"The cave is in London, near a seaside village—at the only cliff in the area…"
Peter slowly described the location of the cave. After listening quietly to the full account, Dumbledore nodded.
"I think you can confidently remove the 'fifty or sixty percent' from your estimate—you have indeed found the location of a Horcrux."
"The place you described lies near the orphanage where Tom Riddle lived as a child. Choosing such a nostalgic yet secluded location to hide something so important would be entirely in character for him."
"However, by your account, Voldemort placed many powerful enchantments there to guard the Horcrux. Breaking through them may take time, so there's no need to rush."
"Once I've settled the students tomorrow, I'll depart immediately to investigate that location. But before that…"
He cast a thoughtful look at Peter and Sirius.
"What do you intend to do next—both you and Sirius?"
"By your account, what happened between you was a tragic misunderstanding, now resolved. Yet Sirius remains a wanted man, and you still bear the weight of twelve lives…"
"That's exactly what I wanted to say, Professor."
Peter's expression darkened sharply. "I still intend to do something."
"I want to wipe out all those who funded Voldemort, all his former hounds, in one sweep. You're right—'Voldemort' was never just one man, but an ideology. As long as the soil that nurtured that ideology still exists, James's death cannot truly be avenged. I can do this, Professor. Believe me."
"No one is better at hiding and infiltration than I am. The core Death Eaters all believe I'm one of theirs. And I know of several who were supposedly arrested or missing but are actually still alive—Barty Crouch Jr., Fenrir Greyback, for example. They would gladly welcome someone skilled in covert work to rescue their old master and assist them…"
He tugged at his mouth, forcing out a cold smile.
"And once they—the accomplices who helped murder James—can't wait any longer and expose themselves, that will be your perfect opportunity to uproot blood supremacy entirely, to ensure they never rise again."
"You've frightened them into lying low for now, Professor. But I can make them arrogant again—make them hand you their weaknesses on a platter. That is my value."
Sirius and Lupin stared at him in shock. Even Dumbledore showed a hint of surprise.
"So, Sirius,"
Peter turned to Black, who at some point had already been freed and was now standing. His gaze softened once more.
"I'm sorry—you'll have to bear my sins for a little longer. If I don't appear publicly, it will be hard to find irrefutable proof to clear your name. And right now, I still have something important to do…"
"I understand."
Sirius broke into a grin.
"One person serves detention to distract Filch while the others cause trouble—we've always been good at that, haven't we, Wormtail?"
Peter gave a small, involuntary sob.
"Thank you, Padfoot."
He forced his gaze back to Dumbledore and extended his hand.
"Then let us swear an oath, Professor."
"An oath?"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Do you think I still doubt you, Peter?"
"You've always preferred the most secure course of action," Peter said with a faint smile. "And this would also bind me. I know myself—I've never been strong. In the future, I may feel fear, cowardice, the urge to flee… I won't allow myself to do that."
"I want to be a true Gryffindor."
"…"
Dumbledore stared at Peter's outstretched hand for a long time, then slowly—almost dazedly—nodded.
"I understand."
He reached out, his movements painfully slow, as if giving Peter every chance to withdraw. In the end, under the complex gazes of Sirius and Lupin, their hands clasped together.
"Then let us begin."
Dumbledore drew his wand with his left hand and pointed it at their joined arms. The tip glowed with a faint, scorching light.
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Do you swear to dedicate yourself to purging the remnants Voldemort left behind, to eradicating extremist pure-blood ideology, and to take action and bear the risks this entails?"
"I do."
A jet of flame burst from the Elder Wand and coiled around their wrists, its glow reflected in Sirius's and Lupin's eyes, unbroken even for an instant.
"Do you swear to infiltrate our shared enemies, gather intelligence, and pass it to me accurately and without concealment—and to act according to my arrangements at moments we both deem critical?"
"I do."
A second flame wrapped tightly around their wrists.
"Then…"
Firelight reflected in Dumbledore's blue eyes as he stared straight into Peter's small, rat-like gaze.
"Do you swear that when we both agree your mission is complete and you need no longer remain in hiding, you will return—help Sirius Black clear his name, and atone for the twelve lives you have taken?"
Peter's eyes lowered for a moment.
"Professor…"
Sirius opened his mouth, helplessly reaching out as if wanting to do something—anything—only to stop. Lupin pressed a hand to his shoulder, holding him back, lips tightly pursed.
Dumbledore did not release Peter's hand. He simply watched the downcast, evasive gaze in silence.
"…I do."
After a long pause, Peter clenched his teeth and forced the words out in the smallest, quickest voice he could manage. As the third flame coiled around his arm, he shuddered violently.
"Do you swear—"
All three looked at Dumbledore in surprise as he continued, his aged voice steady and calm.
"Do you swear to abide by this Unbreakable Vow completely, and never attempt in any way to escape or circumvent it?"
"I do."
Peter gave a bitter smile as he answered.
A fourth flame wrapped around their wrists. The four flames flickered once, then extinguished together, leaving four faint brands on their arms.
"That will be enough."
Dumbledore loosened his grip. Peter withdrew his hand and stood there blankly, lowering his head, teeth clenched as he struggled not to cry—though the sound of muffled sobs still escaped.
"You will go to Azkaban," Dumbledore said.
"…I know."
Peter replied in a trembling voice.
"I will do what I can to help you."
Dumbledore let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Sirius, Peter—you'll stay here for the night. Tomorrow, I'll take you to my office to discuss matters further… Professor Lupin, let us return."
"I'd like to stay a little longer, Professor."
Unexpectedly, Lupin declined, gentle yet firm.
"I want to talk with them for a while."
"…Very well."
Dumbledore gave the three men one last, searching look. With a flash of firelight, he vanished into the darkness.
(End of Chapter)