A/N: Written for Lia's challenge, which is as follows:

Prompt/theme: betray - to lead astray, deceive

Challenge: You must add this bit of narration in the format of a letter/note in your drabble: I'm glad you finally found someone to make you happy. I just wish it could have been me.

Bonus: a twist.

Word count: 500 words, maximum.

Deadline: Monday, June 7th.

Word Count: 487 w/o Author's Note.

A Secret Worth Keeping

Albus Dumbledore was reeling with shock. How could this have happened? Tonight of all nights. He pinched the bridge of his nose hard, and sank into his chair. The piece of paper he had held, now forgotten, fluttered to the floor. Fawkes took off from her perch, and gently landed on the Headmaster's shoulder. She trilled loudly.

'I know old girl, I can scarcely believe it myself. He was one of them. How…' he was interrupted by the whooshing sound of somebody arriving by the Floo network. But who would be calling at this hour?

Severus Snape shrugged the soot off his cloak as he stepped out of the fireplace. He took only a second to compose himself before walking hurriedly to the table.

'Albus, have you heard the news? The Dark Lord has…'

'Severus my boy, I have indeed already heard what has happened.' He let out a pained sigh as he thought on the events of tonight. He was sat in his study, enjoying a rather interesting Cross-Hatch knitting pattern, when an owl had come whizzing through the open window straight towards him. He had laughed as he pulled the note from the impatient bird, giving its beak a stroke, and offering an owl treat before it took flight and landed next to Fawkes, never taking its eyes off the Headmaster. He had opened the note, and then read it five times. Each time he simply couldn't believe what he was reading. Snape voiced his concern.

'How did they even know where to find them? I thought that they had that mutt for a secret-keeper! I TOLD you he was not to be trusted Albus! He sold…'

'Silence Severus. Sirius Black was not their Secret-Keeper. He would have rather died than betray the Potters like that. They chose somebody else. Though they needn't have bothered. I'm sure that Harry, and Lily for that matter, are perfectly safe.' Snape looked dumbstruck.

'What do you mean?'

Dumbledore sighed once more, and gestured to the piece of paper lying on the floor. It floated up to Snape, and he snatched it out of the air to read.

My dearest Lily,

I know. All of it. What you did, what you planned, and why you planned it. I also know that I will not be alive to see you read this letter. I would have liked to watched your face as you found out that I knew. Knew about you and Pettigrew. Knew about why you changed secret-keeper, why you decided that Wormtail and Voldemort were more important than me and Harry. I hid him, but you probably knew that. Not that you'll ever find out where. You were never truly in love with me. I'm glad you finally found someone to make you happy. I just wish it could have been me.

Ever Yours,

James Potter