At this moment, the situation has become unpredictable.
You know the danger exists, but you do not know where it comes from.
You know the future awaits you, but you do not know if, through your own butterfly effect, the world has changed, how much it has changed, or whether the future will arrive as expected.
You know that Hermione Granger was once Petrified in the corridor outside the library, but you do not know if she can escape this time, or if she can come out unharmed; as for other possibilities worse than Petrification, you do not even dare to think about them.
Most importantly, Draco does not know how Harry treated the diary in his past life, or whether it was stolen in his previous life. Everything is a mystery; it is all a matter of trial and error.
Draco knew the ending, but was completely unaware of the process. However, he could not simply jump to the second-year celebration party, watch Harry and Ron solve the Chamber of Secrets mystery, and get two hundred points from Dumbledore.
The only good news was that a few days later, the Weasley twins appeared before Draco, beaming with joy, carrying the dazed rat.
Draco opened the Marauder's Map and showed it to them: Peter Pettigrew's name was indeed appearing next to theirs, almost covering them.
They exchanged a horrified glance and quickly locked the unfortunate rat in a transparent glass dome that had been prepared beforehand and enchanted with an Unbreakable Charm.
The rat seemed oblivious to what was happening and continued to sleep soundly. Draco covered the glass dome with a black cloth.
"We gave it some magic potion—" Fred said in a panic.
"He did it during Snape's class—" George added.
"It is said that one drop can make someone sleep for three days and three nights—" Fred's eyes gleamed with ill intent.
"We thought that if the Unbreakable Charm did not work, this might save us some trouble." George revealed a vicious smile.
"Very good." Draco said gravely, "Let us go find Professor Dumbledore."
When Draco and the Weasley twins arrived outside Professor Dumbledore's office, Harry was standing at the doorway, staring blankly at the enormous, hideous, drooping stone gargoyle.
"I do not know the password," Harry said. "Professor McGonagall will not tell me."
"Sherbet Lemon," Draco said. In his past life, he had overheard Harry telling Hermione this password in the library.
The command suddenly brought the gargoyle to life, and the wall behind it split in two. Behind the wall was a spiral staircase, slowly moving upwards like an escalator.
"Together?" Draco said to Harry. "It seems you have something to say to Professor Dumbledore."
Draco guessed it was about the diary. Harry is such a procrastinator; several days have passed already?
Harry nodded silently and stepped inside with Draco and the Weasley twins. They spun higher and higher until finally, a gleaming oak door appeared before them.
Draco stepped forward and knocked on the griffin-shaped brass door knocker.
"Please come in," an old voice replied.
They opened the door and went inside, where they saw Professor Dumbledore sitting behind a large table in the Headmaster's office. In front of him were Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and two hooded wizards who looked like Aurors from the Ministry of Magic.
The Headmaster's office is located in one of the four towers of Hogwarts Castle. The furnishings inside suggest that the current Headmaster of Hogwarts is fascinated by the universe and the stars—the bookshelves are filled with antique microscopes, telescopes, star charts, and various astronomical instruments—all of which make the office look unique.
Draco was not in the mood to admire these wondrous magical artefacts. He first greeted Fudge politely, and Fudge, noticing the colour of his hair, smiled back at him.
"Oh, it seems we have to interrupt this conversation," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, stroking his waist-length white beard. "Because now, we have a few uninvited little guests here. I think I will have to change the password in the Headmaster's office more often."
His intelligent blue eyes peered through his half-moon spectacles at Harry, Draco, and the Weasley twins. "What an unexpected group of friends! Want some Cockroach Clusters?" He nodded towards the table.
Draco and Harry stood still. The Weasley twins, however, walked over with considerable interest, grabbed a handful, and examined them. "Thanks," they said nonchalantly to Dumbledore.
"Since you have something to do here, then we will go first—" Fudge said, and stood up to leave.
"Wait a minute," Draco suddenly said, "In fact, I wish you, Minister, could be there to witness this exciting moment."
Fudge looked at him, puzzled, frowned, and sat down again.
"This request may seem a bit strange, but I would like everyone here to have their wands in hand." Draco stepped forward, placed the glass case containing the rat on the ground, and pulled back the black cloth, saying, "Minister, I would like to ask you to have someone cast an Anti-Animagus spell on this rat."
The rat was still fast asleep in its cage, completely unaware of its impending exposure. Harry whispered in surprise behind him, "This is Ron's..." but the Weasley twins, who were eating Cockroach Clusters nearby, covered his mouth and threw in a few sweets.
"I do not recall the Ministry of Magic registering any Animagus in rat form." Fudge said, sounding offended, as Harry coughed. "That is ridiculous."
"Yes, I suspect this is an illegal Animagus, and extremely dangerous," Draco said.
"My child, even if Lucius and I are on good terms, this is incredibly rude! To barge into the Headmaster's office and suspect some stupid rat of being an Animagus!" Fudge said, his face flushed. "First the Chamber of Secrets, then this utter nonsense... Dumbledore, now I have to question your ability to manage this school..."
Dumbledore ignored Fudge's complaints and grumbling, and simply looked at Draco, trying to make sure he was serious.
Draco stood there expressionless, his eyes lowered so as not to let him read his inner thoughts, accepting Dumbledore's scrutiny.
"Fudge, I do not mind respecting the student's request. Mr Malfoy, bring it out." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and said calmly.
Draco carefully removed the unconscious rat from the glass case and placed it on the ground. Then, he stepped back a few paces, gripping his wand tightly, ready at any moment.
Dumbledore emerged from behind the table, picked up his long, bony wand, and deftly cast a spell on the rat.
A flash of blue light appeared, and several gasps rippled through the office. Fudge's voice was the loudest.
Like a fast-forwarded shot of a tree growing, the rat rapidly sprouted a human head, and soon after, limbs grew out as well.
The two Aurors immediately rushed forward and pressed down tightly on the still-sleeping person.
He was a short man with messy hair and a large bald patch on his head. He looked wrinkled, his skin was dirty, and he resembled a rat somewhat.
It is Peter Pettigrew.