Wormtail cautiously climbed into the freight car and burrowed deep into the jumble of cargo.
He found a relatively dry, secluded corner, turned back into a human, and gently set down the bundle.
"Master... this is the place."
"Mm."
Voldemort's voice sounded exhausted.
"Sit down. Wait. Don't make a sound."
Wormtail obediently sat down, leaning against the cold wall of the car.
Time ticked by.
About half an hour later, footsteps and the voices of Muggle workers came from outside the car.
"This is the last car, right?"
"Yeah. We leave once it's loaded."
"Tch, this lousy job, in the middle of the night..."
"Stop complaining. Let's finish up and go home to bed."
The car's doors were slammed shut.
Clang-
The tremendous metallic crash echoed through the enclosed space, making Wormtail's ears ache.
Then the entire train slowly began to pull away.
Whooo-
The whistle sounded.
The train began moving.
Wormtail clutched the bundle nervously as the car jolted violently.
This felt... awful.
There was no magical protection, no comfortable seat, only a cold, filthy freight car full of sawdust and cement dust.
"Wormtail."
Voldemort's voice suddenly rang out.
"Y-yes, Master?"
"What are you thinking?"
Wormtail shuddered all over.
"N-nothing, Master! I was just... just thinking that we'll reach our destination soon!"
"No."
There was a trace of eerie pleasure in Voldemort's voice.
"You're thinking how ridiculous all this is. You're thinking that the once all-powerful Dark Lord has now been reduced to hiding in a Muggle freight car to escape."
Wormtail's face instantly turned deathly pale.
"No! Master! I wasn't! I absolutely wasn't thinking that!"
"Don't be nervous, Wormtail."
Voldemort gave a soft chuckle.
That laugh frightened Wormtail even more.
"I don't blame you. Because... you're right."
"This is indeed... ridiculous."
There was a hint of self-mockery in