Chapter 4: Peter's Plans

No one on Earth was aware that Sirius Black was dancing a jig. The deceased Marauders had not dared hope that Harry would make a move on his own, but in the space of four hours he had made two: first inviting Draco to 5the Chamber, then suggesting that they harvest as much of the carcass as possible for Snape. It was lucky that a property of basilisks was that their flesh and organs preserved themselves upon death. Draco had built upon the idea by suggesting that they use empty bottle and boxes from Salazar's workroom, which the boys had found and entered. And, to cap it all off, both of them had gained possession of extremely detailed maps of the old castle; Draco had Godrick's copy – it being written in English – and Harry had Salazar's. Sharing a secret like that was enough to make anyone friends. Plus, at the rate Moony was going was going, he would have the potion ready sometime that day.

"Don't get cocky, Padfoot," warned James. "I grant you, that aspect of the scheme's going well, but what about Wormtail? He's not as bright as Moony, and I'm afraid the potion's beyond him."

"He'll cope."

"I hope so. Er, by the way, er, do you know he's in love?"

"No! Prongs, you're joking aren't you?"

"No, and what's more, the object of his affections returns them somehow, which could have disastrous consequences. I hope to Merlin we haven't started anything we can't handle."

"Lighten up, Jimmy!" Lily said severely. "It'll be fine. Our concern is not them, but Harry."

"Lil's right." Padfoot agreed. "Er, who is Wormtail in love with?"

So James told him. Since the ensuing scene was not pretty, we will leave them now, and focus our attention on the objects of James's worry.

That Saturday morning was the best that Wormtail had ever had. Never in all his wildest, most fanciful dreams had he even tried to convince himself that it was possible to get what he most desired in the whole world. Even though he believed that the whole episode was a dream, he was determined to enjoy every moment.

Their first kiss did not last long. Both were surprised that it was happening at all. Trembling, Peter reached up, and traced the line of Voldemort's cheekbone and jaw. In the silence, both could hear the rasp of human skin on scaly snakeskin.

"What's happening to us, Peter?" whispered the Dark Lord, "Why do I suddenly realise I need you like I need to breathe?"

"Oh! You m-mean it? Really? Oh, oh! I never d-dared hope you'd feel the way I do!"

"Peter!" Voldemort hesitantly ran his fingers through Wormtail's hair. Tom Riddle's servant slowly and sensually traced the outline of his master's thin lips, before leaning down to kiss them again. The red eyes which had been half closed with pleasure opened in surprise and he trembled as a jolt of adrenaline surged through him. Peter noted this, and when this second, deeper kiss ended he remarked;

"You've never done this before, have you."

"No." whispered the Dark Lord. "Show me, please."

"I'd be delighted to. We'll take it slow. I want you to enjoy every minute."

"Oh, Peter, I was so afraid of you, afraid that if I stopped being tough and cold you would turn on me."

Wormtail was shocked. When he was finally able to speak again he asked hesitantly,

"So, why did you finally let your mask slip?"

"Partly I didn't think I had a choice. I had to trust you. Logically and emotionally I had to. Also, I thought I saw in your eyes a glimpse of something more than the resentful obedience the others feel. So I risked it."

"And aren't I glad you did!" Peter wriggled slightly, fitting his body more comfortably against Voldemort, who slid one arm firmly around his waist, and began running the fingers of the other hand through his new-found love's hair. For some time they lay there like that, just enjoying each other's company. Than Voldemort remembered something: Peter probably still thought this was all just a crazy dream.

"Er, Peter?" he said cautiously.

"Mmm?" was the contented reply.

"Are you still waiting to wake up? Because while I hate to disappoint you, this isn't a dream. I used your belief that it was to get you to take a chance on me."

After this somewhat sheepish admission there was a long silence while Peter dealt with the almost overpowering surge of happiness that filled him, and dealt with the almost equal urge to roll over and snog Lord Voldemort senseless.

"Well, I guess I'll forgive you." he drawled at last. Voldemort's arm tightened around him. They lay like that quietly for another, longer while. Wormtail did not realise he had dozed off, lulled by his love's presence, until he heard James' voice.

"Peter, I hate to disturb you, but remember there's a Death eater meeting tomorrow – Sunday – and Lily might have overestimated you when she said the potion was 'a cinch'. You should at least check if you have all the ingredients."

"Aw, James, can't I have a bit more time with him"

"Pete, you've had three hours. And if I'm not mistaken, your beloved will want lunch soon. So move your arse, and you can get potions supplies while you buy food."

"How come you're always right?" mumbled Peter out loud.

"What's that, Wormtail? Inquired Voldemort.

"James says I have to get up and start on the potion for Severus. He said it might be kind of hard."

Bring the instructions here and we can look at it together." Voldemort offered, loathe to let go of Peter for any protracted length of time.

"It's in my head. I just have to write it down." Peter conjured quill and parchment, and started to write. He glanced up to see red eyes staring at him in confusion.

"You memorized it?"

"Yeah," Peter replied. "I can memorise instructions almost instantly, I just can't usually follow them." He finished writing, then

"Thanks a lot, Lily. You may be able to do this standing on your head, but I can't do it at all!"

"I t certainly is…er…obtuse." The Dark Lord commented.

"Obtuse is an understatement. I'll blow it up in five minutes." Peter grumbled.

"What worries me is if you don't blow it up, but still get it wrong. Then what could happen to Snape?"

"Very helpful mental images, My Lord."

"Well, I'm afraid that's all the help I can be. Severus gets away with so much around here be cause a Potions Master is worth his weight in gold when you can blow up salt water."

"That's it!" Wormtail, who had been hunched over the paper suddenly sat bolt upright. "That's it! Oooh, it's perfect; we can get this done, and done Marauder-style to boot!"

"What are you blathering on about?" growled Voldemort.

"Well, what would you do if you wanted to get this brewed?"

"I would tell Sn – You genius! I can get Snape to brew his own love potion."

He can dash it off in no time. Then after the meeting, hold him and a few others back, send me to serve drinks, I'll add it to his, and he'll never know what hit him!"

"I'll have him, MacNair, and Bellatrix stay. I can guarantee that the others will want fire whiskey, but Severus will want water or wine. No mix-ups."

"He'd better want wine. Water's just about impossible to spike without traces, and I doubt he trusts us not to poison him." Peter remarked thoughtfully.

"I can probably taunt him into having wine. Everyone knows I love to pressure people into doing what they would rather not." Lord Voldemort's eyes flashed.

"You should join the Marauders, Milord. You think like one."

"I doubt your friends would approve." Answered Voldemort dryly.

"Since when has that stopped either of us.?" Peter's tone held a hint of challenge.

"You know, Rat-of-my-Heart, I suspect I might be in love with you." Voldemort said, a dreamy tone softening his harsh voice.

"Really?" Peter squeaked, his blood pounding in his veins.

"Yes really!" snapped the Dark Lord. He reached over, snagged Peter by the front of his robes, and dragged the Marauder down on top of him. Peter's yelp was cut of by a passionate kiss.

"Ugh! Better him than me!" muttered James as he turned away. He had nothing against homosexuality, but he preferred not to watch people of either sex making out.

"Really! The rat's got gall suggesting HE join the Marauders." Padfoot was unsure whether or not to be enraged at the very idea.

"Well, if they marry, it's not like we have any say. We agreed twenty years ago that a Marauder's spouse is a Marauder." James grumbled.

"Well, let's just trust precedent. Adding Lily worked well…" Sirius was gamely trying to be optimistic.

"Let's check on Moony." Prongs preferred changing the subject to pretending a bad situation was a hopeful situation.

Chapter 5: Second Extract from the Diary of Remus Lupin, AKA Moony

Whew! Done at last! A tricky bit of work, that potion was, but I got it. Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! On a more sober note, though, how do I get that blasted slytherin blond to brink it? It's not like he's likely to take anything I give him. And why would I give him anything to drink anyway? Okay, scratch that. How can I intercept something Draco plans to ingest, and tamper with it? Think, Moony, THINK! You're a Marauder, for crying out loud. What if I somehow get him coughing, then get him a glass of water…no, he'd notice if the water was magenta like the potion. Not bad, though. Not water, maybe juice. He starts coughing, I happen to have some juice, I offer it to him…Dammit! He won't ever trust a glass with my saliva on it. And he'd have a point. Who knows what would happen if someone drinks a lycanthrope's saliva.

Scratch that too. So, how can I get within arm's reach of his glass? Hmmm…This is tricky. I rather like the idea of having to fetch him a drink, but how would I contrive a situation where I would.

Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn. Time for another blasted staff-and-Order meeting. I'd better carry a vial of the stuff in my pocket, in case I get a miraculous chance. By the way, I wonder if Snape's noticed the disappearance of his Chinese Fireball scales & blood, and those Lad's Love roots?