Disclaimer: I own nothing in relation to Harry Potter. © J. K. Rolwing.

Author's Note: Whoo! Hooray for reviews! Lotsa love: CT (wow! Thanks for all the smileys! Muah!), AffectedMangoO (thanks for that tip! I'm so used to calling him Lupin, though, cause J. K. Rowling is usually referring to him as that, lol. I think it suits him better, but, still, I'll do that), Verona Dracula (I can't wait to read that CarlVanHelsing fic :-). And you're such a talented writer! I'm sure it'll be a great slash), magentafreak (woot! I totally agree), and Eien Chou (thank you so much!). Ok, now, before we get to the chapter, I'm gonna just explain a thing or two. This is a chapter that focuses around Peter Pettigrew. Now, although I despise him I had this urge to write a chapter on him, because the way I interpreted him at Hogwarts is the way I sometimes feel, and I know most you sometimes do (it's my connection chapter, lol). He's just the forgotten, useless one ... So, I figured I should try and win him a bit of sympathy ... Just because we can all relate (or, at least, most of us).

Chapter Four:

Over the next few weeks after Remus finally woke up, both he and Sirius were spending much more time together. James and Peter could tell that their friends still hadn't confessed their feelings to each other (at least, not face-to-face or in full conciseness), but it was obvious that the moment was steadily approaching. However, James was constantly at Lilly's side, so it was mainly Peter who got to observes the finly spun habits of both Remus and Sirius. Sometimes he'd take a break and watch James and Lilly lazily, but it wasn't as exciting. Peter realized that's all he ever seemed to be doing. Observing.

Yes, that realization hit Peter on the first Hogsmeade visit of the year, Halloween day. Almost instantly, the couple, and the hopefully soon-to-be couple, ran ahead to Honeydukes, leaving Peter alone to trudge after them. Not only did he dislike this fact because his friends practically ditched him, but Peter knew that, but the time he reached the sweet shop, the other four would be off to Zonko's. Therefore, Peter to just go back to the castle. He figured – no, he knew – that he wouldn't be missed.

Once he was back at Hogwarts and in the Gryffindor common room, Peter say back on the couch. He pulled a bar of chocolate he'd been keeping for these type of occasions out his pocket, and stared into the dancing flames in the fireplace. He'd think. He'd chew. Then he'd think some more. And as he thought – and chewed – Peter noticed just how useless (for lack of a better word) he really was. It seemed to him that his only role as a Marauder was to cover up for the other three, or do the tasks that the others didn't want to.

He scowled. Even from the beginning of their "friendship", Peter was the ignored one. His opinion was always the last one sought out, he was the last one to know things, he wasn't as clever as James, Sirius, or Remus, no one took him seriously ... All in all, he was the forgotten one. Wormtail crammed the last piece of chocolate into his mouth. He stood up angrily as a few giggling girls hurried in and up to their dorms, chattering excitedly about the evening that was almost upon them.

'Right,' thought Peter, 'that God damned dance.'

Yes. Dance. Dumbledore and staff had decided that the seventh years should have a Halloween dance. Peter just loved that idea. Not.

Hastily, our little forgotten Marauder bustled out of the common room. Peter supposed that he'd go to the library. I mean, is there anything better than venting over a book in a calm surrounding? Hmm ... Yes, it seemed like the library was the perfect place to be at the moment.

On Peter's way to the library, his ears pricked up. Two familiar sounding voices were having a hushed conversation in an empty class room, just around the corner from Peter. So, naturally, he crept closer to have a listen.

"It's tonight, Severus," said the first voice. It wasn't hard to figure out that the voice belonged to Lucius Malfoy.

"Why tonight?" Severus questioned.

"Because," Lucius brought his voice down to a low, almost hiss-like, whisper, "tonight is that stupid Halloween dance. The teachers and students will be too wrapped up in the festivities. Is there a better time for the Dark Lord to recruit?"

"Ooh ..." Peter was sure that at that moment, Sever gave a nod. "Is it going to be at the discussed place, Lucius? The far edge of the forest?"

"Yes ... Now let's go fill in the others ... I'm getting an uneasy feeling."

Two sets of feet clicked away and Peter frowned. Dark Lord? Recruit? That didn't sound very good. Unconsciously, Peter's pace quickened on the way to the library.

That night, once all of the students (save the seventh years) had finished their feast and returned to their common rooms, the Great Hall came alive with music and plenty of festivity.

Peter squeezed between twittering girls, confident boys, and shy kids alike. Although his mind was plagued with the conversation he had overheard earlier, Peter decided to think nothing of it. All he wanted to do was find his friends – excuse me, "friends" – and hang out with them. He was about to give up his search, when he saw Remus hanging around in a corner of the room, quietly taking in the scene before him. With a smile of relief from both locating Remus and seeing he wasn't with Sirius (so he wouldn't be taken off somewhere), Peter made his way over. "Hullo, Remus," Peter greeted him brightly. "How are you this festive Halloween evening?"

"Hmm? Oh, hello, Peter." Remus gave him a smile. "I'm fine, thank you. And yourself?"

"I'm good thanks," was Peter's reply. "How are your aches and pains coming along?"

"They're feeling much better. I can move around with much more freedom and I don't wince every time I move a limb. Madame Pomfrey is a miracle worker."

Laughing, Peter replied, "I'll take your word for it." He had never needed Madame Pomfrey's assistance. "Say, Remus, would like a cauldron cake or something? I'm feeling rather peckies myself."

"Hmm ... A cauldron cake sounds good. Thank you, Peter."

"Think nothing of it." Peter waved his hand slightly and set off to the refreshment table.

Out of James, Sirius, and Remus, Peter supposed that Remus was the one who cared the most. After all, he found it hard to imagine Moony ignoring anyone, even those he greatly disliked.

"Hey! Peter!"

Peter turned around to see who was talking to him.

"Have you seen Remus?" It was Sirius.

"Hmm? Oh! Remus?" Sirius nodded. "He's just over there." Peter pointed. "I'm just getting us some –" But Sirius was already gone.

Peter watched, mouth almost hanging open as Sirius took Remus's arm. He started dragging him off, but, remembering Peter, Remus tried to resist. In the end, he blushed, smiled shyly, and let Padfoot lead him away.

Sighing, Peter set down the cauldron cakes. He began to leave when he saw James.

'Maybe I can stick around him for a while ...' That thought in mind, Peter went over to James.

Of course, James had his arm around a giggling Lilly. They both seemed rather wrapped up in each other, but, still, Peter decided to try for conversation anyways.

"Hullo, James," he said. "Hullo, Lilly. How are you two tonight?"

"Hello, Peter," Lilly replied. She flashed him a genuine smile. "We're good, how about you?"

"Oh, same old, same old." Peter smiled back. "I was just -"

"Sorry, Peter," James told him. "I've got to uh ... Talk to Lilly ... Privately." He looked at Lilly with a mischievous glint in his eye. "We'll talk to you later, Pete."

"Sorry, Peter!" Lilly managed to say before she and James disappeared through the doors.

That was it for Peter. Muttering, he squeezed his way through the crowd again. Once out of the Great Hall, he headed outside. His hands found his pockets and his feet started walking. It wasn't until fifteen had passed that Peter actually stopped to see where he was.

Somehow, his feet had carried him into the Forbidden Forest. A silent 'meep' left Peter. He was lost. Calmly, he began in one direction and, before long, he was running.

Running blindly through the forest, Peter got his robes caught and snagged. The silver fog played tricks on his mind. A haunting breeze whispered to him, daring him to keep running. Running blindly. The trees loomed over him like spectators at a game. Their bark was twisted and shipped, and, in the faint, ghost-like light of the moon, seemed to form sadistic, grinning faces. Something was beckoning to Peter. Something called to him through the misty fog and the grinning trees. A phantom call that hung in the air ... Then! ... Peter tripped.

His hands flew out in front of him and his eyes got wider (if that was possibly, for they had grown considerably bigger). He hit the hard, cold dirt with an 'oof'. Groaning, he got on his hands on knees to hoist himself back up. Something caught his eye.

It was the bottom of a robe, swaying lightly in the nearly non-existent breeze. With a gulp, Peter looked up. It was at that moment that Peter first looked into the piercing red eyes of the man that was going to take hold of his life until the day it was destined to end.