Chapter Text
James Potter sat on a very uncomfortable chair, trying desperately not to doze off. He shouldn’t be bored- he had had to beg Dumbledore to be able to attend just one meeting-and to his delight, Dumbledore finally agreed. Peter and Remus weren’t there though, but Sirius was absolutely ecstatic to meet James. Lily offered to stay at home and take care of Harry, knowing how much her husband missed meeting other people, something that he was extremely grateful for.
“Unfortunately, the Death Eaters seem to be knowing our every move. The last two spy missions failed-”
“Can’t we launch an investigation for that?”, interrupted Sirius.
“We can’t afford any manpower-”
“Bullshit.”
“Let us be civil, Mr. Black.” Dumbledore said severely. “I have a lot of assignments to hand out and we really do not have time for this.”
Sirius rolled his eyes and grinned across the table at James, who gave him a thumbs up. Moody read out the assignments to the Order of the Phoenix members and everyone started to leave gradually. Except James, who made a beeline for Dumbledore.
“Sir, I can launch the investigation.”
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. “How is Harry doing?”
“Er-great, actually! He can say ‘dada’ and ‘mama’, and ‘qui-ee-ch’- that’s Quidditch by the way, and-”
“What does that have to do with the investigation?” said Sirius.
“Mr. Potter here is committed to his family. I was merely subtly pointing out how this would be a bad idea.”
“I doubt that this would require field work, though”
“Mr. Black-”
And at that moment, a misty white doe soared through the window. It opened its mouth and spoke in Lily’s voice-
“He’s here. I’m so sorry James…I love you so much.”
James didn’t understand.
It was Peter. Peter was the spy.
Peter, the fourth Marauder.
Peter, who would listen to his rants about Lily, and Quidditch, and actually give sane advice, unlike Remus and Sirius.
Peter, who became an Animagus with the rest of them.
Peter, who was a chess genius.
Peter, who above all was kind, mischievous, and a great friend.
He was a rat. He was the rat. He sold out James and his family in the blink of an eye. He even played with Harry, trying to get him say ‘Wormy’ only a while ago.
“James, you need to fix your kid! He keeps calling me ‘poop’ for some reason.” Peter said.
“Blame Padfoot.”
“How convenient.”
“POOP!”
“Really, James? How mature.”
“Wanker.”
“Tosser.”
Lily called out something undecipherable from the kitchen, which only James understood.
“Wormy, stay for dinner, won’t you?”
Peter couldn’t meet his eyes. “Nah. Mission. Order thingy.”
“Shame.”
Peter simply nodded.
“Hey, you gotta come for Padfoot’s birthday alright? We’ll have a little party here- just the Marauders, Lily and Harry. What do you say?”
“Erm-yes. Yes. I’ll come.”
“Splendid.”
That was yesterday. Peter knew, James realised, his heart shattering. He knew what was going to happen. There was never going to be a party. He made sure of it.
“JAMES!”
He looked up at Sirius who had panic etched on his face.
“We need to go. Now.”
The door opened with a click.
“James, is that you?” Lily called out from the kitchen.
No reply.
“James?”
Footsteps.
And Lily saw him for the fourth time in her life. Voldemort.
She ran.
She ran to Harry, cradling him in her arms.
She tried to Disapparate, but she didn’t have her wand, and the anti-Apparition wards were set. She was trapped in her own home.
The nursery door opened with a bang.
“Stand aside you silly girl-”
“Don’t hurt Harry please, take me instead-”
“Stand aside.”
“No, please-”
“Avada kedavra.”
“She’s here, James! JAMES!”
James barreled into the nursery. Harry promptly began crying, and Sirius picked him up.
“James…”
James stared at the other person in the room, who was crumpled on the floor, next to the crib.
“James.”
He knelt down next to her, and placed his hand on hers.
“Prongs.”
He looked at Sirius at that, his eyes full of tears.
“Let’s get Harry and you to my place for now,” Sirius said quietly.
He didn’t want to leave. Not Lily. Beautiful, vibrant, smart, snarky Lily. The one who enjoyed his shenanigans almost as much as he did. Lily, who was fierce in her beliefs and a formidable force to reckon with. Lily. The love of his life.
“Prongs…”
Harry began crying again.
“I can’t do this.”
“Jamie…”
“I can’t just leave-just leave- not now, I can’t, I can’t, I ca-”
“Mate…”
“I CAN’T!”
James suddenly noticed something.
“Sirius.”
“Prongs, we should go get Harry safe.”
“No listen to me-”
“Let’s go to my apartment…”
“Listen! Lily is alive!”