Chapter 12: The Bonds of Friendship

Hermione and Ron were both waiting outside the door for me. They were chatting amiably, with intermittent giggles from Hermione. Ron noticed me first and nodded in my direction.

"All right, then?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Knew you would be."

"And how have you two been?" I asked, grinning. They both blushed furiously. They've been acting cozy for a little while, but they still act a bit hesitant, especially around me. I keep teasing them about it, even if I don't blame them. I mean, the three of us have been friends for so long. I'm sure they're just as awkward with making me the third wheel as I am being it. But...Ron let me go out with Ginny. I can get over it. Besides, I want them to be happy, no matter what happens to me.

"Where are your parents?" Hermione said, recovering first.

I felt my expression fall in sorrow, "They're talking with Remus. Full moon, you know?" Then I remembered something else I'd been meaning to tell them. "Hey, remember when Dad took me downstairs?"

Ron scratched his head. "Yeah. He wanted to show you something. We were going to ask you about it before all this."

I chuckled, "I meant to tell you before all this." Looking around to make sure no one was around and casting Muffliato at the door, I told them about Gryffindor and the rings. To my surprise, they weren't surprised at all. In fact, Hermione looked embarrassed.

"After the Chamber of Secrets, I looked up all the Founders' bloodlines," she confessed. Her curiosity can be astounding at times. "It was strange. I couldn't find anything past Gryffindor's children. Then, for some reason, I started looking up your genealogy, but I couldn't find much on your father's side." Very astounding. But, impressive.

Ron merely shrugged, "If it's anyone, it's you. I mean, it all fits, except for the Parseltongue, and we know why that is."

Our conversation was cut short when Sirius arrived. "Are they coming or are we going to have to sit here all day?" There was an undertone of impatience in his voice.

"Mum and Dad are just explaining to Remus," I muttered.

His face fell. "Oh."

With impeccable timing, the door opened and Dad came out, followed by Mum and Remus. They all looked so much more tired than when I'd left them. Dammit! I've created so much pain, all because I couldn't shut my bloody trap!

"I'm sorry about all of this," I said.

Mum immediately enveloped me in a hug. "Oh, sweetheart, never be sorry. It's not your fault."

All I wanted to do was cry into her shoulder. So many years I had wanted to do that and all I wanted to do now was cry through every last hardship I'd gone through. I knew that's what she wanted, too. I know a parent's arm can't shelter me, but it's damn comforting.

No. Maybe I'll get the chance sometime while I'm here, but now's not the time. Reluctantly, I pulled away. Mum wouldn't let me go that easily, though. She held my shoulders, looked me in the eye, and smiled, as if promising me a rain check.

"Well, shall we go?" Remus asked, his voice strained.

Dad sighed, "Must everyone be so dismal?"

Glaring, Remus spoke quietly, but angrily, "How can I not be when I know that someday soon you will face Voldemort and not come out of it alive?"

Hermione answered him just as quietly, but also sincerely, "That's why you have to make the most of the time you have left with them."

Stunned, I looked over at Hermione and Ron. They both just smiled back at me, as if we were back at Hogwarts with only finals to worry about. But their eyes revealed deeper emotions. I had suspected that they were doing just what Hermione said, but to hear it...meant so much.

I chuckled, "At this rate, we won't get anywhere." My words seemed to have an effect, or Hermione's did. At any rate, we entered the salon of the house, where people were resting after the excitement of the night. Then, a limping figure clumped over to us.

"Nice job, boy," Moody said clapping me on the back. "At first I thought Potter there was pulling my leg - most people did actually - but he was telling the truth for once. Too bad the git got away while your guard was down-"

"Constant vigilance, I know," I said, rolling my eyes. That caused several people to smother giggles.

"Hmph," he snorted. "Got all their cheek too."

Several more people came up, each with a similar conversation. Then, the person I dreaded showed up. My blood boiled as Dad went over to embrace him. Hermione and Ron tried to calm me down, although they weren't fairing much better. Breathing deeply, I went over. Like I said, I haven't told them about Peter, but it would look suspicious if I didn't act like I liked Peter.

"-bloody amazing. You should have seen him!" Dad was bragging. To my dismay, Peter was listening to his every word. No doubt the rat had already seen Voldemort. "Here he is now. Harry, come see Peter."

His head swivelled to study me even as he mechanically held out his hand to me, his left hand. The right was rubbing his left forearm nervously. I grabbed it just as woodenly, then nearly dropped it as my scar flared in pain. He let go of my hand and immediately bowed before me. I took pleasure in seeing his prostrate, trembling figure.

"Rise, Wormtail," I hissed, "and report."

"Y-yes, m'Lord. D-do you r-remember the m-man who f-fought you?" he cringed.

I felt rage burn inside me at Potter for defying me and Wormtail for bringing up the subject. "Yes."

"N-now, I don't m-mean to insult you, m-master, but it wasn't James P-potter."

"Who could it be besides Potter?" I said, my voice deadly quite.

"I d-didn't say it w-wasn't a P-potter, I said it w-wasn't James."

I fixed him with a piercing stare. "Who was it then?"

"P-please, I swear, this is t-true. It was his s-son, Harry, f-from the f-f-future." His voice cracked on the last word.

"What?"

"I d-don't blame you f-for m-m-mistaking him for James. L-looks just like him, except f-for his eyes and a s-scar on his f-forehead."

A wave of trepidation went through me. "A scar?"

"Yes. A lightening-bolt sh-shaped s-scar."

A lightening-bolt shaped scar? That comes only from being touched by the Avada Kedavra. He lived through someone trying to kill him, or will live through. There is no doubt now that Harry is the one in the prophecy, but perhaps I am too hasty in my decision to kill him.

I put a hand to my head as I felt a headache coming on. The other hand was once again in Pettigrew's

"Are you alright, Harry?"

Someone eased me into a chair.

"I'm fine," I mumbled. "Just a headache."

Blearily, I looked up at Mum, who was frowning, "Every time you've said that, you wind up getting into bigger trouble."

"Yeah," Ron said, nodding, "yeah, he's been like that as long as we've known him."

So Ron launched into some harmless tales about our trouble making. But, I couldn't concentrate on any of them. Ron and Hermione weren't concerned, so I guess it wasn't obvious that I had a vision, thank God. Still, it confused me because Peter was still watching me curiously. Could I have seen something from the present Voldemort's future?

Ron's voice tapered off, then, as he twisted in his chair. Turning myself, I saw Dumbledore walk in the room. Desperately, I opened my mind and pleaded my concerns to him.

He turned his eyes to me and smiled, "Harry, a word, if you would be so kind?"

Excellent, he heard me. Quickly, I rose to follow him. Ron and Hermione looked like they wanted to come as well, however.

"Why don't you guys keep Peter company? I mean, we can't leave him alone with those three. Who knows what will happen if we leave them alone?" I said, giving them a significant look. Ron looked like he swallowed some stink sap and Hermione's lip twitched distastefully, but they understood and didn't object. I pitied them for doing this to them, but it was amusing. I couldn't help laughing a little with everyone else.

Finally, Dumbledore and I made it to an empty room. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Anyway, as soon as the door was closed, I blurted out, "Pettigrew's a Death Eater."

That caught him off guard. It's quite a sight to see Dumbledore speechless. I've never actually seen that before, only heard it...or not heard it.

He recovered quickly, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because he's going to tell Voldemort about me and Voldemort is going to think twice about trying to kill me, which, while it would save my parents' lives," my voice broke, "would ruin the future." I paused. "That can't happen." What good would it do if they were alive, but Voldemort ruled the wizarding world? He'd kill us all eventually anyway.

Dumbledore gazed at me with immense sorrow in his eyes. "I've seen a lot in my rather extensive life. But never before have I met such a selfless soul as yours, and you are barely an adult... What must I do?"

"Keep him from contacting Voldemort. He's a rat, literally, so you'll have to keep a close eye on him. Then, whenever I leave, wipe his memory or something."

He bowed his head, as if acquiescing, but was interrupted before he could speak. Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire. My anger mirrored his entrance.

"Bloody chicken!" I screamed. "This is all your fault." I wanted so much to rage against the bird, but it's so hard to be angry at something so pure, not to mention something that saved your life. Especially when it can calm you against your will with it's song.

Peace, Harry Potter. I realize my errors and, rest assured, they shall be remedied. Only five shall remember your time here.

Five. Mum and Dad so that they can die knowing I'll be alright. Me so that I can know them. Ron and Hermione so that I don't have to keep it to myself. Not even Dumbledore would remember. Perhaps that's for the best.

I bowed my head to the bird, not trusting my mouth. Dumbledore looked at me curiously, but I didn't care. I went back out to spend more time with my parents.