Hagrid's eyes glistened as he saw the house of Lily and James Potter reduced to cinders. Then, out of the darkness, a babies cry cut through the night.
''arry ...' Hagrid said, looking up, a hint of success in his eye.
He charged at the house, smashing in the door, running up the stairs, following the sound of the cry. There was Lily - Hagrid howled as he saw her. And there was Harry, sitting wrapped up in his blankets. Hagrid grabbed him, and got out of the house as he entered it.
It collapsed, as a roar blasted through the crackling of the fire. Curious muggles in housecoats and slippers filled the street.
A giant motorbike had landed not twenty feet from the giant, and two shadowy figures dismounted, and ran towards him.
'Rubeus!' Onw of the figures yelled. 'Is it true? Are the rumours true?'
''fraid so, Remus.' Hagrid replied sorrowfully. 'What's that you see there, Sirius?'
Sirius's eyes darted around, from the street into a nearby alleyway.
'That bastard!' He shouted. 'Peter Pettigrew must have tipped off Voldemort!'
'Don' say his name!' Hagrid shouted. Sirius ignored the comment.
Muggles were exiting the alleyway as Sirius entered it. Sirius threw the motorbike keys, Hagrid went to save the infant's life, and Lupin stayed to watch the house burn, his life flashing before him.
Sirius entered the alleyway, to see Peter at the other end. Sirius could not hear the words, yet he saw Wormtails lips move, and his wand wave. There was a green flash, and the muggles between them fell limply.
Sirius pulled his own wand, as Wormtail pulled a knife. In slow motion, it seemed, Peter pulled the knife down, his finger falling to the ground, as he turned to a rat and disappered, Sirius's curse missing him by inches.
Something strange happened. Black threw back his head, and began to laugh. Peter had betrayed him. James was dead. He was being arrested. Time was no longer relevant, as Ministry officials flooded the alley. Sirius just laughed on. The officials carried him out of the alleyway. Lupin saw him, his face blanched. His lips formed the words, 'What, Sirius, what is it?', but Sirius heard no sound. He just kept laughing. Peter had betrayed him.