Note to nkittyhawk/ever crying: -Hug- Thank you so much! xD You are just wonderful all the time: ALWAYS nice things to say, and constantly reading my works. Why, I have no idea – but you're awesome! -Huggle- (I loved your Tom Riddle poem, by the bye)
Note: I'm debating on whether or not to turn this into a Sirius/Lupin slash fic. Any feedback on that note? It could considerably cause the plot to become more interesting, but I've never really done slash before... Anyway, it's up to you lot.
Another Note: Eck. --;; Short chapters are becoming a habit - sorry! However, I haven't posted any Harry Potter stuff for a while, so... --;; That's not exactly an excuse, but whatever. xD - Lottie/White/Lapsus Calami
When Remus awoke the next morning, the kettle still lay partially in his grasp, and he slouched over the counter. He straightened his posture, causing the chair to screech against the wood floor. The black dog started at the werewolf's feet, and, bleary from sleep, banged his snout against the chair.
Sirius whimpered in exaggerated pain, and Lupin smiled softly. "There, there," he began, patting his friend on the head in comfort, but recollection of the prior night's conversation prevented him from continuing. Rather discomfited, he hastily moved away from the hound and briskly strode towards the front door, muttering something about fetching milk from the market.
Peter emerged from his corner of the apartment, looking puzzled as Remus strode past him without so much as a 'Good morning', and Sirius quickly returned to his human form. Sirius shot him a questioning look, but Wormtail merely shrugged.
"Is he alright?" asked Sirius after a moment's silence. "He seems – I don't know." He scratched the back of the nape of his neck, wrinkling his nose. "I don't know," he repeated, "but I don't like it."
Peter didn't respond. Sirius searched his friend's features curiously. "You're acting odd, too," he remarked quietly. "Are you two –" He waved a hand vaguely.
"No!" cried Peter. "It's just –" He put his face in his hands. Tears came to his eyes easily after only a moment. Peter could hear Sirius shuffling his feet nervously, and Peter counted to five in his head...
"It's just," Peter repeated as he lowered his hands from his face. "Just that – he's been..." Pettigrew shook his head. "He's a traitor, Sirius."
Sirius looked sharply at Peter – the same disbelieving, harsh stare that Remus had given Peter the night before. All according to plan. "No," said Sirius, his voice suddenly hoarse. "Wait – what? Remus?"
"I know. It's hard to believe," Peter murmured. He looked away, small watery eyes alighting upon the record player sitting on one of the nightstands. "But..." A tear slid down his cheek; the perfect theatrical effect. "How could he do that to Lily and James, Sirius?"
"Do what to Lily and James?" Peter looked up. Oops. A slight slip. He hadn't done ANYTHING to Lily and James, just yet. Time for some quick thinking.
"He sold them to Him, Sirius!" Peter cried. "Remus betrayed Lily and James to You-Know-Who!" Sirius stiffened. "If Lupin – if Lupin finds out who the Secret-Keeper is..." He let out a quiet sob.
Sirius bit his lip. "If he finds if /I'm/ the Secret-Keeper..." He shook his head. "Damn it."
Peter hid his anxious look upward and a flashing grin. "What?" he said. "You're the Secret-Keeper, Sirius?"
"Yeah," Sirius replied dismissively, only partially listening. "Damn it!" he muttered again. "Does he have any idea –"
"No," said Peter. "No, I don't think so."
"Good. Keep it that way..." Sirius looked up, face shining with sudden revelation. "No. Wait. I've got it." He clapped his hands together with glee. "Peter, I've GOT it!" He smirked, his own cocky self again. "We'll tell Remus that I'm the Secret-Keeper –"
"We will?" squeaked Peter – his entire plan, shattered.
"Yes," said Sirius firmly. "Then he won't suspect that we know."
"What good does that do?" asked Pettigrew anxiously – anything to veer from his precious scheme's ruin.
"I won't be Secret-Keeper, Wormtail," said Sirius, flashing a dog-like grin. "You will be. And soon –," his expression changed – grim and solemn. "Soon, we'll pay him back – just as he would have Lily and James."
Peter nodded. "Right. Just as," he swallowed. "Just as he would have done Lily and James."