Chapter 3

It didn't take long at all for Harry and Hedwig to form a special bond. Not two days after he had received her as a gift, he had already sent her out flying and she returned with multiple dead animals and birthday letters from his friends Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Hermione. She had just gotten back from her most recent trip about a week after his birthday, when Lily and James came upstairs and informed Harry that they would be leaving in a few hours' time.

"Where to?" Harry curiously inquired.

"Well," his father said with an air of superiority, as if he knew something Harry didn't and brandishing a yellow-colored parchment envelope, "it's time to go shopping for school, isn't it?"

"I've booked us a few weeks at The Leaky Cauldron for us to stay the few remaining weeks before September 1st," Lily said. "The Weasley's and Hermione will be there too! These next few weeks will be spent getting you everything you'll need for your first year at school!"

"And there's only one place we'll be able to find everything—Diagon Alley."

Harry, however, wasn't focused on the supplies, but more on the last line: "Parents are reminded that first years are not allowed their own broomsticks." "Why?" Harry asked his parents inquisitively.

"Well, Harry—" Lily started before being abruptly cut off by James: "Don't worry about it, kiddo," he said while affectionately ruffling Harry's hair. "Your old man was the greatest Chaser in his time at Hogwarts. You want a broomstick, you got it. We'll you get whatever broomstick you want."

"James!" Lily chided. "You can't just go around breaking McGonagall and Dumbledore's rules! They're obviously there for safety!"

"Oh, what's old Minnie going to do?" Sirius asked cheerfully, popping in from the kitchen. "I'm with Prongs. If Harry wants a broomstick, he should be allowed to get one. But let's ask the remaining chap in the room," he said, turning to Remus. "What d'you say, Moony?"

Remus sighed. "Well, I do agree with Lily—" "Thank you!" "—but I also agree with you and James. Harry's been flying on a little toy broom since he was 2. For Merlin's sake," he chuckled, "he chased Dudley out the front door onto a faceplant in the grass when they were 5!"

Everyone began roaring with laughter, even Harry. "So, I agree. I think he should have a broomstick. Just maybe write to Minnie about it first, okay?"

"Oh, Moony, that takes all the fun out of breaking the rules!" Sirius grinned, clapping his shoulder. "So, Prongs: shall we?" he asked, holding out his arm in a gentlemanly sort of way.

Lily sighed. "Can't say I expected any less… I was hoping some common sense would prevail, but with you three, I should've known better."

"Well! There's that settled!" James clapped his hands together. Shall we?"