“I swear I will make Wormtail pay for what he’s done,� Sirius thought as he ran on the road. Years of friendship had at last come to this; in the darkest of times, one of his closest friends had committed betrayal. Peter Pettigrew, known as Wormtail in his former close knit of friends, had let Voldemort know the whereabouts of Lily and James Potter. “After all the time we’ve spent together, helped him, after all this…how he dares…� Words escaped him at the moment. Enraged even more by his own thoughts, he traveled through the streets of Godric’s Hollow silently.

Finally, he realized he was aimlessly drifting with no real goal in sight. Frustrated, he resumed human form. “Now, where is the sniveling coward?� he wondered aloud. Sirius walked over and sat on the curb as he tried to calm his mind. He glanced around the area and observed the simple homes, most of them the same style. Unfortunately, this was the same style the Potters had, and only depressed him further. "Lily and James, why..." Sirius began, unable to contain himself. Dark times as they were, this loss was finally over the top for him. As his thoughts drifted once again, bitterness over betrayal once again crept back to him.

‘If he’s smart, which he’s not, he’ll go into hiding. He knows we’ll come after him. If not me, then Remus, or Dumbledore. He’ll never be safe again. If he betrays his newfound friend, there’ll be death from that side. I only hope I can find him first.’ Sirius drew out his wand, and with a loud crack, disapparated out of sight.

CRACK! He reappeared in front of the Leaky Cauldron and strode inside.

“Where is Peter Pettigrew?� he demanded of the bartender.

“Peter? Haven’t seen him since earlier today. Seemed a bit shaken too, he was,� he replied, casually cleaning a glass.

“Where was he going?� Sirius demanded again.

“Not sure, didn’t seem to be in a talkative mood. Sirius, I, uh, heard some news just a little while ago. Not too good, either.�

“I’m sure I’ve heard, now back to Peter—“

“Sirius, Lily and James have—“

“I KNOW ABOUT LILY AND JAMES!� Sirius yelled as his hand came crashing down on the counter. “WHERE IS PETTIGREW?!�

“Sirius! Calm down! Why do you need to find him anyway? He’ll find out soon enough.�

Sirius regained his composure as he said calmly, “I have my reasons. Now please, Tom, do you have ANY information as to where he was going?�

Tom thought for a moment. “Well, he headed north out of town. He was muttering to himself as he went. Couldn’t really pick it up, but he might be in Hogsmeade.�

“Thank you.� Sirius left the bar and looked up towards the sky. “I’m coming for you Wormtail, mark my words.� With another crack he headed off towards the village of Hogsmeade.

“Madam Rosmerta, have you seen Peter Pettigrew?�

“Nope, sorry Sirius, been kind of quiet in here all evening. People seem to be rejoicing a bit. There’s been rumors that You-Know-Who’s gone! Can you believe it?!�

Normally Sirius would be ecstatic at news of this kind, but nothing could possibly drive the hatred of his former friend from his mind. “Great news, but you haven’t seen him at all?�

“Nope, not here, sorry. But You-Know-Who defeated at last? This is a—“ she stopped talking once she looked up and realized Sirius had left her store.

“WHERE ARE YOU?!� Sirius screamed to the night. A wizard positively jumping for joy ran up and said, “No need to be angry, my dear man, for today You-Know-Who has gone at last!� Sirius pulled the man into a very harsh hold and screamed, “WHO CARES THAT VOLDEMORT IS GONE?! THE POTTERS ARE DEAD!� The wizard cringed at the name, and said, “Yes, that truly is sad, but young Harry survived! They say he’s the one that broke his power! Isn’t it wonderful?�

“NO IT’S NOT WONDERFUL! MY FRIENDS ARE GONE!� At this Sirius roughly threw the man aside. "WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF VOLDEMORT HAS BEEN DEFEATED? I HAVE NO ONE NOW!" The wizard looked wide-eyed with fear for a moment, then ran off, skipping happily once again and singing to himself. “Where would he go?� Sirius muttered to himself as he walked along the road.

Sirius felt cursed by failure. "Seven years, seven years I could find him anytime I pleased, and NOW I have no clue where he is. He's here somewhere, he has to be. But if he's not in the Three Broomsticks, then where--" Suddenly it came to him. “Of course…� The one place no one would think to look for him in. With a grim smile, Sirius turned around onto one of the more obscure paths of Hogsmeade.

The door swung open and Sirius gleefully looked upon what he wanted more than anything else right now. “Hello, Peter.�

A short, frightened, mousy-looking man looked up from his drink and suddenly fell backwards. “S—s-ss-s-s-ir-rr-ius……..� he stammered. “Ho-h-h-h-ow are you…….doing?�

“Thought you would be safe in the Hog’s Head, eh? Nice try, but we did spend quite some time in school, Wormtail. You can’t hide from me. Obviously I don’t know you as well as I should. Betraying Lily and James, are we?�

“Wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about, Sirius? B-betrayal, I--� Peter choked out, nervously clutching his glass, glancing around the dirty, smelly bar, seemingly looking for a way out.

“You know perfectly well what I’m talking about, don’t play some childish game with me, you fool. I’m the one who had you installed as the Secret-Keeper. How else could Voldemort have killed them?�

Peter let out a squeak of fear at the wizard’s name. “What do you mean, k-killed?�

“Lily and James are dead. What did you think would happen when you told Voldemort where they were?� Again the frightened wizard cringed at the mention of the name. “What’s the matter, fear your master?�

“What do you mean, Sirius? I have no…no master.�

“Oh really? Let’s just see then!�

Sirius lunged at Pettigrew and knocked his drink away, where it shattered in the corner. “Hey!� yelled the bartender. Sirius ignored him and pulled up Peter’s sleeve. A strange mark was burned into his skin. A white skull, with a snake coming out of its mouth lay as clear as day on the trembling man’s arm. “Death Eater! Traitor! Traitor to the Order!� Sirius yelled.

The barman seemed to be upset again at this outcry. “You two, no fighting in here, take it outside if you must.�

“Shut up, Aberforth!� Sirius snapped. “This is between me and this filth!� he said, drawing out his wand. Peter, though still shaking, did the same.

“Sirius, you don’t understand. He would have killed me. He would have killed all of us. I had no choice.�

“No choice? NO CHOICE?! YOU SENT LILY AND JAMES TO THE GRAVE YOU FILTHY—“

Aberforth apparently had enough. He too, drew out his wand and said above Sirius, “GET OUT, NOW! I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE IN THE ORDER, I WILL NOT HAVE MY BAR OPEN TO YOU TWO LIKE THIS! BREAKING MY GLASSES, PERSONAL SKIRMISHES, I WILL NOT HAVE IT! GET OUT!�

Sirius glared viciously at Pettigrew and slowly said, “You heard the man, let’s go. We can finish this outside.� Sirius stood by the door, waiting. Pettigrew, shaking more violently now, trudged over the dirty floor and slowly walked out, glancing around nervously, followed by Sirius.

“Have you any idea what you’ve done, Wormtail? Do you even remember them? Lily and James Potter? Our old friends from Hogwarts? You know, the Quidditch player you were always amazed by?� Sirius said calmly.

“Y-yes, of course. My old friends.�

“Really? I’m amazed. You do realize they’re dead, right?�

“Sirius, I-“

“And it’s all your fault, of course. What do you have to say to that?�

“Sirius, you-“

“YOU KILLED THEM YOU COWARD!�

Peter began shaking violently again. “S-s-s-sirius, I—I—I--it was the Dark Lord! Sirius, he would have killed me!�

Sirius was far too mad at this statement to give a retort. Instead of yelling, he calmed down once again.
“I’m going to show you what you’ve done, Wormtail.� Sirius grabbed hold of his former friend and disapparated. Sirius once again found himself in the village of Godric’s Hollow, accompanied by Wormtail. Day began to creep over the horizon. “Look what you’ve done, ‘friend.’�

Peter gazed upon the destroyed house that was once the sanctuary of the Potters. Peter seemed to have a faint trace of remorse in his face, but if he was truly sorry, he did a good job of covering it up. “Sirius, I---I did what I had to. Lily and James died, yes. But haven’t you heard? He’s gone! The Dark Lord is gone!�

“AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FRIENDS! AT THE COST OF THOSE YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTING!�

“B-but, Sirius—“

“WHAT IS ALL OF THIS NONSENSE ABOUT HIM BEING GONE ANYWAY?!�

“Well, y-y-you see, um…� Pettigrew once again lost his voice at Sirius’ rage. “H-he, he tried to kill Harry too, b-but, something didn’t work. It b-backfired. So now he’s gone.�

“How did you know that would happen? It was most likely going to be any other case, all three of them dead, and him still out there, killing anyone he fancies!�

“Yes, b-but, he’s gone now! Isn’t it great?�

“NO IT’S NOT GREAT YOU MURDERER! YOU SACRIFICED LILY AND JAMES AND ALMOST HARRY!� Sirius took another moment to settle himself. He glanced around the village as day gradually replaced the night. Sirius then moved his focus towards the house of his once best friend. Sadness welled up inside him like nothing he had ever felt before. To be here, at the site of the death of his once beloved schoolmate, and at the same time to be there with the one man that had caused him to be destroyed was simply too much. Finally, his gaze passed back to Wormtail. Hatred like nothing he had ever felt before rose up inside of him. This one man was the cause of all of his pain. There was nothing left for Sirius now, just one task left to ease his suffering. Sirius gave one long, cold gaze upon the wizard with pure loathing. Finally, breathing heavily, he uttered, “You said you feared Voldemort. You think he’s the most deadly wizard in the world? Well, I’ve got news for you, ‘friend.’ He’s nothing compared to me.�

“Sirius, please, I-“ Pettigrew timidly began. Sirius raised his wand…

Unfortunately, Pettigrew was too quick. “Impedimenta,� his squeaky voice rang out.

“Unhhh!� Sirius cried as he was knocked back. Pettigrew took off running down the roads of Godric’s Hollow. “Oh, no you don’t!� CRACK. Sirius apparated in front of Pettigrew, cutting off his escape. “Worthless coward! Your nickname suits you more than ever now, Wormtail. Because you are just a worm. A worthless, stupid, little worm that can’t even see the light of day from all of his hiding!�

“What are you doing, S-Sirius?�

“Fighting you, of course!�

“B-but, we are friends! We are friends!�

“Oh, really? Then how long until you have me killed?! YOU ARE NO FRIEND OF MINE!�

“Y-you can’t fight me! Lily, James, th-they wouldn’t have wanted this!�

Sirius called Peter something rather unkind at this point. “HOW DARE YOU! You kill Lily and James and now you can’t even defend yourself! Why I didn’t finish you off in the Hog’s Head I don’t know, but I can correct that mistake.� With no trace of any hesitation, Sirius raised his wand again. “Avada—“

“Silencio!� Pettigrew’s spell rendered Sirius speechless, and this time he changed into a rat before he took off once again into the dawn. Fuming with rage, Sirius performed the countercurse and once again apparated in front of Wormtail.
Sirius shot a blue-white spell at the rat, who returned to human. “You never could apparate well enough to save your life, Wormtail, and now it’s going to cost you. You can’t spend this entire duel running away.�

“I—I can try! Stupefy!� But this time Sirius was ready.

“Protego!� The magical shield reflected the stunner and Pettigrew was knocked cold onto the street. Sirius grinned happily at finally stopping his prey. “At last, this is the moment! Expelliarmus! Ennervate!� Pettigrew’s fearful eyes shot open as his wand went flying several feet away. He slowly looked into his attacker’s cold face. “I want you to witness this. I want you to be awake when you feel the life ripped from your body, just as it happened to Lily and James. You deserve that at least.�

“B-but, Sirius, l-look.� Pettigrew fearfully motioned behind himself as he slowly got up. Sirius glanced behind his opponent. A small crowd of muggles had approached and had undoubtedly witnessed the recent spells hurled at each other. One of them was carrying a tank of some kind. “Y-y-you can’t, not here. They’ll see,� Wormtail uttered, getting to his feet and slowly moving towards his wand.

Sirius let out a long bark of laughter, failing to notice Wormtail recovering his wand. “I’m about to perform an Unforgivable Curse here, Peter. Really think I care about what a few muggles see?�

“No, y-you can’t! You can’t kill me! Impedimenta!� Sirius was knocked off of his feet again. “We are friends, Sirius, you can’t murder me!� he cried in desperation. Sirius slowly got up and stared down Wormtail. His rage was beyond shouting now.

“Crucio!�

Peter fell to the floor in a crumpled heap, screaming and twitching violently. White hot pain raced up and down his body, as if a thousand knives were piercing every inch of him. “You deserve this pain, Wormtail, because this is what I am feeling right now! Three of my closest friends gone! The Potters, dead, and you, you’re not the Peter I knew. But don’t worry, you can join them soon.� The muggle with the tank was so stunned by this recent sorcery that he dropped his item and it rolled across the street, a small distance behind Wormtail. The frightened duelist, very slowly getting up, glanced around to locate the sound, and suddenly had a triumphant smile upon his face.

“Accepted your death finally, filth?� Sirius shot.

“Hardly!� Peter said with surprising vigor in his voice. “I’ve found a way out! Tell me, Sirius, how many people know that I was the Secret-Keeper?�

“You, me, Dumbledore, and the Potters, but you’ve gotten them out of the way, haven’t you now? Why does it matter? Do you really want to drag this out? You know you’re going to die!�

“Oh no, I’m not. That’s right, after this, only Dumbledore will matter, and he won’t be able to do anything about it. You’ll get blamed for the Potters’ deaths,� Peter said confidently.

“And just what makes you think that that’s going to happen?�

But Wormtail didn’t respond this time, instead, he pointed his wand at one of his own fingers and said, “Diffindo! AAHHHH!� His finger was ripped from his hand and fell to the floor in a bloody mess.

“Have you gone mad with your treachery already? What’s wrong with you?!� Sirius yelled.

�Oh, Sirius, how could you?! You killed them, you killed Lily and James!� Peter yelled over Sirius, loud enough for the growing crowd to hear, fake sobbing to boot.

“What are you doing now, you fool?�

“Just ensuring that you take the fall! Enjoy Azkaban, Padfoot!� Peter said viciously.

“I will, as long as you die! Avada---“ Sirius never had time to complete his spell, for Wormtail aimed his wand behind his back and said, “Reducto!�

It all seemed to happen so fast. Even later, Sirius never could sort it all out in his mind. Peter’s spell caused the tank to explode so violently that it blew apart the street. Twelve muggles fell, never to rise again, along with Peter, or so Sirius presumed.

“He’s dead at last. It’s over.� Sirius breathed a sigh of relief. Another crowd of Muggles behind him now were yelling and gazing at him, open mouthed in horror. “He deserved it! He’s no more than a murderer!� Sirius spat at the crowd. The crowd was still much too shocked to respond. Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius noticed some movement. He turned his head, and could barely glimpse a rat scurrying away from the scene. Now it was Sirius’s turn to gaze open-mouthed. The rat traveled some distance and then turned once again into Wormtail, who looked menacingly upon Sirius. He gave a small wave, then returned to rat form and ran down into a sewer.

Sirius returned his stare to the crowd. None of them had so much as moved. None of them had witnessed his friend disappear, still alive. He was too stunned to move. “No…� The eerie silence was suddenly ended with the arrival of several cracks ringing through the air. Ministry wizards had arrived and were observing the damage.

It was finally too much. Sirius could take no more. He had nothing left to focus on. The Potters were gone, Wormtail was gone to who knows where, and nothing could possibly prove him innocent. He could barely hear the wizards questioning the terrified muggles, hearing them name him as a murderer. He could catch various parts of their terrified ramblings. Water began to spurt from the crater that had resulted from the explosion.

“Blew him up!� “Shouted that he had killed some people!� “Lily and James, I don’t---“ There was simply nothing left. His mind was a total blank.

“Black…� Sirius turned his head and looked at the wizard addressing him. Someone he thought was named Fudge. “Black, what have you done? Did you really kill him? Kill Pettigrew?�

This question was met with a loud bark of laughter. Cold, cruel laughter, emanating from Sirius. He himself did not understand what was so funny, but he knew that he was laughing.

“Merlin’s beard! Black….�

“HA HA HA HA HA HA!� He could not stop, the situation was too far beyond him now. He had nothing… Hours seemed to pass like seconds. He could still barely hear the questioning that was pinning him down as a murderer, the obliviators going about their work, the wizards shocked at the events that had transpired. Finally, their work was completed, and he was led away by the officials.

So I’ll go to Azkaban. I’ll wait it out. I’ve got my hatred fueling me. One day I will return and finish what I’ve started. Wormtail will die for what he’s done. Lily and James will be avenged.

The next few days seemed to pass in a matter of minutes. Everything was a blur as his life came crashing down to seemingly nothingness. Sirius was led straight to Azkaban, he picked up that someone named Crouch had sent him to prison for his “crime,� even without a trial as was custom in wizarding law.

“Azkaban … the wizard prison,� Sirius said as he gazed upon the fortress in the cold sea as he was led along by ministry officials.

“Black, why did you do it?� one of them queried as he walked into his new home. He didn’t dignify with an answer, he knew that no one would believe him. Sirius gazed around the prison and saw the horrors that everyone feared. Dark, cold cells, filled with rambling and crazy prisoners, no longer able to coherently speak. And he felt cold, very cold, as if he would never be happy again. He shifted his gaze and saw what he knew would be a brooding presence for a long time. A tall, hooded figure, with an obscured hidden face. One of the infamous dementors of Azkaban.

“Noooo…� Sirius whispered softly. He could already feel their powerful, draining effect on his mind. The cold, hopeless feeling that seeped through his entire being was throughout him now. But, something was giving him a grip on reality yet. One thought lingered on his mind. It’s not over. I’m innocent! Nothing could drive that thought from him.

He was led to a cell stationed by two of the horrid creatures. “Welcome to your new home, Black. Enjoy your ‘hosts.’� You’ll have to get used to them, you’ll never see your cell without at least one in front,� the official said as he walked off and out of sight.

Sirius sat muttering to himself, swimming in the cold of his prison. “One day I will get out, one day Wormtail will pay, he won’t get away with this…�


Twelve years later…


“Minister, have you finished with your paper?� A man wearing a lime green bowler hat and a long, pinstriped cloak seemed surprised at the question, almost amazed. “I miss doing the crossword.� The strangely dressed man reluctantly handed his copy of the Daily Prophet over to the prisoner. The recipient looked at the picture on the front for a moment. Suddenly, his vision was transfixed on one single feature. A boy was holding a rat on the front page, and this particular rat was missing a toe on his front paw.

“It’s him…He’s at Hogwarts…�