Prompt given by SnarkyAndProudHufflepuff.
Secret Keeper AU: Albus Dumbledore was the Potter's secret keeper not Peter Pettigrew. Your restriction: Don't make Dumbledore evil, and don't have the Potters leave Harry at the Dursley's or anything like that.
The threat of Voldemort was rising ever faster and Albus Dumbledore knew Harry Potter's life was going to change. Maybe he was a fool to think Harry could stay a child during such dark times, and he wasn't the only one to notice. Lily and James Potter knew as well and they clutched tighter to their child, paranoid his bright curiosity and infectious grin would be forever lost.
Albus glanced away from the window as a cup shattered against hard tile. The red-haired woman stood frozen, hands outstretched, her mouth opened in silent alarm.
"Harry James Potter!" she finally yelled, hands planted firmly on her hips.
The eight-year-old boy abruptly hid the small ball behind his back. "Hi, mum. Do you need something?"
"Do I-? Harry, what have we said about playing with the ball in the house?"
His brow furrowed. "Uh, I could break something." His eyes widened when he saw the busted cup.
Lily waved the frantic apology away before she shooed him outside where James was. She sighed, a slight smile on her face. "He's growing so fast," she muttered in equal parts awe and fear as to what that could mean. In three years Harry would be expected to go to Hogwarts for his magical education. In three years the Potters would have to say goodbye for the first time.
"You know he's safe at Hogwarts, Lily. Hogwarts will protect him."
"But what if he's-"
"He won't be. I promise no harm will come to him."
She grew quiet but Albus knew her mind and heart wouldn't be at ease until Harry was out of school.
"He can't stay this way forever, can he?" Over the softness of her voice, Albus heard Harry's joyful laugh. But that laugh was subdued, silent, as though he were a ghost and not in their realm of reality.