Sirius Black hated the rain.

Travelling by motorbike was usually a joy but not on a rainy ass Halloween evening.

He was headed to Lily and James' place for a surprise. He had some various Christmas baubles for Lily and a pumpkin full of treats for Harry.

He'd made sure to get a mix of muggle and wizard candy. Harry would grow up proud of his heritage.

It was to be the second stop of the evening.

He'd woken up with a sense of foreboding. Which, to be honest, was not uncommon.

They were at war after all. And it was much less glamorous than a Gryffindor might picture.

His first stop was to Pete's.

Since Lily had written to him that he was looking down, Sirius had taken the not so subtle hint that he was to check in on "Wormy" as Lily loved to refer to him.

He'd started checking on him weekly, and this week's visit fell on Halloween. He'd picked up some chocolate frogs for Pete and hoped it would bring him some joy. Pete had seemed down.

Sirius imagined it was the isolation and the overwhelming stress of being the secret keeper that might be protecting the end to the war.

Or something.

Sirius landed a few blocks from Pete's place and wiped the water from his goggles and jacket.

He cast another impervius charm on his hair and headed down toward the house.

He arrived and walked onto the porch. After knocking a few times with no answer, he tried calling out, "Wormy! I've brought you some Halloween treats! Put down your damn book and let me in."

Silence.

A prickle on the back of his neck.

Something isn't right.

Trying the door handle he finds it unlocked.

Expecting the worst, he opens the door and enters the foyer.

Nothing.

Nothing is amiss.
Everything is in place.

Everything is immaculate.

Taking a breath and trying to keep his panic at bay, Sirius walks into the living room- perfect.

He heads to the kitchen, everything is perfect- too perfect. Everything is clean- no dishes in the sink.

He bounds up the stairs to the bedroom.

Perfect.

Everything is perfect.

Nothing is missing.

Except Pete.

No sign of a struggle.

Where could they have taken him?

How could they have taken him?

Pete would never- he can't….

It has to be given up willingly.

Blood pounds in Sirius' ears.

He can't hear anything but his heartbeat.

His mind is racing.

He is bounding back down the stairs and up the street to his bike.

Trying to comprehend.

Pete knew.

He knew Sirius would be visiting the Potter's tonight but wanted him to come here first.

He….must've….but no. A friend, a brother would never they must've tortured him or.

It has to be given up willingly.

It has to be given up willingly.

It has to be given up willingly.

That thought is the only one that Sirius can hear now. Why he was going to be the secret keeper originally because her would never fucking give it up willingly but they thought it would be too obvious.

It has to be given up willingly.

The fucking rat.

Sirius is airborne the minute he has that thought.

The fucking rat. He's got to find him.

He's got to…..

Lily and James.

And Harry.

He's got to go to Godric's Hollow.

He has to warn them, has to take them somewhere- anywhere.

He flies faster than he ever has before.


He knows as soon as he lands that he is too late.

The cottage is in shambles.

Magic did this.

Terrible, powerful magic.

Hagrid is there, standing in the rumble holding something small...Harry.

Sirius jumps from the bike and rushes over.

"Hagrid….are they….is he?"

"Gone….James and Lily are gone," Hagrid tells him and grief hits him like a freight train. Rage is there too, but the grief is so strong his anger seems like a whisper.

Sirius can't stop the sob that escapes him.

Breathe. He tells himself.

Breathe.

Needing to see for himself, he runs into what is left of the house.

At the door, James lays wandless and broken.

He heads to Harry's room.

Lily.

By the crib.

She died protecting their son.

Harry. He has to take Harry.

Sirius runs back to Hagrid and Harry is reaching for him, smiling at him.

"Hagrid," Sirius starts, "give Harry to me. I'm his godfather. I'll look after him. I need to take him. Keep him safe. It is what James and Lily wanted"

"No," Hagrid bellows, "Dumbledore's orders. He's ter go to his aunt's an uncle's"

"Petunia?!" Sirius can't help but laugh, "No. That's the last place he needs to go. Let me take him."

"I can't disobey me orders, Sirius," Hagrid tells him firmly.

Knowing he wouldn't get anywhere and that he has other business to attend to, Sirius relents.

"Let me say goodbye," Sirius begs reaching for Harry.

Hagrid helps Harry over and Sirius grabs Harry's chubby hand. He inspects his godson quickly. He doesn't know how much time he has. There is a large cut on Harry's forehead. Sirius curses himself for not knowing more healing charms. It will probably scar.

He kisses Harry's forehead and tells him, "I love you Harry. Your mum and dad loved you the most. I've got to go make something right. And then we'll be together. We will be a proper family. I promise"

Harry tries to kiss him back, which is mostly a nuzzle and Sirius can't help but smile through his tears, "I'll see you soon Harry, I promise."

Hagrid reaches for Harry and Sirius walks him back toward his bike. After a quick lesson, the bike roars to life and Hagrid is off.

Sirius stands, staring at the devastation he caused.

"I promise you Prongs. I will make this right. Harry will grow up loved and cared for and he will know how much you loved him," he tells his brother. "And Evans, I swear to you I will never let Harry think he is anything less because of his blood, I am so sorry."

Then, he lets the rage replace the grief. He lets the rage fill him and he sets off.

He's got a rat to kill.