He hummed a Christmas carol that'd been in his head all day - god knows why, it was only Hallowe'en, after all - as he walked to answer the door. He picked up the basket of candy for the trick-or-treaters before reaching for the knob, letting out a happy little sigh as he remembered how badly Harry had wanted to unwrap all the chocolates earlier. That kid really was cut out to be a seeker. Hadn't even wanted to eat the candy, just wanted to play with the shiny gold foil he took off of them. Wait until he gets his hands on a Golden Snitch!

James's hand lingered on the doorknob for a split second as he heard Harry giggling from his crib upstairs. Lily was most likely playing his favorite game with him; she'd drape her long ginger hair over his little body and shake her head so the waves made delightful swishing sounds. Her lovely, bubbling laughter now floated out from the nursery too, reminding James to hurry with the visitors so he could return to his wife and child.

Still his hand rested on the knob. Deep in the back of his mind, something was telling him to back away, go into the nursery, hold Harry, kiss Lily. But the doorbell rang again, and his hand made the twisting movement involuntarily, and he drew the door open to show a tall, cloaked figure. The person turned toward him and pulled the hood away from their face, and time stopped.

The Fidelius Charm cannot be broken through torture or coercion; the Secret Keeper must willingly divulge the information in question.

Peter, what have you done?

Summers with the other Marauders at his parents' house. Enchanting their map. Sneaking out of the dorms with the invisibility cloak. Seeing Hogsmeade for the first time as second years by going through the secret entrance.

It must be a mistake. The charm must have been broken somehow. They must have hurt him so badly that he wanted to give up the secret. It's okay. Petey, it's okay. I forgive you. I understand.

You-Know-Who flicked his wand out of his cloak and pointed it at James in a swift, fluid motion.

"Lily, good god, Lily, hide Harry, go, get out of here, he's here, I'll hold him off," James cried out, rambling, as the dark wizard backed him into the corner by the stairs. His entire body was shaking. Would he really die, here, tonight? He had always hoped he would die after Lily went, so she wouldn't have to grieve him - dear god, my god, please let my Lily live, please let Harry live - but the wand was pointed right at him, right now -

Suddenly a shock went through his heart and arms and legs and a great green light was around him. He vaguely felt the cold wood floor under him, and he heard the beginnings of a heart-wrenching scream coming from somewhere, but it faded out just as it became audible. He was fading, too.

Petey. It's gonna be okay. I know it wasn't your fault. I wasn't wrong to trust you. I just misjudged what he could do to you.