Peter Pettigrew

Location: The Bakery Date: Tuesday 18th April @peterapettigrew​

It had been exactly nine days since Dolores had stormed out of her conversation with Peter. Nine days of trying to work up the guts to apologise. She’d practiced and even tried to write down what she wanted to say, but without any reason she didn’t even know how to explain herself. It had been completely unwarranted. Her temper hadn’t never been a particular issue for her before. Yes, she might get angry at the Socs she worked for, but she rarely lashed out those she loved, especially for no good reason. That day had been different. 

Dolores approached the counter, a self conscious, already asking for forgiveness grimace on her face. “Hey.” She was thankful that the place was quiet. “Sorry - I - I don’t know what happened at the festival.” It was awkward enough trying to apologise but suddenly her throat had gone dry and she found herself continuing to try to explain herself. “I was just in a weird mood… you know-” she hushed her voice even quieter “-that time of the month.” It was the only reason she’d come up with that made sense. She did get grouchy sometimes in the run up, so maybe it was just that. It at least gave her an explanation to cling on to.

“But er- you probably didn’t want to know that.” Her face was bright red and she tried to salvage what dignity she still had. “I didn’t mean to… I never wanted to hurt your feelings.”

🐀

Peter hadn’t seen Dolores in nine days. Hadn’t spoken to her, hadn’t gone searching her out, and hadn’t quite gotten rid of the pain in his chest from the whole encounter. It was easy enough to play it off in front of Lily and Petunia, and act like everything was fine, but there was that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that maybe it wasn’t, or wouldn’t be.

That mask was still up when Dolores came into the bakery, and Peter smiled as he would with any other customer; mostly because she still was a customer, and he wasn’t sure if she was there to just buy something, or to actually speak to him. Not to mention, his boss had said he’d be back at some point, and he didn’t want to get into more trouble than he was already in.

“Hello,” He spoke, starting to greet her as just that, a customer, before she continued on. He pursed his lips, listening to what she was saying and then raising an eyebrow at her. She had said sorry, and that was important, and he almost felt a little bad at seeing her turn bright red like that, but his heart ached and he couldn’t help but feel grateful at knowing that she hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings.

So, Peter did what he did best; and tried to joke with her about it.

“Wait, really?” He leaned forward on the counter a little on his elbows, that little glint in his eyes, lowering his voice, “I thought all you girls were synced up with the moon or something. Didn’t think the full moon was during the holiday, but maybe I wasn’t looking up at the sky enough.” It was soft, gentle, and forgiving tease. Then, he added in a softer voice, “I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to intrude on your plans if you two were escaping and didn’t want anyone else going. I’d just... really miss you. Wouldn’t like bein’ alone.”

She hadn’t actually intended to hurt Peter’s feelings. The pain on his face caused a torrent of emotions that were difficult for the girl to even decipher for herself. She didn’t want to hurt him of course, and with that came some guilt, but also anger. Dolores had held onto the resentment of feeling lesser to Socs all her life, and it made her defensive. Any perceived slight made her feel the need to fight back and defend herself with a quick, biting tongue. 

Lily and Peter had known each other since they were children. By comparison, Dolores felt like she was barely a blip on their radar considering the relatively short amount of time she’d known them. She considered them to be her closest friends but sometimes she felt like an outsider who was butting in on a life long friendship. The tag-along. 

She didn’t see Peter’s pain as the fear that he might be left alone, but pain that Lily would dare to choose to travel with Dolores over him. 

Normally, she’d be able to ignore a thought like that. Dolores knew how close those sibling-like bonds could be and though occasionally her feelings were a bit hurt by it, it was never something she let stew inside her.  Today was different. That feeling from earlier, from her vision, the bitter loneliness and lovelessness that had accompanied the hope, it had gotten into her bones. Suddenly, her anger was the most predominant emotion, feeling complete rage that Peter and Lily would always choose each other over her. She was the one who was going to be alone. Not Peter!

Struggling to process everything going on in her brain she looked down at the cupcake he gestured to. The sweet gesture was somehow ruined, and she didn’t understand why. She didn’t understand anything that she was feeling, but something inside her told her it was Peter’s fault. 

“No. We don’t need a chef. Lily and I can cook you know.” She stood up, pushing the half eaten cupcake back across the table towards him. Even as she marched out of the hall, she regretted it. Her heart ached. The pain of feeling rejected by Peter and Lily was nonsensical but it was more than just that. Either way she wanted to go home. The one thing she wanted right now was a hug from her mother.

🐀

Truthfully, Peter hadn’t really thought about Lily actually choosing. He didn’t think there was anything that either he or Dolores could do that would make them angry enough at each other that would cause Lily to want, or have to, choose. After all, Dolores was his friend too, wasn’t she? So it was just jokes all around, that was all. 

And, perhaps a tiny twinge of pain at the thought of somehow being left behind, but that was more to do with the two of them planning on escaping Erised without him, than being not chosen. Which, was why he’d said what he had.

It was, however, the brisk way that Dolores suddenly reacted, that struck him as odd, and caused an even worse pain in his chest. They didn’t need a chef. They could cook. Well of course he knew that, but it was a kind offer, wasn’t it? It was more that he didn’t want them to go without him, but it seemed almost as if Dolores was wanting to make sure he didn’t go.

Pain was clearer on his face as the woman got up and marched out of the hall, his heart sinking. He pursed his lips, looking at the half-eaten cupcake, and taking a shaky breath. He almost threw it away, but couldn’t bring himself to even touch it. Instead, he pushed off from the seat, moving to blend back into the crowd. If he was blending, he couldn’t feel the sting, right?

Don't You Know Who I Think I Am? - Fall Out Boy

Peter hadn’t been able to stop feeling like he was about to burst into tears again since the flash of memory or vision or whatever it had been had happened. There was something so painful in it, something that cut so deep, that Peter just felt like he couldn’t shake it. He still couldn’t understand any reason for it though, and perhaps that was the worst part of all of it.

He’d managed to get the cupcakes done and delivered, listening to the Soc snap at him for being a little late with it. Peter apologized of course, though that made no difference, and he sighed as he knew his boss would hear about it later. That wasn’t anything to look forward to. As soon as he was done with it, and he knew Lily would be home, he headed straight for her.

If anyone would understand, he thought, it would be Lily. She could help him. So, he went inside without knocking, as he always did.

“Lil?” He called out, voice cracking as he did so, and slightly cursing it to himself.

A simple roll of her eyes fell on him as Peter mentioned anyone he was pining after. If she were being truthful, Lily couldn’t remember a crush that really lasted for Peter. She wanted that happiness for him, the same way she wanted it for that face-painted Soc out on the dance floor. Everyone deserved it, she believed, although fairytales were often hard to come by these days. “If you tell Tuney first, I will be devastated,” she teased him. “Just remember that, whenever you do find someone. Do you want to break my heart?”

It was a gentle tease, but one that Lily did hope would come true. One day. Peter deserved that much, and more, in her opinion. Still, the world was black and white here in Erised. It was hard to see a future where they could win, and be completely happy, without the scorn of the town on their backs. 

Her heart felt like it might pound out of her chest, though, as Peter voiced her growing suspicion. Multiple people had voiced the idea aloud, exactly how she saw it. The castle, the boat, the shimmering lake. Her eyes blinked once, almost laughing at Peter’s retort, his attempt to brush off the growing fear in the pit in her stomach. She assumed it was in his too, festering mildew. “Yea, exactly the same,” she whispered. “Cult or no, that’s… That’s a bit strange, don’t you think? Dol felt so… calm about it, but I feel uneasy. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Lily sucked in an inhale, meeting his eyes. “It’s probably nothing. I’m probably overthinking whatever this is. Maybe it’s the unusual heat?”

🐀

Peter couldn’t help but snort and laugh at her teasing. “Oh, I’m sure that you’d kick my ass if I told ‘tunia first,” he snickered, “I’m sure she’d also kick my ass for it, if we’re honest. So I’m going to just let you two figure it out before me, and then you can decide to tell me when I’m too oblivious to realize I’m mooning over someone, yeah?” If he were honest, Peter didn’t think he’d ever find someone like that, but he wasn’t about to burst Lily’s bubble or anything.

Still, Lily shared his vision about the castle, and it felt so strange, even with how close they were, how they’d always known everything about each other. She didn’t seem to laugh at his attempt to brush it off, to hide the worry he knew he was feeling and she was feeling. Instead, he gently rubbed her shoulder, trying to somehow ease that feeling and calm them both down.

“Well, if Dol felt calm about it, then I think we should too, yeah?” He asked gently, “Maybe it was the heat, or maybe we’re all just working too damn hard for this.” He moved to take her hands then, squeezing them gently, and then tugging her out towards the dance floor with a wide grin.

“Come on, Lil,” He teased her, “You too tired, or you gonna dance with me and relax some?”

The past week had been an interesting turn of events, and Peter felt even more confused by the Mayor’s statement than he had before. Truthfully, Peter had thought maybe that he’d imagined it. However, he knew for a fact, that while he’d walked past the City Hall at one point, he absolutely had not seen anything behind there that looked anything like a castle, or a boat, or even decorative owls. That felt like something you’d actually remember, right?

Though, he supposed in the mayors defense, the day had been long and difficult, and who knows if maybe he just didn’t remember seeing it. After all, he’d gone home completely exhausted after the days events, and his boss, who’d been with him, hadn’t gotten such a memory or vision himself. He was pretty sure the old man would have mentioned it first, or not looked at Peter like he was crazy, if he had. Either way, Peter was just writing it off as maybe something his tired brain had decided was funny.

This Sunday was another work day, and Peter was in the back, carefully working on some cupcakes that were supposed to be an order for a Soc to pick up later for some party that was happening. He had the icing bag in his hand, brows furrowed and carefully trying to focus on doing the swoop correctly, knowing this Soc in particular was rather picky.

That’s when it happened:

His mother, arms crossed, standing taller than him, laughing at him and then tearing up a letter. “Those boys aren’t your friends, Peter. You’re nothing but a tagalong to them. Don’t fool yourself.” Her rolling her eyes, throwing the paper into a fireplace, the stung feeling of pain and fear creeping into his chest.

Peter took a gulp, like coming up for air, realizing quickly after a moment that one, he had squeezed the bag so hard that he had gotten icing all over the cupcake, and two, that there were tears rolling quickly down his cheeks. He sniffled and dropped the icing bag, scrambling to get the gloves off of his hands. He reached up, using his sleeves to wipe at his face, hiccupping and trying to somehow calm himself down as he let out a sob.

Honestly, he wasn’t even sure why he was crying. He had no idea what was going on. What boys had his mother been talking about? Peter had never really had a group of other boys he wanted to be friends with; Lily, Petunia, Dolores… they were his friends, and he’d never once felt like there was any doubt that they were his friends, nor that he was just a tagalong to any of them. They’d always been there for him, as soon as they became friends. They were like family to him, truly.

So who in the world could his mother have been talking about? Severus and Remus? Well, they were friendly enough that they spoke, and he liked them, but never once would he truly be that worried over thinking they weren’t really his friends. And what had been with that letter? Who sent letters on that kind of paper? The way it looked like old parchment or something, instead of regular paper. Even the envelope had looked old, with a wax seal. Was that still a thing that people did?

Peter had finally managed to stop sobbing, still not understanding why he was crying in the first place. Surely there was no reason to be that upset about it, was there? There was no reason for his heart to ache so much, for it to feel like he was actually scared, terrified that whatever that fake vision of his mother had said had any truth to it. No reason to cry about some boys not wanting him to be their friend, or him being just a tagalong.

No, what there was a reason to cry over, was the fact that a bunch of the cupcakes he’d just been so carefully decorating were now completely ruined and he’d have to scrape them and start all over. He glanced at the clock that was hanging up in the back room and winced.

“Fuck, fuck fuck,” He groaned out, moving to grab another pair of gloves to pull on. He didn’t have time for this. He didn’t have time to worry about any of this vision or memory or whatever the hell it was. He needed to get these cupcakes done before that stupid Soc showed up to get them, so he didn’t get fired.

Peter’s dramatics elicited an eyeroll from Dolores. “Oh be quiet, it doesn’t hurt!” She chastised him again as he rubbed his arm. It was all just for show for the haughty Soc that had walked past but she couldn’t pretend she wasn’t have fun with it.

“I do want to see you in trouble, but don’t worry Lily will be coming with me, so it’ll just be you and Petunia - and then I really think she might kill us for leaving. So maybe we’ll just leave you on your onesome.” That was the thing. Actually leaving this town would mean leaving her friends behind. Even if Dolores could achieve all her dreams, would she want them if it meant she lost this little group she’d found? It was fun to tease though, a mock look of sadness on her face and a finger poking his ribs as she spoke, acting in revenge for earlier. “Poor little Peter. Completely Bitchless.” 

When her giggles had subsided, she told him the truth. “Lily and I have been talking about travelling Europe. Paris. London. You know how much I want to see the world.”

🐀

Peter didn’t mind when Dolores chastised him, even if it wasn’t playfully. In fact, the man found it rather entertaining to bother any of his friends enough that the girls chastised him for something. There was something just so entertaining in the way they sounded so exasperated, and it made Peter grin.

However, when Dolores spoke, there was an unmistakable flash of pain across Peter’s face, before he quickly played it off with a snort, rolling his eyes and laughing at her. Truthfully, he knew that there was no way that Lily would pick anyone over him, except for Petunia. They’d been best friends since they were in diapers, after all, they were family. But there was something about the thought of being left behind that made his chest feel tighter.

“I think Lily would start the murdering first,” He snickered out,, “Or tie us together so that we’d have to make up and stop being such brats.” He grinned at her, knowing full well that it sounded plausible. “Besides,” He added then, motioning towards the cupcake wrapper, “I make those, would you really want to not get any more cupcakes?”

He let out a squeak then, making a face once more at her words and playfully rolling his eyes. “I guess I am, huh?” He felt his heart ache, but offered her a soft smile at that. “Well, you’ll need a chef to come with you, yeah?” he teased lightly, “Someone to cook for you and make you all your treats, that way you don’t feel homesick?”

A snort fell from her lips at Peter’s words, and she scanned his side profile now, the slight lilt of his smile. Lily knew the bitterness so many of her friends held for the Socs, and she understood it. They were still, in her mind, people. Different in so many ways, but still human beings, and she’d never forgotten that. In fact, doing so gave them too much credit; solidified that otherness that the elite were so focused on creating. 

“Hmmm, think it’s the jealousy,” she teased him, grinning wide as she looked back out to the dance floor, eyes following the twirling skirts of the women. Her own outfit was much plainer than the ones on the floor, but she’d at least gotten the color scheme right. “Didn’t know there was anyone you were pining after these days, though.” The question was simple, not prying, just… a statement. Lily hadn’t brought up her crush on Severus, after all, and didn’t plan to until it was something more than a lingering glance every once in a while. 

Listening to Peter’s story of his day, Lily felt her eyebrows furrowing together. A castle. That similar chill fell down her spine, as she recalled her conversation with Dol, all they’d discussed, and looked to him. “A castle?” she asked, carefully, meeting his eyes. “You didn’t happen… There weren’t owls were there?” 

Lily paused, debating what to tell him before he agreed with her. “They were all over the place,” she agreed, shaking her head. “But it was nice. I mean, I fainted… I also…” The image of the castle appeared again, shimmering on that lake. “I thought it was just a dream, but… Can people share dreams? Dolores said she saw the same thing. Today.”

🐀

Peter couldn’t help but snort and laugh at Lily’s words about it being jealousy. He glanced out towards the sea of dancing people, watching them for a moment and thinking about it. Maybe he was a little jealous of the Soc’s that got to fall in love and run around with people, but then again.. he had his girls, and did he really need anything else besides the happiness they brought him?

“Lil, if there was anyone that I was pining after, you’d be the first to know, and I’m pretty sure you’d be the one to point it out to me,” Peter stated with a chuckle, shaking his head but still holding onto her shoulder, “I think you’d figure it out far sooner than I could, you know, thick skull of mine and all.”

He was grinning still, but it fell and one hand fell from her shoulder as she looked at him and brought up the owls; the owls that he hadn’t mentioned, and he wasn’t sure how she could know about them. He furrowed his brows and slowly nodded, trying to figure out how she knew, what that meant, and then she continued, and he felt himself becoming even more confused.

“... You saw the same thing? The castle, the owls, … the boat?” He asked slowly, then absently rubbed her shoulder a bit, worry flickering onto his face at hearing that she’d fainted. “You’re alright though, yeah?” he asked, before continuing, “Dolores said she saw the same thing today too? Like, everything we both just said?”

He paused, then added with a faint snort, “Fuck, maybe people were right about us being a little cult together.”

The way Peter sat, straddling the bench, was so Greaser. It was in contrast with Dolores’s straight back and perfect posture that she always adopted in the worry she was being watched and judged. She almost chastised Peter for not doing the same, but the words coming out of his mouth showed his kindness, his understanding of her situation, and made her feel shame for even wanting to be on the other side of town. At least she had friends here, people who respected her, despite everything.

“I’m surprised he let you do anything of your own suggestion - that man runs on spite.” She’d been into the bakery enough to know what Peter’s boss was like. She had some choice words for him herself, but she was aware enough of her surroundings not to voice them in front of passer-by’s - at least not without a whispered tone.

“Honestly Peter, you’re so crude!” She said in a loud and shrill enough voice for the little old lady to overhear. Dolores acted as if she were epitome of innocence, giving him a playful smack on the arm for good measure. As soon as the lady was out of earshot, Dolores’s face dropped from innocent shock to a look of derision. “You are such an asshole.” She said with a furtive whisper, the pulling up at the corner of her lips giving away her real meaning.

“I don’t even know if I want to be in this little gang anymore. I’ll leave you to Lily and Petunia.”

🐀

There was a slight flicker on Peter’s face as Dolores mentioned his boss running on spite, before he let out a laugh to cover it. Peter knew full well just how awful his boss could be, just how much spite he ran on, just how rude he could be about everyone but the few that he seemed to like. But Peter loved his job, and didn’t want to lose it, so there was nothing bad he would really say out loud to anyone about the man, and he hoped Dolores wouldn’t either.

“Oi!” He pretended to yelp as if her playful smack had actually hurt, playing it up just a bit for the little old Soc, who seemed to accept it as good enough and was finally out of earshot. With a playful pout, Peter rubbed his arm a little as he looked at Dolores, though the pout turned into a smirk at hearing her whisper, and seeing the way she was fighting against a smile.

“You’d leave poor Lily and Petunia to deal with me alone, huh? Or would it be poor me, dealing with their wrath after you took off on us?” Peter leaned his arm on the table, resting his head on his hand as he looked thoughtful about this. “You know we’d be like, this close to getting in major trouble with that, yeah? You’d want to see us all in trouble?” He wrinkled his nose.

There was a cold aloofness that Dolores sometimes held with strangers. It made her feel powerful, above it all, like she was superior to the Greaser that she actually was. It was how she had tried to portray herself when she had first met Peter, but the wall around herself had long since fallen. On the sight of Peter with the cupcake in his hand, she didn’t hide her excitement or pretend that such things were a normal everyday thing in her life. She saved up for cakes like this on occasion but it was special, beautiful and a rare treat. To get one out of the blue for free brought a gleeful smile to her face. “It’s beautiful!” She admired the icing, not even wanting to take a bite yet. Savouring the appearance was just as important as savouring the taste. 

“Oh, is that what you’re calling us now, your girls?” She teased as she embarked on her usual cake eating ritual - first slicing the cake carefully into quarters and letting it fall open in the wrapper. “I didn’t realise I’d signed up for that. If we get to choose I’d rather we were called The Baker’s Babes.”

🐀

Peter beamed at seeing how excited Dolores looked, making a note in the back of his mind that he’d done the right thing, and that he’d be able to do it again in the future. Of course, if his boss donated things again, but the man could be kind to others when he wanted to be, so Peter was sure it would happen. And Peter would make sure they donated just what his friends liked.

“Thank you,” he chirped out, shifting to sit so he was straddling the bench instead of sitting on it normally, so he could face Dolores and rest his arm on the table. “He let me decorate some things to donate, so I knew I had to make some that you’d like. Gotta use my connections sometimes, yeah?”

A mischievous smirk crossed his face when Dolores teased him, and he raised an eyebrow. “You, Lily, and Petunia, you think that you three aren’t my girls now?” He teased her back, “I’m sure that you’d have to fight with them over the naming though, they’d want a say. Personally, I figured it’d be more like The Baker’s Bit--”

Peter cut himself off, both because he was almost certain that Dolores would smack him, and also because one of the little old lady Soc’s that he knew always was at church had just started to walk past, and was giving him such a look that he knew better than to continue, lest she say something towards him. Instead he just innocently tilted his head, looking at her with a grin, then back at Dolores, playfully fluttering his eyelashes as if he’d never been about to say such a word at all, as the Soc scoffed and walked past them.

Peter had been going in and out of his daze since the vision had come into his head. There was something so... different about it. A feeling of comfort, of being home, but also nerves, and Peter wasn’t sure what that was all about. He kept thinking it over, distracted through much of the rest of the selling, but very grateful once he could slip away for dinner.

He’d seen Dolores first, and had to grin. He moved quickly towards the table where his boss had donated some of the bakery items, and snagged a cupcake off of it, knowing well that it was one of Dolores’ favorites. He’d tried to make a few for each person he knew liked things, in hopes that they’d be able to snag them for dinner. Not that his boss was any wiser about it, though.

“Dolores!” He grinned more, moving over to sit at the table next to her, holding the cupcake out in his hand, “I thought you might like this. Made sure I made a few so you’d get one; gotta make sure all my girls got their favorites, right?” He laughed, though it was true. He wanted to make people happy, make them smile, and this was something he could do to try that.

While what he said held some truth to it, the ridiculousness of the situation couldn’t stop the giggle from falling from her lips. Lily knew that any other day of the week, some Soc would see that laugh and try to steal it from her. But here, today, at this festival, there was a truce of some kind. Well, at least in her mind. They all deserved a little bit of joy, didn’t they? 

“Perhaps he’s finally found someone to settle down with,” Lily said, laughing again at the thought. Then again, she supposed it was possible. Everyone deserved love, in her mind, even those who didn’t quite seem to deserve it. “Someone who he’d get his face painted for. Almost lovely, if you think of it that way. But still…” Her eyes flickered back to the dance floor, to the shimmer on his face, and couldn’t help but grin. “I’d like to shake that person’s hand for their act of service.”

Another laugh, free and for once unreserved fell from her lips as she glanced around the dance floor. “I haven’t seen you all day,” she said, eyes flickering over to him in question. “Hope it hasn’t been too terrible for you. Maybe a few more Soc’s in face paint?”

🐀

Peter snorted, shaking his head a little. The idea of a Soc finding someone to settle down with sounded like a weird idea to him; he knew they were people the same as them, of course, but it always felt like they were all too high and mighty to actually feel love. He couldn’t imagine the ones who had been so rude to him actually having hearts enough to fall in love with someone else.

Playfully, Peter clasped his hands over Lily’s one shoulder, leaning down against her and resting his chin on his hands; close enough to be a bother, and also to make a playful face, eyes crossed and nose wrinkled. “I don’t know if I should feel more grossed out about the idea of a Soc settling down with someone, or jealous that it’s a thing they can just do,” He laughed out then, leaning back then, but still keeping his hands on Lily’s shoulder.

“It would be an act of service, wouldn’t it?” He agreed, “I’d be in wonder on what girl it could be.” He hummed softly, then took a deep breath at her words. “I could use seeing a few more of them in silly face paint,” He agreed, “Had a weird vision or something and dropped a Soc’s change. Off here day dreaming about castles instead of selling cupcakes, and the husband was a right jerk about it.”

Laughing, he shook his head, then continued, “What about you? The kids keep you all busy too? I think they all had enough sugar to last a thousand lifetimes, yeah?” He snickered at the thought.

who: @peterapettigrew​ . where: the easter dinner .

The day had been strange, to say the least. Her fainting spell during the egg hunt still sent Lily reeling, flying back to a place that she’d rather not go. And that’s what it had felt like, hadn’t it? Flying, over that sparkling black lake, the towers of the castle glistening above them like they were shooting stars. Hell, it’d felt so real, that Lily could still smell the wind; feel the breeze tickling her cheek.

A change of tune shook her from her daze, and Lily watched as the couples on the dance floor moved. It wasn’t long before she spotted a familiar face, and her heart warmed, finding Peter and quickly looping her arm through his. He would bring her back to reality. Keep her head firmly in place, and not floating above in the clouds.

“Please tell me you saw the Lestrange brother in full face paint,” she giggled, unable to look at them out on the floor. It had been funniest, maybe, to see him so stone-faced with rainbows on his cheeks, but what did she know? Maybe he was lovely. Not that he would ever give her the chance to find out, of course. “The shorter one, he’s dancing right now but you’d think that wet rag would never even go near the paint. I wonder who forced him into it.”

🐀

Peter felt like he’d been in a fog since that castle, that lake, had popped into his head. He’d dropped change more than once more, and had nearly fumbled and dropped a cupcake, though luckily it was a Greaser who’d bought it, and that time he hadn’t been yelled at. He felt like he was floating, perhaps swaying in a boat on the water like he’d been in that thought, that... whatever it was.

He’d gotten to close up shop early at least, when his boss finally came back to the stand and took over to close up, so Peter had a chance to go to the dinner, and he probably ran faster than he had in awhile to get there. The food was amazing, of course, and Peter tried to focus on the dancing, laughing softly as he watched them all moving around as they were.

Then Lily was suddenly at his side, and he lit up, squeezing her arm and holding her close, before snorting and letting out another laugh at her words. “’Course I did,” he chuckled, “I bet someone had to drag him to the booth and chain him to the chair. You’d think he’d have made a scene about the paint getting on that fancy outfit of his, wouldn’t you? All,” He made a face, as if he were trying to mock the angry look that he thought the shorter Lestrange would have, but quickly dissolved back into laughter again.

Peter had been excited for the festival's announcement; only to find out that the Bakery would have a booth at the festival, and of course his boss expected him to work, while he ran around with the woman he was seeing. Peter was rather disappointed, of course, but he wouldn't be vocal about it; not when it came to keeping his job, and keeping the money he needed. So, Peter showed up early, got the booth ready, and got on with it.

He'd spoken to his friends that had come by, and dealt with the Socs that came by to act as if he was just a statue, there to work for them and nothing else. Not that it was anything new in Erised, of course. Still, it wasn't as if Peter hated the work. Seeing all the children happy made his heart ache a little, and he snuck one or two small samples to children who he knew didn't have much, knowing that those wouldn't be noticed by his boss.

He'd just been reaching to hand change to a rather smarmy Soc, when suddenly something hit him. It was like a rush, all at once:

Darkness, pierced by the light from lanterns, hung on a post at the end of a boat. Swaying, with the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat. Gasps, and then the sight of a large castle in the distance, owls flying overhead. A loud, booming voice, "Welcome to--"

Peter took a deep breath, feeling as if he'd suddenly been pulled out of whatever water had been under that boat he'd suddenly felt as if he were on, and he was gasping for air. The change had fallen out of his hand, and the woman was glaring at him for it having landed on the ground in front of the booth.

"Are you stupid?" She was saying, "Are you throwing my change at me, boy? How dare you?!"

Peter blinked a few times, trying to right himself. What the hell had that been? It had felt so real, like... like he was reliving something. But something that had never happened to him? How could one relive something that had never happened before? Peter couldn't remember ever having been on a boat that big, let alone one in such a great body of water, or owls, or a castle. Those were things you saw in a magazine, not anywhere near Erised.

"BOY!"

This time it was a man's voice, and he recognized the woman's husband. "S-sorry!" He stammered out quickly, moving around the booth and nearly tripping over the boxes of treats behind, as he went to grab the change up off the ground. He quickly brushed it off and handed it back to her with another quickly muttered apology, watching as she snagged it and stormed off.

Making his way back around the booth, Peter tried to focus on breathing. He put his hands on the edge of the counter, counting to ten and trying to right himself. Glancing around, he tried to see if anyone else had just had something happen to them too, or if they'd noticed him.

What the hell had just happened?

It felt like it had been ages.

A month. They had to hold the leaves in their mouths for a whole month, without swallowing it or spitting it out. It seemed almost an impossible task, but Peter was just as determined as James and Sirius were. This was something they could do for Remus, and therefore they were going to manage it. Somehow.

Peter couldn't help but feel nervous every time someone looked at him, thinking that they could see, that they'd know, and that he'd be the one to get them discovered and ruin everything. He'd managed to somehow prevent his nervous babbling, and go completely silent so far. Yes, they'd written down as a joke that they were having a contest, to see who could be quiet for the longest.

Peter was sure he'd manage to win, if only because he was terrified.

"Peter?"

Peter jumped, nearly knocking over the ink that was next to his hand, having been lost in thought as he stared at his homework. He looked up and offered Lily a tiny smile and then a wave, but kept his lips pursed tightly, heart hammering in his chest. Lily was smart, but she wouldn't be able to see through him, right?

He watched as Lily walked over and sat next to him, and felt frozen in place. She was giving him such a strange look, and then glancing at his paper, and he realized with a start that he hadn't even begun it, and had simply been dripping ink on his paper. He sheepishly moved to clean it up.

"Do you need help?"

Lily's voice was soft, gentle, and Peter was grateful for it. He nodded his head quickly, motioning towards the paper he'd been working on, and the book he was working with, to let her know what he needed help with. He wasn't about to try and open his mouth and explain anything, after all. Still, Lily seemed almost uneasy.

"... You know you can talk to me," Lily spoke then, "If there is something else going on..."

Peter turned red, but quickly shook his head at her words. 'We're just having a contest, and I want to win for once,' he wrote down quickly on a scrap piece to show her, 'Thank you. Can you help me with this?' He held it out to her, and smiled as she chuckled and then reached for his book.