Chapter 40 - Confession
The next day I woke up before the alarm even rang. I felt excited and tense at the same time. I dress up quickly, brush my hair twice, and run downstairs. I try not to look too eager, but the moment we finish 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, walking to and fro 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 sees me, she cries out and runs toward me. She stops right in front of me and grabs my shoulders. She checks me from head to toe as if the rat might be sitting on my shoe or hiding behind my ear. But of course she cannot find anything.
I tell her, "Do not worry, I have him."
She looks straight into my eyes. "Where?"
I lower 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 nods instantly. She does not even hesitate. She grabs my arm and a second later the twisting feeling of apparition hits us again. We appear outside the Black's house, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
Madam Tonks knocked on the door with urgency. Kreacher opened the door, his eyes wide, his face strange and old.
She does not wait for him to speak. "Get me to Grandfather. Now."
Kreacher nodded in understanding and hurried ahead. His thin feet patter on the floor. We follow him through the gloomy corridor and reach the study. The door was already open.
Madam Tonks shouts 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 looks up and saw Madam Tonks rushing in with me behind her. He understood at once. His face changes as he stands up in a hurry.
He asks me, "Where is that rat, boy?"
I nod and take 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. He has done so before and can do it again."
Lord Black's face becomes serious. He turns to Kreacher. "Be ready with your magic."
Creature comes forward at once. His long fingers curl as if he is ready to snap at any moment. He looks 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 tap the stone with my wand. The magic fades, 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 raises his wand anyway. He prepares the spell and casts it. The blue magic ray hits the rat like a ripple of light.
Slowly, the rat shape begins 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 looks exactly like the description from the books. His hair is thin and colourless, face round and soft like dough and his eyes are small. He has thin shoulders and a hunched posture even in sleep. His front teeth stick out slightly, hands are short and he looks weak. He looks 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 nods. His voice sounds like stone grinding together. "Peter Pettigrew."
He opened a drawer on the table and takes 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 shakes 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 lifts 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 stirs. He groans softly and opens his eyes. For a moment, confusion passes across his face as he looks around. Then fear appears, sharp and bright. But before he can even understand where he is, Lord Black grabs his chin with one hand.
He opens the vial with the other hand and drops 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. His body beame 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."
End of Chapter 40 — Confession