Peter still forced a smile onto his face and spread his hands as though giving a speech. He walked toward Harry as he said:
"Sorry, much as I hate to admit it, I was afraid. After all, I sent their most capable lieutenant to Azkaban. Voldemort's followers must have been looking for me everywhere..."
Percy saw what he intended and said loudly:
"You'd better stay right where you are!"
Hermione's wand hand began to sweat slightly. Imitating Professor McGonagall, she demanded sternly:
"Peter Pettigrew, that reason doesn't convince us. Since you were the one who sent Black to Azkaban, why would you be afraid of the others? Wasn't he their most capable lieutenant?
"And you were awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class by the Ministry of Magic. Why would you leave behind a finger, fake your death, and run away? Don't you trust the Ministry of Magic?"
Percy coughed softly and declared righteously:
"Even if you thought the Ministry couldn't protect you just after the war ended, it flourished afterward under Minister Fudge's leadership. And we have the extremely powerful Scrimgeour heading the Auror Office. I don't believe you didn't know that."
[Certain people in the Headmaster's Office looked pleased.]
Hearing the two of them back each other up, Peter wore an expression of utter disdain for the Ministry of Magic.
Harry asked again:
"As far as I know, my father was closer to Black than he was to you. Otherwise, Black wouldn't have become my godfather. Why would Black betray my father? Was it just because he was a werewolf?"
Peter rubbed his head. How had he never heard that Black was a werewolf? Still, to win Harry's trust, he said earnestly:
"Sirius came from the Black family, a famous family in the wizarding world. Everyone from that