A/n: Thanks to everyone that reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad you all liked it. I hope this chapter is to your liking as well.

Chapter Ten: Alone

Sirius didn't know how long he stood staring out the door that Remus had left through with Harry. It could have been hours, minutes, or merely seconds. It didn't quite matter. Remus was gone. Harry was gone. It didn't matter that the separation was only temporary. It didn't matter that Sirius knew Remus would bring Harry back to him later that evening. All that matter now was the present and in the present he was alone. He'd known that having Harry with him had eased the pain on losing his best friend and made his stay in Azkaban more bearable, but he had never realized how much Harry had improved his life in the last few days.

Sighing, Sirius sank down into the bed behind him as the memories of the dreadful night came back to him. When Harry was around, he'd been able to suppress the memories. Harry was his responsibility now and Sirius focused solely on the happiness and wellbeing of his little godson. Now though, with Harry gone for the day, there was nothing keeping the memories at bay. Closing his eyes, Sirius watched the image of James's dead body materialize in his mind.

He'd been the first person to arrive at Godric's Hollow after the attack. He'd entered the remains of his friends' home hoping for the best, but already fearing the worst. James and Lily couldn't be dead, Sirius remembered telling himself. And Harry, who would even think about hurting a baby.

He'd found James's body first. James was sprawled on the floor near the stairs, wand nowhere in site. Ignoring the voice in his head that said he was too late, that James was already dead, Sirius ran to his best friend. Kneeling next to James, Sirius gathered James into his arms.

"Prongs. James." Sirius whispered softly, tears flowing freely from his eyes. "Come on, Prongs. Get up. You've got to get up. I need you. Please, James. Please."

Sirius had never felt pain so unbearable. The times he had been beaten, yelled at, and cursed by his own family, being forced to runaway, and receiving word that his mother had died, held nothing to the pain he felt now. James, his best friend, brother, and the first real family he had ever had, was dead. Sirius still couldn't believe it. How could James be dead? He's just seen him yesterday. He couldn't be dead so quickly, not when he was so young and he had a family to take care of.

"Lily. Harry." Sirius whispered hoarsely. Giving James's body one last tight hug, Sirius gently placed his best friend's body gently on the floor. "I'll be right back, I promise James."

Making his way towards the stairs, Sirius feared what he would find. James was dead. What did that mean for Lily? For Harry? He didn't think he could take the site of seeing either of their dead bodies after what he'd just seen downstairs. He considered briefly about going back downstairs and calling for Dumbledore. He could wait with James and let someone else check upstairs. He could let someone else discover the site be feared awaited him upstairs. Pushing that thought away, Sirius continued upstairs. James was his best friend and his brother. He was godfather to Harry. It was the least he could do for James now.

Following the path of the destruction, Sirius sucked in a breath when he realized the path lead to Harry's nursery. When Sirius slowly pushed open the door, the image before him caused him to fall to his knees.

"No!" Sirius yelled, looking at the crumpled body of Lily, baby Harry snuggled up to her body. He brought his hands to his eyes, letting the tears fall hard, missing the movement Harry made at the sound of Sirius's voice.

"Padfoo"

Sirius's head snapped up at the sound of his godson's voice. Looking back at Lily's body, he watched as Harry untangled himself from his mother and began to crawl towards him. Jumping up, Sirius scooped up his godson, placed a kiss to his head and hugged him tight against his chest.

"It's alright Harry. I've got you now. I'll take care of you. I promise." Sirius said quietly as he rocked his godson. "I'll take care of him, Lily. I'll keep him safe. I promise."

Snapping his eyes open, Sirius bolted off the couch. He couldn't do this, not now. The memories, they were too fresh. They hurt to much to think about. Lily and James had been everything to him. They had been his world and now they were gone. Shaking his head, Sirius stood up. He had to keep himself busy. If he remained busy, he wouldn't think about that night. He wouldn't allow himself to think about it.

Grabbing some of Harry's toys that littered the floor, Sirius crossed to room and placed them in the closest toy box. He continued to put away Harry's toys, straighten up wherever necessary, and clean the items that he had been neglecting to spend time with his godson. Cleaning kept him busy enough to suppress the memories of Halloween. In fact, it kept him so busy that he didn't notice the ministry official that entered to room, remaining just inside the closed door watching Sirius cleaning the makeshift house.

When Sirius finally noticed his intruder, he stopped and stared at the man. He didn't know what this man wanted, but he wasn't afraid. The ministry may try to act like they had the power, but Sirius knew otherwise. They were powerless when it came to him. He had Harry and they could do nothing about it. They were merely an annoyance to him now.

"You got a reason to be here?" Sirius asked, flopping down on the couch, hand going behind his head so he could prop himself up.

"You don't deserve this, Black. You're a criminal, a Death Eater. You should be rotting in this place, instead you're living the high life. You murdered innocent people and you don't care. By God, you gave away Harry Potter's parents to the Dark Lord, yet here you are raising him and acting like you did nothing wrong. What do you plan to do to him, Black? Are you going to turn The Boy Who Lived evil? He'll find out the truth one day. He'll find out and hate you."

"You know nothing!" Sirius screamed, interrupting the official's rant as he jumped from the couch. "I never was a servant of Voldemort! If it weren't for that bastard, I wouldn't be here and Lily and James would still be alive. And The Boy Who Lived? Don't you ever refer to my godson like that again! He isn't some hero for the public to fawn over. He's a little boy. A little boy that just lost his parents."

"And who's fault is that? It's your fault their dead, Black. You deserve to be back in your cell, suffering like the murderer you are. The ministry considered you know? Putting you back in your cell while Harry was out. It's still free and awaiting your return."

Sirius sucked in a breath. He couldn't go back there. Not now. Not even for the short periods that Harry was out with Remus. The memories inside this house were bad enough. He couldn't even image what images would spring if the dementors were involved.

"Dumbledore convinced them not to, of course. He said that it wasn't a good idea. He believes you would end Harry's trips and never let him leave just so that you didn't have to return to your cell. He's probably right though. A selfish thing like you would do whatever necessary to prevent yourself from suffering." Shaking his head, the official continued on. "Dumbledore also talked about your mental health. The more time you spend with the dementors, the more you would lose your mind. He said it wouldn't do well for you to be insane while raising Harry." With that, the official opened the door, stepping out before turning to face Sirius one last time.

"Except it wouldn't really matter would it? We both know the dementors wouldn't have much affect on you. You're already crazy, Black"

When he was gone, Sirius sat back down, bring his hands up to his face. He knew what the world thought of him. He wished their was a way to prove his innocence, but the ministry wouldn't give him a trial. Even with custody of Harry, they wouldn't give him a trial because they were so sure he was guilty. The only chance he had of ever getting out of Azkaban was with Remus's help. He didn't know if Remus believed his innocence. He hoped he did, but Sirius couldn't be certain. He would give Remus time to think and maybe one day, hopefully soon, he would see that Sirius would never betray Lily and James like that.

If Remus believed his innocence, Sirius honestly didn't care what the rest of the world thought of him. He would have Harry and Remus and that was all he really needed. If he could get out of Azkaban, he would be able to raise Harry properly in a real home.

Until then, he would raise Harry like he promised Lily and James the best he could. He would shower Harry with love and affection. He'd find a way to get Harry new toys and they would celebrate each birthday and holiday together like any other family. He'd share stories about the marauders at Hogwarts. Stories he was sure James would have shared with Harry, regardless of Lily's disapproval. He would be sure to tell Harry about his parents. He would tell his godson how Lily had rejected James constantly throughout Hogwarts and how James had finally won Lily over during their seventh year. He would tell Harry the truth about his imprisonment and the real traitor. He'd do everything that Lily and James would have done with Harry. He wouldn't let Azkaban or the rest of the wizarding world prevent him from giving Harry the best childhood possible.

And he would work on Remus. Sirius was determined that he'd make Remus realize he was innocent. It might be hard work and it could take time but he'd make Remus believe. Remus always was the logical one. He'd realize soon enough that Peter was the real traitor.

A smile on his face, Sirius leaned back on the couch. Facing the door, Sirius waited patiently for Remus to return with Harry. He couldn't wait to have Harry back, snuggled safely in his arms. As long as he had Harry, he was happy.

A/n: Well there is chapter ten. I meant to have Remus return with Harry in this chapter, but this seemed like a good place to end it. I promise they will return in the next chapter. That chapter should be out within a week, hopefully sooner than that. Please review and let me know what you thought. Even if it is only a few words or a sentence. I just like hearing what people think of my chapter. Besides, reviews make me update faster. Thanks for reading.

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