Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs:
the Story Behind the Marauders
Chapter 2: Into Diagon Alley
The morning of August 30, 1971 was a dreadful, rainy morning. James and Sirius awoke with a start at the sound of thunder and a flash of light quickly following it.
"Ugh. Rain." James said, gazing out into the garden with a sigh.
Sirius, on the other hand was particularly happy that it was raining. His cool gray eyes sparkled in the reflection of the window. "Let's go out and run in it!" he said, pulling himself away from the window to grab his old, muddy rain boots.
"Are you crazy!" James looked at him in astonishment.
"How nice of you to notice! And you've known me for how long now?"
James shook his head and turned back to the window. "You can go, but if you get hit by lightning, don't say I didn't warn you."
"How can I? I'd be dead."
"True, but see, then I'd have no brother."
Sirius' eyes grew dull. "Right. Hey, let's go get breakfast. I'm hungry."
"Sounds good to me!"
James got up and followed Sirius out of the room and down two flights of stairs, following the smell of bacon and sausage that had wound its way up the staircase.
"About time you two got up!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed as she set a plate of sausage in front of Sirius. He proceeded to take the whole plate.
"Hey, wait! Share!" James said, yanking the plate of sausages away from Sirius after dumping half of them on his plate.
"Ok, so we're going to Gringotts first.." mumbled Mrs. Potter, with a piece of bacon in one hand and a checklist in the other. "James, you need a new wand so you won't have to use your fathers old one anymore."
As she talked, she paced across the kitchen, James and Sirius glancing at each other, nibbling on bits of toast, laughing at this bizarre behaviour.
"Then to Flourish and Blotts after you two get your wands.." She stopped in the middle of the kitchen and attempted to write something down with the piece of bacon. "No, wait.. that's not right.." She stuck the piece in her mouth and pulled a quill out of nowhere and jotted down a few extra notes.
"Then the Apothecary.." She waved her wand and a huge frying pan sailed from the stove top to their plates, providing them with plates full of steaming scrambled eggs. James grabbed the salt, Sirius, the pepper, then switched off.
"What about our robes?" Sirius asked, brandishing a fork full of eggs.
"Ah, yes, thank you Sirius.. Madame Malkins.." She smiled and wrote down a few more notes. "I wish you two the best of luck this year, and James, if I get a letter from Dumbledore saying that you've been misbehaving, it'll be your neck, understood?"
"Yes, mum." James lied, grinning the most mischievous grin he could muster.
"See, she favours me.." Sirius said, leaning over to James.
"Oh, your mum'll not be too happy if she was to get a letter either, Sirius," she said, a look of warning in her eyes.
He had no reply to this, but simply grinned alongside James.
Moments later, saving James and Sirius from further lecture, Mr. Potter came bursting through the back door dripping water everywhere.
"Oh, Will. I just mopped."
"No you didn't.. the mop did.. see? It's in the living room.." he motioned toward the far corner of the living room where it was chasing dust bunnies out from underneath the couch.
"Oh.. Accio mop!" The mop glided across the floor and slid into Mrs. Potter's outstretched hand.
"So kids, ready for Diagon Alley?"
Sirius and James gave shouts of delight.
"Since it's so rainy out, I thought we might go by Floo powder. Do you have any, m'dear?" he asked gazing into his wife's eyes.
"I think I have a little bit left." She went over to the fireplace to check the little terra cotta pot hanging in a wire holder. "Mhm.. just enough I think. I shall have to get some more when I have the time.."
"Ready?" asked Mr. Potter, a half smile on his face, turning to take off his rain coat. He hung it on one of the pegs beside the door, then, one by one, removed his boots and put on a clean pair of loafers to match his midnight blue cloaks. He stepped up onto the hearth and motioned for James and Sirius to come.
James stepped into the fireplace, threw the Floo powder down and said, quite loudly, "Diagon Alley!" The flames turned green and he disappeared. He could see flashes of other wizards homes, a few of which were watching their fireplaces.
Sirius was next up. He did the same as James, then the flames turned green. He too saw flashes of wizarding homes. When he finally reached Diagon Alley, he found James leaning against a wall and laughing at the sight of Sirius.
"Rough trip?"
"Did you see that couple sitting next to the fire?"
"Yeah.."
"Well they decided to roast marshmallows..." He looked down and tried to get as much of the sticky stuff off his shirt as possible.
James, however was rolling with laughter. "HA! Look at you! Well, lets wait 'til mum and dad get here, then we'll make a trip into the ice cream shop and see if we can't get that off." His laughter started up again.
A few moments later, Mr. and Mrs. Potter showed up at their side, Mr. Potter, too, brandishing a marshmallow on his robes.
"Ah, couldn't they have waited a few more moments? I tell you.. lovesick couples these days. I'll be right back. I'm going to go apologize to them." He soon Disapparated to the couples door. He knocked three times and waited. He heard a glass drop to the floor and break
"Who is it?" a nervous voice at the door answered.
"William Potter. I came to apologize about the marshmallows." There was amusement in his voice.
The face of whom the voice belonged to appeared at the door. "Oh that's quite all right.."
"Well I'll just be going then. Good day!" He tipped his hat, turned, and with a pop, Apparated back to Diagon Alley. "Now that that's settled, shall we go wash this off?"
"Oh no worries. I already got Sirius'," Mrs. Potter said with a smile. "Here, let me. Scourgify!" and just like that, the marshmallow had completely disappeared.
"Thank you, m'dear!" He caught his wife up in a hug.
Mrs. Potter blushed pink. "You're welcome. On to Gringotts now!" and with that she set off down the street, making their way through crowds of people. "Keep up now," she said, looking back every once in a while, making sure they were still trailing along. "Don't want you two kidnaped."
"Aw, mum!"
"Now, don't argue with me, James." Waving a finger at James, she turned around once more. "Not another word."
They soon arrived at the snowy white marble building, climbed the marble stairs and reached the beautiful bronze doors. A goblin dressed in a business suit was standing at the doors. He bowed at them and the doors swung open. They reached a second set of doors, this time silver ones, with words engraved upon them:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
"'...finding more than treasure there.'? What's that mean?" James turned to his father.
"Well it's said that there are dragons guarding the most secretive vaults. They run a hundred miles underground London. Go down there and you go mad trying to find your way out, so it didn't really matter if you found what you were looking for in the end."
James gave an odd look. "Aye, well. I guess I won't be going treasure hunting for a while then, will I?"
Sirius laughed, while a nearby goblin eyed them suspiciously.
They entered a great huge room with goblins everywhere, writing with quills and showing visitors off to their safes. Mr. Potter looked up at one of the goblins and said, business-like, "We've come to make a withdrawal from Mr. James Potter and Mr. Sirius Black's safes."
"And do they have their keys?"
Mr. Potter nodded.
"Very well then," and the goblin hopped off his stool. He disappeared for a moment and appeared suddenly out of a little door that opened coming from the podium of which he was moments ago perched. "Follow me."
Mr. and Mrs. Potter, James, and Sirius did so. They went through one of the doors, waited for the goblin and climbed, one by one, into the cart, Mr. Potter helping them in.
The little cart soon started speeding off in different directions, every once in a while taking very sharp turns to the left and the right. Clearly it was steering itself because the goblin was turned in the other direction. Mr. Potter looked very sick and had his eyes closed. James grinned.
The cart sank lower and lower and then came to a sudden stop. Sirius felt like he was going to fall out and grabbed onto James with one hand, and the edge of the cart with the other.
James just gave him an odd look.
Mr. Potter looked very relieved to have gotten out of the cart.
"Vault six hundred and ninety-two, Mr. James Potter," the goblin took the key and opened it. The large door swung slowly open. Behind it was stacks of gold Galleons, silver Sickles and bronze Knuts everywhere.
James' mouth opened wide.
"Yes, James, this is all yours. Your mother and I have been saving for quite a while so you can have enough money when you move out, buy a house and all that."
He thought to say thank you but the words got caught in his throat. Mr. Potter stepped inside with an empty leather pouch, and soon returned with it bulging, full of wizard money.
"Here you go," he said smiling. "That ought to be enough for your books and some for lunch on the Hogwarts Express."
"Thanks," he found his voice.
"On to Mr. Black's vault now?" asked the goblin, looking up into Mr. Potter's smiling face.
"Yes, and could we slow it down a bit?"
"One speed only."
Mr. Potter groaned, clutched his stomach and reluctantly climbed back into the cart, which as soon as he set foot in, it took off. He fell backwards onto his seat.
The cart came to a sudden stop once again, just as it had picked up speed.
"Vault eight hundred and thirteen."
Sirius stepped out of the cart with Mr. Potter and he handed the goblin the key. The goblin took it, unlocked the door and swung slowly open. There were piles of wizard money inside. Mr. Potter handed Sirius his leather pouch.
"Now don't go overboard. You won't need much."
Sirius walked into the vault and came back out, his pouch bulging like James'.
"Is that all today, sir?" the goblin wobbled out from behind the door and closed it, taking the key and locking it back.
"Yes. Thank you."
Sirius climbed back into the cart and instead of going forwards, the cart started shooting off back to the entrance backwards.
"Oh, dear," muttered Mr. Potter, trying to keep his eyes closed.
When they returned to Diagon Alley, Mr. Potter wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and stuffed it back into his pocket.
"Remind me never to do that again," he whispered in his wife's ear.
She simply nodded and was soon directing the three of them throughout the street.
"James, dear? Did you bring your list?"
He opened his mouth, but soon realized that he left it on his night table beside his bed.
"No worries. I picked it up for you." She took the heavy parchment letter with emerald green writing on it and took out the lists. "Madam Malkins is closest, so I'll read off your robe list."
First year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) ("We'll go get those after you're done with your robes," his mother added.)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
She folded up the letters, gave them to James and said "I've got Sirius' too, so that we'll know what books to get. Ah, here's Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. James and Sirius, go get your robes and we'll take care of your books. Do not leave until we come back."
"Yes, mum," James replied, looking disappointed.
"Sirius?"
"Yes, ma'am.." he replied.
"Good. In you go," and she shoved them through the door.
"Ah, customers! Come for your Hogwarts robes?" Madam Malkin had appeared behind a very large and over filled rack full of plain black robes. She was a somewhat short witch with a very happy smile on her face. She wore green robes with pins stuck all in the left arm from where she had ben pinning up students robes. Her hair was a mousy brown colour and was in a bun sitting on top of her head. She motioned for them to come closer and they did so.
"Names?"
"Uh, James. James Potter."
"Good afternoon, James! I remember when your parents were in here, buying their robes." She smiled and started pulling robes down from the rack. She threw one to James and he put it on.
She started pinning the robe at odd places.
"Ow!" a voice said over to the left of them. James turned to look.
Another first-year coming to get robes. He was about their height with shaggy brown hair and honey-brown eyes. He was wearing, well of course a plain black robe, but underneath he was wearing a gray sweater and brown corduroys.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Remus dear," the witch apologized as she pulled the pin out from where she poked him. She was wearing light blue robes and her hair was graying. She was a rather plump witch; she was Madam Malkin's assistant.
"It's quite all right, just took me by surprise." he turned to look at James and Sirius who was still looking at him. He turned a slight red colour.
Sirius walked over to him, held out a hand and said, "Hullo! My name's Sirius, Sirius Black, and that over there," he turned and pointed, "Is my best friend James Potter." He gave a wide grin and turned back to Remus.
James waved and Madam Malkin poked him with a pin.
"Hold still!"
"Sorry.."
"Hi. I'm Remus Lupin. Are you two first years too?"
"Yup," Said Sirius smiling.
James hopped down from the stool where he was standing and Madam Malkin called for Sirius.
He perched himself atop the stool and put on a robe. Madam Malkin started pinning his robes.
"Nice to meet you, Remus. How old are you?" James asked, walking over to Remus to shake his hand, smiling.
"11." He said grinning, "My birthday is in a month!" he added quickly and was poked, yet again, with another pin.
"Sorry," muttered the witch.
"Hey, um, would you like to accompany us in going gallivanting across Diagon Alley in search for the rest of our school supplies?" asked James, looking hopeful.
"Me mum's in Flourish and Blotts buying my books."
"My parents are there too. Told us not to leave until they came back."
"Yeah, mine too." he smirked.
"Done," said the little witch that was pinning up Remus' robes. "That'll be ten Galleons for all your robes."
Remus dug down into his pockets and pulled out a handful of gold. He counted off ten Galleons and handed them to the witch. About that time, Madam Malkin finished Sirius' robes.
"Twenty Galleons for the lot." She said with an outstretched hand. James and Sirius each gave her ten shining gold Galleons.
"Would it be all right if we were to stay in here and wait?" he asked, looking into the shop owner's sparkling eyes.
She nodded and went behind the counter and deposited the Galleons, half of which disappeared.
Moments later, James' parents were at the door, piles of books in hand. A lone witch stood behind them carrying books as well.
"Hello, there dear. Get all your robes?" the witch asked, clearly Remus' mother.
"Yes, mum."
"Ah, James. We figured that you two would've met each other. This is Remus' mother. We met her in Flourish and Blotts."
"Hello." She was wearing faded purple robes with a matching hat covering the top of her auburn head of curly hair.
James and Sirius returned the hello, each introducing themselves.
"Well, shall we go to Ollivanders now?" Mr. Potter said, making himself known. One can only suppose that he was feeling left out of the conversation.
Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Lupin nodded. They turned and walked out, talking amongst themselves behind their stack of books.
Mr. Potter held the door open with his foot, balancing his stack of Sirius' books in both arms.
Soon they were headed down the street to Ollivander's Wand shop. The sign over head read: 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.' in bright, new gold letters.
They reached the door and Mr. Potter leaned over to talk to James.
"We're going to the Apothecary to get your other things. We'll leave your books here so we won't have to carry them around." Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Lupin, all set the stacks of books down inside Ollivanders.
A wizard made a loud coughing noise, appearing from behind shelves containing slender boxes and boxes of wands.
He smiled and his face gathered more wrinkles. His hair was beginning to turn white and his light blue eyes had begun to lose their luster.
"Buying new wands today?" he asked, moving over in front of the three boys.
They all nodded.
"Very well, then." He pulled box after box down from the shelf, muttering things under his breath. James caught a few and recognized them as "No," or "That'll never work," or "Too swishy."
He pulled down a black box and opened it. He pulled out its wand and handed it to James. "Mahogany, 11", pliable. I say, a little more powerful and excellent for transfiguration."
James held it and felt a warm tingling sensation. Purple sparks flew from the top of it, bouncing off the high ceiling in little fireworks.
"Ah! Right on the first try! I'm never wrong, you see," he said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That'll be seven Galleons, please."
James handed Mr. Ollivander seven gold Galleons and stepped back and sat on the spindly old chair that was sitting in the corner, waiting on Remus and Sirius to get their wands.
Mr. Ollivander picked up one of the boxes from the floor, looked at it for a moment and handed the wand to Sirius.
"Ebony, dragon heartstring, 10""
Sirius gave it a wave and clearly, Mr. Ollivander had gotten it right on the first try again because purple fireworks were going off again.
He smiled at Remus and disappeared behind a shelf along the back wall. They heard boxes hitting the floor. He finally returned with a small black box.
"Holly, unicorn hair, 10". Unusual combination, but nice for defense," and once again, he had gotten his selection right and the room was again filled with purple sparks. "Ah! A new record! Three in one day, I say this is the best job ever!" he laughed and collected the Galleons from Sirius and Remus.
They said thank you and met their parents at the door. They picked up their books and hurried back onto the street.
Amidst all the muttering and conversation going on along the crowded street, James spotted the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He turned to his mother to ask who it was, but as soon as he turned around, she was gone. He looked a little disheartened.
"Don't worry. Maybe you'll see her at Hogwarts.." Sirius said, patting James on the back.
"Yeah."
"I've invited Mrs. Lupin and Remus over for dinner," Mrs. Potter had turned around and told the three of them. They all smiled and gave shouts of excitement.
"How exactly are we going to get home..?" James asked, staring at the piles of packages in everyone's hands.
"Well, Remus and his mother are going to leave their things at their home and then come to our house soon afterwards. They don't live too far from here," he looked over at Mrs. Lupin, who gave a nod. "We are going by side-along Apparition, seeing as it would be too suspicious for us to be walking across London with oddly shaped packages," he chuckled.
They stepped out across the street, into a less populated area.
"Sirius, now hold on tight to my arm." Mr. Potter instructed, and he turned, and disappeared with a pop.
"So as Sirius did, dear." Mrs. Potter told James as he watched Remus and his mother walk off into the crowds. He grabbed onto his mothers arm, and turned. The feeling was immense. He felt himself jerk oddly at the stomach and felt as if he was going to be suffocated, then, almost as soon as it had happened, it stopped. They were standing at the door of the Potter house.
Mrs. Potter opened the door and held it for James.
Sirius and James took their school supplies up to their rooms.
While they were on the second stair, Mrs. Potter called from the kitchen. "Do wash up now and hurry. They'll be here any second."
James turned to Sirius and smiled. They found a new friend, and Remus had found two.