Author's note: I do not own anything Harry Potter, JK Rowling does.

Feel free to review!

I apologize for the delay in updating! I will probably switch to updating this story once or twice a week, depending on my schedule. Just figured I'd give you all a heads up!

Holding his hand over his eyes, Sirius was the first to speak up as the doors to Gringotts closed behind the trio. "Surely looks deserted, though since the students come home tomorrow, it kinda makes sense."

"Yeah, it's not what I'm used to though. Every time I've been here, it's always been packed." Replied Aster. "Though, that is could be due to the Weasley's always going school shopping as late as possible." She gave a slight chuckle.

Looking out at the alley, Isolt pointed to the closest store that was on their list. "Why don't we head to Madam Malkin's shop first, so we can get some clothes?"

"Oh, that's a great idea! Why don't you two go get some clothes while I run an errand or two? Meet you back at Florean Fortescue's after, yeah?"

Aster looked at Isolt, who smiled back at the younger wixen. "Sounds like a plan, just be careful, okay?"

"Pfft, okay mom." Sirius laughed, before walking down the marble steps of the bank, waving back at the pair without glancing back.

Isolt and Aster watched him for a few moments, before walking down the steps themselves and heading over to Madam Malkin's. The store's exterior was painted green, and a metal sign in the shape of a set of robes hung from over the door. A sign on the door let the two wixen know that the store was open.

Isolt walked in first, notifying the shop-keep through a metal bell that rang as the door opened.

"Oh, good afternoon you two? My name is Madam Malkin, how may I be of help?" Greeted the elderly witch behind the counter. Isolt and Aster watched as the storeowner flicked her wand a few times at the dark fabric and the fabric either cut itself or a red line appeared just a few centimeters over the fabric, as if to measure where exactly to cut it.

"We were hoping to get some more casual attire for both of us, and also hoping that you would do us a kindness by being discreet about us visiting." Isolt replied, albeit a bit less confidently than she would have liked.

"Of course, Miss! Now what kinds of attire were you looking for? Just regular streetwear?"

"I am looking for every day wear: skirts, dresses, pants, under garments, the whole works. I think a set of casual robes and a set of formal robes, that would be acceptable for the Wizengamot, would also suffice. As for my ward here, I will let her decide for herself what she would like."

The seamstress turned her eyes to the younger wixen, and upon seeing who this person was, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Is there a problem, Madam Malkin?" Isolt arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, err no, I just didn't expect – "

"My young companion is looking to keep this quiet, if you don't mind. You know how the rumor mills are these days."

"Of course, my apologies. What would you like, young witch?" she said, turning to Aster.

"Well, I guess the same as her, if you don't mind, I'm a bit new at this."

"Well, if you both don't mind, would you both step over to the fitting room areas, and we can start getting measurements down. We can also chat about what fabrics and patterns you both would like."

"That suits me. Aster, are you okay with that?"

"Erm, yeah. That'd be nice, thank you, Madam Malkin."

"Of course, while you two make your way back there, I'll lock up the shop, so we don't get interrupted, okay?"

"That would be perfect, Madam. Come on, Aster, now comes the fun part."

Though she was loath to admit it to Ron and Hermione, Isolt absolutely loved fashion, and really enjoyed trying out new styles and fashions. It was one of the few stereotypes about being a woman that she actually adhered to, but because she found clothes and self-expression fun. 'Hm. Might have something to do with always being forced to wear hand-me downs?'

Aster, though seemingly nervous, was also interested in fashion, but apparently nowhere near as much as Isolt was. She had snuck peeks into Aunt Petunia's magazines whenever she could, even going so far as to take a magazine or two once it was in the trash and hiding it under her mattress so she could look at them later.

The pair made their way to the back fitting rooms, and could hear the shutters close and the door lock as Madam Malkin closed her shop for the duration of their visit.

"Trust me, Aster, this is going to be fun. You'll love this. When I first started transitioning, I'd spend hours in front of a mirror just marveling at how absolutely euphoric femme clothes made me feel."

"Didn't expect you to be so vain, Isolt." Aster laughed, and Isolt gave her a small glare, though there was no real fire behind it, which only caused Aster to laugh more.

"Just for that, you're also getting casual and formal robes. On me."

"What!? Isolt, no! You don't have to pay for anything for me, you know that!"

"Oh, I know, but this way I get payback for your little comment, by forcing you to get a style of robes that I approve of. And I imagine that will take a long while."

Aster gulped. The grin on Isolt's face was downright predatory. "I think the Marauder's rubbed off on you too much. But thank you. I think."

"Okay, are you two ready?" came the voice of the seamstress.

"Oh I believe we are, Madam. I'd also like to add a set of casual and formal robes to my young companion's order, but tab it to me, if you don't mind."

"But of course! Now, let's get started…" The elderly witch began taking measurements of the two, and both Isolt and Aster would agree that this part of their journey took absolutely bloody forever.

Meanwhile, Sirius had found his way into Knockturn Alley. Making sure to not draw any attention to himself, he set about his tasks: acquiring spell books and getting a second wand, one that was less recognizable.

The first stop for his discreet shopping trip found Sirius in a run-down store, tucked a small corner of Knockturn Alley that looked like no one had been here in a month, if the dust and cobwebs littering the outside and interior of the shop were anything to go by.

Inside the shop were piles of dusty tomes, strewn about on various shelves across the store, and quite a few piles of books were lain about the floor, with no real rhyme or reason, at least as far as Sirius could tell.

"Oi, what can I do you for." Came a rather abrupt and tense voice from the back of the shop.

Carefully altering his voice, Sirius replied, "I'm looking for books on blood magic, and any on soul magic."

"Oh that'll run you quite a bit, not sure I have much though. You're free to look around, but know that if you try to steal, there are very strong wards on the building to prevent just that."

Nodding, Sirius began searching about, casually flicking through the tables of content of several books that he figured might have anything regarding what he was looking for.

It was a tedious task, but after thirty minutes, Sirius finally found three books that contained actual verifiable and reliable information regarding blood and soul magics.

"How much for these three?"

"Two hundred galleons."

"I see, and how much for your indiscretion?"

"Ah, that would be another hundred."

"Let's make it two hundred total for the books and the indiscretion." Sirius smirked. He had had quite a bit of experience haggling back in his days, always somehow managing to get excellent deals at the shops in Hogsmeade when he was a student at Hogwarts.

"Preposterous. Two-seventy-five."

"Two-twenty-five."

"Bah! Two-fifty, and that's as low as I'll go."

"We have a deal, sir. Thank you for your business. Here is your payment." Reaching into his coin purse, Sirius pulled out two hundred fifty galleons, laying them in ten stacks of twenty-five galleons, so the glorified librarian could make sure he wasn't being cheated.

Shrinking the books and placing them in his pockets, Sirius slunk back out the front of the shop, looking for a particular store that, as an auror, he had raided several times in the past.

The wand shop was only a few streets away, a right turn here, and a left there, and Sirius walked into the decrepit building that, if it had been a muggle structure, would have been condemned decades ago and would most likely have been demolished.

Inside the shop, Sirius noticed that the front half of the shop was bare, only some walls and a floor, but the back half had a counter that spanned the length of the shop and a few feet behind that was a wall full of wand boxes, like the ones in Ollivander's. Behind the counter was a witch who looked to be in her thirties. She was stirring a cup of tea with a spoon ensorcelled by her finger, while she was reading a book in the other hand.

Without even looking up, she called out, "Welcome to my store. What components are you compatible with?"

"Uh, components?"

"Ugh, another idiot unfamiliar with wand lore." The witch groaned and put down her book. "Look, you're looking for a wand, I need to know what works best for you. I'll lay out my spread and you'll tell me which ones your magic connects with. If I have a wand with all those components, I'll sell it to you. If not, I'll make it for you, and then sell it to you. Got it?"

Sirius could tell that this witch was thoroughly annoyed, probably at having to stop reading her book. 'Whatever it was, she must have been enjoying it.'

"Alright, sounds good."

Rolling her eyes, the witch downed her tea and reached under the counter. Pulling out a cloth bundle, she unrolled it, and Sirius could see several different types of wood resting inside.

"We'll start with your wand's wood. Go ahead and pick each one up, and tell me what your magic feels about them."

Shrugging, Sirius started picking up the various pieces of wood, starting on the left with one that was labelled 'Acacia'. It didn't even register to his magic. Not until he picked up the ebony wood did his magic respond at all.

"Hm, interesting. ebony wood is said to be suited for outsiders, and have a penchant for combat magicks." The witch said, though how she knew what wood he was holding was beyond him, as she had gone back to reading her book as soon as he started picking up the wood samples.

"My magic is definitely feeling a pull, but I'd like to keep browsing, just in case."

"Suit yourself, wizard." She flipped the page.

The red oak wood called to his magic too, but the pull was definitely weaker than the ebony wood had been.

Several more wood types later, and nearing the end of the alphabet, Sirius picked up the sample for willow wood. His magic swooned as it tried to rush into the wood sample, though it pulled back when it encountered just a slab of wood, rather than a fully fleshed out wand.

"Huh. Willow, eh? How much you know about willow wands?" The witch asked.

"Uh, not much. An old friend of mine used to have a willow wand, but that's about it."

"Well, it's a strong wand wood. Willow wands tend to pick those who have potential."

"Huh, fascinating. This is definitely the wood for me. What's next?"

"Ah, what's next is my favorite part: wand cores." Folding up the bundle, the witch placed it back under the counter, and grabbed a large suitcase. Opening it, Sirius could see several compartments, each had a glass phial and a single wand core in it.

"Now, like before, just pick a phial up, one at a time, and then we'll almost be done."

Sirius went down the list of wand core types, picking up a phial and feeling how his magic tried to connect to it, if at all. After going through the entire lot, Sirius noted that of them all, only one really spoke to him: thunderbird feather.

"Boy you're gonna have a wand that's quite unique, I hope you know that. Thunderbird feathers produce strong wand cores, though they can be a bit obstinate."

"Well that's alright. I don't mind that one bit. What's next?"

"Well, I'm going to have you try some sample wands, and vary the length and flexibility to see what suits you best. You up for some spellcasting?"

"Oh absolutely."

The two got to work, trying various sample wands, and the witch taking notes on which lengths and flexibilities suited her customer best.

It was ten minutes later when Sirius walked out of the shop, although slightly magically taxed. He had paid twenty galleons to the witch, who was making his wand, as she didn't have one that matched his specifications: willow wood, thunderbird feather, eleven inches, and with a little give, but still mostly rigid. He had been told to come back in an hour and his wand would be complete.

'Seems its time to catch up with the girls. Time to head to Fortescue's! Could use some ice cream after all this dreariness.' He began his trek back to Diagon, making sure that he remembered the way back to the wand shop.

It seemed a stroke of most fortuitous luck that Sirius arrived at the ice cream parlor as Isolt and Aster were arriving.

"There you ladies are! How'd it go in Madam Malkin's?"

"It went well, though a bit long. Isolt here insisted on both formal and casual robes for both of us." Aster replied, returning a patented "Isolt glare" at the older witch, though leaving out any of the fire.

Laughing, Isolt turned to Sirius, "And how did your errands go?"

"Swimmingly! Though I do need to pick something up in about an hour. So I figure we can eat here and then we can head to Flourish and Blott's. If that's alright with you both?"

"Perfectly fine with me. Aster, you okay with that?"

"Mmhmm. Ice cream first though."

Sirius and Isolt both laughed. Apparently, the younger witch had a soft spot for ice cream.

The party went inside to wait in line, and once they reached the counter, they ordered. For Isolt, two scoops of mint chocolate chip. Sirius ordered two scoops of strawberry and for good measure added a heap of whipped cream. Aster's order included a scoop of chocolate, a scoop of vanilla, and some butterbeer-flavored sauce drizzled on top.

Sitting at a small table outside, the trio enjoyed their treats before swapping stories of their shopping experience. It wasn't long before they decided to go check out Flourish and Blott's, before Sirius had to go pick up his order, which he still refused to tell Isolt and Aster what he had ordered.

Luckily the bookstore was just a few stores down the main alley, and all three browsed the shop.

Aster was looking for some books on runes and arithmancy. She had resolved to drop divination and to catch up on runes and arithmancy, after having thought about how useless divination had been for her, let alone the constant predictions from Trelawney regarding Aster's death.

Isolt was looking for books on magical theory, as well as reference books regarding the core subjects taught at Hogwarts. She had resolved to take her OWLs and NEWTs with the ICW, since it seemed she was going to be in this timeline for a while, if not forever, and having the test scores would be most helpful.

Sirius decided to look for books on Animagi, deciding that Isolt and Aster should both try to learn it, as well as grabbing some additional reference books, one of which was an almanac detailing the OWLs and/or NEWTs necessary for a wide variety of jobs in the wizarding world. He had heard that Aster hadn't been provided this information, both by Aster and by Isolt, and that Isolt had been pushed to try to become an auror. 'I won't fail them, Lils and Prongs. I swear.'

The cashier in the store seemed to be ecstatic that there were customers and that they were buying a large catalogue of books. After ringing them up and wrapping them in self-shrinking paper, the cashier wished them a good day, and practically begged them to come back soon.

As they left the shop, Sirius, still in disguise, turned to the two witches. "Well, that concludes our shopping trip, apart from my order. Why don't you two return home while I go grab my order?"

"Nah, we're good. We actually have to return to Madam Malkin's. She promised to have some of Aster's clothes ready by now, so that she could surprise her friends tomorrow."

"Okay, well, you guys will be fine to make it back to the house on your own, yeah?"

"Yes, we will. You shared the secret with us earlier, before we left for Gringott's. Not that Isolt needs the secret, apparently.

"Fine, fine, just be careful. I'll meet you both back home. Be safe!" And with that, Sirius waved, before turning and walking down a side alley that he had come from earlier, on his way to the ice cream parlor.

For their part, Isolt and Aster continued on to Madam Malkin's, to pick up the outfit Aster had decided to surprise her friends with.

Only a few minutes later, Sirius was opening the door to the wand shop. It appeared the witch had been busy, as she had her hair tied back, and was standing at the counter with a wand box right in front of her.

"Ah, welcome back, sir. I finished your wand about ten minutes ago. Gave it a nice polish while I was at it."

Sirius snickered. "Oh, ma'am, polishing my wand now? How much do I owe you for that?"

The woman blushed, catching Sirius' entendre. "Well, Mr. Black, I'd say you owe me a few extra galleons, and I seem to remember you owing me a coffee date from back when we were in seventh year."

Now it was Sirius' turn to blush, but he did so with a mouth hanging wide open. Quickly, hoping she didn't notice his surprise, he shut it before clearing his throat. "Oh I assure you I don't know who this Mr. Black fellow is. Though he sounds like quite the rascal if he reneged on a coffee date with such a beautiful and talented witch as yourself."

"Cut it, Sirius, I know it's you. I saw your wand tucked up your sleeve earlier when you were sampling wands, and I have some very fond memories of you using that wand in a few broom closets back in Hogwarts."

"Fuck. Well, since I'm busted," Sirius dropped the glamour charms, "is this much better?"

"I'd say yes, Sirius, but Azkaban hasn't seemed to do you much good, has it. I only have two questions. Depending on your answers, I'll either report you to the authorities, or not."

"O-okay. What's your first question?"

"Did you betray Lily and James Potter?"

"Should've known that'd be your first question. No, I did not. Peter was the Secret Keeper, and I was the oath-sworn godfather of their child, I couldn't harm any of them, even if I wanted to."

"Hm. Second question: Do you not remember my name?"

"Really? Okay, well, to be quite honest, no. Azkaban takes its toll."

"Bloody hell Siri, it's me, Marlene MacKinnon."

Sirius' mouth dropped open again. He looked the witch over again, noting her long brown hair and her amber-colored eyes. 'Yup, that's definitely Marlene.'

"H-What are you doing here, Marlene?"

"Well, after the last war, things were quite tense. You'd been thrown in prison, and Garrick Ollivander wasn't taking apprentices. I've always loved wand-making and wand-lore, so I took up an apprenticeship here, and once the prior owner died, he gave it to me. Imagine my surprise when my ex-boyfriend walks in here and doesn't even remember me."

"Well, to be fair Marls, I was in prison for a dozen years. Unjustly, yes, but the dementors still take an effect on your psyche."

"And have you seen a mind healer?"

"Uh no, I am still wanted after all."

"For fuck's sake, Siri. They're sworn to secrecy, you still could have gone."

"Oh."

"Anyway, here's your damn wand." She passed the wand box to him, and watched as he opened it and tenderly took the wand out.

"Thank you, Marls, really, I appreciate it. Do you mind if I test it out?"

"Go for it, but please, no destructive spells. Otherwise, I'll have two reasons to kick your ass."

Gripping the wand, Sirius felt as his magic connected with the wand. It was surreal, feeling magic itself flowing so easily. He didn't even feel this with his first wand. Giving a swift swish of his wand, Sirius levitated the wand box, and noticed just how easy the spell came to him, even if it was such a simple spell. He would've had to push more than three times the effort into his old wand to get it to do the same spell.

"Marls, holy shit, this wand is amazing. Please, let me take you out on that coffee date. There's no way I can repay you for this."

"Sirius, you already bought the wand. You don't owe me anything else."

"If it means anything, Marlene, I am sorry I couldn't give you that date. You are just as talented and beautiful, actually, you're more talented and beautiful than you were when we were kids."

"Alright, fine, but only because I know how much you'll whine otherwise. Plus, it'd be nice to get out of the shop every so often."

"It's a date! Awesome, when are you free?"

"How about this Saturday, at one o'clock, at the café two stores down from Madam Malkin's?"

"Works for me! Though, I will have to be in disguise, if that's alright with you?"

"Of course, Siri." She smiled warmly at him. "Besides, I feel much better knowing that you weren't the villain everyone made you out to be. Plus, you still have some of your rugged charm yourself."

"You flatter me, Marlene." Sirius fake-bowed. "Now, I must go. My shopping companions are probably finished with their errand by now, and I must be going. Give me a floo call, yeah? Address is Grimmauld Place."

"Of course, Siri. Now go. I need to close shop." Marlene giggled as Sirius took her hand and gave her hand a chaste kiss.

"Have a wonderful evening, Lady MacKinnon."

"You too, Lord Black."

And with that, Sirius reapplied his glamour charms before stepping back out onto the streets and alleys of Knockturn Alley. Weirdly, he could smell smoke in the air. 'Huh, is someone cooking something?'

~ Ten minutes earlier, in Madam Malkin's shop in Diagon Alley ~

"Ah there you two are! I just finished your outfit, young Aster! Please, try it on in the fitting room and let me know how it fits. Actually, on second thought, come out to show us, so I can determine if anything needs any alteration."

"Oh, um, okay." Aster's voice was tinged with embarrassment, but she took the outfit and went to the fitting room.

Madam Malkin were discussing fashion when Aster returned a minute or two later, wearing an emerald-green knee-length dress, a jacket, and a pair of flats.

"Wow kid, you sure do clean up nice. You look gorgeous." Isolt called out, causing Aster to blush.

"Erm, thank you, Isolt."

"I dare say, young witch, you look absolutely stunning. And it doesn't appear that any alterations need to be made." Madam Malkin added. "I'll have the rest of your outfits done later this week. They should be done on Saturday, so feel free to drop by."

"Sounds good. Aster, do you want to change before we head out?"

"Um, no. I really like the dress. I feel…nice. Pretty even. Though maybe tonight or tomorrow we can do something about my hair?" She gave Isolt a puppy dog stare.

"Alright fine, yes. Where's your clothes, by the way?"

"Oh, in my pockets."

"Your dress has pockets!? Madam Malkin, if I didn't mention it before, please make sure all dresses and skirts have pockets." Isolt cried out.

"Oh that's standard. Space-expanding charms sure are helpful when it comes to pockets." The seamstress replied.

"Thank Merlin. Aster, you ready?"

"Yup. Thank you, Madam Malkin!"

"Of course, have a wonderful evening you two!"

The bell above the door chimed as the two left.

"Alright, Aster, let's go home." Said Isolt, absentmindedly about to conjure a piece of rope into her open hand.

"Uh, Isolt. The alley seems to be on fire."

"What?!" Isolt looked up. "Shit. I'm getting you out of here, then I'm going to investigate."

Aster looked like she was going to complain, but Isolt silenced her with a glare, before conjuring a piece of rope, pointing the elder wand at it, and muttering Portus.

"Take it and go home. Do not open the door for anyone. Tell Kreacher to only let in Sirius and I."

"But Isolt, I can help!" Aster complained.

"No you cannot. You're a child, and you have no idea how to fight in that outfit. Now go. I'll be fine."

Aster took the rope, feeling it whisk her back into Grimmauld Place. Immediately she dropped her stuff off on the table and set about carrying out Isolt's instructions.

Isolt stowed the elder wand away, not wanting it to reveal her just yet, but not before casting a glamour over her holly wand. Silencing her footsteps and casting a Notice-Me-Not spell on herself, Isolt began running down the alley, looking for whoever or whatever had caused this blaze.

She didn't have to run. Near the entrance of Diagon Alley, just a few stores down from the Leaky Cauldron, Isolt found the culprits. All eight of them, all dressed in black robes with pointed hoods. All of them wearing skull masks.

"We know you're here, witch. We got reports that the same woman that thwarted us in the Ministry was here in Diagon Alley." One of them shouted, the shortest of the bunch.

A taller one spoke up. "Shut it, just find her and kill her."

Before she could cast a single spell, she felt a presence next to her.

"We need to be quick, Isolt." Sirius' whispered voice came from next to her, almost giving her a heart attack from fright.

"I'll take the four on the left, you take the four on the right. Don't use stunners, they'll just Renervate whoever gets stunned."

"Alright. But we're having a conversation later about how you like to be bossy in these situations."

"Fuck off and do your job, Padfoot."

"Aye. Good luck."

"You too."

'Two days in and I'm already making friends it seems. Man, my Severus would be pissed if he could see me now, the fucking wanker.'

Without waiting another beat, Isolt began launching piercing and bone-breaker curses at the Death Eaters, who, although they came looking for a fight, seemed entirely unprepared the moment spells started being cast at them.

And just like that, the battle was on.