CHAPTER 24..:::::..  The Perfect Bluff

Disclaimer: I do not own a single cotton picking piece. *Decides to test whether or not the disclaimer will travel through the shredder*.

A/N: Urgh 6form is a complete tosspot. It's keeping me totally swamped. Damn psychology, English, Politics and History. Anyway. You wanna know about Lily and James, don't you? OK, just so you guys know, the end is drawing near. Is it this one, or isn't it? You'll just have to read!

Auror: Hi, um, it never specifies in the book that it is actually Wormtail who finds out about the Prophecy. Dumbledore just says it was an intruder or something. But … have you not found my hints about Wormtail's continued absence slightly cryptic? Muhahaha.

Miabubble: Yo, long time no read! Sorry I spelt champagne wrong; glad I made you laugh though. I have seen About a Boy and thought it a very amusing film. I hadn't connected it to this at the time, but now you mention it, I can see certain likenesses! I knew that eventually the time would come when I had to write their deaths and it is very traumatic to do! I'm sorry everyone is sad about it and doesn't want them to die … but I said I'd do it … and do it I shall!

Mystikalolo: Aha you have the power of foresight! (Or perhaps you just have common sense). Hmm, a sequel? I'm not sure yet.

DanniBanni: Hi, I love your name! You wanna know why? My nickname is Banna. It's something to do with the fact that my parents called me Rosanna Banana as a baby. (Yeauch I know.) What does TTFN mean? I heard it on Buffy and I can't remember what it means! (I'm like a Buffy freak; I have every single box set.) Wow, favourites? Cool!

Templa Otmena: Hi Lou, sorry about the lack of updates. It's actually me that sends them, not the bot at fanfiction. It's just with everything that's going on at the moment with school and injuries to my annoying horse, it's all I can do to write the fic and get it up on the site as my internet is being very temperamental in connecting! And also they take so long … there's about 300 of you who need updating! So, maybe for the mo you will have to just check every now and again. Oh yeah, your theory about Peter is surprisingly accurate. Any ideas about the twist yet? Muhahaha.

Quidditch Queen: Yeah, it's a thing with pregnant women. A popular one is coal. (Yes, real black coal. Don't ask.)  Don't worry; Frank and Alice will get a mention.

 Szhismine: Yeah I thought I answered all your questions?! Lol, any more, don't hesitate to ask.

Drops of Winter: So sorry about the typo. I had Dumbledore's speech in my head about him saying the Prophecy was made after Harry's birth. But now I read it again, (4th time lucky) I see that you are right. Sorry!

Calimora: I'm sorry you thought that chapter 22 was rushed. I did not mean to convey that to anybody; I was just aware of the time moving on. Glad you like my massacre line, I enjoyed that one myself. Aww, I made you teary eyed? (Yay!) Sorry. It's an achievement.

Uhamida: I am glad it was only figurative laughter; research shows that people can easily put their back out these days. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! What an excellent line! Why didn't I think of that?

Arwen: It's really nice when people say, it's just like they imagined it. It's like … I'm making a difference, you know? And not wasting my time! I'm not going to do this like Voldemort never murdered Lily and James; sorry! Lots of people have asked me not to, but I must stay true to my word. I said I'd do it … and do it I shall! *Wipes tear*.

Vini: Wow, that must have been tough, reading it all in a day. It's taken me like 6 months to write. I didn't realise that people had actually recommended me! Wow! That's so cool. I'm glad you like it; I'm rather fond of it as well. Lol. Oh and I got your hint about updating as well.

Marian – Librarian: Your review was really inspiring. Thank you.

Goddess Moon lady: Uh, yeah I guess "He" can be a bit of a dumb ass. Lol, I love the name Malcolm. It makes me think of a really kind of comical sketch show.

*HITS PLAY*.

          Dumbledore was in a very uneasy mood. Now as he sat across the table in Lily and James's kitchen, watching them completely understandably besotted with their newborn son, he felt ashamed with himself for having to break the news to them that they may now, perhaps, be in more danger of Voldemort than ever before.

          "Settling in all right?" he asked distractedly.

          Lily and James looked up, not really hearing Dumbledore. James was holding Harry, getting used to the way that he should be doing things. Harry seemed completely happy in his father's arms and was gurgling contentedly as his wide green eyes took in his surroundings and the strange old man in front of him.

          "Oh yes, very well thank you," said Lily.

          "I think he just wet himself," said James disgustedly.

          "Well, you know what to do," Lily said. She masked a smile; it amused her when James was given full responsibility, something he was not at all used to.

          "Can't we … carry his potty around or … attach it to his legs maybe –"

          "James," Lily said in a warning tone. James made a face and carried Harry out of the room. Dumbledore was silent; he hated imposing on this happy family … the news he must drop. A bombshell.

          Lily smiled at Dumbledore. Slowly, his expression dawned on her and she could not ignore it anymore. "Albus, what on earth is the matter?" she asked.

          Dumbledore sighed. "I shall wait until James has returned, but I am afraid, Lily, that what I must tell you is frightening me more than anything."

          Lily's stomach clenched. "What –"

          " – I shall wait until James has returned," he repeated.

          Lily continued to watch his face, but he gave nothing away. She was forced to sit in an uncomfortable silence until James returned.

          "I just put him down in his cot. I think he was sleepy you know, Lils, he was up all night last night. Honestly, you would not believe how much sh –"

          " – James," Lily cut him off. "Albus says he's got something to tell us."  

          James looked at Dumbledore. He had seen him wear this expression before, and neither time had it held joy or happy news. "What's up?"
          Dumbledore looked up. "Something has … happened. Something that involves either you or someone else. I have become increasingly sure that it is you that it involves, however I cannot be precisely sure."

          Lily frowned. "What's happened? What are you talking about?"

          Dumbledore looked at them gravely.

          "Surely nothing that bad?" said James. "I mean, wouldn't we have heard if something was going to happen beforehand? I know we're not directly involved in the Order at the moment, but …"

          "It is bad, James," Dumbledore said, raising his hands and resting his chin in them. "A few days ago, I was alerted to something that I would rather not have been. Although what I heard could actually involve the saviour of our world, it could also involve its destruction. What I heard … was a Prophecy."

          There was silence until James snorted sceptically. "Oh, come on, Dumbledore, a real Prophecy? There hasn't been a genuine one of those for at least –"

          " – Nineteen years to be exact. It was a real Prophecy, James. I am an accomplished Legillimens to know myself, of course, if it were genuine, but I did not need to use those skills. The truth was staring at me plainly in the face."

          Lily inhaled. "So … how does that involve us?"

          "The Prophecy I am about to recount to you must not leave this room. It must not be relayed to anyone unless I say so."

          Lily and James exchanged glances. "Okay …"

          "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies … and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives … the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies …"

          The silence that followed Dumbledore's words was one of the loudest ever. Lily placed a hand over her mouth and James's face was very pale. He looked at Dumbledore with horror stricken eyes.

          "Born to those who have … thrice defied him? But … that's … that'd mean …"

          "Either you or the Longbottoms. Recently Frank and Alice have had a child that they have named Neville. Three times they have escaped Voldemort, as you have."

          Lily moved her hand from her mouth, her emerald eyes wide. "Then … w-why do you think it applies to us?"

          Dumbledore swallowed. "It is my belief that he will think of you two, as a couple, as the biggest threat. Oh yes, Frank and Alice are powerful Aurors indeed, but they do not match your power. It is you, James, that has had the most interaction with Voldemort. The direct reason would be your parents and your ancestors. Even before you and your parents were born, Voldemort was killing. Your parents were powerful wizards, James."

          James's insides flamed with suppressed anger. "Yes. They were. Were being the emphatic word."

          Lily reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly.

          "But … he'll have the power to vanquish Voldemort? Our … our son could save this world?"

          Dumbledore nodded. "It is possible. But you are forgetting a crucial line. Neither can live while the other survives."

          James opened his mouth and looked away. "So you're saying that either Harry's got to murder Voldemort or Voldemort's going to murder him?" he said lowly.

          Dumbledore inclined his head. "If my calculations and shrewd ideas are correct."

          James's eyes widened and flamed with anger. "He's a baby, for God's sake!"

          Dumbledore nodded. "Ah, yes, James, you have put your finger on the very topic that is making me most uneasy. He is only a baby. He is only human and therefore very vulnerable. I would not be so worried, perhaps, if a Death Eater had not heard part of the Prophecy."

          James turned around quickly from the window he had been staring out of into the garden. "WHAT?"

          Lily looked around at James, willing him to be calm.

          Dumbledore alone looked calm, yet worried. " I am almost certain, however, that he only heard the beginning part of the Prophecy. Which although is not a good thing, it could have been much worse."

          James put on a sarcastic face. "Oh really? How! How could this be worse?"

          "That means that he wouldn't have heard the part about having to kill Harry in order to survive, James," said Lily. "He won't have heard about marking him as his equal or his power. Right, Albus?"

          "Yes, Lily. Your deductions are ever as quick as they were."

          James sat down again, still unsettled. "But he knows that this child who has the only shot of killing him is either ours or the Longbottoms?"

          There was a silence, until, "Yes."

          "So, what are we going to do?"

          Dumbledore said nothing for a few minutes, then, "You and your family are in grave danger, James. I shall have to think about what is the best course of action.

          "We're going to have to think fast," said James.

          Nobody spoke for a long time after this. Soon, Lily had to move, as from the upstairs bedroom came frightened cries of a little boy who did not understand what was happening.

* * * * * * * * *

          Although deeply distressed, Lily and James had heeded Dumbledore about not saying anything to anybody. They spent the next week in mutual silence, playing with Harry, hardly daring to believe how special he was. James was anxious; he was always looking out of the window as though expecting Voldemort to launch a sudden attack. It didn't happen however, and soon Lily and James were getting itchy feet.

          "Honestly, you two, anyone would think you'd had an argument!" said Sirius the day before when he had come to inform them of the Order's business. "You haven't, have you?" he added quietly, as though he hadn't considered the possibility that it might actually have happened.

"No," said James with a small laugh. "No, nothing like that."

"So, what is it like then?" Sirius asked. There was concern etched into his handsomely maturing face.

James shook his head. "Nothing," he said. He really wanted to tell Sirius, he wanted someone to talk to about it who hadn't already heard about it or was thinking the same thing that he was. He decided on telling Sirius the half-truth.

"It's just … we're a bit depressed at the moment, because we might have to go back to work soon, you know."

Sirius waved an impatient hand. "Don't be ridiculous. You two aren't going anywhere if I've got anything to do about it. Whatever it is that you need to do, just tell me and I'll do it! Don't let anyone bully you into it."

Although this was not the relevant topic in James's mind at the second, he was grateful all the same and smiled at his best friend. "Anyone bully James Potter? What planet are you on, Padfoot?"

It was a great relief to both of them when Dumbledore arrived the very next day with slightly less of a dire expression. This lightened their hearts a little.

"What news?" said James, shutting the door behind him. Harry was once again nestled in his arms, looking quite contented.

Dumbledore followed Lily through to the kitchen. "No news from afar, as they say, but I have had an idea about how to keep you and Harry safe."

They looked at each other. "Well, that's something," said James. "What is it?"

"It is imperative that Voldemort does not know your whereabouts. It is easy for him to find out quickly; two Gryffindors living in Godric's Hollow, it is not hard. I have thought long and hard about this and decided that your best chance is the Fidelius Charm."

"How does that work?" said James.

Lily's eyes suddenly became wide. "We talked about them in Charms, James, don't you remember?" she said excitedly. "It's … it's the one with a Secret Keeper, isn't it?" she said.

Dumbledore nodded. "The information that Voldemort so yearns to know about, your occupancy for example, is entrusted with a Secret Keeper. This information will henceforth be kept safe from everyone. Voldemort could have his nose pressed on your kitchen windowsill and not know you were there. Unless of course, the Secret Keeper chooses to divulge the information."

Lily and James looked at each other.

"I realise that you may want some time to decide who –"

"Sirius," they both said simultaneously.

Dumbledore bowed his head. "I thought that would be your decision. Sirius is probably one of the most loyal people that I have met and I am certain he will not let you down."

They nodded, hardly daring to believe that perhaps a solution had been found to the problem that had been eating them up for weeks.

"Then it is time – to tell those you trust about the Prophecy."

)(*)*)(*)*)(*

           "Holy cow!" exclaimed Sirius.

          "Merlin's Beard," said Lupin.

          "Wow!" said Peter.

          "I know," said James. "It's my son, you know," he said, tapping a finger to his chest. "Mine."

          Sirius smiled. "Didn't Lily have something to do with it?"

          "Well. Yes."

          Peter continued to blink. "I can't believe it! He's got the power to kill You Know Who?"

          "But he's so –"

          " – Small –"

          " – And wrinkly."

          James rolled his eyes. "It's not all good you know," he said. "Did you not hear the last part? It also means that now, old Voldie's planning to go all out war on us."

          "And when you say us –"

          "I mean me, Lily and Harry. Yes."

          They all exchanged ominous looks. There was a silence until Peter spoke.

          "But … he has power! Wow …"

          "And … you're sure about me being … the thing?" said Sirius in a slight undertone. This was pointless however; the others could hear him.

          "Of course I am. Remus and Peter understand. You've always been my best friend. There's no one else that we'd have chosen, Sirius. So now you can carry a massive burden. It's only fair, you know, Padfoot."

          Lupin smiled. "Oh no, we've given him responsibility. Is this wise?"

          "Hey, sitting right here!" Sirius interjected. "But … I mean, me? A Secret Keeper? I've read stuff about them in books and –"

          "You can read?" said Peter sarcastically.

          Sirius ignored him. " – And they've always been so … so … responsible."

          "Well, I'm not asking you to be responsible," said James. "I'm just asking you to … keep a secret."

          And he did. For quite a while. The Charm was performed, and the information was concealed. The only people who knew about it were Peter, Lupin, Sirius and Dumbledore. The Fidelius Charm was a mysterious charm that Dumbledore had chosen very carefully; once the Charm had been performed on one said person, the Secret Keeper, another invisible yet existing force was placed around anyone who knew about the information. Nobody but the Secret Keeper could divulge the information to Voldemort, regardless of the fact that others knew. None of the other Order members knew about the Prophecy or anything else as of yet. It wasn't that Dumbledore did not trust them, it was more to do with the fact that he didn't want to put any of them in unnecessary danger.

(((*)))(((*)))

           "It's not working," said a voice from the shadows.

          An impatient sigh answered this. Voldemort traced his mouth with a long and white skeletal finger. "Then make it work. Turn it around. Is that not why you are here?"

          The person nodded fearfully. There was sweat glistening on the forehead, the breathing was harsh and guttural, the hands shaking nervously.

          "Your loyalty is wavering …"

          "No, not at all …"

          "Do not lie to me. You do not think it can be done. Am I correct?"

          There was a silence, and then, "It just seems so … complicated."

          "Let me tell you something. I have waited a very long time to hear this Prophecy that I was foretold of being made. Long and hard I worked to get it … and when the time finally comes, I do not even get to hear it in its entire form. You can imagine how … disheartened I was. But now that I have a lead … a lead that could change everything and make my rise to power completely absolute … I recruit you – a worthless follower to do more dirty work … I know that it is only fear that brought you here, but that does not bother me. After everything that I have done to get to where I am now, in the final stages of my rise, here you are telling me it is too complicated?"

          "N-no, my Lord. Not at all. It is not complicated. I will turn it around."

          Voldemort smiled. "Yes. You will."

(((*)))(((*)))

          "So he doesn't know that I'm Secret Keeper?" Sirius asked Dumbledore a week after he had been made so. They were in his office up at the school, as Dumbledore had wanted to see him.

          "Not as of yet. But I have been thinking … it might be wise for you to go into hiding …"

          Sirius snorted. "Oh, don't be ridiculous. Look, I know you're trying to keep us all safe, Albus, but I can't go into hiding. It's not my thing."

          Dumbledore's eyes flashed. "Whether it is your thing or not, Sirius, I was rather hoping that you would do what ever it takes to keep others safe –"

          "I am. You know that. But you're talking about keeping me safe. I wont betray the information, Dumbledore. He'd have to kill me first."

          Dumbledore breathed out slowly. "That is what worries me."

          Sirius half smiled. "You don't have to worry about me, I'm a big boy now, you know. I can even clean my own teeth and everything."

          Dumbledore nodded wisely. "I know that you are a capable and able man, Sirius, and that you would never betray Lily and James. It is this, that worries me most."

          Sirius frowned. "What do you –"

          " – If I am aware of your qualities, then Voldemort will be as well."

          At first, Sirius didn't realise what Dumbledore's point was. But then, it suddenly began to dawn on him. Sirius's breath caught in his throat. He had not thought of that. How could he have been so stupid? It was so obvious; Voldemort was bound to see it! He would know, of course, thanks to his various spies, that he and James and Lily were best friends. He would know, also, how Dumbledore's mind worked, therefore foreseeing the Fidelius Charm. How could he not have seen it before?

          " … Merlin … you're right …"

          Dumbledore shook his head. "But I am aware that there is no one else whom Lily and James would …"

          Sirius stood up, his chair falling over with a clatter. "No … we have to sort this out now! He could be … he could be planning something right now!"

          "Sirius, please calm down. There is not much we can do that will catch Voldemort off guard …"

          Sirius racked his brains and suddenly the answer came to him, as though it had been in his head all along. "Peter," said Sirius quietly.

          Dumbledore looked up. "What?" he said.

          "It would be the least thing he'd expect … we should swap … and not tell anyone … Voldemort would never dream we'd use Peter …"

          Dumbledore's face became enlightened. "You're right …what an excellent idea …"

          Sirius had sat back down again. "And if we don't tell anyone …"

          "That is wise … a fear and doubt has been growing in my mind. I do not want to believe that somebody on our side has been informing Voldemort about the Order's movements but … I am afraid that I am moving towards that conclusion."

          "So, just Remus –"

          "No," Dumbledore said so sharply that Sirius started. "I do not believe that he is a spy, but nor do I want to take any chances."

          Sirius frowned, but then nodded. "All right …it's the perfect bluff. He'd never dream we'd use somebody like Peter."

          "No, no I don't suppose that he would …" Dumbledore made a sceptical face. "James will not wish to conform to the plan."

          Sirius nodded and stood up once more, as though suddenly Voldemort would know their plans; that there was not a moment to be lost. "I'll talk to him."

(_)(_)(_)

          "Are you INSANE?" said James loudly.

          "Well, yes, where have you been for the past twenty odd years?"

          Lily threw her hands in the air. "James is right, Sirius! Changing the plan at this stage would be … madness!"

          Sirius shook his head. "Don't you see? It's too obvious! He's bound to come after me! He knows us!"

          James hung his head. "We can't ask Peter to do this. It'd break him down completely –"

          " – Or just kill him," said Lily fairly.

          Sirius bit his bottom lip. "He's always saying that we don't trust him! This is his perfect opportunity to … I don't know.  Show us that he can do something useful."

          Lily looked up, almost apologetically. "But can he?" she said softly. "Can he really? I would give him a chance to prove himself any time, but … not if it involves him standing between Voldemort and my family, because I think we can deduce who would end up on the floor!"

          "That's not fair, Lily," said Sirius. "He's been a good friend to us for a long time. I know we … take the Mickey, yeah. Of course we do. That's how it's always been. But Peter's go a good heart. He'd do anything to show us we can trust him. He's been really depressed lately, staying at home a lot and out of the way … I think Dumbledore hurt him when he said he shouldn't be in the Order in front of practically everyone he knows."

          They were silent. "I'm not sure, Sirius," James repeated. "Peter's doesn't deserve to be –"

          " – Oh, and I do?"

          "I didn't mean that," said James testily. "We're not asking anybody to risk their lives for us."

          "Well, I would," Sirius said. "And Peter would too. All I want is for you two and Harry to be safe. And that is not going to happen if we've got such an obvious plan! Don't you see? Lily! Come on, can't you see the logic? Do it for Harry's sake, if not Peter's."

          Lily and James looked at each other. Lily bit her lip and held James's gaze.

"It would be the last thing that he'd suspect …"

After what seemed like the longest silence ever, the both nodded and said simultaneously, "Okay."

* * * *

          "I … I – I really don't know what to say!" Peter stammered as Lily and James told him their plan the next day. "I – I'm completely … me?"

          "That's what we said, isn't it?" said Lily, feeling slightly bad as Peter didn't know that the only reason they wanted to use him was that it was the last thing Voldemort would expect.

          "B – but why me? Why did you change? Sirius would definitely be better than –"

          Lily and James exchanged uncomfortable looks. "Well, we don't want too much of an obvious plan. And … well. We …"

          Peter waved an impatient hand. "Oh, no, it doesn't really matter. I'm just so … surprised! And Dumbledore said all of this?"

          "Yep," said James. "It was his idea," he lied. "And he said he'd perform the Charm whenever you're ready."

          "Well, I'm ready now! The sooner the better, eh, Prongs?"

          James raised his eyebrows. "I guess so."

          Peter wandered over to Harry's cot and put his hand down into it. Ruffling his hair, he turned back to Lily and James. "I won't let you down, you know – nor this little guy."

          Lily and James smiled at Peter, thinking that perhaps Sirius was right and he might make them proud.

())))((((())))))((((()

          "It has happened, my Lord," said the harsh voice once again from the shadows. Voldemort raised his head slightly, trying to appear not as interested as he actually was.

          "Good."

          "I told you that I would make it happen, and I did, my Lord! I did!"

          Voldemort sneered. "Very good. I am pleased. I reward my servants who please me. Please hold out your arm."

          The short servant held back for a second, a look of trepidation on his face. "W – why, my Lord?"

          "You have earned the privilege to be known as one of the Dark Lord's Death Eaters of course! Now do as I say, and hold out your arm."

          The servant did so, against his better judgement. It was shaking as Voldemort extended his hand, wand held tightly in his fingers. He touched the arm half way up with his wand, and muttered, "Morsmorde!"

          The servant screamed in pain and recoiled, but Voldemort kept hold of the arm. Slowly, as though invisible ink was tracing it there, the Dark Mark appeared on the servant's arm, burning black. When the process was complete, Voldemort eased the pressure on the arm. The servant whimpered for a second.

          "What is the matter?" asked Voldemort. "Do you not like your reward? Am I sensing an ungrateful tone?"

          The servant recovered himself and stood up. "No, my Lord … no, it's beautiful … thank you."

          Voldemort smiled cruelly. "Excellent. Now. You have something I want, do you not?"

          "Y – yes, I know all about the Potters'. All the information you need … I have it." There was a pause, then, "But my Lord … I must ask what of the Longbottoms?"

          Voldemort looked up sharply, narrowing his slit like red eyes. "You must ask nothing. I needed to make a judgement, and I have made it."

          The servant was silent and looked at its feet.

          "So. You had something to say, did you not, Wormtail?"

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A/N: Sorry, sorry, I know it's a cliffhanger, but the thing is, I know that I could have put "The Bit" in this chapter, but it would have made it unnecessarily long and maybe cutting bits up. I really want to do "The Bit" properly, so please, be loyal and patient! Next chapter is going to be explosive. REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosie.