Chapter Three
Sirius left the robes shop and ran his fingers through his hair. He swaggered down the street and popped into the leaky cauldron.
"I was worried you weren't going to make it." Nikka smiled pulling him in for a kiss. Their lips lingered together for a moment before Nikka sat back down, Sirius pulling out her chair for her.
"I slipped away. Harry is getting new robes for school." Sirius grinned.
Nikka felt her insides melt a little bit and she smiled, "Well I'm very glad to see you. How is everything? Harry going back to Hogwarts; yay or nay?"
"Yay. We had success. Thank you, for talking Remus into teaching, I kept telling him he'd be brilliant but I think it had to come from further afield." Sirius grinned.
"I think Tonks had more to do with it." Nikka smirked, "Next challenge is to get him to admit he has feelings for her that are more than 'just friends'."
"Well… it's tough for him." Sirius shook his head.
"Well being best friends with someone as handsome as you." Nikka laughed.
Sirius reached over the table and took her hand, "I think we should tell people." he said.
"I would too, but then we'd have to explain it to everyone and my parents would go nuts. Dad would think you weren't good enough, be horrified I was dating seriously so young and mum would be booking the wedding and wondering why it was taking so long for you to ask." She blushed, "I didn't mean I… I wasn't hinting."
Sirius shrugged, "I know. But maybe it is something we should be thinking about it."
Nikka looked at him in surprise.
"Not right now or anything and I think you should finish becoming an Auror first but… I really like being with you." Sirius smiled.
"I really like being with you too and when the time comes, I think I will happily say yes." Nikka smiled.
They ordered some stew and fresh bread, eating quickly and making small talk for a while before heading out.
"And as promised now one of the largest, chocolate chip, honeycomb ice creams with extra cream and rainbow sprinkles." Sirius grinned, he held his arm out dramatically for Nikka to take.
She laughed and took his arm, letting him guide her from the pub. They wondered down the street happily basking in the sunshine and the bustle of people.
Sirius dragged her over to the broom shop and pointed at the flashy broom in the window.
"Look, just new out. Best broom they've ever made." He pointed to a large display, the centre of which was an impressive looking broom with the words 'Firebolt' written on the side.
"Every time they make a new broom it's better than the last one, that's the point." Nikka laughed rolling her eyes.
"This one is amazing though, goblin made iron work, loads of added features." Sirius had all but pressed his nose against the glass.
"How do you know so much about it?" Nikka asked curiously, "Have you been cheating on me with a broom?"
Sirius laughed, "I'm not going to answer that. I read an article in Wizarding Sporting World Monthly. All the big Quidditch teams are racing to get orders in but they cost a fortune."
"Dare I ask how much a fortune is?" Nikka said.
"Don't know." Sirius said, pointing to the card which said 'Please inquire for price', "I have no need for a new broom so thought it would be rude to ask just out of noisiness. The Nimbus 2000 was nearly two hundred and fifty galleons though and they printed the price for that. It's just a work of art though isn't it?"
"It's very pretty." Nikka said, fighting to maintain a straight face.
"Sirius there you are." Lily smiled walking over, "We were wondering where you'd gotten to."
Sirius turned round, "I was umm..."
"Hi." Nikka said giving them a wave, "We were just on our way to get some ice cream, would you like to come?"
"ICE CREAM!" Danica squealed jumping up and down on the spot.
Sirius grinned, "Come on then."
They wondered to the ice cream parlour and took a seat at a large table outside. Severus, Sirius and Lily went inside to order leaving Hermione, Harry and Danica sitting at the table with Nikka.
"Hi I'm Nikka, I don't think we've met." She said holding her hand out to Hermione.
Hermione shook it and smiled, "Hermione Granger. I go to school with Harry."
"I'm guessing a Gryffindor?" Nikka grinned.
"How did you know?" Hermione asked.
"You've got a patch on your bag. My excellent powers of deduction at work. I'm training to be an Auror." Nikka grinned.
"That's really cool, I've read all about Aurors." Hermione smiled, "Which bit do you find most difficult?"
"Well it's all pretty challenging but I think the duelling side of things, that's where my lowest marks are. I prefer just sneaking up on people. I'm enjoying it so much though, and it means I get to see Tonks everyday which is great fun. She's going to be an amazing Auror one day." Nikka said.
"I always thought that duelling would be my weakest skill as well." Hermione nodded.
"I didn't know you wanted to be an Auror." Harry exclaimed, turning to Hermione.
"I don't but I've got a list of every wizarding career I've heard about, the pros and cons and what I'd be good at, which bits I would struggle with. It's good to be prepared." Hermione explained, handing her napkin to Danica to colour in.
Lily, Sirius and Severus returned to the table with trays filled with ice cream.
"Mint choc chip for Harry, Strawberry for Danica, Lemon Meringue for Hermione." Severus said, handing out the large dishes.
Sirius placed a glass the size of his head in front of Nikka, "As promised."
"Wow!" Nikka laughed, "I would say I'll be eating this for a week but that's a lie." She took her spoon and had a huge mouthful.
Lily and Severus also sat down with their dishes and started to eat.
"What you got?" Danica asked Nikka, peering towards her bowl.
"Best in the world, vanilla ice cream with chunks of honeycomb and chocolate chips." Nikka grinned, "Do you want to try some?"
Danica blushed and nodded, "Thank you."
Nikka smiled and held her spoon out for Danica to try.
"Nommy nommy." Danica smiled, she dug her spoon into her bowl and offered it to Nikka who smiled and took it.
"Very good." Nikka nodded.
Sirius smiled at her, taking a bite of his chocolate ice cream, "I like seeing you with my family." he whispered to her.
Nikka grinned and shrugged, "I like being here."
"Oh that reminds me." Sirius said, pulling a paper out of his robe pocket, "Saved this for you."
"You don't read that do you?" Nikka said, wrinkling her nose, "That Rita woman is awful."
Lily looked at them disapprovingly, "Really?"
"It's my fault Mum." Harry grinned, taking the paper, "I collect them, when they're about me, these things can be hilarious."
"Well, read it out then." Hermione said, shuffling over to read over his shoulder.
Dear loyal readers,
I have news! As you all know, the Hogwarts year is about to begin, and as you all also know, last year was a disaster! Many who were the victims of the attacks at the school have still not fully recovered, and in the dawn of the new school year, you all must be wondering what Dumbledor is planning to do to ensure our children's safety.
Fear not, readers, fear not! The Ministry has it in hand! As my article at the end of the last school year demanded, we have gotten the extra protection for Hogwarts! Once again, through the help of the Ministry, the school will a safe haven for those wishing to learn.
Although the Daily Prophet doesn't take sides, or print opinions, I know you all must be wondering if this new protection is indeed enough to keep the infamous Harry Potter in line. Last year, the castle came under attack from a Basilisk, a terrifying creature who can petrify people, and Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Pansy Parkinson was seen charging into the chamber where the creature was kept, goodness knows why! There are some who was questioning whether Mr. Potter, age twelve, should even be allowed back this year, as most of the trouble seems to start and end with him. Is it safe for your children to be around this boy? Well, thanks to the Ministry, it doesn't matter! Everyone will, once again, be safe from any threat that the teachers might allow into the school grounds.
Dumbledor has selected two new members of staff this year; Care of Magical Creatures will be taught by the current ground's keeper, Rubeus Hagrid, and the new replacement Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is one Remus Lupin, who I have discovered did help fight against You-know-who but hasn't really been heard from since. The question we, as concerned members of society, have to ask is this; why has Dumbledor brought in people who we don't know much about? Granted, yes, we know about Mr. Hagrid, but we also know with this that he has no teaching experience, and we know nothing of Mr. Lupin. So, what is Dumbledor thinking?! Is this some ploy to keep the teachers tight knit, and if so, why?
Readers, I am calling for answers! Let Dumbledor read this and answer our questions! Questions like why it took the Ministry stepping in to make the school safe? Why did none of the teachers do anything about the basilisk until it was too late? Why did they allow children to face the danger alone? What will it take for Dumbledor to step up and start protecting the students of his school? We have to think about these things before sending our precious children away to a school where danger wreaks havoc at every opportunity. As far as I can tell, it is time for the Ministry to step in, and step in they have! The protection they have sent to Hogwarts to greet the new school year and our children will surely keep the danger away, no doubt about it.
Minister Cornelius Fudge has been unavailable for commenting on the situation, but I have to say this in the hopes he may read my words; well done, Minister, and thank you! Thank you for protection our children when the faculty at Hogwarts would not! Thank you for showing us you care when Dumbledor remains silent in the face of this danger!
Everyone at the school remains quiet about the attacks, but also on the subject of the whereabouts of one Gilderoy Lockhart. No one has heard from him since the end of the last school year, and such a great wizard would not just up and disappear! It's as if he's forgotten who he really is! If you are reading this, Mr Lockhart, remember that we love you, we admire you, and we simply wish for your safe return to our hearts.
My dear readers, I hope I have set you at ease for sending your children off to Hogwarts once again, and may I wish each and every one of you a happy new school year. Concentrate on your studies, and, especially to Mr. Potter, don't getting into mischief!
Until next time, my faithful readers!
Rita Skeeter.
"That women is insane." Severus sighed, "Hogwarts is normally very safe. I wonder what extra precautions she's talking about?"
"She just can't leave things alone, has to keep poking the dragon." Lily shook her head.
"I'm sure the ministry wont do anything stupid." Hermione said,
"They might just put a few Aurors around the place to keep an eye on things and get Rita Skeeter to shut up." Nikka smiled.
"I hope so." Severus said, an edge of worry in his voice.
They finished their ice creams and headed into the book shop, there were a few new ones that he needed for that year. In the window there was a large cage filled with books that seemed to be enjoying ripping each other apart.
Hermione's face went white, "Do you think it going to do that to all my books?"
"Is it that one you need?" Severus asked looking concerned.
Hermione nodded, "The Monster Book of Monsters, it's for the Care of Magical Creatures class."
Harry frowned, "That's one I need to get as well."
They entered the shop and were greeted by the shopkeeper, his hair rather unkempt and one of his sleeves was badly torn.
"Hogwarts? Please tell you're both not needing one of those bloody books."
Lily glared at him, "Yes."
He looked sheepishly at them, "Sorry it's just, well you can see what they've done to my shirt, one of my best as well. I'm not stocking them again, I'm loosing a fortune with them eating each other, sell one and loose four!"
"Why don't you just put them in different cages?" Danica suggested innocently.
The shopkeeper frowned at her, "Well… I hadn't thought of that. But it would be a huge pain to try and build all those cages."
"You could always-" Danica began.
"I'll get the books out now." The shopkeeper said, grabbing out a large, metal gauntlet and marching over to the cage, "Two?"
"Yes please." Severus said, "I'll tie up the books, why don't you go and find the other ones you need."
Harry and Hermione nodded and wondered through the shop. Harry picked up a copy of 'Unfogging the Future' and looked at the cover, starting to doubt he'd made the right choice in picking such a hit and miss subject.
"Pass me one Harry." Hermione said.
Harry looked over to her full basket and frowned in confusion, "How many subjects are you planning on taking?"
"Of a fair few, I've got a lot of interests and don't want to narrow myself to soon." Hermione smiled.
"Basics of Muggle life." Harry said reading one of the book titles, "Really?"
"Yes." Hermione said, some what defensively, "I know I'm a muggle but learning about it from a magical point of view will be quiet interesting."
"Actually I was meaning it's meant to be a crap course. Mum took it for the same reason and then left half way through the year, said it was useless. But that was a lot of years ago so hopefully things will have changed." Harry smiled, he hadn't meant to put Hermione on the defensive.
Hermione gave a small smile and nodded. Severus came over carry two struggling books, tied shut with loops of blue twine.
"These should be fun to try and work with." he said plonking them on the counter.
"Well at least we know who's teaching." Harry grinned excitedly, "There's only one person I know who would like books like this. I should have known that Hagrid would be teaching Care of Magical Creatures."
"I told you he was going to be teaching." Lily said, shaking her head.
"Yeah but I didn't know what he'd be teaching." Harry clarified.
"I'm sure you'll find out for sure at the feast." Lily smiled, taking out her bag of coins and paying for the books.
They waited for Hermione to finishing paying and left the shop.
"When are you meeting your parents?" Sirius asked, leaving the book shop a few moments after them, Nikka carrying a small shopping bag, "Don't want them to think you've been kidnapped."
"At four. They meet me in muggle London, I think they feel a little overwhelmed coming here with me." She smiled.
"It can be very difficult, for muggle parents. I know that mine struggled and my sister, well, she still struggles." Lily gave a sad smile.
Sirius and Severus gave identical snots at the excuse of Petunia 'struggling' and rolled their eyes.
"On to quills and parchment?" Severus suggested before Lily could tell him and Sirius off.
Harry and Hermione walked down the street, swinging Danica between them.
The quill and parchment shop was old and dusty. Jars of quills sat on shelves, ranging from plain goose feathers to huge, bright peacock ones. Harry picked out a few new ones, including a glossy black raven quill and some smooth emerald green ink that shimmered slightly in the light.
Both Harry and Hermione loaded up on new parchment. Harry spotted a leather covered journal with a kitten embossed on the cover. He bought it and tucked it away before anyone could see.
Nikka was taking quills out of the jars and using them to tickle Danica to keep her busy. Sirius leaned causally against a bookcase and watched. He felt a warm glow grow inside of him watching the two girls play.
They paid and left the shop with neatly wrapped parcels. Hermione checked her watch and sighed,
"I'd best be going back. It's almost four, thank you so much for letting me tag along today."
"Any time." Lily told her, "We'll walk you back to the Leaky Cauldron."
They wondered back through the emptying streets and dropped Hermione off, watching the cars drive by. They waited until Mr and Mrs Granger arrived to take Hermione home before wondering back out to Diagon Ally, apparating home to put the shopping away and sit down for a large home cooked dinner that Kreacher had waiting for them.