The Return to Hogwarts

"This is Fred and George's speculation, Professor Blaine. You may not know this, but they've been keeping a close eye on this trick of yours!"

Chapter 193 The Escaped Rats (Part 1)

Sirius Black's sneaking into the castle ruined the festive atmosphere of Halloween. Normally, the fear brought by this despicable and evil criminal would keep the young wizards in a state of panic for some time. However, Professor Blaine, the head of the student safety office at Hogwarts, returned with lightning speed and pulled the young wizards out of their panic.

The atmosphere in the auditorium today was no less enthusiastic than yesterday. Although the swaying ribbons around the spacious auditorium were gone, the food piled on the four long tables was even more plentiful.

Dumbledore reintroduced Amos Tower Blaine with witty and humorous words. When Professor Blaine, who had defeated the Basilisk and ended the legend of the Chamber of Secrets, stood up with a restrained smile and waved to everyone, thunderous applause resounded in the Great Hall!

Everyone was greatly encouraged. They believed that Professor Blaine would continue his glorious achievements and once again drive the evil that threatened their lives out of the shadows.

At this momentous time, only one person—no, only one mouse—is facing the biting cold alone.

The bright moonlight shone through the carved window sash into the dark Gryffindor common room. In the deserted dormitory, a humble, timid figure huddled in the crevice between the four-poster bed and the wall, trembling.

For twelve years, he has sacrificed his human life just to prolong his life, but now it seems that the moment of final judgment is fast approaching.

Since Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban, everyone has been speculating about what he will do next. A very small number of wizards with inside information believe that Black's purpose in escaping prison is to kill the boy, the 'boy who survived' who defeated the Dark Lord.

But Peter knew that Black wouldn't kill Harry, because it was never Black who betrayed the Potters, but himself.

Black has learned that he is not dead, but is living in the Weasley family in the form of a rat. Now, he is coming for revenge, not only for the Potters, but also for Black himself.

Peter didn't know how Blake had found out about this, but he was certain that Blake must have known.

What to do?

Peter curled up, his palm-sized body struggling to think through the problem in despair and fear; he had been pondering it for months.

run away!

This was a thought that popped into his head instinctively; it was something he had planned long ago.

However, after careful consideration, he abandoned the idea and returned to Hogwarts with the Weasley boy.

The reason was simple: as long as it continued to follow Ron, it could enjoy all the comprehensive protection Dumbledore had arranged for the boy, and as long as it was under such protection, Black might not be able to get close to it. That's what Peter thought, but now it seemed that he had underestimated Black's methods and his determination.

Just last night, Blake was separated from him by only a wall, and he almost lost the life he cherished.

Peter didn't know how Black had managed to break through the hundreds of Dementors outside the walls and enter Hogwarts, but he knew that last night's failure wouldn't deter Black; he would try again until he killed himself, or Black himself was killed.

How did he end up in such an absurd situation?

The clear, bright moonlight looked so pale in those dark, tearful eyes filled with fear.

Even now, Peter still doesn't understand why someone so powerful that his name couldn't even be mentioned could be defeated by a baby. He doesn't understand why his well-thought-out decision, where he clearly chose the side of the stronger, would end up like this.

Everything seemed to have returned to its starting point, back to the time when I first entered Hogwarts.

Inside the auditorium, the golden candlelight shone on a short, thin boy who was trembling as he walked toward the Sorting Hat, as if draping him in the cloak of a fearless man.

"what--"

Even today, Peter still vividly remembers the despair that the tattered Sorting Hat's regretful sigh brought him.

Please—

Young Peter pleaded humbly, terrified. He had been like this since he could remember. Because of his cowardly nature, lack of intelligence, and absence of outstanding magical talent, he failed at everything he tried. He was afraid that the hat would send him home and that he would once again face his mother's utterly disappointed eyes.

"You're not a brave child, intelligence and hard work aren't your strengths, and you don't have enough ambition... Sigh... Let me think, where should you go..."

"Please, sir..." Peter pleaded desperately, "Just let me stay!"

"Just keep you here?"

The Sorting Hat chuckled. "What do you think, kid?"

What do I think?

Peter froze, helpless. For so many years, he had lived amidst his mother's expectant eyes and the legendary tales of his Gryffindor father who died a heroic death. No one had ever cared what he thought...

"I want to go to Gryffindor..."

Peter muttered absently, recalling how he had fallen asleep countless nights to his father's tales of courage and fearlessness. He could still vividly remember the pride and arrogance in his mother's voice as she told those stories… He wanted his mother to be proud of him too; that was the meaning of his life.

"To Gryffindor?"

The Sorting Hat's voice turned strange. "You said you want to go to Gryffindor. Well, in my opinion, Hufflepuff might help you get out of your inner quagmire, but since you've made your choice... I hope that in the long life ahead, you can find that courage hidden deep in your heart."

Those were some of the most beautiful moments of his life. The moment the Sorting Hat loudly proclaimed his choice, he felt as if he were seeing his mother looking at him with pride for the first time.

But the truth is always cruel. Just as the Sorting Hat said at the Sorting Ceremony, he was not a brave child. The House of Courage did not unearth the courage within him, but instead made him even more timid.

Pain followed one after another... Everyone around seemed to be looking at him with strange eyes.

This can't happen anymore!

Young Peter said to himself that he needed... he needed someone to shelter him!

Peter quickly found his target: James Potter and Sirius Black, the two most outstanding students in the class, who always shone brightly wherever they went.

He chose the right person... Ha, he chose the right person!

Secretly, Peter said to himself with ecstatic joy.

He willingly endured their orders and jokes, becoming their friend and gaining their protection. At school, no one could bully him anymore... Oh, and then a werewolf, a disgusting werewolf, joined in...

It's okay, I can tolerate him, as long as I don't lose this protection!

Time passed quietly, and Peter asked himself if he had found the courage hidden deep in his heart that the Sorting Hat had spoken of.

No, no... but it doesn't matter anymore. He found a way to live in the eyes of most people even without courage.

To become a vassal, a vassal of the strong, even if it's just... just as a servant.

He carefully served the three people, following behind them, surrounded by their aura, as if he himself was shining... Although it was an illusion, he was still radiant and envied by others!

After graduation, in the wider world, those who once shone brightly became dim and insignificant, and some even struggled to survive.

Only someone stronger can continue to protect me!

As Peter humbly prostrated himself before the laughing Dark Lord, he thought with delight.

Chapter 194 The Escaped Mouse (Part 2)

On one side was the Dark Lord, who was at the height of his power and had plunged the entire wizarding world into turmoil for decades; on the other side was the aging Albus Dumbledore, who could only cower in Hogwarts and accomplish nothing. It was obvious who was stronger and who was weaker. Peter was overjoyed with his wisdom. He seemed to see that he would have a life admired by thousands, a future far more glorious than that of his father, who died as a hero!

But what exactly happened?

How could the all-powerful Dark Lord be defeated by a frail baby who can't even walk?

Peter had no time to think about such things; he had to escape quickly to avoid suffering the same fate as his irresponsible father who abandoned his widow and children and died in humiliation.

Sirius Black has returned from hell to seek revenge, but this time, no one can protect him!

What should we do? Go back to the Dark Lord?

It is said that the Dark Lord did not die, but is lurking in the forests of Albania, barely clinging to life like himself. But what use would he be if he returned to such a weak person?

There's no time to hesitate anymore; a decision must be made as soon as possible.

Black has a way of circumventing the powerful ancient magic and Dementors of Hogwarts and safely infiltrating the castle. These fearless and talented individuals are always capable of anything.

There is no doubt that he will continue to try to kill himself.

It was no longer safe for the Weasley boy to stay with them, not only because of Black, but also because of another person, a wizard far more terrifying than Black, who had returned to the castle.

Amosta Blaine – yet another exceptionally talented wizard.

Following the Weasley boy, Peter heard a lot of valuable information about the young wizard.

In the first half of the year, he learned from the three young wizards what had happened in the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin—Amostre Blaine had easily defeated a basilisk that had survived since the time of Slytherin, and had personally destroyed the Dark Lord from his student days.

Peter clearly realized at that time that this was a powerful wizard who could rival the Dark Lord and Albus Dumbledore at their peak in the future.

Amostella Blaine has been recalled to Hogwarts by Dumbledore to serve as Head of the Office of Student Safety, and his primary task at present is to capture Sirius Black.

Peter didn't know if Amosta Blaine could actually catch Black. If she did, things would get even more complicated. Amosta Blaine's appearance would only make the situation more dangerous.

Peter hoped that Black would die directly at the hands of the Dementors or the Spellbreakers. This would be the best outcome, because neither side would listen to any of Black's nonsense; they would kill him as soon as they saw him and wouldn't stop until he breathed his last.

But what if Blake falls into the hands of Amosta Blaine?

Peter knew his former good friend was a skilled wizard, but he would be powerless against a wizard as powerful as the Dark Lord and a young Albus Dumbledore!

Amos Stark won't kill Black; he's 'loyal' to Dumbledore. He'll hand Black over to Dumbledore, and then something truly terrible will happen to Peter.

Dumbledore will definitely try to find out why Black 'betrayed' the Potters back then.

The truth has come out, and everything has become clear!

His life, the life he risked becoming a traitor to save by living as a rat for twelve years, was about to be lost. Along with it, he would lose the only thing he left his mother: that her son, like his husband, was a hero.

Feigning death to escape

He had done it before, and now he had no choice but to do it again.

But they cannot leave Hogwarts.

This way, he could find out Black's fate in time. As long as Black didn't fall into the hands of Amostrum Blaine and Dumbledore, he would still have a chance to return to the Weasley boy's side.