Disclaimer: This is not my story. It belongs to a filthy rich British woman who shall remain nameless. Only the mistakes are mine.

~~

"Something's wrong."

Albus Dumbledore cast a scrutinizing look across the handful of witches and wizards. Fifteen people in total – excluding Aberforth, of course – was what was left of the bustling crowd that had originally joined.

"All is not well," he continued into the uncomfortable and cheerless silence. It was an obvious statement, but still needing to be said.

Alastor Moody's patience was beginning to run low. The filth of betrayal needed to be aired out in the open. "One of us is not being honest. It's only a matter of time before we find them."

James looked to Peter, who looked to Snape, who returned the glare. Sirius glanced towards Remus, who stood up abruptly.

"This is ridiculous," he declared – that rare spark of irritation flaring. "We know there's a spy. There must be. But if it's one of us, wouldn't it be better to investigate this in secret?"

Sirius folded his arms stubbornly.

Remus shot him a quieting look. "Someone in this room knows what this is all about, and right now they're probably hatching plans to waste whoever it is that knows."

"It's true," Snape growled from the corner. Surprised and disapproving looks were involuntarily sent his way, but he didn't seem to notice. Peter coughed loudly, and Snape smiled slightly.

"It's impossible to know who it is, but I just can't help but marvel at how quickly the Dark Lord knows what we discuss in this room."

Peter was livid, but tried to keep an interested and alert look on his face like everyone else.

Sturgis Podmore appraised Snape coolly before speaking, himself. "If you're in such close contact with his Death Eaters, then why aren't we getting as much information?"

Snape had anticipated something like this. "With all due respect, Dumbledore, you're too trusting. This spy is drinking in your words because you have no other choice but to speak to all of us. The Dark Lord trusts no one. Not even me."

Moody scowled. "Then what good are you?"

Snape returned the scowl with just as much hostility. "Knowing how easy for me it would be to tell the Dark Lord everything I know, you should be more careful with how you speak."

James rolled his eyes. He really was the same creep he'd always been.

"But I do know something," he continued quietly. His eyes met James Potter's. "He knows where you live. He's not just after you. Lily and Harry, too. It's all he talks about."

Peter slammed his fist on the table, causing everything to tremble. He glanced uneasily at the curious faces around him. "That's awful," he mumbled, his eyes spitting fire at Snape, who let a smile reach his eyes that only Peter could detect.

James gawked at Snape, unable to keep his jaw from dropping open. This wasn't the first time he'd done this. Was he really saving them from these attacks, or was he the one organizing everything in order to look like the hero?

Lily spoke for her husband. "What do you suggest we do?" she asked Snape timidly.

Snape looked at her as if she were mad. "You expect me to come up with something? It's not my fault you give out your address to everyone you meet."

James found that familiar hatred engulfing him once again. He should have known. Sirius was glaring furiously, as was Peter, but Remus was the only one who managed to keep his face blank.

"Thank you, Severus," he said evenly, frowning slightly.

"Who did you leave Harry with?" Dumbledore asked quickly.

"Ms. Figg," Lily replied uneasily.

James glanced quickly between Lily and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore observed the ceiling for a moment before giving a small nod of his head. "Dedalus, Elphius, Mr. Podmore, would you please give Arabella a visit? Check the house, outside the house, and make sure the boy's fine. I'm not sure she'd be able to defend herself properly."

Lily could tell Dumbledore had something up his sleeve, but she couldn't exactly tell yet.

"Severus, you may leave as well."

Once the four wizards left, Dumbledore continued. "Mr. Potter." Dumbledore paused. "James, who would you trust your life with?"

James was struck dumb. What was he supposed to say? "You know I trust everyone in this room..."

"That's what worries me," the old man replied wearily. "Remember this isn't just you. Or Lily. It's Harry."

"I'm his Godfather," Sirius announced, standing up. "I should be the one to... well... what exactly is it you want me to do?"

Dumbledore let a smile escape his grave face. "We need a secret keeper. One person."

Remus shook his head at Sirius. "It should be you, Dumbledore. There's no question."

"I'm afraid I can't," he said, turning to face Lupin. "I'm already the secret keeper for this Order. I can't protect them while I'm keeping your own home out of sight."

Sirius snorted derisively.

Dumbledore noted this wearily. "It's settled, then," he said. "Alastor, Frank, Alice, Remus, Peter, Rubeus – you may go."

Everyone left as they were told, including Peter, who gave the room an assimilating look before Disapparating. Remus walked through the large oak doors, and closed them quietly.

Dumbledore turned his gaze to Lily. "Are you familiar with the Fidelius Charm?"

Lily let an involuntary 'yes' roll off her tongue before she caught it. She could see where this was going. "Yes, but I'm not the right person for this, I'm sure."

"You received top marks in Charms, did you not?"

"Yes, but I don't think – "

Dumbledore held up a hand to silence her. "Thank you for volunteering, Mrs. Potter."

Lily opened her mouth in protest, but she smiled instead.

Sirius tipped his chair back on two legs, bringing his hands behind his head. "Does that make me the lucky man of honor?"

Dumbledore nodded gravely in contrast to Sirius's eager enthusiasm.

"I never did like keeping secrets," he replied, grinning. "But I'll try."

"This is no joke, Mr. Black."

Sirius nodded his head submissively.

"The word fidelity – it means complete and absolute loyalty and devotion."

James gave Sirius a sidelong glance.

"You'll do this?"

Sirius nodded again.

"Very well," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "Tomorrow – you, James, and Lily will meet me here. I'll tell you where you're going. I'll give you today to pack your things."

Sirius, Lily, and James looked to each other in silent agreement.

"It's set," James said. "October the 23rd it is."

~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark and late – perhaps even early in the morning – but there was nothing now that could bring Sirius to sleep.

This small flat was where he was going to stay. He wouldn't leave at all. Contact would be most likely forbidden. It would be difficult, but he would do it for James.

But how would people know that he couldn't speak to or owl them – at all? Sure, he could tell people – only a few – but wouldn't it already be obvious? If someone heard the Potters were in hiding and that Sirius Black was missing in action for some reason, wouldn't it be obvious?

Just as swiftly as the thought had come, it quieted all other thoughts until it was all his mind would dare to dwell on.

Was he really doing them a favor? What kind of secrecy would the obvious choice be? And if it wasn't him, who would it be?

Sirius examined the meticulous shadows that crept across the stucco ceiling above him. It would need to be someone trustworthy, rarely noted, small, insignificant, and utterly loyal.

A reminiscent smile came to him as he remembered the days when a small little oddball would relentlessly follow around the three kings of Gryffindor.

Peter – he would never fail.

It was perfect.

~~~~~~~~~~

James levitated the trunks before him.

"Unca Lupin!" Harry shouted, holding out his arms. Remus smiled, glanced at Lily, who nodded her head. He stepped forward, letting Harry's arms reach his shoulders. He laughed when Harry started to laugh, and lifted him atop his shoulders.

As casual and calm as ever, Sirius Black stepped into the room. He grinned at Harry, and let his eyes meet Remus's.

"What are you doing here?"

"I live here, Padfoot."

Sirius looked back up at Harry, grinned again, and lifted him from Lupin's shoulders. Remus crossed his arms in front of his chest, frowning.

"Daddy?"

Remus turned around. "In here, Jamie."

A small girl stumbled in, wide-eyed and cheerful.

"Say goodbye to Harry."

"Bye!" She waved her tiny arm enthusiastically.

Dumbledore smiled bleakly. "I have a car waiting in front. The Knight Bus is too risky. Come on."

Silently and unmovingly, Remus watched them leave.

The ride was unnaturally quiet. Common sense told them it was just another spin in a muggle car, but now they began to realize the enormity of what they were doing.

As it struck them all individually that they would be hiding for the rest of the war, they began to feel the need to say goodbye. To anyone. From now on they would make no contact and receive no contact. It would be impossible to tell how the world would be when they emerged from their hidden walls of protection.

The car halted in front of an old two story house, overrun with weeds and curling vines that clung to the hidden brick.

Nearly buried by shrubs and trees was a large slab of rock. It must have been the centerpiece for an old garden; remnants of once brilliantly colored flowers were scattered across the brush and overrun paths. Without a closer look, one would assume it was only a large boulder, but behind the dirt and brittle vines was the title "Godric's Hollow".

"There's no need for me to stay," Dumbledore said. Without further indication as to where he'd led them, he left.

"Where's home?" Harry asked quietly, a little confused by the unfamiliar and daunting sight.

Lily swallowed. "This is home."

Harry scrunched up his face in intense thought, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

"Only for a little while," James said. "It's only hide-and-seek, see? We'll stay here and keep quiet until the game's over."

Harry nodded his head in vague understanding, but a disapproving frown remained on his small face.

The four of them walked slowly down the barely discernable path to the front door. Stepping in, they were overwhelmed by the musky smell of dust and mold.

Awkwardly, James glanced around. "So, er, I'll take Harry upstairs and find him a room, and you can, well, prepare."

Lily nodded as one taking orders. She watched James until he was out of sight, and then slowly she brought out her wand.

"Okay," she said. "All we need is the secret keeper," she began.

"That's me."

"Yes. And... the house."

"That's this dump."

"Yeah." She glanced at her wand. "I've never tried this before so – "

"Wait." Sirius held up a hand. "I should tell you... I don't think I'm the right one for the job."

Lily sighed with relief that she didn't have to do the spell quite yet. She shook her head. "You're right," she said.

"I am?"

"I didn't want to tell James," she said uneasily. "It was his decision. But I thought that, well, it'd be too easy for Vo– Vol– "

"Voldemort?"

Lily flinched. "It'd be too easy to figure out. He'd go after you, and... well, he'd do what he had to to make you speak – "

"I wouldn't tell him a thing."

"Well, I know that," Lily said exasperatedly. "But, well, I assume it'd be painful, so it shouldn't have to happen."

Sirius sighed. He wasn't alone in thinking this. "Nobody would expect Peter to be the one."

Lily's eyes brightened. "Exactly."

Sirius let out the breath he'd been holding in for the past 24 hours, finally feeling that he'd gotten somewhere.

"Listen," he said. "Don't tell anyone. Not even Remus. Especially not Remus. And don't tell James until the last minute – he'll only argue."

Lily nodded her head excitedly.

James walked in. "Is it done? Did it work?"

Lily opened her mouth wordlessly.

"She needs more time," Sirius said quickly.

"Alright." James gave them a quizzical look, but shook it off before opening his trunk.

"I'll come back tomorrow," Sirius said quietly, watching James rummage through his things hastily.

"No, wait," he said. He brought out his invisibility cloak. "Here," he said, handing it to Sirius. "Give it to Dumbledore. I'm sure he can put it to use while we're here."

Frowning, Sirius took it.

"And one more thing," James said. "I brought my mirror."

"Your what?"

James grinned. "Don't tell me you'd forgotten those detentions."

He held up a small mirror, and comprehension dawned on Sirius's face. He grinned as well.

Lily looked confused, as they'd expected, but just as Sirius smiled, her face hardened.

"Dumbledore said no contact."

"You know what that is?" Sirius asked incredulously.

Lily rolled her eyes. "James told me."

"I did?"

"You wouldn't stop bragging to me about how you could talk to each other with those stupid mirrors. I never had the nerve to turn you in."

"You told her?"

"I don't remember telling her."

"The important thing is, what if it gets in the wrong hands?" Lily cried.

"It won't," Sirius assured her.

"But – "

"Lily," James said in pacifying tones. "We're in a war. We need to know what's going on."

Lily sighed in frustration because she knew he was right. She could already tell how much it scared him to be completely isolated from the rest of the world, and she had to admit it frightened her, too.

"All right."

"I'll see you three tomorrow," Sirius said, with a meaningful look at Lily. She bound forward and grabbed him in a tight hug before he could escape.

James laughed. "He said he'd see us tomorrow." Of course, he couldn't know that this was the last time he'd see him for a long time, for only Peter would show up tomorrow, and Lily would be left to explain.

Nodding his head at James, Sirius Disapparated. The crack pierced the still air, and echoed until it evanesced, leaving them in a lonely and unbearable silence – wishing the company could have lasted longer.

~~

AN: I'll be lengthening this out. It won't happen next chapter. Actually, the next chapter will be rather long. If anyone feels like yelling at me, feel free to do so. If not, then a nice pleasant review would suffice.