peppermint
With only three days until the slug club party, the Marauders head to Hogsmeade for dress robes after their classes.
Of course, they get a bit distracted on the walk there and have a snowball fight with the icy mush they scrape up off the ground, then spend half an hour in Spintwitches Sporting Needs when Sirius’ attention is caught by some shiny new Quidditch gear in a display window. He and James discuss qualities, and if they really are better than the last set that came out. After much debating, they do in fact leave empty-handed, and Sirius only gives the tiniest bit of sad puppy dog eyes to the rest of the group as they trudge on.
Madam Malkin’s Robes always smells like dust and vanilla to Peter; cozy and welcoming especially on the winter evening. He and his friends rush in quickly, the bell ringing above their heads as they shut the cold air out. Remus does a quick spell to get the snow off their shoes so they don't track it in with them, the ever-thoughtful git.
Soon enough, a young which helps them choose a couple of options, and chats happily with them as the boys playfully wolf-whistle at one another and joke around. She tells Peter his choice of dress robes really brings out his blue-green eyes, which he blushes slightly at.
James spends the longest amount of time in one of the changing rooms, moaning about how he needs to look extra good for Regulus. Sirius goes in there and smacks his head for that, they tussle a bit, and Remus shares a knowing look with Peter. They laugh.
All knackered by the time they’re done, they head slowly back to Hogwarts, the crisp air turning their ears pink and ruffling their scarves. It’s cold outside, but Peter is warm; content and grateful for his mates.
James talks about the upcoming professional Quidditch season to Remus, who feigns interest and nods along the best he can. Sirius and Peter quiz each other to prepare for the History of Magic exam tomorrow. A shop catches his eye, and he halts. Sirius, who had linked his arm around Peters, stumbles.
“You should go up ahead of me, I’ll be back at Hogwarts soon,” Peter says, already taking a couple of steps away from them. “I’ll be quick!”
“Alright, you better hurry up though, yeah?” Remus says. “Curfew is soon.”
“Alright, Mr. Prefect. But when has that ever stopped us before?” Peter says but shoots him a smile.
James quickly hands him the Marauders Map, just in case he needs to be on the lookout for any wandering Prefects or Filch. Tucking it safely away in his pocket, he heads to the shop as the other boys continue their way down the path.
As quickly as he can, Peter enters the store and peruses the items with one specific artifact in mind. Ten minutes later Peter is braving the cold once more, his purchase swiftly made and wrapped up nicely. He trades the Marauders Map in his pocket for the box, and a soft smile grows as he unfolds the map, scanning it for a specific name.
Aha. Found him.
—
Peeking his head from behind the portrait and double-checking that the coast is clear, Peter tiptoes out of the secret passageway and into the castle once more. Portraits whisper at each other and glare at the Gryffindor as he passes, a weak Lumos spell emanating from his wand in the dark halls.
He finds Gilderoy exactly where the map says, in the Astronomy classroom. It’s a huge room with wide windows and tall ceilings. It’s creepy at night.
Gilderoy is hunched over a table with a lantern. Books and papers are spread around him. A telescope sits on the table near a cold cup of tea.
Peter knocks on the door frame, announcing his presence. The other boy startles and looks up.
“Peter. You gave me a heart attack.” Gilderoy says, glaring at a grinning Peter. “You’re always wandering the halls at night. What are you, a ghost?”
“Hmm, maybe,” Peter teases, stepping closer.
You’re up late,” Gilderoy states the obvious, focusing his attention back on his work. He has deep circles around his eyes.
“I could say the same to you.”
“Can't sleep yet. Astronomy test tomorrow.”
“I thought you said Astronomy was so easy that anyone with half a brain could get an Outstanding?” Peter grins, recalling the words Gilderoy had said to a Slytherin just yesterday in the halls.
Gilderoy huffs out a breath of annoyance. “I– what, Pettigrew, are you spying on me? Go away.”
Oh. Peter’s face tightens at those words. ‘ Pettigrew’? He thought Gilderoy was going to call him Peter or Pete after their heart-to-heart in the greenhouse.
But this boy was different from the Ravenclaw he had talked to last night. What had happened to Pete and Roy? Maybe it was the weed that had made him calm and soft, making him open up and expose a side of him no one had seen before.
But Peter was nothing if not determined, though, so he sat down anyway, directly across Gilderoy.
“ Pettigrew ,” Gilderoy says in exasperation. “Go to bed. You’re distracting me.”
Peter squints his eyes, studying the other boy.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No! I’m mad at myself . I’m sorry for giving you the impression that we could be friends. But I think we should just be acquaintances again.”
Peter thinks back again to when Gilderoy told him to go away in class. He thought they were past this, that Gilderoy was ready to accept help and have real friends now.
Oh shit, Gilderoy was still scared.
But he couldn't just give up on the progress they had made in the greenhouse, even though it seemed to have backfired and regressed. There was just… something about this boy. Peter was drawn to him, they always seemed to cross paths. Like the earth that orbits the sun.
Gilderoy just needs to trust him a bit. He had trusted him when he was high, hmm, too bad he didn't have any weed on him right now. Well, his present would have to be a good enough offering.
Peter sets the box on the table, sliding it towards the Ravenclaw. Gilderoy watches with curious eyes. After a moment, he grabs it.
“What’s this? A prank? I know how you and your friends are.”
Peter purses his lips and grins. “Maybe. You’ll have to look and see.”
With a heavy sigh, Gilderoy opens the box with nimble fingers. He pauses, his eyes widening and his gaze soft as he realizes what it is.
“A watch?” Gilderoy says, bringing it out of the box tenderly and draping it over his wrist. It’s not the flashiest, simple and gold, but it’s beautiful.
“Yours is broken. You mentioned it the other night.” Peter says with a smile, meeting eyes with Gilderoy.
“Thank you, Peter. Pete.” Gilderoy seems genuine, at a loss for words.
Peter smiles at the nickname, taking it as a win. “So, are you ready to try again? No matter how much you run away, I’ll keep coming back.”
“Yes, you are quite annoying,” Gilderoy says, and it takes Peter a second to realize that he's joking, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Gilderoy sighs. “You remind me of him. My friend from second year.”
“I hope not! I’m not some homophobic asshole.”
At this, Gilderoy smiles. “I suppose that is a relief. Thank you, for the watch. And for everything else.”
Yes! Peter was going to leave before Gilderoy could back away again. The Gryffindor smiles at the other boy, then fake yawns.
“You’re welcome, Roy. Well, I should get to sleep. Good luck studying.” He stands up, and so does Gilderoy.
But the Ravenclaw doesn't move to pack up his stuff. Instead, he walks around the table and puts out his hand for Peter to shake.
Peter can’t help it; he laughs at the formal gesture.
“You dolt,” He says with a laugh, then pulls Gilderoy into a hug. The other boy is stiff at first but melts into the hug. This close to him, he can smell a hint of peppermint on his cologne. So faint it was barely there.
They separate and share a smile. “Well, good night!” Peter says happily.
“Pete.”
Peter turns.
Gilderoy opens his mouth, then closes it. “Uh, good night.”
He smiles again, then leaves the room. Still feeling wide awake, there was still one stop he needed to make before he could go to bed.
–
One of the sinks in the girl’s second-floor lavatory was broken. Water overflows from the basin and forms into a slowly growing puddle on the floor. More water drips out of the faucet every couple of seconds. Drip, drip, drip.
It’s the only noise in the bathroom at this hour, no sign of a teenage ghost.
“Myrtle?” Peter calls. His voice echoes eerily.
Maybe this time, he could promise Myrtle that James would talk to her. Peter would hate to cash in his big favor from James he’s been saving since fifth year, but he supposes this was a good enough reason. He wishes Gilderoy would have given him more information, maybe something he could use to gain Myrtle’s favor.
She suddenly appears in a burst of bubbles. “Yes, who is calling for me?”
“I need your help,” Peter says, and Myrtle groans dramatically and floats up into the air when he sees who it is. “No, no! I told you!”
She pauses. “Oh… wait. Yes.” She floats to be near him, grinning wildly.
What the Hell? Peter is nervous at her sudden shift in behavior. He politely smiles back at her, though he’s sure it looks more like a grimace.
“Oh, yessss,” She repeats. “I will help you. Want to know why? It’s because of your boyfriend. The shiny one with the golden hair.”
“What? I- no. We’re not-”
“Buh-buh-buh!” She interrupts him. “I’ll help you. We made a trade, you see.”
“Do you know what he traded my help for?” She squeaks. “A secret.” She whispers.
“And oh was it good! It did cure my boredom for quite a while, and I bet you want to know what it is!” She says in a sing-song voice.
“No.” Peter lies. He clears his throat.
“Hmm, oh well.” She sighs in disappointment, then leans in close to whisper into his ear. “I figured out that Horace has a spare key to his little chest where he keeps his valuables. Including your little potion-otion. He keeps the main key in his pocket, but the second is in his office. It’s on his fireplace mantle, under a little bowl of floo powder.”
“I– thanks, Myrtle.” Peter nods, filing the information into his head. Now he just had to find a way into that office.
Myrtle only giggles in response, then dives into the leaking sink with a splash.
–
That night, Peter lies in bed and stares at his ceiling. It’s a long time before he finally drifts off into sleep, enveloped in a dream that smells of green apples, cinnamon, and a hint of peppermint.