“What exactly are you trying to do?”
Peter, regaining some strength, sat up, his voice trembling slightly.
He was sure he had only met Ethan once, on the Hogwarts Express, yet it seemed like Ethan knew him. Why, Peter couldn't figure it out.
Even his own mother didn't know about his illegal Animagus status. The only ones alive who knew were Sirius and Lupin.
Could it be them?
He hadn't heard any news about Sirius's release from prison lately. That left Lupin.
But he was a werewolf, this was…
Peter's mind raced with thoughts.
“Just asking for a little help.”
Ethan smiled.
Wormtail Peter, despite his appearance and lack of courage, was surprisingly capable. He might not be as strong as the four Hogwarts Headmasters, but he was a top-tier wizard, one of the best in his league.
The Marauders had no weak members. Even though Sirius was imprisoned for over a decade, Peter spent over a decade as a rat, and Lupin wandered for over a decade, they were still formidable fighters when it came down to it. They were the elite of their respective sides.
But all four of them ultimately died, and all of it had to do with Harry. Even Snape, their arch-rival, was connected to their deaths. It made one wonder if they’d keep fighting even in the afterlife.
“Is that how you ask for help?”
Peter gasped, cautiously eyeing Ethan.
He couldn’t read the young wizard in front of him. This Cruciatus Curse was more refined than his own, and he was using it without a wand. Peter couldn't help but think about how young he was, just entering Hogwarts with Ron.
“Then how would you like me to ask you?”
Ethan stared coldly at Peter.
“Tell me what you want, and I'll do it.”
For his own safety, Peter could only back down.
Even with a wand, he was sure he couldn't beat this young wizard who could cast unforgivable curses without a wand. Not to mention, he was currently wandless.
He was a coward. He’d insisted on being sorted into Gryffindor, wanting to be brave and join the likes of James, bullying others because he didn't want to be bullied himself.
He had joined Voldemort because he was powerful and seemed likely to win. It was all for his own safety.
Now, with his life in danger, he could just as easily switch sides.
“Do you know the Fiendfyre Curse?”
This was one of Ethan’s goals today. He’d wanted to learn it for a long time, but those three idiots in Knockturn Alley didn’t know it.
The Fiendfyre Curse was undoubtedly one of the strongest dark spells. It unleashed fire that burned everything that could be burned, including the intangible, like souls. It could even take the shape of monsters and couldn't be put out by water. It could only be stopped by the spell, "The All-Clear."
The only downside was it was extremely difficult to control. One mistake and it could easily backfire.
But Ethan had the "Flame Affinity" talent, so he didn't have that problem. To get stronger, the Fiendfyre Curse was one of the best spells he could learn.
“I do!”
Wormtail Peter nodded without hesitation.
When he secretly joined Voldemort, he'd gathered many dark spells and practiced them in private. The Fiendfyre Curse was one of them. He’d only used it once because it was so hard to control, and it nearly burned him to death. He hadn’t used it since.
“What about the Fire-Breathing Protection?”
Gellert Grindelwald’s stove-top magic was equally powerful and suited Ethan.
In the description, it nearly destroyed Paris, and a whole host of Aurors were helpless against it. This showcased its power. (It would have been worse if Nicolas Flamel hadn’t been there to stop it.)
It’s described as blue in the movie, but it’s actually black. They made it blue in the movie to contrast it with the black background.
“I don't know that one.”
Peter dared not lie to Ethan. He'd heard of the Fire-Breathing Protection, but he hadn’t collected it.
“Then write down everything you understand about Transfiguration, your experience with becoming an Animagus, all the spells, Alchemy, and Potions you know.”
This was the real reason Ethan had captured Peter. He wanted the knowledge stored in his brain.
In this era, there were only seven known Animagi, including Professor McGonagall.
As for illegal Animagi, the known ones were Rita Skeeter’s beetle, Sirius’s black dog, Peter’s rat, and James, who’s dead, so that doesn’t count. There must be others, but not many.
Regardless, it was a high-level skill. You wouldn't be able to learn it from McGonagall for years. She wouldn’t teach it until at least year five, when students have reached a high enough level. It’s too risky, and a failed transformation would have irreversible consequences.
Peter might not be able to match McGonagall's Transfiguration experience, but in terms of Animagus knowledge, the Marauders might even know more than her, given that all three of them successfully turned into animals.
And based on their relationship, they would have shared everything with each other. If one knew, the others would know.
“Everything?”
Peter felt a headache coming on. He knew so much, how long would it take to write it all down?
“Everything!”
Snap!
Ethan snapped his fingers, and Peter’s eyes went blank.
The Imperius Curse was the most reliable choice right now. It wouldn’t affect his memories and would prevent him from trying to sabotage Ethan while he was writing.
A desk, paper, and quill were already ready. As Ethan instructed, Peter sat down at the desk and began writing furiously.
Ethan had experimented with the Imperius Curse during the summer. It lasted for a maximum of 148 hours, or seven days. He could just come back every once in a while to refresh it.
After squeezing all the value out of him, Ethan would keep his promise to Ron and return him.
After all, being a time traveler, besides having cheats, familiarity with the plot was a huge advantage.
Without Peter, who knows when or how Voldemort would have resurrected himself, and the ultimate impact would be entirely unknown.