Lily hummed softly to herself

A/N: Actually, I wasn't originally planning to write this chapter. But then I thought, why not? I realized the story was getting a lil cliché, so I decided to add it. I know there aren't a whole lot of things from Peter's POV, and I thought it might be interesting to try it. Sorry if it sucks, I tried my hardest ;)

Once again, major thanks to all you wonderful reviewers out there. What can I say, I love you all.

At the moment I am on a rabid search for a story I once read. I really need to start taking some ginkgo pills, or whatever it is that improves your memory. Anyway, it's a Harry Potter fic centered around Fred Weasley. The plot is basically a play off of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Tale". After George's death, Fred has become a drug addict. He is eventually shown how his actions affect his family and friends. If you know the title or author of this story, please email me! I would be forever grateful :)

Sorry for any and all spelling and grammar mistakes in here…I do try not to make them, but it is so terribly hard.

Disclaimer: You've read one of these things you've read 'em all. None of the characters belong to me, they're all JK Rowlings (except Sarah…but she wasn't in here for very long now was she?)

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Chapter 3

A short, stout man ran down a dark street. It was easy to see he wasn't used to doing this sort of thing very often. It seemed a huge effort for him. He paused on a street corner to force air into his lugs, extremely careful not to step into the glow from the streetlight. A thin trickle of sweat ran down his forward, and a pitiful moan escaped from his throat.

Peter Pettigrew wiped the sweat away. What now? he thought. They'll come after me…the whole Ministry will be after me…

It wasn't the Ministry Peter was too worried about though. No, he could probably hide from them. They didn't know he was an Animagi. But there were two people who did know, who could find him…

Sirius and Remus.

Peter let out a small whimper at the thought of these two. They'll hunt me down he thought desperately. After what I've done. A small tear trickled down his cheek. Poor James. And Lily…she was always so kind…

Five years ago, Peter never would have dreamed of doing this. Never. He loved James like a brother. James had always looked out for him, protected him.

But then he had found someone who could offer something more. Not only protection, but power. And lots of it.

Voldemort.

Peter involuntary cringed at the thought of him. Every fiber of Peter's body was repulsed by him. His awful glowing eyes, his snake-like nose. But at the same time, every fiber of his body was called to him. Not to him, but to what he had to offer. Power.

Peter had always been slightly jealous of his friends. James, Sirius, and Remus. All three of them could perform the hardest bit of magic just like that, while Peter struggled just to grasp the concept of it. He had always hidden his jealousy though, never let it show. But that envy never really went away, never left him.

Then, five years ago, Voldemort found him. How, Peter didn't know. All he knew was that Voldemort had wanted someone like him, someone simple, someone who the Ministry would never suspect of being a Dark Wizard. Peter had been shocked by his offers at first, frightened. But then he grew more interested. Voldemort told Peter he could be a great wizard, if only he followed his master faithfully. He could rule the world…

Peter had given in. The thing he had wanted his whole life was being given to him on a silver platter. Or so it seemed at the time. After several years of helping Voldemort with his evil schemes, Peter had wanted out. Wanted out desperately. But he couldn't. Voldemort had too much influence over him, too much control. Peter was just a puppet in his hands, doing his frightful biddings.

Then Voldemort had told him. He wanted James Potter. He wanted him dead. He wanted to kill him. And he wanted Peter to help him.

Peter had never been more frightened in his whole life. He couldn't, wouldn't help Voldemort kill his best friend. After all James had done for him…why, it was James who helped him become an Animagi. But Voldemort insisted. Peter was powerless to resist.

A gleam of hope seemed to show at the end of the dark tunnel though. The Potters were taking strong precautions, with help from Dumbledore. They were performing some sort of charm that would keep them hidden from Voldemort. Peter couldn't understand the procedures that went along with this charm, they were too complicated. But he understood one thing. They needed a secret keeper, and once they had that person Voldemort would never be able to find them. Peter figured he'd be off the hook. Say "Sorry Master, but they have a secret keeper! There's nothing I can do."

That hope faded quickly. Sirius talked to him, explained to him he wanted Peter to be the secret keeper. "It's safer this way," he had said, a troubled look in his eyes. "Voldemort would come right after me, but you…you've got a shot." Of course Peter had agreed. He couldn't refuse without looking suspicious. So he became the Potter's secret keeper. He had to tell Voldemort.

Peter had been crying when he told him. Sobbing, barely able to get the words out. When he finally did, Voldemort simply smiled. Chuckling, he walked out the door. Peter was alone. He had succeeded to his master, but he had failed to his friends.

And now he was alone again. The news traveled very quickly that Voldemort had been destroyed. Peter had heard within an hour. He always thought he would be happy when he heard this news. Instead, he was filled with fear.

There was no one to protect him. No one to protect him from Sirius and Remus.

Peter knew they would come after him. He knew they would show no mercy. So he ran. He didn't know where he was going. He found himself in a small Muggle town. I'll be safe here he thought. They wouldn't come searching in a Muggle village. He gulped. Hopefully they wouldn't…

Peter's hopes rose as the day wore on. It was midday now, and he had seen no sign of Sirius, Remus, or the Ministry, just lots of Muggles. And of course, they were oblivious to what was going on. Peter began making plans. He would buy a ticket on a ship to somewhere far away…maybe America, he wasn't sure. And there he could start a new life. A new, clean life. He would be safe.

Things were going according to plan. Things were looking bright. Then Peter spotted him.

Sirius was walking down a crowded street, looking at all the people. Searching for someone. For Peter.

Peter began to shake. Sirius would find him. It was only a matter of time before he spotted him. He was going to kill him…

No. I can't die, not this way, not now…

Then he had an idea. His eyes grew wide as he whispered "Sirius was going to be the secret keeper…"

No one knew it was really Peter, not even Remus or Dumbledore. If he could just…but no, how could he do that? Sirius was his friend…but then, he was out to kill him. It was a terrible, awful idea…but it would save him. Save him from death. And with all the curses he had learned from Voldemort…it would work.

Peter flung himself into the street, running towards Sirius. Running so fast no one could tell how badly his legs were shaking, how distressed his eyes looked.

"Sirius!" he shouted. Sirius looked with a start and saw him. Peter saw his eyes grow dark, but Peter continued to run towards him.

"Sirius!" he yelled out, tears brimming in his eyes. He had always been rather good at fake crying. "How could you? Lily and James, Sirius, how could you?" Sirius took a step backwards, his eyes searching Peter's. He said in a barely audible whisper "What are you trying to do, you fucking bastard".

Peter pretended not to hear, just continued walking purposely towards Sirius. Sirius continued to walk backwards, until finally he was up against a wall. Peter had him where he wanted him. Now, if he could just muster up the courage…

Keep yelling he thought. You've got to keep yelling at him. He started screaming at Sirius again, fumbling in his coat pocket for his wand. His fingers found it and wrapped around it. He slowly drew it out. Sirius saw this and his eyes widened. He quickly reached for his own wand.

Peter acted quickly. He muttered a quick charm and pointed the wand at his finger. He cried out in pain as his finger was severed from his body. I have to act fast. He took a deep breath, recited a curse Voldemort had once taught him, and changed into his Animagi form.

It took him a moment to get oriented. Things looked very different from a rat's point of view. He stood still for moment among his old clothes before climbing out and looking around.

A huge crater had been blown in the street. Muggles everywhere were lying in the street, dead. Peter saw his own finger lying in a pool of blood…and then he saw Sirius. He had a confused look on his face. Then suddenly his face cleared of all emotions. A blank look came into this eyes, and he began to laugh. It wasn't the laugh Peter was used to though. This was a sad laugh, a foreboding laugh.

Peter's rat body shuttered involuntarily. Quickly, he came to his senses. I have to get out of here. He scurried off through the debris, leaving destruction and carnage in his wake.