This was originally supposed to be light hearted and funny but it kind of grew and ran away all by itself. It's about how maybe the Marauders came together and an explanation to why Wormtail betrayed his friends so many years later. Written in response to the 'Things I am not allowed to do at Hogwarts' challenge by Sharlmalfoy. Rule is in bold type.

Revenged.

Peter Pettigrew glared at the boys as they entered the dorm, it was nearly the end of the first year and these three that he was housemates with were just too damn annoying for words.

There was James Potter, with his cheeky smile and messy hair that seemed to melt the coldest professors' heart, no matter how late his homework was or what his latest prank had been. He was already ridiculously popular and so smart without even trying. Smug git.

Then there was Remus Lupin, scarily intelligent and studious, he was always with his stupid nose in a book, top in every class and teachers pet. Peter had entertained ideas of him and Remus being friends, Remus didn't seem to fit in with the other two's mischievous ways, yet he ignored Peter as if he were barely there. Peter thought that maybe Remus didn't even notice he was.

And then Sirius sodding Black, what an arrogant piece he was! He'd literally turfed Peter from his bed on the first night, claiming it as his own. He was glamorous and his family, being the Blacks, were rolling in cash, and Sirius wasn't shy of flashing it about to get what he wanted. Sirius was always pulling a stupid prank and somehow seemed to never get caught.

Peter hated them, really hated them. They made his life a living hell without even doing anything. Apart from Sirius occasionally shoving him out of the way, and always being made to wait until last for the showers, mostly they ignored him. Peter longed to be a part of their group, yet they barely acknowledged his existence. That was until he discovered a secret, a huge secret.

He waited until the dorm was quiet and rifled through their trunks one by one, searching for something that he could use against one of them, knowing that whoever he got the dirt on, would be backed by the other two. He didn't know what he expected to find, but he certainly didn't expect what he discovered at all. It was too good for words, totally unexpected yet too good to pass up. He'd thought James would have some illegal things in his trunk, the makings of a new prank perhaps. Or maybe Sirius would have alcohol or drugs in his, or stolen property. Hell, he'd even thought he might have a pair of girls knickers, even at twelve Sirius had been caught in a few compromising positions with older girls. But apart from a few girlie magazines and some festering food, James and Sirius's trunks were devoid of blackmail material. He'd only checked Lupin's just in case they had hidden something in his trunk, thinking him less likely to be suspected of anything underhand. What he found blew him away.

A bundle of papers fell out of an old and well worn book, the book was titled 'The Full Moon' and had a picture of a wolf howling to a full moon on a cloudless night on the cover, Peter didn't give it a second glance – at first. He read the writing on the paper, obviously notes passed between the three during classes. Peter's eyes grew large with shock as he read them:

Don't be such a dick Remus! Sirius's lopped and messy hand read We are going to keep you company!

It's far too dangerous! Lupin had returned You could both be killed!

Bollocks! James's scrawl declared We'll make sure you don't eat anyone, except Snape maybe!

No! No! And once again No! I can't believe you even want to! Remus's neat and small letters seemed to blur in front of Peter's eyes as the sickle finally dropped and he realised what Remus was.

"He's a fucking werewolf!" breathed Peter, he was half triumphant and half terrified, he replaced Lupin's things and then sat for a long time on his bed, thinking.

XXXXxxxx0000xxxxXXXX

"Repeat after me" Sirius growled manically, inches away from Peter's dripping face "Remus Lupin does not want a flea collar"

Peter's eyes travelled from the toilet bowl in front of him to Sirius's face. Terror coursed through him, he was almost paralysed by fear. The hand on the back of his head jerked him forward so that his face almost touched the water again.

"Ya know Sirius" drawled James's voice from behind him, without looking Peter knew he would be lounging nonchalantly against the toilet door "I don't think he heard you"

"I think you may be right there James my lad" replied Sirius in Peter's ear, he didn't even have time to take a breath before his face was plunged once again into the water and he felt James's knee in his back as he leant over to flush the toilet again.

"Enough!" came the muffled plea from Remus, yet he still wasn't released until the flush had finished and Sirius's hand locked in his hair, dragging his head back painfully. Peter coughed and retched as his neck strained against the hand.

"Sirius!" Lupin sounded angry and upset, not something Peter had heard before "No more, please, let's just forget it!"

"No Remus, I won't forget it, this little scrote found out somehow about your problem, fine, it was only a matter of time, it's his attitude towards it that I dislike" Sirius spoke to Lupin, yet his eyes never left Peter's.

"I didn't…." Peter stammered "Just wanted to…" water still choked in his throat and that and the terror he was feeling caused him to cough again.

"Just wanted to what?" James asked lazily.

"Be..." Peter spluttered "Your…friend"

The laughter that erupted from James and Sirius was almost as painful as the vice like grip on his scalp.

"Our friend, oh please!" chortled James.

"Sirius no!" pleaded Remus as he once again pushed Peter's face towards the water.

"All he has to do is say it Remus" said Sirius, dangerously dark.

"For Merlin's sake Peter, just say it!" exhorted Remus.

"R...Remus Lupin does not want a flea c…collar" Peter managed to whimper, his nose touching the water.

Suddenly he was released, and he sprawled back onto the cold tiles.

"If you tell anyone about Remus, or this" James warned, his face inches from Peter's "This experience will be positively pleasant compared to what we will do to you" Peter shrank from him and James laughed again, standing up and leaning against the wall next to Sirius.

He lay there for what seemed like hours until he felt a hand tug on his arm, he opened his eyes and saw Remus trying to help him to his feet, he suddenly felt guilty for what he had said to Remus, almost as a joke he'd said it, as if asking him if he wanted a glass of water ~ Do you want a flea collar for your wanderings tonight Remus?

"If you wanted to be our friend Peter" Remus said quietly "All you needed to do was ask"

"I'm sorry Remus" Peter hung his head as huffing and snorting emanated from the direction of his tormentors, still lounging against the wall.

And that's how it started, the three slowly became four, morphing into The Marauders, hell raising around Hogwarts, becoming legends. But Peter Pettigrew never forgot his humiliation at the hands of Sirius Black and James Potter, and one day he would have his revenge. Many years in the future it would be, but revenge was always a dish best served cold.