You might be wondering why I chose Phobus as Peter's middle name. One, because I thought it would be funny if Peter's initials were PPP and two, because the name Phobus means phobia or fear, ironic name for him right. Even more funny is the fact that this is apparently a pretty common name. There are people out there who think its ok to name them child something that means fear.

Also check out ashy-faced and black barn owls, they are so beautiful! I just recently discovered them.

This part of the revenge may be predictable for many people but it will get better as she goes up the 'revenge list'.

Song for this chapter is 'Bad Liar' by Imagine Dragons.

Peter's POV

As I was laying down on my bed an owl flew in through the window.

I sat up. The unacquainted ashy-faced barn owl landed on my shoulder.

My eyes widened as I saw the official MoM tag on it.

Immediately I untied the letter from the owl's foot, who then flew off into the night sky.

Why is the Ministry contacting me?

Were they taking me off duty? Was it because I was a Level 1 auror? Did they realise how useless I was in comparison to Sirius and James?

Or worse, did Mica complain about me? Did she not find me useful? Was she sick of me already? Did she find me creepy? Was it all the staring?

It must have been the staring.

Hastily I ripped the letter open.

My eyes scanned over the content of the letter.

I'm pretty sure my heart seized at one point of time. I couldn't stop the grin from spreading over my face.

This was perfect! I couldn't believe my fortune.

The position, salary, facilities, power, influence... and most importantly, the respect. I would get so much from this job. One letter, that's all it took, with that I would get all I had ever wanted.

'Mr. Peter Phobus Pettigrew, Assistant Head of Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Ministry of Magic, Assistant of Ms. Dolores Jane Umbridge.'

It had a nice ring to it.

Then my heart faltered.

My eyes widened as they concentrated on three words,

Dolores Jane Umbridge .

That was the woman who had formed the 'Anti-Werewolf Legislation'. The one who Lily was fighting against.

If I accepted...

I shuddered thinking of what my friends' reaction would be.

But I couldn't just let this opportunity go. It is too precious. Too important.

I don't know what to do.

I let the letter slip from my hands and fall on the bed as I paced my room, running a hand through my hair. I only had till tomorrow to answer.

"Peter!" a voice exclaimed, banging the door open.

I jumped about a foot in the air with a yelp. I whipped my head towards the door, a hand over my heart trying to calm it down.

Sirius laughed leaning a hand against the door frame.

"Jumpy much Wormtail," he asked.

I chuckled nervously, moving in front of the letter to hide it from his view.

Thankfully, he didn't notice.

"Yeah," I muttered out.

"Come on out, it's time for dinner," he said, swinging out the door before I could reply.

"Coming," I called out.

I glanced over my shoulder at the letter once, before I walked out of the room. James was standing there bent forward, poking a portrait of a grumpy old wizard who was shouting curses at him at the moment. Remus was shaking his head at James' antics.

"Hey boys," came a soft voice. I looked in the direction from which the voice came.

As always, Mica looked beautiful. Even when she dressed 'casually' she looked like she was about to walk down a ramp.

Sirius nudged me in the side. I looked at him. He looked pointedly at Mica and then back at me.

'What,' I mouthed, hoping that she wasn't watching.

He rolled his eyes and then mouthed back, 'Talk to her'.

My eyes widened.

Talk.

How was I supposed to talk to her? More importantly, what was I supposed to talk to her about?

I looked between Sirius and Mica.

James and Remus seemed to be distracting her currently, occasionally looking in our direction.

I racked my brain for something to say, anxiety creeping into every cell of my body.

"You're back!" I blurted out.

She turned towards me slowly. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Sirius' hand twitch as if he wanted to facepalm. James gave me an 'are-you-serious' look, Remus just looked at me with pity.

"Um- from your recording," I added looking down.

"Obviously," Mica replied giggling.

I felt my cheeks flush. She walked past me giving Sirius enough time to desperately mouth to me, 'Why?' before she turned around and asked us, "Aren't you all coming?"

"Yeah," James said as we followed her.

Sirius nudged me again and leaned in, whispering, "Talk to her!"

"About what?" I exclaimed.

"Anything," he muttered, "Make small talk."

Then he shoved me forward. I stumbled my way over to Mica's side.

She looked at me bemused.

"Hi Peter," she said chuckling.

"Hey," I breathed out. Again, I racked my brain for something to say, this time making sure I didn't say something stupid. "You look nice," I finally spoke.

She looked down at her outfit, which consisted of a tight black dress with a jean jacket over it and black boots, taken back "Thanks Pete."

My heart stopped.

"Pete?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said. Then she looked down at me worried, "It's okay if I call you that, right?"

Okay? It was perfect! Much better than Wormtail!

Of course I didn't say that.

"Yes."

"Great," she said with a grin.

I looked down, a small smile on my face.

She looked over her shoulders at the guys who not-so-discreetly looked away, as if they hadn't been staring at us with wide grins the whole time.

"Why are they staring at us?" she asked me.

"Um- uh," I started, trying to think up a response, "You see- it's like this-"

"Wait a sec," she said, I could practically see the light bulb glowing over her head, "I know what's happening here!"

She leaned in close to my face. My heart beat faster.

"It's the crush, isn't it Pete," she whispered with a grin.

"Wh-what," I spluttered out, "N-no, I mean yes- I mean- er..."

She knows! I can't believe it, she knows! And she's not running away! She doesn't look uncomfortable either. That must be a good sign, right?

"How did you figure out?" I said, finally regaining my wits.

"Come on, you all are so pathetic at acting," she said, rolling her eyes, "I'm not oblivious."

I forced the happiness in my chest to subdue a bit, I shouldn't get my hopes up. "So, would you- er- would you want to go out..." I trailed off nervously, fully expecting her to say no.

"Of course, dummy," she said laughing.

I looked up, "Really?!"

She laughed again, "Yup! For Morgana's sake, tell him I said yes."

Yes! She said yes. SHE SAID YES! She said 'tell him I said...

...Wait a sec.

"Tell- him?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, "Tell Sirius I said yes."

I felt the hope that had filled my chest, fizzle out as if it was a faulty firecracker.

"Sirius?"

She smiled, "Duh. You told him about the crush I had on him, right? And he sent you here as his wingman. To ask me on a date?"

Sirius.

It wasn't me, of course it wasn't. It was Sirius.

Why would she like me? Why would she ever accept going out with me, ever say-

"Yes."

"Great!" she exclaimed, "Tell him I said yes."

"Wh-" I said, not noticing that I had spoken out loud, "No. I meant to say no. He wasn't asking you out. They wanted me to ask you if we could accompany you to our next recording. Cause it would be... fun- to watch."

"Oh," she said, a disappointed look coming over her face, "I'll check with the record."

We arrived at the Great Hall, and I slowly fell back not wanting her to see my reaction.

I felt a hand swing over my shoulder, and I masked my face from the sorrow I felt.

"Sooo," Sirius said with a smirk, drawing out the 'so', "How did it go?"

"I think it went pretty well, aye Wormtail," James said continuing with the teasing, "You two looked pretty cosy."

"Okay guys, leave him alone," Remus said, pushing the two boys away from me, "He doesn't need you all to be overbearing."

"But-"

"Oh, come on-"

"Moony- Wormtail's got a crush-"

"This is a once in a lifetime chance-"

"No."

"Mooooony..."

"You've become such a spoil sport."

"And after just two years as professor."

"That's insulting to the years we've dedicated to corrupt you."

"To being the best bad influence in the world."

"Bloody hell, shut it you two."

"Thank Merlin! He still swears."

"He's not a complete lost cause."

I zoned out of the three boy's conversation.

The dinner that day seemed to pass in a blur. Before I knew it, we were returning back to our rooms.

The guys tried to force some more conversations between Mica and I but it was predominantly meaningless, my heart just wasn't into it.

I waved to Mica and the smirking boys a good bye and walked into my room.

The letter rested on the bed untouched.

Fury surged through me. Why should I care about my so-called friends? Why should I care about what they thought of me? I've gotten a great opportunity. I will use it.

I moved towards a desk with long aggressive strides and grabbed a spare parchment and a quill.

I sat down on the chair and poised my hand over the parchment, ready to form a reply.

I froze.

How would they react though?

Remus would just be hurt. I could handle that.

But James and Sirius would be furious.

And Lily- oh Merlin! Lily would be bloody pissed!

What would they do when they find out? An angry Gryffindor was an unpredictable Gryffindor. There was no saying how they would react.

Was I willing to risk that? Was I willing to risk them finding out?

I stared at the parchment.

I couldn't just let this opportunity slip away though.

Dear Ms. Umbridge,

I accept your offer. Looking forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Peter Phobus Pettigrew

Was I, willing to risk them finding out?

No.

Not yet at least.

I rolled up the letter and headed out from my room towards the Owlery.

I'll just have to make sure they don't find out.

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