A/N: Just thought I would let you guys know, if you like using Wattpad more (I know I do), I'm on there as isthishxppiness (I usually update their first because it's easier for me).

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the order these words are in, everything else belongs to JKR

September 22, 1977

That Morning (at a Reasonable Time), The Hospital Wing

3rd Person POV:

*Use of Profanity*

Hermione sighed quietly to herself when she opened her eyes, and was opened her eyes, and was yet again met with the Hospital Wing Ceiling. She was getting rather sick of being here. Her thoughts strayed back to what happened last night – or, really, earlier this morning – and she groaned at the thought of breaking the news to the other Marauders. Maybe Minerva or someone will tell them, she hoped, but probably not. After all, since I was the one who "figured" it out, them might want me to break it to them. As she got ready for class, she pondered how exactly she would tell them. Hey, your other best friend – yeah, the rat – is a death eater, by the way.

She thought about skipping breakfast, but then decided that would be weird, not to mention the fact that she had promised Sirius she would see him then. Sitting down at the end of the table – she hadn't wanted to talk to anyone at the moment – she grabbed a slice of toast, beginning to butter it and, once again, getting lost in her thoughts.

However, she was rudelyinterrupted by a way too chipper James plopping down next to her, "Today's the day!"

"For what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"The day Evans is going to confess her love to me!"

Sitting down on her other side, Sirius rolled his eyes, "Mate, you say that every day, and it hasn't happened yet."

"Nor will it ever happen," Remus added, grinning, from across her.

"You just wait! It'll happen, I swear it!" James cried indignantly.

Hermione nodded absentmindedly, staring at her toast. She couldn't bring herself to meet any of their eyes, knowing that what she would have to tell them later would crush them. She couldn't help but cling on to the hope that Minerva or Albus would tell them.

And, as it happens ever so often, one's wishes are granted.

When Minerva walked into the Great Hall that morning, she saw her daughter's expression, and she knew that it would be difficult for her to tell the boys. Taking a deep breath, she made her way over to them, "Potter, Black, Lupin, Granger, come with me, there is something I need to discuss with the four of you." Catching Hermione's eye, she winked when the boys weren't looking, and she smiled a little to herself at the girl's relieved face.

They walked to her office slowly, Sirius and James both pestering "Minnie," who only ignored them, and Hermione trailing behind, dreading the conversation to come.

Remus caught on to this, and hung back for a moment, letting Hermione catch up, "Hey, is everything ok?"

"Huh?" She looked up, startled, "Oh, yeah, yeah, everything's ok."

At his skeptical look, she offered a weak smile, and he dropped it, but stayed by her side.

"I wonder where Pete is," James' loud voice cut through her thoughts as they arrived at the Deputy Head's office, and Hermione couldn't help the wince that crossed her face. Both Sirius and Remus noticed it, however, but when they made eye contact, the two agreed to not say anything.

"Probably still asleep, or something," Sirius replied a moment later as the three boys sat down.

Sighing, Minerva made her way behind her desk, "I'm afraid not, boys."

"What do you mean?" Remus' forehead wrinkled slightly in confusion.

"Last night, Mr. Pettigrew was found harassing another student, who accused him of being a Death Eater."

At the three boys' cries of indignation, she held up a hand for them to stop.

"Accusations like those are very serious, so he was taken to the Headmaster's office for questioning under Veritaserum." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "He admitted to it."

"That's not true!" Yelled Sirius, standing up, "Pete would never do something like that! You're lying!"

"I'm afraid not, Sirius." Minerva replied, using his first name, "We found the dark mark on his arm, and Auror Moody has taken him to Azkaban, where he awaits a trial. He and a few others will be back at some point today to search through Peter's belongings."

"I don't believe you!" James cried, "This has got to be some sort of crazy prank. And I'll tell you, right now! It's not funny!"

"I'm very sorry, boys, but it's all true. I know that Peter was the last person you would have thought to be a Death Eater, and I didn't believe it at first, either. But I can confirm that it is all very true."

Remus, who had been silent up until then, spoke up, "Which student accused him of it?"

At his question, both Minerva and Hermione (who had been standing a few feet behind the boys) froze, looking at each other. When Hermione gave Minerva a miniscule nod, and the Deputy took a deep breath, "Miss Granger."

"What happened to Hermione?" James and Sirius both asked at the same time, not quite understanding that Minerva had answered Remus' question.

However, Remus understood, and he swiveled around in his seat to look at her, "Hermione?" When she didn't respond, he continued, "Is it true? How did you know?"

"I-I-um-well." She stumbled over her words, "Yes, yes, it is true. He admitted it to me last night."

Sirius stared at her, "That's stupid. First of all, none of it's true, and second of all, if it was, why would he admit to it?"

Hermione stared at the floor, "Remember when I went out for a walk? Well, I saw him and some Slytherins walking back to the castle together, so I went to go say 'Hi.' Anyway, that's why Bellatrix and I got into a fight – she was threatening me, saying that if I told anyone I would be in trouble. And then, Peter came to the Hospital Wing last night, and he also threatened me, except he let it slip that he was working for Voldemort." The other teenagers winced at his name, but Hermione continued anyway, "So I called for Madame Pomfrey, who got Al- Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Auror Moody. We all went to his office, and Professor Slughorn brought the Veritaserum." She paused, her voice shaking a little – not because she felt bad for Peter, no, but because she felt bad for the boys, "They-they had to force it down his throat, and then Professor Dumbledore started q-questioning him." She stopped again, fighting back her angry tears, "He admitted to it. He said he joined during December of your 5th year, or so."

"Liar." Sirius glared at her.

"N-No! I'm not lying, I swear! He had the mark and everything!"

Remus buried his head in his hands, James tried to keep his tears at bay, and Sirius' eyes begged her to tell them she was only kidding.

Hermione felt a sharp pang of guilt at the pain she was causing these boys, It will be better for them in the long run, remember. Well, that's what she told herself, anyway, but the problem was that she never liked to listen herself.

"I-I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." She stammered out.

Remus looked up at her, finally speaking, "You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't know this was going to happen – he brought it upon himself."

Hermione winced; she did know this was going to happen. She made her way over to Remus sitting beside him and wrapping her arms around him. She wasn't exactly sure what she should do, but hugging him felt, well, it felt right.

To her surprise, the lycan turned to her, hugging her back. He buried his face into her neck, and a moment later, she felt the hot tears. After a minute she couldn't hold hers back anymore and her own tears were streaming down her face as she stroked his back whispering that, "Everything will be ok. I promise."

"B-But what if it's not?" James quiet voice broke through the nervous silence.

"It will be, I promise. We'll make sure it is, alright, James?"

Hearing her words, Sirius whirled around, "How do you know? How could you possibly know how things are going to turn out? Huh? See, that's the thing, you don't! None of us do! Our best friend – our brother – just turned out to be a fucking Death Eater!"

Hermione looked at him for a moment, "I just do."

"Oh! She just does! That certainly helps!" He yelled at her, and Hermione had to remind herself that he was hurting, that's why he's lashing out like this.

Gently easing Remus, who had stopped crying, off her, she made her way towards Sirius and pulled him towards her. He stiffened for a moment, and she couldn't help being surprised when, after a few seconds, he clutched her like she was his lifeline, his uncontrollable cries finally filling the room.

And that's how Minerva found the four of them when she came back to the room.

Grieving.

For a stranger.

For their best friend.

For their brother.

For the boy who made all the wrong decisions.

For the boy who worked for Voldemort.

For the Death Eater.

A/N: Hey guys! So I know that this is really short, but I'm planning on having shorter chapters, and faster updates. Please wear a mask and stay safe, and don't forget to review what you think and tell me if you like it ~ it really means a lot :D

All my love,

zoe :)