Chapter 2
Remus and Sirius were sitting in their compartment. Remus was trying to read a novel and Sirius was as usual sleeping. It had been almost two hours since James left them to talk to Lily. Even Remus, her only marauder friend was surprised by her tone. Lily Evans never ever asked James Potter to talk with her. She used to ignore him due to his constant pranks and arrogant behavior.
Suddenly the door of the compartment was opened and there was Peter. He tried to look happy but even sleepy Sirius was able to tell that something was wrong. Peter tried to speak but instead just fainted. It was Remus who tried to make him eat some chocolate. After some time Peter looked almost normal.
"What's going on Wormtail?" Remus was concerned
"It's nothing Moony."
"Peter, you can tell us. Come on, what is happening?" Sirius asked.
Peter was hesitant to answer. He was just too tired to talk. Remus told him to take some rest and talk to them afterwards. But Peter's rest was disturbed by Nott.
"O Peter? Come here. There is a lot of space in our compartment. You rat, why you even want to be friends with that blood-traitor and sick boy."
"How dare you talk to my mates like this, Nott?" Sirius was furious.
"Why don't you ask your pet rat Black?"
It was Remus who understood what was happening. Those Slytherins understood their secret! He walked outside their compartment. This was not possible. With all those precautions, charms cloak and map, it was impossible for someone to figure that out. And someone like Nott, a below average boy, no one would have ever dreamed about it. But this was not the time. He wasn't ever sure about that. There was just a possibility that due to the similarity between rats and Wormtail, Nott was calling him a rat. But it was a serious matter indeed! James needs to know about this.
Though Remus was the brains, many a times Prongs and Padfoot came with those pranks. And Remus never wanted to admit but it was true that Wormtail was just a hand in those pranks. He was not brilliant, fast and studious. He was more or less dumb than others three.
"Hey Moony, are you coming to the compartment?" James was in front of Remus. Lily was behind him.
"Ah Prongs, how was your day?"
"Let's go, Lily and Tonks are coming with us" James said with a familiar smirk on his face. Remus noticed that the Pink head behind Lily. He smiled shyly and greeted both of them.
"So Remus, how were the holidays?" Tonks asked
"They were pretty good, what about you?"
"They were best. I finally got the long awaited Nimbus 2000! "
"She was practically in the skies all the time Remus." Lily said
Tonks chuckled and Remus smiled uncomfortably. James gave a knowing look to Lily. And suddenly she started laughing. Remus stood there looking at her. But she and James were already gone. The moment he looked at Tonks she asked him about his studies. It was a casual conversation. But Remus failed to find out why he suddenly felt like he was on the top of the world.
Sirius and James kept chuckling whenever he looked at them. Lily and Tonks were discussing about some muggle equipments. Peter was long gone into his sleep. Remus sighed and continued reading.
The train stopped at Hogsmead. Sirius and peter were arguing about their chocolate bars and James and Lily were discussing something confidential while walking towards the castle. Tonks was behind Remus. As he looked at her hair changed into deep red. He asked her if she was alright. She nodded and they continued walking. She was hopeful for first time in her life. She wanted something desperately. It was hard but she was going to try. This was the starting of the New Year at school. Everyone was happy.