A/N: My heartfelt thanks to LuckyMascot for betareading


Quest


"I demand to see my Godson," Sirius yelled slamming his fists on the Headmaster's table.

Albus Dumbledore remained unperturbed at Sirius' outburst. He leaned back in his chair and answered, "Why don't you take a seat, Sirius."

Sirius gave him an incredulous look. "I'm not here to sit and have tea. Where is Harry?" He turned to his friend, who accompanied him to Hogwarts. Remus patted his shoulder and pushed him into the chair Dumbledore offered. "James and Lily entrusted him to me. You can't take him away from me, Professor."

"Headmaster, I understand you have your reasons to keep Harry hidden. But it is against James and Lily's wish. They wanted Sirius to take care of Harry," Remus said in a desperate voice. He knew that Harry is not only the one who needs his Godfather. Sirius needs Harry too, for the sake of his sanity. For the last few weeks, Remus had been with his friend, consoling him, as he spent all his time near James and Lily's graves.

"Remus, I'm aware of James and Lily's wishes. But the current circumstances demand some drastic measures," Dumbledore said pouring tea into the cups. He offered to the exhausted Marauders. "It's for the best."

"That's it? That's your answer," Sirius said pushing the cup away.

"Sirius, stop," said Remus. He then turned to Dumbledore and spoke, "It's killing him. Harry is the only one, who could bring peace to Sirius. He lost everything that night, Albus. If he lost Harry, he'll go completely mad. We might as well put him in the Azkaban."

Dumbledore sighed and got up from his chair. He moved to a door that contained a basin that was emitting a pure light. With his wand, he swirled the contents and moved back. Before he closed the door, Sirius and Remus got a glimpse of figure covered in enormous glasses and multi-colored shawls. "This is not about you, Sirius. There are bigger things in play. You have to make peace with this fact. Even though Harry is away from you, he is safe. That's all we have to wish for."

"This is unbelievable," Sirius grunted. He sprung from his chair making the chair fell back with force. "I'm going to find him." He cursed exited the room.

"Remus, you must stop him. We all know how Sirius could act. And in his unstable state, he is a threat not only to himself but also to Harry Potter," Dumbledore warned the werewolf as he stood to follow his friend outside.

Remus stopped and turned around. "We believed everything you said, Headmaster. Without a doubt, we followed your instructions. But still, we couldn't save James and Lily. I don't want to lose Sirius too." He proceeded to the door and whispered. "And you're wrong, Sirius would never hurt Harry. He would die before he let any kind of evil, befall Harry."

Remus rushed outside without waiting for an answer from the Headmaster. His worried eyes searched for Sirius. He didn't want to find him again in a downtrodden state. But to Remus' surprise, he heard a boisterous laughter. He carefully trudged forward and took a peek from behind the wall.

"Mr. Black," a stern voice sounded.

"You are as charming as ever, Minerva," Sirius said taking Professor McGonagall's hand. He kissed her knuckles and winked at her.

She narrowed her eyes at him but she didn't pull her hand back. But Remus knew even she could see the pain that was hidden behind his playful gesture. "Sirius Black, to what do I owe this pleasure."

"What? Can't I come and visit my most favorite Professor?" Sirius exclaimed placing his hands on his heart. "You wound me, Minerva."

She softened and slowly took her hand back and spoke with concern. "You're missing your godson."

Both Remus and Sirius knew that wasn't a question. Sirius slumped his shoulders and looked at the floor. "Its been almost a month, I haven't seen him."

Remus walked towards them and Sirius gave a wry smile. "Remus doesn't leave me alone even for a minute. He thinks I'm going to kill myself." Remus shook his head while Sirius continued, "Moony, my friend. I won't do any such thing. Not until I kill the rat with my bare hands."

"We haven't forgotten about Peter Pettigrew. He will be caught and will be punished. But you have to understand the most prominent thing here, Sirius Black. And that is keeping Harry Potter safe." she responded in a dejected voice. "And Professor Dumbledore accomplished that. It may not be a happy life, but he is secured and protected. What more could we want?"

She turned around and vanished around the corner before Sirius and Remus could process, what she said.

"Did she say, not a happy life?" Sirius growled.

Remus nodded solemnly. Sirius followed after Professor McGonagall. "Sirius, wait. It's no use," Remus stopped. "You know, she won't say a thing."

"She said, not a happy life, Remus. Where the hell did Dumbledore put Harry? I swear, if he put him in an orphanage, I'll rip his arms out."

"Sirius, calm down," Remus said in a thought. "I have an idea, follow me," Remus said moving forward. But Sirius didn't move his eyes glaring at the big Griffin statue leading to Dumbledore's office." Remus sighed and tugged Sirius by his arm. "I said, I have an idea. Come with me."

Sirius dragged his feet after Remus as he pulled him along. They bypassed various students in the corridor. The celebrations that started after the day Voldemort was destroyed, were still continuing. Sirius grabbed a banner that said, 'Harry Potter is our savior' and tore it into pieces. "He's just a boy," he said blasting another banner with his wand.

Remus didn't give up his hold on Sirius until they were outside the castle. As the fresh breezes of cool air hit his face, Sirius stopped. "Where are we going?"

"Who was the person, that took Harry from you?"

"Hagrid," Sirius said scratching the back of his neck in confusion. Then it hit him. "He must know where Dumbledore took Harry," he gasped. He gave a predatory growl and rushed towards Hagrid's hut. Remus rolled his eyes and followed his friend. He could hear Sirius' calls before he reached the gamekeeper's place.

"Hagrid, open the door. It's us," Sirius kept banging the door.

Remus sighed looking at the small ray of hope in his friend's eyes.

"Why isn't he opening the door?" Sirius asked his eyes returning to their panicked state.

"Probably gone down to Hogsmeade for a drink. Come on let's go to Three Broomsticks. I'm sure he'll be there," Remus said and before he could register, Sirius was way ahead in his path to Hogsmeade. Remus tried to follow but it was difficult to keep up with an excited Sirius. Very soon he heard a pop and Sirius disappeared. Remus groaned and urged his legs to go faster. He had to get back to Sirius Black before he landed himself in trouble.

Three Broomsticks was loud and boisterous. Barrels of mead were still flowing generously and People sang praises of the boy-who-lived, celebrating their freedom from the Dark Lord. Many were still afraid to utter his name. The fear of Voldemort's name had seeped into their hearts and brains, that couldn't be removed anytime soon. Remus looked for his shaggy-haired friend, but it was difficult to find him through the crowd. Just when he thought he couldn't find them, an extremely loud wail permeated the noise and Remus knew who Hagrid was.

"Jus' a littl' babe," Hagrid cried downing a large tumbler of Rosmerta's mead, down his throat. "Destroyed the powerful Dark wizard eve' existed."

"To Harry Potter," the gathered crowd chanted.

Remus sighed as he saw Sirius approach the table currently Hagrid occupied.

"Sirius," Hagrid cried pulling him to the chair beside him. "How're yeh?"

Sirius nodded letting out a mirthless chuckle. Remus stayed back observing the exchange, but he stood ready to interfere if the things took an ugly turn.

"Hagrid," Sirius pulled him into a hug. He took a glass from a floating tray and made a toast. "To James and Lily."

"To the Potters," the crowd repeated.

"So much of life ahead. So young to die," Hagrid sobbed again. "Los' lives protecting their boy."

Sirius threw the entire contents down his throat and banged the tumbler on the table.

"Yes, their boy. My Godson," Sirius said. "I haven't seen him since that day."

Hagrid patted his back making him stumble. "I know, littl' Harry."

"If only I could see him one last time," Sirius said looking at Hagrid.

Hagrid nodded his head. "We all wish tha'. He held onto my littl' finger. He wouldn' le' go. But I had to give him. But Professor Dumbledore said he wouldn' be safe here." Hagrid said his large body sagging into the chair. His eyes turned droopy and his voice slurred. "No' safe here."

"True, very true Hagrid. Harry wouldn't be safe here," Sirius said shaking him awake. "But where would he be safe?" Hagrid was drifting off into a haze and Sirius was trying desperately to keep him awake. At least until he slipped the information about where Harry was kept hidden. "Where is Harry, Hagrid? Where did Dumbledore hide him."

"No' safe here," Hagrid mumbled again and started snoring.

Sirius growled and started looking around. Remus sensed trouble and was by his friend's side in the next moment. He knew this was the only chance they could clamber out an answer from Hagrid. He grabbed a near by glass and whispered, "Augamenti." A fresh jet of water filled the glass. He pushed into Sirius' hands and nodded.

Sirius sprinkled water on Hagrid's face. But it didn't help. Sirus tried sprinkling a little bit more this time but the half-giant remained asleep. Sirus' patience was wearing thin. He emptied the remaining water on his head and the half-giant shot up straight in his seat. "Wha' happened?"

Sirius pulled him closer by his coat and asked, "Where did Dumbledore hide Harry?"

Hagrid's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he remained uncooperative but he mumbled something unintelligible that couldn't be heard over the loud chatter in the pub.

"Where is Harry?" Sirius asked desperately. "Please tell me, Hagrid. I'll not stop until I find him. I'll tear everything apart to get to my Godson. And your Professor Dumbledore cannot stop me."

Remus didn't know what Hagrid understood in his inebriated state, but he saw a flicker of concern pass in his small beady eyes. "Dumbledore knows what's best. Harry's living with the only family he has."

"Only family," Sirius aggrieved voice resounded. "I'm his family and I'm still here."

But it was no use, Hagrid had already dozed off on the table. Sirius slumped on the chair in resignation. "Total waste. He didn't say anything."

Remus shook his head with a smile. "But he did."

"What do you mean?"

"He said, Harry's living with the only family he has," Remus said throwing a cautioned look around the pub. "Think Sirius, who is left in Harry's immediate family. James and Lily both lost their parents. The only one remaining is,"

"Lily's sister," Sirius said his eyes widening.

Remus nodded as Harry's location became clear. "From what we heard. She was a horrible person. Why did Dumbledore leave him there?"

"I don't care. Now we know where Harry is. We just need to get him back. But where the hell does Lily's sister live in the muggle world?" But Sirius face turned predatory as he uttered the next words. "I think I just the know the person, who can tell us."


"Are you sure, we got the right place?" Remus asked as Sirius maneuvered them through narrow lanes. The neighborhood looked calm and controlled except for the murky house at the end.

"Positive," Sirius said approaching the said building with caution. "I followed Snivellus to this house, once, with James."

"Do I want to know why?" Remus asked shaking his head.

"It's not that bad," Sirius said in a low voice. "Lily lost her parents before her wedding. So James never visited her childhood home. When Snape taunted James, that he doesn't know Lily like he does, we followed him. But before we could get him for what he said, Lily came back. And you could guess what would have happened afterward."

Remus smiled as James and Lily's faces danced in front of his eyes. Sirius joined him and closed his eyes relishing the nostalgic moment.

"Come on," Remus nudged him pointing to the door.

As Sirius lifted his hand to knock, a creak sounded, indicating them someone was opening the door from inside. They looked at each other and ducked into the immediate alley. Remus was quick and was able to hide but Sirius didn't seem so lucky. He had to take immediate action and he transformed into his Animagus form without a second thought.

"Doggy," a child squealed and caught onto Sirius' neck. Sirius looked into the child's eyes and saw a familiar pair of gray eyes looking back at him. Sirius groaned as the child had a death grip on his neck.

"Draco," a stern voice made the child startle and his tiny hands left Sirius' neck. "You should know better than to touch a stray and filthy mutt. Get away from there." Sirius raised his snout in defiance at Lucius Malfoy and darted his tongue out to lick at the toddler's face. Draco giggled in happiness and gave a slobbery kiss to Sirius.

"Draco," Lucius said in a louder voice. "Get here, now."

"Lucius," a silky voice drawled and Sirius found Severus Snape at the door. "It's just a dog."

"Sevvus. Can I keep him?" Draco said clinging onto Sirius' neck.

"It's not mine, Draco. If you want, we could get a puppy for you. But for now, leave the dog and come to your father," Snape consoled the boy. Draco left Sirius with a pout on his tiny face and returned to his father's side.

"You promise?" Draco asked blinking.

"Yes," said Snape uncomfortably.

"We must be off," Lucius said trying to take Draco's hand. But he cringed looking at his tiny palms. "Dobby," Lucius called.

A pop sounded and a tiny squeak of voice followed, "Master."

"Take Draco with you. He got muddied playing with a stray dog," Lucius said pointing to Draco.

"Lucius, we are in a muggle neighborhood," Snape hissed.

Lucius sighed, "Relax, Severus. Muggles cannot see elves. I don't understand why you live here in this forsaken place amidst those muggles."

"Dobby, take Draco inside and you can apparate from there," Snape advised the elf. As the elf guided the whining toddler inside, Snape turned to Lucius. "This was my parents' home. I loathed my father, but I have some prized memories here," Snape said his gaze lingering to a cheery home with cherry trees, which stood afar.

"I'll be on my way. Thanks for looking out for us. Malfoys' won't forget your help," Lucius said taking two steps inside. Sirius heard the telltale sounds of apparition from the inside.

Snape sighed and leaned onto the door his gaze still fixed on the house with cherry trees.

"So, is this house, a front for Death Eaters' meetings?" Sirius said transforming into his human self. "And you are trying to induct the youngest Malfoy into your group. Marvelous."

Snape was startled in his stance and narrowed his eyes at Sirius. "Black, this is a muggle neighborhood."

"Calm down, Greasy boy, nobody saw me," Sirius said sauntering into Snape's house.

"How did you apparate here? I didn't hear a sound," Snape said trying to close the door.

"That's not for you to know," Remus said stalling his actions and stepped into his house.

"Take your pet and get out of my house, werewolf."

"As if we want to stay in this filthy house," Sirius said picking an expensive bottle of liquor from the cabinet. "Not a bad choice," he said taking a big gulp.

"Sirius, stop," Remus said in an impatient voice. He then turned to Snape and spoke. "Severus, Lily was your childhood friend. So you know about her family, right?"

Snape scowled but didn't answer Remus' question, but he didn't deny it either.

"How was Lily's sister?"

Snape scoffed. "Why do you ask about her?"

"Please, just tell us," Remus asked grabbing the bottle from Sirius' hand and placing it back on the cabinet wall.

"No, tell me first, why you are interested in Lily's sister?" Snape said narrowing his eyes.

"We don't need to answer a person like you. Tell me where her sister is," Sirius argued in an arrogant tone.

"You really think you are so precious and important that people answer you even though you insult them. Remember Black, I was the one who kept you from going to Azkaban."

Sirius growled and tried to lunge at Snape.

"Enough," Remus' voice boomed. "Sirius, we need to find Harry and these petty arguments are keeping you from his location. So for Merlin's sake, keep quiet for a minute." He then turned to Snape and spoke with a distaste. "We believe Harry is with Lily's sister. Professor Dumbledore thinks he's going to be safe with her. But we need to get Harry back. So any information about her whereabouts would be helpful."

"She's a pathetic woman. She was jealous of Lily's magic," Snape said lost in thought. "Lily once told me she had written to Dumbledore for admission, but she was denied. From then she hated the very existence of magic. Why would Dumbledore leave that brat with her? Dumbledore's safety plans are futile. We have seen how it worked out with Lily."

Sirius and Remus exchanged nervous glances. Sirius moved forward and asked in a weak voice "Where does she live?"

Snape turned around and said, "I don't know. She doesn't live in her parents' house anymore."

Sirius was about to retaliate, but Remus stopped him. "Could you point us to her parents' house?"

Snape took a deep breath and turned towards the door. He opened the door and breathed, "The one with the cherry trees." As Remus and Sirius hurried out of the door, Snape yelled after them. "Don't ever try to set your foot in my home again," and banged the door shut.


"He is in there," Sirius breathed as his eyes welled up.

It wasn't difficult to find out the address of Petunia Dursley from her parents' house' current owners. After Lily's parents passed away, Petunia had sold their old house and moved to a different location. Remus had to engage the owners in a polite conversation, without letting Sirius blow up. At the end of an hour chat, they exited the house with a slip in their hand.

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

The letters glimmered in the twilight. Sirius' palms became sweaty and a nervous anticipation ran through him.

"Everything will be alright. Let's go meet your Godson," Remus said giving him a nod.

Sirius step faltered as he opened the little gate and entered a maintained garden. Each and every step he took towards the door, made his heart thump. He reached the door and took a deep breath and lifted his hand to knock on the door. After two knocks, the door opened and a bony woman with a neck longer than a broomstick answered. "Yes?"

"We are looking for Harry Potter."