A Second Chance at Fate

Hogwarts, May 1977 – The Strain of Newts and Decisions

The spring air had turned bitter in the halls of Hogwarts, not from the weather but from the heavy weight of impending exams, war, and fractured allegiances. The students of seventh year were now in full stress mode, scrambling to prepare for their NEWTs, but something else was clouding their minds—the looming question of whether or not to join Dumbledore’s Order.

For James, Lily, and Peter, the decision was clear: they were going to stand up and fight. James had already started gathering what little information he could, showing Lily how things could be done without falling into Dumbledore’s trap. Peter, though unsure of himself, was slowly being swept up in the idealism of it all. They were ready to fight for something bigger than themselves, to make their stand in the war.

But for the rest of the group—Severus, Sirius, Remus, and Regulus—the decision wasn’t so easy. They saw Dumbledore for what he truly was: a master manipulator. They weren’t blind to his actions and the way he had already begun to play with their emotions, pushing them into a corner, using their friendships to sway them into dangerous decisions. They wanted no part of it. They had seen how he used people before—how he turned their trust against them—and they weren’t going to let him do it again.

And as tensions mounted, so did the cracks within their friendship.

The fire crackled in the Gryffindor common room, but the warmth didn’t reach Lily’s heart. She sat on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, eyes darting toward James, who stood pacing the room, his frustration palpable.

“James, we have to do this,” Lily said, her voice strained but determined. “We’re not going to sit here and do nothing. Not while Voldemort’s out there.”

“I know, Lils,” James muttered, rubbing a hand over his face, looking exhausted. “But I can’t shake the feeling that Dumbledore’s using us. You saw how he’s been with Severus and the others. He’s got them playing into his hands.”

Lily shook her head. “We don’t have a choice. If we don’t stand up now, what happens when it’s too late? We can’t wait any longer. The others... they don’t see it, but this is our chance to fight. To make a difference.”

James stopped pacing and stared at her, his eyes full of a burning intensity. “I know you want to help, Lils, but are you sure Dumbledore is the right way? He's got his own agenda, and what happens to us when he's done using us? He's already tried to divide us.”

Lily’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“The Slytherins, the Ravenclaws...” James hesitated. “He’s playing everyone off each other, Lils. Even if we join the Order, it won’t stop him from using us as pawns.”

Lily’s jaw set, but her gaze softened. “I want to fight, James. For us. For all of us. But I don’t know... I just don’t know.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, the discussion was growing increasingly tense among the other four. They had gathered in one of the hidden corridors, away from the prying eyes of the Gryffindors, where they could speak more freely.

“I don’t trust him,” Severus said darkly, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Dumbledore’s playing games with us, using our friendships to get what he wants.”

“Severus is right,” Remus agreed, glancing nervously around. “We can’t let him pull us in, not when we know his true motives. He wants to use us to fight his war, but what happens after? What happens when the war ends, and we’re the ones left with the fallout?”

Regulus’s eyes were narrowed, his face as cold and unreadable as ever. “It’s not about what happens after,” he said quietly. “It’s about the fact that we’re students. We’re not even adults yet. What can we do that wouldn’t just be a distraction? A liability?”

Sirius, his jaw set in frustration, slammed his fist against the stone wall. “But we can’t just sit here and wait for things to get worse. The others are already making their decisions. James, Lily, and Peter—they want to join him.”

Sirius’s eyes flashed, but he didn’t respond. The tension between the two was palpable, and it was clear the fractures in their friendship were growing. The bitterness that had simmered for years now threatened to boil over.

“We have to keep them safe,” Regulus said, his voice colder than before. “If they go to Dumbledore, they’ll be in danger. He’ll use them as cannon fodder and dispose of them when he’s done.”

“I don’t think we can protect them if they keep making decisions like this,” Remus said softly, a pang of helplessness in his voice. “Not if they’re determined to fight. But I won’t let them do it blindly.”

As the days drew on, the cracks in the Marauders’ friendship widened. Every conversation seemed to end in argument, every look, every word, a reminder of the growing rift between them. The stress of the NEWTs only fueled the fire, as the exams loomed closer and everyone was stretched to their limits.

James and Lily, despite the growing tension with their friends, became more resolved in their decision to join the Order. Their conversations became more focused, more determined. They could see the bigger picture, the need to act, to make a stand. But it was clear to everyone that their path was diverging from Severus, Sirius, Remus, and Regulus.

Severus, Sirius, Remus, and Regulus, in turn, felt a growing sense of betrayal. They didn’t want to see their friends put in danger. They could see through Dumbledore’s manipulations, and they couldn’t bear the thought of James, Lily, and Peter being pawns in his game.

The stress of the exams, the pressure of the war, and the ever-present tension of their growing ideological divide—together, they formed a storm cloud that hung heavy over the Marauders. None of them were sure how much longer they could stand together before the storm broke.

At the beginning of the school year, it had been different. There had been warmth, laughter, and an unspoken understanding between James, Lily, and Regulus. But now, with the pressure of NEWTs, Voldemort's rise to power, and the growing tensions within their group, the cracks in their friendship were becoming more apparent.

Regulus couldn’t understand why James and Lily couldn’t see it. Why couldn’t they understand what was happening? What was at stake? What Dumbledore was asking them to do?

He stood at the edge of the Slytherin common room, staring out into the dark, cold night. His fingers twitched with the urge to write it all down, to let it all out—but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he just stared out into the empty courtyard, his thoughts clouded with anger and hurt.

It used to be so easy to talk to them—Lily, with her kindness, and James, with his unwavering confidence. He had thought they understood each other, that they could navigate the treacherous waters of the wizarding world together. But now, it felt like everything was slipping through his fingers.

It started like any other conversation—at least, that’s how it seemed to James. They were sitting in the Gryffindor common room, the fire crackling softly, while Regulus stood before them, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. But the usual ease had evaporated, replaced by the sharp edge of tension.

“What’s your problem, Reg?” James said, leaning forward, frustration evident in his voice. “Why can’t you see? This is the only way. The Order is our chance to make a difference. To fight back before it’s too late.”

“I see everything, James,” Regulus snapped, his voice colder than usual. “You think you’re making a difference, but all you’re doing is playing into Dumbledore’s hands. You’ve forgotten what’s really at stake.”

Lily’s brow furrowed. “Reg, we don’t have the luxury of waiting around, doing nothing. People are dying. People like us, people we care about. We can’t just sit here and pretend it’s not happening.”

Regulus’s voice shook with frustration. “You think you’re the only ones who care about stopping this war? You think you’re the only ones who see what’s at stake? I don’t care what Dumbledore promises you, Lily. This is all a game to him. You’re all just pawns.”

James leaned back, his jaw clenched. “You’re being paranoid. Dumbledore’s trying to help us. He’s doing something.”

Regulus’s eyes flashed, his lips curling into a bitter smile. “You think that’s what he’s doing? Helping? Helping means making sure we’re not all dead by the end of this. Dumbledore uses people as pieces on a chessboard, James. And if you don’t realize that soon, you’ll be the one who’s checked.”

Lily’s eyes welled up, though she didn’t let herself cry. “Regulus, please. We just want to do what’s right.”

But Regulus shook his head. “No. You just want to believe that you can win, that you can fix it. But you can’t. And neither can Dumbledore. You’ll see.”

Severus Snape stood in the dimly lit corner of the Potions classroom, staring down at his hands. He could feel the weight of it all—the knowledge of the past and the future that he held, a burden that none of his friends could understand. The memories of his past life were a constant presence, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

He knew what was coming. He had seen it all before. The deaths, the betrayals, the devastation. He had watched as his friends were picked off one by one, all for a cause they couldn’t have understood in time. They were just too young—too trusting.

The thought of James, Lily, and Peter joining the Order… it terrified him. He knew their fates, knew they wouldn’t survive the war. But there was more at play. They wouldn’t just die—they would sacrifice themselves for a war they didn’t understand. Dumbledore’s war.

But what could he do? How could he tell them? How could he possibly explain that he had lived through this once before and that it was all futile?

Every time Severus thought about the past—his past, his memories—his stomach churned. He had been a part of it once, serving Voldemort, watching as Dumbledore played his games, manipulating everyone for the sake of his greater goal. He couldn’t let that happen again.

The flames in the fireplace flickered, and Severus’s thoughts turned to the phoenix form he’d recently been able to take. He’d used it to keep track of Petunia Evans, his new love, who had been traveling with the Unspeakables. She was a Seer, an anomaly, and he could feel her connection to the magic that ran through her veins. His link to her had become more urgent, more pressing. She was far too important, and he couldn’t afford to lose track of her—especially with her being so close to the heart of Dumbledore’s secrets.

Severus sat by the fire that night, his fingers tracing the edges of a letter he had written and discarded several times. It was for Lily—his final attempt at explaining, at telling her everything. But how could he? How could he tell her that her death was inevitable, that she, too, would die because of the choices she was making?

His hand shook as he thought about the future that was closing in on them all. He could see it. The final battle. The blood. The tears. They would be dead—his friends—if they followed Dumbledore, if they joined the Order.

He could not, would not let them make those mistakes. But how could he stop them? They wouldn’t listen to him, not now. They were too far gone, too wrapped up in the ideal of fighting back.

But the weight of his memories pressed on him, drowning him in guilt. He was the only one who knew the truth, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to share it. Maybe that was the real curse—being able to see the truth but being powerless to change it.

Severus’s connection to Petunia was more than just romantic. It was gift from the entities that rule the world. He knew she was a key piece in the unfolding story—her abilities, her hidden potential. He had learned enough about her from the Unspeakables to understand that she could be pivotal, especially with the political shift in the magical world. She wasn’t just another Seer—she was a bridge to something more powerful, and Severus had to keep track of her movements, her actions.

Through the flame of his phoenix form, he could see her—traveling with the Unspeakables, her connection to the multiverses growing stronger. Every day, it seemed like she was getting closer to some truth he couldn’t access yet. But one thing was clear: if he didn’t protect her, he couldn’t protect any of them.

It had been a long day, the air in the castle thick with the stress of upcoming exams and the whispers of the darkening world outside. As Remus made his way down the corridor after his last class, he found Sirius pacing back and forth, his face twisted in frustration.

“Sirius?” Remus asked, concerned. “What’s wrong?”

Sirius stopped in his tracks, his eyes burning with anger. “It’s Dumbledore,” he said through clenched teeth. “I just found out he’s been talking to Marlene and Mary about joining the Order. Without even telling us. Without even asking us.”

Remus’s stomach twisted. “What?”

“I know,” Sirius snapped, running a hand through his already-messy hair. “It’s like he’s got his fingers in everything, pulling everyone into this damned war. He’s been manipulating us from the start—starting with the group, but now he’s going after Marlene and Mary too. It’s like we’re all just pawns in his little game, Remus.”

Remus leaned against the wall, rubbing his temple. “But why would they—Marlene and Mary? They don’t understand the stakes like we do. If they’re signing up, they’ll be targets. They’ll be dragged into this and… Dumbledore is treating them like soldiers in his war.”

Sirius slammed his fist against the stone wall, making Remus jump. “Exactly! And he’s not just going after them—he’s also making Dorcas out to be a liability. A liability for her friends! Dumbledore’s got his plans, but if anyone’s a liability, it’s him.”

Remus’s mind raced. “We need to talk to them. To get everyone together. Before this all falls apart.”

Sirius’s eyes met Remus’s, full of determination. “We have to do it now, before things get worse. We can’t let Dumbledore tear us apart. We can’t lose any more people.”

Later that evening, the group—James, Lily, Peter, Severus, Regulus, and the others—gathered in the Room of Requirement, their usual safe haven from the chaos of Hogwarts. The room was filled with the soft glow of candles, the walls lined with comfortable seating. But the usual warmth of their gatherings was absent. There was no joking, no lighthearted conversation. The air was heavy with unsaid words and simmering frustrations.

Sirius stood at the front, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set. Remus was at his side, looking more exhausted than usual, his eyes flicking nervously between their friends.

“Listen up, everyone,” Sirius began, his voice sharper than usual. “We need to talk. There’s been too much going on, and we can’t keep pretending it’s all fine. Dumbledore’s been talking to Marlene, Mary, and even Dorcas about joining the Order. He’s dragging people in without telling us, like we’re not even a part of the decision-making process.”

James and Lily looked at each other, their faces momentarily betraying a sense of confusion. “Wait,” James said, stepping forward, “what are you talking about? Dumbledore asked us to join. We’re just doing what we think is right.”

Lily nodded, her voice steady. “It’s bigger than us, Sirius. It’s about making a difference. We can’t just stand by and let people suffer.”

Sirius’s face twisted with frustration. “I get that, Lily. But it’s not just about doing what’s right—it’s about how we’re being manipulated. Dumbledore is using us. I’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it.”

Remus stepped in, his voice quieter but no less intense. “It’s not just about joining the Order. It’s about who Dumbledore is willing to sacrifice, who he’s willing to throw away. Dorcas is being treated like a liability, and we can’t let him do that to anyone else.”

Peter shifted uncomfortably, looking between the group. “But… if we don’t fight back, what happens to us? What happens to everyone?”

“That’s what Dumbledore wants you to think,” Severus’s voice rang out sharply, his eyes cold as he glanced over at James and Lily. “He’s not asking you to fight for everyone. He’s asking you to fight for his war. And I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t plan to die for someone who sees me as nothing more than a chess piece.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Severus’s words stung, and everyone felt the weight of them. Lily’s shoulders slumped, her expression conflicted, as if she were caught between two worlds. James’s fist clenched at his side, his jaw tight, but he didn’t say anything.

Marlene, who had been silent up until now, spoke softly. “I didn’t think it was like that. I thought joining the Order meant we could make a difference. I thought I was helping.” Her voice cracked slightly, and Remus’s heart broke at the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Making a difference is more complicated than Dumbledore makes it sound,” Sirius said gently, his voice softening as he addressed Marlene. “I don’t think anyone would fault you for wanting to fight, but the war’s not just a fight of good versus evil—it’s a lot darker than that. Dumbledore doesn’t see us as equals. He uses us for his own agenda.”

Regulus, who had been quiet through much of the conversation, spoke up, his voice quieter but full of biting intensity. “And what about Dorcas?” he asked, his eyes now on Lily and James. “Do you think Dumbledore sees her as expendable? He’ll do the same thing to you when he’s done using you.”

Lily’s eyes widened at the accusation. “Regulus—”

“No,” he cut her off, his voice firm. “You don’t get it, Lily. Dumbledore uses people, just like Voldemort does. It’s not about saving everyone—it’s about who gets to stay alive and who gets left behind.”

The room was quiet, everyone feeling the weight of the conversation, of the growing divide between their two camps. The quiet tension was palpable, a stifling fog of hurt, anger, and fear that had no easy way out.

James turned to Regulus, his voice tight. “You don’t understand, Reg. This isn’t just about survival—it’s about fighting for what’s right. We have to fight. It’s the only way.”

Regulus shook his head. “And what happens when it’s all over, James? What happens when you’ve lost everyone you care about, and you’re standing there, still trying to figure out what Dumbledore’s been playing at all along?”

Lily and James exchanged a glance, but the look of determination in their eyes was unshaken. They were resolved—this was the path they had chosen. But it hurt to hear their friends, the people they trusted most, questioning that decision.

Severus, meanwhile, stood in the corner, his expression unreadable, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflicted emotions. He wanted to protect them all. He wanted to stop them from making the same mistakes. But what could he do?

Sirius finally broke the silence. “Look, we’re all on the same side here, aren’t we? We want the same thing. We want to stop Voldemort, to protect the people we care about. But there’s a better way to do it than throwing ourselves at the mercy of Dumbledore’s war.”

But it was clear now—there were no easy answers. The group was splintering. No matter how hard they tried to put things back together, the damage was done. And all they could do was watch as their bonds started to fray.