Neutrality

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its Characters do not belong to me

Prologue Part 1

James sat tired at his desk in the Aurors office. His face rested in his hands his mind trying to comprehend everything that had happened within the last twenty-four hours. Dumbledore hand contacted him and Lily to meet with him at his office at Hogwarts, along with Dumbledore both of the Longbottoms were there with their son that was the same age as his little Harry. The headmaster had imparted terrifying news to both budding families and James now feared for his son, his wife and himself.

The older wizard had foretold of a prophecy that stated either Harry or Neville would be the ones who would be able to vanquish the most feared wizard of this point in time. James sat back staring that the familiar ceiling, his heart heavy as he fiddled with the sleeve of the blood red robes that were standard Auror issue. Dumbledore said that one of Voldemort's followers had overheard the prophecy though he wasn't sure how much, and that he felt it was best for both the families to go into hiding. He had offered to hide them away in cottages nestled in small wizarding villages that he was willing to have protected under the Fidellius Charm.

James was close to agreeing but realized that while that would be a smart move his ancestry home held many more enchantments and protections than the fidellius and instead turned the wizard down and hid both his family and by extension he also agreed to host the Longbottoms as well. Both families were close seeing as Alice and Lily were best friends in Hogwarts and outside of it and were both godmothers of the others child. When he had revealed that part of the plan to them Albus had not looked too thrilled at the prospect but agreed. Seeing as the Potter Manor was unplottable and only those with Potter blood could grant anyone access.

He slowly stood from his chair at the desk that was his since shortly after he completed training two years ago and let out a sigh. He knew Frank and Alice were probably almost finished as well with packing the belongings and he didn't wish to keep them waiting. He pulled out his wand and tapped the box shrinking it down in size before pocketing it and making his way out of the office that was now half empty and closing the door with a resounding thud. He then made his way to the Head Auror's Office, hearing both Frank and Alice on the other side before making his way into the room.

The scarred face of Alastor Moody looked up from the conversation he was having with the two in front of him at the sound of James entrance, the normal severe expression on the Wizards face. "Potter," he said in his gruff voice, "all set then I take it."

James swallowed before grabbing his badge from inside the robe pocket and placing it on the desk in front of one of the most feared Aurors of their time, "Yes sir."

The man snatched the badge from the desk and looked him over then nodded, "Enjoy your time off, Merlin knows you all need it. I will see you back here after your leave is over. Unless of course circumstances occur. Remember this Potter, Longbottoms; Constant Vigilance. In these times it is the best way to stay alive."

James nodded not really trusting his voice at this point in time before him and his long-time friends made their way to the atrium entrance. They shortly arrived at the Designated Porkey Travel Area before he held out his hand, both Alice and Frank placing a finger on the ring that the Potter Lord wore before a swift tug and they landed in a Luxurious Foyer that was warm and inviting. James shared a strained smile with the couple, whom he knew shared his worries, "Welcome to Potter Manor, Lord and Lady Longbottom, though of course you've been here before." His smile turned somewhat sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head.

Frank clapped him on the shoulder, "Thank you James, for your hospitality especially since there is an even bigger mark on both of our families' heads at this time."

"Of course, Frank, you are dear friends, pretty much family and with everything we need to stick together and make sure both of our boys stay safe. I just hope we can all survive."

They made their way further into the mansion following the sounds of children laughing where they ended up in one of the many sitting rooms, Lily sat on the floor, her fire hair pulled up messily behind her head, her eyes shining happily as she spelled the blocks the two toddlers were playing with into different colors. Both children seemed to be giggling with delight as the tower they were building changed from an array of several different colors each time they placed another block.

Harry stood on his little tip toes swaying a bit as he held his balance placing the last block on top of the pyramid and it changed from a deep blue to a fiery orange before Lily swished her wand and an illusion of a dragon swept through the blocks toppling them down to the ground. Both children squealed with delight and began stacking the blocks again causing the parents that just made their way into the room to let out chuckles at the happiness of the two children. Harry who was still on his feet let out a squeal and turned around and came toddling as fast as his little legs could go over to his father squealing out happily, "Da, Da, Da!"

James quickly swooped him up and spun him around before landing a kiss on the top of his son's head. Meanwhile Neville stood shakily on his legs then wobbled his way over to his smiling parents, Alice picking her son up and cuddling him close, though not in the dramatic fashion of the man next to them. Lily then stood and made her way over to her husband where he could see the relief showing in her eyes and he pulled her to him with his free arm placing a gentle peck on her cheek.

Both children began squirming in their parent's arms and they gently put them town on the floor as both boys went back to the blocks and began stacking them once more. James then turned his focus to the woman next to him, "You okay Lils?"

Her eyes while holding happiness also held the shadows of worry that he knew they all were sharing, "As well as I can be, with everything."

Both couples made their way over to the sofas that lined the room, the table had been pushed away from the center to give the children a place to play. Once they all were settled Alice looked at the down at the two boys on the floor happily playing the fear evident in her eyes, "What are we going to do?" She then looked at the other two parents her hand clutching her husbands, "We can't possibly hide forever. There has to be something more."

Lily leaned against James her eyes reflecting similar emotions as the other woman, "I think we all know that Alice, but at this point what more can we do. Our children both have a huge target painted on them. We have to keep them safe."

The other woman nodded in agreement all of the adults lost themselves in thought. Their families were the most important thing to both of them. While they cared about the world they lived in and about what might happen to it, the two boys who played obliviously on the floor in front of them were of the upmost importance. They mattered above anything and both sets of parents knew if it came down to it. They would both lay their lives down for the two innocents before them. A loud sigh left James as he ran a hand through his untamable hair that his son unfortunately inherited his mind coming up with a conclusion that was absolutely mad but at the same time his families' lives were at stake. He was a desperate man and he had much to protect and he knew he would do anything to protect them, even if it went against his own principles.

Lily glanced over at her husband knowing his looks and knowing when he had some form of plan or scheme, "James?"

He looked down at her then at the two across from him, "This may be mad and I probably am for suggesting it. Though, we have too much to risk, too much at stake. I think we can all agree that our family is the most important. I know I am willing to do anything to guarantee the safety of my family. I know this idea is dangerous and probably foolhardy and brash, which Lils, I know I am all of those things." A ghost of a smile lit his wife's lips, "Though, we have too much to lose. I know that this war is scary and we have put ourselves in the brunt of it. Our families are now stuck in the middle of two powerful wizards.

Dumbledore is a great wizard and he has helped us several times but everyone has their faults. I know and I know that we all know while he is a great wizard he isn't completely tarnished. Right now, though, we have our sons to look out for. They both have a death sentence on them from some crockpot of a prophecy." He then paused for a minute his hand running once more through his hair another sigh leaving his lips, "I really am quite mad with this but we really don't have a choice. It is absolutely insane but it might work."

"What James, what do you propose, just say it any idea is better than nothing." Frank said leaning forward staring at the other man who was having a hard time saying what he had come to mind.

James gave a sheepish smile before frowning, "Its something that will go against our principles. We have been fighting for so long that it is what both of our families have known for so long. Though what I am proposing is taking ourselves out of the fight. As we have already stated we can't hide forever. The boys can't be locked away in a tower like some muggle fairy tail princess. Maybe if we can make an audience with him and swear ourselves not to him but maybe to neutrality he may let us and them live. If we were to pull our families into being neutral our children will no longer be a threat and it will render the prophecy void."

The other three adults stared at him as though he was insane though all of them wore contemplative looks. Alice looked thoughtful, "It may work if he would even let us seek audience with him, let alone finding a way to see audience with him."

Lily let out a sigh, "I may have a way as an in." James stiffened beside her a sneer crossing his face and she quickly pinched his arm causing a yelp to leave the man, "You may not like him James, but he might help."

"You know I want nothing to do with Snivellus, Lils!"

"James Charlus Potter!" The woman said fiercely while standing up, "I know there is bad blood between you two because of your immaturity, which I might add was mainly from your petty jealousy, but if you want this plan to possibly work he might be one of our only ways in! This all in itself is mad but at the same time it may work! I don't want to have to constantly fear for my son's life and our lives!" the woman than dissolved into tears her son having picked up the emotions began to cry as well. She quickly rushed over picking her child up shushing him and clinging to him at the same time.

James face fell before he stood up pulling his wife and son to him, "I'm sorry Lils, you're right. If he could help I will play nice."

Both Frank and Alice sat there watching the scene, Neville having climbed into his father's lap sniffling lightly at the red-heads outburst both of them whispering to each other before Alice cleared her throat, "While like you said James, this may go against our principles as a whole. We agree it is worth a chance of trying our son is the most important thing and if the Dark Lord will agree to this well, it is worth a chance of trying. I can't sit here and hide and do nothing but cower while the threat of my son's head is in the mix. We are willing to try even though this is insane in itself."

James nodded to them and pulled back from Lily who had calmed down but still gave the man a murderous look, he knew he was not completely out of the dog house but for now she was going to let bygones be bygones. Lily passed the now sleeping Harry to his father, "Could you put him in bed, I'll write to Severus, and see if he might work with us."