Note: I do not own anything other than the story line and my own thoughts. Yes, some ideas may not seem original, but that doesn't seem to be something new in fanfiction. Writing that is in italics is parselspeech. If any other distinctions become needed I will make a note of it. Enjoy.

Chapter Four

Weeks After Xander's Birth

James Potter sat beside his brother and sister in law as they watched the feared Dark Lord Voldemort cuddle a baby. "Alex sure seems happy. You wouldn't think he would be with a 'Dark Lord' holding him."

Lily smiled at her father, nodding. "You have a point James. So much has happened in the last few years. It's amazaing to know the truth of things now. To think, we trusted that old man. All the things he blames on my father. What are we going to do to stop him?"

"I don't know Lils, but we'll think of something. I promise love." Severus smiled as he hugged his wife close, purposely ignoring his idiotic brother. James was in his seat, bent over as he pretended to be sick from the sweetness of it all.

Tom glanced over and rolled his eyes at the three 'adults' across the room. "They never act their age Xander, do they?" He smiled down at his grandson. "You are a powerful one, you know that little one? I believe, no I know, that you will be more powerful than me." Tom smirked before switching to the serpent tongue, something his daughter hadn't inherited. "Salazar will be so proud to welcome you to the family little serpent. I don't doubt Godric would as well. You have your whole life ahead of you Alexander." He laughed when he got a few unintelligible hisses in answer from the baby. Just maybe, he would have another to talk to other than Nagini.

Everyone in the room was comfertable and at ease within their places. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, no reason for them to be on their guard. Given their relaxed states, it would be no spruprise at just how shocked and unprepared they were for someone to come in firing spells at the adults in the room. The surprise attack worked, leaving poor little Xander to cry out in his stunned grandpa's arms. The intruder was the old man that Lily had spoken of. The one and only Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. The man smiled as he observed the people in the room.

First he took Xander from Tom and gave him to Lily. Second he took Severus' wedding band and put it on James' hand so that it would appear she had married James instead. Those things done he smirked and began his plans. Each adult received a difficult, circumstantial memory alteration. That done he took a break for his magic as he thought of his next plan. With their memories altered all he needed to do now was given them their instructions and send them on their way. Yes, the imperius he used wouldn't last long term, but it would be enough to set them all on the destiny he had planned for them. Lily thought she had married James, that they had named their son Harry James Potter. Severus thought he had overheard a prophecy and told his master Voldemort shortly before becoming a spy for Albus. Tom on the other hand got the worst task of the bunch. He was tricked into thinking he had no family, that his goal was to kill his grandson before he could be killed by the baby who was barely a few weeks old now. If Dumbledore's plan worked, then at least three of the people in the room would be dead. If he had his way he would have the end of the Slytherin line, with the last remaining Gryffindor unaware and his willing servant. He grinned darkly as he sent his new puppets off on their way. He had taken care of others who had known the truth already, these had just been hardest to do. Oh what fun his future would be if everything went his way.