A/N: Standard disclaimer, I do not own Harry Potter. JK Rowling does. Also, I have set my story 20 years later than the books (to account for the fact that the books were written almost 20 years ago, so the story was roughly contemporary then). While some HP fans might be off put by this, I stand by my decision. The story is roughly contemporary as JKR originally wrote. And, in all honesty I can write a better story that takes place in the early 2000s, as I was alive then (and actually living in England).
As such, all dates are 20 years later. ie, Sirius, James, Lily, and Remus would have been born around 1980. Harry, in 2000. Voldemort was at the height of his power in the late 1990s until his downfall in 2001. Hope that helps clarify things.
October 31st, 2001
Sirius ran through the entrance of Godric's Hollow, into the living room. Lying on the staircase, motionless, was James. Bending down to feel his pulse, a tear fell from Sirius' eye. "No," he though, "No, you can't be dead! Oh Merlin, Lily!" he cried as he ran up the stairs. Cautiously, he reached the landing outside the nursery, and paused upon seeing the level of destruction. Taking a breath, he stepped inside, more tears flowing down his checks as he approached Lily's body. Closing her eyelids, he sank to the floor. "They're dead, they're all dead. Oh Merlin, my family is dead." Suddenly, the sound of an infant crying brought Sirius to his feet. "Harry," he thought, "Oh Merlin, Harry's alive!" Rushing to the crib, Sirius scooped up his godson, cradling him to his chest. "Its okay Harry, Paddy's here," he muttered as Harry began to relax.
The sound of someone shifting through the rubble downstairs snapped Sirius back into the real world. Quickly, still holding Harry, he moved to the corner behind the door, disillusioning and silencing the pair of them. Standing there, heart beating, he drew his wand, ready to strike. A moment passed, the sounds of someone moving up the staircase, Sirius tensed. Preparing a blasting hex, Sirius drew in and held his breath as someone entered the room. "Hagrid?" thought Sirius, "What is he doing here?" Just before he moved to reveal himself, Sirius heard Hagrid speak, "Oh Dumbledore, he's not here, what me gonna do? I can't bring 'im to ya." Sirius stopped, "Bring Harry to Dumbledore? But he was his godfather, and his godmother, Alice, would also care for him," he thought. He stopped, waited. Hagrid spoke again, "guess I'll jus' hav' ta head to the Dursley's and let 'im know Harry ain't here." Sirius' heart stopped. "Dursley's, as in Petunia? Harry couldn't live there, she would hate him! No, Dumbledore would not take Harry away from me," though Sirius. Mind made up, he remained hidden as Hagrid left.
After a few minutes passed, Sirius made his way outside, still clutching Harry close to his chest. Rounding the corner, he spotted his motorcycle. He paused for a moment. He didn't now where he was going, but Lily would kill him if he took Harry on his bike. He stood there for a moment. Everything caught up with him, Lily, James dead. Him with Harry. He hopped on his bike, sighing. He would use extra sticking charms. After about half an hour of aimless flying, Sirius came to his senses. Making his mind up, he flew towards Harry's godmother and Longbottom Manor.
Arriving at Longbottom Manor, Sirius rang the bell at the gate, alerting Frank to his arrival. Suddenly, he realized a major oversight on his part, the fidelius. Only he, James, Lily, Peter, and Dumbledore knew wh the real secret keeper was. Frank and Alice would think it was him. "That bastard!" fumed Sirius as he thought about what to do. Just as he came up with a plan, he saw Frank and Alice approaching the gate. Quickly, as soon as they were in view of him and could hear him, he held up his wand and stated "I swear on my life and magic that I am Sirius Orion Black, and that I was not he Potter's secret keeper. Pettigrew was the traitor. So I swear, so mote it be." He quickly followed that with a lumos and fell to his feet, sobbing. "James and Lily are dead. He killed them. They're gone. Oh Merlin, what have I done."
When Frank heard the gate bell ring he frowned. It was already past midnight and very few people knew they were here. The only reason he was even up was because he couldn't sleep. Sighing, he stood up and checked the wards. Sirius. Interesting. He hurried to the master bedroom to wake Alice. They had determined they would never approach the gates alone, not even for a friend. After the attack last month, it was too dangerous. Waiting a moment for Alice to don some robes and grab her wand, they headed outside.
From the end of the drive, they could see Sirius, nervously standing there. Wait, he was holding Harry! Frank quickly drew his wand, and Alice followed. The only reason Harry would be here was if the fidelius had fallen and James and Lily were dead! And Sirius was their secret keeper! Just before Frank sent a stunner, Sirius raised his wand and spoke.
"I swear on my life and magic that I am Sirius Orion Black, and that I was not he Potter's secret keeper."
"Oh Merlin," thought Frank, "that means"
"Pettigrew was the traitor. So I swear, so mote it be."
Frank gasped, "traitor, that means James and Lily really are dead!"
Alice, realizing what had happened was quickly down the drive and standing next to Sirius. Gingerly, she removed Harry from Sirius' arms and settled him in hers. While keeping Harry calm, she motioned for Frank. Understanding, Frank guided Sirius down the drive back to the manor. Alice took Harry upstairs to clean and put him to bed while Frank grabbed two shot glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey. Mechanically, he filled both, set down the bottle and took a shot. Sirius followed. They sat there in silence, neither saying a word.