Nikki: Um.... very long. Sorry. I didn't exactly PLAN it like that, but that's how it's turning out.

This Parrot has ceased to be: Yes, Sirius will see the error of his ways, but he has to be arrested first! haha. Yeah, it was a little short. I'm not sure but this one may be even shorter. Sorry.

Nixiy: I think Dumbledore is supposed to be like that. I don't think he'd voice out loud everything he was thinking, and trust me, he thinks a lot. It's hard to write about him, but hey, it sorta worked, didn't it?

Disclaimer: I no own. You hear me?

AN: I like Peter in this chapter. He's more Peter-ish - you know, the one Rowling writes about. Okay, I know I've been slower with updates, but I'm officially banned from the internet, and here I am on the school computer writing this and Reviewer notes and there's five minutes until first period and the librarian is eying me like a hawk. So don't complain. I also like the connection between Sirius and Peter. Obviously, this will only lead to conflict, and we all know I just LURVE conflict. *rolls eyes at herself* 'So be it' is such a funny phrase, don't you think? I certainly hope you have nothing against it because I think I used it like three times. Haha.

Whoever started these author's notes must be out of their mind.

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Mustering her courage and confident posture, Rebecca came to an inevitable conclusion. After everything she'd seen, death didn't scare her anymore. She drew in a quick, steadying breath. No, death didn't scare her at all anymore. . .

She told herself the same thing over and over until she actually found herself believing it. Death did not scare her. This was what she had to do, and if she lived for twenty years or only twenty days, then so be it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Wearily and sullenly, Remus once again brought out his lunar charts. He studied them for a moment, but found there was no need - the window beside him said enough about the moon. About three more days and it would be full.

He heard a distant sound from within the house, but he ignored it.

Despite the fact that he no longer needed them, he left the charts out - gazing numbly as if he could see through the parchment. He only found that the vivid illustrations of the moon were impenetrable and real.

He clenched his fists, and shut his eyes tightly to prevent himself from dwelling on his pain.

He'd never forget the flicker of disgust in Rebecca's face when she'd found out so long ago. Perhaps he'd only imagined it, but right now it didn't seem to matter as he began drowning himself in his own self-pity. He found it was easier to feel sorry for himself than look on the bright side of things. At a time like this, a small tap on the shoulder was enough for him to jump from his chair in a spasm of panic.

And just that thing happened.

Remus spun around, his surprise only rising to it's peek when he saw it was Rebecca. Hesitating only briefly, she threw herself forwards - grasping his face in her hands and kissing him deeply.

When she let go, Remus stepped back ineptly - feeling slightly intoxicated. It was hard to think clearly when he'd gone from one extreme to the complete opposite. Only moments before, he'd been contemplating how useless his life was, and in an instant it seemed to all come back to him.

The headache intensified. "You?" he mumbled, rubbing his forehead.

She nodded her head, not one bit sheepish - but instead, immensely grave. Smugness hadn't stolen her yet.

"You - how'd you - where's Jamie?"

Rebecca nodded behind her towards the door. "Sleeping in the other room."

A part of him was completely lost in the conversation, but another part was still holding onto that kiss, and didn't want to talk at all. "I don't have a crib for her, though," he mumbled, looking over her shoulder as if to check.

"You do now," she replied, the amusement and smugness finally grabbing a hold of her. Remus gave her a bewildered look when he found that she was smiling.

"I brought all my things with me, hope you don't mind."

"Do I? I mean, I don't." He paused. "Why?"

Rebecca smiled her playful smile once again. "I figured if I married you, that implied we'd be living together, am I right?"

His first instinct was to kiss her, but he didn't. He didn't even react at all for a few seconds. Instead, his pain's echo began returning to him. She'd cause him so much pain. So much pain.

"Why didn't you just say so in the first place?" he said harshly, only realizing he'd snapped when the words were already out.

Her face fell, and her eyes locked with his in pleading. "I'm so sorry," was all she said.

He paused for a moment, seeing that she'd automatically known what he meant by it.

Contempt wasn't a common thing for him, but it certainly wasn't unfamiliar. Nevertheless, it faded away into oblivion at the look on her face. She'd been feeling the same things, he could tell.

Already, he could feel his spirits lifting. "I need to tell you that I don't cook," he said quickly. "I hope that isn't a problem."

Rebecca shook her head. A smile had never come easier.

~~~~~~~~~~

James and Lily couldn't contain their excitement at the news. Sirius, however, looked scornful - despite the countless times he'd tried to play cupid when they were at school.

Deep down he knew he was happy for them, and that's what made it all the more sickening. Sirius had always thought himself equal with Remus.

They'd always done well in the same classes, they'd always helped out in the same pranks, and they'd both found a girl they'd cared about at one point or another.

However, Remus never felt he had to impress anyone, so he didn't. Even if he did just as well as Sirius, the teachers liked him better. Even if he came up with plans for some practical joke, it was always him who escaped from trouble.

And when Sirius had finally found someone who seemed to be more than all the other girls he'd been with, she goes and dies to save everyone while Remus lives happily ever after.

It was the same case with James, but that was something completely different. James was the victim - he'd always been the victim - it'd been that way ever since his father had become such a well-known Auror. After all he'd been through, he deserved to have a happy life. And Sirius felt it was his purpose to make sure nothing happened to ruin that - since he couldn't enjoy the same life.

The wedding was in a month, they said. Sirius promised himself that he'd find some place better to be as an excuse for not showing up.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius spotted Peter, sitting in the corner. He looked just as bored and aloof as Sirius felt. He gave him a small smile of understanding when he caught a hint of jealousy in Peter's eyes. He didn't smile back.

At least, not at first. Peter felt he'd rather be anywhere else than here right now. He also knew it was completely his choice to leave, and that no one would think it strange. He narrowed his eyes in thought. Just to be sure, he ought to pull it off better than before.

He no longer felt uncomfortable with what he was doing - whether it was right or wrong, it didn't matter to him anymore. He sat up straighter in his chair, deciding it was about time he acted like it.

After all, he'd need to gain enough trust for them to share everything without a doubt of his intentions. He turned his head and gave Sirius

Black a convincing smile.

He stood, and to his surprise, everyone followed suit after him. With renewed confidence in what he was doing, or pretending to do, he lifted his glass in a toast.

"To unwavering friendship," Peter said, and if anyone had known better, they would have seen his smile for what it was - the first feelings of superiority.

~~~~~~~~~~

Snape stood as still as he could. He was afraid to move - if he did, he might catch his master's eye. However, if he looked too stiff, it would be suspicious.

He tried to clear his mind so no one would see or hear what he was thinking, but the jumbled thoughts kept flooding in, as if his brain was turning to itself for advice as to making sense of what he'd just done.

He wanted Benjy Fenwick dead, and yet he was forced to reveal the plans for that very thing to be carried out. Why, then, did he continue to help the Order?

Why did he insist on saving James Potter's son?

Granted, it was said that this very boy was to defeat the wizard pacing irritably before him. It was difficult to believe, but deep down, Snape was hoping it was true.

Somehow he felt himself becoming more loyal to Dumbledore than to. . . his master. After all, Albus Dumbledore had saved him, a Death Eater, even after he'd lied blatantly. Gratefulness for that compassion was becoming stronger than his fear of the Dark Lord.

Content that he was beginning to understand his own actions, Snape tried to relax and wipe his emotions clean from his mind just in time for Voldemort to turn around and begin the meeting.

Snape joined with everyone else in the mandatory bow of respect to their master. He smirked, for he knew better - none of them had respect, only fear for their wasted lives.

When Voldemort had turned his back to address the other half of Death Eaters, a residual thought flew back to him. Perhaps he'd gotten his reward, he thought bitterly. After all, in Professor Fenwick's absence, Dumbledore had given Snape charge over both Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts for the rest of the year.

"Mr. Wormtail tells us the Order was assembled at headquarters the day the attack was planned, is this right?"

Peter nodded proudly.

"And it was also him who notified Mr. Finst of this, so he would be able to get to Harry Potter," Voldemort continued. Peter nodded once again, a smug smile creeping across his round face.

The Dark Lord stopped his casual pacing, and turned slowly and imperiously towards Peter. "And yet, once again my plan has failed to follow through."

Peter's smile faded into a frightened look of humility, and he lowered his head in meekness. Snape held no sympathy for him. Peter had backed himself into a corner, blocked his only escape, and stood proudly as if he'd done the smart thing. Out of all the hundreds of followers Voldemort had, Snape was the only one who could see this.

"No matter," said Voldemort, shaking off his anger. "Now that we know how bad security is at Headquarters, we can follow through on destroying the place. Even better, do it during a meeting. . . His cold voice trailed off in thought.

Peter brought up his head, a look of anticipated horror upon his face. "My Lord?" he ventured. "They've placed an Anti-Apparating jinx on the place on top of the Fidelius charm. The only way now is walking in, and you'd need Dumbledore to give you personal consent just to enter." He stopped abruptly, feeling he'd spoken out of turn. He collapsed to the ground.

Voldemort's unnaturally pallid face reddened with anger, ready to take it out on the pitiful creature groveling with mercy before him. He whispered the Cruciatus Curse while the Death Eaters took pleasure in watching the unjust punishment.

But the Dark Lord pocketed his wand quicker than usual, only because he wanted Peter to be in a well enough condition to provide more information.

"The Potters, then. Where have they moved?"

"They haven't," Peter gasped. "They live in the same place as always." He hadn't meant to sound as if he were trying to make him look stupid, but he should have known that's how his master would have taken it.

Peter cried out in terror when his master brought his wand out again. Snape shook his head as he watched the merciless torture passively.

If this is how the man had chosen to live, then so be it.

~~

AN: might not post again for a while. I'll try, but I'm running out of excuses for using the school computers. Review!