"Don't waste your energy," Will said calmly. "This place is under a spell. You can't escape, and no one can hear you."
Scabbers stopped. His little black eyes stared at Will, filled with an almost human fear.
Will took out the letter bearing the Dark Mark and unfolded it, letting Peter clearly see the mark and Voldemort's handwriting.
The rat's eyes swept over the letter, and he began to tremble.
"The Dark Lord... the Master has returned..." A thin, shaking voice came from the rat's mouth, full of fear and despair.
"So you recognize it." Will put the letter away, his tone still even. "Then you should understand what it means.
"From now on, you will obey my orders unconditionally. Those are Professor Riddle's wishes."
"P-Professor Riddle? Who... who are you?" Peter's voice shook badly.
"Will Behrens. You can think of me as the professor's best student at present."
Will stood and looked down at the trembling rat. "The professor wants you to help me kill Harry Potter.
"I expect you can act as a spy and report Harry Potter's movements to me. That shouldn't be difficult for you. After all, you were already a coward who betrayed his friends."
"O-of course..." Peter stammered.
How old was this kid?
And he dared to plot the Chosen One's murder?!
Worse, he could talk about it so casually. The Dark Lord's students were terrifying.
Peter swallowed. When he had been this kid's age, all he'd dared to do was trail after his friends like a lackey.
"Now, we need to discuss your... cooperation with some research of mine."
"R-research? What kind of research?" Wariness filled Peter's voice.
"Animagi," Will said bluntly. "I'm interested in this form of Transfiguration, and I need a living, practiced Animagus to observe and study.
"And you, Mr.