A/N: Sorry it took us so long. We had it written, just not on the computer. But the next chapter is pretty good. We see less of Prejudiced!Sirius.
Disclaimer: We own Peter's unique personality and past that no one else cares to write about. We also own Jeremy Pritchard, our favorite original character.
Chapter 3
The next few weeks passed without incident. Unless you count a couple of squabbles and Remus getting sick. Sirius bought Jerry's story and didn't question it once. Surprising, because he was so quick to recognize Evans at one. But, if you ask me, I think he's been slacking a bit since he got sorted.
Actually, him and Jerry were pretty close. They're beds were next to each other, they ate with each other, the sat next to each other in most classes. The only time they were apart is when Jerry was talking to James. That was the only thing they were separated.
Remus on the other hand was really good at ignoring the whole "Muggleborn Issue" and stayed friends with both of them. And me.
One day, however, we found the issue facing us to quickly. It was after Charms. Sirius had to stay back to talk about why he decided to levitate all the girls chairs.
A tall blond boy came over to us as we were waiting for Sirius. James was remaining as well, but under protest. He didn't want to go to lunch by himself, however. The tall boy grabbed Jerry's shoulders, and without a word, slammed him into the wall.
"Mudblood," he growled. Now, this guy was muscular. Really big. Getting in his way would not be a good idea. Really, no. But James tried anyways.
"Leave him alone!" he shouted, attempting to pull one of his very thick arms off poor Jerry.
The older boy let out a snort. "First Year." He raised the arm that James was tugging on and in one smooth movement, sent James flying into a wall. Remus ran to make sure he was okay. I don't think he was because Remus paled.
The boy turned back to Jerry. "What did you think? You could come into this world without a thought. Think again."
"You're hurting him!" I screeched, watching Jerry grimace under the pressure of his hands.
"Good," said the boy, before pummeling Jerry in the face.
"Hey!" Sirius shouted as he exited the classroom.
"Sirius!" said the older boy, pausing for a moment to grin at Sirius. It seemed as if they were old friends.
"Lucius?"
"Yeah! Come help me teach this mudblood a lesson." He indicated to Jerry with a nod of the head.
Everything seemed like it was in slow motion. I saw Sirius's jaw drop and his face go from shock to anger to confusion. I saw, more than heard, Remus yell that they needed to get James to the hospital wing. I saw tears of pain well up in Jerry's eyes but none spilled over.
"A mudblood?" Sirius said staring at the floor.
"You didn't know? He shook his head.
It seemed that Remus came to his senses, realized that he had a wand, and took advantage of the fact the Lucius was preoccupied.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" he shouted causing Lucius to rise into the air.
"Hey," he yelled as Jerry got down and ran, and the other three of us ran forward to help James. It shocked me that Sirius was there too.
"We need to get him to the hospital wing," Remus said looking down at the unconscious James.
Sirius pulled out his wand. "Wingardium Leviousa!" he yelled and James floated. Lucius managed to grab his wand and break the spell before falling in a heap on the ground.
"RUN!" Remus yelled, grabbing James's hand and bolting down an empty hallway. I was about to follow, when I noticed Sirius was running the other way. In a quick decision, I decided to follow him, not wanting Malfoy to catch him all alone.
When I finally caught up with him, he was curled in a corner, his face resting against his knees. I could tell he was crying.
"Sirius?" I asked for no particular reason. I knew it was him.
"He wasn't stupid," Sirius muttered, still crying. "He was okay.
"Yeah, he was," I said, lamely. I wasn't used to seeing Sirius crying.
"He was okay," he said, still weeping.
"He still is," I said, which sounded a lot more comforting then "Yeah, he was."
An black owl came swooping towards us then. On its leg, it carried a bright red envelope, which contrasted with its dark feathers.
I knew what that letter was. And so did Sirius. That's why he got more upset when the owl dropped it into his lap.
Without a word, he slowly opened the Howler. "SIRIUS AMBROSE BLACK! HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? IF IT WERE UP TO ME, I'D TAKE YOU OUT OF THAT SCHOOL THIS INSTANT, YOU GRYFFINDOR! BUT YOUR FATHER INSISTS THAT YOU STAY! BE WARNED, THAT IF I HERE YOU HAVING CONTACT WITH ANY OF THOSE FILTHY MUDBLOODS, WE WILL DISOWN YOU!" a woman's voice screeched. It sounded as if it had all been said in one breath.
"Wow," I said at the end.
"Petey, meet my mom," he joked, a trace of his old disposition coming back into his voice.
"It's Peter," I corrected. "And aren't you upset? She threatened to disown you."
"She always threatens to disown me. Why do you think I was so careful about mudbl-...muggleborns?" he asked.
"Because you didn't like them?" I suggested, suddenly feeling as if everything I thought about Sirius was wrong.
"Well...yes. But my mother was a factor as well. Aren't you hungry?"
"Yes, but I believe that this takes precedence."
"Not to me. I want lunch."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jerry didn't stay at Hogwarts. He went home the next day, partly because of injuries and partly because his parents didn't want to endanger him. I'd meet him again, but under entirely different circumstances.
Lucius Malfoy stayed. He spent many mealtimes glaring at us. Not all of course; no older student would spend so much attention on a First Year.
So we lost a friend and gained an enemy. But back then, we weren't keeping track.
A/N: Yes, it was great. Anyone feeling sorry for Peter yet? If not, you will. We promise. REVIEW, PLEASE!
