The Years of Riddle

Chapter Forty-Eight | London, June 1981

Chapter Forty-Eight

London, June 1981

          It was a familiar situation. Silas, maps in his hands and fear weighing down his heart, climbing the steps of Lily and James' apartment. It was the third one since he had first met them over two years ago, but it was the first apartment that had a baby in it. However, they wouldn't be there for long.

Lily opened the door with an exhausted face, her hair pulled up into a ponytail, darks bags under her eyes. "I'm glad you're here." She said, stepping aside to let him in. "James is going crazy."

"I'm not," James came out of the kitchen, holding a teary eyed Harry. "I'm just being cautious."

Silas put out his hands for Harry, who was making grabby hands at him. "What's this about?"

"James wants us to completely go into hiding." Lily huffed, stirring a boiling pot angrily. "As if this isn't bad enough already."

"Lily, Dumbledore says this is –"

"Dumbledore?" Silas interrupted. "Dumbledore is not in charge of your safety, I am."

"I know that Sy, but James here wants more." Lily abandoned her stirring. "Dumbledore thinks we should use the Fidelius charm."

Silas sank back into his chair, holding Harry tightly. "Really."

"Really." Glaring at her husband, Lily sat down beside him. "We're no use like that."

"We're no use if we're dead, either, Lily." Said James harshly. "What do you think Silas?"

Going silent, Silas looked down at the sweet face of baby Harry. He thought of Inesa, at home, waiting impatiently to go into labour with their (accidental) fifth child. If it were his children, his wife, he would also think the Fidelius charm was their best shot at safety. He told them so.

Lily looked furious. "Silas, we would be completely isolated –"

"Isolated and safe." James interrupted her.

Lily turned to Silas. "You truly think this is our best option?"

He thought for a moment. Lily had a ten-month-old baby, she was itching to get out of the house for any reason, and he knew she hated being stuck there. "Lily, I do not doubt your ability to protect yourself, do you understand that?"

She nodded, tears in her eyes. "I do."

"You are both brave, magnificent and talented fighters – but when you a love a child, there is little you would not do, go to any means to protect them." He sighed. "I think this is your best option."

Closing her eyes, Lily took a deep breath. "Okay." She said finally. "I trust you Silas, and if you think..." she let out a little sob. "If you think this is what is best, I will do it."

James got up, putting his hands on her shoulders. "This is the safest we could possible be, Lil."

"I know." She whispered. "I do, its just..." she looked up at her mentor, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll miss you Silas, and your lovely family and all the brave people we have met."

"We will miss you too," Silas took her hand. "But I promise, there will be a day when we will all reunite, and it will be wonderful. No crying."

She nodded, and reached for Harry. "I suppose...we should pick a secret keeper."

"Dumbledore offered," James said, "But we would prefer our friends."

"Whatever you feel is right," Silas stood, leaving the maps on the table. "Trust those you feel you can, go with your gut – be smart. I know you will be."

"Will we see you again?" asked James.

Standing in the doorway, Silas looked at the two young parents, their giggly baby, the life they cherished and held onto. "Of course James," he smiled tightly. "I will be with you every step of the way, as I have been since this all began."

It was not a lie. Silas would see the young couple again, breathing and laughing. Before they went into deeper hiding, it would take just under four months for the plans to be concrete, foolproof.

In hindsight, he wished he had asked to be their secret keeper. The last time he saw them breathing, alive, he was about to – but he would think of his children, and close his mouth. How he wished he had asked.

A/N: Every time I write this series of events, which I have several times now, it gets harder and harder. James and Lily will always be some of my favourite characters, their deaths will never stop being tragic. A lot of people ask me why I don't change the plot, why don't I keep them alive - and I just can't. It would change an entire universe. As much as it pains me, I will never be able to change Lily and James' death, or Remus and Tonks', or Sirius'. 

Question: If you could change one death in the series, which would it be? (in all honesty I don't know which I would choose)

Rose