When They Were Marauders || A Marauders Tale

After Hogwarts: Part Two

Remus lay with Sirius in his bed, trying to comfort the dark-haired man next to him. "Nothing will happen to him. He's smart, Regulus is."

Sirius reminded him, "So is You-Know-Who, but we don't say that about him, do we?"

"Sirius---"

"If he finds out my brother came to me. . ."

"He won't, " Remus told him. "Give Regulus some credit."

Sirius looked at him. "He's only eighteen and he's already a Death Eater."

"He loves you. That's why he warned you."

Sirius pointed out, "He didn't know that it was Lily's child You-Know-Who is after. And he didn't know that---"

Remus sighed heavily and kissed Sirius. "Go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow, Sirius."

"Alright, " he whispered, wrapping Remus Lupin in his arms. "I love you."

"Love you too, " he replied. "Now turn off your brain."

וווווווווווווו×

On July 31st, the Potter's home was very hectic. For one thing, Remus, Sirius, and Peter insisted on staying in their den while several Healers from St. Mungo's were in James and Lily's room. There was a silencing charm on their room, but Remus could have sworn he heard the painful moans of child labour.

A Healer finally came outside, telling the three men, "She may be a bit tired, but she said she wants you three in there."

"Did everything go alright?" Peter asked. She nodded and smiled as Sirius pushed past, stepping into the room.

Lily smiled at him and said quietly, "Come meet Harry James Potter, Sirius."

Sirius came towards her, noticing the ever so slightly moving bundle of blankets in her arms. James stood beside her, beaming at both her and the bundle. Sirius took in a sharp breath when Lily handed him the bundle, seeing a baby with a head full of jet black hair.

Remus said from beside him, "He looks like James."

"I'm going to call him fawn, "

"Prongsly, " Peter chimed.

"Bambi, " Remus added, softly running his forefinger across the baby's cheek. He quickly pulled his hand back when the baby made a noise, opening his eyes. They were an intense green, just like Lily's. "Wow, " Remus breathed out. "His eyes are so pretty."

Curiously, baby Harry peered up at Remus Lupin. He expected the baby to start crying, but he just looked up at him. "Hello, Harry, " he said softly. "I'm Moony."

Sirius grimaced as Harry grabbed a fistful of his long hair. "Merlin, that hurts."

Peter frowned deeply when the baby giggled. "James, is he going to be safe?"

"Yes, " he answered, his voice stern. "He'll be the safest here."

Sirius said, "We'll keep him safe. Don't worry, Wormtail." He added to the baby, "The Marauders and Mummy will protect you, Harry." Sirius looked up at James and smirked. "Good job on this one, James. Can't wait to see the next one."

James hit the back of his head and Lily rolled her eyes. Just like that, the touching moment had been ruined by Sirius Black.

Remus sighed, "Really?"

Peter groaned, "I need a drink. Wanna go to the pub for a pint, Sirius?"

"No, " Sirius replied. "You'll do fine by yourself, Wormtail. Don't start out too late."

"Alright, Mum."

Peter left the happy moment, his stomach churning. He was never one for walking alone, especially when it was dark. On top of that, there was a war going on.

After what seemed like an eternity, Peter made it to the Leaky Cauldron. But he didn't get to walk into the door when he was grabbed from behind. He struggled as much as he could before there was a spell muttered and all Peter Pettigrew saw was black.

וווווווווווווו×

He opened his eyes slowly, seeing that he was in a spacious room with no windows and one door. He frowned and tried to transform into his Animagus form, but he couldn't.

Where am I? he wondered. The door creaked open and Peter searched his robes for his wand.

"Looking for this, Peter Pettigrew?" a high pitched, cold voice said. Peter froze and his blood ran cold as he looked at Lord Voldemort in the eyes.

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