Hadrian's birthday passed with little fanfare although he did all but tackle Tomoe in a hug and pepper his face with kisses once he opened the small jewelry box that contained a beautiful silver necklace with a sapphire teardrop pendant. Tomoe had know that Hadrian would adore the piece but he didn't think he would love it quite that much. Evan's birthday on the other hand couldn't have had more fanfare if it tried. James had gone completely overboard with his party. He had hired a full string quartet for the traditional dances as well as booking The Weird Sisters, a very popular band in the wizarding world, for some more fun music for later in the evening. He'd also had the party fully catered by a retinue of house elves although he did use human servers hired from a small business in Diagon Alley.
To top the entire party off Evan had received a veritable mountain gifts of all sorts. Money, jewels, quidditch equipment, books, games and anything else anyone could think of to give their 'Savior' for no other reason than they could on this one day. After opening all those presents Evan had been presented with a massive seven tier chocolate cake covered in chocolate frosting and drizzled with syrup. Most of the children after having their slices were bouncing off the walls they were so energized. Evan was included in this so the party only continued for another hour or so after that before as the children's sugar high ended and they all ended up falling asleep in various places throughout the ballroom. Lily had given James the silent and cold shoulder treatment for the fiasco of a birthday party that had her nearly tearing her own hair out.
Today was going to be easier on Lily though because they were going to Diagon Alley for school supplies and she knew that with Molly Weasley accompanying them on the outing it would keep her sons mischief at a minimum and keep his from acting out too much as well. It wouldn't be easy by any stretch of the imagination but it would at least be manageable with the weasley matriarch to help wrangle the gaggle of children. Evan, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George and Ginny were all with them today. At least Hermione would also be able to help with wrangling the boys.
Lily sighed as they began the shopping expedition at Madame Malkin's robes for all Occasions. Everyone was due for some new robes as they were all too short at the wrist and ankle. She and James were footing the bill for the children's shopping today. Molly and Arthur had both protested which had lead to a several hour long argument between the Potter's and the Weasley's which happened every year as Molly and Arthur balked at any form of charity. they always managed to wear them down in the end with the fact that it would give their children a better quality of life. With these thoughts in mind as the kids were being fitted for their robes she looked down at their book lists to check where they would need to go.
Fourth Year students will require:
Uniform:
The quantity given are the suggested minimum requirements.
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One winter cloak (black with silver fastenings)
4. Three white shirts for boys or blouses for girls
5. Two grey sweaters, vests or cardigans
6. Two charm-able ties in house colors
7. One charm-able winter scarf in house colors
8. Two pairs of trousers or shorts for boys, or skirts for girls
9. Three pairs of white knee socks or black wool stockings for girls, or grey knee socks or black ankle socks for boys.
10. One set of dress robes (any color, conservative style)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags at all times.
Required Textbooks
Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century
Modern Magical History
Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles by Wilhelm Wigworthy
The Monster Book of Monsters
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Tremble
The Standard Book of Spells Grade 4 by Miranda Goshawk
The Pocket Guide to the Night Sky by Rigel Wilkes
Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky
Bindrunes and Galdr Tunes by Jules Norson
Herbology Care taking and Dangerous Plants by L. Podemis
Thurston Candlewick's Complete and Extremely Useful Field Guide to Dark Creatures
Intermediate Transfiguration Sixth Edition
Other Equipment:
1 wand
2 cauldrons (pewter, standard size 2, copper standard size 4)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
1 basic potions ingredients kit
1 set of protective gloves
Quills
Inks
Parchment
Blank Journal
Muggle Pencil or Pen if taking Muggle Studies
1 abacus
Lunar scope
Crystal Ball
Rune set
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
Lily sighed again as she looked over the list as a whole. So little has changed on these lists from her own Hogwarts days. The wizarding world was absolutely brilliant but still so stagnant. It took ages for anything to be done and any changes brought forth to try and modernize the almost medieval culture was brutally shot down by the blood purists who still controlled the culture and way of life for the community. She wanted to change this but she knew now that she didn't have any power here. This was a world still ruled by men where women had no say or power in anything. Even James who agreed with her that the Wizarding world needed to be brought into the 21st century didn't truly listen to her or her ideas. He loved her she knew but anytime she did anything on her own she felt as if he was simply indulging her instead of truly thinking she could do anything she thought morosely as the children made their way over to her with their robes in bulky bags. With a smile she waved her wand and shrunk the purchases allowing the kids to keep their hands free and simply slide the tiny bags in their pockets.
They left the building easily as Molly had been correct that the Alley wasn't nearly as busy as usual due to the quidditch world cup and a Wednesday on top of that. She could hear an argument building between the children about where to go next. Hermione of course wanted to go to Flourish & Blotts to get all of their textbooks and some recreational books as well. The twins wanted to go to Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop as always and Evan, Ron and Ginny were clamoring to go to Quality Quidditch shop to look at the newest brooms and such. Lily turned to help Molly diffuse the situation when a flash of silver caught her eye. She turned to see what it was and froze completely. Standing in front of a small stall that someone had set up selling jewelry was Hadrian and that creature whose name started with a 'T'. They were standing there as if they had always been coming to Diagon Alley and she watched as Hadrian lifted up a lovely set of earrings made of silver with two small sapphires dangling from them.
Hadrian was dressed in a beautiful yet simple floor length dress that was a light cream color that had a pattern of red flowers with green stems and leaves climbing from the hem of the dress up to his hips before thinning out a bit and stopping. There was a band just below his breast, which Lily noticed were beginning to develop, and above the band the same flower patter was embroidered there was well and also on the small capped sleeves that covered his petite shoulders. The finishing touch on the dress was a sheer, shimmering fabric floating down from the waistband to the hem of the dress. The only thing else Hadrian was wearing was a simple silver chain and pendant that hung to the waistband of the dress. The earring he was holding up matched it very well Lily thought dazedly as she continued to stare. She paid almost no attention to the creature standing protectively next to her who stuck out like a sore thumb in the same clothes he was wearing the last time she saw him.
Moll was still trying to sort out the schedule of where they would go next but it was getting increasingly difficult and Lily wasn't helping her at all. Molly looked around in exasperation and when she saw Lily just standing there she immediately opened her mouth to comment on the lack of help.
"Lily! Would you mind giving me a hand dear?" Molly called and when she didn't hear a response she looked over at her again and for the first time noticed the vacant look in her eyes. Molly quickly shushed the children before making her way over to the redhead.
"Lily? What's wrong dear? Is something bothering you?" Molly asked worriedly as her questions continued to garner no response from the woman. All of the children had stopped fighting completely as they realized something was wrong with Evan's mum. They moved over and clustered around the two women in concern. Molly waved her hand in front of Lily's face which didn't even cause her to flinch at all before she decided to follow her line of sight. Molly couldn't see anything but a couple buying a pair of earrings from a jewelry cart. The young man was dressed oddly to be sure but that wasn't too uncommon of wizards who were trying to blend in with muggles.
Evan followed her gaze and his abrupt screech startled Lily and everyone else in their group. Evan was glaring at the couple who was staring at them from the stall as if they were insane but Evan didn't seem at all bothered by this as he quickly stomped his way towards them despite Molly's spluttering and his friends all gawping at him as well as several passerby who had stopped to see what had the Boy-Who-Lived sounding like a cat that had its tail stepped on. One of these bystanders was Rita Skeeter who looked very interested in what was happening as she reached into her crocodile handbag to pull out a pad of parchment and an acid green quill.
"What are you doing here?!" Evan screamed into Hadrian's face as he looked down his nose at him due to him being slightly taller despite being the younger of the two. Evan's face was beet red in anger and his chest was heaving as he took in deep, angry breaths. His fists were clenched tightly at his side and his whole body was quivering as he glared death at his older brother.
Hadrian did not seem at all affected by the fact that Evan was screaming in his face. In fact all he did was blink innocently for several moments which only seemed to make Evan angrier as he snarled while Lily and Molly, who had finally made their way over, pulled on his shoulders and began whispering furiously in his ears while attempting to pull him back but Evan refused to budge. This was his chance to get his older brother back for stealing his inheritance and not even caring about it. His anger only grew as he saw him smile sweetly at him.
"Well hello to you too, little brother." Hadrian said sweetly with a warm smile upon his face which only widened as the crowd that had accumulated heaved a hug gasp of astonishment. Evan Rita's mouth had dropped open and her quick-quotes froze mid-word in response to it's owner's shock. Everyone immediately began whispering to each other which only incensed Evan more. With a furious snarl he threw himself at Hadrian with a fist raised and ready to impact on his stupidly perfect and smug face but it never reached it's destination and a large hand deftly caught his wrist.
Evan froze as a shadow fell across him and he slowly looked up into frosty navy colored eyes set in a handsome and exotic face. Evan gulped slightly as his skin rapidly went pale. This man was very tall and strong too Evan thought with a wince as he tried to remove his wrist from the grip it was in. All this got him was an angry glare from the man and sharp pain running up his arm.
"Tomoe..." Hadrian stated softly, causing all eyes to snap to him. "... Please let Evan's arm go. You can't blame him for being angry. It's not his fault that our parents never told him that I was the elder of the two of us and the Heir Apparent of the Potter Legacy. So please..." Harry stated softly as he moved forward and placed his hand on Tomoe's arm. Tomoe looked ready to protest but instead he simply inclined his head and released Evan's arm as requested but not before squeezing Evan's wrist slightly tighter with a glare before dropping the offending appendage.
Hadrian looked at his mother and the rather Dumpy woman next to her before he bowed lightly at the waist to the both of them causing his loose hair to fall forward and hide his face before he spoke. "I'm sorry for interrupting your day. It won't happen again." Harry stated as he rose from his bow and gave them all a bright smile before beginning to walk away before a loud voice called out to him.
Hadrian turned and observed a witch who was walking quickly towards him while waving a hand through the air. Her blonde hair was set in rather elaborate curls that contrasted oddly with her heavy-jawed face. She wore jeweled spectacles studded with rhinestones, and had thick fingers ending in two-inch nails, painted crimson. Her blonde curls were curiously rigid, suggesting it was styled with the magical equivalent of hairspray. In addition, she had penciled-on eyebrows and three gold teeth, as well as large, masculine hands. She was carrying a crocodile-skin handbag and was wearing rather gaudy robes of green leather with maroon furs at the collar and sleeves. She caught up with him and Tomoe and quickly introduced herself with a large smile on her face.
"Hello, I'm Rita Skeeter. I write for the daily prophet. But, of course, you know that, don't you? It's you we don't know. The mysterious Brother of the Boy-Who-Lived. Would you mind and interview with me?" She finished eagerly while clutching at her large handbag. She watched sharp interest as the older brother, a submissive wizard by the looks of things, turned towards a handsome silver haired man who shot her a piercing look for a moment before nodding.
"Excellent! My office is just down the way. We'll have it their for more... Privacy." Rita stated with a shark-like smile while sending a smug look towards Lily Potter whose face was an ashen white color. She despised the uppity mudblood. She'd been denying her the rights to an interview for years but now she was finally going to get the scoop on the famous Potter family. And who better to get if from than a scorned Heir? Nobody.