the_debt_of_time

When Sirius arrived at Peter's flat to find him gone, he immediately panicked.
Wormtail knew he was not supposed to leave, which meant something terrible must have
happened.
He had jumped on his motorbike and flew to Godric's Hollow as fast as he could.
It had not been fast enough.
Sirius forced himself through the rubble of the house with no care for his own
safety, following the sound of Harry's cries coming from the upstairs nursery. He willed
his gaze upward as he ascended the stairs, purposely trying not to look at the ground, where
his peripheral vision told him James's body was still and cold. He let the adrenaline move
him forward knowing that his heart would break later—later, when he knew that Harry
was safe.
When he made it to the nursery he found Hagrid holding his godson, large tears
dripping down his cheeks as he cradled Harry in his massive arms. Harry screamed in
Hagrid's gentle grip, green eyes brightening at the sight of Sirius in the doorway, tiny hands
reaching out for him.
"Hagrid," Sirius choked out, allowing himself to look down in front of Harry's crib
where a mess of red hair lay on the floor behind Hagrid's feet. He swallowed back the sobs
that were threatening to tear their way out of his throat. "Hagrid, give me.. ." he said,
reaching out, "give me my... my boy."
The half-giant hesitated for a moment before nodding and passing Harry over, and
Sirius clutched the boy tightly, clinging to him like a lifeline. Harry calmed down, and Sirius
was able to look him over, taking notice of the wound on his forehead. He growled at the
sight, the first emotions of pure rage making themselves known.
"Give him back, now," Hagrid said through his own sobs. "Dumbledore said I'm
to take him."
"Peter... Was Peter here?" Sirius asked, breathing in the scent of Harry's hair.
Hagrid shook his large head, reaching out for Harry.
Sirius passed the child over hesitantly. "I need to find Peter. You'll keep Harry safe?
Take him straight to Dumbledore until we can find out what happened?"
Hagrid nodded before taking Harry in one large hand, wrapping his free arm around
Sirius. At the physical touch, Sirius finally broke into sobs, tightly gripping Hagrid's large