Peter Pettigrew

"Deal." She muttered under her breath, barely loud enough to be heard. She turned her gaze back onto the lake. "How did you manage to get out here?" It was a question she truly wanted to know. Her way was excruciatingly difficult and took almost an hour every time. Having to sneak in and out of people roaming to halls. Prefects and teachers. Making sure Peeves never caught sight of her. It was all very skillful and she didn’t imagine very many people putting in the risk that was involved just for a midnight stroll. 

It was funny, thinking now, about why she had come out here. Spending all of the time thinking about what was going to happen after Hogwarts. Knowing what her father expected of her and the details that entailed. Looking back at Peter, she wondered if she could kill him. Not right now, of course. But later, if she was to join up with this dark wizard. It would almost definitely be his type that they would go after. After a moment, she shook the thought out of her head. She couldn’t do it. She would never be able to, not of her own free will. She let out a small laugh that she hoped went unheard, finding it amusing that she had sat out here for quite some time and hadn’t be able to come to a conclusion, yet after one minute of being in the presence of someone she despised, she had her answer. Hate and disdain for someone were one thing, but to kill them? That was completely different.

"Probably the same way as you did. There's plenty of secret passages in this castle, you just have to find them." He wanted to know the same about her. If she had found one of the passages, which one was it? Was one they already mapped out, or was it a new one? Or if she hadn't gone through a passage, had she just managed to sneak out, past the teachers and prefects? If that was the case, Peter would be impressed. "Or am I wrong?"

To her second question ha had to stop and think. Why was he out, anyways? Normally, when he took to the ground at night it was because he had to think about his parents or his friendship with the marauders. But not tonight. There was nothing left to say about his father, and he had made sure his mother was safe with his aunt. When it came to the marauders, it had never been better. He had never felt a companionship like this before, it had just gotten stronger since they started to stay with Remus during the full moon. So why had he felt the need to get out?

Corona was sitting on the outskirts of the lake, far from the Black Forest, so she was sure it wasn’t a creature. Plus, one that could talk? A teacher would have already lit up the entire area and sent her off with a detention and a stern talking to. Her gut told her it was another student. Would they even know who she was? Would she know them? She knew most of the people at this school, but it was very large in its entirety. Plus, there were quite a few Hufflepuffs and some of the younger Gryffindors that she didn’t even care to know. 

At her words, Peter lit up his wand and let the light show his face. The action frightened him, he was scared that Corona could be hostile and violent. This was not a good time nor place to get in trouble. Thankfully she wasn't a prefect, so she wouldn't tell on him. That would put her in trouble as well. He didn't know what to say, but felt he had to say something. He searched his mind for half a second.

The lake was always so beautiful at night. The way the moon shined off of the light ripples of the water was truly something you had to see. It was something Corona had always loved, ever since she had first started at Hogwarts. Anytime she needed to think or clear her head, study for exams, this was where she found herself. Late into the night, when she had to carefully sneak out of the castle. It was better that way, she thought, no one around to bother her. 

Corona shivered as a gust of wind blew past her. It wasn’t too cold out, but it wasn’t warm, either. The normal weather for this time of year. It was the first night she had come out there this year, the first time she had felt she needed to. Well, it was also the beginning of the school year. She knew she would be out, laying on the cold ground, next to the river, several times this year. After all, when does one do more reflecting on their life than when they are going to graduate this school year? 

There were many things praying upon Corona’s mind, but most of all where was she going from here? Not just in her career, but in general. The world was changing, everyone could feel it. There was a dark wizard making his way through the outside world, tearing apart people he didn’t consider worthy. She knew her family would be fine. But, the question was; Would she? 

Corona knew she was better than most of the people at his school. Her blood was untainted, free of anything muggle, or any blood-traitors. But, could she do it? Could she join up with this man? She was no idiot, she knew that a lot of people from her house were planning to. She truly didn’t know if she could, though. Yes, she knew she was better and she liked hexing those who got in her way of anything. She enjoyed seeing fear in people’s eyes as she walked through the corridors, enjoyed a good spar with someone from the most tainted house of Gryffindor, but she had never considered herself to be evil. She knew what this wizard was doing, had heard about it from the hushed voices of her father. She didn’t think she could torture of kill people. Corona felt weak, like she was becoming lesser by the minute. 

As he exited the wall and crossed the entrance hall he passed Filch. Filch was of course a problem, were ever you found the caretaker his stupid cat was somewhere nearby. Peter hurried his steps, he didn't want to end up as Mrs Norris' late night snack. He crept under the giant door and now he was finally outside.

Peter continued down towards the lake. It was no longer full moon, but it was still large enough to light up the night. He had gotten himself far enough from the castle to be safe from teachers and cats, so he thought about changing back. It only took a second, but the feeling of the transformation was as intense as it was the first time. His lungs filled with air as he breathed. Every muscle twitched and a warmth traveled down his spine, it was almost a burning sensation. In a blink of an eye he was no longer a rat but his original self again. He re-tied his shoelaces and then started to walk  by the river toward the Black Lake. When he accidentally stepped on a twig he didn't think much of it. Who was here to hear him?