Secret Keeper

Chapter One:

October 24, 1981

"Voldemort? After you? Why?" Sirius' voice sounded unnaturally sharp as he gazed across the table at his best friend. "Why would he be after you?"

James sighed. "Some prophecy, I think. Something about someone having the power to defeat the Dark Lord being born as July dies..."

"So? What are you two going to do? It'll be quite hard to hide from him, especially with Harry with you." Sirius glanced anxiously at his young godson, who was sitting serenely in his mother's lap, unaware of the tense conversation between the three adults in the room.

This time, Lily replied. "Dumbledore says it's best if we use the Fidelius Charm. Ever heard of it, Sirius?"

Sirius seemed to ponder his answer. "Hmm... vaguely, I think. I remember something about concealing a secret inside a soul, something like that." He peered at Lily and James anxiously. "How are you going to use that to help you?"

"Dumbledore wants us to go into hiding," Lily explained calmly. "He suggested that we use the Fidelius Charm in order to prevent Voldemort from finding us. If we choose a Secret-Keeper, and conceal the secret of our location inside him, then Voldemort will never be able to find us-"

"Unless the Secret-Keeper tells him," James interjected. "Which is why it has to be someone we trust."

"I'll do it then!" Sirius volunteered automatically.

James and Lily glanced at each other.

"Sirius, we were advised specifically not to choose you," Lily said rather tersely.

"And why is that?" said Sirius sharply. "You know I'd never-"

"It's not that," James amended quickly. "It's just that, well, you're too obvious, you know? If word gets out that we used the Fidelius Charm, the first person they'll come looking for is you, and-"

"And what makes you think I'd tell them if they found me?" Sirius' eyes had begun to narrow dangerously.

"Will you let me finish?" James said hotly. "The point is, making you Secret-Keeper will put your life in danger, and if Voldemort develops a certain fondness for Veritaserum, well, there's not much you can do."

"Well, what other alternatives are there?" Sirius asked evenly.

"Dumbledore himself offered to do it for us," said Lily, "but I don't like that idea much myself. I wouldn't like for us to be a burden to him, we all know how busy he is."

"Yes, yes," Sirius agreed. He appeared to be deep in thought. Suddenly, his eyes seemed to light up. "I know! You can perform the Fidelius Charm with Peter as your Secret-Keeper! It's perfect! Then Voldemort will try to find me, you see, he would never guess that it was Peter, and even if he does use Veritaserum, he won't be able to get anything useful out of me!"

James thought about that idea. It didn't sound too bad. He was about to voice his agreement on the subject, when-

"Sirius, I don't think that's a good idea," Lily said darkly. "Dumbledore's sure that someone close to us is being a spy. We have absolutely no idea who it is, we can't trust anyone, except probably you."

"You mean to say you think Peter's a Death Eater?" James yelped incredulously. "That's ridiculous!"

"Well, it's certainly got to be somebody, and Lily's right, we can't take chances," Sirius cautioned the couple. "I dunno about Peter though, I think I'd put my money on Remus."

Lily frowned. "I really don't think-" but she was interrupted by James.

"We are not here to argue over who is and isn't a Death Eater," he said smoothly. "The question now is, what do we do?"

"I don't really see many options for you two," said Sirius, "except for letting me be your Secret-Keeper. I know, I know," he added hastily, seeing the look on Lily's face, "but there doesn't seem to be any other way out, is there? No one to trust nowadays."

Lily gave this some thought. He was right, there was no other way, but she couldn't bring herself to willingly put someone in this much danger, especially her husband's best friend. James seemed to be thinking the same thing. The two of them exchanged glances, both looking apprehensive. Was this really a good idea?

James spoke first. "Okay, mate, seeing as there's really no other way to go... We'll inform Dumbledore of our decision tomorrow." He squeezed Lily's hand as he spoke.

Sirius looked at the two of them. Both of their faces were so pale, so etched with worry. He tried to smile light-heartedly. "Yeah, no problem then. We'll perform the charm tomorrow, once Dumbledore agrees."

Lily pursed her lips. "I can't see him being too happy about this, but he - he'll understand." Sirius and James nodded.

"And Sirius?"

"Yes, Lily?"

"Thank you. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this for us. Thank you so much-"

"No need, Lily, it's okay," Sirius interjected smoothly. "Anything for the two of you."

Lily looked teary-eyed. James hesitated for a moment, and then walked over to where his best friend was standing. He pulled him into a bear hug.

"Thanks, Sirius," he whispered fiercely. "Thanks for everything..."