A/N: all right people, my goal is to get at least fifty reviews on this story so if you could help my quota, I'd appreciate it a lot! Thanks and I love all my reviewers! Okokok,

On another note, I just want to point out that the Fidelus Charm has not been performed yet because in tSS, hagrid says, not a week after the charm was performed or something. So they've probably just presented Peter with the idea. However they haven't told anyone exactly where they are, just to be on the safe side. That being said, read and review!

Chapter 5….

"The curtains look great, Lil!" praised James.

James' face was paint splattered along with his clothes. Around his arm was a bucket full of paintbrushes and in his hand, he held a bucket of white paint.

Lily had just finished putting up the curtains in their tiny kitchen.

"Thanks, James. Are you done outside?"

"Yeah, finally. I don't see how muggles do it without magic! I'm going to have sore arms for weeks!" James cursed.

"No you wont. Because then we're going to paint the inside," Lily smiled somewhat evilly.

"Aw come on, Lily! I'm tired!"

"We're not doing the inside for a couple of days. I have to go buy the paint and then we have to decide which rooms we're doing which color. So it'll take a couple of days."

James breathed a sigh of relief. He had been almost positive Lily was going to make him paint something else before the day was over. He threw the paintbrushes in the sink and headed upstairs to shower the paint out of untidy black hair.

"Check on Harry, while you're up, ok?" Lily called up the stairs. "He's in his crib taking a nap, but I think he's awake by now."

"Alright."

Improvements on the tiny house made a wonderful difference. Through Lily's perseverance and James' obedience, the house was good as new by the first few weeks of September. The air caught a chill and leaves began to tint orange and red. No word from the wizarding world was carried to the couple except the word Peter could bring them on his very infrequent visits.

Peter came to see them only twice. Each time he was nervous and jumpy. Lily and James wondered what the idea of being Secret Keeper for them was doing to him.

"James, I don't know if we can force Peter to hide us," Lily gently told her husband after Peter's second visit. "It's taking a toll on him. He's sick James!"

"I know."

"I don't want to hurt anyone in order to keep us safe. What if this kills Peter?"

"Please, Lily…"

"Maybe I'm worrying too much. I don't know…."

"Lily"

"Yes?"

"Peter vowed to give his life for ours. I don't want to think that he'll actually die because of that vow. I've been a friend with Peter for many years. For one of us to kill each other…it would be unforgivable. The Marauders will always be undivided!" James added smiling. "Please don't worry about Peter. I know Peter would say something if we were really hurting him. He doesn't exactly have high pain tolerance."

"You know him better than I," Lily shrugged.

"Now, woman," James said still smiling. "Go cook the meal!"

Lily shoved him but all the same walked into the kitchen to prepare the meal. She clanged around her pots and pans, and then stopped staring at the walls, which had been painted a gold color.

"I think I wanted this color to be lighter," she called to James. "What do you think?"

James wasn't anywhere to be found.

It was past midnight when James awoke in a cold sweat. Images of his dead wife and son flashed before his eyes. He sat up and held his head in his hands, running his fingers through his jet-black hair. He let himself calm down a bit, but just to be sure, he reached over and rested a hand on Lily's sleeping form. She moved gently up and down with every breath.

James slid out of bed, careful not to wake Lily. He tiptoed down the dark narrow hallway and into Harry's small room.

The curtains Lily had hung only the day before blew in the wind. The night-light cast strange shadows about the room.

When James peeked over the side of Harry's crib, his son was staring right back at him. Harry smiled hoping to be picked up.

"Hey, kiddo, what are you doing up?" whispered James. He reached in and scooped Harry up. He held him close, almost like he was trying to affirm that Harry was still alive. "Only a dream…" James told himself sternly. "We're safe, we're still here, and we're still together."

A particularly strong breeze slammed the shudders against the house. James rushed over and shut the window with a flick of his wand.

The clock above the mantelpiece downstairs chimed one in the morning. James yawned and put Harry back to sleep. Harry cried a bit at being left alone again, but he quickly fell back asleep.

James crawled back into bed, thoughts rushing through his mind so quickly it was almost painful.

That dream was all too real. But Peter would never…he would never betray us. I know it. He couldn't. He wouldn't have the heart. After all we've done for him I know he couldn't. We've taken care of him nearly his entire life. We are his shields.

Ahh but Peter always liked being taken care of said a voice cunningly in James' mind. You just said so yourself. Peter likes being taken care of. He'll go to Voldemort. You've suspected him of being the spy all along. You know Sirius would never betray you. His hatred for the Dark Lord is too strong for him to ever give in. But Peter…

I trust Sirius' decision! James shouted back.

He lay awake for a few hours, battling back and forth with himself. He wanted to believe Peter would never betray them, but in his heart, he knew how weak Peter was and how quickly he would give in to power.

"James you didn't sleep well last night," Lily said her voice full of concern.

James had trotted downstairs around mid morning, his hair messier than usual, his face in need of a shave, and dark circles under his eyes.

"Wha—oh yeah I uh couldn't sleep last night."

He quickly brewed an Awakening Draught and gulped it down.

"I would've awakened you sooner," she said. "But you were fast asleep. Look," she held out a letter in her hand. "I think Peter dropped this by last night. I waited for you to open it."

James took the letter and slid his finger beneath the envelope. He took out the letter and unfolded.

" 'Dear Lily and James and little Harry too,' " James began reading aloud.

'I hope you're all doing well as you read this letter. Things are going well for the Order and we have made several victorious advances against You-know-who. However, we have not been able to find the spy yet. Whoever it is, seems to be feeding information to the Dark Lord. Dumbledore advises us to perform the Fidelus Charm as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I will be out of town until October 25. If it's possible for you, the Charm can be performed then. Stay out of trouble, Padfoot.

Best Wishes,

Wormtail."

"We'll have to lay very low until the 25," Lily shivered adjusting Harry on her hip. "And a few barriers around the house aren't such a bad idea. What do you think, James? James?"

"What? Oh, sorry, Lil, I guess I dozed off. Sure barriers sound like a great idea. Anything to keep us from him," James added pointedly putting emphasis on 'him'.

Lily reached up a soft hand and stroked her husband's face.

"Please stop worrying," she whispered. "Worrying wont help us. Now go back to bed and get some work so we can get to work."

James kissed Lily, patted Harry on the head, ruffling his tufts of black hair. He turned from them and jogged back upstairs. But James didn't go back to sleep. Sleep was impossible right now. He lay in bed just long enough for Lily to believe him to be asleep then dressed.

A/N: well a sort of erm uneventful chappie but it was an important one b/c it pointed out to ya'll reading it that the charm has NOT been performed yet. yeah that was my mistake i fergot ter fiks. REVIEW! please!