Peter walked slowly back to Gryffindor Tower. He had no idea what he was going to say to explain his behavior, but he had to do something. He had made so many promises to Snape and the Slytherins and he shuddered to think what would happen to him if he didn't follow through.

He gave the password to the Fat Lady and stepped into the common room. No one was around so he made his way up to his room. He was hopeful for a few seconds that no one would be there, but his hopes were quickly dashed when he saw Sirius lounging on his bed.

"Hello, Sirius," he said timidly before moving toward his bed, which was thankfully located on the opposite side of the room from Sirius's. Sirius didn't move, but watched Peter very carefully. "Where are the others?" asked Peter quietly, feeling very uneasy with Sirius's silence.

"Where have you been?" Sirius returned.

"Around," said Peter timidly.

"Around?" repeated Sirius. "What, lots of studying to do?" said Sirius, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Peter nervously seized on the suggested alibi. "Yeah, yeah I was in the library, studying. You know how hopeless I am and the N.E.W.T.s will be here before we know it." He laughed nervously and continued to prattle on. "I never was good with school like you, James, and Remus. I need all the help I..."

"Do you think I'm stupid, Peter," said Sirius icily. Peter glanced at him cautiously. Sirius was still in bed, but his whole body was tense, as if he were ready to pounce.

"No," said Peter loudly. "I..." He trailed off as he saw the dangerous look Sirius was shooting at him.

"What happened to you last night?" asked Sirius, very slowly.

Peter took a deep breath and stood up straight. "How is Hermione?" he asked carefully.

In a flash, Sirius was on his feet and had Peter's collar in two clenched fist. "Don't you dare," he spit out. "Don't you dare ask how she is."

"Sirius please," choked out Peter, pulling uselessly at Sirius's clenched fists.

"Did you do something to her broom?" shouted Sirius. "Did you cause her accident?"

"No," gasped Peter. "How could you think that?"

Sirius stared stormily into Peter's eyes, searching for the truth. After a few moments of silence, he hissed, "I don't believe you." He dragged Peter from their room out into the hallway, all the way to the balcony.

Sirius had Peter in such a tight grip that he was finding it difficult to breathe. He coughed and sputtered and did his best to stay upright as Sirius dragged him along. Peter saw in horror what Sirius's intentions were and he began to struggle, but his struggles were nothing against Sirius's adrenaline filled anger. Sirius pushed Peter up to the edge of the balcony tipping him dangerously over the railing. "Sirius," shouted a petrified Peter.

"Tell the truth, Peter. Did you touch that broom?"

"No," whimpered Peter and he gripped Sirius's arms tighter as he felt his feet lift off the ground. "Help," screamed Peter in terror.

At that precise moment, James, Lily, Remus, and Hermione returned from dinner. Hermione, who was still physically and emotionally exhausted from the previous night, was leaning sleepily against Remus. All four of them stared in horror at the sight of Sirius dangling Peter over the edge of the balcony.

"Help me," choked out Peter again, tears streaming down the sides of his face.

The room was instant commotion, with everyone shouting at once. Hermione seemed to be the only one thinking rationally, however. She whipped out her wand and cast a spell at Sirius and Peter causing both of them to fall back onto the hard floor of the balcony. Then the four of them raced up the stairs toward them.

Lily immediately went to Peter, who was still coughing and crying, and kneeled next to him. James and Remus helped Sirius up. Hermione's spell seemed to have been a little too powerful. It had knocked the wind out of Sirius.

Hermione stood worriedly in front of Sirius, running her hands over his head and through his hair checking for bumps. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to make it so strong."

"You should have let me throw him over the damn balcony," muttered Sirius rubbing the back of his head. "Hermione, don't fuss. I'm fine."

"What happened, Padfoot?" asked James. "What he do?"

"Do?" whimpered Peter from two feet away. "I didn't do anything." There were tears streaming down his face and he pushed Lily's hand away when she offered to help him up. "Since she's been here," he said, pointing an accusing finger at Hermione. "I keep getting attacked for absolutely no reason."

"Don't play innocent, Peter," snapped Remus. "We all know you did something to that broom."

"I did not," cried Peter. "But what does it matter what I say or do. You all are determined to get rid of me."

"That's not true, Peter," said Lily tearfully. "You're our friend. The boys are just mad because you ran off last night. Right guys?"

James, Sirius, and Remus did nothing to confirm Lily's statement.

"It's ok, Lily," said Peter pathetically. "I know when I'm not wanted." He looked at the boys and Hermione. "I'm sorry I ran off last night, but I was afraid. You know I was never brave like the rest of you. The sorting hat should have stuck me in Hufflepuff, or chucked me out of the school all together," he cried dramatically.

"James, tell him that's not true," entreated Lily. "Please, let's not fight."

Peter looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry I ran away. It was wrong. But, I would never do anything to hurt any one of you. You're the only friends I have." He began to move away from the group, "even if you don't want to be my friends anymore."

"You're such a little rat, Pettigrew," snarled Remus.

"Remus," said Hermione quietly, putting her hand on his arm. "Don't."

Remus looked helplessly at his girlfriend. "Hermione, you know what he's capable of," he whispered so no one else could hear. "Don't give him another chance to hurt you."

"Remus, I have to try and save him too," said Hermione quietly. She looked at Peter, who had his back to them all. "Peter wait," she called after him. He turned back slowly. "If you say you had nothing to do with the accident, then I'll believe you."

"I swear," he said walking toward her hopefully.

She took a deep breath and turned to the boys. "I'm the one who got hurt, so I have the right to do this," she told them. "I don't want you treating Peter any differently on my account," she said. None of the boys said a word. Hermione sighed deeply. "Peter, maybe you better give everyone a little space for now. We're all pretty tired and our nerves are on edge." Peter stood uncertainly. "I promise things will get better," she said. "Right guys?"

"Whatever you say, Hermione," said Sirius.

"Yeah, sure," said James.

Remus merely squeezed her hand in affirmation.

Nobody moved. "Um, Peter, we can't leave Gryffindor Tower, its part of our punishment," said Hermione and immediately regretted her words when she felt the boys tense behind her. "Maybe you better go and get something to eat," she hurried on. "Until everyone cools off."

Peter nodded and made a quick escape, but first he smiled at Hermione and gave her a small "thanks."

Hermione turned back to Sirius. She gave him a small smile. "You weren't really going to throw him off the balcony, were you?"

He grinned widely, but said nothing. Hermione quickly covered her mouth to hide the wider smile that escaped. When she had composed herself she continued. "Promise me you won't do it again," she said.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I won't promise that."

Remus laughed. "Then at least promise I can be with you next time."

"Stop," laughed Hermione. "I'm dead serious about this. It's not too late for Peter anymore than its too late for you," she stabbed her finger into Sirius's chest, "to learn to control your temper."

"I can control my temper," objected Sirius.

"Yeah and you've got the bump on your head to prove it," teased Hermione. They all laughed and continued bantering with each other.

Lily watched from outside the group with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She came up to James and spoke quietly to him. "James, can I talk to you?"

James immediately separated himself from the group and followed Lily. When she was sure no one could overhear, she began. "James, what the hell is going on?"

"What do you mean, Lil?" asked James in confusion.

"What was that back there? Peter would never hurt a fly and yet somehow you all believe that he's capable of trying to kill Hermione. Sirius was about to push him over the balcony." She shook her head as if she were trying to wrap her head around the idea. "It's not like the fall would have killed him or anything, but Sirius could have really hurt him."

"You know Sirius's temper," said James lamely.

"James Potter, are you going to tell me what's going on or not?"

"Nothing Lily, nothing. It's like Hermione said. We're all tired and our nerves are on edge."

"I don't know why," began Lily slowly. "But I don't like the hold she has over you three."

"She doesn't have any hold over us, Lily," said James with a smile. "You're not jealous, are you?" he teased.

"Should I be," she asked seriously and with a little fear in her voice.

"No," said James immediately. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around the love of his life. "Never. Hermione Granger doesn't have the slightest hold over me. You're the only girl who ever has."

Lily visibly relaxed and returned his embrace. "James, how well do we really know Hermione?" James didn't answer, but kissed Lily long and hard. "Don't change the subject," she said breathlessly, when he released her.

"I'd trust Hermione with both our lives," said James seriously. He held Lily's gaze, trying to communicate his words through his eyes as well as his mouth. "If you can't trust her, then trust me."

"I don't distrust her," explained Lily. "I just think there's more to Hermione Granger than she's letting on and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Lil, nothing is going to happen to me. I promise."

Lily responded by wrapping her arms tightly around James. She trusted James implicitly, but she made up her mind then and there to keep one eye on Hermione from now on.

Later that night, when everyone else had gone to bed, Remus and Hermione stayed up talking. They sat together in front of the fireplace holding each other and relaxing. Remus was threading his fingers in and out of Hermione's, occasionally bringing them up to his lips to kiss.

"You tired?" he asked softly.

"Exhausted," returned Hermione through a yawn. She leaned more heavily against him. "But not ready to go up yet."

He smiled. "You should rest," he said half-heartedly. But he really didn't want to leave her any more than she wanted to leave him.

"I am resting," she said. "My eyes are closed." He glanced sideways at her to confirm and then swooped down for a kiss. She opened her eyes in surprise and smiled against his lips. Then she brought her hands up and held him to her, returning his kiss with equal fervor.

"God I love you," he whispered. She moaned in response and pulled him to her again. When kissing was no longer enough, Remus pushed Hermione gently with his body until she was laying flat on the sofa and he was above her.

Hermione took several deep breaths as Remus stayed very still, running his eyes over her body. There was something in them she had never seen before. Tentatively, she reached up and pulled him to her, their legs and arms entwining and their mouths crashing together in a heated intense kiss.

Remus had one hand cradling her head, while the other stroked her leg. Hermione's mind couldn't form a coherent thought as he did this. All she knew was his lips and tongue and hands. Without thinking, Hermione reached for the bottom of his shirt and was beginning to pull it upwards when they both heard someone enter the common room.

The realization that they weren't in a private place jolted them back to reality so quickly that Remus nearly fell off the sofa. Hermione tried not to giggle at him as she smoothed down her skirt and patted her hair uselessly. Remus tugged needlessly at his own shirt and stood.

Peter had returned to Gryffindor Tower, but to their great relief hadn't seemed to notice them at first.

"Hi," he said, timidly approaching them.

"Hi," returned Hermione. She glanced up at Remus to see if he had collected himself.

"Hey Peter," said Remus grudgingly. He returned to Hermione's side and put his arm around her possessively. "Well goodnight then," he said pointedly.

Peter blushed. "Yeah, goodnight." He moved to the stairway. "See you in the morning."

Remus and Hermione watched him disappear upstairs before returning their attention to each other.

"That was close," said Remus with a smile.

"In more ways than one," said Hermione quietly. "Remus," she began tentatively. "That was really intense."

"Yeah," he agreed, stroking her cheek. "Amazing."

She smiled and leaned into his touch. He leaned in to kiss her again. "No wait," she said abruptly, pulling away from him.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

She bit her bottom lip, her forehead creased with worry. "Remus we can't. I don't think we should..." she blushed, unable to finish the sentence.

Remus understood immediately and smiled tenderly. "Hermione, we don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"That's the trouble," she said. "I did want to."

"You did," said Remus, slightly surprised.

"Yes, but I don't think we should."

"Okay," said a very confused Remus.

"It seems too soon to me. I don't want to regret it later." She paused, not knowing how to continue.

Remus took her hand and kissed it chastely. "I don't want to do anything we'll regret in the morning. When it's right, we'll know."

Hermione smiled gratefully. "I think maybe we should go to bed."

"Okay," he said standing up. He walked her over to her staircase and kissed her sweetly, but thoroughly. "Goodnight."

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he returned, before giving her a quick push up the staircase. "See you in the morning."

She smiled and disappeared up the stairs. He waited a few minutes, before returning to his room as well.

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A/N: Hi all! I hope everyone liked that chapter. It was very fun to write. Can I see a show of hands from those of you who would have liked to see Sirius throw Peter off that balcony? I wanted to very badly, but unfortunately I need Peter alive and well for later chapters. Review, review, review and thanks for reading.