A/N: This one shot takes place during the third Spider-Man movie. Soon after Harry regains his memory (which was lost to him thanks to that head injury) he begins to plan Peter's demise. It follows the poem A Poison Tree by William Blake.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Spider-Man universe or its characters; never will. I don't own the poem A Poison Tree, either. I just studied it in high school.

And so I bid ye . . . enjoy.


I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears,
And I sunned it with smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright,
And my foe beheld it shine,
and he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning, glad, I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

-- A Poison Tree by William Blake


A Poison Tree


I remember, Pete. I remember it all.

I remember seeing you bring my father's body after you killed him. I remember seeing your face when I pulled off that mask. I remember seeing you holding Mary Jane's hand when your aunt was in the hospital. I remember you fighting me in the sky, hurting me. I remember it all.

I was angry with my friend
I told my wrath, my wrath did end . . . .

You don't know I remember, yet. And you won't know until it's too late.

I was angry with my foe
I told it not, my wrath did grow . . . .

I'll pay you back, Pete. I'll show you just how dangerous I can be. I'll hurt you in such a way that you'll feel like the world is crumbling in around you. I'll make you cringe. I'll make you cry. I'll make you hurt so much, Pete. That I promise you.

And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears . . . .

I'll hurt you, but you'll never know its me until its much too late.

And I sunned it with smiles
Andwith soft deceitful wiles . . . .

I'll be your friend in your eyes. I'll be your best friend, your buddy. Because isn't that what I've always been? Your best friend? Haven't I always been there? And I'll be there again, Pete. I'll be the shoulder to cry on, the hand to help you back up.

And it grew both day and night
Till it bore an apple bright . . . .

I'll be the one you can talk to. I'll listen and nod and offer sympathizing words. I'll buy you a drink and pat you on the back. I'll tell you it's going to be ok, everything's going to be alright. I'll tell you the world isn't going to end, buddy.

And my foe beheld it shine
and he knew that it was mine . . . .

You'll think I'm being nice. You'll think I'm doing what a friend is supposed to do, because its what I've always done. You talk to me, you'll pour all your troubles out to me. You'll expect me to comfort you.

And I will.

I'll lay out the bait, Pete. All you have to do is crawl into the trap.

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole . . . .

Follow my smiles, Pete. Follow my reassurances. Fall for my acting, Pete. 'Cause I'm your friend, right? Your best friend.

Just keep believing that.

You're on the edge of the trap, buddy. One more step . . . one more step, and it'll snap.

What are you waiting for?

In the morning, glad, I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

C'mon, buddy. I'm your pal.

Just keep believing that.