Part One: A Guilty Rat.

'Over and out, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done…'
All These Things I Have Done – The Killers

As he stood outside the wreckage of the cottage in Godric's Hollow, Peter shook with fear and guilt. The bodies of two of the people, who'd been the kindest to him in an unforgiving world, lay buried under the rubble and the cry of a terrified baby pierced the night – all the work of his betrayal, which was a by-product of his cowardice and fear.

'Wormtail! Hurry up or you'll be caught!' yelled one of the remaining Death Eaters, before hurrying down the dark lane.

Startled back into his senses, Peter took one last anxious look at the debris before pulling out his wand and casting the animagus spell over himself with a shaky hand. Transforming into his rat form, he scurried away after the other Death Eaters who were running lost and scattered around the neighbourhood at the demise of their master.

oooooooooooooooooo

He lay cowering on the ground, his face wet with terrified tears as the hatred-filled voice of Sirius Black screamed at him furiously, accusing him of things he knew he'd had to do to survive.

'You betrayed them - you filthy, stinking rat!'

That's what I am… thought Peter to himself as he lie in the foetal position, clutching his wand and waiting for Sirius to yell the final words that would his guilt and anguish.

As Black advanced on him, his wand held out before him, Peter shook fearfully, pleading feebly; apologising for the terrible things he'd done to Sirius and the rest of them – the people who had only ever shown him kindness and love.

'I-I had to do it… Sirius, please… I had to!' he begged, his hands in front of his face – shielding him from the murderous glare of the man who had once protected him.

It was at this point in time when the plan that he'd formulated to escape came back to him, and his mind instantaneously cleared. Getting to his feet clumsily, he looked up at Sirius, drew his wand and held it up close to his face.

'You shouldn't have switched with me Padfoot,' he whispered shakily, 'you knew I wasn't strong enough… You killed them, not me!'

He yelled the last part, before blowing up the cul de sac behind him, causing a riot to erupt.

Jumping at him, Sirius made to yell the curse that would kill him.
'Avada – '

But for once in his life, Peter was faster and before Sirius could finish the curse, he'd transfigured himself into his rat form and scurried off down into the sewer, where he knew he could find refuge in the town church.

As he waddled along, Peter could hear the strangled yells of Sirius Black growing fainter as he too, seemed to be fleeing the scene.

He stomach contracted with guilt, knowing that Sirius would be blamed for the explosion and even his own murder, but better him than Peter, right?

After all, it wasn't like the Ministry would ever think of searching for a guilty rat…

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Sorry about that above line, but for some reason, FFn won't let me put the divider lines in... weird, huh?

Please review - if you like the idea of this please say so, and if you dont say so anyway, coz if its crap ill take it down...

Love,
Ash xx