In the middle of the night, in the outsides of Biddestone, a soft pop announced the arrival of auror trainee Sirius Black. His messy appearance hinted a wild night partying, but the frenetic look in his eyes didn't show a festive look. They wear filled with panic, as a cold fear clenched his body, as the ward he installed in one of his best friend´s house was triggered.

Running as fast as he could, he followed the small road the lead to the small cottage on the hill, and as soon as he reached the white fence he felt all his hopes fall, as the usual feeling of walking to wards didn't tingle his spine.

The wards had fallen.

As he reached the house, tears threatened to escape his eyes, as the he saw the door completely destroyed, one full wall of the house blasted apart and a couple of small fires in the garden and one of the windows. As he entered the house, wand in his hand and senses in full alert, the residual magical energy in the air clearly indicated him the closeness of a magical duel. The body in the floor just confirmed it.

Laying in the middle of the room, his arms extended and a broken wand near his left hand, was the body of Peter Pettigrew. His eyes were wide open, and the incipient belly, of which the marauders have been made jokes about it since last Christmas, appeared to be deeply cut, as blood poured into the floor.

Forcing his emotions into place, Sirius let his training kick in, and casted the human revealing charm. With no response, he allowed himself to relax and started to analyze the scene. The state of the couch showed at least twenty curse marks, and the damage to the house coincided with the effects of a killing curse. The frame of the door was splattered with blood, and Sirius allowed himself a tiny smile. Wormtail maybe be dead, but he had gone down fighting.

Distracted as he was, a sudden movement near the door made him jump as he turned around as fast as he could, wand raised. He found himself with another wand in his face, as Remus Lupin entered the cottage, eyes on fire.

Seeing his friend, the young werewolf lowered his wand, allowing himself a tiny smile. "Hey Pads". However Sirius didn't lower his. "What are you doing here?"

Lupin frowned his eyes, looking at Sirius like he had turned insane, as he tried to gain a better look at the house. "What do you mean, Sirius?"

"Coming to see your work in action Moony?" Sirius spitted the nickname like it was poison in his lips. "Wanted to finish the job maybe?

Remus was getting angry, as he questioned with gritted teeth. "What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Saying. You. Idiot."

"We saw you!" screamed Sirius, as sparks flew out of his wand. "Me and Emmeline, when we where on patrol. We saw you with Greyback´s pack. Was it worth it "Moony", betray one of yours…

The auror never finished the phrase, as he found himself in the floor, knocked back by a powerful punch form Remus. "You fucking idiot. I was spying! For the Order! Trying to free as many of my kind as possible!

Laying in the ground, Sirius blinked. That made sense. A lot of sense actually. Remus was smart enough to fool the werewolf leader, and the fear of spies within the Order explained why Albus have never told neither James nor Sirius anything about that. There was only one small detail.

"Then why are you here?" questioned Sirius as he lifted himself up.

Rolling his eyes, Remus answered. "You don't think you are the only one who installed wards around our friend´s houses do you?

Blushing slightly, Sirius acknowledge his mistake. "Sorry Moony. Between Wormy and Mar... Marlene I´m to shaken to think properly."

With a much softer expression, Remus embraced his fellow marauder. "I´m sorry Pads. I heard about her and her family. An attack?

"Yeah. At least 10 of the suckers and the big baddie himself" Between the tears, a proud smile appeared in Padfoot´s face. "Mar took Rosier and the big Carrow with her. Only the twins are left of those sick bastards."

Tension gone, the marauders went on with exploring the house, when Remus pointed out a small detail that Sirius had missed.

"Why is Wormy pointing?"

It was true, as one of Peter´s arms was extended, with his index finger pointing at one of the small tables in the room. Frowning, Sirius casted Revelio, with no result.

Rolling his eyes yet again, Remus extended his wand. "I solemnly swear that I´m up to no good." One drawer opened, and both marauders peaked at its contents.

A small envelope, with doodles of a stag, a wolf, a dog and a rat rested alone in the bottom of the drawer. With clenched hearts, they opened the letter.

"My dearest friends"

If you are reading this, I´m dead.

The marauders couldn´t stop groaning at the clichéd beginning, but the next part made them smile.

I hope I managed to take one last smile from you. I was never the most original of the group, so I have to rely on clichés and cute jokes. As always. I fear I won´t be able to survive a frontal attack like Padfoot or Prongs could, so I wrote this. I don't want to be gone in silence.

However, more urgent subjects are in order. I am, or was I guess, the secret keeper for Prongs and Red Flower. If, as I hope, I managed to stay strong and kept the secret, the Fidelius will be weakened, so I urge you to cast it again. Maybe Pads?

If, as I fear, the enemy managed to torture it out of me, please. Save them. I never meant to fail, but I´m not as strong.

Remus and Sirius paled as they read Wormtail´s last words.

"James and Lily…" started Remus.

"Live in Potter´s Cottage, in Godric´s Hollow". Finished Sirius.

With a panicked look in their faces, the two apparated, hoping it wasn´t to late.

Godric´s Hollow

As soon as they so the small cottage, both marauders breathed in relief, as the small house looked completely intact. As they approached the door, one disheveled wizard jumped out of the house, wand raised. Sirius and Remus both lifted their hands and slowed their approach.

"Pads?" the groggy voice of James Potter questioned his best friend, as he eyed suspiciously the other marauder. He intended to question the werewolf about the rumors and his presence in the village, but the look in both their faces discouraged him. "What happened?"

"It´s Pete James. He´s…."

Sirius voice broke, but he message was clear. James grabbed the door, trying to keep himself standing. Peter gone. The awkward and tiny marauder dead. No more pancakes baked at last minute, or adding extra cheese in the pizzas Lily used to order when Wormy came to the house. Just like that, another friend dead.

Barely functional, James led the other two into the house, just to stand into another wand, this one wielded by a fierce redhead. As James tried to speak, one look of the emerald eyes silenced him, and Lily Potter faced Sirius.

"Which was Harry´s first word?"

Despite everything, Sirius smiled. "Moomy. You and Remus argued for hours if it was Mummy or Moony"

Satisfied, Lily turned to Remus, who was also smiling slightly form the memory. "Who, did we find in the Astronomy tower on our first prefect patrol?

"If my memory doesn't bretray me, it was our second patrol, and it was Dorcas Meadows and Alexander Turpin in a sever lack of clothes"

Lowering her wand, Lily closed the door, jus to embrace both of the visitors. "I´m sorry, but with the news of the McKinnons I´m a little…" She drawled the sentence, as she exchanged a look of understanding with Sirius. Marlene might have been Sirius girlfriend, but she was first Lily´s best friend.

As Sirius and Remus recounted what have happened, Lily´s eyes filled with tears, as she heard about the bravery and the lost of another one of the Order. When they finished, James cleaned his own tears, and stood up with a determined air. "I´m calling Albus. Peter was right and the charm needs to be cast again, and I don't think that anyone other that him or Filius can do it. Pads can you…

"NO!"

The scream startled the other three, and a cry could be heard in the upper room. Seeing the shocked expression of the Potters, Remus ran to the nursery, leaving the other three.

"What do you mean Padfoot?"

"You can´t stay here. You need to run. To America, Australia, even freacking Argentina for all I care. But you can stay"

James blinked, as he tried to comprehend Sirius sudden passion. "What? We can´t run Sirius. We need to fight".

"NO! I won´t lose another friend James! Your family is targeted by a nutter and the Ministry didn't do shit. We have seen that not even the Fidelius can guarantee your safety. Could you live with that Prongs? If you survive but Lily doesn't. Or Harry?" Taking a deep breath, Sirius continued. "I know we wanted to fight James, but we shouldn't. We are twenty one for fucks sake. Gringotts is accessible worldwide and we can keep aiding the Order from other place."

"My only family is in this walls Prongs. You, Remus, Lily and Harry. I could not stand to lose another brother".

James felt Sirius pain as it was his own, seeing the lose of Marlene, Edgar, Peter, even Regulus. With pain, he turned to see Lily. She didn´t need a question.

"Since last year, my only priority has been Harry. Nothing else"

Taking a deep breath, James surrendered.

"Alright. Let´s go then. And you mister" he said pointing an entering Remus. "Are not allowed to return to that place. You are coming with us."

Grabbing Harry, Lily took a seat in her favorite chair, leaving the marauders to make plans. The only family she had left was Petunia, and she had been perfectly clear about never seeing her again. Grabbing the letter that Padfoot left in the couch, she finished it.

Once those three are safe, you guys need to know something. You four (I´m counting you Lil´s) have been an incredible support. Allowing the fat firstie who could barely talk to join was something that I will be forever grateful. After mom died you stayed strong with me, and helped me in those awful days. Thank you guys.

I´m not rich like Pads or Prongs, but you can have everything in my vault and the house Moony. Use it as you need. Also, you really need to stop with the self-pity friend.

Pads, you really need to start thinking before acting. Between the way you ran towards Dolohov after the Prewetts attack and the incident with Snape I fear for your safety. Think more. Please?

Prongs, if you raise Harry with the same determination you chase after Lily all these years, he will become an incredible wizard. Don´t ruin it. Don´t annoy Lily to much. We don´t want her to regret marrying you. (Still don't know how you did it btw)

Lily. Please take care of them. They are idiots, but they were my idiots. My mother cinnamon cookies recipe is in muggle invisible ink in the envelope. Don´t give it to any of them.

Harry. You may never remember my face, but you calling me "uncle" was my patronus memory since it happened. You are the son of two great wizards. Take from both.

Hope to don't see neither of you for a long time.

Mischief Managed.

Wormtail

AN: So yeah, new story. Hope you like it.

AN2: Harry/Daphne will be the definitive pairing, but not before fifth year; so be patient, it will be worthy (I hope). I´m still unsure of the final pairing for Neville, so I´m open to suggestions as the story moves forward.