Hi! Nice Meeting You!
"Woohoo!"
James and Lily laughed at Harry's enthusiasm. It was his eleventh birthday, and they were going to Diagon Alley today with Sirius and Remus.
Jéricho and nine-year-old Lyra were sitting at the table with the Potters. Sirius had quit the Aurors after that fateful night, despite being one of the best. He had instead taken on a job as a curse-breaker and now was famous for his brilliance at his work. He had started in Gringotts at first, but last year he had gotten an offer for Egypt and had spent a whole year there with his children.
Now he was back, and traveling a lot due to his work. Jéricho and Lyra spent most of their time with the Potters these days, while Sirius stayed out of the country. When he came back every month or two, he would spend the whole time with his children, buy them gifts, and do whatever they pleased. They had their father wrapped around their fingers.
As if on cue, the fireplace roared, and Sirius entered their house with Remus in tow.
"Dad!" Jéricho and Lyra launched themselves at him, followed by Harry, nine-year-old Charles Sirius Potter, their seven-year-old sister, Euphemia Lily Potter, and four-year-old Fleamont Remus Potter.
"Hey, kiddos!" Sirius presented them all with gifts and grinned broadly.
"Mate." James gave him a pat on the back and a one-armed hug, while Lily kissed him and Remus on the cheek and hugged them as well.
"Hey, Prongs. Those two devils give you any trouble then?"
Lily huffed. "They're absolute angels, I'll have you know, Siri."
"Sure, Evans." Sirius winked. Only he called her by her maiden name still, like a private joke between them. Lily seemed to find it endearing.
"So, ready for Diagon?"
"Yep. Already had breakfast, so let's go."
They used the floo and arrived at the Leaky Cauldron a bit wearily. They always covered Charles' scar in public and tried to not draw attention to themselves. Thankfully, while Charles was arrogant and a bit conceited sometimes, they had never let the fame get to his head so he wasn't too spoilt. It might have to do something with the fact that James and Lily had always made sure he remembered that it was because of his Aunt Melanie's sacrifice that he was alive. That he didn't have superpowers; just a loving family.
Harry grabbed Jéricho's hand and pulled him in front of everyone else, babbling excitedly. Lily chuckled at that and grabbed them both before they got too far. "How about I and Remus take the kids with us to buy school supplies? James, you can go to buy dress robes and books with Siri and the newest big boys. We'll meet at Ollivander's in an hour."
They all agreed and went their separate ways.
"We'll be off to Twilfitt's and Tatting's, then." Jéricho announced, starting in its direction.
"Why, what's wrong with Madam Malkin's?" James frowned.
"Nothing." Jéricho shrugged. "But the quality difference is something to pay attention to."
James burst out laughing. "Oh god, you are so like your dad. Equally vain."
"Hey, I am not vain!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Pads, admit it, you are. Not now as much, but when you were their age... remember when we played our first prank and your robes got wrinkled?"
Sirius blushed bright red as a tomato. "That was-I wasn't-"
"Sure, you started to wear muggle clothes and everything, and even went to Malkin's, but only 'cause you were rebelling. And you still picked - and pick - the best."
Sirius sniffed. "That's just sensible. I'm not a prat like you."
"You wound me, Pads!"
"That was the intention, yes."
"Oh, do stop bickering!" Harry cried and dragged them into the shop, where they had to spend half an hour waiting for Jéricho and Sirius to pick out the best and most expensive materials available, with Harry and James rolling their eyes and acting immature and impatient.
After that was the bookstore, which was probably Jéricho's favorite place. While the boy was naturally brilliant like Harry and their dads, he still loved to read, something which Harry himself didn't much bother to do.
Just outside the shop, Sirius abruptly excused himself and hurried away. Harry frowned after him. "Where's he gone to?"
James sighed. "He and his curse-breaking mates have these little... hand mirrors. Like the ones you both have now. To discuss new locations and such."
"Don't tell me he's going again!" Jéricho cried. "He's just come back. He promised to stay at least till we left!"
James sighed. "No, I'm sure he won't leave yet. And if he even thinks about it, I'll set him right. Why don't you two pick out your books while I go sort him out?"
The idea was acceptable, and James hurried to find Sirius while the boys entered the shop. Harry internally grimaced. As much as he loved his godfather, Sirius could sometimes be a bit inconsiderate. He had originally just taken on this job to keep his mind off Melanie, but then he'd grown fond of it and continued. And while he tried his best, he still didn't give much time to his children.
They found a girl standing there, admiring a cover page. Jéricho exclaimed, "Hi! That book's brilliant, you should definitely try it."
The girl in question had waist-length curly bluish-black hair and startling deep ocean-blue eyes. "Right? I've read it, like, many times already. I'm Heiress Serafina Greengrass, by the way. And you?"
"Heirs Harry Potter and Jéricho Black."
Greengrass' eyes widened. "As in... Charles Potter?"
"Yes, he's my baby brother. Don't worry, he's a prat." Harry sniffed.
Greengrass laughed at this. "Well, I need to get going, but I'll be sure to catch you on the train."