Chapter 145
Albert had been training on this spell for a week, ever since he and his friends returned from their trip to Hogsmeade.
He had managed to cover a distance of thirty meters in just two seconds. While that level of performance was impressive for a beginner in Apparition, Albert knew that if this were the pace he kept in an actual battle, he would be dead long before reaching his destination.
That was why his current focus was clear: he needed to shorten the time drastically while extending the distance of his Apparition.
For true prodigies in the art, traveling vast stretches city to city, even country to country was not impossible. But as always, everything depended on one's magical reserves. With vast stores of magic, crossing such immense distances was within reach.
Albert's training ground lay near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, not far from Hagrid's hut.
At that moment, Hagrid stepped outside his hut, a steaming cup of tea clutched in one enormous hand, clearly enjoying a quiet break.
Seeing his close friend practicing Apparition, Hagrid grinned. It was no small thing to attempt, much less master.
Albert noticed him and called out, "Hagrid, did you finish the exercise I gave you in Transfiguration?"
Hagrid raised a massive thumb in approval yes, he had completed it.
Then, without another word, the half-giant hurried back inside. Albert followed him soon after, wanting to check over Hagrid's answers to the Transfiguration assignments he'd set.
Albert's sharp eyes quickly scanned the parchment. He nodded Hagrid had gotten everything correct.
The only real obstacle was his handwriting.
After nearly forty years of never putting quill to parchment, Hagrid's script was a mess. His time had always been consumed by guarding Hogwarts or caring for the bizarre creatures of the forest.
But to Albert, this was no problem. With steady practice, Hagrid's hand would improve. More importantly, he had the drive to learn not only magic but reading and writing as well. That desire guaranteed progress.
Albert was about to begin explaining a potion lesson when both he and Hagrid heard footsteps outside the hut.
Moments later, Hagrid opened the door and in came Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Ron sighed in exasperation. "You've worn us out, mate! We've been searching for you everywhere!"
Hermione's eyes darted to the table and froze on the sight of several second-year Transfiguration textbooks.
Her brows lifted. "Albert… are you having trouble with your second-year lessons? If you'd like, I can help with your questions."
Albert immediately understood her assumption. She thought the books were his.
He shook his head with a small smile. "No. I brought these old books to help Hagrid keep up with my lessons."
Hermione's cheeks flushed as she realized her mistake.
Albert then let his gaze wander over their clothes: Harry in blue, Hermione in pink, and Ron in orange.
^So… it's time. Time to expose Peter's truth.^
His eyes flicked to Ron's hand where the boy carried his sleeping rat.
The hut fell quiet when the Hogwarts bell rang, summoning students back to their dormitories for meals.
Albert gestured that he would remain with Hagrid to finish the lesson.
The trio left in a hurry.
As they walked up a grassy hill, Ron frowned. "Haven't you noticed how quiet Albert's been lately? Different from his usual self?"
Hermione blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
Ron continued, "These last few days—every time we ask him to come play in the common room he refuses. I don't know why "
He cut off with a sharp cry of pain. His rat had bitten down hard on his finger.
"Scabbers!" Ron yelped, clutching the struggling creature. "Scabbers! Come back here!"
The rat wriggled free and bolted.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione gave chase, panic flaring in their chests.
Peter Pettigrew, trapped in his Animagus form, had seen something from afar something that terrified him enough to flee.
The trio struggled to keep up; Scabbers moved with unnatural speed and agility. But Peter, after all, was human at heart. Soft, overweight, and unfit for long exertion.
He finally stopped beneath the branches of the Whomping Willow the infamous tree that lashed out wildly after dark.
Ron lunged and caught his rat, clutching him tightly.
Harry and Hermione sagged with relief, breathing heavily after the chase. Albert's warning echoed in their minds: it was crucial that Peter not escape before his father's innocence could be proven.
Scabbers thrashed violently in Ron's hands.
Ron grimaced, holding him tight. "Merlin's beard, you've worn me out! At last I've caught you "
He turned to Harry and Hermione only for his face to drain of color.
Ron's eyes widened, pointing ahead in shock and horror.
"What what is it?" Hermione asked, confused by his sudden fear.
Harry turned as well.
And in the next moment, both he and Hermione froze. Their expressions changed, mirroring Ron's terror at the sight before them ...
To be contined ....