Perfect Unity

Profile:
Name:Peter Pettigrew a.k.a. Wormtail
Primary Characteristic: Cunning
Primary Element: Water

"Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends."

Nobody notices me, not unless I allied myself to powerful people. Even then, I have always been in the shadows of those I called "my friends". Everyone sees us and say, "Poor Peter. I have no idea how he became part of the Marauders." I know that James, Sirius and Remus try not to let it show, but they've always treated me like their kid brother, one who needs a lot of patience and guidance. I admit that I'm not as magically powerful as them, nor as smart, nor handsome, but I joined their little group anyway. I wanted attention. I wanted acceptance. I wanted protection. And above all, I wanted power.

At Hogwarts, I am what others call a tag-along, a fat little boy always following three of the most popular and influential boys around Hogwarts, basking in their glory. Little did they know that I am actually quite useful for the pranks. Yes, I am essential in the Marauding activities, believe it or not, rather than a liability. I am the perfect person to sneak around, especially in my Animagus form. I am the perfect person to be the distraction, whenever the others got into trouble. Who else can whip out of sight as fast as I can? The other three, drat them, are always either too tall or too noticeable (because of their good looks, Sirius said). Kind of annoying in the way, but they probably are proud of it, especially James and Sirius. They were always vying for most-detention-receiver-of-the-year. Bless Merlin.

But I played my part well… OK, perhaps that wasn't playing. Back then, I was… loyal… to them, in a manner of speaking. I flattered. I cajoled. I inflated their already overlarge ego… well, not Remus so much. He alone seems rational and down-to-earth, but he trusted me anyway. He has so few friends because of his lycanthropy that he would cling to anyone, which is probably why James and Sirius did not once receive detention from him during the three years he was Prefect.

But back to my point, that was the only way I am able to live through my Hogwarts days. The Marauders were the benchmark for Hogwarts students. I am sure that, had I not been under the influence of the Marauders, I might be bullied by the teachers and students alike. I was weak and without the slightest talent that marked wizards, or so they say, have. Still, I followed the right stream, mixed with the right sort of friends, and managed to scrape through the examinations, thanks to them. And I lived.

Sometimes I often wonder why I was put into Gryffindor at all. I mean, I'm not brave or anything, not like the rest. I am not able to stand up for my own beliefs. Or do I even have beliefs I can call my own? No, I am merely a stalk of grass, swayed relentlessly by the wind, and following whichever direction the wind blew. Perhaps I ought to be ashamed of myself. But why should I indeed, when in fact I am cleverer than them? I've managed to keep my secret thus long, and with no help at all, Sirius and Remus have already suspected one another. No one would even think that little Peter Pettigrew had the guts to spill their secrets and pledge eternal loyalty to their enemy.

I remembered when James, Sirius, and I first mastered the complex transformation into Animagi. We spent hours and hours in the library during second year, then practised and practised during third and fourth year. Finally, in fifth year, we were ready. But I was shocked when I turned into… a rat? A rat, of all animals, became my counterpart. Sirius even went so far as to exclaim, "Arat, Peter? Lord, you couldn't have chosen a worse animal, could you?" I couldn't say anything. Our Animagi form chooses us, no? Just like our wands. But a rat, for the love of Grindelwald. I guess I can never escape from myself. I guess it's true that your Animagus form shows your inner characteristics. Yet, for some reason, they still accepted me, despite my obvious cowardice and sneaky character depicted by my Animagus form. Probably only because I am useful for prodding the knot at the Whomping Willow. I am the smallest, see, and so useful for scouting ahead when we go out to tour Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, discovering secrets and other stuff. It was extremely exciting, but that is because we were sheltered in school, sheltered by the real situation that confronted us all out there. At Hogwarts, we were kings. Outside, in the real world, they are nobodies. We are all merely pawns in the large game of chess, trapped between the power struggle of good and evil. And they were losing. So I made my ultimate choice and betrayed them.

The time has almost come when I would show them, and the world, who the better wizard truly is. My new master has promised glory and power to me if I succeeded in his tasks, though he threatened death if I failed. Understandably, I will have to carry out his will, even if it means destroying my… friends. I'm sorry, James, if my success means pawning your whole family's heads. I have found myself a new home, somewhere no one will be able to touch me, because I am now a Death Eater. I have to do this, for myself. The Marauders' time is over. Once upon a time, we Marauders dictated everything going around Hogwarts. But not any longer. In this real world we all are in right now, the one with the real power is the Dark Lord and his faithful followers, the Death Eaters. If I managed to earn their trust, I shall be rewarded beyond my wildest dreams. And I shall be alive, though I am but a weak person in the wizarding world's eyes. You shall finally die knowing that little Peter is far more perceptive than you gave him credit for. The Dark Lord is the future, and I am no fool to not see that. I'd rather join him than battle on the losing side, though you have Dumbledore. I don't want to die.

Whoever can offer me maximum protection shall be the person I pledge my loyalties to. At whatever cost. No matter what it takes. The changing tides shall be my pointer towards glory, and victory.

I will never be at the losing side, ever.

– Finis –