Notes are below. I thought I was close to the end, but it's becoming longer than anticipated, so I'll update every week for now. That could change as we get closer to the end of part one. Thank you for favs, follows, and reviews. I appreciate every bit of feedback.
Godric's Hollow, October 1981
Peter couldn't move, terrified and confused. Was the Dark Lord dead? And that creature! It looked like something straight from hell itself…!
Elongated ears, nine tails, red-orange fur, wicked fangs, and those eyes… His tiny rat body shuddered in fear just thinking about that monster that spoke to James with such familiarity and called the Dark Lord a-a maggot!
Worse, when James trailed behind Lord Voldemort, that monster focused on him. Causing Peter to squeal in fright as those horrible red eyes settled on him, followed by unbearable pressure that sank into his mind. Leaving him frozen, with a knife held to his throat as a claw tore into his heart, those sensations, along with the pent-up terror, made him lose control of his bowls. But his reaction seemed to amuse the creature, and before Peter could do anything, the horrible pressure and it disappeared, taking the body that appeared like James with it, leaving him frozen, unable to react or move.
Now sitting in his filth, Peter's mind spun between terror and guilt. Did James escape? Had he killed Voldemort? Was that creature returning?
These questions left him torn, his mind drifting to the past and his reasoning for betraying James. Because at first, he'd been pleased when the Dark Lord chose him, not James, Remus, or Sirius. No Lord Voldemort had picked him. The jobs he was asked to perform weren't much, a word here, information to acquire, harmless stuff. Each time Peter returned, he was informed that his input was invaluable, and the Dark Lord always treated him respectfully, like an equal. All of the attention and praise made Peter feel wonderful and appreciated. However, some of his joy evaporated when he discovered his information had led to the deaths of those within the Order, friends.
Nevertheless, Peter sternly reminded himself they weren't his f-friends; none of them thought he was worthy enough to join the Order. Only Remus and James spoke on his behalf. This is why he ignored his conscious and continued to supply the Dark Lord with information since he wanted to please lord Voldemort and remain in his favor, where he was valued. Peter even believed if he gained enough status within the Dark Lord's following, not only would he become powerful, but maybe he could keep his friends safe. That's what he always told himself whenever guilt began to weigh on his mind.
Then the day came when lord Voldemort promised him a place within his inner circle. It was a dream come true because the inner circle acted as the Dark Lord's voice, his most trusted servants who were valued above all others. It would have secured his place within the Death Eaters, and no one would ever question his worthiness again; however, when he learned that his new position came with the price of betraying James. Peter felt his spirits sink because he didn't want to; he cared for James. If it had been Sirius with his cutting words, and cruel manner, Peter wouldn't have hesitated. Firmly ignoring the times, Sirius was just as helpful, if not more, than his other mates because James and Remus were different from Sirius; they weren't cruel. Although James enjoyed pranking and tossed insults at him, they were never harsh; most of his jokes were meant to make him laugh. Because, like Remus, James considered him a brother, a true Marauder in spirit, not like Sirius.
Except the Dark Lord was adamant, the only way he could gain a place within the Dark Lord's inner circle was to betray James. He didn't want to, but Peter craved acknowledgment and feared the Dark Lord's wrath if he gave false information. He'd witnessed firsthand what happened to those that displeased Lord Voldemort. It's why he gave Voldemort the information he wanted, destroyed the portkey, and then set up a countercharm, which made apparition impossible—effectively leaving James trapped.
However, Peter did leave a few things he hoped might help James. Since Lord Voldemort wouldn't notice these small things, and possibly James would, he had a knack for seeing small things. He took Lily's wand and destroyed it as instructed but left James's wand behind since he hedged that James kept a spare wand on his person. Leaving him an excuse and James armed, the Dark Lord had waved off his words and sneered at the notion. Then he moved James's invisibility cloak to the hall closet downstairs instead of disposing of it, hoping this would help.
But his actions did nothing; Voldemort arrived, and James fought and managed to hit the Dark Lord with a few attacks. However, they weren't enough; the attacks only infuriated lord Voldemort, driving him to take the duel seriously. After he hit James with a cutting curse, his friend stumbled, and Lord Voldemort took advantage of his weakness following the attack with the cruciatus curse, driving James to his knees. This pleased the Dark Lord, and he continued to brutalize James with the torture curse until his friend was left withering on the floor, screaming in agony. Throughout the ordeal, Peter was torn. He wanted to dart forward and grab the invisibility cloak to hide James from lord Voldemort, but he was afraid, and his body refused to move, so he did nothing but watch. That's when the Dark Lord used the killing curse, killing James, and part of him cursed his cowardice as he watched his friend's lifeless body become still. Even as he cursed himself, that creature showed up, and Peter discovered James wasn't dead.
Hours or minutes passed after the creature disappeared, and Peter remained uncertain about what happened upstairs, terrified the beast would return and undecided if he should act or stay hidden. Not even watching Lily curse Sirius made him feel better or move from his piss.
More time passed, and watching Lily with Harry while Hagrid held onto James and Sirius, he felt relieved but also terrified. James was alive, but once they got to the truth of what happened tonight, the suspicion would fall from Sirius and onto himself. Sirius wouldn't hesitate to kill him… just like lord Voldemort's Death Eaters. They would all come for him once his friends realized he was the traitor, and the Death Eaters discovered his information led to the Dark Lord's death. Peter was as good as dead.
But none of them was that monster! Again, Peter felt his body shudder, remembering those horrible red-slitted eyes. However, his attention returned to the present when Sirius, still bound by the curse, spotted him, and Peter scooted further beneath the couch. Trying to remain out of sight from gray eyes that usually held indifference now showed murderous hatred and a promise of death. However, the Portkey whisked them away, and Peter remained frozen before he shook aside his terror and transformed once he was outside, stopping short when he spotted the creature. It was in the street watching him with eyes that made him feel like he was staring into the depths of hell itself, and Peter fell back a step, almost falling on his rear as he tried to get away from the demon.
"You should be afraid, little wretch; making humans like you scream as you beg for your miserable life brings me such pleasure."
Peter screamed as those words echoed around him, and the creature smiled with bloodthirsty delight as it stepped closer. His friends couldn't help; lord Voldemort was dead, and… the Death Eaters, maybe…!? Peter didn't hesitate and apparited to the Death Eater's current residence, an old manor that belonged to the Lestranges. Looking around, he didn't see the creature and breathed easier, except that's when he heard arguing and promptly transformed into a rat.
Slowly making his way into the manor, he hoped giving them information would keep him safe from that… thing! Sticking to the corners of the house, he avoided Bellatrix and the group surrounding her that were shouting with little coherence. But he stopped when he spotted Malfoy and Rookwood talking inside a separate room; they were reasonable and might protect him. Squeezing under the door, Peter scurried towards the promise of safety.
Hogwarts, October 1981
Kurama teleported to the Yondaime's training facility, uninterested in following the rat further. Besides the Yondaime's other friend, the one with the temper would ensure he suffered adequately since his temperament was somewhat warped due to his upbringing.
More importantly, Kurama wanted to keep track of the Yondaime and observed the party enter the castle; his mind focused on the human he cared for within their midst. "Are you going to keep an eye on them or continue searching?" He looked over to his father, who was watching him.
Kurama's bitterness towards his father resurfaced briefly. Before he reburied the old pain and contemplated his father's question, Kurama shrugged with practiced indifference. He would see how the Yondaime fared before resuming his search for their target. That he was beginning to believe didn't exist, despite reassurances that he was incorrect.
Besides, he was stuck in this wretched world until Minato died. Regardless of the obnoxious humans that dominated it, he didn't cause problems. Instead, he continued to search for this mysterious individual connected to the Shinobi World. So far, he had no success, which is why he'd occasionally look in on the Yondaime.
As expected, Minato found Kushina; watching them interact had been amusing, particularly since the Yondaime was a different man. He had parents that spoiled him rotten, no mentor to push him past his perceived boundaries or check his attitude, and that which truly defined the Yondaime; goals to motivate his every action. For these reasons, Minato became a self-centered, smug brat, and it was amusing as hell to watch. Also well-earned since, after the Underworld, Minato deserved a carefree existence. Besides, over the last few years, he'd begun to emulate his previous existence, emphasizing the same attitudes which had made him an effective leader and self-sacrificial moron.
While Kushina followed a similar path to her previous life, she was loved and raised well; the only difference was that she had both parents and a sibling, somewhat mellowing her attitude.
"I'll remain for a bit, however," he looked back to the party as they disappeared inside the castle, "can you help him with those memories? He never went insane, but he came close at times." Then Kurama shifted his gaze back to his father, his features impassive, "and Minato doesn't deserve that."
His father nodded to his words, a knowing look in his eyes, which Kurama ignored. "Of course, and I'll try to make the process easier for Kushina since you intend to restore her memories?" Kurama nodded to his father's words; after all, the woman demanded it, and she would need those memories to help Minato adjust. Or if this mysterious individual existed, which Kurama doubted.
Godric's Hollow, October 1981
She watched silently as a crowd gathered around the home of James and Lily Potter, panicked and making a fuss.
"Milady, what are your orders?" She didn't respond, watching the scene calmly, even though silently she was seething at this setback.
"Follow me; I need to clarify what happened." Ignoring the surrounding crowd, she slid an invisibility cloak around her form and walked into the Potter's home. Her pale gaze drifted past the destruction caused by a wizard's duel, having no interest in the scene, and continued along. Moving upstairs, she stopped upon reaching the nursery as her gaze settled on Voldemort's cloak. Taking in the hint of residue surrounding the shroud and damage to the room, she expected the killing curse downed him. However, with his horcruxs, the curse wouldn't kill him; all it could do was effectively destroy his body, killing it and leaving him as a remnant. That meant her plans had been put on hold; again.
Now it would take longer since she'd have to locate Voldemort and see that he was given a working body, and she was tired of waiting. She had waited over a couple of millennia for a human that could survive the process of making multiple Horcruxs.
The key to her return and vengeance.
Unfortunately, very few humans could survive the creation of one horcrux. So far, only Herpo had survived the creation of multiple horcruxs; he'd managed to create four. His attempt to create a fifth proved beyond his capability, and his soul was obliterated.
Then she discovered Voldemort, who not only bypassed Herpo and all others before him, having created five horcruxs and surviving each time with his soul intact. She was convinced Voldemort could produce the number she required eight. Then she would achieve her true objective with eight horcruxs and the creator becoming the ninth.
"This changes my plans. I'll need to locate Voldemort." She paused, still focused on the cloak, "I'll need you both to wait for further instructions until I ascertain whether Voldemort is still capable of fulfilling his role."
Bending down, she lifted Voldemort's cloak and placed it in her purse since she could not afford to let Voldemort continue without supervision. Leaving the house, her gaze drifted to the stars; once her objectives were met, she would reacquire the power her loving children stole so long ago, and vengeance.
Notes:
1. Originally the Prologue, chapters one and two were one chapter. But I divided them because it was getting a little too long.
2. The character at the end is not an OC; she is based on a character from the Naruto Anime. She will remain nameless, and I'll drop hints about her identity. However, I want to emphasize that she will be slightly OC from her canon-variant because this story is semi-based on a fic I wrote long ago, Wizard Hidden in the Leaves. We didn't know much about her character when I wrote it, so I'm going with that characterization for this character.
3. The above character and Voldemort will have bigger roles in parts two and beyond. This first part is focused on James, Lily, and the immediate aftermath of killing Voldemort and regaining their memories.
4. As for Peter, a few stories portray him in a more positive light, and they are pretty good. However, I'm going for neutral here; he's not a hero, nor really a villain; he's just a coward. That would jump ship to survive, making him worse than most of the villains.
5. I only recently read that Dumbledore had James's cloak because he was studying the Deathly Hallows, which makes sense and doesn't. Because if James and Lily had that cloak on them, they'd both be alive, so it's a great excuse for why it wasn't present in canon.
