Disclaimer:
Harry Potter, and all characters and places from the series, are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling and affiliated associates. The story below is written for free, and I make no money from this.
Author's Note:
Just how did Hagrid and Dumbledore find the Potter's house in Godric's Hollow if they were unaware who the secret keeper was?
Obviously, they had to have read a note (similar to the one in OoTP) with the secret written on it, which was not in Sirius' handwriting.
Also, why on earth would you try to hide in England, when a simple imperio or compulsion charm from a Death Eater would give you all the 'muggle' assistance you needed to find your target.
I would like to offer this as a challenge to several of my favorite authors out there:
1) Harry is raised with an innocent Sirius and Remus, and is quite a playful little prankster
2) He is not raised in England, Europe, or anywhere in Asia
3) Remus is found to have a 'variation' of lycanthropy, that can be fixed/changed into a more manageable curse (reference Patricia Briggs as an example-where either Bran or Charles assist in this)
4) Harry is trained from a very young age in all things magical, so that when he eventually goes to school he is well ahead of his peers.
5) Ron is marginalized in the story, but friends with the twins is okay
6) Hermione is introduced to Harry early (like when she first gets to Hogwarts), so therefore she is not in danger with the troll when it is let into the castle. Whether Harry kills it himself while with Hermione is up to you
7) Sirius prevents the sale of the Harry Potter adventure books so there aren't so many 'fangirls'
8) Dumbledore is a control freak, but not evil. However, with Sirius as Harry's guardian he is forced to cooperate and share information.
The intent of these constraints is to present a normal but powerful Harry, capable of thinking on his feet. As the story unfolds it will be with Hermione playing the role of a brilliant research assistant. It is up to you whether or not there is a third person to make the 'golden trio'.
Anyone may use my first chapter(s) here if they wish, and continue on with the story.
A moderately tall, sandy haired man with wide shoulders, bearing a somewhat weatherbeaten look, walked dejectedly towards the resplendent castle perched on the hill above him. Even from here he could tell the mood in the air was part rejoicing, part sorrow.
As he was swept upwards to the office of the somewhat eccentric, yet brilliant Headmaster's office, he hurriedly swiped the tears from his eyes. He had to be strong. There were things to do, and no one left but him to carry them out. Grieving would come later.
Albus Dumbledore, Minerva MacGonagall, Filius Flitwick, and Aurora Sinistra were present, each with a glass of whiskey in front of them. Another, filled near to the brim, awaited Remus on the opulent desk. Taking the pro-offered drink, the prematurely aging young man sat heavily in the armchair, his head bowed.
Albus stood, and quietly cleared his throat, his voice somewhat hoarse with grief. "A toast, to all those who have fallen. May they never be forgotten. Especially those who have so personally touched our hearts. To James and Lily!" Glasses emptied quickly, and an eerie silence filled the office, broken only by the gentle crooning of Fawkes, the Headmaster's phoenix, as he tried to instill some joy into the sombre gathering.
Gathering himself by sheer strength of will, Remus looked to Dumbledore, and asked, "So, the house, it's been taken care of?"
The only sign Albus was surprised was a slight widening of his eyes. "Urrm! Actually, no, as I was busy trying to sort out various affairs, both for young Harry and at the Ministry." Seeing the slight anger in Remus' eyes, he tried to placate the distressed were. "Perhaps, if you're feeling up to it, you could see to the contents of the house? See that they are gathered and placed in Harry's trust vault for when he is older?"
Sighing, Remus nodded. "I'll need the secret though. I was never told." Nodding, Albus turned to a small safe behind his desk, and drew his wand. A few complex wand movements later, that none there had ever seen before, and a small piece of parchment was handed to Remus.
Albus' back was turned to re lock the safe, so he didn't see the look of sheer surprise and horror that crossed his former student's face. He did, however, here the sudden intake of breath in shock.
Remus had stood to take the proffered parchment, and was now weaving unsteadily, white as a sheet, as if someone had just foretold his own demise. Albus was around the desk in a flash, a steadying hand on the younger man's elbow. Several minutes later, a good shot of whiskey to bring some colour back to his face, and he finally got Remus to speak.
"This is Peter Pettigrew's handwriting...", was whispered in a half-unbelieving voice. All hell broke loose in the office. Former Headmaster's portraits were shouting to be heard. Minerva was so far gone she was no longer speaking in English, her Scottish Gaelic curse words causing even some of the older portraits to exclaim in shock. Filius had fallen off his seat in surprise, and Aurora had slumped in her seat bonelessly, mouth moving while attempting to voice silent words.
"Quiet!", shouted Albus, surprising everyone into silence. Seldom did he raise his voice, and when he did it was instantly obeyed.
In a flash he had knelt in front of Remus, grasping his elbows, as he stared into his eyes. He dared not legilimize the younger man, as his inner lycan would tear his mind to shreds. The smile breaking on Remus' face was all the proof he needed, but he knew other's would need more.
"Minerva, Filius! I need you to search the archives for old tests to compare both Sirius and Peter's writing. A couple of NEWT essays should suffice." The two teachers bustled out of the office, followed more slowly by Aurora. She had been in the office to ease her heart, and it was with a much lighter step she headed to her quarters.
Remus stood, the wide smile on his face betraying the formerly solemn occasion. He had things to do, and little time to do it in. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Harry would have to go into hiding, but as he was quite familiar with the non-magical world knew that would be no problem. With his brother in all but blood being released, they would need to move quickly, before word got out.
At the border of the castle wards he paused, a thought crossing his mind. He doubted any other would have considered it, but without hesitation he shot a patronus charm from his wand. Frank and Alice Longbottom would need to be warned that it wasn't safe to come out from behind their fidelius yet. The attack on Harry should prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. With a much lighter heart he apparated to his recently deceased friends house to save as much as he could for his young cub.
Three days later saw a rather bedraggled Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, a young Harry Potter sleeping in his basket, Albus Dumbledore, and Minerva MacGonagall gathered once again in the Headmaster's office. It was after eleven, long since the hall patrols had ceased and all the students of the castle were tucked into their beds. Many of the portraits had sour looks on their faces as they took in the recent news.
"Honestly Albus!", shouted Minerva. "Ah tol' yae thae were the worst sort o' muggles! Those bastards had him stuffed into the cupboard under the stairs! And there was no signs of baby food anywhere in the house!", she huffed. Sirius and Remus were also glaring at Albus. What they had found when they went to get their young charge was disturbing on so many levels. The family had been gathered around their kitchen table, happily eating their evening meal, while Harry had been left in the cupboard. Had he had to have remained there, who knew to what level the abuse and neglect would escalate to.
Once tempers were calmed a hasty plan was hammered out. Sirius and Remus would make a discrete trip to Gringotts, grab some cash, and leave the country via an international port key. Minerva would be their only point of contact via a set of charmed mirrors that the boys had made a few years ago. The three would disappear into either America or Canada, claiming refugee status as victims of the war. There, Harry could be raised in relative obscurity, free to learn magic but out of the limelight. Word could be spread to those demanding knowledge of his location and guardians that he was safe, and should proof be required an unbreakable vow could be taken to keep their location safe.
So it was, at three in the morning, a rather tired trio with a diminutive former Hogwarts house elf in tow, letters of introduction from the Supreme Mugwump himself safely tucked into pockets, saw the last of Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Harry Potter for many years.