Chapter Five: Diagon Alley

Harry had never enjoyed his summer holidays. Living with the Dursleys had never exactly been fun. However this holiday was proving to be the best summer he had had in ages and it had only just started. Sirius, to put it mildly, was fun. Since the summer had officially started, Sirius had been determined to give him a proper home life, something that he hadn't had since his parents had died.

They had played board games, told stories, seen photographs…but most of all they had raced each other on brooms. Sirius had cast a charm to prevent the Muggles from seeing them allowing them hours of fun.

It turned out Sirius was quite talented with flying.

"I was one of the Gryffindor Beaters," he explained one day after a flying session.

Harry glanced to the side, looking at his Godfather. They lay amongst the grass on the field located just outside of the village. "You were?"

"Yeah, James signed me up for try-outs. I didn't really want to, but apparently I had a natural talent to hit people with Bludgers. I did get kicked off the team in Fifth Year for intentionally hitting a Bludger at a group of Slytherins though."

"What made you do that?" Harry asked, curiously.

"I was already in a bad mood that day - can't remember why - but the Slytherin's thought it would be fun to knock me off my broom during practice with a hex. In retaliation I sent a Bludger at them. The punishment would've been less severe if the Bludger hadn't smashed one of the offender's faces in." Sirius grinned at the memory. "I did regret it especially when James yelled at me for the better part of two hours. It took Remus hours to calm him down before he finally forgave me."

Harry chuckled. "There's so much I don't know about my parents," he smiled. "I'm just glad that I finally have that chance to get to know them better than I do."

"I miss them," said Sirius, sadly.

Harry bit his lip. "I do too."

Saturday 3rd July

"How is Harry coping?" Remus asked as he sat down in the living room of the cottage. It had been two weeks since Harry and Sirius had moved in and Remus hadn't visited since he had wanted to give Harry and Sirius time to get to know each other.

Sirius had asked Remus to come and live with them at the end of term, but he had refused. Unlike Sirius, Remus had had the pleasure of getting to know Harry over the course of the year.

He wanted to give them time to get used to one another before he imposed himself upon their home. There was also the problem with him being a werewolf, and despite the fact that the Ministry owed Sirius big-time, Remus doubted they would let the Boy-Who-Lived live with a once-convicted-murderer and a werewolf. There was already a great deal of speculation about Sirius in the Daily Prophet every day.

Cornelius Fudge was being constantly bombarded with owls from irate parents who could not believe that their saviour lived with a murderer and that the Minister had granted it. The public were not very forgiving, choosing to believe that Sirius was guilty of the crimes, despite the overwhelming evidence that he was innocent.

Remus did have a purpose to be visiting Harry and Sirius other then wanting to see them. Dumbledore had asked him to advise Sirius on taking Harry to Diagon Alley so that the public could see how happy they were. Remus doubted that would stop the letters and howlers from getting to the Ministry, but it was something they could do.

"He's fine - quite a fun lad - not at all like James, more like Lily really. I mean, if he'd had the benefit of growing up with his parents instead of those Muggles then maybe he'd be more like James…not that I'm complaining of course," grinned Sirius, before frowning again.

"Dumbledore told me that you had a shouting match with him about Harry's upbringing. I'm surprised I didn't hear you from home," Remus smirked.

"Shut up. I'm not loud."

Remus laughed. "Then why do I recall a twelve year old Gryffindor boy shouting from the rooftops that he loved Jessica Tillborough?"

Sirius slapped himself on the forehead. "One: that was not my fault. Two: Prongs dared me to shout that. Three: I had to shout in order for my message to be heard. And Four: Did you really have to being that up?"

Remus nodded. "Absolutely: anything to annoy you Padfoot."

"Gee, thanks." Sirius rolled his eyes. "So, what brings you here today, other than a social visit?"

"Dumbledore," Remus said simply.

"Hey, Harry."

"Professor Lupin? What are you doing here?" asked Harry. He had just come from his room where he had been attempting his potions essay. He had not expected his former Defence Professor to be sitting in the living room.

Lupin smiled at him. "I thought I'd take the time to visit my friend, and to see how you were living with this mangy mutt."

"Hey! I'm not a mangy mutt!" Sirius shouted.

Harry stifled a laugh.

Lupin rolled his eyes. "But you have to admit you are a mutt, Padfoot."

"Well, that is self evident," replied Sirius, transforming into his Animagus state and then back to human form.

Remus Lupin leaned back in the chair, putting his feet up on the coffee table. "So, Harry, what's it like living with him?"

What do I say to that? Harry wondered. Truth be told, he had been enjoying himself too much to really think about what it was like living with Sirius. Since that awkward talk, he and Sirius had grown closer together. It had definitely made talking to each other far easier. Finally, Harry replied: "It's odd having a fun summer right from the start." Even that doesn't sound right.

However Lupin did not ask why. Harry had expected him to but he had a feeling Sirius had already informed him. Strangely enough he didn't mind Lupin knowing. Despite that, Harry knew Sirius and Remus had been close friends and they needed to spend time to get to know each other again. Too much time had passed for them to truly be okay with each other so soon.

Sirius had asked if Harry didn't mind Lupin coming to live with them and he had been fine with that, but Remus had turned it down. He didn't know why but he hoped when he returned to Hogwarts in September, Remus would take Sirius up on his offer.

"Harry, how do you fancy going to Diagon Alley this afternoon?"

"What for?" he asked. "I haven't got my booklist for next year yet."

"To allow the public to see that I'm a genuinely nice guy and that I'm not locking you up and starving you," replied Sirius, a little darkly.

"I didn't know people thought that," Harry replied uneasily.

"It's the Daily Prophet as well as many letters the Minister has been receiving about allowing you to live with an 'insane convicted murderer'," supplied Lupin. "I think the headmaster would like you two to be seen in public and possibly consent to a few questions. Most likely there will be reporters there. If you do decide to do this, whatever you do, don't talk to Rita Skeeter. She'll twist your words."

Harry nodded. "Right."

"Are you up for it?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah," shrugged Harry, grinning, "I don't want people thinking you are someone you are not."

Sirius and Harry used Floo Powder to get to Diagon Alley, tumbling out of the fireplace in The Leaky Cauldron. Though it was quite early into the summer holidays there was still a lot of people in The Leaky Cauldron, and silence fell when first Harry came tumbling out, followed by Sirius.

Harry bit his lip, feeling nervous. The uncanny stares of the Witches and Wizards were unnerving. He glanced at his Godfather who was busy dusting off his robes. Once that was done they walked to the back door and stepped out, facing a brick wall. Tapping his wand against the appropriate bricks, Sirius and Harry watched as they parted revealing Diagon Alley.

Stepping out into the sunlit alley, Sirius turned his head to Harry. "Let's get this over with."

"Yeah," replied Harry numbly. He knew people were not happy with his living arrangements but he was happy. Why did the public have any right in where he chose to live? Attempting to change the subject he asked: "Where to first?"

"Ollivander's. I need a wand," stated Sirius.

"Huh? But you've already got one."

"Yeah, but it's not mine. Dumbledore gave it to me. My wand was snapped, irreparable when I was captured. I'd rather have a wand that is linked with me rather than one that was used by someone else years ago. There's just a little problem. Ollivander's is on the other side of Diagon Alley," explained Sirius.

They had no need to go into Gringotts since Remus had kindly gone to Diagon Alley after he had left and got some money for them out of their vaults. Sirius had not wanted to go into the Wizarding Bank, in case the public thought he might try to steal something. Despite that, Harry hoped the Wizarding World would accept Sirius back. He deserved it.

Especially after his unjust imprisonment, thought Harry.

They managed to reach Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour before Sirius was recognised. It was as if someone had cast a slowing charm and had sped everything down. Witches and Wizards all stopped and stared, pointing, dragging their children back.

And then the whisperings began.

"Sirius Black…"

"…with Harry Potter…"

"I'm amazed that…."

"How dare you show your face in public!" a witch shouted, who moved to the front of the ever-growing crowd.

Harry saw Sirius tense. They kept moving ignoring the stares but the witch who had shouted at them blocked their path. Her eyes were glaring daggers at Sirius - and Harry had the distinct impression she would do something. Quickly, Harry leapt in front of Sirius as the witch brought out her wand. Harry did not blink. He felt a hand on his shoulder, but shrugged it off.

He narrowed his eyes at the witch. "Have you got a problem with the company I keep?"

"No dear," the witch smiled sweetly at him, "I'm just concerned about you that is all. It's better for you to live in a secure home instead trapped in a cellar and forced to eat crumbs."

"And where did you hear that from?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows.

"A friend of mine told me," she replied, sweetly

"And does this friend know me?"

"No, but we all know that Black," she spat, "is turning you against us. It's quite obvious."

Harry folded his arms across his chest. "Well you're wrong. Sirius has made my life worth it. He's made me happy. Growing up with Muggles who hate every inch of you is not something that you would wish upon a child. Sirius has done nothing wrong. I have everything I could have ever wanted. A loving home, a wonderful Godfather who would die for me, and for once in my life, I am happy." Harry turned to the rest of the street, raising his voice. "For the first time in my life I have a life worth living, and if none of you can accept that Sirius Black has done everything to make me feel like that, then you don't know him at all. He is my Godfather and guardian, and I trust him with my life. And you're going to have to accept that, because I will not leave the home that I have come to love."

And with that Harry walked away, Sirius following behind him, oblivious to the stares that followed their retreating backs.

"I can't believe you did that," said Sirius as they walked towards Ollivanders. The crowd that had gathered had now dispersed and people were now milling around them, though Sirius noticed parents were still keeping children away from him. At least they're not glaring at me anymore.

Harry shrugged. "I couldn't let the world think you're bad. I had to say something. I couldn't let that woman try to ruin my happiness. They don't know you. I think they understand now or are at least going to give you a proper chance before they judge you."

Sirius pulled Harry into a hug and ruffled his hair. "Thanks."

After finishing their shopping, Sirius and Harry Flooed back to the cottage, only to find Albus Dumbledore waiting for them. His face was full of concern and he bade them to sit down.

"What has happened?" Harry asked first.

Dumbledore clasped his hands together. "I don't know how…but Peter Pettigrew has vanished from his cell in Azkaban."

To be continued...