As the tense scene unfolded in the Burrow’s kitchen, Ron’s panic reached its peak. He burst out of his spot, his face flushed and his eyes wide with desperation. “Please, let Scabbers go!” he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear and anger.
Moody’s unyielding gaze remained fixed on the struggling rat, now caught in a shimmering net of magical bindings. “Stay back, Ron. This rat is not what it seems.”
Percy, ever the responsible older brother, moved quickly to restrain Ron. “Ron, calm down! Listen to the adults,” he said, his voice a mixture of stern authority and quiet desperation. He grabbed Ron’s shoulders, trying to pull him back from the scene.
Molly, her face a mask of controlled distress, stepped in to regain order. “Percy, take the rest of the children upstairs to their rooms. Now!” Her voice was firm but edged with anxiety.
Fred and George, their expressions a mix of confusion and outrage, began to protest. “But Mum—” Fred started, stepping forward with his hands on his hips.
Arthur, usually the calm center of the family, cut him off with a voice sharp and strained. “Go to your rooms! Now!” His outburst was uncharacteristic, revealing the strain of the evening’s events.
The children, their faces a mix of fear and concern, trudged up the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. Percy glanced back at them, his expression apologetic but resolute. He guided them to their rooms, but their curiosity kept them peeking through the slightly open door.
Downstairs, Rufus Scrimgeour, maintaining his diplomatic composure, addressed the Weasleys with a tone of regret. “I apologize for the distress this situation has caused. We couldn’t alert you earlier as the rat might have escaped. Given its prolonged presence in your home, it posed a potential danger.”
Arthur’s face was a study in conflict. “But this is outrageous! Scabbers has been a part of our family for years. How can you—”
Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped in, his tone calm but firm. “Arthur, I understand your concerns, but the intelligence we’ve gathered, coupled with the rat’s unusual behavior, made it necessary for us to act. The rumors about a dark wizard in the area left us with no room for error.”
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Rufus seized the moment, his voice authoritative yet soothing. “If I may, I’d like to perform a spell to verify the rat’s true nature. If it turns out to be just an ordinary rat, I’ll offer my sincere apologies, and we can end this misunderstanding.”
Arthur’s gaze wavered, torn between disbelief and the growing realization of the gravity of the situation. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. “Very well. Proceed.”
Rufus stepped closer to the bound rat, his wand held steadily in his hand. “Homunculus Revelio,” he intoned clearly.
The room fell silent as the spell took effect. The children, still peeking from the staircase, gasped as they watched the transformation unfold. Scabbers began to morph, his rat-like fur receding to reveal a disheveled man beneath. The man, now clearly Peter Pettigrew, emerged from the magical bindings with a look of fear and resignation.
The Weasleys watched in stunned disbelief. Molly’s face turned a shade paler, and she clutched at her chest, her eyes wide with shock. Arthur’s usual calm demeanor was replaced by a stunned expression, his mouth slightly agape.
Peter Pettigrew, looking haggard and worn, attempted to speak. “I was hiding from Sirius Black and other Death Eaters. I had to—”
Rufus cut him off sharply, his tone decisive. “We have plenty of time to discuss why you were here. For now, let me be the first to welcome you back to the land of the living. Peter Pettigrew.”
The name echoed with gravity. The Weasleys’ shock was palpable, their faces a mix of horror and astonishment. The reality of having an infamous traitor in their midst was more unsettling than they could have imagined.
The children, still on the staircase, were stunned into silence by the revelation. Their beloved pet rat was now revealed as a notorious figure, the implications of which were slowly sinking in.
Rufus, maintaining his composure, continued to oversee the scene. “We will handle the rest of this matter. For now, let’s ensure that everyone is safe and that this situation is resolved properly.”
Arthur, his voice trembling, addressed the room. “This is… this is unbelievable. We’ve had him with us for so long…”
Molly, her voice choked with emotion, nodded. “Yes, we need to understand what’s going on. How did this happen? Why was Scabbers… Peter Pettigrew?”
Kingsley, his face set in a serious expression, replied, “We will provide answers. For now, we need to ensure that this situation is handled with the utmost care. I’m sorry for the distress this has caused.”
As the Weasleys tried to process the shock, Rufus made a mental note of the next steps. The evening had taken a dramatic turn, and the Burrow, once a sanctuary of warmth and family, was now the scene of a startling revelation. The Weasleys faced a new, unsettling reality, and Rufus knew that there was still much to be done.
The chapter concluded with the scene set for the next phase of the unfolding drama. The Weasleys were left grappling with the implications of Peter Pettigrew’s revelation, while Rufus, Kingsley, and Moody prepared to take the necessary steps to address the situation and secure the safety of all involved.