Short and faint.
But close enough to his skin that Harry could feel it.
"It really has been you all along," Harry said, his tone carrying a chilling clarity. He turned to Lupin. "Professor, turn him back."
Lupin raised his wand and pointed it at the rat.
A stream of blue light shot out, enveloping the small creature. It twisted and expanded with dazzling flashes of light until a sharp pop signaled the transformation. A human head emerged from the tiny body, followed by limbs and a hunched frame.
Peter Pettigrew was short—shorter than Harry was now. His sparse, patchy hair clung to his scalp in uneven clumps, and his skin hung loose and filthy, marked by layers of grime—both fresh and ancient. His sharp nose bore a poorly inserted piercing, and his watery brown eyes darted around nervously.
Years spent masquerading as a rat had nearly erased his humanity. He moved with hunched shoulders and fidgeting hands, exuding an air of cowardice and deceit.
"Hello, Remus, my dearest friend. Long time no see," Peter greeted, his voice shrill and trembling with false warmth. He turned to Harry. "And Harry! My best friend's son! I've been watching you grow all these years—you've grown into someone truly exceptional, even better than your father and mother."
Harry stared at him, his expression blank, though a wave of revulsion churned in his gut.
"Peter," Lupin said coldly, his wand trained on him, his stance wary. "It's been a long time. I never imagined you'd stay like this for so many years…"
Peter stammered, his panic palpable. "I was scared! I knew he'd come looking for me! Just like now!"
"Did you know Sirius would escape from Azkaban?" Lupin pressed, his voice sharp.
Peter stuttered so hard he almost bit his tongue. "Of course! He's an Animagus. So am I! I knew he could do it."
"And besides, he's the Dark—he's the Dark Lord's lackey! Who knows what powerful spells the Dark Lord might have taught him?"
Lupin opened his mouth to press further, but Harry raised a hand to stop him.
"Professor, there's no point wasting time on him," Harry said, his tone cutting.
Lupin hesitated.
"Axii!"
Harry's Witcher Sign flared.
"Who gave Voldemort the location of the Potters' home?" Harry's voice was sharp and urgent.
Peter's eyes glazed over as he mumbled instinctively, his movements twitchy like a rat. "It was me."
Lupin's eyes widened as he gripped his wand tighter.
"When did you start working for Voldemort?" Harry pressed further, his words like daggers.
Peter, still ensnared by the Axii Sign, admitted dully, "One year after graduation."
"One year?" Lupin's voice rose in disbelief. "You were a spy for Voldemort for a whole year?"
Peter's response was wooden. "James and Sirius never respected me."
"They never saw me as a friend."
Lupin's expression tightened, and he turned away, unable to meet Harry's eyes.
Harry noticed.
Peter snapped out of the Axii's influence, his eyes darting wildly as fear returned. He stared at Harry, trembling. "What—what did you do to me?"
"I asked you some questions that I care about," Harry said, his tone detached, as the amulet under his shirt vibrated violently. "And I confirmed things I needed to know."
Peter turned to Lupin, his voice trembling as he tried to sound persuasive. "Remus, my dear Remus, we're the same, aren't we?"
"Potter and Black always looked down on us! You're a werewolf—a werewolf!"
As he spoke, his gaze flickered nervously toward Harry multiple times.
"They never trusted you because of what you are. When they chose the Secret-Keeper, you were their last choice. They didn't even let you stay at the Potters' house for long."
Lupin glared at him in disgust but said nothing. He took two steps back, his wand unwavering.
Peter inhaled sharply, realizing Lupin was beyond persuasion. Desperately, he lunged at Harry.
On instinct alone, Harry sidestepped and brought his foot down on Peter's back, pinning him to the ground.
"Harry! Harry!" Peter cried out, writhing under the weight. "I'm your father's friend! I'm also your best friend Ron's pet!"
"I made a mistake—a terrible mistake!"
"I didn't mean it. I didn't want it to happen. I didn't hurt you!"
"Look at me! I spent thirteen years at the Weasleys and didn't harm anyone. Even last year, when the Dark Lord—when the Dark Lord came to Hogwarts, I didn't help him!"
"It's true! Everything I'm saying is true, Harry. Your father would forgive me, wouldn't he?"
Harry's expression remained cold as he pressed harder with his foot, eliciting a groan from Peter.
"Yes, you've been well-behaved these past thirteen years," Harry said softly.
Peter stifled his cries of pain, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
Harry pulled the amulet from beneath his shirt, its violent vibrations resembling the hum of a motor. "But you still harbor ill intent toward me. You're just too much of a coward to act on it openly."
Peter froze, holding his breath. Though the amulet's vibrations began to ease, they did not stop completely.
"Even now, you can't hide your malice," Harry sneered. "Peter, did you think that hiding for thirteen years would erase the crimes you committed?"
"You haven't harmed anyone recently."
"But what about thirteen years ago, when you betrayed my parents?"
Peter kept writhing beneath Harry's foot. "James—James would forgive me!"
"So what?" Harry's voice was ice. "He is him. I am me."
"He might've been soft enough to forgive you."
"But I am wide awake."
Harry stepped back, flicking his wand. Peter rose into the air, his rat-like face mere inches from Harry's. Harry grabbed his chin, forcing his mouth open.
From his Sorting Hat, Harry pulled a vial of potion and poured it down Peter's throat.
"No, Harry, not yet!" Lupin exclaimed, grabbing Harry's arm. But to his surprise, the 13-year-old wizard's strength overpowered him, and Lupin stumbled.
"It's not poison. It's Draught of Living Death," Harry said, tossing Peter unceremoniously to the ground.
Peter twitched and convulsed before succumbing to unconsciousness.
Lupin checked his breathing and let out a sigh of relief when he found him alive.
"I know he needs to stay alive to clear Sirius Black's name," Harry said, his voice tense as he stowed the vial back into the Sorting Hat.
Lupin patted Harry's shoulder. "It's over now, Harry. At least it's all…"
"Don't comfort me," Harry interrupted, shaking his head.
"I'm just thinking about something."
Lupin stayed silent, his patience steady.
"Is Sirius really that brainless?" Harry sighed. "He'd rather sit in Azkaban for thirteen years than open his mouth and explain?"
Lupin blinked, caught off guard. His hand froze in mid-air.
After everything that had just happened, Harry was thinking about that?
"Well… Sirius is, you know…" Lupin stammered, searching for words.
"I'm genuinely concerned," Harry said, his face unreadable. "Sirius has nothing but air in his head. Even a troll might be smarter than him."
"Peter's no genius either," Harry added. "And your performance today was…"
"Harry!" Lupin growled, exasperated. "It's you! Who else would think of using Lumos Maxima as a weapon in a fight?"
Harry shrugged unapologetically. "In darkness, a blinding light is the most effective weapon. Even a toddler knows that."
Lupin groaned and waved him off. "I thought you'd use a Stunning Spell or a Binding Curse…"
"That's why I worry all four of you might be idiots," Harry said, frowning.
Lupin clenched his fists. "I'm not like Sirius. I just can't keep up with your way of thinking!"
"And James…"
"James was impulsive and arrogant sometimes, but he was clever," Lupin muttered.
Harry nodded. "Got it." He flicked his wand, levitating Peter's unconscious body.
"Should we take him to Dumbledore?" Lupin asked tentatively, steering the conversation away.
"No," Harry replied decisively.
Lupin frowned.
"Dumbledore's dependable when it matters," Harry admitted. "But his head's stuck in Fudge's pocket. Giving Peter to him would be letting him off too easily."
"In the end, what would happen? Azkaban?"
"Wizards don't have the death penalty, do they?"
Lupin nodded grimly. Wizards, no matter how despicable, were spared the death sentence—a mercy not extended to non-human beings.
"Peter deserves worse than Azkaban," Harry said flatly.
"For now, we need to find that brainless Sirius," Harry added as he led the way.
Lupin corrected him automatically. "Sirius is your godfather."
"Fine. Let's find my brainless godfather," Harry replied without missing a beat.
At the tunnel's entrance, Harry stopped and dropped Peter on the ground. "Professor, could you secure him?"
Lupin obliged, conjuring ropes to bind Peter tightly before sealing him in a sack.
As they prepared to leave, Harry's voice softened.
"Professor Lupin?"
Lupin turned, puzzled. "Yes?"
"I want to apologize on my father's behalf," Harry said gently. "Time has proven his mistrust was wrong. You're a loyal friend. He was the one who failed you."
Lupin's throat tightened, his eyes stinging.
He quickly blinked and looked away, raising his head to hide his emotions.
He walked over and patted Harry's shoulder.
"Don't say that. It was a difficult time, and I understood James."
"My condition…"
"The fact that he trusted me at all, even tried to learn Animagus to keep me company—he was already better to me than I deserved."
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Powerstones?
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