#post jily

[Haven’t written in a while, please give some feedback! Hope you enjoy! :) ]

[Description: The Marauders figure out Peter is the spy thanks to Regulus]

“Oh stop that bloody scratching Pete! You’ve been doing it all day” James spoke softly, taking a seat adjacent to the blond.

“Sorry, can’t help it” Peter said as he rested his arms on the red armchair. Remus eyed the two marauders silently, still rewriting his potions notes from class earlier. The common room was quite scarce in terms of other students. It was just the three boys, Sirius being absent per usual. Remus didn’t know exactly what was up with Sirius, where he was going, nor what was he doing on days like these. Could he be off at Hogsmeade? Possibly. Quidditch practice? Not likely, Remus thought. James always loved to drag Sirus along to practice, even if it wasn’t scheduled that day. Remus continued to drown in his thoughts, barely registering what James had said. The two exchanged glances, James looking puzzled for an answer.

“So, what do you think moony?” James questioned, looking back at Peter. Remus snapped out of his thoughts and put his quill down.

“What?” Remus questioned. “I didn’t hear what you said.” Peter laughed as James smiled.

“Of course you didn’t. I asked if you think that Evans-“

“That she’ll ever go out with you?” Remus finished, rolling his eyes as he leaned back onto the common room couch. Both boys broke out into a fit of laughter and Remus snickered along with them. It took a solid minute for the trio to calm down completely. Remus loved the little things like this; spending quality time with his mates. It’s like he found happiness in this chaotic world around him. Remus would give anything for it to stay this way. He knew deep down that it wouldn’t. The wizarding world had other plans, those entailed the ongoing war. It seemed as if Hogwarts was the only safe place, besides the occasional dementor. Remus and the others had realized early on that some of the other students had willingly joined the side of the Dark lord. It was rather obvious when certain Slytherins had seemed to disappear from the castle entirely. It came as no surprise when Sirius had mentioned his brother Regulus had become a death eater.

Remus knew Sirius had no desire to go along with anything valued by the Black family, not initially, and definitely not now. Not at a time like this. Dumbledore had practically expected the boys to join the Order, and all four did so with no hesitation. How could they possibly say no? Remus especially felt the need to help in any way he could. Dumbledore had given him a new start at Hogwarts; Remus felt indebted to the man. All the boys had the war on their mind, even more so when the news of an insider spy had broken out. No one had any clue who it was, even Dumbledore himself wasn’t entirely sure who it could possibly be. A student? Teacher perhaps? There was no transparent answer.

The common room door had swung open, and the Marauders had turned their heads; it was Dumbledore.

“Sir” James greeted, beginning to rise from his seat.

“No need for that, Potter” Dumbledore assured, and James took his seat. Remus could tell the man who stood before them was serious this time around. There was no joking at a time like this.

“Everything alright?” Remus asked, glancing back at the other two boys.

“Not quite,” Dumbledore started. “I’m sure you all have heard of the news regarding a spy infiltrating Hogwarts.”

“We have” Peter answered nervously, taking in a shaky breath.

“Very well then,” Dumbledore continued. “The ministry has come to the conclusion that the spy could very well be a student, rather than one of our teachers” The boys looked around, confused as to what they just heard.

“A student?” Remus repeated, looking directly at Dumbledore. “How - why would a student -“

“There are some things even I cannot begin to understand nor explain Remus” Dumbledore interrupted, eyeing the other two boys.

“Please keep up your guard,” the headmaster continued. “I wish no harm to any of my students.” The marauders nodded, and Dumbledore went to make his departure. Silence followed as the common room door had opened again. All eyes were on the door, and Dumbledore had quickly turned around to face whoever it was.

“Sirius, how nice do you to join us” Dumbledore greeted as he stepped aside, letting Black through.

“What’s going on?” Sirius questioned, his eyes full of dread as he turned to face Dumbledore. Remus was relived to finally see him. Where had he been?

“I’m afraid the Ministry needs me,” Dumbledore said, putting his hand on Sirius’s shoulder. “You boys take care of yourselves.” Sirius looked confused as ever as Dumbledore vanished out of sight.

“What’s going on?” Sirius asked again, this time growing a bit hostile.

“Calm down mate,” James spoke, rising from his seat. “Dumbledore thinks the spy could be a student.”

“A student?” Sirius started. “That’s not p-“

He paused, taking a moment to think.

“I think we already found our spy” Sirius said sharply, taking a few steps towards Peter. Black silently drew his wand as Peter sat there timid.

“Me? The spy?” Peter shouted in disbelief as he pointed to himself. Remus and James both eyed each other. They quickly realized what was happening.

“Sirius mate, Pete’s our friend!” James said, quite dumbfounded of Black’s sudden accusation.

“He’s a Marauder for Merlin’s sake! He would never-“

“Shut it, Potter!” Sirius snapped, his eyes still fixed on Peter. Remus stood there tense as ever. He couldn’t believe what was unfolding in front of him. It felt like some bad dream. James took a small step back as Sirius spoke again.

“Regulus told me to be wary about you, Pettigrew! I just refused to believe you would actually stoop so low!” Sirius looked absolutely furious. Remus had never seen him act like this, even when his parents practically disowned him in 1st year.

“Look, we don’t have any bloody proof besides-“ James attempted to reason, but Black wasn’t having any of it.

“Is that right? Go on, check his arm then!” Sirius said sharply, once again pointing to Peter. Peter stood there awkwardly, hands in the air and all. James slowly made his way across the room, and that’s when Peter drew his wand.

“Stop!” Peter shouted, putting his wand in James’ face. “Imper-“

“Expelliarmus!” Remus suddenly shouted, having drawn his own wand just in the nick of time. Peter looked shocked as his wand flew from his hand, landing a few feet behind him. It was over for Pettigrew now. The boys had him surrounded, wands in hands. James roughly grabbed Peter, lifting his Gryffindor sweater. There it was; the dark mark. Remus stood there shocked, mouth wide open in disbelief. How could Peter do something like this? It disgusted him.

“Please, I can explain!” Peter said, clearly quite terrified. He was practically shaking now.

“Explain?” Sirius repeated angrily.

“I-“ Peter fumbled, frantically looking around for some sort of help.

“You can’t tell anyone! Please” He pleaded, tears streaming down his face. Sirius let out a small laugh. Both James and Remus could tell that Sirius was beyond angry. The look in those eyes spoke volumes. Remus looked over at James. His hand was gripping his wand so tight his knuckles were nearly white.

“Oh I won’t tell anyone Pete, just the Ministry and Dumbledore of course!” Sirius sneered, still standing in front of Peter.

“No! You don’t understand, I’ll die!” Peter said, pretty much begging for his life. Sirius was relishing every minute of it.

“B-but I’ll die” Black dramatically mocked as he picked up Peter’s wand, snapping it directly in half.

“How could you Pete?” James said, both angry and frustrated. “You were our friend!” Peter gave no response as he continued to keep his head down. Remus thought he looked completely pathetic.

“You’re nothing but a coward,” Remus spat. “That’s all you’ll ever be.” Peter was still shaking, not looking at any of the boys. Sirius turned to face the other two Marauders.

“What’ll it be then, eh?” He asked, giving a devilish grin. “Turn him in?”

“That, and there’s always suicide” Remus joked, looking directly at Peter this time.

“S-suicide?” Peter gasped, his voice trembling with fear.

“That’s right” James answered, quite amused with Remus’s little joke. As angry as Remus felt, he also felt a sense of relief. The entire spy situation had kept Remus up at night, desperate for answers. He and the others didn’t have to worry anymore.

“Why can’t I decide?” Pettigrew asked, still desperately trying to get himself out of the situation he was in.

“You?” Sirius scolded, waving his wand in the blondes face. “You don’t get to decide.”