They all came to the hall, arriving beside Ron who was whispering to Hermione.
"Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, "Come with us for a moment."
Ron trembled and looked up to see the all-star lineup—the headmaster, the deans of the four houses, the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts...
Oh heavens, I was just chatting with Hermione, do they need so many people to catch me?
What exactly have I... what crime have I committed?
"Where's your rat?" Dumbledore asked, "It's called Banban—right?"
"Here." Ron pulled a deeply sleeping Banban from his sleeping bag: "He's asleep, goodness, he's so old."
"Bring him and follow us to the headmaster's office. We have a matter to discuss," said Dumbledore. "Also, Hermione, I know you're worried about Ron, so... if you're not in a hurry to sleep, you can come with us too."
Hermione couldn't contain her curiosity at this point, her eyes widened like saucers.
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Hermione didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately crawled out of her sleeping bag.
Being able to be on site, on the front line, how could Hermione resist the chance to be part of the excitement?
As they reached the door to the headmaster's office, Banban also groggily awoke.
He seemed a bit confused from sleep, looking around in circles. When he saw Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, his body involuntarily shivered.
Upon seeing Lupin, he began to struggle violently.
"Squeak—squeak—squeak—"
The sound was like a pig being taken to the slaughter, in his struggle he even bit Ron.
Ron let out a painful yelp, letting go, and Banban fell to the ground, starting to dash away rapidly.
"He bit me!" Ron said incredulously, "He actually bit me, oh heavens..."
"Accio!" Lupin waved his magic wand, catching the fleeing Banban in his hand.
With Lupin holding him, Banban no longer struggled, seemingly resigned to his fate, trembling fearfully in Lupin's grip.
They walked all the way to the headmaster's office, where Ron kept glancing at Lupin, only to find Lupin showed no intention of returning Banban to him.
"Professor Lupin," Ron asked hesitantly, "Could you return Banban to me?"
"Oh, child," Lupin said regretfully, "I'm afraid not, because we're discussing an important case, and perhaps the rat I have in my hand—your twelve-year pet Banban—might be the mastermind behind it."
The rat squealed again like it was being slaughtered.
"Banban?" Ron immediately showed disbelief: "How could it be? It's just a rat, what ability does it have to commit a crime?"
"It's a case from twelve years ago, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "Your pet Banban—oh, allow me to clarify, he's not a rat, but a person, an Animagus!"
"Yes, he was our 'friend'—" Lupin emphasized on 'friend': "Peter Pettigrew!"
"Animagus?" Hermione was stunned, and tried hard to recall, arguing on Ron's behalf: "Impossible, Professor, if there's such an Animagus, people would know! You taught us in Transformation Class, when I finished my homework I checked similar things—the Ministry of Magic supervises wizards and witches who can transform into animals, there are records of what animals they transform into, their markings and belongings... I checked the relevant records, and this century there have only been seven Animagi, and Peter Pettigrew's name is not on that list!"
Professor McGonagall smiled with appreciation; this was the happiest moment for her tonight.
"If we were in class, I would give you extra points, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall nodded with satisfaction, "but now I need to teach you knowledge the books don't cover, which is... there are illegal Animagi in this world, those not registered—among them were Harry's father, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew."
"But Banban is Banban!" Ron still couldn't quite accept it, "He's my pet rat and has lived in my home for..."
"Twelve years, right?" Professor Lupin said, "Do normal rats—live for twelve years?"
With that, he placed the rat on the floor.
Professor McGonagall drew her magic wand, aimed it at Banban, and recited the Animagus counter curse.
The magic wand emitted a blue-white light, and under the spell Banban was suspended in mid-air, his tiny black body frantically twisting.
Ron cried out in distress—after all, that was his cherished rat, who slept nestled with him.
The rat fell to the ground, and amidst a dazzling flash, like in a rapid-growth tree video, a human head appeared on the rat's body, and soon limbs stretched out.
Before long, a man stood in the spot where Banban was moments ago, timidly wringing his hands.
This person was very short, not much taller than Professor Flitwick—only about a head taller.
His thin, light-colored hair was disheveled, with a large bald patch on top, and his appearance was like a fat person who had quickly lost a lot of weight.
Additionally, his skin appeared very dirty, resembling Banban's fur, and his pointed nose and watery small eyes still bore traits of a rat.