Peter Pettigrew

Tail of a worm, fellow marauder, a wish to be kind. 'I just want to live...'

[pettigrewwhiskers]

alicelongbottom-va‌:

Alice smiled at Peter, realizing she’d managed to startle him as much as he’d startled her. “Well, congratulations, you’re successful,” she said, brushing her hair back and managing to dust it with flour. She wasn’t exactly the neatest baker, but she always had fun with it. And, of course, she cleaned up after herself later. 

Sprinkling some flour on the counter, she pulled her cookie dough out of the bowl and started rolling it out. “Sugar cookies! …wait, sorry, did you ask what I was baking or why I was baking?” she asked, pausing to look up at him again. “I’m baking because I like cookies? And it’s almost Halloween and, you know, because cookies?” 

She bit her lip and shrugged, letting the charmed rolling pin continue to smooth out the dough while she fished out the cookie cutters she wanted. “You like cookies, right? I figure most people do. And it’s fun. You can help if you want. Or just taste test later, if you’re busy. I know most people have more important things to do these days, but I think it’s good to take a break every so often, don’t you?” 

It wasn’t exactly hard to frighten Peter, he’d startle at every loud noise in a hundred yard radius and often further; but Alice at least didn’t seem to be angry with him walking into the kitchen, so hopefully Frank hadn’t pained him in too bad a light... Or maybe he’d just not told her at all, either could work out a little better for him.

He blinked at her, gaze shifting from Alice to the cookies she was baking and back again, “U-uh... I’m not sure, b-both?” he half-asked in return. “I guess everyone likes cookies, a-are they for everyone here or just for you and F-frank?” he asked quietly, walking a little more into the kitchen, “I never really liked Halloween much.”

Peter sat down with a sigh resting his hands on top of the table and rubbing them together slightly, “There’s a lot of people going around trying to make you jump... I jump easy.” Not that that was a shock, hell he was the biggest coward here, the worst of any Order member. “I’m not busy.” he shook his head slightly, “Though I’m better at cooking large meals than desserts.” he nodded slightly, “Breaks are great... if you can turn your head off.”  

[pettigrewwhiskers]

alicelongbottom-va‌:

Where: Order HQ When: Evening, Late October 

Music blared from the muggle radio as Alice stirred batter in a large bowl. Halloween was coming and that gave her an excuse to bake. Not that she needed one, exactly, but she still used it. Currently, she was making sugar cookies that she intended to cut into the shapes of ghosts and bats and jack o’lanterns. It was still a bit early yet, but that didn’t bother her. This could be a practice run. She’d always loved Halloween and would celebrate it as long as she could get away with.  

Her back was to the door, but in the Order headquarters, she didn’t mind it. In fact, she didn’t even think twice about it. This was a safe place and she wasn’t going to get all paranoid. The spoon slid through the batter in time to the music and she made a little bit of a mess as she tossed more flour into the bowl for emphasis. She wasn’t sure who’d brought the muggle radio in, but she was glad they had.     

“Doctor, doctor, gimme the news,” she sang loudly, using the spoon as a microphone. “I got a bad case of lovin’ you!” 

With the music up, she hadn’t heard anyone else enter and was shocked when she spun around, spoon still up by her face, and nearly hit someone. “Merlin’s giddy aunt!” She stepped back and dropped the spoon back into her bowl, blushing slightly. “Sorry, didn’t hear you come in. I’m having a baking slash dance party. Hi, by the way.”

The Order Headquarters was at once the most safe and most dangerous place that he could be. The Death Eaters couldn’t find him here, they couldn’t ambush him from nowhere and demand more information he didn’t want to, or couldn’t, give. They couldn’t drag him to their own safe locations to do whatever they wanted at wandpoint to ensure his agreement. But.. All of the Order were here, if they found out... if he’d slipped or someone who knew had slipped that would be it. Azkaban or death. In the face of those options he was screwed either way.

But, judging from the singing coming from a kitchen it was likely the members here at the moment weren’t planning an attack to snuff out the threat he posed. It didn’t help him relax much but he inched closer to the room and gently pushed the door open, recognising the woman inside, Alice Longbottom, Frank’s wife... Oh Merlin, had Frank told her about what happened a few weeks ago? Would she be mad at him?

Peter was just making up his mind to back out of the room and avoid finding out when Alice turned and her exclamation caused him to jump up in turn.

“T-that’s okay.” he said quickly, “I-I try not to be loud.” Being on the receiving end of attention was never somewhere Peter aimed to be. “Why are you baking?” A stupid question really but one of the first he could think of. Figuring he should return the greeting he half-raised a hand and waved, “Umm, Hi.”  

[pettigrewwhiskers]

Jumping at Corporeal Shadows || Open

[pettigrewwhiskers]

sacredlongbottom‌:

Frank hardly knew what to say - throughout the years, he’d never quite seen Peter like this. With a soft smile, he reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Peter. You helped me plenty.” Frank gestured to his head as he spoke, smile widening. 

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me,” he said with a shrug. “Nothing a spell or two can’t fix.” He fixed Peter with a stare, tilting his head a little as he did. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, Peter. Don’t…don’t beat yourself up too much over this.” 

There was no need, really - to worry about a couple of muggers in the middle of this hellscape they were living in was silly. Frank wasn’t exactly sure how to express that idea kindly, but he wasn’t sure it would matter either way. He wasn’t sure how to handle this - and this was his forte, after all - but Frank supposed there was only so much one could do.

He tried not to, really he did, but Peter couldn’t help a little flinch that came over him when Frank grabbed his shoulder; the other man wouldn’t hurt him, he had no reason too; no reason that he could be aware of anyway, he needed to get a damn grip! This was pathetic.

He slumped slightly and mumbled a reply, “There’s a lot to worry a-about, you included.” Frank was a good man, he didn’t deserve getting caught up in Peter’s mess. “M-maybe you should go to St. Mungo’s... just in case. I-I could help?” he ought to do something, since his apologies were worthless.

“I won’t...” he lied, looking down and relaxing the tiniest amount now they were at least back on the main street. “P-please don’t tell the o-other’s about this... They already know I-I’m deadweight...” Or most of them should, but he couldn’t risk being kicked out of the Order, that would be the end of him, “I-I’ll get better, I will,” he nodded jerkily.

[pettigrewwhiskers]

Pub Talk || Peter & Sirius

[pettigrewwhiskers]

burningstarsirius‌:

Sirius firmly believed they all had strengths in their group, they just varied. Peter was kind and caring, if a little more shy than the rest of them, and adaptable. Remus was kind as well but his real skill lay in planning - when Sirius and James came up with harebrained schemes, Remus was the one who’d always made it work logistically. James was brave and his reckless partner in crime and Sirius was charming and quick on his feet. Altogether they made for a chaotic but powerful combination, as the professors at Hogwarts had well learned. 

He shrugged at the question, taking another drag from his cigarette. “I just happened to get here more or less on time. There’s always something going on with me, Wormtail, you should know that.” Sirius shot him a mischievous smirk, though he was aware of the attempted subject change. “If you want to talk, I’ll listen.” It was said casually but Sirius meant it. If something was up with Peter, Sirius wanted to make it very clear that Sirius would help in any way he could or even just listen if the other was having a hard time.     

Sirius sighed and nodded. “Pretty sure we all are these days, mate.” It was a little more quiet, a little more somber than his mood had been up until this point but again he tried to push that away and the stag conversation was just the thing for it. “Because you have no sense of adventure! At least not right now. It should fill you with excitement because it will be very exciting, mark my words.” Sirius had a few plans up his sleeves and he was fairly certain his friends were going to enjoy them. He laughed at Peter’s comment and nodded, taking another sip of his drink. “Exactly. Though you’ll really have to step it up for the stag, it being a special occasion and all. All goes according to plan, none of us will be even close to sober by the end of the night.” James didn’t drink, true, but he got high and Sirius had no doubt his friend would partake for his stag do. “The real challenge will be keeping James away from Lily for a whole night and trying to keep him distracted enough that he’s not just mooning after her the whole time.” 

He could be told as many times as his friends were willing to tell him but Peter just couldn’t quite bring himself to see much value to him. The other’s were all so incredibly talented that he simply, faded into the background in comparison. Not that he minded! It was quite nice back there, safe... Or so he’d thought. Once that safety had been ripped from him it had left Peter floundering; he couldn’t go forward since he lacked the courage and there were only monster’s behind him now, he was stuck... and time was running out with every passing second. 

Peter sighed, “Don’t you get exhausted? Being ‘interesting’ all the time?” he asked, quietly, rather easily turning the focus back into Sirius, “I-I mean, we’re all having a hard time Sirius and I just... I worry. Please don’t and be too ‘interesting’ for a bit?” Of course, the word could have a multitude of meanings, everything for recklessly looking for enemies to drowning himself in partners... Sirius was a passionate man and he didn’t want his friend overwhelmed by his emotions. Peter knew how awful that could be.

In lieu of a response, Peter once again lifted the firewhiskey to his lips and took a (too large) swig of it, only to balk and put a hand over his mouth as he forced it down and made a face, “Oh Merlin, that s-stuff is vile.” he told he other, taking a few deep breaths. Though, once he got over the initial shock the after-burn wasn’t wholly atrocious. “I’ve been on more than enough adventures with you lot,” he said, shaking his head, “And that was when me and Mooney were holding you back.” Merlin only knew what Sirius was going to pull out without them trying to bring a little sense to the night. “I don’t know if that’s a brilliant idea... I’m not really m-myself after I’ve drunk too much.” Peter’s personality tended to do a complete switch with alcohol involved, but now he had secrets to keep... ones that literally involved life and death. “Just, keep him busy?” Peter suggested, “Give James a task and he’ll focus on that.” he paused and added a hint more mischievously, “Or make it a rule he gets smacked upside the head every time he mentions her?”

[pettigrewwhiskers]

unstcblx‌:

“I haven’t found anything better to do so you’re in luck,,” Gideon answered, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Peter. The memory of making this arrangement flooded back with a sharp intensity that paralleled the timid nature of which the younger man was addressing him. Gideon had agreed simply out of knowing he could one day depend on the other to save his life. 

For a hair of a second he allowed himself the time it took to judge Peter Pettigrew, for even though Gideon had known of the man for some time now, he found pulling a full picture to mind a tad challenging. The boy had always lingered around the robe ends of his friends, but the time for that was well past ending. Friendships weren’t as sturdy a protection in war.

Turning, Gideon began walking up the street. Normally he would apparate to the alley to get his assignments from Gringott’s first thing, but it wasn’t unusual for his schedule to become disrupted. He turned to make sure Peter was following him before saying, 

“So tell me again what you want to practice on. I assume you don’t need me to tell you how to hold your wand, so why don’t you tell me what you’re wanting to accomplish with me.”

Gideon was aware that his reputation for lethal measures in dueling preceded him, yet he wasn’t ever quick to assume those who came to him needed a push towards the more deranged. He lit a cigarette as he walked.

“And do try to keep up as we walk. The streets grow busy about this time, and I want to beat the rush.”

“That’s surprising.” Peter said softly, more to himself than to Gideon; hell, there were a multitude of things to do that were better than dealing with him. He still didn’t understand why his own friends wanted to spend time with him... It wasn’t like he offered much of value and now... Well. He was just a damn burden and a danger to all of them, more than any of them could think.

Despite all that, he had his motivation, he knew what he feared: Nothing. And he would do whatever it took to avoid that, if forcing himself to get a few dozen duelling lessons could give him a better shot at that then he’d damn well do it; it was why he was here in the first place instead of his hidden away cubicle of an office.

Seeing Gideon move Peter began shuffling after him, he’d never had an easy gait, even as a kid his natural movement just seemed stressed, his back arched and shoulder’s high, just waiting for something to go wrong.  

“I-I,” Peter began, then stopped and looked down, swallowed and tired again, “I need to get better at being more... more aggressive.” he all but whispered, “I can defend okay.”

It was all he usually did. Peter’s fighting style (if one could call it that) was just to hold people off and back away until someone else came in to take the lead. He wouldn’t have his friends there to keep saving him... In the not too distant future they may be the ones he needed to run from. Merlin... That thought made his insides squirm.

“S-sorry,” he said, quickening his pace and his movements becoming a little clunky as he tried to keep up. “I-I just... I need to be able t-to... to stand on my own.”  

[pettigrewwhiskers]

lucinda-talkalot‌:

Lucinda felt a sharp pang of irritation when Pettigrew claimed he did not remember her. Lucinda was certain she had probably hexed him at some point during their school years. Plus she had been the captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. She would have called herself a successful leader despite leading with an iron fist and a poisonous tongue. “Lucinda Talkalot.” she answered quickly, “Slytherin quidditch captain. I’m certain I played against one of your friends in qudditch, no?” 

“How sweet.” Lucinda tried not to make a sour face. It made her nauseous when people gushed over their loved ones. He wasn’t really gushing but the dreamy look on his face when he answered was enough to tell how much he loved his friends.

“We’ve got some decent Clary’s Tickseed in from North America that’s going quickly. It’s a bit pricier since it’s harder to get…The protection laws alone are enough to deter most..” she paused, tapping her fingers on the counter, “We’ve got Assassin Vine used in blood-replenishing potions, some leaves from a Jinmenju tree used in anti-depressant potions. We also have some Kudimmu cress, which would extend the shelf-lives of your friend’s potions.” She sighed, “Honestly, it’s really whatever you’re after. What kind of healing potions is she working on?”

Peter’s head shot down and stayed there; he hated when someone got annoyed with him but how was he supposed to remember her? He’d been dealing with enough in school to try and recall who people he didn’t hang out with (and possibly didn’t like) were. Still, he racked his brain to try and put the name to the woman and once again got nothing. “Oh... you were very good.” he mumbled in the end, “I j-just tended to focus more on what Gryffindor were doing during the matches...”

“It’s only something small.” he shrugged, not wanting to make a big thing of it at all, he’d rather have not spoken at all but he’d needed more ingredients if he wanted to give Lilly anything worth having.

“Those all sound pretty good.” he nodded, finally peeking up slightly, “She j-just likes doing it to pass the time, it’s fun for her.” And would be needed knowing what was coming; it worried Peter since he probably knew more than most. “Could I have a bit of all those as well please?” An idea came to him and he looked up just a little more, swallowing to ask, “Do you have any wolfsbane too? I think she’d like that one, something about the smell.” Again, an unneeded excuse but people never thought to question them with him, he wasn’t worth looking at twice.  

[thekokopellikid-deactivated2019]

[marautyr]

upon godric’s hollow’s kitchen chalkboard / marauders + fiancée

[pettigrewwhiskers]

marautyr‌:

MARTYRDOEM

BURNINGSTARSIRIUS

Scrawled in barely legible handwriting wherever space was left:

- Should any more testing of the party favours be done, I insist on being included (and personally think it very rude that I wasn’t the first time) - The cat and I aren’t on speaking terms and it seems to hide whenever I come into a room. I’m happy to provide this service to others who are sick of the horrid creature - I’m not doing anything with the rice if it can’t be done with magic - I’m fairly sure James can press his own clothes and doesn’t need any help and that’s only been included to try and trick us into doing his own chores - I’m happy to procure Zaffa procession instruments, test or no test. They’ll be the best instruments, promise - Don’t be a suck up, Pete, it’s not a good look

@lupinxwaning·, @martyrdoem··, @marautyr·, @pettigrewwhiskers·

ANNOTATIONS MADE in neat scrawl between each point. A grocery list now appearing alongside it.

Note: We’re enacting a bring your own cheese policy from now on.

1a.  Now that we know they are of high quality, a certain amount are expected to make it through the ceremony at the very least.  2a. I’ll handle the seating chart. — Who wants to sit beside Moody? 3a. Suppose I’ll handle the rice as well. You cowards.  4a. ALL OF YOUR OUTFITS ARE TO BE PRESSED. Wrinkles will simply ruin the pictures.  6. You look great, Peter. I love you too. ( That’s not crying you’re hearing. )  7. One more word about our cat and I’ll get four more. 

@burningstarsirius @pettigrewwhiskers @marautyr @lupinxwaning·

FROM A GREAT MANY ERASURES emerges A New List.

EUPHEMIA POTTER’S WEDDING TO - DO LIST (ANNOTATED) : 

1. Party favors will be assembled by Sirius and Peter, who are allowed to eat THE LEFTOVERS !!!! with Lily’s blessing

2. Best to let Lils handle the seating chart ( chances Moody can have a table to himself?? please vote here : X___________ )

3. Fine, I’ll do the rice myself, it’s almost as if you lot have never WORKED a day in your LIVES

4. Remus is heretofore and Forthwith in charge of all outfit - pressing, no takebacks

5. Sirius, I swear on my Mother’s Life … those instruments had better be Brilliant ( AND NOT CHARMED )

6. Wormtail quit sucking up to my wife, and she’s very correct, it is Not Crying          6a. Should anyone want more detail, please consider: Shoving It

7. No Comment

8. WOULD YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE LESS THAN A FORTNIGHT

@pettigrewwhiskers @lupinxwaning @burningstarsirius @martyrdoem

           The messy hand is even worse, written while in a hurry...

I offered to help with the rice! And all I get in return is images that’ll haunt my nightmares.

I’m game for doing party favours, so long as Sirius doesn’t get bored and wonder off half-way through.

And I suck up to everyone.. it’s a survival mechanism.

P.S. - I made a big dinner yesterday, there’s some leftovers in the fridge, I fed some to the cat already.

P.P.S. - I’m heading into Hogsmeade this afternoon, does anyone need anything?

P.P.P.S. - Give Moody his own hall... that way he’ll be far enough away that I won’t feel like wetting myself throughout the day. How is he so terrifying!?

@marautyr​, @martyrdoem​, @burningstarsirius​, @lupinxwaning​   

[pettigrewwhiskers]

Suppertime || Remus & Peter

@lupinxwaning

“Five minutes,” Peter said, his quiet voice drifting ahead of him as he moved from the kitchen to his small but clean living room, “Make yourself-” he paused, seeing Remus already sprawled across the sofa. Despite himself, despite everything, he smiled, “Comfortable.” he finished, shaking his head a little, “But don’t fall asleep.” If he did Peter would hate to wake him; he knew better than most how difficult it was to force yourself awake and if Remus could catch a few winks he’d let him have them, the dinner (loathe as he’d be to admit it) could be reheated.

Turning back he wiped his hands on his apron and grabbed his oven gloves, pulling them on he opened the oven and pulled out a whole roast chicken and set it to rest for a few moments (he’d made too much on purpose, he could send Remus off with a goody-bag later) before pulling the gloves off and enchanting a large knife and skewer to cut the meat. He pulled out potatoes, roast vegetables, some mash, a few stuffing balls and a piled his friends’ plate hight while his own seemed minuscule in comparison. Lastly, he added several slices of the chicken to Remus’ plate (and a few on his own) before setting both plates on the small table and pouring each of them a glass of wine. He couldn’t do much, he’d never been able to, but a meal he could cook, for tonight at least, maybe he could convince himself he was a good friend...

“O-okay,” he said quietly, poking his head back into the living room as he pulled the apron off, “Dinner’s ready.” a tiny smile on his face as he beckoned the other through, “If you don’t like anything don’t worry, t-there’s always the Chinese place down the road.” he said quickly, the brief surge of confidence vanishing as swiftly as it had come. “There’s more of everything as well... if you do like it.”

[pettigrewwhiskers]

"By nature of definition, it is the coward who is capable of the highest heroism, for his obstacles are the greatest of all."

David Gemmell

[pettigrewwhiskers]

unstcblx‌:

Gideon’s head throbbed. He took large swallows of the oil colored coffee in his hand as he descended the stairs, only putting it down long enough to pull the grate over the winding steps and begin arranging his daily wards on the entrance to his flat. As he finished the intricate runes, someone approached him, and instead of moving on, their falling footsteps halted just behind Gideon.

The sun was up, high in the sky (an honest rarity for London), and while he couldn’t be sure of all the morality flavors he knew in the world, he was fairly certain no one would bother cursing him in the back before he had the chance to get some eggs in his system. Or perhaps they would. Gideon made no haste as he finished the last combination of twists, and then he retrieved his coffee. Truth be told the visitor was likely miffed because Gideon had promised to be somewhere at some unholy hour, and his binder from the night before was barring his memory from retrieving it. 

Between the Order, his offer to train members and his new advancement, and his work at the bank, Gideon had an ever-growing list of people who vied for his time. Finally he turned, only when he was sure his home was secure, offering a half smile over the lid of his mug. 

“I feel like perhaps you’re expecting an apology for my tardiness,” Gideon mused. “But a wise woman once told me it’s better to arrive late than to arrive ugly.” His smile deepened before he paused to take a drink. “Unless of course this is purely a visit of pleasure, and in that case, haven’t you heard of owling ahead?”

Yes it was early but Peter hadn’t slept, he rarely did more than an hour or so most nights and it often showed. He’d already had two coffee’s and taken a swig or two of wiggenweld to get him through the day and he’d spent twenty minutes waiting for Gideon to show before deciding to see if he’d forgotten about their appointment, it had taken him so long to work up the courage for this duelling training after all.

He wanted his friends to know he was working on himself, that he wanted to help even if... despite what he’d done. Not that they knew but he wasn’t stupid, the fear of this tightrope he was walking grew greater and greater everyday; how long did he have before the thread was too thin to walk along? How long before one slight misstep, one fumble sent him careening into the dark. He wouldn’t, couldn’t survive that, not again. Yes he was a coward but his drive to survive was second to none and needed more skills than he currently possessed to see himself through.

So he apparated to an ally a street or two down from Gideon’s place and after spending a minute working up his non-existent courage he stepped out and walked the short journey only to see the man in question finished the wards around his property.

“Wha- N-no.” Peter shook his head quickly, looking down and not really responding to the other’s humour, nor his second question for a few moments. “I just umm... we were uhh, supposed to practise duelling this morning.” he said quietly, “If you’ve got uhh, something else you need to do that’s fine.” he wrung his fingers together, shoulders up to his chin with awkwardness, “I don’t wanna b-bother you.”  

[pettigrewwhiskers]

The Marauders as John Mulaney

@marautyr, @burningstarsirius, @lupinxwaning

James:

Sirius:

Remus:

Peter:

[marautyr]

upon godric’s hollow’s kitchen chalkboard / marauders + fiancée

[pettigrewwhiskers]

marautyr‌:

A HASTY NOTE, in which a great many things have been erased and re - written :

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN : 

If one were finding themesleves themselves in possession of Free Time within these walls, it would be intelligent ( you heard me ) to Consult Euphemia Potter’s List of Wedding Duties Remaining, reproduced below ( with Notations ).  Or Else.

1.  Assembling of Various Party Favors ( Remus is excused, pending investigation of the Missing Chocolates ) 

2. Seating Chart.  A serious one. ( First iteration rejected for perhaps …. legitimate reasons ) 

3. Cleaning, sorting, and otherwise Fiddling of the twenty kilograms of rice currently stored atop the kitchen counter — NO MAGIC

4. Pressing of the Groomsmen’s Garments ( so help the lot of you if you scorch them )

5. Procurement of Zaffa procession instruments.  ( not certain why she trusted US with this one either )

@burningstarsirius @pettigrewwhiskers @martyrdoem @lupinxwaning

   An added message beneath in slightly shaky writing:

Can do party favours won’t eat them unlike SOME

The cat won’t stop following me around... it’s creepy

Split the rice? 

Not touching the clothes

The cat’s rubbing against me.....

P.S. we’re out of cheese and toilet paper’s running low... James you gotta stop crying every time Lilly breaths

P.P.S Love you Lilly! 

[pettigrewwhiskers]

marlsboro‌:

Peter. he was not entirely unfamiliar to her and yet she realized that despite knowing him for several years she didn’t actually know anything about him. zero details of his life came to mind as she began to open her mouth to respond, letting it hang open and shutting it again. how was it possible that she had no real history to pull from an eight year long acquaintance. likely her fault, she was learning she wasn’t a very good friend, now or in the past. but she could fix that, right? maybe peter wasn’t the right place to start, but he was a place and procrastination was not her friend. 

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” she lied so easily before, it was harder now but the words still passed her lips like second nature. “Oh, yeah this —” she laughed a little, caught in the act it seemed. “old habits?” she offered, gesturing to the seat opposite her. if he wanted to chat it would be more comfortable for them both if he sat down. 

He worried he’d done something wrong at her reaction, the pause in her response and the look she gave him. Peter always half-expected some people to just tell him to leave when he spoke, as it was Marlene answered soon after and Peter felt a tiny bit of tension drain from him. “There are worse habits to have I uhh, I guess.” he said with a small stumble over the words, his eyes glancing up and looking down just as quickly, “They don’t say the truth, o-or what matters very often.” he added, not sure if he was trying to comfort her or just making a poor attempt at conversation.

His jerky gaze followed her gesture and he nodded slightly before moving and lowering himself into the chair, keeping his head down as though worried he was already in trouble. “I umm..” he paused and licked his lips, “I h-haven’t seen you much since school. You still in the aurors office?” He recalled seeing her head there when he came into work, but that had been a while back.

[pettigrewwhiskers]

lucinda-talkalot‌:

Dogweed and Deathcap had been quiet today. Week days usually meant that there was not much going on in the way of customer service. Lucinda preferred it so, less people, more time with the plants. In fact, she had been getting rather friendly with a Bushido bonsai tree. It had been a rather temperamental specimen at first but these plants usually were. Always requiring a bow, always needing verbal permission before being touched or they would draw blood. Reminded her quite a bit of her own attitude.

It was a little after twelve when a familiar face appeared in front of her. The stuttering alone had jogged her memory before she had even lifted her eyes from the bonsai plant. “Ah, Pettigrew correct?” she smirked knowingly, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you without your little friends….Though it has been awhile since we were in school.” Pettigrew seemed anxious but he had always seemed that way. Nothing new there. Always trailing after James Potter and his other lackeys. 

“We do have some moondew.” she said as she set down the sharp pruning shears she had been holding, “Just a tiny bit left so you’ll have to be the judge of whether it’s worth it. We get more in on Tuesdays usually.” Lucinda gently peeled off the dragonhide gloves she had been wearing before sitting them next to the shears on top of the counter. “If you’re looking to poison someone though…we have plenty of moonseed.”

Peter started a little when the woman spoke his last name, he struggled to try and place her but as she continued it became more obvious she must’ve been in Hogwarts while he was there. He had an awful memory for most other students in the school since he’d gone out of his way to try and avoid dealing with anyone but his friends, he’d has little confidence back then and less now, but he couldn’t hide behind anyone else right now... That safety net was gone.

“Uhh.. Y-yes.” he said with a small nod, looking up, again only for a moment, and then back down at the plants in his small basket. “I’m sorry I uhh... I’m not sure who you are. I’m bad with names and uhh, faces.” he said quietly, hoping she wouldn’t be mad at him for not being able to place her. “We still meet each other a lot.” Hell, Peter was sure they practically lived together at Godric’s, despite him having his own apartment he was rarely there nowadays.

“I uhh, I think I’ll still take it,” he swallowed, “I’m trying to make a umm, a hamper for a friend, plants for healing potions, she likes making them.” he added quietly, as though the justification was needed. “Do you have uhh, anything else that would be a good plant to add?” Peter asked, figuring forcing himself to talk to someone would be worth it if he could make Lilly smile a little wider.

[pettigrewwhiskers]

@lucinda-talkalot

Errands were far from Peter’s favourite thing, they meant being out in the open and nowhere in the open was safe... nowhere in general was safe now, but there was an illusion of protection in his work and perhaps real protection at Godrics. He felt safer there... even if guilt ate at him every moment he was inside. It was a portion of that guilt which drove him to Hogsmeade, he wanted to get something for Lilly she’d get use out of and so found himself in Dogweed and Deathcap hoping to find a few plant ingredients she may use in her next batch of potion brewing. 

Just buying so many concoctions would look suspicious after all and this way the guilt might be just a little bit less when he next thrust his presence upon her and James, and anyone else who might have been visiting. He’d gathered a few simpler plants, roots, leaves and blooms but was struggling to find the last item on his mental list and had been looking up and down shelves for some time.... Too long, he shouldn’t be out here, something could happen!

Eventually he swallowed his ever-present nerves and forced himself to talk to an assistant in the shop, “Umm, e-excuse me,” he muttered, only meeting the woman’s eyes for a second before looking down, “I umm... I’m looking for moondew, d-do you have any in right now?” Merlin willing he could get it and be gone before that elusive ‘something’ decided to rear it’s ugly head and happen. 

[pettigrewwhiskers]

marlsboro‌:

        cancelling her subscription to the prophet might be a good idea in theory but sometimes, though rare, she agreed with them. the news about the burbage family was devastating and she’d be adding their names ,their lives, to her list. however the dig against alastor and the auror department was what caught and held her attention and thoughts. even before she quit she thought they were understaffed, perhaps. and a small part of her ego thought alastor might owl and ask her back. warm bodies were needed, it seemed. but she knew better now, that he only wanted quality people, people with the maturity she’d been lacking. but things were changing inside of marlene, she felt —- less venomous. if that was the word to use anyway. 

        she wanted to turn the page but she just kept rereading the headline story. she began to mentally work the case, making notes in the margins. she was anxious with the idea she couldn’t help, but sometimes the best way to help others was to stay out of something. a new lesson. her quill remained busy when a voice sounded, a clearing throat and she looked up, half startled and a light pink blooming in her cheeks. “r-right, yes?”

Peter tried not to socialise much unless he had to, though his friends often forced him into it. The beauty of that though, was that they (mainly Sirius and James) did most of the talking for him. Given how unstable everything was, and his own position, any sort of conversation seemed like a pretty bad idea. That being said, if he went out of his way to avoid others he did know wouldn’t that only look more suspicious? The crux of this internal debate was one Marlene who’d yet to notice him since she was pouring over the paper... The headline hadn’t been kind to the Auror’s office, or Moody- The name made him want to hang his head in shame... He’d given that name up. One more mound of dirt to shovel onto his grave. Fuck it, go and talk to the girl.

Peter approached and softly, too softly? Offered a ‘hello’ for Marlene to pick up on. For several seconds he got no response and thought maybe it would be better to slip away again (so much for any courage) when she started a little and responded to him, “S-sorry,” came out on instinct and he ducked his head a little, “I-I mean, are you okay?” he swallowed, “You’re uhh... staring at the paper pretty hard.”