"The hell does that mean?" Mattheo scowled at Nymphadora, who cackled.
The three first years simultaneously shifted away from the metamorphmagus. Bill sighed in exasperation as Charlie chuckled, used to the eccentric witch's ways.
Nymphadora leaned forwards, elbows propped on her skirt-covered knees, "Everyone expects the 'Boy Who Lived' and his 'Protector' to be Gryffindor golden children."
"Boy who lived?" Chrys echoed, confused.
"Yeah, your brother. He's famous for defeating 'You-Know-Who'." the metamorphmagus stated.
"The man that attacked your family." Abraxus elaborated at Chrys' confused expression. Though, her expression only became more bewildered.
"Hades didn't do anything that night," Chrys stated, eyes glazed slightly. Flashes of brilliant green and screams only seen and heard by her, "It was Mumma. She used her blood to activate the runes in Hades' crib-"
"You..." Bill choked, "You r-remember that night?"
Chrys blinked, eyes more focused as she looked at the horrified teenagers. She didn't need to say anything, it was clear in her eyes. They seemed much older than they were, they were eyes that had seen too much in life.
"Mhm." she nodded, shifting her gaze to Mortifer, who was sleeping soundly on her lap. She didn't elaborate on everything she remembered, and no one asked. The compartment fell into a tense silence as the revelation Chrys gave sunk in.
After almost twenty minutes, Nymphadora broke the quiet.
"I... I think you should go to the Ministry about this. No one knows what happened that night, your memories might be the answer to a lot of questions."
Chrys shifted in her seat, "I.. I'll think about it."
Nymphadora nodded, and once again the compartment fell into silence. The teenagers exchanged looks, there was a silent agreement to look after the younger witch.
It was half an hour before the silence was broken again. Instead of their makeshift group, they were interrupted by the door slamming open. "Bill, Charlie, there you are!" a sharp voice exclaimed, causing Chrys to flinch.
The brothers looked unimpressed by the new arrival. "What do you need, Percy?" Bill asked politely, despite the annoyed glint in his bright blue eyes.
"Scabber's ran off. Can you summon him?"
Sighing, Bill wordlessly produced his wand and muttered, "Accio, Scabbers the Rat."
Chrys, Mattheo, and Abraxus watched curiously as a series of thumps and screams resonated before a rat sailed into the room. Chrys shot to her feet, hazel eyes gold as she flung her arm out. The rat, which had been in Bill's hand, shot at Chrys'.
This change in demeanour startled everyone in the compartment. "Chrys what are you-"
"This isn't a rat." she stated icily, cutting Charlie's alarmed question off, "Isn't that right, Uncle Peter?"
The rat screeched and squirmed in Chrys' vice-like grip before biting Chrys' hand and forcing her to release him. Before he could escape the door slammed shut, shoving Percy further into the room.
"Animagus Vicissim! Petrificus Totalis! Stupify!" Nymphadora snapped in rapid recession. The rat collapsed in the middle of the compartment and began to grow and change as it was restrained and knocked unconscious.
The Weasley brothers looked positively sick as their pet rat turned into a grotesque grown man before their eyes. Bill, though shaken, spoke firmly, "Charlie, Nym, keep your wands on him in case he wakes up. Percy, go get an adult."
All three nodded the younger darting out of the compartment like a bat out of hell. Chrys' golden eyes dimmed to their natural hazel as her magic settled.
"How did you know..." Charlie trailed off, blue eyes meeting honey-hazel.
"Peter was one of Daddy's best friends. He used to keep me entertained by changing forms for me when I was little." she explained quietly, "I'd recognize him anywhere."
Charlie nodded awkwardly, then gagged, "I hate the number of times I changed in front of this sicko when he was a rat."
Nymphadora, angry on her friend's behalf, kicked Peter in the crotch repeatedly. Her glowing red hair slowly returned to its usual pink as she released her fury on the unconscious man. Neither Charlie nor Bill did anything to stop her, whether their anger or shock was under debate.
Once she was satisfied, Nymphadora flopped onto the seat breathlessly, arms crossed over her chest.
Mattheo's brows were raised in surprise, "Shit's fucked, huh?"
"Mattie!" Abraxus reprimanded, looking scandalised at the brunet's fowl mouth.
Nymphadora and Charlie snorted as Bill smirked amusedly. Chrys simply sighed and shook her head as she returned to her curled-up position beside Mattheo, who just shrugged.
The boy mentioned leaned against her, his position seemed lazy at first glance, but it was his way of shielding Chrys when he thought she was in danger. Abraxus rolled his eyes at the brunet's behaviour and leaned back into his seat.
"Hey, Chrys?" Bill called softly, his tone curious.
Chrys looked to the seventh-year, head cocked like a puppy as she hummed. Nymphadora and Charlie both cooed at the endearing sight. Bill understood the feeling, but didn't visibly show it as he continued speaking, "When you saw... that when he was in rat form, your eyes glowed gold. Did you know they did that?"
The younger ginger frowned confusedly, "They did?"
"They've done it before too." Mattheo piped up, "When you were protecting Harry after we scared him."
Bill surveyed Chrys inquisitively, "Do you, maybe, have a creature inheritance?"
Chrys nodded, "Firefox/Pheonix hybrid."
The eldest Weasley nodded, "I figured as much. I think the glowing eyes is apart of your inheritance. It must only happen when you feel strongly about something. I can help you research your inheritance if you want?"
The young witch nodded, "I'd appreciate it."
Bill smiled kindly and nodded. They seemed to wrap the conversation up in time as Percy returned to the compartment with the Trolly Lady and one of the conductors. Both adults were pale as they took in the sight of the dirty, fully grown man unconscious and restrained while surrounded by six students. Three of which had their wands out and trained on the man.
"Is that..."
"Peter Pettigrew." Chrys picked up after the trolly lady trailed off, her tone icy as she regarded Peter's unconscious form with a look full of loathing, "The real secret keeper and betrayer to my family."
The adults swallowed thickly. The conductor looked sharply to the trolly lady, "Contact Amelia Bones. Have her meet us at the platform with aurors."
The trolly lady nodded and turned to leave. The conductor then turned to the older students, "You took him down, I trust you can keep him down?"
"Yes sir." Nymphadora chirped, earning a nod from the man.
"I'll have them pick up the speed up front. ETA to Hogwarts is still estimated to be a couple of hours though."
Bill nodded, "Understood, sir. We'll keep others from entering the compartment and will stay until the aurors come to retrieve Pettigrew."
With that decided, the conductor nodded and left the compartment. Securing the door behind him. Percy stood awkwardly at the door. Charlie got up from his seat, "Sit down, Perce. You look ready to pass out."
The younger Weasely obliged, watching curiously as Charlie settled at Chrys' feet, reaching up to scratch Mortifer behind the ears. Percy frowned slightly at the sight of two boys so close to Chrys, she was supposed to be his.
His mother and Dumbledore said so.
