Disclaimer: This is Harry Potter fan fiction, meaning that it is inspired on the Harry Potter series and some elements will be similar to the original story. It also means that I'm not making any money off this and that I don't believe that this is a better version than the original story – how could anything be better?

Author's note: This story is an Alternate Universe: one small detail in canon is changed (as described in this prologue) and the events that follow are explored. The story will be strongly based in canon, yet different at many points, that can all be traced back to the single change made at the start.

Author's note 2: I'd like to thank all of my beta readers: Whimsy, CornedBee and Jo Wickaninnish. They've been brilliant. The story is dedicated to Dinka Kartinka, whose help and encouragement have been very important to me.

The Godfather Part I – Decisions

by Birgit

Prologue

“Are you sure about this, James?” Albus Dumbledore asked.

“Of course,” James Potter replied. “I would trust any of my best friends with my life. Of course, I’d rather have chosen Sirius as Secret-Keeper, but he is right: chosing him would be much too obvious. No one will go after Peter. It’s the perfect plan.”

“My offer still stands, James. I would be more than happy to be your Secret-Keeper.”

“I won’t put you in any more danger because of me, Professor. Peter will be quite safe, much safer than you or Sirius would be. Besides, I have appointed Sirius as Harry’s guardian. If anything happens to Lily and me, he’ll take care of Harry.”

For a minute, there was silence. Then Dumbledore spoke again.

“All right, Peter will do it,” he said. “When will the charm be performed?”

“Tomorrow,” James said.

“Then I won’t be able to meet you in person for a while. But we’ll have owl contact.”

James opened the door of the office, but he hesitated and then turned.

“Sirius doesn’t want to tell Remus,” he said. There was a sad look in his eyes.

Dumbledore smiled at him and said: “The fewer people who know who your Secret-Keeper is, the better. And what Remus doesn’t know, he can’t tell anyone else either, not even under duress.”