Fragments of Us
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: I noticed an inconsistency in the timing of Arthur's release from St. Mungo's. This inconsistency appeared between this chapter and chapter 13. As his release works better in the plot for the later chapter, it has been removed from this one and this represents the new and improved version. I'm so sorry for the confusion. I guess I should subtitle this story, "Beta - What Beta?". Thanks for your patience!
Rating is intended for future chapters.
Chapter 11 – Shopping & Confrontations
The week prior to Christmas was a hectic one for the occupants of Grimmauld Place. Remus made several trips to Diagon Alley and Muggle London at Sirius' behest to help his friend purchase the gifts he wanted to give to those he loved. The Weasleys were in and out, visiting Arthur and taking shopping excursions of their own. The bustle and activity served to brighten the standard gloom of the old house - and that of its current owner. Kate had wrapped up pending items at the office the previous week and now looked forward to two weeks of vacation time. She was interested in spending time with Harry and getting to know the young man he had become.
On the first day of her vacation, Kate was up and out of the house before even Sirius had arisen. She wanted to complete her Christmas shopping and was planning to start with breakfast in a nice Muggle café she knew in Muggle London. Although it drove Remus to distraction, Kate didn't have any preplanned ideas for gifts. In all other areas of her life, Kate had always planned ahead; Christmas, however, was for spontaneity.
After breakfast, Kate went into London and immersed herself into the crowd of holiday shoppers. Purchasing almost all of the gifts she had to buy, Kate then made her way to a particular bookseller she knew Remus adored. She browsed the shelves for more than an hour, looking for just the right book for her old friend. Suddenly, she realized that for Remus, the actual selection of the book was half the fun and so she purchased a Muggle gift certificate in his name, smiling as she pictured Remus' reaction. She also picked up gift wrap and bows, preferring the festive Muggle designs for her Christmas gifts. She chuckled as she thought about Arthur's reaction to all things Muggle and knew he would find something fascinating about these items, as well.
As she exited the bookstore, Kate began a leisurely walk down the street, glancing in various shop windows as she went. The day was brisk, but the bright sunshine and her heavy cloak kept the chill at bay. Suddenly, Kate stopped in her tracks outside a men's clothing store. The window display that caught her eye was an array of leather items: gloves, briefcases and, in the center, a black leather jacket. The image of Sirius as he had been in the months after leaving Hogwarts came to mind. Tearing down the road on that crazy motorcycle of his, long hair trailing out behind him, in Muggle jeans and that black leather jacket he was so proud of. Kate made up her mind on the spot, went into the shop and purchased it. The last one of that style. The duplicate of the one worn and so lovingly cared for so long ago. The jacket that had been ruined in the careless and violent search of their flat. Kate slipped into an alley, shrunk her precious package down to the size of a stamp and placed it in her purse. She then Disapparated to Diagon Alley where she finished the rest of her shopping.
As she exited the last store, she heard someone call her name and, turning, she saw Harry and Remus in front of Fortesque's Ice Cream shop. She waved to indicate that she had heard them then made her way across the street.
"And what are you two doing out and about this chilly morning?" she asked, smiling as she reached them.
"Morning?!" Remus exclaimed, returning her grin. "It's after 2 o'clock!"
Kate was genuinely shocked but before she could comment her stomach gave a loud rumble. They all laughed then Harry said, "Me, too, Kate. We've been Christmas shopping and thought we'd stop for lunch. Come with us?"
Kate felt her throat catch and couldn't immediately respond. Remus noticed and stepped in. "Good idea, Harry! Let's head over to the Three Broomsticks and have some lunch."
The three made their way down the cobblestone street and soon were seated in a secluded booth with mugs of warm butter beer to chase away the chill.
"So," Remus began. "shopping all done?"
Kate nodded. "Mmm. I'd purchased my last gift just before I ran into you two." She glanced at Harry. "And you? Finished yet?"
Harry looked her in the eye and inclined his head slightly toward Remus. "A couple more to go and I'll be done." He smiled, conspiratorially, his green eyes twinkling.
"Yes, and I have an errand or two after lunch as well," Remus interjected, his smile letting Kate know that he was well aware of what was going on between the two of them.
"Well, Harry, I've an idea if you're game," Kate said. In for a penny; in for a pound. "What do you say we have lunch then let Remus take care of his errands while you and I go off by ourselves and you can finish up your shopping?"
Harry smiled warmly. "Brilliant! Thanks, Kate."
No, Harry, Kate thought. Thank you.
They ordered fish and chips all around and tucked into their food when the waitress brought it to them. They talked a bit about Hogwarts, but the situation under Dolores Umbridge was so difficult, that topic tended to put a damper on the mood. Instead, they spoke of Quidditch, plans for the holidays and various friends. Remus was still a bit tired after the full moon, which had been two days earlier, but was still in great spirits. As he told them, he remembered many a Christmas when the full moon fell either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, itself and he was happy that hadn't happened this year when they were all together again. Kate noticed that Harry, in particular, seemed a bit protective toward Remus as he had earlier indicated that if his former professor was too tired to finish up today, they could come back in a day or two. Remus had given him an affectionate, but sad smile at that and had declined with thanks.
Once they had finished lunch, they went their respective ways with plans to meet back at the pub in an hour. Kate and Harry walked leisurely down Diagon Alley, pausing to look in the windows of several shops.
"So, I'm guessing that you still need something for Remus, yes?" Kate asked.
Harry smiled. "Yes, and thank Merlin you walked by us or I'm not sure I'd have been able to slip away long enough to find something."
Kate laughed. "Yes, Remus does take his responsibilities to heart, doesn't he? Well, we don't have to worry about you getting into trouble by disappearing. What are you thinking of buying him?"
Harry frowned. "No clue. He loves books, but he has so many of them. I thought about tea, but that seems sort of stupid. I guess I'm stuck. Only, wait – you've known him a long time, right? Do you have any ideas?"
Kate took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. Thankfully, Harry was preoccupied with a window that displayed various types of quills, parchments and inks. Soon, however, he turned back to her, clearly expecting some type of answer. Here goes, she thought.
"Yes, Remus and I were at Hogwarts together," Kate told him.
Harry's eyes grew huge as he digested this fact. Then came the question that Kate had both dreaded and looked forward to. "Then you knew my parents, too, didn't you?"
Kate nodded. "Yes, Harry, I knew them well. Your mum and I were close friends," she said.
Harry's mouth opened and closed a couple of times, but no sound came. Then, he regained control and took a deep breath. "Can you tell me about them? Did you hang out with them and stuff? Wait – and Sirius – you knew Sirius, too. God, Kate, he's just so sad whenever I mention them that I hate to ask him anything and there's so much I want to know…"
Kate put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. "Of course I'll tell you about them. Can we shop and talk to start out with? Then, maybe I'll treat you to butter beer or tea and we can focus on the talking part. Deal?"
Harry smiled warmly. "Deal."
They wandered into the stationer's and Harry settled on two very nice quills, a supply of high quality parchment and several bottles of both blue and black ink for Remus – all of which Kate assured Harry he would really like, most especially because they had come from him.
"Kate, I think I'd like to get Sirius something more personal. I think I know what I want, but …" Harry trailed off.
"…but you'd like another opinion?" she finished for him.
"Yeah. Yeah, I would. C'mon, I'll tell you on the way, ok?" Harry said, already moving ahead.
As their shopping progressed, Kate answered questions about James and Lily for the son who had spent so little time in their company. Yes, James was a brilliant Quidditch player and Lily was amazing at Charms. The Marauders were popular, spirited boys during their school years and the rest of the student body watched what they did because their hi-jinks were truly amazing. No, James was not an arrogant git 100 of the time; he also had a kind heart and incredible loyalty to those he loved…and he had loved Harry enormously.
Harry had to turn away at that last comment, taking a few moments before rejoining Kate, who touched his arm briefly when he did so.
They arrived back at the pub right on time and found Remus waiting for them. Kate smiled a bit nervously as they drew near and informed him that she'd promised Harry a warm butter beer, if he was still interested. Harry nodded and Remus agreed heartily.
As they entered the pub, Kate held Remus back a bit. "I mentioned that I'd known you at school and he asked if I'd known James and Lily," Kate said quietly. "He's asked me a lot of questions about the four of you this afternoon. I just wanted to prepare you because I think we're about to get the third degree all over again."
Remus smiled. "He was bound to find out, you know. You, Sirius and I are obviously friendly and there are at least three pictures in that library that were taken – at school – of the lot of us. Does he know about you?"
"No!" Kate said. "Please…although I'm upset he doesn't, it really isn't my news to share alone, is it?"
Remus thought for a moment. "No. No, it really should come from both of you. Look, Harry's found a booth for us. We'd better get over there."
For the next hour, Remus and Kate regaled Harry with innocuous stories of their school days, carefully chosen to reveal only casual information about how closely they all were connected. The sky had clouded over and snow threatened when they finally gathered their packages and Disapparated back to Grimmauld Place.
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Sirius was waiting for them when they walked through the front door and it was apparent that he had been worrying about Harry's safety.
He forced a smile on his taut face and patted his Godson's shoulder. "Harry! You're here. I expected you to return over an hour ago."
"Sirius, Kate and I were with him the entire time. There was no cause for alarm," Remus attempted to sooth the agitated man.
Kate nodded. "We were a little caught up in shopping. Since Remus had an errand or two to take care of, we split up and Harry and I finished his shopping. We met Remus back at the Three Broomsticks and treated ourselves to some butter beer before heading back here."
Sirius' gaze narrowed as Kate was talking and she could almost hear the wheels turning in his brain.
"I'm going to go upstairs and wrap my presents. See you at dinner," Harry said.
"See you at dinner, Harry," Sirius called after him, never taking his eyes from Kate's face.
"Let's go into the library, shall we?" Remus suggested, his hand on the small of Kate's back. Sirius hesitated and Remus added, "Come along, Padfoot. We don't need to have this conversation out here in the hallway."
Sirius broke his gaze and walked into the library ahead of Remus and Kate, who closed the door behind them.
"Sirius," Kate began, but wasn't allowed to go any further as Sirius interrupted her.
"Did you tell him, Kate?" Sirius snarled as he asked the question of her. "Does he know?"
Although she knew this was probably where Sirius was heading, it still hurt to hear it; to see the expression on his face and know it was directed at her – that he didn't trust her enough to know that she wouldn't betray him that way.
"Sirius!" Remus raised his voice, startling the other two into silence. "Stop it!"
Kate shot Remus a grateful look, then turned to Sirius, "How dare you?" she asked him, her voice quivering. "I told you that I would respect your wishes, even though I don't agree with them. I would never betray you by breaking my word behind your back. Harry knows that I knew all of you at Hogwarts, however. While we were shopping and afterward, with Remus, we shared a few stories of our time together. He now knows that James hated peas, while you love them. He knows that his mother once charmed a fountain to flow with French champagne after a school dance. He does not know that I am anything other than a school friend of his parents, Remus and you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go upstairs and get ready for dinner."
Kate turned on her heel and left the room.
Sirius watched her go then turned toward the bottle of Firewhiskey on the side table.
"Leave it, Padfoot," Remus said quietly. "It's not going to solve anything with Kate. All it will do is knock you out and make you miserable to deal with tomorrow. Is that really what you want to have happen?"
Sirius turned back to his friend. "No," he said, his voice still strained. "I overreacted – again. The minute the words leave my mouth, I want to take them back. I don't seem to be able to stop myself."
Remus sighed. "If I were you, Padfoot, I'd try harder. If you can't get this under control and start trusting that woman, you will lose her."
"I know," Sirius replied.
"So, what do you propose to do about it?" Remus demanded.
"I'll go speak with her," he responded.
Remus put his hand on Sirius' arm as he passed. "Think before you speak, Padfoot. Think about what you're saying this time."
Sirius nodded and resumed his walk to the door.