Remus and Ariel quietly comforted their friends, Lily and James. They were both asleep, but Remus and Ariel wanted to be by their side in case they woke up feeling alone. Everyone else had gone home, sadly, leaving Lily and James to sulk. The door to Lily's room opened and Dumbledore slid in. He took Harry in his arms, and rocked him back and forth. Lily stirred, and woke James. They stared at Dumbledore rocking their little boy. He didn't look up, but knew they were awake now.

"Lily, James, he's beautiful. He has quite a future ahead of him. I think, that to best make sure that future stays intact, that we have you go into hiding. I don't want anything to happen to you. You'll need to pick a secret keeper to guard your house. I assume that will be our Mr. Black?" Albus Dumbledore finally looked up, a twinkle in his eye.

"Actually, Albus, we were hoping that you would be our secret keeper," Lily adjusted herself on the bed and looked to James, who nodded, as she spoke.

Dumbledore let out a quick sigh and smile, but in the end made his decision. "I figured that you would ask Mr. Black. Of course, I would like to be your secret keeper, but I feel that your faith is better kept in Mr. Black. He is your most loyal and trusted friend between the both of you."

Lily and James nodded, taking their son back into their arms. Dumbledore looked to Ariel and Remus, who were struggling to keep their eyes open.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, why don't you come with me? You need rest. The Potters will be just fine."

They nodded and followed him out of the room, waving goodbye to their friends, who quickly fell into a dreamless sleep.

It had been exactly 11 months since Harry had been born. Lily and James were very happy.

"Good morning, sweetheart," James said, kissing his wife on the forehead. She woke from the rocking chair in Harry's room, in a very achy state. "Come on, get dressed. I'll get Harry up."

"Where are we going?" Lily asked, yawning.

"For a walk. Now come on, shower, hair, let's go!" By this time, James had a wide awake Harry in his arms. Harry smiled and bounced in his father's arms.

A half hour later, Lily, James, and Harry were on their way to the park. They stopped at the very top of a short hill. James conjured up a blanket, and the three sat down.

"I wish we had brought some lunch," Lily said, her stomach grumbling. "It's not fair, Harry gets to eat whenever he wants!"

James laughed, "You really think I would leave my baby hungry?"

"I don't think I need any help feeding him, dear."

"No, Lils, I meant you!" With that remark, he conjured up a picnic basket with all of Lily's favorite foods. Lily squealed and hugged her husband.

After about 20 minutes, all of the food was gone. Harry had started to point to something in the distance. Lily, taking her last bite, looked to where her son was pointing.

"James, what's all of that smoke?"

"Oh, Merlin! The whole town's on fire!"

"Is there anything we can do?" Lily put a worried face on, and started to get up, but sat back down when Harry yelled for her.

"I don't think so, honey," The fire itself had died down. They listened carefully, but didn't hear any screaming. It seemed that no one survived. Harry started crying when he saw a green skull had appeared in the sky above the town. Lily gasped when she looked up, as did James.

"I think we should get home, dear," James and Lily quickly vanished their blanket and basket, picked Harry up, and apparated home.

Just as they arrived home, Dumbledore, Sirius, and Peter knocked on the door.

"I've come to put you in hiding. Because of recent events, I feel it is no longer safe to put this off. Mr. Black, are you ready?"

Sirius shook his head, and walked over to the Potters. "Peter should be your Secret Keeper. I'm the most obvious choice. Voldemort will never suspect Peter. You know he won't, James."

"Sirius, you know that I trust you with my life…" James started.

"And you know that I'd never say a word. But—but if they find me and they somehow find out where you are…I couldn't live with myself…" Sirius looked scared.
Peter nodded, "It's the perfect plan, James. Voldemort will never suspect me. Sirius is your best mate. Voldemort will automatically assume that you will choose him."

James seemed to think about this for a long time. 'Please don't, James,' Lily prayed.

'Lily,' James seemed to be trying to reason with her, "It makes perfect sense. Sirius and Peter are right. We need to keep Harry safe. You want to protect him, don't you?"

'Oh,' Lily breathed heavily, this guilt seemingly too familiar. 'I've been here before. Don't you dare do this to me, James. Don't you dare make me choose.'

"James, please…I couldn't bear it." Sirius was nearly hysterical at this point He reached for Lily, wanting to hold her, comfort her. 'I promise it'll be okay,' he wants to reassure her.

Lily shrugged, finally admitting defeat. Dumbledore nodded and performed the charm.