Title: If Time-Travel Changed Everything

Author: Leela74

Rating: PG

Summary: James and Lily chose to keep their memories of their time-travel adventure to 1996. What changes has this brought about in history? And can Voldemort ever be defeated now that Harry Potter is not the Boy Who Lived?

Disclaimer: I do not own HP.

Notes: This is a sequel to my first story: FROM TIME TO TIME. If you haven't read it, then it is likely you won't understand this story. However for the benefit for those who haven't read it, here is a brief summary of what happened:

James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, and Peter are all transported to 1995 by a Gem. James and Lily meet Harry. Parent child bonding occurs. Voldemort creates havoc by trying to have Harry's parents killed. They find out about the future, and once they get home (to 1977) they are given a choice to change the future by keeping their memories or having their memories wiped. James and Lily chose to keep their memories so they can give their future son a home. Sirius, Remus and Peter have their memories wiped and remember nothing of the future. I know it is very brief but if I wrote about the whole story then it might ruin it for people who haven't read it. (yes, I know I spoilt the end but it was necessery).

Onto the story!

If Time-Travel Changed Everything

A sequel to From Time to Time

Chapter One

The Secret Keeper

"This is it, Lily." James murmured, as he sat with his wife at their kitchen table.

Lily smiled sadly. "Yes, it is. What do you suggest?"

"We can't use Peter as Secret-Keeper, but I don't want to use Moony or Padfoot for fear of putting them in danger." James sighed, rubbing his hands through his hair in frustration.

It was October of 1981, four years since they had returned from the future, and a year since Peter had become a Death Eater. James and Lily had decided to keep their memories of the future because they wanted to see their son grow old; wanted him to have a normal life. Sirius, Remus and Peter had, had their memories wiped, but James and Lily had wanted to change it. Besides what they had seen was not a set-picture of the future.

"What about Dumbledore?" Lily piped up.

James frowned. "Would he...?"

"He's offered." Lily decided. "I mean, we could ask him. Perhaps we can get Sirius to be the decoy...or something."

"We'd still be putting Sirius in danger," said James, "I don't want that."

"We may have no choice over the matter."

James closed his eyes, clearly frustrated. They had been dreading this day for years, but it had only hit full force once Harry had been born. A slight mistep on their part could be fatal. It would also be at the back of their minds that their friend was a Death Eater. Yet neither of them had the heart to turn him over to the Ministry. James hoped that one day Peter might realise his mistake and confront him about it. Yet that day would only come when Peter gained enough courage. Whenever that day would be, James did not know.

"We'll have to go and see Dumbledore. See what he thinks before making a complete decision." James decided.

"I agree." Lily smiled, leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek.

They sat in the Headmaster's Office watching his mind calculate behind bright blue eyes.

Albus Dumbledore finally spoke, breaking the silence that had reigned the office for a few minutes after James and finished explaining what he and Lily had agreed upon, though James hadn't mentioned about Sirius being the decoy keeper. He clasped his hands together, weariness showing in his gaze. "I have no problem acting as your Secret Keeper. Sources tell me that Voldemort will come after Harry," his eyes twinkled, letting them know that he remembered where they had gone four years ago, "however, if he knows that I am your keeper he could divert his attention to the other child of the Prophecy. We need a decoy, someone who he knows you will trust enough with the Secret."

James had been afraid this would happen. "If it had to be anyone, it would Sirius."

"I thought as much. You will have to ask him if he wishes to be decoy. If he doesn't then...?" he left the question hanging.

"Our next choice would be Remus. And then we would go to Pat." Pat was one of Lily's friends from Hogwarts. She had been loyal to them for a long time and would protect them as long as she could.

Dumbledore nodded. "Then that is settled. I will act as your Secret-Keeper. Either Sirius, Remus or Pat will act as the decoy."

James nodded, thankul that Dumbledore had raised no awkward questions during the meeting.

The next few days passed in a blur. Sirius agreed to act as the decoy, which relieved James and Lily immensly. On the advice of Dumbledore, he went into hiding, and then it started. James alerted Remus and Peter that Sirius was the Secret Keeper but refused to reveal the location as to where he was. Though Peter asked, James refused.

Dumbledore became the Potter's Secret Keeper and no one was the wiser. James, Lily and Harry were safe.

As days passed, word reached the Potters that the Dark Lord was furious that his minions could not track Sirius Black down. It soon came apparent that Voldemort was hunting Sirius, himself, and it was then that James began to get worried. He only hoped that his best friend was smart enough to run away and not challenge the Dark Lord.

And so life went on and the year of 1982 came in, but with it came a few surprises. The first was the subsequent and long-awaited betrayal of Peter Pettigrew.

TBC

Okay, I know the beginning was pretty rubbish but it does get better. I promise. I sort of know where I'm going with this, so look for another chapter in the next two weeks. I don't know when, but their will be another chapter coming!

Review please?????