The following events takes place between 11:00 and 12:00 pm. October 31, 1980.

Remus buttoned up his overcoat and fastened the latch on the door. He took the first few steps out the door of his mother's cottage and looked back. The white picket fence was swinging noiselessly on its hinges. A cold wind was blowing steadily from the north. Tugging his collar closer, he started his walk.

Damn Sirius! he thought angrily. Lily, James and Harry had gone in to hiding a week ago without telling Remus. He hadn't even gotten a chance to tell them good-bye. When Sirius had mentioned it offhand at the Three Broomsticks three days ago, Remus had stormed out.

He hadn't seen any of his friends since then, not even Peter. He felt a little guilty about neglecting Peter. It wasn't his fault the rest of them were fighting. Actually, it wasn't even Lily and James' fault. And it was only he and Sirius who were fighting. But, with Lily and James in hiding, Remus felt alone.

Cold nights were always spent at the Potter's, gathered around the fire, Lily leading them in limericks, or Sirius leading them in song, all throwing back butterbeers, while Harry crawled around the room. Cold nights were most definitely not spent wandering the countryside, on Halloween, alone, thinking angry thoughts.

But things hadn't been normal lately. Voldemort had stepped up the attacks. Remus had heard the rumors that Voldemort and his Death Eaters were after Lily and James. He hadn't been told much about it, actually. Though Albus Dumbledore had extended the invitation of being a member of the Order months ago, and Remus had been attending meetings for a while, he was always one of the few asked to step outside for parts.

It hadn't really bothered him, Remus admitted. He hadn't been involved as long as Sirius and James had been. They'd both started helping Dumbledore years ago, almost straight out of Hogwarts. Remus had had his own problems. Though not many knew of his lycanthrope, enough employers had somehow gotten word to make it difficult for him to get a job.

Lily had persuaded James to let them take Remus in for a while right after Harry was born. Remus had loved it. He would take care of little Harry while Lily took much needed rests. Harry looked so much like James, even at this young age, but his eyes, oh, his eyes, Remus reflected, were exact copies of his mothers, even in the emotion they expressed. There was something about Harry's eyes that made him feel like Harry understood him better than most adults.

He'd lived with Lily and James for two months, before finding a part-time clerk position in the village near his mother's cottage. Feeling he'd trespassed on the Potters' good nature for too long, he set up residence there.

The job wasn't bad, Remus admitted, as he continued to walk. He'd been there over a year now. It certainly wasn't as mentally stimulating as he would have like, but he managed to keep himself interested. Filling mail orders for potions ingredients, measuring out exact amounts and sending them by owl to various clients all over Britain. Too bad potions were far above his head.

Twice, Mr. Dram had stopped him parceling together ingredients that, if spilled, would have created small explosions. He was improving, Mr. Dram admitted, but there was still room to grow.

I really ought find Peter this evening, Remus thought. Peter had been acting strangely lately. Very nervous and agitated, constantly looking over his shoulder. He had confided in Remus two months ago he was convinced Sirius was out to get him. Remus had tried to calm Peter down, but to no avail. Remus saw no reason for Sirius to be out for Peter at all. They had never been on bad of terms, and nothing had happened lately to change any of that.

Stepping into the light cast by a street lamp in the small muggle village not far from his cottage, Remus checked the time on his pocket watch. Nodding, he disapparated with a crack.

--------- 11:06

"Where the hell is Wormtail?" Sirius wondered aloud. The waitress approaching his table eyed him interestedly.

"Come on, Sirius, have another drink with me. It's late, I don't think your friend is showing up tonight." she cooed, batting her eyelashes at him.

Sirius waved the glass away. "No thanks, Arty. I think I'll go looking for him. You know Peter Pettigrew, right?" he asked

"Short little guy, chubby, always hanging around you or James?" she asked.

"Yes." Sirius affirmed.

"Yeah, I know him. Why?" She asked, balancing a tray in his right hand.

"If he comes in here, give him this, wouldn't you? There's a good lass." Sirius said, thrusting a galleon and a small piece of parchment in her hand. She eyed the galleon and nodded her head.

"Can I keep the galleon regardless?" she asked.

"Of course. Thanks, Arty. I owe you one." Sirius said, drawing his finger along her jaw line as he rose from the table. He threw Tom behind the bar another galleon, which Tom caught deftly and nodded his good night. Sirius stepped out into muggle London, starting his search for Wormtail.

------------ 11:11

Currently, only dirt was visible to Severus Snape. He was bowing very low to the ground before the Dark wizard Voldemort. He kept his eyes trained on the ground, not trusting himself to rise up yet.

"Now, Severus, look at me. What news have you brought?" Voldemort hissed. Severus straightened himself.

"Dumbledore knows of the planned attack. He sent the Potters into hiding, with a secret keeper last week. My guess is that it would be Black. He and Potter have always been best friends. I suggest we start with him, my lord." Severus intoned.

Voldemort chuckled. Severus didn't like it. "Severus, my boy, I have known of the Fidelius measure the Potters have taken for some time now. I have their Secret Keeper our midst. The attack will go on tonight as originally planned."

The other Death Eaters present laughed with him. Severus whipped his head around, trying to discern Sirius from the crowd. He hadn't really thought Black had it in him to betray the Potters.

Voldemort noticed him glancing around. "No, no, Severus. You will not find Black here, I'm afraid, though I admit it would be fun to see the two of you battle it out. You hate him, don't you?" Voldemort paused, but began again before Severus could answer. "No. I'm afraid Black had the brilliant idea of switching secret keepers at the last moment to someone less than suspect. Come forward, servant."

Severus trained his gaze on a small, pudgy figure emerging from behind Voldemort. Pettigrew, Severus recognized immediately. The plump wizard raised his face to Voldemort, looking both rapturous and repulsed in the same moment. Snape swore sharply under his breath.

He had to get out of here, he had to warn Dumbledore. He swept his gaze around the circle, looking for something to use to get out of there. Finding nothing, he looked back to Voldemort, who was wearing a triumphant expression. "Tonight the Potters will die."

-------11: 18

"Minerva, I understand your concern, unfortunately there is not much I am able to do at this point." Albus Dumbledore said tiredly, bringing his right hand up to massage his temples. "James and Lily are safe; trust me. And Severus will bring us word in a few moments if anything has happened. Do not fret, my dear." he tried to reassure his colleague.

Albus wished he felt as confident as he sounded. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if the Potters were safe. Sirius had taken the oath as secret keeper. Sirius would not fail, Dumbledore repeated to himself. Besides, Severus had an inkling the attack might not happen this evening anyway, simply because they would not be able to find the Potters since they went in to hiding.

Minerva looked at him sternly, but said nothing Rising from her seat, she nodded her head and left his office.

-------11:27

Walking back to her office, Minerva heard a cat meow front in front of her. "Hello, Mr. Norris," she said, reaching down to scratch the cat's ears. "How is everything this evening?" The cat rubbed up against her legs.

Smiling she rubbed a hand down his back. "I'm afraid I have most urgent business elsewhere this evening, but give a hello to your lady friend." she informed him and continued on her way.

Reaching the door to her office, she paused inside the door. The students were thankfully, all in their dormitories by now, hopefully all in sweet-enhanced dreamstates. The feast had been somber, as it had been for many years.

Minerva sat down at her desk. Dumbledore had informed her it was quite likely he would be called away this evening, and with Severus gone, she would be in charge of the safety for all students at Hogwarts. She pulled out the lists of students for all four houses and looked at the status.

Most everyone was a tiny sleeping figure next to their names in Hufflepuff, which wasn't surprising. Most the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors were down as well, but a fair number of Slytherins were awake. She made a mental note of it and set the pieces of parchment down.

Pulling a pile of ungraded essays towards her, she got to work.

------11:34

Remus had been looking for Peter for almost an hour now he realized. He'd checked first at Peter's rooms just off Diagon Alley, but it looked as if he hadn't been there for days. Next he had stopped by the Leaky Cauldron. Arty said she hadn't seen him all night.

Discouraged, Remus walked down the main thoroughfare of Diagon Alley. Stopping in a doorway about halfway to Gringotts, he was considering going back home for the night, when a figure stepped out from the shadows.

"Remus," it said coldly, "what have you done to Peter?"

Sirius stepped out from behind the barrel he'd ducked behind while following Lupin. His wand was pointed directly at Lupin's heart. Attempting to keep his voice calm, he asked again, "What have you done with Peter, Remus?"

Remus looked at him, appearing to be confused. "Nothing, Sirius. I've been looking for him. I checked his rooms, he wasn't in."

"I know he wasn't in. He was supposed to meet me." Sirius said lowly, circling Remus, keeping the wand an arm's breadth away. "What have you done to him?" he repeated.

"Sirius, why would I know where he is?" Remus asked wildly. Sirius stared hard at him, but lowered his wand.

Remus gave a sigh of relief.

"He was supposed to meet me over an hour ago. That's odd for Peter." Sirius commented.

Remus only nodded, nervous about what Sirius would do next. "He went into hiding, Remus, you see. Hiding, because things are dangerous for all of us, and hiding will keep him safe. I've got one more place to check on him, so, if you don't mind, I think I'll just be going now."

Sirius took two deliberate steps back, waiting to see what Remus would do next. The werewolf simply stood there, shoulders hunched against the cold. A part, a small part, of Sirius wanted to comfort him, tell him everything would be ok. Peter would still be in his hiding spot, too nervous too meet Sirius at the pub and Lily and James would be fine.

But a glint in Remus' eye from the streetlamp above them stopped him. He gave Remus a cold, hard stare and disapparated from the street.

Remus shook his head. Something was wrong. But whether it originated with Sirius or Peter he wasn't sure. Oh, if only he could talk to Lily and James! James would laugh at him for being so worried and Lily would press a mug of hot cocoa in his hands, telling him things would be fine-they'd gotten through worse before.

Those thoughts warming him, Remus took off for the Three Broomsticks for a chat and nightcap with Arty.

-------11:41

Severus Snape had been sent home, but not without a sharp warning from the Dark Lord. "Breathe a word of this, Severus, and I will know. The Potters and the boy will be dead by dawn."

Severus Snape was pacing his bedroom. When he had arrived back outside the main gate at Hogwarts, Dumbledore had been waiting for him. Hurriedly, Severus had relayed the meeting, glossing over the finer points. He knew he had something desperately important to tell Dumbledore, but when confronted with the task, could only mumble something about checking on the Potters.

Dumbledore had assured him all was well. Severus still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was something he was not remembering, he berated himself, pacing the worn path in his carpet. Something important. Something the Dark Lord had not wanted him to repeat.

Why could he not remember it? With a sick swallow, Severus realized he had been obliviated.

"Dammit!" he cursed, sending books from their shelves onto the floor as a surge of uncontrolled magic escaped him.

------11:45

Dumbledore was pacing his study, mirroring the actions of his young potions master four floors below him.

Severus had been certain the attacks would be tonight. But he had been unable to tell how the attacks would take place. "Perhaps he just means to attack the village where the Potters live, Headmaster." Snape had said.

"Oh, I wish that were true," Dumbledore said out loud, easing himself into a chair. He had a very bad feeling about this. He could not find a chink in their armor, though, he comforted himself.

Sirius was stead-fast in his protection of the Potters. Especially of young Harry. Harry, Dumbledore thought again, smiling to himself as he pictured the baby in his mind. So much like his father.

Fawkes flew to his lap, breaking the reverie. The phoenix gently laid its head upon Dumbledore's shoulder. "Yes, my dear Fawkes, I'm afraid all there is to do now is wait and hope."

Dumbledore sat back in the chair, folding his hands together, settling for a short nap.

-------11:51

Sirius strode wildly through the underbrush. "Peter!" he screamed, his voice harsh.

"Where are you?" there was no answer as the wind continued to howl through the trees. He and Wormtail had agreed upon a cave on the grounds of Sirius' aunt. No one from the family came this way, it was around the hill from the house. Peter had been living there for the week since Lily and James went into hiding.

There was no sign of him. "Peter!" Sirius cried again. He stopped by the cave.

Inside were the remains of a small dinner, and a small haversack with a change of clothes and a robe. Sirius pulled them both out of the sack. The robe was heavier and darker than Peter normally wore. He pulled it out. It looked familiar, but he couldn't place it. Maybe one of James' old ones, Sirius thought idly.

He stepped around the cave a little more and was on his way out when a glint of white caught his eye. Leaning in closer, he brought the tip of his wand up. There, stuffed behind a small rock.

Pulling the rock back, Sirius reeled. A white, expressionless mask stared back at him. A Death Eater's mask.

"No." Sirius croaked.

"No." he repeated.

Stepping out into the forest, he quickly disapparated.

-----11:53

"Fill me up another glass, there's a good lass." Remus slurred, watching Arty spill just enough firewhisky into two shot glasses to register one swallow each. Clinking the glasses together in a drunken toast, they poured the liquid down their throats, laughing at each other's grimaces as they swallowed.

A few other patrons turned around to mutter about them, and Arty looked over guilty as Tom gave her a reproachful glance from behind the bar.

"I've got to do my rounds, Remus. Will you be staying?" she asked coyly.

"M'dear" Remus said, "were there any chance of me being able to stand, I would say no. But, seeing as your excellent service has rendered me incapacitated, I'm afraid you will have to suffer through my company for at least the next few hours."

Arty giggled and moved away. Remus enjoyed flirting with her, in part because it would never lead anywhere. Remus took a quick scan of the room. No one else he knew was here tonight, which wasn't a surprise, considering it was Halloween.

The ministry had issued a warning stating Voldemort and his followers may well be planning a civilian attack on Halloween. As if times weren't grim enough, Remus thought bitterly as he took a swig a butterbeer, Voldemort has to go and ruin Halloween.

He stared down at his glass. Perhaps he ought check in with the Order. But no, he hadn't been lying to Arty. He was absolutely pissed. He sincerely doubted whether his legs would hold his weight were he to give them a chance. So, he didn't. He simply took another sip from the beer and watch the patrons move about.

-----11:56

Minerva sat back in her chair, rubbing her eyes. The candle on her desk signaled it was almost midnight.

Albus had not informed her of a need for departure yet. Severus should be back as well, she thought. Perhaps she should go down and visit him. He had been on edge for quite some time. The strain of being a double-spy was wearing on him.

He had even mentioned to Minerva the distinct possibility of one of the Potters' friends playing spy to Voldemort. Severus had, of course, suggested Sirius, but Minerva told him to get past his school-boy prejudices.

He had simply snorted and said that time will tell. Opening her eyes once again, Minerva look back down the essay she was grading. Appalling, some of the work the students were handing in these days.

If it weren't for the fact that these particular students had only known Hogwarts in a time of war, Minerva was, for once, willing to grade a little leniently. She marked a 'A' at the top of the paper. No reasons to get outrageous and start marking everything 'E' she rationalized. She pulled the next essay towards her.

----11:57

Sirius apparated down the street where he remembered Lily and James living. He needn't have worried about finding the correct spot. There, at the end of the street, a crowd of people was gathered.

Sirius saw the scene grow larger before him with no knowledge of his feet carrying him closer. He forced muggles out of the way, muttering apologies, needing to be closer.

Without warning, he broke through the crowd. He felt his insides grow cold and felt his knees buckle.

There, where James and Lily's beautiful house had been, stood only a smoldering crater.

"Noooooooooo." Sirius said, dropping to his knees. "No!" he screamed in to the night.