Disclaimer: Harry Potter et al belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me… though I think everyone knew that :-S
"My Brave Boy"
ByJohn H. Everdene
Chapter 1 – November 1st, 1981, 12:30am
With a bright white light and a loud pop, Bellatrix Black apparated into Godric's Hollow… half a mile away from the Potter household.
"Bugger!" she grumbled under her breath, before lifting her skirts and running as fast as she could towards Griffin Street. Her keen sense of smell picked up the scent of magically-enhanced motorbike oil. 'Sirius is here', she thought to herself. 'Thank Godric'.
Within ten minutes, she arrived at her destination, finding her cousin, Sirius Black, staring in shock at the decimated house, and a tearful Rubeus Hagrid sitting cross-legged on the ground, cradling a small bundle in his arms. Bellatrix came to a complete halt as she took in the sight of her best friend's once beautiful home. 'Oh, Lily… no'. A small sob escaped her, gaining the attention of the two men. Hagrid instinctively reached for his wand umbrella, but stopped once he saw who it was. Sirius, however, had already sensed her presence, and turned to face his cousin. No words were spoken; they merely took a step towards each other before the grief overcame Sirius and he fell to his knees. Bellatrix ran to him, dropped to her own knees and held him tightly as they both began to cry.
"How?" Bellatrix asked between sobs.
"Wormtail" Sirius replied. "He was the Secret Keeper." Fury spread through the two cousins as Hagrid, again instinctively, gently held the small bundle closer to his chest. It emitted a small cry, causing Bellatrix to immediately free herself from the hug, staring wide-eyed in Hagrid's direction.
"Harry?" she asked. Hagrid merely nodded. Bellatrix flew to him and pulled her godson from the giant's grip. Hagrid did not object.
"Oh, Harry…" she whispered as she held him tight, her lips pressing gently against his cheek. Her sharp eyes fixed upon the thin, lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, her thumb gently brushing over it.
"Oh, my brave boy… what has he done to you?" Sirius approached his devastated cousin.
"Come on, Bella", he said softly. "We need to get him away from here". Bella rose and began for Sirius' motorbike when Hagrid gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Wait", he whispered, his heart breaking at what he was about to say.
"Hagrid?" Bella asked, a strange sense of dread slowly washing over her.
"Yeh can't take 'im, Bella". A fresh tear appeared in Hagrid's eye. Bella's eyes widened. Her mouth opened in protest, but no voice emitted.
"What do you mean, we can't take him?" Sirius almost shouted. "We're his Guardians!"
"Dumbledore's orders" Hagrid replied to the young Auror. "'e says 'Arry 'as teh go teh Lily's sister. Somethin' ter do wi' 'blood protection'".
"Blood protection?" Bella almost screamed, her fury once again surpassing her grief.
"That's wha' 'e said." Hagrid said. Bella was about to retort when Sirius placed a hand on her shoulder. Bella faced her cousin and saw the look in his eyes. Tears fell once again as she realised she had no choice.
"Just…" Bella began, sobbing. "Just give me a moment with him." Hagrid and Sirius nodded, stepping back as Bella turned away, tightly holding the helpless infant in her arms. Sirius' hand subconsciously rested on the handle of his wand, holstered on his belt; he didn't completely trust Bella not to try to disapparate away with Harry.
Bella raised Harry's head to her shoulder and leant her own head down, almost until their noses touched. She began to whisper.
"Harry… Hagrid has to take you away from me. He has to take you to your mother's sister and her husband. They won't love you. They won't take proper care of you… but I will. You'll have to stay with them until you start at Hogwarts, but I will be constantly watching over you. I will always take care of you. I will always love you, Harry… my brave boy."
Bella turned back to Hagrid and slowly approached him. "Take him", she said tearfully. "Quickly… before I change my mind". Grief completely overtook her and she began to falter. Sirius quickly approached and pulled his cousin into a tight hug. Hagrid began to cry at the sight; it was just so unfair.
"Hagrid" Sirius spoke up. "Take my bike. It'll get you there quicker and it can't be traced."
"Guard him with your life" Bella piped up.
"I will" Hagrid replied. "I promise you both". The giant turned, gently placed Harry securely in the sidecar and mounted the bike. With a smart nod to Sirius and Bella, he kick-started the bike, sped up the street and finally took off. The two cousins watched in silence until the flying object was completely out of sight. Sirius turned to face Bella.
"You're not going to leave it at that are you?" he asked.
"No" Bella replied, shaking her head. Sirius sighed.
"Neither am I" he stated. "Come on; we'll get to Privet Drive and make sure Harry arrives safely… then I've got a bone to pick with a certain rat."
Bella nodded and the pair turned and walked away from the house. Two bright lights and two loud pops were created as the pair disapparated from the scene.
With everything that had transpired since their arrival, neither Sirius, Bella, nor Hagrid had noticed the silhouetted figure watching the entire scene from the window of Harry's nursery.
End of Chapter One
Please read and review. I'v got a rough idea for chapter two, but I'm still in need of some inspiration. :D
