Peter had never been in the spotlight. At home, he was always in the shadows mainly due to the fact that his parents constantly watched what he ate. So, he preferred to stay hidden so that he could eat whatever he wanted.

At Hogwarts, he was always in the shadows of the other four Marauders. He loved the boys, but he just wished he was fantastic at something like each of them were. James, Sirius, and Dalton were all outgoing and athletic. Sirius was the ladies' man on top of his athleticism. Remus was the genius of the group, always being the brains behind their pranks. Peter just always seemed to be there.

It didn't strike him that that could be his own fault, due to his shyness and want to stay in the shadows. It was almost as if he enjoyed having something to pity himself over. Or at least, if anyone were to see into his head that's what they would see. Peter didn't see what would be so obvious to anyone else.

So, at the beginning of sixth year, when Mulciber approached him on behalf of someone named Lord Voldemort, he was intrigued. He went to speak to Mulciber and the others involved with this man on multiple occasions about what joining Voldemort would include. He was promised glory, protection, everything he ever wanted.

Who would he be to turn that down? He decided that in order to make something of himself, he needed to join this man's ranks.

In November of sixth year, they told him that he needed to make a decision. If he chose to join them, he would be branded with what they called a 'Dark Mark.' That is when he and Savannah had their "bonding" conversation, as he had started to doubt his decision.

Her words, though she didn't know their consequences at the time, helped him make his decision. This was something he'd never regret.

And so, in December of sixth year, Peter Pettigrew became a Death Eater. At the New Year's Eve party that year, no one even thought that the shy boy had a Dark Mark on his arm.

At the same New Year's Eve party where Lily and James shared their first kiss at midnight, Peter Pettigrew was hiding the biggest secret one could hide from his best friends.

He still loved them in his own twisted way, but he knew he wouldn't have any friends anymore if he told them the truth.
——
"She actually kissed me back, Wormtail!" James gushed to Peter on New Year's Day, acting like a schoolgirl.

Peter laughed at James's behavior, replying, "We know, Prongs!"

"I just can't believe it! First she agreed to be my date to our party, now she's kissed me back! Moony was right, I just needed to lay off a bit and mature!" James continued to babble, waving his arms around like a crazy person.

"When we go back to school, you should ask her to be your girlfriend," Peter told him as they sat on James's bed.

"You don't think it'll be too soon?" James responded, biting his nails as he suddenly got nervous.

"You kissed her, mate! From what Sirius says, she'll be expecting it!"

"Okay. I'll do it," James decided, a look of determination on his face.
——
"Sava?" Peter called at Platform Nine and Three Quarters when he seen her alone.

James, Sirius, and Dalton had all already boarded the train to find Remus, leaving Savannah to wait for the girls on her own. She had been trapped in a house with only one other girl for a few days, so she was quite ready for some girls.

"Hey, Peter," Savannah responded, fiddling with her hands as she surveyed the crowd for one of the girls.

"Why aren't you with Dalton?" He questioned, wondering why the normally inseparable twins weren't together.

"I've been trapped in a house with only one other girl for days, so I'm waiting for Lily, Marlene, and Alice."

"Oh, okay. Mind if I wait with you?"

Something about the boy still gave her the heebie-jeebies, granted not as bad as before their talk back in November. She still nodded nonetheless.

The pair stood in awkward silence for a bit before Lily finally showed up. At this point, Peter shuffled away, leaving the girls alone. "Have you seen Marls and Alice?" Lily asked after giving Savannah a hug.

"No," Savannah replied, still watching for the remaining two girls.

"I didn't either."

They didn't have to wait long before the other two found them, allowing them to board the Hogwarts Express. Of course, since they were practically the last ones on, there were no more empty compartments. And so, the girls got stuck with the five Marauders. There were nine people in an eight-person compartment, which led James to try to pull Lily down into his lap.

Lily became beet red and abruptly stood back up, causing Sirius to give up his spot for Savannah. He sat on the floor, leaving the others to be crammed together on the seats. So really, Sirius was the winner.

James eventually worked up the courage to ask Lily to be his girlfriend, blurting out, "Be my girlfriend, Lilypad?"

If it was even possible, Lily's face got even redder before she squeaked, "Yes."

James looked like all the good things in the world had all happened to him at once, his face splitting into a grin that the others feared would break his face.

Savannah felt bad that Sirius gave up his seat for her, making him lean up against the hard wall so she gestured for him to sit on the floor between her legs since that spot would be softer than the wall. Sirius glanced at Dalton before obliging.

Dalton didn't like this, but he bit his tongue. Ever since he found out that Sirius likes Savannah, he and Sirius had been on the rocks. Dalton knew he was overreacting, but like Savannah always told him "you're the most dramatic boy ever." He also knew that if Sirius tried to do anything, Savannah wouldn't hesitate to injure his most prized organ. That comforted him.

Savannah found herself fantasizing about running her hands through his hair, as it was right in front of her. She tried to ignore the fact that he was sitting right in front of her, so that she didn't start fantasizing. You do not like Sirius Black. At most, you just find him attractive. That. Is. It.

Savannah repeated that mantra in her head the whole train ride, only stopping when they reached the castle and had to get up and get off the train.