October 31st 1981, Godric's Hollow

In the flickering shadows cast by the burning remains of the cottage, two men stood. One, facing the ruined building, seemed to be far larger than necessary: not only was he monstrously tall, he was also as wide across the shoulders as two grown men, if not three. The other, his back to the smouldering remains, was holding a bundle against his chest, wrapped in blankets. His eyes, red rimmed, were slightly unfocussed, possessing an almost manic glint.

"Now, Sirius," the larger man spoke gently, "Give him to me; I'll see him to safety."

The shorter man carefully shifted the bundle, clutching onto a stick with his free hand. As he did so, the bundle squirmed slightly and a shock of jet black hair could be seen. The squirm seemed to draw the man out of the trance he was falling into, leaving him shaking his head and focussing more clearly on the giant before him.

"Do you think that's wise, Hagrid?" The man mountain's face wrinkled in confusion, so the other continued, "We have no idea what's happened here, other than the fact that James and Lil have been killed, but Harry survived. He could still be around, not to mention his followers." The big man spun, brandishing a large pink umbrella like a sword, waving it uncertainly at the shadows. A moment later, he seemed to remember himself and shook his head to his companion.

"It's right to be worried about him, but I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm to take him straight to Dumbledore." The younger man shook his head. Gradually, the manic edge to his features was wearing off, worry taking its place.

"And how are you planning on getting there, Hagrid? Did Dumbledore give you a portkey?" The large man looked stumped, patting the pockets of his large coat.

"He didn't, actually. I'm sure he must have had a plan..."

"No good if he didn't tell you what the plan was. It's not like you can just flag down the Knight Bus." The big man shuffled his feet in embarrassment.

"We don't have time for this, Sirius. The Muggles will be arriving soon," he tightened the grip on his umbrella. His companion nodded in agreement,

"Aurors, too. And we still don't know which ones we can trust. Crap. Just a minute." He pulled the stick towards his lips, muttered expecto patronum and looked in shock at the silver wisps that emerged from the wand. He shook his head, and looked at the bundle in his arms for a second or two, concentrating as he did.

"Expecto patronum," he intoned. This time, the silver mist formed into a large dog. He then spoke to it. "Moony, Wormtail was the secret keeper: we swapped places. He was also the traitor - he's killed Lily and James. I was going to hunt him, but I need to get Harry to safety. Don't go after him alone." At that, the dog turned and streaked off into the night. As Hagrid started to object, Sirius cut him off.

"Please, I'm not doubting your bravery, Hagrid, but you're a half-trained wizard . I know what these monsters are capable of. I'm related to half of them."

The big man blushed deeply behind his dark beard. Sirius continued,

"Anyway, I need you to get to Dumbledore quickly. I dare not take Harry to Hogwarts, as there might be a group of Death Eaters waiting for just that. They wouldn't dare to take on Dumbledore, and won't suspect you of anything, but they'll attack me on sight, or anybody holding a baby." Hagrid considered this, but the younger man ploughed on.

"Plus, Dumbledore has a crisis on his hands. Peter is a traitor: the whole order has been compromised." Hagrid squawked in indignation and horror. Sirius nodded to the flames behind him. "This is Peter's handiwork. James and Lily are dead, because we trusted him. Because I trusted him." he snarled.

"Peter? Little Peter? I'll wring his neck!" he growled.

"Tell Dumbledore that Pete's an animagus, too. A rat, fittingly."

"A rat. Got it." Then, his dark eyes widened. "Merlin! Every secret he knew. Every Order member, every safe house, they're all blown."

"Yes." Sirius agreed. "That's what Dumbledore needs to concentrate on. I'll look after Harry. We'll hide up somewhere."

"Will you be okay? What happens if any Death Eaters turn up?"

"Good point. Tell you what, tell McGonagall to meet me where she caught James and I skiving when we sneaked out back in sixth year."

"Back in sixth year?"

"She'll know where I mean. To prove it's her, she'll say the same thing she said to the pair of us on that day. I'm sure she'll remember. It made us howl with laughter."

"Peter is a traitor and a rat. Literally. Order compromised; Professor McGonagall to meet you where she found you and James in sixth year. Say the same thing she said then." Hagrid repeated to himself.

"Got it." Sirius twisted a flower from the trellis and pointed his wand at it. "Portkey. It'll take you to the gates of Hogwarts, ready to leave in two minutes" Hagrid took it between his massive fingers. "I'll have to take the bike, as Harry isn't old enough for portkey or apparation." He tucked the sleeping bundle into the sidecar of the motorcycle that was standing at the garden gate, and whispered a couple of charms. "That will keep him safe and warm until we get there."

He jumped onto the bike, secured the helmet and reached to shake Hagrid's hand.

"Good luck." As the big man stepped back, Sirius kicked the bike into a roar and took to the air. He circled over the cottage, watching as the huge man beneath suddenly disappeared. The engine masked the telltale pop of aurors arriving at the scene, but Sirius caught a glimpse of scarlet robes in the treeline. Taking that as his prompt to leave, he opened the throttle. Unobserved by those viewing the devastation below, Harry Potter and Sirius Black sped off into the night.

A/N: Just a little What If for people to consider. What if Sirius had decided to prioritise Harry, rather than go rat-hunting? In this tale, Harry stirring in his arms reminds him of his duty. Hagrid, as Sirius says, is untrained. He's pretty conspicuous, and even more so with a baby in tow. Coming to his senses also allows Sirius the chance to tell Hagrid and Moony that Wormtail was the secret keeper. Which is a rather large divergence from canon. What exactly might happen next, and what in Merlin's name Minerva said to Sirius and James is, I feel, an exercise best left to the imagination.