Chapter 31: Fidelius Charm

Kelria arrived at the base with the rest of the rescuers and ex-prisoners. No one noticed immediately that Khyana was missing, in light of another bit of news that met them upon arrival.

"Lily!"

James hurried to his wife, who was sitting on a chair, holding eleven-month-old Harry on her lap.

She stood slowly, making sure she didn't wake her sleeping son, to meet James with a grim look on her face. She said something to him very quietly, and he looked very worried.

"What's up, Prongs?" Sirius asked, noting the nervousness on both faces.

"Voldemort's looking for us," James said quietly.

Sirius smiled. "Well yeah, James. Hell, he's looking for all of us! What did you expect? You are in the Order, you know."

"No, Sirius," James cried angrily, exasperated. "He's targeted us. Something to do with a…prophecy?"

Dumbledore looked sharper at that word. "Where'd you hear this?" he demanded.

Lily reached into her pocket, careful not to move Harry too much, and pulled a piece of parchment from her pocket.

"This was sitting on our front porch tonight," she replied, offering it to the Headmaster. "The doorbell rang, and I answered it, but no one was there; just this piece of parchment."

Dumbledore opened the parchment, and the others went and read it over his shoulder.

Lily and James Potter,

Beware a traitor among your friends. Voldemort has heard the prophecy and is coming for you.

Alice Longbottom burst into the room just then, eyes ablaze, clutching her baby very close to herself.

"Frank!"

Frank hurried to her side, very worried by the look on her face.

"Alice, what's wrong?"

Alice couldn't speak, but pulled a piece of parchment from her robes. Frank opened and read it, then looked at Dumbledore.

"It's the same message," he informed him, casting a glance at Lily and James.

Dumbledore closed his eyes sadly and sighed. "I suppose you all have a right to know the whole truth now."

Kelria and Remus exchanged a look. What was the Headmaster talking about?

"Several weeks ago, I was conducting a job interview with Sybill Trelawney. Just as I was about to tell her that I would be in touch--I, of course had no desire to do any such thing, considering the art of divination a fraudulent and petty practise and believing her to embody the word "fraud"--when her mannerisms suddenly changed. She was no longer the whispy, frail woman who had entered the room. Her voice became deep and hoarse. She gave me this prophecy:

"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 hand 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…"

No one said anything as Dumbledore's voice echoed in the silence.

"What does it mean?" Alice whispered nervously.

"It means that you and your sons are in very grave danger," Dumbledore replied seriously. "You must go into hiding. The Fidelius Charm is your only hope now."

James and Lily exchanged looks. "You mean, we're going to have to stay in our house forever?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "Hopefully not forever, James. Just until he stops hunting you."

"Which will be never," James sighed.

Dumbledore gave him an encouraging smile. "You'll still be able to see everyone, and have visitors. You just won't be able to leave."

James let loose an angry sigh. "That's what bothers me. Our house is too small to be cooped up in it for long."

"I'm sorry, James, but I'd rather have you angry with me than dead," Dumbledore replied. "You will both need to choose a Secret Keeper, someone you trust absolutely, and-"

"Padfoot," James said, without hesitation.

Sirius looked surprised. "Are you sure, James?"

"Absolutely," James replied, looking surprised. "Who else can I trust completely?"

Sirius gave him a small smile. "Alright then, Prongs. Whatever you want."

"Frank?" Dumbledore looked expectantly at the other couple.

Frank and Alice exchanged looks, then Frank replied, "Harvey."

Harvey looked as surprised as Sirius had, but also nodded his agreement. "Okay, if that's what you want."

Kelria was also surprised by Frank's choice. She hadn't realised the two were such good friends.

"Very well. If the six of you would please come with me," Dumbledore said, indicating the two couples and two Secret Keepers, "I will perform the spell at the houses. It will need to be done immediately."

The seven of them (plus two babies) Apparated away together, leaving Kelria and Remus alone.

"I guess it's just the two of us now, Kel," Remus sighed. "I feel so bad for the Longbottoms and Potters. James is going to go insane."

Kelria nodded absently; a thought had just struck her. "Hang on…"

"What?"

"It's just the two of us…where's Khyana?"

All colour drained from Remus' face as he realised that Kelria was right: Khyana was not with them.

"I have no idea. She didn't come back with us, did she?"

Kelria shook her head. "No. I'm worried about her, Remus."

Remus nodded. "It's okay, I'm sure she's just at her house. We can go over and check on her, if you like."

Kelria nodded. "I would like that," she agreed.

The two spun on the spot together, Apparating to Khyana's front porch.

"There's a light on," Remus said hopefully. "I'll go look in the window."

Kelria was left alone on the front porch as Remus went to check the living room window to see what Khyana was doing.

He returned shortly, a smile on his face. "She's asleep," he reported, whispering as if Khyana would wake if he spoke too loudly.

Kelria's heart slowed down a little in her relief.

"You need some sleep too, Kel. When was the last time you got a proper night's sleep?" Remus demanded.

Kelria shrugged. "Before I was taken to Malfoy Manor, that's for sure."

"Well then, tonight you will have a proper sleep, if I have to drug you to make sure of it," Remus said firmly, placing his hands on Kelria's shoulders and leading her away from her friend's house.

A/N: Okay, I know it's a little short, but it's a transition chapter. I hope to finish this one within a few chapters...I have the prologue and chapter one of the next story done...so I'll put that up when I'm done with this one. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this, R&R please!