Author's Note: I actually began this story years ago, but never got it finished. So, I've decided to start it now. Enjoy!
La Vie Comme Un Infirme-Chapter One: Hagrid's Choice
"But what if I'd given Harry to him, eh?"
-Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ch. 10
Sirius Black felt the bitter coldness of the air sting his face like a whip raced through the dark Halloween sky on his flying motorbike. His short black hair blew backward in the wind while his gray eyes looked straight ahead of him. He had to get to Godric's Hollow before it was too late. He had just been to Peter's flat to check on him, when he realized Peter wasn't there. But, there was no sign as if anyone had tried to break in. That could only mean that Peter had fled, worried that someone might catch him for whatever reason, and that reason had to concern the Potters.
He finally arrived at Godric's Hollow. It was a small village located in the countryside east of Bristol. There wasn't much too it. Just cottages, a small church, and a one little marketplace. On any other night, it would have seemed like a peaceful little town to be. On where you could see the stars in the sky without any interruptions from fog or mist.
But not on this night.
Sirius let out an ear-piercing scream when he saw the dead bodies of James and Lily Potter, his best friends, lying on the ground in the mist of the ruins of the house. There was an extremely large man bending over a heap of rubble and searching through it. As Sirius came down to the ground and stopped his motorcycle, he noticed the man pick up something small and moving and heard a small cry.
"Hagrid, Hagrid!" Sirius called to the giant as he jumped off his motorcycle and ran toward him. It was so cold that he could see his breath as he spoke. "Is that Harry? Is he all right?"
Sirius looked down and noticed the baby in Hagrid's arms. It had a bleeding cut across its forehead. "Give Harry to me, Hagrid. I'm his godfather, I'll look after him." Sirius was as pale as a ghost now, and his entire body was shaking madly.
"I'm sorry, Sirius. I can'. I got me orders from Dumbledore. He says he wants me ter take Harry ter his aunt and uncle's."
"Please Hagrid. His parents appointed me his guardian. He's my responsibility now, and I love him. Please let me have him." Sirius reached out and touched his godson's bleeding forehead and began to cry. "Please, Hagrid…He needs me."
Hagrid saw the hurt and love in Sirius's eyes. He sighed, knowing very well that what he was about to do was disobeying Dumbledore's orders, and knowing even more so that Dumbledore would be angry with him. But, he hated to see people suffer.
"Alrigh'." He handed slowly placed Harry in Sirius's arms. "But let me say goodbye firs'." He bent his shaggy head over Harry and kissed him.
Sirius wiped the blood off of Harry's forehead and tightened the blankets around him.
"Thank you, Hagrid," he said. "I'll take good care of him." He climbed back on the motorbike again took to the sky at a fast pace.
Now he was in search of Peter. He had to find him before he could get away. Holding onto Harry tightly, he looked down below him, searching alleys, streets, anywhere Peter could possibly be. Finally, Sirius came across a plump little man with mousy colored hair sneaking quietly down Birch Street and looking cautiously about him. He turned onto a dark alleyway between two large buildings. Sirius turned the bike downward, holding on tightly to his godson.
"Hold on, Harry," he whispered.
The motorbike touched the ground right in front of the plump man, cornering him in the alleyway.
"S-Sirius!" Peter looked nervous. He knew Sirius had come to deal with him. He fumbled for his wand inside his cloak.
Any good wizard would have his wand in an easy spot to reach, Sirius thought. He pulled out his own wand and shouted, "Petrificus Totalus!" In an instant, Peter was lying on the ground, as stiff as a board. Sirius took hold of him and Apparated all three of them to the Ministry of Magic immediately.
They landed right in the middle of a crowded hallway, scaring everyone. "Help!" Sirius shouted. "Get the Minister! I found a murderer!"
"A murderer?" A tall blonde woman asked.
"Yes! GO GET THE MINISTER!"
The woman didn't need to be told twice. She ran down the hallway and returned in an instant, followed by a large, red-haired man wearing a green suit. It was Philip Dawson, Minister of Magic. He was followed by several Aurors whom Sirius recognized from his own field.
"You found a murderer?" Dawson asked Sirius.
"Yes sir," Sirius nodded shakily. "He's under the Petrificus Totalus curse. He killed the Potters. Please believe me."
"We can interrogate him," replied Dawson. "But, Albus Dumbledore should definitely be notified of this first." He turned to the blonde woman who had alerted him. "Jana, go place a fire call to Hogwarts immediately and tell the Headmaster to come here at once."
"Yes, sir." Jana was pale now and looked frightened to death, but she obeyed and ran down the hall to the nearest fireplace.
"Let's take him in here." Dawson gestured to a vacant room near where everyone was standing. The Aurors brought Peter inside and tied him into a chair before reviving him. He panicked and squeaked in fear, but hushed immediately when one of the Aurors pointed his wand at his face.
Albus Dumbledore arrived about a minute later with the young woman Jana on his heels. He was a very old man with a crooked nose, a long white beard that reached to his waist, half-moon spectacles, and sparkling blue robes.
"Miss Wilder tells me that you found a murder in league with Voldemort, Philip." Dumbledore said serenely. His expression did not change when he noticed Sirius sitting in a chair with an alert baby Harry in his arms. "Would you like to fill me in?"
"Well, Professor Dumbledore," Dawson began. "This boy found him. I think he should be the one to explain."
"Alright then, Sirius," Dumbledore smiled sweetly. "Please explain what happened."
Sirius explained to Dumbledore all that happened that night, while Peter whimpered and begged for mercy in the chair in the corner of the room.
After Sirius finished his story, Dumbledore said, "I think now it would be appropriate, with your consent, of course, Minister, to administer Veritaserum to Mr. Pettigrew to collaborate Mr. Black's story."
"Yes, yes, of course." Dawson nodded and turned to one of the Aurors. "Mr. Ridge, will you please go and fetch the Veritaserum, please?"
The Auror nodded and left the room. A few minutes later, he returned with a small silver bottle. He and another Auror forced it in Pettigrew's mouth as best they could, for Pettigrew was struggling to get free. In a moment's time, however, Pettigrew's face was expressionless and his watery eyes were glazed over.
"What is your name?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Were you the Potter's Secret-Keeper?"
"Yes. I was their second."
"Who was their first?"
"Sirius Black." Pettigrew replied. "He wanted James and Lily to change from him to me at the last minute because he thought no one would think I was their Secret-Keeper. So, no one would go after me."
"But you turned them in to Voldemort?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes. I had been in league with the Dark Lord long before they even had a Secret-Keeper."
Dumbledore nodded. "I think it's safe to take Mr. Pettigrew to Azkaban for now. We can settle a trial date at a later time."
Dawson nodded and gestured for the Aurors to remove Pettigrew from the room.
"Now, for Harry, Sirius." Dumbledore looked directly at Sirius. "I think it's time for Harry to go to his aunt and uncle's house."
Sirius felt his stomach turn and his eyes widen in shock. "What!" He held onto Harry close. "NO! Professor, please. They hate wizards! They'll torture him! Lily and James appointed me Harry's guardian because they hate wizards! They would want nothing to do with him!"
"But, Sirius," Dumbledore explained calmly. "They are his true family. Before Lily died, she placed a blood protection on Harry that allowed him to survive Voldemort. With that protection, with a blood relative, neither Voldemort nor his followers can get to Harry. He will be safe with them."
Sirius was crying now and holding Harry tightly. Harry noticed the commotion and put his little hands on Sirius's face, as if he were trying to wipe the tears away. Sirius kissed Harry's chubby fingers.
"You see?" Sirius asked urgently. "He loves me, too. You can't let him live with those people. You can't take love from him. Please no!"
Dumbledore sighed. "I'll consider." He said. "Until then, Harry may stay with you, but your home must be heavily charmed."
"Thank you, Professor! Thank you!"
Dumbledore held up his hand. "But, when I make my decision, you must comply with whatever it is. Do you understand, Sirius?"
"Yes, sir," replied Sirius sadly. "I understand."
End Note: That's chapter one. Stay tuned for chapter two: "Dumbledore's Decision."
Bonne Semaine,
Amélie