Welcome to the fourth book in the series: Identity. You must have read the previous books in the series: Lost, Connections and Revelation, for this to make sense. Thanks to my beta, Arnel, for all her help.
July 20th 1995 Albania
As Peter slowly began dismantling the small camp that he had been in living in, he thought back over the events of the last few weeks.
Once he had been forced to flee Hogwarts, he had searched out any rumour of his Master's presence.
That night in 1981, he'd felt the cold wind which he knew now to be his Master's spirit leaving the Potters' home. After overhearing a conversation while out scuttling around the castle one night several years ago, he had put it all together. He knew that the Master wasn't gone. He knew that he only had to bide his time until the Master would return.
Peter had only been mistaken about one thing: he had not planned on being the one to bring about the Master's return.
His first clue to his Master's whereabouts was a rumour, overheard in Knockturn Alley, of a Dark spirit living in Albania. Upon hearing this, Peter decided to investigate. Any place that held even a rumour of his Master's presence was worth investigating. The Master would reward those who were loyal to him.
Peter had stopped only to retrieve the Master's wand, which he had hidden at his house all those years ago. Amazingly, it was still there. After all, no one had bothered to search the house of the poor victim. Framing Sirius was his greatest achievement. He still felt a sense of smug satisfaction that, as long as he avoided capture, the Ministry would continue to hunt Sirius.
Once he had arrived in Albania, Peter's investigations led him to a forest. He entered the forest cautiously.
His Master's spirit had found him only days later.
Several days after his first encounter with the Master, Nagini had found them. Peter didn't know if this was by chance, or if the Master had summoned her.
Peter had then been ordered to milk the snake to provide a supply for the Master's use.
Peter's next task had been to provide the Master with a rudimentary body. Following the Master's instructions, Peter had soon pulled the rudimentary host from the cauldron. Once housed in his new — albeit temporary — body, Peter had fed him.
The Master, now with a body again, had immediately demanded his wand. He had demanded Peter tell him about Harry Potter. Peter had told him everything. In turn, the Master told Peter how he had fallen that night. How the Killing Curse had rebounded off Potter and separated his spirit from his body.
The next step had occurred completely by chance. Peter had stumbled upon an employee from the Ministry of Magic, Bertha Jorkins. The foolish woman apparently holidayed in this area every year. He had Stunned her and brought her back to the Master.
Peter had listened as the Master extracted information from the captive.
The Master was silent for many days, only calling Peter when his feeble body needed to be fed. He was considering his plan.
The plan was simple. Potter had unmade him. Potter would make him again. But to get Potter, they would need to return to England.
Peter finished the final preparations and went to fetch the Master and Nagini, ready for the first leg of their long journey.
August 15th 1995
It had taken three weeks to get from Albania to England. Three weeks of short-distance Apparition. Three weeks of constant milking and feedings, but at last they had reached their destination.
Once they had returned to England, the Master directed them to a small village. Peter had never been there before. Once they arrived in the village, the Master ordered him to take him to the largest house in the village. It was situated on a hill. The Master called it the Riddle house.
The house itself was dusty and dirty, but that didn't bother Peter. He opened doors, following the Master's instructions. The Master directed him through the house until he reached the specific room the Master desired. When he entered the room, he set the Master down in a large chair and lit the fire.
Peter looked around; Nagini had gone. The snake must have slipped away at some point during their trek through the house.
Some time later, after the Master had been fed, the snake slithered in through the door to the room.
"Nagini has interesting news, Wormtail," the Master said.
"In-indeed, My Lord?" Peter replied.
"Indeed, yes," said the Master. "According to Nagini, there is an old Muggle standing right outside this room, he must have seen us enter."
Peter walked across to the door and flung it open.
A man was standing there, leaning on a walking stick.
"Invite him inside, Wormtail. Where are your manners?"
Peter beckoned the man into the room.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Muggle?" said the Master.
"What's that you're calling me?" the Muggle responded defiantly.
"I am calling you a Muggle," replied the Master coolly. "It means that you are not a wizard."
"I don't know what you mean by wizard," said the Muggle, his voice growing steadier. "All I know is you're trespassing on private property! You must leave or I'll call the police."
Peter heard the Master laugh.
"Nobody knows you are here. You told nobody that you were coming. Lord Voldemort knows… he always knows…"
"Is that right?" said the man roughly. "Lord, is it? Well, I don't think much of your manners, my lord. Turn around and face me like a man, why don't you?"
"But I am not a man, Muggle," said the Master. "I am much, much more than a man. However… why not? I will face you. Wormtail, come turn my chair around."
Peter walked forward and began to turn the chair. He heard Nagini hiss.
Peter watched in smug satisfaction as the Muggle dropped his walking stick with a clatter when he saw the Master. There was a flash of green light, and the Muggle crumpled to the floor.
"Wormtail, Transfigure the body into some innocuous object and bury it. Then go down to his house and make it appear he packed and left. He was a lonely man, an outcast. No one will notice that he is missing," the Master ordered.
Peter left to do the Master's bidding. He would do what he was best at. He would do what he was told.