CHAPTER ONE - No faith left in the World.

Faith, oh what a sweet thing,
Belief is the best comfort,
for belief is forgiveness
in one way or another.
-Anonymus

Sirius leapt off his motorcycle, leaving it running, and as it's steady rumble pounded into the earth like thunder, he ran forwards, half stumbling, with his black hair flopping down into his eyes towards the fiery ruins that was Godric's Hollow.

He reached the centre of the wreck and the world swirled around him as he fell to his knees amongst the rubble, a primal howl tearing it's way out of his throat, the receding flames, the half-broken door, the blocks of stone.... a child's cry.

Sirius whirled around faster than was humanly possible. Harry, his mind whispered in disbelief, the little-lion, Leo, they had called him. He crawled forwards, the world unfocused about him as his tears marked their way down his cheeks.

He had not cried since he was eight years old, and now he cried for a lost brother.

And for that lost brother's one-year old son.

*Flashback*

Sirius grinned a wolfish grin as he crept up the stairs, carrying a bundle in his arms, tiptoeing drmatically, lifting his legs up to his chest each time he took a step. He heard a muffled laugh behind him and he twisted his head to look disapprovingly behind him. Moony and Wormtail hung their heads in mock-sorrow.

He bent onto his knees to be on eye-level with them and whispered commandingly, How do you expect us to be able to pull of this kidnapping if utmost silence is not preserved? He scoffed, grinning, and turned to carry on tiptoeing up the stairs. The moonlight filtered through the windowss, casting the features of the house into sharp relief.

Finally they reached the top of the stairs and rounded the corner, on their way to the front door, when Srirus almost ran into two people.

And just where do you think you are going with my child? Demanded Lily, putting her hands on her hips as she glared down at the three cringing Marauders, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.

James folded his arms, You guys are really losing your touch, you know.

Sirius opened his mouth to retort -

*End Flashback

NO! His mind snapped back to the present as he reached the bawling boy. Shh, Harry, it's alright. He whispered to the child, picking him up.

But it wasn't alright, it never would be.

He cradled Harry in his arms and looked down and saw the pale, creamy white skin of Lily's arm. His eyes followed it up to look onto her face, her red hair spilling out around her like the blood that never spilt.

Sirius choked on a sob, and turned away, feeling like he was betraying Lily in doing so. He raised his eyes to the moon for a moment, and his despair vanished.

Peter.

He would pay.

Sirius ran over to his motorbike, his long legs nimbly avoiding the rubble as he held Harry securely against his chest. He gunned up the engine and rose up over the sky.

Oh yes, he would pay.

~

Hagrid appeared beside the ruins, his eyes already red and wet from crying. He scanned the area.

Nothing.

He came forwards so that he was in the middle of the ruins and looked around more carefully.

No Harry.

He paused and listened hard for a minute.

Nothing.

Finally he walked around the rubble, upturning things nad calling out frantically.

No Harry.

Panic in his eyes, Hagrid disapparated. He appeared in front of Professor Dumbeldore and Mcgonagol.

He wasn't there.

~



A short, round man turned around, the moment he saw who had called his name, he started trembling, his small eyes darting around furtively.

Sirius strode forwards, rage evident in evey line of his form. His wand was out and pointed at Peter threateningly.

A spark glinted in the short man's eyes, and his expression changed dranatically to one of despair and anger.

Lily and James! How could you Sirius? He yelled out, and the muggles on the high street turned around, the loudness of the accusation drawing their attention.

Peter - Sirius started warningly, but never finished, the street cracked and shook, and a hige chasm opened in the middle of it. Screams of panic split the air asunder. Sirius watched in shock as Peter transformed and disappeared.

He might have stood there in shock until the Aurors had arrived but for Harry's cry of fear.

Turning on his heel, Sirius gave a practised leap and landed on the motorbike. His blue eyes gave on last agonized look at the chaos around him before he ginned the motor and once more disappeared above the clouds.

~*~

DAILY PROPHET

THE BOY WHO LIVED KIDNAPPED BY SIRIUS BLACK - MASS MURDERER

Last night, the one-year Harry Potter aka The Boy Who Lived, survived an Avada Kedavra cast by You-Know-Who, and caused his downfall. His parents, James Harold Potter and Lily Evans-Pottter, were killed and it is a mystery as to how their child survived the killing curse.

However, You-Know-Who's right hand man, Sirius Black, was best friend to the unknowing couple and betrayed them to his master. The next day, Black, obviously driven insane by You-Know-Who's timely demise, was driven to murder another of his best friends, Peter Pettigrew when Mr Pettigrew tracked down Black.

During this confrontation, muggles reported having seen an infant in Black's possession which we know now is the young Harry Potter. As to our young her's fate, we do not know, but can only pray. The full complement of Aurors are conducting a world wide search for the boy, but it is unlikely that Mr Potter is still living due to Black's insanity and loyalty to the vanquished Dark Lord.