The Story of the Marauders

Five: Peter

PETER

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'Something bad's happened to Calysta. Come A-S-A-P!' James' voice in his head rang out. Peter let out a sharp breath of relief; Calysta made it to the Potter's house.

His feet hurt. His lungs were on the verge of collapsing. But Peter kept running. The soreness from his tumble down a staircase made his escape the more difficult. That was the night he shoved his mate into her own fireplace. He had worked his way into Voldemort's ranks under both the Order's and the Death Eaters' noses. He was safe until a certain greasy-haired git decided to follow him after he blew up the room with smoke.

Peter slowed after his ankle cracked under him, pulling a muscle and sending him to his knees. He flipped onto his backside, kicking his feet wildly to repel himself until he reached a stone wall in the back alley way of a pair of houses. The taller figure of Severus Snape held his wand at Peter's face, his body cloaked in full black.

"Severus, we had a deal!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Pettigrew." The voice deeper than his own replied, a trace of humor present.

"I saw the look on your face, Snivellus." Peter snapped, smiling cruelly at Severus' reaction to the name. "After you saw it was me at Calysta's house. I thought it was clear that I didn't want to be followed."

"Are you a Death Eater?" Snape blurted. Peter rolled up his sleeve quickly. A curling snake was printed on his pale skin. Snape sucked in a breath. "When?" He stated, lowering his wand to his side.

Peter covered his arm again. "A week after we graduated." Shortly after Snape enlisted, as well, but he didn't share that information.

"And no one found out?" Snape's face twisted, making his face less appealing than it was. "Why would you do it?" He asked a new question. Peter rose to his feet with little struggle.

"Right under their noses, too. Leaking a little info here and there-- not enough to draw attention to myself, of course. The Dark Lord trusts me," Peter said, stretching his neck to the side, looking smug. "Trusts me enough, at least." Snape's nose crinkled and his lips pressed together to form a thin line.

"Did you do it because you knew they were after Calysta? You know, when Voldemort finds out, he'll kill you and her."

"Don't say that!" Peter gruffly hissed, bringing his hand forcefully to the wall behind him, staring Snape down with rueful eyes. The taller of the two squinted his eyes and bowed his head to look at Peter with a level gaze.

"It's true isn't it?" Snape smiled with the same cruelness Peter had after revealing himself that night. Peter collected his wits and kept a flat expression.

"I can't let her suffer like that," Peter mumbled. Severus rolled his eyes.

"She will anyways. Did you think that she would be safe if you put yourself in her place? See how that worked out," He said sarcastically. Peter scowled and his face colored.

"As long as my Calysta is safe, I'll take my role in this." Peter puffed out his chest confidently. Snape scoffed and swiveled his shoulders.

"She's not yours." Snape added on to his upsetting words, making Peter growl to himself. She was wrapped around Sirius' finger with a silk ribbon. Peter found himself becoming more and more bitter every time he saw them together. Still, he knew he had no chance compared to Sirius; he'd learned that long before.

"That's rich coming from you. And I know that she doesn't return my feelings!" Peter spat. "But you act like you wouldn't do the same for the one you love," Something flickered in Snape's eyes, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. Peter wondered if he knew about James' proposal yet.