Chapter XVIII: The Rat of the Past

James Potter finished up his last class of the semester. He didn't really like Herbology as much as his friends did, but nevertheless, he completed the class as best he could. Lily found him waiting for her under the twin tall trees in front of the castle. His eyes lit up just by the sight of his sweet girl. Immediately, he wiped the smirk off his face and snapped out of his love sick daze.

"Oh, James! I have great news!" she exclaimed as she ran up to him with wide open arms.

"Yeah?"

Lily pulled out a small bag that almost bursting at the seams due to its fullness. A golden ribbon was tied around the top, barely holding it shut. She waved the bag in front of James' face.

"Did you get a bag full of magic beans?"

"No, silly!" she giggled as she opened the sack to reveal gleaming golden coins. There must have been nearly a hundred of them.

"My dear- Where did you get all of those?"

"Does it matter, darling?" she said. "I have enough here for you and me to take that vacation this summer. Oh, we can travel to wherever we want to!"

James eyed at his beloved, curious to know where she could possibly come up with that kind of money. Her parents, being the Muggles they were, would not know about wizard money more than likely. James, although wanting to question her, simply smiled.

"I'm happy for you! I know just where we could go!" James said. He reached into his pockets and tugged out a crumpled up brochure. "I know this is where you wanted to go… It was really a fantasy I had a few months ago, when you took that Ancient Worlds class… Just take a gander"

Lily unwrinkled the colorful parchment. Ancient lined lettering sparkled from the top. It was a strong symbol of a smiley face in a triangular object.

"Atlantis! But, they closed the island off for tourists years ago! When did they reopen it?"

"Just this summer, actually," James said smirking. He loved to see his girl smile in happiness and glow just like she was doing now. Purchasing that brochure in advance, despite its somewhat high cost, was all worth it to see the smile on her face.

"Oh, James! Yes, let's go!" she yelled.

Peter Pettigrew stood behind one of the tall twin trees, cupping his rat-like hands together. He could not believe his ugly ears. Potter and his girlfriend were planning to go to an ancient island by themselves, without even consulting him or any of their other friends. Peter slumped down and talked to himself in a whining, pitiful voice.

"Friends… They're no friends of mine,"Peter mumbled. He turned slightly to see if James and Lily were still there, and they were, hugging and kissing in their ghastly couple ways. "Oh, they deserve what's coming to them."

Peter stood up, brushed the dirt off his behind and strutted over to the two lovebirds.

"Hello there, my dearest friends!"

"Hey, Peter," James smiled and patted his back, unknowing that this was the same person who later betray them to Lord Voldemort. "What are you up to?"

"Oh, the usual. Hello there, dear Lily. You look ravishing today, more than ever. Has something good happened?"

"Why yes! We were going to wait to tell the whole gang, but well- James and I are going to visit Atlantis this summer!"

"Really? I had no idea! How splendid!" Peter said and forced to smile. "I want to give you two something, as a sort of going away present. Perhaps I could throw you a party right before the two of you leave?"

Lily nodded and said, "What a wonderful idea, Peter! I'll write to you and let you know when we set the date. Oh, you're such a good friend!"

"I try," Peter said and started to walk away. Instead his head brewed stormy ideas, evil thoughts that no true friend would ever think of. He wanted to give them something he knew could only cause them harm… There was only one person he knew of that could help him.

"Lily and James… So it's official now," Severus said. "What do you want me to do about it, Peter? Give them hugs and kisses?"

"I want to hurt them, so badly!" Peter yelled. "I was hoping you had some potion I could use. You were always good in that class. Maybe you'll even teach it one day."

"Ha, me, a teacher at Hogwarts?" Severus laughed. "When pigs fly. That will be the day. As for the potion. Well, I don't have anything brewing right now…"

"I see… Well, I could always through some scratching beetles down their trunks."

"Wait- Where did you say they were going, Peter?"

"Atlantis. That old island. It's ugly and dirty if you ask me. I don't know why anyone would go there for a vacation-- James was always the odd one though. Must like dirty things… Well, of course he does, he's dating that dirty mud blood Lily! Ha ha!"

Severus drew his wand and pointed it under Peter's chin, wedging it into his neck's skin. "Don't you dare insult her…"

"Sorry, I forgot about your 'thing' for that girl," Peter said amusingly. "Severus… It was a joke…" Peter's face grew paler and more concerned as his friend didn't let go. "Severus!"

"Oh, sorry, must have gotten carried away," he said and pulled down his wand.

Peter fell to the ground, wiping a sigh of relief that his friend didn't hurt him.

"What's so great about Atlantis, you ask?" Severus continued as if nothing happened. "If you ever read or studied, which I'm doubtful you've ever done, you would know that great powers lie there… But no one has ever unlocked it. Not without the key."

"The key? What is that?"

"It's a rare item that has been lost for centuries. It opens the old magic of Atlantis. They closed the island to anyone, afraid that whoever now has the key would unlock the magic. Apparently, the key has been found and is good hands."

"Why do you say that?"

"Why else would they reopen the island, Peter?" Severus slapped the side of Peter's head. "If you were to retrieve that key and give it to James… Well, he would be in loads of trouble when trying to enter the island. They'd send him to Azkaban perhaps." Severus smiled in delight at the very thought.

"James would be destroyed, and Lily would be yours… Perfect plan, but where would I find this key?"

"Where do you think they keep valuable treasures locked up? Two places my dear friend."

"A vault?"

"Yes, and where else?"

"Ummm…" Peter looked around as if the answer would appear out of thin air.

Severus rolled his eyes. "The Ministry of Magic, you idiot. The Department of Ancient Treasures to be precise. All you need to do is get in, steal the key and give it to James."

"You're kidding?" Peter laughed. "You're serious!"

"Of course I am. If you want to get back at them, you must take any measures necessary. Unless you are afraid."

"I'm not scared!" Peter yelled. "I'll do it, you'll see! And James Potter will be in Azkaban within months!"

Severus smiled, but inwardly felt just a tad guilty for his scheme. He was friends with James and Lily. And was cruel to do such a thing. However, the darkness inside of Severus won over and fed into his horrible ideas.