A/N

AU because I have a serious problem, pun unintended. I don't own Harry Potter, that honor goes to JKR. Not proofread.

Words, 1381


1: Halloween Night

If Lily Potter had to bleed out before him and he couldn't, wasn't able to do anything for her, Sirius would at least not allow her to be alone in her final moments.

So, that was how he found himself with red curls spilling across his jeans, Lilly's head resting in his lap, and her hands grasped tightly in his. Sirius struggled not to cry, though a few tears had escaped his lids, dripping onto Lilly's ghostly pale face, right on her left cheek. How in Merlin's name had this happened?

Only one name crossed his mind.

"Sirius," she rasped, emerald eyes managing to focus on his gaunt face despite the agony it caused, but this was Lilly Evans Potter, the smartest and strongest witch he had ever known. The pain causing her eyes to darken.

Sirius didn't like it, he had always heard that light begins leaving one's eyes until they died.

"Yes?" Asked Sirius, brushing a lock of auburn hair from her forehead. If his hands happened to be shaking, Lily didn't comment, and probably didn't notice.

"Please, protect Harry," Lily choked on a sob, trapping in her throat, a bubble of blood escaping her mouth and splattering on her chin.

Using the backs of his fingers, Sirius carefully wiped the blood away.

Sirius took a shaky breath, hearing about the attack had been one thing, stumbling in the destroyed and once beautiful house and quite literally tripping over the dead body of his best friend had been another entirely. He had been frantic after that, adrenaline running through his veins as he hit the stairs, wand in hand, yelling for Lilly, tears of anger streaming down his cheeks as he desperately listened for Harry's cries. He had flung himself over the wreckage in the nursery to find Harry lying in the destroyed crib and Lily— Lily, laying almost lifeless on the floor, broken furniture and blasted glass around her. After Sirius had pulled her from under the shattered mirror, chanting (don't be gone. Don't be dead. Don't leave me.) he had fallen beside her, gently pulling her on his lap.

And now, that was how we found ourselves here with young Mr. Black and Mrs. Potter.

Sirius struggling to think of how to save her, the woman that taught him kindness and the true meaning of family.

Lily, possibly suffering the effects of amnesia as confusion crossed her face, fog misting over her eyes.

And Harry, crying, not understanding what had happened to his father, not knowing his mother was dying. All Harry wanted was for the broken man on the ruined floor to hold him.

The Motorbike! He had his motorbike, he could take Lily and— no, that wouldn't work, the rush would- Sirius groaned, he felt useless, helpless.

"S-Si-Siri-S-Sirius," gasped Lily, clutching at his jacket, gripping the material between her fingers.

Sirius was curious if she had a concussion from the glazed look in her eyes, James had been prone to getting them in Quidditch often. He studied her pale face, the blood trickling down her lip, the confusion mixed with fear in her green eyes, where the curls ended and the blood began.

Sirius placed a gentle hand on her cheek, letting his thumb trace along her jaw. Sirius had lost Marlene the year prior, and now James, he didn't know if he could lose Lily, too. She was in his arms, still alive. Sirius felt like he owed James and Harry a try.

"Hey, Lils. Focus on me," he tapped her cheek softly as her eyes began fluttering closed.

"Let me go," she whispered.

"No, death is a choice. Don't leave me." Maybe he sounded selfish, but to be frank, he really didn't care.

Snatching his wand from the floor, Sirius summoned a Patronus and spoke, sending a message to the last person he wanted to see at that moment. "Professor, it's urgent. The Potters attacked. J-James is d-d-dead. Lily needs serious attention," he said, angrily rubbing more tears from his face. The dog disappeared, floating out the smashed window behind Harry, who was still sobbing.

"Come here, kiddo," said Sirius, levitating the toddler over to him, where he landed in his outstretched arms. Sirius looked down at the head of messy hair resting against his chest, he wondered if Harry was okay? Slowly, Sirius pulled back, staring at Harry's face, and unintentionally he brushed bangs from his forehead. Sirius froze, because on his forehead was an angry red scar in the shape of a bolt of lightning.

"Where the killing curse must have rebounded," said an unmistakable voice in the doorway to Sirius' left, "I was all ready on my way when I intercepted your message."

Turning his head, Sirius found himself looking up into the blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore, their usual twinkle gone. The Headmaster was dressed in a purple cloak with midnight blue robes, his feet resting comfortably in a pare of black buckled high heeled boots. Sirius stared open mouthed at his old Professor.

"Mr. Black, I believe you owe an explanation for this," the old wizard waved a hand around the destroyed nursery and house, the moonlight from outside reflecting back in his eyes.

Confusion crossed over Sirius' usually bright and handsome features, now pale and broken. He was confused, give an explanation? Explanation for what exactly? "Sir, I'm afraid I don't understand," he finally said, just loud enough for the Headmaster to barely hear him.

Dumbledore's face softened, "you were Secret Keeper, were you not?"

Sirius shifted on the floor, Harry snuggling closer to him and Lily's grip loosening on his jacket. "So it worked? They made me Secret Keeper because that was what everyone would expect from James, but I convinced them to change to Peter. I was a fool," all he could feel was rage. He couldn't break, not then. He was sure if he didn't control himself then he would descend into madness, his family was known for breaking and becoming unstable.

Dumbledore nodded in understanding. "I see," he said approaching the trio, "St. Mungo's medics should be here any moment," he held his arms out, "give me Harry."

There was no explanation behind the statement and so Sirius held the toddler tighter. Yes, he trusted Dumbledore, but he didn't know what he wanted with Harry and also knew he had no other family except Lily's sister, and they didn't talk, the older woman calling Lily a freak and saying she hated them. "Lily asked me to protect him," he grounded out between gritted teeth, his protective instincts kicking in, Padfoot on guard.

"Mr. Black," said Dumbledore, looking like he had aged ten years, "it would be best for Harry to" but Sirius cut him off.

"You don't think she'll make it," Sirius forced down a sob threatening to strangle him, "I'm his Godfather!"

"I know you are, but-"

"Let's see if she makes it."

If Dumbledore was annoyed about being interrupted twice by a 21 year old he didn't show or say anything of it.

"Please," Sirius sounded moments from cracking from the pressure placed on his shoulders. He was too young, Lily just a little younger, and Harry a baby. It wasn't fair, none of it was. Sirius had spent so much time with Lily and James, and Harry had spent very little in comparison.

Before the Headmaster could respond the healers appeared, taking Lily and fighting to get Harry away from Sirius, who had begun crying again, rambling about how it all was so unfair.

Soon, Sirius sat alone as Dumbledore went with the St. Mungo's team, leaving Sirius all alone in a falling home.

And after five minutes of moping on the floor, he rose to his feet, legs feeling like jelly as he tried walking. He would go to Lily and deal with Pettigrew later because, he was needed.

Before Harry had been born, he had been asked to be his godfather, something Sirius found to be proud of as well as an honor. If Harry was alive he had a job and a promise to Lily and James. And Lily had somehow lived, so now Sirius had an unspoken commitment to be there for her, for James.

It was all for them, and he wouldn't fail, not again.