Vampires Are Not to Be Underestimated / You Don't Get to Choose Who Turns You

"What were they talking about all that was so lively just now?" Hermione asked pointedly, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. "And I also saw Weasley here."

"His mouse went missing, so he suspected our cat ate it," Harry explained casually, sounding quite dismissive.

"Nonsense." Hermione gave it a blunt critique. "Why would he have such a ridiculous idea, that he'd think a school staff member's cat would steal from them?"

Are you kidding me? Both Harry's cat and I have official positions, you know!

"You can't say that, after all, it's only natural." Harry smiled and took Hermione's hand. "Sometimes people try to blame others for their mistakes, because that way they don't have to look for problems within themselves first, and they won't experience the psychological distress that comes with it."

"So he's just afraid to admit his problems, huh?" Hermione rolled her eyes smugly, grabbed Harry's hand, and pulled him away. "Let's not talk about him anymore, let's go eat."

"Harry ..." Watching the two leave hand in hand, Ginny, left behind, couldn't help but show that same wronged and heartbroken expression she used to have.

After this unremarkable little incident, the Hogwarts campus... didn't actually become particularly peaceful.

Because besides Ron losing his mouse and 'Old' wand, other people on campus also lost things.

Neville, the tallest student in the Gryffindor, lost a wizard's robe he hadn't had time to wash; while Madam Hooch, who was in charge of the Flying Class, discovered that a practice Flying Broomstick was missing from the storeroom.

However, these lost items were not valuable, so they did not attract much attention and were forgotten after a couple of days.

However, no one expected that in West Highgate Cemetery, where the Inferi incident had occurred before, a short man with a dirty wizard's robe draped over his head was kneeling in the shadows of the cemetery, weeping bitterly and pounding the ground with his fists.

"My mother's grave, which was so painstakingly erected... who was it really?!"

Chapter 233 Vampires should not be underestimated.

Everything is ruined...

The once tidy cemetery has now been reduced to ashes, and the perimeter has been cordoned off with fire warning tape. The once neat and solemn tombstones are now blackened by the flames.

Clearly, for ordinary people, the incident at West Highgate Cemetery was a regrettable fire.

Those horrible corpses that roamed under the moon had already been dealt with by Arthur and the Auror who arrived later. Even if someone had unfortunately witnessed some of the events, they would probably have lost that memory by now.

But for the man hiding in the shadows, this was a disaster he could never accept.

The man was very short, even shorter than a teenager. The robe, which was meant for a young wizard, dragged on the ground in a large section when he wore it, making him look quite comical.

His face was haggard, and his skin was not only dirty but also strangely tangled and sagging, as if a person who was originally obese had suddenly lost a lot of weight.

Without a doubt, the creature before him, whose appearance and demeanor were extremely similar to a rat, was none other than Peter Pettigrew Peter, who had been hiding for twelve years.

After learning about the incident in Highgate Village, he tried every possible means and went through countless hardships to fly back, just to confirm the situation of his mother's grave. However, the ruins in front of him broke his heart.

"Why..." Peter Pettigrew asked in a hoarse voice, "You already killed Mother, so why do you come back to hurt her after all this time?!"

Yes, in Peter Pettigrew's mind, the people who killed his mother back then, and those who dug up his mother's grave now, must be Voldemort's die-hard followers.

He knew those people hated him to the core because it was he who provided the information that ultimately led to their master's crushing defeat in Godric's Hollow.

The reason why Peter Pettigrew has not dared to show himself is not only because Voldemort is indeed unable to make a comeback, but also because... he is worried that the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix have not been able to completely eliminate those Death Eater, and that they will continue to hunt him down.

But now, my last thought in this world is...

"Peter Pettigrew Peter, I can't believe you actually dared to come back."

"Who... who is it?!"

Hearing a voice behind him, Peter Pettigrew was startled like a frightened bird. But when he turned around, the person behind him made him freeze on the spot.

"Why you, Lucius... Malfoy?!"

A magnificent robe, long golden hair cascading down his shoulders, and a pale face with an arrogant expression—in Peter Pettigrew's eyes, this was undoubtedly Lucius Malfoy himself!

However, just as he was about to run away in fright, the latter immediately pulled out a wand and locked onto him.

That wasn't Lucius's wand as Peter Pettigrew remembered; instead, it was a strange, unusual wand made from some kind of unknown bone.

At the tip of the wand, Peter Pettigrew also saw a pointed horn with a hint of crimson, which looked very much like the tooth of some unknown animal.

"Mr. Malfoy... what do you mean by this?"

Realizing he couldn't escape, Peter Pettigrew could only try to calm himself down so he could muster his strength to deal with Lucius.

He knew Lucius was a staunch supporter of Pure-blood and had a high reputation among the Death Eater back in the day; Lucius was one of the few who knew Peter Pettigrew's true allegiance.

However, Peter Pettigrew was also certain that someone as adept at changing his stance as Lucius would never be so fanatical as to seek revenge for Voldemort.

So, I shouldn't die...

"Come with me first, this isn't the place to talk."

Lucius gestured with his chin in a direction for Peter Pettigrew, indicating that the other should leave with him first.

However, just as the two were leaving one after the other, a round piece of 'remains' on a charred grave about ten meters away from them suddenly trembled slightly.

The 'wreckage' gently flapped its wings before quickly rising into the air... It was actually a Beetle!

It appears to be slightly larger than its peers, and around its eyes are some very peculiar patterns... making it look like an ugly pair of glasses.

On Peter Pettigrew's side, he was forced forward by a man who resembled Lucius, and eventually arrived at the front of the most luxurious villa in the entire Highgate region.

"No! You're not Lucius Malfoy!!"

Upon seeing the villa, Peter Pettigrew immediately realized that the person he had encountered was definitely an imposter!

He grew up in Highgate Village, and this villa is said to have existed since 1774, so it certainly couldn't be the Malfoy family's private property!

But... he only realized it now, and it was already too late.

"Come in!"

Suddenly, the man disguised as Lucius narrowed his eyes, and his entire body moved with lightning speed, covering the distance between them in the blink of an eye, and grabbing Peter Pettigrew by the neck.

Immediately afterwards, Peter Pettigrew felt a dizzying sensation around him, and when he regained consciousness, he found himself thrown into a coffin.

"Who... who are you?" Peter Pettigrew looked warily at the man whose appearance was gradually changing, his voice already filled with deep fear.

He was by nature timid and cowardly, so the fact that he had managed to hold out against this mysterious man until now without begging for mercy was already an extraordinary feat.

"You'll find out who I am later."

The man had completely changed. His original blond hair had turned an unhealthy white, and his eyes were a strange blood red. When he spoke, Peter Pettigrew could clearly see the two pairs of canine teeth in his mouth.

"You're a vampire?" After confirming the other party's identity, Peter Pettigrew was not so nervous anymore.

If you were to compile a list of the worst creatures among all dark beings, vampires would definitely be on it.

Vampires are generally afraid of many things, such as sunlight, fire, and even garlic, all of which are effective ways to resist vampires.

It is precisely because their overall strength is so weak that the Ministry of Magic has specifically stipulated in its rules, namely the "Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizards as Half-Humans," that wizards are prohibited from killing any vampires they encounter.

You seem to be thinking something very rude.

The man's red eyes seemed to see right through Peter Pettigrew's thoughts. With a wave of his hand, a large patch of twisting and sliding black gauze appeared around Peter Pettigrew, instantly covering the entire area of the coffin!

"Flat -Ground Bat!!"

Although the black veils looked only half an inch thick, when Peter Pettigrew's body was covered, he suddenly let out a shrill scream!

Ground Bat are rare Fantastic Beasts that live in the tropics. Like Dementor, they can only be driven away with the Patronus Charm... But the corrupted Peter Pettigrew can no longer cast the Patronus Charm. If he is completely covered by Ground Bat, he will be eaten!

"Now, put away your contempt, you filthy rat!"

"Yes, ma'am... I'll never do it again!" Hearing the man's gloomy words, Peter Pettigrew, who was already terrified, nodded vigorously.

"As long as you don't kill me, I'll do whatever you ask!!"

Chapter 234 The First Embrace is Not a Choice

"You'll do whatever I say, won't you... As expected, you're still as afraid of death as ever, Peter Pettigrew Peter."

The man, who appeared to be a vampire, looked down at Peter Pettigrew in the coffin with undisguised contempt on his face.

But Peter, who was used to being a mouse, didn't care whether the other party respected him or not; as long as he could survive, that was enough.

But Peter Pettigrew still had some doubts about the man's identity, because the man was clearly not an ordinary vampire, and he seemed to know him.

"You must be wondering why I know you, right?" The vampire seemed to see right through Peter Pettigrew's thoughts. "In fact, I've known of your existence since you were born. And not just you, but everything that happens in this Highgate Village."

After saying a few words, the vampire seemed to feel thirsty. He casually summoned an Inferi, savored a mouthful of the crimson 'liquid,' and then a satisfied smile returned to his face.

"Your mother was a wicked witch who gave birth to a cowardly child like you. Yet, twelve years ago, you risked being hunted down to return and see your mother one last time. But what you don't know is... that I was the one who killed your mother."

"What did you say?!" Peter Pettigrew barely managed to widen his small eyes. He unconsciously tried to struggle, but the Ground Bat held him tightly.

"I was so weak then, and a witch's blood could better replenish my strength. Coincidentally, I found that she had received your belongings. In order not to let her live alone and miserable in the world, I naturally had to mercifully help her end her suffering."

The vampire's voice was soft, as if he were recounting something utterly ordinary. "I just didn't expect that you would return so soon after I killed her. I can only wait until you've finished building the tomb before secretly turning her into Inferi... just like my other servants."

"Why... why did they treat my mother like this when she was just an ordinary witch..."

Peter Pettigrew questioned in anguish, too timid to utter a furious roar at the vampire, only able to let his features contort in sorrow as tears streamed down his face.

"I'm gathering strength... For the Greater Good, more power is necessary." The vampire, his crimson eyes wide, leaned closer to Peter Pettigrew. "You too will become my strength. Though you are cowardly, weak, and reek of nauseating rats, you at least know how to be patient compared to the other brainless minions of the Voldemort."

"You, who exactly are you..." Peter Pettigrew was startled by the vampire's words. The other party had just called out the name of his former master—the greatest Dark Lord of all time!

"Prepare to receive my power, my child... I will give you a wonderful first embrace."

Ignoring Peter Pettigrew's astonishment, the vampire's tone suddenly became incredibly kind, as if an elderly elder were gently instructing their child.

He stroked Peter Pettigrew's cheek with his slender, white fingers, while simultaneously plunging his canine teeth deep into the other's neck.

"No... Help! No!!"

Peter Pettigrew screamed in panic, but his body was completely paralyzed. He felt his blood being continuously drained from his body, and the ensuing chill caused him to gradually lose consciousness amidst trembling...

While he was unconscious, a different kind of power was gradually being injected into his body along with the new blood.

"Phew... This guy really is the worst quality of all my Embrace subjects." After the ritual ended, the vampire struggled to his feet, looking even weaker than before.

He gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looked down at the unconscious Peter Pettigrew, and could not hide the disgust in his eyes.

Rotten, lowly... that's how vampires describe the blood of Peter Pettigrew and all Death Eater.

If it weren't for the decades-old wounds that hadn't healed, making it inconvenient for him to act personally, he wouldn't have chosen someone like Peter Pettigrew, who wasn't even qualified to be a blood sacrifice, for his Embrace.

After completing the Embrace, Peter Pettigrew will gradually transform into a true vampire, whose power is far beyond that of the vampires or Half-blood- vampires who have now completely fallen!

"Go back, my most loyal child... go back to Hogwarts, and seek out... our common enemy!" After catching his breath, the vampire leaned close to Peter Pettigrew's ear again, whispering incantations like a Command Spell, "Approach him, let him and those around him feel endless suffering! This is the most sacred task entrusted to you by your elder, Herbert Degar Vani, and all of this... is for For the Greater Good!!"

"Squeak~" As if guided by something, Peter Pettigrew suddenly opened his eyes, then quickly curled up and transformed into a bat covered in black fur, flapping his wings and leaving the luxurious villa.

"You should leave with him too, go to Hogwarts, and help him complete his mission."

After Peter Pettigrew left, the vampire named Herbert waved his hand at the empty room, and a transparent, light gray ghost quietly floated out from under the floor.

If Harry were there, he might have been quite startled.

Because this ghost was none other than the unfortunate soul who had been glared to death by the Basilisk!

"Yes... sir..."

The ghost responded to the command in a hoarse voice. He seemed to be under someone's control. He prostrated himself before Herbert and then quickly passed through the room's walls, disappearing into the distant mist.

"Hmph, all of you, go!" Taking a sip of the blood in his cup, the vampire's face was now contorted with rage. "Prepare for my revenge, Harry Potter... You dared to murder a great man and destroy the future of my race, I will make you pay a terrible price!!"

The vampire drank the blood in the cup in one gulp, lay down in the coffin, and quietly closed his eyes.

In his sleep, his thoughts seemed to drift back to decades ago...

Once, when he was being hunted by Britain wizards and had nowhere to turn but to fake his death and live in hiding, that person appeared before him.

The man respected him greatly and knew that he was a true vampire, still radiating the aura inherited from over a thousand years ago, completely different from these weak and hopeless individuals of today.

The man also said that he would create a world where vampires could freely roam in the sunlight, where they could have equal status with wizards... while those ignorant Muggle would only be their servants and food.

However, this beautiful future was shattered into nothingness with that person's passing!

Now, the vampire has finally determined that the culprit behind everything that happened back then is none other than the Boy Who Lived...

Harry Potter!!