A/N: This is going really fast! I think after this one, I'll start doing updates no sooner than weekly. That way, It will give me time to write more and hopefully get ahead, and it will give you all some more time to review! I've never had this problem before. I'm really enjoying this! And for those of you who have read my other story Believe, my excuse for having two lightning like magical events is that, well, it creates a spectacle in the mind. And I'm a big fan of spectacles; and intense scenes. Lightning helps me to create that in a sense. So anyway, enjoy! (One more thing, I got my permit a few days ago! That was really exciting. I'm still scared of driving on the road, but I should be getting better here in the next few weeks.)

Disclaimer: I don't even fully own this prompt, it was given to me by author fredneverdied. How on earth do you think I could own the Harry Potter series? That's just absurd.

Dumbledore was alerted the next morning, and by early afternoon, he had arrived to make arrangements. He had sat the Potters down and he had them make a list of who should be included in the 'house list,' which was basically a list of people they would want Sirius to tell the location of their house.

After that was done, Dumbledore began casting the spells and wards around their house that would be necessary for the Fidilus charm to work. They added extra protection. Lily had been following him around for most of the day, watching and learning from his every move. He would begin casting the charm itself later that day, and then Sirius would arrive by nightfall for the final step. When James asked why Lily just couldn't do it herself, she replied that she could have done it; she just wanted more experienced hands to make sure that everything went smoothly and that there were no chinks in the spell. It was an incredibly complicated charm, and she had never cast one before, where as Dumbledore had.

While Lily was working with the headmaster, James (who wasn't the best at charms and wards) had Harry for the day. Father and son took advantage of their last day of freedom and spent the day in Diagon Alley. James took Harry to his favorite shop, Quality Quidditch Supplies and showed him the model of the broom that he most wanted. Harry cooed over this, which made James very happy. After spending a large chunk of their day there, the two moved on to an Ice-Cream shop just across the street and James got a large mint ice cream cone and gave small bits of the cold treat to Harry, who enjoyed that tremendously.

They returned home at around six to help complete the final preparations of the ward before Sirius arrived. They each needed to give a blood sample to ensure that the protection was specific to them. James and Lily cut their hands and wiped it on their wands, as well as Dumbledore's, and immediately closed their wounds. Harry on the other hand was a little less than willing to let them prick his finger for some blood. In the end, they ended up having to secure Harry in his highchair and James had to prick his finger with a needle because Lily couldn't stomach Harry's cries. Harry didn't like sharp things.

When the blood was given and Dumbledore put it into the wards, they heard the bell for the floo network ringing in the Potters living room they all rushed in from the kitchen, with Lily carrying Harry, his tearstained cheeks and red eyes evidence of what had just occurred, although James had sealed the skin on Harry's finger, he still wasn't happy with either of his parents.

Grinning, a soot covered Sirius stepped through the fireplace and into the Potters living room just as they arrived. He took out his wand and pointed it at himself. "Isedo," he said, then embraced James.

"Not so tired tonight, are we," he said jokingly. James laughed.

"No, Sirius, not at all."

. . .

Everyone stood outside. The ritual for the secret keeper was just about to start. James and Sirius were standing in the center of a circle Dumbledore had drawn in the grass, each grasping the others right forearm tightly. Lily was standing just inside as well, holding Harry, who had calmed down since the needle incident. Dumbledore was standing just outside of the circle, arm out stretched, pointing his wand at the two men, who's expressions were grim. The atmosphere was tense and so thick you could slice it with a knife. Dumbledore was murmuring spells under his breath, moving his wand in small, circular motions. After about a minute of this, he looked up from his trance. His eyes fell on Sirius.

"Sirius," he said. "It's not too late to back out. The path ahead is a dangerous one. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

Sirius nodded. "I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life."

Dumbledore nodded briskly. "Very well then," he said.

Dumbledore thrust his wand up to the sky and all of a sudden, the once bright skies grew dark as great clouds covered the setting sun. Lightning struck around them, but never seemed to burn anything. A bright flash of lightning emitted itself from Dumbledore's wand and shot up towards the heavens. Suddenly, the entire property was encased in a brilliant bright, white bubble. The wind had picked up and was whipping everyone's hair about. Dumbledore pointed his wand at the two men and all at once the lightning enwrapped their grasping hands and forearms. It was a strange sensation, and although it didn't hurt, it was quite electrifying. The light turned from a blinding white to a bright blue. They could all hear it around them- great cracks and fizzes that so numerous that it was almost deafening, and it was growing louder. In order to be heard over the rising storm, Dumbledore had to shout to be heard.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" Dumbledore shouted. "Do you solemnly swear to keep the Potters location hidden from enemies, and to fulfill your duty as Secret Keeper to the best of your abilities?"

Sirius nodded, his black hair obscuring his face. His eyebrows were knitted together and he was concentrating, on what, he wasn't sure. Dumbledore had told him what to say once the spell had started. "I do so solemnly swear."

"And do you," Dumbledore shouted again, "solemnly swear to only speak the location of the Potters only when absolutely necessary?"

"I do solemnly swear."

"To protect them with your discretion?"

"I will."

"And to use that same mode of secrecy as to who you are, and to keep your identity as Secret Keeper to the Potter's hidden from their enemies?"

"Yes."

"James and Lily Potter," Dumbledore addressed them now. "Do you trust this man, Sirius Black?" They both nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes," James said first. Sirius smiled at his best friend's quickness to answer. Even though he knew it was dangerous, he was glad that they were putting their faith in him.

"We do," Lily said.

"And are you willing to put yours and your son's protection in his hands?"

"Yes," James said. Lily nodded.

"Of course."

"Very well," Dumbledore said, more to himself than to anyone else. Then, he moved his wand up towards the sky again. The light all around them turned a bright blue, and if possible, intensified. Not moving his wand, Dumbledore looked to Lily and Harry.

"Quickly! Touch Sirius's hand! You both must be touching him for the spell to hold! Quickly!"

Lily did as she was told. She moved closer to her husband and Sirius and grasped the outside of his hand and placed Harry's small fist on his wrist. Dumbledore moved his wand back to the group, moving the lightning along with it.

This was the moment, Albus thought. It was now or never. We shall truly see whether or not he means what he swore. Dumbledore hadn't warned them about this part, but it was essential to keep them in the dark if he was to gain an accurate measure of Sirius's truthfulness. He didn't doubt the young man, but he knew that the darkest of traitors could lie in the friendliest of faces. He had to be sure, and after all, it was a part of the spell.

"Brace yourself Sirius!" he shouted the warning just in time, for no sooner had Sirius tensed, then his face contorted into a look of pain as he was frozen, rigid on the spot. The spell was searching through the very fibers of his being, looking for any ounce of treachery, and it was painful; an agonizing burning sensation to be torn apart like that.

As soon as James saw the look on Sirius's face and felt his hand squeeze tighter around his arm, his face depicted an expression of utter panic. He rounded on Dumbledore.

"What's wrong with him!" he shouted to be heard over the roaring winds and the thunder. "What are you doing to him?"

However, no sooner had he said that than there was an almighty CLASH! of thunder and the lightning and winds vanished so quickly one would've never guessed there had been a thunderstorm a moment before. The light surrounding the property was gone and Sirius's face relaxed and he became limp. The only thing keeping him from falling to the ground was James's hold on his arm. James looked terrified as did Lily, but Sirius just opened his eyes and looked around.

"What was that?" he asked. "What just happened?"

James looked astonished. "You don't remember?" Sirius shook his head.

"No, you idiot, I mean where did the lightning and the thunder go? Is the spell over?"

James had completely forgotten about the spell. He turned to Dumbledore.

"Did it work?" he asked. Dumbledore shrugged then looked around.

"As I can no longer see the house, I assume that it did. Although, there is only one way to tell for certain. Sirius, can you stand on your own?" Sirius nodded and stood up. "Now, would you mind telling me the location of the Potter house?" Sirius nodded again.

"Sure I can. It's Number 722, Godric's Hallow."

Dumbledore turned around and to his joy, he saw the house looming several meters away. He turned back to the others.

"It worked," he exclaimed, his eyes having regained their light. James and Sirius let out a yell of joy, and Lily just smiled. Harry quite confused as to what was going on, and for the moment was just content sucking on his fingers.

"You hear that, Padfoot? It worked!" James whooped happily.

"I heard it just fine, Prongs," Sirius replied, equally joyful.

Dumbledore's expression suddenly got very serious. "Now in order for this to truly work, James and Lily, you must stay inside the property. Sirius's protection will only work if you stay here, in hiding." James and Lily both nodded. Dumbledore looked at them sternly, like they were students again and had just been caught doing something wrong. "Now I mean that. Don't do anything rash. Sirius is doing something potentially very dangerous to help you two, and leaving here will make his sacrifices worth very little. And Sirius," he turned to the other man. "I expect you to keep yourself out of trouble as well. No more running around, jeopardizing yourself and them by making yourself more known to Voldemort than you already are. Stay on the down low." Sirius, James and Lily all nodded.

"Don't worry, Headmaster," James said, slipping back into his schoolboy frame of mind. "We'll stay out of trouble. You can count on that."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Alright. I believe you. And you don't have to call me Headmaster anymore James, we are equals now." James, realizing his mistake, got very red with embarrassment, and he thanked Merlin that it was too dark out for his friends and his wife to see it.

"Sorry, Dumbledore," he said. Dumbledore smiled.

"Don't worry about it, James," he said. Then he turned back to the house. "I can only hope this will be enough protection. But in the end, your safety relies on you and you alone. Don't forget that."

Sirius nodded, than stretched and yawned, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. When he relaxed, he said, "I believe I have a list to complete tonight and then I'm ready to hit the hay. Where is it?"

It took James a moment to remember what Sirius was talking about, but then he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out the list of people who they wanted to know where they were. He handed it to Sirius. "Make sure to burn this when you're done," he said. "I don't want any of those people in danger."

Sirius nodded, then looked at the list and chuckled. "It looks like I can already cross Dumbledore off of this, seeing as how I just told him." He folded the list and put it in his pocket. "I guess I'll be off then," he said. "I'll check in tomorrow. Be safe." And with that, he disapperated.

Lily shook her head. "I'll have to fix that soon. We don't want anyone to be able to apperate on this property. I'll just have to put it on my long list of things to do." She walked over and kissed James. "I'm going to bed. See you in there?" He nodded. She turned to Dumbledore. "Goodnight Dumbledore, and thank you for your help with this. You don't know how much we appreciate it." Dumbledore just smiled.

"And you too, Lily. I shall be back again in a few weeks to check up on things." Harry made a gurgling noise and stretched out his arms. Dumbledore smiled at the baby. "Goodnight to you as well, young Harry." Harry just smiled goofily and blew bubbles causing Dumbledore to laugh. Then he turned to James as Lily made her way into the house.

"Remember what I told you. Don't do anything rash," he said. James nodded.

"Don't worry," he said. "I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my family's safety. Their lives mean the world to me." Dumbledore sighed.

"I know," he said. "It's just that sometimes, you can be a bit, well… impatient. This is going to take a long time to get better, and I know how restless you get when you can't do anything to help. I will try to keep you as filled in as I can, but you mustn't leave your home. I will spread a false story obtaining to your whereabouts, and while I don't expect Voldemort to believe it, it may keep others from looking for you. I will give you the details of this the next time I see you. In the meantime, please control your desire to be involved. We can handle things."

James, while a bit offended by Dumbledore's words saw the truth in them. So he just accepted the criticism by nodding again.

"Of course, Dumbledore. You're right. I will control myself."

Dumbledore felt relieved. "You should probably go inside and see your wife. I don't want her to worry."

James just chuckled. "Lily? Worry? About me? Impossible," he joked. "But if it's all the same, I think I will. It's been a long day, and I'm tired. Goodnight, Albus." And with that, he went inside.

Dumbledore's eyes grew tired as he apperated back to Hogwarts. It had indeed been a long day, but he had a feeling that the Potters days were about to grow to the longest and most frustrating they had ever been. He was right in saying that James didn't want to be stuck not knowing, but they would just have to live with it for the time being. Dumbledore smiled softly to himself, and took comfort in knowing that at least they were in safe hands. Sirius Black was a kind and loyal friend, a great man, and more importantly, not a traitor. Dumbledore and the Potters could find solace in that.

A/N: And there we go. I write best at night, which is why these things get posted so late. I hope you enjoy. Things are about to escalate from here.

Wish me luck tomorrow. Alpaca shearing... I have a feeling it is not going to be a good day. Reviews would make it better!