Title: Peter Pettigrew and the Perilous Pranks (Year Two)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters created by J.K. Rowling. She is a literary genius. I do own the plot of this story, as well as the original characters, such as Professor Carter, Austin Harris, Medea Fletcher and Remus' parents.

Pairing: Only the briefest hints of a Remus/Lily crush

Feedback: Please!

Summary: Peter and his friends Remus, James and Sirius return to Hogwarts for their second year, after a trip to the Quidditch World Cup. Once there, they discover there is another prankster at work within the school. Soon it becomes apparent that this prankster is out to harm students, and the Marauders work to stop whoever it is.

Genre: General/Action/Adventure

Rated: PG—just to be on the safe side

Note: This is a sequel to Remus Lupin and the Werewolf Within (Year One). Also, this was written pre-OotP, so please keep that in mind. It is also much shorter than Year One, maybe because I can't stand Peter. I may go back later and fill it out a bit.

Chapter One: Rescue

Peter Pettigrew woke one hot summer day to a rapping at his window. He sleepily looked up and saw an owl outside. He got out of bed and opened the window to let the bird in.

"Hello Elfrida," Peter greeted the owl cheerfully, taking two letters and a package from her. "What have you brought me today?"

Elfrida belonged to Austin Harris. Austin had attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with Peter and his friends last year, but had to move to France once term was over. Peter anxiously opened the letter from Austin first.

Dear Peter,

It was really good to hear from you. I like France all right, I guess, and I'm starting to pick up on the language. I wish I was able to use magic outside of school—I would be an expert at translation spells by now. I can't wait to see you all at the World Cup in a week!

Austin

Peter smiled. He could picture Austin using translation spells forever instead of learning French. Peter was also very excited for the Quidditch World Cup, though more to see his friends all together again than to watch the quidditch. He set the letter down and opened the other one. Peter was a bit surprised to see it was from James since James lived nearby.

Hello Peter,

I sent this along with Elfrida because she stopped at my house first. I didn't think Austin would mind and the more we can keep this secret, the better. I have sent a very good book on the process of becoming animagi that I would like you to read before term starts. Also, don't tell Lily about it, I am sure she would either want to join in or she would report us. Would you like to come over to my house for a few days before the world cup? Remus and Sirius already said they can, I am waiting to hear from Austin and Lily. Let me know soon!

James

Peter tore off the paper surrounding the book. 'Becoming an Animagus: Volume I-Finding Your Inner Animal by B. N. Animal,' the front cover proclaimed. Peter opened to the first page, where other books by B. N. Animal were listed. He was astonished to find there were nine more volumes of "Becoming an Animagus."

"Guess this is going to be harder than any of us thought," Peter remarked out loud. Elfrida seemed to nod her agreement. "But it will be worth it, to be with Remus at the full moons," he continued. He set the book aside to begin later and wrote his friends both letters back. He didn't even bother asking his parents about staying at James' house before accepting James' invitation; he knew they wouldn't even notice he was gone.

"Do you mind taking this to James' on your way?" Peter asked the owl before tying both letters to her leg.

"Thanks, Elfrida." With a hoot of affection, the owl flew off.

With a sigh, Peter headed down to breakfast. As usual, his mother was deeply enthralled by the Daily Prophet and his father was already at work.

"Hello, mum," Peter said mechanically, not surprised when there was no response. He sat down to his already cold breakfast. He almost choked on his food when his mother spoke.

"We got a letter from your brother today," she began, not lifting her eyes from her paper. "Brian got another promotion at work."

"Great," Peter mumbled. 'That's all she ever cares about. Brian. You'd think Peter doesn't exist.'

Looking up sharply, his mother replied, "You could learn a lot from your brother, Peter. He was the top of his class at Hogwarts, and look at you, you barely passed your first year classes."

Peter hung his head, hoping his mother would lose interest. After a moment, she turned her attention back to the paper. Peter quickly finished his breakfast and went outside, anything to get out of the house. He wandered around his extensive backyard, not doing anything in particular. All of a sudden, he saw a blur zooming towards him, quite low to the ground and he jumped out of its way.

"What do you think you're doing?" Peter exclaimed as he saw his friend James Potter slow his racing broom to a stop.

"Just testing out my new broom," James replied innocently. "I didn't scare you, did I?" For moment James' face remained serious, but he soon smiled broadly. "I'm sorry, Peter, I couldn't resist."

Peter smiled back. "No problem. What's up?"

Shrugging, James replied, "Nothing. That's why I came over- to see if you wanted to just come to my house now and stay until we leave for the World Cup. I was bored to tears, so I am begging you to come early! Sirius is coming later today and Remus is coming tomorrow."

A feeling of relief rushed through Peter. A chance to escape Brian's accomplishments and his mother's disappointment a week early? 'This must be my lucky day,' he thought.

"Sure," he answered loudly. "Let me just pack my stuff and tell my mum." He ran into the house, more excited than he had been the whole first month of the summer holiday.

"Mum?" he called. "James is here and wants to know if I can spend the week at his house until the World Cup."

"Okay, Peter," was the muffled response.

Peter raced up to his room and started throwing things into his trunk. In a very short time, he was packed and dragging his trunk down the stairs to join James in the backyard.

James looked at the heavy trunk and sighed. "I guess we're walking back to my house."

"Unless you have some Floo Powder on you," Peter answered. "We're all out."

Without saying a word, James picked up one end of the trunk while Peter picked up the other. Together they carried Peter's luggage around the house and two streets over to where the Potters lived. "You brought the Animagus book, right?" James asked as they set the trunk down the front porch of his manor house.

Peter nodded. "I can't wait to get started with it," he anxiously replied.

"Me neither," James said, opening the door. His house elf, Pokey, was standing inside.

"Oh, Master James, let Pokey get that for you," the creature cried shrilly and with a snap of its fingers, the trunk disappeared.

"Thanks Pokey," James pleasantly acknowledged his servant.

Peter echoed, "Thanks," following James inside.

He was awed by the inside of James' house, even though he had been inside it a million times. Peter lived in a nice house in the same neighborhood, but it was nowhere near as nice as this. As Peter thought about this, James' mom came to greet him.

"Hello Peter," she said, smiling.

"Hello Mrs. Potter," Peter answered. "Thank you for having me over."

"You're quite welcome. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?"

"No thanks, I just ate breakfast," Peter said gratefully.

"You boys let me know if you need anything," she invited, turning and leaving the room.

Peter followed James through the house and out the back door. "Your mom is so nice," Peter remarked as James got out a spare broom for Peter.

James shrugged. "I guess so. Want to practice flying for a bit?"

Peter hesitated for a moment before answering, but the thought of being able to improve unobserved was enough to overcome his fear. "Sure."

Mounting the broomstick, Peter gripped the handle tightly, taking off after James. He went slowly at first, making sluggish turns behind James, but eventually he picked up speed and confidence, and darted behind the fast flyer. He still wasn't great at flying, but he was getting the hang of it when James gently landed some time later.

"That was a lot better, Peter," his friend exclaimed enthusiastically.

Peter blushed. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me, it's the truth."

Then, Mrs. Potter called out the back door, "Boys, Sirius is here and lunch is ready!"

Quickly they put their brooms away and ran inside before Sirius could eat all of their food.

After having a rather large lunch, the boys spent the afternoon engaged in a massive wizard chess tournament, which Sirius won. When James' dad arrived back at home, he battled Sirius. The match was brutal, but in the end, Mr. Potter triumphed. Exhausted from their mental efforts, all of the boys retired early and fell quickly asleep.