Third Year- Paul McCartney the cat
Peter Pettigrew
Peter steps onto the train , his thirteenth birthday was just about a month ago, his grandmother got him a cat. The only ones of his friends who have seen him so far is James and Marlene. He named his Paul after Paul McCartney , James thought it was a good idea. Peters cat is an orange tabby ragamuffin
He honestly never pegged himself for a cat person, but now Peter can’t seem to imagine himself as not being one. His cat brings him a lot of company at home.
He sits with James and Marlene trails off to find her friends. Paul on his lap. He sits anxiously wondering what his other friends will think of his new tribute to the group.
James sits criss crossed on his seat, making mouse noises to call Paul over to him . Paul walks over to James and bristles his tail against his pants. James pats on the seat. The cat stubbornly stays on the ground. After a while jame lips turn to a frown as he flaps his arms to his sides.
“I don’t think Paul likes me,” James pouts, crossing his arms. “Of course he likes you” Peter clarifies. James turns his head away from the cat, pretending to ignore him. Paul motions his tail against James’s legs once more before jumping up onto his lap. James instantly looks back at him with a smile beaming on his face.
James makes all sorts of noises cooing at the cat. “Please James” groans Peter, he drags his hands down his face.
“Oh he’s just jealous “ James clicks his tongue, Paul lays on his lap, purring as James pets him. James goes back to cooing at Paul. Peter stands up, “nutter” Peter mumbles before leaving James with the cat.
Peter finds Marlene’s cart, she’s sitting with Alice. He decides to knock on the door. Marlene turns her head to him and motions her hand for him to come in.
“Awe you already missed me” Marlene teases. “Pft” Peter huffs a laugh “James is just being annoying with Paul” Peter plops down next to Marlene.
“Paul?” Alice crooks a brow at him. Her hair is cut short, and her cheeks “My cat” Peter answers. Alice breaks out in a smile. “McKinnon as much as I’d love to sit here and talk . I must see that cat”
“Just keep an ear out for James” Peter waves her off. Alice opens the door and turns right towards James. “Do not make a sound.” Peter drags a hand down his face again.
Marlene squints at him for a moment “y’know you’ll just have to put up with this for the rest of the year” marlene teases. She starts cooing at Peter just like James was with the cat.
“You are horrid, “ Peter glares at her.
“That’s why you love me” Marlene flashes him a cheeky grin. Peter rolls his eyes away from her. “Excited for school? where getting more classes this year”
“How exciting “ Peter shoots sarcastically.
“Oh come on, there’s muggle studies , magical theory, care of magical creatures, arith- “
“Stop. “ Peter interrupts.”im considering this train ride as the last bit of holiday. No school talk”
“Oh alright “ Marlene smiles. “Quidditch” Marlene changes the subject. “you know that Meadowes girl gets on my nerves me”
“Who?” Peter questions .
Marlene huffs a laugh. “Who? “ she repeats. “Dorcas Meadowes.” Peter squints his eyes at her. Her name is not ringing a bell at all.
“Come off it Peter. Y’know the girl that transferred from Beauxbatons. She’s in Slytherin . Oh whatever but she’s a beater. Just like me. And she’s dreadful”
“I’m sure she’s not that bad”
“You don’t know the half of it. She always corrects me in class and blocks me in quidditch.” Marlene whines.
“Seems like you’ve got competition, McKinnon “ Peter laughs. She shoots him a glare. The train comes to a stop and there’s footsteps running onto the train, just a few moments later Peter hears.
“YOU GOT A CAT? JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER HOW COULD YOU” yells a very familiar voice. Peter exchanges a look with Marlene. “Guess that’s my Que.” Peter shakes his head.
“Adios” Marlene waves Peter bye. “Bye” Peter exits the cart and makes his way to his . He sees Sirius standing in the doorway, his brother Regulus behind him. Peter brings his hand up to wave hello. Regulus give him a short raise of his hand, and raises his brows gesturing over to his brother . Peter chuckles slightly.
“And you didn’t even tell me” Sirius gasps, bringing his hand to his chest. “I thought we told each other everything.”
“Sirius it’s my car” Peter cuts in, Sirius turns his head to Peter “you too!” He points.
“Oh stop being dramatic sirius “ regulus huffs a laugh. “Regulus is there?” Questions James peeking his head to look behind sirius. Regulus widens his eyes and shuffles away from the door frame. “I’m finding Pandora,” he says as he leaves. James slumps in his seat.
“I thought we were best friends Pete. And you just add a member to this friend group and don’t tell me.
“But he’s just a baby” Alice coos. who’s sitting next to James. “What are you even doing here? Fortescue” he points plopping himself into a seat grumpily. Peter stands in the doorframe, as he watches the scene.
“Paul” she answers. “Who the hell is Paul ? “ Sirius raises his hands.
“The cat” she scoffs at Sirius , as she pets Paul. “We named him after Paul McCartney, “ adds Peter.
“Okay, Paul can stay,” Sirius smiles. “That was not up for debate Sirius” Peter furrows his brows
“You better hope moony likes him “
“Moony?” Questions Alice, Sirius waves her off. “You wouldn’t understand, it’s a marauders thing”
Alice squints at him for a bit before getting up. “You make zero sense to me ,black “
“It’s my specialty, ” Sirius shrugs. Peter takes her spot and sits next to James, Paul immediately jumps off of James lap to peters. About an hour later the train makes its final stop and Remus lugs his way into their cart, looking ten times more tired than usual.
“Moony!” Sirius exclaims. “Alright?”.
“Grand” he huffs a laugh. Dropping his luggage to the ground, and lazily sitting next to Sirius. “Are you hungry? I could get some sweets” Sirius suggests. Remus shakes his head.
Remus squints at Peter . “Is that a cat?”.
“Mhm” the rest of the boys hum in unison . Remus gives an empty smile.
“So?” Peter puzzles. “So what?” Remus questions. “Do you like him?” James cuts in.
“Sure” Remus shrugs. “Yes,” James cheers. “So moony. “ James hums. “How was your holiday?”
Remus doesn’t answer. “So what’s his name?”
“Paul” Peter answers “we named him after Paul McCartney “ James chimes in
Remus blinks tiredly at them. Peter exchanges a look with Sirius and Sirius looks at him wearily.
“Did you get to go to that muggle music shop thing? “ James asks
“No,” Remus answers.
That’s it, no one really talks for the rest of the train ride. Paul jumps up onto Remus’s lap and he just focuses on him for the rest of the train ride. He pete his chin, no cooing which Peter is awfully grateful for.
Peter knows something’s bugging Remus, he assumes something happened with his mother. But he also knows he’d be the last person Remus would open up to in this room.