As the evening wore on, the atmosphere at the Burrow grew increasingly strained. The Weasleys, initially welcoming, now sensed that their guests had more on their minds than a simple friendly dinner. Rufus Scrimgeour, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Alastor Moody continued their conversation, but beneath the surface of their polite dialogue, a sense of urgency simmered.
Rufus, still maintaining a facade of interest in the Weasleys' daily lives and the proposed wealth redistribution law, noticed a subtle shift in the room's mood. The door to the kitchen creaked open, and a small, unassuming rat scurried in. Its sudden appearance seemed incongruous with the pleasant dinner, and its behavior was oddly frenetic.
Moody's magical eye, ever vigilant, immediately locked onto the rat. His attention shifted from the conversation to the rodent, noting its erratic movements. Moody subtly repositioned himself, preparing for action, while Kingsley, ever the picture of calm, allowed a flicker of acknowledgment to pass between him and Moody.
Rufus cleared his throat, drawing the Weasleys' attention. His previously warm demeanor now carried an undercurrent of seriousness. “Arthur,” he began, his voice firm yet controlled, “I must apologize for our extended visit. We had initially planned for this to be a brief discussion, but circumstances have changed.”
Arthur Weasley, his face etched with confusion, glanced around the room. “What are you talking about, Minister? I thought this visit was solely about discussing the wealth redistribution law.”
Kingsley’s expression grew grave. “Indeed, Arthur. While our primary purpose was to discuss the proposed law and secure your support, there was an additional, more pressing matter that has come to light.”
Arthur's confusion deepened as he exchanged uneasy glances with Molly. “What additional matter?”
Kingsley turned to Percy, who had been nervously fiddling with his glasses. “Percy, you mentioned earlier that you’ve had a rat as a pet for eleven years. Is that correct?”
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Percy, defensive, nodded. “Yes, that’s right. Scabbers has been with us for a long time. He’s a good rat, despite his age.”
Kingsley’s gaze sharpened. “Common rats don’t live that long, Percy. This, combined with recent rumors and my own experience with unregistered Animagi, suggests something rather troubling.”
As Kingsley spoke, the rat’s movements became increasingly frantic. It darted towards a corner of the room, attempting to escape. Moody’s quick reflexes were already at work. With a swift flick of his wand, he cast a net of magical binding that enveloped the rat, halting its escape.
The rat, now visibly panicked, tried to scurry away, but the magical net held firm. The Weasleys watched in stunned silence as Moody maintained his focus on the trapped creature. Rufus, keeping a steady presence, continued to monitor the scene with an inscrutable expression.
Kingsley’s voice, firm and resolute, cut through the tension. “Arthur, Molly, we have reason to believe that this rat is not what it seems. Its behavior and longevity are consistent with those of an unregistered Animagus—a person capable of transforming into an animal.”
The rat squirmed within the magical bindings, its fear evident. Moody’s eyes narrowed as he prepared for the next phase of the operation. The atmosphere in the Burrow’s kitchen grew thick with anticipation and anxiety.
Rufus, maintaining his composure, addressed the room. “Arthur, Molly, I understand this is shocking, but the situation requires immediate attention. We need to determine the true identity of this rat and assess the potential threat.”
The Weasleys, still reeling from the revelation, exchanged worried glances. Molly’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “What will happen now?”
Kingsley, his demeanor unwavering, replied, “We will handle the situation with the utmost care. For now, we need to ensure that everyone is safe and secure. We’ll need to investigate further to confirm the identity and intentions of this individual.”
As the rat continued to wriggle in the magical bindings, the room was filled with a heavy silence. The Burrow, once a symbol of warmth and home, now felt like the epicenter of a dark and unfolding mystery. The Weasleys, their evening upended, could only watch as the implications of the night’s events began to sink in.
The chapter ended with the rat still bound and restrained, its true identity yet to be revealed, leaving the room in a state of tense anticipation.