Peter POV - Part 1
His hands were shaking as he stood before the Dark Lord. He was looking down at Peter full of expectancy. “Where is the child?” he hissed fiercely.
“Godrics Hollow. They’re hidden. It’s a spell-” Peter told him hurriedly.
“You will take me there.”
“I-”
The Dark Lord glared at him, threatening him with his eyes alone.
“Yes, sir,” Peter agreed.
“You have always been so loyal, Pettigrew,” the Dark Lord offered him a smile, which Peter returned weakly.
“Shall we?” The Dark Lord smiled, something he rarely did, as he gestured towards the door. His eyes bore into Peter’s, daring him to protest. Peter nodded. What else could he have done?
It had been way over a year now since Lord Voldemort had first showed up. He had offered Peter the chance to prove himself worthy, he offered power. Something Peter never truly had. His entire life he had been outdone by his family, his friends, his peers. Even in the order, he wasn’t given many missions. It was always James or Sirius or even Marlene.
Sirius had always teased him. He had hated it. Had slowly begun to hate Sirius. James used to be Peter’s friend. Then Sirius came along and replaced Peter. Sirius outshone Peter in everything. His school work, his talents, his personality. Everything Peter could do, Sirius did better.
Even James seemed to think so.
Lord Voldemort however saw Peter and promised him greater things in exchange for his loyalty. It seemed simple enough. Peter never expected the prophecy to mention James and Lily's son. As soon as Lord Voldemort found out about the prophecy, he had asked around if anyone knew about a child born at the end of July. The Potters had just had Harry at the time and Peter had blurted it out without thinking.
Somehow the order caught wind of a rumour about a spy. James and Lily were rushed into hiding without further notice and Sirius, of all people, suggested James make Peter secret keeper. It was simple enough; Sirius would be the main suspected secret keeper, so Sirius acted as a decoy so that Peter could live his normal, boring life without being suspected. It had been a good plan. It meant keeping the real secret keeper, therefor also the Potters, safe.
A year passed and the Dark Lord prepared to kill young Harry Potter to end the prophecy. All with the help of Peter. Now all they had to do was go to Godric’s Hallow, kill Harry and move on with the war.
The dark Lord swiftly left the abandoned building, Peter in tow, and apparated them to the neighbourhood where the Potters were in hiding. He had been to visit them a few times, bearing notes and gifts mainly from Sirius but a few from Remus too.
They silently walked down the streets of the pretty neighbourhood, all decked out with Halloween decorations. The Potter’s house, of course, was by far the nicest decorated. James loved Halloween. He always had, ever since they were little kids living next door to each other. James would force Peter to dress up and paint his face and then walk around the neighbourhood for hours, knocking on doors and doing silly little chants for sweets. They split all of their earning equally, although knowing James he probably gave Peter a few extra.
Then Peter would sleep over. Fleamont and Euphemia Potter always welcomed him like their own son and made him feel at home. They let the two of them stay up far too late, stuffing their faces with their earned sweets and all the treats Euphemia would make for them. They were such kind people. Such a shame they died.
“This is the place,” Peter said as he came to a halt in front of James’ house.
“Well, well, well Peter. When I first laid eyes on you I never expected you to become one of my most trusted companions. But here you are. Such a pity none of your friends saw you for what you are worth,” Lord Voldemort said coldly, sending shivers down Peter's spine but also making his heart swell with pride. Finally, after all these years, he was appreciated.
“Anything for you, my lord.”
The Dark Lord slipped his wand out of his sleeve and motioned towards the Potter’s front door. “Shall we?”
Peter nodded and led the way. The lights were on in the front room and in a room upstairs, which, if Peter remembered correctly, was Harry’s room.
“Go ahead,” Lord Voldemort urged, “Knock.”
Shaking slightly, Peter lifted his fist to the door. This was worth it. The Order didn’t stand a chance against the Dark Lord and his followers. This was good. He was helping the process and he was proving everyone wrong. Someone finally believed in him.
So he knocked. Peter glanced at Lord Voldemort who had a grin plastered on his pale face as he glared at the door. Peter could hear voices inside. “I’ll get it! I’ll give them all the stuff we have left!” It was James. He sounded so pleased. He thought it was little kids. Little kids like the two of them once were, running through fields, playing games on the floor. Just two little kids with their entire lives ahead of them.
The door flew open, revealing James with a huge grin on his face. James. Peter’s first friend. James, the world's sweetest young boy. The boy who fought for years to win a girl's heart. James who loved so deeply he would never stop loving you as soon as he started. It was Sirius that Peter didn’t like, not James. He had always liked James.
And then, as their eyes locked and James’ smile fell from his face, Peter realised his mistake.
“I’m sorry-” Peter whispered.
“Lily! Take Harry and-” James shouted, but it was too late.
“Avada Kedavra!” Voldemort shouted and James dropped to the floor. Voldemort laughed and stepped over him like he was a pile of rubbish.
Harry was crying, Lily was frantically whispering to him as the Dark Lord swiftly made his way up the stairs. Peter took his chance and fled. What else could he have done? Sirius would know it had been him, and if Lily managed to escape she would know too. Peter’s life was over. He had no other choice but to run and hope no one ever found him. Maybe this hadn't been the right thing to do after all.