Hammer and The Anvil

Airilymusing was surprised to see the stage empty save for a dejected Writersblock sitting on the edge, head in their hands. “You okay?”

WB sighed. “I will be, just…” they looked at Aer mournfully, “This one was in my folder for-” they quickly counted on their fingers “-five years now? I always wanted to finish it, but I never was very good at writing in the Harry Potter fandom.”

“Ah.” Aer hoisted themselves up to sit next to the writer. “I can understand that. Remember Unexpected Inheritance?”

Block grinned. “Finally going to finish it?”

“You wish.” Aer sniffed, but their own grin gave away their amusement. “Point is, I understand what it’s like for the muse to just not write in a fandom.” Their smile dimmed a bit, “Actually, considering how closely you follow the Potter Fanficdom, I’m surprised there’s such a quiet disclaimer.”

“Ugh.” Block flopped backwards, lying on the stage. “Let’s see, most of the characters are not interested in coming here.” They motioned to the theater. “Not sure why, but whatever. JKR’s whole anti-human rights rants have turned anyone off that wants to actually stop by, and that’s not even considering the fact that I’ve read so much fic now that I can’t remember where cannon ends and fannon begins.”

“Guess that leaves it to me.” Aer looked out at the audience. “I wish we owned Harry Potter, but we’d have probably killed each other trying to figure out who Harry would have ended up with.”

“Or been forced into agreeing to give him a massive harem.” Block pointed out, staring at the ceiling.

Aer just rolled their eyes. “Sure. Anyway, we don’t own Harry Potter. JKR still, unfortunately, does.” They glanced back at the writer. “Start the story?”

“Sure. Say, do you have any jelly doughnuts?”

“What?”

“Sorry, I have no idea where that came from.”

“Will you be okay Peter?” James sounded worried through the mirror.

Peter sighed, he wasn't okay. He was a spy in the dark lords’ ranks. A double agents life was the very definition of not okay; but he wasn't going to worry his friends.

He forced a smile, “I’m fine Prongs, just a bit tired.” It was the truth, mostly.

“Peter, if you can't do this we understand.” Lily's voice filtered through, her face joining her husbands.

“Wormtail will be fine.” James disagreed, “He's my brother in all but blood. If he says he can do it, I trust him.”

“That's not what I mean…” Lily trailed off seeing Peter hold up his hand for quiet.

“Messer Wormtail assures Messer Prongs and his unfortunate wife Musses Tiger-Lily that he is more than capable of doing as they ask.” Smiling as the familiar vernacular rolled over him, Peter noticed the two on the other side of the mirror immediately relax.

“Messer Prongs acknowledges Messer Wormtail's statement, and reminds him that his wife is not unfortunate for catching this stag, but crazy cannot be ruled out.”

“Musses Tiger-Lilly would like to concur with Messer Prongs, excepting her mental state. She is not crazy, her mother had her tested.” The three friends shared a laugh at Lily’s usual defense of her sanity.

“Lily, James,” he had needed that laugh. Honestly they all had. War wasn't just physically exhausting, it really played havoc with your emotions. “I'm honored with the trust you've given me. I promise I won't let you down.”

“I-we know.”  James sighed as a shriek was heard followed by a loud bang and crying. Lily vanished from the frame.

“Again?” Peter was genuinely surprised. Most kids gave up trying to levitate the cookie jar after the sticking charm. It seemed the pup (he was not going to call a child a pinky, he didn't care if pup did confuse Sirius) was going the old fashioned way and just climbing up.

“That's the third time this week.” James was caught between a smirk and a look of concern. “He summoned the refrigerator to him yesterday, he tried so hard to get it.”

“A true marauder,” Peter grinned. As a thought struck him he felt his smile fade. “James, you’ve asked about me, but are you and Lily ready for this?”

“We are. It’ll be next month, probably right around thanksgiving. I’ll make sure you get the word as to the final destination.”

“Then I’ll monitor Padfoot and Moony,” He knew the plan, “Honestly Prongs, you and I know neither one would betray us.”

“Not willingly, but if they’re being blackmailed… You and I know that Regulus’s body was never found.”

Peter nodded his agreement. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried, for his friends sake, but right after Sirius had gone to ground Regulus had been summoned by the dark lord. They’d searched of course, but with Lily and James going into hiding the search had to be cut short.

“I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground James, and there's been no indication-” He nearly dropped the mirror as his left arm flaired with pain, “I have to go Prongs. Now.”

James gave a serious nod “Mischief managed.” the mirror went blank.

Dropping the mirror to the bed, he apparated, following the source of his pain.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Tom understood more than most people thought he did. 

He understood that he had chosen poorly in having purebloods be his frontline troops, as their incest over the years had made them less powerful. He understood that should the muggleborn and half blood ever become united he would lose. Fast. However he also understood that in order to take over the government rapidly he needed an army, quickly. As his army died off he was replacing them, quietly, with half-bloods, and eventually muggleborns. Purebloods were expendable, nothing more than cannon fodder. If he hadn't needed their money they'd have been gone by now. He hoped to continue to pit them against each other, ultimately clearing the way for muggleborns to take over. It was a long, bloody process, and while the muggleborn population was suffering (needs must) now, eventually it would all be over, and they would see him as a hero; after he tweaked the history books a bit.

The problem was, he had just received word from an eager recruit that there was a prophecy foreseeing his downfall.

He needed more time. Had he been successful already, setting himself as an idol of all wizardkind, he would have probably just shrugged and gone about living. After all, he had contingency plans. But for it to happen now, just as he was beginning to merge blood status was bad. Very bad.

He had been after the Potters for months now. If he could convince them to join him he would have an inroad with the muggleborn and could accelerate his plans on that front. (Ultimately using his ‘former’ followers for the true scum that they were. He knew what they did on their raids, and he wanted to see how they would react when the shoe was on the other foot.) But they had spurned his advances. He had sent flowers and a card. They’d moved. He’d sent clothes for their son. They’d put up owl repelling wards. He’d visited them on their anniversary. They’d all but left for the continent.

Fortunately he had a man on the inside, to tell him that Lily and James were still in the country. He wanted them to join him, but if their son was a danger… he had no choice. When faced with his death or the death of another, no matter the age it was no contest. Harry Potter had to die.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Peter was confused.

He was planning to reveal the Potters' hiding place three days before they actually left. It seemed, however, his master knew the real secret keeper had been changed.

“Peter, won’t you tell me where your friends are hiding?” the Dark Lord's voice rolled over him, the power making the hairs on his neck stand out.

“Milord?” Not now, they were so close, it couldn’t end now.

“Now, now it’s time for you to prove yourself Peter. Where do they live?”

Nibbling his lips Peter cast about for an escape, his rat form wouldn't be safe to transform into. “Milord, I would have to show you the paper with the address.”

Voldemort leaned forward, displeasure clear in his glittering brown eyes, “Why was it not brought to me straight away?”

Peter closed his eyes, this would see him killed. Unless… he opened his eyes. He was a marauder, getting out of trouble was his forte.

“I thought to bring them to you master.” The lie formed before he’d even had a chance to fully consider it, “I knew that as long as they trusted me I could eventually get them to take a portkey anywhere.” True enough, although being completely honest he highly doubted that any portkey he’d give James and Lily would have actually gone through Voldemort's wards.

Voldemort leaned back in his chair, putting an air of benevolence out. “Indeed my little spy. Were it anyone but you I would tear your mind to shreds. Shame that occlumency such as yours is lethal.” Peter allowed a smirk to grace his face. The death eaters had tried to pick his thoughts apart when he’d first been captured. The marauders had developed their occlumency by third year, a byproduct of their animagus training. However when he'd decided to become a spy, he had reviewed a few books and personally developed a way to keep him alive. Dead men told no tales, and it would give anyone trying to skim his surface thoughts considerably more than a roaring migraine. He was preparing to become a traitor, he wasn't stupid.

He tried not to move. The dark lord seemed to want him to respond, but Peter knew it was better to say nothing than to say the wrong thing. Voldemort wanted control. If Peter responded in a way that was unexpected he was liable to be punished. It was far better to wait and allow his master to retain the control he craved.

“No matter my rat, you will bring it to me now.” Voldemort seemed to have made a decision, “Seeing as I need this quickly,” Peter saw his eyes rest behind him and fought the urge to look, “Severus, you will join him to...ensure that the paper is the same. After all, it wouldn't do to have our spy have second thoughts.” Peter clamped down on his occlumency. The dark lord knew that skimming his thoughts would give him a headache, but an errant thought that made his loyalties suspect would be enough for an early grave for one Peter Pettigrew. The dark lord would no doubt see a bad headache as a fair trade off for finding a hint of insurrection.

“Of course my lord” an oily voice drifted over his shoulder.

“Go, both of you.” The mage dismissed them in a tone of voice that brokered no tolerance.

Murmuring his farewell, Peter departed the chamber, ensuring that he was the first out. Snape was a half blood after all, and while the dark lord seemed unconcerned about blood politics among his followers, the rest of the death eaters did. Lucius had been explicit that purebloods were a higher rank than half bloods, and would act so.

Making his way out of the manor, Peter heard Snape following him. Deciding that it would be better to simply do his job and ignore the surly man  he continued to the ward line. Just on the other side he grabbed a startled Snape and apparated home.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥

Severus didn’t want to be here.

Not that he really had a choice of course. The dark lord had told him to do something. It would be a cold day in hell before Severus Snape willingly went against his master. It kept him alive, and guaranteed him a spot on the winning side of a war that was beginning to end.

He might hate Pettigrew, but it was a small price to pay for his life. Besides, the man was bearable enough, providing they ignored their history.

“Will you be attending our master when he goes?” Peter was digging through his pantry, looking for whatever he needed. Snape snorted softly.

“That is up to him of course.” He sat down on the bed in the small studio flat and ignored the crunch of whatever it was he’d sat on. “I imagine I will though, after all I’m the one who brought him news of this new prophecy.” Too much said perhaps, but this was his only peer he’d met. Pathetic as it was, it wasn't like spies usually talked shop so he felt fairly relaxed about with whom he was speaking. 

Peter seemed to stop searching, and for a moment Severus thought that he’d finally found what they’d come for, but the rummaging resumed a moment later.

“Really? I thought since this was Lily and James Potter,” Pettigrew practically shouted the names, “and since he was moving on them tonight, that you would be thrilled at the opportunity to get back at them.” Severus felt gravel begin to churn in his stomach.

“What?” He growled, causing Peter to turn around.

“What did you expect Sevvie,” the little man taunted, “that I’m the secret keeper for everyone?” Severus swallowed, why hadn’t he thought of that? It was so easy to simply hear the word ‘Potter’ and think only of James. But Lily didn’t deserve this. To lose her husband, her son. It would destroy her. No, he reflected further, she would destroy everything. Her temper was legendary for a reason, and as he was (once) a close friend of hers he knew exactly what she would do. The supernova of her family's death would see few survive. He had to find someone to help him. For now however…

“What are you staring at, worm?” his sneer on full blast he saw the man shoot him almost a pitying look before he turned back to the pantry.

Seizing his chance Severus sent his patronus through the floor to his work, the message to the headmaster simply, “I must speak with you. Immediately.”

As Pettigrew turned back from the pantry, a slip of paper in his hand Snape heard him say, “You realize that our master has been recruiting the Potters for a while.” Giving the rat faced man a look that said ‘I don’t believe you’ Severus motioned for him to continue. “It’s true,” the other man persuaded, “I found out tonight from Bella. He sent them lilies.” Severus raised an eyebrow.

“She’s allergic.” He should know, she'd had to go to the hospital after he gave her some the summer of their third year.

Peter apparently knew that already, he was nodding as he continued, “Yep, they moved to get away from that ‘assassination attempt,’” the man used air quotes before continuing, “Then, when little Harry got a gift from our lord they moved again. Finally, when he went to visit them in person they hid under the Fidelius.” shaking his head the rat-faced man turned to the door.

As Severus stood up, little pieces of glass  bounced off the bed and onto the floor tinkling and catching Peters attention.

“Snape, what-?” he began as a phoenix patronus flew through the wall.

“Severus, you are required for a staff meeting.” 

‘Saved by Albus Dumbledore’ The surly man thought, ‘The irony.’

“I must go.” Turning on his heel he apparated to Hogsmeade, leaving the horrified death eater staring at the remnants of the mirror.

¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥