I do not own Harry Potter. It'd be rather funny and really cool if I actually did. Though in that case, I'd probably be keeping it hidden, wouldn't I?

***

Regulus Black was at the front of the main hall in Grimmauld Place, surrounded by friends and family, but it was hardly a wedding ceremony. Just two months short of eighteen, his young self was pale, waxy, and powdered, his eyes shut and his arms crossed over his chest, lying in an open coffin surrounded by black crepe and silver trim. His mother, who was dry-eyed but solemn, stood off to the right side of him. His father stood beside her with an equally dismal expression.

"My poor baby," Mrs. Black sighed, gazing down at her deceased son. "Our last hope . . . our heir, the last decent Black . . . "

Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy came up to the front of the room, having just arrived, the latter patting her pregnant belly. "Our condolences," said Lucius stiffly, holding out his hand to shake Mr. Black's. Narcissa only peered silently into the coffin, her face inscrutable.

They worked their way to the back of the room to chat with the others at the visitation. Peter Pettigrew, daubing his face with a handkerchief and looking decidedly nervous in the sea of cold former-Slytherin faces, approached Regulus's casket.

To most everyone in the room's surprise, Mrs. Black spoke to him quite rationally. "Thank you again, boy, for bringing us his body."

Peter nodded and attempted a smile, which was quickly snuffed since no one smiled back.

The Lestranges had arrived and Bellatrix came to the fore, throwing a disdainful look down at Peter. She set her eyes on her aunt and did not look at Regulus at all. She did not offer any sympathy, but simply asked about Peter in a harsh whisper, "What is HE doing here?"

"He found Regulus dead," explained Mrs. Black. "He discovered the body and returned it to us. He was murdered, apparently, and left to rot under the bushes." Her voice did not break at all. "It was that cult he joined . . . they killed him in the end . . . "

Bellatrix's eyes started to narrow at the disdainful way her aunt spoke of the Death Eaters, but Mrs. Black did not seem to notice. Her eyes fell back upon her youngest son- her favorite- and she continued, in a sorrowful voice, "My baby was never meant to be part of such a group. He was meant for greater, but gentler, things . . . such a fragile little boy . . . YOU were the one who got him all mixed up in that nonsense," she snapped, turning angry eyes on Bellatrix.

Bellatrix's eyes flashed. "Nonsense? You were quite proud of him when he joined up. You were keen on all of the Death Eaters' purposes."

"Purposes, yes! Yet I never knew the sort of things he would be forced to do! Don't think I haven't read in the papers how the Death Eaters have gone on mad killing sprees, even destroying proper pureblood citizens! They even killed one of their own," she gestured madly to Regulus. "My son never should have been mixed up in that! Such violent, terrible means . . . completely inappropriate!"

Bellatrix's eyes were now glowing, her dark lids covering more than half of her eyes, narrowed in anger. Her lips were tight. "At least we actually DO something about what we find fault with," she said in a deadly whisper, "rather than simply sitting comfortably at home complaining about it." Her aunt ignored her, so she turned to leave.

Peter Pettigrew watched her go, then turned and checked his watch. He gasped, and then scampered out after her.

***

James Potter paced back and forth across Dumbledore's office. His wife, Lily, belly bulging twice as much as Narcissa Malfoy's, was seated fanning herself in a chair by Dumbledore's desk, watching James with intent green eyes. Dumbledore was at his desk, writing.

"Can't we do something this heat? And stop pacing, James; watching you is making it worse," Lily said breathlessly.

Without missing a beat, Dumbledore pointed his wand at the fireplace, where blue flames sprung up. They emitted a cool breeze that washed over the three of them.

Lily closed her eyes and sighed in relief. Then, suddenly, she made a face and placed her hand tenderly on her belly. "I don't think this one's a Seeker," she laughed. "That felt more like a Beater to me. Or a Muggle football player."

Dumbledore looked up from his work. "You're still sure you wouldn't rather I was the Secret-Keeper?"

"We don't want to put you under any more pressure, Albus," he smiled to himself; it still gave him a kick to call his old Headmaster by his first name. "Besides, I trust all of my friends."

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "I deeply suggest caution, James. I have had numerous sources tell me that they strongly believe one of your friends is passing information to the other side."

James shrugged. "That's why I'm checking with all of them first. I've pretty much chosen already, but-"

"Sirius," grinned Lily. "Of course you're choosing Sirius."

"He's my best friend; what's wrong with that?" James looked at her.

She shook her head. "Sometimes, I think the two of you are still in third year. Have you ever considered that Sirius might be afraid to take on something this important? I mean, if it comes out he's the Secret-Keeper, he could be tortured until he reveals it."

"Which he won't ever do," finished James. "Come off it, Lily. Sirius is unflinchingly loyal. He'd probably consider it an honor to die for not betraying a friend."

"I'm not having a go at him; I just wish you'd consider it his choice. Remus would be just as willing to die for you- Peter, too. He hero-worships you. All of your friends care deeply about you. I would trust any of them."

"You're quick to trust people, though, Lily Evans Potter," James smirked playfully. "You trusted Snape to finish that Arithmancy project he had to do with you in seventh year, and he-"

"Oh, be quiet!" Lily blushed. "And he only didn't finish because YOU had him sent the hospital wing with tentacles sprouting out of his head! He had every intent of finishing!"

"He had every intent on making a move-" A knock on the door cut James off, which caused Lily to stop blushing in relief. "Come in!" James shouted to the office door.

"And you call ME trusting," Lily sighed good-naturedly. "It's dead foolish to invite just anyone into your house, especially now, especially before we perform the charm!"

Luckily, it was only Remus Lupin. He came in and smiled at the couple. "Has Sirius or Peter arrived yet?"

'Nope; you're the first," said James. "Have a seat. How's everything? Work treating you well? Found a nice she-werewolf yet?"

Remus smiled. "Nope . . . unfortunately, my little apartment doesn't give me the chance to get out on full moon much. To the werewolf singles' bar and all . . . " he and James chuckled. "And work . . . well, Rookwood's been moved to the Department of Mysteries, so I'm under different management now. Don't know why they didn't move ME up," he feigned bitterness, but continued to smile, "but Fabian Prewett's much more decent. A Muggle-born-- his brother Gideon was in our year, remember?-- he shares my views a little more; I don't have to argue with him."

"That's good," said Lily. "Rookwood was starting to worry me . . . he passed all those laws about not letting Muggle-borns into Hogwarts."

Remus felt his stomach drop and his smile fade from his face. "Indeed . . . " he said, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat and then explained, "But Prewett's repealed all of those." This was some relief, but Remus had a nasty suspicion that, though his nightly visits of terror had stopped, Fabian was now started to feel his fire.

There was another knock on the door, and Sirius came in unasked. He smiled around and Lily and James but took a quick look at Remus and stopped smiling. Remus simply watched him melancholily, taking a seat as James had suggested. "Hey, Sirius," James started pacing again. "So that just leaves Peter . . . don't tell me he's gone off somewhere AGAIN. He must have finally found a social life or something . . . I've haven't seen him in weeks."

Dumbledore looked up suspiciously at this, but was silent.

Right on cue, Peter dashed in, flushing, sweat running down his face and soaking the underarms to the jumper he was wearing. "Sorry I'm late, James!" he squeaked quickly.

"Why are you wearing a sweater in the middle of July?" Sirius eyed his attire. "It's hot enough to boil pumpkin juice in here."

"I'm not hot," Peter cleared lied as a fat drop of sweat rolled down his nose.

Remus raised an eyebrow and Sirius just tipped back casually in his chair. "Alrightly then. Um . . . business, James?"

"Right," James clapped his hands together. "I've informed all of you already that I have to choose a Secret-Keeper. Now, I want you to know that I trust you all, and if I don't choose you it's not because you're an any worse friend, and-"

"James, you're reverting back to Quidditch captain mode. This isn't tryouts for the House team," Sirius said with a snort.

James ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. "I know. I know. I just . . . feel bad about having to PICK one of you."

"How about," Lily stretched in her seat, "you talk one-on-one in the hall with each of them, to see if anyone has any worries or problems or wishes to not do it. Then, we can privately pick one." She winked at Remus, Sirius, and Peter, "You know . . . just in case one of you were Voldemort's spy." Peter shuddered at the sound of the name, but no one seemed to notice.

"Right then. Sirius, you first. Let's go."

Sirius followed James into the entry corridor between Dumbledore's staircase and office door. "You're first choice," said James. "That's . . . not a problem, is it?"

"Nope," Sirius shrugged casually, but he couldn't hide his pleasure. He really was James's best friend.

"You don't know, do you, who Dumbledore thinks is passing information about us, do you?" James asked, his voice suddenly solemn.

Sirius blinked. "Someone . . . someone's been spying on you?"

James nodded grimly. "Apparently. Dumbledore thinks-"

Sirius suddenly drew in a sharp breath of air. "He didn't! He couldn't have! He must have-"

James was nonplussed. "What are you talking about?"

Sirius shook his head, calming himself down. "It has to be Remus," he said after a moment.

"What?"

"Remus- yes, I know I sound crazy," Sirius added, noting the look on James's face. "But . . . didn't you know? It was him who passed all those mad laws a few months ago, the ones that were just repealed, about Hogwarts and the like?"

James's eyebrows were furrowed. "He wouldn't do something like that . . ."

"James, I wouldn't lie to you. I couldn't believe it, either. I saw the forms, though . . . I saw Lucius Malfoy give them to him. The exact proposals that became the laws."

"Remus wouldn't ever . . . he must have been terrorized into doing it . . . the Death Eaters do that . . . why on earth didn't he TELL me? I could have gone on watch for him!"

"Terrorized or not, HE passed them," Sirius said bitterly. "I . . . I don't want to sound spiteful, James, but . . . I wouldn't trust him. You don't have to make me the Secret-Keeper- though I assure you, it would be the greatest honor- but please, for your own sake, and Lily's, and James Potter, Junior . . . don't give it to Remus, alright?"

James only stared at him with stricken eyes, but Sirius knew he was taking him seriously. "And we don't know if he hasn't joined their side. Sometimes oppressed groups join groups that oppress others to make themselves feel more adequate and accepted . . . it's not uncommon."

James was slightly cold as he replied, "I guess I can't deny that Remus has been coerced somehow into carrying out some of Voldemort's work, but I simply CANNOT believe he would be a Death Eater. That's out of order, Sirius. But-" he looked Sirius straight in the eye, "-it is true I won't be able to let him be Secret-Keeper. Whatever is being done to him is working to get information out of him, and I can't risk it. Sirius . . . when I'm done talking to Remus and Peter, I want to talk to you again."

Sirius swept from the hall and moments later Remus appeared. He felt very nervous; Sirius had given him a decidedly dirty look as he came back in the office. He had to have told James that Remus was untrustworthy.

Remus opened his mouth to speak, but James spoke first. "Remus," he took hold of his shoulders, "I just need to let you know . . . you won't be needed to worry about being my Secret-Keeper. I've decided . . . you . . . don't need any more stress of that kind."

Remus wasn't fooled. "Sirius told you that I passed those laws, didn't he?"

James looked down. "Yes. But I don't blame you!" he spoke quickly. "It's just . . . if you're being followed, and if you've already been taken advantage of, I don't want to put you in more danger."

Remus nodded solemnly.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" James asked, his eyes finding Remus's. "You do know I can track them down. If you give me their identities, I can have them locked in Azkaban. The law can take care of it."

"It won't, though, James. They'll just get others after me. It will just keep going and locking up some of them will only make them angry. Besides, the attacks have stopped on me."

James still watched him with a pained expression. Remus didn't like this pity. It was as if he were weak and incapable. James was a brave Auror with nothing to hide; he couldn't possibly understand what Remus was feeling.

Remus finally sighed in defeat. "I suppose you're right, though; it's best that I wasn't Secret-Keeper. I have too much to hide and too much to be used against me. Good luck with the Fidelius Charm, though . . . and don't forget to keep in touch, just because you're in hiding." He forced a weary smile.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Moony," James grinned, making amends. He held out his arms and the two friends embraced. Remus walked down the stairs and out of the abandoned-for-the-summer Hogwarts, having no further business in the office. Sirius would be pleased to be James's Secret-Keeper, and he would make a good one. After all, James and Sirius had always been best friends, closer to each other than they had been to Remus. They willingly made a foursome with Peter, and sometimes a threesome when Peter became annoying, but when it came down to picking one partner, one other person, they always chose each other. Sometimes it bothered Remus; sometimes he wished he had an absolute best friend . . . but, as he had spent his life since age six as a despised werewolf, he had always been thankful to have three friends at all. They were great friends, too; playful and clever and loyal . . .

Or so he had thought.

Still, though, Remus knew . . . even if Sirius had betrayed Remus, he would never betray his BEST friend.

***

To be continued . . . Peter and Sirius switch, the original Order of the Phoenix begins to show up, etc, etc . . .