Different

understanding

Peter Pettigrew was a short man, barely taller than Hermione. He actually looked like a rat, which makes sense since he spent twelve years as one. His blond hair was straw like and oily and he looked like a man who had lost too much weight too fast.

"Long time no see, Peter," Remus said calmly. He walked around so he was once again blocking the teens from sight. Black was snarling, looking angrier than ever.

"Sirius...Remus...my friends," Peter said nervously, his eyes twitching towards the door. Black raised his wand arm but Remus pulled it down, giving him a warning look.

"We've been having a little chat about the night that James and Lily died," Remus explained. "You might've missed it with all your squeaking."

"Remus...he tried to kill me," Peter breathed, his forehead sweaty. "Don't believe him."

"I've heard," Remus said, sounding a little cold. "There's just a few things I need to clear up."

"He's going to kill me just like he killed James and Lily!" Peter squealed. Black looked ready to commit murder, but Remus kept sending him looks that kept him still.

"No one is going to kill you," Remus assured him.

"He's been waiting to kill me since he first got into Azkaban!" Peter argued, wringing his hands nervously. "I've had to hide for so long!"

"How'd you know he was going to break out of Azkaban?" Remus asked, raising an eyebrow. "No one's ever done that before."

"He's got dark powers we can only imagine!" Peter said shrilly. "The Dark Lord must've taught him tricks."

"Voldemort, teach me tricks?" Black asked darkly. Peter flinched at the name.

"What, don't like hearing your masters name?" Black asked with a cold laugh. "I don't blame you. I've heard the others in Azkaban. They're not happy with you."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Peter said nervously.

"You've been hiding from Voldemort's followers all these years, not me!" Sirius explained. "They all think you're dead. But they blame you for the fall of Voldemort. They'd want to kill you if they knew you were alive."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Peter mumbled, not looking at anyone. "You...you can't believe him, do you, Remus?"

"I'm having trouble imagining why anyone would willingly spend twelve years as a rat," Remus replied.

"Innocent, but scared!" Peter argued. "If the Dark Lord's followers were after me it would be because I put their best spy behind bars- Sirius Black!"

"How dare you!" Sirius roared. "I, a spy for Voldemort?! I should've realized it was you from the start! You always had to  follow the most powerful people, everywhere you went."

"Me...a spy! You must be out of your mind!" Peter whimpered, wiping his face of the sweat that was dripping down it.

"Lily and James made you the secret keeper because of me," Sirius spat. "I thought you valued our friendship, our family, like I did. But you never did, did you?"

Peter could only mumble excuses, unable to respond.

"May I ask something, Professor Lupin?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Certainty," Remus said politely.

"Well...Scabbers-er, Pettigrew, has been in the same dorm as Harry for years. Why not kill him before now?" Hermione asked.

"Because it didn't help him," Sirius answered. "He only does things for others if he sees the benefit for him. With Voldemort gone Pettigrew wouldn't do anything to Harry under the nose of Albus Dumbledore. No, he's just been keeping an ear out for any news, waiting until he gets just a whisper of something about his master."