It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 61

"Oh, Missy Katie is not old!" protested Dobby, which earned him a hug from Healer Treiber, as the others, including Severus, laughed at Dobby's  gallant defense of the Medi-Witch.

"Well, you're here now, and we know he's on to us, so let's get started, shall we?"  Ron stated, referring to a list on a large piece of parchment in his hand.  "Call your House Elf and gets your supplies moved and stored at your positions . . . don't rush, but we need everything in place before lunch, please."

With a couple spiffy salutes from Neville, Seamus and Dean, the group set out to prepare for the defense of Hogwarts.  Meanwhile, Harry saw Albus enter the Great Hall, so he approached him to discuss what should be done with Peter.

X X X

Dumbledore stood looking down at Peter, without any expression on his face, as Harry approached him.

"How did he get out, Harry?" asked the Headmaster, without looking around.

"Slytherins stumbled across him when they were sneaking through the dungeon storeroom corridor.  He made a run for it but Minerva, Crookshanks and Mrs. Norris trapped him and Draco and Sirius caught him,"  Harry relayed.  "The question, now, is what to do with him."

"Indeed," Albus agreed.  "Perhaps we should send him to Azkaban;  he was sentenced to life there anyway . . . but if the Dementors abandon their post to come here to aid Voldemort, what's to keep him from turning into his Animagus form and escaping . . . although, then he'd be fair game for anyone who would want to end his life . . .safer in than out, I should think."

"Bit of a puzzle, this," said Harry. "But considering we're a little rushed for time, Headmaster, perhaps just bunging him in his cage and hanging it up on the wall so he has a ringside seat to the battle might be the best thing to do.  Let him take his chances with the rest of us."  Harry shrugged.

"I believe that would be the best course of action for now . . . we'll deal with his future when our business is concluded."  

Albus 'Accio'd' the special rat trap he'd prepared for Wormtail, transfigured him into his rodent form and put him, none too gently, into the wired cage. " 'Finite Incantatem' "  Albus unfroze the plump rat and watched as it scrambled to its feet and huddled in a corner.  Peering through the wire, he addressed the trembling, former Marauder.  "I've spelled this trap to be crushproof, Peter, although . . . if a hunk of the castle should fall on it, your survival might be questionable . . . in any case, we'll deal with you later."

 Albus set the trap on one of the tables and walked away, leaving the shivering rat cowering in back of the wire covered box.

X X X

Rudolphus and Bella hadn't spoken more than a couple words since entering Gringott's, but the anxiety on their faces was hard to miss.   Ragnok wondered what was wrong now, as he took the Lestranges deep underground to their vault.

As they approached, Ragnok touched the door and instantly the bolts and latches could be heard sliding, clicking and clanking on the inside of the massive door.  As he pulled it open, Bella started to rush in, but Rudolphus grabbed her arm.

"Patience, dear.  Ragnok has to remove the 'Germino and Flagrante Curses' or you'll be buried and badly burned by your own possessions,"  he reminded her, squeezing her arm to make his point.

Bella jerked her arm free and glared at him, but kept silent.  As soon as the curses were lifted, the couple walked into their family vault, looking for and spotting the two objects that the Dark Lord had requested.