The Tale of Two Puppies

By: TonksLupin and IJustWananBeMe

A/N: IJustWananBeMe: Thanks so much for all the nice comments, they mean a lot! Here's another chapter by me!

Doors flew open and closed as the Marauders careened down the corridors. All was deadly silent in the deserted halls, only the sound of the four boys echoing footsteps on the marble.

Peter whimpered as the next door they chose was locked. "What are we going to do?"

Sirius growled, slamming his fists against the cold concrete of the wall. "I-I don't know, Pete. We- we just have to keep trying," he panted. He looked to Remus, his gaze lingering on the lycan who nodded in agreement.

James straightened his spectacles before leading the way down another narrow stretch of hallway until they saw the door of a classroom slightly ajar.

"Quickly," he hissed, motioning for the others to move inside, which they did. He closed the door with a soft snap behind him, muttering a soft spell. "Lumos Maxima!" The end of his wand casting a soft white light around the abandoned room.

"Lovely," murmured Remus crossly as he led the way through the mass clutter of books, parchment and broken glass jars.

All four boys sat down by a window that was filtering soft moon rays through the cracked glass.

Sirius slid down the wall, pulling his knees up to his chest, while James took a seat beside him doing the same. "It's hopeless," muttered the dark haired boy, and Sirius frowned at him.

"Since when does James Potter talk that way?" he asked surprised, "Surely you don't think this is the end do you, that this is the end of the Marauders?"

The brown eyed boy cocked an eyebrow at his friend in question. "I said it was hopeless, not that I was giving up. I'll never give up."

Peter nodded enthusiastically while Remus gave James a small smile. "So, what's the plan, Prongs?"

James shrugged, closing sienna eyes as he leaned his head back against the wall in thought. "Just give me a sec, I'll think of something."

Needless to say the minutes dragged on and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Sirius to concentrate. He was never one to sit for long. Casting a look in James's direction, he found the black haired boy in deep thought, his tongue tucked between his teeth in concentration. The raven haired boy chuckled softly, silver gaze turning to Remus who seemed to be staring at the door through which they'd come, his brow furrowed in worry.

"I give up,"

Sirius looked over in surprise; questioning James with his eyes. "What do you mean given up? I thought you would never give up."

James shook his head angrily. "Well, he does. I'm all out of ideas, out of heroic ways to save us." James felt like crying, he could feel the lump in his throat, and the crystal tears burning his eyes.

Remus looked over at James with a concerned frown. "James…"

"I said I'm done!" The chaser stood abruptly, kicking large piles of parchment and books in his vain attempt to get away. Though it was futile as Sirius lunged for his legs, dragging him down to the cold wooden floor.

"Geroff!" But Sirius ignored this, continuing to pin him down.

"Get a hold of yourself, Jamie! What's gotten into you?" The pale boy held James's angry glare with one of his own. "Well?"

"I think maybe he was in over his head," Everyone turned to stare in shock as the smallest of the Marauders spoke, platinum hair falling into watery eyes.

"And why is that?" inquired Remus softly, nodding encouragingly at the small boy.

Peter gulped, taking in a deep breath before slowly exhaling. "I've seen you crying," He directed his gaze to the chaser currently pinned to the dusty floor. "I hear you sometimes at night, when everyone else is asleep. You only do it when you think no one is watching, or listening,"

Peter averted his gaze to the ground as he continued, small hands gently fiddling with the frayed knee of his jeans. "You keep saying how you're not good enough, how everyday feels like a lie. You wonder why no matter how much you try and care, try to give someone, that they always think that you're playing, that it's all a game."

Sirius couldn't move, he gaped, openmouthed at the small boy, frequently lowering his gaze to James who was just as shocked as he.

"I remember once, when we were thirteen, and I kept having nightmares how you would talk to me. You asked me why I was afraid, that there was nothing to be scared of. I didn't know how to reply then, but I think I do now,"

The Marauder gave James a timid smile. "I am afraid because I have always been consumed by fear. I am afraid of fear itself. I've gone through the loneliness, the emptiness, and the not knowing if someone will always be there." Remus stared in awe as Peter talked, carefully gauging James's reaction. "Insecurity," Peter concluded.

All was silent as the three friends stared in shock and bewilderment at one another. James slowly inhaled and exhaled before finally finding the words to speak. "You think I'm insecure." It was more a statement than a question, and Peter slowly nodded.

The raven haired boy let out a small laugh. "You think I am insecure, that's a good one, Pete."

Sirius raised an eyebrow at his friend. "I think he's right, James."

James frowned, looking to Remus, who merely nodded in agreement. The chaser looked around him and shook his head. "You guys must be mental. Me, James Potter, insecure?" But the more he said it, the more it seemed to make sense, something that truly scared James. "Oh merlin…"

"Where are they?"

The four Marauders froze as a familiar voice echoed throughout the corridor. James cursed softly as he quickly crossed the room, staring through the keyhole into the hall. There, standing at the top of the stairs, was Fenrir Gryeback.