Raising Harry

Chapter Two: New Life

~November 11, 1981~ 

A week of slow resettling and processing the death of their friends.

"Hey Remus, I think we should head to Hogsmeade and get Harry a broom." Sirius says, one sunny afternoon. "Ya' know, give 'em a head start on the competition."

"I'm pretty sure one year olds can't fly a broom padfoot." Remus replies, not looking up from his book.

"He can walk, he can fly. I'm pretty sure Bowie said that. But let's ask Harry what he thinks." Sirius leans over to the couch where Harry is sitting, playing with the tassels on one of the many pillows.  "How 'bout it Harry. A new broom? You want padfoot and uncle moony to buy you a new broom?" A bubbly laugh sounds from Harry, making Sirius smile. "I take that as a yes." He swoops Harry up in his arms and bounces his up into the air. Remus looks up from his book, watching Sirius throw laughing Harry up into the air and catching him.

"I'll go get our wallets." Remus mumbles.

Sirius, holding Harry in one arm and a bag of sweets from Honeydukes, points out the broom shop on his left. "We're going to get you the best broom, right there." Where Sirius is pointing to the shop window, laid a glossy wood handle with thin striped bristles. The newest broom model. "Right moony?" 

"The best of the best." Remus replies looking to Harry, then looking to Sirius. "We should get some Christmas presents while we're out."

Sirius clears his throat, "Who do we have to buy for besides Harry?" Remus could tell it was hard for Sirius to talk about Christmas, it was hard for Remus too. "Well, the Weasleys and should probably should send something to Mary." Remus replies, trying to think of the people they know. "Grant as well."

"Yeah, probably a good idea. Let's get Harry's broom first." Sirius and Remus, along with Harry, walk into to the broom shop. 

"That'd be 120 galleons. I can add another 20 galleons for a name embossed on the handle." The shopkeeper bargains. 

Sirius looks to Remus raising his eyebrows, "Can we?" Remus hands the man 20 more galleons, "Harry Potter." The shopkeeper takes the galleons, pauses and looks up. "Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?"

"Yes sir." Sirius responds. The man is stunned and looks to Harry smiling in Sirius' arms.

"I-it's a pleasure to be in his presence. I'll be right back with your broom." The shopkeeper says, walking away with the broom. 

The man returns with the broom with Harry Potter embossed in gold on the handle. The man returns 10 galleons to Remus, "Half off for the boy who lived." He wraps the broom in brown paper , ties it with a bow, and hands the broom to Remus. Sirius and Remus thank the man and exit the shop. 

They continue through Hogsmeade walking into shops every once and while. There was no luck in finding anything for Mary or Grant. Deciding to take a break, they sat down on a bench and rifled through their Honeydukes purchase. Remus pops a few chocolates in his mouth and gives one to Harry. Sirius opens his mouth and Remus throws one to him, catching it in his mouth. "We could get the Weasleys something from Honeydukes. I'm sure their kids would love that, even their new one. What's his name again?" Sirius says with a mouth full. 

"Ron. I think." Remus ponders for a moment.

They make their way for a second trip to Honeydukes. Picking up multiple chocolate frogs, cauldron cakes, sugar quills, fizzing wizzbees, and Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans for the Weasleys. 

"I think we should head back to the house, put Harry down for a nap." Remus says, noticing Harry struggling to keep his head up and eyes open. 

Sirius, in his animagus form, is snuggled up on the couch with a snoring Harry. Remus sits beside  them reading a book. Until Remus hears Sirius' loud doggish snore, he pauses his reading and pulls a blanket over them. Remus walks to the kitchen to grab a drink. Opening the cupboards, he finds a bottle of scotch. He takes the bottle and two glasses, in case Sirius wakes. Walking back to the couch he pours himself a glass and sips the sharp substance. Peering over his shoulder, he sees a pair of yellow eyes staring at him. 

"Awake padfoot?" Remus asks rhetorically. Sirius moves away from Harry, careful not to wake him and transforms back to his normal form. "Where did you find this stuff?" Sirius asks, pouring himself a glass.

"Cupboard. Dumbledore must of left it here." Remus replies. 

"It's strong. I like it." Sirius says in awe. Just then, an owl flies in through the window and drops off a letter. Remus sets his glass down and opens the letter. 

The Lupin and Black Household,

Peter Pettigrew has broken out of Azkaban with the help of multiple death eaters. We will be holding an Order meeting on the 12th of November. You will be given more information, but for the time-being, stay in the safe house.

~A. Dumbledore

Remus looks to Sirius and hand him the letter. Sirius looks over the parchment and looks back at Remus, "Pass me more of that scotch."