Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any profits from him. So put down that gun!

Auther's Note: Wow! I'm surprised at all of the reviewers. All of you made my day and a shout out to Deaner123! Hi! I'm glad you visited! And a shout out to all of the reviewers: Thank you! If you want read a whole list of thank you's and comments, go to the review page :)

So this is when Lupin is shopping for books and such. Enjoy: )

Chapter Three: Omens and Rats

I am thouroughly jittery while I stand in this book shop. It's so huge! Non-comparable to that little shack I called a bookshop ( but what a nice place filled with nice memories...). I believe the store's name is Flourish and Blotts. I've been meaning to go in here, but I just kept pushing it off. I guess I was trying to find a reason why to go here. But now I do, Dumbledore gave me the O.K to be a teacher and pick my own book to teach the students with. There are so many books in here, I barely noticed. Which is the apropiate one? Should I teach Kappas? Or perhaps how to detect Dark Wizards? No maybe that's too advanced for students. Well I really don't know. Maybe if I just search around for a while I will find the perfect book.

I walk around, looking at several books such as : Jinxes, And How To Use Them To Your Advantage , or So You Want To Grow A Magical Garden But Don't Know Where To Start? . I am just yearning to pick up many books that have caught my eye and just read them all day long. I walk around towards the front, where most Herbology books are placed. It's such a pleasant place, the Herbology section, near big windows to let in light and several small plants growing in delicate looking vases. There's big yellow, purple and light blue couches that look billowy like big clouds. I really want to pick up some books and spend all my time reading there. But I keep walking towards a small place with some small round tables with books piled on there. On one table, there's some parchment, probably belongs to a student who's doing last minute homework. I laugh, wow! I'll be grading that as soon as September 2nd comes by! I keep walking.

There's some students (well I can asume because the term is about to begin) talking with a worker from the store who's wearing light blue and yellow robes with a pin on his robe that says"Ask me for help on any book, any subject" then the message turns to bright red saying " Hi! I'm Nikola! I'll be happy to help you" But Nikola doesn't look so happy, in fact he looks like if he was just asked to sollow a cauldren full of acid. He leads the three students towards the front where I can hear some yelps.

I arrive at a section that is clearly devoted to fortune telling and divination. While not my main intrest, I am still drawn towards some several books in a lone bookshelf. I read the little plaque that lables what subject it is. " Omens, Bad Luck " This section of the bookstore is deserted, most people, I notice, are towards the front of the store. I look at some book titles along thier spines. There's one that catches my attention. It has a black leather binding and in big plain silver letters, Death Omens: What to Do When You Know the Worst Is Coming. I am drawn to it, like I must read it because it contains something so important. Automatically, I reach out towards it and dislodge it. Apperantly, it is used to hold other books up because the rest beging to tumble down. I wince, hoping I didn't cause a racket , and hold the book in my hands. I feel an odd sensation creeping from my stomach. I sit down on a wooden chair in a daze and place the book on the small rectangular table. Who else to grace the book's front cover than Sirius? A big black dog is on there, with big remorsefull hazel eyes. Just like Sirius, I think. Could this be a coincidence? It's been three days since I've read that article. But why now?

I open up the book. The title page has intertwining snakes in black and white ink, circuling the title. On the bottom is a small drawing of the dog. I go to the title page, again, snakes are around the page with the dog. I try to look it up in the table of contents. There's nothing. I go to the index. There, I find the pages. I go and read chapter three: Grims, What They Are, What Their Use Is, What to Do If You've Seen One. It comes as a shock that the animal Sirius transforms to is this very dog known as the Grim, a bringer of death and bad luck. What can this mean? Why is there a chapter on the Grim in this book? Why this book?

I am pulled out of my sea of thoughts by a hand.I look up, startled, there's the worker called Nikola and he seems to be angry. " Can I help you sir" He asks.

" Whatever do you mean"

" You've been here for many hours and still haven't chosen a book or something." He says. I never knew browsing was a crime. I keep thinking what I possibly done wrong, when the idea forms in my head. Of course I need him to help me! I must find a good book on Defense Against the Dark Arts. Nikola gives me an impationt look.

" I do need help. Yes. Can you help me look for a good book on Defense Against the Dark Arts" I ask. Nikola smiles, probably of relief.

" As long as it's not a Monster Book Of Monsters" He says. I get up, closing the book, and follow Nikola. He leads me to the upstairs section that is very cozy with big couches and pillows. This must be the reading room or something. There are some big bookshelves around it, there's a sign hanging above it that says: DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS; DARK ARTS. " This is the place, what exactly, are you looking for"

" I need a really good book for a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, something that covers many topics" I reply, but Nikola is already looking for books. He comes back, with at least five big books in his arms and sets them down on a table. " There, that's enough. If you don't like any, just tell me." I sit down on a couch and pull out Dumbledore's letter. He inserted some 50 galleons for my supplies. I need a good thourough book under 20 galleons. I know that's impossible, but I pick up the book on the top. I skim through it, this book covers Dark Creatures, how to attack them, curses... I fall in love with this one, and luckily, the price is only 40 sickles. Maybe that's cheep, maybe it's not. I don't know. I pick this book up and go downstairs to buy it.While I wait, I notice a cage full of books shredding each other. I catch a glimpse of the title, The Monster Book Of Monsters. Then Nikola apears behind the counter. " You picked this one" He asks rather unhappily.

" Yes."

" Okay. You're total is 40 sickles." He says. I pay and walk out the door, book bag in my hand. I walk past a store that's devoted to selling robes. I look down at my robes. I just realize, I'm going to Hogwarts...maybe I'll need at least one good set of robes for feasts. I go in. Imediatly a short witch comes up to me. " Hello. Are you shopping for formal robes or everyday robes" She asks.

" Um...just a nice one." I say. She nods and leads me deep into the shop. She makes me stand on a footstool and a tape measurer gets my measurements. " Okay, well I have you're measturements."She says and leads me to a section with many different fabrics of wide varietys. " What colour would you like" She asks.

" Do you have anything that's already made" I ask.

" Yes, I do. Would you like to see those instead" I nod and she leads me to another section. I browse around, choose some plain black robes with a purple maroonish lining. I pay and walk off. Then I go into a quill and parchment shop, I pick out some new quills ( 3 for 5 sickles, not a bad deal) some scarlett ink and pay. I go to the ice cream parlor and sit down. I put down all of my purchases and wait on my ice cream. I go over Dumbledore's letter, checking off every item he listed that would come in handy.

I take out the book I bought and began to read it. Several pages in the book and I decide to look up. My eyes scan the tables, like a bird searching out its prey when I spot my own prey. I stare, knowing its rude to stare, but it's exactly like staring at a reincarnation of James. But that can't be, James is dead. I keep staring at the unmistakable messed up black hair. That can't be him. Turn around and face me, turn around so I can see if it is you. But he doesn't. I try to go back to my book, ice cream is already melting, but I keep snatching glimpses at him. He has a Flourish and Blotts bag next to him. I keep watching. Then two people aproach him. He starts talking to them, like if they are friends. Well, they must know each other! They sit down next to him and chat for a long time. Then I notice that the boy with hair that looks as if it is on fire stands up and topples his chair down. He points at something grey and fuzzy that scurries down towards me. It stops near me, it's a large rat that is missing a finger. He looks at me as if he knows me but keeps on scurring to a store near me. The boy chases after the rat, then the girl and then the other boy, James. I see him with a big shock. He looks exactly like James! Same hair, same everything, but his eyes. His eyes are such a bright emerald green. He keeps running after his friends, not giving me a glimpse. I feel like I've just seen a ghost. And what was it...a rat? How funny for me to see representations of Sirius, James and Peter. This must mean something!

I go back to my book, still uneasy about seeing ...James. Then I don't know when exactly, the boy was Harry! I try to picture the brilliantly eyed boy, yes...he had that scar, half hidden by a lock of black hair. How could I be so stupid? Should I say something to him? Is it right to aproach him? Surely he must know about Sirius...he must know that he escaped...must know why Sirius is such an important part of Harry...but what if he doesn't? Should I tell him? He comes out of the Magical Menegerie. The girl is holding a big ginger cat that matches with the girl's hair. She is talking to Harry. Then the boy with the flaming hair comes out, clutching the rat. The rat looks at me once more. I look at Harry. Yes, he looks so much like James. And he must be brave, after all, he is his son. I can aproach him right now. But how would he react? I don't want to alarm him or anything. I run my hand through my already graying hair. It seems like time has stood still, just enough for me to memorize Harry. He goes to Hogwarts, I realize. He must go to Hogwarts! Then I'll see him there and talk to him. But now a challenge arisis, how do I get to talk to him? How do I aproach him without looking as a wierd man who looks too old for his age?

Rather long chapter...but I like it. Sorry if the spellings all wrong. I'm using a computer with no spell check. If you feel there's anything wrong with anything I've written, just leave a review and I'll change it or maybe just leave it as it is :)

Thank you for reading...I hope I post the fourth chapter before next Sunday!

-Candy Can3 Child