Chapter Text
Peter was late.
Not that it was the first time it’s happened, but definitely one of the more inconvenient times for it to have occurred. He hadn’t planned to actually sleep in, but unfortunately it wasn't one of those things Peter often took into consideration when deciding to follow his friends' rather absurd ideas.
It was easy to tell that this would be one of the nights they collectively decided to place the blame solely on Sirius. It was at his insistence that they even agreed to this, so it would be who would have to beg for forgiveness when the time came.
He had been the first to get back to the dorm last night, and no matter how hard he had tried to stay awake for the sake of updating the boys of what he had seen as Wormtail, Peter had been down for the count within the hour. Worse yet, he hadn’t even made a note for the boys to warn them about the possible effects the amortentia in the pipes would have had.
Not that he thought they would know what to do given the situation, but they would've certainly come up with ideas to prevent things from getting out of hand while they tried their best to fix the mistake without letting others become aware.
Right now, his priority was to make it to the Great Hall before he missed breakfast. He would much rather not go through his classes on an empty stomach. Worst fucking feeling known to man, and that was saying something because Peter has suffered being chased plenty of times before he grew to despise felines of any form.
He was running down the corridors, hastily trying to make sure to secure his tie. He was sure that McGonagall would take points if he dared to show up to class with being properly dressed. An embarrassment upon the Gryffindor name as she would put it.
He had been so busy trying to keep his hands steady he hadn’t even seen when he bumped into another person.
“Oh sorry— Crouch? What are you doing here? Why did you run into me?”
Barty tilted his head to the side, a small smile forming on his lips.
“You’re the one who ran into me.”
“I wasn’t looking, but you clearly saw me. The corridors are completely empty right now, you could’ve stepped aside.”
Crouch shrugged a little.
“Maybe it was my intention to run into you. That way it would’ve given us a reason to talk to each other."
Peter rolled his eyes.
“I don't have time to deal with your shit. I have to get to breakfast.”
He was pushing past to continue on his way only to be stopped by Barty, who took his hand and pulled him back.
“Silly Pete, your tie is undone. You can’t go into breakfast looking like that. People will get the wrong idea if they see us walking in like this.”
Peter wanted to gag at the implication.
Crouch and him, in what world.
“I seriously doubt that's what anyone will say if they see me running late to breakfast.”
“Maybe, but us, together, now that would be a scandal. They'll believe I've ruined you without a chaperone. We'll be forced to marry and have twenty mini Pettigrews. I hope you know my father will insist we name one after him. Could you imagine another one? Bartemius Crouch the third? I shutter at the thought.”
Peter was so confused as to how the conversation had veered so much in just a few words. Never in his life has he said more than ten words to Barty at a time, and now here he was talking to him as though they've been friends their whole lives.
“If we have daughters, I want to name them. I have some of the most beautiful name ideas picked out. Oh, what do you think about moving to the countryside? Maybe as a vacation home or when the littlest gets a little bigger. I hope you know I was joking about twenty, five is a more realistic number.”
“Crouch, what are you going on about? I'm already late as it is and you're little game is confusing the fuck out of me. I'm in no mood to be playing house with you.”
Barty eyes seemed to widen a little. His hand falling from the sleeve of his robe and quickly moving towards the tie which he quickly got to fixing for Peter.
Barty had never been the helpful kind before.
“Of course we don't have to do any of that. That's only an idea I had. I know you have more ambitious goals. I could ask my father to put in a good word for you if you wanted to join the Wizengamot. I couldn’t guarantee anything of course since we're not on the best terms as of a few weeks ago, but I could get something. I'm sure it could help you get on their radar. Having Bartemius Crouch's backing is something not many would be able to compete with.”
Peter pushed Barty off of him, but he didn’t budge much. Simply let go of his tie and held on to his robe sleeve. His fingers playing with the helm as he looked up at Peter, his eyebrows coming together to give the illusion of a pout.
“I know I'm not typically what you would go for, but I could help you in the long run, you know. I really just want to help you get ahead. I would do anything you wanted me to. I don't mind so long as it means I can stand next to you.”
What was going on?
Peter roughly pulled on his sleeve and backed away slowly from Barty.
“If this is some fucking prank to get revenge, why don’t you do it on James or something. No one would believe it if you did this shit on me.”
Barty began to follow him, his head tilting to the side as his face frowned in confusion.
“But I like you. Potter's got nothing against you. He doesn't have the ambition like you do. You work so hard for what you want. It's so hot. That’s the kind of person I want.”
“Fuck this Crouch. I'm not playing this stupid game with you.”
Peter had never run so fast in his life. Well at least when he wasn't Wormtail, but regardless. His increased athleticism was still nothing compared to Barty, who was in the ravenclaw quidditch team, one of their fastest flyers according to James.
He was beginning to wish he had joined Sirius and James during those extra training sessions during the summer. Maybe he should consider it this summer.
Barty was behind him, gaining on him even though Peter was sure he had had a head start.
It was clear he was being toyed with, a game of cat and mouse that Peter was sure he would only have to experience as Wormtail.
The Great Hall was within view so Peter didn't slow down when he entered. He was quick to run over to the Gryffindor table. Pushed in between James and Sirius so that hopefully Barty would think twice before approaching him.
“He has risen. Inform the elves, we must celebrate such an occasion.”
James was cackling at Sirius’ mocking tone. Remus, who was sitting across from them, tried to hide a smile while Lily was just shaking her head in disbelief.
Mary was sitting there too but her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at Peter.
“What took you so long Pete. How were you the first to sleep and last to wake up? Did all that running really take you out?”
Peter rolled his eyes, just as Barty came in. His eyes seemed to be only focused on Peter who was immediately ducking behind James' broad shoulders.
“You know Peter, if you're having a hard time sleeping in the boys' dorm we could always share my bed.”
Mary leaned across the table and took his hand into her own.
Lily turned to her best friend with a question in her eyes. Though she wasn't the only one. James and Sirius staring at Mary’s hand holding on to Peter’s. A question just on the tip of their tongue because Mary had never been affectionate towards Peter.
Meanwhile Remus shifted his eyes between Mary Peter and Lily who was also just staring at the girl in disbelief.
“What are you going on about? You know boys aren't allowed in the girls' dorm Mary.”
Mary just shrugged, not bothering to let go of Peter’s hand. Her pretty hands played with the line caressing his palm.
“I'm sure we could figure something out.”
She looked up at him from under her eyelashes, and that was enough to get Peter to immediately take his hand back.
“Are you okay Mary?”
Lily placed a hand on her friend's forehead because turning her face and forcing her to look at her. Mary was just turning her hair back to look at Peter sitting in front of her, eyes sparkling lovingly.
Peter couldn't help but lean back in fear, not that he was allowed to go far when he felt someone standing right behind him. Looking up he found a grinning Barty staring down at him.
“There you are, I thought I lost you for a second. We should sit over at the Ravenclaw table, I'm sure we could get Sybill to read our cards. Pandora swears she's a talent.”
He was holding on to Peter's hand, ready to drag him out of his seat when Mary suddenly slammed her hands on the table and stood drawing all attention on her instead of the rebellious Ravenclaw who.was trying to drag Peter away.
“Back off Crouch. He doesn't want to go with you.”
“Oh, as if he wants to stay with you. We all know you get around Macdonald. There's nothing you could give him that you haven't already offered to half the school.”
Peter’s eyes went wide.
Seriously, what is going on right now?
Sirius was already standing up, with James right behind him. Both boys pushed Barty back forcing him to let go of Peter.
“Watch it Crouch.”
“You kiss your mother with that mouth. Don't you know how to speak to a lady?”
And there they went. Sirius and James playing with their victim of the day. teaming up and bringing attention to the insecurities of those they believe are their enemies, but for the first time possibly ever, their tactics were having little effect on Barty.
He completely looked over both James and Sirius, as if they were nothing more than pesky first yeast asking for attention for him.
“You can ask for me at the tower Pete. Pandora and Sybill always know where to find me.”
It was the way he said it, with an edge of desperation, his eyes softening just the smallest bit that told Peter there was something else to this whole interaction.
His eyes were shining, a glittering shine to them that made Peter think he was moments from crying. The same thing Mary’s eyes were doing earlier.
Barty turned around and made his way over to his table. He would turn back occasionally, as if he expected Peter to follow. He probably was after that declaration.
What was truly unsettling was that after that grand display between all of them, most students were now looking at them, or more specifically him.
And if he wasn’t wrong, a good portion of them were looking at him with the sparkling eyes.
So much more enjoying his breakfast.
For the next who really knows how long Peter has been ducking and running around the corner of the school cordiers to keep from being bombarded by the other students. Plenty of sixth and seventh years stopping him and telling him their futures plans together, while the younger years were holding at his robes asking for a smile, a hug, and some as bold as to ask for a kiss.
Peter had resorted to turning into Wormtail in between classes, just to have a moment to breathe.
At times he would just stand in the corner and watch Barty and Mary chase after each other yelling insults and throwing curses because they dared to utter Peter’s name as they both searched for him.
Part of him hoped he would find repaint and calm in other areas of the castel, but when Xenophilus Lovegood had sat next to him at the library to wax poetics about his hair and Gildroy Lockheart had snuck into his dorm room to steal his cologne, and Emmeline Vance had set up a trap to catch him, Peter decided he was done walking around the castel as Peter.
What was it with the Raveclaws and their obsession with him?
The halls of the school had become empty and Peter felt safe enough to turn back into himself before running to his next class before he would be called out for being late. Or at least that’s how it would’ve happened had he been turned and pushed against a wall. Wand to his chest, and face to face with Slytherin's emotionless Rosier.
Well, given his current expression Rosier wasn’t all that emotionless, in fact he looked furious.
“Look Rosier, I’m not into you, and no it’s not because I'm in love with someone else. And even if I was, I wouldn't tell you.”
The blonde’s face scrunched up in disgust.
“What the fuck are you talking about. Who said I was into you?”
Oh, well that was new.
“You’re not here to confess your love to me and tell me your future plans for us.”
“What does that even mean?”
Peter relaxed with a sigh, or at least as much as he could when he had a wand to his face.
Was it strange to think that he missed this, being threatened because he and his friends had pushed a Slytherin too far from their previous prank.
“Confess ratboy, what did you do to get Barty to be obsessed with you, and how do you undo it?”
Oh shit, did he see him transform?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cut the shit. Either you tell me or I’ll tell the headmaster about your illegal animagus transformation."
Well that confirmed one thing.
“Look I’m being honest, I don't know what the fuck is going on, and trust me I’m not enjoying it either. Did you know severus tried to give me a potion-”
“I don’t care about your suffering, tell me how to fix Barty.”
Huh, Rosier had a crush on Crouch, how did he never notice that.
“Like I said, I don’t know. This literally just started happening today, and I get the feeling it’s only going to get worse.”
Just before Rosier could say anything else there were the cries of a young Hufflepuff girl at the end of the corridor, her eyes full of tears and yelling out Peter’s name.
“You’re a liar, you promised you weren’t in love with someone else.”
“Shit!”
And it was because of her loud cries that other students came out to see what was going on.
“Run, run, run.”
Peter was pushing Rosier off of him and already running in the opposite direction of his next class. He could hear Roser next to him and the betrayed student chasing afternoon.
He wonders if he could be forgiven for missing the rest of his classes today.