The Traitors

1: How It All Began

The man with dark brown eyes and black hair looked down at the baby in his arms in awe. The baby had light brown skin and messy brown hair already. His eyes were a darkened hazel brown. A mix of all three of his parents. Born to Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. The former Tom Riddle blood adopted him.

A baby who would one day be the Lord of Potter, Gaunt, Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Peverell. For now, he was simply James Fleamont Potter.

"He is simply precious, Effie." Lord Slytherin says softly, finally looking at the mother of the babe.

"Please take care of him well." She asks softly.

It reminded Tom why they had him blood-adopt James. He was only supposed to be the Godfather. Then, Fleamont passed. His old age had finally caught up to him. Then, Euphemia was dying. So, Tom became James's third parent. His Papa.

"Papa! Papa!" Called out a new eleven-year-old happily as he made his way to the dining room on March 27th, 1971.

His Papa, Thomas Slytherin, was sat at the head with a coffee and the Daily Prophet. His dark brown eyes looked over the Prophet to see his son holding his Hogwarts letter.

He immediately sat his paper down and held open his arms, allowing the child to run into his arms quite happily.

"Are you excited about Hogwarts?" He asks, pretending not to know the already obvious answer.

"Yes! When can we go shopping for supplies, Papa?!"

"Close to term. We will likely go with Auntie Walburga, Uncle Orion, Sirius, and Regulus."

The child smiled brightly at that. He and Sirius were as close as could be. Regulus as well. Although having found out Regulus was a carrier, a betrothal of James and Regulus was being made.

"I'm going to miss you, Papa." Said James softly, hugging the man on the platform of 9 3/4.

"And I as well, son." He whispers in reply hugging his son. "Effie and Fleamont would be so proud."

"Really?"

Thomas looked into those dark hazel-brown eyes. They were filled with so many emotions. Excitement, fear, melancholy, and happiness. He knew his son was a shoo-in for Slytherin. Unfortunately, he, and Orion, had other plans. The boys were both to go into Gryffindor. They would end up as spies. It was their last resort to end this long ass war.

"Of course." He says. "Have I ever lied to you, My Snake?"

James then giggles while nodding. It was true. The man had lied to him. However, both knew it was for his son's safety.

Dear Papa,

Sirius and I were placed in Gryffindor as planned. With us are 3 others. A Pureblood named Kingsley Shacklebolt, a half-blood-named Peter Pettigrew, and a werewolf named Remus Greyback. Cousin Severus got into Slytherin as expected.

Others in my year with the potential to be useful are as follows:

Pandora Malfoy, Ravenclaw

Harris Rosier, Slytherin

Joseph Adrian, Ravenclaw

Lily Evans, Gryffindor

Alice Fawley, Hufflepuff

Marlene McKinnon, Gryffindor

Dorcas Meadows, Hufflepuff

For Lily Evans, I saw Dumbledore watching her closely. I believe he will cause her to be a mudblood. Stupid witch. She already acts like a know-it-all. Sev knows her.

It's infuriating. However, I know to stick with the plan. Sirius and I are prepared, and I made sure Sev understood. That we must act hateful, but we don't hate him. Nor the others.

Franklin Longbottom is being a pain in my arse already. Saying he is on to me. Blood traitor watches too many muggle things if you ask me. His older brother, Heir August Longbottom, is disappointed. Says Lady Augusta and Lord Francis are also. Especially since Longbottom refuses to be called anything but Frank.

Sirius asks if you can pass a letter to Auntie and Uncle since he will be "disowned" from the family.

Love,
Your Snake,
James,

On December 21st, 1971, James hugged his Papa as tightly as he could. He may love Hogwarts and the friends he made, but he missed his Papa. He grinned as his Papa greeted his familiar, Frost.

"How was your first semester?" He asks his son, smiling as they arrive home.

"It was good! Professor McGonagall says I have a real natural talent for Transfiguration! Siri is better at Charms. Professor Flitwick is impressed with his work! Remus is great at Defense. Peter works well with Herbology! Sev, of course, is great at potions. He and Peter plan on opening a shop up that handles both potion making or potions themselves, and the ingredients homegrown!"

The man smiled as he listened to his son. He was happy Dumbledore had yet to notice anything. Truthfully he doubted the old man ever would. In later years it would be as though James learned the "truth" and began to distance himself from his Papa. Those years would be hard on both of them.

December 25th, 1975
Dear Papa,

I miss you terribly. I know I ought to start with 'I hope this letter finds you well' and such, but I can't help but miss you so much to mention it first.

Sirius helped sneak me to the ROR in order to let me see Reggie. Please have Uncle and Auntie check on him. I think the sneaking is taking its toll. I don't wish to harm him.

Evans will not switch. She is a bloody lost cause. Damn, mudblood is treating me like an idiot. Can you imagine her telling me how to properly cast a spell? I told her I was doing fine on my own and would ask a teacher if I needed help. She scoffed at me, saying how I didn't pay attention in class.

Thankfully Aunt Minnie stepped in, telling Evans how well I do in class. She told Evans to focus on the younger years as that is her job as a prefect. Then proceeded to point out Moony, who was helping a few first years.

Dumbledore finally approached me. Asked me why I didn't go home. The plan has officially begun.

Love,
Your Snake,
James Potter

James sighed as he sent the letter off. He could feel the eyes of Albus Dumbledore on him. So, he promptly looked at the man with saddened eyes.

"I don't get how my Papa can be such a bad man..." he states softly in an almost childlike whisper. "Does that make me bad, Headmaster?.."

"No, My Boy," Albus answers, truly believing his answer. He truly believed James was working for him and not his so-called Papa. "Our choices make us who we are. Not our family."