Chapter Twenty-Two: Rowena Explains It All

"Now there's the question of what we're going to do with Pettigrew," said Dumbledore.

"Let me at him," growled Sirius. Mr. Weasley, who was now able to move, as we all were, held him back.

"Send him to Azkaban," said Harry.

"But he'll be able to escape as I did," said Sirius.

"No he won't," said Hermione. "He'll lose his powers. You kept yours because you're innocent, and he isn't."

"Don't send me to Azkaban," whined Peter Pettigrew. "I was under Voldemort's spell...I had no control over my own actions..."

"Oh shut up, no one's listening to you anyway," Fred yawned.

"Can I please curse him?" pleaded Sirius.

"No," said Dumbledore.

"Just one little curse...Body-Bind or something....please..."

"No."

"Can I, then?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Look," said Dumbledore. "He's going to the Dementors. Isn't that bad enough?"

"Not for him, the traitorous filth," said Sirius. Remus barked in agreement.

"Well," sighed Dumbledore, "I suppose..."

Half an hour later, a green-skinned, body-bound, massive-tongued, bald, wart-covered, pus-oozing, foul-smelling Wormtail was transferred to Azkaban. We all cheered. The sun was rising, and Remus was a man again.

I looked at Malfoy in the corner, now human also.

"Sirius...you didn't kill him, did you?" I asked.

Sirius walked over to Malfoy and checked his pulse. "No. He's just knocked out."

"Well, that's good, I guess," said Ginny.

The book hopped up and actually spoke. "Well," it said, in a lilting Irish voice, "I guess I've got a bit of explaining to do."

We all settled back, eager to hear what it had to say.

"First of all," it said, "excellent work, all of you. I suppose you'd like to know where you are. This dungeon is Salazar Slytherin's old office. It's directly below Snape's classroom.

"Second," it said, "About the R is above S thing...it means that Ravenclaw will always triumph over Slytherin. Third, Sirius and Remus, both of you have powers of which you are not aware. When the two of you are together, your combined powers are so great that no mortal harm can come to those in your care."

"Wish we'd known that when James and Lily were still alive," Remus muttered bitterly. Sirius put his arms around him.

"Third, the fraternity of the night."

"Is someone going to die?!" I exclaimed.

"No. Just listen. Hermione, you're clever of mind. You'll leave this world for the next; you're going back to the Muggle world until school starts again."

"You could have just said that outright," she muttered. "I thought I was done for."

"Harry, you're noble of heart. You've suffered for ten years with the Dursleys; sorry, dear, two more years of suffering left,"

"Great," said Harry, rolling his eyes.

"None of that, young man. I don't create the future, I merely predict it. Jo, you're kind of nature." The voice softened. "I know you grieve for your mother."

Blinking back tears, I nodded. The book continued. "Percy, you're the traitor who sought to end their happiness, and you're going to be punished for your deeds. No, not Azkaban," it said, noting the look on his face. "I've already taken the liberty of arranging your punishment."

Percy gulped, his face pale.

"Now that you're no longer in pay of Lord Voldemort, you're going to need a new job."

Percy nodded.

"I've sent in an application for you, and you're accepted."

His eyes began to dart around nervously.

"They expect you to start on Monday. Now, I know you're going to be upset..."

"Oh no, what?"

"...but it's for your own good..."

"Rowena, what's my new job?"

"...and you do deserve punishment..."

"WHAT IS IT!"

"You're going to be a photographer for Playwitch."