Peter Pettigrew

Peter often wondered if Sirius exaggerated any part of his family life, its members included. But when he happened to come across situations like these, Peter didn't have to wonder that nearly as much. They really weren't the nicest to outsiders, and the real wonder was how Sirius was born into such a family, given his disposition. Narcissa picked up on the hint Peter hadn't exactly meant to make, and he looked down, fearing...something. his ears and cheeks burned, like it was his personal fault Sirius had left his family. Maybe he had a small part to play, but really, it as all James' fault, if Narcissa really wanted to point fingers. Not that should would care one way or the other, Peter guessed. "No, no. Being loyal to your family is important. I understand. My apologies for mentioning it." He swallowed and shifted nervously, not sure what to do or say. The last thing he wanted was to offend a Black and have them all come after him. "I'm sure you'll do your family proud."

"Brilliant." Peter offed his own robe and laid it down, scooting next to Doras. "Well Miss Meadowes. Suppose we start..." he frowned, then pulled out his notes, skimming them over. "Ah, chapter 17. It's nice Slughorn at least tells us what's going to be on the final exams." He flipped his book to the appropriate page then looked over. "We don't have to go through everything. It's more a review. Good for you?"

This wasn't the best idea, to stick around longer than necessary, which was about 30 seconds ago, but still, Peter found himself rooted to the spot, conversing with the second scariest Black at Hogwarts. "No, no,  your’re right it's not. So thank you, for sharing it." He added a hesitant grin, in no way being sarcastic. He wouldn't dare. "But if I may offer more advice that you don't want, why accept it then? Can't you make your own future, one you want?" Like Sirius, he wanted to add, but Peter was pretty sure that was an already sore subject, and he'd rather not bring it up. Salt in the wound and all that.

Peter's brows furrowed as the 5th year walked away, not sure where the voice had come from. It certainly wasn't who he had just been talking to. Turning a bit, he saw the blonde, trying to hold the book up but also looking over it, very much disgusted. It didn't take Peter more than half a second to recognize his best friend's cousin but also his girlfriend's close friend, Narcissa Black. Not awkward at all. He typically tried to steer clear of any Blacks, except for Andromeda who was always friendly towards him, and who’s sister this was. But as she was Rita's friend, and she'd already spoken to him, Peter figured he might as well be polite. "Good call. I'm rather rubbish at most subjects, maybe except Transfiguration. But, it always matters. At least, that's what the professors keep telling me." He smiled nervously, sure this was going to go down hill quick, but at least he could say he tried instead of running away scared.

Peter tried not to huff, or be more irritated than he was. Normally he was all about having a good time, especially with someone willing to shrug off studying, but not today. “Okay, yes, typically I would. But I have plans for later, and I’d rather not be late to them?” He offered a half smile, and a small clap as Dorcas dismounted, then adjusted his book bag. “Yeah, the tree is good, so long as we actually sit by it by it.” He chuckled softly, letting her know he really wasn’t in a bad mood, but for once wanted to do things according to plan.

But then she remembered her plan and turned to look at him, the smirk was back. “Also, what’s in it for me if I don’t tell your beloved best friend you forgot his namesake? I am a snake after all, I need to get something out of this.”

Peter scrunched his face, trying to make sense of what Rita was saying. After six years, he'd have thought he'd have Astronomy down by now, but no, it was still just a bunch of tiny dots in a massive sky. How he even passed his classes thus far was beyond him. Sure he knew the very basics, but he'd never be able to rattle it off like she was.

"What's in it for..." Peter repeated as he was still looking up, feeling Rita shift. He chuckled quietly, releasing her hand to turn himself to fully face her on his side scooting closer as he did. "Oh, I see how it is. You'd turn me over to my best mate for black mail? I'm going to try not to be offended as I offer this..." He leaned over to kiss the side of her mouth gently. "And this..." His lips trailed to her jaw. "And this..." He was at her ear, whispering softly. "Or do you still need something more?"

“Long enough I suppose. Long enough to know you’ve been keeping an amazing talent from me. But you didn’t disturb me, I was just going for a walk- I had some things I needed to clear from my mind and I heard the piano and as always, my curiosity won me over and I had to come find out who was playing.” She replied with a small smile.

His awkwardness, as always was endearing and she walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And hi yourself. I apologise for sneaking up on you.”

"I wouldn't call it amazing." Peter half shrugged, still pink. "Just don't write me in your paper, please?" He looked up with a shy smile, knowing Rita wouldn't but just wanting to be sure. He vaguely wondered what she had on her mind, maybe end of her school career, maybe him? But he didn't ask. If she wanted to tell him, she would.

Peter relaxed somewhat when Rita hugged him, grinning with the kiss. "It's okay. Suppose I can forgive you. This time." He grinned again, this time with a small smirk, placing his hands on the keys once more. "Well, any requests? You've heard me play, so there's no hiding it now. And I apologize if it's not very good." He turned his head and offered his own quick kiss, waiting.

“I’ve gotten all my exercise for this year, and next,” she swore, her pants becoming far less, and steady breaths far more, frequent. “We were in the tower, and Marlene came in to go to bed, and he nipped out the door, and then he slipped out the portrait hole as someone came in, and as you can see for yourself, he made it all the way out here before he got stopped.” She frowned, shaking her head at Benry as she reached out to take him, gently, from Pete’s arms. “Thank you, by the way. Honestly. You are my hero, Peter Pettigrew. My. Hero.” She raised her gaze, looking back at Pete with eyes full of affection and warmth.  “And you,” she added, her eyes narrowing as they fell back on the cat in her arms, lounging as though he had no care in the world, “you, sir, get no treats tonight. You didn’t happen to see what he was chasing after, did you?” she asked suddenly, her train of thought derailed for the moment. “I don’t even know for certain what to tell him off for,” she admitted, laughing.

"Yeah, I generally try to avoid any and all types of exercise. Seems like it's worse for your health? All the sweating, and hurting, and what have you." Peter chimed in, trying to make Lily feel a bit better. It was true, he did try to avoid it, but he always seemed to be running as Wormtail. It just wasn't fair, or right. He nodded along to the story, know very well how easy it was to slip past someone in a door way, having done it plenty of times, and also being squashed plenty of times, too. His eyes widened when she called him her hero, making him blush. "I'm no ones hero. Just, right place right time, I guess. But you're welcome. It was nothin'. Good thing he likes me." Peter eyed the cat daggers when Lily was focused on Benry, hoping that was the last time he had to run for his life from another animal. "Oh uh," he straightened, looking around to pretend he saw something, since admitting it was him Benry was after wasn't exactly an option. "I think it was some sort of small animal? Like, a mouse or rat maybe? But it was fast, and he didn't have anything when I caught him. Daft ol' cat." Peter cupped Benry's head, giving him a rough pet before scratching his ears.

She couldn’t help, as selfish as it sounded in her head, that he was singing it in reference to her. Or at least she hoped he was and not someone else. Even if he could’ve just been playing a favourite song of his, a part of her felt giddy at the idea of him thinking about her whilst he played.

She could barely go a day, although she never admitted it, without thinking about Peter. In any aspect, whether she was sat in a lesson and her mind drifted to what he was up to in his. At dinner, when they weren’t together, watching him laugh and cajole with his friends- she wondered what they spoke about. When she woke up, one of her first thoughts was him and at night……when it was the early hours and everyone was asleep, her thoughts wandered to him.

That was where he overtook her mind, when she’d imagine him lying next to her, she could picture his body, so clear in her mind, even if she hadn’t even seen it for real. She imagined his hands on her, trailing all over her body, mapping her out, she thought about their heated stolen moments, in alcoves and spare classrooms, the way they built it up, just for both of them to stop before it went to far.

Perhaps she was to blame for that, this was why at night she had to cling to those memories to find satisfaction. But a part of her, no matter how much in the moment she was, made her stop. It wasn’t because she didn’t find him sexually attractive, because she really did. It was simply because a part of her, wanted to make sure Peter was sure. She was way past the moment of blushing virgin. But Peter? She wanted his to be special, just like hers had been.

She was broke out of her thoughts by a louder note, focusing once more on Peter. She listened for the next couple of minutes, until he began to wind down and came to a close. There was a few seconds of silence and automatically she began to clap softly.

“You play sublimely.”

An all too familiar yelp followed by a very ungraceful bang on the keys was a stark contrast to what Peter had just performed. He whipped around on the piano bench, his heart racing, both from being startled and from learning someone had heard him. And not just anyone, but Rita.

"Bloody hell. Have you been there long?" He made eye contact briefly before looking away, his face and neck going red as he rubbed his hands nervously on his thighs. "I didn't mean to be a bother to anyone. Were you studying next door? Do you even need to study anymore? I'm sorry if I disturbed you." He rambled on, not registering he'd actually received a compliment. He never played for anyone else, not even his best mates, always convinced he wasn't that good.

He glanced up again, sighing as he bit his lip, embarrassed he'd been caught. Not that this was the worst thing to be caught doing, not by a long shot, but still, Peter shared few things so personal to him. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he didn't trust many people, and this was maybe his biggest secret apart from being an Animagus. "Hi..." He added lamely, not sure what else to say.

She followed his pointed direction before letting out a rather loud chuckle. “Oh- that’s Sirius.” she said, clearly amused at the idea of him pointing out his best friend. “The brightest star in the Canis Major. How heartbroken he will be to know you always forget him.” she commented, amusement in her tone and smile.

Peter stared a moment longer, pretending he saw the smallest amount of a blush. It made his grin grow to a full smile, impressing himself that he could have that affect on her. It was in these rare, captured moments did Peter really see Rita's true self. She wasn't hiding, she wasn't putting on a show. It was just her, in her purest form. It was when he loved her the most, wishing he could see that side more often.

"No! Truly?" Peter blanched, gently swatting at Rita's outstretched hand. "You better not tell him. You know I'm rubbish at remember the stars, but I'd never forget him." He took her hand then, both still in the air and pointed at another cluster. "Okay. So what about that one? And please don't tell me it's another one of my forgotten mates."

She watched with mild interest as he set up the blanket, letting out a huff of laughter at his comment. “Those things can be easily rectified- here” she removed her wand, tucked up her sleeve and waved it lazily, placing a cushioning charm over the blanket. She had been doing non-verbal spells for a long while, it almost felt second nature and she smiled proudly as she made to sit down upon it. With another couple of movements from her wand, she transfigured two rocks into two plush cushions, putting them behind the two of them. “We’ll deal with the bugs as they come, hmm?” she added with a grin.

"Oh...right then." Peter blushed horribly at that, though he was sure Rita meant it as a compliment. He also had no other words to add to it, wondering if that wasn't something all guys did. Why wouldn't you give the lady you were with your full attention? He was also grateful she didn't mention his slip, which only added to his blush.

Peter didn't think he could blush more, and he was glad it was dark enough Rita probably couldn't see it. Not to mention, it must look even worse with his already yellow tinting. He should have thought about those spells, but instead, she did. Yet another she should be out of his league. "Yup, sounds good. Maybe I can practice my spells on them." He half joked as he sat down and leaned back, getting comfy. "You're really good at this, you know? Even the non verbal bit. Guess that's why you're the seventh year, eh?" He turned his head and grinned before looking back up at the stars. "Right then. What's that one? I always forget." He pointed up at a cluster, closing one eye to better focus.

"Sure you do. Just the typical stuff. Hanging out. Snogging, talking. More than snogging..." Peter shrugged, not exactly sure if that was actually typical, but it sounded right, and it's what he and Rita were doing anyway. Well, most of it. He added a sly grin for good measure, knowing Sirius knew how to do at least half of those. Peter balked at Sirius' reference to his (non existent) sex life, covering it by clearing his throat and a few firm nods. "Oh yeah, no absolutely. Like you wouldn't believe. Mm, so freaky." He slow winked and made a suggestive motion, wishing this wasn't happening. "Yeah well alright, maybe next time I'm poking, I'll ask. But after. Don't need you ruining the mood, especially when you're not even there." Peter teased, really wishing they'd stop talking about the sex he wasn't having, but other than saying he wasn't having it, there really was no other way.

Finally changing the subject, Peter nodded, somewhat hesitantly, but sighed. "We've done things with less confident odds. Let's do it. I trust you, mate."

"I wouldn't want to spill anything that special, anyway." Peter continued to grin, his ears warming up again. "Maybe I'll send it the muggle way then. It'll be twice as long, but at least she'd be sure to get it." He shrugged then laughed, shaking his head at Pandora's question. "Ha! There's no stopping those two. I think at this point, they try to out do each other with the most creative way to get a detention." Her next question, however, Peter swallowed hard, busying himself with a new biscuit and more jam. He quickly wracked his brain for a feasible lie, wondering if maybe most of the truth would be okay. "Oh, uh, Astronomy, mostly. Still can't sort my moons properly. And yeah, she'd love that." He silently berated himself, not wanting to have given that much away about Rita. But loads of people had a witch tutoring them, so maybe Pandora wouldn't think too much of it.