Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter Ten: The Switch

After much begging on James' part and much pleading on Sirius' part, Peter agreed to the switch, despite Peter being the one who had suggested the idea to Sirius in the first place.

Had either of James or Sirius been paying much attention to their long time friend they would have noticed some of the color leave his face as he hugged James or his increased sweating and twitching as he shook hands with Sirius.

Unluckily, though, they did not notice. They were too preoccupied with the arrangements for the Fedelis Charm, as it was a very complicated procedure, James was glad that his family would be in safe hands. The days up until the switch things went as according to plan.

Within the next three days before the New Year, James and Lily arranged everything necessary for the Fedelis Charm in their home. Since Harry was to be present, Lily though it best to all the blood rituals and James, Sirius, and Peter were all too eager to oblige.

At exactly 11:30 P.M on December 29th of the year 1980 Sirius and Peter showed up at in front of the Potter's house, wrapped in cloaks and jackets against the bitter winter wind. Bowing their head against the snow flurry, they hurried into the warm living room.

In the living room all the lights had been dimmed and the only light came from the dwindling fireplace. Sirius and Peter kneeled on the carpet across from each other. James knelt on their right and Lily with Harry on her lap, to their left, creating a circle.

James pulled his wand from his pocket and held it directly between his two friends.

"Tonight at 11:40 P.M in Godric's Hollow, I, James Tertius Potter, am to reverse the process of the Fedelis binding charm from one Sirius Valentine Black to be placed upon one Peter Thereon Pettigrew. Do you Peter Thereon promise henceforth to guard over and watch for the well beings of myself, Lily Claire, and Harry James?"

Peter eyes roved across the room, finally meeting James'. "I Peter Thereon Pettigrew do hereby promise to do so."

A snake of blue light unwound itself from around Sirius' middle and transferred itself to Peter's stomach.

"Do you swear to keep my home a secret from all who wish harm upon my family?" James continued, ignoring the haggard look that momentarily crossed Sirius' face.

"I do hereby swear it." Another rope of light shot from around Sirius' chest where it had coiled and wrapped itself around Peter.

Sirius let out a shaky sigh. James looked at him with concern and Lily reached out tentatively to touch Sirius' shoulder. James caught her wrist. "He cannot be touched during the process. It is draining part of his magic to release the bonds. He will be fine." Lily nodded and stroked Harry's head.

James turned back to Peter. His voice was harsher and his gaze was intense, Peter balked under the severe look. "Do you vow to keep my son from harm and danger whilst you surround him. To keep his location secret from the dark and to help us in care for his safety?"

Peter looked straight ahead and Sirius thought he noticed a faint detached look in his friend's eyes.

"I vow to do this." The final coil of light unwound itself from Sirius' neck. It moved in a slow arch across Harry and settled on Peter.

The clock stuck midnight. December 30th was coming into being.

James sighed heavily, closed his eyes, and lowered his wand. "It is done."

Lily helped James move Sirius from where he had collapsed shortly after the ritual, to the couch where she covered her long time friend's body with a large cotton blanket.

Lily was not a dumb person. On the contrary, she was very smart and crafty when she needed to be. Top witch in her grade and excellent in potions where most Gryffindors had floundered. She considered herself fairly good at reading people.

Her husband, for example, was trying to hide the fact that he was shaking and had been affected by his participation in the ritual. His magic had to been drained from the complex wand work he had been required to do.

Lily stood up quietly and walked over to her husband. She took him by the forearm and led him to the armchair. He followed without protest.

She pushed him onto the chair and followed after, sinking into his lap. Lily reached up and kissed him once. She felt James relax beneath her and then the gentle rise and fall of his chest that signaled his sleep. Lily snuggled closer to her beloved and fell sound asleep, safe in his arms.

Wormtail scrabbled to his feet as he tripped over a tree root. He was walking quickly through a dense and dark forest. The nervous young man kept looking back over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being followed. He kept his hand on his pocket.

In time he came to a cave. A steady fire was roaring, casting an orange glow onto the stone walls and on the bone white masks of the twenty or so people, cloaked all in black.. A hideous voice echoed around the cavern.

"Is it done Wormtail?" Peter fell to one knee before the figure and bowed his head low.

"Indeed my lord. The task is complete." The voice laughed and those with him laughed as well.

March 24th, 1981

Remus walked into his favorite bookstore with a smile on his face. It was late March and nothing had gone amiss in a while. The year of 1981 seemed to be getting off on the right foot.

Remus plucked a book off the shelf and smiled at the cover. The man on the cover brandished his sword before a mighty dragon. Just what Remus needed, a good adventure with a happy ending.

The young man opened to the first page and began to read.

The door behind Remus opened with a jingle and was slammed shut again. Remus started, almost dropping the book, and looked the shelves in front of him to view the front of the store. What he saw almost made him yelp.

Fenrir Greyback slammed his fist repeatedly onto the clerk's desk, growling that he wanted to see the manager immediately. The clerk was so frightened by the large and hairy figure in front of him that the poor man toppled backwards out of his chair and crawled on his knees to the back room to fetch the manager.

The werewolf smirked happily and leant against the counter, gazing out at the store. Suddenly Greyback's body went rigid and he inclined his nose to sniff the air. His head turned to the shelf that Remus was behind.

On instinct Remus pulled his head back and clutched the book to his chest.

Greyback smirked and walked towards the bookcases. Remus felt white-hot anger and cold terror wash over him at the same time, which was an odd feeling.

Greyback turned the corner and stood face-to-face with Remus.

Remus had to incline his head to look Greyback in the face, he was much taller than Remus. Greyback's smirk only grew wider. "Well well. If it isn't my favorite little half-breed."

Remus clutched the book harder to his chest to keep his hands still, for if he let go of the book he would probably hit Greyback. Then Remus was sure Greyback would have no qualms about fighting him here in the store and well; from there it would probably be a slaughter. Greyback didn't bother with wands.

"You know Lupin, your father was always too dumb to understand the qualities of joining with me. The advantages are endless. There's always room for one more in the Underground you know, if you were to acknowledge me as your undisputed leader and commander that is." Greyback leant against the bookcase with one hand and put the other on his waist, taunting Remus.

Fortunately Remus was to smart to rise to the bait. Scoffing loudly, Remus placed the book back on the shelf. A strand of dirty blonde hair fell into his eyes. "I wouldn't join with you for all the money in Gringott's vaults. You sicken me and you certainly don't scare me. What you did to my family was nothing but cowardice and senseless bullying. How much bravery did I take you to attack a four-year old by himself at night? On top of that, you were heartless enough to torment a harmless shopkeeper, and father, for thirteen more years before finally forcing him into bankruptcy and live the rest of his life wishing for more." Remus' eyes flashed cold steel as he spoke.

Greyback's eyes darkened and his hairy fists clenched. Luckily, the manager, who came scurrying to the front of the store to assist Greyback, interrupted what was sure to be a messy brawl.

Remus watched the two men depart to the back of the store. Well that settled it; this was the last time Remus shopped in that bookstore.

Sirius leaned back in his chair, propping it up on two legs. His desk was an absolute mess. Papers and several miscellaneous items were scattered across the tabletop and the surrounding floor area.

Lily had always teased him about how messy he was but to Sirius, the clutter was an effective way to keep track of things. It was his organization system.

Whistling a random tune, Sirius pulled a pack of Every Flavored Beans out of his desk drawer. Also in the drawer were several packs of Licorice Wands and Sugar Quills. It was his secret stash of candy that he hidden from James, Peter, and Remus for years and Sirius was quite proud of his accumulated collection.

Sirius looked at the bean in his hand suspiciously. James had once offered him a cherry flavored bean in their second year and it had turned out to be blood flavored. Since then the young auror hadn't been too keen on the candy.

Sirius pulled a light green bean out of the box and tried to figure what flavor it could be. Lime, grass, or ugh, bogey flavor. Sirius grimaced but popped the candy into his mouth anyway. He always did like a challenge.

He sighed in relief and pulled out another bean of the same color. It had been lemon-lime and perfectly delicious. Sirius propped his feet up onto his desk and took a break.

It turned out to be a very short break because just at that moment Peter came by with a stack of papers, which he promptly dumped onto Sirius' desk.

Almost falling backwards out of his chair, Sirius picked up the first packet of sheets. "You have got to be kidding me Wormy. All of this?"

Peter nodded and with a smirk left the office leaving his distraught friend to his paperwork.

Sirius rubbed his eyes and put the candy away. It was time for him to actually work. 'When did Wormy gotten so damn evil? The little git knows this will take all day.' Sirius put in a call for a carryout dinner.

James spun Harry around in the air, watching his son laugh.

"Pongs! Harry screamed with delight, waving his arms in the air. James laughed and tossed Harry up to the ceiling resulting in another loud squeal.

Lily came into the room with wide eyes just as Harry fell back into his father's arms.

"Please don't do that James!" Lily panted with a hand over her chest. "I almost had a heart attack!"

James laughed and tossed Harry again. Lily shrieked and dove as James caught Harry. The three rolled to the floor laughing. Harry tottered away form the pile to play with his quaffle and James took the opportunity to kiss his wife.

Lily made herself lie back into her husband's arms and not worry about the roast in the oven. Turning her head, she smiled to see Harry asleep on the floor with his head on the quaffle and one hand grasping the black dog stuffed animal Sirius had given him.

James' hands encircled her waist and pulled her close to him. "You know you don't have to worry so much. The switch is done, Sirius is out of danger. Peter is a good friend. He cares for us and best of all, no one would suspect him." James murmured sounding sleepy.

Lily frowned. "Well yes, but do you remember what Dumbledore said about a spy in the Order?" James nodded, his brow furrowing.

"What if it were Peter?" Lily looked up at her husband.

James laughed. He couldn't help it the idea was so absurd. "Don't be thick love. Peter? A Death Eater? That's ridiculous."

Lily closed her eyes. "I suppose your right. That was silly of me."

Author's Note:

I am back from vacation and ready to update! Did you all miss me?

Wow, I though this story was longer but there are only two more chapters left. I'm not sure if I'll post the sequel yet because it's not finished and I've lost a lot of inspiration for it. I dunno, things change. Hope you liked the chapter and as always, please review.

Next Chapter: I hate to say it but…Voldie pays a visit to Godric's

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