Ch186- The Rat’s Identity!

Ch186- The Rat’s Identity!

Join my Discord!

From his seat at the Slytherin table, Harry glanced over at the Gryffindor table, where the Weasley twins were huddled together, whispering animatedly. It was easy to guess they were probably discussing the map he had "borrowed" from them. With a subtle look, Harry checked his own minimap, now enhanced to display individuals similar to the "Marauder's Map." As he scanned the icons, a name unexpectedly popped up—'Peter Pettigrew.' Harry was stunned; he knew this name well. It was one of his father's closest friends, along with Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. According to what he had learned, Sirius had betrayed his parents leading to their death, and Peter Pettigrew had been killed by Sirius along with twelve Muggles in the aftermath.

However, seeing Pettigrew's name now flickering on his map caused Harry to frown in confusion. His gaze drifted to Ron, who was laughing about something Thomas had said, unaware of Harry's scrutiny. Sitting next to Ron was Scabbers, his pet rat, nibbling on a piece of toast. Harry squinted slightly; he had known the rat was an Animagus since their first encounter, yet its true identity had eluded him until now. He had tried using the Enchanted Mirror for Distant Viewing to spy on the rat, but calling "Scabbers" yielded no results. Harry realized that since the rat was an Animagus and Scabbers wasn’t its real name, the mirror couldn’t locate it. Although he had kept an eye on the rat through Ron, he had never seen it transforming back to human form.

Harry’s thoughts were interrupted by Nigel’s voice, tinged with intrigue, “That’s a bit of a pickle, isn’t it? A dead man munching on toast at the Gryffindor table.”

Grinning at Nigel’s comment, Harry mused aloud, "Looks like we might have a mystery on our hands that's more immediate than the Chamber of Secrets."

“Indeed, Master Harry. And here I thought our biggest worry would be Snape’s new hairstyle,” Nigel quipped.

Harry sighed helplessly, "Ever since he saw Aunt Petunia, Snape started to act different." Nigel laughed in his mind, "Oh, the poor professor. Can't help but be smitten by red-heads, it seems."

Harry frowned when he heard Nigel, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the Gryffindor table where Scabbers, the rat, was making an appearance. "It seems like there's a story behind my godfather's imprisonment," Harry mused. "I was surprised and angry when I learned he betrayed my family. Mum had written in her letter, 'I hope your godfather doesn't lead you astray.' At the time, I found it ironic and confusing, thinking maybe she had suspected Sirius, but then, why wouldn't she have guessed he would be caught and sent to Azkaban? If not, then what did she mean? It's getting more and more confusing."

“Let’s consider the possibilities," Harry thought aloud. "If Pettigrew is alive and disguised as Ron's rat, that could mean Sirius Black might be innocent of killing him and 12 muggles. And if Sirius is innocent on that accord, then everything I knew about him being the reason my parents were betrayed might be wrong."

“Quite the tangled web,” Nigel observed. “And you’re just the wizard to untangle it, eh, Master Harry?”

The diary's response was immediate and chilling. "Revenge can be a powerful motivator, Harry. It can right wrongs and bring justice where it is due." The ink swirled on the page, as if emphasizing its point.

Harry pondered the diary’s words, feeling the dark undertow of its message. Nigel's voice broke through his thoughts, "Sounds like it’s gearing up to start its own motivational podcast."

Snorting quietly at the comment, Harry closed the diary, his suspicions growing. The soul fragment within was cunning, likely laying the groundwork to manipulate him into actions that would serve its dark purposes.

Meanwhile, Harry kept a vigilant eye on Scabbers the rat, using the enchanted map to monitor his movements within Hogwarts. He observed the rat’s routine, noting nothing particularly out of the ordinary, which only deepened the mystery. Why would Pettigrew hide in plain sight for years? And if he was truly innocent, why hadn't he come forward after Sirius's arrest?

One evening, while reflecting on these questions in the common room, Nigel chimed in with his usual dry humor. "Maybe he's waiting for a cheese tasting he can’t afford to miss?"

Harry chuckled softly. "Or maybe he’s just biding his time," Harry mused, still puzzled by the rat’s long-term deception.

--

Please rate and review! Much appreciated! Leave a comment, tell me what you think!

To Read up to 50 advance Chapters (25 for each novel) and suppot me...

Please drop a comment and like the chapter!Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)