Simple Twist of Fate

Simple Twist of Fate
Summary: A simple twist of fate allows Harry to grow up the most ideal life he could ever ask for. However, his charmed life does not come without grave consequences. Harry must deal with the obstacles thrown at him all while trying to maintain his school marks. His only salvation will come in the form of his extended family and his friends, including Muggle-Born Hermione Granger.

A/N: This is a new story I was playing around with in my head that's not based off of any fics. I mean, most of you should be able to peace together the fact that my other fic is a love letter to Vox Corporis. Because I want something to be entirely my creation, I give you this. Yes, bits and pieces of the story are taken from stories that I've read, but this is mostly all from my head. The only main idea that I got from another story was to start from the very beginning and that was from Harry McGonagall by witowsmp (This is a must read, in my opinion). Well, I really hope you all enjoy this.

***

Prologue: Evil Conquers Good

***

"Lollipop." James Potter muttered to the phoenix shaped gargoyle as a small smirk graced his weathered face. With that, the eyes lit up and the door swung open, allowing the couple to enter. Hand in hand, they walked up the spiral staircase to reach another massive door.

"Foxtrot... Hogweed Giant... Supper's Ready." The visibly pregnant Lily Potter muttered much in the same way her husband did at the first door. Hers too had the same effect. They both gave each other a worried look and took a step into the room. The witch and the wizard ran towards the corner of the room and pulled out their wands.

"Specialis Revelio!" They chanted in unison and suddenly a table appeared at the center of the room and seated at it were Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Arthur Weasley, Alastor Moody, Amos Diggory, Xeno Lovegood, Peter Pettigrew Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Frank and Alice Longbottom and to their dismay, to Dumbledore's right was Severus Snape. "What is he doing here, Albus?" Lily asked disgustedly.

Dumbledore nodded and glanced at Snape, then back to Lily. "Severus quite possibly has saved your life... and the life of your child. Please sit down."

Sirius stood up and offered Lily a chair when he saw that there were no more left. "It's good to see you, James. It's been far too long." He shook his friend's hand firmly and emphatically.

"It's hard to get out in these times. Lily's due date getting closer has put a lot of pressure on protecting the home." James gravely spoke to his friend as Dumbledore poured Lily a cup of tea.

"It's understandable, my friend. Just remember, if you ever need my home, it's yours. No questions asked." Sirius put his hand on his friend's shoulder to knock him out of the oddly dazed state he was in. In the two years since they graduated from Hogwarts, James had become strangely serious and dark. He wasn't anything like the boy who he went to school with and he wasn't entirely sure if he liked the new James.

The conversations ended and all eyes settled on Dumbledore who had raised his hands in silence. "Now, I'm sure most of you are wondering what Severus is doing here, but I assure you his intentions are pure." Lily and James traded angry and shocked looks with each other and then with Sirius and Remus.

"I'm sure you all recall the prophecy from our last meeting. Well, somehow, Voldemort has found out about it." No one was entirely sure if Dumbledore continued, but if he did all the gasps in the room covered it. "Thanks to Severus we were informed before Voldemort decided to prevent it."

The room erupted into hurried conversations. Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, and James were off in their own little world, the Hogwarts staff members were discussing on how to protect Lily and Alice, all while Arthur, Amos and Xeno were trying to comfort the Longbottoms whom were obviously worried out of their minds. "SILENCE!" Dumbledore bellowed, not loudly, but enough for everyone in the room to turn in his direction.

"Albus, what do we do?" Alice questioned the white bearded wizard with a bit of a quiver in her voice. She and her husband were both noted Aurors, but ever since the pregnancy, she was constantly in fear of Voldemort or the Death Eaters getting to her unborn child.

"We send you into hiding, of course. Secret Keepers, fidelius charms, felix felicis, and everything to keep you away from You Know Who. We need both of your children if we're ever to beat him." Alastor Moody spoke for the first time since the start of the meeting as his eye went flying around the room scanning each person.

Arthur stared at him with a blank look and shook his head. "Moody... how can you even say that. I'm a father myself. Welcomed the newest one into the world this past spring. I know that they're more worried about their children than about the war at this time."

"It's one in the same! If they don't offer their children to us, we might as well just kill ourselves now." Alastor snapped at Arthur as he slammed his fist on the table.

Arthur quickly pulled out his wand and pointed it at the one eyed Auror. "You heartless bastard. What are you fighting for anyways? It seems as if you care for less than You Know Who does."

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore shouted again. This time it shook the stone walls and one of the paintings fell off the wall and made a large crash on the floor. "Now I partly agree with Alastor. We need to put the Longbottoms and the Potters into hiding. At least until we can figure out something less restraining. Now the hard part will be finding a secret keeper.

"Sirius." James shot out with out skipping a beat. "There's no one I trust more."

"No. You two were legendary. A lot of people know of your exploits while in school." This caused James to smirk a bit, especially at Snape's cold reaction. "If I wanted to find you, the first person I would go through would be Sirius. No... we need someone less obvious." He stopped looking at James and Lily and he looked directly at Peter.

"Me?" Peter asked in a shocked tone. The only reason he really joined the Order was so he could remain with his friends. So he could be protected by more powerful wizards rather than be expected to fend for himself. "You couldn't possibly..."

"Oh yes, Master Pettigrew. You're not exactly an extraordinary wizard and not as well publicized as a friend of James like Remus and Sirius. Keeping the secret will be easier. Same for Frank and Alice. I don't think you're that well known as an order member." With much convincing and bribery, Peter decided it was for the best and took the position as Secret Keeper for the Longbottoms and the Potters.
***

As the months passed, the Order felt that both families were safe and at the end of July both gave birth to boys. Frank and Alice named theirs Neville and James and Lily named theirs Harry after Lily's father.

The good fortune for the families continued through Neville and Harry's first birthdays when the Order held a party for them. It was the first time either family had seen any member of the Order since the birth of their children. The scene was a joyous one with very little talk or feeling of Voldemort (mostly since they left Alastor guarding the headquarters).

"Molly! Congratulations on the birth of your 7th. Her name is Ginerva, right?" Lily asked her friend as she greeted her with an embrace.

"Yes... named after my eldest sister who perished at the start of the war."

"I'm sure she would be proud."

James, Remus, and Sirius were off in the corner with bottles of Fire Whiskey. "So where the hell is Peter? Wasn't he invited?" James asked as he took a sip of his drink.

"He's been acting strange lately. He said he had things to do today." Remus explained to James in a rather nonchalant manner.

"Things... what possibly could that rat be doing? I've been having trouble trusting him since we made him Secret Keeper." Sirius grunted under his breath. The other two couldn't help but agree. They were all friends in school, but they really didn't trust the integrity of a man who's Animagus form was a rat.

"Sirius... he's never given us any reason to distrust him. If he was sharing the secret, I firmly believe that something would have happened by now. You Know Who wouldn't sit on information of Harry's whereabouts." Remus was always the most logical in the group, even back when they were at Hogwarts. Even when they were at war, Remus would be the one trying to think the Battlefield through while Sirius and James were throwing every spell in their books at the enemy.

James sighed a bit and looked at his son who was in the play pen playing with Neville, and Ron Weasley. "I also don't entirely trust Severus. If their is a plot on mine and Lily's life, then I am forever in our debt, but what made him trade sides. He hated me."

"But he loved Lily." Remus shot back. "I know you don't like to hear that, but he did. He still does probably."

"I know and if this saves Harry and Lily, I guess I can't be angry about it any more." James looked down at his glass and then took another gulp. "I just can't wait for this to be over. For Harry's sake."

"I understand what you mean. Arthur was just telling us about his situation. He's welcomed 4 children into the world in the past 4 years and his first is starting Hogwarts... he too is worried about the future..." Remus trailed off as he glanced at the children and began staring into space.

Sirius grunted and took a large gulp of his whiskey. "If it were up to me, this war would be over by now. You and Dumbledore think too much. We need to get spies out there, find out where he is and murder him in his sleep."

"Does he sleep? Don't you have to be human to do that?" James spat lazily. Lily looked over towards her husband and noting his vacant expression, she walked towards him.

"Are you feeling all right, honey?" She asked him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Her looked up at her and nodded with a small smile. "James, do you think it's time we talked to Padfoot with Dumbledore... alone."

James acknowledged her with a quick nod and stood up. "Sirius, we require a word with you in the other room... Remus, if you will, could you entertain the guests while we're gone... tell them that joke you know."

The three grabbed Harry and as a group, they entered the master bedroom where Dumbledore was already waiting for them. "What's all this about?" Sirius asked inquisitively, almost defensively.

"This war doesn't look like it's ending soon and we seem to be prime targets. We'd really be able to rest assured if we knew Harry would be going to a good place if something happened to us...:" Lily said sweetly as she kissed her son on the top of the head.

"I've always assumed that Remus would take him. He's certainly more responsible than me." Lily passed Harry to Sirius who cradled him on instinct.

"That much is certain, but Lupin will constantly be under fire for being a werewolf. We can't let Harry grow up with that. Remus understands this and he'd tell you the same thing." Sirius nodded at James' explanation. Remus was always sensitive about his double life as a monster. On the other hand, their group of friends were so used to it that they rarely gave it a second thought.

Sirius took a long, deep thought about it. It wasn't as if he was going to say no, but he really didn't see himself as being a good father to Harry or anyone for that matter. He was supposed to be a loner. "What do you want me to do?"

"We've decided that it would be best for you to become his godfather magically. That way the Ministry can't take him in some sort of legal power play." James explained to his friend and then looked at Dumbledore. "If you would, sir, I would like you to be the one to perform it."

"Of course, James." Albus stood up and took Harry from Sirius. He then took a small knife out of his pocket. "With your permission, I will need a drop of Harry's blood." Both Lily and James nodded and Dumbledore scratched Harry with the knife. Oddly enough, the child didn't even let out a small cry. With the same knife, he cut Sirius' palm allowing the blood to mix on the blade.

"Now what?" Sirius asked, unfamiliar with the ceremony.

"Now I put the mixed blood in a vial and we put the unbreakable vow on it." Dumbledore disclosed as he pulled a vial out of his pocket at dropped the blood into it. "Now, Sirius... you must place your wand on the vial and say the spell vinculum infragilis."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, but followed Dumbledore's instructions. "Vinculum Infragilis!" He tapped the top of the glass bottle and it began to glow.

"Now James, do the same with yours. You will speak for Harry." James followed Dumbledore's directions and did exactly what Sirius did and the blood turned a distinct goldish color. "Good, now Sirius, you take this as it will prove the bond." He nodded and slipped it into his inside pocket.

Sirius and Lily both exited the bedroom right after the spell to rejoin the party, but Dumbledore and James stayed behind with Harry. "James... I was hoping that we could talk about your invisibility cloak."

"My cloak? Why...?"

"No reason in particular, I just feel that it will be come very important in the future."

***

July turned into August and August to September and September into October. All seemed to be going well with the war as Voldemort hadn't made any real power plays since mid August. All was going well until there was a knock on the door of the Potter's Godric Hollow home on Halloween. They wrote it off as a trick or treater, but were quite surprised to see Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" James exclaimed as he opened the door and saw his two best friends. From the looks on their faces, he immediately knew that they weren't baring good news.

He invited them in and they sat in the living room in front of the fire place. "Well, there's no way to put this lightly, but I just got word from Dumbledore... Frank and Alice were killed this morning. Bella Lestrange with her husband." Lily dropped the tray of mugs that she was carrying and they all shattered on the floor.

"What of Neville?" She asked in a distraught, sad tone.

"We don't know. Dumbledore said his body hadn't been found, but that's not to say he survived... and if he did, may God have mercy on his soul." Remus put his head in his hands thinking of his fallen friends.

"Regardless, this is the day that we've been dreading for over a year." Sirius said coldly, looking out the window. "You need to come to my home, we can protect you here."

James and Lily looked at each other and then at Remus. "Mooney... we can't uproot ourselves permanently..." To Lily's surprise, Lupin agreed with her.

"The Order has this place on watch. We're going to try to draw You Know Who out by leaving. We think that if he's not expecting a fight, he won't come up with guns blaring. This might be our last chance to win." Lupin explained to his two good friends as Sirius grunted at the plan.

"Rubbish, if you ask me." He spat. "These are our friends, Remus. They aren't dead worms."

"Sirius, this might be the only chance they have at a normal life."

"Is it?" The group spun around to see Voldemort standing in the living room. "Where is the boy." Without saying a word the group pulled their wands out and aimed them at the Dark Lord. "I could have killed all four of you before I even thought about getting your wands, but I like to play with my food before I eat it."

"Lily... go get Harry out of here and then get help. Sirius, Remus and I can hold off Snake-Eyes." James told his wife without taking an eye off his adversary.

Voldemort just sneered at the company. "Don't think I don't have help." He snapped his fingers and out of nowhere appeared Antonin Dolohov, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, Walden MacNair, and the Carrows appeared next to him.

"Lily, Go! Stupefy!" James shouted all it one breath. The house soon erupted into a mass of total and complete chaos. Disregarding their own safety, they stayed with the Death Eaters making sure no one got up the stairs to where Lily and Harry were making their escape. Suddenly, Voldemort disappareated in the middle of the fight.

"Remus! Sirius! He's going after Lily!" James screamed as he blitzed up the steps, almost getting up the whole staircase in one power leap. Once he reached Harry's room at the end of the hall, he kicked the door in and saw Voldemort standing in front of both Lily and Harry. Looking to be somewhat hurt, with a cut on her foreheads, she had her wand in one hand and Harry in her other arm. James threw a stunning spell at him that went right over his head.

Voldemort turned around and smiled at him again. "Good of you to join us, Potter."

"Leave her alone, Goddamn you, get out!" James barked tossing another hex towards the Dark Lord. Voldemort easily blocked it with out even reaching for his wand.

"Potter, you must think less and let the power take you away. Until you can do that, you won't ever beat me." The Dark Lord whispered to James. Without a response, James threw a few more curses towards Voldemort and then decided to take a more physical approach.

He backed up a bit and took a running start at tackling Voldemort. Before he made contact, Voldemort disappeared and reappeared just so James would run right through him "Fool!"

"You shouldn't have come here, Tom," Dumbledore's disembodied voice taunted the Dark Lord. For the first time in since he arrived, Voldemort shivered and began to sweat.

"Dumbledore... sh...show yourself our are you too much of a coward?"

"I am not the coward, Tom. All you do is use the element of surprise on your enemies. Now power ever shown." Dumbledore's disembodied voice spoke in an onimous tone. Then out of nowhere, he appeared next to James.

Voldemort quickly forgot about Lily and Harry and put all his focus on the two male wizards. "Your lines are failing downstairs. Soon you will star losing good people. People you can't afford to lose. You can go if you promise to leave James, Lily and Harry alone."

James quickly shot a questioning look at his former professor. "Al..." But he was cut off by Dumbledore pulling out his wand.

"You're too weak to continue this fight. Leave."

Voldemort looked around and saw Harry asleep in his mother's arms. "Fine, Old man, but I will be back. And don't stand in my way when I get back." With that, Voldemort disappeared as did the noise downstairs. Before the group in Harry's bedroom knew it, Remus and Sirius had run up the stairs to help out.

"They're gone. Just disappareated." Remus exclaimed, out of breath. After a long winded explanation by the head wizard, Remus and Sirius retreated to the fire place in the living room while Dumbledore and James discussed things in the bedroom.

"Albus... that felt really anti-climactic."

"Climax? Ha. We haven't even gotten passed the beginning, my friend. The climax lies not with us, but with Harry."

***

After discussing the attack with Dumbledore, James went downstairs to see his wife and his two best friends sitting on the couch in a daze. Lily was lazily playing with Harry's hair and staring into the fire while James walked over to her and kissed her on the top of the head. "Hello, Luv. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better... Kind of have a headache." She looked up and smiled at him with loving eyes. "Come sit down, it'll make you feel better."

"A little bit later. I need to have a word with Sirius." James motioned towards the kitchen, which was burnt to a crisp from all of the random spell work that was going on earlier. "Dammit, Sirius... how in the bloody hell did this happen?" James asked in anger. Not towards Sirius, but towards to the entire order. He knew Sirius wasn't going to answer.

Sirius then began to look around the room, prodding and sniffing through everything as if he were in dog form. "Sirius... what's wrong?"

"I think I smell a rat." James' heart sunk. He hadn't even thought about Pettigrew through the whole ordeal.

"You don't think...?"

"I hope not for his sake." Sirus snarled. He continued to tear apart the kitchen until he stopped in front of one of the cabinets on the floor. "Wand at the ready, James." Sirius swung the door open and saw a fat grey rat scurrying around in the cabinet. "ANIMAGUS REVEALO!" He shouted while stabbing the rat with his wand. Suddenly, a fat, rodent like man appeared where the rat once was.

"Sirius, James. Wonderful to see that you're all right." He smiled as he hopped out of the cupboard. "What happened to You-Know-Who?"

"YOU DID THIS, YOU... YOU... BASTARD! YOU KILLED FRANK AND ALICE! YOU TRIED TO KILL JAMES AND LILY! DEATH IS TOO GOOD FOR YOU!" Sirius barked as he chased after Peter, who had began to run towards the front door.

Before he could get out Remus stepped in front of it. "I don't think so, Old friend..."

"Remus... I'm innocent! I swear!" Peter got on his hands and knees and began to kiss Money's feet.

"If you're innocent, you have nothing to worry about. The Dementors would never kiss an innocent man." At that, Pettigrew began to morph into a rat again. "ANIMAGUS REVERTO!" Remus yelled and Peter quickly turned back to human form.

Sirius walked up to Peter and kicked him in the side. "We should kill him now. With his Animagus abilities, he'd be able to theoretically sneak passed the Dementors."

"No. I want to know why. I want to know what made him turn on his friends." James quickly replied to Sirius' proposition.

"Why isn't important, James."

"It is to me..." He turned to Peter and glared right into his eyes. "WHY!"

Peter looked around the room for help from the others. Sirius and Remus both had the same looks on their faces and Lily had gone up to make sure Harry didn't see what was about to take place. "He offered me... everything. Protection, money, a hideaway for after the take over. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"That's all you ever been good at, Rat." Sirius hissed. "You joined up with us because we were the best wizards of our day. You joined the Order because Voldemort wouldn't mess us. And you sold out your friends to the Devil because he wouldn't kill you. You give the House of Gryffindor a bad name." Sirius raised his wand and pointed it at Pettigrew. "You'll be lucky if I don't kill your right here."

"NO!" James yelled pushing Sirius away from Peter. "You're not stooping to his level, Padfoot. We are not killers." Sirius looked over to kick him again, but to his shock, he was gone.

"GOD DAMMIT! DAMN IT ALL! I'm going after him." Sirius screamed at the top of his lungs before James stopped him from continuing.

"Let it go, my friend. We will catch up with him one day and he will answer for what he did to all of us, but that is not this day. Today we mourn the loss of our friends and celebrate our lives." James looked at Sirius and smiled. "Or at least that's what I think Dumbledore would say."

The three friends looked at each other and began to laugh. They didn't know why, but for some reason it felt good. They had just lost three friends. Two through death and a third through the most despicable betrayal. "Trust me, Gentlemen, we will find him one day and he will be sorry. I just want to check on my beautiful wife and child. Anyone care to join me?" Remus and Sirius followed James up the stairs, for some reason oddly comforted by James' words.

A/N: Whew! That was my longest chapter yet. Well now that I finished my first chapter and you all get my premise, I will redo the summary. I wanted it to be somewhat of a surprise, so I left it vague. Well, next chapter should be up soon. This is flowing a heck of a lot better than my other story (which I still will be writing).

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