The Betrayal - Prologue
Keep going.
Don't stop running.
The fall night air nips at his skin, but he doesn't notice it. His muscles are starting to ache and his lungs sting. The panic running through his body is the only thing keeping him going. He can barely see in front of him. Don't stop running. He knows who is chasing him, he knows who's screaming his name even though he can barely hear them over the wind hitting his face. He wants to stop, he wants to stop so badly. But if he stops he knows what will happen. He rounds another corner, just a little faster and you can outrun them.
Suddenly he trips on a stone and collapses. He lands on his arm and can barely feel it dislocate. He tries to get up, but he's not quick enough. Another shadow joins his own on the building wall. Sirius is standing over him holding out their wand.
“Pettigrew.” Not “wormtail” or “Peter.” Pettigrew.
It's now that Peter realizes what he's just done.
James’ face of disappointment.
He gets to his feet.
Lily’s pleading eyes.
He looks his best friend in the eye. He wants to say “I'm sorry.” He wants to beg for forgiveness.
The green light echoed through the room.
Instead he stares at Sirius. Their clothes are stained with blood. James’ blood. Their gray eyes shined with tears. They are holding their wand out towards Peter, but the look on their face isn't one of anger, it's of confused grief.
“Sirius-”
“Why.” Sirius says. Peter doesn't say another word. “Why would you do this!” Peter can hear their voice tremble. “James loved you, we all loved you!” Sirius is screaming now. “You were one of my best friends!” Peter doesn't say anything. He just stares at the person standing before him. “Look what did they do? Did they threaten you?” Sirius starts to plead. “Did they Imperio you?” He doesn't know why, but Peter laughs. He laughs.
“You’ve got to be fucking joking.”
“Peter-” Sirius steps forward.
“Don't come any fucking closer!” Peter uses his unwounded arm to pull out his wand. He points it at his friend.
Voldemort stands above him.“Excellent job, Wormtail.” He stares at his friend's body on the ground, he doesn't move as Voldemort walks toward the crib.
Sirius holds his wand tighter. Peter sees it now, he sees it in their eyes. Sirius is scared of him and that makes Peter feel…good. He doesn't know why, but the thought of someone being so terrified of him, someone he once considered his friend, makes Peter proud. The emotion drains from his face and is replaced by a sly smile. “You were so fucking stupid, all of you! Every single person in the order. Suspecting everyone but Peter. ‘Oh no not little Peter, he's too innocent to do anything!”
“Peter-”
“NO! No no no Sirius don't even try.” He takes a step backward. “Sirius Black, padfoot. James’ best friend, always at his side.” The emotion slowly drains back into Peter's face, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. “Always the first choice, never mind the rest of us!”
“Peter.”
“Did you ever think about anyone else? I was left alone. 7 years in those dorms watching you, James and Remus argue and laugh. I watched you plan pranks and gossip. I was always an afterthought, always forgotten until you lot needed something!"
“Peter.”
“Y’know it was such an easy choice. When we graduated, Voldemort showed me a place I could belong, if I just did one little thing. If I just proved myself in one little way. I watched as you and the rest of our friends joined Dumbledore, still afraid to let go of that stupid school. I realized which side would win and I made the call. Either my so-called friends who barely acknowledged my existence or powerful people who believed that I could be something!”
Sirius just stares at him now, unsure of what to say. Peter keeps going.
“You lot were so unbelievably gullible, so ignorant. You didn't realize what was happening under your ridiculous noses!” All ideas of escaping disappear from Peter's head as he steps closer, taunting. “I watched you all turn on eachother. I watched you bicker and fight. I watched as you destroyed the only stable relationship you ever had.” Peter lets himself think for a moment, what Remus would say when he found out what he had done. “I sprinkled seeds of doubt into all your minds. All the while you all trusted me more than anything.” He’s in Sirius’ face now. He whispers, “Maybe James would still be alive if you agreed to be the secret keeper.”
Peter watches as every hope for forgiveness and remorse drains from Sirius’ face. Peter knew what he said was cruel, but he already had done so much worse. Sirius stepped back and raised their wand.
“You are coming back to the order with me Peter, and we will see what Dumbledore wants to do with you.” Peter grins.
“Never.”
Without even thinking, He points his wand at a nearby shop and watches as it explodes into a fiery mess. Sirius is caught off guard. Peter could use this as a chance to escape, instead he begins to fire more spells at buildings and passersby. With each ounce of pride comes an overwhelming feeling of regret, he finds himself remembering late nights with his old friends running around the castle at night and stealing filch's cat. He realizes that there will never be any more nights like those ever again.