Ivan took a few steps back and saw the palm-sized grey-black rat transform into a squat, middle-aged man.
Peter Pettigrew was a dirty, rotund creature with a shabby black coat and sparse, dark yellow hair that was missing a large chunk at the top.
He just curled up on the ground and wailed in pain, and it was clear that being forcibly relieved of the Animagus did not feel so good…
However, more than physical pain, Peter Pettigrew was horrified that this young wizard in front of him knew who he was.
How was this possible?
Panic, fear, and incomprehension overwhelmed Peter Pettigrew, who felt that his disguise was perfect and that there was no possibility of being seen through by a mere wizard.
Unless… Peter Pettigrew thought suddenly of Sirius Black on the run, and only he knew who he was.
It seemed likely that Black had revealed his identity to Ivan and sent this young wizard to capture him.
Peter Pettigrew's face fell at the thought, knowing full well that Black must hate his guts, and that Ivan would be torn apart if he gave him to Sirius…
As Ivan approached, Peter Pettigrew inched his way towards the corner, trying to think of a way to get Ivan to let him go.
"Hales… I didn't think we'd meet under these circumstances!" Peter's voice was squeaky as he tried to whisper Ivan's name as he continued. "You may not know this, but your father and I were good comrades, and we fought together!"
"You must have met Sirius Black, didn't you? I don't know what he told you, but I can explain…"
Trembling and speaking rapidly, Peter recounted events from more than a decade ago.
According to an allegory, Harry's parents, Lily and James, hid in a house that had been cursed with the Fidelius Charm to escape the Dark Lord.
The spell was so strange and powerful that it could hide a place from the world, and only a confidential person would know the exact location of the place. As long as he did not say anything, Lily and James would be perfectly safe.
"The Secret-Keeper was Sirius Black! He betrayed Lily and James, told the Dark Lord where they were hiding, and tried to kill me. I barely escaped with my life and managed to fool him…"
"I suppose he told you I was the Secret-Keeper, didn't he? But don't forget that Black was a liar and a murderer! He was so murderous that he became a loyal dog to the Dark Lord. You wouldn't believe a murderer's word, would you?"
Peter moved his body with tears in his eyes, looking at Ivan with pleading and anticipation, hoping that the young wizard in front of him would believe him.
"Oh…" Ivan's face was calm, and he nodded to show that he knew.
Peter Pettigrew was taken aback, having anticipated Ivan's reaction.
Shock, confusion, anger, distrust…
But what exactly did this 'oh' mean?
Believe it or not …
Peter was stunned for a moment and was about to explain further when Ivan interrupted him.
"I didn't call you here today to listen to a story. Don't be nervous. I just want you to help me test a newly improved potion."
Ivan swirled the dark green potion in his test tube, looked at Peter eagerly, and spoke again. "Come, open your mouth, it's time to drink…"
Peter was completely stunned. This young wizard in front of him had captured him and cracked his Animagus so that he could test his new potion?
This person was probably crazy!
Taking advantage of Peter's momentary distraction, Ivan grabbed his chin and forced Peter's mouth open, then forced the improved Polyjuice Potion down his throat!
Gulp…
The green liquid poured straight into Peter's mouth and down his throat into his stomach.
However, Peter resisted so violently that nearly a third of the potion was spilled, much to Ivan's displeasure.
Ivan only released Peter after he had drunk all of the potion.
"No… no!" Peter screamed and covered his throat. He fell to the ground and retched, trying to throw up the potion he had drunk.
However, this was apparently in vain, and it wasn't long before Peter felt his body change shape, becoming even shorter, his fat belly contracting, and his clothes loosening…
When he noticed that the physical changes were over, Peter looked down at his hands and noticed his sudden change in size. How could he not guess that Ivan had given him Polyjuice Potion?
Peter was a little surprised. He had thought that the young wizard in front of him had developed a dangerous potion for him to consume.
Ivan's voice came at that moment,
"If you cooperate, I can guarantee your safety…"
"But if you don't cooperate…I'll knock you out cold and throw you out of the castle! I heard there was a big black dog wandering around recently…" Ivan began.
Peter Pettigrew nodded fearfully. He was too weak to resist Ivan, who was mysterious and powerful.
'Are you ready, then?' said Ivan suddenly.
Ready for what? Peter Pettigrew looked confused, and the next thing he knew, the young wizard was waving his wand at him.
With a flash of light, a piercing pain swept through Peter's body, and he felt a large piece of flesh being torn off his left shoulder. His cries of pain echoed through the Room of Requirement…
Ivan did not waver as he watched Peter's misery. All he cared about was whether the improved Polyjuice Potion would be affected, how stable it would be, and how long it would last…
Therefore, Ivan only watched from the sidelines and recorded the data. He would only treat Peter when he could not hold on any longer.
As the Shadowless Blade's counter-curse was very magical, it could not only heal the wounds caused by the invisible blade, but also allow the lost blood to flow back into the body.
This made treatment easy, and Peter was able to stay active for a long time.
And so, for several hours, the Room of Requirement wailed.
It was not until dawn that Peter finally finished the last of the potion.
When the effects of the potion wore off, Peter curled up in a corner and hugged himself, his green eyes losing their shine…
He looked at Ivan with great fear.
This was the devil!