Tangled Webs

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or HP universe, that belongs to JKR and her publishers.

Note: There is a traditional start to this story, but don't let it fool you. It is definitely JP/LP and friends - AU in that regard but otherwise canon. :)

The smell of singed wood and dust filled Sirius' nostrils. Dust? His mind blanketed the pain and anguish that had been eating away at it; the agony pounding in his chest and questioned his sanity for a moment. Does dust smell? And yet he could not deny the dry, coarse, flavorless scent that pervaded his senses.

He hadn't known where to start; what to do. He was pulling boards from the ground assisted by magic; flinging the heavy shards of wood to the side and dreading what he might find beneath each one. Relief swept through him as he lifted each away and nothing was revealed, only to be overcome with anxiety once more as he reached for the next shard.

It was a large, flat, wooden board that had been covering the very thing he'd dreaded finding since he began.

James.

James' face was insanely unscathed, as if he'd merely fallen asleep and covered himself with wood to keep the light away. A little ashen, but otherwise unchanged.

Sirius stooped and stared. Tears poured from his eyes and he reached a shaking hand out nearly touching the familiar cheek of his friend, but at the last moment he drew his hand back. This…this was not how he wanted to remember James.

Sirius stood quickly. There was still Lily…and Harry. Maybe, just maybe…there was something he could still do for his beloved friend.

Sirius froze as his eyes caught something buried within the rubble. He knew that wand as well as his own; it had been James' only wand. He picked up the thin wood and held it tightly for a moment before jamming it inside of his robes next to his own.

Sirius began working like a mad man, throwing wood wildly about him as he continued to search. He tried to remember James' laughing eyes; his friend casually bopping him on the head for a crude remark or twirling his wand like a baton. James had been so good at that. But the image he'd just seen wouldn't leave his vision. White-faced and eyes shut…never to open again. Never again to see those vivid hazel eyes alight with laughter or teasing, anger or joy…never again.

Lily was on her stomach. He couldn't see her face. Sirius knelt and touched his hand to her neck and confirmed his fear. He didn't think about it. He couldn't think about it. He kept moving there had to be…

Crying. He heard crying. Something in Sirius' heart leapt with joy at the sound. That could only be…

It took only a few moments to uncover the crib. The wood had fallen on top, but the baby inside had been saved by the crib's supports which had kept the wood from crushing him. There was blood on his little forehead, but his large green eyes were crunched up in sorrow as he wailed.

Sirius' hands were shaking as he reached down and gently picked up the child. Little Harry continued to wail and it sounded like he was calling out for his parents. Something inside of Sirius went weak at the sound, but he pulled the child to his chest and held him there – tightly. This little bit of James…and Lily…was all that was left. So precious; Sirius' tears fell onto the dark hair, already showing signs of James' messy coiffure.

Sirius nearly dropped the child when a voice rang out behind him. He turned quickly and his eyes met a large stomach. Looking quickly upward he found himself staring at Hagrid, who was speaking in low, deep tones. His words made no sense, but after a few moments he reached out as if to take Harry away.

'No, I'm the god-godfather…I h-have to care for him now,' Sirius hardly knew what he was thinking.

'Dumbledore, sent me. If the child was alive I was s'pose ta bring him along.'

Sirius shook his head. But before he could speak there was another sound in the air. Both men's heads snapped around but there was no one.

'Them rotten Death Eaters'll be back. I gotta take the boy ter Dumbledore!' Hagrid said again. His voice grew gentle, well as gentle as possible for a giant, 'I'm so sorry, Black. I know how close you n' Potter were. I can' tell ye-'

But there was that sound again. The men's heads snapped around again, but this time they both started moving to where the front part of the house had been. There was no sign of anyone, but surely if Voldemort had not been successful, he'd be back to try again.

Where the hell had he gone? Sirius wondered as he followed the half giant out into the front yard. Hagrid started searching around as if looking for hidden Death Eaters. Little Harry was making small sounds, but Sirius was surprised that he'd stopped crying. He hadn't even noticed.

Hagrid returned, 'I'd better take um, Dumbledore'll be waitin'.'

Sirius stood dumbly watching Hagrid pull out an umbrella and shoot something from it that chased off into the darkness.

'I sent Dumbledore a message,' he explained, 'told 'im what happened 'ere, and that 'arry is still alive. I'll be off with um now.' Hagrid opened his hands motioning for Sirius to hand over the child.

Sirius looked confused for a moment, his eyes moving to stare at the rubble that used to be Godric's Hallow. Anger began boiling up inside of him.

Peter.

Suddenly he knew what he had to do. 'For you James,' he said staring at the rubble.

'Take Harry…yes. I will come for him later,' he told Hagrid, 'and take my motorbike, I won't be needing it.'

Hagrid stared at Sirius for a moment before reaching out and pulling little Harry into his hold. The child began whimpering again.

Hagrid turned toward the bike and Sirius stared at the rubble. He had a mission now – he would find Peter and-'

'Lily?'

The voice was like a whisper on the wind. Sirius froze as did Hagrid who had just begun climbing onto the motorbike.

'Did ya hear dat?' Hagrid said, 'sounded a lot like-'

But Sirius wasn't listening anymore. He ran as fast as he could back into the rubble to the place where he'd found James and quickly knelt at his side.

'James!' he cried. Sirius vaguely noted that Hagrid had moved to stand above him.

Sirius reached out and snatched the rest of the wood that covered his friend's body away, 'James!' he called again.

Movement now, there was definite movement of James' head and moments later, miraculously, those Hazel orbs were revealed as James' eyes blinked open.

'James!' Sirius sounded as if he were sobbing…well he was he realized.

'Sirius?' barely a whisper, groggy, destitute…

'Yes…it's me, Prongs…you are going to be all right. Everything is going to be all right!'

'He's alive!' Hagrid commented unnecessarily.

'Lily?' came the soft worried whisper from the still unmoving James.

Sirius froze. He couldn't lie to his friend and he felt his eyes fill with pain, conveying a message his mouth couldn't deliver.

James' eyes closed and his face crunched in pain.

'James,' Sirius finally managed, 'Harry – Harry is alive.'

James eyes blinked open again, hope lived within them – a sad like hope – but hope nonetheless.

James' glasses lay beside his head and Sirius grasped them and gently slid them on. He then placed his hands on James' shoulders and gently pulling him upward.

James' face was etched with pain and the stress of moving. Sirius could only imagine the curse that had left him in this condition – but it could have been worse.

James moved slowly onto his knees and Sirius reached out to help him. He tried to stand but fell onto all fours again. 'Lily…' he managed.

Sirius understood – he always did. He grabbed a hold of James tightly and lifted him onto his feet. The weakness of his friend sent a pang to his heart, but the fact that he was alive filled his heart with indescribable joy.

After a few moments, Sirius helped James move slowly through the rubble toward the place where he'd found Lily earlier. When they finally arrived, many minutes later, James left his arms with a fierce push and a hallow cry. He was on his knees again, pulling Lily's body around and crying her name as he began sobbing over her body.

Sirius felt his knees go weak and he stumbled backward a few steps.

'I should be taking him now.'

Hagrid's voice sounded a million miles away. Sirius turned his head upward and stared at the half giant.

'I think…' Sirius muttered – was that his voice? 'I think we should wait until…' he looked around at James again.

Hagrid began shuffling his feet, but finally spoke. 'Yea, yer right then.'

It seemed a very long time before Sirius was finally able to pull James away from his position sobbing over his wife.

'We've got to go…they may return,' Sirius said gently.

James turned and glared at him a moment before looking at Hagrid. The sight of his son seemed to send something charging through the young Gryffindor and with a strength Sirius had been certain he could not yet possess after his ordeal, he bent and gently picked Lily up in his arms.

James faced Hagrid, 'we…we have to take them to St. Mungos.'

Sirius was amazed at the firmness in James' tone. The man had been on the brink of death.

'Yea, all right, ten,' Hagrid agreed.

James turned to Sirius, 'Apparate Hagrid and…and Harry.'

Sirius nodded and in the next moment, he heard James curse softly.

Sirius looked at his mate, a question in his eyes.

'My wand,' James murmured, looking about him as if he might see it among the grand mass of broken bits that used to be Godric's Hallow.

The moment was surreal for Sirius; like a bright star in an otherwise dark sky. He reached into his robe and presented James' wand to him, placing it in the bit of hand that was not clutching Lily. James' eyes reflected something of what Sirius felt in the moment before James disapparated.

It was almost noon before Hagrid, Sirius and James alighted from St. Mungos. James held his child tightly in his arms and the two moved quickly toward the ministry offices. They had already decided to go to Hogwarts – Dumbledore had to be advised of what had occurred.

Sirius was not amazed at the way James had taken charge. Lily's death and Harry's now healing head injury seemed to have charged him with more fervor than he'd ever seen in his friend before. He knew that James would grieve – he'd only grieved a cupful of the pain he had to be feeling at the loss of his beloved wife. But James seemed to realize as clearly as Sirius did that the danger had not yet passed. Voldemort had failed to kill Harry and he would likely try again.

Hagrid had sent a message to Dumbledore informing him that Harry had survived; but he'd not mentioned that James too had survived. Dumbledore would believe both Potters had died – and that Sirius had been responsible, so they were eager to explain the truth – the ugly truth of Peter's betrayal and to request a safe harbor at the castle.

James had spent the entire night mourning at his wife's side and it was during that time, while Sirius sat on a chair at the side of the room watching, that he'd seen James filled with determination and purpose. James had stood suddenly, carefully placed a kiss on Lily's lips and whispered words Sirius could not hear and then turned to him, his eyes gleaming. He'd announced the plan – just as he had announced plans for them so many times in the past. Only this time Sirius said nothing. He merely nodded, moved to give Lily a kiss on the cheek and they had made their way to Hagrid and Harry.

It wasn't much longer before they had portkeyed from the Ministry to Hogwarts. Kingsley Shacklebolt, an Auror and one of their friends from the Order had arranged it and had alerted the rest of his company to what had happened at Godric's Hallow. A group of Auror's had set out for the destroyed home at once and James, Hagrid and Sirius had portkeyed away shortly thereafter.

The three men moved into the castle and quickly toward Dumbledore's offices. Harry began crying along the way and James began cooing him and held him close.

'The little welp'll be needin' milk,' Hagrid suggested.

It was true; little Harry hadn't eaten all night. James and Sirius looked at Hagrid in a bit of confusion, but the half giant cocked a smile. 'I'll head out to the kitchen and meet you in da office.' He said, turning and booming off along an adjacent hallway. The sound had the effect of stopping Harry's cries as he too watched the giant man moving away.

Sirius and James looked at one another and then continued toward the headmaster's office. To their surprise, the door was open and they proceeded to head up the winding staircase. Their mission was too important to worry about trespassing. However, they came to a dead stop when they heard a mournful voice inside.

'I thought…you were going …to keep her…safe…." A voice mourned loudly.

"She and James put their faith in the wrong person. Rather like you, Severus. Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldemort would spare her?'

That had been Dumbledore's voice. Sirius and James stared at one another, shock registering on their faces. Severus Snape was a Death Eater; what was he doing here?

'Her boy survives,' they heard Dumbledore say "her son lives. He has her eyes, precisely her eyes. You remember the shape and color of Lily Evan's eyes, I am sure?'

Sirius caught James' shoulder in a firm one arm grip as his friend lurched at his side. James hadn't needed to hear that, he thought, not at all. But…what was going on in the office? He noted James was breathing rather heavily and he tightened his hold about his shoulders. It was only seconds later that a bellowing voice began raging inside.

'DON'T! Gone…dead…"

That had been Snivellus, Sirius thought, still at a loss to make heads or tails of why Dumbledore would be talking to Snape about Lily…and why had he called her Lily Evans? She was Lily Potter. She'd been Lily Potter for years…

'Is this remorse, Severus?' Dumbledore's voice sounded stern.

'I wish…I wish I were dead…'

'And what use would that be to anyone?' said Dumbledore, his tone cold, 'if you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear.'

'What – what do you mean?' Sirius heard Snape ask, his voice full of anguish and spiced with a little surprise.

'You know how and why she died.' Dumbledore said then, 'Make sure it was not in vain. Help me-'

But Sirius heard not another word, James had cast some kind of silencing spell at his side and was pulling him back down the stairs, balancing Harry on one arm. Sirius followed, his mind reeling. What was going on here? Snape knew why and how Lily died? What had Dumbledore meant by that…and make sure it was not in vain? Why was Dumbledore speaking to Snape – Death Eater Snape – at all? It made no sense…and Snape had loved Lily? Sirius shook his head as he raced behind James down the corridor.

Sirius realized that it was no grand surprise that Snape would have fancied himself in love with Lily back when they were at Hogwarts – but Dumbledore had made it sound as if there had been some plan with Voldemort to spare Lily and…his brain tried to register what that meant…and allow James and Harry to die? So Snape could have Lily?'

'We have to get out of here – fast, before Hagrid alerts Dumbledore that we were here,' James said breathlessly as he rounded another corner and headed out of a door at the side of the castle.

Sirius followed, his mind boggled; he reached for his wand almost reflexively as they moved into the open air. Without a word from James, Sirius knew where they were headed and snatched up a branch from the ground as they entered a familiar area of the Hogwarts grounds. He ran forward, avoiding the whipping branches of the willow tree that seemed bent on killing him and quickly shoved the branch into its heart. The branches stopped their movement at once and the three moved quickly into a tunnel within its trunk.

Running breathlessly now, the two made their way through the dark tunnel and into a dark room; unkempt and haggard, but safety loomed over them like the rising sun. The two stared at one another, their chests huffing and baby Harry's wide eyes stared up at his father.

There was a prolonged silence while Sirius tried to sort out all of the new information he'd just heard, but James was quicker and when he spoke his voice sounded raw, yet edged with steel.

'Dumbledore is a traitor!' he declared roundly.

Sirius nodded, he had worked that part out too. There could be no other explanation for Dumbledore speaking with a Death Eater in his office about the deaths of the Potters and little Harry. Sirius was still confused; was he working with Voldemort as well or was this some sort of ploy to best Voldemort and take his place? Had Dumbledore gotten some of the Death Eaters on his side? That made sense – he knew them all so well from Hogwarts – he knew all of their secrets, just as he had apparently known Snape's secret feelings for Lily. But there was so much that did not make sense.

James seemed to be thinking with much more clarity though, 'there are pieces missing to the puzzle, but all is not right and at this point I don't know who we can trust.'

Sirius nodded again, 'I can't believe that-'

James cut him off, 'I know; but there isn't time. We can't stay here, it will only be a matter of time before Dumbledore thinks to look for us here. We must get away and there is only one other person in the world we can trust right now to help us.'

Sirius felt a wave of pain shoot through him, but he ignored it. 'Remus,' he said softly.

James nodded curtly and then turned quickly toward the door again. The two ran back down the tunnel, but instead of running out, they stopped at the entrance. James held Harry out and Sirius quickly took the small lad in his arms. James lifted his wand and cast a spell. Sirius stared once more in wonder at the magnificence of James Stag Patronus. It galloped away with maddening speed and James then pointed at Harry's little blanket that was still wrapped about his body. The blanket stretched and pulled until it was quite lengthy.

'Tie him to my back,' James commanded.

Sirius quickly did so, knotting the blanket tightly to his friend's back.

'Mama,' Harry said in a pleading little voice.

Sirius saw James' body tense for a moment.

'It's okay Harry,' James said softly, 'everything is going to be okay.' He reached a hand behind his back and soothed the little one's tummy.

It sounded more like James was trying to convince himself to Sirius, but he didn't say anything. Another look at one another and they stepped from the tunnel, and quickly moved from the branches that would sweep them away if given the chance.

Seconds later a Stag and a Dog remained where once two men had stood. The stag had a small sack on its back, but at the speed they began moving it was barely noticeable.

Minutes later they had cleared Hogwarts grounds and transformed once again, only to stare a brief moment before disapparating into the wind…