Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Author's Comments: I received this idea just staring blankly ahead in one of my classes. Several nights of sleepless sleep (I slept but didn't get much rest) and full days combined, and I came up with a story that explained why Severus, Remus, Sirius, and Peter have done what they've done. This first part is the prologue, followed by Severus's story, then Remus, Sirius, and lastly, Peter. I honestly hope you enjoy it, Mystic.

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Sparks flew as the fire settled, iluminating the small circle of people. There were four men, total, one of them a captive.

"Damn you, all of you."

"For the last time, will you shut up?" It was the skinier of the two dark haired men. He was in is late thirties, a few grey hairs glinting in the golden glow of firelight.

"What gives you the right to condemn us, after what you did?" It was the other one, his voice tight with rage and unshead tears.

His other companion, his hair leaden with strips and chunks of silver, mirrored him. "You betrayed them, Peter. I only wish to know why."

"Ask Snape."

Severus slowly looked up from his study of the fire. "My story is different from yours, Wormtail. Far different."

"How? Are they not the same thing, the thirst for knowledge and quest for power? For isn't the saying knowledge is power?"

"There's a difference between power from knowledge and power from lust." Severus fixed his gaze on the smaller man.

There was a small silence, then Pettigrew began to laugh. "You would say that, too." His laugh was harsh, and his expression changed to that of one who is enjoying a malicious act. "You should have heard her, Snape. Whimpering in pain and fighting the Imperious. And yet she still begged for the feel of cold, soft silver against her pale and bare flesh-inside her. It was beautiful, Severus. Who knew a Gryffindor muddblood could be so enjoyable?"

There was a blur and a dull thud, followed by a shower of leaves. "Bastard. So you're the one who raped her. If you ever touch her again, I swear I'll rip your heart out of your still living flesh." Severus was a snarling demon holding Pettigrew against the tree.

"Severus, honestly, what happened?" Remus was looking between the two, debating whether he should break it up or not.

"Hermione came crying to me, of all people, after Pettigrew raped her. She asked for a potion that would ease the pain. She also vowed me to silence. I only regret that there is no potion that would help ease psychological pain." He sighed, sitting down and looking away from his companions.

"She came to you? Why not Harry or I?" Sirius barely controlled the urge to strangle Pettigrew.

"One: you would have demanded blood. Two. You're a male." Severus sighed. "She barely came to me. I only know because she was infront of my door while she was contemplating her decision to tell me, and I happened to open it before she fled. I scared the poor girl half to death, but in the end, I managed to get to her in time."

"Would she have had his child?" Remus's question was quiet, but everyone heard.

"Had she known she was carrying his child, then yes. Fortunately, she didn't know he had implanted his seed in her."

"You mean she would have kept it? Despite what he did to her?" Sirius was outraged.

"She has a better heart than we do, Black. Hell, she might have a better one than Dumbledore, if that's possible." A crooked smile curled his lips as he brought out water and a pot for tea. "I learned to care again-to live, even-because of her. Don't ask me how, even I don't know."

"You said it yourself, she might even have a better heart than Dumbledore." Remus met the other's look of question.

"Remus, Hermione's a Gryffindor-I doubt that Snape would even have a remote interest in her." Sirius threw a small branch on the fire.

"I know I was an asshole to Gryffindors, even some time after we graduated. But around my housemates, things were some what better."

Remus perked up. "Now I'm curious." He shot Severus a look that said 'It will keep Sirius from killing Pettigrew.'

Severus under stood.