Wikeni was beginning to get used to Severus' house on Spinner's End. Although it had been rather filthy when she moved in, she and some fellow named Wormtail's efforts made it quite livable. Wikeni didn't quite like the short, simpering man, but tolerated him because Severus said it was only on the Dark Lord's orders that he was there. Severus was gone from the house more often than she liked, which left her alone with Wormtail, and as much as she didn't like to admit it, she did feel pity for the poor man. She still had to play her part as a cunning American witch, however, and although she disliked it somewhat, she found she could be very persuasive.
"What's your real name, Wormtail?" she asked one day as they were cleaning off all of Severus' books in the main room.
"Peter Pettigrew."
"I've got a cousin named Peter."
"Oh," he said, distracted.
"Are you afraid of me?" she asked, putting down her duster and placing her hands on her hips.
Wormtail looked startled for a second, but suddenly looked away.
"I shouldn't speak unless ordered to. The Dark Lord…"
"…Is not here. I have yet to even meet him," she spat. She softened, though, and, being quite curious, asked, "What's he like?"
Wormtail's eyes became very wide and watery.
"He is gracious… and… powerful… and… I should not say more."
"Will he kill you if you speak to me?"
"Not that I know of…"
"Well, as horrible as everyone says he is, I'm sure he wouldn't kill you for no reason."
He merely shuddered and resumed cleaning a row of rather large novels.
"But seriously, are you afraid of me? I know you dislike my husband…"
"No! No, I don't dislike him, really, he is quite generous…"
"Shut up. I can tell you hate him. And I understand why… That's why I think this 'Dark Lord' guy and I would probably get along… we might be the only ones who really love Severus." She sighed and shook her head, lifting her duster again. "But you didn't answer my question."
He paused for a moment.
"Yes."
"Yes? Yes, you are afraid of me?"
He merely nodded, shaking slightly. She laughed lightly.
"What could I possibly do to you that could make you fear me? I cannot use my magic, and although I do know some basic self defense, I'm sure a wand would do me in faster than I could say Triangle Choke."
Wormtail's face lightened, but he squealed, "If I do wrong, Severus will know, he knows everything, and then the Dark Lord will know, the Master, and he will come to kill me!"
He grimaced and bit down on his short, filthy fingernails. Wikeni noticed that they were choppy and bitten down quite low. She went on anyway.
"So I suspect you think I'd tattle on you if you gave me grief?"
He nodded maniacally.
"Pfft, if Severus knows everything, what would he need me for? He could just read your mind. And besides, I'm not like that."
Although Wormtail shuddered again, his weak smile seemed more genuine. Wikeni looked away and resumed her dusting.
"Of course, you know, you can tell me things."
Wormtail froze. "What kinds of things?" he whimpered. She turned around to face him, her face no longer warm and inviting, her tone cold and dry, her eyes frozen onto his face with the iciest of looks. Wormtail cowered slightly.
"Where does Severus go when he's not here?" she asked.
Wormtail hesitated, but soon began to tell her everything.