Disclaimer: all characters, places etc., are the property of J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Prompted by TechNomaNcer28: "How about something like Peter's thoughts on James and why he idolizes him so much? Maybe something could happen and they could become friends! Hmm...maybe!"

#4 - What Friends Are For

James was in the Charms corridor when he heard it – a muffled sort of sobbing, punctuated every now and then by a nasal laugh. He frowned, drawing his wand, and went in search of the noise. He tracked it to a door near the end of the corridor, which had been magically sealed.

"Alohamora," he said confidently, waving his wand. The lock sprang open to reveal a broom closet. Inside were two boys from James's year, a thin, pale-faced Slytherin with curtains of dark hair, and a short, squat Gryffindor. James recognized them both – the Slytherin was friends with the redheaded bombshell that had caught James's attention during the Sorting, and the Gryffindor was one of his dorm-mates. His last name was Pettigrew, but try as he might, James could not remember the boy's first name.

"What's going on?" James asked casually, pretending not to notice the tear tracks on Pettigrew's cheeks. He was crouched on the floor, his arms wrapped protectively around his body.

"None of your business, Potter," the Slytherin bit out, sneering in James's face. James quirked an eyebrow. Who the hell did this greasy little Slytherin think he was, talking to him like that?

"What's your name?" James asked, raising his wand so that the Slytherin could see it.

"Severus," he said, drawing himself up to look taller. "Severus Snape."

James snorted. "Alright then, Snivellus," he said, his upper lip curling. "I don't know what you're doing to Pettigrew–"

"Peter," the smaller boy offered, his voice trembling feebly. James went on.

"I don't know what you're doing to Peter," he said, "but whatever it is, you're going to stop right now. And if you ever come near me or my friends again, I will curse your greasy, pimpled arse into the next hemisphere. Do I make myself clear?"

Snape's eyes flashed and he elbowed his way out of the closet, muttering under his breath. James held out his hand to help Peter up and the smaller boy accepted it, a blush spreading across his cheeks.

"Thank you," he muttered.

"No problem," James replied, shooting him a winning smile. "What are friends for?"

I know it's short, but it IS a drabble :P Remember to review and prompt if you want to :)