Disclaimer: I had a dream once that I owned Harry Potter, but then I woke up and the reality is that I don't.

Summary: Instead of going after Pettigrew himself, Sirius tells Hagrid the truth about the secret keeper and takes Harry to a safe location. Pettigrew is sent to Azcaban instead of Sirius who raises Harry in a healthy wizarding home on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole. How will this affect the future? Rated T for possible future aspects.

Harry Potter's Black Childhood

The night air was cold as a robed man parked his motorcycle and rushed to where the Potter house once stood, stepping over debris from the now destroyed building. Sirius Black fell to his knees, crunching on broken glass and splintered wood, in shock at the sight of the house's remains. He'd rightfully feared the worst when he'd gone to check up on Pettigrew and found his flat abandoned. He felt tears build up behind his eyes and he choked back a sob.

A sound from the other side of a half standing wall caught Sirius' attention. He quickly pulled out his wand, on his feet in a flash, tears forgotten. He would fight back and hopefully he'd be able to get revenge for his fallen friend. He relaxed when he saw the large figure step out from behind the remains of the wall.

"Hagrid," Sirius called as he stepped forward returning his wand to the inside of his robes.

The large man froze surprised at hearing his name, but soon relaxed and turned to face who had called as he recognized the voice. "Sirius!" Hagrid sniffled, tears dripping into is beard. "I was just… Dumbledore sent me ter collect 'arry 'ere." He lifted the bundle in his arm, drawing Sirius' attention to it.

Sirius' eyes widened in surprise, he'd assumed that his godson had been killed, but they soon softened as he realized what that meant. He stepped up to the overly large man and held out his arms. "Give him to me, Hagrid." His face was solemn.

Hagrid stiffened. "Er, well. I am sorry abou' all this, but Dumbledore said ter take 'im straight ter Privet Drive once I got 'im." He looked determined.

Anger bubbled up from the pit of Sirius' stomach, though it wasn't directed at Hagrid. He was just doing his job. Sirius felt his magic fluctuate, but ignored it, clenching his teeth. He had a choice to make. He could either calm down and tell Hagrid whose fault all this was now, or he could go find that filthy traitorous rat and get some answers, and maybe even revenge.

Several moments passed by and Hagrid cringed at the sight of Sirius' anger. He was about to try and leave in hopes of fulfilling Dumbledore's orders, when he saw Sirius collect himself.

Sirius took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming himself and his magic. It wouldn't do to let Harry be taken to somebody else while Sirius went off to do something stupid. He was the boy's Godfather. He had a responsibility to take care of him. He looked up at Hagrid with sincerity.

"I wasn't the secret keeper."

Hagrid's eyes bulged. He'd completely forgotten about the fidelius charm and that Sirius was the most likely person to be the Potter's secret keeper. For a moment he was fearful, but then remembered what the man had just said. He could see the sincerity and sadness held within those grey eyes, but he also saw determination and commitment. He believed him, but now he was confused. "I believe yeh," Sirius visibly relaxed, "But then who was?"

At that Sirius' eyes hardened and he had to visibly collect himself again before he could speak. "Peter Pettigrew."

Hagrid openly gaped as Sirius continued.

"I knew everyone would assume that I was the secret keeper, so I convinced James to switch keepers as a decoy." He clenched his fists and his eyes closed, as if in pain. "I now see what a dreadful mistake that was." A tear slid down his right cheek, but he either didn't notice or he ignored it. He looked up at Hagrid, pleading. "Give me my Godson, Hagrid." He held out his arms to the half giant. "He is my responsibility now. I'll take care of him. Please."

Hagrid sighed, but did as he was asked. "I'll have ter tell the headmaster o' course." His voice was thick with emotion.

Sirius nodded as he looked down at the small bundle that was now in his arms. He saw the scar that would probably mark the boy for the rest of his life and felt his heart clench at the thought of what Harry would likely have to live with. He had just unknowingly defeated the wizarding world's most feared adversary and survived. He looked back up at Hagrid, "Tell him to spread the word. We have to catch that rat!"

Hagrid nodded as he placed a large, heavy hand on Sirius' shoulder. "Take 'im somewhere safe. I'll contact Dumbledore and tell 'im everythin'. He'll know what ter do." He then turned and left, hurrying to do what needed to be done.

Sirius took Harry to his flat to wait for someone to contact him. He knew he'd probably have to relocate, so he started packing his things.

Hours passed, and Sirius continued to wait after he finished packing. Harry woke up crying and Sirius calmed him down by morphing into a dog and letting the toddler snuggle into his fur until he fell back asleep. Just as he changed back and tucked Harry in he heard his fireplace flare and went to check it out, wand at the ready.

"Padfoot, it's me!"

Sirius relaxed and stepped into the room when he heard the voice of Remus Lupin.

"Moony!" He smiled at his friend, but his curiosity got the better of him and he immediately started asking questions. "Did you hear? I'm sorry we didn't tell you. What's taken so long? What's happening? Have they caught Wormtail?"

Remus held up a hand, obviously overwhelmed. "One question at a time!" He looked sadly at his friend as he took a seat at the kitchen table and motioned for Sirius to do the same. "Yes, I heard, and don't blame you, it was a good idea. There was no way for you to have known that Peter had switched sides. After Hagrid told Dumbledore all that you said he sent Hagrid to spread the word, then went directly to the Ministry. He got a team of Arurors and went after Peter." Lupin took a deep breath and looked at Sirius, who was on the edge of his seat, in the eyes. "When they confronted him he yelled about how you had betrayed Lilly and James and he cut off his finger, apparently in an attempt to get away, but they detained him. His wand has been snapped and he has already been sent to Azkaban."

Sirius closed his eyes, taking it all in as he released the breath he'd been holding. When he opened his eyes they were hard as stone. "Good. Let him rot in that hellhole." Even though he knew that rat was getting what he deserved he still couldn't help imagining his own hands wrapping around that filthy neck and strangling the life out of him himself. But he supposed that living the rest of his worthless life with those horrible dementors slowly sucking all hope out of him would have to suffice. He closed his eyes again, as if he were in pain. "I thought he was our friend." He trembled with emotion and a tear fell unbidden from his eye.

Remus looked solemn. "As did I, Sirius. Nobody even suspected. It's nobody's fault but his."

The sound of a baby crying filled the air and Remus frowned.

Sirius got up with a sigh, discreetly wiping his eyes, and went to comfort his godson. "I don't know the first thing about raising a child." He went into the bedroom and gently picked up little Harry, who stopped crying immediately after being picked up, before he cast a weightless charm on his luggage and lifted that as well. He turned around to see Remus looking at him from the doorway.

"I see you're all packed."

Sirius nodded and Remus smiled sadly at him.

"Then we'd best be off. Dumbledore has already prepared a place for you on the outskirts of a small village in Devon. It has already been put under the fidelius charm. I am the secret keeper for now, but we are also thinking about making you a secondary secret keeper once we arrive." He motioned to for Sirius to follow him and left for the fireplace. "We'll be using the floo."

They stepped up to the fireplace and Remus told Sirius the house's location. Sirius threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and left without looking back.

-HPBC-

Author's Notes:

Hello! My name is Kadtie and this is my first ever fanfiction! I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me what you think. If you find any plot holes or contradictions go ahead and tell me and I'll look into fixing them. Like I said this is my first ever fanfiction and I want to get it right.

See you next Chapter!

Kadtie, out.