Chapter 3
A few days later they were getting ready to do some shopping. Before Harry was adopted by Severus, he never understood why women were obsessed with it, and in his previous life spending money just felt wrong to him. Now, however, he has learned the importance of having a proper wardrobe and making yourself look presentable.
In the past he would dress in practically rags and demand attention and respect. He knows now that if you look the part at least it is a start.
He got dressed today in outdoor muggle clothes and then put on his red wizards’ cloak over it. Looking like a proper young man who will be going on an outing. As he was pulling his red locks into a low ponytail there was a singular knock, and the door opened.
“When we return, I want you to clean your room, it is a mess.” Severus stated, looking around the room in disdain. “Your Uncle is here.”
“Ok I’m coming down now dad.” Harry said. Swiping his favorite bowler hat from the floor and putting it on. As he left his room, he saw Severus in the bathroom with Cecilia pulling her hair into a high bun while she brushed her teeth sleepily.
Once he made it downstairs, he heard Sirius taunting his dog.
“This food is absolutely delicious, and it is all for me bud, you get none.” Sirius said holding a piece of bacon in the air and moving it side to side before eating it all in one bite.
Hallow let out a gruff whine which Sirius laughed at.
“Stop teasing my dog uncle. Come here Hallow I will get you some food.” Harry let out, making his way to the kibble bag and scooping some dog food. Hallow got up and made his way to his doggy bowl, impatiently tapping his paws on the floor in anticipation.
“Here you go boy, enjoy.” Even before Harry started pouring the kibble into the bowl Hallow had his head in it.
Harry let out a laugh and petted him on the head before making his way to the table to eat his own breakfast.
As Harry sat and started eating there were knocks on the front door. “I’ll get it.” Sirius said, getting up and opening the door. “Hey moony. Smiths. Come on in.”
Harry turned around in his seat and watched as Remus, Helen, and Rigel made their way inside. Harry sent a wave at them and continued his food.
“Good morning, everyone.” Helen said brightly.
“Good morning, Helen, have you ever been to Diagon Alley?” Sirius asked.
“I have in fact, although it has been many years.”
“Did you go to Hogwarts mom?” Rigel asked, making his way to the table Harry sat in.
“No, I did not, my family and I moved to the States before I turned 11, I went to Ilvermorny instead.”
“Hogwarts is better I bet.” Sirius said. Sitting on the couch and throwing his feet up.
“Everyone has their own opinions, even if their opinions are wrong.” Helen said with a smile.
“Truthfully there is no way to determine which school is better anyway.” Remus said.
“Hello everyone!” Cecilia said aloud. She too was wearing a muggle dress and a wizard’s robe over it. “Good morning.”
“Eat fast Ceci, we will be leaving soon.” Severus said, pushing her towards the table.
Half an hour later Severus grabbed his car keys and made sure everyone was outside before locking the door behind them. That is right, as soon as they arrived home a year ago, Severus bought himself a car. Big enough to fit 8 people.
As soon as everyone was in the car Severus drove them to the muggle shopping district that the Leaky Cauldron resided in, chatter and laughter filled the car during the drive.
Once they arrived, Severus parked the car, and they all filed out. As they walked someone called out to them.
“Harry?”
Harry stopped walking and turned to the old woman that was staring at him in shock. She looked familiar.
“Is that you deary?”
Is that “Madam Glinda?”
Glinda took a few steps closer to Harry and reached out a hand to graze his cheek. “Oh, deary I was so worried about you. I thought something bad was going to happen to you.”
“Is everything alright here?” Severus asked, stepping closer and placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“Yes, although if you do not mind my asking, who might you be young man?” Glinda said, standing a little straighter and giving Severus a hard stare.
“This is my dad!” Harry said, a happy smile on his face.
“Is he now?”
Harry nodded happily and hugged Severus around his stomach. “I found him all on my own.”
Severus placed a hand on Harry’s head and raised an eyebrow at Glinda. “And who might you be?”
“Oh, silly me. I am so sorry. My name is Glinda dear. I run a little shop just around the corner. I met little Harry here a year ago and helped him buy a hat.” She said with a wink at Harry and touching the hat he was currently wearing.
“Hello Ma’am, nice to meet you. My name is Cecilia, Harry’s sister.” Cecilia said stepping forward and doing a little curtsey.
“Oh, aren’t you adorable. Hello deary. I should let you all get back to your shopping. Please come visit my shop once in a while, okay?” she said. Right before she started walking again, she addressed Harry directly. “I am glad you found what you were looking for.”
Harry smiled at her. “Thank you, for everything. I am glad I met you.”
Soon they made their way into the Leaky Cauldron. Tom greeted them with a smile and let them go to the back. Harry watched as Helen and Rigel’s jaw dropped as the stone wall moved and gave way to Diagon Alley.
Severus gave Harry and Cecilia each some money and spoke to the group. “I must go and gather some supplies for myself. Please buy your school supplies first before getting anything else for your entertainment.” Severus placed a hand on each of their heads and then turned to walk amongst the crowd gathered.
Sirius smirked at them, “Let me buy your things instead, and you guys can keep that money to buy whatever else you might want. Come along then.” Sirius held out a hand for them to take and they started weaving away through the crowds.
Their first stop was Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. Upon arriving they saw Lady Malfoy with Draco getting fitted inside.
Harry was oddly reminded of the first time he met Draco all those years ago. Granted this time it was different because Draco saw them and gave them a proud smile. “Hello Harry, Cecilia, Smith. Come and get your robes fitted, we must be presentable for Hogwarts!”
“Yes, you are right. Come in everyone, I see three new faces for a full set of Hogwarts robes, yes?” Madam Malkin said as she rounded a corner and approached. She offered the tailor’s stool to Harry.
“Have fun you kids, this should be an experience for you all alone, we shall wait outside.” Lady Malfoy said as she shooed the adults just outside.
As Harry stepped up Draco sent him a smirk. “So, Harry, what houses do you think we are going to be in? I think we should all go to Slytherin, it is the best house after all.”
“I think each house has its own merits. The traits of each house are all good so no house is necessarily better than each other,” Harry replied instead.
“Besides even if we do end up in different houses, that does not mean we will stop being friends, right?” Cecilia said as she walked around and looked at all the fabrics.
“Father said Slytherin is the house where the greatest of wizards go.” Draco said turning his nose up and sniffing.
“I think the Hogwarts houses aren’t meant to be used as gangs. After all, at the end of the day everyone is a Hogwarts student.” Rigel said as he sat on a waiting seat.
“What do you know about Hogwarts?” Draco said sharply.
Harry gave Draco a hard look. “Watch yourself Draco, we are all first years here. None of us know any more than the other.” A lie, not that Draco needs to know that.
Draco sent Harry a careful look. “But we are not the same, He is a half blood.”
Oh hell no. He is going to nip this in the bud. “I am a Half blood Malfoy.” Harry said giving him a hard stare.
“I am also a Half blood.” Cecilia also said giving Draco the same stare. “So is Severus.”
Draco took a shaky breath and kept his head down as Madam Malkin finished up with him.
Harry turned to look at a quiet Rigel instead. “You okay RG?”
“Yea, it’s just that Malfoy does have a point, I never know my father. I could be a half blood as well.”
“Is that so bad?” Cecilia said, sitting next to Rigel.
“No.” Rigel said fondly and giving her a soft smile. “I have my mom after all.”
“You are such a momma’s boy.” Cecilia laughed.
Rigel nodded happily. And Cecilia gave him a gentle push.
“Alright son, you are all set. I can now do who ever is next.” Madam Malkin said referring to Draco.
“You go next.” Cecilia said to Rigel. As soon as Rigel stood on the stool Draco made his way out of the store and Harry let out a sigh. “I swear that if he becomes as self-centered as last time, I will fight him for real.”
Rigel sent him a curious look. “Was he that bad?”
“Way worse, he only mellowed out after the fight. Even then though it wasn’t by much. He is such a brat.”
“I think it might just be the influence of his father. Lucius Malfoy is not a pleasant man.”
“My, you kids sure are very mature.” Madam Malkin said as she fused with the hems of Harrys school robes.
“We were raised well Madam.” Cecilia said.
“I am sure you are. Alright hon you are all set as well.” She said to Harry, quickly moving things around and then going to Rigel.
“Madam Malkin, may I ask you a question?” Rigel said, lifting his arms as she worked a school robe onto him. she hummed in approval. “Do you sell anything with growth enchantments?”
She looked at him from over her glasses. “Of course I do, however those cost a little extra and the charms wears off after a while.”
“Can you do them for my robes?”
“Mine too please.” Cecilia said. Harry nodded absentmindedly. Having clothes that grow with you might be useful, not to mention if Rigel makes them adults again, they can save themselves from the embarrassment of last time.
Remus walked into the store now and called out to them. “Kids, are we almost done here?”
“Almost uncle moony.” Harry said. “Rigel and Cecilia are still left.”
Remus takes a seat next to Harry. “Draco is very upset; I am not sure what you said to him but maybe you should apologize?”
Surprisingly, Cecilia spoke up first. “No, he insulted daddy, Harry, and I because of our blood status.”
“I see. I think Draco has learned a lot of bad habits, and I think you all can help him see things in a better light. Will you help me with this?” Remus asked.
“Of course, uncle. Draco is my friend.”
Harry let out a sigh and nodded along. “Yea, I guess.”
After a few minutes Sirius came in to pay and then they made their way to Flourish and Blotts to buy their schoolbooks.
“Harry, look at all these books!” Cecilia said, excitement in her eyes as she looked around. It was moments like these that Cecilia reminded him so much of Hermione. Cecilia was soon off in her own world as she went aisle by aisle and picked up books that seemed to interest her about random things with Draco following her.
“Wow, that is a big family.” Rigel said, looking in the opposite direction from them. “Are they all wizards?” Harry looked in the general direction and felt his chest swell with emotions. “The Weasleys.”
The Weasley family was there, just as loud as ever and making their way through the store. Molly was there holding Ginny by the hand. Percy, Ron, and the twins were with her. God they all looked so young. Fred was alive, and there was baby faced Ron, his first ever friend.
Suddenly Harry felt his world stop moving.
What should he do now?
He felt like he was truly ten again. He was scared to mess up a friendship he knew could happen. As he froze up, Rigel, the devil that he is, grabbed Harry's hand and led them away from the Weasleys and towards Remus.
“Mr. Remus, can I ask you a question?”
Remus turned to look down at the boys and let out a soft hum.
“Who are all those people over there?” Rigel asked pointing over to the Weasleys.
Remus smiled. “Those are old friends of mine.”
“Can we go say hi?” Harry suddenly asked, he was not going to let this opportunity slip by his fingers.
Remus's smile grew fonder, and he nodded his head. “Yes of course we can. Stay close.” he said as he started walking in towards the front counter where Molly Weasley was having a conversation with the cashier.
“Hello Molly.” Remus said, catching her attention. “How have you been?”
“Remus! Oh, you know me, gathering up my children for the school year ahead. How have you been? I heard you and Sirius went on a vacation.” Molly said, turning around and giving him a one-armed hug.
“I have been well, readjusting to life is all, your kids are so big.”
“My pride and joys they are. Ronald here is a first year. It will be his first time.”
“That is wonderful news, as a matter of fact I also have some first-year children too.”
That caught Molly by surprise, and she blinked at Remus for a moment before speaking. “You do?”
Remus laughed a little before placing a hand on each boy's shoulder. “Go ahead and introduce yourselves.”
Rigel squeezed Harry’s hand once before bowing a little and going first. “Nice to meet you all. My name is Rigel Smith, and I am out shopping with my mother and Mr. Remus’s family.”
“Oh, aren’t you adorable.” Molly said. “You can call me Molly sweetie. These are my children.” She gave them a big smile that Harry just had to smile back.
“My name is Harry. Harry Potter. Nice to meet you.” Harry said.
Once again, they surprised Molly. Her eyebrows rose and her mouth opened a little.
“Well hello Harry.”
“The pleasure is ours.”
“I’m Gred.”
“And I’m Forge.”
“Fred, George, leave the poor boy alone.” Molly interrupted. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter.”
“Likewise.” Harry said, genuine smile on his face.
“You look different than what I thought you would be.” Rons voice said, as he stared at Harry. Harry sent him a smile. “Everyone says so.”
“I don't think it is a bad thing of course, it's just in a weird way with your hair, you could pass as one of us.” Ron quickly said.
Harry laughed. “I might yea.”
Ron smiled back.
Just then Narcissa made her way over with Cecilia and Draco.
“Mr. Lupin, I believe we are ready to go.” she said, casting a quick glance at Molly.
“Oh yes. I shall find Sirius; I will be right back.”
That said Remus started weaving through the crowd away and Molly and Narcissa stared at each other in barely concealed disdain.
“Hello everyone, my name is Cecilia Snape. I am a First year at Hogwarts. It is very nice to meet you all.”
“Hello deary, I am Molly Weasley.” She introduced herself once more.
Draco now also scrunched his face, but before he could speak Cecilia stepped closer and turned to the twins. “Wow, You two are very impressive.”
“Ceci don’t. The Weasleys are blood traitors.” Draco said loudly and with a huff.
“Draco!” Narcissa finally said, and she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him aside.
Draco’s racism ran deep, and it was annoying for sure. Harry might need to punch him at least once.
“Sorry about them, I think you are great people and an even more wonderful family.” Harry said. Please don't let them think he was anything like the Malfoys. He needs Ron to at least like him this time around, or else he might just die, again.
Molly smiled at Harry and patted his cheeks, “Don’t you worry dear.”
“Was sup Molly?!” Sirius said, suddenly interrupting them.
“Well, if it isn’t Sirius Black in the flesh.”
As the adults talked Cecilia turned to Ginny and gushed. “You are so adorable! What is your name? How old are you?”
Ginny sent her a nervous smile back. “Ginny. I am ten. You are really pretty.”
Cecilia let out an aww and hugged her. “Gosh you are so sweet.”
“Excuse us”
“Little lady”
“What did”
“You mean
“By impressive?”
The twins asked surrounding her.
Harry turned away and looked at Ron again.
“Are you really Harry Potter?” Ron blurted out.
Harry smiled at the familiarity and nodded.
“And have you really got – you know” Ron pointed at his forehead and Harry let out a laugh as he took off his hat and moved his hair.
“Woah.”
“It isn’t all that cool, I did lose both my parents. For the longest time I wished I was more like you, big family.” Harry said, nodding to everyone talking to each other.
“I’ll give you mine.” Ron said, with an almost serious face.
They both started laughing right after. Gods how he missed his Ron. He knows that one day this Ron might one day become that same Ron, but Harry would much rather try and protect them from the pains of war.
This he vows.
“Alright, we must get going.” Molly said, Once the cashier handed her a huge package of books. She passed them out amongst her children and with a final goodbye and a promise to meet again on the train did the Weasley’s make their way out of the shop and around the corner.
Sirius then paid for all their schoolbooks and helped Cecilia sort through all the books she had picked out for herself.
“The Malfoys Left.” Rigel said aloud.
“It seems they have.” Helen said as she looked around the store briefly before shrugging.
“Last stop, Olivander's.” Sirius said, pumping a hand into the air and leading the group outside. Once arriving at the store Remus stopped both Helen and Sirius. “I think it is best to let the kids have this experience as well.”
“Alright Moony.” Sirius said with a sigh and pulled out some galleons from his back pocket and handed them to the kids. “We will be right over there.” He said pointing to the ice cream store nearby.
“Ok Uncle.”
Harry led the two into the store. Once inside Rigel’s jaw dropped at the stacks of wands and Cecilia had a small but pleased smile on her face.
“I’ve wondered when you will show up, young masters.” Mr. Ollivander said as he appeared, giving the kids a fright. “Welcome.”