Chapter 157 The Power Of Friendship

Ron was trembling. The memories of what he had done in the last month played out in his mind like a film.

He remembered what he had done while being controlled by Peter: it was he who secretly entered the teacher's office late at night to search for the Marauder's Map, wrote a letter to Lucius Malfoy to devise an evil plot, accused the innocent Professor Lupin in front of all the students at school, and revealed Sirius Black's whereabouts to Snape.

All this time, he thought he was doing the right thing. Even though he was being controlled by Pettigrew, he never really tried to resist.

It was because he believed he was saving Harry, Evan, Hermione, and everyone – he was a HERO!

But now, that no longer seems to be true.

He was not a hero, just a total loser. He was the accomplice of the rascal who killed Harry's parents.

Ron's eyes slowly returned to clarity; he could barely believe what he had done.

He actually helped Pettigrew, the murderer who fought for Voldemort and killed Harry's parents. He betrayed Harry, Evan, and Hermione. He failed to honor his friends' trust; he incriminated Professor Lupin, and was also plotting to capture Sirius Black.

Ron trembled as he looked into the eyes of Evan, Harry, and Hermione. They were filled with concern, disappointment, and disbelief.

He felt distressed. He knew he had only been scum all this time. He had to find ways to make amends.

Peter Pettigrew was leading Ron slowly towards the castle door. He asked Black, Evan, Harry, and Hermione to stay put.

He was relieved to realize he had passed through the door. The strange magical barrier that had prevented him from passing through it did not stop him this time. He could feel the fresh, cold air outside the castle.

The sky was pitch dark, and the bright light of the full moon filtered through the air.

In the moonlight, Peter Pettigrew guided Ron. They passed by the place outside the castle and headed towards the nearby Forbidden Forest.

In the distance, the figures of Evan, Harry, Hermione, and Black became increasingly blurry. They gradually disappeared into the towering outline of the castle.

As they approached the Forbidden Forest, Peter was ecstatic to have finally escaped.

Just at that moment, when he thought he was going to succeed, Ron suddenly rebelled.

He tightly grasped Peter's right hand, the one missing a finger, and fought with all his might to retrieve his wand.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ron rebelled against Peter, crying out loud. "I'm sorry, Harry! I'm sorry, Evan! I'm sorry, Hermione! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have doubted you, I should have believed you. Look what I've done..."

He shouted and cried inconsolably.

Upon hearing Ron's voice, Evan, Harry, Hermione, and Black were stunned for a moment. They were glad to see that Ron had managed to recover and overcome the Imperius Curse control with his own willpower. They quickly picked up their wands from the ground and ran towards him and Pettigrew outside the castle.

"Curse it, curse it, what are you doing?!" Peter shouted, unable to understand how Ron had freed himself from his control.

He quickly recited the spell and prepared to regain control over him.

But he was surprised to find that the curse had lost its effect. His magic could no longer control Ron. The boy before him had successfully resisted the Imperius Curse with his strong will.

That was impossible. It was simply incredible.

"No!" Pettigrew couldn't believe Ron could do that.

Is it really Ron?

Is he still the same weak and vile boy he had long considered similar to?

Is this still the same mediocre loser full of envy and resentment towards his friends?

Peter could not understand what had just happened to Ron.

With the strength born from the depths of his heart, Ron's will was stronger than ever.

That was the power of friendship. Pettigrew, who used his friends as bargaining chips and was a wicked traitor, would never comprehend it.

Ron broke free from the Imperius curse and defeated Peter!

Now, among the six people in front of the Hogwarts Castle gate, Peter was the only loser.

"Here, Harry, here, Evan! I've caught him!" Ron's eyes were red. He grabbed Pettigrew's right hand holding the wand and exclaimed, "Don't worry about me; hurry and attack him, you can't let this guy escape!"

"No, this cannot be!" Peter shouted, his voice hoarse and powerless.

He tried to break free from Ron's control, but the latter acted like a madman, ignoring his injuries and the damage sustained, gripping him with both hands.

Seeing the four getting closer and closer, Peter uttered a spell in panic.

Since controlling Ron was impossible, he would at least stop the boy from moving.

But before he could verify if he had succeeded, something suddenly happened beneath his feet and jerked him.

Bang!

Both Peter and Ron fell heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Peter Pettigrew raised his head a few centimeters, surprised, and saw a creature in the grass near him. It seemed familiar to him. He struggled to see what it was, but sweat blurred his eyes; the agile, slim, black figure passed swiftly.

In the distant horizon, the winter night was rapidly becoming notably colder and colder.

Then Peter discovered what it was. They were the Dementors, at least 200 of them. They were drawn by Ron's screams and clustered in black, bringing a chilling, suffocating cold, sliding around the walls of Hogwarts.

The icy sensation pierced his internal organs, and the mist began to cloud his vision.

The Dementors were drawing nearer and nearer, gathering from the darkness, coming from all directions ready to surround him.

"No, no!" Pete murmured, trembling unstably.

He was very, very frightened, almost terrified to death!

Once again, he pondered over what Evan had told him. Those Dementors had come to ensnare him. They sought to extract his soul!

Pettigrew was no longer paying attention to Ron, who was constantly struggling with him. He could no longer think of him, and was staring intently at Black, Evan, Harry, and Hermione who were approaching, as well as the Dementors drawing near. Instinctively, he wanted to flee!

What had happened tonight was truly overwhelming, and things had spiraled completely out of his control.

He didn't want to stay another second. He realized he was simply too feeble, too cowardly, and too petty for all of this. He wasn't ready to carry out this failed scheme. He lacked the courage to remain any longer!

I was in search of the Dark Lord. I wished to conceal myself behind the most powerful man, as I had done before...

For someone weak, hiding behind the strong always proves to be the wisest choice.