" The Dark House possesses every kind of Dark Magic imaginable !"
Pettigrew shrieked, "How else could he have escaped? I suspect the unnamed one taught him a few tricks!"
Peter Pettigrew was shouting at the top of his lungs, and what he was saying seemed quite sensible, butLloydremembered the scene in Fudge's office before he left
While he was briefing Fudge on the latest developments at the Auror Office , Owen Harris , accompanied by Albert , rushed in and knocked on the door.
He said: " My dear Minister , good news. Sirius Black is hiding at Hogwarts . But please allow the Aurors to be deployed and do not send the Dementors . According to reliable information, Peter Pettigrew is still alive. Clearly, there is more to this than meets the eye; perhaps Mr. Crouch made a grave mistake back then."
Lloyd would never forget the meaningful look in Owen Harris's eyes and the expression on his own minister's face ; first surprised, then with a resolute nod of approval.
Based on years of experience capturing Dark Wizards , there were many inconsistencies in Peter Pettigrew's story .
According to him, since Peter was still alive, the truth of the matter was definitely not what everyone generally accepted; that is, it wasn't the fact that Sirius Black betrayed the Potter family , blew up a street, and killed Peter .
From a political correctness standpoint, his going with the flow was something his boss, Fudge, welcomed.
At that moment , Black began to laugh; a horrible, joyless laugh that filled the entire room.
Allen had already removed the petrification effect that had been on him.
The two Aurors beside him , despite Peter Pettigrew's appearance, stood with their wands faithfully pointed at him , showing not the slightest easing of their guard .
" Lord Voldemort ? Did he teach me a few tricks?"
Pettigrew recoiled as if Black had whipped him.
"What? Afraid to hear your former master's name?" said Black . "Understandable, Peter . Your men aren't very happy with you, are they?"
"I don't know, what are you talking about, Sirius ?" Pettigrew mumbled , his breathing quickening; he was now drenched in sweat.
"You haven't been hiding from me for the past twelve years," Black said , "but you were hiding from Lord Voldemort's former subordinates. I heard some things in Azkaban ."
Black's eyesburned with a fiery blaze , and he spoke through clenched teeth, spitting out every word.
" Peter ... they all thought you were dead, otherwise they would have made you confess... I heard them screaming all sorts of things in their dreams, as if they believed the one who betrayed them was a liar. Lord Voldemort went to the Potters' house relying on your intelligence ... "
Beside them, Professor Snape's breathing quickened, his cold gaze fixed on Peter .
Black's full attention was on Peter ; his voice was both threatening and mocking.
" Lord Voldemort was defeated there. Not all of Lord Voldemort's subordinates went to Azkaban , did they? There are still quite a few out there, lurking, pretending to have started a new chapter... If they find out you're still alive, Peter ..."
"I don't know... what are you talking about?" Pettigrew said , his voice even higher pitched. He wiped his face with his arm and looked at Lloyd. "You don't believe this, this nonsense, do you, Lloyd?"
But Lloyd avoided her gaze and looked at Albert .
Albert was the leader on this trip .
"I must confess , Peter , I can't understand why an innocent man would agree to be an informant for twelve years," Albert said impartially.
"I was innocent, yes, but I was afraid!" Pettigrew shouted . " If Lord Voldemort's subordinates are looking for me, it's because I sent their most skilled agent to Azkaban —that traitor Sirius Black !"
Black's face contorted.
"How dare you!" he roared, making a sound just like the bear-sized dog he had transformed into.
"Me, Lord Voldemort's spy? When have I ever flattered people more powerful and influential than myself? And you... I don't understand why I didn't realize you were a spy all along. You always like to need the protection of powerful friends, don't you? Back then, we... me and Remus ... and James ..."
Pettigrew wiped his face again; he could barely breathe.
"I'm a spy... you must be out of your mind... this isn't true... I don't understand how you can say such a thing..."
" Lily and James only made you the Secret Keeper on my recommendation," Black said , his voice harsh and clenched teeth.
"I thought this was a good plan... a trade... Lord Voldemort would certainly be after me, and I never imagined they would use someone as weak and inept as you... You told Lord Voldemort you could offer him the Potter family ; that must have been the most glorious moment of your wretched life."
Black, his heart shattered, pounded his chest in agony.
Professor Snape lay on the floor , his face bruised and discolored, his voice gurgling as he glared hatefully at Peter Pettigrew .
"Your enemies usually understand you best" was a saying that held true between Snape and Sirius Black .
Professor Snape hated Sirius ;he hated their cruel jokes, he hated his arrogance and nonsense, and he hated his betrayal of Lily even more.
But she also knew Sirius's pride ; he would never stoop to lying.
At the time, Sirius had not defended himself, nor had he claimed his innocence, but had accepted his sentence of imprisonment in Azkaban . This convinced Snape that he was guilty .
Thanks to the conversation they just had , Professor Snape realized that the target of his revenge was someone else entirely.
Pettigrew mumbled incomprehensibly; Allen heard words like "absurd" and "crazy."
But because of her ashen complexion, it wasn't hard to tell how much panic and terror she was in at that moment.
Allen stated, "There is a way for us to learn the truth very quickly."
Albert turned his gaze to his beloved younger brother, his expression softening.
" I've already obtained Sirius Black's memories ; once I obtain Peter Pettigrew's memories and compare the two , the truth will reveal itself," Allen said.
"They might not cooperate, which could make uncovering their memories very difficult."
Albert did not deny that this was a good method, butthat among the Aurors presentthere was no one who could fully and accurately reveal all the memories of an adult wizard while in a state of seizure.
Although Lloyd was experienced, in terms of raw power he was perhaps not even as good as he seemed.
"I can do this, and I certainly won't favor either side. Even if I fail, I can still produce veritaserum ( pure poison) ."
A muffled, cold sound came, like the dangerous smacking of a snake's tongue.