Chapter 21

James sat rigidly on one of the chairs in Dumbledore's office. He didn't quite know what to do. The room was deathly quiet. Lily was standing over him, and Dumbledore was pacing beside his desk. Fawkes let out a shrill cry and rustled his flaming feathers as he repositioned himself on his perch. Dumbledore held his wand to his forehead and withdrew the long silver strand of a memory. He placed it into the Pensieve, where it swirled and mixed with the aging headmaster's other numerous recollections.

Sitting on the other end of the office was Peter Pettigrew, who was the cause of all this awkward and intense silence. Lily and James were both at a loss of what to do, what to think. Just minutes ago, an intense battle had ripped apart the streets of Hogsmeade. Leading the attacks, of course, was Sirius Black. James had just thought it cursed luck. He and his family did not often venture out into the public eye, spending nearly all their time in either Hogwarts or their own home. In fact, Olivia had only been out three times in her entire life. What luck that the day the small family went out they were attacked.

But it hadn't been a coincidence. They had been ratted out. Literally ratted out. James shifted his gaze over to Peter. Peter had been approached a few years ago by Sirius to join the Death Eaters. He hadn't immediately accepted (and by looking at his arm, one could see he still hadn't accepted. Spy or no, no servant of the Dark Lord was not branded). Sirius had left Peter alone for some time, but a few weeks ago, he had returned with the offer. While Peter had not completely caved, he had told Sirius that the Potters would be taking their daughter out to Hogsmeade for her birthday. And so Sirius had attacked.

James was very certain that he, Lily, and Harry had not been killed by Sirius because the Sirius they knew was still trapped inside the General. But Sirius had never known Olivia. There would be nothing to stop him from killing her. So, of course, James had had Lily run for safety with her. And Lily, not able to leave a fight behind, had given Olivia to Peter to take into the castle. It was as natural as to put her straight into Dumbledore's hands.

James shuddered. Peter had had Olivia. Ten minutes ago, that would have never bothered him. But now, he was terrified. Peter had given information to Sirius. He had had the opportunity to hand over the Potters' remaining child too. He hadn't, but had he considered it?

Peter had told them what Sirius said, about how if Peter were to become a Death Eater he might be able to speak for Lily and James to the Dark Lord. Sirius had demanded some kind of information as proof of loyalty. Peter had told him about Olivia's birthday outing. Sirius, of course, had taken advantage of the information.

Peter had betrayed them. He had offered them up to Sirius and the Death Eaters. It stung. James had never personally known someone who had offered information up to the Death Eaters. Of course, James did not count Sirius. Sirius had been stolen. But Peter had gone and spoken of his own free will. He hadn't been tortured. He hadn't been under the influence of a spell or potion.

But he had been terrified.

Peter had never been the bravest of people, and he had certainly been the least brave of the Marauders. James had often wondered how Peter ever managed to be placed in Gryffindor. In fact, James still thought Peter was more of a Hufflepuff, the leftover. It was horrible to say. James remembered how often he and Sirius had snickered about it.

Peter had told his whole story to the three, and Dumbledore had been able to find no lies in Peter's eyes. But for safety, he had called for Snape and a vial of Vertaserum. And under the affects of the potion, Peter had produced the same tale.

And thus was the whole problem. Peter had betrayed them, but he hadn't wanted to. He had been bullied, but he still caved in. Because he had offered information once, he was capable of doing it again. Sirius knew that he would be able to use Peter, so he would certainly try again and again. Would Peter be able to resist him, especially if Sirius resorted to spells?

James looked over at Peter. He looked completely miserable. James drew in a deep breath. He knew that had to be done here. It certainly wasn't an easy thing. He looked over his shoulder at Lily. She was regarding Peter thoughtfully. Sensing the gaze of her husband, Lily turned her bright orbs to James. With a steely glance, she nodded. James stood and took her hand. Together they walked up to Peter.

Peter whimpered at their approach, but he did not look up at them. "Peter," James said. Peter was visibly holding back a wave of sobs. James knelt down to the other man's eye level. "Peter, look at me," James said. Peter muttered something incoherent. "Didn't catch that."

"I—I d-don't deser-serve to," Peter stammered.

Lily laughed. "Don't be silly, Peter," she said.

"Quite right, Wormtail," James said, a smile forming on his own face. "Since when weren't you deserving of looking at my glorious face?"

"Not now, James," Lily said with a slightly exasperated tone.

Peter finally looked up at his old friends, an expression of extreme confusion on his face. "I don't understand," he said.

"Peter," James said, "You made a mistake. You did something wrong, that's true, but remember you're human. We all make mistakes. Some are worse than others. But if you're truly sorry for what you've done, then who are we to punish you?"

"You could have done so much worse, Pete," Lily said softly. "I gave Olivia to you, and you brought her here safely. I think you know what it would have done to us to have another child taken."

Peter shuddered. "I didn't—I couldn't—she's still so little."

Lily nodded and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know. And you kept her safe for us. We owe you quite a bit for that." James nodded.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Peter tentatively asked, "So, are you not mad at me?"

"Well," James said thoughtfully, "not mad, I suppose. A bit disappointed, perhaps. But I can see where you came from, wanting to keep people close to you safe. There are some mad extremes I'd go to to keep the people I love safe, so I can't really be mad at you. It'd be a bit hypocritical of me, you see."

"I don't deserve this," Peter said, lowering his eyes.

James grasped his friend's shoulders and shook him a bit. "Listen here, Wormtail," he said forcefully. "Stop saying you don't deserve things. No one here is any better than you. Lily and I forgive you, and that's all there is to it. What's done is done, and we shouldn't have to talk about this again."

"But how can you forgive me so easily," Peter asked.

James's lips drew into a fine line. He could feel Lily behind him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I've just got to forgive you, Wormtail," James said stiffly. "I can't give up on my friends."

Peter sucked in a sharp breath. He opened his mouth to say something, but he decided against it and opted to nod his head instead. Lily wrapped her arms around James's shoulders. "Are you okay now, Peter," she asked.

Peter nodded. He drew his shoulders up a little straighter and said, "I won't let him pressure me again, and I promise I'll try really hard to make him remember."

James smiled at Peter. That was probably the bravest he'd ever looked.

Sirius Black frowned at the dingy little shack that stood some yards away from him. It disgusted him to think that someone actually lived in it, but then again, that someone was just a filthy half-breed. Sirius crossed his arms as he stared through the thick trees, his frown deepening on his face. The waxing moon shown down on the scene, making it appear strangely beautiful. In fact, Sirius might have felt at peace here were it not for that ugly shack.

There was a rustle of movement beside him followed by a few desperate growls. Sirius arched a brow and turned a condescending glance to his companion. "Is that completely necessary," he asked. The other turned to look at him, amber eyes burning in the ever-increasing moonlight. His white fangs glistened as he smirked. Sirius sneered and turned his attention back to the shack. "Animal," he muttered.

Greyback laughed almost too loudly. Sirius sent him a fierce glare to demand silence. "Right," Greyback growled. Sirius knew the werewolf was still rather angry that a human other than Voldemort had control over him, but he certainly knew that Sirius Black was not someone to trifle with, and disobeying his orders would not bode well. "So why are we just sitting here, General," he asked.

"We are waiting," Sirius said dispassionately.

"For what? He's there. He's alone," Greyback insisted. "Now would be the time to attack."

"This is not an attack," Sirius said. "The Dark Lord has asked that we turn him and integrate him into your pack. The Potters are too cowardly to come out on their own. We must force them out by ensnaring their friends. That's why I offered Pettigrew a place among the Death Eaters."

"It's stupid," Greyback muttered. "I could just go in there and physically force him into the pack. Too bad biting him wouldn't do anymore than add to physical torture." Greyback smiled nastily.

Sirius scoffed, "Save your animalistic lust for some other time when I'm not here."

"Well, it wouldn't do anything to him other than make him bleed," Greyback maintained. "I already bit him once." The animal gleam was back in his eyes. Sirius turned away. Perhaps if he stopped responding, the werewolf would simply shut his trap.

When Sirius finally deemed the time right, he lifted his wand and sent a powerful surge of magic towards the shack. The ground shook considerably as wards collapsed. Greyback flew from the brush that was partly concealing the two from view. With the swift and fluid motions that his cruse gave him, he had reached the door of the shack in nearly the blink of an eye. He physically wrenched it from the hinges and tore into the house with an inhuman howl.

Sirius followed more calmly, watching flashes of light illuminate the windows. Greayback was certainly more than enough to keep the smaller werewolf busy for a few moments. When Sirius stepped through the door, Greyback had successfully pinned the other man to the ground. Blood was pouring from his nose and lip. Greyback had a long, ugly gash that traveled down the side of his face. Sirius wondered if the other had done that with a spell or by slashing out. Considering the number of bruises already forming on both, it looked as though Greyback had quickly ridded the other of his wand. "Hello, Remus," Sirius said casually.

Remus Lupin glared hatefully up at Sirius through a swollen eye. He struggled momentarily, but Greyback's superior weight kept him efficiently pinned. "That seems rather pointless," Sirius mentioned. Lupin growled, and Sirius suspected that the werewolf would have loved to bite him.

"What do you want," Lupin asked nastily.

Lazily, Sirius inspected his nails. "Come now, Remus, surely you are smarter than that. Weren't you a prefect in school?" Lupin narrowed his amber eyes. "I have sent messengers before, werewolf," Sirius continued. "The Dark Lord desires that you join our forces. It is where you belong, after all, being a Dark creature." Sirius looked critically at Lupin's patched robes. "You, of course, realize that there is no place for a werewolf in the Light side. They all look down on you and shun you. You can hardly make the means to survive. Why stay there?"

"Because that's where my friends are," Lupin retorted. "And because I don't believe in what you say or what Voldemort—"

Sirius frowned, and Greyback twisted Lupin's arm further around his back. The smaller werewolf hissed in pain. "Do not say his name," Sirius said darkly. Again, Lupin merely glared up at the General. "Lupin," Sirius continued, "the Dark Lord grows impatient. He demands promptness and results. It is time for you to see that you belong with him."

"I don't, and I won't abandon my friends," Lupin said. "I won't become what you have."

Sirius arched a brow. "And what would you say I have become?"

"You're a traitor," Lupin snarled. "You were one of us, one of our best friends. You had us believing that you hated the Dark. Lily and James are wrong. Even if Voldemort took your memories, your real self should still be there. But you're a monster. You're more of a monster than I am on the full moon."

Sirius regarded the other man passively, almost unsure of how to act. He wanted to roll his eyes at the continued talk of him having been a blood-traitor. He wanted to snap at Lupin for comparing him to a half-breed. He wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of the comment.

Instead, he frowned, his cold grey eyes narrowing slightly. There was an oddly tight feeling in his chest. Sirius didn't know how to react to it. He had been endlessly called a monster before, that Skeeter woman from the Prophet especially loved the word. Before, it had made him smile. So why did it bring about such a different reaction just because of this werewolf?

Sirius shrugged it off. He certainly wouldn't change a thing about himself because of Lupin. Lupin was inconsequential to Sirius. Nothing Lupin said mattered to him. There were very few people on the planet whose opinions mattered to Sirius. This werewolf certainly was not one of them.

Sirius squared his shoulders and asked, "Do you deny the Dark Lord, Lupin?"

"A thousand times over," Lupin snarled.

Sirius arched a brow. He lifted his gaze to Greyback. The large man nodded and stood, releasing Lupin. The smaller werewolf slowly pushed himself up to his hands and knees. Sirius lifted his wand, and Lupin's eyes widened. Sirius momentarily wondered what spell Lupin expected. He pondered which would be better. He opted with Bella's favorite.

"Crucio," he said, and the spell hit Lupin with a flash of blood red light. He fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Sirius kept his eyes locked of Lupin's withering form, not desiring to watch the twisted pleasure in Greyback's yellow, animalistic eyes.

It was hardly a minute before the flames of Lupin's fireplace roared to life, glowing green. Then from the flames burst the Potters, Dumbledore, and a few other Order members. Sirius quickly ended the spell, turning to the new arrivals in fury. Greyback howled, ready to attack. Sirius scanned the room. Lily Potter was kneeling beside Lupin, one hand on his heaving back, the other holding her wand at the ready. The others were standing around them, wands locked on the Death Eaters.

The situation did not bode well. His capture would be imminent if he remained. Sirius stood tall. He smiled charmingly. "Until next time, ladies and gentlemen," he said with a mocking bow. He Apparated away, leaving Greyback to follow.