Unity & Perseverance

Diagon Alley

A/N: Next Chapter: A new year at Hogwarts starts, with exciting new prospects.

Harry was soon transported to the Leaky Cauldron, where the others had ended up. They waited with bated breath for Sirius to come through. The Leaky Cauldron wasn't actually that busy, there were only a few people at the bar who were either engrossed in their newspapers or in their cups. As they waited, Tom the landlord waved at him "You alright, 'Arry?" The bent-crooked man called out in friendly welcome.

"Yeah, good thanks, Tom." He replied cheerily.

Remus meandered over to him. "You think Sirius will chicken out?" He said half-heartedly.

Harry laughed, "Nah, he'll come through. The fact that the bar's quite quiet will surely give him some confidence."

Sirius did come through, and Tom kind of ruined the landmark moment when he almost dropped a tankard in surprise, "Bloody hell, if it isn't the man himself!" which caused the two men that were at the bar to turn in their seats. They quietly conversed amongst themselves, but they didn't seem that bothered.

"Tom, how are you? It's been years." Sirius said with a grin, going to shake Tom's hand as if they were old pals.

"By golly gosh, I cheered so loud when the Ministry declared you innocent, Sirius! I knew all along ye wouldn't ever betray yer friends!" Tom was almost in tears with delight. The landlord was so happy to see him that he declared that from now on, Sirius would get charged nothing at all if he ever stopped by at the Leaky Cauldron.

When they eventually managed to step out onto the High Street, it was fairly busy with either parents or students shopping for Hogwarts supplies. The adults stayed back a bit from them, but still stayed fairly close. Ron spoke from behind him, "Where do you want to go first, mate?"

Harry pulled his booklist out. "Shall we get the books out of the way?"

They all went to Flourish and Blotts together, with Mr Weasley, Tonks and Remus staying outside. Harry got all of his within five or ten minutes, but decided to also stock up on some other books. He found a book all about Defence, and another on Duelling, so added that to his basket. He even found a book on Quidditch, which gave hints, tips, maneuvers and tactics for all four of the positions (which he planned to give to Ron). Satisfied he had everything, Sirius gave him adequate money to pay. He noticed people gradually started to notice Sirius's presence, and he even overheard some mothers gushing over how attractive his godfather was. Harry wasn't sure whether he wanted to laugh or vomit. What was a few people became quite a number, for they started surrounding him and speaking to him. They waited almost ten minutes for Sirius to finally become free of the circle he was entrapped in before they left the shop.

Harry, Ron, Amelia, Dorea, Fred and George went to the Quidditch shop next, as Hermione and Ginny went to the clothes shop with Tonks. Harry only planned on browsing, since Ron was thinking of getting a new Cleansweep as his present for becoming Prefect. "Gosh, this is nothing on your Firebolt, but have you seen the speed and braking on this?!" Ron gushed over the one in the window display.

They didn't even notice Sirius behind them. "I could always get a Nimbus for you, Ron, or a Fir-"

"Sirius Black, you will not!" They hadn't noticed Mrs Weasley either.

"Oh Molly, come off it," Sirius reasoned, "I have plenty of money that needs spending."

"Oi, Sirius, fancy getting us new Beater's gear?" Fred and George called out from a nearby aisle.

"No, Sirius, you've done enough for us to last a lifetime." Mrs Weasley insisted.

"Oh mum, can you please let Sirius get me a Nimbus?" Ron pleaded, "I can't wait to see Malfoy's face as I rock up on one of the expensive brooms."