Authors Note: I haven't written fanfic in a while, but the muse was upon me. Maybe I'll actually finish this one. I hope so, I like what I've done so far. Not much to say, besides any parts in first person are Albus Dumbledore's thoughts.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, its all J.K. Rowling and her publishers, and Warner Bros. Please don't sue me, its just a fanfic.
Once, They Were Friends
Prologue
Peter Pettigrew, the last of Lord Voldemort's major
supporters, at last fell two days ago. He was killed in a
duel by Remus Lupin, a professor at Hogwarts School. Lupin
fought nobly, and though he was mortally wounded, he
managed to finally kill Pettigrew. He died of wounds inflicted,
not by a wand, but of Pettigrew's silver hand. As all "Daily
Prophet" readers know, Lord Voldemort was killed . . .
So the era of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs has come to an end. Even I never thought it would end like that. I had always hoped, if not really believed, that Peter would return to the side of good, repent for the crimes he committed. But once a man has fallen that far, it is impossible to return. Having known them since they were young, I should have recognized the seeds of corruption in him, the latching one to the one that could give him the most power. I could have prevented so much pain for all of them, and for the ones who loved them. But hindsight is always twenty-twenty, to use a rather cliche expression. To see how they reached their deaths, all young, all in violence and battle, it seems necessary to see where they began. I must write it, must make it known.
-Albus Dumbledore, December 1998
Sirius Black was born first, the first of two children to a wealthy, pureblood family. His childhood, though privileged, would not be a joyful one. His parents, in attempts to keep his mind and blood line "pure," cut him and his brother off from anyone who may teach them "subversive" ideas. There were not many other children in the Black family, and in his solitude, Sirius began to not only resent his parents at a very young age, but to question their fervent beliefs in purity of blood.
James Potter was born a few months later, also to a pureblood family. His childhood, however, was a far more pleasant one. He had no siblings, but many friends with local children. Some were magical, some were not. It never mattered to the Potters, so it never mattered to James. His parents taught James tolerance for all people, but also instilled in him two things that proved problematic as he grew older. First was a tendency to hold grudges, and the second were the seeds of a superiority complex. As an only child, and a very bright little boy, James was the recipient of all his parents' praise. Though he had many local friends, he wasn't necessarily prepared to be in a situation where people didn't always have to tell him he was the best.
Peter Pettigrew was born within a week of James, but seemed considerably younger. Also an only child, he spent much of his time alone. His parents, both muggles, worked much of the time, and his two sisters were much older than he. He had few real friends as a small child. When he did go to playgrounds, he was often picked on by older bullies. Though not as smart as some of his Hogwarts classmates, he learned one thing early on. The easiest way not to be picked on is to befriend those who would be bullying you. A philosophy he would live by all of his life.
Several months after Peter was born, on the second day of September, a set of twins was born to Emily and Julius Lupin. Lupin, though fitting because of future circumstances, was an ancestral name, changed over the years from something now long forgotten. Julius liked to tell people in pubs that his great-great grandfather had once killed a werewolf terrorizing his village, but that was most likely not the case. The twins were named Romulus and Remus, upholding a tradition of naming children after Roman heroes.
And so in that year, four very different boys were born, destined to meet and befriend one another. We know the fates of their adult lives, but as students we have only whisperings. Whatever would happen later in life, at Hogwarts they were friends, and nothing could change that.
More to come soon, I promise. If you liked it, review. If you hated it, review. Criticism is always welcome, as long as its constructive. The more encouragement I get, the faster I post.