will be deducted 
For twelve years after the war, I never spoke a word to anyone.
I played the role of a harmless little rat, bringing joy to my master’s family.
A rat doesn’t eat much, so I wasn’t a financial burden, nor did I feel ashamed of surviving by being endearing.
When I first stepped into society, I tried to work a normal job, live a normal life, and express my thoughts at work—only to be met with ridicule.
Even when I was proven right, all it brought me was jealousy and resentment.
It was an era of war, where everything was only black or white.
I had no extreme beliefs, nor did I dare to ask questions. I only wanted to live, to wake up each morning without fearing for my life.
I always tried to lighten the mood, always apologized first, always gave people a way out…
Until everyone saw me as a clown.
Until I was filled with resentment, my patience for humility and kindness was long gone.
"They don’t see your worth, but I do."
The enemy’s leader captured me during my final mission—just before I was about to leave for good.
"You and I are the same. I couldn’t survive among those so-called ‘saints’ either."
He untied my ropes.
"What binds you is your false friendship."
With a smile, he said, "Enjoy your retirement, Peter."
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"What did you do to this cat?"
Through the haze, he heard a young man ask.
A familiar old man replied, "Testing the Resurrection Stone. Besides, I need absolute certainty about the truth."
"You killed the cat!" the young man shouted.
"Do you have a better vessel for possession?" the old man countered.
"You could have just summoned his soul!"
"I wanted him to stay longer—to help us catch a rat."
"Ha! So catching a rat was your real goal all along."
"Unless you’d rather play the cat?"
The young man fell silent.
The old man turned back to the cat and asked, "James, can you hear me?"
The cat, confused, tried to stand on all four legs and let out a soft meow.
His last memory was of being killed by the Dark Lord.
His wife and child were in danger.
It was the rat who betrayed him!
"Meow!" He cried out urgently, trying to ask the old man what had happened.
The old man stroked his bristling fur, soothingly saying, "Twelve years have passed, James. Who betrayed you? Was it Sirius?"
The cat shook his head.
The old man sighed. "So it was Peter after all."
The cat nodded vigorously, then turned in confusion to the unfamiliar young man.
The old man introduced him, "This is Tom, the owner of the Resurrection Stone."
Tom looked at him with sympathy and said, "Hello, James."
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"I think Peter should be the Secret-Keeper."
Sirius rested a hand on Peter's shoulder.
"You're planning to go into hiding anyway, aren't you?"
Lily frowned. "Don't joke about that. It's not funny."
James sighed. "This might be the last time we see each other. Too bad Remus couldn't make it…" He glanced outside at the full moon.
Peter comforted him, "You'll be fine. I know it."
Sirius scoffed. "Hah! You spineless coward. How dare have the nerve to say that?"
"Enough," Lily snapped. "Not everyone wants to fight a war."
Sirius opened his mouth to argue, but James quickly pressed his arm to stop him.
Lily didn’t hold back. "Peter has put up with you two for years. All this time, he never once complained. Could you stop bullying him for once?"
Peter said nothing, but a flicker of gratitude crossed his face. James tried to smooth things over. "Sirius just doesn’t want Peter to lose faith. He wants him to stand alongside with us."
Sirius scoffed again. "Hah! As if I’d stand with him. Who knows, he could be the traitor all along."
Lily shot back, "I trust Peter more than I trust you."
Sirius sneered. "Fine! Then make him the Secret-Keeper. Not like I care."
Peter’s eyes widened. "Wait—no, I… This…"
Everyone turned to look at him.
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"Why are you always targeting Sirius?"
James and Lily argued after returning home.
"Then why are you always targeting Severus?"
"He's a Death Eater!"
"You pushed him into it! If you hadn’t hidden the letters I sent—"
"He's a Slytherin!"
"He wouldn’t have become a Death Eater if you had just let me talk to him!"
A baby’s cries cut through their argument.
Lily turned away and picked up Harry, soothing him. "Sev never meant to hurt you. He should have been your dear godfather."
Over the wailing, James muttered, "Maybe he should’ve even been his father, too."
Lily shot him a glare. James ducked out of the room to cool off.
Outside, he found Peter standing by the door. "How long have you been listening?"
"I just wanted to check when we’re meeting for me to drop off supplies."
James sighed, "I think we got married too soon."
Peter said nothing.
"Do you think Snape would have been better for her than me?"
Peter hesitated. "I think she’s just going through postpartum depression. Don’t overthink it."
"I think I should get a divorce."
"Ha! Funny, that feeling seems mutual." Lily’s voice came from inside—she had been eavesdropping.
Peter glanced awkwardly at James and quickly excused himself.
As he came back several more times to deliver supplies, he found the tension between the couple felt like they were ready to kill each other at any moment.
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"Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban for me..." James, now a cat, placed his front paw on the crystal ball, his voice emerging from within.
"He never explained himself, nor did he seek my help," Dumbledore said.
Tom added, "We need to let Harry uncover the truth on his own. He must be the one to clear Blacks' name—it will help build his image as the Chosen One."
James questioned, "Why does he need an image? Harry is already the prophesied child. And who are you, anyway?"
Dumbledore explained, "Tom is the one who discovered that Scabbers isn't just a rat. And Harry’s public image could lure Voldemort into a formal public duel."
James asked, "Don't you believe in the prophecy? Why make things so complicated?"
Tom countered, "What’s the alternative? Storm into the Weasley house, drag Pettigrew out, dose him with Veritaserum, and call in a squad of Aurors and judges to witness?"
Dumbledore interjected, "Enough. We cannot openly discredit the Ministry of Magic by exposing their flawed trial. More importantly, James, Harry is under immense scrutiny in the wizarding world. We need him to gradually grow into his role and live up to that level of attention. So, will you help us guide Harry to the truth?"
James still eyed Tom with suspicion.
Dumbledore reassured him, "Tom works for me, James. Focus."
The cat hesitated, then finally nodded.
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"Ginny, have you ever considered transferring to another school?"
Bill took the opportunity to speak with his sister alone while the family was sightseeing.
Ginny glared at him. "Do you think I'm scared?"
Bill bit his lip and said, "Black will definitely try to find Harry, and 'You know who' has already managed to sneak into the school twice. So... if you want to transfer, I'm willing to support you."
Ginny understood his concern and said, "I can handle it myself."
Bill replied, "If I had been controlled by 'You know who' and lost nearly a whole academic year of my memory, I wouldn't be as brave as you. Or rather... you've really fallen for that Harry, haven't you?"
Ginny neither confirmed nor denied it.
It was she who had deliberately placed Scabbers on Ron’s shoulder at the last moment when they were taking that photo.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYInhTzSdmL
Tom had told her everything behind the scenes, and she had to keep it secret.
"I trust Dumbledore, Bill. Everything will be fine," was all she could say, her eyes showing no trace of fear.
Bill sighed. "Alright. Just write me more letters. You didn’t send me a single one last year—I thought you had forgotten about me."
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Peter knew he had been set up.
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He had seen too many people who were not what they seemed.
That very night, he attempted to leave this family.
Pop!
The moment he got ten meters away from Ron, he was instantly transported back to his side.
Inside the room, Ron remained deep in sleep, completely unaware.
A young man emerged from the shadows.
"It’s useless. I placed a curse on you. Unless you reveal your true form to your master, you won’t be able to leave."
Peter was stunned.
What the hell? Who is he? Am I dreaming?
Ron snored softly in his sleep.
The young man crouched down and said, "Or you could tell me why you betrayed your friends, and I’ll plead for you to Dumbledore. This is your last chance."
Peter let out a sharp squeaking noise, trying to wake Ron up.
Ron mumbled something, turned over, and threw his blanket over Peter’s head.
By the time Peter crawled out from the pile of fabric, the young man had vanished—disappearing into the air, just as mysteriously as he had appeared.
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"It was you who delivered Lily’s letters to me all along."
A twenty-year-old Severus Snape stepped out from behind the tree.
Peter was just about to place her letter into the hollow of the tree—the secret spot they had agreed upon.
"I… don’t want them to know." Peter glanced around nervously.
Snape softened a little and asked, "Is she doing well?"
Peter recalled all the arguments and couldn’t bring himself to say “yes.”
Snape sighed. "I really don’t understand why you’re friends with them. They treat you even worse than they treat me."
Peter replied, "There were only us four boys that year in our house. We shared the same dormitory."
Snape said, "But you’ve graduated for a while, haven’t you?"
Peter replied, "Yet, I can’t find an unrelated job. This war has dragged on for too long."
Snape was silent for a moment before saying, "Thanks."
He stuffed his own letter into Peter’s pocket and took Lily’s letter from his hands.
"I… I’m sorry." Peter murmured.
Snape looked at him, puzzled.
"I should have stood up back then. I should have stopped them." Peter said.
Snape saw the tears welling up in Peter’s eyes and said coolly, "I don’t need your pity."
Then, gazing toward the distant sky, he added, "This war will be over soon."
Peter watched as Snape disappeared into the mist, feeling a whirlwind of emotions inside him.
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"You’re the traitor!"
James roared when he discovered that Lily had been hiding Severus’s letters.
Lily screamed back, "What the hell are you talking about?!"
"It’s always been you!"
James was furious, not even noticing that Harry was wailing.
Peter was once again outside the door, hesitating whether he should knock.
"We never talked about anything related to the war."
"Oh, really? Who else is in on it with you? Peter? I knew it!"
"Don’t take it out on him."
"Oh yeah? Have you slept with him too?"
Lily couldn’t take it anymore. She ran out the door and crashed straight into Peter.
Peter looked at James’s terrifying expression and then at Harry, crying his lungs out.
Lily shoved Peter aside and bolted. Peter, not daring to stay with an enraged James, chased after her.
Lily ran all the way to the riverside, crouched down, and hugged herself, sobbing.
Peter sat beside her and softly said, "Severus saw me. He gave me your reply."
Lily held out her hand, and Peter handed her the letter along with a handkerchief.
After a while, Lily slowly calmed down and murmured, "I don’t want Harry to grow up in this kind of environment. I’m a terrible mother."
Peter reassured her, "The war will be over soon. Dumbledore will win."
Lily shook her head. "If the prophecy is true, Harry needs to at least grow old enough to hold a wand."
"It could be Longbottom’s son," Peter said.
"Ha, then we just have to sit and wait for eleven years to find out." Lily sniffled.
The two of them sat in silence, watching the river flow.
"Does Severus look well?" Lily said.
"…The same as always," Peter said.
"And you? Have you found a new job?" Lily said.
"No," Peter said.
"Have you reached out to anyone else?" Lily said.
"Remus and Sirius are both busy," Peter said.
"Then why… did you suddenly quit?" Lily said.
Peter remained silent for a long time before saying darkly, "I’ve tired. No one knows I’m an Animagus. I risked my life to gather all that intel, but I couldn’t tell anyone. Those Aurors… every time I showed up at headquarters, they would mock me, openly or behind my back."
Lily comforted him, "I see you, Peter. Don’t let them get to you. You’re brave."
"No! you don’t understand. The Dark Lord saw me. I thought I was going to die!" Peter clutched his head, his breathing rapid.
Lily patted his back gently. "It’s okay, it’s okay. He’s not here. He’s not here. You’re safe, Peter. You’re safe. I’m here…"
Peter gradually calmed down, panting as he stared at the flowing river.
Lily whispered, "I just want this war to be over."
Peter said, "You should get a divorce."
"I don’t want Harry to grow up without a father," Lily said.
Peter didn’t respond.
Lily finally stood up. "I should go back. Harry needs me."
Peter said, "Wait! Don’t take the letter back with you. James will kill me."
Lily hesitated before opening the letter to read it.
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I'm sorry, you were right all along. Soon, you won't have to suffer anymore.17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sj02xvZyL
'
Lily gasped sharply.
"What’s wrong?" Peter asked.
She said, "I think Severus is doing something dangerous, for my sake."
Peter tried to comfort her. "They live in danger every day."
Lily said, "This time, he really said goodbye to me."
Peter responded, "…Then there is nothing we can do."
Lily murmured, "I should’ve married him a long time ago."
Peter replied, "It’s too late now."
"No, Peter, tell him I’m here. I have to see him."
"Lily, you’re crazy."
"Peter, please help me. I can’t… I can’t watch him die."
Lily broke down in tears again, and this time, Peter gently patted her back.
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On his way home,
"Stay away from Lily!" Sirius slammed Peter against the wall.
"James told me in the two-way mirror, this filthy rat!"
Peter whispered fearfully, "But... Lily... James doesn't treat her well!"
"That’s none of your business!" Sirius shout.
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Peter returned home in a gloomy mood, and his mother noticed a bruise on his face.
"Oh, Merlin, who did this to you? A Death Eater?" She asked.
Peter tried to avoid his mother's scrutiny, "No, it was Sirius."
"Why did he hit you? Did you do something wrong?"
Peter, enraged, felt his heart rate increase: "Why isn’t it 'his' fault?"
His mother chuckled bitterly, "How long have they been taking care of you? Can’t you occasionally not hold them back?"
Peter was utterly confused. How could his own mother look down on him so much?
"Ha, you’d rather the 'noble' Sirius and the 'saintly' James were your sons."
"Don’t take it out on me. You’re the one who quit your job! I never wanted you to move back in with me!"
"Yeah! You’d rather your son die on the battlefield than accept that I’m a 'failure'!"
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In that late night, under a light drizzle, Peter sat on a bench, homeless. The bank was closed, and the coins in his wallet weren’t enough for a room.
"What a hard day," Suddenly, someone held an umbrella over him and said. Peter looked up and saw Severus.
"Are you looking for me?" Peter didn’t believe it could be that coincidental.
Severus asked, "Did Lily reply to my letter?"
Peter stayed silent. Severus sat down beside him.
"What happened to your face?" Severus asked
"Nothing," Peter said.
"I can help heal it," Severus said.
Peter turned his face away to refuse, "I deserve it. I do need it to remind myself to stay away from them."
Severus said, "This isn’t your fault."
They sat in silence for a long time, the rain pouring heavier.
Peter spoke, "Lily regrets marrying James. She still thinks about you."
Severus responded, "It was my choice to walk further away from her."
Peter said, "This isn’t your fault."
Severus shook his head. "It’s too late to talk about this now."
Peter disagreed. "No."
He looked at Severus with determination. "You should have taken her away."
Severus replied, "You don’t know what you’re talking about."
Peter persisted, "She wants you to go to her, to stop what you’re doing now."
Severus said, "She doesn’t love me. And she has a son now."
Peter urged, "Go to her."
Taking a deep breath, Peter said, "They live at #$%^&@#$%@$% "
Severus froze for a moment, then asked, "Are you serious?"
Peter nodded.
"Thank you." Severus handed Peter a leather pouch. "Take this. Find a place to rest."
"This is too much," Peter said, opening it and seeing the contents.
But Severus was gone.
The umbrella he had held for Peter still eerily floated in midair.
Inside the pouch were thirty silver Sickles.
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