Ivy couldn't help but notice Peter's strange behavior. He'd been acting a bit off lately, and for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. Nothing seemed to be wrong with him that she could tell. Besides, if anything was wrong, Peter would come to her, wouldn't he? They were friends after all, really good friends.

Confronting the man didn't do Ivy much good. When she tried to beat around the bush, he saw right through her and clammed up. She tried to talk with Peter many times, not realizing that he wasn't going to budge. Ivy began to get flustered. What was bothering him so much that he couldn't tell her? She'd told him everything about her home life, how she despised her new stepmother and how they shared a mutual hatred for each other. She'd told him how she was bullied by a bunch of prissy girls during years third to fifth. She'd told him personal things she only told her closest girlfriends.

So why wasn't he doing the same with her?

Ivy wanted to get to the bottom of it, and the only way to do it was to cross boundaries and confront him at his house. That is exactly what Ivy Andelthorpe did. Being of age, she Disapparated to his place with a loud pop. Ivy cringed. If only Disapparition was quieter.

With a flick of her wand, she popped the lock on the front door. She stepped into the quiet house. She knew Peter was around somewhere. She crossed into the living room, livid green eyes trying to catch something that would lead her to him.

Ivy was so engrossed with looking behind furniture that she didn't realize she'd found Peter until she stepped on him. He produced a high pitch squeak, a squeak only a rat could make. Ivy stepped back, tutting as the rat tried to scurry off. She gently put her foot on his tail, trapping him. Peter squeaked frantically.

Ivy shook her head. How mature, Peter.

"Change to your normal form so we can talk," she said calmly, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "I'm not leaving until we do."

Once she released Peter's tail, he scampered off a little before shifting back to his normal form. Though his form wasn't a good choice, Ivy couldn't help but feel envious towards him. She'd want to become an Animagus, but she hadn't been dedicated enough. If she had, she would have been able to become a fox. Another thing holding her back was the fact that Peter and his friends—Sirius and James—were all unregistered Animagi and could get into serious trouble if their secret was found out. She'd almost counted Remus as an Animagi, but then remembered that he was a werewolf, and there were differences between the two.

When back to his normal, human form, Peter Pettigrew looked to be in near tears. His eyes always looked watery, but Ivy could almost see the tears falling down his face.

"Peter?" she asked in a quiet tone. She didn't want to spook him. "What is it?"

"Ivy, you shouldn't be here," he said. "Go."

"I won't until you tell me what's going on." She advanced towards him, but he jumped back.

"Ivy, stop!" he barked at her. "I don't want to have to hurt you to make you leave."

"Peter, I know something's up. Nobody can see it but me. What's going on?"

"I—I can't tell you."

"Yes, you can. We're friends. I promise you, whatever you have to tell me, I'll listen." She reached to grab him, getting a hold of one of his arms.

"Ivy, no!"

But it was too late. Ivy had accidentally exposed the very thing Peter didn't want her to see: the brand of the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Ivy's mouth dropped, her terrified eyes met Peter's.

"I-I warned you," he said in a deathly calm voice. "I told you, Ivy. Now do you see?"

"Y-you," Ivy swallowed, "you're on h-his side?" She couldn't bring herself to even say "You-Know-Who." "Why, Peter? What about the Order?"

"There's no point in opposing him."

"So you joined him?" Ivy let go of Peter, tears glistened in her eyes. No...this can't be right. "Peter..."

"You can't tell anyone."

"Bullocks!" Ivy shouted. "How can I not tell the Order about this?"

"You won't."

"Why not?"

"B-because if you don't..." Peter had a hard time coming up with a credible threat.

"You won't get away with this betrayal, Peter." Ivy turned on her heel, starting to walk away.

"Stupefy!" Peter chirped.

The jet of red light hit Ivy from behind, sending her to the floor. She was barely conscious, able to only turn herself on her back. The room was spinning, Peter along with it. He loomed over her, tears down his cheeks. Ivy started to sob, seeing her possible future with Peter be obliterated. I wanted to try, Peter. I really did. I was so close to trying for something more.

"I—I really thought something was going to happen with us," Peter said somberly. It was like he was reading her thoughts. "Really, Ivy. I wanted to be with you, but that all changed." He pulled his sleeve down, concealing the Dark Mark. "I wish you had never found out, because you're in even more danger than you were before." He sighed, taking out his wand. "This is for your own good."

"Peter," Ivy sobbed. "Don't. Please."

"I'm doing this to protect you, I promise. I wish it didn't have to end like this."

Before Ivy could get out another word, unconsciousness took over. Her eyes closed, her chest rose and fell evenly.

Peter closed his eyes. You'll be safer this way, he tried to convince himself. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if this would save her from the Dark Lord. But he had to try. He loved Ivy Andelthorpe; he wanted to do anything possible to make sure she lived the life she deserved.

The life he could never give her now.

With a trembling hand, Peter pointed his wand at Ivy. I'm sorry.

"Obliviate."

**Full disclosure: Another request from my old HP one-shot book. I believe this is post-graduation of Hogwarts for Peter.

This was requested by The_Owlery many, many moons ago. It was definitely different, since Pettigrew is not a character I would consider getting some love, but hey, it was a good exercise in the end.**