Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything affiliated with the series. However, I like to borrow J. K. Rowling's world and create new, hopefully entertaining, plots.

Reviews are always greatly appreciated, especially since I don't know if this might be an interesting story to you guys. So, please let me know. :)

The very first chapter might be a little confusing, but the plot will rapidly become clear in the following chapters, I hope at least. Anyway, I believe that the summary already gives away quite enough information for you to guess...

Enjoy!

On the other Side of the Coin – A Draw of Destiny

Chapter 1 – Heads or Tails

21st October 1981

Sirius Black sat in a bar sipping his drink, deep in thought. He'd just come from James' and Lilys place, where he had proposed to change the plan. Originally James had asked him to be their secret keeper. As his best mate ever since the first train ride to Hogwarts, he'd trust him with his life and the lives of his loves ones, Lily and Harry. It hadn't taken Sirius even a split-second to agree to keep their secret safe and protect it with his life if need be, but recently he'd changed his mind. Not that he wouldn't lay his life done to protect his friends and their baby boy, because he would and would so without regret, but he feared to be the wrong man for keeping the most important secret.

Ever since Lily and James had learned about the prophecy from Dumbledore, they had gone into hiding, even more so after the headmaster's spies had confirmed that it was Harry who Voldemort believed to be the prophesied threat. Now, with things turning dire and the dark forces seeming to soon prevail nothing was more important than to keep little Harry safe. His parents knew of the prophecy, as well the Longbottoms were aware of its existence. But only after Voldemort picked Harry, had Dumbledore shared the exact wording with Lily and James. Sirius, however, did not know it and he didn't need to. What he knew was quite sufficient to elucidate his friends' dilemma. The Dark Lord seemed to have learned of the birth of a child, which would hold the power to destroy him. Unfortunately, he believed this child to be James' and Lily's son and was now hunting for him. With the constant threat of Death Eater attacks and the Ministry wavering Lily and James had to go to tremendous length to protect their family. Dumbledore had helped by finding an old but powerful charm which would magically seal the family in a protected location which only the Secret Keeper was able to reveal. Dumbledore had proposed himself for this post, not considering it wise to choose either of the Potters, since the need might occur to allow a new person entry to their refuge and the Potters, whilst living secluded, would not have much contact with the outside world. They would need to hide. Thus the choice had fallen on Sirius, trusted friend of the couple. Lily had been studying the books Dumbledore had provided and was now nearly ready to cast the charm, but recent developments had changed Sirius' mind.

While being an Auror meant to lead a dangerous life, even if he only graduated relatively recently, the attack carried out on him during his last visit to Diagon Alley had been something of a wakeup call. His crazy cousin Bellatrix and her deranged husband seemed to be out to get him. He thought it might have to do with this younger brother's disappearance and Bellatrix fearing the Black family heirlooms being left in Sirius' possession after his mother would die or it could very well be his obvious association with James. Since it was widely known that they were best friends since school, it was logical that they would come for Sirius sooner or later. This fact, however, wasn't not what had made him queasy. It was rather that Voldemort and his follower were very much aware of his link to the Potters and that he would be their first choice as Secret Keeper. It was way too obvious and in perilous times like these, they could not afford obvious. Therefore Sirius had called upon Peter and together they had met with Lily and James. He'd proposed switching places with Peter and then going into hiding. This way he would ensure Voldemort thought him to be the Secret Keeper and it might even be possible to lure him into a trap, if they were extremely lucky. But even if they weren't and Sirius got captured, he would not be able to reveal their location, no matter what torture Voldemort would resolve to or what other methods he would devise to break him. Lily and James would be safe and Sirius was fairly confident to last at least a few days in Voldemorts claws such that Lily and James would be alarmed by the lack of Patronus messages that Sirius promised to send every three days, and would know that something was wrong. This way they could move in time, even if Sirius should crack and spill the beans about Peter being the one who truly guards the secret. Voldemort would then have to capture Peter as well as torture the secret out of him. By then, Lily and James would be long gone and Harry safe. It had taken him a while but in the end both Lily and James had agreed to chance tactics and Peter had agreed as well.

Thus, now, Sirius Black sat in a Muggle bar and enjoyed a strong Scotch, a luxury which he assumed would not happen that often once he would be on the move. He mused about how best to prepare for his going into hiding. He'd have to leave a lot of stuff behind, but his motorcycle he would keep, that was for sure. However he needed to research protective and concealing charms tomorrow and start to buy enough equipment soon. With a wary expression Sirius looked at his now empty glass. He had a lot of preparations to start with but on the other hand when would he be able to enjoy another excellent Scotch? Rather not soon, he guessed.

Unwilling to decide, he pulled a coin out of his pocket. A fat Galleon shimmered golden between his fingers.

"Heads, I'll stay for one more drink, tails, I'll go home", he whispered.

Then, with a light flip of his hand, he threw the coin into the air, catching it again between his palms.

A small grin split Sirius' face as he saw the metal in his hand. Fate seemed to be good to him at least tonight.

"Barkeeper, another one if you will", he said quite pleased.

He would never really be able to fully appreciate how much would have changed, if this tiny Galleon had landed on the tail side.

We all know the stories of Harry Potter's life, if the coin had shown tails, but now, fate has thrown us on the other side of the coin.

~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~ ~o~

Happy to get your opinion. :)