Oh wow, this is a big chapter. I think its 9 pages, and I hope you enjoy it. This is my gift to you; I'm going away this weekend so I won't post until at least Tuesday I think. I hope to have completed this story by next weekend, there is just a few more chapters left. Thank you for reading I hope you are enjoying the story. I don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does. Please R/R.

**

The school year was coming to an end and students spent every waking hour dreading exams. Albus Dumbledore though had none of these worries; he had no exams to correct or to take. He did though grieve the end of the year, when the 7th year students would be leaving and going out into the world to find out what it was really like. Some of them he knew would turn to Voldemort and the others would be fighting by his side. He would watch some of them be killed and for others he would be at their side as they grieved their schoolmate's death. They would start out so excited, they would think they were ready for this, that they could handle war, but they soon find out, it is not all glory and heroics. It was a hard lesson to learn one he wished they didn't have to learn. Dumbledore would have preferred the exams to what he had to worry about.

As always after breakfast he made his way to his office. There he would read the Daily Prophet in peace, a few Muggle papers, and then try and figure out Voldemort's next move. He had to try and keep the Order members alive some many were dying. It was almost like Voldemort knew their number and who was in it. Two Order members had been killed in broad daylight as they walked in Diagon Alley; they weren't even on Order business. Figuring out Voldemort's next move had been made difficult, last week he had lost his spy to Voldemort. He could only imagine the torture he went through before being allowed to die. It brought tears to his eyes to think about the sacrifices everyone was making for him and the war.

"Dumbledore! There's a man all dressed in black in your office!" the portrait of Dippet, the Headmaster before him came running along the other portraits.

Dumbledore frown, he must have guessed the password. Dumbledore stopped walking and turned to the portrait, "What does he look like?"

"I couldn't say, his hood is up," Dippet reported to him.

Dumbledore continued walking. A man in black, in his office, he hoped it wasn't a Death Eater who, to please Voldemort had come to try and kill him. He had 10 Death Eaters try that trick, but no one had dared to try it at Hogwarts. On his orders strangers who guessed the password and made it to his office, were to be left alone by the portraits though someone did always come and inform him of visitors.

He gave the password and went up the stairs. He took out his wand, slipped it up his sleeve, and entered his office. He looked around quickly. If he didn't know someone was in his office, he wouldn't have noticed the man in black, hiding in the corner. He stood perfectly still with something in his hand.

"Sit please," Dumbledore pointed to the chair on the other side of the desk. The man did not move.

There was silence in the room for a full minute. Dumbledore stared at the man in black and the man stared back.

Finally the man spoke, "Power… fame…dignity… that is what we are promised. That is what they are all promised. Some die seeing the truth in it all, some are blinded and never see it, but for others, they get hit with the truth so fast, they don't know what it is at first." He walked in large strides over to the desk and then threw the thing he was holding down on it. "That is the symbol of all the false things promised to us." It was the mask of the Death Eaters.

Dumbledore looked at it and then up at the man who was still hooded. Dumbledore knew this man was a Death Eater, and he also knew he was familiar though he couldn't place him. If only he would remove his hood. Dumbledore wanted to know whom it was what his business was but he didn't want to be rude.

"I have gotten myself into something I can't get out of. I look in the mirror and I see not myself but a monster, I need your help!" and with that he took off his hood, revealing the black greasy hair and hooked nose that could belong to just one man… Severus Snape.

He had not seen Severus Snape since he got on the train in his 7th year.

"Don't act surprised that I am a Death Eater," Snape said cutting the tension. "I have been a Death Eater since May of my 7th year. You may tell Potter that he wins, I knew they had a bet going on, on when I would go to the Dark Lord."

"What can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked.

Snape though ignored this question. "Two weeks ago a Death Eater met Potter in the Leaky Cauldron to discuss a few missing students, someone also told a few students to hide, I was that Death Eater."

Dumbledore did not move Severus Snape had turned away from Voldemort? He was sure with his upbringing and his Slytherin qualities that he would have been Voldemort's second in command. He was a brilliant young man; he always excelled in Potions. Dumbledore thought, strange things happened in war and he had to keep an open mind. Dumbledore shook his head; Snape had started to talk again.

"-Three months ago, we went on a raid. I was instructed to kill the children, I had done this before, but something happened. I don't know what but I couldn't. What did these children do? Why did they need to be killed? Something happened, something snapped in my head and I couldn't take it any longer. I need to get out, I can't kill any longer."

He stopped and got up from the chair. He went to the window and looked out. He seemed to be embarrassed by something; "I've been a fool. The Dark Lord had instructed me to make certain Potions, Potions I had never heard of. It was a challenge to me, one that I enjoyed. I knew they were Dark Potions, I don't even know how he got a hold of them, but I made them, and he said I needed to see my creation at work. He brought in 10 Muggles and my potions were tried on them." He stopped and turned around. "It was worse than the Cruciatus Curse, it was worse than any Dark Arts spell I have seen. My Potions, my creation, my terror did so much to innocent people. I didn't think the Dark Lord would use them, but then why would I make them, to put on my shelf and say, look what I did?" He looked close to tears, Dumbledore noticed, as the young man tried to look composed and in control. He wasn't though, his hands were shaking.

"You want my help?"

"Yes, you are the only one the Dark Lord is afraid of, this school and you are the only safe places."

"This school is not a hideout," answered Dumbledore.

"I do not wish to hide," Snape answered sharply. "I am not afraid of my death, I might welcome it, death is the only thing that will truly free me from him. I fear other people's lives though, I fear for the innocent. I do ask your help, help me leave him!"

Dumbledore rested his chin on his hands. He looked at Severus Snape with some doubt in his eyes.

"You think I'm here to kill you on his orders?" Snape asked.

"I did not say that," Dumbledore sighed, "but this is the most unusual circumstances."

"I am willing to provide you with information about his doings. He has only told me this, he knows of my dislike of Potter. He will kill them, he wants that boy. One of the Death Eaters heard some prophecy, I don't think he heard all of it, and he wants the rest of it. That was why he attacked the Ministry, but he didn't get it. He was most displeased. But he thinks Potter is the one they speak of, and he will go after him before he turns 2 years old. They have to be protected."

Voldemort thought it was Harry, he thought the half blood would be his downfall? That was interesting, he picked a half blood, like himself, and not the pure blood. Harry, of course he would protect Harry, how though? Voldemort was not easy to hide from.

"I will alert James of this," Dumbledore nodded to him. "I'm sure you wish to have him protected for more than one reason though." He looked at Snape behind his half moon glasses.

Snape gave a shift, short nod. He turned away as though embarrassed by something. "You believe me?"

"You have none nothing that I know of for me not to."

"I am a Death Eater! Isn't that enough?" He turned back around.

"But you turned," Dumbledore sighed. "And now I must ask you a favor. I need a spy inside Voldemort's inner circle. I had one but he was discovered and killed. You know the dangers, it could lead to your torture and death, but if Voldemort is to be defeated I need to know what he is planning."

Snape was silent for a full minute. He turned his back again to Dumbledore and looked out the window. He seemed to be thinking hard. Finally he turned around slowly, "I will do it."

Dumbledore nodded.

"I will do it for you," Snape said again. "You are the first one who has ever believed my word."

**

Dawn came early on July 31. It was quiet in the Mansion everyone was sleeping. The house elves had been up all night cleaning, baking and decorating. It was a big day, in the Potter Mansion, heir and the only son was 1 years old today.

Sirius was the first one to get up. That was a rare event, but he couldn't sleep. He had been waiting for his godson's birthday for a while now. He and James had bought decorations, presents and food to celebrate Harry's birthday. It did not bother either of them that Harry was just one year old and would not remember this birthday, nor did he know it was his birthday. They had invited the Order to come and celebrate with them; all of them needed a break. The Longbottoms were coming; their son Neville had just turned one year old too, so they were having a double party.

At breakfast they had a quiet, private birthday party for Harry. Here gifts from James, Lily, Remus, Peter, and Sirius were given. Remus, the sensible one had bought him some baby toys, including a stuffed lion, since he knew that Harry would be a Gryffindor when he was older. Peter had gotten him a toy broomstick, which allowed you to fly 3 inches off the ground. Sirius though had bought Harry a magic playground that moved, the slide with a tap on a button would go faster or slower, and the swings sent you flying in the air if they thought you needed to go a little higher. He had also purchased a dresser for his room that in certain compartments things could be placed in and not be found by parents. He had filled two of these compartments with tricks, new ones and the ones from Christmas. He didn't tell Lily and James this, he decided to let them find out the hard way.

Sirius and Harry spent the morning playing in his new playground. They had put it outside near the Quidditch Pitch. Remus was out there with them, acting as the responsible adult. Presently, they were on the slide, Sirius held Harry tight and they went down. Harry clapped and laughed, and grabbed his godfather's sleeve. Sirius then pushed him on the baby swing and let him go high up.

"He's like a kid himself," James had come out, he was already dressed for the party.

"Yes he is. You use to be like that," Remus looked sideways at him.

"I married," James laughed. "With everything we have been through, I'm amazed we all have our sanity, but to act like that after everything, well that can only be summed up in two words, Sirius Black. He'll always be a kid, I grew up, and you have always been grown up. Sirius will die a kid. That's life."

"He is one in a million," said Remus.

"Could the world take two Sirius Blacks?" James asked.

"Can the world take one?" Remus joked.

James looked at Remus and then smiled, "Well since you are the responsible adult here, there is no need for me to be here." He ran into the play area, right at the sandbox which Sirius and Harry had just sat down at. James scooped up his son and ran. Remus smiled, as Sirius got up and ran after them. He looked up at the house, Lily would never know. With a look at Sirius and James he ran after them forgetting his role as the responsible one.

Sirius tackled James to the ground, but before with magic he lifted Harry out of his arms and let him float above them. Remus ran over, grabbed Harry out of the air and ran off with him like he was a Quaffle or something. Sirius and James stunned that he had joined them now ran after him. Sirius turned into a dog so he could go faster. Harry looked over Remus' shoulder and laughed when he saw the bear like dog, he loved Padfoot.

Two hours later, the Marauders and Harry were lying on the grass dead tired. Harry, who was now with James, fell asleep on his chest. They all sat and watched Harry sleep. They didn't speak, they didn't want to wake Harry, and who needed words when they were together?

The guests started to arrive in an hour. Harry was now dressed for the party, as were the Marauders. The guests assembled in the living room, and Padfoot came down with Harry on his back. Remus and James stood on either side of him so he wouldn't fall. There was a round of Harry Birthday from the guests, before James took his son in his arms. Padfoot ran into another room so he could transform. He came back into the room making noise with a Muggle noisemaker that he had bought.

"Harry this is Neville," Frank Longbottom was with James, and they put their sons on the rug by their feet. Remus brought over some of the toys he had bought for Harry and the two babies started to play with them at once.

Their playing didn't last long though, Dumbledore was the first to come over and he made a fuss over the two of them. James could not help but notice his eyes were not twinkling as they usually did when he was happy. He pulled out a wizard cracker for each of them and even exchanged his hat for a Muggle one that Sirius was handing out.

"You have both met Aberforth?" Dumbledore made his brother's presence known.

"Nice to see ye all again," He bowed low.

"Hello Aberforth," Frank shook his hand first.

"Jamesie, boy, you have er gone short on us," he patted Harry's head.

"That's my son Aberforth," James told him and shook his hand. He exchanged a look with Frank. "He's 1 years old today."

"Ah wonderful, wonderful, have a Chocolate Frog then," he pulled out a Frog out of his pocket. "I don't remember being 1 years old. I am 132 years old, we Dumbledores live forever, I tell ye."

"Professor who is older?" James asked.

"I am 137 years old this past June," Dumbledore told them. Aberforth, who was bored with the conversation, walked off. "I must go and make sure he stays out of trouble."

"He's strange," Frank muttered to James.

"It seems so strange for them to be related. Complete opposites, they are," James agreed.

Emmeline Vance was the next to come up to them. They were serving alcohol of course, but an hour into the party and it was clear she was drunk.

"Ah James," hic-cup, "great party."

Frank and James looked at each other, "Well thank you Emmeline."

"And you must be Harry," Emmeline picked up Harry, who hung on to his stuffed Lion.

"And who is this?" she noticed Neville.

"My son, Neville," Frank told her.

"Fine lads, I need a drink," She went off.

"If I didn't know she was a good Auror, I'd be frightened," Frank laughed.

"How's my godson?" Sirius came up with one arm around Katie's waist. Frank smiled and looked at them, he had not known that Sirius had a girlfriend.

"Oh Katie, this is Frank Longbottom," James introduced her to Frank. "Frank, this is Katie Moon, she was a Ravenclaw in our year. Frank was a year ahead of us." Sirius was now on his knees playing with Harry and Neville.

"Oh of course, I thought you looked familiar," Katie shook his hand. "Were you a Gryffindor?"

"Yes I was," Frank told her.

"Am I the only non Gryffindor here?"

"No of course not, Moody was a Slytherin, what 40 years ago?" James called out to Moody who was passing.

"Slytherin? I'll give you Slytherin," he took out his wand.

"Protective of your old House I see," James took Harry from Sirius. "You wouldn't curse a man with a baby in his hands would you?"

"I thought Gryffindors were brave," Moody laughed.

"I'm confused, you weren't a Slytherin?" Katie asked bewildered.

"Gryffindor of course," Moody gave a short bow. "These jokesters like their little joke, they know how much I don't like the snakes."

Everyone laughed.

"Moody, 10 years from now, here is your pride and joy of Gryffindor!"

"You think he's worthy?" Moody asked.

"He'll rule Gryffindor," Sirius said seriously. "I'd put any money on it. He's a Potter."

Lily came up to them. She had been talking with Alice Longbottom. "Rosy says its time to eat." She told her husband.

"Good, you hungry little Gryffindor?" James took Harry in his arms.

"He looks like a Ravenclaw to me," Katie ruffled his hair.

"A Ravenclaw? My son? Never, my son is not going to be a bookworm, who never gets in trouble, and stays in their common room READING!" James put Harry on his shoulders. "No, you are going to be the next generation of Marauders. He'll be like his old dad."

"Hey, Dumbledore, I hear in 10 years is a great time to retire!" An Order member shouted down to him, "James has just predicted a new set of troublemakers will be arriving in 10 years."

"For Hogwarts sake I hope James is as good at predicting the future as,"

"Sybill Trelewary?" Remus interrupted.

Everyone laughed, "The stories you tell about her Dumbledore. I'm glad I never had her." Moody laughed.

"Stupid subject, its all guess work," Lily agreed."

They all started to eat. The Order joked among themselves and told stories from their days at Hogwarts. Harry and Neville sat next to their mothers as they were fed. Sirius didn't eat right away, he was telling a story to Frank about one of the times they had got Dumbledore. He kept glancing around the table though, his eyes settled on Moody who had picked up a piece of chicken. He was about to sink his teeth into it, when it came alive. It jumped out of his grasp and did a dance on the table. Everyone laughed and then the pees got up and started to fly around the table. The roast beef then got up and danced with each other.

Everyone started to clap. Sirius and James got up and bowed.

"What did I say about you growing up?" Remus asked him.

"Happy Birthday son," James placed a kiss on Harry's head who had loved the food coming alive. He had clapped his small hands together excitingly.

The party went on for a few more hours. After eating and giving presents Sirius went outside with Katie. It was a gorgeous evening, not too hot and the flies were few. They walked hand and hand around the grounds. They stopped at the graveyard so Sirius could tell her about Uncle Billy, the man who Sirius and James claimed they owned their lives to.

"Sirius," Katie asked as they left the graveyard, "have you always lived here?"

"No, I moved in when I was 13 years old," Sirius answered.

"Did your parents die?" asked Katie.

Sirius sighed, he hadn't told Katie about his parents. It wasn't something he liked mentioning, "I'm surprised you don't know, everyone does. They along with my brother were Death Eaters. I got home from school after my second year, and I saw my father's mask on the table. He talked to me about it and I ran for it. I didn't know they had joined Him. I couldn't believe it, they were the cause of so many deaths. My mother was evil enough, I doubt there was a nice bone in her body. I just knew somehow if I stayed I would have ended up like them, they would have forced me, and I would broken at sometime. Pure blood fanatics, that is what they are. James' parents adopted me as a second son and I've lived here ever since."

"It was good that they let you stay," Katie moved closer to him.

"It was the best thing I ever did," Sirius sighed. He stopped walking. He fumbled in his pocket for something. "Well the second best thing I ever did. The first thing well… Katie Moon, will you marry me?" He dropped to one knee.

She gasped and her hands went to her mouth. She had not been expecting this at all. "Oh my." She managed to say. She looked at Sirius and then at the ring. "Oh Sirius, yes, yes I will!"

He smiled and got up. He hugged her tightly, and then lifted her up off the ground and twirled her around. He looked at her and then they kissed.

Sirius let go of her, "Let's go tell my brothers."