Ultimately, Dumbledore ended this chaotic spectacle. Having failed to eavesdrop on Glenn and Hermione's conversation, he abandoned the futile effort. Sensing that Peter Pettigrew in Sirius's grip was moments from being crushed to death, and feeling his own concealed anger dissipate considerably—his mood much improved—he finally intervened to halt Sirius's actions.
Sirius silently released his grip, deeply regretful but compelled to comply now that Dumbledore had spoken.
He'd find another opportunity later.
Yet loosening his grip didn't mean pardoning Peter Pettigrew. Without granting his victim the slightest moment to react, Sirius hurled the rat directly onto the stone floor.
Peter Pettigrew managed only a single squeak before losing consciousness again.
Witnessing this, Dumbledore offered no commentary. His wand materialized, and he began weaving intricate patterns.
The restraint jacket originally binding Peter Pettigrew's human form transformed magically into a rat cage. Dumbledore placed the fallen Peter Pettigrew inside and secured the lock.
"In human form, this creature might still possess untapped tricks. Forcing him back into his Animagus state represents our safest option, wouldn't you agree?"
Sirius turned toward Lupin, offering a conspiratorial smile and wink.
Lupin shrugged helplessly, playing along with Sirius's performance:
"Absolutely."
Dumbledore withheld judgment—privately sharing identical thoughts.
Allowing Peter Pettigrew to remain in human form, capable of casting magic, risked unconscious wandless spellwork triggered by his desperate escape impulses or emotional volatility. Such complications would prove... troublesome.
Though merely troublesome. Still, if possible, Dumbledore preferred delivering this traitor—hidden in shadows for twelve years—to Azkaban without incident.
After securing the unconscious Peter Pettigrew, Dumbledore approached Ron, who remained pressed against the wall corner in shock. He helped the boy upright, casting calming and stress-relieving charms.
White light flickered briefly.
"Ron, you cannot accept this immediately, but these are the facts. You must face them."
Dumbledore bent down with his gentlest tone, comforting and counseling Ron to embrace reality. Dwelling in avoidable mental spirals served no purpose.
"I apologize for your pet's loss, child. I bear considerable responsibility in this matter."
Having vented his fury, Sirius's tone softened. He limped toward Ron, crouching to meet his eyes.
"As compensation, I'll provide you with a new pet afterward. How does that sound?"
Ron's dimmed gaze brightened slightly, pale complexion regaining traces of color.
He prepared to accept when sudden interruption came from across the room.
"Professor Dumbledore, Glenn and I have urgent matters requiring attention. We'll take our leave!"
Hermione yanked Glenn from the sofa, appearing distinctly anxious while maintaining a convincingly artificial smile. After receiving Dumbledore's bewildered acknowledgment, she dragged Glenn from the headmaster's office, slamming the door with resounding finality.
"What precisely did Glenn tell Hermione moments ago?"
Dumbledore found Hermione's panic somewhat perplexing and intensely curious, though current obligations to these stubborn young wizards prevented deeper investigation.
Dumbledore sensed something ominous approaching.
"What exactly is he contemplating?"
"What exactly are you contemplating?!"
Having dragged Glenn to an isolated corridor, Hermione slammed him against the stone wall in a classic confrontational pin.
Though the girl now required upward tilting to meet Glenn's eyes—which he found rather endearing—Hermione's intimidating presence remained undiminished.
"Remain calm, Hermione. I believe my proposed strategy possesses high success probability, and with Snape executing it alongside me, even failure would allow safe retreat without identity exposure."
Pinned against cold stone, Glenn harbored no resistance intentions. He simply presented his assessments and predictions with characteristic composure.
"No, no, no—this isn't about success or failure, though that matters too. Let's set that aside momentarily."
Hermione gestured frantically, as if dispersing Glenn's current thoughts.
"The primary issue is your described plan—waiting until Peter Pettigrew's trial concludes, then intercepting him during Ministry escort to Azkaban while framing Voldemort'sDeath Eaters—isn't that excessively bold and utterly lawless?!"
Indeed, precisely as Hermione stated, this was the exact strategy Glenn had recently proposed to Snape.
During Peter Pettigrew'sAzkaban transport, they would intercept him midway and—mirroring Glenn's treatment of Dementors aboard the Hogwarts Express this term—subsequently cast Morsmordre, fabricating the Dark Mark to implicate Voldemort and his concealed followers.
This operation would yield multiple advantages for Glenn and Snape:
Snape would acquire a captive Peter Pettigrew for personal disposal.
During the Ministry'sPeter Pettigrew escort, Dementors currently stationed at Hogwarts as guards would inevitably accompany the transfer. Glenn could employ his Patronus to eliminate them entirely during the rescue, further reducing global Dementor populations.
Attributing Peter Pettigrew's abduction to Voldemort would additionally awaken the thoroughly complacent, inactive Ministry of Magic while confirming Peter Pettigrew's identity as the genuine traitor from years past.
These represented merely obvious benefits—the cascading reactions following such events would prove countless. In Glenn's assessment, this constituted a highly profitable venture.
He simply couldn't comprehend Snape's apparent hesitation or Hermione's intense reaction.
"Actually, there exists a method for exponentially greater profit, though risks would multiply several-fold. That would involve seizing this opportunity to directly assault Azkaban, eliminating all internal Dementors, executing every imprisoned Death Eater to prevent future complications, then—"
"WAIT JUST ONE MINUTE!!!!!!!!!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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