Running down the cold streets of Godric's Hollow, Hydrus prayed he wasn't too late. He could now see the smoke coming from the house and noted that no one else seemed to, but that was a question for another time. He had a feeling that that magical blast was the rebounding Killing Curse. He cursed all the people in his life that kept him in the dark. If he had known when they went into hiding he could have prevented this whole night. He thought he had come back early enough to thwart his parents' death, but his planning was futile, they were already hidden when he came back in time.
He Apparated to where the smoke was, maybe he could catch Pettigrew. Hydrus arrived just in time to see the rat come out of the house. He fired off a Sectumsempra Curse catching the traitor on his chest, but it didn't kill Peter and the rat Disapparated. Once more the distraught immortal yelled his frustrations in the sky.
He hurried inside and saw his dad, dead on the floor. It looked like James had put up a one hell of a fight. Furniture was overturn and spell marks marred the walls. His wand was still clutched in his fist, though it was broken, like someone had stepped on it. Hydrus took a moment and closed his father's eyes. He was remorseful that he couldn't save him and knew that his mum was also gone.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he took the stairs two at a time and when he came to the nursery he saw that little Harry crying in the crib, he quickly cast a sleeping charm in the child and looked over the scene. The wall behind the cot was gone; every bit of furniture was damaged. The immortal disregarded the empty robes of the temporarily vanquished Dark Idiot. He cried over his mother for a moment until he heard a noise.
Hydrus picked up Harry, pulled on his Cloak and looked around not wanting to stand in the middle of the room. He could just Apparate out, but he really wanted to catch Sirius before the dogman went after the rat. If he remembered correctly many people came here this night, the stories were conflicting as to in what order everyone appeared. He continued to look around and found what he was looking for. In the ruins of the nursery there was a large old-fashioned wardrobe. The doors were broken, but it looked like he could safely stay in there with Harry and attack if it was an enemy.
Must be from Dad's side of the family, it has the Potter crest on the front, Hydrus thought in relief. Thank Merlin for Pure-blood traditions. He quickly hid in the closet and hunkered down, keeping the still out cold Harry pressed to his shoulder.
From a crack in the door, he saw a dark shadow fill the doorway, and to Hydrus's surprise Severus Snape shakily walked in the room. It had been so long since he viewed those memories that he had forgotten that the man was the first to appear in the ruined house. His emotions about that man were still conflicting, he didn't want to kill him, but he wanted the Potions Master out of Harry's life. However, now was not the time for that confrontation. So, for now all he could do was sit and wait. He leaned back in the closet to rest; he wanted to be alert when Sirius showed.
After what felt like hours of listening to the other man cry through his anguish, heavy footsteps were heard. Snape stood and Disapparated out of the room. A larger shadow filled the doorway and the huge form of Hagrid came into the room. Tears were rolling down the gentle half-giant's face and wetting his scraggly beard. A large handkerchief was being utilized.
After he cried more of the body of Lily, Hagrid went to the crib and when he didn't see young Harry he got confused. He started his search and spotted the wardrobe was partly open. Hydrus held his breath, he didn't want to tangle with Hagrid; he would lose, since he was leery about hurting his first friend. Hagrid's only sin was that he trusted Dumbledore too much.
Harry started to wake, squirming to get comfortable. No, no, no, not right now, Hydrus thought as he gently rocked the child, causing his Cloak to shift.
The large man made his way to the closet, opened the door and noted the shoe peeking out of the Cloak. "Who 're ya, and what 're ye doin' with 'arry?" he asked as grabbed where he thought an arm would be, the Cloak slipped off and he pulled Hydrus out.
Hydrus quickly removed himself from that huge hand. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I tried to find them and warn them, but I couldn't," he rambled, the tears were now dried track marks. He was hoping that Hagrid wouldn't question how he knew the Potters were in trouble. "I looked everywhere for the house. I just wanted them to be safe."
"Ya look like ya've been cryin', 'ow did ya know the Potters?"
"I didn't really, I just feel bad that I couldn't help them. I overheard some Death Eaters in a pub that some bloke named Pettigrew gave up the secret and that they were in trouble," Hydrus said, thinking of the first thing that came to mind.
"Why didna tell Dumbledore?" Hagrid asked.
"I had not time to send an owl, and I have no idea where he is."
"Well, I reckon that makes sense. So who are ya? Ya look like Sirius. Ya need to give me 'arry," the taller man demanded and went to grab Hydrus again.
....
Can't wait to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters.
Then Join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)
Free members can unlock 2 chapters.