A/N : First of all, MAJOR OOTP SPOILERS!!!. All right, this is my first HP fic, and my first fic in about six months, so here goes. Please, no flames :)

Disclaimer! - I almost forgot. All the characters belong to J.K.R. I don't own 'em.

Greener on the Other Side?

Summary - What would it have been like had Remus been chosen as secret keeper instead of Peter? Could it be true that the grass isn't always greener on the other side? What will Harry's life be like?

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October 23rd, 1981

"I don't know, are you sure this is the right idea? I mean, with the possibility of a spy, should we really take chances on the identity of our secret keeper?" Lily thought aloud while holding baby Harry.

"Well Sirius has a point, chances are Voldemort will suspect him" James replied as he paced across the wooden living room floor, his face grave.

Lily looked up at her husband and let out a small sigh, "O.K., so let's say that we do change the keeper, who do we choose? It's either Peter or Remus, and to be frank, everyone suspects Remus of spying, so. . .that really leaves us with one option."

James stopped and turned to face his wife. She was right, and he knew it. He still couldn't really imagine that Moony of all people would betray them. He was always the responsible one, the prefect. "I guess we'll have to use Worm tail instead. I still don't think Lupin is the spy though Lily. . It just doesn't make sense."

"To be honest, I don't he'd betray us either."

They both mused about their options until James voiced what they were both thinking.

"All right then. Let's ask Remus to be the secret keeper. We'll go to him tomorrow."

Lily sighed mentally, she wasn't to keen on using worm tail in the first place She stood up and handed him Harry, "We'll go to Hogwarts tomorrow then, after we ask Remus of course." Lily thought about this for a moment before continuing ". . . hoping that he accepts of course. It is a big favor to ask."

James just shook his head "I seriously doubt Moony will say no. But we can't tell any one, except Sirius and Dumbledore of course."

With that decided, James went upstairs to put Harry in his crib, not before tossing him up in the air though. Which resulted with one very annoyed Lily.

~*~*_~*~*_~*~*

October 24th 1981

Having just returned from Hogwarts: we find Lily, James, and a somewhat shocked Remus in the living room once again.

Remus took a seat on the armrest of the nearest couch. He looked up into the faces of his two best friends. "That was a bit of a shock. . ."

"Yeah we decided a change of plans last night, hope you don't mind" Lily said apologetically taking a seat across from Remus.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while. "But why not Peter? I mean it wasn't a secret that I was suspected of being a spy" Remus couldn't help but smile at his friend's looks of shock.

James spared his friend a warm smile " We knew that you weren't a spy Moony." Lily nodded in agreement. "It just didn't really add up that you of all people would side with Voldemort." God how James hated that man. The mere thought of Voldemort made him livid.

"Glad to know who trusts me." He then added in apprehensively "I'm guessing no one besides Dumbledore knows about this, right?"

"Yep, not even Sirius or Peter knows" James answered "But we're gonna have to tell Sirius, since he was the one that decided we should change keepers." He added in hastily as to avoid any misunderstandings.

Lily got up and smoothed out her skirt. "I'm gonna go get Harry. I'll be right back." And with that, she ran upstairs, her red hair fluttering behind her.

"How's Harry handling this whole ordeal anyways Prongs?" Remus asked in a falsetto business like tone.

James stood up from his seat on the couch and smiled impishly "Just fine. Potters can handle anything, Moony. You should know that"

In mock surprise, Remus jumped up from his seat on the armrest and looked at James incredulously. "Is that conceit I sense in your tone? Of all the people. Really James. I never expected such behavior from you." Remus chided sarcastically.

James just laughed at him. Even though he looked tired, it was obvious that he was genuinely happy. He knew it was because of their reinforced trust in him, and didn't doubt their random decision whatsoever.

Jointly the two men turned to face the wooden stairs, where a smiling Lily stood with an equally happy Harry. (A/N Well isn't everything just so happy here? too happy. . )

She walked over to Remus and handed Harry to him. "Uh. ." Remus looked down at the smiling baby and tried his best to stifle a laugh, with no avail.

"What's so funny Moony?" James asked as he turned on his heels to face Remus.

"Nothing, except for the fact that Harry is already starting to look exactly like you, save the eyes of course" Remus said almost ruefully. He wasn't kidding though. He knew there was something special about Harry, besides the fact he looked extraordinarily like James. He just couldn't figure out what.

Lily gave him a wan smile. "Yeah, I noticed that too" She concurred with a heavy sigh. James gave them both glares, which resulted in an uproar of laughter.

James cocked his head to the side and gave them both hurt looks. "Say that like it's a bad thing Moony?"

This repartee continued until nightfall.

~*~*~*~*~

November 2nd 1981

-Leaky Cauldron ::: Private Booth-

"So you're gonna use Moony instead?" Sirius asked as he set down an empty butter beer bottle.

"Yep" He paused "He was actually shocked"

"So he knew we thought he was the spy?"

"I guess"

Sirius studied his best friend for a moment. He knew that James hated Voldemort as much as he did, and now even more. Now he had to put his friends in danger because Voldemort was after them. Personally, he hated Voldemort for many reasons. Making his best friend feel guilty was one of them.

This was just another reason that they both were planning on becoming Aurors. He had no doubt that the Ministry would hire them both, but man, it was hard training!! But if it meant getting back at Voldemort and his entourage of Death Eaters, then it was worth it.

Deciding not to push the subject any further, he decided to change the subject. "Anyways, how's Lils?"

James' face lit up at the mention of his wife. "She's doin' fine, happy just to stay at home and take care of Harry. They're both so full of energy, yep."

Sirius shot him a sly smile "Moony told me that Harry is looking more like you everyday"

James just laughed. "Yeah, Remus really has a soft spot for Harry"

"As do I, considering I'm his god father" Sirius said proudly, as if trying to impress some one. Well, it was true. He loved Harry to no end, and made sure everyone was quite aware of that.

James grinned "Of course Padfoot. We all know that" James checked his watch "We better get back, the formal interview with the Minister is in an hour" James stood up and looked around the musty pub. There was barely any one there, except Tom, but he was always there. There were some empty glasses strewn on the rickety tables, which were surrounded by worn stools, some lay on the ground. He stepped over some of them on his way to the exit, almost tripping over one.

"Wait, where's Peter?" Sirius asked as he exited the stuffy pub, giving it one last lofty glance.

"Oh yeah, forgot to tell you. He's not becoming an Auror after all."

"WHAT?!" Sirius yelled indignantly, the look of shock obvious on his face.

James waved his hands in mock surrender "Don't ask me why he wasted years of training. Said he just was chickening out"

Sirius thought about this as he walked into the telephone booth "Typical Peter I guess"

~*~*~*~

November 4th 1981 -Riddle Manor-

"What do you mean Worm tail?" A tall man in long black robes demanded. An eerie calmness in his voice. He looked down at the short, chubby man with annoyance. Wormtail. He had recently discovered this name for a turncoat named Peter Pettigrew, and found it actually quite amusing. He was just that, a rat. Soon to be a dead rat if he didn't come up with a good answer though.

"T-T-The P-Po-Potter-"

"Speak in full sentences, or be punished." The man said, annoyance penetrating his calm demeanor.

"S-Sorry Master." Peter felt the beads of cold sweat running down his face. His knees were starting to ache from kneeling, but he did his best to recompose him self.

"The Potters Have Ch-Chosen some one else as their secret keeper. I-I don't know who." He the desperately added "-yet"

The man frowned. "I see. This is quite the predicament. No matter. I have heard the rest of the prophecy, I shall wait before I decimate the child."

Relief swept over Peter "T-That's good M-Master" He looked up at his 'master'. First thing he had noticed when he actually had the 'honor' to meet Lord Voldemort, was that he was quite tall, taller than Sirius. Followed by his dark green eyes flecked with red; which were an obvious sign that he practiced the Dark Arts often. Actually, for the Dark Lord, he looked normal, his face showing signs that at one time he was very handsome. Yes, Peter feared the Dark Lord to the point of tears, and would serve him until the day he died. Probably at his hands actually. . .

"Yes. . .Crucio!" And with a flick of his wand, Peter was on the floor writhing in pain. "Don't fail me again Worm Tail. I won't be so easy on you next time." He removed the curse and sent a crying Pettigrew out, postponing any plans to attack Harry or Neville for that matter.

TBC

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A/N : Alright, that's the end of the first chapter. It's odd, I know. The next chapters won't be like that, they'll be mostly Harry's POV, and I just had to get the AU set up first.

This chapter was a lot shorter than I had planned actually. But Hopefully everything will tie in with chapter 2, which I'll have up soon.

Oh, Lupin and Draco will definitely have major roles in the future, so worry not.

Any recommendations for plot add ons/changes are always appreciated, thanks ^^

I do love reviews you know :)