Chapter 9: A Whole New World

Sirius Black rushed to Peter Pettigrew's hideout frantically, the scenes of a nightmare still vivid in his mind. "Don't tell me it's true don't tell me it's true" he muttered as he accelerated on his flying motorbike.

It was true.

Peter Pettigrew was missing from his assigned hideout. Yet there was no sign of struggle.

Everything just didn't seem right.

Sirius gasped and hurried to Godric's Hollow, where the ghastly scene greeted him.

James and Lily were lying on the floor motionless, while Harry was simply missing. Blood drained from his face. "Lily James" he grieved. He sunk down onto the floor, sobbing helplessly.

Clenching his fists, he hissed, "Peter Pettigrew, you ungrateful brat, you shall pay for this"

~

Hagrid carried the sleeping baby in his arms and stomped out of Godric's Hollow's back door. He gently touched the lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead and started crying noisily. Big drops of tears splashed onto his coat. But he was soon reminded of Albus Dumbledore's instructions:

Go to Godric's Hollow to collect Harry. Then make your way to Privet Drive, where I'll be waiting for you. Make no noise to alert any Death-eaters. Make haste and be quiet. And do not give Harry to anyone

He took out a large handkerchief and blew his nose loudly. Still sniffing, he continued trudging his way through the muddy field outside the house. He took one last look at the Potter's home before finally quickening his pace.

Suddenly, somewhere in the dark, a whirring noise got louder and louder, as an orb-shaped light got brighter and nearer

"Hagrid!"

"Hey Sirius, kiddo. Watcha doin' ere?"

"Could I have Harry?" Sirius asked with outstretched arms.

Hagrid brought Harry closer to himself.

"Sorry, Sirius, but it's Dumbledore's instructions. Can't give 'im to anyone, I'm 'fraid."

"Please, Hagrid, I'm his godfather, please" Sirius was white and shaking.

"Am really sorry, Sirius. But Dumbledore said not ter give 'im to anyone. He would be sent ter a place which'll be safe"

Sirius' face became downcast. "Alright then," he said reluctantly. "Then take this motorbike. It'd speed up your journey and it's a lot safer than travelling on foot."

"But Sirius, this is yer favourite bike! Yer can't just give it ter me like that!"

Sirius was adamant. "Take it. I don't want it anymore. I have no more use for it. Take it."

Hagrid was too shocked to speak.

Tears welled up in Sirius' eyes. "Harry Can I take a look at Harry?"

Hagrid held him out. "Look at Harry," he said through tears, "he's not even crying, not like us. He's a brave soul who defeated You-Know-Who."

"He did?"

"Yeah. Look at 'is scar." Hagrid pointed at the baby's forehead.

Sirius reached out a finger, almost timidly, and gently pushed back the tufts of black hair. And there it was, illuminated by the bright yellow light of the motorbike, the bolt of lightning.

"It was him he shall pay dearly for this scar, the scumbag" Sirius retreated, laughing like a maniac, and faded into the shadows.

~

"Peter," Sirius said in a deathly whisper.

Wormtail quivered and stumbled backwards.

"We trusted you enough to make you the Secret-Keeper, and you, you ungrateful brat, actually betrayed the Potters. How could you, Peter? They were your friends!"

Peter closed his eyes and he backed away, hitting the wall behind him. He fingered the hidden wand behind his cloak.

"How could you, Peter? We were your friends" Sirius repeated.

Peter remained quiet. A portion of his wand lurked into view.

"We helped you become Animagi. We befriended you. And all we get is – "

"LILY AND JAMES, SIRIUS! HOW COULD YOU?" Peter suddenly cried, sobbing.

There was a moment of silence as everyone stopped to hear. But almost immediately, the whole street blew apart. Black smoke hovered all around as a filthy rat sped down into the sewer with other rats.

A deep crater was formed in the middle of the street, so deep that it exposed the sewer below. Muggles and wizards screamed and fragments of bodies were heaped on the floor everywhere.

Sirius Black laughed bitterly. He laughed at the heap of blood-stained robes and the remaining fragment of finger in front of him. He laughed at Peter Pettigrew. He laughed at Peter Pettigrew's cruel plan.

The Magical Law Enforcement Patrol came and took him away, while everyone else shrunk away from him. Sirius Black was still laughing. He laughed at himself.

~

On another side of England, Baby Harry was placed on the doorstep of the Dursleys, totally unprepared for the following years to come.

THE END