Wonders

November 1, 1981

“Oh- wait just a moment, Mr. Potter.” 

I looked up at the sound of a gentle voice, seeing the elderly woman in her knitted gown with a young boy sleeping in her carrier. She was simply passing by and so I smiled sheepishly, “Hello to you too Ms. Longbottom..” I greeted shyly. The older woman's eyes softened, smiling back as her eyes laid at my tie and slowly she reached out.  Adjusting my imperfection.

“I- Thank you.. I’m just never the best with ties.. No matter how many times I was taught. It's even worse when you know.. Nervous and all.” I tried to joke lightly to which she softly laughed, “It’s alright dear, I understand.” She assured me. The halls suddenly grew quiet, as if no one knew what to say- personally it was hard to make up what to say. It was as if the heaviness weighed over us, and we both know why.

“ I see that Neville is finally asleep.” I cleared my throat as I suggested to the sleeping boy, remembering how often he cried since the attack. He looked peaceful, and in ease at least for once.. “I’m so sorry about Alice and Frank.” I admitted.  Knowing what that boy has lost, made me feel bitter and understand the stress and grief will come in the future. 

His grandmother, Elena Longbottom who  simply did not say anything as she continued to adjust my tie, “How about you, Dear.” 

“What do you mean..?”

With those words, she looked at me. She made a face that I couldn’t make up, but I could see what she's trying to say. What she meant. Letting go of my tie, she then grasps my hand in hers, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She mentioned those words as I heard a thousand times. The flashes memories of their face- their death. When I last remembered them breathing, and if I knew this would’ve happened. Perhaps I could’ve done something, and ended that man. The boy's face slowly began to haunt my thoughts, reminding me what I should and have to be doing. The bitterness in my throat that I couldn’t bring myself to do- “Whatever you need, we’re here.” She then said through the broken silence, her voice was so quiet and I tried to keep my pride. She then walked away, leaving me alone by the door. I felt my chest tighten, and heavily I took a deep breath.  Gripping on the handle, I frown to myself deeply. I didn’t want to show it, but It was inevitable to hide it away. We are both here for the same reason, and it aches me that it became that way.  Standing in the hospital made for broken people, a feeling worse than death itself- who would never be the same. 

Walking through the door, I thought..

nothing else matters. I can only simply be here. 

“Sorry, I was a bit late- But don’t worry, I brought you something.. ” I cleared my throat, took off my coat, and shuffled through my bags as I pulled out a disc. Looking at it, I smiled warmly. I played it on the record player by his nightstand. Slowly the song began to play-

Guess mine is not the first heart broken

My eyes are not the first to cry

I'm not the first to know

There's just no getting over you

I know I'm just a fool who's willing

To sit around and wait for you

But baby, can't you see there's nothing else for me to do?-

“I’m hopelessly devoted to you..” I listened to those words, his voice was a soft murmur and it completely wrapped me in comfort. Turning to see him, by the bed as he hummed along the song.  

But now there's nowhere to hide

Since you pushed my love aside

“Peter..” I blurted in shock and relief.

I'm out of my head

Hopelessly devoted to you

I watched him stand up, quietly as he walked toward me. Grasping my hand in his, pulling me close as I felt his warm breath against me.  “Dance with me.” He then requested. I say nothing but to comply, staring in his blue bell eyes, “Hopelessly devoted to you..~” He hummed once again.  I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. He swayed me away along with the music, as if it was meant to be. 

Hopelessly devoted to you

“How are you okay- you were hurt.. you..” I tried to manage to speak but it was as if I was choking on my own words. He continued to say nothing to me but music.

Peter looked at me amused, giving me a toothy grin. “Do you remember back then? You played this song all the time, every bloody morning. Everyone in the dorms remembers it..”

“Yeah..” I blinked at the memory overflowing me, I couldn't help but to be smug as I buried my face in his shoulder. Laughing to myself “James hated me for it.. he cursed me everytime.” The thought of how it bothered my brother. So easily, I did it out of spite. 

My head is sayin', "Fool, forget him"

My heart is sayin', "Don't let go

“So did sirius..” he noted with a smug, “then again wherever Prongs goes Padfoot follows.”

“Remus was fine with it.” I mentioned, yet he shook his head. “Ah- but he tolerated it.” 

“Did he?” I pouted then smiled,  I looked at him.. “And you..?” 

“Me?” He asked quietly, oh have I felt so drawn into his eyes. “What about me?”

Hold on to the end", that's what I intend to do

“Did you hate the music as they did?” I joked lightly. However in response he smiled wider as he shook his head.

“Well, unfortunately I can't get it out of my head.” He sighed dramatically, smiling softly, “I adored it.. I adored you.” There isn't a word I can describe in how much Peter meant to me. We danced all day, as if tomorrow never mattered,and  yesterday never existed

Hopelessly devoted to you-

 SLAM

I immediately jumped, baffled by the sound of the door slammed open.  A small woman, she stood as tall as her ego and self righteous- if that's even exactly possible. Her hair curled and messy but even then she was dashing in such stride and beauty, wearing a night blue silk dress, with her long star coat that could blind a man’s eye.  I blinked at such a dramatic entrance, “Astra, what are you?-”

“I’m sorry, did I ruin your date Mr Potter?” She said nonchalant while taking off her glimmering sunglasses that were so thick, it was as thick as her accent. I was reddened yet I sighed at the sneaking comment, “Ha ha, very funny Ms. Morales..” I mumbled, my eyes veering back to Peter who was simply on the bed. His expression was blank and empty, not a response or movement but nonsense mumbling.

What I wanted was simply just a memory.. 

“Sick.” She simply responded, watching her lips curled into a smirk. She pulled out a newspaper, forwardly planted on my lap. “We have something to talk about.” She said while taking off her coat. I narrowed my eyes on the newspaper. Then just like that, i felt the inside of me boiled-

“Sirius Black, guilty of murder of James and Lily Potter.. Who denies being a a traitor and a spy for who-should-not-be-named, is responsible for the attack of Peter Pettigrew,  Along with the murder of the Mckinnons. Is now sentenced to Azkaban for life..” I gritted my teeth, the face of the man who took everything from me.  Screaming on the first page like a mad man, raiding that it wasn’t his fault. 

“Wormtail!!! You traitor!!!” 

I remember that night, the attack. How I see blood and anger in Sirius's eyes as he barged into my home… How he screams in such murder rage. I bitterly thought about the irony of  how he blamed Peter- whether he's right or wrong.. He was just simply mad, and I hated him.  

 “The mad man got what he deserves.” I mumbled bitterly.  “So he's sentenced to Azkaban.. What about it?” I said bluntly as I tossed it to the side.In response, the woman has such a cheshire look in her eyes. 

“Yes! Right so-… how do you feel about children?” She asked ever so casually. 

“I-What?” I looked at her dumbfounded, and then it struck me as to what she's really asking me for. “Astra, no- I can’t” 

“Harry 's godfather is Sirius Black. But since he's in Azkaban, you; Winston has every bloodright as his uncle to take him in-.” She informed me.

“I.. The court won’t accept it.” I pointed out.

“They will.” 

“How?” 

“Well you have me, remember? The greatest Lawyer here.” She announced herself proudly.

“Astra I could hardly take care of myself- let alone a child.” I argued in denial of the thought or suggestion of taking him in. “He.. he’ll have a better life with the Dursley than with me.” She snorted at the mention of the muggleborn family.

“Who says?” She questioned, to which I frowned.  “Dumbledore- he ensures that's the best safety Harry could have.” The mention of his name made her snort. In short, Astra is my longest friend I’ve ever known since after Hogwarts. She was honest, bold and quite odd at times..I have to admit, I trusted her whole heartedly even then. She was there when I lost everything.. I can tell the look in her eyes she finds him distasteful. 

“You think Dumbledore is wrong..?” I asked with such hesitant thought. Even then, dumbledore- the greatest wizard ensured it! That.. this is best for Harry. 

“I think… him living with a family who we remembered hate people like you and I. Could put him in an unsafe situation.” She admits. “But then again, by the end of the day it is your choice of course- you've been through alot. I could understand if you don’t want to.” I thought for a moment, I couldn’t help but bite the gum off my cheek, I felt bittered.  Uncertain, is Harry really safe.. With the Dursley? I asked myself a thousand times.  I could hardly remember the last time I ever saw that family- particularly Petunia.  Only once when we were kids, and she was the most virgile woman I’ve ever met. Even at James and Lily's wedding, she refuses to come because of it. She even paraded Harry to be no more but another freak on the day he was born. Lily was in tears over and over by her- Perhaps living with her..

“Okay.. I’ll do it.”