Chapter 49: Lies

Remus sat on the edge of the bed for a moment before reaching for his shirt. Dorcas was sleeping with her back to him. Her brown hair lay in a messy heap on the pillow. Remus didn't know whether to smile or laugh. He settled for a chuckle.

He was deep in undercover work for Dumbledore. Since he was the only werewolf in the Order, the mission fit Remus perfectly. Werewolves had been promised better treatment if Voldemort gained control of the Ministry. Remus knew that was a bunch of bull though, so he'd set out to get as many werewolves as he could on Dumbledore's side. That wasn't an easy task to accomplish. He didn't want to put his friends in danger so he opted not to tell them; only Dorcas knew.

Suddenly he felt the bed shift and Dorcas was wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. Remus turned his head to the side so he could see her better.

"Do you have to sneak off?" Dorcas asked. "It's not like I don't know where you're going. A goodbye would be nice."

"Sorry," Remus sighed. "I just want to hurry up and get there and come back."

"I know, baby, and I'm so sorry," Dorcas told him as her hands ran up his back to his shoulders. "I wish you didn't have to go through that. I'd take the pain away if I could."

Remus smile faintly. "I know you would, love, but I'd never wish that kind of pain on you. Not in a million years."

"Someday, when this war is over, we're going to move out the country and forget about all of this, the war, these pure blood maniacs, and all of these horrible killings. We'll move out of here and get away from the people. James and Lily will come out to visit with their baby and Karen and Sirius will come out too. Peter would visit us the most out of all of them. We'd be a real family again."

"That sounds wonderful, Doe," Remus replied. "I've really got to go though."

"At least take a shower first," Dorcas told him.

"So how exactly are we going to trick everyone into thinking you're the Secret Keeper and not me?" Peter asked as they left the Potters' house. He was a bit surprised when Sirius approached him about being Secret Keeper, but he didn't mind doing it. In fact, he was quite honored. James always went to Sirius first, no matter what. So for Peter to be chosen for that job, he was indeed honored.

"Easy," Sirius replied. "You're going to write the down the address on a piece of paper in my hand writing. You were always the best at forging signatures, weren't you?"

"Yeah," Peter said. "I can forge yours no problem. Do you have a piece of paper and a quill?"

"Yeah, hang on," Sirius reached into his coat and pulled out a slip of paper. He handed it to Peter before reaching back into his coat. He pulled out a quill, his wand, and a tiny ink pot. Handing the quill to Peter, he enlarged the ink pot so it was back to its normal size. Peter dipped the quill into the ink and motioned for Sirius to bend down. After he did, Peter held the paper on Sirius' back before writing out Lily and James' address on the paper.

"There, done," Peter stated before handing the paper to Sirius.

"It looks perfect mate," Sirius informed him as he inspected it. "Come on, let's head over to Dorcas' place first."

Peter nodded before they Apparated. They landed in an alley next to the flat. They made their way up three flights of stairs before knocking on Dorcas' flat door. Their was some movement inside before it was all quite.

"Who is it?" Dorcas called through the door.

"Sirius Black, now let me in," Sirius answered impatient.

"Prove it."

Sirius rolled his eyes before transforming into a dog and scratching on the door. It immediately opened, and Sirius trotted in before transforming. Peter followed him.

Remus walked out of the bathroom his hair damp. "Padfoot? What are you doing here?"

Sirius didn't answer for a moment and Peter thought Sirius might tell Remus what some of his theories were on the traitor, but he just sighed before pulling out the scrap of paper with Lily and James' address on it and handing it to him. Remus looked at it for a moment before nodding and handing it to Dorcas.

"They really did it then?" Remus asked running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, they're safe now," Sirius answered taking the paper back from Dorcas. "We've got a few more stops to make so we'll leave you two to it."

Remus nodded. "Be careful."

Sirius nodded before turning and marching out the door. Peter also nodded before following him.

"Where are we going now?" Peter asked.

"To Dumbledore," Sirius answered. "Don't look him in the eye whatever you do. He'll know that we switched places.

Peter nodded and both of them Apparated into Hogsmeade. No one seemed to notice that they had Apparated in. Hogsmeade was not like either of the boys remembered it. There wasn't anyone out and about and there were no Hogwarts students there either. They headed up to the castle. Eventually they found McGonagall and she escorted them to the Headmaster's office, with a grim expression. Sirius knocked on the door, and when he heard a 'come in', opened it.

"Hello, sir," Sirius greeted him.

"Sirius," Dumbledore replied smiling slightly. "I wasn't expecting you or Peter, for that matter. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Lily and James did it, sir," Sirius told him. "I thought you would want to know."

"Why thank you, dear boy," Dumbledore said. "I assume you are the Secret Keeper?"

"Correct, of course," Sirius pulled out the piece of paper and slid it across the desk to the Headmaster. Dumbledore read it before nodding and handing it back to him.

"Do you still need that?" Dumbledore asked as he nodded to the note.

"Yeah," Sirius answered. "I need to show it to Karen before I burn it."

"Do it quickly," Dumbledore instructed him. "That paper does not need to fall into the wrong hands."

Sirius nodded. "Of course, sir, I will make sure it won't."

"Go quickly then."

Sirius nodded again and he and Peter were on their way.

"Do you think he believed us?" Peter asked as they entered Hogsmeade.

"I think so," Sirius sighed. "I've got to get home. I'll see you soon alright?"

Peter nodded. "I'll see you."

Sirius pushed the front door of the flat open and saw Karen standing in the kitchen. She was making a sandwich and listening to Twist and Shout by the Beatles. Sirius didn't know if he could lie to her.

"Hey, baby," Karen said when she saw him.

"Hey," Sirius replied as he slipped out of his coat. "Lily and James are safe. They did the charm."

Karen nodded. "Aren't you going to tell me their address so I can go and see them?"

"No, I wrote it down," Sirius lied, handing her the note. He hated this. If she ever found out, she'd kill him. "You don't know who could be listening."

"Right. Well, they're safe now, and that's all that matters."

A/N: Hey guys! This chapter took a little longer than I thought it would. I had it going in a completely different direction at first. Let me know what you think! Review!