Chapter Fifty-Two

It was unusual for Peter Pettigrew to be apart from his friends, but a week after Remus's warnings about not trying to befriend Severus, Peter still had the Slytherin boy in his head. Every Potions class had been marked with intermittent stares in the other boy's direction, and yesterday, Peter even thought he might have mustered up enough courage to approach Severus after class.

That was a joke, and Peter knew it. He didn't like Severus by any means, but that didn't mean he couldn't be intrigued. For all the Gryffindor prejudices against the Slytherins, Peter was truly surprised to see a Slytherin who didn't exhibit the supposed evil the Gryffindors charged them with. While Peter had hardly spoken three words to Lily Evans, he didn't think she was a fool to be friends with Severus. Lily had always been sensible and smart... everything Peter knew he was not.

Perhaps the only person who had ever really found him endearing was his own mother, and it was that reason now why he wasn't with James, Sirius, and Remus. He was on his way to the owlery to deliver his weekly letter to his mum.

Once he reached his destination, he selected a tawny owl and sent the rolled letter off with the bird. Leaning on the frame of the window, he watched as the owl flew off into the distance. Sighing, he closed his eyes, feeling the gentle breeze blow through his hair. Just as he was starting to relax, he heard a mocking, cruel voice.

"What're you doing up here, Gryffindork?"

Startled, Peter recoiled from the window and turned around to face his tormentor. A group of Slytherins who couldn't be older than fourth years stood there, blocking the only exit.

"L-leave me alone," Peter stuttered.

The ring leader of the group, a broad-faced, sneering boy whose named escaped Peter took a step forward. He laughed maliciously. "Oh, and what are you gonna do about it? Your friends aren't here to save you this time."

Peter's mind was whirling. The Slytherin boy's name was on his lips... He had been teased by his brother before, and the ridiculous thing was, Peter was several years older than the younger brother!

"Mulciber," Peter finally uttered. He feebly reached for his wand, hoping to use one of the hexes James and Sirius had taught him, but his reflexes had never been very fast.

"Expelliarmus!" Mulciber shouted, and Peter's wand flew out of his hand.

Roger Mulciber, followed by the three other boys, slowly approached Peter, who was now shaking pathetically. He thought for a moment to turn into a rat and scamper off before the others realized what had happened, but he knew his secret needed to remain a secret. Getting in trouble with Dumbledore and, even worse, with the Ministry for breaking the law wasn't a consequence Peter cared to face.

"Gryffindors," Mulciber spat. "The whole lot of you make me sick! You-Know-Who has the right idea, and you, a Pureblood! You ought to be ashamed of yourself for being a traitor!"

"How- how do you k-know that?" Peter asked, trying to sound defiant.

"Word gets around about loyalties, and you, Pettigrew, are about the weakest of your lot. Without your friends to save you, you're nothing. Even though you're a measly Gryffindor, you'd still be smart to join up with the Dark Lord while you still have the chance. My parents told me what You-Know-Who said... that he'll start targeting blood traitors and Mudbloods alike. If you care about your poor mother-"

"How d'you know- ?"

"That you write to your dear, old mum every week?" Mulciber scoffed. "You think we don't overhear your simpering conversations out by the lake or in the Great Hall with your little friends?"

Peter swallowed nervously. He wished the others would just leave already, but wishing them gone wouldn't change his predicament. He had been approached last year by the elder Mulciber. He didn't know if his weakness was so apparent that the Slytherins could see right through him, but now, it seemed he was at their mercy.

Just then, a biting, authoritative voice came from the door.

"Mulciber!"

Peter flinched at the commanding tone of the voice and gazed at the door. He had to keep his mouth from flying open in shock. Standing there was Severus Snape, who was much taller than the third and fourth years and Peter himself.

Mulciber turned around as well and glared daggers at the Head Boy.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here, Snape?" demanded Mulciber, obviously angry at having been interrupted.

"Put your wand down," Severus said coldly, "and get out before I report you to the headmaster."

Mulciber, no longer interested in Peter, stepped toward Severus. He was nearly a head shorter than Severus, but his demeanor and facial features, so twisted with hatred, reminded Severus far too much of the older Mulciber.

"You just wait," Mulciber hissed. "You'll meet your end soon." Motioning toward the other students with him, they followed him out of the room without another word.

Severus watched them go all the way down the stairs, and when he was confident they were gone, he directed his attention toward Peter. He picked up the other boy's wand and held it out to him.

Peter simply stared in fear at Severus, his watery eyes on the wand.

Sighing in annoyance, Severus said witheringly, "Well, take it."

Reaching out with a trembling hand, Peter took the wand from Severus and quickly shoved it into his pocket. His eyes didn't meet Severus's dark ones. "Th-thank you," he muttered.

Severus nodded and frowned at the deplorable sight in front of him. "What happened, if I may ask?" he inquired.

"I, uh... was just sending a letter to my mum," Peter nearly whimpered. "They just came at me. I- I didn't do anything-"

"I never said you did," Severus said coolly.

"And what were you doing nearby?" Peter asked suspiciously, seeming to regain a bit of integrity.

"You're not the only one who has parents he writes to," Severus said, sickened by how cowardly Peter was acting.

"Oh, r-right," Peter muttered, flushing.

Severus had been trying to keep an eye on Peter for the past several days, wondering when he might have the opportunity to talk one-on-one to him. Now that he was alone with him, he found he was so disgusted by how spineless Pettigrew was, he wanted to leave. Had his idea been a bad one?

Just as Severus was about to go, now growing irritated at Pettigrew's lack of respect to even thank him for saving his miserable hide, Peter suddenly blurted out, "Is it true you escaped from You-Know-Who?"

Severus stopped abruptly in the doorway, his hand resting on the frame. He pivoted quickly and smirked at Peter.

"Ah, so that is why you have taken to staring at me during Potions class, I take it?" he asked smoothly, enjoying Peter's reaction.

Peter flinched and turned a deep shade of red. Severus already knew the truth from Lupin, but he wanted to hear it from Peter's mouth.

"I, uh... just wondered," Peter mumbled. "So, it's true then? How'd you manage it?"

Severus noticed the hungry glean in Pettigrew's eyes and frowned. The boy was greedy for protection. Severus merely shook his head and snorted.

"You really are pitiful, Wormtail," he remarked.

"Hey!" Peter exclaimed indignantly. "If my friends were here-"

"But they aren't, are they?" Severus questioned harshly, closing in on the smaller boy. Peter was recoiling, afraid Severus was going to attack him.

"I- I knew it," Peter stammered. "You only chased off those others so you could do what you want to me instead. Sirius was right. You are horrible."

Severus laughed bitterly. "You have no idea, Pettigrew, but that is not what I'm interested in discussing. You see, I know exactly what's going through that thick head of yours. Without your friends to protect you, you're reduced to a simpering, little nobody. Not so tough without a couple of bullies backing you up, are you? You, Pettigrew, have been part of a group that made my life miserable for years. It's no wonder you're fearful of what I might do to you right now. Be afraid if you must, as that seems to come so easily to you, but listen, and listen carefully. Contrary to whatever Potter and Black might say about me, I have no desire to join You-Know-Who. Trust me when I say that I know what despicable things he and his followers stand for, and serving him is not about glory and power. He would just as soon harm any one of his followers as he would his enemy, and if you think you will be safe by hiding in my shadow, you are wrong. No one is safe, Wormtail."

Peter slunk back against the window, his teeth chattering wildly. He looked like a trapped animal, fretfully glancing around for an escape. His voice was lost.

"Pettigrew!" Severus suddenly yelled.

This seemed to get Peter's attention.

"W-what?" he stammered.

"Have you been listening to a word I've said?"

"Y-yes, but what c-can I do?"

"You can be a man for once and stop hiding behind others," Severus said boldly. "As asinine as your friends are, they are your true friends. They would probably die for you. You ought to do the same for them if they actually mean something to you."

"D-die?!" Pettigrew cried, tears now streaking down his cheeks. "But I don't want to die!"

"And who do you think does?" Severus demanded, now truly angry. "It's a choice we'll all have to make soon. In a few short months, we'll be out of Hogwarts, and your character will be tested. You can only run and hide for so long. Would you rather people remembered you as a loyal and brave friend or as a traitor who cared more about his own life?"

Peter's bitter tears continued to fall, for he knew how he would answer that question. He would be the coward. People would hate him and his memory, but he couldn't voice the truth to Severus.

"But I'm weak," Peter admitted.

As Severus watched the dejected boy in front of him, he thought of what Peter had become in his other life. Shaking his head, Severus felt the smallest amount of pity for him.

"I used to feel the same way," Severus said softly, "until I realized that I had someone like Lily for a friend. As I told you, you have friends. That is more than I could say in my house. I think... I think having friends, people we care about, makes us stronger."

Peter couldn't believe what he was hearing. Severus Snape almost sounded kind.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Peter asked, unable to stop himself. "I've never given you reason to."

"I am not nice," Severus replied repressively, "but I am decent. Perhaps if you or Lupin had stood up to Potter and Black in the past when they were taking enjoyment out of tormenting me, you might have seen something worthwhile in me. It's a pity you had to wait until I did something as heroic," he sneered, "as escaping from You-Know-Who for you to realize it."

"S-sorry," Peter whispered. "I was afraid they wouldn't be my friends otherwise."

"Potter and Black might be bastards, but I believe you do have real friends in them," Severus stated. "Now that I'm thoroughly done saving your arse and boosting your esteem, I have better things to do. Good afternoon, Wormtail."

Severus left Peter to his thoughts and withdrew to his room. He hadn't failed to send a letter to his father, as he hadn't actually written one. No, that had just been an excuse to explain why he was nearby. The truth was that Severus knew Mulciber and his friends were up to no good, and at the very least, as Head Boy, he had a duty to perform. He hoped he had done more than his duty, however. He prayed what he had told Pettigrew might actually sink in.