Chapter 157: The Power of Friendship

Ron shivered. Memories that must have been lost of what he had done over the last month flashed through his head like a movie.

He remembered what he had done while under Peter's control: he had been the one who secretly broke into the professor's office late at night to look for the Marauder's Map, wrote a letter to Lucius Malfoy to make an evil plot, accused the innocent Professor Lupin in front of every student in the school, and told Snape about Sirius Black's whereabouts....

All the while, he was thinking he had been doing the right thing. Even though he was actually being controlled by Pettigrew, he never actually tried to resist.

It was because he believed he was saving Harry, Ivan, Hermione and everyone, he was a Hero!

But now, that no longer seemed to be true.

He wasn't a hero, just a loser. He was the accomplice of the ruffian who killed Harry's parents.

Ron's gaze was regaining its clarity and he couldn't believe what he had done.

He actually helped Pettigrew, the assassin who defected to Voldemort and killed Harry's parents. He betrayed Harry, Ivan and Hermione. He didn't honor the trust of his friends; he framed Professor Lupin, and he also conspired to entrap Sirius Black....

Ron shivered as he looked into the eyes of Ivan, Harry and Hermione. They were full of concern, disappointment and disbelief.

Ron felt distressed. He knew he was just being a slag all this time. He must find a way to make up for that.

Peter Pettigrew was slowly leading Ron to the castle gate. He asked Black, Ivan, Harry and Hermione to remain where they were.

He was glad to realize that he had actually passed the gate. The strange magical barrier that prevented him from passing through it didn't stop him this time. He could feel the cool, fresh air outside the castle.

The sky was completely dark and the bright light of the full moon was creeping through the air.

In the moonlight, Peter Pettigrew led Ron. They passed the site outside the castle and walked toward the Forbidden Forest not far away.

In the distance, the figures of Ivan, Harry, Hermione and Black became increasingly blurry.

Gradually they disappeared into the large outline of the castle.

Seeing that he was getting closer and closer to the Forbidden Forest, Peter was very excited that he had finally escaped.

At that moment, just when he thought he was going to succeed, Ron suddenly rebelled. He tightly grabbed Peter's right hand, which was missing a finger, and struggled with everything he had to retrieve his wand.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ron rebelled against Peter, crying loudly. "I'm sorry, Harry, I'm sorry, Ivan, I'm sorry, Hermione! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have doubted you guys, I should have believed you. Look what I've done..."

Ron shouted at the top of his lungs, crying very loudly.

Hearing Ron's voice, Ivan, Harry, Hermione and Black were stunned for a moment. They were delighted to discover that Ron had recovered and had managed to overcome the Imperius Curse's hold with his own willpower. They hastily grabbed their wands from the ground and ran towards him and Pettigrew outside the castle.

"Damn it, damn it, what are you doing?" Peter shouted, and didn't understand how Ron could escape his control.

He quickly recited the spell and was ready to regain control over him.

But he was surprised to find that the curse had lost its effect. His magic could no longer control Ron. The boy in front of him successfully resisted the Imperius Curse with his strong will.

That was impossible. That was simply unbelievable.

"No!" Pettigrew couldn't believe Ron could do that.

Is this really Ron?

Is he still the same weak and humble kid he felt similar to for so long?

Is he still that mediocre loser who was full of envy and resentment against his friends?

Peter couldn't understand what just happened with Ron!

With the help of a force born from deep in his heart, Ron's willpower was stronger than ever.

That was the power of friendship. Pettigrew, who had used his friends as a bartering interest and was an evil traitor, would never understand.

Ron broke free of the Imperius Curse and defeated Peter!

Now, among the six people in front of the Hogwarts Castle gate, Peter was the only loser.

"Come on, Harry! Come on, Ivan! I've got him!" Ron's eyes were red. He grabbed Pettigrew's right hand holding the wand and cried. "Don't worry about me; hurry up and attack, you can't let this guy get away!"

"No, this can't be!" Peter shouted, his voice was hoarse and impotent.

He tried to shake off Ron's grip, but the latter was like a madman, ignoring his injuries and the damage he sustained and grabbing him with both hands.

Looking at the four who were getting closer and closer, Peter uttered a panicked curse.

Since it was impossible to control Ron, at least he would stop the boy from moving.

But before he could check if he was successful, something suddenly passed under his feet and shook him.

Bang!

Both Peter and Ron fell heavily to the ground, splattering a pile of dust.

Peter Pettigrew raised his head a few inches in surprise and saw a creature in the grass near him. He felt it looked familiar. He strained to see what it was, but sweat was clouding his eyes, the black, slender, lithe figure disappeared.

On the distant horizon, the winter night grew colder and colder.

Then Peter discovered what it was. It was the Dementors, at least 200 of them. They were attracted by Ron's screams, and huddled together in a black blur bringing a chilling cold and sliding down the walls of Hogwarts.

The icy sensation penetrated their internal organs and the fog began to cloud their vision.

Dementors were getting closer and closer, gathering in the darkness and coming from everywhere ready to surround him.

"No, don't!" Peter muttered, shaking uncontrollably.

He was very, very frightened, almost scared to death.

Once again, he thought about what Ivan told him. Those Dementors were out to get him, they wanted to suck his soul!

Pettigrew was no longer paying attention to Ron, who was constantly fighting with him. He could no longer think about him, and looked at Black, Ivan, Harry and Hermione approaching, as well as the Dementors coming, And instinctively wanted to run away!

What happened tonight was really too much, and things were getting out of his control.

He didn't want to stay a second longer. He realized that he was too weak, too cowardly, and too humble for all of this. He was not prepared to carry out this failed conspiracy. He didn't have the courage to stay any longer!

He was going to look for the Dark Lord. He wanted to hide behind the strongest man as before.....

For a weak man, hiding behind the strong is always the wisest choice.