The Legacy of Two Generations

by LadyoftheLake

Lily and James started dating in their last year at Hogwarts, but that is only the beginning. Now, what will happen to their notorious son? Rated PG13 for some language. Harry's 6th year has begun & new adventures. PreHBP. Please r&r :ON HOLD! For the

44. Part III Chapter 9

A/N: I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I have a new chapter for you. The bad news: it's the last chapter for this part and Lily and James' death has finally arrived. Sorry it took me so long but to make up for it you can look forward to a long chapter. I hope you like it. **~~** Disclaimer: I do not own HP or anything related to it. **~~**

Chapter 9 ~ Goodbye Master James! Goodbye Mistress Lily!

They didn't have to wait for long to receive word from the Dumbledore.

The day after their meeting, Dumbledore sent an owl to James and Lily. He had to return to Hogwarts to settle matters but would be returning to London in two days and would give them further details on what must be done. For the moment, all they could do was wait.

Remus had returned to his travels and they didn't know when they would see him again, even though he promised to be back in time to see them off. Peter returned to his mother, and to a small shack placed in the middle of the moor nearby his home. Sirius returned to his duties at the Ministry and to his own house, he needed to make arrangements as well if he was going to be his friends' secret keeper, he would go into hiding as well.

James returned to the Ministry every morning. He wouldn't let fear of Voldemort keep him from what he loved to do. Lily stayed home, making list after list, trying to decide what to take with them. She didn't know yet where they were going, but she wanted to be prepared.

Dumbledore returned two days later, just as he had said he would. He appeared upon their front steps early one morning as Lily and James were finishing breakfast.

"Professor Dumbledore, Master James, Mistress Lily." Announced Roberts.

James quickly came to his feet. "Good morning Professor, didn't expect you this soon." He said as he shook hands with his old school headmaster.

"I was hoping to make my appearance less conspicuous." Smiled Dumbledore as Lily greeted him. "No need to stand up my dear." He urged her to stay sitting. "Hello young man, glad to see you too." He chuckled as Harry's "Dum-Dore!" was heard.

James laughed. "He is getting closer."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Please take a seat Professor, would you like to eat?" Lily offered.

"No thank you my dear, ate quite a plateful earlier, I would say no to some tea, mind you." Said Dumbledore.

Roberts quickly put a cup before him and poured some tea.

"Thank you Roberts." Said Dumbledore.

"You're welcome, Sir." Bowed Roberts and led the footmen out of the room. He knew that Master James and Mistress Lily had much to discuss with Professor Dumbledore and there was no need for the servants to hear any of it.

"Well then, there is no need to beat it about the bush, I'm sure you want to know about the details." Dumbledore said.

"Indeed we do, we are not very clear on what is needed for this charm, even Lily, with all her knowledge of Charms, has no idea what it is." Said James.

"Yes, you always were quite handy with charms." Smiled Dumbledore, looking at Lily. "But no matter. The Fidelius Charm is ancient magic. There are many spells that, as powerful as they were, have not been used in centuries. This is one of them, it is only known to scholars and ancient wizards like me." Chuckled Dumbledore and James and Lily smiled. They knew he was trying to make them at ease. "There is printed material on the subject of course, although is mostly found in the restricted section at Hogwarts' Library. What you need is a secret keeper, preferably a close friend, somebody you know would rather die than betray you, as it might just happen. The keeper will be the only one to know where you are hidden, as long as the keeper guards the secret, your enemies cannot find you. They can be standing in your front parlor with you in the same room and they would not see you."

"Is it that powerful?" Asked James in awe.

"It is, as I said, ancient magic is very powerful, which is why is not used today, great power is needed and not many can perform it." Dumbledore said.

"Where shall we go?" Asked Lily.

"Wherever you want, you could return to the Manor or stay here, it would not matter." Said Dumbledore.

Lily looked at James, who was deep in thought, she wanted to return to the Manor, it made her feel safe, but perhaps James knew of somewhere safer. She knew there were other properties that she had not been before, well except the cottage at Godric's Hollow, which she had visited in their seventh year. Perhaps, she thought, that would be a better site, even if it was small.

"It would be preferable if it is a small place. It would be safer if you can be by yourselves and leave servants and elves behind, they would not be protected by the charm and they can give you away if Voldermort or the Death Eaters stumble into them." Dumbledore said.

"I thought about that." Said James. "The only place I can think of is the cottage at Godric's Hollow. It is small enough, and I'm sure we can keep house there. Besides, it is out of the way, and not many people know that it's there."

Dumbledore nodded. "I remember the place. It would be appropriate."

"How are going to keep the elves away, specially Lotty and Minnie, they are personal elves, they go wherever their masters go, unlike the house-elves that stay in the house." Said Lily with a frown.

"I'll take care of that, there are charms that can keep an elf attached to the land instead of the master." Said Dumbledore.

"That's rather harsh isn't it? Almost like slavery, it is." Exclaimed James.

"Unfortunately it is, but it cannot be helped this time, it is important that they are left behind." Said Dumbledore.

James and Lily nodded, they didn't like it but they must do whatever was needed to keep Harry safe.

"Very well." Said James. "Should we close up the house then, send everybody to the manor?"

"It seems like the best idea. There is no need for them to stay here." Said Lily.

Dumbledore agreed. "Indeed, it would be easier to perform the charm that will keep the personal elves from you."

James sighed. "When shall we do this?" He sounded weary and sad.

"Next week. I will return with the instructions and will explain it to you. I cannot be there when the charm is done, only you and your secret keeper must be in that room, else, it would not work." Said Dumbledore. "That leaves you time to make arrangements."

"If anything happens." Said Lily, she was having a hard time getting the words out. "You will take care of Harry, won't you?" She looked beseechingly at Dumbledore.

"I will do my best for him." He promised.

Lily nodded and seemed somewhat relieved.

"I'll leave you then. I'll go to the Ministry and talk to Trent, said he had something to speak to me about." Said Dumbledore, preparing to leave.

"Goodbye Professor, we will be ready when you return." Said James.

"I know you will. Take care my dears." Said Professor Dumbledore and left the room.

"Oh James!" Lily exclaimed.

"I know Lily, but it is the only way." James said.

Lily nodded and looked worriedly down at Harry, who had been quite entertained by his meal the whole time the adults had talked and had paid no attention at all, no that he would've understood anyway.

**~~**

Lily and James took Dumbledore's advice at heart, during the next days they were busy visiting their own solicitor as well as Mr. Nikolei, Mrs. Evans old solicitor. The house was readied to be emptied, some of the furniture would be put in storage, some would stay behind and some would be taken to the Manor. The servants were also preparing for the move, even though they were not privy to what was happening, all they knew was that their masters were in danger and they would have to go into hiding.

Their friends kept in contact throughout the week, offering their help in anything they needed. James and Lily were grateful, but they knew that Dumbledore had been right the less they knew the safer they would all be.

Two weeks passed and everything was in readiness.

Lily and James lay in their bed late one night. The house was silent and Harry had already fallen asleep.

Lily was snuggled next to James, who had his arms around her.

"Do you think Dumbledore will write soon?" Lily whispered.

"Yes, he said he would send the instructions as soon as we were ready." James kissed the top of her head, which was resting on his shoulder.

"I'm afraid James." Whispered Lily.

"I know. Don't worry, Dumbledore wouldn't have recommended if he knew that we would not be safe." James tried to soothe Lily.

Lily sighed. "I don't like the idea of raising Harry in hiding. He is going to feel so stifled and will rebel against it eventually."

"We'll be ready for that, besides, by that time Voldemort might be history."

"I hope so James." Lily exclaimed.

"Voldemort cannot be invincible, Lily, nobody can." James said. He knew that report gathered by the Ministry showed that Voldemort had immersed himself into ancient Dark Magic. As Dumbledore had said on his visit, ancient magic was very powerful and only those with great talent and a profound understanding of ancient languages and history could perform the ancient spells and charms that had been ineffectual for many. Some of the most powerful was even written in Parseltongue and it seemed that Voldemort was the only one with that talent in hundreds of years. Some research about the ancient incantations were created with the hope for immortal life, since nobody had succeeded, except for Nicholas Flamel whom James knew possessed the only Sorcerer's Stone in existence, he supposed that the only thing they were useful for was to give the wizard longer life. Which wasn't much if you consider that wizard lived longer lives than muggles, thought James.

Eventually, James and Lily fell asleep.

**~~**

In a small cabin near the moors in an isolated part of England, a small body was prostrated on the floor as. Anybody peering through the windows would've thought that he was deep in religious adoration, if it hadn't been for the fact that he was prostrated in front of a large armchair.

"So, they think that the Fidelius Charm will protect them, do they?" A soft voice hissed.

"Y-y-yes master." The prostrating man said.

"I suppose Black is their chosen keeper. A strong choice, a very obvious choice." Hissed the cold voice.

"Y-y-yes master." The man said once more. "Dum-Dumbledore volunteered but they de-de-declined."

"A foolish decision." The voice said with derision. "But it will be our way to victory, Wormtail. Black will be easy to dispose of, the Potters will be ours eventually."

"Y-y-yes master." Peter shudder in the floor.

"You are not having seconds thoughts, are you Wormtail?" Questioned the voice with malice.

"Oh n-n-no, my Lord, I would never do that." Exclaimed Peter.

Voldemort laughed, a cold, sarcastic laugh that made the skin crawl and shudder with fright, at least, Peter did.

"Of course you wouldn't Wormtail, you wouldn't want your mother hurt, would you?"

Peter whimpered in the floor.

"You can leave. Return to me tomorrow, Dumbledore will be giving them directions soon." The derisive voice of Voldemort was almost a whisper.

"Y-y-yes master." Said Peter before standing up and disapparating from view.

Voldemort laughed with triumph. "Soon Potters, soon." He hissed.

**~~**

The day was gray. James and Lily ate silently that morning with Harry putting more food on the floor than in his mouth.

A layer of silence and sadness seemed to have fallen over the house, some of the servants had started to leave for the Manor, only the elves and Roberts and Mrs. Nichols were left. The elves would be leaving with the butler and housekeeper the day that James and Lily left.

The tension was palpable and disconcerting and Harry seemed to be the only one to be oblivious to it.

They were almost finished with breakfast when Roberts arrived carrying the tray with the mail. There was only one letter upon the silver tray. James took it and recognized Dumlbedore's seal.

He opened it quickly and read.

Lily watched him as she tried to clean Harry at the same time.

"Dumbledore will come tonight with the instruction." James said.

Lily nodded.

Harry started to fuss but neither of his parents noticed, they were lost in their thoughts to notice much of what was happening in the room.

There were some things that were left to be done.

**~~**

Sirius was sitting in a table at the corner of the Leaky Cauldron. He had hoped to find something for Harry to take with him, but he didn't find what he was looking for, his heart just wasn't on it.

"Fancy seeing you here, Black." A cold, mocking voice said behind him.

"Indeed, shopping for hair products I suppose, it was about time." Said Sirius without turning back. Snape's voice was rather notable after years of acquaintance.

A snicker was heard, stopped by a gruff "shut up!"

"Your friend has some sense of humor, I see. Too bad it isn't contagious, wouldn't you say?" Sirius said; he still kept looking at a small picture hanging on the wall opposite his chair, he didn't need to turn to look at him, Sirius thought.

Snape sniffed in a way he thought was dignified and contempt, but it sounded more like a snort than anything else.

Sirius smiled, how could he pass the opportunity to quiz Snape?

"My friend here wanted to make your acquaintance." Snape said with derision.

"Indeed?" Sirius asked, he really didn't care to meet anybody Snape called a friend.

"Yes, you might not remember him, he went to Hogwarts for two years before transferring to Durmstrung, of course it was well before our time." Snape continued.

"Hmm." Sirius didn't show any degree of curiosity.

"Karkaroff, thought he wanted to reacquaint himself with the notables of Hogwarts." Snape said.

"Notable, am I?" Said Sirius with a laughing voice and finally turned around to see Snape and whom he thought must be Karkaroff.

"Indeed yes, I've heard much of you and your friends, you seem to be legends to those who attended Hogwarts during your time." Karkaroff was older than both Sirius and Snape, he was tall and thin with a thin face.

"My time, huh? And I thought we would continue to be so well known after we left Hogwarts." Laughed Sirius.

Snape growled. "Doing it too brown, don't you think? No matter, we will be going now, no need to stay in your presence."

Sirius smiled cheekily at them.

"We will be seeing you soon, Black." Said Snape in a menacing tone before walking away with Karkaroff.

"Indeed?" Whispered Sirius as he saw the two men walking away. Karkaroff was gesticulating and whispering to Snape as they walked out toward Diagon Alley.

Sirius frowned as he saw them disappear through the back door. It seemed as if they knew something he didn't. Sirius thought of Lily and James. "They know!" He whispered. He stood up from his chair abruptly and threw some galleons on the table to pay for his food before getting ready to disapparate.

Nobody had paid any attention to what had happened in the corner of the pub, except by two small eyes hiding within a small hole in the wall. A small, fat rat exited a little from the hole, his whiskers trembled in an excited manner and the rat quickly returned to his hole.

**~~**

Sirius apparated in an alley near Rowe Square. He took his wand and with a swish his robes had changed to muggle clothing. He hid his wand in the pocket of his jacket and made his way rapidly to the Rowe Square. He needed to talk to James and Lily, he thought. He stopped abruptly. What was he going to say to them? He then continued walking, lost in thought that he really didn't notice where he was walking.

That he suspected that Voldemort knew that he was their secret keeper? Well, it was a good theory, but no proof. Besides, he was more than a match for the Death Eaters. He was planning to go into hiding, but unless he performed another Fidelius Charm for himself, he could still be found. And let's face it, he thought, even if it took them years to find him, he could not do much damage on his own and as he didn't know much of foreign countries, it would only be more dangerous if he left the country.

He could advice James and Lily to change secret keepers. There was Dumbledore, he had volunteered after all. But no, he knew his friends didn't want to add troubles to their old school master, besides, with Dumbledore being so old, how long could he really last?

Remus was out of the question, his illness would only make things difficult, even though it would be hard for the Death Eaters to find him as he went around the world most of the time and for three nights out of the month, it would be quite dangerous to get near him. Not to mention the fact that if any of them was the spy, Remus was the most likely to be the one, as he was the one who did better than anybody in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

There was Peter, but he was such a weakling, who would think that he would be chosen as the Potters secret keeper?

Sirius stopped abruptly. "Yes, that's it!" He exclaimed. Some people around him watched him warily circling around him as if he was deranged.

Sirius resumed his walk not noticing the wary looks thrown to his back.

Peter was the perfect choice, he thought, Voldemort and the Death Eaters would never think that he would be chosen to be the secret keeper, and it was so easy for him to hide. His animagus form would allow him to hide perfectly and nobody would know where he was.

The day begun to get dark but Sirius didn't seem to notice. He continued walking through the park in Rowe Square, automatically walking toward his home. As he did so, he thought about the arguments he could use to make James and Lily change secret keepers.

**~~**

As Sirius conversed with Snape and Karkaroff in the Leaky Cauldron, James and Lily were greeting Professor Dumbledore. Harry had been taken by Minnie for a nap and the house was silent as Roberts led the Professor down the corridor to the family parlor.

"Good afternoon, Professor." Greeted Lily.

"I gather you had a nice trip?" Said James as he shook hands with Dumbledore.

"Yes I did." Dumbledore took the chair that Lily had motioned him and James was offering a glass of cider. "Yes, thank you, I do feel a little parched."

After everybody had settled in their seats, Dumbledore withdrew a parchment from one of the pockets of his robes.

"These are the instructions for the Charm. Be sure that nobody is with you when you perform it, only you, Harry and your secret keeper should be present. The charm should be performed where you are going to hide. Make all preparations now, and when you leave, do it during the night, make sure that you are not being followed. The less people that know where you are planning to stay the better." Said Dumbledore as he passed the parchment to James.

"Do you mean that we cannot have visitors? We are going to have to stay there all the time?" Asked Lily in horror, she didn't think she could handle the solitude.

"No. You cannot have visitors, and it would be best if only few know of it. You can continue as you would usually live, just be careful. That's all I ask, vigilance. We don't know who the traitor is, it could be the one we don't expect it from." Dumbledore said.

"What will happen if the traitor finds out about our hiding place and tells Voldemort?" Asked Lily.

"Voldemort won't find you. He could stand in the same room as you and he won't see you, and neither will his consorts." Said Dumbledore.

"Only if the secret keeper tells him, will he find us." James said.

"Exactly." Said Dumbledore.

"How long do we need to be under the Charm?" Asked Lily.

"As long as is needed. As long as Voldemort is free and trying to take over the world, you are in danger." Dumbledore looked sadly at the couple sitting in front of him.

James nodded his agreement, only Lily seemed worried.

"Do you have everything ready?" Asked Dumbledore. "We are already in mid- October and it would be wise not to wait for a later time."

"We are almost ready. Food and furniture has been sent to Godric's Hollow but we still have things that needed to be done before we leave." Said James.

"How long will they take?" Dumbledore asked.

"A couple of days. We will leave before the week is out." James replied.

"Good, the sooner you leave, the safest you will be." Dumbledore said.

They were silent for a moment, they knew that there was nothing more to say on the subject everything that needed to be said had been told.

"You will join us for dinner, Professor? We would like to have you with us." Lily said ending the awkward pause.

"Thank you my dear, but I have to see somebody later this evening." Smiled Dumbledore. "In fact, I should be leaving soon if I don't want to be late."

Dumbledore looked out the window and saw that the sun was low, darkness would fall in a couple of hours and he wanted to have time to look around.

"Before you leave, Professor, I want to give you something." James said standing up. He kissed Lily's cheek and with a "I'll return shortly" he led Dumbledore out the room.

"Good bye, my dear, good luck." Said Dumbledore to Lily before he followed James out.

The two men crossed the corridor and made their way to the book room.

The curtains had been drawn and the sinking sun lit the room with its dim rays. The corners of the room were shadowed but the desk and the chairs around the fireplace were clearly seen.

James walked slowly to his desk. He sat on his chair and pulled open one of the lower drawers. Dumbledore sat on one of the chairs in front of the desk and looked with curiosity as James withdrew a package from the drawer.

"I wanted to ask you a favor, Professor." Said James.

"Anything you want my dear boy." Professor Dumbledore said.

"You should not say so Professor, I may ask you for something you cannot give me." Smiled James. It was not his usual smile, full of happiness and mischief. This smile was saddened and strained but he was obviously trying to keep things light.

"I don't believe that to be so, but I will try to do as you ask." Professor Dumbledore.

"It's not much really, I just wanted to ask you to keep this safe." James passed the package to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked down at the lumpy package, it was obviously filled with clothes, but for what reason would James want it safe? "If that is what you ask, that is what I will do." He said.

"It's my invisibility cloak. It is customary for each first-born Potter son to get his father's on the night before going to Hogwarts for his first year. In case I cannot be there, could you give it to Harry? I want to make sure that he gets it." Said James.

"Of course, I will make sure that Harry gets this when he goes to Hogwarts for his first year." Smiled Dumbledore.

"It would make a great Christmas present, don't you think?" Laughed James, somewhat strained. He hoped that it would not come to that, he wanted to be the one to give the cloak to his son, but he also had to think of alternatives if it could not be so.

"Indeed it will. At least we will have some peace of mind and he won't get into much trouble for a semester." Dumbledore said.

James smiled. He had great memories of that cloak, and he hoped that Harry would make his own when the time came.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that we will find a way to defeat Voldemort soon and you won't have to stay hidden for long." Dumbledore said. "I must leave. Be careful, make sure you follow each instruction carefully and that you keep yourselves safe."

"We will, thank you for everything Professor." James shook Dumbledore's hand.

"Thank you, for helping us in our work against evil." Dumbledore replied.

"If anything happens, you will take care of Harry, won't you? You'll make sure that he is safe." James looked at his old friend.

"I will do the best for him." Dumbledore promised.

James nodded.

Dumbledore took the package and made his way out of the room. He stopped at the door and turned to look at James.

"He will do great things, you know. Your son emits great energy, he will be very talented. I will not be surprised if we defeat Voldermort with his help." Dumbledore said.

"I just want him to be safe and to live like a normal boy." James said.

"He will do so, I promise." And Dumbledore opened the door and left.

James remained by his desk as the sun slowly sank in the horizon and the candles around the room started to light themselves.

**~~**

Dumbledore apparated in a deserted alley. Trash cans and boxes were strewn around the floor and the smell of rotting food and the sewers permeated the air. He took his wand out from his pocket and pointed at him. He whispered a few words and his clothes changed instantly to muggle ones. He was wearing a three-piece suit, beige, with black shoes. He tucked his beard and long hair into the vest and stepped out of the alley.

He had stepped into a typical suburban neighborhood. There were children playing in the sidewalks, and mothers sitting in the front steps with knitting or pots of vegetables needed to be peeled, as they watched their children play. Nobody paid any attention to the old man as he walked slowly up the street, probably a grandfather visiting a grandchild with a birthday present, some thought as they saw him walking by with a lumpy package underneath his arm. Dumbledore looked around him. It was not everyday that he came to a muggle neighborhood and it always amazed him how different it looked from those where most wizards could be found. No children in hovering brooms, no quidditch balls flying around, no gnomes playing in the garden.

He looked at the houses. They were pristine and the gardens looked neat and pruned. He could see the television antennas on the roof and the cables for the telephone around the posts.

One house in particular caught his attention. A large number four graced its door and Dumbledore could hear the cries of a child coming from inside. It looked to be well taken care of, the curtains were already closed and he could see the light from the television in the living room. It was a modest house, rather small compared to the house that he had just left. He continued walking. He turned in the corner to a house that seemed a little different from the others. It had more color and cats were constantly walking in and out from a small flap at the bottom of the front door.

He walked up the steps, making sure not to step on any tails, and rang the bell.

An old woman opened the door.

"What took you so long?" She asked as she stood aside to let Dumbledore enter.

"I wanted to look at the house." Dumbledore said.

"It will be soon then." The woman said as she closed the door and led Dumbledore to the sitting room.

"They said by the end of the week. Two, three days at the most." Dumbledore said as he sat in the only chair that was not covered with cats.

"When will you perform the spell?" The woman looked at Dumbledore with a serious expression in her face, anybody watching her would be able to see how worried she was.

"Tonight. The soonest it is done, the better." Dumbledore said.

"What did the Ministry say?" The woman asked.

"Not much. Some were against it of course, but the Minister himself was for it, there was nothing else to be said once he had given his permission." Dumbledore said.

The woman sniffed with derision. "Those old men at the Ministry have nothing in their heads but dragon dung."

Dumbledore laughed. "Not to worry Arabella, things are going fine. Unless Voldemort breaks through our precautions, the Potters will be safe."

"I hope so, I'm getting tired of living here with nothing to do, not to mention how boring these cats are sometimes." She looked down at the felines sleeping around the room.

"I'm afraid that you will have to wait a little longer, my dear. As long as Harry is in danger and Voldemort is after him, I will need you here. The Dursleys don't know it, but they are safe as long as you are keeping an eye on them." Dumbledore said.

Arabella sighed with resignation. "Very well, as long as I don't have to deal with them personally too often. That woman is a nightmare, honestly! How can she be related do Lily Potter at all?"

"That is a mystery that none of us can possibly find the answer to." Dumbledore smiled.

**~~**

Night had fallen and Lily and James had just finished dinner when Sirius made his entrance into the dinning room.

"Oh good, you are here." He exclaimed and sat in one of the chairs.

"What happened? You look as if you had to run here." Said Lily.

James didn't say anything he was watching his friend closely and noticed the worried lines in his friend's face. Something was clearly bothering him.

"Out with it Sirius, I know you have something in your mind." Said James pushing his plate from him and readying himself to whatever Sirius had to say.

"You need to change secret keeper, I don't think I would be the best choice." He said.

Whatever Lily and James had expected, that wasn't it. "What?" They exclaimed.

Lily looked around to see if any of the servants had heard. Nobody was around, not even Roberts, they were quite alone.

"What maggot got in your head?" Said James, sounding very surprised. They were almost ready to do the charm and here was Sirius telling them that he couldn't be their secret keeper.

"Listen James. I think it would be safer if you chose someone else." He raised his hand to stop James and Lily from interrupting. "Just let me tell you why. I met Snape and one of his friends this afternoon and from what they said, it made me think that they know of the charm. It is true that even if they know where you are, as long as I don't say anything they can't find you, but just think James. Who would they think is the obvious choice for a secret keeper? Me, that's who. True, I can hide quite adequately and can lead them in a merry chase, but that would not be enough. You can choose Dumbledore, but let's face it, who long can he last, he must be more than a hundred by now! Remus would also be an obvious choice, even though it would be harder for them to find him. But the perfect choice would be Peter."

"Peter!?" Sirius had stopped for a little air.

"How can you think that Peter is the perfect choice? Sirius, I don't want to be mean, but he has problems with the simplest of spells. He would get himself killed." Said Lily.

"I know, that is why he is the perfect choice. Don't you see? They would never suspect him, who would choose him for a secret keeper. And he can hide most effectively than the rest of us. He is small and can probably hide for years without anybody knowing where he is." Said Sirius.

"That is true." Said James thoughtfully.

"James, you can't possibly think that it would be a good idea!" Lily exclaimed.

"Lily, it does have merit. Everybody knows that Sirius is my best friend and if I needed him to keep a secret, he would do so. They are going to come after him in droves, Lily." James said to his wife who looked very concerned.

"Then let's ask Dumbledore, he volunteered if you remember." Lily said.

"I know, Lily, but we have asked enough from him, it wouldn't be fair." Said James.

"Please tell me you are not thinking seriously of Peter as our secret keeper." Moaned Lily.

"Lily, don't worry. I will make sure that Peter is safe at all times. Once the charm is performed he can go into hiding. I'll make sure that the Death Eaters don't get to him." Sirius said.

"But what if they find out that he is our secret keeper." Lily still had doubts about this plan.

"They can never find him once he has transformed into his animagus form and the Death Eaters don't know that we are animagi, we are not registered animagi after all." Said Sirius with a smile.

"Are you sure it would be safe?" Lily looked questioningly at James.

"I do. Peter is the perfect choice and I know both Sirius and Remus would make sure that he is safely in hiding. He will need their help to transform anyways, Peter was never good in transfiguration, he always needed a little bit of help and as we haven't used our animagi form for quite some time he will need help." Said James.

"That is true, unless he is doing a lot of practice in the last months that we don't know about, he will need help." Said Sirius.

"Well, if you are sure." Said Lily.

"I am." Said James and Sirius.

It wasn't very long afterwards when Sirius left the house feeling much calmer and happy about the situation than he had felt from the beginning of the crisis. He had worried about his friends for months now and it seemed that the end was at hand. James, Lily and Harry would be safe and he would make sure that Peter stayed safely hidden until Voldemort was defeated.

**~~**

Remus returned to England the next morning. By the afternoon, the four friends, the Marauders, were together one last time.

Lily had taken Harry to be examined by their doctor, she wanted to make sure that he was healthy before they retired to Godric's Hollow the next day and to do some last minute shopping. Besides, she thought, she didn't want to be home when the others got there. She was feeling a little envious of her husband. James had the chance to have a last day with his friends, happy with the knowledge that all would lay down their life for each other if necessary. Lily didn't have any of her friends with her. Both had been vanished by the danger of Voldemort. She didn't even have the consolation of owl post, both were in places beyond her reach and for almost a year now, she didn't have a friend to confide with. She had to undergo many trials in the last months and she wished that like James she could've been able to cry and talk with a female friend. The boys were dears, she thought, but they didn't understand things the way Emma and Katie would've.

She wondered how they were doing, if they felt as lonely as she did sometimes. But she supposed it was for the best, there had been enough death in the past months, and she was happy with the knowledge that both her friends wouldn't be in any danger.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Sirius to James as the four sat around the bookroom. They couldn't agree on what to do and boredom was close to the surface.

"Good." Said James.

"Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere? The Leaky Cauldron, perhaps?" Asked Peter from a seat by the windows.

"I'm sure, I don't really feel like doing anything." Responded James.

"Perhaps a game?" Said Remus. He knew that his friend needed to keep his mind on other things and sitting around with nothing to do wouldn't be the best way to do so.

"No, I'm fine, but you can, if you want to." Said James.

The others looked at each other, asking themselves what to do to keep James entertained.

"Where are Lily and Harry?" Asked Peter somewhat abruptly.

James looked at him in surprise but only for a moment. "They went to the doctor's office." He finally said.

"Anything wrong?" Asked Remus.

"No, Lily just wanted Harry to have his examination before we left." Said James with a shrug.

"Oh, I suppose that was the smart thing to do." Said Peter.

James nodded but didn't say anymore.

The others tried to keep conversation but James was too lost in his own thoughts to pay attention to take part of the discussion.

The day passed in quiet entertainment for both James and Lily. Before the others left, James had asked Peter to return the next day. He wasn't told why, but he had agreed.

The Potters now sat in their customary seats around the table. Harry was silent as he tried to bit into a piece of chicken his mother had placed in his hand.

Otty had prepared a great meal, everybody knew that the next day they would all depart their separate ways. The elves were disconsolate. They had been told that afternoon that a charm would be placed on them to keep them from finding their masters, for their own safety as well as the Potters. Minnie burst into tears every time she saw James or Harry. Lotty walked around his master's chambers with slumped shoulders and packed in silence. As personal elves, both, Lotty and Minnie, went everywhere their charges went, this would be the only time in their lives when they would not be able to serve their masters, and the thought of staying behind in the Manor was breaking their hearts.

James and Lily ate in silence. They knew that their servants had worked hard to make their last dinner at home special, but they didn't have the heart for it. The food turned into dust the moment it touched their mouth. The thought of what would happen the next day made them nervous and scared, even though neither showed their feelings to each other.

Dinner didn't last long. As soon as the plates had disappeared, both Lily and James retired to the family parlor while Minnie put Harry to sleep (it was the last time she was going to do so and cried the whole time she got Harry ready).

The house turned silent. James had ordered Roberts to lock all doors and windows and to go to bed. Roberts did so. The only ones that were up now were Lily and James.

Lily sat in her customary chair and looked around. Now what? She asked herself. All of her things had already been packed and she didn't want to get things unpacked just because she was bored. Or scared.

Neither spoke. James sat in his chair looking into the fire that had been built in the fireplace to drive off the cold that had started to permeate the city early that evening.

**~~**

Dumbledore sat on his chair behind his desk as the young man before him paced across the floor.

".You must tell them to care, somebody very close to them is keeping him aware of everything. How he found out about the Charm, I don't know." The young man was saying.

"Are you sure that he knows about the Fidelius Charm? I thought only few knew about it." Dumbledore said feeling rather worried by what he had just heard.

"Well, he does. He knows the Potters will make use of it soon, in fact, he seems sure of it." The young man said.

"Hmm.this is rather worrying." Dumbledore exclaimed.

"They just have to make use of the Charm sooner rather than later, if he feels that there is not enough time, he will do something. And soon, you can count on that. He is getting restless. He wants that child." The young man said. He hadn't stopped pacing the whole time he reported to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked at the young man and smiled slightly. If others would see him and hear him, they wouldn't believe that it was the same Severus Snape they all knew. Dumbledore was rather proud of his former student. He had been rather reserved and mean spirited when he was at school and his boisterous unofficial war with James Potter and his friends made for a lively time. The fact that his reports have been the ones that served to keep the Potters safe and out of trouble was rather ironic. Dumbledore sat back to recollect the first time Severus Snape entered his office to offer his help.

It was right after the attack on Hogsmeade where Jezebel Robinson was lost. Professor Dumbledore knew that Severus was rather enamored of Jezebel since the first time he had seen her on their first year and the fact that she had eyes only for James Potter was not good for his self-esteem and only led to the hilarious struggle that the Gryffindors and Slytherins had found themselves into, with the leadership of the Marauders in the Gryffindor side and Snape and Malfoy in the Slytherin side.

When James and Lily became rather serious in their relationship, everybody thought that things would calm down. And for a while it did. But things didn't stay that way for long. Jezebel Robinson was not going to give up and Severus had been angered by it. After graduation things slowed down as expected but they didn't get any better. Jezebel Robinson eventually forgot about James Potter and turned her energies to her work with her father at the Ministry of Magic. But Severus didn't have anything to turn his energy to, except for the group that most of his friends were turning to, the Death Eaters.

When Jack Robinson was killed and his name blackened. Jezebel Robinson turned for help and found many doors closed to her, except for the Death Eaters hoping to get her to their side, and for a time she took advantage of this until that deadly attack on Hogsmeade.

Severus was torn. When she had turned to the Death Eaters he had hoped that a relationship could come of it, but the attack destroyed his dreams. He knew that he couldn't turn his back on the Death Eaters and their leader; that would only lead to death, and he wouldn't let Jezebel's loss be for nothing. He turned to Dumbledore instead. It was at that moment when he decided he had the unique opportunity to help.

Since that moment forth, he had reported every plan and every movement that Voldemort and his followers did. His information helped to prevent the death of many, and the capture of some Death Eaters.

Now the information that had brought him to his former Professor could help their efforts to keep the Potters safe.

"Are they ready, do you think?" Severus turned to look at his former Headmaster, hoping for some reassurance. "They are sitting ducks as long as they stay in their house."

"I'm sure they are. They have the instructions for the Charm and they have chosen a secret keeper. I'm sure they are ready." Dumbledore said with certainty.

Severus nodded. "I must go. But, and I'm sure that I don't need to tell you this, things are coming to a head, I can feel it." He said before wrapping his cloak closely about him making sure that his face and features were out of sight and quickly left the room.

Dumbledore watched him go. He agreed with Severus. Things were speeding up toward something that would lead to great changes. And he hoped, they would be for the best.

**~~**

Morning had arrived and the city of London was slowly awaking from its slumber. Early risers drove toward their work, while others were lucky enough to have a lie-in. The Ministry of Magic was slowly gathering activity and the residents around Rowe Square were slowly waking from their sleep.

James and Lily had had a wretched night. Both were worried about what would happen that day and couldn't sleep for more than a couple of hours. The remaining servants and elves were awake and a light breakfast was being prepared. The last one to take place in the Potter House.

Harry had awoken at the same time as always, fussing with hunger. Minnie had changed him and dressed him in the traveling suit bought for him for this day. She had sobbed softly through the process, not that Harry had noticed.

Lily and James dressed in silence, Lotty helping them along and packing the last items into the trunks that littered the floor. Several trunks were placed around the room. Some had already been taken to the entrance hall, to wait for the time when their master and mistress were ready to leave.

"Ready?" James asked once both were dressed.

Lily nodded. Minnie entered the room, a fussing Harry in her arms.

"Thank you Minnie." Said Lily and they quickly exited the room, leaving behind a sobbing Minnie and a worried Lotty, who was trying hard to comfort her.

James and Lily slowly made their way to the dinning room. Roberts stood by the door holding it open for his masters. The table against the wall was empty. It usually stood loaded with food and drinks, today, it was different.

Small dishes and platters were placed in the middle of the table. Three people stood by the windows waiting for them.

"Had a good night?" Asked Sirius as James and Lily entered the room.

"As good as could be expected." Said James.

"I hope you don't mind us being here." Said Remus as the each took a seat around the table.

"Of course not, we wouldn't want to be alone now!" Exclaimed Lily as she settled Harry into his high chair.

"Because we could leave if you prefer." Said Peter as he watched the others starting to pile food onto their plates.

"No Peter, we want our friends to be with us." Said James.

Peter nodded and started to serve himself.

The meal was eaten in awkward silence. Sometimes, somebody tried to make conversation but it soon died down as the others were unresponsive.

They all tried to prolong the meal, but it soon came to an end. There was no reason for them to stay, it was time to leave.

The entrance hall was full of luggage, which Roberts and a couple of footmen, who had stayed behind after the rest had gone to the Manor, started to pile them into the trunk of the car. Only one car was waiting outside the door. The luggage was shrunk and stored as Lily and James watched the servants work.

"Well, it seems there is no reason for me to stay longer." Remus sighed and turned to look at his friends sadly. "You will take care, won't you? You know that you can call on me if you need me." He hugged Lily, whose eyes started to get moist.

"We'll do that." Said James with a growl. They knew that it wasn't because he was angry, he was just trying to put a good front to the others.

"Good bye, Harry. I'll see you soon." Said Remus as he took Harry from Lily's arms.

Harry smiled and squealed, oblivious to the sadness that surrounded the others.

Remus chuckled. "Yes, I know you are happy. Good bye." He said turning to look at his friends.

"I'll owl you later." Said Sirius.

Remus nodded.

"Good bye James." Remus looked sadly at his friend, both trying hard not to let their emotions get the better of them.

"I'll see you my friend." James replied.

Remus slowly crossed the park toward the Ministry, where he was scheduled to meet someone.

Peter was about to say his goodbyes as well, but James stopped him.

"Peter, we need you to come with us." James said.

"What? Why?" Asked Peter rather disconcerted.

"We'll tell you on our way." Said Sirius.

The luggage was packed, Martin, the driver, waited for them by the car. Lily had placed Harry comfortably into his seat and everything was ready for them to leave.

Roberts had assembled the remaining servants by the door. Roberts himself stood by the open doors, Mrs. Nichols beside him. Next were Lotty, Minnie and Otty. Minnie was sobbing disconsolately between them. The remaining two footmen stood beside the personal elves and then followed a line of small house elves looking sadly at their masters from their big round eyes, their ears drooping and their hands clutching the white towels covering their bodies.

Sirius pulled Peter through the door and left James and Lily to say good bye to their servants.

Lily clasped James' hand. Harry was resting comfortably in the carriage near the door. James pulled her gently to the end of the line. The small elves looked up at them.

"Master will be missed." One elf said.

"Mistress will be too." Another said.

"And you will too, I don't think I can keep house as efficient as you have." Said Lily in a choked voice.

"We will keep house clean for you." The elves said.

"I'm sure it will look sparkling when we returned." Said James as he started to walk up the line.

The footmen bowed when James and Lily stopped before them.

"Charles, Daniel. Thank you for everything." James said.

"It has been an honor serving you Sir." The footmen said.

James and Lily passed to their personal elves.

"Don't cry Minnie. We won't be gone for long." Lily whispered.

"Minnie must go with you Mistress, Master Harry can't do without his Minnie." The small elf wailed.

"We'll take care of him, Minnie." James said with a smile, he knew how protective personal elves were of their masters, specially Minnie.

"But Master Harry will need his Minnie." Minnie said again.

Lotty put his spindly arms around her and tried to comfort her.

"Take care of Minnie, please Lotty, we don't want to lose her before we return." Said James.

"Lotty will care for your things Master James, and Lotty will take care of Minnie for Master Harry." Lotty said.

"And Otty, make sure that the staff is well fed. We'll miss all your creations." Said Lily.

"Otty will feed the staff, Mistress Lily." The cook elf said.

They were now in front of Mrs, Nichols and Roberts.

"Goodbye Mrs. Nichols, keep house for us won't you?" Said James hugging the housekeeper who had begun to sob silently.

"Oh, Master James, I never thought to see the day when the Potter House and the Manor would be left without their master." The housekeeper exclaimed.

"They're not without a master, Mrs. Nichols. We are alive after all, we are just going away for a little while." Said James.

Lily had begun to sob at his side and was hugging the housekeeper.

"Oh, Mrs. Nichols, I'm going to miss you so much. You were a great help to me, specially after mother and Mrs. Potter were gone." Lily sobbed.

"Oh, Mrs. Lily, I'll keep the houses, just as you like them." Mrs. Nichols said.

"Roberts, look after everybody, won't you?" Said James to the stately butler who was fighting hard to keep is customary dignified expression.

"Will do Sir, and Sir, we all hope to have you back with us soon." Roberts said.

"You can count on it." Said James as he shook his butler's hand. He pulled Lily gently by the arm and together they stepped out of the house. Before they climbed into the car, they turned back to look at the house. The human servants were by the door, waving to them and James could see the round eyes of his elves peering from behind the legs of their human peers. James waved and climbed into the car.

Martin closed the door and soon, the car was on its way. It was still midday and people were driving home for lunch or to restaurants. The traffic was slow and it took them a while to get out of the city. Sirius and James took this opportunity to talk to Peter.

".So you see, we decided to make you our secret keeper." James finished his explanation. Sirius had interrupted from time to time to say something, but Lily didn't say anything. She stroked Harry's hand as she looked out the passing streets.

"Are you sure, that's what you want to do." Said Peter somewhat scared. James and Sirius understood why he would feel apprehensive about taking such responsibility, at least, they thought they knew the reason.

"We are sure. Sirius and Remus will take care of you." Sad James.

"In two weeks, once everything has been settled, we'll come to your house and help you into hiding. Once that is done, there is no reason for Voldemort and his men to come after you. It will take some time for them to know that I'm not their secret keeper and let's face it, you won't be their second choice either. You'll be quite safe. By the time they finally figure out we might have found the way to defeat him." Said Sirius.

Peter still looked scared. He was clearly weighting the reasons for him to do this. Finally he reached to a decision.

"Very well, if that's what you want." He said in almost a whisper.

"Don't worry Peter, nothing will happen to you." Said James.

Peter nodded but he was clearly having second thoughts.

**~~**

In a far away cottage, in the middle of a forbidding moor, several men met around their leader.

".but Master, once the charm is performed, they will be safe from us." One man complained.

"Don't you think I know that!" Their leader growled. Some of the men stepped back in fear.

"I meant no offense, Sir!" Whimpered the speaker.

"No matter. Once the charm is performed we'll go after their secret keeper." Their leader continued in a cold voice, as if nobody had spoken. "We have ways to make people talk, after all."

"When will they perform the charm?" Somebody asked.

"If my information is correct, tonight."

The wind blew on the moor, making an eerie sound that made many want to close themselves in a room with a cheery fire in the grate.

Night was falling, and plans were made as a small black car made its way across the small towns outside the city and making its way to a small village out of sight of the main road.

**~~**

Dumbledore sat behind his desk reading the parchment that had arrived by owl earlier that day. It was from James, letting him know that they would be departing that day and perform the charm as soon as they arrived at Godric's Hollow.

There was a knock on his door.

"Enter." He said.

The door opened. He was not surprised to see Minerva McGonagall.

He smiled and waited for her to say what was troubling her.

"You have rather quiet today, Albus. Is there a problem?" She asked, looking at him closely as if hoping to read what was on his mind.

"No more than there usually are." Dumbledore said.

Her eyebrow lifted to an alarming height, she clearly believed there was something more to be said about that.

"Lily and James left their home." Dumbledore said.

"Oh, Albus." Exclaimed Professor McGonagall

"It is time for them to do so, Minerva. They will be safe now." Dumbledore said.

"Oh, I know." Professor McGonagall sniffed and tried to dry the tears that were falling from her eyes. "But I was hoping it would not be needed."

"Let us hope that they won't have to stay away for long." Dumbledore said.

Professor McGonagall nodded and sniffed into her handkerchief. "What do we do now?" She asked.

"We wait. Voldemort will make a mistake, and we will be there when he does." Said Dumbledore. "As long as they stay hidden, there is a chance that Voldemort will not be successful."

Professor McGonagall sniffed into her handkerchief once more.

**~~**

Sirius didn't stay long after they arrived to Godric's Hollow. He only stayed long enough for Peter to understand what was going to happen.

"I'll see you later tonight, Peter, we need to talk." Sirius said as he walked toward the door of the small cottage, getting ready to leave.

Peter nodded.

"Good luck." Said Sirius and left.

James and Lily watched him go. It would be a while until they would see their friend once more. They were sure, there would be no visits from their friends in the next months until everything was settled and Voldemort stayed away. None of their friends would visit Godric's Hollow as long as there was any danger of them being followed to their hiding place.

"Are you sure you want this?" Asked Peter one more time. He still couldn't believe that they would want him as their secret keeper. He had been happy knowing that Sirius would have that responsibility, he knew his friend could take care of himself. But now, he knew he couldn't keep danger away for long.

"Yes, Peter, you are my friend and I can't think of not having the help of a friend in this matter." Said James sending a wave of guilt through Peter.

"I am very sure it's not too late for you to reconsider if you wish to." Peter said.

"We would understand if you don't want to do it Peter, I'm sure we can get somebody else. But we are already here and it would be better if we do the charm now." Said Lily. She was still having second and third thoughts about the last minute changes that had been done. But on one thing she was in agreement with James. They had good friends and they preferred to have a friend help them at this time.

"Oh, it's not that, I just want to make sure this is what you want." Peter quickly said. If it became known that he had the chance of being their secret keeper and he had turned it away, he was a dead man, and there would be nothing he could do to help his mother.

James smiled. He assumed that his friend was very apprehensive about what was going to happen, that's what Peter did, he worried. "Nothing to worry about, Peter. Once the charm is complete, the others will take care of you and they'll make sure that you are safely hidden." He tried to comfort his friend.

"They will take care of me all right!" Exclaimed Peter keeping the sarcasm out of his tone. He was sure that if his friends ever got hold of him after this day, he was in big trouble. He had to make plans after his mission was completed.

"Now Peter, it's time for us to do this. Take out your wand. Lily, bring Harry over here. We might as well take care of this now." James ordered while the others did as he said.

Night was falling over the land as a dim glow surrounded the small cottage at the edge of the forest in the town of Godric's Hollow.

**~~**

They were alone now, Lily thought as she lay awake in the middle of the night. James slept fitfully beside her as she snuggled closer to him. She felt so cold. She didn't understand why as a warm fire burned in their fireplace a few feet away from the bed. She was afraid, she thought. She didn't like the thought of them being in such deserted area. She liked having people around. She liked being able to visit friends and neighbors. Even the Manor hadn't felt so isolated as she felt now. In the manor they had all the servants and tenants around them. She couldn't remember a time when she had felt so alone.

James mumbled and grunted at her side. She smiled. At least she had James and Harry, she thought. I can deal with anything as long as they are with me.

She snuggled closer to James. She felt his arms tighten around her waist, even in sleep James was protective of her. And she liked that, she liked having somebody care for her so much that he would do anything to keep her and their son safe.

Her eyelids were getting heavy. She yawned and she made herself comfortable by James body. His rhythmic heartbeat lulled her into a sense of safety and eventually, she fell asleep.

**~~**

It was late the next morning when James and Lily woke up. With no Lotty around to make sure they were awake for their everyday chores, they took their time getting out of bed. The only reason they did so was because of the sound of Harry calling for his "mama" with cries of hunger.

"Oh dear, we are so late!" Lily exclaimed as she disentangled herself from the bed sheets.

James grunted but didn't move from his side of the bed.

Lily ran as fast as she could to Harry's room next to theirs.

"Oh, my darling baby, I'm so sorry. I will fix something for you in a bit." Lily crooned to Harry, who had quieted a little when he heard his mother's voice.

"Come my baby, let's get you changed, I'm sure you are in need of new clothes." Lily said as she picked Harry from his crib.

"Yum?" Harry asked sleepily.

"In a moment, let me check you first." Lily said.

James could hear Lily's voice from Harry's room, even though he couldn't understand what was being said.

He groaned and turned to look at the clock next to his side of the bed. It was almost noon.

"Good lord! I haven't slept so late since I was home from Hogwarts on holidays." He said.

He stretched his body and for the first time in months he could feel the weariness fall off his aching back.

He got up and wrapped his robes around his body. He walked toward his son's room and stopped at the door to see his wife trying to change their son's clothes.

"Harry, love, please stay still for a moment." Lily urged Harry who was twisting around under his mother's hands.

"Need any help?" Asked James.

"No, it would only be awkward with too many hands. I don't know how Minnie did it, he stayed so still when she changed him. I think I got too spoiled being married to you. I remember being able to do this when I used to baby- sit my neighbors' son." Lily said.

"Are you sorry to have married me then? Or just that we have enough money to be able to have servants do the simple tasks for us?" James asked with an amused smile.

"I'm sorry I didn't keep up with how to do those simple tasks." Said Lily as she triumphantly finished with Harry's diapers. "I swear, I have become so accustomed to have Mrs. Nichols and the maids getting the house clean, Otty cooking, Lotty taking care of my clothes and Minnie helping with Harry, that I don't know how I'm going to be able to do it all. Specially when I know that I am more than capable of doing it all."

"I'll help, don't worry. I'm sure that we both need to get used to our new regime." Said James.

"Yes, we certainly do. And first thing first, let's see if I can cook up an edible breakfast for us all. It has been quite a while since I actually cooked on my own." Said Lily taking Harry in her arms and walking toward the door.

James chuckled. "Well, as I am in the same circumstances, it seems that we both have to see if we can create something edible."

Lily smiled, kissed James' cheek and led the way to the kitchen.

**~~**

Sirius was sprawled on a couch in a small sitting room. Peter sat distractedly in front of him.

"Did everything go well?" Sirius asked for the second time as it was clear that his friend was not listening to a word he had said.

"Hmmm.Oh, yes. Everything went well." Said Peter. "Expected you to come last night." He added.

"I was planning to, but had to stop home and found a note from the Ministry." Sirius explained.

"I see." Peter said.

"Where is your mother? Expected to see her here." Sirius asked with curiosity. All of Peter's friends knew of his circumstances and about his determination to keep his mother safe.

"With friends. She has been feeling a lot better the last couple of months and decided to visit some old friends that have been asking her to visit them for quite some time." Peter said.

"What are going to tell her when you leave?" Sirius asked with curiosity, this was something that hadn't been discussed on their trip to Godric's Hollow.

Peter shook his head. "Don't know."

"We'll come up with something. When does she return?" Sirius asked.

"Two weeks." Peter answered.

"We still have time." Said Sirius with satisfaction.

Peter looked skeptical, but didn't say anything on the matter.

**~~**

Lily and James felt comfortable being on their own. It was something new for James, he was used to having people around him, servants to serve him and elves to cook for him. He had never stepped into a kitchen to make food for himself, and he certainly hadn't done any type of housework. Lily on the other hand, had some experience with housework. Although her family had been well to do, and could be considered quite wealthy, none of her parents had put on airs and tried to raise their daughters to be able to do things on their own. Although, Lily could honestly say, cooking was not something that she was really good at.

That first morning, breakfast was quite a meal. Lily had cooked while James tried to keep Harry occupied.

First Lily tried to make omelets, but things were not going as she wished so she ended up making scrambled eggs. Then she tried frying some of the ham that she found in the freezer, and burnt it, so she took the deli-cut ham she found. The toast came out a bit too dark, but tasted good enough and the basket of fruit came in handy.

By the time breakfast was done, they were laughing and making the most of it.

"I'm sorry James, maybe I should've paid more attention when mother tried to teach me how to cook. Petunia learned more than I did." Lily looked sheepishly at her husband. She now saw how unprepared she was to take care of herself and her family.

"That's all right." Laughed James. "We'll learn together."

Lily smiled. She was lucky, she thought, to have such an understanding husband, not somebody who expected her to know everything there was to know about keeping house.

"There's one thing for sure, our lives here will be more interesting than I thought." Said James as he tried to scrape off a burnt side of the toast he held in his hand before putting some jam on it and some butter, they had found in the larder.

Lily laughed and turned to look at Harry who was happily munching on his toast with jam. His face and hands were sticky and red but he didn't seem to mind at all.

**~~**

Things were getting better for Lily and James. During the next couple of days, Lily did much better with her cooking and James was learning to do the basic cleaning spells.

"It was kind of Mrs. Nichols to pack this book along with our luggage." Lily said as she pointed her wand to the feather duster and it started to fly across the room, dusting all the surfaces around the house.

"She might have thought that we would need help." Laughed James as he held up a thin book in front of his face. "Basic spells for the first time household" glittered on the cover and James was busy reading from page to page. "I never knew there were spells such as these!" He exclaimed.

Lily laughed. "That just shows how ignorant you are about keeping house. Having too many servants was bad for you."

"You should talk, you didn't know them either." James replied.

"But I learned how to do all of this the muggle way. I didn't grow up with troops of servants ready to do the simplest task for me. I had to do chores when I grew up." Lily said.

James didn't respond as he continued to read from the book.

"No Harry, dear, that's mommy's." He heard Lily say and he turned to see what their son had done.

Harry was sitting in his high chair by the table and had reached for Lily's wand and causing the feather duster fly around the room in incredible speed.

James ducked as the feather duster passed over his head. Lily had taken her wand from Harry's grasp and quickly aimed for the zooming object. The duster stopped mid air, vibrating with banked energy. Lily flicked her wand and the duster fell to the floor.

Harry was crying, upset that his mother had taken the wand.

Lily put her wand out of Harry's reach and took her son into her arms. "Shush, my dear, shh! Don't cry Harry." She crooned to Harry.

James looked on with a smile. After all they had been through during the last months. Their sacrifices and the sadness that had followed them, he would not change a thing, because what he saw before him was very important to him. Family. He had done everything for his family, and he would continue to do so.

**~~**

Sirius kept Peter company the days following the Potter's departure. They had tried to get in contact with Remus, but had received no response.

"You can return home Sirius, I'm fine." Peter said one night as he and Sirius sat in his small sitting room watching the sun sink in the horizon.

"Trying to get rid of me, Peter? I'm trying to protect you, you know." Said Sirius looking at his friend closely. On the last couple of days he had noticed Peter getting nervous and awkward. Although that was how he had known Peter as they grew up together on the last years he had thought that he had outgrown his tendency of jumping of fright at the slightest noise, and was growing more confident of his powers and abilities. But now, it seemed that hadn't been the case at all. He was as twitchy and scared as he had been when they were boys. Not that he blamed him either, perhaps Lily had been right, Sirius thought, perhaps asking Peter to be the secret keeper was too much for him.

"Oh no, it's not that at all." Exclaimed Peter. "I just thought that you would like to take care of some personal things. You have been with me for almost a week, perhaps there are things that you need to do."

Sirius thought about it for a minute. "Well, it is true that I left some things undone." He conceded. Peter sighed with relief. "But your safety is more important than all of those things."

Peter looked out the window trying to look as relaxed as he wished he felt. But he wasn't feeling relaxed at all. It had been almost a week since the Fidelius Charm had been performed. He had told Voldemort of course and had been directed to report back as soon as it had been done. But things hadn't gone as they had planned. They had made plans with the idea that Sirius was to be the Potters' secret keeper, who would've thought that they would decide to make him their secret keeper instead.

Two kinds of loyalty battled within him. Loyalty to his friends, who had accepted him into their group when the rest of the kids had made fun of him and left him on the sidelines. The friends that had helped him with his school work and had helped him whenever he had need of them. The friends that had been like his brothers for more than a decade. And then there was his loyalty to Voldemort. It was a loyalty born out of fear and the need to do whatever was necessary to protect his mother. Since he had been initiated into the Death Eaters, he had given information from the sidelines, he hadn't involved himself into any of the attacks that had emerged from that information. Now it was different. James and Sirius had made him the center of the dilemma. Before, the Death Eaters had been sent to take care of matters and he had known that his friends could take care of themselves. But now, things were different. Not only was he the possessor of the information that would probably change the course of history, but he also knew that this time, Voldemort himself would take things into his hands.

He didn't know what to do. As he saw it, he only had two choices. Speak to Sirius and tell him everything, or stay silent and wait until he could report to Voldemort.

He knew that if he spoke to Sirius, his friends would be angry and would probably do some damage, but he also knew that they would protect him and his mother and hide him. They planned to do the same now, take his mother to a safe place and help him into his animagus form to allow him to go into hiding to be as far away from Voldemort and the Death Eaters as possible. In different circumstances, it would work, as it was, it wouldn't be possible. The brand that was hidden beneath his sleeves would not allow him to stay hidden for long. Voldemort would know where he was and would follow him and kill him. It didn't matter if he stayed in his human form or in his animagus form, Voldemort would know him and kill him no matter how helpful he had been in the past. He would be killed and the Potters will die as well. It seemed to him that there really was no choice. Voldemort would have to be told and his life and his mother's would be spared.

**~~**

The days were getting shorter and the nights were turning cold. The forest behind the Potter cottage seemed barren and dark and the lanes leading to it were damp and dirty. But Lily and James didn't mind. They walked to the village often to buy provisions. Harry sat happily in his carriage looking around him eager to see everything.

Their days had fallen into a simple routine that would've bored anybody, but to them it was new and they were enjoying themselves.

They woke at mid morning for a late breakfast. Lily was getting better and better with her cooking thanks to a book that she had found with simple recipes and spells to help her with them.

James had memorized the spells in the book that Mrs. Nichols had loaned them and he enjoyed taking his wand every morning after breakfast and pointing it to the duster, the broom, the vacuum cleaner, even at the dishes. He sat by the table with Harry in his lap and pointed at each item as it floated by to do summersaults and dancing steps to make Harry laugh. Lily didn't mind it at all, James was helping and it kept both James and Harry entertained while she decided on her menus for lunch and dinner.

After the household cleaning and lunch was over. The small family took short walks around the lanes or the forest. Sometimes they took the carriage for Harry, other times he walked along.

Lily was happy. She had thought that things would be different, that they would stay within doors waiting to see what was happening to wizard kind and hoping against hope that Voldemort would be soon defeated; but it hadn't been like that. They were enjoying themselves. Harry was growing, free of the fear that had enveloped his parents for many months. Things seemed so peaceful in Godric's Hollow that for hours without end, James and Lily would forget that Voldemort was still out there, looking for them, and wanting their son dead.

**~~**

Halloween was a week away and Lily and James were planning a great dinner that could likely rival the one in Hogwarts. They wanted to make every moment special for Harry, wanted him to remember all the good times, no matter how long they had to stay in Godric's Hollow.

"What do you think of this recipe, Lily, do you think we can do it?" Said James excitedly as he looked over the cooking books they had found in their luggage, it seemed that Mrs. Nichols had been busy trying to make things easier for them.

"Well, we could try it." Said Lily from the stove where several pots sat simmering in the fire as she pointed her wand from side to side as the large spoons stirred the contents inside.

James wrote something in a piece of parchment in front of him. "Ok, that makes it ten more recipes to try." He said looking down the list in his hand.

"We might not have enough time today to try them all, so we'll do more tomorrow." Lily said distractedly as she watched Harry walking slowly toward her, she was trying to make sure that all the pots were out of reach, she didn't want Harry to be burned by any of the dishes being prepared.

"We still have time to chose what to include in the menu. Maybe we should invite the others to come, there is going to be too much food." Said James thoughtfully.

"Oh, let's not, I want to spend this Halloween just by ourselves. We usually have had so many people around us during the holidays, and this will be our first Halloween on our own." Said Lily.

"If you wish my dear." James smiled.

Lily turned happily to look at the pots, more than one was vibrating as the contents started to boil.

"Oh! James, take Harry. He is going to get hurt if he stays here." She exclaimed as she pointed her wand to the stove. The fire dimmed and the pots stayed still while steam started to fill the air above the stove.

James had pointed his wand to Harry. "Accio Harry" he said and Harry levitated to James. Harry squealed with laughter as his father reached for him. "Yes, I know you like it." Smiled James down to Harry.

"Mowe!" Said Harry.

James threw his head back and laughed while Harry clapped happily in his lap. Lily turned to look at her husband and son and smile. They were so happy, she wished they could stay like this forever.

**~~**

"Have you received word of Remus yet?" Sirius asked that afternoon as he and Peter sat reading mail in the sitting room.

Peter looked up from the parchment he was reading. "No." He said without emotion.

Sirius didn't seem to notice this, he just frowned as he put the parchment he had been reading aside. "I'm beginning to worry. I sent an owl to him four days ago."

"Maybe he has gone somewhere really far this time and it will take time for the owl to reach him." Peter said trying to control the nerves that had started to take over his body.

"Could be, but this is the worst time for him to go away. We need to help you hide and send your mother somewhere safe." Sirius exclaimed.

"You don't need to do everything for me, you know. I can take care of myself." Peter snapped.

This time, Sirius did take notice. "I know you can, Peter." He said.

"Well, you don't act like it. You stay here all day as if only you can protect me. You owl Remus for help when I can probably do it on my own. You know you have things to do, but still you stay here. I'm not stupid Sirius!"

Peter had never spoken like that to any of them before and this outburst surprised Sirius. But it also made him think.

It was true that they had always been there for each other, but now that he thought about it, they did tend to do things for Peter. When they were growing up they would always stand around Peter whenever they felt that he was being bullied by other kids. When he needed help with schoolwork, they had been there with their own work for him to copy. Even when he got interested on girls, they had been there to plan dates for him. Now that Sirius thought about it, they hadn't let him do things on his own. Let him do mistakes that would probably allow him to grow as a person.

In fact, it had only been after they had left Hogwarts that Peter had been able to separate himself from his friends and start doing things on his own. And he had done well for himself. He had taken care of his mother, better than anybody would've thought possible.

He smiled sheepishly at Peter, who sat glowering at Sirius in silence. "I'm sorry we made you feel like that Peter." Sirius said. "We just care about you, that's all."

"I know, but don't treat me like I don't know what I'm doing." Said Peter.

"I won't. But just keep in mind that I will always be there for you Peter, whenever you need me." Sirius smiled.

Peter seemed ready to say something but his expression changed to one of resignation and his left hand moved to grasp his right arm. "I know." He whispered and quickly left the room.

Sirius frowned. What had gotten into Peter?

**~~**

The days were passing, and Lily and James had fun trying to decide their menu for their Halloween dinner.

James had transfigured a chair for Harry. The seat hung low to the floor, allowing his feet to touch the floor. A tray was placed before him, trapping him against the back of the chair. Small wheels were at the base of the feet of the chair. Harry sat on his chair everyday and pulled himself around the house. Things had to be placed high so he couldn't reach them but Lily and James allowed him to go whenever he wished. They felt he needed a little freedom around the house in order to make up for the freedom he couldn't have as they waited for Voldemort's defeat.

There were only two days left for Halloween and Lily and James sat around the table making plans for their dinner.

Pieces of parchment lay around the table along with quills and cooking books. A variety of dishes lay around the counters as delicious aromas permeated the room.

"Are you sure we can get butterbeer?" Said Lily as she took a small piece of a cake the stood in the middle of the table.

"Yes. The recipe for it looks simple, I know we can have some." James said as he took some delicacy from a plate before him. "Hmmm.we are getting good at this cooking business, are we not?" James said as he looked at the variety of treats in his plate and licking the sweet honey on his fingers.

"Oh yes, I don't think Otty will be happy to know that we can do quite well without his cooking." Laughed Lily.

"Oh, but he is the best, he can do all kind of dishes in a matter of minutes." Said James.

"Yes, he is much quicker than we are." Lily conceded.

The pair continued to eat as Harry, who was sitting in his chair by his parents was happily munching on some of the sweets that his parents had prepared.

"Well, that does it. We now have a menu for Halloween." Sighed James quite happily.

Lily nodded as she ate a little more cake.

"This will be the best!" Exclaimed James. "You'll see Harry," he said looking down at his son who looked up the moment he heard his name from his father's lips, "this will be one of the best Halloweens you'll remember."

Harry laughed up to his father as he spread his sticky fingers in the air. James laughed and took his son in his arms, before spinning around the room. Harry squealed happily, James laughed and Lily giggled at the sight of her husband and son. Yes, she thought, this would be the best Halloween ever.

**~~**

"I have to go to London, Peter. But I will return tomorrow night to make sure you are all right. It's Halloween and I expect Voldemort and his lot will be out making mischief." Said Sirius one morning.

Sirius and Peter were sitting down to breakfast, in the silent dinning room. Unlike his friends who were wealthy enough to have servants to do all the chores in the house, Peter had grown up watching his mother flick her wand around the house to clean. As a result, he had learned how to cook and do things on his own at an early age. On this morning, he had prepared a good meal for himself and his friend and sat feeling quite satisfied as his friend told him of his plans.

Peter seemed startled for a minute before nodding his head. "All right." He said.

"Just take care, and stay out of trouble. I got this feeling that tomorrow will be a special day." Said Sirius before leaving the table leaving a pensive Peter behind.

Peter was a little worried. For the last couple of days, his right arm had felt warm. He knew that Voldemort wanted news and he was in the position to tell him the best news anybody could give him but Sirius' presence in his house had prevented Peter from leaving. Now Sirius was gone and he could leave. He knew that the moment he apparated before Voldemort, he would not be able to return.

He finished his breakfast and went to the small parlor at the front of the house. He sat at a small desk in front of the windows and started looking through the drawers for parchment, quills and ink. He pulled all he needed to the desktop and started writing. For more than half an hour he sat before the desk. Stopping to read what he had written from time to time, as he chewed the tip of his quill with apprehension. Finally he seemed satisfied and rolled the parchment.

He walked out of the room toward a small room situated in the back of the house. It was a little dark and large open windows surrounded every wall of the room. Long poles crisscrossed from wall to wall. He walked to the sleeping owl sitting on top of one of these poles. It took Peter some time to get the owl to wake up and when he did, he promptly tied the parchment to its leg. Minutes later, Peter stood by the door looking out as the owl disappeared among the clouds.

**~~**

James was sleeping in the couch with Harry by his side. Both had spent the morning playing trying to keep out of the way as Lily had kicked them out of the kitchen.

Delicious aromas dispersed from the kitchens, and the day was bright and sunny. The dry leaves were falling from the trees around the small cottage and breeze blew them all around the countryside. The day seemed as birdcalls were heard throughout the wooden area.

Lily was happily cooking in the kitchens. After she told James to take Harry and play with him, she had made progress in the dishes she was trying to prepare. She was making pies, muffins, puddings and trying to make some homemade butterbeer for their Halloween dinner for the next day. She wanted to leave some of the dishes done overnight, specially the butterbeer as it had to ferment over night to give make it taste better.

A small radio was playing quietly in the background and the dishrag in the sink was cleaning the dishes as Lily prepared the food.

She was humming and smiling as she flicked her wand and the pans starting to move slowly toward the open oven.

Lily didn't bother to see whether the pans made it to the oven or not, she knew that they would get there eventually. She tidied up the counter and looked around to see if something else was needed. Everything seemed in order.

"James, do you want a snack before I serve lunch?" She called. But received no answer.

"James?" She called again.

And again, there was no answer.

Lily frowned. Where had James and Harry gone?

She walked rapidly toward the backstairs and climbed to the upper rooms. She went into their bedroom but it was empty. She crossed the room toward the connecting door to Harry's room. But she also found it empty.

She was starting to get worried. James usually didn't leave the house without telling her that he was leaving, specially if he was taking Harry with him. She had not heard the front door open or close and as she had been in the kitchen she knew that they hadn't left through the back door.

She walked down the corridor, opening and closing the doors of the empty rooms. "James?" She called but received no response. She climbed down the stairs that lead down to the public rooms.

She walked to the book room but she also found it empty. The ballroom had been locked as they hadn't thought to entertain while they stayed there, thus, she didn't bother to check in there. There was only one more room she could think of, the parlor.

At first sight, it seemed empty as well, and it made Lily feel a little worried. But then she noticed dark hair protruding from the side of the large couch.

Silently, Lily walked up to the couch and found James asleep with Harry clutched safely at his side.

Lily sighed with relief. She knew she was being silly to worry so, after all, there was no way Voldemort would have attacked without her noticing. But she couldn't help the feeling of terror that had invaded her body. Now she relaxed and smiled at the picture that father and son made.

James stirred, waking Harry up as he did so. Harry whimpered.

"Shhh! Harry." Whispered Lily as she leaned to take Harry from his father. "Papa is asleep."

"Yum?" Harry said looking at his mother with a hopeful glance.

Lily chuckled. "Hungry, are you? Very well, let's see what we can get you."

"That sounds good, I'm a little hungry myself." James said from the couch, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry James, didn't mean to wake you." Lily said.

"Don't worry, I'm sure that it was time for me to leave this couch anyways. How long were we asleep?" He looked questioningly at Lily as he tried to stretch the muscles of his back. He was sure that he would get a sore back after being in the couch for long.

"Don't know really. I came looking for you after I finished with the cooking." Said Lily trying to keep Harry from grasping her wand, which she had tucked into the pocket of the apron she wore over her clothes.

"Oh. Never mind then. Shall we eat? I am a bit hungry." James looked hopefully at his wife.

Lily laughed. "I see where Harry learned to give that hopeful look when he wants something."

James smiled up at her but said nothing as he followed her out of the room toward the kitchen.

**~~**

Darkness was falling when Peter locked the door behind him. He was in front of his house. The lane seemed deserted and quiet. He looked around with care and started to walk down the lane toward the end of town. He had a feeling he was being watched.

He stopped and looked around him once more, but he didn't see anybody. The houses lining the lane stood next to each other, as lights started to blink through the curtained windows.

He shrugged and continued walking. He needed to get to the edge of town. Somebody was waiting for him and he didn't dare being late.

**~~**

Halloween morning started as any other day usually did. Lily woke early the moment she heard Harry fussing in his room. James groaned and rolled on his side of the bed trying to keep the noise out and continued sleeping. Lily sighed resignedly and left the bed.

Harry's room was littered with toys. The little bears drawn in the walls were slowly coming to life as the first rays of light spread through the room.

"Shh! Harry. I'm here." Said Lily as she entered the room.

"Mama!" Whimpered Harry, moving his head around the mattress toward the place where he had heard his mother's voice.

"I'm here my dear." Lily said coming near the crib.

Harry whimpered once more and lifted his arms toward his mother, hoping that she would reach for him.

She did. Lily leaned over the mattress and took her son into her arms.

Harry sighed happily and settled his head on her shoulder, liking the feeling of warmth and safety he felt in his mother's arms.

Lily walked purposely toward the rocking chair near the window. Harry eventually settled in her arms and stayed quiet.

"Are you hungry Harry?" Lily asked smiling down at her son.

"Yum!" Harry exclaimed.

Lily laughed. "Yes, yum. You got your father's appetite."

"Of course he does, he is a Potter after all." Said James from the door. He was wearing a bathrobe and Lily could hear the shower on.

"Well, the two of you better not stuff yourselves at all today, you won't have room for dinner else." Lily said as Harry started to wiggle in her arms.

"Down!" Harry commanded. Lily promptly put him on the floor and Harry crawled toward the pile of toys placed against the nearby wall.

"I'll get ready and then you can dress while I watch Harry." James said walking to the bathroom in a hurry leaving a bemused Lily behind.

**~~**

Peter had arrived to a small cabin. The landscape looked barren. No houses or farms anywhere in sight. The cabin itself looked more than a hut than a cabin, but once the threshold was crossed the proportions of the dwelling looked bigger than it did outside.

"Come in Pettigrew." A cold voice filled the room.

Peter shuddered as he closed the door behind him. The room became dark. Peter looked around, the only source of light seemed to be coming from a single candle at one corner of the room. His eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he noticed a shadowy figure standing near the candle.

"M-m-my lord?" Peter stuttered.

"You have some news for me. About time, I feared you had decided to leave my side after all." The dark figure said in the same cold voice Peter had heard the moment he entered the cabin.

"Oh no, My Lord. I wouldn't do that." Peter exclaimed.

A chilling laugh emerged from the lit corner. Peter shuddered with fright. Was he doing the right thing, he wondered, did he do right by coming here?

"Your mother is safe now." Was the reply from his companion.

"Thank you, My Lord." Peter whispered.

"Come now, Pettigrew. Let's conclude what you came here for. Where are they?" Lord Voldemort turned to look at Peter. His snake-like eyes peering closely at the shaking figure by the door. "Nothing to say, Pettigrew?"

"N-no, My Lord, I - I mean, yes, My Lord. I have something to say." Peter managed to say from his chattering teeth.

"Well?" Voldemort's voice was full of impatience.

"They are at Godric's Hollow, My Lord. In the Potter Cottage near the woods of Godric's Hollow." Peter said in a hurry.

"Well done, Pettigrew. That wasn't so hard, now was it?" Voldemort said in a laughing voice. "You will be well rewarded for this, Pettigrew. You will indeed." His chilling laughed filled the air, making Peter shake harder than ever.

It was too late now, he thought, the deed was done.

**~~**

Lily was extremely busy the whole morning. After serving a hot bowl of cereal, toast, jam, butter, muffins, milk and juice to James and Harry. She busied herself with pulling all the things she would need to prepare the special dinner they had planned.

"Now, remember James that you promised to decorate the house." Lily said as she pulled pans and pots from the cabinets.

"I remember." Said James in between bites. "It'll keep Harry entertained."

"Just don't let him get a hold on your wand." Lily warned. "The last time he did so, I spent hours cleaning the slime from the sitting room."

"I remember. I will be careful." James said.

"Very well. Now, hurry up and eat, I want to start preparing the food." Lily said.

"But you haven't eaten yet, and we still have the whole day to finish." Exclaimed James.

"I'm not hungry and I'll probably be tasting every bit I cook, I'm not going to be hungry for long." Lily said as she started to pull piles and piles of vegetables, meat and fruit from the cooler.

"But Harry is not done either. It takes him a while to put food into his mouth, you know." Said James.

"Take him to the sitting room with you." Lily said. "He can eat as you start with the decorations.

"But it's not going to take the whole day to put the decorations up. I can do that in a matter of hours." James was trying to finish eating as fast as he could. He just couldn't understand why Lily wanted to start so soon, they did have the whole day to do what was needed.

"Probably, but I want to start in here and you two are more of a hindrance than help." Lily snapped as with a flick of her wand, knives flew to cut and chop vegetables.

"All right, all right, we'll get out of here. Come Harry, your mother doesn't want us in the kitchen." James took Harry from his high chair and started walking out toward the sitting room, where they had agreed to start with the decorating.

"Yum! Yum!" Harry screamed, a piece of toast clasped tightly in his chubby hand.

"I'll bring it to you." Said Lily behind them.

James took a fussing Harry to the sitting room where he sat him on the floor. Lily came in behind them carrying Harry's plate and cup.

"Here you go Harry." Lily said, placing the plate beside him. Harry fell silent in an instant and took some of the fruit in his plate in his empty hand. "Now dear, make sure that you don't do anything dangerous. I don't want to worry about you and Harry while I'm the kitchen." Lily said to James.

"Yes ma'am." Replied James. Lily looked at him and smiled, he never changed, she thought and walked back to the kitchen.

"Well Harry, were do you want to start." James asked as he looked around the room.

Harry looked at him curiously as he chewed his toast, his hands sticky and the juice of the piece of orange he had clasped in his other hand ran down his arm and dripped onto the carpet.

James looked down at his son and smiled. "I guess you're right, food first." He said and sat down next to Harry and started to take some of the toast from the plate. Harry smiled.

**~~**

Sirius was trying to do as much as possible in town. He had arrived to his house early that morning and started to send owls to several people. He had the feeling of urgency that he couldn't explain.

The house was empty and dark. Since Katie's departure, the house hadn't seem welcoming at all and he just couldn't stand the thought of visiting his family's house at all. It had been a while since he had graced that house with his presence after all.

He sat brooding in his sitting room, a life-size portrait of him and Katie hung above the mantel. It had been taken weeks after their marriage, a gift from Lily and James. They looked so happy and it was difficult to face the fact that she wasn't there with him anymore.

"I miss you." He whispered as he saw the Katie and Sirius in the picture look at each other lovingly and kissing each other.

The hours passed and the full decanter that he had taken with him to the sitting room at the beginning of the day was slowly being emptied.

It was already after noon, and Sirius groaned as he looked over at the empty decanter. When had he started to drown his sorrows in drink, he wondered. He rested his head against the back of his seat, a headache was starting to form and from the quantity of alcohol he had consumed, he couldn't be surprised at it. He needed to clear his head.

He left the seat abruptly but had to grasp the back of the chair as his vision started to swim before him. He groaned, this was going to be harder than what he thought. He sat back down and sighed. He had so much to do, he thought. Peter would be waiting for him and he had finally received word from Remus saying that he would be back in England in the following week.

Dumbledore had asked some members of their group to meet and make plans for the eventual defeat of Lord Voldemort. It would be different, Sirius thought, for in this meeting neither James nor Lily would be present. Although it was true that Lily had not been as involved since before Harry's birth, James had continued with his work for the Order taking his place beside the Minister of Magic, it was the only way for them to know the inner workings of the Ministry and the latest news. But it couldn't be helped, Voldermort was after them for some unknown reason and they needed to be kept safe.

He felt his head starting to clear, his vision was no longer blurred. He stood up once more and slowly made his way out of the room.

"I need some air." He spoke aloud and left the house by the back door and walked toward the garage.

A black car was stationed under a canvas, but Sirius didn't even look at it. He walked to the very back corner of the garage, he pulled the curtain that hanged there and exposed his large motorcycle. He smiled. It had been quite a while since he rode it, and he thought, it was about time he took it up again.

"Peter can wait a little longer." He said.

He took the motorcycle around the car and climbed upon it once he was in the driveway.

A roaring sound could be heard around Rowe Square. Many people walking around in Rowe Park looked around somewhat startled. But some of the neighbors smiled to themselves. It seemed that young Mr. Black was ready to have fun once more.

**~~**

Dinner was ready and Lily happily adorned the dinning room table with glittering little ghosts dancing among the dishes and tiny bats flying around the room. She thought it a good idea as she remembered the Halloween Feast she and James had enjoyed in Hogwarts, she was sure that Harry would enjoy them as well. She could hear Harry's laughter coming from the sitting room. James had successfully kept him entertained for the day. Remains of their potluck lunch still graced the tables and chairs on which they had eaten.

"Will you please clean the sitting room James, Dinner is almost done." She called out to James.

"All right!" James called back and moments later Lily could see the dishes dancing merrily in mid air as they made their way to the kitchen sink.

Harry could be heard to laugh and clap as the dishes and utensils made their way to the kitchen to the rhythm of some imaginary tune.

Minutes later, the house was ready for their special Halloween Dinner.

"Ready?" Lily asked from the door to the sitting room.

"We are." Said James pulling Harry who had been trying to catch one of the floating candles that James had conjured around the room.

Lily smiled. "We should dress for the occasion don't you think? It is a special dinner after all."

"Of course we need to dress for the occasion." James exclaimed. "I loved seeing you in your dress robes."

"Flatterer." Lily laughed and led the way up to their bedroom.

It didn't take long for Lily and James to be ready. Harry took a little longer as he kept grasping anything in sight. Soon they were ready and started their way down to the dinning room, which had been readied for the night.

The lights were turned off and the candles lit. Floating candles adorned every inch of the main rooms. Tiny bats flew around the room and small ghosts danced around the table. Harry loved them all. He looked up at the bats and followed them with his eyes for several minutes before he noticed the dancing ghosts, which he tried to grasp the moment his mother sat him at the table.

James laughed to see his son's fruitless task, but Harry didn't seem to mind as he giggled every time a ghost passed through his hands.

"Where did you get them?" Asked James as he helped Lily bring the food into the dinning room.

"What? The ghosts?" Lily asked with confusion as she was busily trying to remember what dishes had prepared. At James' nod, she responded. "They're not real, it's an easy charm I found in one of the books that Mrs. Nichols packed for us."

"I see!" James exclaimed but Lily didn't know if he was impressed by her magic or by the different dishes being uncovered upon the table.

Dinner was a happy occasion. James and Lily talked and laughed as they reminisced about their Halloween Feasts at Hogwarts. Harry was happily trying to put as much food as he could into his mouth as a group of tiny ghosts sat around his plate and set themselves to entertain him.

Eventually, Harry got tired and started to get fussy.

"I'll get him to bed." Sad Lily as she reached for Harry. James made to follow but she shook her head. "No, stay. It won't take long."

James nodded and watched her leave the room with Harry leaning his head against her shoulder.

Lily didn't take long changing Harry into his nightclothes. She then settled into the rocking chair and settled Harry into her arms. He was fussing and rubbing his hands into his eyes.

"Shhh! Harry." Lily whispered.

"Mama." Wailed Harry.

"I'm here Harry. Shh!" Several minutes passed and Harry wouldn't fall sleep. Lily started humming and soon the melody turned into song.

"Sleep my child and peace attend thee,

All through the night,

Guardian Angels God will send thee,

All through the night,

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and dale in slumber sleeping,

I my loved ones' watch am keeping,

All through the night.

"Angels watching, e'er around thee,

All through the night,

Midnight slumber close around thee,

All through the night,

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and dale in slumber sleeping,

I my loved ones' watch am keeping,

All through the night."

Before she finished singing, Harry fell asleep. Lily tenderly put him in his crib and turned off the lights.

She returned to the dinning room and found it empty. The dishes had been cleared, the bats and ghosts had disappeared only the floating candles remained.

She turned toward the sitting room. Here only candlelight remained as well, but she also noticed the fireplace had been lit and a couple of wine glasses waiting in the coffee table.

"I was hoping for Harry to fall asleep soon." James said from behind her. Lily turned with a smile.

"It took long enough." She said.

"It has been a while since we've been alone." James whispered.

"I know." Lily replied.

James walked past her and grabbed the wine glasses. He offered one to her and she took it. Since Harry had been born, they hadn't been alone like this. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time they spent time on their own. She noticed James putting his wand in the pocket of his dress robes. Music started to play in the small radio in one corner.

"I didn't know we had a radio in here." Said Lily looking around and taking a sip from her glass.

"We didn't, I brought it over from the kitchen. But it seems that I did something because I can't get the WWN." James frowned as he said this.

"We'll just have to be content with muggle radio then." Lily smiled.

A slow melody started to play.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" James asked offering his arm.

Lily smiled and put down the glass before placing her hand on his arm. "It would be my pleasure." She whispered.

The Lyrics of the song floated above them as they lost themselves in the words and the feel of each other.

"My love, there's only you in my life,

The only thing that's right.

My first love, you're every breath that I take,

You're every step I make,

And I, I want to share all my love with you,

No one else will do.

And your eyes, they tell me how much you care.

Oh, yes, you will always be, my endless love."

"You are, you know." James whispered in her ear as he twirled her around the room.

"I am what?" Lily asked breathlessly, she had forgotten how well matched they were when they danced.

"My endless love." James smiled down at her.

Lily's eyes started to tear. "And you are mine." She whispered.

James leaned his head down and Lily raised hers, and their lips met with a tender kiss. It was then when they heard a disturbance in front of the house.

**~~**

Sirius had been riding his motorcycle for many hours now. Darkness had fallen and he believed it was time for him to return to his duties.

He was in a real good mood. The feeling of the wind against his hair had given him the feeling of unlimited freedom. But the darkness reminded him that he should be with Peter. Voldemort and his Death Eaters preferred to do their deeds under the cloak of darkness, it allowed them to do what they wanted without witnesses. By them time others knew of what happened, it was already too late.

He turned his bike toward Peter's house. He pressed the small golden button beside the motor and with a roar the motorcycle flew into the air.

It took half an hour for Sirius to reach the outskirts of the town where Peter lived. He led his motorcycle down and drove down the lane. Lights were lit in every house, and he had to be careful with so many muggles around. He looked around at the houses as he passed them. All the inhabitants seemed to be dinning but he was curious when he noticed that one house among them all, was dark and silent.

A sense of foreboding swamped his body. As he neared the darkened house, it grew deeper. The house was Peter's.

Sirius climbed down from the motorcycle in a hurry. He tried the door, but it was locked, and everything was dark that he could not see a thing from the windows. He quickly withdrew his wand from his pocket. "Alohamora!" He pointed the tip of his wand to the locked door. The door opened slowly and Sirius pushed it open. "Lights!" He ordered and the candles around the walls lit themselves.

The house was empty. But no sign of struggle could be seen. "Peter!" Sirius yelled as he walked around the house. There was no response. He returned to the entrance hall. "Where are you Peter?" Sirius whispered as he looked desperately up and down the lane.

This seemed very ominous to him. He ran to his motorcycle and roared out into the lane. Several faces peered from the curtained windows, hoping to find out what had caused such a thunderous noise, but they saw nothing, only a puff of dust settling upon the road.

**~~**

"What is that?" Lily was startled.

"It might be nothing." James said. "But I'll go check if you prefer."

"Be careful James." Lily was wringing her hands as she watched James walking round to the small hall where the windows faced the front.

For a few minutes nothing was heard and Lily started to think that James had been right and it had been nothing. Maybe the wind, she thought, any minute now James would return into the room laughing at her for her silly fears.

But James didn't return.

"James?" She called.

"There's someone out there, Lily." She heard him say.

"Who?" She asked.

"I don't know.wait.Lily, RUN!" He screamed coming running into the room.

"What? Why?" Lily was scared, she had never seen James so agitated before.

"Lily, listen to me, you have to leave." James grasped her arms and shook her, as if trying to make her listen to him.

"But why James, what is going on?" Lily cried.

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll try to hold him off-" He was pushing her out of the room.

"James!" Lily cried turning to look at him.

"Go! Keep Harry safe!" He said and turned toward the entrance hall where the sound of the front door snapping open could be heard.

Lily didn't say anything more, she ran from the room, shoving furniture behind her as she went. She took the stairs two, sometimes three at a time. The sounds of raised voices and spells hitting the walls could be heard, but she didn't turn to see what was happening. All she wanted to do was to reach Harry's room.

She stumbled upon the landing of the second floor. She ran toward the first door in the corridor. It was hers and James' room. She quickly turned to the open door at one corner of the bedroom. It led straight to Harry's.

Harry was awake and crying.

"Mama!" He wailed.

"I'm here Harry, mama is here." She said as she reached for him.

A blinding green flash was seen from through the windows and the door. "No!" She yelled as a cackle of high-pitched laughter reached her ears.

Lily hugged Harry tightly against her bosom. Harry was still crying and Lily was shaking with fear. She knew that James could help her no more.

She heard the door to the bedroom open, she turned and saw a somebody in a dark cloak walking toward them.

She tried to shut the door but it was no use. A stream of light hit it and shoved it open.

Harry started to cry harder.

"Give him to me!" Voldemort ordered.

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" She screamed turning Harry away from Voldemort.

"Stand aside you silly girl. Do you really think that you can stop me from getting what I want? Stand aside now!" Voldemort seemed to be getting angrier but Lily kept protecting Harry with her body.

"Not Harry! Please no, take me, kill me instead- " She begged trying to get farther from Voldemort. But there was nowhere to run, the window was in front of her, and she knew she didn't have the time to make an escape from there. All that was open to her now was to make a stand, just where she stood. She placed Harry upon the windowsill. And turned to look at Voldemort.

"That could be arranged." Voldermort said in response to her plead. "Stand aside now and give him to me."

"Not Harry! Please.have mercy.have mercy." Lily sobbed.

"Lord Voldermort has no mercy." Voldemort said in a cold tone. He lifted his wand. A moment later, Lily's lifeless body fell to the floor.

Voldemort turned to look at the crying infant on the windowsill.

"This is the end of you, Harry Potter." He laughed as he turned his wand toward Harry.

Harry looked at the tall, dark cloaked man before him.

"Mama!" He called.

Voldemort laughed.

As a green light flashed through the nursery room, Sirius was flying through the darkened sky toward Godric's Hollow. An owl was flying through the sky toward Hogwarts. And Peter was trying to make his way to London, where he was to meet with Voldemort and the Death Eaters for an attack on the Ministry.

**~~**

That's the end of Part III. Sorry again for taking long, but this chapter was very hard for me to write. I kept trying to put it off and make it last, but I couldn't I knew that it was time for that chapter to be written. I hope that you have enjoyed the story so far. I have started Chapter 1 of Part IV ~ The Aftermath, I don't know how long it will take me to write as I will be very busy at work for the next month, I'll try to write as much as I can, but can't guarantee that I will have something ready for you soon. But I'll try. Thank you all for reading, and don't forget to review.