Chapter 42
The Marauders and New Ventures
Alex's POV
The smell of fresh air filled my lungs as I stood outside the Black family townhouse, my thoughts racing as I prepared for yet another meeting. This time, it wasn’t with Sirius or Harry. It was with Remus Lupin—the last of the Marauders, aside from my father.
I hadn’t told Sirius yet about this meeting. I wasn’t sure how he’d react, knowing how much he cared for Lupin, but also how sensitive the subject of his condition as a werewolf could be. But this meeting was important. Lupin could offer me insights into the history of the Marauders, their bond, and maybe even help me understand more about my father’s past.
As the door creaked open, I found Lupin sitting at the kitchen table, his weary face lighting up with a smile as I entered. His worn-out robes and tired eyes betrayed the hardships he had faced, but there was still a warmth to him that made me feel instantly at ease.
"Alex," he said, standing to greet me. "It's good to finally meet you properly."
I nodded, shaking his hand. "Likewise, Mr Lupin. I’ve heard a lot about you from Sirius."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Please, just call me Remus."
We sat down, and I couldn’t help but notice the air of nostalgia around him. This was a man who had seen and experienced a lot, especially alongside my father and the other Marauders.
"I wanted to ask you," I began, "about the Marauders. I’ve heard the stories from Sirius, but... I’d like to hear them from you."
Lupin’s eyes softened as he leaned back in his chair. "Ah, the Marauders. We were quite the troublemakers back in the day. Sirius, James, Peter, and I. We thought we were unstoppable, invincible even. We created the Marauder’s Map, pulled pranks, and tried to outwit every rule at Hogwarts. But it wasn’t all about mischief." He paused, a faraway look in his eyes. "We had each other’s backs, always. Even during the war, when everything started falling apart."
I could see the pain flash across his face at the mention of Peter. The betrayal still cut deep, even after all these years.
"Your father," Lupin said, turning his gaze to me, "was always the most determined of the group. He had this quiet strength about him, always thinking ahead, always planning. He loved you, you know. He never stopped talking about you."
Hearing that hit me harder than I expected. I had never really known my father, only heard stories about him. To hear someone who was close to him talk about his love for me—it was overwhelming.
"I wish I had known him better," I said quietly, my voice thick with emotion.
Lupin smiled softly. "In some ways, you do. You carry a lot of him in you, Alex. And now, with Sirius back... you have a chance to rebuild what was lost."
---
Discussing the Shop with Sirius
Later that evening, I sat in the living room with Sirius, a fire crackling in the hearth. Harry was off with Lupin, listening to more Marauder stories, leaving Sirius and me to talk privately.
I cleared my throat, deciding now was the best time to bring up the idea I had been mulling over for a while.
"Sirius," I began, leaning forward, "I’ve been working on a couple of projects for a while now. You’ve seen the magical postboxes I’ve created. Well, I’ve been thinking of expanding on that idea."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious. "Expanding how?"
"By starting a shop," I said simply. "A place where we can sell the postboxes and another idea I’ve been working on—magic mirrors based on the two-way mirror you used to communicate with James."
Sirius let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "That’s ambitious, Alex. But starting a shop... it’s a lot of work. Are you sure about this?"
I nodded. "Absolutely. But I need resources—human resources. Testing the products, improving them. I can’t do it all on my own. That’s where you come in."
Sirius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, you want me to help fund and run this shop?"
"Not just that," I said, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. "Think of it as a prank on the old purebloods. Innovating the magical world through a Black family business? It’ll drive them mad. Plus, we can hire muggleborns, werewolves, and other people who are often marginalized in the magical world. It’ll give them opportunities."
Sirius blinked, surprised by my approach. Slowly, a grin spread across his face. "You’re devious, you know that?"
I shrugged. "I get it from you."
He laughed, a deep, hearty laugh that filled the room. "Alright, you’ve convinced me. A prank on the purebloods, new innovations from a Black, and helping people who deserve a shot. I’m in."
---
Planning the Future
With Sirius on board, we spent the rest of the evening discussing logistics—what we would need to get the shop up and running, potential locations, and who we could hire. Sirius mentioned how he’d been in contact with some of his old friends, and there were a few muggleborns and werewolves he thought would be perfect for the job.
As we talked, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building. This wasn’t just about selling magical items; it was about changing the way the magical world viewed innovation, challenging the status quo, and giving people who were often overlooked a chance to thrive.
Sirius, for his part, seemed energized by the prospect. He hadn’t been this animated since his release from Azkaban. The idea of using the Black family name to shake up the wizarding world was something he relished.
But for me, it was more than that. This shop was just the beginning. With the magical postbox and magic mirrors, we would show the world that the future didn’t have to be dominated by outdated traditions.
And as for the purebloods? Well, they could either evolve or get left behind.
---
Later That Night
As the fire died down and Sirius headed off to bed, I sat alone, staring into the embers, my mind racing with plans for the future. The Marauders’ legacy wasn’t just about pranks and mischief. It was about loyalty, brotherhood, and standing up against the darkness.
I had inherited more from them than just my father’s name. Now, with Sirius by my side, we were going to build something new—something that would leave a lasting mark on the wizarding world.
And maybe, just maybe, we’d pull off the greatest prank of all.