"First, Harry, after our investigation, all facts and evidence indicate that Sirius is not what the public currently believes him to be—he is not the traitor who betrayed your parents."
"But—"
Having his beliefs challenged triggered the rebellious psychology typical of boys his age. Harry's head grew hot and he wanted to speak out, but he was immediately met with Dumbledore's silent blue gaze—as if reminding him of his earlier promise. He forcibly stopped himself and compelled himself to continue listening.
Professor Dumbledore must have his reasons for saying this.
Dumbledore nodded, clearly satisfied with Harry's restraint. He knew this boy ultimately possessed good judgment and understood how to control his emotions.
However, this heavy topic was better explained swiftly, so that both Sirius and Harry could untangle the knots in their hearts. After all, they were godfather and godson.
"The real traitor is someone else entirely. That person employed cunning methods to fake his death, deceiving everyone in the world, and pinned the traitor's reputation firmly upon Sirius."
"Sirius was framed. He is innocent."
"Regarding the Fidelius Charm protecting your parents, in the understanding of all those involved at the time—as well as the information released afterward—everyone believed Sirius was their Secret-Keeper. But that isn't true."
"Sirius was your father's dearest friend, and he considered this very point. He realized others might guess his identity as Secret-Keeper, so at the final moment before the Fidelius Charm took effect, he convinced your parents to change the Secret-Keeper to someone who possessed the least presence at the time."
"The traitor is someone else entirely."
What?
Harry's pupils contracted slightly, clearly shocked by these words from Dumbledore's lips.
The Secret-Keeper wasn't Sirius Black?
"That real traitor—the one ultimately chosen as the replacement Secret-Keeper—was someone who should have perished in that explosion. You should recognize his name."
"He is called Peter Pettigrew."
Peter Pettigrew?!
Isn't he already dead? Twelve years ago, killed by Sirius...
Wait...
Fake death, framing...
"Yes, Harry, it's exactly as you're imagining."
"That explosion—which the world believes Sirius caused to kill the traitor Peter Pettigrew—was actually created by Peter Pettigrew himself to escape Sirius's vengeance. He faked his death and escaped through that explosion, then concealed his whereabouts."
The blue eyes behind Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles revealed no emotional fluctuation, though only those familiar with him would recognize this as the moment when the kindly old man's inner emotions were most turbulent.
Harry was already overwhelmed by this sudden deluge of staggering information. The boy needed time to process what he'd received and discard the erroneous memories in his mind.
Harry trusted absolutely in the words emerging from Dumbledore's mouth, but he still harbored questions.
"But Professor Dumbledore, if things truly were like this, then why didn't Sirius utter a single word when captured? Why didn't he defend himself at all—and even... laughed maniacally?"
"And why did he choose to remain in Azkaban for a full twelve years, only deciding to escape recently?"
Regarding Harry's inquiry, Dumbledore didn't discourage him with his gaze, because this was precisely what he intended to explain next.
Dumbledore turned to observe Sirius, who was painfully consuming the medicinal potion Snape had meticulously prepared for him. Sirius noticed Dumbledore's attention and comprehended his meaning. After hesitating momentarily, he shook his head with bitter resignation.
While everything hadn't yet come to light—when Harry hadn't fully accepted this truth—only Dumbledore's words carried authority. This was the message conveyed through Sirius's expression.
Dumbledore sighed, then regarded Harry.
"These two questions can be combined into a single explanation. The reason Sirius behaved thus was because he too had been deceived by Peter Pettigrew's cunning methods: like everyone else, he believed Peter Pettigrew had perished in that explosion."
"His dearest friend had died partly due to his actions, and the real traitor Peter Pettigrew—the catalyst for this entire tragedy—had supposedly died in the explosion he created while being pursued. At that moment, having lost someone precious and his target for vengeance, Sirius's mental state can be imagined."
"He refused to defend himself. He allowed the Ministry of Magic to send him to Azkaban. Sirius likely wanted to torment himself through this method—to atone for what he perceived as his sins."
At this point, Dumbledore suddenly turned toward Ron, who was listening intently to the explanation. Being inexplicably scrutinized by Dumbledore left Ron thoroughly bewildered.
Wait... what did I come here for originally...
Right—Scabbers! My Scabbers!
So what exactly happened to my Scabbers? Could it possibly be connected to this matter?
"Sirius chose to escape twelve years after that incident—recently—precisely because he discovered a crucial fact: he had been deceived. Peter Pettigrew was still alive."
"And this revelation relates somewhat to Ron."
Ron: ???
"Ron, do you remember the article published when your family was interviewed by the Daily Prophet during your summer holiday? The one featuring your entire family's photograph? Sirius regained his purpose and chose to escape precisely because he saw that newspaper—and that photograph."
"Because he spotted Peter Pettigrew in that image—standing on your shoulder, captured by the reporter alongside your family: your pet rat, Scabbers."
Dumbledore withdrew that copy of the Daily Prophet from his robes, spreading the Weasley family photograph before everyone. Under his words' guidance, the previously unremarkable rat Scabbers now appeared extraordinarily conspicuous.
"Peter Pettigrew is an unregistered Animagus. His Animagus form is a rat."
"He employed his Animagus transformation to become a rat, and through this deception hid within the Weasley household for twelve years."
Ron: ?????????????
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