the staff room. The Great Hall was filled with the lively chatter of students, all excited and talking loudly. He saw Fred and George Weasley tapping their forks against their goblets and empty plates, making a clear clinking sound.
…
The feast ended in laughter and joy. Felix returned to his office and reviewed the events of the day in his mind. The key to the whole situation was Sirius Black and Scabbers the rat. Capturing either one would bring the long-buried truth to light.
He shook his head and decided to focus on the new term's teaching. Mind Chamber Magic had undergone a dramatic transformation, giving him a great idea.
"I'll try it in the seventh-year Ancient Runes class. The world of the mind is becoming increasingly fascinating. Who knows what it will become in the end, even I can't predict it."
(End of Chapter)
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