"Oh, I feel so much better now that the re-warding is taken care of," Lily said to James the next morning. "Our home is protected with the blessings of Lammas, and so few know our whereabouts. I hate that Harry has to be so confined, but then I supposed he's young enough not to notice. Perhaps I should rather be worried about you!" Lily teased.

"I know, Lily-flower, it's a weight off my mind as well." James replied. He knew they were repeating the things they had said the night before after the wardmaster left, but it was just such a relief now that the wards were up. Little Harry was protected with the strength of Lammas-cast wards, and they were all safe.

"And you know you'll feel even better after tonight."

"Of course I will, James!" Lily retorted with hints of concern. "I know we love and trust our friends, but every little bit helps. I was so worried when Dumbledore told us we could be targeted due to the prophecy," she continued, clearly worried, "but now with the protections of Lammas, I feel a little more calm. And I'll feel even better when I know that should something happen to us, Harry will still be protected from that mad man!" she finished passionately.

"You're right, as always, Lily-flower," responded James with a calming smile.

"Naturally," said Lily, flouncing off to make breakfast.

They enjoyed their breakfast and had a quiet day playing with the baby, reading to him, relaxing and enjoying each others' company. Just before dinner Sirius arrived to see his precious godson. He got to hold him, and see him trying to smile. He had found some adorable plushies for Harry earlier that morning and was excited to see Harry's reaction to them. The grim, stag, wolf, and rat were presented with many laughs from James and Lily, and snuggled in next to Harry when he fell asleep after dinner. Harry was only a few days old, but already Sirius would do anything for him, which was why he was at the Potter's tonight. They would be performing a ritual, one that wasn't often done due to the extreme nature of the requirements for full protection. Lesser versions of this ritual were somewhat more common, but still not enacted regularly due to the imprecise nature of threats. They told no one, and decided it was better that way. It was a time of war, and the less people knew about the kind of protections little Harry had, the better.

Once they were finished eating and dusk began to fall, their fireplace flashed green, alerting them to the arrival of their last member. Griphook, their bonded Account Manager goblin, stepped crisply out from the flames, brushing off soot as he exited.

"Good evening," Griphook stated as he took in those present.

"May your gold ever grow, Griphook," responded James.

"And your enemies suffer, Lord Potter. As you have requested, this evening's events have been kept in the strictest confidence. No one knows I have come here tonight to perform a ritual for you," Griphook stated briskly.

"We thank you for your discretion," Lily replied. "James, Sirius and I are grateful you agreed to assist us in this matter."

"You are prepared?"

"Yes," the three wixen responded.

"You are aware of the requirements to enact the full blood protection?"

"Yes," they responded again.

"Then let us begin," said Griphook. They had determined the living room was the heart of this home and held the strongest concentration of magic. There, Griphook distributed twenty-one bundles of white heather and witch hazel to form a large ritual circle. Seven bundles were used for each protector participating in the ritual, and they represented the protection and magic being called on for the ritual.

Stepping inside the circle of herb bundles, he carefully drew runes using an antimony ritual wand to bolster the protection, leaving their shapes glowing white on the floor. At each of the cardinal points he drew an Algiz (ᛉ) rune for protection. Leaving space for the participants to stand, he drew a triangle inside that circle containing three runes: þurisaz merkstave (ᚦ) for danger and hatred, raidō merkstave (ᚱ) for crisis and death, and Algiz merkstave (ᛉ) for danger and warning. In the very center of the circle he drew sōwilō (ᛊ ᛋ) for success.

Once all the runes were drawn to Griphook's satisfaction, he began to pull polished stands of rock from magically enhanced pockets, and placed them on top of the completed runes. Over the algiz runes on the cardinal points he placed hematite for grounding to the North, zircon for amplification to the East, agate for stability, strength, and courage to the South, and Sapphire for truth and sincerity to the West. In the inner triangle he placed amethyst for protection and cleansing over þurisaz merkstave, petrified wood for security over raidō merkstave, and amazonite for power and balance over algiz merkstave.

He set four black candles for protection in front of the runes on the cardinal points and three gold candles representing Harry in a triangle opposite the rune triangle. He gestured to the Potters and Sirius to step up as he pulled 3 pieces of wood from his pockets, handing Juniper to James, Oak Heart to Lily, and Oak to Sirius. He picked up Harry from his crib in the corner, placing him in the center on the sōwilō rune. He gestured the adults to their locations; James taking South, Lily West, Sirius East, and Griphook taking North.

He burned cedar and white pine, both for protection, and using the white pine to bolster it with balance and peace. With the same ritual wand used to draw the runes, Griphook lit the black candles in front of each participant as they made their protectorate vow.

As the East candle was lit, Sirius spoke, "I, Sirius Orion Black, vow to protect my godson and blood-adopted son, Hadrian James Potter-Black. I offer this Oak as a symbol of my unwavering strength and endurance," Sirius set the wood down next to the candle and accepted the gold ritual knife from Griphook, making a small cut across his palm. "I offer my blood willingly in the service of my son, may it protect him from all harm caused by the Dark Lord Voldemort, Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

James began speaking as Sirius stopped and the black candle before him flared into life, "I, James Charlus Potter, vow to protect my son, Hadrian James Potter-Black. I offer this Juniper as a symbol of my unwavering protection and strength." Here James paused to place the wood by the candle, accepting the knife from Sirius and making a cut to his palm, "I offer my blood willingly in the service of my son, may it protect him from all harm caused by the Dark Lord Voldemort, Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

At this, Griphook lit the candle in front of Lily as she said, "I, Lillian Jayne Evans-Potter, vow to protect my son, Hadrian James Potter-Black. I offer this Oak Heart as a symbol of my unwavering protection and wisdom." She also set her wood down, and accepted the ritual knife from her husband, cutting her palm and continuing, "I offer my blood willingly in the service of my son, may it protect him from all harm caused by the Dark Lord Voldemort, Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

At this, Griphook lit the candle in front of himself, and accepted the ritual knife, now stained with the blood of all three. He stepped to the center of the circle, and made a tiny cut in Harry's palm, mixing his blood with the blood of all three protectors. Harry made no noise, but his eyes grew wide.

"With the blood of the protectors, may Magic bless you," Griphook stated. He then returned to his position and conjured a bowl of ashes out of thin air. "I ask Magic to bless these ashes of the juniper tree, may they provide strength and protection."

He stepped to Sirius and used the antimony ritual wand to direct the ashes to form sōwilō on Sirius's cut palm.

"I will protect my son," said Sirius as he conjured a red poppy out of his magic. "Accept this sacrifice of magic to his protection."

Magic began to press on the participants as Griphook stepped to James and the two repeated the procedure. By now Magic could be felt in the air, even by the most insensitive. He turned to Lily, tears running down her face as she also underwent the same process, her voice cracking, but her determination never wavering. Griphook returned to his place at the North as one by one, each of the others stepped forward in turn, pressing their cut hand to Harry's, further mixing their blood, and intoning, "I will protect you."

After Lily finished, barely able to see her place due to tears, Griphook stepped forward to Harry once more. With the ritual wand, he drew sōwilō on Harry's forehead as each of his three parents said once more, "I will protect you."

And then all three together, "We will protect you. So mote it be."

As they finished, they saw the ash runes in their palms and on Harry's forehead seem to melt into their skin and their cuts healed. They could all feel tingles as the protection settled into place.

Griphook waited a few moments for the magic to disperse before waving a hand to remove all the ritual pieces and return them to his pockets. Knowing they would all be out of sorts for a while, he inclined his head to the room, and rather than give the traditional goblin farewell, offered the wixen farewell as a show of respect for the sacrifices both already made, and coming in the future, "Blessed be," he said, and was gone.

The three participants looked at each other and baby Harry, now resting in his mother's arms, relishing the thought that he would be safe, well protected behind wards, and now protected even in the event of the worst. James, Lily, and Sirius couldn't bear to think of anything happening to their little Prongslet, and they would do everything in their power to see him safe.

And no one would ever know.

It was a dark and ominous night. Clouds chased across the sky, roiling and writhing in the thick pressure of the late summer heat, which was hanging on far past the time it had usually shifted into the cooler temperatures of fall. People hastily made their way to their homes, hoping to be inside before the heavens opened and the torrents descended.

Lurking deep in the shadows, unobserved by all, was a scrawny and bedraggled looking brown rat. It slid through the shadows, never meeting the light except in brief flashes when there was no cover to be had. It was slinking over, under, and through the trash cans, boxes, and general refuse of civilized society, beyond the borders of the softly flickering streetlights, that were unable to drive back the gloom of the encroaching and compressing dark.

Past all the houses and general stores and shops of the small hamlet, undistinguished by anything extraordinary, the rat merged with a particularly deep shadow. If one could have permeated the dark to see what occurred, they would have been shocked as the rat became a rather short, slightly fat little man, with a pinched face, reminiscent of the rat he had so recently been. He stepped out of the shadows hurriedly, and up to the door of a quaint little cottage, lit up like a beacon in the oppressive night.

He knocked thrice on the door, looking over his shoulder, and twisting his hands as he waited to be admitted into the home, and heaved a great sigh of relief when the door swung wide and light bathed the front stoop where he stood.

"Prongs!" the rat man said.

"Wormtail!" responded Prongs. "Come in before you get drenched! We've been waiting for you, all the rest are here."

A great, black dog bounded over and licked the short man, leaving slobber in his wake.

"Padfoot, you lout, get off of Peter!" said the man who opened the door.

The dog shifted, becoming a tall, lanky man, clearly wealthy, with long, wavy black hair and piercing silvery grey eyes.

"But, Prongsie, old boy," Padfoot replied with a grin, "Peter was looking a mite peaky, you know, I had to cheer him up. Marauder's honor and all that!"

A lovely young woman, curly red hair nearly to her waist stepped through the archway to the living room.

"James, my love, what's all this ruckus about?"

"Oh, Lily," said James with a loving look in his eyes, "Peter just arrived, and of course Sirius had to welcome him, my sweet," he finished with a fond look of exasperation towards the dog-turned-man. "Sirius, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Aw, Lils," pouted Sirius, his eyes playing for sympathy, "I just wanted to say hello."

"Well, you've said it, now let the poor man in!" said Lily, ushering the three into the room. "We've made Account Manager Griphook wait long enough," Lily directed to the short, pointy-eared creature waiting in her living room with a nod.

"We'd like to get started now," she said to Griphook with a smile. The goblin nodded in response and began ordering those present into place. They had already determined the living room was the heart of this home, and so they gathered there.

James he placed at the South point, Lily at the West. In a corner of the room, out of the way, their child, Harry, wrapped in his blanket, and sleeping like a cherub, ignorant of all that was occurring around him. Lily and James looked at him with love and devotion in their eyes, knowing they needed to do this to keep him safe.

One participant, unmentioned till now, though never unnoticed in his garrish robes, was Albus Dumbledore. Griphook chivvied him into place at North as he was the most powerful wizard present and would function as their ground and connection to Earth. Sirius was placed at East, and stepped into place without prompting.

Between these four wixen stood Peter Pettigrew, the man chosen to be gifted with the secret being hidden by the ritual. Long discussions occurred when they had first heard the prophecy, Sirius, Peter, or Remus? Perhaps even Dumbledore himself? But no, Dumbledore was too busy to be coming and going and providing the secret. Sirius would be expected, and therefore he would come under fire. Remus, though much loved by the family, was a werewolf, and while he had wizarding magic, his lycanthropy could interact poorly with the ritual and so he could not be used. Peter was unnoticed, unremarkable, and plain. No one would ever think poor little Peter worthy enough, magically gifted enough, strong enough to be honored with keeping the secret of their location. He was perfect. Sirius would act as a decoy, drawing attention away, and the secret would remain safe with Peter.

The goblin picked up the ritual ash wood wand, lit the end with a fire which did not consume the wood, and held the flame to a sprig of cedar. Once the cedar began smoking, he tucked the wand into a holster on his belt. He waved the now smoking cedar in a spiral motion, completing it with the closed infinity loop. As he waved the ritual cleansing herb, he chanted something too low for the participants to make out, not that it would have mattered as he chanted in Gobbledegook, and only one person present understood the language. But goblins were possessive of their heritage, and so he spoke quietly.

When his chant was complete, the cedar was gone and he drew the ash wand again. The golden wood looked different this time, greyish black, and almost flaking. He walked deasil around those gathered, beginning in the East, and making his way towards the South. At South, he paused, and drew the rune algiz (ᛉ) for protection, shielding, and defense. The ash wand left a greyish-black rune behind, part of the wand returning to the light color of the ash wood. Clearly the ashes of the cedar previously burned had joined with the wand temporarily and come off to form the drawn rune. He stated the purpose of the rune, and all those present echoed him, "Protection, Shielding, Defense."

He continued around the circle, pausing to draw kaunan (ᚲ) for knowledge in between West and North, and gebō (ᚷ) for sacrifice between North and East, completing the triangle and each at each pause, he stated the purpose of the rune and the participants echoed it.

He stepped away to retrieve 3 chunks of Walnut and placed them in opposition to the runes, creating another triangle with wood.

"I call to the Earth to imbue this wood. Let it bring us Clarity."

"Clarity," the participants responded.

"Let it bring us Focus."

"Focus."

"Let it bring clarity and focus together, I bid them join as one to power this protection. We ask you Mother Magic, imbue this wood, " the goblin intoned.

When Griphook drew the wand the third time, three flat, polished blue stones, about the size to fit in the palm, floated up and were directed toward Peter in the center of the circle. One went to each hand to hover directly over his upturned palms, and the last was pressed to the center of his forehead. The goblin walked deasil around the circle again, this time distributing a large chunk of zircon to the participant standing at each of the four cardinal points.

As he handed them to each person, he asked them, "Do you accept this Zircon to amplify the magic in aid of the Secret Keeper?" And each responded, "I do." Griphook then tapped the top of the stone, and it began to glow with an internal light. Magic began to swirl through the room, and the entire house. Unnoticed by all, bright green eyes opened and watched the path of the magic, touching and tasting the power being wielded in the house.

When all four cardinal points were complete, he moved to the center. "Do you accept the power from this circle into you?"

Peter responded in the affirmative, "I do."

"Do you accept the aid of the Azurite at your hands to build and aid your concentration?"

"I do."

Do you accept the aid of the Azurite at your head to build the secret in your memory?"

"I do."

James stepped forward, conjuring an apple blossom which he extended toward Peter as he stated, "I, James Charlus Potter, Head of House Potter and head of this house, do preference you, Peter Jacob Pettigrew, as my Secret Keeper. To take the secret of my property and location and hide it in your memory for my family's protection, I sacrifice my knowledge of this secret to make it your knowledge. The home of the Potter family is Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow, England." Magic imbued the words of the secret as he spoke.

"I, Peter Jacob Pettigrew, do accept your preference and secret. I will hide your knowledge amongst my own and protect it and you from harm."

The magic grew. And in the corner, those bright green eyes began to glow.

The goblin and the wixen participants began to chant as one, "Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

Magic spun faster, growing to encompass more and more of the house.

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

With each repetition, power grew, the swirl of magic expanded, and bright green eyes glowed brighter and brighter.

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

Their voices were becoming strained from the pressure of the magic growing and expanding around them.

"Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper."

With a final whisper, the magic exploded around them, the property glowed white. It slowly faded to black, all traces of the ritual removed, and the glow in those small, green eyes faded.

Peter stepped forward as the others looked around, confused by their surroundings, and stated in his quavering voice, "The home of the Potter Family is Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow, England."

Confusion drained away, and the participants smiled.

"It worked," breathed Lily.

"It worked," responded James, rushing to hug her, lifting her off the ground and spinning around in happiness. "Harry is safe now!" he said with a smile, as everyone looked over at the once-again-sleeping child.

"Thank you, Albus, for your assistance this evening," said James, inclining his head to the venerable old headmaster.

"It was no trouble, my dear boy," Albus said, his blue eyes twinkling.

"And thank you, Griphook, for helping with the protection of my family. May your gold ever grow, my friend." James said, nodding to the goblin who was packing his things.

"And your enemies suffer."

And with that the group said their goodbyes and returned to their homes for the night.

A man, who was not so much of a man but more a shadow of a man, sat on a chair, that was perhaps a throne, in an unknown location in the dead of the night. His stark red eyes gleamed with madness and obsession.

"I know my defeat is out there! Why can none of you be helpful and FIND HIM!" he screamed. Taking a deep breath, he began again in calmer tones, " Severus has been rewarded most handsomely for bringing me news of my possible demise. He has made his request, and it has been taken into consideration, has it not, Severus? Voldemort asked, his S's inching towards the sibilant hisses associated with Parseltongue.

His followers shivered at the hisses, clearly indicating the continued anger of their lord, and most not liking the direction his thoughts had taken of late. His grand ideals for the betterment of the wizarding world, the safety of children, and understanding for the traditions and respect of Magic, where had all of it gone? It seemed to have disappeared into the void of his obsession with a prophecy. And not even a complete one, just three small lines, a partial prophecy, overheard by a servant.

Severus nodded, "Of course, my lord."

As their lord readied his wand to curse a follower, any follower as they were all the same in his eyes, a door swung open at the back. A snivelling, rat faced man stepped in and hurried to his spot in the ranks.

"Wormtail, come forward," the red-eyed man ordered. "What news do you bring for Lord Voldemort, and let us hope it is enough to excuse your tardiness."

"My lord, I appolo-" Wormtail started to speak.

"News, Wormtail, I want not your apologies."

"Yes, my lord," Wormtail said with a bow. "I have done it my lord."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow.

"The Potters have made me their secret keeper, my lord."

A cackle was heard from a woman one row back. Long, curling, dark hair, and madness in her eyes proclaimed to all that this woman was Bellatrix LeStrange.

"Lies!" She shouted, cackling again. "Lies, my lord. Pettigrew would never be allowed to be the secret keeper!"

"Crucio," Voldemort spoke as if bored. Stopping the spell after mere seconds, "Remember your place, Bella," he said with a sneer.

"It's true, my lord," replied Wormtail. "We invoked the Fidelius just Monday. I had to wait a few days for them to lower the watch on me to attend this meeting so I could bring you this wonderful news."

"Crucio," Voldemort intoned. "Do not presume to know when you are and are not allowed to tell ME news, Wormtail, nor make claims to its significance. Lord Voldemort is merciful to not kill you for this delay, is he not, Wormtail?"

"Yes, my lord, yes, of course, my lord…" Wormtail nearly tripped over himself to respond.

"However, you are correct. This is good news. You will provide the secret of their location, and we will go after them. By Samhain. I have plans that must be made. Do not alert them to your betrayal, Wormtail, or it will be more than a few seconds of pain I will take from you. Do you understand, Wormtail?"

Wormtail nodded to his lord.

"Their location?" Voldemort questioned.

"The home of the Potter family is Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow, England."

"Very good, Wormtail. You will attend me on Samhain as we visit this location, just to ensure there are no...mishaps," Voldemort hissed.

"Y-yes, my lord. It would be an h-h-honor to attend you, m-my lord," Wormtail stuttered out.

"Very good. Lucius, Severus, stay. We have much to discuss. The rest of you are dismissed!" Voldemort snapped out, and his Death Eaters rushed to do his bidding, none wanting to remain in the spell range of his wand any longer than necessary.

Young Harry was a bouncing baby boy, toddling around the house, starting to lisp a few words, and generally getting into mischief. How could he not with all the Marauders around? Just after his birthday, little Harry could be found zooming around the living room and back garden on a small toy broom just his size. It was a gift from his Paddy, and he loved it. He loved it so much, he terrorized their poor cat, and Lily and James had to put away all the breakables when he really got going.

Of course he was also perfectly sweet. At nap time, he cuddled his four plush animals, and snuggled a soft blue blanket. His animals were a wolf, stag, grim, and rat, representing each of the four Marauders and his parents' dearest friends. The blanket was monogrammed with his initials, well, the ones everyone would expect. Only their account goblin, James, Lily, and Sirius knew that Sirius had blood-adopted Harry the day he was born, and thus now had 3 parents. The HJP was over a white lily blossom, to keep his mother close as well.

But today, all had gone well, and it was getting dark. Children were running through the streets, begging candy from all the neighbors. No one seemed to remember that the Potters' home used to stand here, or even that the Potters existed at all. So they sat in peace and comfort playing with their son, and enjoying the giggles of the trick-or-treating children floating through the air.

One man, however, was not pleased by the giggles. He sneered at the pumpkins, witches, skeletons, and ghosts. They made a mockery of what should have been a solemn time for the magical community. Any who met his eyes shivered, instinctively knowing he was not to be crossed. One small child said his costume was swell, and nearly tripped running away at the glare he received. The demon red eyes nearly burnt. But no, there was no need for the silly little child to die this night. Lord Voldemort had better prey to hunt.

Wormtail was behind him as always, wringing his hands and nearly disappearing into the gloom of the night. Severus and Lucius were nearby as well, ensuring the little sneak didn't try to get away. Not that Lord Voldemort expected anything to go wrong. No. He was certain the information was good, a brief look through his servant's mind had assured him of that. No. It was just concerning that something so small could be his undoing and he wanted no chance anything would go wrong. He would end the threat to him and his goals before it could become a problem.

The small group, which couldn't immediately be identified as a group, made haste to the location Wormtail had provided. The curtains were open, letting them see in. See in to the homey little scene of a father conjuring colored smoke and bubbles to entertain his small son. The boy's high laugh could just be heard over the sound of running feet, giggles, and children whining to their parents about eating their candy. James tossed his wand to the side as he swept up his son, and spun him around before handing him off to Lily. While the Potters thought themselves safe, they were relaxed, unknowing their fate was just outside the door.

"Stay here," Voldemort ordered his lieutenants, "and keep watch." His eyes slid over to the hunched, rat faced man.

Nods from all three and he was gone through the gate and up the path to the door. He raised his wand and blew it off the hinges, shattering the pleasant scene instantly.

"Run!" screamed James. "Take Harry and go! I'll hold him off."

Lily already had Harry in her arms and she ran for the stairs.

"Pathetic." Voldemort commented, as though remarking on the weather. "You don't even have your wand."

James held his ground, silently trying to silently accio his wand to his hand. But it was all for naught.

"Avada Kedavra" Voldemort spat. A flash of green light and James dropped to the ground, dead where he stood.

Voldemort made his way slowly up the stairs. Scuffing and shuffling sounds met his ears. Clearly the red head was attempting to barricade herself in.

Voldemort waved his wand, vanishing the door, and flicking the furniture aside with ease.

Lily had clearly just set Harry down in his crib, for she spun around, her wand held at the ready, desperation clear on her face.

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" Lily begged, knowing James was already gone.

"Stand aside, you silly girl… stand aside, now!"

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead-"

Voldemort raised his wand.

Not Harry! Please...have mercy...have mercy…" tears dripped from her eyes as she recognized her fate. She screamed at the futility of it all. Her eyes flashed with acceptance, with the knowledge that she and her husband were the final sacrifice required to fully enact the blood protection their ritual started nearly a year ago.

"Avada Kedavra."

A second flash of green light and she was gone, dropping like a puppet with cut strings.

Harry was crying, sniffling, wanting his mama to pop up like the game they always played. But she wasn't moving.

Voldemort stared at the thing, this child who was said to be his downfall. He paused for a long moment, staring into those vivid viridian irises.

"Avada Kedavra."

And the whole world imploded.

Custodi Secretum Fidelius Semper = (Latin) Guard the secret faithfully, always.