Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

Professor McGonagall took Hermione back to the school hospital, and Evan walked into Dumbledore’s office alone.

Like last year, the Headmaster’s office was very interesting. Fawkes, the phoenix looked at him graciously. A table not far was full of magical props, and Evan had no idea what they were for. The curious silver instruments were whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke.

Before coming in, Evan heard voices in the office. It was a heating discussion about the events of the night. Evan thought it was Dumbledore and Fudge, but when he came in, he discovered that there was no one in the office.

What were just talking were portraits of wizards and witches hung on the surrounding walls. They were former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts.

Unfortunately, Evan didn’t see the Four Founders’ portraits amongst them, or else he could ask Gryffindor about his treasure key, the legendary magical item hidden in the Forbidden Forest and what it was.

The old headmasters and headmistresses were snoozing gently in their frames, but Evan noticed that some of them occasionally secretly opened their eyes, looked at him, and then immediately closed them, for fear of being discovered.

Evan did not focus on them. He noticed a shabby, tattered wizard’s hat on the shelf, the Sorting Hat.

He hesitated for a moment. There was always a question in his heart that he wanted to ask it about. Now was a rare opportunity to do so.

He went over, lifted the hat from its shelf, and lowered it slowly onto his head. It was much too large and slipped down over his eyes, just as it had done the last time, he’d put it on.

“Long time no see, Evan Mason!” a sharp voice whispered. “Do you seem to have something in your mind?”

“Yes, there are things I don’t understand. About the Sorting ceremony, I was curious as to why Peter Pettigrew had been…”

“… assigned to Gryffindor, is that the question?!” the hat said softly. “My duty is to sort the young wizards into the right House according to the wishes of the four founders. For more than a thousand years, I have seen so many young wizards. Some of them were kind hearted, some were ambitious, some were talented, and some were… but you have to know that during the Sorting ceremony, In addition to these inherent qualities, the young wizards’ choice is also a crucial factor.”

“So, Peter himself asked to enter Gryffindor?”

“That child wanted to go to Gryffindor and find the courage he’d never had.” The Sorting Hat said, “But in fact, he didn’t need to look for it. Courage had been buried deep within waiting for him to look into his heart. When he becomes able to lower his head, he would find what he has been looking for.”

“But he did not do that. What he did later was not fitting of a Gryffindor.”

“Don’t doubt! I’m never wrong. The magic of the four founders allows me to see through people’s hearts. My job is to assign the people to the right House.” Said the smart hat, “However, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the House will be suitable for him, nor can it guarantee that he will not take a detour later.”

“What about me?” Evan hurriedly asked. “You didn’t ask for my opinion at all. You know, I had planned to be in Ravenclaw, but you sorted me into Gryffindor.”

“Is that really true? Is that what you really wanted?” The patched Sorting Hat made a laugh. “Yes, like Harry Potter, the two of you are not particularly easy to sort, but I still maintain my sayings, I’m never wrong. Gryffindor can help you achieve your dream.”

Evan was stunned! What is his dream, learning more magic? Defeating Voldemort? Or is it becoming a great white wizard like Dumbledore?

He was lost in his thought. He still wanted to have a few words with the hat, but he heard someone coming in. He hurriedly took it off and put it back in place.

The office door opened and Dumbledore came in with a heavy look.

“Professor!”

“Sit down, Evan!” said Dumbledore, pointing to the chair at the desk. “I need to talk to you, but it will have to be short. I don’t have much time. Cornelius is waiting for me in the hall. We have to go to the Ministry of Magic tonight to deal with the werewolf riot and Remus’s charges.”

Evan sat down. He gathered his thoughts to make sure that nothing he wants to say is missed, and the steps to use Occlumency.

“First of all, I must ask you, Evan, is there anything you would like to tell me?” Dumbledore looked closely at him and his ten slender fingers touched together. He said gently, “Anything!”

“I do have something to tell you, Professor!” Evan nodded and said slowly. “But before that, please allow me to ask a question. You just discovered that Ron was being controlled, didn’t you?”

“In fact, in that office, I believe I am not the only one who has noticed Mr. Weasley’s anomaly.” Dumbledore said mildly, “What he did this evening was so obvious. It was as clear as candlelight in the dark!”

“Well, do you know who’s controlling him?”

“Although many people think that I know everything, but I am not omniscient as it is rumoured!” Dumbledore sat in the high chair behind the table; and he stared at Evan with his light blue, penetrating eyes. “I have a few possible ideas, but I still want to hear your opinion!”

“I suspect that Peter Pettigrew took control of Ron!” Evan looked away, trying not to look at Dumbledore.

Although he was willing to report some things to the Headmaster, he didn’t want to reveal all the information he had.

“Peter Pettigrew, that’s really a surprising answer.”

Despite his words, Dumbledore didn’t seem to be too surprised, as if everything was within his expectation.

“This afternoon, Hermione and I have met Sirius Black at Hogsmeade. He told us that Pettigrew sold Harry’s parents out to Voldemort, and that he did not die. He is an Animagus. He is now Ron’s rat.”

“Animagus?! This is important information!” Dumbledore closed his eyes and mused. “Evan, your information verifies my conjecture. To be honest, I didn’t really pay much attention to Peter Pettigrew. That’s my fault; I could’ve prevented that child from falling to what he did today.”

Evan waited for him to continue, but Dumbledore seemed to fall into memory and did not speak.