Disclaimer: I own nothing; it all belongs to J.K.Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lily was reading over her son's shoulder and listened to the recording at the same time he did.

"Aww Bugger," Harry said.

Lily smiled honestly. "I think that kind of language is the problem, not the solution, Harry."

Harry groaned wondering how many of these jokes he would be in for now.

Lily handed the paper to Remus, while James and Sirius read over his shoulder. When they played the audio and it ended and began to repeat all three of them reacted in their own way. James was shocked and covered his gaping mouth stuck open with a small "Oh." Sirius shook his head a couple times and stuck his fingers in his ears to clear them out, in case he heard that wrong. Remus on the other hand had clenched his eyes shut as he laughed quietly in obvious merriment.

Harry was strongly reminded of a poster featuring three chimpanzees.

Sirius looked like he had an epiphany. "Ohhhh, so that's what you mean with a magical black hole." Sirius smiled and nodded at Hermione. He began thinking out loud. "Wouldn't you figure brown-"

"No Padfoot!" Remus interrupted with a frightened look on his face. "You're still thinking way wrong here."

"Harry?" Gred interrupted as he walked into the private back room.

Forge followed close behind echoing, "Harry?"

They stopped in front of James.

"Harry?" Gred asked examining this slightly off impostor.

"Err… not exactly." James said as he looked around for help.

Forge just now noticed a slightly more proper looking Potter. "Harry?"

Harry nodded. "Hey Forge. Hey Gred."

"Harry!" they both echoed cheerfully. Gred and Forge exchanged a look and then compared the two similar looking young men. "Err… Harry?" Gred asked hopefully as he looked at Harry.

Harry smiled. "Gred and Forge Weasley, may I present to you, Mr. Prongs." Harry pointed over towards Tonks. "And you may remember Mr. Padfoot."

"Hey guys," Sirius welcomed nonchalantly.

Gred and Forge gasped and looked at each other. "Oh Harry." Prongs and Padfoot were here. At one of their stores. The twins' looks of astonishment gave way to confusion and then reluctant acceptance. Forge sounded like he really didn't want to ask but knew he had to. "Harry?"

Harry made a face all his friends knew quite well. It usually coincided with rising prices on lime and shovels. "Whoops?"

Gred and Forge just got somber looks on their faces. They slung their arms over each others' shoulders and walked themselves right out of the room. They just sighed and shook their heads in disbelief, "Harry, Harry, Harry." Just as they were leaving Gred spoke up, "Oh and Harry?"

"Yes, I know." Harry replied. Gred just nodded and he and Forge disappeared back towards the store.

James waved weakly to the departing hosts of a sort. He turned to his son. "I like those two."

"I had a feeling you would get along," Harry dryly added. "So, I figured we can all hit Gringotts, and then from there maybe divide and conquer?"

"You trying to ditch us?" Hermione asked bluntly.

"I would never!" Harry defended.

"Hah!" Tonks, Hermione, Ginny, and Remus all scoffed in unison.

James shrugged. "I barely know you, and you couldn't have even paid me to believe that."

Harry was wondering why he tried. "I know there's going to be some people who may not want to spend three hours in Quality Quidditch Supplies, and others that will foolishly want to waste time in a bookstore-"

Hermione's ire rose rapidly. You could insult her all you want, but heaven help the man who insults books in her presence. "I hate you, Harry Potter."

"Repressed sexual tension?" Sirius asked James with a smile.

James looked at Remus and asked, "And she's the one who's not dating him?"

Remus shrugged. "You've seen how long she's been his best friend. It's probably not a question of 'if' as much as it is 'when' and 'how often.'"

"Harry?" Luna asked. "Why don't you just tell us where you don't want to go shopping, so we can sympathize with you but then make you go anyway?"

Harry shrugged. "These two need wardrobes, so I figured we could just get them measured and then some of us could hit the Quidditch shop or Ollivanders' while you girls do all your secret squealing and giggling and pick out clothes for them."

Luna narrowed her eyes at Tonks. "Who told him about the secret squealing?" Tonks shook her head viciously in the negative but was pointing at Hermione whenever Hermione's back was turned.

"You know, you could use some new clothes too," Ginny pointed out dangerously while staring at Harry. She turned and smiled to Bessie. "I think Harry should join us at Madam Malkins' in particular."

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Lily agreed now that she had some estrogen support around her. "Harry, honey, I think it's been way too long since I last got to choose some outfits that make you look adorable. You're getting new clothes too."

"Oh come on," Harry whined. "I hate clothes shopping. No one ever enjoys clothes shopping. Here I'll prove it. Who here hates clothes shopping?" Sirius, Remus, James, and Harry all raised their hands. "And who here has a penis, and likes clothes shopping?" Harry asked. Luna paused and considered raising her hand, before realizing she really didn't have an opinion either way on clothes shopping. Harry crowed, "See! No one! No one ever likes clothes shopping."

Harry was pouting to himself and got so absorbed in the unfairness of it all that he never even saw the conjured rubber ball streaking through the air at him. "Oww! Dammit Bessie," Harry sternly warned. "That was your free one. I hoped you liked it because there's not going to be another."

"Oh, you think so?" Lily said with a grin as she kept faking as though she was about to draw her wand.

"Err, Bessie?" Tonks cautioned. "You might want to trust Harry on this one. He can get a bit overzealous when it comes to whipping it out and measuring the size of his ego."

Lily could only arch an eyebrow at the imagery in Tonks' description.

Remus was smiling and said, "Hey Tonks? You do realize that's Harry's mum you're talking to, right?"

Tonks blushed. "Sorry there Mrs. P. I forgot, though I kept wondering why I thought your eyes were so sexy."

Now Lily was blushing, "It's okay, I can certainly understand the confusion. And please call me, Bessie."

"Bessie," Tonks said with a smile. "Yeah, I fear for your confusion, having a son and husband that could pass for twins. That's a couple ticks past eerie and straight up creepy."

"Aww Nymphie!" Sirius jeered. "Like you haven't turned into anyone's mother at just the right time."

Tonks shrugged. "And that's one. I'm going to keep count."

"Nymphie?" Sirius asked with a pout.

"Two." Tonks stated with a calm but dangerous air.

"Well," Luna reminded everyone. "Harry hates clothes shopping, which we will make him do, and we should probably get going. I got dibs on Bessie's assistant."

Tonks immediately hooked an arm around Sirius and looked at him innocently. "Mr. Padfoot, you're with me."

Sirius paled at the implications while Tonks waggled two fingers in the air, reminding him of her current count.

Ginny stepped forward and curtsied. "Mr. Prongs, please allow me to be your shopping assistant for the day."

"Ohh damn," James grinned lecherously. "Another redhead." He quickly ducked a swipe he expected to come from his wife, but Lily just shook her head and left him looking foolish.

"Mr. Ickle-Boy-Who-Lived," Hermione growled. "I think you need some new dress robes. And no conjuring."

Lily turned to Luna, "How come she's the one with Harry?"

"She's the only one not publicly dating Harry," Luna explained. "And besides she's got tenure."

"Oh," Lily said.

"And a nargle infested-"

"Luna!" Hermione interrupted the serene blonde. "We went over this. You cannot go around claiming that until you reveal your source."

Luna shook her head. "Sorry Hermione. But Ronald wants to remain anonymous, and I won't violate his privacy."

Lily looked at her blonde shopping assistant. "I think I like you. You keep things interesting."

"Thank you Bessie, but I'm not as easy as Tonks," Luna explained. "It takes more than sexy eyes to win me over."

Lily's smile faltered for a moment.

"But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try." Luna reaffirmed.

"If you're all done hitting on my mum," Harry added loudly. "Let's go to Gringotts."

The large group of nine headed on out the door. Harry, James, Lily, and Sirius were all being escorted by their respective shopping assistants of Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Tonks, while Remus was for the first time grateful for that horrendous shopping the twins had put him through. Of course if he needed any outfit in purple alligator skin, he was covered.

As soon as they walked in the door, there waiting and bowing formally was a goblin. "Mr. Potter."

"Crackhead, are you trying to embarrass me?" Harry asked.

"I would never, Lord Potter."

"Right," Harry agreed dryly. "We need to take the whole extended family down to the vaults."

"Certainly," Crackhead said with a wicked grin. "Griphook!" he bellowed significantly louder than he needed to.

Griphook, who was already waiting a couple feet behind Crackhead, just grimaced when his name was yelled. "Sir?"

"Mr. Potter and his guests," Crackhead explained. "Need to visit several of his vaults, primarily the heirloom ones. Make sure and use the privileged pureblood cart, Griphook."

"Of course, sir," Griphook grinned. "After all, it's what it there for."

Harry smiled brightly. "Crackhead, I'm good for Tuesday and I got these two knuckleheads joining me."

"Excellent," Crackhead applauded. "And you should know the centaurs have seen the stars pushed past two in Madrid. But nothing will prevent the arsenal's fall."

"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said with a smile. "Good day."

Sirius scrambled over towards Harry, "Err Harry! I've certainly never heard of a privileged pureblood cart. They may be planning to kill us."

Harry slapped Sirius' across the face. "Snap out of it man. The war is over!"

Sirius rubbed his cheek in shock. "The hell was that for?"

Harry smiled widely. "Saw it in a movie once. Thought it looked like fun." Harry nodded. "It was."

Sirius seemed to think that point could be contended.

"And the 'privileged pureblood cart' was a little something I helped the goblins with. The others are too small and only offer a single speed." Harry explained as they all went back and saw a series of attached palatial looking carts. They were soft crimson velvet with gold trim all around the edges. As they all piled in three to a row, Griphook hopped into the back conducting cart.

Harry had them all lift their hands up and bars magically appeared and rolled forward to lock them into their seats. "As you can see, the filthy subhuman creature is now out of our sight, and it is only rich opulence for the privileged purebloods. Many wealthy older families may have only subtly agreed with Voldemort and provided him with perfectly legal assistance. This helps to determine just how privileged a pureblood is. And trust me, keep your hands inside the cart."

And with that the cart started to slowly move forward. Harry added, "It's also because, the older vaults take longer to reach, so this cuts down on the time necessary." And as soon as they were out of sight, and still just slowly picking up speed, the entire ground fell out from under them and the privileged pureblood cart began a free fall down into the earth.

No matter if they were scared out of their minds, or having the time of their life, all riders including Griphook, were screaming their heads off. After just a few hundred feet, the privileged pureblood cart magically reattached to a track and began screaming downhill at an almost sixty degree angle. The track was doing loop de loops, flipping upside down and sideways even more than it was right side up. Moony, having done this with the twins before, impressed Sirius and Tonks in his row, by spitting forward and catching it again in his mouth.

Sirius not one to turn down a challenge, ending up spitting in his own face three times and on Tonks once before admitting defeat.

At one point during their upside down ride James looked down and saw a more traditional cart ride pass below them at a much more sedate pace. He had a weird moment where he just locked eyes with the couple below them before he'd disappeared through the other side of his own cart ride.

The woman looked at her husband while she held onto her hat at the brisk pace they maintained racing through the caverns. She asked the goblin next to her, "Was that… was that the privileged pureblood cart?"

The goblin nodded. "Yes, we reserve those carts for a very specific class of clientele."

The husband asked, "Did it… did it smell like urine?"

The goblin nodded again. "That's one of the far more frequent genetic predispositions of purebloods. They're quite prone to wetting themselves."

The woman and her husband seemed to think this made a lot of sense.

The privileged pureblood cart finally came to a stop in front of the Potter family vault.

"Man I love that thing!" Harry screamed.

Luna hopped out of the cart as though she was merely standing up from a chair, but everyone else was extremely wobbly as they piled out of their cushy seats.

"Aww," Harry moaned. "I thought maybe someone would blow chunks."

Hermione did not look happy with her assigned shopping partner, but most of the others had goofy grins from the unexpected roller coaster ride.

Harry opened up the vault doors and granted everyone access. Lily and James headed right back into their stuff, while several others followed.

Remus was trying to think of other places you sneak a roller coaster onto a person. He thought the bottom step of getting off the Knight Bus might be considered cruel and unusual. And as much fun as it might be to put one in Severus' shower, he somewhat feared how long it would be before that one was discovered. He suddenly remembered something from earlier, "Hey Harry?"

Harry, waiting outside the vault asked, "Yeah?"

"Earlier when Crackhead gave you that prophecy warning thing from the centaurs? Should I be worried?" Remus asked.

Harry chuckled. "No, not at all. He was just sharing a little secret with me. It's sort of a tradition before a poker game to go ahead and put the fix on a muggle sporting event. He was telling me the line on a football match got pushed up to two, but that I can make even more betting outright for Arsenal to lose. Gives us all a way to ensure we're playing poker with someone else's money. As well as do our part to steal a little back from organized crime."

Remus was appalled. "They can do that? Just put the fix in on muggles?"

Harry nodded. "Piece of cake. If you want, come February, when the Oscars roll around, we can clean house. Long odds all over the place."

"Yeah," Remus nodded. "That'd be great. Wait! Hang on… doesn't that actually perpetuate and, since you're all criminals too, then in fact add to organized crime?"

"No," Harry said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We're not organized at all."

Remus looked relieved. "Well in that case, it's okay."

"Exactly," Harry nodded fervently. "Don't think too much. It's dangerous."

The group loaded up on a number of things from the Potter family vault and then the Black family vault. Griphook seemed to enjoy trying to make the ride as uncomfortable as possible.

It was a nauseous group that finally made it back to the lobby of Gringotts.

"Gringotts is fun!" Sirius happily exclaimed and drew a number of odd looks from irritated people waiting in line for a teller. "That privileged pureblood cart is ruddy brilliant. Because the stuffy ponces wouldn't ever want the common man to think they are anything but privileged purebloods."

Griphook grinned and whispered to Sirius, "I'll see if I can get a highlight film put together for poker night. The first time the Parkinson's rode it, they all cried. Bawled like babies and kissed the dirty stone floor. They haven't visited their vault since. It seems tellers suffice for many valued clients these days."

Sirius smiled at a potential goblin partner in crime. "You are naughty."

Griphook made a hasty exit.

As the group was leaving Crackhead again greeted them, and wished them well for the rest of the day. Just as Harry turned to leave, Crackhead added, "Oh and Mr. Potter, you should know we've added you to the wards now. So apparition won't cause you any more complications."

"What?" Harry whined. "No! You can't do that. That's not fair to the other clients."

"You wish to dictate Gringotts' policy yourself?" Crackhead asked formally.

"But I could just apparate into anyone's vault now," Harry argued.

"Are you implying you couldn't have before? That we have protections that can keep you out?"

Harry paused. "Well, no, but you might someday soon. You don't want to just hand me the keys to the castle."

"My apologies, Mr. Potter, but tough noogies. Your actions are still being recorded just the alarms aren't raised." Crackhead stated seriously. "That is the official goblin position on the matter."

Harry sighed. "You're no fun. Now I'll just have to trip the alarms intentionally."

Crackhead's eyes widened. Apparently he assumed this would prevent further false alarms. Not to mention the additional leverage Harry would have now.

Harry smiled to see he was still going to be able to annoy Crackhead easily. "Later Crackhead. We'll see you Tuesday if not sooner."

Crackhead tiredly and still slightly shocked said, "Good day, Mr. Potter." He addressed all the others. "And you as well as his guests are welcome to the privileges Mr. Potter has made available to each of you should you return."

The fresh air was welcomed as was the bright sunlight when they were finally in the Alley. After some discussion where Harry thought they should go to Ollivander's first, but several of the girls felt they should get Madam Malkin's out of the way, they finally reached a compromise. They would go to Madam Malkin's first, and Harry would shut the hell up.

It was over forty five minutes later that the guys had given up and were playing dress up dolls for the girls' tastes. Everyone had more outfits than any human could possibly need for the rest of their natural life. And the girls seemed to think they just had the fall clothes out of the way. Some pleading, some concessions, and an impressive holographic display of the three men left behind to try on future outfits, and the men managed to escape their own private hell.

Harry, Sirius, James, and Remus left the five girls and the Harry, James, and Sirius magical stand-ins behind and decided to hit Ollivander's. James and Lily's wands needed some polish in the worst way, and Sirius was going to try and get properly fitted for a new wand.

James was the first one to walk-in as the bell tinkled announcing customers entering. As the group piled in, Mr. Ollivander snuck up behind James and was observing him closely.

Ollivander surprised him by saying loudly, "Mr. Potter, mahogany eleven inches, excellent for transfiguration. I trust your wand is…" Ollivander stopped speechless, looked over at a clock on the wall, and then at the calendar next to it. The normally composed old man just blurted out hysterically, "What the hell are you doing alive?"

"Shh! Shh! Shhhhhh!" Harry franticly shushed Mr. Ollivander as he tried to make sure no one else was around.

"Oh, it's you," Mr. Ollivander said looking right at Harry. He looked over and saw Remus Lupin and standing next to him was undoubtedly Sirius Black. Mr. Ollivander shook his head in disappointment at Harry. "I always knew you would do terrible things. Great yes, but terrible."

"That's not what you said!" Harry cried out indignantly. "That was your spiel about Voldemort when I was eleven."

Mr. Ollivander rolled his eyes. "Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe. Now, what can I do for you?"

Harry frowned, unsure if he was just called a Dark Lord or not. "You can start by not mentioning anything about the people with me."

"You think you're going to keep something like this a secret?" Mr. Ollivander asked with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"

Harry grumbled at the lack of faith people had in him. Or rather the sort of faith people had in him. "Padfoot here would like to get fitted for a new wand. And there are two other wands that have been sitting unused for twenty years and need some polish."

Mr. Ollivander looked at Harry resignedly. "So you do have a matching pet Mum too?"

Remus chuckled though James wasn't too crazy about the old man's tone.

"Hey now," Harry defended. "There was an accident. They will be going back most likely once we figure out how to fix this. No need to be snippy here." Harry continued off-handedly, "You know, personally, I'd think you'd be a lot nicer, to the world's only supplier of Dementor-based wand core parts. Did you know in many branches of magic they're stronger than phoenix feathers? But I suppose I could try and set up my own wand-making business."

"No, no." Mr. Ollivander pleaded. "That's quite alright. I'll be nice. Please don't experiment in wand design. This is the only planet Earth we have. There's no do-overs on it."

"I disagree," James said with a grin. "I think I've gotten a do-over here."

"Yes that is true," Mr. Ollivander agreed. He shook his head. "I always figured there would be an Ollivander's until the end of time. I just didn't think that would happen in my lifetime."

"Oh fine," Harry conceded. "I won't do any more work in wand design."

"Oh dear."

Harry frowned. "I had to do some to find out if the Dementor pieces were usable wand core materials. Took me a while to get them working, but they only worked after being soaked in a solution of Dementor Blood."

"How… peculiar," Mr. Ollivander said with an arched eyebrow.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Do you practice being eerie and creepy or does it just come naturally?"

Mr. Ollivander dropped the façade for a moment and shrugged. "Keeps the kids from asking too many questions. And it was either creepy and eerie or acting like a smug asshole."

"That's why Snivelly does it?" Sirius asked in a moment of realization.

"That's not acting." Mr. Ollivander shook his head. "Alright Mr. Bla-… excuse me, Padfoot. You still favor your right arm?"

Sirius nodded, and then giggled as the tape measures flew around hitting him in ticklish areas. The process of wand hunting took another twenty minutes, and Harry got Mr. Ollivander's assurance he would say nothing about who was here, and Harry was going to set him up with some wand core materials for experimentation. Now that the men all had their wands in hand and some fresh polish they were all set.

"Careful where you point that thing Padfoot," Remus warned.

"I think it's excited," Sirius grinned.

"What now?" James asked.

"Now," Harry explained. "We're heading toward Quality Quidditch, where we are to kill time until the ladies finish up and meet us there."

"Sweet!" James said. "I can get Lily's official original outfit there. They may have to special order it."

The four men entered Quality Quidditch and James went towards the counter while Harry, Sirius, and Remus went to check out the latest brooms.

"Still got that Firebolt, Harry?" Sirius asked. "Or did you need it to close a portal to Heaven?"

"Why would I want to close a portal to Heaven?" Harry asked.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "So the virgins here on earth don't escape."

Harry nodded thinking that did make sense. "And yes I still have the Firebolt, though I rarely use it. I've been through a few other brooms since then, and I didn't really want to risk it."

"Why not?" Sirius asked. "It's a broom. That's what it's for."

Harry shrugged. "It has sentimental value to me, and well, brooms don't usually last me too long. Probably should get a six pack or two while I'm here."

"A six pack?" Sirius asked.

Remus nodded. "He buys brooms in bulk because he keeps crashing them."

"I do not crash them," Harry whined. "They just die on me."

"Or explode." Remus added.

"Yeah that too," Harry agreed.

Sirius looked at Harry impressed. "How the hell do you manage that?"

Harry shrugged. "It's these shoddy broom makers not me."

Remus explained to Sirius. "They make the brooms capable of withstanding anything a wizard or witch can do to them. Considering our young calamitous friend's tendencies, it shouldn't really surprise you that something like that doesn't stop him."

Harry frowned. "I admit I am slightly prone to over-exerting them and pushing a broom past its limits. But what's the point of flying if not to go faster?"

Sirius grinned. "I hope that attitude doesn't extend to the bedroom."

Harry was going to insult his godfather when Luna interrupted, "It doesn't. He is much more careful about how much he pushes his broomstick in there. And the explosions are much more fun."

Sirius and Remus chuckled at Harry's frustrated blush.

While Sirius was enjoying his new wand, and discussion about Harry's broomstick, James went up to the counter and asked the man there. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, Mr. Potter!" the man behind counter cheerfully greeted. "Back for more already?"

"To be honest, I didn't think I'd be back at all." James snidely replied.

The man behind the counter's grin faltered and he looked closer at James. "Wait… you're not Mr. Potter. But you're a spitting image of him if I've ever seen one."

James shrugged. "I came in here with him actually. You could call me his good twin, since he's obviously the evil one. My name is Prongs."

The man noticed Mr. Potter was in the store now and was looking at the brooms. "Nice to meet you Prongs. I'm Jeb. Now what can I do for you?"

"Well," James smiled, "Jeb, I have recently come up on the winning end of a lovely bet and need to procure an outfit for my little lady."

Jeb nodded in understanding. "Ahh yes. I remember I used to make my wife put on the pads and dress up like one of the boys sometimes too. Don't worry son, in my book, it's not gay at all."

"Err, wow," James said. "And umm… not exactly what I had in mind. I was hoping to get a replica of the original outfit worn by the inaugural Puddlemere United Superfan Sisters of Yesteryear."

"Ahhh," Jeb said. "That we can do. We'll have to special order it though, as we don't keep them in stock. They are pretty expensive, I'm just warning you."

James nodded. "Only the best for my Bessie."

"Bessie, did you say?" an older gentleman asked as he overheard.

James turned to him and briefly thought it was the Headmaster. "Yes sir. Bessie means the world to me. I've loved her for years."

"Really?" the older man said with a pleased smile. "Would you and Bessie like to come over and have dinner with me this evening? You could meet my Lulu."

"Someone say my name?" Lily said as she walked up and hugged her husband.

"And you are?" The older man asked curiously.

"I'm Bessie." Lily explained with a grin.

The old man sagged. "Oh. Nevermind." He grabbed his purchases and left the store.

James turned to Jeb with a questioning look.

Jeb shook his head. "Aberforth is an odd one. All he ever buys are bludgers. He says he does it to keep them off the streets."

Lily looked at her husband. "Well we finished with your clothes shopping."

James grinned. "And we're just about finished with yours, honey. Right, Jeb?"

Jeb nodded. "Yup. Order may take a few days. I'll owl you when it comes in."

"You can just owl me, Jeb." Harry said as he walked up to the counter. "I'll go ahead and pay for it now, if you like. And I'd like a dozen of the latest today. Got a few friends and don't want to run out."

Jeb's eyes lit up like galleons. "Right on it, Mr. Potter." And he hurried back to get the brooms together.

James and Lily turned towards the motley group that was shopping here with them. "A dozen what exactly?"

"Brooms," Sirius answered. "He usually gets at least a six-pack."

"A celebrity like you? I'd think you'd be able to get brooms for free just so the manufacturers would be able to say you use theirs." James pointed out.

Remus chuckled. "Harry offered the first company to make one durable enough for him would get his endorsement."

"Oh yeah?" Lily asked interested.

Ginny shook her head. "I don't think they're even trying anymore."

"Oh," Lily said dejectedly, before looking over at Harry. "Your flying is going to make me nervous, isn't it?"

Hermione assured her. "It terrified me during school, but you stop worrying when you realize there's a madness to his method."

Lily corrected her, "Don't you mean, a method to his-"

Hermione interrupted shaking her head. "No. I said it right."

Jeb came back to the front with several shrunken wrapped packages. "Here you go, Mr. Potter. And I will owl you as soon as the order comes in."

"Great Jeb," Harry said taking his brooms and tapping his wand to verify his vault withdrawal. "Thanks a bunch. We'll see you later."

The group made their way out of Quality Quidditch and headed over towards Florean Fortescue's to get some ice cream. They all got their own flavor. Harry declined his mum's offer of a taste, like everyone else who left her to her own lettuce flavored ice cream. She was clearly still adjusting to her bovine side, but liked the dairy products at least. Sirius ordered cheeseburger flavored ice cream just to annoy her, but at least he was forced to eat it all and pretend to like it.

James asked a question, that had been bugging him for a while now. "How come everyone knows you are, but you're not having to beat off rabid fans or whatever? The way I hear it, I'd think you wouldn't get any peace in public like this."

Harry smiled. "It's a little obscuration charm, so that only those who need to find me, know I'm here. If I address them it's gone, or if they know me, it doesn't affect them. I wouldn't be able to walk the Alley like this otherwise."

Lily nodded having figured as much.

Harry asked, "Is there anywhere else we need to go here? I thought we'd put off the motorcycles and hit the muggle side of things later, but was there anywhere else you all wanted to go?"

Sirius carefully replied. "Umm… anyone mind if I swing by Borgin and Burkes on our way back?"

Harry smiled brightly, while Lily wanted to scold Sirius. "Sorry Padfoot, that one may be a bit difficult."

"Oh?" Sirius asked. "The Ministry finally find a way to shut them down?"

Remus chuckled and Harry shook his head. "Nope, they were too sneaky for that. But Mr. Borgin was forced to sell when he came down with a slight case of… incineration."

"Ouch," James said. "That doesn't sound pleasant."

Remus nodded. "There was a bit of a bidding war from many of the so-called darker elements due to rumors about a few secret stashes. Luckily, Meg here is now the proud owner of that property."

"Oh yeah?" Sirius asked. "Still carry those mature titles of pensieve memories?"

"Padfoot!" Lily scolded. "You promised me you were done with those!"

"I was!" Sirius grinned. "But we all got do-overs. All those secrets we promised to hold to our deaths. I mean I could never tell you that Prongs used to hook up with the deer in the Forbidden Forest before now either."

"Padfoot!" James gulped.

"Prongs!" Lily hissed.

"Bessie!" Luna cheered.

"Err, right," Harry said. "And no, Padfoot. The store is gone, and I came up with a particularly brilliant replacement, if I do say so myself."

Hermione groaned which seemed to add to Harry's amusement.

"Why?" Sirius asked. "What's there now?"

"If we're all done, why don't we go check it out?" Harry happily asked.

Remus was chuckling, while Hermione's eyes seemed to roll and sigh on their own.

"I even got to pick their slogan," Harry said as he thrust his arm in the air with a flourish towards the darker Alley.

They came up to the youth shelter entitled Knockturn Alley Mission. Below the sign was its slogan "Dare to Dream."

"I don't get it," Sirius stated.

Tonks laughed, "Doesn't mean you never did."

Remus chuckled and told Sirius to say the name slower.

Lily was covering her face with her hand. "Oh, Harry," She was struggling not to giggle like her husband was. "That's horrible."

"What?" Harry defended despite the amusement on his face. "It's for the kids!"