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"Mad! They're all mad!"
These words echoed in the mind of the young man, who was short, plump, with sleek, oily hair and small eyes that paired with a pointed nose, giving him an air of being timid and easily bullied.
This impression was not entirely wrong. If not for the protection of three powerful figures at school, Peter Pettigrew likely would have been crowned "Hogwarts' Biggest Doormat" for seven consecutive years.
But fate smiled upon him. When he first arrived at Hogwarts, he was sorted into Gryffindor, the house known for its brash bravery and loyalty. Soon after the term began, Peter, who had already become a victim of the usual school bullying, was saved by a heroic intervention. Naturally, he latched onto his savior, becoming the loyal sidekick of the school's top dogs.
The seven years Peter spent at Hogwarts were probably the highlight of his life. With the support of his influential friends, not only did he become part of the infamous Marauders, participating in many thrilling (and often rule-breaking) escapades, but he also learned the rare skill of becoming an Animagus, thanks to the help of the group's leader, James Potter, the so-called Prince of Transfiguration.
It was a remarkable achievement. Becoming an Animagus is a feat most wizards could never hope to accomplish. Though Peter's success was partly due to luck and a series of fortunate events, he still managed to master this highly advanced magic, becoming one of the few rare Animagi.
Peter's life at school went smoothly, shielded by his influential friends. He had a talent for flattery and was persistently shameless, which made his school days quite comfortable. If he could have his way, he'd spend the rest of his life under the protection of his three "good friends." Being their sidekick was a privilege others could only dream of.
Peter considered himself a lucky boy. However, to his shock, everything changed after graduation. His world suddenly became fraught with danger, with the constant threat of death lurking around every corner.
After finishing school, the same influential friends who had protected him joined a group called the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization founded by Dumbledore. Their sole mission was to fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
"Shouldn't this be the Aurors' job? Why are we—"
"Come on, Peter."
A strong hand clapped him on the shoulder. The speaker was a handsome, black-haired young man. "The last people you can count on are those fools at the Ministry of Magic. Sure, there are a few brave Aurors, but most of them are just... what's the word, James?"
"Wage slaves," replied another black-haired young man, his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile.
"Right, wage slaves. They follow orders from a bunch of brainless fatheads at the Ministry, getting bossed around like livestock, buzzing around like flies on dung, using their annoying hum to mask the mediocrity behind their so-called busywork."
Sirius made no attempt to hide his disdain for the Ministry, his words sharp and cutting.
"Aren't you being a bit too harsh, Sirius?"
The fourth young man, who had been sitting quietly to the side, finally spoke up. He looked pale and sickly, clearly unwell, but his expression and tone were gentle, making him the most mild-mannered of the group.
"The Aurors have done a lot of good. The magical world wouldn't be as stable as it is now without their hard work."
"Frank and Alice are perfect examples. They helped you clear up that little misunderstanding recently. Otherwise, those Ministry idiots would've dragged you off for a harsh punishment."
"Ah, yes, they'd love to do that," Sirius said, waving his hand irritably. "My dear mother has been wanting to send me to Azkaban to 'cool off' for years. Maybe she thinks the Dementors draining the happiness from my brain will make me embrace the garbage idea of pure-blood supremacy."
"I should thank Frank. Without him, those money-grubbing fools at the Ministry would've granted all my mother's wishes."
"This world needs to change," Sirius growled. "Anyway, let's talk about him. They're planning to attack the Higgins family, trying to take over the wizarding radio station by holding them hostage. I don't know who found out about this, but that guy's got real skills."
The trio, excited by the prospect of their first mission with the Order of the Phoenix, dived into a lively discussion. Always drawn to danger, they were thrilled about the mission. As usual, however, they barely noticed Peter, who sat trembling in the corner.
Peter, the sidekick who only ever tagged along, didn't feel the need to join their conversation unless absolutely necessary. Unlike his friends, who were eager to take down Death Eaters, Peter was consumed by thoughts of his impending doom, with fears like "I won't survive another day" and "I'll be dead by this time next year" racing through his mind. All he wanted was to escape this nightmare.
He had joined the group for protection, hoping to live a peaceful, untroubled life. Now that his comfortable days seemed to be coming to an end, fear gnawed at him, leaving him in constant dread.
Still, no matter what he thought, there were things he simply had to face.
When the appointed time came, the Order of the Phoenix, relying on the intelligence from their informant, set up an ambush. The battle around the Higgins family was far more intense than expected. The Order members and Death Eaters, along with various dark creatures, clashed fiercely. As Peter saw an opportunity, he began inching his way off the battlefield, trying to slip away. But what he didn't realize was that in his attempt to flee from one deadly situation, he was about to be caught in an even bigger and more terrifying one.
Controlling the wizarding radio station was a crucial step in Voldemort's plans. After waiting for what felt like an eternity for news of the ongoing battle, Voldemort, furious at the stalemate, decided to come personally. At that moment, Peter, who was attempting to escape, stumbled right into Voldemort.
Captured effortlessly by Voldemort, Peter showed no hesitation. He immediately declared that he was being forced into this situation and didn't truly wish to oppose the Dark Lord. Faced with a greater power than even his previous protectors, he had no choice but to pledge his allegiance without a second thought.
Unfortunately, as a recent addition to the Order of the Phoenix, Peter had little to offer. He lacked both valuable information and significant influence, making him nothing more than a trivial pawn in Voldemort's eyes.
Driven by the instinct to survive, Peter endured the excruciating pain of the Cruciatus Curse and leveraged his years of experience in flattery to plead desperately for his life. After much begging and swearing loyalty, he miraculously managed to keep his life.
He became a minor pawn in Voldemort's grand scheme, receiving no Dark Mark in return. However, under the "protection" of this powerful figure, Peter was resolute about the path he would take moving forward.
In many aspects, he could be weak, but when it came to valuing his own life, Peter's obsession was unwavering. He was willing to relinquish everything unnecessary—loyalty, pride—just to survive. Even if it meant living like a rat, hiding and scurrying away, he was willing to continue.
Now that he had become a traitor to the Order, Peter knew that once his identity was exposed, the first to kill him would undoubtedly be his former "friends": James, Sirius, and Remus. They would never tolerate such a despicable betrayal, and once discovered, his death would be inevitable.
The only way for Peter to survive was to genuinely pledge his loyalty to Voldemort. As long as he had the Dark Lord's protection, even if his old friends wanted to kill him, it would be impossible for them to do so.
Peter understood very well that Voldemort was not someone who could be challenged by a group of fresh graduates. The consequences of opposing the Dark Lord would lead to nothing but death.
Although no one was physically whipping him, Peter possessed an astonishing enthusiasm for betrayal. He knew that merely passing along insignificant information wouldn't earn him Voldemort's attention. As a peripheral member of the Order who had just joined, he had no access to critical intelligence. His only option was to wait and bide his time.
Peter was acutely aware of whom Voldemort feared. Compared to the Death Eaters on the opposing side, being nestled within the Order alongside three close friends provided him with opportunities to gather valuable insider information, such as the whereabouts of the reclusive Dumbledore.
In Peter's eyes, the elderly Dumbledore was no match for Voldemort, who was decades younger and at the height of his powers. What could a ninety-year-old do against a fifty-something Dark Lord? To Peter, Dumbledore's absence signified weakness; he hid away because he could not compete. This was Peter's genuine belief, shaped by his tendency to project his own thoughts onto others.
Taking advantage of his Animagus form, Peter overheard many useful clues. He stealthily transformed and infiltrated Hogsmeade, successfully eavesdropping on what he believed to be crucial information for his resurgence—a prophecy concerning Voldemort.
However, after excitedly reporting the information, the expected rewards did not materialize. Voldemort initially dismissed the prophecy with disdain, leaving Peter feeling disheartened.
As time passed, Voldemort suddenly became interested in the prophecy. He personally ordered an investigation to uncover the identity of its "main character." This news thrilled Peter; he was just one step away from being truly sheltered by a powerful figure!
As the third person to hear the complete prophecy, Peter clearly understood the nature of Voldemort's adversary. He quickly identified the candidate who fit the prophecy's description, and it was none other than James Potter and his wife, Lily Evans—his former protectors during his seven years at Hogwarts.
At that moment, Peter felt a flicker of hesitation. No matter what, James had taken care of him for seven years. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he had to acknowledge that James had never mistreated him. While his standing could never compare to Sirius, who was like a brother, or Remus, at least James had trusted him; he viewed James as an older brother, and James reciprocated that sentiment.
Lily also held a special place in Peter's heart.
Sensitive by nature, Peter was acutely aware of how others viewed him. Due to his appearance and other reasons, many looked down on him, including his three friends, who had initially helped him out of "pity." Their aid often felt more like charity from the strong to the weak.
However, Lily was different. Peter didn't truly meet her until sixth year, and she brought him a sense of acceptance that others had never shown. There was no hint of disdain in her gaze; she did not regard him merely as James's friend. Her gentle look seemed to heal Peter's sensitive and fragile heart.
When she and James married, Peter sincerely offered his heartfelt blessings. He was genuinely happy to see such a good girl marry the man she loved, and he truly hoped James would treat her well for the rest of his life, wishing her happiness and peace until old age.
Because of this, Peter didn't immediately inform Voldemort upon discovering the target. Even as he sought to save Lily, he identified a second person who matched the prophecy's description—Frank and Alice Longbottom.
Due to the unstable social environment at the time, James and Lily's wedding took place nearly simultaneously with Frank and Alice's. Members of the Order of the Phoenix found time to attend the weddings of all four, offering their blessings.
Their children were born within mere hours of each other at the end of July.
The Longbottoms became the answer Peter intended to deliver to Voldemort. After finding a suitable excuse to leave the Order, the Dark Lord's loyal servant sent information about the individuals tied to the prophecy. What Peter did not anticipate was that Voldemort was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
Voldemort easily sensed that Peter was withholding information and forcefully delved into his memories, unearthing the identities he had desperately tried to protect.
When Lily's information was exposed, Peter's heart sank. He could already envision the wrathful Voldemort torturing and killing him with brutal methods. He began to regret his mercy and finally understood that being kind to others could be cruel to oneself.
But it was far too late for regret; Voldemort would not show him mercy.
With his heart feeling as if it were dead, Peter wept in anguish. He hated his weakness, his kindness, and the mistakes he had made.
Yet, the anticipated fury did not arrive. When he summoned the courage to lift his trembling head, he saw a mocking expression on Voldemort's face. The Dark Lord seemed to relish the situation, reveling in Peter's emotional collapse.
Thus, he received a new mission—to bring James and Lily Potter before him.
Reinvigorated, Peter expressed his gratitude for his master's mercy, crying tears of joy as he praised the greatness of the Dark Lord.
He was bestowed with the honor of the Dark Mark—a tattoo of a black and green skull burned into his left arm, binding him to Voldemort in a way that made betrayal impossible. This mark severed his ties with the Order and everything from his past.
Upon returning to the Order, Peter began plotting against Lily and James. However, not long after, a piece of shocking intelligence nearly shattered his heart.
A former informant for the Order, who had provided details on the Higgs incident, relayed that Voldemort planned to kill Lily and James. Upon receiving this news, Lily and James immediately took precautions. Peter knew he was completely doomed.
He learned that James planned to use the Unbreakable Vow, a profound binding magic in the wizarding world, with a power equivalent to that of an unbreakable oath. As long as the secret-keeper did not voluntarily reveal the information, no matter what methods were employed, no one could uncover the hidden secrets of the keeper's heart.
If Lily and James used the Unbreakable Vow, even if hundreds of Death Eaters pressed their eyes against the windows, they would be unable to see or find Lily and James. They could stand on their own lawn, casually tending to the grass, yet the Death Eaters would remain completely oblivious, unable to perceive anything at all.
Magic endowed with such metaphysical power sometimes operates in utterly unreasonable ways.
Peter knew full well that he was not the one James trusted most; it was Sirius, his nearly brother-like companion. The secret-keeper role had nothing to do with him.
Because of this, he had completely lost the chance to fulfill his master's mission.
At this point, Peter could no longer describe his actions with mere regret. His heart was filled with despair, and branded with the Dark Mark, he could not even run away. The mark would allow Voldemort to find and kill him easily, stripping him of everything.
"Why so tense, Peter?"
Sirius clapped Peter on the shoulder with casual ease, nearly causing him to jump out of his seat.
"Look at you," Sirius began but paused, then yanked Peter, who was slumped and weak, back into his chair. "I understand your feelings; after all, Voldemort has set his sights on James. That's quite troublesome."
"Quite troublesome," Peter stammered, his voice almost unsteady.
"What are you afraid of?"
Sirius slapped Peter's back with enthusiasm. "I'm glad to see you so worried about him, but you don't need to worry about Voldemort coming for you. His targets are James and Lily; you're safe."
"Safe as can be," Sirius added with narrowed eyes. "Who would come looking for you, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, haha…"
Peter replied dryly, still seeming a bit dazed.
"Stop being so down! You need to pull yourself together and come with me! I need to talk to you about something with James."
With decisive efficiency, Sirius grabbed Peter by the arm and led him out of the house, taking him to a familiar place—James and Lily's home in Godric's Hollow.
This was not the Potter family's ancestral home; although the old house was much larger, James didn't like that empty, lifeless place. The Potter family wasn't large; James's parents had died in a lab accident while he was studying, a testament to the unusual talent for self-destruction that the Potters possessed.
"Why don't you be the secret-keeper, Peter?" Sirius suddenly dropped a bombshell.
"No one would expect you to be my secret-keeper," James chimed in.
"You're the safest choice, aren't you?" Sirius replied, crossing his arms. He forced a wry smile, a hint of helplessness in his expression. "Everyone would assume I'm the first choice. While I'm certain I wouldn't reveal anything, we need to be cautious around Voldemort."
After joining the Order and experiencing numerous dangerous battles, the once naïve Sirius seemed to have matured a little, though that certainly didn't apply to his intellect.
"We don't know if he possesses any dark means we're unaware of. If he manages to pry something from my mind, that would be a disaster."
"Both Sirius and I are willing to trust you, Peter."
James patted Peter on the shoulder, encouraging him as he trembled slightly. He understood that being someone's secret-keeper required courage, and Peter had never been particularly brave.
What he didn't realize was that the tremors in Peter weren't from fear or anxiety but from excitement.
Two seemingly clever yet foolish individuals encouraged the 'shaking' man. When the Unbreakable Vow was completed, the incredulous Peter left Godric's Hollow in a daze.
It was like a rollercoaster ride. No! This was a thousand times more thrilling, a dizzying rise and fall that almost made him faint!
The last remnants of kindness and conscience he had felt toward Lily were long gone, worn away by Voldemort's terror. In this moment, Peter had no hesitation. He stealthily left the Order and went before his loyal master, revealing everything.
"What a delightful surprise, Wormtail."
Peter, too afraid to lift his gaze, couldn't see the expression on Voldemort's face.
"How wonderful the world is, right?"
"Ha ha ha…"
"Ah ha ha ha!"
"How wonderfully twisted, isn't it?"
The figure cloaked in black slowly faded away, never to return.
"Yes, this world really loves to play such cruel jokes."
A soft voice echoed in the empty underground chamber as Harry, with no visible label on his face, slowly spoke. At that moment, a suffocating darkness began to seep and spread.
"Last question, Voldemort."
Harry raised his head, calmly looking into the shattered face before him with his emerald-green eyes.
"Tell me where Peter is. He helped you sneak into Hogwarts, didn't he? Where is he? Now! Immediately!"
The words at the end were laden with a terrifying chaos that surged forth, distorting the darkness, and a formless, monstrous shadow loomed behind Harry. Upon seeing this indescribable horror, Voldemort suddenly froze.
A glimmer of disbelief flickered in his eyes as he gazed at Harry, murmuring in astonishment.
"This shouldn't be! It shouldn't be like this!"
The twisted, menacing expression on Voldemort's face suggested he realized something. "How is this possible? How could you—"
"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"
Harry's heart pounded like a drum, shaking his eardrums. At that moment, his magical heart raced, boosting his magical flow to an unprecedented limit!
The fully solidified, distorted darkness took shape as a terrifying black specter. Just as the chaos was given form, a figure bearing Harry's exact likeness stood like a guardian behind him.
"How dare you deceive me! How dare you trick me!"
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!"
In a fit of rage, Voldemort finally realized that Harry was not the person he had imagined. Even with a darkness deeper than any shadow, Harry had not stepped onto the path of evil!
What a farce this so-called ally had been—this had all been one-sided delusion!
From the very beginning, he had been played for a fool by Harry, a clown performing a ridiculous act before him!
"You won't speak, huh?!"
Losing all patience, Harry raised the ebony wood and ivory in his hands.
"Then I'll pry open your mouth and make you speak every single word!"
(End of chapter)