For you, my brightest star

15/06/1979

POV – Harry Potter

The small diary notebook vibrates in Harry’s jeans pockets. He fishes it out and finds that there is a message from Bones.

Aurora – hey snuffles. You there? When were you going to tell us about how it went with those relatives of yours. We had to read it from the newspaper like some commoners.

Scarlet – How could you snuffle,,,, how could you leave us in the dark for so long… the betrayal.

Aurora – And here I thought we were friends. Partners in crime.

Corvus – Cut it you two. Snuffles in not our friend. We just have a common goal.

Snuffles – That hurts, Corvus. And here I was, planning to ask you to be the best man at my wedding. And you say we are not friends. I am crying tears of pain here… .

Corvus – ohh for the love of merlin… please stop all these nonsense you three. Honestly sometimes I question my sanity on choosing to be surrounded with the most dramatic people.

Aurora – you are no fun, Corvus.

Corvus – Yet you love me.

Aurora – That I do

Scarlet – wow, snuffles I think we both should leave before we see something that will scar us for our life.

Snuffles – yeah guys, I mean you are at the same place,, can’t you just talk instead of sending your little love notes here.

Corvus – we all are in different houses.

Aurora – And with the war ongoing. We don’t meet at all. If anyone saw us, they would be suspicious. But all three of us do meet when there is prefect meetings or on patrol but we have to be too careful then.

Scarlet – Also Corvus and I do talk. Our families are on the same side. Aurora's family is aligned to the other side so we cannot be seen talking to Aurora.

Snuffles – So, the outside war has begun to affect school also… .

Corvus – on no… this has been going on for too long. What do you think is house rivalries for. Even if there was no war, this would have happened. Just less life threatening.

Snuffles – I understand. Headmaster and the faculties seem to be doing nothing to unite students at school. Especially Slytherin and Gryffindor are pitted against each other.

Corvus – Never thought a day would come when a person with your surname will be pointing out Dumbledore’s mistakes. Will you ever tell us how do you know so much about Hogwarts. You were never a student here.

Snuffles – Maybe I will tell you all. But not now. Anyways so yes my relatives have not only agreed to help me but they have wholeheartedly welcomed me to their home. It was a little overwhelming with all these people genuinely wanting me to be a part of their family. So I got side tracked because of it.

Scarlet – I am happy for you snuffles. You deserve to have people on your side.

Corvus – I would like to admit though, I had concerns about your true name but now my doubts are cleared a bit. If you are living with them then they must have made sure that you are telling them the true story. I mean no one can lie to aunt Dorea. She is a true Black.

Snuffles – That she is. And I am not offended. I know that I just dropped into your life out of nowhere. It’s alright to be a little wary.

Aurora – we appreciate. By the way have you given any thoughts to how you are going to guide us in room of hidden things.

Snuffles – oh yes, actually I am trying to get my hands on magical mirrors. Once I have them, I will owl you one from the set then we can retrieve the thing.

Scarlet – where are you getting these mirrors from? They are not sold in the market as far as I am aware. Do you know the spell to make one.

Snuffles – No, actually someone is going to make them for me. And that is also not sure. I will confirm it to you later on.

Corvus – Are you getting it from my brother and his friend… . Because those are the only two people I have seen it with and given where you are staying… .

Snuffles – Yes. But as I said. It’s a plan. I don’t know whether they will be up to it.

Corvus – okay. Till then any idea on the others… what next,, this one we will secure one way or another in this month but we need to act quickly on others too.

Snuffles – we need to meet for that. I don’t think it is safe to discuss it here. Also it is too long a discussion. I think it’s better that you guys finish your exams and finish school. Then we can meet. Till then I will try to find out ways to secure the thing that you found out Corvus through your elf. Do you know someone who can help find an antidote for a deadly potion that we will have to drink in that cave to retrieve the thing.

Aurora – you do know that after school all three of us will still have other engagements too. Not like we are free to carry our mission. There are our family, society. We need to appear normal. We can’t appear suspicious. We need to be engaged on the things we were going to before we agreed to undertake this task.

Snuffles – yeah you will continue to do things you decided you will do once you graduate. But I wanted to ask something. And sorry to ask if I appear too callous. But would any of you be required to … . I don’t know,,,, hurt innocent people? Torture or kill someone.”

Scarlet – No, no, don't answer. I also think this is not the right place to have this conversation. However much secure we have made this, I think somethings need to be discussed one on one.

We know Corvus, that you are impatient. You want to make it count but this is very delicate matter and we are nothing but naïve, barely out of school young people. We can’t make any mistake. We all need to be careful. So, We will take one step at a time.

Aurora – Right. So we will retrieve the one in the school first. Secure it at a place we decide is safe. Until then snuffles will figure out a way to research about the others which are apparently more difficult to get our hands on as per snuffles. We will think and act carefully.

Snuffles –right, so any recommendations for someone with good knowledge of potions.

Scarlet – Severus Snape was the best student at potions in our school.

Aurora – I doubt he will want to help a Potter. He will hex himself before doing so.

Sniffles – maybe one of you can contact him and explain what kind of antidote we need.

Corvus – what I don’t understand is how do you know about the potion that has to be drunk in that cave… .

Snuffles – not this again Corvus. I told you that I will tell it later. I can’t tell you right now.

Corvus – Can’t tell us Or you don’t want to tell us.

Snuffles – you just said that you didn’t believe that I have told you guys my real name. So how do you expect me trust you with this. How do I know that you won’t run with this information to your precious Lord.

Corvus — So you can trust me on the matter of these things but not about whatever it is you are hiding? 

Snuffles — Yes because you already knew about one of these things so I told you the real picture that there are more than one so that you don’t go die in some misguided attempt at making things right.

Aurora — guys, please no need to fight. Please talk cordially.

Snuffles — with these things I know you want them gone as much as I do because you were going to die for it. Aurora would not side with dark Lord and neither will Scarlet as far as I understand. The most risky thing telling you guys that there are 6 of these was that you will get scared and back of it Or that of getting hurt while retrieving them. Never have I thought that any of you will tell Him that there is a guy who knows about your bits and pieces. But with how I know these things, about my past, I don’t know if I can trust you.

Scarlet — I think we need to trust each others. Otherwise we will never succeed. There isa ritual by which we will be magic bound. It will tie us all, so that we have to be loyal. All four of us. If we betray anyone then that person will be given the punishment that will cause them most suffering whether it be physical or emotional or mental.

Snuffles — But corvus's magic is already bound to Him. Won’t it be an overlap. Also he is first bound to him and then us…

Corvus — If you have specifically gotten a problem with me knowing then okay. You tell the other two. I trust them to follow up pragmatically after that…

Snuffles — I am just asking Corvus. No need to whine. And no, I haven’t got any problem with you. I am asking for your own safety. I don’t want you to be tortured or hurt in any way for this. This is big. And also personal. And I have met you only twice. Never known you personally. All of you have things happened to you that are private and shared it with only a selected few then why am I the only one pressurized to share? 

Scarlet — It’s nothing personal snuffles. It’s just that Corvus rarely trust anyone. And I think you understand with a family like his. With me and Aurora, he knows us. But with you, coming out of nowhere. Knowing these things that no one should. We fear that what if it’s the exact opposite. What if you are the one who is trying to trap us. One person suddenly appearing with all the solution is super suspicious. You have to understand where Corvus is coming from. 

Snuffles — okay… I understand but if I share then I will also expect you to return me the same courtesy. Trust should be both ways. You will also have to answer my queries. Corvus you will have to tell me why you decided to turn your back to the wizard you admired so much. Scarlet you will tell me how your family is not forcing all this fanatics on you when they are a dark family. And Aurora you will tell me how you got in a relationship with Corvus. This way I will not be the only one holding my cards out for you all the see.

Aurora — you are right. I agree. Also If we do this ritual then you don’t need to worry about Corvus. When Corvus became a part of death eaters, he was not of age so that means content was given on his behalf. While in this ritual he his mature enough to agree to the terms of ritual for himself. And you might know that magic is all about intent. Here consent is freely given personally and willingly whereas earlier was not the same.

Scarlet — I also agree. If we all are in this together then we need to learn to trust and if the ritual helps then so be it. I will also share about my life if that makes you comfortable. Common Corvus, what do you say…

Corvus — I guess if that is your condition. No one will be able to lie under the ritual. It’s the best way to ensure both honesty and loyalty.

Snuffles — Alright, what’s this ritual called.

Scarlet — circulus summa fide (circle of utmost loyalty). You won’t find it in books most probably because it’s written text is long lost. But you can ask your relatives about it. All purebloods are in the know.

Snuffles — Okay I will try to learn more about it before you guys finish school. Anyways, before Corvus side-tracked us, we were discussing about whether Severus Snape can help us in making an antidote for that foul potion. But isn’t he a death eater. Are you sure we can even trust him enough on this.

Corvus — I don’t know if he is a death eater or not. He used to spend his time with those purebloods who I know are death eaters but if he is actually one or not I don’t know.

Aurora – yeah and that guy was the most sulky person I have ever had the displeasure of meeting and that is saying something seeing who I am currently dating.

Corvus — hey,, …no slandering me.

Aurora — its all in good fun love❤

Scarlett — we didn’t know the guy personally. He is the most paranoid person I have seen, even for a Slytherin. He would be quick to doubt our reasons. And he is sneaky enough to find answers when he is intrigued.

Snuffles — Right and we do not know if he is death eater or not. Also, if he is then whether he is truly loyal one as of now. So lets leave him out on this one. Anyone else who could help us for antidote.

Aurora — what about Fleamont Potter. He is a potion master. You can also easily reach him… oh wait I remembered but he is in mungo's. Right, he won’t be able to help you much.

Corvus — I know of a person who is even more talented in potions that Snape. He just was never interested in letting people know that he is an absolute genius in a subject which he thinks is purely a domain of dark families and/ or Slytherins. But he did used his talent for wrecking havoc.

Snuffles — Enough of the suspense… who is he?

Corvus — .......My brother.

Snuffles — Okay. This was surprising information. But I don’t know how to ask an auror who also happens to be working in a vigilante group against the dark side to help me on it without sharing the real reason. He is a Black. You guys are already paranoid bunches. His first instinct would be to think the worst of me.

Scarlett — wow,,, you have got the guy's character down to a T.

Snuffles — okay. We will think more on this matter and try to come up with a solution. Now I have two task for you guys. First, do you guys have any people you know who are suffering from dragon pox and magical treatment seems to be not working on them. If so, I have a medication. But it is muggle one. If there is someone, advice them to contact Dorea Potter. She will guide them further. Secondly, I want you to prepare a list of people who are death eaters but were forced to be one or are not really loyal or if they would be willing to help us with our mission.

Corvus — And what will you do with list?? 

Snuffles — That depends on case to case basis for each such death eaters. But at the end if four of us unanimously agree then we will try to help them get out. After this is all over, the ministry will either be bribed by the likes of Lucius Malfoy or people who didn’t really commit any crime other than just having that tattoo on their arm because of family pressure could be thrown in Azkaban without any trials. We need to be prepared on all fronts. Also, getting the remaining 5 will be difficult. I want names of the people who could help. If you want, we can wait till this ritual. But by then do keep the names ready. Also we will have to make sure that all other death eaters are promptly punished.

Scarlett — in some way you remind me of James Potter. He too had this leadership quality in him. Always in the front. Leading others.

Snuffles — yeah well. James had that quality due to his own nature and the way he was brought up. Me on the other hand had to learn to become one out of necessity.

Aurora — Can’t wait for the ritual to be done. You are raising the suspense factor.

Snuffles — What can I say. I attempt to please.

Corvus — Ha ha very funny.

Snuffles — That I am,, no need to be jealous. Anyways until then guys. Be safe. And enjoy you last days at school.

Harry had a smile as he closed 'the notebook' as he had dubbed it. These people were slowly making their way into his heart.

He is grateful for the support he had achieved in just one and a half month of being in the past. He just hopes that he is making the right choices.

The ritual also doesn’t sound that bad. He will ask Dorea about it. She will help him. He had grown to trust his pseudo family. They will tell him everything there is to know about this ritual.

16/06/1979

POV – Peter Pettigrew

It’s a lazy Sunday morning. Finally a day off, his job does have work off on weekends but mostly he has order duties, so rest and free time are rare possibilities these days. Peter and James are sitting on the dinning table sipping their tea late in the morning while Padfoot is still asleep because he came late last night from an order mission.

Peter can't believe that it is already a year since they graduated. Seems just like yesterday when they were discussing their grand prank to leave Hogwarts with a bang. 

Today he had arranged a date night with his wonderful girlfriend in a muggle restaurant. Away from this chaotic world. Padfoot and prongs will also leave to have dinner with their relatives tonight, James’s aunt and uncle.

As far as Peter knows moony is not home.So, Peter's goes a little stiff as moony enters the living room from his bedroom. This does not go unnoticed by prongs who is also sitting with him on the breakfast table.

The four of them had decided to continue to live as they had lived the past 7 years of their life, after their graduation. Meaning they rented a place which has 4 rooms and a living area and kitchen.

Initially prongs insisted that they live in one of the potters property. But the other three did not want to live off of their friend's money. So, they share the rent equally. Although for Moony's sake the other three had decided to tell him an amount which is lesser than the actual rent share. But they understand that for him it is difficult to land a job and hence it’s the least they could do. The remaining portion of Moony’s share is paid by prongs and Padfoot equally. Peter has a low paying job, an ill mother and a girlfriend, so he decided to opt out of sharing money for the remaining portion of Moony's rent.

Peter and Dorcas want to now move in together. Since it’s almost a year since they started dating formally. But Dorcas has a similar living arrangement with her best friend, Marlene. And Casey does not want to leave her best friend alone. So they will carry on the existing arrangements.

“There is no tea left here.” Moony complained as he checked the kettle.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were back Moony. I thought it was only prongs and me.” Peter answered the non question.

“Why, where is Padfoot?” moony asked while preparing a new batch.

“I just meant for the tea, I thought it was just us two. You know Padfoot only drinks black coffee. He is sleeping in today. Came late last night from his Order duty” Peter told him.

“When did you came back moony? Why didn’t you slept in? You must be tired.” Prongs said with a frown. He will never grown out of his mother hen duties.

“I was home last noon. Was super tired. Slept through the whole day yesterday. That’s why you must have not noticed.”

“Ohh yeah none us of noticed you were back. This time you went back within a day and are back also so early. Everything all right?” Peter asked.

Moony is generally gone for weeks on end but this time he came back on 12th then went back on 14th and is back today. This all is super confusing because moony had not told the other three what these missions are where he is gone for such long time.

“Fine.” Moony said snappily.

“He is just asking moony. No need to get prissy. I don’t think it’s that time of the month, is it?” Prongs joked.

“As if he would care even if it was that time of the month.” Moony said with a sneer.

Peter inhales deeply and decides to clear this matter now, lest it gets further stretched.

“Look Moony, since our graduation last year, you only spent 3 full moon here with us. The remaining times you were merlin knows where. The first I spent with you, at the shack like we had all done since our 5th year. On the second one, my boss asked me to stay late and take the shipment of the new stock. Should I have told him that I can’t stay late because my friend turns into a werewolf and I go with my other two friends in our animagus form to prance around in the forest? He asked me if I had anything to do that night. It caught me off guard and I said no I am free. So I have gotta follow through my words. Don’t I? Why are you angry with me. You know I have gotta listen to my boss. And if you have problem tell me. No need to bring prongs and Padfoot into this.”

“I am telling you Now. And don’t lie Peter, I know you don’t want to carry on with our moon nights tradition. And I know your girlfriend didn’t gave you the permission to come last time.”

“Remus don’t bring Casey into this. Keep her out. And she did not ask me to not go. She had seen something strange that day at her work so she called me to talk about it. Apparently it turned out that it was prongs’ long lost cousin Harry Potter she had seen in her department that day and she was suspicious about what was he doing there. Now his story makes sense after what we read about him in the daily prophet but that day she was driving herself crazy over this thinking that he was spying on her department so she asked to talk to me about it. That was all. You can’t ask me to make my whole life about you, Moony. It’s not like I do any help in my rodent form anyways.”

“No need to rub that you have got a girlfriend in our faces. Do you see prongs? you just broke up with Lily and Peter is flaunting that he had got a girlfriend and us three don’t.” Remus said this as if he is joking but Peter can see that the guy is aiming for a fight. Well he won’t get any from Peter, he had enough of Remus’s bullshit.

“Common Moony. You know that my breakup with Lily was amicable. It’s not like we were having the times of our life. It was honestly suffocating, what we had, Lily and me. Besides I think wormy and Cas are cute together. I wish that soon enough us three also find someone who makes us as happy as these two make each other. I mean look how Lily and I brought the worst out of each other. I want someone who makes me be a better version of myself. Just like our wormy is flourishing under care of lovely miss Meadows.” Prongs answered honestly, not being able to read the tension between Peter and Remus. “Common Pete, tell moony that you will come this moon. No need to be upset moony. Wormy just promise him. ” prongs said trying to settle this matter.

“I don’t want any false promises, prongs. Those who want to come will come and those who don’t want to, they won’t.” Remus barked.

“Moony you have to understand that now we are not in school anymore. I have commitment towards my job, order duties, my girlfriend, my mother, who by the way is sick, you know. I can’t skip all these and come running on the moon.” Peter said calmly.

“Padfoot and prongs come just fine every moon. Prongs had got parents who are also sick and a girlfriend for the whole last year with auror duties and order duties. They manage all this just fine. I am not taunting you Pete, I am just saying that if you don’t want to then don’t, just don’t lie to me that you couldn’t.” Remus replies calmly. 

“Jesus moony, why are you being this difficult today. I just told you about both the times I couldn’t make it. Why are you doubting me. Why are you badmouthing me to prongs and Padfoot behind my back.”

“I haven’t told anyone anything… .”

“Don’t lie moony. Padfoot told me that you were upset and that you think… .. .”

“That was between me and him. He shouldn’t have gone behind my back and told you.”

“ Behind your back? Uggggh moony are you even listening to yourself. He thought that I should apologize because you are upset that’s why he told me. But I made it clear to him and now I am telling you that I would not apologize for having a life, dammit. We decided to do this together but then life happened moony. You can’t honestly expect me to pause my life on every moon. You have to understand that we are your friends not your guardian or your partner to have a responsibility towards you. I do it because I want to and I can but you can’t pressurize me into it and villainize me when I am not there. Prongs and Padfoot will not say it but I am telling you that time will come that we will have to loose our co-dependency a little as a group. I have seen the both of them, tired to their bones but still being there for you ,,,,many times they hurt themselves in the process. You can’t honestly expect this of us. You can’t”

“Guys, I think you need to calm down a little. We can talk later when you have cooled down. I mean Padfoot is not here so we shouldn’t discuss a marauder business without him.” Prongs tries.

“Prongs, Padfoot is here listening everything since Peter started his monologue about co-dependency issues we four seem to be suffering from. So, Padfoot why don’t you tell me why you spilled to Peter what I told you in private.” Remus gritted out. Peter turns his head to see Sirius leaning against the wall with his arms folded and a frown on his face, eyes still tired as if he woke up due to their loud voices. Remus might have seen from where he is sitting.

Prong's eyes widens. It’s clear this was just an excuse for stopping the argument. He didn’t really meant for Sirius to be there, it was just an excuse to stop the upcoming fight which has been boiling between him and moony from so long.

“It’s like wormy said moony. I told him because I didn’t want any fight between you two and ultimately cause any trifle between us marauders. I told him so that you both could talk it out.” Sirius says as he makes his way towards the kitchen. Preparing his black coffee.

“Right. Shouldn’t have trusted you with this. Knowing your tendency to never being able to keep things secret. Whether it is a mutual friend or an enemy.” Moony said sarcastically.

“Moony.” Prongs chastised him.

“What prongs? You seemed to be having no problem keeping quiet when Wormtail was saying all those things to me. But now when it’s suddenly about your best friend, you are quick to defend. Just like how easily you forgave him for The Prank.” Moony was clearly in mood today and full moon was far from close.

“Merlin Remus, what has crawled up your ass this morning!” Sirius said as he takes his seat.

“Yeah now everyone will jump on me. Common gang up as you always do.”

Prongs stands up, his chair scratches the floor then he slaps his hand against the table. He is properly vexed now.

“Nobody is ganging up on you moony and you know it. You are the one who’s got his knickers in a twist today. Wormy never spoke anything to hurt your feelings. He is just trying to tell you why he can’t be there for the last 2 moon we have been together. You are the one who is bringing up The Prank unnecessarily. There is no need for that. It’s about you and Wormtail. Keep me and Padfoot out of it. And yeah I will always defend him because he is my brother not just our best friend. And you better remember this because I will not repeat this but I didn’t forgive him for The Prank until you did. I kept distance, didn’t talk to him, didn’t sit with him during classes, he slept in the common room the entire time. We had no contact whatsoever during those 3 months. So don’t you dare lay this on me. Maybe Wormy is right, you easily let it slide when things are not convenient for you.” After speaking this prongs moves to the kitchen to make lunch for all of them.

Sirius silently watches while sipping his coffee, eyes downcast. Peter feels bad for the poor guy.

He looks at Remus, who is busy burning hole at prongs’ back.

“Sometimes I feel it would have been better if you had broken your friendship with Padfoot altogether moony. That would have done all four of us loads of good.” Peter says to no one in particular.

“Wormtail.” Sirius says, shocked at his words. While Remus’s face says that he agrees with Sirius on this.

“No Sirius, I am being honest. I mean if moony has not gotten over it. And I mean we all know that that is understandable because it is a big deal and we all will understand if he says that he can’t move past that. But it would have been better than him claiming that he had forgiven you just for getting sexual benefits from you in exchange of an apology. And then whenever in any conversation he is backed against the wall, he would just bring out his Trump card. The Prank! He can’t have it both ways. This is like a vicious cycle, it’s not healthy for any of us. And moony it’s been two and a half years. I think that much time is enough to decide whether Padfoot had redeemed himself in your eyes or not.” Peter is breathing harshly by the end of his rant.

Sirius who was quite, not meeting anyone’s eyes, suddenly hisses, "Pete, shut it."

“I would have liked to see how easily you would have forgiven him, had it happened to you instead.” Moony says with a glare.

“I would have either forgiven him if I thought that he deserves it and I had it in me to forgive him. If not then I would have been Gryffindor enough to cut all ties with him. At least I wouldn’t have coerced him to be my fuck toy because I knew that I had that power. It’s obvious you knew that Padfoot was that desperate for your forgiveness. All four of ours friendship stood on your decision after all . And what do you do with that power, you abused that power to only accept his apology if he becomes your bitch. Wow moony! well played." Peter gives a slow clap. And then continues. 

"You know what, you might be right, since I got to know this side of you, I was honestly disgusted. And my wish to be with you on full moon had lessened to substantial degrees since then. So maybe you are right. Maybe I am subconsciously making excuses because I don’t want to be with you on full moons. Thanks for bringing this and giving me an out. Consider this as my official rescinding of joining you on full moon. From now it will be only you three. ” With this Peter stands up and makes his way to his room to get dressed and get out of the house. He can’t breath here with all the toxicity Remus is spreading around. He didn’t so much as spare a glance at any of the three friends. Finally able to speak his heart out on the issue after this long keeping it inside.

But Peter, in voicing out his long grudge with Remus had forgotten that James could still hear from kitchen whatever he had said.

So, before he could get to his room he is collided with a chest. On looking up he sees it’s prongs. With his eyes thunderous in a way Peter had never seen. Not even after The Prank.

“Not so fast Peter,” this is the first time prongs had called him by his given name, since from the morning he is using their marauders nick name, only Remus was in one of his mood to not call him Wormtail today. But this means that prongs is super serious. But what had Peter done to deserve James Potter’s ire.

He tries to think back to what he had said.

And ohhhh fuck.

What had he said in the heat of the moment. He forgot that it was not just the three of them and that James was only in the kitchen.

Peter is sure that now their friendship would not be able to survive this blow. Peter had taken this information in stride and tried to make piece but Dorcas had warned him that truths are bound to come out and this will be a bitter realisation for James. He will not be able to let it go. It’s about his brother in all but blood after all.

And if anyone fights for Padfoot's rights, it’s his number one champion, James Potter.