HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 7 – Diagon Alley and Returning to Hogwarts

 Diagon Alley

            The streets of Diagon Alley were filled with young and old wizards and witches. Iris and Sarah had scheduled to meet their mother, brother and grandmother in Florean Fortescue Ice Cream Parlour. And sure enough they were there savouring big sundaes.

" So, enjoying your sundaes?" Iris asked when she approached the threesome.

 They all looked up and smiled.

" So, how was your week, dears?" Mrs Renata asked. 

" It was all right. We had lots of fun." Answered Sarah.

 Iris began to steal sundae from William.

" Hey, get your own." He argued.

 Iris pulled her tongue at him and he did the same.

" Children, behave yourselves." Ordered their grandma, playfully.

 They all smiled.

 A bit far from this family reunion were the boys. Sirius and Remus were standing very still and James was looking for someone.

 Clara was now watching the boys with interest.

" Iris, dear, why don't you introduce us to your friends?" she asked.

 Iris jumped and beckoned the boys to her.

" Mum, Will, Grandma. This is Remus Lupin (she pointed to him), this one is Sirius Black and this is James Potter." She turned to the boys." Boys, this is my mother Isabel, my grandmother Clara and this little squirt is my brother William. He is going to Hogwarts this year."

 They all nodded in turn as they were introduced. Clara kept looking at Sirius.

" All right. Now let's go shopping." Said Isabel happily.

 The left the Ice Cream Parlour and went to Madam Malkin's Robes for Every Occasion. There they split. Sarah, Iris and Isabel went with William to buy robes and the boys went to buy new ones and dress robes for the Ball. But Clara separated Sirius from the rest of the boys.

" So, Mr Black, you are my granddaughter's boyfriend." She said smiling.

" How do you know, Mrs Renata? She told me she hadn't told anyone." He said confused.

" Ah, Mr Black! First, you can call me Grandma. Second, no one needs to tell me anything. I already know." She was still smiling.

" In that case, I don't think there is need for me to confirm, is there?"

" Very sharp, Mr. Black."

" Please, call me Sirius." He was also smiling.

" You know, Sirius, every relationship has its ups and downs. But you don't have to worry. You and my granddaughter were made for each other." She said, her voice full of confidence and knowledge.

 Sirius looked at her with utter respect. This woman in front of him didn't look old. She was little, but she looked tall. Her face was wrinkled yet she looked young and full of wisdom at the same time. Her eyes, like Iris, with their touch of green and the worm smile on her face made Sirius feel comfortable. He knew he was safe with this woman. And he realized that Iris was safe with her too. She was her protection. And that made Sirius fell even more comfortable. He knew he could trust this woman.

 She looked deeply into Sirius's eyes. The black of his eyes clashed with the brown and green of hers. Then she told him quietly so only he could hear her.

" My darling, you have the deepest, shiniest eyes I have ever seen. And no one, I repeat, no one, will ever take that from you. Even at your lowest your eyes will shine as always."

 Sirius was touched by what she said. He didn't know why but he felt confident about his future. Even if it involved hitting his lowest. He nodded and Clara smiled sympathetically. Then she coiled one arm around his and motioned him forward. William had all his robes, Sarah and Iris already had their new dress robes and they were waiting for James and Remus.

 James took five minutes to show up trying a green dress robe.

" What do you think?" he asked to the group.

" Its green. I wonder why." Said Iris, smiling broadly.

" I was asking myself that question. Why are his robes green? Does it have a meaning?" intervened Sarah grinning.

" You can think all you want. There is no double meaning to my choice of colour. I happen to like green." Argued James.

" Especially if its in the eyes of a certain person." Commented Sirius.

 James threw him a death glare and decided to ignore the laughter that broke after that comment. Iris was the first to calm down.

" Sorry, James. Green is your colour. Trust me." She said. " Don't you agree, Grandma?"

" Yes, dear. Mr Potter I guarantee green is your colour." Clara said in the some tone she used for Sirius.

" Thank you. I'll take this." James said, happy that someone had agreed with him.

" Where's Remus?" asked Sarah with a bit of a worried tone.

" I think that Miss Moony is still looking for a robe." Answered Sirius, a smirk in his face.

 Sarah looked at him also with a death glare. He backed up a bit, but not much because he had Clara's arm still coiled to his. 

 A few moments later a very disappointed looking Remus appeared.

" What is it, Remus? Didn't find a robe, did you?" asked Iris.

" No. I don't know what looks good on me." He answered very quietly.

" I say grey is your colour, Mr Lupin." Clara said. Then she pointed at a grey dress robe that, in Iris's opinion, had Remus written all over it.

" Oh, yes. Remus, take that one. It's your face."

 Remus tried the robe and saw that it looked good on him.

When they were about to leave Iris noticed something.

" Where are your dress robes, Sirius?" she asked.

 He was about to answer but Clara talked first.

" He is ordering. They didn't have his size. Black is a very common colour and they were short of robes that would fit Sirius." She explained.

 Sirius nodded confirming Clara's story. Iris shrugged and accepted the lie as a truth.

 Sirius was about to ask Clara why he hadn't bought a dress robe when she whispered in his ear.

" Don't worry, you'll have your dress robe before Christmas. In a way you did order it. Don't worry."

 And she smiled again.

 After they left Ollivander's they meet Lily. James blushed and didn't say a word. Afterwards they went to the bookstore and when all the shopping was done they went their different ways. But before Iris entered the fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron she managed to kiss Sirius goodbye. They were going to meet again on the next day at the Hogwarts Express. They were going to be at Hogwarts in at least 24 hours.

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 Platform 9 and ¾.

            Like every other year, platform 9 and ¾ was packed. Iris could feel William shake under her grip. She was decided not to leave his side until they were at Hogsmeade Station. The three Renatas hurried to the train to find a compartment. They didn't even try to find the boys. They found one rather quickly and settled in. Fifteen minutes later the boys arrived. Sirius grinned at Iris but decided not to kiss her because of William. Remus did the same to Sarah.

 After the train departed from the platform Peter joined them. Later Lily joined them as well. They started talking in order to make William feel comfortable. They played games and planned pranks.

 When Snape, Crabbe and Goyle showed up at their compartment things heated and William was able to see the Marauders in action. Sarah, even being Head Girl, remained seated watching the scene. Soon the three Slytherins were covered with the marks of several different hexes and curses.

 The rest of the trip was rather uneventful. William was impressed with the boys and they continued planning pranks with vigour.  He was one of the group now. Even if he was young and innocent.

 When they arrived at the Hogsmeade Station they separated. Sarah left with the other Heads, William went with the other first years and the rest of the group left for the carriages. On the way Sirius kissed Iris. They were back at Hogwarts and even with William things were going to be great. Especially with the Yule Ball.

 When they arrived at the great oak doors they found Professor McGonagall waiting accompanied by Sarah.

" Miss Renata and Mr Black, please follow me." Professor McGonagall told them.

 They looked at each other, puzzled. Then they looked at the others and proceeded to follow the Transfiguration teacher. They were taken to Dumbledore's office. He was sitting in his high chair when they entered his office.

" Ah, yes. Please have a seat. I'll be brief. I know you want to witness your brother's sorting. It's about the balls. Now, I give permission to Sarah to lead the other Heads in order to plan the Yule Ball. You can ask for help from the prefects as well. The issue is that you have four months to plan for this ball, but only two to plan the Valentines Day Special Ball. So I'm transferring the planning for that ball to Iris and Sirius. If you two don't mind that is?"

 Iris and Sirius looked at each other and smiled. Then they turned to the Headmaster and nodded happily.

" Very well. That is settled then. I dismiss you."

 The threesome left the office beaming. They were definitely going to have a Yule Ball and a Valentines Day Special Ball.

 Later the sorting placed William in Gryffindor. Things couldn't get better.   

Done. This was another short chapter. Well, I'm not getting much reviews but I'm living with it. *Imagines several ways to punish readers who don't review* Maybe next chapter I'll threaten to unleash my dog. *Calms ferocious dog*

SiriusSara: Calm down, Reaper. Mealtime will come soon. Good boy. *strokes his fur*

*Reaper shows sharp teeth*   

I'll update soon. R&R.