1993
PETER PETTIGREW RETURNS!
Thirteen years ago, young wizard Peter Pettigrew was apparently murdered by the infamous Sirius Black. (See story on page 24) Yesterday, Pettigrew showed himself to be alive.
Pettigrew requested an audience with Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge and Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore early yesterday afternoon. After much initial confusion, Pettigrew was proved to be himself, and told a compelling story.
"When I was fifteen," he said, "James Potter, Sirius Black, and I, all became illegal Animagi. We did it because our friend Remus Lupin was a werewolf."
Pettigrew, when faced with death at former friend Black's hands, transformed himself into his usual shape, a rat, and scurried away.
"I was s-scared," he recalls now. "Two of my closest friends were traitors, and the Potters were dead. I foolishly didn't even know whether to trust Dumbledore… and poor Harry was just a baby…" Pettigrew remained hidden for thirteen years.
Pettigrew also provided more evidence, currently classified, about Black's and Lupin's support of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. "They staged a fight, I remember, so that we'd trust Sirius more, and then Sirius turned J-James and Lily in to Voldemort." He will also be working closely with the Ministry to finally apprehend Lupin and Black. "It's important to also remember that Sir-Black is also an Animagus. He's probably using that disguise to travel around, since so many people recognize his face."
Black's animal form is a large black dog, almost like a Grim. Any sightings should be reported immediately.
Albus Dumbledore sighed, carefully folded the paper, and set it aside on his desk. It had been a great shock to the Wizarding world when Black escaped from Azkaban, and now this? Things were starting to turn very chaotic. And with Harry Potter at school, he wasn't even positive he could keep the Hogwarts atmosphere normal for all the other students.
Part of him wished they hadn't released most of this information to the press- just the warning about Sirius Black's Animagus form. But in the long run, they deserved to know what was happening.
That was another thing- Black, Pettigrew, and Potter being Animagi. Pettigrew was the most shocking; as an impartial headmaster, Albus would not have thought the boy had it in him. Of course, he wouldn't expect little Peter to turn into the confident defender of good. And he didn't expect Black and Lupin to betray their friends. Those boys were close, and the Animagus incident only proved it.
Albus picked up his cup of tea and drank. There was so much to worry about these days- Black and Lupin, Pettigrew, Harry Potter… and, of course, the new school year. He was Headmaster first and foremost.
A large black dog slinked down the street, glancing at the fancy suburban houses on each side. Harry… Harry… Harry… he thought. Where's Harry?
Just a glimpse of Harry, please. He begged, wincing when he hit his sore pads on the pavement too roughly. It was dark, but the houses were welcomingly lighted- probably dinner time. Mmm, food. He almost stopped to beg at one of the Muggle houses. The wizard world was now on alert for his Grim form, but surely there was no way Muggles could understand that… Well, not now. Now the most important thing was Harry. I wonder what he looks like… more like James or Lily?
Suddenly there was a commotion ahead, at the street corner. Sirius noticed the small figure, and dashed towards it. There! It was Harry! It had to be Harry!
He was standing on the corner, a look of anger on his face, his trunk and broom beside him. Sirius hesitated for a second- it would be safer for himself and possibly for Harry if he just stayed out of it, watched from the shadows- but then plunged forward into the circle of light cast by a street lamp. He couldn't trust his godson, James' son, to the Ministry. Not any more, now that the rat Pettigrew had such power there.
Author's Note: Again, it's short. Again. I'm really sorry. I've been overloaded with work, and recently I was home sick and decided to write more; but I don't know when I'll be able to write again so I'm just putting up what I have. I'm also trying to break it up to make it less confusing. Hope to get more up soon!
