Chapter 2: Happy Birthday

Among all people at Number 4, Privet Drive, no one was more excited about Harry's Hogwarts letter than Sirius Black. "Any Quidditch Team Captain badges this time, Prongslet?" Sirius giddily asked. "This year's your last chance to show how much like your real father you are."

"James was a Head Boy." Vernon teased Sirius.

"Details, details." Sirius dismissed the point. "Prongs was first and foremost a prankster."

"He grew up out of this and that's what endeared him to my sister." Petunia retorted.

"Certainly his natural charms would have helped either way, Petunia." Sirius argued.

"May we buy the required supplies now?" Harry asked so they'd stop arguing.

"I don't see why not, Prongslet." Sirius replies, not understanding Harry's real purpose. "Albeit I believe you're too eager for a son of James Potter. Even Lily wasn't in such a hurry."

"She didn't have an immature godfather who bothered our parents with petty arguments." Petunia replied. Harry groaned.

Sirius and the Dursleys then took the subway to London and went to Diagon Alley, where they met Hermione Granger. "Harry? I never thought I'd see you so soon!"

"I could say the same about you." Harry replied.

"Yes, my parents usually took some time before bringing me here." She agreed. "Fortunately I'm now an adult in the Wizarding World."

"Congratulations, Mione." Harry replied. "I'm still 16."

"How do you feel being finally allowed to use magic outside school grounds?" Petunia asked.

"It's fantastic, Mrs. Dursley!" Hermione exclaimed. "I can finally practice! No more just studying the theory."

After the small talk, they went to Gringotts to get money for the school supplies. Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts for the books. As usual, the clerks are eager to sell their items to the Boy-Who-Lived. "Thank you." Harry said.

"Thank you." The clerk replied. "Is there anything else you want, Mr. Potter?"

"What about your family?" The clerk asked after Harry's 'no'.

"I'd like the latest issue of Quidditch Through the Ages, please." Sirius Black asked.

After Sirius paid for his new book, Hermione Granger bought the books she needed for her seventh year at Hogwarts and some (probably several) other books she wanted.

By the time Hermione finished paying, Harry and his family had already arrived at Madam Malkin's for Harry's new robes. "Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Potter?"

"Not for now, Madam Malkin." Harry answered as Sirius handed her some Galleons as payment for the robes. Hermione arrived just at that moment.

"That soon?" Vernon asked in a mockery tone. "By what Harry tells us about your study habits, I'd expect you to stay long enough to buy the whole bookstore."

"Maybe she did." Sirius suggested. "You're underestimating the power of extension charms, Vernon. Am I correct, Ms. Granger?"

"Yes, Professor Black." She admitted. "Not about buying the whole place."

"Did you need to apparate to catch up?" Petunia asked.

"Was it that obvious, Mrs. Dursley?" Hermione asked in amazement.

"You already have your license?" Sirius asked in reply. "The last time I renewed mine, I had the impression the evaluator didn't like me."

"Someone at the Department of Magical Transportation must hold a grudge over your pranks." Vernon suggested.

"Or is related to some Death Eater I arrested." Sirius suggested.

"Is there any other place we have to go for our school supplies?" Harry asked.

"The apothecary!" Hermione exclaimed in horror. "How could I forget?"

"We'd better go there too, Prongslet." Sirius suggested. "We mustn't give Snivellus any reason to fail you or he'll jump at it like a drowning man to a rope." The Dursleys agreed.

After buying all the required potion equipment, they decided to stop at Florean's for some ice cream.

Two days later, Harry and the Dursleys were back at home when the Daily Prophet arrived with the following headline: MINISTER FUDGE REELECTED.

"Did he have much of an advantage, son?" Vernon asked Harry.

"No, Dad." Harry answered. "He barely had more than 51 % of the votes."

"Well, now that's out of the way, your only concerns now are your summer assignments and your birthday party." Petunia stated. "I only hope Sirius picked a good place to celebrate it. It's your coming-of-age among your fellow wizards."

Once the day arrived, the Dursleys genuinely approved the place. "Happy Birthday, Harry!"

End chapter.