Regulus apperated to Potter Cottage, his heart racing and breath coming fast. How dare that traitorous bastard try to harm his friends, his family. He took a moment to center himself before going to the backyard where he knew three of the marauders would be. James noticed him before anyone else and sauntered over to him, his stride confident. “Welcome home, love.” He leaned in for a kiss, but Regulus pulled away, his anger rising as he thought about the recruit he had met that night in the meeting.
Sirius, seeing the pinched look on his brother's face, cocked his head and placed a hand on Regulus’ shoulder, “What’s wrong, Reggie?”
Regulus balled his hands into fists, nails digging into his palms. The fucking rat was going to pay for turning his back on his friends. Regulus took a few calming breaths before speaking. “There’s a new recruit.” He started, ignoring the pained look on James’ face. He hated that Regulus was a spy, but he was the best one for the job, hated even more that only the four of them knew. “It was Peter fucking Pettigrew.”
Sirius sucked in a breath between his teeth while James’ eyes widened. “No way, Peter would never do that.”
Regulus took James’ hand and squeezed lightly, “I’m sorry.”
“What are we going to do?” Remus spoke up for the first time.
Regulus’ smile was predatory. He was a Slytherin after all, and knew the perfect way to handle this.
The group heard the floo activate in the living room, footsteps coming closer to the door of the dining room. The group was seated around the dining room table with Regulus at the head. James had told Peter that they wanted to get together, “A marauders dinner” he had called it.
The door to the dining room opened and all heads turned towards the treacherous rat. Regulus couldn’t see the expressions on the faces of his friends, but by the way Peter was shaking, he assumed they looked murderous.
Regulus was smug. He twirled his cedar wand around his fingers before standing up and walking towards Peter. “You weren’t the only spy, by the way.” he whispered into his ear, getting close enough to make the rat flinch away.
As he shut the door, he heard yelling coming from the dining room, blubbering sobs, and a dog growling.
He chuckled and walked to the kitchen to get tea ready for when the boys were done playing.
“What the actual fuck, Peter?” James yelled, standing so fast his chair toppled over.
Peter sprinted back to the door, turning the handle but nothing happened. “You can’t escape, Peter.” Remus said, his voice calm but his eyes were flashing gold. “Now, I believe James asked you a question.”
Peter held his hands up in defense, shaking so violently his teeth were clattering together. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” sweat was running down the sides of his face, “Regulus is a death eater! He can’t be trusted!”
James was in front of Peter so quickly it was as if he’d apperated. “Don’t you fucking dare say one word against my boyfriend, Pete.” the name was spit out behind clenched teeth.
Remus grabbed James by the shoulder and pulled him back a bit. They all wanted to have a go at Peter, but James was too good at heart. While it might make him feel better in the moment, Remus knew it would eat James alive if he caused real harm to the rat.
Peter pointed a shaky finger at Prongs, “He has you under the imperius curse! Regulus would never date a blood traitor!”
Peter realized his mistake the second it came out of his mouth. They had never heard him use that sort of language before, never called someone a blood traitor before.
Remus sat back down, “We know the truth, Peter.” he kept his voice calm, but the glow of the gold in his eyes seemed to shine.
“Don’t k-know what you’re talking about,” said Pettigrew, more shrill than ever. He wiped his sweat off on his left sleeve, the cuff sliding down just enough to see the faintest hint of the head of a snake.
Sirius lunged at Peter and pulled the sleeve up, exposing the dark mark. “Care to explain this?” The growl in his voice was almost identical to his animagus form.
Peter’s eyes bounced between the people who had been his best friend, looking for a chip in any of their armours. If he could worm his way into any chink, he might be able to get one of them on his side, convince them that he had just been scared of the Dark Lord. Remus seemed the most calm, but Peter knew better, a calm Remus was much more terrifying than an angry one. Sirius was a Black, there was no way to convince him of anything. James, however, was easy to manipulate.
“James, please! You have no idea the powers the Dark Lord holds! I had to!” He reached out for him, eyes pleading and tears finally falling.
Sirius, having seen enough of this, transformed into Padfoot and used his front paws to push Peter down by his shoulders, standing over him and growling by his ear. “What was I supposed to do?” Peter cried out.
“I would rather die than betray my friends.” James spoke up, his once angry expression replaced with hurt. “Get this thing out of my house. Send him to Minerva, she’ll know what to do with him.”
“Not Dumbledore?” Remus asked, his voice the same as when he asked where to go for lunch.
“No, Dumbledore will want to use him. Minerva will want justice.”