The group of Gryffindors giggled as they made their way back to the common room, having been forced to clean off in the Great Hall before being able to set foot in the corridors.

Majority of the students disappeared into their dorm rooms, passing the small group that had happily collapsed on the various couches and armchairs in the common room. Hermione let out a long breath as she threw her legs over Remus and Sirius who had joined her on the couch. They barely batted an eye; merely glad they were all together again.

A warm feeling passed through her as she smiled, listening to the boys rambling and allowing herself to forget about Regulus' warning for one, blissful evening. Ignoring the knot of dread, it made form in her chest.

Right now, I'm just a student. Not a soldier or saviour, she reminded herself.

After a few minutes, Peter excused himself and disappeared up to the dorms despite the protests of his friends. He spared one fleeting look at the back of Hermione's head as she laughed at James' terrible impression of Sirius, before dashing up the stairs.

************

Once Peter had entered the dorm room, he closed the door firmly and rested his forehead against it out of sheer exhaustion.

"Why is everything so difficult?" He wondered aloud, thinking back to the dungeons; an involuntary chill running down his spine. Peter pushed himself from the door and reached under his mattress, pulling out a battered journal with a broken clasp. He stared down at it with contempt, before sitting on one of the still standing desks in the room, reaching for the quill and ink pot.

Hesitantly, he flicked open to a clean page and wrote the date. His head hung low with shame.

I met Avery and Mulciber in the dungeons. They had passed me a note through a clueless, first year.

They wanted to do something to Hermione, alone. They also wanted to know when me, James, Sirius and Remus wouldn't be around. I tried to keep quiet, but they threatened me- I was terrified. And to protect Hermione? I just gave in. I don't know what they're going to do to her if they find her tomorrow night whilst we're all with Remus at the Shrieking Shack. I'm not sure I want to know. I wonder what James and the rest would do if they ever found out what I'd done.

She's just so much trouble, and no one else realises it! They all like her despite how weird she is. I don't know. I just wish it were simple, or that she would just disappear.

Peter reread his writing, letting out a long breath as he closed the book and hid it under the mattress once again, his chest and conscience feeling lighter than before. His ears perked up at the sound of the rest of the boys making their way upstairs.

Quickly, he disappeared into the bathroom with a set of pyjamas clutched to his chest.

************

Regret filled Remus the next morning, his body aching in protest as he reluctantly threw back his covers, rubbing at his eyes.

"Good morning Moony!" Announced Sirius, bounding into his line of view. Remus groaned and pulled the pillow over his head, "It's a horrible morning." He murmured. There was a deep pain forming in his joints, making every movement agony. Remus huffed when he heard someone else stand at his bedside. "Eat, you'll feel better." Commented James.

"Cheers." Remus grumbled, accepting the Honeydukes bar blindly before daring to move- he knew the day was going to be long, and the evening even worse.

"It's a Saturday, why don't you stay in bed?" Suggested Peter, pulling on a jumper for the day ahead. Remus grimaced. "I'm gonna be bed ridden enough tomorrow. I'll bare it." He commented, gripping the bed post to hoist himself to his feet.

James caught himself as he took a step forward, biting back his worry- he knew Remus didn't like them pining after him. Peter sat on the end of his bed cross legged, "What are we doing today?" He questioned, watching James duck beneath his bed. Peter grimaced at the idea of what was lurking beneath when James pulled out his broom with a grin, "Quidditch practice of course."

"Moons you coming?" Called Sirius, and Remus poked his head out from the bathroom, pulling on one of his usual jumpers. He looked pale in comparison to the scarlet wool that hung loosely off his body.

He displayed a crooked grin, "Would you let me miss it?"

"Never." Sirius and James said in unison, makingPeter snort as the duo grinned broadly.