Sirius glared at the empty wine cabinet in disgust. He knew that there was no way that Remus was going to go and get him some and he himself felt too tired to clean up and go outside to purchase some more bottles of fire whiskey. So, he retired to just staring at the fireplace sparing Remus a heated glare now and then as his friend sat beside him engrossed in a book.

"What are you reading?" Sirius asked at last growing bored of just staring at the flames.

Remus looked up from his book looking startled upon hearing him speak. Sirius couldn't really blame him after all he could barely remember his own voice after having had remained quiet for about a month. Remus lifted the book from his lap to show him the cover. Hogwarts a History. He then turned back to his book.

"Moony you know that book inside out" whined Sirius remembering the many times in which Remus had lectured them about some fact of Hogwarts. Much to his displeasure, Remus chose to ignore him. Honestly! Sirius was starting to think his brain was messed up, when Sirius didn't want to talk ,he immediately became chatty and when Sirius wanted to talk he seemed to find other things very interesting.

He is probably giving you a taste of your own medicine.

Sirius scowled looked around the room, trying to find something that would be of interest to him. His gaze stopped at his two way mirror which was propped against the wall. "Remus?...why is my mirror wearing a tiara?"

Remus looked up from his book and burst out laughing. This can't be good! Thought Sirius for he knew well enough that Remus only found those situations funny in which he made a complete fool out of himself.

When Remus had composed himself enough to speak he explained "Last night you were talking into it though it seems you forgot to actually call James before you started saying that he was really lucky to have Lily and you weren't because you always got stuck with the bad ones and…you then began explaining what exactly you find hot in a girl."

Sirius blushed and ducked his head "you didn't listen did you?" he mumbled.

"No I fled as soon as the topic came up but I listened enough".

Sirius looked at the mirror and contemplated whether he should just tell James; it would be foolish to believe that he would be able to hide it forever. He moved to the table where his mirror sat.

Better get this over with quickly…

He hastily took of the tiara and dropped it into the dust bin. He took hold of the mirror and called "James?"

Sirius frowned…..no answer?

A soft panic flared in his chest but he sternly told himself to calm down for there was a chance that James has not heard him. He decided to try again..."James Potter?"

Sirius found it queer that he got no response. James always kept the mirror with him for now it held more purpose then it did in their school years, it would tell him if Sirius ever needed him. Though he hated to admit it, something had to be wrong. He remembered the newest feature they had added to their mirrors, they could now access the other's mirror even without the other's consent though James had made it quite clear it was only for emergencies (Sirius had tried testing on his honeymoon). Then again, if this didn't get sorted into an emergency he wondered what did.

"James Potter emergency activate!" he whispered furiously and held his breath as the mirror channeled into James'. He saw out of the corner of his eye as Remus moved closer. The mirror came to life but the surface was completely dark indicating that it was covered with something, maybe it was in James pocket. There was silence except the loud wails of a child. Something was indeed wrong.

He didn't wait for anything as he tore to the fireplace his heart thumping quickly out of fear. He had to get there! He could still save them! He didn't know how he was to help but he had to try. He had to do something.

Remus followed him but in his panic Sirius never realized that he was walking into a trap by taking Remus along. His friend didn't know about the switch, he would be held responsible for the attack on the Potters.

He dipped his hand into the small box of floo powder and paid no heed when the box toppled to the ground for he had withdrawn his hand too hastily. He dropped it into the flames and tried to school his quivering voice as he spoke "Godric's Hallow, Potter Cottage!"

As he was whisked away it occurred to him for the first time that it was possible for him to be too late. No! He could not allow himself to even think of that.

When he reached the desired fireplace he was unceremoniously dumped onto the dusty rug. He shot up and didn't even bother to brush off the soot which now stained his face and cloak. He cast his gaze around the room but he found nothing out of ordinary.

He heard movements behind him and immediately whipped out his wand as he whirled around. He sighed tiredly, only Remus. "Sorry" he mumbled bashfully and his friend nodded in understanding.

He cautiously turned the door knob of the kitchen and was about to push the door open but it seemed stuck, locked? He moved backwards and beckoned Remus to move out of the way. He swung his leg backwards before bringing it forth with all the strength he could muster. The door caved under the force and flew off its hinges.

He moved to the living room and stopped in shock. A hundred emotions conflicted within him and he was vaguely aware when Remus backed away from the horrible scene which had been painted in front of them.

James lay spread-eagled on the floor. One of his arms pressed against his left side while his right seemed to reach out for something he had never been able to reach. His face was pressed firmly against the floor and his mop of untidy hair was visible. There were cuts on his fingers from which blood oozed feebly. He was...dead.

Lily lay on her side, her face turned towards James' body. Her red hair was sprayed around her like a puddle of blood and her face was dull, expressionless. Her eyes were mercifully closed and Sirius felt glad, he would never have been able to gaze into those lifeless green eyes which even he himself couldn't deny were exquisitely beautiful. Her right hand too was extended in the darkness, trying to reach James'.

Harry's tiny form lay in his crib shivering whether out of cold or fear he couldn't tell but it assured him that at least Harry was alive yet it seemed meaningless to him. James his brother...Lily his sister...dead.

These past few months he had wished fervently that he shall never have to connect the words dead with the words Potter but it was too late for denial. He just stood on the doorway to scared to even move forwards, too scared to touch the bodies and feel the cold skin and then feel his world crash upon him.

At the same time he wanted to touch them, he wanted to be assured whether they were dead or not. A small hope took birth in his chest maybe…they were not dead. He moved forwards his steps unsteady but his gaze was set on James, was it an illusion that he saw his chest move slightly.

A firm grip on the back of his robes made him stop and he was surprised when he was wrenched back and pushed into the kitchen. He looked into Remus' eyes and was confused to see anger flash in his amber eyes and for a moment he could see more of the wolf in his eyes then human.

"How could you!" it was more of a statement then a question but it took Sirius a moment to decipher what it meant and when he understood hopelessness took over. Remus didn't know about the switch and according to him Sirius had been the traitor, he had been the murderer.

"No Remus you have to understand…it was Peter" he shook his head frantically hoping that somehow Remus would understand.

"DON'T YOU DARE THROW THIS ON PETER!" Remus roared forcefully pushing him to the wall he pointed his shaking hand towards the living room" THAT! THAT IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT".

Sirius panted as another part of the bitter reality crashed upon him, it was his fault! It had been his idea to use him as a decoy and he understood now that Peter wouldn't have taken any action until he was sure that his back was safe, Sirius had given him the best cover story!

Anger at the man he had once called him friend wheeled inside him and he pushed Remus away. He was going to kill him! He was going to be sent to Azkaban anyway but he was going to end Peter's life before any of that happened. He could also have had presented Peter in the court but at the moment his own life meant nothing, he wanted revenge!

He could see Remus advancing at him again and looked at the kitchen window. "Reducto!" he cried and the glass fell off with a sickening crack. Remus understood his plan and launched himself at him. Sirius hurriedly sidestepped him and climbed out of the window hoping that one day Remus would understand. Telling Remus the truth at this moment would be futile because he knew his friend wouldn't believe a word said by him.

Glass cut into his legs as he jumped out but he barely realized as he climbed out of the house, wriggling his way through the narrow opening. He visualized Peter's dainty apartment at the dark corner of London and apparated away with the pale faces of James and Lily and the loathing of Remus along with the burning desire for revenge still heavy in his heart.

He stumbled slightly as he reached his destination and for a moment he was sure he had splinched himself. He patted himself on the legs and let out a breath, no he was okay. He looked around but found no apparent threats so taking hold of his wand he moved inside his nose wrinkling in distaste. The dark building now looked more like a rat's hole than ever.

For a moment he felt as if he were walking through the ancient movies in which the detective hero would cautiously walk through a dark hallway on his way to murder the villain but shook his head. Not a very good time for this! He reached the door to his friend's studio apartment; Number 37.

He twisted his hand around the door knob and turned it slowly. One of the advantages of Peter's animagus form was that he could hear even the smallest clicks and creeks. He winced as the door clicked and grimaced as it swung open with a sickening creak. That was one of the biggest disadvantages of the rickety building.

The room was dark but Sirius didn't allow that to throw him off. He fumbled around the wall and sighed as his fingers grazed the light switch. Turning on the lights he blinked rapidly as he tried to grow accustomed to the light.

Empty! The room was empty. He cast his glance around the room, looking intently at the bed, the small kitchen, the closed bathroom door, the worn out dining table. He tried to find any clues for a struggle, a small part of his mind wondering if Peter was dead but everything stood there undistorted.

He had left, probably to stay in hiding like the blasted rat he was. Sirius pressed his lips into a firm line as he tried to remember who Peter would have turned to. He suddenly remembered the warm Muggle town in which he had spent one of his summer holidays, Peter's parent's house. He still remembered his friend's parents; they were so warm and welcoming. He shuddered as he thought of what their son had grown up to be. He moved out of the building and thought firmly of the main boulevard of Peter's childhood home.