Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures

“Young people are always silly, Evan!” Peter stared at Evan greedily, and said in a bewitched voice. “You don’t understand the power of the Dark Lord. But I’m still on my word. You are a clever child, if we both join forces…”

“I would rather die than betray my friends; nor would I frame innocent people for profit.”

“Then we have nothing to talk about!” Peter said with disappointment. “I haven’t seen such a fine wizard like you for a long time. I had intended to help you, to help you get unimaginable power and honour!”

“Those things you value are actually meaningless!” Evan turned his head and refused to look at him.

“I don’t think so! Well, since you don’t care, I have to give this honour to the people who need it!”

His small watery eyes looked at Evan trying to know what he was thinking, and then they turned to Ron. He said, “Come on, dear young master! Those honours are yours. Just catch Black and you will become a hero with a great reputation.”

Hearing Pettigrew’s call, Ron picked up the Marauder’s map off the ground.

“Wake up Ron!” Looking at Ron’s figure, Evan clenched his fist and shouted angrily. “Come on, don’t listen to this guy. He killed Harry’s parents. Now he wants to frame Black and Professor Lupin. You can’t help him. Do you want Harry to hate you for the rest of your life?”

Hearing Harry’s name, Ron hesitated.

He stood there, pain showing on his face, and he was resisting the Imperious Curse.

“Come on, Ron!” Evan screamed. “Think of Harry, think of Hermione, think of everyone. We are all waiting for you. You don’t need to prove anything. You’re the best already!”

“Evan, Harry, Hermione, and everyone…” Ron murmured.

He looked even more in pain, but his eyes were clearer.

It was visible that the Charm effect on him was getting weaker. At that moment, Evan even thought he was successful.

But Peter’s shrill voice rang again. “My dear young master, do you still remember what you said to me that night? Those whom you thought were friends, have always treated you as a follower, as a joke. They don’t care about you at all!”

Evan saw a strange ethereal glow flashing from the tip of the wand in Peter’s hand.

“Remember?!” Peter, with a strange smile on his lips, said with a screech, “You want to let those who look down on you repent and make them pay the price.”

“Yes, I want them to regret it! I want them to pay!”

Ron turned to Peter, and his painful expression calmed down.

His eyes that were getting clearer had returned to being dull and sad.

“Stop it Pettigrew!” Seeing Ron’s face, Evan’s chest was full of anger. He gritted his teeth and shouted, “Don’t use my wand to cast these dirty spells. Don’t use your evil, despicable magic to control Ron.”

He wanted to rush at him, but Peter quickly turned his wand and pointed it at him.

“You don’t know, Evan!” Peter said softly. “Just like James, Sirius, and Remus, talented wizards like you will never know what we think. You will not know the pressure and pain caused by your unconsciously flaunting behaviour to your fellow mediocre peers.”

In the quiet office, only Pettigrew’s shrill voice could be heard.

“Ron has had enough with you, Harry and Hermione. Like me in that year, I had enough of James, Sirius and Remus!” Peter continued, “In order to get their approval, like a fool I was willing to complement them and even risked my life to protect Lupin by learning to be an Animagus. But what did I get? They never treated me as an equal friend. I was just their cowardly companion! Ron is just like me…”

“Ron is nothing like you!” Evan looked at Pettigrew furiously. “He’d never sell us out! He’s just being controlled by your Imperious Charm!

“Do you really think so? Do you know what Ron thinks of you, Harry and Hermione?” Peter said slowly, “Here’s a fact, I’m no Dark Lord, I’m not that proficient with this spell, and I don’t have that much magical power. But Ron would never be able to get rid of my Imperious Charm. You know why?”

Pettigrew looked down on Evan and his lowly cowardly expression was getting more intense.

“Because what I’ve made him do is exactly what he had always wanted to do. I’m not controlling him; I’m helping him achieve his desires!”

Peter looked closely at Evan, hoping to see his eyes flooding with despair.

For a moment, he even saw James, Sirius and Remus in this kid. Those three used to be his best friends. He’d always wanted to tell them about how he really felt, and to watch their reaction, but never had the courage.

Now, none of that matters. This boy is so similar to James and Sirius. As long as Pettigrew manages to see his pain, he can feel healed inside.

However, Peter was immediately disappointed, as Evan wasn’t even looking at him.

Evan was looking at Ron. He calmly said, “Ron, I know you’ve been under pressure for a long time! I know, you might not be regarded as the “best”. But we’ve always seen you as our best friend. For Harry, Hermione, myself, and everyone, that is the case.

Believe me, you’re nothing like Pettigrew. When you’ve been under Voldemort’s Imperious Charm last year, you’ve managed to break through it to protect Ginny! Remember what Dumbledore said about that? Many excellent adult wizards would never be able to do such a thing! We’re all proud of you, Ron! You’re unique. Please wake up for yourself, for your family and for your friends. I believe you can get rid of Pettigrew’s control. You can…”

“Enough!” Evan’s actions disappointed Peter, who felt unprecedented emptiness within his soul.

His eyes were blurred, and he suddenly felt he wanted to cry. James, Sirius and Remus would’ve probably been just like this boy. He’ll always be a failure, succeeding at nothing! Even with betrayal, he fails to impress. He’s been a lowly looser all along.

“Ron won’t wake up. This is a waste of time.” Peter wiped his eyes and shrieked, “I see through you. You self-righteous people should pay for your contempt. Ron, let’s go back to our plan. Just get Black caught, and everything will end.”

Peter drew his wand, and Ron walked out with the Marauder’s map, turning a deaf ear to Evan’s screams.

“By just telling him of Black’s position, I’ll guarantee getting Snape’s help. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to re-emerge as a guardian angel, as a success, a Hero! And those brilliant friends will all be dead!” Peter pointed Evan’s wand at him, and his eyes had a strange light in them. “As for you Evan, do you want to know how I’ll be dealing with you?”

“Obliviate I guess?!” Evan gently moved his tense body.

He might try use the trick he used against Black yesterday.

“No, I’m not that idiot Lockhart! The Forgetfulness Charm is reversible.” Pettigrew licked his lips and cruelly said, “Dumbledore is around, I must be careful! I believe, Avada Kedavra should be my safest bet. No dead man ever revealed a secret! Goodbye Evan!”

He said that, shaking his wand gently, and a deep green light flashed.