Into The Fold

By

TooSirius

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own or make any money from any of the copyrighted material found in this story. The world and characters of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. It's her sandbox and I just consider myself lucky to play with her toys.

Chapter One

31 October 1981, Godric's Hollow

As his portkey deposited him firmly back on the ground Reubeus Hagrid took in the wreckage with his own eyes. Albus Dumbledore had told him to expect the worst but even that had not prepared him for what he saw before him. The entire section of roof above the smallest bedroom was blown away, its smoldering remains littering the cold ground around him. The door to the cottage was off its hinges and lay shattered against the wall opposite the entry way. Here was where he found James Potter, laying on the floor of the sitting room with his wand just inches from his open fingers. The lifeless eyes told of a death without pain, instantaneous. James Potter was dead before his body ever hit the floor. With a tear trickling down his cheek Hagrid knelt down and slowly closed James's eyes for the last time. After sitting for a moment of silence with his fallen friend Hagrid picked himself up and moved towards the stairs. Each step creaked beneath him as the gentle giant approached the second floor of the small but warm home. What he saw as he entered the nursery brought him to his knees.

He sat there staring into the lifeless green eyes of Lily Potter for what seemed an eternity until a cry from the crib in the center of the room penetrated the fog that had invaded his mind. He looked into the crib to see young Harry Potter with a violent lightning bolt shaped cut above his right eye. Blood intermingling with tears on his tiny face nearly broke Hagrid's heart as he pulled a handkerchief and gently wiped away the offending fluids. Suddenly he heard the roaring of an engine followed by footsteps on the stairs. Putting himself between little Harry and the door he faced the stairs only to see Sirius Black with a tear stained face standing in the doorway.

"I had a terrible feeling, I knew something was wrong." Sirius gasped breathing heavily

"Dumbledore sen' me ta get Harry for him…" Hagrid replied

"He's my godson, my responsibility Hagrid." Sirius said

"Dumbledore's a great man, he knows what's best." Hagrid stated with finality

"I can't allow you to take him, I don't care if I have to face Albus myself but I'm not leaving here without my godson." Sirius spat

"It's what James and Lily would have wanted." Sirius said softly after a moment

Hagrid looked sadly at the still body of Lily Potter and without saying anything else stepped aside. Sirius stepped forward and looked at his godson, tears in his eyes.

"Thank you Hagrid."

Sirius pulled a vial from his pocket, taking his wand in hand he placed it to his temple and withdrew a short silvery thread and placed it in the bottle. After placing a stopper in the bottle and casting an unbreakable charm on the glass he replaced his wand in his wrist holster and reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a set of keys.

"Take my motorbike Hagrid, I won't need it where we are going. And take this memory to Albus for me… Please." Sirius pleaded handing the keys and vial to Hagrid

"Good luck Sirius, an' take care o' Harry."

"I will, I promise." Sirius nodded as he carefully picked up his godson.

"Where will ya go?" Hagrid asked

"Someplace safe." Was all Sirius replied

With a quick turn and a small pop Hagrid found himself alone in the destroyed nursery. He picked up Lily's body, cradling her with one giant arm he closed her eyes with his free hand. Walking down the stairs he placed her gently next to her husband. His emotions overwhelming him again he walked outside and started Sirius' motorbike and made his way to number four Privet Drive.

…

Headmaster Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore stood in silence on the darkened street outside number four Privet drive with his Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagal. She had tears in her eyes as she finally spoke the question she dreaded the answer to.

"Are the rumors true Albus?"

"Alas they are Minerva, the good and the bad." Albus replied sadly

"You cannot leave him here Albus, I've been watching them all day. They are the worst sort of muggles."

"It is for the best Minerva."

They both turned their attention towards the sound of a motorbike coming from the end of the street. Albus looked alarmed when he realized Hagrid was alone and not carrying Harry as planned.

"Where is Harry?" Albus demanded

"With Sirius, his godfather… it's wha' James an' Lily woulda wanted." Hagrid replied quietly

"Where have they gone?" Minerva asked

"'Someplace safe' was all Sirius would say, he asked me to give this to you Headmaster." Hagrid said as he handed the vial of Sirius' memory to Albus

"This is indeed a very disconcerting development, Sirius Black was the Potter's secret keeper Hagrid. I fear you may have just handed Harry to the man who allowed his parents to be murdered. I must notify the Aurors at once to begin the manhunt." Albus said gravely

"Perhaps you should view the memory before making such a hasty decision Albus. He could have easily taken Harry from Hagrid by force using magic but it appears to me that Hagrid allowed Sirius to take Harry of his own accord." Minerva stated with an arched eyebrow

"Let us retire to my office then, we can use my penseive." Albus said as he shrunk the motorbike and handed it to Hagrid. Then pulling a length of rope from his pocket he muttered 'portus' and it glowed blue for a moment. Holding it out to his companions they both took hold of the rope and with a muttered 'activate' they were whisked away to the Headmasters office of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

….

Vanishing the piece of rope with a wave of his hand Albus walked over to a cabinet in his office. Opening the doors allowed a soft glow to emit from a stone basin on a shelf. Taking the pensieve out of the cabinet and walking towards his desk he placed it down and removed the vial from his robes. As he poured the silvery liquid into the bowl Albus directed his companions to hold hands. After everyone was ready he placed the tip of his finger into the swirling liquid and they all felt themselves pulled into the stone basin. When they landed softly on their feet they took in their surroundings. It would appear they were in the sitting room of the Potter's cottage in Godric's Hollow with James, Lily, Sirius and Peter Pettigrew.

"I can't be your secret keeper James, It would be too obvious." Sirius said

"If not you then who?" Lily asked

"Peter." Sirius replied pointing at their friend who looked nervous

"We will still let everyone think that I am your secret keeper, that way if I am ever captured the death eaters will waste time trying to torture the secret out of me, they would never think to go after Peter."

"But if that happens they will torture you to death when you don't give them the information they want!" James shouted

"It's a risk I'm willing to take James, to protect you, Lily and Harry." Sirius said with tears in his eyes

"You understand the responsibility you will have don't you Peter?" Lily asked

"Y-Yes I do." Peter said shakily

"Then it's settled, tell no one… not even, Remus." Sirius said sadly

With the memory finished the three Hogwarts staff members were ejected from the penseive to land squarely back on their feet in the Headmasters office. Dumbledore looked pensive for a few minutes while everyone stood in shocked silence thinking about what they had just learned.

"It appears you made the correct decision Hagrid, I must notify the Aurors to begin searching for Peter Pettigrew immediately." Albus said

"Come Hagrid, let's have a cup of tea." Minerva said leading the huge man out of the room while Albus was putting his head into his fireplace.

….

A/N – I am a long time reader first time writer of HP Fan Fiction. As this is my first story I would really appreciate any constructive criticism. Also I am American and I currently do not have a Beta Reader or Brit Picker so if anyone wants to volunteer for the job it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.