Neutrality

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

Prologue Part 2

A few days had passed and both families were on edge waiting to hear back from the owl Lily had sent out after they had discussed their plan. Both children had been hard to manage, both having felt the anxiousness, fear and mixture of other emotions leaking off their parents. Within the time frame Sirius had stopped by once, being the only one besides the two families with access to the manor, to see his Godson and best friend and brother in all but blood. James had of course disclosed their plans to his closest friend which had resulted in a spectacular row between the two men before Sirius calmed down and then actually broke down in tears from worry.

The man while not agreeing with the couple understood and forgave them. He like James and Lily wanted what was best for Harry having fallen in love with the boy when he first held him. After that he had pretty much moved into the manor stating that he was there to help if their hair brained plan blew up in their face. Though they all knew like everyone else there, that the worry lied mostly with the safety of the two most precious beings in the house.

Lily sat at the family dining room table the other adults minus Sirius who was at work sat at the table. Both children were down for a nap having finished their lunch and having an eventful morning, giving the parents a bit of peace to themselves for a couple hours. A small pop was heard and one of the Potter Family elves stood nervously in the room. Its big round eyes staring at it's mistress, "Mistress Potter, Mimi be having a letter for yous."

Lily smiled at the elf then took the thick envelope from its hand before waving her wand over it checking for any poisons or curses before she looked in shock at the seal. Instead of the Prince Seal as she had expected she realized she was instead looking at that of the Slytherin Line. Her face paled drastically, and the others looked at her in worry. The woman swallowed her hands shaking, "I-it's from the Dark Lord."

The other's stared at the woman all of them in shock. She then slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside with unstable hands. She quickly skimmed the letter, her eyes widening in surprise, "He's willing to meat with both Frank and James to discuss the letter I sent to Severus. From what this says he is willing to work out our differences but if there is any sign of this being a plan to ambush him he will gladly fortify our lives. He said he is only willing to be merciful once. If we are going to go through with this he says for James and Frank to meet Severus at the Leaky cauldron at ten tonight and he will escort you both to meet with him to discuss this further."

The day after that seemed to tick by slowly for both families. Both wives stayed close to their husbands, spending as much time with them as they could throughout the day knowing it could possibly be the last time they saw them if everything did not go according to plan. Soon though both children were snugly in their perspective beds and the women were clinging to the men in a tearful goodbye as both James and Frank wrapped themselves in dark cloaks, pulling the hoods to hide their identities. Both men pulled their wives into a hard embrace, Frank laying a tender kiss on Alice's head while James pulled Lily into a passionate kiss before they both pulled away. James pulled his hood back some and looked in the emeralds that were his wife's eyes giving her his signature grin, "We'll be back soon Lils we have to hope."

Both men then vanished into a burst of green flames finding themselves shortly after in the crowed pub. No one paid them any mind most drowning their sorrows in drink while others were engaged in their own groups. Both men looked around and James stiffened seeing the man that was his long-time rival in school standing against the wall, a tumbler in his hand. His black eyes were looking over the crowd with a bored expression on his face and James grabbed Franks arm pointing to where the man they were meeting was standing partially in the shadows.

Both men steeled themselves for whatever fate they were to face tonight. Both their hearts pumping with adrenaline knowing that this foolhardy plan could very well be leading them to their deaths. Both men made their way across the room stopping before the man whose eyes had latched onto them his face turning from one of bored disinterest to one of distaste. "Snape," James said curtly remembering his Wife's words of playing nice and knowing this man was his ticket to keeping his family safe.

"Potter," the man replied with a sneer, "Longbottom, follow me." He then set his empty glass onto the table next to him and led both them men out into the alley, "Though this greatly displeases me, I will need you both to hold onto my arms, so I can apparate you to our location."

James held back his revulsion at having to touch the man and swallowed his pride and grabbed the mans arm as Frank did the same on the other side. Snape gave no warning making the three of them disappear with a pop. Soon enough the appeared again in front of a gothic styled manor. Two masked death eaters stood on either side of the inner gate their lips being the only thing visible from the masks both with sneers as the three men entered the courtyard.

They continued to follow the man into the manor and through a few corridors before they stopped before an imposing mahogany door. Severus stopped before and rapped on the door before stepping back and it opened revealing a finely decorated office, "My Lord," the man said with a bow, "I bring you Lord Potter and Lord Longbottom."

A high cold voice responded, "Thank you Severus, Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom, please do come in from the missive Lady Potter sent through my potions master it seemed as though you have much to discuss with me and as you know I am a very busy man and am taking time from my schedule to meet with you."

Both men entered the room, lowering their hoods, the door closing with a soft click behind them. They slowly took in the man who lounged in the chair behind the desk. His aristocratic features would be considered handsome to most though his eyes were the color of blood. His expression was that of bored interest as he studied the men who both lowered their hoods, "Please take a seat gentleman. I promise to hear you out before making any decisions." A cold cruel smile crossed his face causing both men to shiver slightly, no matter how brave they were as they both took a seat on the lounge in front of the desk.

"Now, from Lady Potter's letter that Severus so kindly showed to me, she said you were wanting to seek neutrality. If I may be so bold to state, I am finding this very hard to comprehend," the man leaned forward still studying both men while resting his face against his fist, "After all, you have all shown much resistance in the battle field. It is hard to understand how two families who have opposed me so blatantly would suddenly decide to choose to switch to neutrality. Though it has indeed peaked my interest, hence why you are both here."

James swallowed but Frank was the one to speak up, "Yes, I could see why you would be surprised that we are suddenly deciding to place ourselves out of the war, after all given the history between us and your men it is shocking we would suddenly decide to waver in our stance. While I must say we are both noble in the cause that Dumbledore supports in his side of things we have things that are more at risk that are more valuable to us to protect. I will say this for myself and my wife and I know both James and Lily feel the same as we have discussed this at lengths what we must protect is more valuable to us then the outcome of this war."

"I see," the imposing man leaned back once again in his chair, staring at both men, "and what may I ask, is more valuable to you then this war and your very own values that you are fighting to protect? What has so much more value then the cause you both have been fighting so hard to support?"

James stared at the man across from him knowing if they can convince this man that his Harry could survive this, that his son would be out of the line of fire from this man, "Our sons," he said simply, "Our sons mean more to us than any of this. Our sons are the ones we must protect. We know they are in your sights and we know why they are and we are willing to sacrifice anything to protect them. That is why we are going against everything we have currently stood for because in the end it is our children that mean more to us than any of this."

They both saw the Dark Lord's eyes narrow as he stared at both men, "I see, so I am assuming and believe I am assuming correctly that you are speaking of the prophecy that one of my men overheard?"

James swallowed, "Yes sir, Dumbledore told us and we are offering a solution that will hopefully get us out of the war and protect our sons in the process."

"And how do you propose to nullify the prophecy?"

"If we were to take ourselves and by extension our families out of the war we would pose no threat and our children would pose no threat. I do not think either of us could join your cause, but we are willing to back out of the war in its entirety and willing to vow to keep ourselves and our families out of it and not to help either side."

The man before them let out a blood chilling laugh as he stared at both men a wide smile spread across his face, "Of course, I see, if your family was sworn not to participate, then neither of your sons will pose a threat so the prophecy could not reflect on either of them." Another cold laugh left the man, "I bet that meddling old fool was hoping you both would sacrifice yourselves and your sons for this cause, but I can respect what you offer me. You are both formidable and are both offering to rid me of my greatest threat. If you can swear to me unbreakable vows both yourselves and your families will be safe. Know this though, if they try to stand in my way I will not hesitate to shoot them down. I am merciful, but that mercy only goes so far."

Both men sagged in their chairs the relief evident on their faces and the both gladly raised their wands swearing on their families magic that they would not interfere in the war and their family would not take a side from this point on. After their meeting with the most feared wizard of their time both men left back home to their families to give their wives the news and to pass the news to Dumbledore that as from this point on they would be resigning for the Order of the Phoenix and working on keeping their families safe.