The Bravery of Sheep

Peter Pettigrew was what society generally referred to as a sheep.

It wasn't that he couldn't think for himself. It was just easier not to most of the time. When your friends were the naturally brilliant James Potter, the bred-for-talent Sirius Black and the ridiculously studious Remus Lupin, you didn't really need to think for yourself too often.

And it was a five-year habit Peter was regretting rather severely at the moment. He had been left standing alone in the fifth-year dorm room, and nobody had told him what to do. But he knew he had to do something.

While Peter wasn't remarkably intelligent, he wasn't stupid either. He had known something was wrong the moment he was awoken by the sounds of arguing. It was not unusual to hear bickering in the dorm, with boys as like-minded as James and Sirius, but never real fighting.

And that was the only word to describe this - fighting. Fortunately for Peter, it was Muggle fighting. He couldn't counter half the curses these two knew and he was glad he wouldn't have to try. But then James' fist collided with Sirius' cheek and that fleeting feeling of relief was gone. This was serious.

' What the hell is going on?' Peter shouted, too startled by the scene to worry about being polite.

' Pete!' Sirius cried. ' Will you get this madman off of me!'

James had pushed Sirius forcefully back against the wall with one hand, the other still balled into a fist. Before Peter had even thought about it, he found himself grabbing James wrist and pulling it back down.

' What is it?' He asked, barely whispering in his anticipation.

' This - This…' James seemed to struggle for a word bad enough to pop into his head, but it didn't and he gave up. ' He's told Snivellus. About Moony.'

Peter just gawped. First at James, who had adopted a grave I'm-glad-you-understand-how-terrible-this-is look, then at Sirius, who seemed oddly hesitant and a little confused.

' You… what?' Peter all but squeaked out.

' He told him about Moony!' James reiterated, angrily. ' Not just about what he is, but how to get in there with him.'

Peter's brain screamed an assortment of choice swear words at him in a blind panic, but all he managed to get out of his mouth was a meek, ' Oh dear.'

Now it was Sirius' turn to look angry. ' I told him nothing of the sort!'

Peter noticed fleetingly that Sirius hadn't managed to entirely repress the aristocratic, marbles-in-mouth accent he had been raised with. He was getting really upset about this. The thought made Peter feel a bit ill. James was pacing the room now.

' Wh- What did you t-tell him?' Peter stuttered out, not sure he wanted to know the answer.

' He was shoving his ridiculously sized nose were it has no right being, as per usual…'

James growled, actually growled, then snapped, ' Without the insults, thanks. Facts.'

' He was following Moony again, saw Pomfrey take him out to the Willow…'

' But,' Peter put in, hopefully. ' He can't get in, can he? He doesn't-'

' He does,' James said, darkly. ' This pillock told him.'

' I didn't,' Sirius yelled again, but he voice carried distinctly less conviction. ' I only said that Gudgeon had the right idea…'

' Gudgeon…?' Peter asked, thoroughly confused.

' Davey Gudgeon. That Hufflepuff boy, nearly lost an eye back in first year, remember?'

' Yeah, remember?' James shouted, a manic edge to his voice. ' Wasn't fast enough when he was trying to touch the Whomping fucking Willow!'

' Oh dear,' Peter managed again. This was bad.

' Look,' Sirius said, his tone trying for firm and managing unconvinced. ' Snivelly isn't going to figure it out. He's too thick.'

' No,' James said. He wasn't shouting anymore, and this sudden calm frightened Peter so much more. ' Much as I hate the slimy little bastard, he isn't stupid.'

Peter was even more unsettled by this comment. James - James Potter - defending Snivellus Snape? It was bizarre, and Peter suddenly hoped he was still asleep, cosy in his bed, and this was all a warped nightmare. Sirius also looked shaken by the outburst, and he had paled slightly.

James moved to stand directly in front of Sirius, looking squarely at his face. ' You know he'll figure this out. He will.'

' No… He - I - Uh… No - Can't…'

Now Peter was full-blown terrified. Wake up, wake up, he told himself, nipping hard at his own wrists, but it didn't work. Sirius Black, rendered incoherent. This wasn't happening, couldn't be. But James didn't stop, he pressed his advantage while Sirius was struck dumb.

' Just think for a minute, Sirius! What'll happen if he gets to Moony? What will they do to Remus when they find out? Thank about it.'

Sirius blanched the colour of sour milk - Pale, pallid and slightly green. His grey eyes were wide, and his hand clapped over his mouth as it finally sank in.

' We have to do something,' he whispered.

' No,' James said, firmly jabbing his finger at the other boy. ' You've done enough.'

And then James had run from the room without another word and Sirius had made a dash for the bathroom.

Pete could hear the sounds of retching even now, as he panicked. He tried to organise his thoughts. He didn't know what to do. He ran through his back-up lists.

What would James do? Exactly what he is doing, something stupid and reckless and completely spontaneous.

What would Sirius do? Throw up, apparently. Surely he could put aside his self-pity-party until after they helped Remus?

Remus! What would Remus do, if it was one of them? Probably get a teacher. Yes, exactly that. Stay calm and get Dumbledore.

Maybe that was it! Dumbledore would know what to do. Peter grabbed his shoes and pulled them on without doing the laces. The he hurried to the bathroom door and banged on it loudly.

' When you've stopped feeling sorry for yourself, I'll be with Dumbledore. Helping.'

He added the last word a little more spitefully than he meant to, but he didn't have time to worry about that now. He ran down the stairs and through the common room and out of the portrait hole, apologising to the fat lady as he went.

He turned around the corner, checked the portraits were all soundly sleeping and then transformed with a little squeak.

He couldn't have told you why, but he was certain that it was the right thing to do. He could avoid being caught before he got to Dumbledore, and avoid involving any other teachers, which he was also certain he didn't want to do.

He wasn't sure where all this certainty was coming from, but he was glad of it.

Before he knew it, he had scurried past the gargoyle statue and up the hidden staircase. He transformed back and knocked tentatively on the wooden door, hoping his headmaster wouldn't ask how he got up there without the password.

Dumbledore opened the door with the interested look of a person greeting an old friend he hadn't expected to see.

' Mr Pettigrew,' he said, pleasantly despite the ungodly hour.

' Professor… I - uh - Remus -'

Now he was here, he couldn't think how to say it. His mouth worked for a few moment without actually making any noise, then his headmaster gestured for him to enter the room. He did as he was bid.

' Please, Mr Pettigrew, take a seat.'

' No,' Peter shouted, but Dumbledore didn't react. ' S-sorry, Professor, but it's R-Remus…'

' I assure you Mr Lupin is perfectly fine,' he said, glancing out of his window. Peter realised he was looking at the Shrieking shack. ' His mother is a little ill at present, that is…'

' No, Sir,' Peter said, hurriedly. ' W-we know. We k-know about… That.'

He nodded to the shack himself to emphasise his point, and waited for the reaction.

' You are aware of Mr Lupin's condition? Hm,' He sounded only mildly interested, like discussing a Quidditch result. ' I take 'we' to mean yourself, Mr Potter and Mr Black. Might I enquire to their whereabouts?'

' W-well, Sirius is puk- vomiting s-somewhere. And J-James… Well, t-that's the problem, s-sir. James has g-gone after Sni- Snape. He- he's going to try to catch Remus, sir… He-'

' It's okay Mr Pettigrew, I think that's enough. Are they there now?'

Peter nodded, and Dumbledore took a few steps towards the door. Then he looked back at the boy.

' I'll be back shortly. If you could retrieve Mr Black and then remain here until I return.'

Peter sank into a chair, suddenly feeling exhausted. He had told Sirius where he was going, and hoped the older boy managed to drag himself here without Peter's help. Thankfully he did and, five minutes later, a distinctly green-around-the-gills Sirius practically fell through the door.

Peter pointedly ignored him, deciding that if James was furious with him, Peter probably should be too. The other boy crawled into chair and didn't even try to talk. Peter realised he had been biting his nails in a very rodent-like manner, and clasped his hands together in his lap to avoid the temptation.

The next minutes seemed to take an eternity to pass, and they were some of the most awkward moments of Peters life. And he'd been in some pretty awkward moment.

Walking in on your mother in a state of significant undress with the Muggle window cleaner constitutes awkward.

Discovering that the boys you have been talking to at the welcome feast were from rivalling Pureblood families, pretty awkward.

Walking in on James and Sirius naked wrestling - not once or twice, but three times in a week - had also been fairly awkward.

Finding out your other best friend was not visiting his ill mother, but was in fact transforming into a huge, terrifying, bloodthirsty animal once a month, definitely qualified as awkward.

But this? Waiting to find out if said friend had unknowingly murdered another student? Awkward was a significant understatement, but Peter's vocabulary wasn't brilliant, and he couldn't think of a more suitable word.

Finally, the wooden door swung open once again. Dumbledore strolled quite calmly into the office, with a dishevelled James and - Peter never thought he'd be happy to see - a very much alive and well Severus Snape. The headmaster conjured up a few extra chairs before settling himself on the other side of the desk.

' Okay, gentlemen. I think we have some issues that need discussing, don't you?'

' Issues?' Snape hissed, looking livid. ' Discussing? They tried to kill me! Cold blooded murder! They should be expelled for - for harbouring a monster!'

' Now, Mr Snape. I will not have outbursts, interruptions or derogatory terms used during this little chat. And I thank you to remember it. Now, Mr Black. Mr Potter here has advised me that the unfortunate events of this evening are a result of your indiscretion.'

Sirius made a noise a bit like a whimper. Peter looked on with a sort of morbid curiosity as the normally articulate boy stuttered out an explanation. It was oddly fascinating to watch the tall, athletic figure shrink as small as possible into the chair it occupied.

' I see,' Dumbledore was saying now. ' So you informed Mr Potter of your words and…'

Peter zoned out again. He was watching James. The messy-haired boy was rigid in his seat, ever muscle tense. His jaw was clenched tightly, even as he spoke, which was bizarre. His fist were balled up, and Peter knew his fingernails must be cutting into his palms.

James was pointedly not looking at Sirius, who seemed to have gotten smaller still, staring straight ahead instead.

Peter looked at Snape too. The Slytherin looked like a coiled snake, ready to attack at any moment. Peter could see the fury in his black little eyes. Even as he registered the likeness the boy had to a time bomb, he exploded.

' What does all this matter!' he shouted, jumping out of his seat and daring to wave an accusing finger at the headmaster. ' They're harbouring a Werewolf! They sent me out there! They nearly killed me!'

' No, Mr Snape, I am afraid you are mistaken. I am, for lack of a better word, harbouring a werewolf, I don't believe Mr Black sent you anywhere, and Mr Potter here saved you.'

The oily boy gawped most unbecomingly at the silver-bearded man like he had suddenly sprouted a second head.

' Now, boys, this is my decision. Mr Black. Fifty points for thoughtless and dangerous insinuations with the intent -if not to kill or maim - to result in the beating of a fellow student. You will spend the rest of the year enjoying Saturday detentions with Mr Filch, and Wednesday evenings tutoring first-year Transfiguration students with Professor McGonagall. You will also be removed from the Quidditch team effective immediately and will not be permitted to visit Hogsmead for the duration of the school year.

' Mr Potter. You displayed an amazing show of Gryffindor courage and bravery, and you are, I dare say, the reason Mr Snape is able to sit here with us at this very moment. Forty points for sheer recklessness, of the most marvellous kind.

' Mr Snape. It is my conclusion that, had you not been seeking out information on your fellow students with malicious intent, this whole evening could have been much better spent for all of us. Thirty points from Slytherin, and a months detentions with Professor Knox, I think.

' And finally you, Mr Pettigrew. You were very sensible to come to me tonight, while your fellows were otherwise occupied, and it may have made all the difference. Never be too proud to ask for help when you need it. Twenty points, for incredible coolness under pressure.'

The wizened wizard paused for a long moment, and surveyed each of the boys in turn - his sparkly blue eyes peering over his spectacles. Peter felt uncomfortably like he was being viewed inside-out.

' That will be all, thank you. Mr Potter, Mr Pettigrew. It is almost sunrise. Mr Black, I suggest you head back to your dormitory immediately. Mr Snape, I assure you, you do not want to accidentally let slip anything about this evenings events. If you do, you may find the ministry are suddenly very interested in some old friends of yours.'

The boys all shuffled to their feet, tired and aching and feeling thoroughly drained, and not at all understanding that last warning. James opened the door, and held it for Peter but almost let it slam in Sirius' face. The older boy barely seemed to notice though, walking past them without a word.

They waited until Snape was safely out of earshot, then James turned meaningfully to Peter.

' Remus,' was all he said, and they ran off in the direction of the Whomping Willow.

Here you are, another long one. Bit lacking on the romance again, sorry. It is coming, I promise.

I wanted to do this chapter from Peter's POV as a different take on it. And I wanted him to be important. He was a marauder after all, and I'm pretty sure murderous tendencies don't start as early as 15.

While I'm here, I just wanted to thank my two best Reviewers! Cat and AtraThestral! Thank you very much for the comments! And, Cat - I never thought I would be glad to hear my writing made someone feel ill, but I was! My work here is done. Thanks!

That is all. Thank you for reading, reviews make me smile. Merci!