Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all recognizable characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling

Prologue-When Everything Fell to Pieces

Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts- July 19, 1981

"I don't understand," Lily Potter whispered, staring at the old wizard sitting across from her. She was a pretty woman, in her early twenties, and normally the the soft red-velvet couch trimmed with gold on which she sat was comfortable and relaxing, but at the moment, it felt rough against her now sweaty skin. Next to her sat a dark haired man-her husband- with their one-year old daughter in his lap. In contrast to his normally mellow behavior, his back was rigid and he had a firm grip on his baby girl.

"A prophecy," repeated the old man, "Has been made regarding the fate of the wizarding world and the war-"

"Yes," snapped the black haired man, hazel eyes flashing behind horn-rimmed glasses, "We understand that. What we don't understand is what this has to do with us, Dumbledore."

"It has everything to do with you, James," Dumbledore replied calmly, meeting James's heated gaze with his cool blue-eyes."Or, to be more precise, your daughter."

"You can't possibly be suggesting," said another man, this time with sandy brown hair and golden eyes, who was standing tensely next to the couch on which the couple sat, "that a one year old baby girl is going to defeat one of the darkest and most powerful wizards we've ever seen?"

"I do not pretend, Remus," said Dumbledore, "to fully understand how it will happen, but I do know that it will."

"Perhaps," said a fourth man with aristocratic features, leaning against one of the walls of the round room filled with various trinkets of unknown functions, it would help us if we heard the prophecy."

Professor Albus Dumbledore calmly regarded the five people (four adults and one baby) in front of him. The day before had started out normally enough. He had gone to an interview for the new position for a Divination teacher at the school, and had determined the woman to be a fraud, when she made a very real, very important prophecy. As soon as he had figured out whom the prophecy had been referring, he had called these five to his office. He had also summoned for sixth, Peter Pettigrew, who was unable to make it due to his sick mother.

Now, they were in his office at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The room was round and, while it was cluttered, it was not messy. Different magical objects were located on the shelves of the room. Some had been gifts, others were things that the old wizard had found on his different travels. Even others were things Dumbledore himself had made.

This was not, of course, the first time the adults had been in this room. James, Sirius, and Remus had spent many hours being lectured by Dumbledore for their many (and often ingenious) pranks. Lily's time spent here was usually due to her unparalleled intelligence and motivation as a student.

"The prophecy reads as follows," Dumbledore began. He paused, taking a moment to ensure that he had the words correctly in his mind. ""The one with the power to vanquish the the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark them as his equal, but they 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..."

He was cut off by a small voice coming from James' lap. Apparently, baby Harriet had grown bored of the proceedings and wanted the attention back on her.

"Dubble-door!" She gurgled, reaching out towards the elderly wizard. "Dubble-door! Up! Up!"

Understanding what she wanted, Dumbledore chuckled as he picked up the eager toddler from her father's lap. Giggling happily, she snuggled into his deep-blue robes before seizing one of his hands to examine his sparkly rings. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he gazed upon the little girl, before looking back up at the adults.

"How can you be sure that the prophecy is referring to Harriet?" demanded James, "Neville was born only one day before Harriet, and his parents have also gone up against Voldemort three times, as well!"

"I've already alerted the Longbottoms as to the situation," Dumbledore said, "and they have begun to take the proper precautions and are going into hiding."

Silence rang across the room. The only sound was that of Fawkes, Dumbledore's magnificent phoenix, as he chose that moment to burst into flames. The wizards in the room jumped slightly, but the tension of the room was not gone. Even baby Harriet seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation, for her eyes watered and she let out a small whimper.

"Oh no," whispered Lily, taking her daughter from the professor, "We aren't going to let anything happen to you." Lily gently rocked Harriet until she calmed down. "We are going to protect you."

"Lily is right," said Remus, talking not just to Harriet, but everybody, "Nothing is going to happen to Harriet. We are going to protect her. Thankfully, You-Know-Who doesn't know about the prophecy-" He trailed off as he saw Dumbledore's solemn expression. Sirius noticed it as well.

"He doesn't know, does he?" Sirius questioned, his worry showing on his face. Everybody turned to the headmaster.

"I am afraid that he knows of the prophecy, although he may not know of its full contents. I believe that one of his spies overheard Sybil and I talking." Dumbledore continued, "Thankfully, he only managed to hear the beginning before being thrown out of the pub."

"So..." James trailed off.

"Voldemort has most likely already heard about the prophecy," Dumbledore informed the group, "And, if I were to guess, is already plotting a way to stop it."

"He won't get near her!" yelled James, leaping to his feet. "He won't get near Harriet! There has to be some way to protect her!"

"I have been considering several charms and enchantments that could be used in a case such as this and have come to a conclusion."

"And?" Lily prompted Dumbledore.

"The Fidelius Charm."

"The Fidelius Charm?" Questioned James, "Do you think that would work?"

"I see no reason why it shouldn't," Dumbledore answered. "I would also like to offer myself up as your secret keeper... if you wish to go through with it."

"Of course we will!" Exclaimed James as Lily nodded, "But Sirius will be our secret keeper."

Lily and Sirius both nodded in agreement, however Dumbledore looked apprehensive.

"Are you sure," he said slowly, "that that is a good idea? Somebody within the Order is passing information to Voldemo-" James cut him off.

"Are you suggesting," He said slowly, "That Sirius-" This time James was cut off by Sirius.

"I would never!" Sirius exclaimed, radiating anger, "I would die before I passed information to that- that-" Sirius stuttered, unable to come up with a word that would adequately describe Voldemort.

"I apologize for offending you, "Dumbledore said sincerely, "However, these are dark times. Sirius can be your Secret Keeper, if you wish, but only if you are sure."

"I would trust Sirius with my life."

Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

But would you trust him with your daughter's life? Dumbledore thought to himself.

From the ashes, Fawkes was reborn, ugly and grey and featherless.

Harriet giggled.

Lily and James's House, Godric's Hollow-July 21, 1981

Several days later, Lily and James Potter sat in their living room waiting for Sirius's arrival. After days of planning, they were ready to perform the Fidelius Charm. The charm was designed to conceal a person's location. Only one person would be able to give the location to another, but only willingly. Vertiaserum (truth serum) would not work, although torture might.

The group had decided to perform the charm themselves- therefore involving as few people as possible. Dumbledore, Remus, and Peter all knew the charm was being enacted tonight, but would not be here to witness it. Harriet was upstairs asleep, unaware of what was going on.

The tense silence in the house was suddenly broken by a whooshing sound as green fire appeared in the fire place. Out of the fire stepped an unsmiling Sirius followed by...

"Peter?" Asked James. Turning to Sirius, "What is he doing here? We agreed-"

"I know," Sirius stated, "But I had an idea. Everybody who knows us knows that you would pick me to be your secret keeper. But nobody would expect for you to pick Peter to be your secret keeper."

At this, Peter, who was a short, chubby, and twitchy man with watery eyes and overly-large teeth, gave a small smile, but remained silent.

"You want us to switch secret keepers?" Lily demanded, an odd combination of anger at Sirius for being so reckless and awe that he would be willing to put his life on the line for them in such a way filling her. "But not tell anyone? Do you have any idea how much danger that would put you in?"

"It doesn't matter," said Sirius solemnly, "As long as Harriet is safe."

James turned to Peter.

"Would you be willing to do this for us?"

"As long as Harriet is safe," He repeated Sirius's words, his squeaky, high pitched voice an odd contrast to Sirius's deep velvet. James wouldn't see it now, but looking back he would realize that the words didn't sound as sincere as when Sirius spoke them.

"Are we going to tell Remus and Dumbledore?" Posed Lily.

"I don't think we should," mused James. Seeing Lily's shocked expression, he added "The less people involved, the better and Remus has been acting odd, as of late."

"If you are suggesting that Remus-"

"I don't know what to think anymore, Lily," sighed James, not letting her finish. Even the thought that one of his friends was giving information to Voldemort pained him, as did the act of suspecting them. "Remus is one of my best friends and I hate even imagining him to be working for Voldemort-" Peter squeaked- "but this is Harriet's life on the line and I don't want to take any chances."

Sirius nodded in agreement. Lily assented and the four began.

By the end of the night, the charm was in place.

Lily and James' House, Godric's Hollow- Halloween, 1981

Matthew Evans and his wife Rose watched as their grand-daughter sat, giggling, on the floor playing with the plush dog her godfather had given her. At fifteen months old, Harriet had to be one of the happiest and most loved baby girls in the world. Her parents made sure that she had everything she needed to grow and be healthy. Sirius, her godfather, along with Remus and Peter, her "uncles," loved to spoil her. All three would spend countless hours with her, telling her stories of their adventures at school and playing with her favorite toys.

Today, however, Lily and James had been persuaded by their friends to go out. They were both a bit wary, but with the Fidelius Charm in place, there wasn't much more they could do. Harriet's grandparents had been drafted for babysitting duty- not that they minded. They loved their granddaughter.

"Do you think Lily and James are having a good time?" Rose asked her husband, as she leaned against his side on the couch. The fireplace was roaring quietly, shedding its warmth and casting a soft glow across the room.

"I hope so. They deserve it." Lily and James had left for dinner a few hours ago and would be back soon.

"Yes," Rose agreed, "They do. It is a shame Peter couldn't join us tonight. I feel so bad about his mother." Matthew simply nodded.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Matthew said finally, "Just an odd feeling"

The couple was silent once again as they watched the little girl play with her toys, none of them unaware of the danger they were in.

Sirius Black, Peter's Flat- Halloween, 1981

Sirius Black wandered down the street that same night. As he walked, he passed dozens of muggle children in costume: fairies, goblins, mermaids, vampires, werewolves, wizards and witches.

All horribly inaccurate, he mused. He was currently heading to the flat of his friend Peter. He had finished his work for the Order a bit early, and decided to see if Peter needed any help with his mother. Peter had been acting oddly these past few months, but Sirius simply assumed that it was because of his mother's ailment.

Walking up the flight of stairs to the third floor of the building, he padded across the dirty green carpet of the hallway, until he finally reached the white door with "3B" painted on with cracked gold paint. He knocked.

Silence.

Sirius frowned and knocked again, harder.

"Peter?" He called, knocking more urgently. "Petter? C'mon Peter! Open the door!"

When there was still no response, Sirius took a few steps backward and kicked the door down. He took a step into the foyer of the small flat.

"Peter?" He called out once again, but here no answer. Looking around the grungy apartment, Sirius realized there was no sign of Peter or his mother. In fact, there was no sign of anybody living there. Walking into what seemed to be the bedroom, Sirius got the distinct impression that somebody had left the flat in a hurry: drawers were wide open, clothes were flung everywhere, and chairs were overturned.

Sirius's eyes widened in horror as he came to a realization: Peter's odd behavior...him lying about his mother... his eagerness to be the Potter's Secret Keeper... Dumbledore's suspicions of a mole...or in this case, a rat, Sirius concluded.

"Merlin's Beard," He whispered to himself, before hurrying towards Godric's Hollow.

Sirius Black, Lily and James's House, Godric's Hollow-Halloween, 1981

Sirius parked his motorbike and gazed at what was left of the Potter house. The entire house was in shambles and looked to be badly burned. Throat dry, he walked carefully through the wreckage of the house.

Rose... Matthew...Lily...James... Harriet... Tears welled up in his eyes and he blinked them away. It would do no good to cry now.

"Sirius!" Came a gruff voice behind him. Turning his head, Sirius recognized the large build of Hagrid, the gamekeeper of the school. Wondering how he hadn't seen him before, Sirius made his way over to his old friend.

"Hagrid! What are you doing here? What happened? Are Rose and Matthew...?"

"Rose and Matthew were killed by You-Know-Who." Hagrid said gruffly, holding back tears.

"And Harriet?" Sirius asked frantically.

"Some 'ow- And I don' know 'ow-she lived. Got 'er right 'ere." He gestured to the small bundle in his arms. Sirius, hands shaking, pulled the blanket away from her face, and let out a sigh of relief when he saw his goddaughter. She was upset and tired, but looked alright. Except for a small lightning shaped mark on her forehead. He took his finger and gingerly wiped the blood from the wound.

"Is that where-?" He stopped, suddenly unable to form the words.

"That's where the curse 'it 'er" Hagrid nodded, his whiskery beard brushing against Harriet's face, making her snuffle. "It just...bounced off 'er an' 'it You-Know-Who. Destroyed 'im, destroyed the house, but she's a'wright."

"Lily and James!" Sirius exclaimed, his best friends coming to mind, "Do they know?"

"Ah..." Hagrid looked uneasy, "They know... They came 'ome just as You-Know-Who tried to kill 'arriet. Got 'it with a bit o' the spell and the 'ouse came down on 'em... But they're alive! Been taken to St. Mungo's." Hagrid added upon seeing that Sirius was on the verge of panic.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm down, he looked up at Hagrid.

"Give her to me, Hagrid. I'm her godfather...I'm the one who is supposed to take care of her if something happened to Lily and-" He cut off again, unable to say his best friend's name.

"Normally, Sirius, I would be more than 'appy to give 'er to ya, but Dumbledore told me to bring 'er straight to 'im."

Sirius frowned, but nodded. He know how much Hagrid respected the headmaster and knew that he had no chance of convincing Hagrid to give him his goddaughter.

"Alright. But take my motorbike," Sirius said, leading Hagrid to the bike in question. "It's enchanted to fly and should get you there faster."

Hagrid nodded his thanks and clambered on.

"Good-bye Sirius." He said. "I 'spect I'll be seein' you soon."

"I suspect you will."

At that, Hagrid took off, leaving Sirius standing in the wreckage of his best friend's house. Alone, the feelings Sirius had worked so hard to keep down worked their way up: anger, sadness, fear... but most of all, guilt. If he had gone ahead and been their secret keeper as planned, none of this would've happened. Hadn't it been his idea to use Peter as a secret keeper?

Peter.

Suddenly, all of Sirius's guilt turned to hatred. This was all Peter's fault. Not his. Not James'. Not Dumbledore's. Peter's. And Peter would pay. Sirius would make sure of it...even if it was the last thing he ever did.

And with a pop, Sirius disappeared.

Remus Lupin, St. Mungo's- Sept. 1, 1981

Remus Lupin sat in one of the waiting chairs at St. Mungo's, head in his hands. How could his life turn around so quickly? Just the night before, he had amazing friends, a wonderful 'niece,' and everything was going well. He had been happier than he ever believed he could be, considering his condition. Now, two of his best friends were lying in hospital beds, nobody sure when they would wake; his other best friend was dead... killed by a man whom he believed to be his brother in all ways but blood.

It was all over the papers, of course. That was how he had learned. He had gone away for his transformation, only to come back and see a paper with the headline :

"POTTERS DEAD? BLACK IN AZKABAN! YOU-KNOW-WHO GONE! ALL HAIL THE GIRL-WHO LIVED!"

At first, he had believed it to be a terrible mistake, but Dumbledore had confirmed it: Rose and Matthew were killed by Voldemort. Harriet survived, but Lily and James lay dying.

And Sirius.

Sirius had betrayed them to You-Know-Who. He was their secret keeper, after all. Then, to make things worse, he had gone after Peter. He blew up Peter (leaving nothing but his finger) along with thirteen other muggles.

After being assured that Harriet was safe at her Aunt and Uncle's, he had hurried to St. Mungo's and had now been waiting for over two hours.

Guilt racked over him like a tidal wave. Perhaps, if he wasn't a werewolf, he could have been there to help James and Lily and to protect Peter, but Dumbledore had asked him to take on a special assignment underground-literally. He was to work on infiltrating the society of werewolves and see if there was any chance of getting them to come to the Light. He sighed. It was at times like these that he hated being a werewolf. If only he had been more cautious as a child and hadn't been bitten...

"Remus Lupin?"

A young healer called his name and broke him out of his thoughts. His head snapped up and his eyes fixed on a stout woman, who was the healer.

"Yes?" His voice came out croaky.

"You are here regarding Lily and James Potter?" Remus nodded.

"They are currently in a recovery room down on the fourth floor. They were treated for burns, bruises, and a few broken bones from when their house... er... collapsed. Thankfully, they didn't get home until after the curse that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named performed was cast, and they didn't get the full blast of it."

"Are they going to be okay?"

The healer hesitated before answering.

"All of their external injuries are healed, but they aren't awake yet. From what we can see, there is no brain damage, but for some reason they are still unconscious. The other healer's can't find anything wrong with them."

"So," Remus choked out, "They might never wake up?"

"There is still a possibility," the middle-aged witch told him, grey eyes boring into his own. "Like I said, there was no brain damage and their vitals are fine. However, as there is nothing wrong with them, the healer's can't think of a reason why they aren't conscious yet. It could just take time."

"Can I see them?"

"Come with me," She said briskly. He got up and followed her, matching her quick pace, slightly surprised at how fast her legs could carry her. Neither said anything as they walked.

"Here you are," She said calmly, stopping in front of a door. Opening it, Remus found himself in a small, clean room. The walls were painted a plain (and ugly) green color and there was only one small window. It would have been rather dismal if it weren't for the fact that the room was filled with flowers.

Lily and James were-no are- well loved.

He drew up a chair and sat down. He would wait as long as he needed to. They had to wake up. They had to.