Shopping Time
"Right, here we are. Now I can only assume you two would like to go explore wouldn't you?" Minerva asks as she eyes the two boys, who quickly turned their attention to her and nodded excitedly. "I thought so. You two go to Flourish and and Blotts and get your books." Minerva than handed Remus a small pouch of coins while James showed he already had his own coins, not that Minerva thought he didn't Effie and Monty both had more money than Minerva and Poppy combined (teacher wages suck no matter being muggle or a wizard). "Meet us, lets say Ollivander's in 20 minutes. Shouldn't take us long." Monty declared as he held his hands in a thumbs up which James returned with his own. With the plan sorted, and Poppy convincing Minerva the boys would be fine and 'It'll be good for Remus to have some independence" not like the boy wasn't independent on his own already.
As the group of adults moved away from the two friends, who shared a look before Remus spoke. "Where is Flourish and Blotts?" he asked in hopes that James would know. "Yep! Peter has an older sister who went to Hogwarts and his parents took me and him to the ice-cream shop. If I remember right..it should just be straight ahead." James pointed ahead and up the narrow and packed street. Remus waved his hand for James to lead the while. "Who's Peter?" Remus asked as he walked right behind James, nearly stepped on the back of James shoes, "Peter? Oh, he lives down the street from me. He's also going to Hogwarts as a first year." James explained while Remus listened with interest, his idea was too make friends now so he wouldn't have to deal with awkwardness of trying to find other, very lost, first years. "He sounds cool, can't wait to meet him." Remus said as the two arrived at the front door of the bookstore. "He is cool! But he can be a bit clumsy." James snickered before opening the door for Remus. "Mr Lupin first." James bowed to Remus as the other boy laughed at the dramatics of him. "Why thank you, peasant." James gaped at the name. "Peasant!" he gasps as he jogs after Remus, who was walking into the shop with such awe James couldn't help but smirk. "Ah, lemme guess. Book guy?" he celebrates when Remus awkwardly nodded. "Knew it!"
The two walked around, James having to pull Remus away from books that weren't on the list minus the fact he really wanted to look at the Quidditch books but the two only had enough coins for the books they needed for school. Now Remus had seen the library in Hogwarts plenty of times, Madam Prince didn't even take a second glance as Remus would walk at some point in the day. Even in the cottage at Hogsmeade Minerva had lots of books that he could read. But he had never actually been in a place where he could buy books, what was the need when he had all the books he could ever want or need in Hogwarts and at the cottage. But the idea that he could buy books with his own coins was so mind blowing to him that he had become overwhelmed nearly immediately at the sight of the bookshop. He moved almost on autopilot as he took it all in before a tap on his shoulders snapped him out of his gaze. "Merlin, you'd think you had never been inside a bookshop before." James laughed as he took out the supply list. "Merlin! That's a lot of books to find." James groaned at the idea of getting on his hands and knees trying to find all these books. Remus stayed silent for a moment before suggesting an idea. "What if we just ask the shopkeeper for these books? Surely he'll have them ready for Hogwart students." James slapped his shoulder with amazement "How didn't I think of that! Smart idea Remus!" he then ran up to the counter where the book shop owner stood.
"Uhm, hello Sir. We were looking for this list of books?" Remus held up the list for the man to see "Ah yes. Hogwart students. Both of you need books?" he asked as he looked at the two. James nodded while the man gave them their books. They both paid and left the shop. James, yet again, lead Remus towards Ollivander's wand shop. "I can't wait for this! We finally get our own wands! I wonder what mine will be like.." James rambled on while Remus laughed at his excitement "Imagine we both don't find a wand that bonds to us." he teased while James looked down right horrified at the idea "Don't say that!" he exclaimed before they saw their parents waiting for them outside the shop.
"There you two are!" Effie laughed as she spotted the two boys struggle carrying all the books, Monty quickly helped them and stuffed the books into bags. "You excited to get your wands?" Poppy gently asked them as they both nodded "Of course! Who wouldn't be!" James scoffed. "He really is your kid." Minerva whispered to Effie while the other witch shot her a glare "That's Montys' dramatics." she insisted, deep down though she knew James had her sarcasm. As the group entered the shop an old man greeted them "Ah, hello. Two first years I assume?" the old man asked, in Remus's eyes he looked like he got electricuted. James and Remus both nodded before the old man was inspecting them, "Hmm try this one. 9 1/2 inches..." the man continued but Remus couldn't make a word out. 'Can't he speak up or is he talking to himself?' Remus thought but was quickly handed the wand to try. When he swished the wand it refused to even produce a spark. The old man snatched the wand up quickly and tutted to himself before searching again. James started signing help to Remus which Remus had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing. The man came back and confidently held him a wand, it was long and thin like most wands but had a rounded handle that was slightly darker than the rest of it. "10 1/4 inches, made from cypress and a unicorn hair core. Try it." Remus just nodded before swishing the wand, this time the wand seemed to work perfectly and produced a even flow of sparks.
Minerva and Poppy smiled as their boy found his wand, Poppy nudged Minerva before whispering "Told you he'd be okay." she smiled as her wife gave her a slight huff. It was no secret that she had very worried about Remus. She knew many people did not approve of her and Poppy's marriage and that Remus should have a father, not two mothers. She was worried he'd be bullied because of it and if someone found out about his condition. To say the least Minerva did a lot of worrying about her son while Poppy did a lot of comforting her wife and reminding her that everything would be alright. It was Poppy's idea to let Remus meet James just before school started and was so glad the boys had become quick friends. The only reason the two hadn't met earlier was because Monty and Effie had moved to Indian just before James was born, they had only returned to England in the last two years and they hadn't been able to get in touch.
James, after 5 different wands, found the perfect wand for him and soon both wands were paid for. Next they were off to get either an owl or cat. Neither James or Remus was fond of the idea of a toad, "Whats a toad gonna do? Hop my letters to people?" James had pointed out when his dad had asked which animal he wanted. James was pretty set on an owl so he could send letters to people without needing to barrow an owl. Remus however was having more issues with the choice. He knew he wanted a animal but wasn't sure which one. Toad was a definite no but between a cat or owl he couldn't choose. An owl would be handy for letters but both his parents would be in the same castle as him with their family owl, and cats usually hated him since they could tell he was a werewolf. Minus a certain tabby cat who adored the boy but that was obvious why.
They all entered the shop and Remus fought the urge to cover his ears. It was so loud, and it didn't help that since he was a werewolf his hearing was better than the average human. Poppy must of noticed his discomfort because she stood right behind him with her hand rubbed his back. James was off with Effie and Monty looking at all the owls while Minerva suggested they started with the cats, as it was quieter than the owls screaming. As they made their way through all the different cats, most of them hissed at Remus which didn't help his confidence of finding a friend. That was until they spotted a ginger kitten who was missing an ear meowed at them. Well not at them, more Remus. Minerva gently nudged Remus forward "It wants your attention." she informed him. The kitten seemed to not care about Remus being a werewolf because it pawed at his hand and all but screamed at him for pets.
And if James exited the shop with a owl named Jolt and Remus with a orange kitten called Uno than no one would say anything. The two families soon said their goodbyes and James promised to write to Remus as soon as he got home they headed back to the cottage. With Remus holidng his kitten and Poppy with a certain tabby cat on her shoulders.
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Later on that night, after Remus had gone to bed with Uno following after him like a puppy, Poppy was convinced the cat thought it was a dog. Minerva and Poppy sat on their bed, both in their night clothes and were finished getting ready for bed. "Are you jealous of Uno?" Poppy asked as she got under the covers of the bed while Minerva did the same. "What? Why would I be?" Minerva asked, confused by her wife's question. "I mean, there hasn't been another cat in the cottage before and no other cat than you have been close to Remus." Poppy explained while Minerva just stared at her with disbelief. "No of course I'm not jealous." she scoffed before she gentle took hold of Poppys face "Never jealous when I have you." she whispered before kissing Poppy. Poppy was quick to return it and the two stayed like that until Poppy needed to breathe. "I love you Minnie." "I love you too Poppy." And they both went to sleep, with Poppy using Minerva as her pillow.