Things Worth Dying For

Chapter 3: The Wrong Decision
23rd October 1981

It had been more than a year since the Potters went into hiding, cutting off all contact from the world except their mentor, Albus Dumbledore, and the handful of people that were assigned to this hide-the-Potters mission. They had been moving from house to house as per Dumbledore's orders, and the Order of the Phoenix had helped as best they can too. Curiously enough, each time the Potters moved, Voldemort seemed to know when they moved and where they were. Death Eaters were sent every time to eliminate the Potter family, leaving them almost no room to breath. There were too many close shaves already. The situation was getting more and more dangerous. The Potters were, in fact, considered very lucky to have escaped barely each time with their lives. They had to keep running and running to save their lives.

Dumbledore was getting worried. There had to be a spy in the Order. That should explain why so much information had been passed to Lord Voldemort. The members of the Order were dying like flies at the hands of the Death Eaters. First the whole Bones family, then the McKinnon family, now the Prewett brothers were all killed. And James and Lily were constantly being dogged like a shadow, and were nearly killed on many occasions. But hadn't he been careful? He had taken all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. He had made sure no one outside the Potters' close friends were informed, and that no one was allowed to visit them unless they had to move again. There could only be one possibility. Someone close to the Potters was the spy, informing Voldemort of their movements.

Moving around wasn't the solution anymore. Voldemort wasn't called the most powerful Dark Lord of the century for nothing. And if he truly had a spy on his side, he would find the Potters and the Order sooner or later. Dumbledore knew that he wouldn't stop until James, Lily, and little Harry Potter was dead. What they needed was a strong charm to protect them. A charm that would enable them security. A charm that would stop Voldemort from finding them. Surely, there must be one…

The Fidelius Charm. Of course. Why didn't he think about it? And this time, he would insist to be the Secret-Keeper. He would not permit any of the Marauders to shoulder this responsibility, this burden. It's safer that way. He couldn't trust anyone except himself to make the right decision now. For all he knew, James and Lily might make the mistake of choosing the wrong person as Secret-Keeper, which was what he could not risk any longer. All their lives were at stake.


Lily opened the door to their house at Godric's Hollow at the sound of the special knock to reveal the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. "Good evening, Lily," Dumbledore greeted pleasantly.

"Evening, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall. Do come in." Lily let them into the house before closing the door and locking it with its many usual charms.

Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall hung up their travelling cloaks before sitting down on the sofas in the Potters' living room. James came out of the nursery, where he had been putting Harry to bed before the signal was heard. He mouthed to Lily, "He's sleeping." before spotting his former teachers.

"How do you do, Professors? What brings you here today?" James greeted politely. Inwardly, he dreaded the answer. Usually, Professor Dumbledore's visits only brought more bad news. He hoped against hope that they would not be asked to move again, not when he had found the ideal home for Lily, Harry and him to settle in. And they'd just moved in last night!

"Please sit down, both of you. I might have a way to safeguard you now," Dumbledore spoke and waited as both Potters took a seat opposite them.

"Now, I think you should know that I suspect there is a spy in the Order, who has been keeping Voldemort informed of your movements," The Potters tensed and involuntarily shuddered at the mention of a spy. Dumbledore continued serenely, "Perhaps this is why you have been constantly shadowed, even when we took every measure to ensure a fool-proof hiding place. Therefore, no matter how secret your movements are, Voldemort is sure to catch up with you someday," he said carefully, conveniently leaving out his speculation about suspecting one of the Potters' friends as the spy.

"In order to hide from him on a permanent basis, I suggest that we use the Fidelius Charm to keep you safe. It is a charm involving the containment of the secret inside a single living soul, otherwise called the Secret-Keeper. This way, Voldemort will never know where you are unless the Secret-Keeper divulges that secret. Therefore, you may stay here in your home at Godric's Hollow and we shall cast the charm on both the house and yourselves to protect you from him. Seeing as recent events are very disturbing and unstable, I would recommend myself as your Secret-Keeper. It is too dangerous to trust anyone else, even your own friends," Dumbledore finished and waited for their answer.

McGonagall then spoke up. "Lily, James, I hope you understand that this is the safest, most secured plan. You are the most brilliant witch and wizard in your year. I hate to have you two exposed to unnecessary danger and run the risk of losing you. We cannot trust anyone now. Not even our own people. Let Albus be Secret-Keeper and you'll definitely be safe, beyond a doubt."

James listened in silence. He replied, "Professor, I am sure you are very kind. I appreciate your offer of becoming Secret-Keeper. However, no offence to you, but I would rather use Sirius. I trust him. He's like my brother. He would rather die than betray me. Besides," he added. "I have reason to believe that Sirius will also be going into hiding soon. I heard that Voldemort is also after him."

"Yes, Voldemort is also after him. I believe he wants the entire Black family in his collection. Or perhaps it is because he wants to take him out so that his grip on power would be stronger. Sirius is, after all, a thorn in his side, like you are, being an Order member. You may have notice that, since our establishment, our members have been dying left and right in this front-line battle against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. But consider, James, Sirius would be the first person Voldemort would go after for your whereabouts. He knows your relationship with Sirius is closer than best friends and, as you said yourself, almost like brothers."

"I am sure you are right, Professor, but I still see no reason why I shouldn't use Sirius. Like I said, he'd rather die than betray us. I trust him completely. So does Lily." He looked at her for confirmation, and she nodded confidently.

Dumbledore sighed. Young minds were always so stubborn. He wanted to keep them alive. Is that so much to ask? On the other hand, Sirius Black was very capable and downright loyal. Could he take a risk? Looking at James's determined face, he relented.

"All right, then. I will send Sirius along today. Cast the charm as quickly as possible. Voldemort is likely to strike very soon. You know that as well as the rest of us do, don't you?" Dumbledore concluded, sighing before rising heavily to his feet. McGonagall followed suit. "I must stress again that I still prefer myself to be your Secret-Keeper. However, since you have already made up your mind, I cannot do anything. Good day. And… good luck."

James sent the two Professors out. Once he closed and locked the door, he went straight to Lily and, embracing her, kissed her forehead. The both of them sat there, silently, entwined in each other's arms and lost in their own thoughts. Lily respected James's decision. Besides, she trusted Sirius too. He wouldn't let them die. They could finally settle down and be more like a family rather than travelling gypsies.

Outside, Minerva McGonagall questioned doubtfully, "Are you sure you made the right decision, Albus? The one about letting Sirius be their Secret-Keeper?"

Dumbledore heaved a sigh before replying, "Honestly, Minerva, I'm not so sure myself… Let us just hope it all works out for the best…" With a nod on McGonagall's part, the two Apparated back to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix to settle the Potters' affair before Apparating to Hogsmeade in order to return to Hogwarts.


"But why me, James? Why not Peter?" Sirius asked when he arrived at Godric's Hollow late that night. "Voldemort wouldn't even suspect him. He wouldn't even guess!"

"Because Sirius, I trust you. If Voldemort ever finds out that Peter is Secret-Keeper, he'll torture Peter for the information. You know Peter isn't as strong and brave as you are. Besides, aren't you also going into hiding soon? You'd be safer than him."

"Yes, James, I know, but… Look at it this way. Voldemort is sure to come after me once the charm had been cast. You know as well as I do that he isn't an easy person to hide from. No matter where I run, where I hide, he will surely catch up after me. Voldemort, however, wouldn't even consider Peter. I mean, sure, he is our friend and everything, but he'd more likely come after me than him. Don't you see? It's a prefect bluff. A decoy," Sirius explained enthusiastically.

"Sirius… Don't you think it's a bit risky, trusting Peter? We can't trust everyone, you know…" It was Lily speaking, trying to coax Sirius. "Dumbledore offered to be Secret-Keeper himself. This means the situation is very serious. We trust you because you're James's oldest and best friend. We trust that you will not betray us. We cannot say the same for the others. Not even Peter."

"Come off it. You mean Peter, the spy?" Sirius snorted. "To be honest, the person I don't trust is Remus. I mean, what has Peter got to offer Voldemort? No offence to him and everything, but he's never been as talented, smart, and brave enough to participate in any pranks as you, me or Remus. He only laughs at them. Remus, on the other hand, is a werewolf. Haven't you heard of that nutter, Fenrir Greyback? Thinks it is his duty to contaminate as many people as possible," he stressed unnecessarily. "He's the one who has been marshalling all the other werewolves, plotting for revenge on us normal wizards, apparently. I bet Remus is one of those under him," he finished disgustedly.

"Don't you see? That's exactly what we're talking about!" Lily argued. "We can't trust anyone except you and Dumbledore! We can't put our lives to a person whom…"

"Lily, I think Sirius might have a point there," James interrupted. He looked thoughtful. "It might be a good idea."

"But…" Lily threw up her hands in frustration. She knew that the battle was lost. But she just couldn't accept it. Remus Lupin, spying for Voldemort? She had known him during her two years as Gryffindor prefect with him, and he was the kindest, sweetest, most rational person out of the four Marauders. She could answer for his not being the spy, just like James and Sirius. She couldn't say the same for Peter, however. Peter had always been the quietest person out of the four Marauders. Who knows what he was thinking about? How could they suspect Remus, just because of who he was? He didn't ask to be a werewolf; he didn't shun wizard life and succumb to the werewolves' way of life. He didn't kill to eat, like some werewolves do. He's normal! Why should Sirius suspect him? They were friends! But then again, this was war. Distrust was bound to breed. And time changes people.

"All right. All right. We'll use Peter," she said, against her better judgement. "Send him here tomorrow, and we'll cast the charm. It's getting late. I don't think he'll appreciate being dragged out of bed at this ungodly hour, though this is urgent. Hopefully a day won't change everything."

Little did she know that this sealed their doom.

In the nursery, Harry began to cry earnestly into the night, almost as if he sensed the impending doom that was about to befall them all.

To Be Continued –