Book Shopping
Harry loved the Burrow. Not only were signs of magic everywhere, but everyone liked him. Molly fussed over him and tried to serve him fourth helping of every meal. Arthur bombarded him with questions about life with Muggles. He was well fed, no one yelled at or belittled him, and Sirius hadn't had his tail stepped on since their arrival.
One sunny morning about a week after they'd arrived they heard from Hogwarts. Ron, Harry, and Sirius went down to breakfast to find Molly, Arthur, and Ginny already sitting at the table. Ginny knocked her bowl onto the floor with a loud clatter. She dove under the table to retrieve it, her face bright red as she emerged. Sirius had noticed that things like that often happened to Ginny when Harry was around. He knew why of course, but hoped that her little crush would go away as she got to know Harry as a real person, instead of just a story. Harry pretended not to notice Ginny's mini-freak out and sat down next to Ron.
"Letters from school." Arthur said once Harry had given Sirius his breakfast. "Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry, so don't worry. Doesn't miss a trick, that man."
Fred and George ambled in a moment later, still in their pajamas and rubbing sleep from their eyes. There was a brief fight about who would sit on Harry's free side, which Arthur put a stop to before handing them their letters.
After a couple minutes of silence while the boys read their letters, Fred asked, "Was everyone told to get all Lockhart's books too, or was it just me?"
"Pretty sure it's all of us." Ron sighed.
"New Defense teacher must be a fan." George said. "These won't come cheap, though. Lockhart's books are really expensive."
"Well, we'll manage." Molly said, though she looked pretty worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand."
Harry turned towards the youngest Weasley, "So, you're starting Hogwarts this year?"
She turned red as her hair again, nodded, and put her elbow in the butter dish. Sirius couldn't help but be amused. Fortunately for the girl, Percy's appearance distracted almost everyone from her mistake. He, unlike all his siblings and Harry, was already dressed, Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his sweater vest. Sirius rolled his eyes. Who was he trying to impress? School wouldn't start for another couple of weeks, so why bother wearing the stupid badge?
"Morning, all." Percy said briskly, "Lovely day."
He sat in the only remaining chair, just to leap up again a second later. An old, battered, grey owl was lying in the chair, a letter hidden under its wing.
"Errol!" Ron scooped the owl up and pulled the letter out, "It's about time. I wrote Draco saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursley's. I'd've written Hermione too, but I wasn't sure he could manage two trips and thought Draco would have a better owl to tell her."
He carried Errol to a perch by the back door and tried to stand him on it, but the bird flopped over the second he let go. Sirius snorted softly. Ron set the owl on the draining board instead muttering, "Pathetic." The he tore open Draco's letter and read aloud:
"'Dear Ron, twins, and Harry, if you're there, I hope everything went all right and that Harry's okay. If he's not, it had better be the absolute first thing in your response. And I mean first thing. Don't even put my name first if something's gone wrong. Naturally, that includes if any of you were dumb enough to do something illegal to get Harry out.'- Nice to know he's got so much faith in us." Ron rolled his eyes, "'I've told Hermione what you were planning, so don't bother sending an owl to her, and when you owl me, perhaps you should use a different one? One more trip might finish off yours. Hermione and I are going to meet in Diagon Alley next Wednesday. We are waiting to hear from you to finalize the time, but it looks like we'll meet in Flourish and Blotts to get books and go on from there. Let me know everything as soon as you can. Awaiting your answer, Draco.'"
"Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get your things then too." Molly said. She started to clear the table.
"Mum, since Scabbers has been feeling better, can I bring him this year?" Ron asked.
"Scabbers?" Harry frowned.
"My pet rat." Ron explained, "He was really sick beginning of last year, so I had to leave him at home."
"He doesn't seem much of a fan of dogs, so he's been hiding in our room the last few days." Fred added.
"Oh."
"Mum?"
"I suppose. So long as he doesn't get sick again. And you can't fall behind on your studies."
"Yes, Mum."
---------------------line break-----------------
Molly woke them all early the following Wednesday. After a quick breakfast, they pulled on their coats and Molly took a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece.
'Floo powder.' Sirius thought, 'I wonder if I'll be more sick as a dog, or less.'
"Guests first!" Molly offered Harry the pot, "After you, dear."
Harry looked pretty nervous, "W-what am I s-supposed to do?"
"He's never traveled by Floo powder, right Harry?" Ron said. Harry shook his head, fidgeting. "Sorry, mate. I forgot."
"Never?" Arthur asked, "How did you get to Diagon Alley last year?"
"Um, the Underground?"
"Really?" Arthur leaned forward, eager, "Were there escapators? How exactly-"
"Not now, Arthur." Molly said, "Floo powder's a lot quicker, but goodness me, if you've never used it before-"
"He'll be alright, Mum." Fred told her. He turned to Harry with a reassuring smile, "Watch us first, alright, Harry?"
He nodded.
Fred took a pinch of the powder from the pot and tossed it into the fire. Once the flames turned an emerald green, he stepped in and shouted, "Diagon Alley!" Then, he vanished.
"You must speak clearly, dear." Molly told Harry as George took a pinch of powder. "And be sure to get out the right grate..."
"Will Shadow be okay?" Harry was watching George's disappearance nervously.
"He'll be fine. Keep him close though, just in case."
"And keep your elbows tucked in." Ron offered.
"And your eyes shut. You don't want soot in them." Molly added.
"Don't fidget. Or you might fall out the wrong fireplace."
"But don't panic and get out early; wait until you see Fred and George."
Harry looked down at Sirius, who gave him a tiny nod. He took a deep breath and got a pinch of Floo powder. Sirius followed him into the flames and closed his eyes. He looked up at Harry sharply when the boy coughed, "D-Dia-gon Alley."
Sirius pressed against Harry's leg and tried to look for the Weasley's through his lashes as various grates flew past. However, when they fell out of the fire it was in the wrong place. Sirius managed to keep his godson from falling on his face, but only barely. Looking around, Sirius got a sinking feeling in his gut. He'd never spent a ton of time in Nocturne Alley, but, thanks to his family, he could recognize it through the dirty windows of the dimly lit shop.
Harry relaxed a little when he caught sight of a familiar face in the window. Draco. His father was with him. While Harry was relieved, Sirius was suspicious. He knew that Draco didn't take after his father, but Lucius was still a Death Eater in Sirius's book. There was nothing that would change that. Harry rushed out to meet them with Sirius at his side.
"Draco! Thank goodness."
"Harry? What are you doing here?" Draco stepped forward and brushed soot off Harry's shoulders. Lucius cleared his throat, giving Draco a pointed look. The boy took a quick step back.
"Um, i-it was my first t-time using Floo p-powder? I kind of g-got lost."
Lucius looked down at them with barely concealed disdain. Sirius was suddenly tempted to rub the dirt on his fur all over Malfoy's precious robes. "Draco. Since your... friend is here, you may wait outside with him."
"But, Father-"
Lucius glared at him and swept inside.
"I'm glad the rescue mission went well." Draco said.
"Me too. I hate going back there."
"I was going to come myself, you know. They just..."
"Beat you to it?"
"Yeah." Draco sighed and shuffled his feet a little. "Ron said something about a house elf stealing your letters?"
"Right! We were kind of hoping you might know who he, um, belonged to? That way we can figure out how reliable his warning is."
Draco frowned, "I don't know the names of every house elf, you know." At Harry's disappointed expression, Draco groaned. "Maybe I can find out? What was its name?"
Harry brightened, "He said his name was-"
Lucius rejoined the boys, and Harry fell silent. "Come along. We still need to meet with your other classmates."
"Father," Draco said tentatively, "Would you fix Harry's glasses? Please?"
The older Malfoy scowled, but flicked his wand at Harry anyway. Harry thanked him as they hurried to catch up.
It didn't take long before they reached Diagon Alley. Lucius steered them towards Gringotts in silence. Draco hadn't spoken since his father had fixed Harry's glasses and Harry followed his lead. Sirius could tell how uncomfortable he was around Lucius, which was really a blessing of sorts. Trustworthy as Draco was, his father was bad news, and Sirius wanted to keep Harry as far away from the man as he could.
"Harry, Draco! Over here!"
Sirius relaxed. He had a hard time seeing over the crowd, but he had been able to recognize Hermione's voice. Sure enough, a moment later she came running up to them. Lucius's disgust returned in full force, though Draco didn't seem to notice it.
"I'm so happy to see you two! Are you coming into Gringotts?"
Harry shifted, "I should find the Weasleys first. They're probably worried."
"Isn't that them?" Draco pointed.
Harry, Hermione, and Sirius all turned to look. Sprinting up the crowded street was Arthur, Percy, the twins, and Ron.
"Marvelous." Lucius muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Harry," Arthur panted, "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far... Molly's frantic- she's coming now-"
"Where'd you come out?" Ron asked.
"Knockturn Alley." He glanced at Draco to be sure he'd gotten the name right. The other boy nodded, grimly.
"Wicked!" Fred and George said in unison.
"We've never been allowed in." Ron sighed.
"You're not missing out on much," Draco told him, "Mostly, it's just dirty, with creepier people about."
As the kids talked, Arthur and Lucius stood by, glaring at each other without actually speaking. The silent staring contest went on for a couple of minutes before Molly came running up to the group and immediately began fussing over Harry.
"Come along, Draco. You can see your... friends again later." They had just entered Gringotts and Lucius had caught sight of Hermione's parents.
"But-" Lucius scowled at his son. Draco sighed and said goodbye before following his father.
After everyone got their money, the rest of the group promised to meet in Flourish and Blotts in an hour, and split up. Since Fred and George were meeting with Lee Jordan, and everyone else had left to get school supplies (or taking the adult Grangers out for a drink); Harry, Sirius, Ron and Hermione were left on their own.
Harry got them all large ice creams to eat while they window shopped. Ron stopped at the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies until Hermione dragged them next door to buy ink and parchment. They found Fred, George, and Lee not long after in a joke shop. The three older boys paid for their new prank supplies and joined the group. When the time came for them to meet the other Sirius found himself as nervous as Harry. The book shop was packed. A large banner was stretched across the upper window, announcing the appearance of Gilderoy Lockhart from 12:30 to 4:30. This would not be pleasant.
"Do you want to wait outside, Harry?" Hermione asked, "I can grab your books for you."
"And we can wait with you." Fred added.
Lee and George nodded, "It's not like we need signed copies of the books, right?"
Harry smiled at them, "Thanks. But I think I'll be okay."
"You sure?" Ron frowned. Harry nodded. "Alright. Let us know if it gets to be too much though, okay? We'll get you and Shadow out."
He promised and they squeezed inside.
"Oh, there you are, good." Molly said. She sounded breathless and kept patting at her hair. Sirius rolled his eyes. "We'll be able to see him in a minute."
Lockhart stepped out. He was surrounded by pictures of himself, in blue robes that matched his eyes. His pointy hat was set at a jaunty angle. Sirius caught Harry's eye and pretended to gag. Harry snorted quietly.
"Out of the way, there," A man with a large camera snarled at Ron, as he stepped back for a better shot, "This is for the Daily Prophet."
Harry pulled Sirius closer. The Animagus growled quietly at the man.
Naturally, that was when Lockhart looked up. He spotted Harry in seconds, jumped up, and shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"
Harry flinched as excited whispers filled the room and the crowd parted. Lockhart jump forward, seized Harry's arm, and dragged him to the front. Sirius barely managed to keep up. Harry was bright red as Lockhart shook his hand for the camera. Sirius could hear his breathing speed up. He pressed against his godson's side in an effort to ground him.
"Nice big smile, Harry." Lockhart said, "Together, you and I are worth the front page."
Harry's breathing sped up again. Sirius nosed his hand as Lockhart finally let go. Harry looked around, desperate for a way out. Lockhart wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders, effectively trapping him. Sirius whined softly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!"
Harry swayed on his feet, just a little. Sirius noticed, of course, and he was sure Lockhart had too, but he still wouldn't let Harry go. Sirius yipped once, soft enough for the two of them to hear, but not the crowd.
Lockhart ignored Sirius and continued his speech, "When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography- which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge- he had no idea," Lockhart gave Harry a little shake, Harry whimpered softly, and Sirius barked again. This time loud enough that the people closest were giving him weird looks, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
/Oh great./ Sirius thought. /We're stuck with him./
The entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart were shoved into Harry's hands before he was pulled away by a familiar blond.
Harry shot Draco a grateful look and handed the books to Ginny. "You can have these. I-I have to-" Harry bolted for the door, Sirius running alongside him.
Harry sank to the ground, back pressed against the wall. Sirius sat in front of him and dropped his head on his godson's shoulder. He took a deep breath to remind Harry to do the same.
Draco, Hermione, and Ron came out of the store a minute later, they all looked pretty concerned.
"Are you alright?" Hermione sank down next to him and started rubbing his back.
Harry hid his face in Sirius's fur, "I'm sorry."
Ron and Draco exchanged a look as they sat down, Draco by Harry and Ron on Hermione's other side. "What are you sorry for?" Draco frowned.
"Making a scene, breaking down like an idiot, taking attention I shouldn't have for something I don't remember."
Ron snorted, "Lockhart was the one making a scene. He's the one who should apologize, not you."
Harry held Sirius a little tighter. Sirius nosed at his hair, he was careful to keep his breathing steady so Harry could have something to match his own breathing to.
About five minutes later, the rest of their group came out, Lucius and Arthur kept glaring at each other. Sirius almost turned to bet James and Remus on whether a fight would break out.
/I've got to stop doing that./ Sirius sighed. /It's been years, Sirius, get a hold of yourself and stop looking for people long gone./ Thankfully, everyone was too concerned with Harry to notice Sirius zoning out.
Draco was the first one up. He brushed the dirt off of himself as his father watched in clear disapproval. The other three were slower, Ron and Hermione keeping a close eye on Harry.
"Sorry." Harry said again.
"No need for that now." Arthur told him, "Far too crowded in there. Nearly had a breakdown myself."
"And here I thought you be used to... close quarters, Weasley." Lucius drawled.
Arthur glared at him and probably would have lunged at him if it weren't for Draco.
"Father, isn't Mother waiting for us? We should really be leaving don't you think?"
"I suppose we should." He smirked and nodded at the group. Draco shot a sheepish smile at them and the two Malfoys left.
"It is getting a bit late. We should be getting home, shouldn't we, Arthur?" Molly said pointedly.
"Right, right. Have we got everyone? Yes? Let's go."
On the way to the Leaky Cauldron, Harry ended up surrounded by his friends. Fred, George, Hermione, and Ron had formed a semicircle around him with Hermione and Ron at his sides and Fred and George close behind him. Inside, they said their goodbyes to the Grangers and decided on the order to Floo back to the Burrow. Sirius snorted quietly at the look on Harry's face. He clearly disliked Floo travel, not that Sirius could blame him, Lily had hated it too.