Chapter 1
The boy walked down the hallway, a soft smile on his lips and a crinkle in his green eyes. He heard a slight shuffle around the corner and his lips twitched in recognition. He turned the corner, his smile unchanging as he felt something wet pour over him.
“Haha! Haha..?” The man’s triumphant expression disappeared as he groaned when he saw the boy’s unaffected demeanor and started acting as if he was the one who was covered in slime.
“Harry..!” He whined childishly. “Why can’t I ever surprise you!”
Harry remained unperturbed, using his sleeve to wipe the slimy liquid running down his forehead to prevent it from going into his eyes.
“Well, Sirius, perhaps if you were patient enough to remain still, and therefore, silent, you may just succeed one day.”
The lean man scoffed, crossing his arms while pouting. “Hmph. I’ll be there when you least expect it, mark my words.” He looked around before furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.
“Say, where’s Reg? I haven’t seen the two of you apart in a while, did something happen?”
Harry’s smile widened as he shook his head, tilting his head before speaking.
“I wonder what time it is?”
Sirius peered closely at Harry, before pulling out his wand and casting Tempus. 12:24. He gestured at the numbers with his other hand. Harry saw this in his peripheral vision but kept his soft gaze on Sirius.
Sirius gulped. “What is it..?”
Harry’s smile turned into a grin, but despite knowing himself that it was one of tenderness, Sirius seemed to only fidget more under his gaze.
“Sirius, is it possible for you to recall what it is we do at this time of day?”
“Well.. um..” At that moment Harry watched as the man’s eyes widened, gasping as he rushed down the hallway Harry first came down from, leaving him behind.
“Lunch!” He heard the distant voice.
Harry shook his head softly before walking after him, significantly more composed.
He reached the dining table, looking over as the disheveled Sirius beamed at the five other pairs of eyes watching him from the table.
“Hey guys! I was just looking for Harry, no luck!”
Harry saw his mother looking critically at Sirius, her lips pressed into a thin line, “We sent Harry to look for you.”
Harry walked closer to the table, making himself known before Sirius could devise another excuse.
He saw his mother's horrified gaze as she took in his slime-covered body. She glared at Sirius.
“Sirius! What did you do? You didn't even clean him up after?”
Sirius sputtered as he shook his head desperately. “No no, Lily, I didn't do that! I-it.. It must have been one of Prong’s leftover slime bombs!”
His father, who was snickering quietly until this moment, gasped with outrage as he shook his head quickly. “No! I know for certain they all already set off yesterday!”
Harry smiled kindly. “Ah. I was wondering who released that. Reggie and I had quite the adventure attempting to salvage our books.”
His father turned to him with wide, betrayed eyes, while Sirius gave him a grateful look.
Harry sat down at his usual spot, tuning out his mother's lecture to his father when he felt the press of someone's shoulders against his own. He looked to his left, seeing Reggie’s usual cheerful grin before the boy began digging into his now cold plate of food.
Sirius must have realized his thoughts from across the table because he grimaced. Harry’s usual sweet smile remained unchanged on his face as he nodded, accepting the unsaid apology, though he still did not touch the food.
He saw his mother shake her head as she glared at Sirius, having finally finished chewing his father out. “Sirius, this is the second time this week you've been late to lunch. Next time, we'll eat without you.”
Sirius tried to placate her. “Don't worry Lily, I'll make sure to be on time from now on.”
“You better! Remus and I went through all this effort to cook and you let the food get cold!”
Sirius waved his wand, silently warming all the food before giving her an unrestrained grin. “That better?”
His mother huffed before nodding. “Just don't do it again please.”
Sirius nodded repeatedly before turning to his side, latching himself onto the blond woman beside him, and lamenting. “Sweetheart, why weren't you the one looking for me!? What if I was in trouble?”
Before the woman could respond, Harry heard chuckling to his left. “Dad, most likely your “trouble” would have been you making someone angry, and either he or Moony would have been the best person for that.”
Sirius pouted at Reggie’s words but Reggie wasn't done. “Besides, Mom probably would have joined in and caused more trouble”
Reggie’s mom looked back at him innocently, flipping her blonde hair with feigned snobbishness. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Remus, who had stayed quiet during the earlier affair suddenly whispered goodnaturedly to Harry. “That's what she said after your dad and I had to bail the two of them out from muggle jail.”
That brought the entire table in laughter, bar the indignant couple.
Sirius sniffed. “Don't listen to them, Jasmine, they're just jealous that we actually have some excitement in our lives.”
Reggie’s mom nodded with smugness. “Exactly, we've already got eleven things checked off our bucket list just this first half of summer.”
Remus wanted to respond, but two owls flew in, breaking his attention. Harry watched as two brown birds paused to judge the table occupants before one went off to Reggie and one to Remus.
Harry turned to his right to watch Remus carefully take the letter off the talon of the owl, and Harry knew he wasn't imagining the owl landing as far on Remus’ side as possible, squinting at Harry warily. A quick look to his left he saw the other owl behaving the same.
He ignored the birds, and instead glanced down at the parchment Reggie was holding, eyeing the red seal the same time most others in the room did.
His father, Sirius, and Reggie’s mom practically jumped up as they huddled around where Reggie and Harry were.
“Hogwarts Letters!” Reggie's mom squealed excitedly. Harry glanced at Reggie as the athletic boy chuckled at the group's excitement.
In the corner of his eye, he saw Sirius pluck the letter out of Reggie’s hands before Reggie could even read it.
Harry frowned as a twinge of anger sparked at the sight, but Reggie’s immediate arm around his shoulder calmed him down.
Remus handed him his own letter, interrupting him from thinking more about it.
He heard Sirius reading. “To Regulus Sirius Black! Blah blah blah. Where’s the good stuff? Oh here! It says..”
He tuned him out in favor of reading his own letter. He glanced over it before taking the second parchment out of the envelope. He hummed, that was what he was looking for, the supply list. It read:
Uniform
Three sets of plain work robes (black).
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar).
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings).
Please note that all students' clothes should carry name tags at all times.
Books
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
Harry put his letter down thoughtfully. He looked up, watching as Reggie’s mom declared. “You know what this means? Shopping!”
Harry heard Reggie’s signature chuckling next to him. He felt the weight around his shoulder leave, indicating Reggie standing up, so he also stood up.
His mother watched them with narrowed eyes. “What about lunch?”
Reggie blinked. “Oh, well, I’m full. I had a big breakfast, haha.”
Harry nodded along, smiling softly. “Yes, Mother, your food was quite delicious. I enjoyed it greatly.”
His mother nodded absentmindedly, waving her hand to dismiss them. Reggie’s mom spoke up. “Just get ready! We’re leaving in…” She pauses, thinking. Sirius interrupts, “Five minutes!”.
Harry wrapped his arms around Reggie’s right one as they headed over to their room.
They walked through long elegant hallways, ancient portraits of family members in clusters, passing their time gossiping to one another. Intricate carvings were on the wooden door frames and each room exuded an atmosphere created only through centuries of power and use.
After going up two flights of stairs and a maze of winding paths, Harry arrived at his and Reggie’s room. He closed the door behind them and locked it, knowing full well it would do nothing against magic.
Well — if it wasn’t for the charms and extensive spellwork around the room and the entire house. A simple alohomora would not do.
“Reggie, we are going to be attending Hogwarts in a month.”
Reggie took one look at Harry and opened his arms, soothing as Harry almost immediately dove into his embrace. He was never one to refuse anything Reggie offered him.
“Ominis, we’ll be okay.”
Harry's sore mouth from his almost permanent smile relaxed as his original gentle demeanor turned blank.
His empty eyes looked into Reggie’s kind ones and Harry unwrapped his arms from around him, sitting next to him instead and leaning his head on the other boy's shoulder.
“I am certain that we will, I would not allow anything but that be the case.” He sat in Reggie’s presence, a comfortable silence enveloping them. Harry could sit with Reggie till his dying breath and never get bored. He closed his eyes and breathed in synchronization with Reggie.
A pound at the door startled them both. The deep voice of Harry’s father rang through. “Hurry up boys, we're waiting!”
Harry let a smile don his blank face. He widened his eyes, tilting his head just to allow light to reflect in his empty orbs, giving them the appearance of twinkling.
He leaned off of Reggie, standing back up, and smoothing his clothes out. Ignoring the feeling of an empty gap in his chest, he turned to Reggie, the only person who knew everything about Harry.
“They are rather impatient, are they not?”
Reggie chuckled lightheartedly but squeezed his shoulder knowingly.
“If you ever want to leave..”
Reggie trailed off but they both knew what he was saying. Harry nodded and gave Reggie a kind and reassuring smile. Reggie pursed his lips at the sight and didn't say anything.
Reggie’s kind eyes were on him. “We’ll find a way to get rid of the thing in your mind. Hogwarts might just be that chance.”
Reggie bumped into his shoulder and Harry followed his lead out of the door, heading over to the fireplace, where Harry saw his parents, Reggie’s parents, and Remus waiting. Sirius, his father, and Reggie’s mom were lying on the couch, practically on each other as they groaned impatiently.
When they got close enough for the others to notice, the human pile on the couch immediately fell apart as the three childish adults jumped in excitement.
“Finally! Let’s go!” His father grabbed a pinch of floo powder, traveling to Diagon Alley before the others could even get a word in. Sirius and Reggie’s mom weren’t far behind him and they quickly grabbed their pinches of floo powder.
When they were gone, Remus and his mother shook their heads in amusement.
“You would think with how many times we’ve gone to Diagon Alley they would be bored by now.”
Harry continued smiling. “Ah. Well, those who possess a curious and open mind often find ways to engage their interests no matter what it is they are doing.”
Remus looked at Harry with crinkled eyes before he and his mother went through the floo network as well.
Reggie smiled at Harry with the same look before leaving as well. Harry smiled, pleased.
He grabbed a pinch of floo powder out of the porcelain bowl on the side, throwing it into the fireplace. He stepped into the flames when it turned green, sighing as they tickled him. He closed his eyes. “Diagon Alley.”
There was a roar in his ears as he went through the network, and he kept his eyes just barely open as he caught glimpses of other rooms beyond. The next thing he knew the spinning lessened and something warm wrapped around him.
“Got you.” Remus let Harry down gently while Harry blinked with a grateful smile.
“I appreciate your assistance, Remus.”
Reggie chortled, his tone identical to Sirius’. “Of course you do, if he didn’t catch you you’d have been sprawled for all to see in the middle of Diagon.”
His father grinned jokingly, chiming in. “And that isn’t a good look for our Savior is it?”
His father eyes his robes discerningly, “Of course, you’ll have no trouble with giving a bad look on your own, with your, well, horrendous, fashion sens- Ow!”
His mother pulled her hand back. “What were you saying?”
“Unique! I was just saying he had a unique, special, one-of-a-kind, sense of fashion.”
Harry looked down at his blue robes, decorated with many embroideries, such as clouds, broomsticks, and even an owl. It had ruffles along the middle where the buttons were and was made of expensive fabric. It was the perfect blend of bright uniqueness and wealth. He thought it looked splendid.
Reggie smiled at him with amusement, no doubt understanding what he was thinking, before changing the topic.
“So… where should we go first?”
Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Sirius and his father cut in simultaneously before he could speak. “Not Flourish and Blotts!” They glared at Harry pointedly.
Harry thought he should be highly offended. And he was.
His mother looked just as disapproving as he felt. “Boys, stop that.”
She turned to him. “Harry, we'll stop at Flourish and Blotts after shopping for everything else.” He nodded eagerly, looking forward to going to the bookstore.
Reggie’s mom hurried them along. “C’mon, let’s go to Madam and Malkin's first!”
Reggie sighed with a rueful grin on his lips, “If only our birthdays were a little sooner, Ominis.”
Harry nodded, agreeing with him. “It is quite disheartening to realize that a portion of the other children have already possessed their wand for many months.” He gave a small sigh despite knowing his upturn of lips ruined its effect.
Remus comforted them regardless. “Just one more week”
“Then we’ll finally have fewer destroyed rooms from you boys trying to use accidental magic,” his mother said.
Reggie’s mom giggled. “Well, it’s not so accidental then is it.”
Harry heard his father say something but was distracted from the conversation when he heard gasps from groups walking by them, some people even pointing at his scar without restraint. He smiled kindly at each passerby while Reggie chuckled at him, piping up.
“Preening like a peacock, Ominis?”
“Peacocks are very beautiful creatures, Reggie, they very much are entitled to preen as much as they please.”
“Hm. I guess you do deserve to show off.”
He did not show off. He scanned the area around him. His family had taken their usual position. Harry and Reggie were in the middle with his mother on his right side and Reggie’s mom on Reggie’s left. Remus was behind Harry and Reggie while His father and Sirius walked in front.
The two men in front of Harry had their usual grins but Harry’s attentive eyes saw the slight movement of their long robe sleeves, indicating that their wands were withdrawn underneath.
They made it to Madam Malkins fairly quickly, and Remus walked to list the supplies to the shop assistant while Harry inspected all those in the store with a glance. Reggie and he would have to wait a little bit while Madam Malkin finished with an obvious soon-to-be Hogwarts student on the slightly raised podium.
Harry peered over to Reggie, silently telling him to go with the others. Harry watched them walk away with a small sigh. They were most likely going to try on the ugliest robes they could find or something of similar fashion.
He walked in the other direction, heading over to the waiting bench. A tall, well-kept man was sitting on the left side of the bench, watching the boy whom Madam Malkin was measuring. Most likely the father, Harry thought.
He sat on the right side of the man, drawing the man’s attention as indicated by the narrowed eyes turning on him.
Harry’s gentle demeanor must have been reassuring as the man relaxed, but he had a look in his eye that Harry couldn’t read as he saw his robes. Harry thought he must like them, but seeing the other man’s all-black attire he was not certain.
Harry copied the man’s posture, wanting the man to have a more favorable opinion of him. He sat as straight as an arrow, shoulders back, with both feet on the ground. Although Harry had great posture, it wasn’t to the point where it was one of the things you noticed. Compared to the man, Harry was more relaxed.
The other man must have been a pureblood to have such a habit. However, Harry knew for certain that he’d never seen him before, so he was either a not well-known one or a foreign one.
“Evening, sir.” Harry tilted his head towards the muscular child on the podium. “Is it your son’s first year?”
The man began to nod but froze slightly as he caught a glimpse of Harry’s lightning scar. The man’s eyes retracted as he subtly assessed him. His eyes lingered on his kind smile and gentle features as he gave a subtle nod, untensing but still having a hard face. Harry figured that was the man’s natural expression.
“Indeed, he will be attending Hogwarts. As you will be as well, Mr. Potter.”
Harry grinned delicately. “It appears you know of me. I am intrigued by the prospect of knowing you as well, if I may."
The man dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment. “A pleasure to introduce myself, I am Andreas Klein.”
If Harry hadn’t already known the man was German from his slight accent, he certainly got it confirmed with the man’s name. Harry was interested in knowing why a German pureblood would not only move to Britain but not sign their kid up for Durmstrang.
Those who live in Britain could still attend Durmstrang but the same couldn’t be said for the opposite. If one doesn’t live in Britain or Ireland, the book and quill of acceptance for the enrollment of students at Hogwarts simply would not enroll them.
He couldn’t wait to unwrap the mystery, but he had plenty of time for that later with the man’s son. In the meantime, he would just have a nice conversation with Mr. Klein.
That was the sight his father and Sirius stumbled upon as they were in a pair of one of the most beautifully colored robes Harry had ever seen. He had assumed that they would try to find something ugly, but it seemed he misunderstood them.
“There you are, Harry! What do you think of these?” His father asked him with wide crescent eyes and a hooked smirk as he gestured to the bright green dress robes on his body.
“You look quite dashing, father,” Harry smiled thoughtfully. “I would love a pair of those myself.” He thought he would look good in those. He should find one in his size.
His father and Sirius looked at each other, appalled.
“Damn it, Prongs! You’re encouraging the little menace’s horrid fashion sense,”
Harry reeled back slightly, smile slipping as he tried hard not to look affronted. He didn’t think he succeeded as the three laughed at his expense.
Andreas chuckling lightly beside him caused his father and Sirius to flinch slightly as they finally took notice of the man.
Harry gestured towards him, realizing it was time for introductions. “Father, this is Andreas. He had just been indulging me in a very entertaining conversation about which muggle beer is the finest.”
His father shook Andreas’s hand with widened eyes and raised brows before introducing himself and closing his dropped jaw. “Hello, I’m James.”
Sirius chortled behind him. “Aren’t you a little too young to be talking about beer, Harry?”
Harry froze slightly. “Hm. That hadn’t occurred to me. Well, it will be useful information for future references, nonetheless.”
He was well aware that he had no credibility in the topic given his age, but after talking with Andreas he could see that maturity was important to the man. Not important, more like he expected it. Harry was fairly positive that his son was quite mature, setting a bar for his father’s sense of normalcy in children.
A glance at Andreas showed him that the man truly hadn’t realized it was inappropriate until now.
Andreas cleared his throat, his stone face softening the slightest as he thinned his lips. “My apologies, Harry, we should have talked about something more suitable for you.”
“Oh, no need Andreas, I greatly enjoyed conversing with you.”
At that moment, Andreas’s son walked over, Madam Malkin having finally finished with him. The robust boy paused as he took in the extra people, looking at his father with a raised brow after eyeing the company.
Harry could tell that they were related not by their similar handsome features but by their identical cold faces.
Andreas stepped in, introducing the boy. “Harry, this is my son, Heinrich.”
“Good evening Heinrich, I’m pleased to meet you.” Harry gave him a small smile. He liked the feeling of the boy, his mind coming only second to Reggie, and even then that was because of Harry’s prejudice. That was the only time in his entire life that Harry felt someone could be in the same standing as Reggie. He would make sure to make an effort to befriend the boy.
“Well met, Harry.” Heinrich looked at him with something Harry couldn’t identify, but Harry supposed it must be good if Andreas’s slight upturn of lips meant anything.
“It was nice getting to know you, Andreas, and meeting you, Heinrich, but I must get my robes fitted.” Harry anticipated seeing them again, wishing their meeting wouldn’t have to be cut short.
The two silently gave similar bows of their heads before walking out of the store with equally formidable presences.
When they left, his father and Sirius simultaneously melted, untensing their bodies. Harry hadn’t realized how taut they were until now, being too focused on the other two.
“Harry! Since when were you on a first-name basis with the Kleins!?” Sirius practically screamed out.
Harry smiled, “Since ten minutes ago.”
His father looked at him with shining eyes and a childish clap of his hands. “Look at my little charmer! I can’t believe I’m even surprised. I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t like you who has talked to you before. Even those death-eater scums stopped glaring at you after that one ministry meeting I brought you to.”
Sirius nodded. “I still don’t know what you said to them, but they don’t even bother me much anymore.”
“It was just pleasant conversation.” he acquiesced, heading over to where multiple floating measuring tapes were measuring Reggie.
His father and Sirius had a blast retelling what happened the entire time Reggie was getting fitted, making Harry feel bored. He already knew everything that happened so it wasn’t as interesting.
Of course, Harry knew of the Kleins. He knew of every pureblood family, but he didn’t realize the man was one until the man had introduced himself. He truly had just been looking to have a good talk with someone.
When it was Harry’s turn, Harry asked Madam Malkin what he had been pondering over earlier.
“Would it be feasible to procure an additional set of these robes in this specific shade of green?” He pointed at his father’s robes, who was talking merrily with his mother from across the room. The man was still wearing the lime green robes from earlier, having not gotten around to taking them off.
She gave him a once over, her eyes raising to the ceiling as she tapped her feet for a few seconds before stopping and tilting her head. “If you wish, but I recommend a red or purple instead to go with your eyes. Also, if you weren’t aware, Mr. Potter, Hogwarts does have a uniform you must wear.”
Harry thought over it. He already had every color of the rainbow, both bright and pastel, in robes, but none that were the same as the Hogwarts style of robes.
Of course, he preferred his robes as they were certainly more detailed and bright, unlike the plain black uniforms Hogwarts requires, but he supposed he should fit in more, one step at a time.
Harry nodded, “I understand the protocol; however, during weekends there, I am afforded the liberty to attire myself as I see fit. I would be delighted to own a set of robes that match with my customary black attire, just a different color. "
She nodded, giggling with twinkling eyes at his adamance.
“Alright Mr. Potter, what color?”
Red or purple, red or purple. The choices! He settled on, “Maroon, please, ma’am.”
“Good choice!”
Harry bit his lip. He had been trying to refrain, but unfortunately, he could never resist.
“Do you do designs, ma’am?”
Madam Malkin paused, looking at the blue robes he had on originally that she had put to the side while fitting the plain black ones on him. “Of course I do, Mr. Potter, did you want something like this?” She gestured to the many designs on the robes.
He wished he could say no if only to avoid the exasperation bound to be on his father’s face when he saw it, but alas, he could not refrain himself.
“Something similar, if possible, but fitting the theme of maroon better. I allow you to be as creative as you wish, Madam.”
To her credit, she seemed to enjoy the chance to show off some designs. She wrapped up fitting the black robes to him before rushing to the back of the store, most likely to finish her new request quickly, as she was well-known for her punctuality.
Harry glided back to the waiting bench, spending a few minutes watching other wizards through the window. He liked seeing how others behaved as it helped him understand people.
With the help of a lot of magic, no doubt, Madam Malkin finished his request at record speed. She walked out with six sets of black robes, three for him, three for Reggie, and on top was the beautiful maroon set.
Harry walked over, drawing the attention of the others. His father was there first, looking at the maroon robes with confusion. “Um, I don’t think we ordered this.”
He caught sight of Harry, and the man must see something in his eyes as he gasped. Overdramatically, in Harry’s opinion. “No! You didn’t!”
Harry refused to answer as the others understood what was going on.
“Harry! We left you alone for a few minutes!” His father covered his eyes with his hand, looking every bit as exasperated as Harry knew he would be.
He couldn’t help but pout as Reggie’s mom laughed when seeing the robes. He huffed, grabbing the robes, and looking over it.
There were gold embroideries of the Hogwarts house crests, the mascot for each house, and the famed heirlooms. His face must convey his admiration because Madam Malkin’s original frown at his family’s reaction to her work cleared up, replaced with a lilt on her lips
“This is beautiful, Madam.”
She gave him a warm laugh, “I figured something Hogwarts-related was safe, and I didn’t want to assume what house you would be in, so I just did them all.” She collected the galleons from his father before walking back.
Harry took one look at his family before they burst into giggles, much to Harry’s disgruntlement.
Reggie tapped him with his shoulder, a chuckle rolling out of his lips as he reassured. “We’re just teasing, Ominis, we know what you’re like by now.”
Harry gave him a gentle smile to show he wasn’t offended before speaking.
“I’m aware. We should go to the next store now, though, I would like to go to Flourish and Blotts as soon as possible.” He rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet, trying not to seem too excited.
The others shook their heads in laughter but allowed themselves to get hurried out of the store.
The rest of the time passed quickly, mainly with Harry and Reggie talking to a variety of strangers, some of whom didn’t see him as a stranger, apparently, as they asked him for an autograph.
His mother and Remus on the other hand had their hands full with the adult children who wouldn’t stop touching and messing with every item that caught their interest.
When they got to the second to last store, Harry was tired. He looked up at the store name: the Eeylops Owl Emporium. They chose to go there instead of The Magical Menagerie because Reggie wanted an owl specifically, so they felt no need to go somewhere where there would be other animals.
Harry stood outside the store, watching as the others started to go inside. Remus noticed him not moving and walked back with scrunched eyebrows, “Harry, is something wrong?”
He gave him a reassuring smile. "No, I just prefer to wait outside for the moment. Please enjoy yourselves though.”
Remus looked around at the people walking by with narrowed eyes before standing by him, almost protectively. The man didn’t ask why he didn’t want to go in. Harry appreciated him for that. It was the reason the man was his favorite– besides Reggie, of course.
“Okay, let’s talk while we’re waiting, then,” Remus said.
He looked up in slight surprise. “No, no, I’ll be alright, you go ahead.”
Remus gave him a hard look in answer. “Harry.”
He quickly gave up, knowing he’d lose no matter what. “Thank you.”
Remus coughed, changing the subject. “So why don’t you want an owl, like Reg does?”
He smiled. “Well, I thought one was plenty. Reggie has told me he had no trouble sharing his.”
Or so he says. The real reason was that animals hate Harry. They seem to be able to sense something in him. Something they don’t like one bit.
Remus squinted his eyes but didn’t say anything. Did he not believe him? Well, the man was very observant so Harry wouldn’t be surprised, but it was still flattering to know that someone other than Reggie knew him so well.
His father and Sirius suddenly burst out the store doors in front of them, looking around with disheveled hair and robes. They sighed with heaving breaths when they caught sight of Harry and Remus and rushed over instantly.
“I was wondering where you guys went! I thought Harry was just talking to someone in the shop but we couldn’t find either of you guys, tell us next time, please!” Sirius looked so messy that Harry had to apologize. Well, he would have anyway, but details.
“I apologize, Sirius, father.” He gave the two of them his best remorseful look.
His father gave a small laugh, looking at Harry with wide bloodshot eyes while patting Harry’s hair. He felt the hours he spent grooming his bird's nest hit him hard as his father ruined his hair, but he didn’t say anything.
“It’s fine, let’s go inside, I think the girls and Reg were with the shop associate when the two of us realized you were gone, they must be worried”
Harry knew Reggie knew exactly why he wasn’t there, but he didn’t protest being pulled into the store.
The moment he stepped in through the doors, the chirping in the owlery stopped, every head turning towards him. His father, Sirius, and Remus frowned with tilted heads, looking disconcerted, but Harry thanked Merlin because they didn’t seem to realize the cause of it.
He stayed by the entrance, not daring to walk closer. Luckily, Reggie had just finished purchasing an owl and was walking towards them. If the boy was walking any faster than he normally did, Harry pretended not to notice.
They walked out of the store almost immediately, and Harry gave Reggie a wide-eyed look to convey his horror to the only person who would understand.
Reggie just gave his trademark chuckle, giving Harry a look that he couldn’t describe, before holding out the cage in his arms.
Inside was a beautiful bright red owl.
Harry gasped, clapping his hands together, delighted at the breathtaking color.
“It is stunning, Reggie! Did the shop spell the color onto it?”
Reggie grinned at his awe, shaking his head. “No, apparently he turned red from a spell gone wrong near his breeding center. I knew it was meant to be the minute I saw him.”
Harry giggled, not even affected by seeing the bird try his best to move as far back in the cage away from Harry as possible.
He gave the owl his space, hoping it would come around with more time. “What did you name him?”
“Godric,” Reggie chuckled.
Harry rolled on the balls of feet, absolutely thrilled.
“It’s perfect!”
His mother looked at the bright owl with obvious exasperation, but the others– except for Remus who looked amused– looked as thrilled as Harry.
“House pride! I love it!” Sirius cheered.
Reggie chuckled, “I know right, it’s perfect! But hey! I’m not in a house yet, I could be in Slytherin with an owl named Godric, couldn’t I?”
Sirius looked at him with disbelief. “As if you would be in the same house as those slimy snakes!”
Harry frowned softly. "Each house embodies admirable traits, and Reggie would remain equally remarkable even if sorted into Slytherin. You should not encourage negative perceptions of any house." Harry didn’t want Reggie to be afraid of getting into a house only because of his father’s prejudices. Reggie lived off approval from his father, his every mannerism an attempt to follow his father’s footsteps. If Reggie did end up in Slytherin it would hit both of them hard.
Sirius must tell he hit a nerve because he immediately backtracked. “I just meant that he doesn’t seem like a Slytherin! He’s more Gryffindor than anyone I’ve ever known!” He continued before Harry could respond. “You can’t even deny that.”
That was right, “Of course, I will not deny it, Reggie is the most honorable and bravest person who will ever exist.”
Sirius’s panicked expression turned into a snicker hearing this.
“Haha! I can’t believe you said that with a straight face.”
What?
His father snorted as well. “That was probably the most sappy thing I’ve ever heard, and it’s not even true!”
Sirius glared, “What do you mean, Prongs, it is!”
His father glared back, “Um, no, obviously Harry is most honorable.”
“No, he isn’t you wanker! We both know bloody well Harry’s going into Hufflepuff”
His father squawked in outrage. “So what? Hufflepuff is a perfectly good house!”
“You’re just saying that because Harry’s going into it!”
“Oh, you bloody-”
Remus cut in at this, “We get it, let’s take a breath.”
Harry made eye contact with Reggie, seeing the boy look at him at the same time. Harry would go into whatever house Reggie got into.
He suddenly felt a little restless, not even realizing that he was still bouncing on the balls of his feet until he felt the soreness. He saw Reggie chuckle before reaching into the inside of his robe and pulling out a sugar quill.
Harry lit up, grabbing the sweet eagerly. The others looked at him with crinkles in their eyes and upturns of lips.
He didn’t pay them mind, instead unwrapping the blue sweet and putting it in his mouth, passing the wrapper to Remus’s outstretched hand.
“Shall we proceed to Flourish and Blotts?” It was a bit muffled, but they seemed to get the idea as his father, Sirius, and Reggie’s mom, groaned simultaneously.
The walk there took forever, in Harry’s opinion, but when they finally did arrive, Harry left the textbook shopping to the adults, instead going to the back of the store, picking out the new arrivals he had not read yet, and sitting on one of the hard benches.
The store was anciently comfortable, as always. It had little to no walking space with stacks of books in the walkways instead. The stairs were tight fit in the small shop and the walls were made of dark brown wood, making the store look welcoming and warm.
Reggie trailed behind him.
“Read all the books here yet, Ominis?” The muscular boy asked, despite Harry knowing he knew the answer.
Harry took the sugar quill out of his mouth regardless. “For the most part, though, there has been a large amount of new books that have been arriving throughout the summer.” He sighed. “However, I've nearly finished reading the majority of them. These remaining few are the only ones I have yet to.” He gestured to the stack in his hands.
Reggie chuckled, “At least you won’t have to worry about that at Hogwarts.”
Harry lit up at the reminder. He flipped through the book quickly, taking an average of a second per page. Thirty minutes later, four books were completed and Harry looked up to see Reggie reading a defense book named The Art of Shielding. Harry read that years ago.
Harry peered between the four books in his hands before picking the book on the history of vampire covens. He made a habit of always buying one book every trip to the bookstore, feeling bad that his ability to read at such a quick speed resulted in buying a book technically being a waste of money.
Besides, Reggie could always read some of the books, which was why Harry typically chose a book having something to do with either defense against the dark arts or just dark arts in general. Point in case the book he just chose.
He put the other three back in the pile he originally found them in before softly nudging Reggie’s foot with his own. Reggie didn’t look up, still engrossed in his book, so Harry linked their arms, allowing Reggie to walk while reading.
He maneuvered around the store but heard snickers at one of the bookshelves. He recognized the sound, and walked over, watching with twinkling eyes as he saw Sirius quickly hide the book he was holding behind his back when he saw the two of them. His father and Reggie’s mom coughed awkwardly.
“Are you interested in studying male anatomical structures, Sirius?” Harry failed to hide the amusement in his voice.
Sirius sputtered, “Why is it always me being bullied!? Prongs is right there.”
He paused, “And how could you even tell what we were reading, anyways? We were so far away!” He held a hand out. “Wait, did you read this book before?”
Sirius looked at him with the most devious expression Harry had ever seen.
“So, Harry, why were you studying “male anatomical structures "?.”
Harry gave him a kind smile. “Well, this book’s original purpose was to educate people on the functions of the human body and how they operate, with the photo intending to give a more visual connection. I’m not positive, but I’m fairly certain we looked at it for different purposes.”
Reggie finally glanced up from his book. “What he means, Dad, is that, unlike you guys, he wasn’t reading it for a perverted reason.”
“Yeah, I got that,” Sirius scowled.
Reggie gave a lighthearted chuckle. “Let’s go find Moony and Lily. They probably finished buying all the textbooks by now and we shouldn’t keep them waiting for too long.”
Reggie’s mom laughed. “They probably found them a long time ago.”
They probably did, if the bags in their hands as they conversed by the entrance was any indication. He knew they probably wanted him to have some time reading, and he appreciated it.
He walked up to the front desk with Reggie, handing him their books. Harry took this time to throw the core of his sugar quill away with a pout, but when he looked back up he saw Reggie holding another one out to him, having seemed to pull it out of nowhere.
Harry beamed at the boy, swiftly pulling off the wrapper and sucking on it with delight. Reggie nudged Harry’s head with one hand, chuckling, careful not to mess up his hair. No point in that after his father’s earlier ruffle though.
The manager at the counter, Muroan Blotts, was delighted to see Harry. “Got company today, Ominis?”
The man heard Reggie call him that one time, and it stuck. Harry didn’t mind though, Reggie came up with the name.
“I do, Muroan, I am going to Hogwarts this September and we are getting the required textbooks.”
“Oh yes, about to turn eleven, aren’t you? Happy early Birthday.”
“Thank you, Muroan.”
His mother paid for both their books, as she already had her coin pouch out.
Before handing the book to him, Muroan asked, “So, tell me what the first two sentences of chapter 5 say,” The man asked, not yet handing Harry the book.
“A vampire is a dark magical humanoid being that is famed for biting people on the neck and sucking their blood. They are part of the family of beings known as the Living Dead, along with zombies.”
The man chuckled, “Your memory will never cease to surprise me.”
Harry smiled amicably, grabbing the two books handed to him, before opening the page of ‘The Art of Shielding’ to page 43, the exact page Reggie left off on, and handed it to Reggie. The boy gave him a grin and started reading once more.
Harry looked up and saw as Muroan noticed Sirius behind them, “Pardon me, sir, but do you happen to be the Defence teacher for Hogwarts?”
Sirius blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, yes, why?”
Muroan heaved with wide eyes before he burst out, “Are you an inhuman monster? Have you no heart? Have you no soul?”
“Merlin’s beard, just what did I do to you?” Sirius looked just a bit too gleeful to see someone dislike him for Harry to mistake his question for remorse.
“You! You!” The man looked like he was about to get a heart attack. “How could you?”
Harry could guess what he was talking about. Muroan often waited until Harry got to his shop before unboxing new arrivals and they were both surprised when one of the textbooks cursed them black and blue at a touch.
Muroan felt so angry and apologetic that he paid for Harry’s bill at St. Mungo’s, and Harry never felt the need to tell anyone but Reggie what happened.
He smiled mildly, deciding to shine a light on the situation, “If I had to guess, this would be about your new textbooks for your NEWT students?”
Sirius gasped in recognition, “Oh yes! Aren’t they delightful?”
Harry watched Muroan with sympathy as the man clutched at his heart, face red and looking a second away from collapse. “I had to go to St. Mungo’s six times this summer from accidentally touching one!”
Sirius, his father, and Reggie’s mom laughed uncontrollably at the unconsolable man. The others watched with disapproval.
Remus was herding them out of the shop before Muroan had to go to St. Mungo’s for the seventh time. Harry glanced back to give Muroan an apologetic look, but he didn’t think the man noticed.
They walked to the central floo system of Diagon with his mother giving lectures to the three adult children.