Title: Keeping Faith

Summary: Companion piece to the short 'Swing' (also known as 'Three Men and a Record Player' in some circles). The Purveyors of Magical Mischief- Makers slowly disband, and doubt clouds reason.

Note: This first chapter is for the Reluctant Wormtail – you poor traitor, you. This was not added onto 'Swing', since... Well, while it does take place around the same time, it's... Different. oO;; I don't know... Anyways, enjoy.


"Mmph." He groaned, voice muffled by the mattress upon which he laid his cheek and pillow over his head. "Is't time yet," Peter mumbled. "Go back bed."

"It is time," said the familiar voice. A chill raced up Peter's neck. The voice in his ear was icy: what breath should have been warm with life was cold – dead cold.

"Master!" he squeaked.

The Animagus started from his place of sleep, small, watery eyes darting this way and that. The tattered veil that served as a wall and door to his corner fluttered briefly in a breeze – there being a liberal crack in the wall –, and his things lay scattered about the small area. No one there...

"You're awake, Wormtail?"

Peter crept from his creaking mattress and slipped past the curtain – nary a disturbance in the many folds. His sharp eyes easily discerned the form of Mister RJ Lupin; Remus, even at twenty-one years of age, looked decades older. 'Forty, even!' Pettigrew remarked inwardly, trying to dismiss the utter horror of this betrayal – to his friend. Lupin's eyes were nearly closed in weary torment, light brown hair fluttering carelessly about.

Streaks of grey played about the tips of his light tresses. So careworn. Another stab of guilt. A man who had taken him in against it all, and he would be used so cruelly, was subjected to endless puzzles that were the true cause of his glazed eyes.

A bronze kettle shuddered over the gas stove. Partially in defiance to his parents, Sirius had insisted on at least a partly Muggle dwelling. For Remus, his being half-blooded himself, it was a comfort.

Half-blood. Peter directed his squinted periwinkle gaze towards his feet, toes freezing against the cold wood planks. That was what it all came down to, wasn't it? Blood. Peter forced himself to look up again. Too late, now.

Remus's curious amber eyes flitted towards the traitor. "What are you doing up so late?" he asked, tone voicing true concern. "Can't sleep?"

"I guess," replied Peter in a low mumble. What was he going to say? 'I've been awaken by my guilt about betraying the only three people who've ever accepted me, including you'? "What're you –" The rest was blocked by an overpowering yawn.

Remus smiled softly. "I'm usually up at this hour," he said. "A confirmed insomniac, I'm sorry to say –" He quickly lifted the kettle from the stove, just as it began to whistle. "Wouldn't want to wake Sleeping Beauty," Remus quipped, just as Sirius gave a particularly loud snore.

Wormtail was forced to do some quick thinking – should I carry through? It was now or never; no turning back after this. He thought of James, of Sirius and Remus, his best friends. Peter contemplated James's old sweetheart and wife, Lily – they had a child, now. He'd only just turned one year old. Could he really do this?

"No, we wouldn't," murmured Peter softly. He had decided. "Remus, I think – Sirius. Lily and James – they're hiding, you know that, but... I think Sirius is the Secret-Keeper."

Lupin paused while tipping the kettle's spout into a teacup. "What?"

"Sirius – their Secret-Keeper," Peter repeated. The seeds of deceit. "Has Dumbledore told you about – about how You-Know-Who is able to find them...?"

"An insider," said Lupin quietly to himself – warily, uncertain. Cautious. "A traitor." Peter nodded silently, his thin lips a nondescript line.

"Sirius... Sirius is the traitor?" Remus looked sharply at Peter, tired eyes suddenly awake, and questioning. "Sirius – he's not –" Sirius cried over a lost Puffskein in his sleep. The pair peered past the kitchen counter and towards Black's corner of the apartment, suspicion and caution written across their features. After a few moments without a sound, Remus turned back swiftly to Peter.

"I can't be sure," said Peter quickly. "I don't know – it's just..." Peter shook his head. "Just be careful who you trust."

Remus's eyes narrowed. He meant it to be an expression of disbelief, but the doubt showed in his eyes. "I'm always careful."


Another Note: This was short... Sigh More to come.