My disclaimer for this story; I most certainly and evidently do not claim to have ownership over C.S Lewis's work. Any characters you recognise are not mine…unfortunately.

So please…read and hopefully enjoy!

After a decidedly disastrous introduction, Peter is horrified to discover that one certain girl has somehow wound up in Narnia as well. She's utterly useless, drives Peter mad most the times, but just maybe will she be able to save Peter from himself? Or will another encroaching darkness altogether get to them first? Peter/OC. Set during PC

A Perfect Problem

Chapter One;

Peter staggered backwards, his back colliding with the harsh brick wall as pain bloomed across his jaw.

Peter wiped the dribble of blood away with his sleeve as he glared darkly at the leering face of the boy towering before him.

The jeering crowd shouted incentives and insults from the side-lines, their faces having long blurred into one indistinguishable wall.

"Had enough yet?" the boy spat.

Peter's lips twisted in an ugly smirk as he lunged forward.

"Peter Pevensie! James Berrington!"

Both boys immediately broke apart, glowering at one another menacingly for another stubborn moment.

Mr Wilson approached, pushing past the fast dissipating crowd until he stood before them, arms folded angrily across his broad chest in his usual smart tweed jacket.

"Fighting – on school property again," Mr Wilson boomed, his expression absolutely livid.

"He started it," James mumbled under his breath.

Peter whipped around to face him, his eyes crackling like blue lightening. "You liar!" Peter accused suddenly.

James immediately rounded on Peter and for a moment it seemed as if the fight would recommence until…

"ENOUGH!" Mr Wilson's voice was like thunder reverberating in the two boys' ears.

"Headmaster Andrews office now!" Mr Wilson ordered, stepping to the side as his arm snapped out from his side into a rigid line perpendicular to his body, finger outstretched towards the school building a few yards away as he glared at the two boys in cold silent fury.

Silently and with many dark looks, both boys trudged up the stone steps to the school building, Mr Wilson marching behind them.

There were hushed whispers and sniggers as the two boys passed by in cold silence, uniforms dirtied and crumpled until a stern look from Mr Wilson had the culprits scuttling.

Peter clenched his jaw tighter as he thrust his chin in the air as he walked, his back straight and rigid.

He had no need to feel ashamed or belittled; he was High King Peter the Magnificent.

He had led armies to legendary battles; he was a King!

Why should he have to suffer the insults and jibes of those clearly beneath him?

However, one face gave him pause as he met the familiar, dark eyes already giving him a disapproving look.

Peter stifled a sigh as he passed by Edmund and caught his younger brother's almost imperceptible shake of his head.

Usually Edmund supported him when he got himself embroiled in these pointless fights, even jumped in to help him on occasion despite Peter never requiring his help.

But Edmund usually only acted out of brotherly concern in seeing his brother facing off opponents twice his stature alone, rather than he actually supported Peter's reasons.

Mr Wilson marched them both into the old office.

Headmaster Andrews was a wisp of a man made to look only tinier by the huge mahogany desk he sat behind and the grand leather armchair he was swamped in.

But his eyes were shrewd, and his face wore a perpetually sour expression.

"Pardon me Sir for excusing you from your work but I caught these two fighting on school property, again," Mr Wilson finished meaningfully, directing a particularly malevolent look towards the two boys.

Peter stood proud, shoulders squared as he returned Mr Wilson's glare with a cool, aloof stare of his own.

James was meanwhile snivelling and attempting to look contrite as the Headmaster eyed them distastefully.

Peter had to resist the urge to lash out again; seriously all these glares and demeaning looks as though he were beneath them?!

"Thank-you Mr Wilson," Headmaster Andrews intoned pointedly in that raspy voice of his.

Mr Wilson clearly did not like being so evidently dismissed. He had hoped to stay and see the boys' punishment dished out to them.

It had after all been Mr Wilson who had caught them fighting last time; though there had been more boys involved.

He had received quite the black eye when he had tried to separate the boys, but in the fray, he couldn't be sure which of them had dealt him the punch, and no one had been eager to claim responsibility.

As such the square-jawed teacher had developed a particular dislike for the boys involved, but especially for Peter Pevensie.

Mr Wilson was as teachers went a particularly terrifying specimen. Towering at over six foot and being an ex-military Lieutenant, he was used to boys stammering around him as they stood to attention.

What he wasn't used to and what he most certainly didn't like was Peter Pevensie.

Peter never cowered like his classmates in front of Mr Wilson or Lieutenant Wilson as he was officially called.

Peter would merely tilt his chin slightly upwards fixing the imposing man with a cool cobalt stare, inclining one eyebrow.

And what was even worse was Peter wasn't like some others who would backtalk to him.

Peter was painfully polite, impeccably courteous and yet still Mr Wilson couldn't help but feel inferior to this…this mere – boy!

Reluctantly Mr Wilson with one last directed glare exited the room, shutting the door with an audible thud.

There was a brief moment when the Lieutenant's voice could be heard booming, as he ordered some groups loitering outside to scatter and then all was silent in the office.

"Well Pevensie? Berrington? – What have you to say for yourselves?" Headmaster Andrews rasped into the silent room; the portraits of past Headmasters staring down solemnly at the proceedings from the walls.

"I apologise Sir for my unacceptable behaviour," James immediately mumbled, dropping his gaze to the worn floorboards.

Headmaster Andrews nodded his head sagely, before he fixed an expectant gaze on Peter.

"I apologise that James' behaviour necessitated such behaviour Sir," Peter spoke coolly.

James' brows knitted together in barely constrained anger, kept only under control because of the man sat facing them.

Peter could feel James' gaze burning holes in him, but he kept his gaze trained on Headmaster Andrews.

Headmaster Andrews' face immediately contorted in fury, his upper lip curling in a sneer.

"Well Mr Pevensie, you may return home and remain home until you learn to behave as befits a young, civilised gentleman and not a brazen, petulant whelp," Headmaster Andrews' voice was filled with deadly vehemence despite its hoarseness.

Peter felt anger rise up in him in a red-hot spike, his pride bristled and poked at as his eyes flashed dangerously.

"You as well Mr Berrington. Both of you are henceforth suspended until further notice taking effect immediately!" Headmaster Andrews seemed to collapse back into the leather armchair, breathing heavily; wheezing breaths rattling out of his aged body.

"B-but Sir…?!" James immediately began to protest, his eyes wide with alarm.

"You are both dismissed," Headmaster Andrews' announced shortly and callously.

James stared for a moment more in open-mouthed shock.

But Peter didn't wait; he wouldn't demean himself to try and beg for Headmaster Andrews to reconsider.

Peter turned on his heel sharply, stalking from the room with blazing eyes.

He had barely made it three strides down the now deserted corridor before he felt himself unceremoniously hauled back by his collar and slammed back into the brick wall.

James Berrington's face loomed over him for a moment; storm grey eyes and face covered in a multitude of freckles with a mop of flame red hair that fell across his brow.

James smashed a thick arm against Peter's throat.

However, before Peter even had a chance to react, James' face was gone from before him and the hold against him vanished.

James staggered slightly before he steadied himself against the opposite wall.

"Edmund Pevensie!" James spat vehemently as he eyed Edmund standing beside Peter.

"I should have known – brothers in arms," James sneered.

Edmund immediately went to Peter's side reaching out a supporting hand, concern clear on his face.

Peter shrugged off the brotherly hand, actually directing a fierce glare towards Edmund which was met with much confusion.

"You'll pay for this," James threatened darkly as he glared directly at Peter.

Peter rolled his eyes, "Go home James."

Edmund sighed tiredly; for his brother's voice wasn't conciliatory in an attempt to avoid another fight, but rather it was condescending combined with Peter's look of superiority completed the act.

It seemed High King Peter the Magnificent was making another appearance.

James looked like he was going to attempt another round and Edmund shifted slightly hoping to intervene before things got out of hand.

"For God's sake, Peter leave it!" Edmund half-pleaded, exasperated and annoyed in equal measures.

However, any altercation was actually averted by the school bell ringing, announcing the end of the school day.

The doorways along the hall immediately sprang open, loud and raucous chatter and laughter rose to the very roof beams, the thunder of footsteps as crowds of young boys spilled out into the hallway.

James was swiftly lost amongst the stream of countless people and Edmund hastily jostled Peter along down the corridor.

The Pevensie brothers as much carried along by the current of bodies all heading in the same direction, spilled out the front doors of the school and into the weak October sun and chilled air.

"Here," Edmund muttered, shoving Peter's coat and satchel into his hands.

Peter accepted them, shrugging on the school colours blazer before slinging his book-bag over his shoulder.

They walked in silence for a few moments; Edmund glancing out of the side of his eye at Peter while Peter brooded silently.

"So, what was the damage?" Edmund finally asked after they had managed to disentangle themselves from the throng of boys all spilling out the school gates.

The corners of Peter's lips lifted in a smug grin. "I thought you would have seen the black eye James was wearing," Peter replied.

Edmund rolled his eyes. "I meant with the old goat Andrews?" Edmund clarified.

Peter's expression immediately darkened, the muscles bunching in his jaw visible as he offered no answer.

Edmund sighed thinking how he might possibly have to beat the answer out of his stubborn elder brother; though knowing Peter he would certainly put up a fight to retain it.

"They're all imbeciles," Peter suddenly spat vehemently, so much so that Edmund frowned deeply, troubled at his brother's words.

He had known that Peter was becoming more and more frustrated as the days passed. They had been mere children when the war had begun but now as they got older and more of their friends enlisted for the on-going war, many of them lying about their ages, Edmund could see the restlessness grow in his brother.

Longing for a time when he would go off to battle to defend all that he loved, for the thrill of the fight, the recognition that he had been so used to receiving, the praise and the glory.

Steadily the fights had become more frequent. Edmund didn't know if it was Peter trying to look for something in them, or whether he was still clinging to what he had once been, unable to relinquish it and behave like the boy that he was supposed to be.

Peter began to speak of Narnia more then, but the wistful tone and fond smile that he had begun with, had slowly been replaced with clenched fists and bitter impatience.

Edmund and Peter turned down onto the familiar street leading to the train station and Edmund out of the corner of his eye caught Peter rubbing at his jaw with a slight wince.

"Is it bad?" Edmund said trying to crane in a look.

"Alright Mother Hen," Peter waved a dismissive hand airily, "It's nothing."

Edmund furrowed his brow but said nothing, he didn't need to. He could already see the blossoming red and purple on the curve of Peter's jaw along with the slight swelling.

Peter would no doubt refuse any treatment offered, forever insisting that he had endured worse.

For one who proved that he had a sharp mind and extensive intelligence as evidenced by the Golden Years of his rule as High King Peter, where he had overseen many diplomatic trade agreements, unions with other lands, victorious battle strategies, just rulings…Peter could display some very severe bouts of pig-headed stubbornness and arrogant pride that led him to behave like a conceited fool and make idiotic decisions.

The only problem Edmund considered, was that such behaviour was becoming a more and more common occurrence with Peter.

"So, what did Andrews say? – What is your punishment?" Edmund pressed.

Peter scowled at him over his shoulder as they entered the train station.

Any conversation swiftly became impossible in the following minutes as the brothers fought their way through the crowds to buy their tickets and then go to their usual spot to meet the girls.

As soon as they reached the familiar bench Peter slung his bag off his shoulder, dropping it carelessly onto the platform beside the bench.

"Come on Peter – you're going to have to tell me sometime!"

"Oh really? I don't see how it is any of your business!"

"My busi…?! Of course, it's my business – you're my brother!"

Peter rolled his eyes skyward for a moment as he exhaled noisily through his nose.

"I got suspended Ed alright!"

"You got what! – Mum is going to kill you!"

Peter groaned as Susan stood before him, looking down at him in annoyance, her brows drawn down in fierce disapproval.

"What's happened?" Lucy appeared at Susan's side, her gaze flitting between her brothers expectantly.

Edmund glanced to Peter briefly before answering her.

"Peter got suspended for fighting with James Berrington again on school grounds."

"What on earth were you thinking Peter?!" Susan exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation.

Peter stood abruptly, brushing past Susan to walk a few spaces and gain some distance between himself and his siblings.

Peter looked forward unseeing as a bitter taste rose in his mouth.

How could his siblings walk about these streets seamlessly melting once more into life in England?

They were royalty; kings and queens of legends that saved a whole kingdom from the tyranny of the White Witch!

War was raging all around him and he was stuck trading punches with idiots like James Berrington.

Every insult or passing joke was like a personal jibe at his uselessness in this world. Little did Peter realise or want to acknowledge that he attracted such unwelcome attention because of his own insistence to behave so superiorly to those around him.

"Peter!"

Snapping his head around at the call of his name, Peter had his bag shoved once more roughly into his hand from Edmund.

Edmund nodded towards the train that stood waiting, passengers huddling though the narrow doorways in shuffling crowds.

Sighing Peter grabbed that blasted satchel and joined the monotonous moving to board the train.

Once aboard the crowds meant they were only able to secure two seats; which both brothers gave up to their sisters.

Lucy looked up concernedly at her eldest brother, worry in her gaze as she eyed the bruise beginning to colour the angle of his jaw.

Peter caught her anxious look and smiled kindly at her, flicking her nose playfully. Lucy grinned back at him.

"Don't worry Lu, I've had much worse," Peter reassured.

Edmund rolled his eyes. Predictable, he thought.

Susan was not so silent in her disapproval. "That is beside the point Peter! What are you going to tell mum when you get back – after you promised her no more fighting?!"

Peter rolled his eyes as he ground his teeth together in poorly concealed frustration.

"You make it sound as though I planned to get into a fight today Susan!" Peter retorted.

"You make it sound as though fighting were your only option!"

"Oh, I forget," Peter bit sarcastically, "You would have me swallow every insult."

Susan turned her head away immediately as she gave a bitter laugh before she spoke, "Everyone that so much as looks at you insults you Peter!"

"Well Susan…"

"Stop it!" Lucy cried suddenly.

The two fighting elder siblings fell silent, both looking suitably chastised at least.

"Lucy's right, this isn't helping anything," Edmund stepped in quietly, his reproving gaze lingering longest on Peter.

"You will have to tell mum though Peter," Edmund reiterated.

Peter sighed deeply as he closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I know," he admitted quietly.