Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
Snippets From the Potterverse
Chapter 19 - Department Store Follies
Sirius Black was determined. He absolutely, positively, needed a microwave.
Why? Just in case he and Remus ever found a house.
So he had recruited Harry and Hermione, the experts on Muggle devices, to help him out. Remus had accompanied them, as had Ron and Ginny, who had never seen the inside of a Muggle department store. Sirius had been to one. Once. Lily had made the grand mistake of inviting Sirius and James to help her purchase a gift for her auntie's birthday, and it had been just short of a disaster.
But Sirius wasn't one to dwell on past mistakes. Concerning shopping, anyway.
So it was an odd group that entered the department store that day. Remus, who was very nervous around large groups of people (especially Muggles), had Sirius' arm in a deathgrip. People kept taking second glances at Sirius, who wished he was a Metamorphmagi, as his long hair had them under the impression that he was a woman, at least until they saw his beard stubble. Hermione and Harry were very relaxed, almost bored; but of course, they were used to this. Ron and Ginny were very excited indeed, running around yelling things like, Wizard! it's purple! and Can you believe this thing? It costs three thousand pounds! How much is that in Galleons?
Guys, pipe down, Harry hissed as heads swiveled. Remember... Statute of Secrecy?
But neither redhead could resist stopping every few seconds to closely examine things like DVDs, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers.
Remus squeezed Sirius' arm tighter. Love.... I need to visit the loo.
I told you to go before we left the house! Sirius scolded in an undertone.
I did! But crowds make me nervous and... now I need to pee...
All right, all right... Harry... Hermione... keep your eyes on Ron and Ginny. Don't let them break anything and don't leave this section! (They were currently standing amidst hundreds of silk flowers.) We'll be right back! Sirius ordered.
Unfortunately, it took several minutes to find the restrooms. Remus was jumping from one foot to the other by the time they reached them, and fairly dashed inside. Sirius waited impatiently outside the door until his lover emerged, looking much happier.
Better, Remmie?
Much better, Remus said cheerfully, taking Sirius' arm once more. Where are the children?
Still in the flowers, I hope....
But to their horror, all four teenagers had vanished once they arrived at the silk flower section.
Sirius and Remus looked around wildly. Where could they be?
A woman was stocking shelves nearby. They hurried over to her. Excuse us, but did you see a kid with black hair and glasses, a girl with bushy brown hair, and two redheaded kids anywhere around here?
The woman pointed off in the direction of the appliances. I think I saw them go that way....
Remus and Sirius hurried off. They wandered through rows and rows of strange electrical devices, all of which were plugged in and randomly lighting up, beeping, talking, or bubbling (the last applied to three rows stocked entirely with lava lamps).
Remus paused as they emerged into the larger appliance section. Do you smell something good?
Yeah, I do. Sirius stopped beside a display of washing machines. There's a crowd gathering over there. I think something's wrong.
They hurried over. Over the mutterings of the people gathered in a ring around a group of appliances they heard a familiar voice saying, Ron, I don't think you should -
BOOM.
Orange goo sprayed up from the middle of the crowd. The shoppers began backing away, making noises of disgust and wiping at themselves with hankies. Sirius and Remus dodged two old ladies who were now completely orange, and gasped in horror at the sight which met their eyes.
Harry, and Hermione, now splattered with orange, were standing stock-still, looking horrified; Ron and Ginny, meanwhile, were standing before a selection of microwaves, orange from head to toe and surrounded by empty cans. Sirius gingerly picked up a can to peer at the label : Chef Boyardee's Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Ron and Ginny waved frantically at him, as several security people came running over. We found a microwave for you! And it seems to work GREAT!!
