Ticks In Time
Following the departure of their time traveller, for the people still in the past, time seemed to like be like drops of water falling from a leaky faucet. Slow to form but quick to fall, just when they thought they had plenty of time, the events were quick to catch up with them though they were hardly aware of the time between them.
-TIT-
Albus sat at his desk, doing some end-of-year paperwork when there was a knock at the door. "Enter." Professor Cosmos walked in. He was a bald, medium height man and he was carrying his case and two travelling bags. Albus smiled, "Ah Forsythe, come in old friend."
"Hello Albus," Cosmos greeted genially. "I've come to a decision on my retirement. I'm going to take it."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. What's more I have a suggestion for my replacement. I'm friends with the Trelawneys – you know the Seer Cassandra Trelawney don't you? – anyway her great-great granddaughter Sybil apparently has the gift and the poor dear is rather hard up at the moment. Perhaps she can take my place…"
"All I can guarantee is an interview," Dumbledore replied evenly.
-TIT-
Dumbledore stood by the door as Sybil made her prediction. Halfway through he was startled by a rustling outside and opened it to see Severus Snape being held by the scruff courtesy of Aberforth. "I – I – I'm so sor – sorry, I had just come the wrong way up the stairs… I didn't mean to intrude I…"
"Goat dung! You was eavesdropping you little sneak!" Aberforth spat.
Albus scrutinized the young man and said slowly, "Severus?" But Snape did not wait to listen. He wrenched himself out of Aberforth's grasp, took off to the stairs and bounded out of sight.
"Headmaster?" Sybil asked in normal tones, back to being herself.
The professor sighed and turned back to his interviewee, "My apologies for the interruption Sybil. Nevertheless I am very impressed with your abilities, you're hired."
-TIT-
"What request could a Death Eater make of me?"
"The – the prophecy… the prediction… Trelawney…"
"Ah, yes. How much did you relay to Lord Voldemort?"
"Everything – everything I heard! That is why – it is for that reason – he thinks it means Lily Evans! Hide them all. Keep her – them – safe. Please."
"And what will you give me in return, Severus?"
"In – in return? Anything."
-TIT-
"Lily, James," Dumbledore said gravely as the pair sat before him in his office. "I have been informed that Voldemort is now targeting you personally, I think it is in your best interest and Harry's that you go into hiding immediately. I've tasked Filius here with performing the Fidelius Charm that would ensure the greatest amount of protection."
Professor Flitwick cleared his throat, "For this, you'll need someone on the outside to be your Secret-Keeper. Choose wisely, this will be the only person who can speak of your whereabouts and tell others where to find you."
"Sirius will be our Secret Keeper," James looked at his wife who nodded.
"Yes," Lily agreed. "I want Sirius to be our Secret Keeper."
"Are you certain?" Dumbledore asked. "I myself would be more than happy to -"
"No thank you Professor." James shook his head and replied earnestly, "We appreciate the offer but Sirius is like a brother to me. I know he would rather die than betray us."
-TIT-
Sirius, Lily, James, and Peter sat in the mainly dark sitting room. The only light came from the low burning fire where they were grouped in a circle. James looked at the rat closely, "What we're about to talk about, you cannot repeat to anyone not even Remus got it?"
"Yes James," Pettigrew nodded.
Sirius sat directly across from Peter and leant forward to brace his elbows on his knees. "Listen Peter, we have to be creative if we want to get ahead Voldemort."
"What do you mean?" Pettigrew already looked scared.
"What I mean is that the Death Eaters are sure to come after me. They know I'm James's best friend and most likely candidate for being his Secret-Keeper so we're going to bluff them, fool them. Make them look one way so they won't look the other. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I think so but how?"
"Peter," Sirius looked his directly in the eye. "You're going to take my place as Secret-Keeper."
A/N: Dun dun dunnnnnn, now if I was well and truly evil I would leave you on this monumental cliff-hanger for a couple of days just to sweat it out but alas there is still some mercy in this soul. Even I would be ready to pitch a fit if a story left off like this. Don't forget to keep on reviewing, ENJOY! R&R PLZ! DISCLAIMER: EVERYTHING IN THIS CHAPTER IN ITALICS BELONG TO J.K. ROWLING!