Peter's POV – late August 1979
I sat in my house staring into the fireplace. It was the middle of summer, stifling hot but I still had a fire going. There was a charm on it to prevent any heat from being emitted. Dumbledore had just told us all about Jenny and I couldn't believe she was dead! She was the only one of the girls I liked. April and the Mudblood seemed to be taking her death very well. Just goes to prove my point that they don't care for anyone but themselves. I felt the dark mark on my arm burning into my skin. I knew You Know Who was calling his main Deatheaters, the Lestranges and Malfoy.
There was a loud tapping at the window and I turned to see James' Eagle owl perched on my window sill. I got up and went to open the window wider for the owl. What did James want now? He'd been sending me quite a few owls recently asking if I wanted to go with him and Remus to some quidditch matches. Since the announcement of Jenny's death James had been trying to get on with Auror training, do his assignments for the Order, please Lily and try and cheer us all up. He seemed to be failing at that last bit and last time I'd been with him and the mudblood they couldn't keep their hands off each other. If I hadn't been there with Remus they'd probably have fucked right there and then. Just goes to show all Mudbloods are sluts underneath.
I took the letter from the owl and he flew to my sofa and perched on the arm rest. I looked at the owl. Should I shoo him away? Maybe he was waiting for an answer. I decided to ignore the owl and opened up the letter.
Hey Peter.
What are you up to? Do you fancy coming over for a night in with the crowd? That's me, Lily, Sirius, April and Remus. Lily's decided that she's going to try and cook. On second thought don't come because we'll all be dead from her cooking, just joking, hope you can come. If you can't then meet us at my house at about midnight getting towards one. The boys are going to go out and we want you to come as well. It'll be a chance to catch up and just be boys.
James
I looked at it. I suppose I should go and keep up appearances, I was supposed to be a spy for You Know Who and he wanted me to keep an eye on the Potters. I have no idea why. He said to watch all those couples that had evaded him three times. The Potters had only been attacked twice by You Know Who. I picked my wand up from a small table and turned to the owl. He was looking at me expectantly.
"What? You can go." I said to it more rudely then I intended. The owl hooted before flying out of my window. I pointed my wand to the window and it slammed shut. I guess I might as well apparate to the Potter's house. I checked my watch and saw that it was actually nearing one in the morning. Had I really missed that much time? Was James owl really that slow at flying? Stupid owl. I closed my eyes and heard two loud cracks. When I opened my eyes again I was in the hallway of the Potters. It was still a bit messy, it seemed that James was winning his war against his wife over whether to have the house messy or neat.
"I'm here!" I called out.
"Peter!" April shouted. She came out of the living room and wrapped her arms around my neck. "So nice to see you." She kissed my cheek and linked an arm through my arm. "I haven't seen you in a LONG time. How have you been old chappie!" She said. I looked at her confused. Her speech was slightly slurred and she seemed to be relying heavily on me to stand up. I hesitantly put my arm around her waist to help support her. We walked into the living room where Sirius was standing staring at his reflection. I had to roll my eyes. He played with his hair and smiled when he saw me in the mirror.
"Hi Wormtail." I hated that name. I noticed that he didn't seem the least bit drunk. "James ready to go?" Sirius asked turning to James.
"Hang on." James said. I turned to see James conjure a blanket and put it over a sleeping Lily. She seemed fast asleep on the sofa and one of her hands still held onto James' hand. I had to wonder what had happened before I arrived. April was drunk Lily was asleep. Not that I was complaining really. I knew I would have to contact You Know Who. He wanted to know exactly when the Potters were vulnerable, he did want to kill them and I wanted Lily dead. April let go of me and stumbled to Sirius and pressed a kiss on his lips.
"Do you have to go out? I don't want to baby sit Lily!" She whined. Sirius stroked some hair out of the way and gave her a kiss.
"You go to sleep as well." Sirius whispered to her. April pouted but let Sirius lower her onto a chair.
"What happened?" I asked them.
"Lily and April got drunk. Lily passed out about five minutes ago" James said sitting on the sofa next to Lily and putting a hand on her head. He frowned slightly.
"She was having fits and she was shaking it was quite disturbing." Sirius said with a frown.
"Why?" I asked them.
"Too much to drink" James said. He bent over and kissed Lily's forehead. "She was sick as well so I'm going to have to come back soon. I don't want to leave her alone for long." I'd never had so much alcohol that I had gotten drunk, I'd never heard of Lily ever doing that. I'd seen Sirius suffer from too much alcohol but Lily never seemed the type to drink too much.
"Can I come please?" April asked again. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Girls!" He muttered.
"Where's Remus?" I asked.
"Right here" Came a voice behind me. "Sorry I'm late. I had a few things to tie up at the Order." Remus said as he shrugged off his cloak. He was about to throw it onto the sofa that Lily was sleeping on when he caught himself.
"I see that Lily's passed out." He said. James gave him a smile.
"Yeah." He said standing up. "Ready to go now?"
"Where are we going to go?"
"Night out in Muggle London." Sirius said. "Who cares if it's one in the morning? There's still going to be places open."
"Can I come please?" April asked again, "I know Muggle London really well like it's my home." Sirius went to April and put his hands on her arm.
"Now, my little April." He said as if addressing a child. "I want you to stay here and look after your sister." April nodded, "and if you are a good girl I will buy you something very nice."
"Ok." April said with a pout. She crossed her arms and slouched in the chair.
"And feel free to watch the TV" James added. April nodded and watched us. I smirked slightly at April's expression. She was kind of funny at times. Sirius gave April a quick kiss then stood up.
"Come on Boys!" He said loudly while rubbing his hand. He was about to say something when James sent a silencing charm at him
"Shut up!" He said harshly. "Lily is asleep and I do not want to be on the receiving end of her curses if she wakes up." James said slowly prying his hand out of Lily's. Lily let out a soft murmur and turned over slightly.
"Ok, everyone meet in the Leaky Cauldron and we'll go out into London from there." Remus said.
"Ok," I said. Sirius was scowling at James, and pointed at his throat. James lifted the charm and they both disapparated away. I hung back for couple of seconds. April gave me a smile and I disapparated away as well. I found myself in The Leaky Cauldron. It was dark and fairly quiet. A few wizards were at the bar talking quietly so as to not disturb those who stayed in the rooms above. I saw Sirius and James near the door and Remus talking to Tom the Innkeeper. James seemed to have Sirius in a headlock and Sirius was battling to get out. I shook my head. They were so immature, couldn't they see the seriousness of everything around them. The battle that was raging away? I slowly walked over.
"Stupid bastard" Sirius muttered as he got out his wand and gave James a stinging hex.
"Ow!" James said but didn't let go of Sirius. Remus walked over.
"James let go of Padfoot." Remus said.
"No. He has to say sorry first." James said.
"For what!" Sirius asked.
"For stinging me." James said with a smirk.
"Sorry." James let go.
"That's better." James said as Sirius rubbed his neck.
"When did you get so strong?" Sirius asked.
"I've always been strong." James said. I could tell that they had both had things to drink earlier but without the girls around they were settling back into their old teenage selves.
"No but you've never been that strong." Sirius said.
"Come on lets go." Remus said to stop the two from talking. James and Sirius smirked and Sirius pushed open the door into the Muggle street outside and stepped out. I followed behind them. I didn't really like Muggle London, it was too confusing and I couldn't use magic as freely.
"HELLO LONDON!" Sirius shouted. James sniggered and we headed towards the end of the street.
"Where to then?" I asked.
"Go to Leicester Square. There's always something happening there and then we could head towards SoHo and if there's nothing there we'll go to Bond Street." James said. If I knew Muggle London I would have some idea of where James was going but as I didn't know Muggle London I just nodded.
"Um, ok" I said slightly confused. Sirius grinned and put an arm over my shoulders.
"Don't worry young Wormtail. We will find you a girl tonight." Sirius said. "Lets go."
It only took us about five minutes to get to Leicester Square. It was a nice place and there were quite a few people hanging around. We had decided to apparate there so the five minutes were spent trying to find somewhere to disapparate from. We walked through Leicester Square and James looked around. We saw a group of girls looking at us from one of the trees that adorned the paved area. James, Remus and Sirius noticed to but only Sirius actually grinned back at them. They all started giggling and I'm sure one of them looked at me. I didn't want to go out with a stupid Muggle. I only came along to have a 'night out with the lads'.
"So what have you been up to Wormtail?" James asked, falling back and walking next to me. "You found a job yet?" He asked.
"Yeah. I'm working in Magical Law Enforcement. I'm not clever enough to be an Auror."
"Ah, good for you, coming into my line of work," James said cockily.
"Of course." I said with forced smile. In reality I was only working there to make sure that the Deatheaters were sometimes let off. There was someone in the Auror division that helped the major deatheaters I helped the minors.
"So, you finding it fun?" James asked. "I love being an Auror it gives me an excuse to curse people I don't like. Lily can't tell me off for that."
"How many deatheaters have you caught?" I asked him curiously.
"Oh, probably about twenty now." He said with a grin. "I'm catching up with April's thirty." I looked at James curiously.
"Wow, you're doing great." Remus said, "Sirius' girlfriend is beating you." Remus smiled at James as he pushed him slightly.
"Shut up. I'm letting her." James said.
"Of course you are." Remus said. I glanced around.
"Hey, where's Padfoot?" I asked. We all stopped and turned around. Sirius had walked over to the group of girls and was talking to them. James and Remus laughed and they walked over. I followed slightly slower.
"Yeah, I have a house just around the corner." He said, leaning against the fence that went around the tree.
"Really?" Said one of the girls. She was looking at Sirius like he was a god.
"Hey Padfoot!" James said throwing a small stone at Sirius' back. Sirius took a step forwards and turned to look at us.
"Who are they?" The girls asked him.
"These are my friends. This is Peter." He pointed at me. "James and Remus" He said pointing at each one in turn. "Keep away from James." He then said in a loud whisper. "He's taken."
"So are you." James said, hearing what Sirius had told the girls.
"Yes but unlike you my friend, I can still see other girls." Sirius said to James. He turned to the girls. "You see, James here was a bit stupid and got married so he's only out for the drinks. Pretty little thing his wife is, wouldn't mind a piece-"
"Don't talk about her like that." James said, the tone in his voice getting slightly more dangerous. Remus laughed and Sirius patted James on the back.
"Don't worry mate. I have these girls here." Sirius said. "So would you like us to escort you anywhere?" Sirius asked.
"Padfoot, what about April." I asked Sirius.
"She won't mind. She's been a bit weird lately anyway." Sirius said. I nodded slowly. "Plus I've had a bit to drink so it's the alcohol." One of the girls came up to me and put a hand on my arm. She looked at me with what I think was supposed to be a suggestive look. She wasn't really wearing anything that told me otherwise. She was probably a prostitute of some kind.
"So, Peter is it?" She asked, I gave a slight nod. "You got a girlfriend?"
"No he hasn't. His girlfriend got sent to prison." Sirius said. He was so tactful tonight! NOT! I glared at him, I could have murdered him for reminding me that Kiana was in Azkaban. I had just begun to forget about her. Unlike Sirius and James some of us didn't have very good relationships. You just had to look at Remus and myself to see that.
"Oh, so you have a thing for bad girls then?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. I glanced at Remus and James. James gave me a grin and Remus smiled. I gave an inward sigh, I guess I'd have to play along with this as well. The things I did for the dark lord!
"You could say that." I said. The girl grinned and put an arm around my waist. Sirius had both his arms around a girl each and smiled at me. I could feel the bile rising in my throat, just being with these Muggles made me feel ill.
"So, where to now?" James asked.
"Lets go to that really cool club just around the corner." One of the girls said. A girl with long black hair and a face that vaguely reminded me of Jenny. I saw Remus looking at her then look away shaking his head.
"Ok then! Away we go!" Sirius said.
Somehow in the duration of the morning we had ended up drunk on a bridge. I wasn't exactly sure which one it was, all I knew was that it was a bridge. We hadn't let out our secret to the girls, who still followed us. James hadn't cheated on Lily either, which was a surprise and I noticed that Sirius was also slightly reluctant about being with the girls as the night wore on. We were on the bridge laughing when Remus decided he was going to climb onto the side.
"You might fall off." Squealed the girl who looked like Jenny.
"No I won't. I got a brilliant sense of balance." Remus said. He walked along the top of the ledge and James laughed. The girl who seemed interested in me was called Janie. A name that suited her looks. It wasn't as exotic as the names that I preferred. Remus stopped and Sirius got up and joined Remus on the ledge. Remus turned to him and held his fists up. Sirius grinned and held his fists up as well.
"Think you can get past me?" Sirius asked.
"HA! I can get past you any day!" Remus said
"Don't fight, you might fall off." Another girl squealed. Remus and Sirius burst out laughing. Remus stopped quickly and went suddenly very serious. He took another look at the girl who looked like Jenny and then looked at the river.
"Do you think I should jump?" He asked.
"Go on, I'll fish you out." James said, getting up on the side as well.
"No James, I mean actually jump and let myself drown." Remus said looking at the water.
"Why would you want to do that?" Sirius asked. He stood on one leg and started twirling around. Idiots. I thought. It was quite amusing though.
"I have no reason to live!" Remus said. He looked at Sirius, who had stopped doing spins and was looking at Remus.
"Not that again." Sirius said with a sigh.
"Look Moony, what would Jenny want you to do?" James asked. Remus frowned.
"Who's Jenny?" Janie asked me.
"His old fiancé, she died a few weeks ago." I told her. "Died while giving birth."
"Aw, poor man." Janie said putting on a sympathetic face. She went to her friends and began telling them. I walked to the ledge that the others were standing on and Sirius pulled me up as well. I didn't really want to go up. I didn't have very good balance.
"Still." Remus said looking longingly into the water.
"You can't swim very well." James said. "I suggest that you don't. Besides, Lily would have my neck if you died so if you killed yourself we'd be losing two people instead of one-"
"Three" Sirius corrected. "April would kill me to." Remus smiled slightly and put an arm around James' shoulders.
"What would I do without you guys?" He said.
"You're our brother." Sirius said. He puffed his chest out and put his hands on his hips like he was some Muggle superhero. Even I had to laugh at this. Sirius turned and did a cartwheel on the ledge and turned to the girls, who were looking at us terrified. We were messing around on the ledge for at least ten minutes when I saw Remus either jump or lose his balance. I'm not entirely sure which one it was but I think he slipped and lost his balance.
"Remus!" James shouted as we looking into the water. Part of me was glad he'd fallen into the water, one less person to kill. But another part was telling me that he was my friend, No! He was part Muggle. He was better off dead. My mind was fighting so much that I didn't realise what I was doing until I hit the water as well and plunged into the depths of the Thames. I came up for air and I saw Remus a few feet away struggling. I swam towards him and put an arm around his chest. We were under the bridge now.
"PETER! TO THE BANK!" I heard James shout. I swam to the edge. What was I doing? You Know Who would kill me if he heard of what I was doing but inside I knew I had to do it to save Remus. I felt Remus going limp in my arm as I struggled against the current of the river to get to the bank. Remus was starting to pull me under the water. I stopped swimming and grabbed my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at the bank. A silver rope shot out of it and connected with the bank. I just had to hold onto my wand and I'd be safe. As the current pushed us along the rope tightened and we began to move towards the bank. As we reached the bank I felt a hand grab hold of the back of my shirt and another taking Remus. I let go of him as I saw Sirius pulling him up. James pulled me up and onto the bank. Sirius lay Remus on the bank.
"Anyone know that Muggle RCP thing?" He asked. No one needed to help Remus, he coughed up some water and sat up. I sat on the bank shivering. The water was so cold and it was starting to get to me. I crossed my arms and conjured a fire on the concrete floor that we were sitting on.
"Where are the girls?" Remus asked.
"They ran off when you fell in." Sirius said,
"Are you ok?" James asked. Remus nodded and glanced at me.
"You jumped after me?" Remus asked. I nodded slowly. I felt ashamed with myself. I was supposed to be ridding the world of people like Lily and Remus. Mudbloods and half breeds but I'd just saved Remus. My neck was on the line now. I would be dead before the week was out, I knew it. James patted my back and gave me a grin.
"Well done" He said. I looked at him darkly but he didn't notice. All he knew was that I was that I had just saved one of his best friends, and one of my best friends. But he wasn't one of my best friends. None of them were truly my friend. I felt confused. Why had I saved Remus? I hadn't meant to save him, it couldn't be a subconscious act because I didn't like any of them!
We all went back to Godric's Hollow once Remus felt good enough to apparate and when I had dried off enough to apparate. When we returned April was nursing her head and Lily was curled up on the sofa under a blanket, watching the TV. She looked up when we apparated in.
"Where have you been?" Lily asked curiously.
"Saving Remus." James said going to Lily and giving her a kiss.
"Why? What happened?" April asked. "Stupid hangover" she added in a quieter voice.
"Fell into the Thames." Remus muttered. He sat in an extra chair. As we all seemed to congregate at the Potter's house they had gotten more sofas and chairs then they needed. Lily and April both frowned but April cursed because it hurt her then cursed again because she was being too loud. I chuckled slightly at April's stupidity.
"Are you ok?" Lily asked worriedly. Remus nodded and put a hand to his head and rubbed his eyes.
"Peter jumped in after him and saved him." James said. Lily looked slightly surprised and looked at me with a smile.
"You did?" She asked. I nodded. I was feeling so weird, I didn't want to be here but after I'd saved Remus I was feeling a new feeling rising inside me. I was trying to suppress it, it couldn't be anything good. Lily got up and gave me a hug. I tensed slightly, I wasn't expecting this. James leaned back in the sofa and put his arm over the back of it.
"You must have been really brave." Lily said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. I liked this kind of attention. I wasn't the centre of attention because I had access to the Potters or because I was a spy. I had the attention because I had done something good and against what I was fighting for. I could have killed myself. I wasn't supposed to like this attention.
"Thanks." I said. Lily smiled and looked at April.
"I would hug you but my head is killing me." April moaned. Sirius went to her and pulled her into a hug.
"Poor you." He said. "You did drink a lot."
"I know." April muttered.
"Why haven't you got a hang over?" I asked Lily. She gave me a knowing smile.
"I do have one, it's just not as bad as April's" She said. "Sit down." She said. She went back to James and curled up against him as he pulled the blanket over the two of them. I sat down on the other end of the sofa. Remus was still rubbing his face with his palms.
"Thanks again Peter." Remus said once he'd put his hands in his lap. I nodded and realised the room had suddenly gone very quiet with the exception of the TV. Lily was watching the TV. James was sleep, as was Sirius. April looked like she wanted to sleep. I got up slowly.
"Well I'm going to go." I said with a sigh.
"Me too" Remus said. "I've got to sleep off this inevitable hang over." Lily nodded.
"I would get up and hug you but James is just too comfy." Lily said. Remus gave her a smile.
"It's ok." Remus said. "See you soon." He said. Lily grinned and blew us a kiss. Remus disapparated a few moments before I did. I got back to my house and was about to put my wand down on the kitchen table when I sensed someone behind me. I spun around and held my wand out. You Know Who was standing right behind me.
"Master" I said suddenly shocked.
"You saved the half breed." He merely said. I felt myself started to shake nervously. "We are trying to kill them and you save the half breed." I took a step back and into a chair.
"M-master, I m-merely s-saved him to g-gain more t-trust among them." I said, saying the first thing that came to my head for an explanation. "You never know when we may need the trust." I said quickly. You Know Who looked at me with narrowed eyes.
"Stand up." He said. I quickly got to my feet and looked at You Know Who. He looked at me seriously.
"Very well. I will let you off this one time. I have a new assignment for you." He said.
"Anything my lord" I said bowing my head slightly. I felt a sense of relief inside me but I didn't think You Know Who believed me.
"It has come to my attention that a one, Regulus Black has been trying to leave the fold of Deatheaters. I want you and Malfoy to kill him. Malfoy will come here tomorrow and will take you to kill him. I want to make it known that once you join the dark side you cannot leave." I nodded quickly as You Know Who gave me a satisfied smile. "Do not disappoint me Wormtail or I will be most upset" He said with a smirk. I nodded again and You Know Who disapparated. I collapsed into the wooden chair and started shaking like I had just come out of the cold River again. Regulus Black. Wasn't that Sirius' brother? What had he done now? I slowly got up. What I really needed was a bath. Yes, a bath would be great. I went up the stairs and ran a bath. I needed some time to think, I needed to have someone with me to tell my problems to. This was when Kiana being in Azkaban became a problem. I really should have gotten over her by now but I just couldn't get over her but I just couldn't.
"Stop thinking about her." I said to myself angrily. I stripped off my clothes and got into the hot, steaming bath. It was great. Just for a few minutes in what had seemed like eternity I had some peace and I was able to relax. That was until thoughts of having to kill Regulus Black and thoughts of Kiana came crashing back into my head. I sighed and closed my eyes. I would just have to deal with it. I would have to just get on with life.
I sat in the Potter's kitchen watching Sirius slamming his fist on the table.
"He was an idiot! Getting mixed up in all that though I really shouldn't be surprised." Sirius ranted. April put a hand on Sirius' back and gave him a hug.
"I'm sure that he didn't know what he was getting into." April said.
"He did know. Regulus isn't stupid though he seems like a complete retard." Sirius said angrily. He had just been told by the ministry that his brother had been killed in a deatheater attack. I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing at Lily and James' house and I was trying to avoid April's gaze. If she found out that it was me who had killed Regulus then no one would trust me. I had a hard enough time trying to keep her convinced I was good.
"I didn't think you liked your brother." Lily said from the stove where she had started brewing the Wolf's bane potion for Remus.
"I don't!" Sirius said.
"Then why are you so bothered?" April asked uncertainly.
"Because he's my brother!" Sirius said like the girls were idiots.
"Well if my sister died I wouldn't care." Lily said, she sounded slightly uptight about it and she threw something into the cauldron that made it hiss.
"Hey," April said.
"Not you, my other sister."
"Jenny?" April asked confused.
"Petunia you idiot!" Lily said.
"Besides, Jenny's dead." I pointed out. April flinched slightly and Lily didn't say anything. I frowned and looked at Sirius. He held a mug of Butterbeer that April had gotten him.
"He's still my brother." Sirius muttered darkly.
"Well, he wasn't a very good brother." Lily said patting her hands clean and turning around. "And the way I see it, siblings who aren't very good and wishes you were dead anyway are better off dead."
"Lily!" April said harshly.
"What? It's true." Lily said.
"Petunia isn't that bad. She still cares for you."
"Really, she has a weird way of showing it." Lily said.
"Where's James?" Sirius asked.
"Assessment." Lily said. "Which reminds me. I have an assessment next week as well so I don't want any of you hanging around too much. I have to study." A smile broke out on her face and April shook her head.
"You're so strange." April said.
"Thank you." Lily said. I took a sip of butterbeer and stayed quiet. I didn't trust myself to say much in front of them right now.
"So, how's the job hunting going?" April asked Sirius to try and get his mind off his brother. She gently stroked his arm and Sirius looked at her.
"Ok." He said. "I could do anything I want really but I can't be bothered." April sighed.
"You're going to run out of money." April said.
"She's right." Lily said, "You have to find a job Sirius. Do you want to lose that bike of yours?" She asked with a smile. Sirius looked at her and smiled.
"No not really." He said, "Well I suppose I could take up the offer of being in the Magical Sports department at the ministry." Sirius said shrugging. April grinned and kissed his cheek.
"That means we'll all be working at the Ministry." She said happily. I nodded as Lily smiled.
"I won't I work at the hospital" Lily said.
"Point." April said nodding. "What's the time?"
"Three." I answered.
"Oh, shit I'm late for work." April said getting up suddenly. "See you guys later." She said. She bent over and gave Sirius a quick kiss. She gave me and Lily a wave then apparated away.
"I should get to work as well." I said standing up.
"Ok." Lily said, "Have fun." She said with a smile. I forced a smile and disapparated.
A/N:-This was a really fun chapter to write but the next two were even better. The next chapter will be my personal favourite character in the entire Harry Potter series Lily (well she ties with Hermione). Her chapter is In Ten Months Time and then James, who will be Perfect Holiday.
I sat in my house staring into the fireplace. It was the middle of summer, stifling hot but I still had a fire going. There was a charm on it to prevent any heat from being emitted. Dumbledore had just told us all about Jenny and I couldn't believe she was dead! She was the only one of the girls I liked. April and the Mudblood seemed to be taking her death very well. Just goes to prove my point that they don't care for anyone but themselves. I felt the dark mark on my arm burning into my skin. I knew You Know Who was calling his main Deatheaters, the Lestranges and Malfoy.
There was a loud tapping at the window and I turned to see James' Eagle owl perched on my window sill. I got up and went to open the window wider for the owl. What did James want now? He'd been sending me quite a few owls recently asking if I wanted to go with him and Remus to some quidditch matches. Since the announcement of Jenny's death James had been trying to get on with Auror training, do his assignments for the Order, please Lily and try and cheer us all up. He seemed to be failing at that last bit and last time I'd been with him and the mudblood they couldn't keep their hands off each other. If I hadn't been there with Remus they'd probably have fucked right there and then. Just goes to show all Mudbloods are sluts underneath.
I took the letter from the owl and he flew to my sofa and perched on the arm rest. I looked at the owl. Should I shoo him away? Maybe he was waiting for an answer. I decided to ignore the owl and opened up the letter.
Hey Peter.
What are you up to? Do you fancy coming over for a night in with the crowd? That's me, Lily, Sirius, April and Remus. Lily's decided that she's going to try and cook. On second thought don't come because we'll all be dead from her cooking, just joking, hope you can come. If you can't then meet us at my house at about midnight getting towards one. The boys are going to go out and we want you to come as well. It'll be a chance to catch up and just be boys.
James
I looked at it. I suppose I should go and keep up appearances, I was supposed to be a spy for You Know Who and he wanted me to keep an eye on the Potters. I have no idea why. He said to watch all those couples that had evaded him three times. The Potters had only been attacked twice by You Know Who. I picked my wand up from a small table and turned to the owl. He was looking at me expectantly.
"What? You can go." I said to it more rudely then I intended. The owl hooted before flying out of my window. I pointed my wand to the window and it slammed shut. I guess I might as well apparate to the Potter's house. I checked my watch and saw that it was actually nearing one in the morning. Had I really missed that much time? Was James owl really that slow at flying? Stupid owl. I closed my eyes and heard two loud cracks. When I opened my eyes again I was in the hallway of the Potters. It was still a bit messy, it seemed that James was winning his war against his wife over whether to have the house messy or neat.
"I'm here!" I called out.
"Peter!" April shouted. She came out of the living room and wrapped her arms around my neck. "So nice to see you." She kissed my cheek and linked an arm through my arm. "I haven't seen you in a LONG time. How have you been old chappie!" She said. I looked at her confused. Her speech was slightly slurred and she seemed to be relying heavily on me to stand up. I hesitantly put my arm around her waist to help support her. We walked into the living room where Sirius was standing staring at his reflection. I had to roll my eyes. He played with his hair and smiled when he saw me in the mirror.
"Hi Wormtail." I hated that name. I noticed that he didn't seem the least bit drunk. "James ready to go?" Sirius asked turning to James.
"Hang on." James said. I turned to see James conjure a blanket and put it over a sleeping Lily. She seemed fast asleep on the sofa and one of her hands still held onto James' hand. I had to wonder what had happened before I arrived. April was drunk Lily was asleep. Not that I was complaining really. I knew I would have to contact You Know Who. He wanted to know exactly when the Potters were vulnerable, he did want to kill them and I wanted Lily dead. April let go of me and stumbled to Sirius and pressed a kiss on his lips.
"Do you have to go out? I don't want to baby sit Lily!" She whined. Sirius stroked some hair out of the way and gave her a kiss.
"You go to sleep as well." Sirius whispered to her. April pouted but let Sirius lower her onto a chair.
"What happened?" I asked them.
"Lily and April got drunk. Lily passed out about five minutes ago" James said sitting on the sofa next to Lily and putting a hand on her head. He frowned slightly.
"She was having fits and she was shaking it was quite disturbing." Sirius said with a frown.
"Why?" I asked them.
"Too much to drink" James said. He bent over and kissed Lily's forehead. "She was sick as well so I'm going to have to come back soon. I don't want to leave her alone for long." I'd never had so much alcohol that I had gotten drunk, I'd never heard of Lily ever doing that. I'd seen Sirius suffer from too much alcohol but Lily never seemed the type to drink too much.
"Can I come please?" April asked again. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Girls!" He muttered.
"Where's Remus?" I asked.
"Right here" Came a voice behind me. "Sorry I'm late. I had a few things to tie up at the Order." Remus said as he shrugged off his cloak. He was about to throw it onto the sofa that Lily was sleeping on when he caught himself.
"I see that Lily's passed out." He said. James gave him a smile.
"Yeah." He said standing up. "Ready to go now?"
"Where are we going to go?"
"Night out in Muggle London." Sirius said. "Who cares if it's one in the morning? There's still going to be places open."
"Can I come please?" April asked again, "I know Muggle London really well like it's my home." Sirius went to April and put his hands on her arm.
"Now, my little April." He said as if addressing a child. "I want you to stay here and look after your sister." April nodded, "and if you are a good girl I will buy you something very nice."
"Ok." April said with a pout. She crossed her arms and slouched in the chair.
"And feel free to watch the TV" James added. April nodded and watched us. I smirked slightly at April's expression. She was kind of funny at times. Sirius gave April a quick kiss then stood up.
"Come on Boys!" He said loudly while rubbing his hand. He was about to say something when James sent a silencing charm at him
"Shut up!" He said harshly. "Lily is asleep and I do not want to be on the receiving end of her curses if she wakes up." James said slowly prying his hand out of Lily's. Lily let out a soft murmur and turned over slightly.
"Ok, everyone meet in the Leaky Cauldron and we'll go out into London from there." Remus said.
"Ok," I said. Sirius was scowling at James, and pointed at his throat. James lifted the charm and they both disapparated away. I hung back for couple of seconds. April gave me a smile and I disapparated away as well. I found myself in The Leaky Cauldron. It was dark and fairly quiet. A few wizards were at the bar talking quietly so as to not disturb those who stayed in the rooms above. I saw Sirius and James near the door and Remus talking to Tom the Innkeeper. James seemed to have Sirius in a headlock and Sirius was battling to get out. I shook my head. They were so immature, couldn't they see the seriousness of everything around them. The battle that was raging away? I slowly walked over.
"Stupid bastard" Sirius muttered as he got out his wand and gave James a stinging hex.
"Ow!" James said but didn't let go of Sirius. Remus walked over.
"James let go of Padfoot." Remus said.
"No. He has to say sorry first." James said.
"For what!" Sirius asked.
"For stinging me." James said with a smirk.
"Sorry." James let go.
"That's better." James said as Sirius rubbed his neck.
"When did you get so strong?" Sirius asked.
"I've always been strong." James said. I could tell that they had both had things to drink earlier but without the girls around they were settling back into their old teenage selves.
"No but you've never been that strong." Sirius said.
"Come on lets go." Remus said to stop the two from talking. James and Sirius smirked and Sirius pushed open the door into the Muggle street outside and stepped out. I followed behind them. I didn't really like Muggle London, it was too confusing and I couldn't use magic as freely.
"HELLO LONDON!" Sirius shouted. James sniggered and we headed towards the end of the street.
"Where to then?" I asked.
"Go to Leicester Square. There's always something happening there and then we could head towards SoHo and if there's nothing there we'll go to Bond Street." James said. If I knew Muggle London I would have some idea of where James was going but as I didn't know Muggle London I just nodded.
"Um, ok" I said slightly confused. Sirius grinned and put an arm over my shoulders.
"Don't worry young Wormtail. We will find you a girl tonight." Sirius said. "Lets go."
It only took us about five minutes to get to Leicester Square. It was a nice place and there were quite a few people hanging around. We had decided to apparate there so the five minutes were spent trying to find somewhere to disapparate from. We walked through Leicester Square and James looked around. We saw a group of girls looking at us from one of the trees that adorned the paved area. James, Remus and Sirius noticed to but only Sirius actually grinned back at them. They all started giggling and I'm sure one of them looked at me. I didn't want to go out with a stupid Muggle. I only came along to have a 'night out with the lads'.
"So what have you been up to Wormtail?" James asked, falling back and walking next to me. "You found a job yet?" He asked.
"Yeah. I'm working in Magical Law Enforcement. I'm not clever enough to be an Auror."
"Ah, good for you, coming into my line of work," James said cockily.
"Of course." I said with forced smile. In reality I was only working there to make sure that the Deatheaters were sometimes let off. There was someone in the Auror division that helped the major deatheaters I helped the minors.
"So, you finding it fun?" James asked. "I love being an Auror it gives me an excuse to curse people I don't like. Lily can't tell me off for that."
"How many deatheaters have you caught?" I asked him curiously.
"Oh, probably about twenty now." He said with a grin. "I'm catching up with April's thirty." I looked at James curiously.
"Wow, you're doing great." Remus said, "Sirius' girlfriend is beating you." Remus smiled at James as he pushed him slightly.
"Shut up. I'm letting her." James said.
"Of course you are." Remus said. I glanced around.
"Hey, where's Padfoot?" I asked. We all stopped and turned around. Sirius had walked over to the group of girls and was talking to them. James and Remus laughed and they walked over. I followed slightly slower.
"Yeah, I have a house just around the corner." He said, leaning against the fence that went around the tree.
"Really?" Said one of the girls. She was looking at Sirius like he was a god.
"Hey Padfoot!" James said throwing a small stone at Sirius' back. Sirius took a step forwards and turned to look at us.
"Who are they?" The girls asked him.
"These are my friends. This is Peter." He pointed at me. "James and Remus" He said pointing at each one in turn. "Keep away from James." He then said in a loud whisper. "He's taken."
"So are you." James said, hearing what Sirius had told the girls.
"Yes but unlike you my friend, I can still see other girls." Sirius said to James. He turned to the girls. "You see, James here was a bit stupid and got married so he's only out for the drinks. Pretty little thing his wife is, wouldn't mind a piece-"
"Don't talk about her like that." James said, the tone in his voice getting slightly more dangerous. Remus laughed and Sirius patted James on the back.
"Don't worry mate. I have these girls here." Sirius said. "So would you like us to escort you anywhere?" Sirius asked.
"Padfoot, what about April." I asked Sirius.
"She won't mind. She's been a bit weird lately anyway." Sirius said. I nodded slowly. "Plus I've had a bit to drink so it's the alcohol." One of the girls came up to me and put a hand on my arm. She looked at me with what I think was supposed to be a suggestive look. She wasn't really wearing anything that told me otherwise. She was probably a prostitute of some kind.
"So, Peter is it?" She asked, I gave a slight nod. "You got a girlfriend?"
"No he hasn't. His girlfriend got sent to prison." Sirius said. He was so tactful tonight! NOT! I glared at him, I could have murdered him for reminding me that Kiana was in Azkaban. I had just begun to forget about her. Unlike Sirius and James some of us didn't have very good relationships. You just had to look at Remus and myself to see that.
"Oh, so you have a thing for bad girls then?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. I glanced at Remus and James. James gave me a grin and Remus smiled. I gave an inward sigh, I guess I'd have to play along with this as well. The things I did for the dark lord!
"You could say that." I said. The girl grinned and put an arm around my waist. Sirius had both his arms around a girl each and smiled at me. I could feel the bile rising in my throat, just being with these Muggles made me feel ill.
"So, where to now?" James asked.
"Lets go to that really cool club just around the corner." One of the girls said. A girl with long black hair and a face that vaguely reminded me of Jenny. I saw Remus looking at her then look away shaking his head.
"Ok then! Away we go!" Sirius said.
Somehow in the duration of the morning we had ended up drunk on a bridge. I wasn't exactly sure which one it was, all I knew was that it was a bridge. We hadn't let out our secret to the girls, who still followed us. James hadn't cheated on Lily either, which was a surprise and I noticed that Sirius was also slightly reluctant about being with the girls as the night wore on. We were on the bridge laughing when Remus decided he was going to climb onto the side.
"You might fall off." Squealed the girl who looked like Jenny.
"No I won't. I got a brilliant sense of balance." Remus said. He walked along the top of the ledge and James laughed. The girl who seemed interested in me was called Janie. A name that suited her looks. It wasn't as exotic as the names that I preferred. Remus stopped and Sirius got up and joined Remus on the ledge. Remus turned to him and held his fists up. Sirius grinned and held his fists up as well.
"Think you can get past me?" Sirius asked.
"HA! I can get past you any day!" Remus said
"Don't fight, you might fall off." Another girl squealed. Remus and Sirius burst out laughing. Remus stopped quickly and went suddenly very serious. He took another look at the girl who looked like Jenny and then looked at the river.
"Do you think I should jump?" He asked.
"Go on, I'll fish you out." James said, getting up on the side as well.
"No James, I mean actually jump and let myself drown." Remus said looking at the water.
"Why would you want to do that?" Sirius asked. He stood on one leg and started twirling around. Idiots. I thought. It was quite amusing though.
"I have no reason to live!" Remus said. He looked at Sirius, who had stopped doing spins and was looking at Remus.
"Not that again." Sirius said with a sigh.
"Look Moony, what would Jenny want you to do?" James asked. Remus frowned.
"Who's Jenny?" Janie asked me.
"His old fiancé, she died a few weeks ago." I told her. "Died while giving birth."
"Aw, poor man." Janie said putting on a sympathetic face. She went to her friends and began telling them. I walked to the ledge that the others were standing on and Sirius pulled me up as well. I didn't really want to go up. I didn't have very good balance.
"Still." Remus said looking longingly into the water.
"You can't swim very well." James said. "I suggest that you don't. Besides, Lily would have my neck if you died so if you killed yourself we'd be losing two people instead of one-"
"Three" Sirius corrected. "April would kill me to." Remus smiled slightly and put an arm around James' shoulders.
"What would I do without you guys?" He said.
"You're our brother." Sirius said. He puffed his chest out and put his hands on his hips like he was some Muggle superhero. Even I had to laugh at this. Sirius turned and did a cartwheel on the ledge and turned to the girls, who were looking at us terrified. We were messing around on the ledge for at least ten minutes when I saw Remus either jump or lose his balance. I'm not entirely sure which one it was but I think he slipped and lost his balance.
"Remus!" James shouted as we looking into the water. Part of me was glad he'd fallen into the water, one less person to kill. But another part was telling me that he was my friend, No! He was part Muggle. He was better off dead. My mind was fighting so much that I didn't realise what I was doing until I hit the water as well and plunged into the depths of the Thames. I came up for air and I saw Remus a few feet away struggling. I swam towards him and put an arm around his chest. We were under the bridge now.
"PETER! TO THE BANK!" I heard James shout. I swam to the edge. What was I doing? You Know Who would kill me if he heard of what I was doing but inside I knew I had to do it to save Remus. I felt Remus going limp in my arm as I struggled against the current of the river to get to the bank. Remus was starting to pull me under the water. I stopped swimming and grabbed my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at the bank. A silver rope shot out of it and connected with the bank. I just had to hold onto my wand and I'd be safe. As the current pushed us along the rope tightened and we began to move towards the bank. As we reached the bank I felt a hand grab hold of the back of my shirt and another taking Remus. I let go of him as I saw Sirius pulling him up. James pulled me up and onto the bank. Sirius lay Remus on the bank.
"Anyone know that Muggle RCP thing?" He asked. No one needed to help Remus, he coughed up some water and sat up. I sat on the bank shivering. The water was so cold and it was starting to get to me. I crossed my arms and conjured a fire on the concrete floor that we were sitting on.
"Where are the girls?" Remus asked.
"They ran off when you fell in." Sirius said,
"Are you ok?" James asked. Remus nodded and glanced at me.
"You jumped after me?" Remus asked. I nodded slowly. I felt ashamed with myself. I was supposed to be ridding the world of people like Lily and Remus. Mudbloods and half breeds but I'd just saved Remus. My neck was on the line now. I would be dead before the week was out, I knew it. James patted my back and gave me a grin.
"Well done" He said. I looked at him darkly but he didn't notice. All he knew was that I was that I had just saved one of his best friends, and one of my best friends. But he wasn't one of my best friends. None of them were truly my friend. I felt confused. Why had I saved Remus? I hadn't meant to save him, it couldn't be a subconscious act because I didn't like any of them!
We all went back to Godric's Hollow once Remus felt good enough to apparate and when I had dried off enough to apparate. When we returned April was nursing her head and Lily was curled up on the sofa under a blanket, watching the TV. She looked up when we apparated in.
"Where have you been?" Lily asked curiously.
"Saving Remus." James said going to Lily and giving her a kiss.
"Why? What happened?" April asked. "Stupid hangover" she added in a quieter voice.
"Fell into the Thames." Remus muttered. He sat in an extra chair. As we all seemed to congregate at the Potter's house they had gotten more sofas and chairs then they needed. Lily and April both frowned but April cursed because it hurt her then cursed again because she was being too loud. I chuckled slightly at April's stupidity.
"Are you ok?" Lily asked worriedly. Remus nodded and put a hand to his head and rubbed his eyes.
"Peter jumped in after him and saved him." James said. Lily looked slightly surprised and looked at me with a smile.
"You did?" She asked. I nodded. I was feeling so weird, I didn't want to be here but after I'd saved Remus I was feeling a new feeling rising inside me. I was trying to suppress it, it couldn't be anything good. Lily got up and gave me a hug. I tensed slightly, I wasn't expecting this. James leaned back in the sofa and put his arm over the back of it.
"You must have been really brave." Lily said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. I liked this kind of attention. I wasn't the centre of attention because I had access to the Potters or because I was a spy. I had the attention because I had done something good and against what I was fighting for. I could have killed myself. I wasn't supposed to like this attention.
"Thanks." I said. Lily smiled and looked at April.
"I would hug you but my head is killing me." April moaned. Sirius went to her and pulled her into a hug.
"Poor you." He said. "You did drink a lot."
"I know." April muttered.
"Why haven't you got a hang over?" I asked Lily. She gave me a knowing smile.
"I do have one, it's just not as bad as April's" She said. "Sit down." She said. She went back to James and curled up against him as he pulled the blanket over the two of them. I sat down on the other end of the sofa. Remus was still rubbing his face with his palms.
"Thanks again Peter." Remus said once he'd put his hands in his lap. I nodded and realised the room had suddenly gone very quiet with the exception of the TV. Lily was watching the TV. James was sleep, as was Sirius. April looked like she wanted to sleep. I got up slowly.
"Well I'm going to go." I said with a sigh.
"Me too" Remus said. "I've got to sleep off this inevitable hang over." Lily nodded.
"I would get up and hug you but James is just too comfy." Lily said. Remus gave her a smile.
"It's ok." Remus said. "See you soon." He said. Lily grinned and blew us a kiss. Remus disapparated a few moments before I did. I got back to my house and was about to put my wand down on the kitchen table when I sensed someone behind me. I spun around and held my wand out. You Know Who was standing right behind me.
"Master" I said suddenly shocked.
"You saved the half breed." He merely said. I felt myself started to shake nervously. "We are trying to kill them and you save the half breed." I took a step back and into a chair.
"M-master, I m-merely s-saved him to g-gain more t-trust among them." I said, saying the first thing that came to my head for an explanation. "You never know when we may need the trust." I said quickly. You Know Who looked at me with narrowed eyes.
"Stand up." He said. I quickly got to my feet and looked at You Know Who. He looked at me seriously.
"Very well. I will let you off this one time. I have a new assignment for you." He said.
"Anything my lord" I said bowing my head slightly. I felt a sense of relief inside me but I didn't think You Know Who believed me.
"It has come to my attention that a one, Regulus Black has been trying to leave the fold of Deatheaters. I want you and Malfoy to kill him. Malfoy will come here tomorrow and will take you to kill him. I want to make it known that once you join the dark side you cannot leave." I nodded quickly as You Know Who gave me a satisfied smile. "Do not disappoint me Wormtail or I will be most upset" He said with a smirk. I nodded again and You Know Who disapparated. I collapsed into the wooden chair and started shaking like I had just come out of the cold River again. Regulus Black. Wasn't that Sirius' brother? What had he done now? I slowly got up. What I really needed was a bath. Yes, a bath would be great. I went up the stairs and ran a bath. I needed some time to think, I needed to have someone with me to tell my problems to. This was when Kiana being in Azkaban became a problem. I really should have gotten over her by now but I just couldn't get over her but I just couldn't.
"Stop thinking about her." I said to myself angrily. I stripped off my clothes and got into the hot, steaming bath. It was great. Just for a few minutes in what had seemed like eternity I had some peace and I was able to relax. That was until thoughts of having to kill Regulus Black and thoughts of Kiana came crashing back into my head. I sighed and closed my eyes. I would just have to deal with it. I would have to just get on with life.
I sat in the Potter's kitchen watching Sirius slamming his fist on the table.
"He was an idiot! Getting mixed up in all that though I really shouldn't be surprised." Sirius ranted. April put a hand on Sirius' back and gave him a hug.
"I'm sure that he didn't know what he was getting into." April said.
"He did know. Regulus isn't stupid though he seems like a complete retard." Sirius said angrily. He had just been told by the ministry that his brother had been killed in a deatheater attack. I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing at Lily and James' house and I was trying to avoid April's gaze. If she found out that it was me who had killed Regulus then no one would trust me. I had a hard enough time trying to keep her convinced I was good.
"I didn't think you liked your brother." Lily said from the stove where she had started brewing the Wolf's bane potion for Remus.
"I don't!" Sirius said.
"Then why are you so bothered?" April asked uncertainly.
"Because he's my brother!" Sirius said like the girls were idiots.
"Well if my sister died I wouldn't care." Lily said, she sounded slightly uptight about it and she threw something into the cauldron that made it hiss.
"Hey," April said.
"Not you, my other sister."
"Jenny?" April asked confused.
"Petunia you idiot!" Lily said.
"Besides, Jenny's dead." I pointed out. April flinched slightly and Lily didn't say anything. I frowned and looked at Sirius. He held a mug of Butterbeer that April had gotten him.
"He's still my brother." Sirius muttered darkly.
"Well, he wasn't a very good brother." Lily said patting her hands clean and turning around. "And the way I see it, siblings who aren't very good and wishes you were dead anyway are better off dead."
"Lily!" April said harshly.
"What? It's true." Lily said.
"Petunia isn't that bad. She still cares for you."
"Really, she has a weird way of showing it." Lily said.
"Where's James?" Sirius asked.
"Assessment." Lily said. "Which reminds me. I have an assessment next week as well so I don't want any of you hanging around too much. I have to study." A smile broke out on her face and April shook her head.
"You're so strange." April said.
"Thank you." Lily said. I took a sip of butterbeer and stayed quiet. I didn't trust myself to say much in front of them right now.
"So, how's the job hunting going?" April asked Sirius to try and get his mind off his brother. She gently stroked his arm and Sirius looked at her.
"Ok." He said. "I could do anything I want really but I can't be bothered." April sighed.
"You're going to run out of money." April said.
"She's right." Lily said, "You have to find a job Sirius. Do you want to lose that bike of yours?" She asked with a smile. Sirius looked at her and smiled.
"No not really." He said, "Well I suppose I could take up the offer of being in the Magical Sports department at the ministry." Sirius said shrugging. April grinned and kissed his cheek.
"That means we'll all be working at the Ministry." She said happily. I nodded as Lily smiled.
"I won't I work at the hospital" Lily said.
"Point." April said nodding. "What's the time?"
"Three." I answered.
"Oh, shit I'm late for work." April said getting up suddenly. "See you guys later." She said. She bent over and gave Sirius a quick kiss. She gave me and Lily a wave then apparated away.
"I should get to work as well." I said standing up.
"Ok." Lily said, "Have fun." She said with a smile. I forced a smile and disapparated.
A/N:-This was a really fun chapter to write but the next two were even better. The next chapter will be my personal favourite character in the entire Harry Potter series Lily (well she ties with Hermione). Her chapter is In Ten Months Time and then James, who will be Perfect Holiday.