Chapter 8

Once back at Dagworth Manor, Severus Snape left to go back home, promising to come back every few days or earlier if he had any information to pass on. Hermione Granger went to the basement level to hide the new horcrux with the others. Initially, Regulus Black had been worried about having them all in one place but Hermione had assured him between the fidelius charm, the wards around them and around the basement itself, and the fact that Riddle didn't know she existed nor did he know about the manor, they were safe. She wasn't sure how much he could feel when they were destroyed and they both agreed that wasn't a risk worth taking.

He decided to go back to his room, and stripped all his clothes before going into his shower and letting the warm water wash away the disgusting memories of the Shack from his body and his mind. It had been two weeks since Hermione had come flying, literally, into his life, saving it in the process as well as turned it upside down. He was so very grateful, not even about getting to live but mostly because he finally felt like his own person, able to exercise his free will and make his own choices. The downside of his freedom was pretending to be dead. He didn't really care for the pain it might be causing his mother as she was likely much more annoyed about the lack of proper heir than actually mourning for him. His only friend was in the know now and had suffered only minimally.

His brother, however, was likely mourning him. He wished he could go to Sirius and hug him, tell him it was going to be okay and he wasn't actually gone. But as much as Regulus loved him, he did tend to be reckless and impulsive, he couldn't trust him to keep the secret, not of his fake death but mostly about Hermione. If she were to be discovered, their entire plan would fall down like a house of cards and that simply wasn't a risk he wanted to take.

As Regulus closed his eyes to fully appreciate the stream of warm water slowly relaxing him, he mused that one reason he did not want Sirius to meet Hermione was his own insecurities. His brother was charming, a flirt and had no issues getting dates and more during his years at Hogwarts. Hermione was his. He didn't want to lose her to his more charming and carefree older brother.

He wasn't sure exactly why he felt so possessive. He had grown up with the idea of having to go through an arranged marriage with someone he likely could only tolerate, and wanting to uphold traditions he had never taken the time to explore dating, or more, while he was at Hogwarts. Sirius might have been a bit too free with his affections but at least he would know how to kiss her.

Regulus very much wanted to kiss Hermione, he had never felt that way before but he reasoned than the pool of available girls he had known were very much different. His only options at Hogwarts had been vapid girls focused on finding a husband with galleons and a good name, they did not care for their studies or any intellectually stimulating conversations. Neither did they care for him as a person, they only saw his last name and what it meant for their place in society. Hermione saw him as a person, she had since they met and he didn't want to lose that.

The vapid pureblood girls he was used to weren't the type to debate magical theory with him for hours, Hermione was, and she did. She was also hardened by war and traumatic experiences, she had been tortured and she had killed. While she didn't share a lot of what she had been through, it wasn't hard to figure out how much she had suffered. He wanted to hug her and never let go, kiss her until he couldn't breathe. Be there for her, to comfort her.

Regulus suddenly opened his eyes, and stared at the fogged up glass wall of the shower as he realised, he was falling in love with her.

Severus Snape was not having a good day. He had been an official spy for a good few days but so far hadn't been called to a meeting or seen any Death Eaters, he had been able to focus on his mastery or on the plan to take down Riddle. Tonight, however, his Mark had burned as soon as he got home at Spinner's End. The pain this time felt horrendous and he was afraid he would lose his arm to it, he wasn't sure if it used to be that painful or if he finally lost his rose-coloured glasses and could now fully appreciate what it meant.

He brought his full occlumency forward, put on the black as night robes and his silver mask and apparated away, following the pull of the Dark Mark, not knowing where he would end up, nor why he was even being summoned in the first place.

He appeared in a dark drawing room he didn't recognise. Usually meetings took place in Malfoy Manor, courtesy of Abraxas Malfoy, or at Lestrange Hall, courtesy of the newly married Bellatrix Lestrange. Tonight, however, he had no idea where he was.

He could see, however, that this meeting required all, or almost all, marked Death Eaters based on the number of people standing around clad in dark robes and silver masks. Those type of gatherings did not happen often, and from what he knew it meant Riddle was unhappy about something usually. He had never been summoned to a meeting like that, and he wasn't sure he really wanted to see what the reality of them was.

Riddle was already there, sitting on his throne like seat, with Bellatrix next to him, who didn't wear her mask, she never did as she was so very proud of her Mark and her status in Riddle's inner circle. Two other figures were next to him, he couldn't see who they were with the hoods pulled up but Severus assumed they were in their house. The honoured hosts always stood next to Riddle at the beginning of meetings.

"Welcome, welcome." Riddle started, his voice sounding barely human. Severus had never taken the time to really look at him before, blinded by promises of power and fears of his wrath, but he could see now how inhuman he looked. He was bald, with red eyes, barely there thin lips and his entire being reeked of dark magic. He knew he used to be considered handsome, Hermione had shown him photographs taken when he was a Hogwarts student and then Head Boy. Riddle used to have dark wavy hair, startling blue eyes, he oozed charisma and charm. Now, the man looked like the monster he was, the monster he had become over the years. If a warning against dark magic should be made, his photograph should be front and centre. What was the point of living forever if one were to look like that, Severus wondered.

"I have called you here today because the trap planned last night did not go as planned, and I would love to know why." Riddle continued his little welcome speech and Severus shivered at the threats implied in his speech.

He wasn't aware of any traps, but he wasn't aware of much when it came to actual warfare, was he, he mused.

"Dolohov was meant to trap the Prewett twins and kill them yesterday, tell me why, Dolohov, do they still live?" Riddle asked, looking straight at a tall and broad man who was likely Antonin Dolohov.

The man bowed his head and his gaze stayed down, "I am sorry my Lord. I went with four other men, we expected the twins to be on their own and they were initially. We assumed it would a straight forward duel but as it felt like we were about to win, we were suddenly outnumbered with the arrival of Aurors."

"I see. Who were the Aurors?"

"Alastor Moody was leading them, I recognised Kingsley Shacklebot but not the rest. They appeared to be older and well taught. I lost three of my men before we were able to get away."

"This trap has been in the works for weeks." Riddle suddenly hissed and waved his hand, levitating Dolohov to stand in front of him.

"Crucio." Dolohov fell to his knees, but made no other sounds. After a full minute, Riddle cast the curse again with clearly more intensity as Dolohov cried out from the pain, which seemed to satisfy Riddle who finally let him go.

"Does anyone want to tell me how our trap got discovered?" Riddle asked the room.

While Severus hadn't even known a trap was at play, he did remember seeing Hermione writing a short letter to Alastor Moody, he wasn't sure she had tipped him off but it seemed likely. The Prewett twins probably died in this trap in her time and she wanted to prevent the loss. Riddle, however, seemed to think it was the work of a spy.

No one said anything, no one came forward.

The night continued with more torture, Dolohov finally passed out and was escorted out the room and likely the estate. Riddle focused on the two surviving members of the trap next and crucioed them until they fainted from the pain as well.

During this, Severus did not move a muscle and stood there, impassive and immobile. Wondering how he had never seen that side of things before. Riddle tortured his own followers more than his enemies. While everyone was focused on the scene in front of them, and on appearing as invisible as possible to not incur Riddle's wrath next, Severus let his mind drift to the people around him. Most of them would have the basics of occlumency down but he was a natural legilimens so he let the spell float around to catch any stray thoughts. He mostly found fear and terror, some hatred and loathing as well, but the interesting find came from Lucius Malfoy, whose thoughts were on his wife and their desire to have a child, his terror at having been made a Death Eater without knowing all the facts and his despair at trying to have a child during a war. Severus vowed to report back to Hermione and Regulus, maybe they could make Lucius an ally in their plan.

After a few hours of getting no answers, and likely getting bored of torturing people who only fainted instead of telling him what he wanted to hear, Riddle surveyed the room for a few minutes, clearly looking for someone and when Severus saw his eyes narrow in displeasure and suspicion, he realised the person he was looking for was not in the room despite the massive call to all Marked Death Eaters.

"Lucius, find the rat." He called before leaving the room.

While to most of the crowd, it sounded like an order to find whoever leaked the plans for the trap, to Severus it seemed like Riddle was looking for Pettigrew.

The same night, somewhere else

"Alastor, how did you know to send back up?" Albus Dumbledore asked once the usual greeting had been made and reciprocated for tonight's Order meeting.

"I was given a tip." Alastor Moody replied in clipped tones, disliking the way Dumbledore asked.

"By whom?" He insisted.

"That's confidential." Moody replied.

Dumbledore put on a disappointed air, "Your priority is the Order, Alastor. You have to tell me if you have a spy in the Death Eaters."

"My priority is the Auror department. I don't have a spy. I had a tip, I took a chance on it as not following the tip could have led to the deaths of the Prewett and following it could save them without risking much."

"You followed the recommendations from an unknown source?" Dumbledore persisted with a frown.

"I took a chance and it saved my Aurors' lives!" Moody retorted.

"But lead to the deaths of three other men." Dumbledore chastised.

"People die during a war. That's three less Death Eaters on the street."

"They could have reformed, they could have made better choices and fight for the right side given the chance." Dumbledore replied with a sad shake of his head.

Moody rolled his eyes, "Not everyone deserves a second chance."

The entire Order was watching the exchange like it was a tennis match, holding their breaths and not commenting one way or the other.

As Dumbledore was about to retort, putting up his I-know-better persona to really drive home how the loss of life disappointed him, he was interrupted by a crash as someone suddenly appeared in the middle of the table in a heap.

Moody leapt up to his feet to identify the guest, who appeared bloody and beaten up. His sleeves well rolled up, however, and the Dark Mark on his left forearm was visible and throbbing.

"Wormtail!" He heard someone shout as he approached the Death Eater who just crashed an Order meeting.

A few cleaning spells, and he could see the man clearly, Peter Pettrigrew. He wasn't the only one able to identify the man bearing the Dark Mark, however, as his friends were also present and all hell broke loose as the Marauders, Dumbledore and other members starting arguing about their friend being a Death Eater, a spy and a traitor.

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore finally bellowed and silenced the crowd. He levitated the still unconscious Pettigrew and placed him in a chair in a close-by room, conjured ropes to tie him to it and finally took his wand to make sure he wouldn't escape.

"Alastor and I will interrogate him, alone."

"No, we deserve to know what's going on as well." James Potter cut in, flanked by Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

"Fine, but you don't interrupt us." Dumbledore replied with a sigh as he closed the room to isolate the interrogation from the others members.

"Rennervate."

Peter Pettigrew's eyes flew open and as he assessed his current predicament, all colours drained from his face and he stayed silent instead of trying to greet his friends, the Head of Aurors or Albus Dumbledore. He was smart enough to know there wasn't a way out for him.

"Mr. Pettigrew. I'm sure you can see how precarious your situation currently is. Can you tell us how you were transported in the middle on an Order meeting, unconscious?" Dumbledore asked with a kind smile as he sat himself in front of the young man. Moody chose to stay standing up, arms crossed on his chest while three Marauders were standing against a wall, their feelings a mix of anger and sadness.

Peter wondered internally if he should answer this question, or any other. He knew he wasn't a good enough actor to make them believe he was a spy for them, or to repent and become one. Based on the pain on his arm, he was fairly sure the Dark Lord was displeased with him for not showing up so he wasn't sure he had much to lose. If he confessed to everything though, they might be lenient and simply let him go.

"I don't know. I was at home, getting ready for bed and suddenly I was here." He replied with the truth, wondering who actually stupefied him and transported him to an Order meeting with the Dark Mark in full view. Someone knew, but he wasn't sure who.

"I see. How long have you been a Death Eater, Mr. Pettigrew?" Dumbledore questioned, hoping it was a recent development and he could spin it in their favour.

"6 months." Peter replied succinctly.

"Did someone threaten you, your family or your friends, Mr. Pettigrew?" Dumbledore probed, hoping he had been Marked against his will and could be turned into a most willing spy.

Petter rolled his eyes, "No. I volunteered. I've been trying to be Marked since we graduated, even before really."

"Why?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because the Dark Lord is powerful, and on his side I will be as well. Powerful, rich, popular. He will make me someone who matters." Peter replied with a sneer.

Dumbledore took a step back in shock, "You matter to your friends."

"Please. I spent my entire time at Hogwarts in their fucking shadows. James Potter, the perfect Head Boy, everyone wanted to be him or be with him, same with Sirius Black who still had his name backing him up even disowned. And Remus Lupin, quiet unassuming Lupin, always got the best grades, almost kills someone and doesn't even get expelled!" Peter ranted with bitterness and the three men mentioned recoiled at his tone.

"I'm taking him in. He has the Mark and clearly no remorse. We'll interrogate him with veritaserum and then he'll be on trial for treason." Moody cut in.

"Treason? The Order is a secret organisation." Peter snorted.

"Treason against the Ministry, being a member of a terrorist organisation. While the Ministry itself has not really taken a stance against Death Eaters, the Auror department has." Moody explained with hatred in his eyes, and Peter chose not to reply, his mind spinning at that new information, he had never thought he would be sent to Azkaban even if he was caught.

A few hours later, the three remaining Marauders were in the flat Sirius Black and Remus Lupin shared, James Potter had followed them so they could drink and get drunk by themselves. They spent the first hour in total silence, except the sounds of glasses and firewhiskey being poured.

"Did we treat him badly?" James suddenly asked in the silence.

"He never said anything. We protected him, right in first year, from bullies." Remus said.

"He was being bullied by Slytherins but also other Gryffindors, and we stepped in." Sirius added.

"Right. I remember that. Don't think he does though." James replied.

The conversation went in circles for a couple of hours, none of them able to understand why their friend would betray them like that. Someone they had protected for years, loved, someone who had become a part of them, a part of the group.

"James Charlus Potter!" A new voice bellowed, interrupting their pity party.

James blanched and stared at his fiancé, Lily Evans who had just entered the flat in a rage, "I'm sorry sweetheart, I should have told you I was with Remus and Sirius, we just needed some time to understand how Peter could do this."

She did not, however, calm down, "We were supposed to look at the invitations tonight!"

"I really am sorry. This whole mess threw me." James replied.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Please. Peter has always been weak and dumb, I'm not surprised he would become a Death Eater."

James, who had since stood up from the couch, took a step back, "What do you mean Lily? Peter was our friend!"

Lily shrugged, "He's always been off, following you around like a lost puppy."

James remained silent, unsure how to reply without losing his temper. His relationship with Lily was rocky, had been for a while but he didn't expect her to have that kind of opinions on his friends. He almost broke up with her their last year at Hogwarts when she lost her mind against Marlene but he was sure they had made great progress since then on her tendency to judge.

Due to the alcohol consumed in the safety of their flat, Sirius and Remus hadn't separated when Lily came in. While neither had officially come out, they never really hid their relationship and most people were aware they were together. James had been very happy for them so they felt safe in his presence to be themselves, they also assumed Lily would be fine with it.

"What are you doing?" Lily shrieked, looking at Sirius and Remus, the former having put his head on the latter's shoulder.

"Cuddling." Sirius replied.

"Why would you do that? You're men!" She shouted in both anger and confusion.

Sirius narrowed his eyes at her, "Do you have issues with two men being together?"

Lily gaped at him, "Of course I do! It's not natural!"

James recoiled in shock at her words, "What the fuck Lily!"

"What? You can't tell me you're okay with them?"

"Of course I am!" James replied, gritting his teeth.

Lily took a deep breath, "Right, I guess they are going through a short phase or something. Maybe Remus gave Sirius a love potion. Anyway, we need to go James, the wedding is in two months."

James stared at her in disbelief, not understanding where the sweet girl he fell in love with had gone. Had she been this intolerant and he simply didn't see it?

"Lily, same-sex relationships are normal in the wizarding world. Your prejudice has no place here." He finally said in as calm a voice as he could.

Lily grimaced, "I'm sure they'll move on from this, and go on to like women again."

"I like women now Evans, I also love Remus." Sirius cut in.

Lily snorted, "Sure. Let's go James."

"No, I don't think so." He replied, moving in front of Sirius and Remus in a defensive and protective pose.

"We are getting married in two months James, we have work to do." Lily said, not understand what his problem was.

"No, I don't think we are." James replied instead.

Lily recoiled, "What do you mean?"

"You're muggleborn Lily, I assumed you would understand my distaste for intolerance. I refuse to marry someone like you." James stated.

"What are you going to do then? Join their weird relationship? Have a threesome?" Lily sneered.

James rolled his eyes, "No, I'm not attracted to men. Although if I was, they would definitely be my first choices."

"Thanks Prongs." Sirius said with a big grin.

"You're freaks!" Lily yelled before storming out of the flat and apparating away.

Regulus was looking at Hermione, who was walking around the library looking for a book about knock-out gases and poisons, he followed her as she went towards the back of the library. She was struggling to reach a book that was located in one of the highest shelf when he went over her and took the book for her, leaning against the shelves. Handing it out for her, he smirked, "Forgot you were a witch?" he teased in a low voice and stared as her gaze dropped to his lips for a few seconds before she huffed and turned away, book in hand.

Regulus, however, was very pleased to discover she might not be as immune to him as he thought. This was good for his plan of wooing Hermione Granger, as a side project in their plan to defeat Riddle. One must not get bored.