Word Count: 554

Muggle, thief!au


It's supposed to be an easy job. In, out, done. Peter tells himself that this is the last time. The Marauders are not as cutthroat as other bands of thieves are, but they still aren't his friends.

He shakes his head. "Never get attached," he murmurs to himself.

Because he knows what happens when he gets close to people.

Because he knows he never gets over the pain when everything falls apart.

It happens in the blink of an eye. One minute, everything is fine. Peter has the cuckoo clock in his hands- a stupid thing to risk his freedom and life for, but a job's a job, and he will not complain. Then the sirens sound, and he cannot move.

He's heard before that the Riddles, a notorious family of antique collectors Dumbledore seems to particularly detest, have fascinating traps, things that are cutting edge and unheard of. It seems that he has found out that those rumors are true. Once the clock was removed, the floor beneath him changed. It almost reminds him of one of those sticky mouse pads.

He is trapped like a rat, and there is nothing he can do.

James appears, lips pursed. "Take your shoes off," he suggests.

But it isn't that simple. Peter suspects sticky substance is something else, and he finds himself struggling to move.

"Oi! You two!" James calls.

Remus and Sirius rush over, exchanging concerned glances. Peter hates himself. All he has done is solidify his role as dead weight.

"Just take the clock," Peter says. "I'll be fine."

Maybe prison won't be awful. Maybe he can keep his head down and survive.

"Nah, mate," James says. "Marauders always stick together."

Sirius removes a knife from his pocket. "Moony, keep watch," he says, and Remus salutes, narrowing his eyes and turning his attention to the hallway. "I'm gonna try to cut at an angle. Maybe it can work."

Peter closes his eyes. He doesn't understand why they're sticking around. It's too dangerous, and he isn't worth it. He isn't worth anyone's kindness. For so long, he has been loyal only to himself.

He feels the pressure and movement. Several seconds pass, but it feels like an eternity.

"Hope you weren't fond of that shoe," Sirius says, and with one final tug, Peter is free.

Peter chances a glance back. The shoe has been partially dissolved at the sole. He swallows dryly, realizing how easily he could have been hurt.

"You could have sabotaged the job," Peter says with a heavy sigh.

"Not all treasure is silver and gold," James says.

Remus pulls the clock from the bag, whistling as he examines it. "Right," he says. "Sometimes it's diamond."

Peter can see it down. There's a glimmer on the hands of the clock, and he realizes they're lined with diamonds. "Blimey."

"Indeed," James snorts. "But not the point. I'm trying to be sentimental, Moony! The real treasure is the friendship we've developed over the last few jobs."

Peter should be terrified. He shouldn't stick around. Attachments are bad, and he needs to keep his distance.

But maybe the Marauders are his family now. Maybe this is home to him.

He had been so sure that he wanted out only an hour ago. Now he thinks he has three good reasons to stay.