Ficlet: The Precipice (James, Lily, Harry, Sirius, Other), G
Title: The Precipice
Author: joanwilder
Characters: James, Lily, Harry, Sirius, Other Canon Character
Summary: You wish that some things could've stayed the same.
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: The Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and her book and film companies. Thanks to my beta for the read-through.

 Godric's Hollow is a beautiful place.

Small enough to be a tight-knit community of people who meddle in each other's affairs. But large enough to provide a few diversions.

You've always loved it here—you've come here since James was a boy at Hogwarts. Sometimes at the Yule hols, but mostly during the summer ones. Idyllic days of wandering the countryside, making mischief most of the time. Ha! But mischief managed!

James had to ruin it all by getting married, the tosser. But there are still times when you come, along with the others, and it's the Marauders loosed on the village once again! More often than not, it's to walk into the village for milk for baby Harry, or birdseed for the feeders, and not to spell the lily pads of the pond so the four of you can skip across with dry feet.

If you're honest, though, you'll have to admit that things just aren't the same. Despite the changes the baby brought, there are other things that have got in the way…weightier things…darker things.

The Dark Lord is rising, and no one…no one is unaffected. Everyone feels the pressure to choose.

Everyone's choice. Your choice: resist and risk your life, or follow as so many already have.

It's not as simple as it would seem. After all, entire families are split in this matter of loyalties. You, you've never attracted much notice; you've never taken the lead; you've allowed James and Sirius to make most of your decisions for you. You know you have an ingrown weakness, one that you feel powerless to overcome.

Lily opens the back door, and waves. "Come on, then. Have a butterbeer before supper."

You look around the kitchen for a place to lay the flowers you've brought, but Lily rescues you. "You always remember," she says as she takes them from you and buries her nose in the midst of the daisies. Throwing an arm around you, she pulls you into a fragrant and heart-felt embrace. For a moment, you can smell lavender in her hair, and you close your eyes.

Laughing, she pushes you away. "Go on, here's a bottle, they're in James' study."

They both raise a glass and give a cheer as you enter. James makes a face as he takes the bottle of butterbeer, and hands you a glass instead.

"She said butterbeer. I said, 'Of course.' But Sirius here brought something better." James cranes his neck out into the hallway, then carefully shuts the door. "No sense getting her back up."

You might be out of school, but nothing's changed, you think to yourself as you listen to the two of them talk about the last Order meeting, realizing after a while that you have little to contribute. You watch them as they talk, and feel a surge of uselessness—they've been there for you when it counted. How you wish you could be as strong as they are. But you can't…because of what you are.

"We're being more careful," James states quietly, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Albus was here yesterday to talk about some other precautions." He takes a swallow, then trades a sober look with Sirius and yourself. No one speaks for a moment, until you have to blurt it out.

"I can't stand the idea of just waiting for him to come after us—you and Lily especially. You have Harry. You have to be extra careful. I wish I could do something," you mutter in frustration. You're staring at them when the sound of Lily's voice calling you all to supper breaks the moment.

Harry jabbers happily throughout the meal, passed from person to person, fed by hand and bounced on knees. You haven't yet decided whom he favors—this baby with Lily's eyes and chin, but James' hair and cheeks. Everyone seems to talk at once, at meals like this, and for a moment you feel fiercely protective of everyone seated at the table: this is your home, in a sense, and no one on earth is more your family than they are.

After dinner, Lily takes Harry off for a bath and bedtime. The three of you sit for a while in the sitting room, laughing over the Cannons' last fiasco, and placing a small wager on their next game with the Catapults. When Lily returns, Sirius stands and announces he has to make it an early night. You're slightly puzzled when he shakes your hand gravely and shoots James a meaningful glance before he heads on out.

As you retake your seat, Lily and James turn to you, their faces somber, their hands clasped between them.

"Peter, we're all agreed. We're going to use the Fidelius Charm, and we'd be honored if you'd be our Secret Keeper."

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