Chapter 40 - Confession
The next day, I woke up before the alarm even rang. I felt excited and tense at the same time. I dressed up quickly, brushed my hair twice, and ran downstairs. I tried not to look too eager, but the moment we finished breakfast, I could not stay still anymore. I bolted out of the door and toward the Tonks' house.
As I reached Tonks' house, I saw Madam Tonks was outside, pacing in the front yard. She looked restless. Her husband was standing beside her, trying to calm her down with slow and steady words. Their daughter sat nearby and watched them like she was watching a play. She even swung her legs happily as if this was something amusing.
The moment Madam Tonks saw me, she cried out and ran towards me. She stopped right in front of me and grabbed my shoulders. She checked me from head to toe as if the rat might be sitting on my shoe or hiding behind my ear. But of course she could not find anything.
I assured her, "Do not worry, I have him."
She looked straight into my eyes, "Where?"
I lowered my voice, "He is safe. Let us go meet Lord Black. His place has protections, I will show it there. It is safer."
Madam Tonks nodded instantly and did not even hesitate. She grabbed my arm and a second later the twisting feeling of apparition hit me again. We appeared outside the Black's house, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
Madam Tonks knocked on the door with urgency. Kreacher opened the door, with his eyes wide.
She did not wait for him to speak, "Get me to Grandfather. Now."
Kreacher nodded in understanding and hurried ahead. His thin feet pattered on the floor. We followed him through the gloomy corridor and reached the study. The door was already open.
Madam Tonks shouted before stepping inside, "Grandfather, we have got him! We have the rat!"
Inside, Lord Black was sitting at his desk, writing a letter. His quill froze in the air. Slowly he looked up and saw Madam Tonks rushing in with me following behind her. He understood at once. His face changed as he stood up in a hurry.
He asked me, "Where is that rat, boy?"
I greeted him and took the small stone out of my pocket, "Here. I kept him in this form. We need to be cautious and have extra protection. He can turn into a rat and escape anytime. He has done so before and can do it again."
Lord Black's face became serious. He turned to Kreacher. "Be ready with your magic."
Kreacher came forward at once. His long fingers were curled as if he was ready to snap at any moment. He looked almost eager to contribute.
Madam Tonks explained to me, "House-elves are very experienced in household magic. They are particularly useful when dealing with pests, like rats."
I tapped the stone with my wand. The magic faded, and the stone stretched and reshaped into a rat. It lay on the emptied table with its whiskers still. I stepped back.
"Lord Black, please undo his Animagus form."
Lord Black stared at the rat with pure hatred and anger. He raised his wand anyway. He prepared the spell and casted it. The blue magic ray hit the rat like a ripple of light.
Slowly, the rat shape began to grow. The fur pulled inward, limbs stretched, tail shortened. It's round body shifted and twisted until a small pudgy man lay curled on the table, unconscious.
He looked exactly like the description from the books. His hair was thin and colourless, face round and soft like dough and his eyes are small. He had thin shoulders and a hunched posture even in sleep. His front teeth stuck out slightly, hands were short and weak. He looked frightened even while unconscious.
Seeing him confirmed everything.
Madam Tonks said, "Grandfather, this is Peter Pettigrew. I have seen him before. He was always with Sirius at Hogwarts. He was always with Sirius, James, and another boy."
Lord Black nodded. His voice sounds like stone grinding together, "Peter Pettigrew."
He opened a drawer on the table and took out a small glass vial with some potion in it.
As he was preparing to wake Peter up, I quickly suggested, "Lord Black, maybe we should tie him up first?"
Lord Black shook his head, "Boy, if he can turn into a rat, he can escape from any rope. Kreacher is here and he will keep him from running."
Kreacher lifted his chin, "Do not worry, Master Black. And do not doubt Kreacher, Master's guest. Kreacher will make sure this ratsy thing does not escape."
He stepped closer to the table with a dangerous look in his eyes as Lord Black casted, "Rennervate."
Peter Pettigrew stirred. He groaned softly and opened his eyes. For a moment, confusion passed across his face as he looked around. Then fear appeared, sharp and bright. But before he could even understand where he was, Lord Black grabbed his chin with one hand.
He opened the vial with the other hand and dropped three drops of the potion directly into Peter's mouth.
Madam Tonks said, "Veritaserum. The truth potion. This will ensure he speaks the truth."
Peter's eyes glazed and his body became limp. His breathing slowed. The potion showed its effect.
Lord Black stepped back. He raised his wand again, "Peter Pettigrew, did you betray James Potter and Lily Potter? Did you break the secret of their hiding?"
Peter Pettigrew's voice comes out soft and dazed, but clear.
"Yes. I was the Secret Keeper and I broke the secret. I betrayed James and Lily Potter."
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End of Chapter 40 - Confession