The Capture of Peter Pettigrew
**Chapter 21: The Capture of Peter Pettigrew**
Alex had always known that Peter Pettigrew—known to the world as "Scabbers," the Weasley family’s pet rat—was a key player in Voldemort’s eventual return. The animagus traitor had escaped justice after betraying the Potters, leading to the downfall of Harry's parents and the imprisonment of Sirius Black, Alex’s biological father.
Catching Pettigrew early was essential for Alex’s long-term plans. It wasn’t just about helping Harry or Sirius—it was about preventing Voldemort from rising again. And Alex knew it had to be done quietly, without anyone noticing until he was ready to reveal the truth.
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**The Setup**
It was nearing the end of a chilly winter’s day when Alex finalized his plan. He had been observing Percy Weasley for weeks, carefully noting his routines and when he kept his pet rat, Scabbers, nearby. Tonight, Percy was returning to the Gryffindor Tower after spending time in the library. It was the perfect opportunity.
Using an aging potion, Alex had already transfigured a similar brown rat to look exactly like Pettigrew. The key was to make the switch seamless so no one, not even Percy, would suspect Scabbers had been replaced.
With everything prepared, Alex slipped into the shadows of the corridor leading toward the Gryffindor common room. He cast a subtle Disillusionment Charm over himself, vanishing from sight. As he waited for Percy to pass by, he felt a familiar surge of adrenaline. This had to be done with precision.
Percy eventually rounded the corner, deep in conversation with another prefect. Scabbers lay curled in his pocket, oblivious to the fact that his true identity was about to be revealed. As Percy passed, Alex raised his wand and silently cast the spell he had prepared.
“Accio Scabbers.”
The small brown rat flew out of Percy’s pocket before anyone could notice. Percy continued walking, none the wiser, while Alex, still invisible, replaced Pettigrew with the transfigured rat in one swift motion.
He let out a silent breath of relief. The first part of the plan was complete.
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**The Confrontation**
Now that Alex had Peter Pettigrew—Wormtail—captive, he needed to ensure the rat couldn’t transform back into his human form. While the school’s wards were strong, Alex had taken extra precautions. He had prepared a small cage, imbued with an ancient Animagus-binding spell he had found in one of the darker tomes in the Black family library. This would keep Pettigrew trapped in his rat form.
Alex hurried back to the Room of Requirement, his go-to place for secrecy. The room materialized as soon as he approached, this time appearing as a secure and soundproof chamber. Inside, he set the rat down in the magical cage and activated the spell.
Pettigrew immediately began to squeak frantically, scratching against the bars, clearly aware that something was terribly wrong. His mind must have raced with panic, but Alex showed no mercy.
“Quiet, Wormtail,” Alex muttered, his voice calm but laced with authority. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re going to stay in this form until I decide otherwise.”
The rat stopped struggling, its tiny eyes wide with fear as it peered up at Alex. He knew who his captor was, and he was terrified.
Alex crouched down, eyeing Pettigrew carefully. “Do you know how easy it would be for me to end this right now? A simple spell, and no more Wormtail. No more betrayal, no more Voldemort’s servant. But that’s not how I work.”
Pettigrew squeaked nervously, his little body trembling. Alex felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing that he now held one of Voldemort’s most important assets in his grasp. But he had a bigger plan in mind—one that required Pettigrew alive, at least for now.
“I’ve kept you from transforming back into your human form,” Alex continued. “The cage you’re in is bound to Animagi. You won’t be escaping anytime soon. Consider it...preventive justice.”
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**The Future**
Alex took a deep breath, pacing the room. He couldn’t keep Pettigrew here forever. Eventually, there would be a reckoning—both for the rat and for the role he played in the larger scheme of things. But for now, his priority was preventing Voldemort’s return for as long as possible. Without Pettigrew to resurrect him, that timeline would be thrown off course.
But how would he use this to his advantage? Turning Pettigrew over to Dumbledore would reveal too much too soon. He needed time to gather more power, to get stronger, and to ensure that when he made his move, it would be decisive.
He glanced back at the rat, now still and silent, cowering in the corner of the cage. “For now, you stay here. I have other things to deal with.”
Alex left the room, making sure the cage was protected by additional charms before sealing the entrance behind him. He would return to check on Pettigrew, but for now, he had other things to focus on.
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**Later That Night**
Alex returned to Ravenclaw Tower, slipping quietly into the common room. His classmates were already in bed, leaving the room quiet and still. He sat by the window, staring out at the moonlit grounds, his mind racing with the implications of his actions.
He had caught Peter Pettigrew. One of the most dangerous traitors in wizarding history was now in his custody. It felt surreal, yet empowering.
But this was only the beginning. The combined threat of Voldemort and the MCU villains still loomed large. And for Alex, the road ahead was far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
His focus had to remain sharp—there was no room for mistakes now. The pieces were starting to move, and Alex was determined to be several steps ahead of everyone else.
The night was silent, but in Alex’s mind, the game had already begun.