bacchusnovels Chapter 353 Peter Pettigrew's Nightmare
Chapter 353 Peter Pettigrew's Nightmare
Chapter 353 Peter Pettigrew's Nightmare
To be precise, this meeting could be called the "Second Plenary Meeting of the Anti-Sean Alliance".
The conference chair and initiator, Daphne, is giving her speech.
"This weekend, I plan to test Phillips myself, using the methods he finds most irresistible."
"Daphne, is it really safe to do this...?" Penelope looked at her with some concern. "You mean, you really want to test him with your body?"
"Penelope, you should understand that sometimes you have to pay a price to uncover a person's true colors."
And I'm willing to bear the consequences this time...:
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"Now, we need to determine more details," Daphne continued. "We need to get close to Phillips without arousing suspicion. Gentlemen, could you help me find some of his event schedules? We need the right opportunity."
As soon as Daphne finished speaking, Penelope excitedly raised her hand.
"I've secretly noticed that every weekend, he'd sneak off to the History of Magic classroom with a suitcase, I wonder what he's up to. I bet there's something fishy going on."
"If we can take advantage of this opportunity..."
"Miss Cho Chang, you're playing against Gryffindor next week. Are you ready?"
Sean looked at Qiu Zhang, who hadn't left the classroom after class and was standing in front of him, and said with a smile.
Qiu Zhang pursed his lips slightly, his fingers gently twisting his sleeve, his eyes somewhat unfocused, as if he was hesitating about how to speak.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to raise her head and meet Sean's gaze.
"Professor, actually... there's something I'd like to ask you."
Qiu Zhang's voice was soft, with a slight tremor, as if he was afraid of being overheard.
Sean raised an eyebrow slightly. "Of course, Miss Cho Chang, is there anything I can help you with?"
Qiu Zhang hesitated for a moment, his gaze sweeping over his face, before he made up his mind again.
"I...I know next week's competition is very important for the academy, but besides the competition, there's something else bothering me." She paused, a barely perceptible blush rising on her face. "Do you remember the promise you made to me last time?"
When Sean heard her words, he was slightly taken aback. The smile in his eyes did not diminish, but his tone carried a hint of inquiry.
"Oh? Of course I remember. It seems Miss Qiu Zhang is here today to fulfill her conditions?"
Qiu Zhang nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her voice, but her nervousness made her speak a little faster: "Professor, last time you said that if I was willing, you would help me solve a problem that was bothering me."
She paused, her gaze unconsciously lowering, a hint of unease in her eyes. "Actually—I've recently encountered some bottlenecks, not just in terms of spells, but—well, regarding my future direction and choices."
Sean nodded. It was perfectly normal for a young wizard to encounter some confusing choices at such a young age. "Is this the direction you're heading in the future?"
Qiu Zhang mustered his courage and continued, "I hope to receive your advice, even guidance... I've been hesitant, unsure if I'm on the right path. You are someone I admire, and your opinion is very important to me."
Upon hearing Cho Chang's words, Sean's smile deepened.
"I am honored that you trust me so much, Miss Akiharu."
"Everyone encounters moments like this, especially in a place like Hogwarts where one can grow, and the choices for the future are not easily made."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"However, I will do my best to help you find your own answer."
"Believe me, the future is open, and your potential is far greater than you imagine. We can find a time to talk privately, if you'd like."
Upon hearing these words, Qiu Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, and the blush on his face deepened.
She nodded slightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, Professor. I... would be very happy to."
"Then let's set it for Sunday," Sean said with a smile.
Qiu Zhang smiled slightly, then nodded, a complex expression appearing on his face, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
She said softly, "Okay, see you on Sunday, Professor."
Shortly after Cho Chang left the classroom, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Ron rushed in, looking flustered and anxious, glancing around as if searching for something.
"Professor!" Ron called out breathlessly, his eyes filled with urgency, "Have you seen my spots? They've disappeared again!"
Sean paused for a moment, then looked puzzled. "Spotty? You mean your pet mouse?"
Ron nodded vigorously, his face filled with anxiety. "Yes, it's gone again! I can't find it anywhere. I've searched the entire dorm and common rooms, but it's just not there!"
Sean gave him a reassuring smile, signaling him to calm down. "Ron, maybe it just went out to find some food. Mice sometimes do wander off to other places. Have you looked around the kitchen area?"
"I looked, but it's never been gone for this long before—" Ron's voice was filled with worry as he complained, "It's been getting lost a lot lately, and it takes so long to find it each time."
Sean nodded thoughtfully, then said gently, "Perhaps you could try leaving some of its favorite food, like some dry bread crumbs, in the places it usually goes. Maybe that will lure it back."
Ron blinked, slightly puzzled. "Do you really think this will work?"
"Give it a try. Sometimes, animals have a better instinct than we think," Sean comforted him. "If we haven't found it by tomorrow, I'll try to find another way."
Ron nodded gratefully, managing a weak smile. "Thank you, Professor. Please let me know if you see this!"
Sean patted him gently on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Ron. If Scabbers is still at Hogwarts, we'll find it."
After Ron left, Sean went to Filch's office alone.
If he wasn't mistaken, Peter Pettigrew must have discovered something, but...
At night, at the other end of Hogwarts, a short man with disheveled hair carefully made his way through the dimly lit corridor.
A hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
"He...he really got in!" Peter roared inwardly, his voice barely audible.
Those sharp eyes had already recognized him completely.
Similarly, he recognized the owner of those eyes.
Several terrifying images flashed through his mind: Harry's anger, Sirius's revenge, and his fate of being taken away by the Dementors of Azkaban.
This fear almost completely crushed him.
He could no longer hesitate; he had to escape.
Under the cover of darkness, Peter Pettigrew trembled slightly and instantly transformed into a gray little mouse, its limbs nimbly and nimbly moving through the shadows.
He glided swiftly along the winding corridors of Hogwarts, hugging the walls, each step careful, afraid of making any noise that might disturb others.
As he rounded a corner, he heard footsteps—deep and steady, accompanied by whispers and echoing footsteps.
He held his breath, his eyes fixed on the source of the light.
It was Filch, or rather Sirius.
He is carrying an oil lamp and walking this way.
Peter quickly hid in the shadows, his body tense, his eyes fixed on the flickering oil lamp.
The dim light cast dappled shadows on the wall, like countless eyes coldly watching him.
The figure drew ever closer, and Peter's fear grew—if he were discovered, he would not escape Sirius's revenge.
The light of the oil lamp gradually stopped near the corner where he was hiding, and the air seemed to grow heavy.
Peter held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest.
Just then, a slight noise came from the other end of the corridor, breaking the silence.
Sirius Black turned around abruptly, his eyes warily fixed on the direction of the sound.
Peter was overjoyed and seized the opportunity to quickly turn around, silently sliding along the base of the wall and slipping away in the opposite direction.
He climbed swiftly with all fours, making every effort to avoid making a sound, as he passed through dark corners.
Peter knew that Sirius would not let him go easily, but he had to escape, no matter the cost.
He knew that there was a secret passage on the east side of Hogwarts leading to the cellars, narrow and dark, but leading to the Forbidden Forest—his only chance of survival.
Peter ran as fast as he could, the only sound the heavy breathing around him. Finally, he saw the familiar entrance to the secret passage.
A long-abandoned corner of the wall, with a few loose stone bricks.
Just when he thought he was about to escape.
All I could hear was a deep voice in my ear.
"I finally caught you—"
"So it was all just a dream."
Peter awoke with a start from his nightmare, his clothes soaked in cold sweat, his heart pounding.
Sirius's gloomy voice still lingers in my ears from the dream I just had.
He gasped for breath, his heart pounding with fear, and looked around to make sure he was still hiding in a secluded corner of Hogwarts, in the quiet of the night, with no one else around.
He closed his eyes, trying to calm the palpitations caused by the nightmare.
However, the sound seemed to still echo in my ears, lingering for a long time.
"I have to get out of here," he muttered to himself, his tone revealing despair and determination.
Sirius had already recognized him, and every second he lingered meant greater danger.
He knew that if he didn't escape Hogwarts as soon as possible, he would face endless pursuit and exposure.
Peter carefully transformed back into his mouse form and tiptoed through the dark corridor once more, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his chest.
He held his breath and silently approached the familiar entrance to the secret passage, just one step away from escaping.
Just as he was about to enter the secret passage, a familiar and deep voice came from behind him.
"I've got you again!" Peter froze, his whole body trembling as fear crept up his spine.
It turns out that what happened just now wasn't a dream.
Five hours ago.
Sean walked into Filch's office.
Filch opened the door and saw Sean. He seemed a little surprised, but then bowed slightly to let him in.
Sean glanced around discreetly, then whispered, "Sirius, he's run away again."
"You mean Peter... Scabbers ran away again?"
"Ron searched the dorms and common rooms, even the area near the kitchen, but he still couldn't find it."
"That damn Peter, he must have sensed something to keep running away."
Sean thought for a moment, then took out the Marauder's Map and handed it to Sirius.
"The map will show everyone's current location, and as long as Peter is at Hogwarts, we'll definitely be able to find him." He paused for a moment, then added, "However, you must use it carefully and not let anyone notice."
Sirius nodded, gently touched the map, and murmured the activation incantation: "I solemnly swear I have no ill intentions."
As he finished speaking, the complex structure of the castle and names slowly moving across the Marauder's Map appeared.
Sirius's eyes quickly scanned the map, searching for that familiar name.
"I didn't see his name—could he have already left?" Sirius frowned slightly, a hint of anxiety appearing on his face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Wherever he is, as long as he's still at Hogwarts, we'll eventually catch him."
"Look, isn't he right here?" Sean's finger stopped at the corner of the map, pointing to a slowly moving name—"Peter Pediru".
The following day, the morning sunlight streamed through the windows into the Hogwarts corridors.
Sean walked ahead, carrying a small cage in his hand, inside which huddled a slightly trembling gray mouse—Banban.
It seemed still shaken, its whiskers trembling slightly, and it huddled uneasily in its cage.
When Sean and Filch pushed open the door to the Gryffindor common room, the students inside were instantly stunned.
Filch's figure was somewhat out of place in their common room. He always seemed to be searching for students' mistakes and rarely appeared in the students' "safe zone".
Everyone's eyes turned to him in surprise, some whispered among themselves, and some even quietly took a step back, as if Filch might pull out a "discipline list" from his pocket at any moment.
Ron was no exception. When he saw the cage in Sean's hand, he was pleased for a moment, then his eyes lit up and he rushed forward with surprise.
"Professor! This is my Scabbers!" Ron's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement as he carefully took the cage from the little creature inside, as if afraid of hurting it. "Professor, how did you find it? I searched everywhere and couldn't find it—"
Sean smiled gently and patted Ron on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Scabbers just ran into the cellar and was found by Mr. Filch and me."
Ron looked at Sean with a face full of gratitude.