“Wormy?” it was a dreamy voice, almost not quite there. The sweetness in it, genuine and kind, had made him quiver since third year.

He had been thirteen and finally working up the courage to ask her out, most girls were off limits due to Sirius’ wandering eye, but not her. And so, as fate would have it, two days before his potion lesson with her, James had come into the dormitory announcing someday he would marry Evans. And that had been the end of that

He looked up suddenly at her. She giggled.

“Off in a day dream Wormy?” There was a gurgle from behind him and he looked around to see James playing with tiny little Harry, who had just turned a year. She frowned and took his hand. He looked at it, his face flooding pink

“Are you okay?”

“Yes Lily. I’m fine.”

Cold. Harsh. This one made him quiver too, but not with lust or romantic day dreams. The time was coming. He could feel it.

He’d come to him at sixteen. It had seemed so pleasant so easy. He’d gotten practically nothing on his O., barely scraped two of them and at the time, seemed to have no future unlike Sirius, who was using his unknowing mother’s money to buy a motorbike and James, who looked all set to be an auror. Remus had the disadvantage of being a werewolf, but he was smart and all of them knew he’d make something of himself.

Voldemort had come to him personally that Summer on a cool night as he wandered around his home village. He offered him the life he wanted. Fame, money, Lily Evans. And he’d accepted. It’s been so easy. Little things he asked for, information on his friends, Dumbledore, the school. And he’d been happy to give it. He was sure things were moving in his favour.

He wished it was still so simple. Evans was not his. He was neither famous nor rich. It was drawing nearer. He approached him and fell to his knees.

“It is time Wormtail.” Voldemort said coldly, looking down on him. “Do you have the location of the Potters?”

“Yes my Lord…”

“Yes my Lord.”