Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything to do with him and the books. All I'm doing is having some fun with the "what ifs".

Summary: When Peter betrays the Potter's and Voldemort goes to fulfill the prophecy, Harry stops him but his younger twin siblings are given the credit. Over the next year Lily and James are caught up in the fame and fortune of having the Children-Who-Lived and Harry is pushed into the background and loses their affection and love. When Sirius finally realizes what is going on, he and Albus come up with a plan to not only give Harry the childhood and life every child deserves, but also save two other young boys from a similar fate.

A/N: This is my first fanfiction story ever, so any and all comments are welcome. Please leave a review!

Chapter One

A man with long black hair and stormy grey eyes stood upon a small hill on the north side of Godric's Hollow. From his post he could see most of nine fairly nice and well-kept houses. More importantly, he could clearly see one house that didn't belong amongst the others. To any Muggle walking down the street the Potter's house fit nicely between Mr. Manson's and the Tanners' place. But to the man, the Daily Prophet reporters, and the mob of well-wishers, it was a game of "which of these things doesn't belong" a two year old could win.

With a silent ripple of movement the man was gone, and a large black dog was running down the street towards the Potter's well lit mansion.

2 Days Earlier

Albus Dumbledore had never seen Sirius Black so serious. Over the four years of fighting during the war he had watched the man before him change. As a brash, arrogant sixteen-year old he had sent a classmate down a dark tunnel to a werewolf, and called it a joke. As a young auror he brilliantly led his peers into battle, with a dedication that astounded even those who were said to know him best. Even so, the Sirius sitting in before him now was one that he hadn't encountered before. His eyes were stormier than ever and his right hand kept clenching and unclenching as though he was trying very hard not to break everything in the office. Seeing as Sirius didn't look as though he was planning on starting a conversation anytime soon, Albus decided to take the initiative.

"Sirius, you said you had something important to discu-"

"I don't believe him. I've known him since I was eleven. He was the first person who completely disregarded my family and looked at me for me." A small weight settled in Albus's gut.

"What did James do, Sirius?" he asked quietly. For the first time since entering the office Sirius turned his head, face twisted in pain, and looked Albus straight in the eyes.

"He's abandoned his son." It had been almost two years since Albus had heard anyone's voice so dead. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 'James,' he thought, 'how could you?'

"Sirius, I know this sounds patronizing, but are you sure?" Instead of answering definitively Sirius shifted his gaze to the widow near Fawkes' perch.

"I went over last night to see if James was going to the Quidditch pick up game. Ludo was spreading the word about it yesterday for Arthur. Amos and Kingsley were talking about going and I knew if James came it would be a blast. Arthur thought that it would be a way for us to work off some stress. Seems that a dead Dark Lord leads to butt loads of paperwork, it's been close to two years and I still feel like I spend more time behind a desk than out in the field. Anyway, Gigit answered the door and told me that Lily was busy with the twins and went to get James.

I went to the kitchen to snag an apple and there he was. It looked like he was trying to get his own supper, but he could barely reach the counter, even with a stool. His clothes, they weren't rags by any means, but they hung off him like someone had just guessed at his size without properly looking at him. And his eyes, Merlin Albus, he looked so shocked when I offered to make him a sandwich. At first he just folded in on himself and said that it was ok, the house elves would be down in a minute. Then, when I sat him up on the counter and asked what he wanted on it, his eyes lit up like Christmas had come early. Dammit Albus, he's three! No one should look that happy to have someone pay attention to them! No one!"

By the time Sirius had finished his explanation he was back to clenching his fists and looking like he needed a physical release for his anger.

Albus felt his heart constrict he contemplated this new information about the Potters. He was angry, confused, and disappointed in two students he had always been proud of. He had seen the family enough over the past years, he should have noticed someth-

"I should have known." Sirius's voice broke through his self berating. "I've been there enough over the past few years. I should have know something was wrong when every time I asked about him they told me he was fine, doing great and 'oh Sirius, little Harry is just so independent these days' and then plopped one of the twins into my arms. I always brushed of the looks they gave each other. I'm just as bad as they are. I figured I owed my life to the twins and as long as Lily and James said he was ok, then I didn't need to worry about Harry. For Merlin's sake, he's my godson!" Sirius buried his face in his hands and let out a groan. Albus leaned back in his chair and shifted his gaze to Fawkes who cocked his head and regarded his master with a question. Looking back, he asked, "What are you thinking, Sirius?"

"I want to take him. I want to take my godson somewhere where he will be loved." Albus steepled his fingers and turned to stare into the fire. Ten minutes passed, then half an hour. Only years of fighting Voldemort, where patience was the key to a successful mission and the loss of it meant death, kept Sirius from pulling his former headmaster out of his meditation.

Finally, Albus turned and looked at Sirius, "I believe I know what we can do."