Chapter 7: A Choice between Life & Death

A week later, the Potters found themselves standing in a large circular room. Portraits of past Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses hung on the walls.

James and Lily glanced around their environment in fond memory. It seemed like only yesterday when the both of them, as headboy and headgirl, were sitting with the headmaster in this unique room, reviewing the school rules.

James looked impatiently at his watch and shook his head.

"Sirius is late," he said simply. Behind him, Professor Dumbledore shook his head gravely.

~

"Sirius. Go."

"I can't."

"Oh yes, you can. Go on, you can do it," Remus retorted.

Sirius got up of his chair and walked up and down the living room, flinging his hands about him desperately.

"Voldemort already suspects me. He is after me. Can't you understand? If I become the Secret-Keeper, and if Voldemort comes after me, the Potters will be in danger!"

"But you can flee elsewhere, you can – "

"Don't be so naïve, Remus. Do you think that Voldemort will let me off even when I get out of London? He has spies in every corner of the world!"

"Then what do you want to do now, at the last minute? Back out? Sirius, Lily and James trusted you so much – you'll disappoint them terribly"

"I'll rather disappoint them than ruin their lives," Sirius said stoutly.

Remus shook his head and said nothing.

After a while, Sirius stopped pacing about.

"I know what to do."

Without waiting for a response, Sirius apparated away to the entrance of Hogwarts.

~

"James! Lily! Professor!" Sirius rushed in.

The three of them looked at him while baby Harry smiled cheerfully at him.

"Let's change a Secret-Keeper."

James' jaw fell open. "Wh-y?"

Sirius' face fell. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I thought you already had enough worries on your head. My mum – " he choked.

"What happened?" Lily asked gently. "You should have told us!"

"Voldemort – he killed my mum a week ago. There was a dark mark above my apartment building, and before I knew it... Mum was killed by Avada Kedavra – " Sirius squeezed his eyes shut, but continued again quickly, "He's after me. You've gotta change Secret-Keeper."

"Sirius! Why didn't you tell us earlier? We're friends, and friends should tell one another everything," James asked.

Professor Dumbledore patted Sirius' shoulder and spoke.

"Death is but the next great adventure, Sirius. Your mother is being freed of all the pain she has been enduring for the past few months. At least her death was a quick and quite painless one. Be glad for her that she is free again, and carefree once more."

"Choose Peter," Sirius blurted out.

"Why Peter? Why not Remus?" James was curious.

"James, think of it this way. The Dark Lord would never suspect that Peter Pettigrew would be the information-holder. He would suspect either Remus or me. And"

"You do not trust Remus," James accused.

"James, I – " he swallowed, " – he's a werewolf after all"

"Sirius," the professor cut in, "do sort out people you trust and those you don't properly. Think before you make choices. Remus may be a werewolf, but tell me, has he been a good friend and companion all these years? Has he ever showed any tinge of betrayal? He had always stuck to the few of you no matter what. You were the ones who gave him friendship – there is too much human in him that he would never forget what you have done for him. Do not underestimate and misunderstand him – he is worthy of your trust."

Sirius sat deep in thought.

"Do make up your minds quickly," Professor Dumbledore interrupted, "There should be no time lost. I need to go off for a meeting with the Ministry of Magic now, and I will leave this to you."

Professor Dumbledore handed a scroll to Lily.

"Now go back to Godric's Hollow with the person you choose as Secret-Keeper. The scroll will tell you all you need to know. All the best, and good luck."

He smiled at them reassuringly, and left.

"Okay, so Remus is trustworthy, but I sill think that Voldemort would suspect Peter less. He would think that Peter was too cowardly to take up the task."

Lily considered for a moment, then nodded her head.

James?" she turned inquiringly to James, who finally agreed to the last minute switch. "Okay then."

~

Sirius stood in front of Peter.

"Peter, this is a very important task. You must promise never to betray the Potters. You must remain strong, even when Voldemort finds out that you are the Secret-Keeper and wants you to tell where the Potters are. Understand?"

Peter flinched slightly at the mention of the dark lord's name, but regained his composure and nodded.

"Don't worry, Sirius, James, Lily. I will remain faithful forever," he choked, while baby Harry stared at him, eyes goggling.

Lily squeezed his hand.

"I know this is a bit hard on you, but thank you very much. You are a true Gryffindor, Peter."

Peter nodded, his throat too tight to speak.

"Then I shall go now, good luck."

Tears welled up in Sirius' eyes. He took Harry and kissed his cheek gently, as Harry started sniffing. It wasn't long before he started wailing loudly, his little fists pounding on Sirius' back. Sirius handed a hysterical Harry back to Lily reluctantly, and pulled the other adults into a hug.

Then, without saying anything else, he apparated away, leaving the Potters and Peter to perform the Fidelius Charm.

~

(A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Pigsy, "daughter" ar, for being so supportive all the while!)