September 1st, 1981

"We celebrated his first birthday last month, Padfoot," James said quietly, his eyes firmly pinned on his wife and son.

"I know, Prongs, I know," Sirius answered just as quietly. They were sitting in the Potters' living room. The men were nursing drinks and Lily and Rose were entertaining the children.

"Did Dumbledore say why he's coming after you?" Sirius asked his best friend, taking a sip of his drink.

"He's not after us," James replied, an anxious tone in his voice. "He's coming for Harry."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know," James sigh. "Albus does, I think, but if so then he didn't tell me."

"No wonder Lily wants you to go under a Fidelius," Sirius mumbled, visibly stunned.

"Oh dear Merlin," Marina whispered and Harry leaned closer. "Mum put that memory in her journal. She never knew what they were talking about."

"Who knows?" Sirius questioned and refilled their glasses.

"No one but you," James answered. "I haven't even told Moony."

"You wouldn't find him anyway. He's too deep in with the werewolves," Sirius commented, blatantly obvious disapproval in his tone.

"Dumbledore asked him to do it, Padfoot," James admonished.

"Yes, I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"You think Remus likes it?" James asked, heavy irony in his voice. "It's only chance we have of ever getting anywhere near Greyback."

"I know, I know," Sirius sighed, holding up a hand in surrender. "I'm just worried, Prongs. Everything's falling apart fast."

"Not everything," James remarked, and both men – as if on an invisible cue – looked over at their children.

Toddler Marina was wearing a perfectly hideous pink dress with flowers, but was too busy scribbling on a piece of paper to notice. Baby Harry was babbling and adding the colour.

Lily and Rose were making sure they didn't accidentally poke their own or each other's eyes out.

"Will you do it, Padfoot?" James asked, his eyes still on Harry. "Be our Secret Keeper?"

"Of course," Sirius replied immediately. "Anything you need, Prongs. You and Lily know that."

"It's not school anymore," James insisted. "And what about Kitten?" Sirius smiled at the question.

"She drew this yesterday," he told James and pulled out a drawing.

The picture itself was unrecognisable but someone had scribbled names underneath the figures holding hands. The two tiny ones in the middle were labelled My Brother Harry and Me. The four bigger ones surrounding the kids were titled Auntie Lily, Uncle Prongs, Daddy and Momma.

"I'm hoping I won't be gone that long," Sirius said as James stared at the drawing. "But I think even if I will be, my girl will understand."

The memory ended on that note and David waved his wand to show everyone the next one. Harry took Marina's hand and squeezed hard, his anticipation making her dizzy.

September 14th, 1981

"Really, Sirius?" Lily snapped angrily, flinging her red hair over her shoulder. "You're going to listen to Bella over us?" Rose entered the room, closing the door to Harry's room quietly where you could see the kids sleeping.

"Bella's a fruitcake but she has a point," Sirius persisted, crossing his arms. "Everybody and their brother knows we're best friends. They'll come after me."

"So what?" James asked, his arms crossed too and glaring at his friend. "You'd never betray any of us."

"Not voluntarily," Sirius agreed.

"Not ever," Rose spoke up. "There is nothing that lunatic or anyone else could do to make you talk, Sirius."

"You don't know Bella," he shook his head.

"And you know the Fidelius protects your mind!" Lily huffed. "Even a legilimens couldn't take the information from you."

"Everyone has a breaking point," he said quietly. The others subsided, obviously not knowing what to say to that.

"So what do you suggest?" Rose finally asked, sidling up to Sirius. Apparently noticing her nerves, he slung an arm around her shoulders.

"Use someone else," he said firmly. "Tell Dumbledore and everyone else that I'm Secret Keeper but use someone else."

"They'd still come after y..." James didn't finish and he stared at his best friend in horror. Lily, catching on too, pressed to her husbands side, who immediately pulled her into his arms.

"Sirius... no," Lily shook her head in refusal.

"You want to play decoy," Rose stated the obvious.

"That way, everyone stays safe."

"Everyone but you!"

September 27th, 1981

"What are you doing?" Rose asked a preoccupied Sirius. He was sitting at the kitchen table and writing on a piece of parchment.

"Explaining," he answered distractedly. He looked up for a moment, his eyes darting to Marina, who was happily waving around her toy wand, shooting sparks.

"You wouldn't have to if you just came into hiding with us," Rose argued, her expression mutinous. But something in her voice gave away that she knew his response already.

"I can't," Sirius denied. "If nothing else, I have to do it for Peter. I promised him the Death Eaters would leave him alone."

Her father and Remus both let out quiet growls at that point, their anger vibrating across the court room.

"He knows the risk he's taking, Sirius. No one becomes Secret Keeper lightly."

"Still, if they ever got their hands on him...," Sirius shook his head. "I love Peter like a brother but he's not strong enough."

"They why aren't they using Remus?"

"Don't know where he is. That and... he's been... different since he got involved with the packs."

"I still think it was wrong of Dumbledore to ask Remus to do it," Rose grumbled. "Let's not forget that Greyback is the monster that bit Moony."

"I think that's why Remus agreed," Sirius sighed with a nod. "He sees it as a chance to get even."

"Is James going to tell Peter to tell Remus where they are?" Rose asked, her gaze wandering over to another toddler drawing of a wolf and a little blonde girl hugging it: Uncle Moony and Me.

"I don't know. Probably. Have you finished packing?" Sirius added and sealed the letter with a spell.

"Yes. I'm leaving most of my things anyway – they have no reason to look for us here. Albus is already spreading rumours that I'm joining James and Lily under the Fidelius."

October 1st , 1981

"It's alright, Kitten," Sirius assured Marina as she hid her face against his neck, caressing her hair. A discarded toy broom laid at his feet.

"Flying is dumb, Daddy," she complained, her voice muffled. Sirius bit his lower lip to stifle a chuckle.

"Harry likes it," James commented and Lily smacked his arm lightly, even as Rose giggled.

Marina looked up from her Dad's shoulder and gaped at James.

"Harry too little to fly," Marina protested, her eyes wide.

Lily stood up and walked over to the furnace, grabbing one of the pictures there. She walked back over to the sofa and showed it to the others.

All you could see was a laughing Lily, sitting on her bed, and a very fast something with black hair zooming through the picture. A pair of legs followed hurriedly.

Marina looked from the photo to Lily, back to the photo, to James and back again. Then she huffed.

"Boys."

The adults all broke out laughing.

Marina, a little offended, wiggled out of her father's arms, down the sofa and wobbled in the direction of Harry's room.

"What are you doing, Kitten?" Sirius asked, watching her slow progress.

"Harry," was all the answer he got.

Rose smiled and walked over to open the door. James, Lily and Sirius watched from the sofa as Marina held onto the crib's bars and made sure Harry was okay, before asking Rose to lift her in. As soon as she touched the mattress, she laid down next to the little boy and made herself comfortable. Rose kissed her on the hair and then left the room, closing the door.

Harry squeezed Marina's hand as he watched, even as she tried not to blush bright red. Dear Merlin, she really hadn't needed everyone to see all that.

"Wormtail's coming over in half an hour," James said, sounding much more subdued.

"It needs to be done, Prongs," Sirius said, trying to sound at least a little cheerful.

"We really wish you'd stay with us," Lily said and took James' hand.

"That would defeat the purpose of a decoy," he replied dryly. "I'll be fine, Lily."

"You'd be better here," James said sharply, his worry shining through.

"And Wormtail?" Sirius demanded just as sharply. "I promised him he'd be safe, James."

"Don't," Rose cut in when Lily opened her mouth again. "I've tried already. And if he won't stay for Marina..."

Marina flinched in her seat at her mother's accusation. Damn, the woman hadn't pulled punches.

"And how am I going to look our daughter in the eye one day if I let one of my best friends get tortured and killed?" Sirius growled, anger sounding through loud and clear.

"At least you'd be around," Rose persisted. "You think they won't kill you the second they realise you're not Secret Keeper?"

"They'd have to catch me first."

The memory went foggy for a moment and when the image sharpened again, it was clear that some time had passed. Peter was there already.

"You can still change your minds," Lily said, looking at Sirius and Peter both.

"No, no, Lily," Peter said nervously after looking at Sirius first, fiddling with his sleeve. "I told you I'd do it."

"As soon as it's done-," Sirius said, "-go home, Wormtail. I'll make sure they see me somewhere. They'll stay off your back." There was still an undertone to his voice that told everyone not to argue again. No one did.

Instead, Lily started waving and pointing her wand, whispering the Fidelius under her breath.

When she was done, Peter closed his eyes for a second – likely feeling the magic settle – before he nodded hectically.

"It worked," he squeaked and pulled on a lose strand on his sleeve so hard it came off.

Then he scribbled something, presumably the address of Potter Cottage, on a piece of paper and handed it to James. Sirius, Rose and Lily gathered around him and the four of them read the note, being let in on the location in the process. Then Rose burned the note with a wave of her own wand.

"It's done," she said with a certain gloom to her voice.

"If you meet Remus, Peter-," Lily said, subdued as well, "-let him in on it. We trust him." But James' and Sirius' expressions said something very different.

Once again, the image blurred and Marina had a really bad feeling she knew what would come next. The concerned look her Dad sent her and Harry's way just confirmed it.

Hallowe'en 1981

The motorcycle made one hell of a ruckus as it landed in Godric's Hollow. It was too silent as Sirius dismounted and ran down the street through the pitch black night. There wasn't a single bird twitching. Not a single start could be seen in the night's sky. There were no people around. Granted, it was Hallowe'en, but there was an almost eerie air to the whole village.

Then he rounded the last corner – and the horror could be seen. Potter Cottage laid in ruins, one half completely blown away, the other in shambles.

Harry started trembling next to her and Marina slung her arm back around him, pulling him close. She was aware that their entourage was shooting concerned looks their way, but she couldn't take her eyes off her Dad's memory. Her nightmares about to become visible.

The closer Sirius got to the house, the clearer became the carnage. Spell residue blackened the walls, furniture blasted into pieces. The front door had been blown out of its hinges, betraying the violent entry. He entered the house with his wand drawn and his arm trembling. And then he saw him.

"James!" Sirius groaned in terror, dropping to his knees next to his best friend. "No, James, no!" He gripped his fallen friend's hand, the skin already so pale against his own.

"Forgive me," Sirius whispered, tears streaming down his face. "I am so sorry, my friend." Then he closed the man's eyes underneath the glasses and arranged the body in a more dignified position.

Marina, her own grief rearing its head, could sense her Dad's anguish in the memory and the court room both. Remus wasn't faring much better. Everyone else's mourning wasn't quite as powerful, thankfully, otherwise their collective grief might have caused her to faint.

Harry, though, wasn't emitting any emotion just yet; he was in shock.

Sirius, visibly forcing himself to leave his friend, continued his way into the destroyed house. More furniture and pictures had been shattered. He hesitated for a second before he entered Harry's room.

The image went black for a second and Marina assumed it was because he'd closed his eyes.

Lily and Rose were lying close to each other on the floor, right in front of the crib.

Lily's eyes were wide open, her mouth frozen in a silent scream.

Rose, on the other hand, looked oddly peaceful.

Harry was screaming and flailing in his crib. Marina, though crying as well, was silent and awkwardly petting Harry's head.

That's when Sirius snapped out of it. He hurried over and repositioned Lily as well, until it almost looked as if she was only asleep. His hands were shaking.

And then, finally, he stood in front of the kids. With a few waves of his wand, he'd healed the cuts the debris had left on Marina's face and cleaned away the blood on Harry's – the spell didn't touch the lightning scar though.

"Daddy," sobbed Marina and raised her arms. Sirius lifted her out of the crib, rocking her lightly.

"Hold on, Kitten," he rasped, his own voice thick.

Marina wrapped her arms around his neck like a vice and he reached down again to take Harry. The boy was still crying but he seemed to calm a little as he recognised Sirius and snuggled into his arms.

"Bad man," sobbed Marina. "Bad, bad man... Hurt Momma... Hurt Lily... Hurt Prongs." With every person mentioned, she sobbed harder.

"I know, Kitten. I know," Sirius said soothingly and rocked both children.

But there was something new in his voice: fury.

He turned around and carried the children out of the house, trying to make sure Marina didn't see James' body as well.

He hadn't taken so much as ten steps, when a very large man stepped in his way. Said man's face was mostly covered in a black beard and wild black hair. His eyes were tiny in comparison and black as well – he looked altogether threatening.

"Hagrid," Sirius breathed in recognition.

"Sirius," Hagrid greeted him, his voice shaking as he took in the carnage behind the man and children. "'Tis true, then? Lily and James-?"

"Dead," Sirius choked out, a fresh wave of tears streaming out of his eyes."Rose, too."

"Ah, I'm sorry." Hagrid lifted a large hand and patted Sirius' shoulder. With his free hand, he pulled out a rather large tissue and blew his nose.

"Not as sorry as Wormtail is going to be," Sirius mumbled under his breath, his hand tightening around his wand.

"Dumbledore sent me," Hagrid told Sirius once he'd pulled himself together. "Says I'm to take the kids."

Sirius, apparently none too impressed by that, took a step backwards.

"He wants you take my daughter and my godson?" he questioned, a steely tone in the question.

Hagrid, clearly uncomfortable, fumbled with his tissue.

"Ah, blimey, Sirius... Dumbledore's orders, ya know? I'm just..."

Sirius stared at the man for a while, then looked at the traumatised children in his arms.

"Tell Dumbledore I'll be taking them back," he then said and met Hagrid's eyes head-on. "Tell him once I've done what I need to do right now, I'll be coming to take my daughter back and to claim custody of Harry."

"Will do," Hagrid agreed and opened his arms as Sirius handed him the kids.

"No!" Marina screamed and held onto her father. "No, Daddy, no."

"It's okay, Kitten," Sirius said calmingly once Hagrid had hold of an exhausted Harry. "I'll be back, soon, I promise."

But Marina wasn't having it.

"No, Daddy, bad man hurt you too!" she cried and Hagrid gaped as he realised the implications.

"I'll be back tonight, okay?" Sirius whispered into her ear. "But I have to check on Uncle Wormtail, hm?"

Well, it hadn't been a lie altogether, Marina thought dryly as she watched her younger self calm down. Even at three years old she'd understood that the Marauders were important. They all watched as her father handed her over to Hagrid as well and then cast a Sleeping Charm on her.

After that the memory went unfocused again, before sharpening into a new one.

Just about everyone straightened in their seats as they recognised it as the confrontation between her father and the rat. Harry stiffened next to her, pressing even closer if possible.

Not a single word was spoken between the two old friends as they stared at each other across the street. Sirius, now trembling with anger, was visibly holding himself back. His eyes were darting towards the muggles every so often. Peter, for his part trembling with fear, was looking at the muggles as well.

"We trusted you," Sirius barked – loud enough for the rat to hear but not so loud as to draw attention to them. Peter flinched as if he'd hexed him already, but there was something in his eyes that spoke volumes to what had happened: calculation. His eyes were constantly moving, looking for a way out.

Sirius moved very slowly as he made his way across the street, as to not cause the rat to make a run for it. Then Peter pulled out a dagger – and sliced off his own finger.

Ginny shrieked when she saw that. Marina looked around and found a lot of people shocked at the lengths Peter had been willing to go to.

More importantly though, the members of the Wizengamot were looking just as angry as everyone else – at the rat.

Sirius was halfway across when Peter tossed his finger away and pulled his wand.

"Lily and James, Sirius!" he screamed in a very loud, very shrilly voice. "How could you betray them?"

More than one muggle turned around at the rather audible accusation.

Before Sirius had a chance to act on the outrage visible on his face, Peter pointed his wand downwards behind himself and mumbled something.

Sirius pulled out his own wand but it was too late.

The street exploded.

Even as Sirius fell, knocked down from the blast, he watched his former friend wave at him, a triumphant grin on his face, and turn into a rat. It scuttled away as the dust settled.

And Sirius, faced with the carnage on the street, burst out in hysterical, sobbing laughter with tears running down his face yet again.

David pointed his wand, shutting down the pensieve.

It was so silent you would think no one was even breathing, as the entire court room was looking at either her innocent father or her and Harry.

Marina didn't care that tears were running down her own face. She didn't care that she was showing her weaknesses right now. Every single person's emotions were pouring into her, making it impossible to control her own.

Harry was clinging to her and still refusing to have his well-deserved breakdown. Tears gleamed in his eyes but he refused to shed them, apparently.

So Marina did the only thing she could do, in the hopes they'd get out of there soon and could break down at home. She glared up at the collective Wizengamot.

"How about you fix this mess already."