Chapter 169
Pettigrew's voice trembled with panic.
"M -My Lord… I must speak… During our journey, I've been going over the plan in my head. Someone is bound to notice Bertha Jorkins' disappearance. If we continue with the plan… I mean, if I use a spell "
A second, icy voice hissed, "If? If? If you had followed my plan properly, the Ministry would never have known anyone was missing. But you are a fool, Wormtail. Because of you, the Ministry learned Bertha was killed by you. Why didn't you know they had placed a tracking charm on you? ... Wormtail, there is only one obstacle left in our way. After that, the boy from the Black family will be in my hands…"
"I'm not asking you to do it alone," the cold voice continued. "When the time comes, my most faithful servant will join us."
"S–Sir, I am your most faithful servant Junior is nothing compared to me!" Wormtail said, his voice cracking.
The man answered coldly, "My faithful servant has a mind, Wormtail. My faithful servant's loyalty never wavers. Unfortunately, you possess neither of those traits."
Something like defiance crept into Wormtail's tone.
"But I found you! I was the one who found you!"
It was the first time Peter had ever lied to the Dark Lord. The truth was that Barty Crouch Jr. had been the one who discovered Voldemort. But Wormtail lied, hoping to make himself seem more valuable in his master's eyes.
The other man chuckled softly.
"Yes… that's true. A surprisingly clever move for you, Wormtail. Even if you didn't realize how useful it would become when you did it."
"I thought she might be useful, my Lord!"
The cold voice turned sharp.
"Liar. Still, her information was indeed valuable without it, I could never have shaped my plan. For that, you'll have your reward, Wormtail. I'll allow you to perform a very important task for me something my followers would kill for the chance to do."
Wormtail's voice trembled with both fear and hope.
"R–Really, my Lord?! Truly?! What task?"
"You don't want me to spoil the surprise, do you? Your part will come soon enough… and I promise, you will share the same honor my loyal servant Barty Crouch Jr. earned before you."
Wormtail swallowed nervously. "A–and… you won't kill me, like Bertha?"
The cold voice softened, almost amused.
"Wormtail… why would I kill you? I killed Bertha because I had to. She was useless once I'd gotten my answers. She would have been interrogated by the Ministry especially after they learned she'd met with you."
Wormtail mumbled something under his breath, too quiet for Frank Bryce, the eavesdropping gardener, to hear. But whatever it was made the other man laugh a horrible, high-pitched laugh.
"Erase her memory? Foolish. Memory charms can be broken by a skilled wizard just as my faithful servant did before questioning her, Wormtail."
Outside the door, Frank's palm was slick with sweat as he gripped his walking stick. He had just heard the man admit to murder casually, almost joyfully. Whoever was in that room was dangerous… insane.
And now, they were talking about killing someone else a boy named Albert Black. Whoever that boy was, he was in grave danger.
Frank knew what he had to do. Now was the time to go to the police.
(Heh… poor man, if only he knew.)
He would sneak out, reach the phone, and But the cold voice spoke again.
"One more curse in Hogwarts, my faithful servant… I've made my decision. We will not discuss this further, Wormtail. And… listen. I think I hear Nagini."
Suddenly, the tone of the voice changed. Strange, hissing sounds filled the air—sounds Frank had never heard before.
From behind him in the dark hallway came a soft, slithering noise. He turned and saw something massive gliding toward him.
It was a giant serpent, at least fifteen feet long (nearly ten meters). Its scales rippled as it approached, its eyes glittering.
Frank froze. There was no way to escape except into that very room where two murderers were plotting. But if he stayed where he was, the snake would kill him.
Before he could decide, the snake slithered right past him miraculously and slid into the room through the narrow opening of the door.
Frank's hand shook violently around his stick. Inside, the strange hissing continued. Then a thought came to him impossible, absurd
Was that man talking to the snake?
He wanted nothing more than to go home, to crawl under his blanket with a hot water bottle and forget this nightmare. But his legs refused to move.
As he stood there trembling, the cold voice spoke again.
"Nagini has brought me fascinating news, Wormtail."
"R–Really, my Lord?"
"Yes… she says there's an old Muggle standing outside the door, listening to every word we say."
Frank barely had time to react. Quick footsteps echoed then the door swung open wide.
A short, sharp-nosed man stood there, his expression a mix of fear and alertness.
Then came the voice again, smooth and mocking.
"Invite him in, Wormtail. Where are your manners?"
Wormtail stepped aside, letting Frank into the room.
Frank couldn't see the speaker directly the chair before the fire hid him completely. Whoever it was seemed even smaller than Wormtail.
The voice came again.
"So… you heard everything, Muggle?"
Frank realized he was face-to-face with this strange man. Summoning what little courage he had, he said,
"What did you just call me?"
"I called you Muggle," the cold voice replied. "It means you are no wizard."
Frank straightened his back. "I don't know what you mean. But I do know I've heard enough to interest the police. You've committed murderand you're planning more. And I'll have you know my wife knows I'm here, and if I don't return "
The voice cut him off sharply.
"You are not married, and no one knows you're here. You told no one, so don't lie to Lord Voldemort, Muggle. He knows… he always knows."
Frank glared toward the voice. "All right then, mister. Turn around and face me like a man. Why don't you?"
The cold voice rose louder than the crackling of the fire.
"But I am not a man, Muggle. I am far greater than any man. And… why not? Wormtail turn the chair."
The servant muttered something under his breath, trembling.
Slowly, as if terrified of his own master, Wormtail crossed the room and turned the chair to face Frank.
What Frank saw made his cane fall from his shaking hand. His mouth opened in a scream that drowned out the creature's words as it raised a thin, pale wand,
and a flash of green light burst forth.
Frank Bryce was lifted off his feet, then fell dead upon the floor.
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Harry finished describing his nightmare the same nightmare that had woken him in terror the night before.
Everyon
e around the table stared at him, mouths hanging open in shock at what they'd just heard.
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To be continued...