Words (526)
Disclaimer: I don't own HP :)
Entry for the Arithmancy - Assess 8: Relationships in Numbers for Hogwarts.
Dedicated to my amazing friend Danni, thanks for this crazy idea!
His eyes darted down the hall, looking for any sign of movement, his hands wringing with nerves. Taking a deep breath, he sneaked into the nearest empty classroom. The door squeaked as he opened it, causing the boy to cringe. He entered and prayed that no one would find him. His rat-like nose crinkling at the dusty air.
"I'm here," he breathed, his eyes looking into the dark corners of the room. A small pop alerted him to a new presence.
"Master Pettigrew," the small house-elf smiled as the teen turned around. His lips spread into an identical smile as he moved closer to the elf.
"Winky," he began, kneeling to her height, "I told you to call me Peter." His lips pressed to hers as her hands wrapped around his neck.
"Peter," she whispered softly.
.o.o.o.
Years passed and Peter moved away. He returned every few months to visit, but slowly it became harder and the boy-turned-man now had other commitments. One fateful Halloween passed and news spread of the Potter's demise. The story was passed around Hogwarts and eventually reached every living creature within its walls. The kitchen was buzzing with the news.
"Did you hear?" a young house elf gossiped, to the disapproval of the elder elves.
"James and Lily Potter, killed by You-Know-Who," the elf continued. "That Sirius Black was the one who turned Potters in, heard a kid say." Winky looked up from the dish she was preparing.
"What you say?" she called to the young elf.
"Black gave Potters up, killed that other one of their group."
"Master Pettigrew?" Winky felt her heart contract.
"That's what Bluster said."
Tears fell slowly down Winky's dirt covered face. Her heart felt strangely full and empty at the same time, making it hard for her to breathe. Her Peter, gone.
.o.o.o.
Ron Weasley arrived at Hogwarts a decade later, his heart elated and eyes wide. A few weeks passed and work started to pile up, his friends became best friends and conspiracies arose. Due to this a few things began slipping his mind. His pet rat, Scabbers, began leaving for longer periods of time without notice. One night the boy had left with Harry Potter and Scabbers took his chance.
He scurried down the halls and through secret passage ways. He slipped through doorways and barely managed to escape a run in with Mrs Norris. He reached the kitchen and stopped. He could not go in there, Winky might make a scene and others might find out about him. He changed his plans, sneaking into a small classroom near the kitchen, and transformed into a man. He slowly spoke for the first time in ten years.
"Winky, please come."
A small pop sounded and he heard a large gasp. Once again tears fell across grimy skin.
"Master Pettigrew, you're alive?" she breathed. He nodded, and for the first time in a decade, his human legs took him across the room, kneeled before the elf and said softly:
"What have I told you?" and just before their lips reunited once more, she closed her eyes and let one word fall from her mouth.
"Peter."