The Domestic Sublime
The next day, the little family took a trip into town. Sirius and Remus had struggled to get Harry to wear his pants (again! The little bugger hated pants apparently). Iris had pitched it and they held him back as his pants were donned. Remus personally thought that the four of them looked like they were going to different places. Sirius was wearing his signature leather jacket, a Pink Floyd shirt, black jeans and his Doc Martens. He looked like he was going to a rock concert rather than checking out a town with his family. Remus was wearing (as always), a woollen knit jumper which was green and his light brown coat over it, grey slacks and scuffed shoes. Iris was in a pretty purple dress with white lace trim with a star on the front. Harry wore brown pants and a little red jumper with a deer face on it.
They walked the country road into town and past lazy streets of cute cottages. The centre of the village had several shops. A cozy bakery, cafe, used bookstore (in which Remus spent perhaps too long in), a grocers, butchers and several others. However, unbeknownst to the eyes of the Muggles, whom looked from the tailors to the restaurant next door, there was a local apothecary where Sirius and Remus were able to replenish their stores of potion ingredients.
“Remus,” Sirius said, juggling a bag of newts eyes and herbs, “We need to get some groceries. Harry’s eating nearly the same as Iris now.”
They found their way into a chain grocery store where Sirius was trying very hard not to oggle at everything from the fridges that were cold (without magic!) and the rows and rows of different foods.
Remus wheeled around a basket arguing with Sirius on what meals they were going to eat next week as they always did. Iris sneaked a chocolate bar into the trolly without them looking.
They wandered into the International Foods aisle, Remus picking up a packet of curry powder muttering to himself, bouncing Harry on his shoulder with one arm. He placed the curry powder in the basket. From over Remus’ shoulder, Harry plucked another curry packet off the shelf.
He babbled and tried to also stick it in the basket saying, “Eat dis one too.”
Remus chuckled, taking it from Harry’s hands. The box read ‘Golden Curry’ and had Japanese writing. He turned to Sirius, who was browsing the noodle section.
“Do you know what this is?”
Sirius turned around, Remus handed the box to him.
“Oh yeah, I remember this one. I think I had it once at one of my parents' dinner parties.” He scratched his chin, lost in thought, “I haven’t had it in ages.”
“Any good?”
Sirius shrugged, “No idea. Can’t remember.” He looked over to where Iris was inspecting jars of sauces.
“Rissy, come ‘ere a minute, love.” Sirius called. Iris toddled over. Sirius handed her the curry.
“Karē.” Iris said. She handed it back to Sirius, “That was mum’s favourite.”
“Good enough for me.” Sirius placed it in the basket, standing.
An old lady, arm in arm with presumably her husband, walked into the aisle just as Remus, Sirius, Harry and Iris left it. Remus caught the whisper of a conversation and knew enough to know that they were staring daggers at Remus and Sirius, who were walking close together. He felt his ears go warm. They neared the checkout stations, Remus purposely stepping slightly away from Sirius under the guise of looking at several candy bars.
The people ahead of them moved and their groceries rolled up to the counter. The woman at the checkout stared at them as she scanned their stuff. She was chewing gum and looked around their age, if not, older.
“Visiting?” She asked.
“Ah, not quite.” Remus said as Harry tried to pull an apple out of their bags. He ducked down to pull Harry away.
“Just moved here.” Sirius said, helping to pack away a bottle of milk.
She looked at them, chewing gum, “What? The two o’ ya?”
“Yeah,” said Sirius, pulling out his wallet, he shifted a few Galleons aside and pulled out a plastic card. He never really understood how Muggle money worked - on funny bits of paper, card and the occasional coin - but he had watched Remus pay for things a few times and understood that the beep of the card meant paying.
The woman stared at Sirius and then looked to Remus, who was holding their grocery bags and talking to Iris. The checkout lady clacked on her keyboard, “That’ll be 25.50.”
Sirius paid and helped Remus to carry the rest of their bags. The woman continued to stare at them, a look of mild annoyance and disgust on her face.
“Did you see the way she was staring at us?” Remus said as they were walking out of the store.
“Bloody Muggles.” Sirius said, “Loose their heads over the two of us, no wonder they can’t be trusted to know magic is real.”
The woman was still staring at them through the window, chewing her gum and scanning someone else's stuff.
Sirius looked her dead in the eye and then kissed Remus on the mouth.
“Wh-” Remus laughed, “Not that I’m complaining, but what for?”
Sirius grinned, nodding his head in the direction of the checkout lady whose mouth gaped open wide enough that you could pop an apple in her mouth. She looked aghast.Iris blew a raspberry at her, Harry laughed with mirth.
“Who gives a quack what she thinks.” Sirius said smugly. Remus agreed with him by way of another kiss.