I do not own any of the characters they belong to one J.K Rowling

i bow down i am not worthy J.K anyway see what u think and tell me thanx

The fall of the Marauders

Part one James's last stand

Chapter one renewed brothers

"Godric's hollow. That is where you must move. It has a natural power base it will make sure the power of the charm we perform will be effective. Do you have a candidate for this?"

Dumbledore said gazing at Lily and James through his half moon spectacles. "Sirius." They said without hesitation.

"Are you sure? Is he trustworthy?" James looked at Dumbledore like he was insane. "Dumbledore! You know Sirius! He's part of the Order and he would die before he betrayed us."

Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "Yes. I know. Is he willing?" "I am." Said a voice. They all turned and saw Sirius lounging by the door.

"Sirius, where have you been?" James said standing up to look at his best friend in the world. "Putting everything in order." Sirius frowned at James and then pulled him into a bear hug.

"Don't sweat it Prongs. I'm here for you. All of you." He said looking at Lily who was holding a tiny baby Harry in her arms. James looked at his wife and smiled. It was the first true smile Sirius had seen in a while.

He ruffled Harry's tuft of black hair and turned back to Dumbledore. "When can we move?" Dumbledore nodded and said,

"The hollow is ready." "Then Sirius and I will apperate there tomorrow and get the place ready." James turned to Lily. "Sweetheart if you and Harry can stay with Dumbledore while Sirius and I sort this out.

"James I'm not leaving you. Not even for a minute." Lily said fire dancing in her eyes. "I love you no matter what happens and Voldemort is not going to stop that."

James felt his love for her double in intensity in that moment. He had knew that he loved her but right then it grew and grew until his heart was residing somewhere in his throat. He leaned down and kissed her hard and fast before pulling away. "I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you too. And because of that Harry and I will join you tomorrow at the Hollow." James nodded. Even though he knew it was dangerous he wanted to be with Lily every moment and he wanted to be able to see Harry and know that he wasn't in any danger.

If they were at the Hollow with him then he would know. He looked at Dumbledore and Dumbledore nodded his understanding. "Very well. I will escort Lily and Harry to the Hollow tomorrow James."

James sighed in relief. It was amazing that they even knew Voldemort was after them. But news had reached them and now they were preparing to disappear. The charm they were going to perform was the Fidelius charm.

It was the most powerful charm they had and the way it worked was by magically concealing a secret inside a single living soul. The chosen person then became the Secret-keeper and the location or identity of the person is hidden unless the Secret-keeper chooses to share it.

As long as Sirius refused to speak then Voldemort could walk past Godric's Hollow and the village he, Lily and Harry a thousand times over and never find them. They would be safe. There was only one person James trusted with this and that was Sirius Back.

Dumbledore has thought it would be best to use this charm as he himself was the Secret-Keeper for the location of the Order of the Phoenix and although Voldemort now knew there were people besides the ministry fighting him he had been unsuccessfully ferreting them out.

That was not to say that they weren't in danger, hence the urgent reasons for the immediate Potter's disappearance. James and Lily had chosen their Secret-Keeper.

It was to be Sirius.

There was no one James and Lily trusted more and Sirius had been more than willing even knowing the risks to do it.

So now was all that was needed was to get the house ready and then in three days the spell would be cast.

"Sirius, I need to talk to you." James finally said in a rush. Sirius looked up startled. He had never seen his friend look so on edge.

Granted they had all been through some horrific times lately but it was only then that Sirius realised how tired his friend looked. His eyes looked haunted and devoid of any of the cockiness Sirius had always known his friend to have. "Yeah Prongs, what is it?"

"No, I can't talk now. Dumbledore and I were talking earlier and there are some things that I don't even want Lily to know. Hogsmede at the Three Broomsticks? Tonight at six."

Sirius had never seen his friend look so panic stricken and wished he could ease his pain. "Sure Prongs. Anything." James nodded and then they went about tiding the house up and moving the Potter's stuff as they had been doing.

Then a green flash in the fireplace and Lily appeared carrying a crying Harry close to her chest. Sirius hurried forward and said "Here give him to me. Harry's gonna come see his Godfather aren't you Harry?"

Harry looked up and smiled and held out his arms to Sirius and Sirius took him from Lily and started flying round the room making engine noises. They might even go out on the bike later. Sirius was fond of that bike and apparently so was Harry.

Sirius had been surprised that a one year old would like a bike but Harry had and Sirius was not about to make his Godson give it up.

James apperated into the Three Broomsticks and found their usual table and waited sure enough Sirius sauntered in through the door with a natural grace, James had to admit, he had never mastered and could never see himself doing so. Sirius had attracted quite a few female glances, as he always did. Sirius had always had a reputation for womanising and it was known that he didn't intend to settle down just yet.

On any other day he would have taken more notice or taken advantage of this fact but today his gaze was set on his friend as he sat down opposite him.

"James, you look like hell."

"Gee, thanks Padfoot." James said wryly

"being on the run from him tends to do that to you." "Hey," Sirius said quietly "It'll be fine. I'll make sure it's fine. James I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Lily or Harry."

James looked up at that. He had never seen his friend so serious outside of Auror training and even then the spaces in between his laughter were short.

But there was no sign of laughter now. Padfoot was totally serious. "That's what I need to talk to you about. The spy, it's one of the Order Sirius. That's how Voldemort has so much information."

Sirius had been casually leaning in his chair, a habit he had never been able to grow out of; when he heard this he fell forwards so fast he nearly fell out of his chair.

"WHAT?"

Sirius yelled. No one heard in the hubbub of the pub but even so Sirius and James glanced around, Auror training had taught them that they could never be to careful. He lowered his voice and said "James are you sure?" "Positive. Dumbledore is sure.

That's why this is all so short notice. Dumbledore has the feeling that it is someone close to Lily and I."

"James you better not be saying what I think you are." Sirius growled, "Well are you? Wait if you were you wouldn't tell me anyway."

James looked his best friend straight in the eye. Sirius' eyes clouded with pain. "I'm not my brother James." He said quietly. James flinched.

He hadn't meant it that way. He knew Sirius wasn't Regulus or Bellatrix for that matter but all the same he had felt betrayal beyond anything he had ever felt before when Dumbledore had confided in him that Sirius was one of the suspects.

He looked at Sirius then and he looked back. After a long moment Sirius cursed under his breath and then pulled something from the dark robes he was wearing. He laid them on the table and James leaned over and gasped.

On the table in front of him where three photographs. One was a little crumpled, one was brand new and one was worn around the edges.

James leaned forward and saw his seventeen-year-old self smiling and waving up at him. All the Marauders were on there and so was Lily. James realised it was the day of their seventh year leaving ball. He and Lily were holding hands and Sirius had his arm around a slim looking girl. It was Emmeline. Sirius and her had dated in seventh year and again a few years after while she was at the ministry training with them. If there was anyone Sirius had been likely to get with it was Emmerline and he didn't think that Sirius had quite gotten over her.

The next one was of the three of them at his wedding. They say your wedding is meant to be the happiest day of your life and for James it had never been proven truer.

He loved Lily, if it was possible, more now than he had then. The last one shocked him.

It was of only Sirius and Harry. Sirius was astride that monster of a bike of his and Harry was sat in front of him giggling. James looked up at Sirius and he held his gaze.

"I may have the same name as Regulus, Bellatrix and all those Pureblood maniacs but they aren't my family.

They stopped being my family along time ago. They lost that right when they drove me out." He sighed James realised then what this was costing his best friend to admit and felt a surge of pride that his friend would share this with him.

"Sirius you don't have to say anymore." James began. But Sirius cut him off. "Yes I do James. There are things I didn't say before that I should have done. You're more than my best friend, you're my brother and I'd die before I let you Lily or Harry die. You need to know that."

"I do. That's why you're my brother" James said quietly. Sirius grinned and they shared a look only best friends who have been thrown into the fires of hell can understand.

Chapter two

This is what we have to do

"It still leaves the problem we don't know who the bastard traitor who calls himself part of the Order is." Sirius said his brow furrowed as he and James went through the group in their heads.

"Hagrid?" James asked knowing as soon as he said it, it was stupid. "Are you kidding me? James he'd kill you for suggesting it. Besides if there is one person who is loyal to Dumbledore and the Order it's Hagrid."

Sirius said and James agreed. "Alice and Frank? No way the only person with a better track record than Frank and Alice for bringing in Death Eaters is Moody and so that scratches that idea before it even starts."

James mused. "Moody would have us thrown in Azkaban for even asking him where his allegiances lie." Sirius finished smirking. Emmerline? James asked "No." Sirius said, "I know her. She has a passion for what she does and although Voldemort would pay highly for an Unspeakable she wouldn't dream of it. She is vicious in a fight. Hell I've never seen a death eater fly through the air like that. Plus she loves Lily like a sister. No it's not Em." James nodded. That did make sense.

But who in hell was it then?

"Remus?" James said quietly "Yeah and Dumbledore just took over from Voldemort. Get a grip James."

Sirius "Peter…" Sirius said and then he trailed off. Both looked at one another "No." Sirius' eyes suddenly lit up with a sudden idea.

"James. I've just had an idea. We can make Peter the secret-keeper." "Sorry," James said apologetically " I think I had a mental lapse there I just thought you said make Peter our secret keeper."

"I did." Sirius said "What?" James said,

"Well think about it. This way everyone thinks I'm the secret keeper and if the traitor thinks they've got me they'll come after me. No one will ever suspect Peter. And that way I promise you'll be safe. We can cast the spell and then I'll check on Peter later and then I'll communicate with you. James, you know it's a good plan.

Voldemort knows you're on the move and he knows you know he's after you. He also knows I'm your best friend. And while I'd die before I gave up the secret keeper it'll create a diversion to make sure you're safe."

James knew that Peter was his friend as much as Sirius was but somehow he found himself doubting the plan. He believed in Sirius the way he could never believe in Peter. He was ashamed to admit it but that was how he felt.

However he loved Harry and Lily more than life itself and Sirius' plan was a full proof one to keep them safe. And in the end that was what it amounted to. Lily's and Harry's safety.

He'd die today if it meant that he was sure they'd be safe. So finally he nodded. He realised Sirius didn't really want to do this either but his plan was a stroke of genius.

No one would suspect Peter holding the key to their whereabouts. And Peter was just as much their friend as Sirius he could be trusted.

Ideally they'd ask Lupin but it was a full moon over the weekend and there was a question mark over his allegiance as much as it pained James and Sirius to even think about it the possibility was a real one.

They couldn't risk it. And more importantly they couldn't afford to wait for the moon to wane.

"So are we clear on what we have to do?" Sirius asked as they outlined the final points of they plan as they walked back to Godric's hollow. "Yes." James said. "Right so I'll pick Peter up and meet you here tomorrow as we originally planned. "Yes. Sirius are you sure he'll do it?"

"James. He's in the Order the same as we are. Of course he will. Look everything will be fine I promise." James smiled thinly. "Yeah I guess it will." Sirius turned to leave but found he couldn't because James had a vice like grip on his arm. "James?" He asked quietly.

"I need you to do something." James said his hazel eyes fierce as he looked at Sirius. "Sure. What is it?" "Promise me." James took a deep breath. "Promise me you'll take care of Harry. Take care of Harry if something…" He trailed off. "If something happens to Lily and I."

"You'll be fine. We've been through this." Sirius said, "I know. But if something happens. You have to promise me that you'll take care of Lily and Harry. Because I'll die before I let anything happen to them. Sirius you have to promise me."

"James, I promise. I won't let anything happen to Harry. Or Lily. Or you. You're gonna get out of this I promise." James nodded. But Sirius could see the only words he believed were the ones that Sirius had said he would take care of his son.

Chapter three:

The Secret keeper

Lily, Sirius, Peter and James were gathered in a room in Godric's hollow. The reinforced hiding would go into place tonight. It seemed fated that it should be Halloween tonight. "Right," Lily said nervously looking over at James who was holding Harry.

"Dumbledore said that you have to say this Spell Peter and then we have to say this spell James." She handed out pieces of parchment and then Peter you have to direct it. Peter looked up and nodded. "Sirius it would be better if you went now."

Sirius looked like he was going to argue and then looking at James who nodded he closed his mouth and walked to his best friend in the world and hugged him hard. "Be careful Prongs, it'll be fine." With that he turned to the door and then turned back

"Wormtail I'll come to check on you later okay?" Peter nodded and gulped. "Sure Sirius. I'll see you later." With that Sirius left the house without a backward glance. And James was left wondering if he'd done the right thing. Then he looked over at Lily and realised that this was the best for their safety.

No one would guess that Sirius was no longer their secret-keeper and then if they did no one would suspect the truth. That Peter was the secret-keeper. Still James couldn't wipe the thoughts that he hoped that he had done the right thing. He shook these thoughts away.

Peter was just as much a friend as any and he had to trust him, as there was no option left.

James watched Lily wait until she saw that Sirius had left. Anyone else wouldn't have realised that she was in any kind of distress but she shifted from foot to foot ever so slightly and was stood over Harry with an almost over bearing presence. She wasn't any happier about this than he was. But they both were willing to do what was needed to keep Harry safe. She took a deep breath, rocking Harry gently and then said right.

"James you and I must go first." He nodded swallowing the bitter taste of bile in his throat. After this there was no going back. "Okay Lil, when you're ready," she nodded and they began to say the spell together:

"We are those who wish to be hidden from he who wants us found.

We ask the Secret to be bestowed in one we trust so that this goal can never be reached

Guard us, help us Secret-Keeper. Peter we choose thee."

Blue light began to swirl around the three potters like a silent whirlwind and then when it began to glow sliver Peter said his part of the spell:

"I am the Secret-Keeper chosen to keep the Secret from those who want you found

I promise to be the one you trust so this goal can never be reached

The Potter's are hiding at Godric's Hollow this night

Hide them from those who wish to harm them, hide them from all but me

I am their secret keeper, they have chosen me."

Once the spell was finished the blue light rushed from the Potters and slammed into Peter lifting him off the ground and turning him violet. His eyes were huge and then the violet light released him and he was pushed to the floor. He stood up quickly and smiled.

"You're safe now Prongs." James smiled and nodded. He felt a huge weight life from his shoulders. But there was still a small niggling worry at the pit of his stomach.

He pushed it aside knowing that he and Lilly would always worry until the danger had passed but now they were as safe as they ever could be. James walked over to Lily as he watched Peter leave.

"I still say we should have used Sirius." She said quietly "I know but this way Voldemort should be put off in his search for us. There is only the four of us know we switched secret-keepers and the fewer people know the better it is." "We'll get Sirius to tell Dumbledore when he next sees him.

Don't worry Lily, we'll work through this." She nodded and went upstairs to put Harry into his cot. He was crying as she put him down and James heard his wife singing softly to his son and smiled.

He knew there was no two people he loved more than his wife and his son and he thanked the stars for every second he had with them. Harry's cries softened and then he heard Lily making her way back down the stairs. James turned and looked out of the window.

There were little lanterns in the town. It was Halloween he could hear children laughing and hoped that one-day Harry could be among them. That everyone could live in safety without the threat of seeing the Dark Mark hanging in the sky above a house of a loved one. But somehow James realised this was somewhere far off.

Chapter four Betrayed

James was still staring absently out of the window when he felt a hand on his shirt tugging him round. He turned and smiled at his wife. Her eyes, so like his sons, were full of unspoken fear that they both felt.

But not for themselves, for their son who like many was innocent but was caught in the crossfire of a war that was not of his making. The war was a necessary one to make sure Harry and other children like him could grow up with out the threat of Voldemort or his followers killing and maiming just because it suited them.

Lily tugged James closer and laid her head on his shoulder. He pulled her close and whispered nonsense into her hair.

He couldn't bear that she was hurting but knew that it wasn't something he could avoid. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" She whispered James looked into the eyes of his wife, the eyes Harry had inherited and felt himself getting lost in them.

"If it's as much as I love you then yes I do." She smiled and pulled his head down to hers to kiss him. The kiss was in danger of becoming very heated but as if they sensed it they broke away at the same time.

James looked out into the night and realised that something wasn't right. There was an owl that lived near by, and it had suddenly gone quiet. James pulled out his wand and headed for the door.

His senses on full alert. The Auror training was again kicking in and he edged towards the inside door. He saw a flash as someone tried to break down the magically enforced door and he knew.

He ran faster than he had ever run in his life and ran back to his wife. "Lily, It's him, he's here. Peter…He's found us. Take Harry and run I'll hold him off."

"No!"

Lily said frantically "James I can't leave you." "Lily, listen to me," He heard the door begin to buckle and knew they didn't have much time left.

"Lily listen to me. You've got to get out of here. Get to Sirius or Dumbledore. Get Harry out of here. I love you."

"I love you too." She said, "GO!"

He yelled Lily took out her wand and darted for the stairs as James locked the hall door and magically locked it. At least if he didn't make it, it would give Lily a few minutes to run.

He wasn't going to let that bastard get to his family. He had to hold him off long enough to let Lily and Harry leave. He blocked the door and stood his ground as the door finally buckled inwards. He clenched his wand hard and took up a fighting position.

Voldemort was cloaked as all of his Death eaters were but his eyes glittered dangerously from beneath the hood. "Move out of the way boy." He hissed from beneath the hood.

"No." James sneered. Voldemort laughed, it was high and cold and it turned James's insides to ice. "You dare defy me?" Voldemort said James wasted no more time "IMPEDIMENTA!"

The curse hit Voldemort in the chest and he was rocked back of his feet and into the courtyard. James could have ran then but he couldn't. He needed to keep Voldemort away from the house.

He charged out after the hooded figure and hit the deck immediately as a green streak of light whistled past his ear and hit the window smashing the glass. Voldemort screamed in frustration and then said, "I tire of these games. Move aside and I'll let you live."

James laughed bitterly from where he was stood in the shadows. "Did you think I was born yesterday Voldemort? I won't let you anywhere near my family." "STUEFY!"

"Protego!" James raised a shield charm as the stunning beam came at him. It bounced off his shield and headed back at Voldemort. He deflected it easily and then screamed "Crucio!" the blast shattered through his shield and hit him in the shoulder as he dived for the floor.

Pain burst into his councioness blocking out everything else. His eyes were watering with the strain and he was screaming. Voldemort towered over him and he whispered,

"Foolish boy, did you think you could ever stand up to the mighty Lord Voldemort? Now you will die." He raised his wand and screamed "AVADA KEDAVRA!" James saw the green light flood his vision and knew his time had run out.

He saw Lily's and Harry's face flood before his vision and hoped to God that they had got but on time and then saw Sirius and Remus and prayed they would take care of his wife and son and prayed that his last thoughts were of them and that they would meet again one day. That he would always be with them.

Then his vision clouded and went dark forever.