Game Over▬RL 2

Flirt Properly

"I can't believe it. Did you suddenly win the luck lottery?" Remus asked in astonishment as they exited the grand halls of the Ministry.

"Normally, the man asks if he's won the luck lottery. Come on, Remus, flirt properly," Sirius teased as he threw his arm around his friend. Renee grabbed the opposite arm of the werewolf and in an instant, the three of them apparated away. As they materialized in the cozy living room, they were greeted by an unusual sight. Harry was sprawled on the sofa, and in his lap sat an old, weathered cat.

"I don't know where it came from, it just rushed in when I opened the door," Harry explained, carefully placing the cat on the cushion and rising to his feet.

"It can't be. That feline is nearly fifteen years old," Sirius remarked, wrinkling his nose as he examined the matted fur.

"Debra!" Renee exclaimed, rushing to scoop up the cat in her arms. "This is your cousin Harry. She was born the December before you were born," his aunt declared, pressing her face affectionately against the creature.

Remus lovingly reunited with his fiancée and tenderly caressed the fur on Debra's head. "I can't believe she's back. She disappeared right after you did."

She gently placed the cat on the counter and aimed her wand at her. "Sirius, could you please pick up some high-quality cat food? We want the best for her." In just a few moments, the cat was groomed and looking pristine.

"Are you a cat person?" Harry inquired uneasily, fidgeting beside his aunt, his eyes darting between the adults.

"Indeed, I am. Sirius made me think twice about getting a dog. He was quite difficult to train. Just ask Remus," she chuckled, as Remus grinned and walked into the library. "We should go to Diagon Alley and find you a new pet."

"Really?" His eyes sparkled at her as she filled a bowl with water and set it down in front of Debra, the anticipation of a new companion shining in his gaze.

"Yes! That's what we can do for your birthday. What else do you want to do?" Harry hadn't talked about his birthday much. Even though it was two days away. Renee thought this was the perfect opportunity to get him to suggest something, her voice laced with gentle excitement and affection

"I don't need to do anything. Haven't really done much for it anyway."

"Harry, we are going to give you the best birthday ever!" Renee gripped his shoulders and hesitated to pull him in for a hug. He stiffened, slowly lifting his hand to clap on her back.

"Sure, I'm going to go practice flying," he said, taking a step back from her. "Congratulations on not ending up in Azkaban," he added with a teasing tone, but his eyes betrayed showing a sense of relief.

✿

"Renee Potter! I saw the news in The Prophet but I didn't know if I should believe it." Glenda the shopkeeper at The Magical Menagerie greeted Renny with an excited hug, her eyes bright with enthusiasm as they swept over the woman

"Glenda! It's been so long. This is my nephew Harry." She introduced the boy and pulled him in front of her. Her body filled with excitement, as she finally got to introduce him as family.

"Oh! Mister Potter. What a pleasure to meet you!" Glenda's voice was warm and welcoming.

"Nice to meet you too. We're here to check out the animals." Harry's voice was hesitant yet curious, his eyes wandering over the enchanting creatures around him, absorbing the mystique of their presence.

"Of course! Of course, come on in. Pick whatever you want fifty percent off for Renee's nephew and the Boy Who Lived!" Glenda's offer was filled with the generosity of an open heart, the embrace of an old friend extended to a new one.

"I used to work here before I started Auror training." Renny's declaration carried the shadow and light of nostalgia, the memories of the shop interwoven with the path that led her to where she stood, a testament to growth and transformation.

"Oh cool!" Harry lifted a hand to touch the Puffskein. Its tongue darted out towards him reaching for his nostril. He ducked out of the way almost making it out untouched.

"Oh, watch those nasty guys. They really like bogeys." Renee cracked up as he wiped his cheek where the creature had slobbered.

"Do you think Dumbledore will let me bring a Niffler to school?" Harry asked as he stood in front of them. His smile widened at all the possibilities.

As she gazed at the majestic Great Grey Owl, she said, "I highly doubt that. What about getting a new owl?" After giving the owl a treat, she shifted her attention to her nephew.

"Oh, I don't know. I just thought that you'd come back with me," Harry's gaze wandered to the floor and Renee sighed, her heart tightening in her chest.

"I would love to visit Harry but now that it's out in the open, it wouldn't be safe for me to be around all of the time," she explained.

"Right, yeah, I guess you will want to live a bit too," he acknowledged.

"Harry, there's nowhere in this world I'd rather be than with you. Honestly, you're as dramatic as your father. Now get a pet so we can go home," she exclaimed, with a smile that was mirrored by Harry.

"Maybe I will get the owl. But I want you to visit sometimes too. As yourself or as Hedwig."

"Of course Little Fawn! You won't be getting rid of me that easy." The fourteen-year-old noticed the nickname. One he had no recollection of hearing but he had seen written down so many times with his baby pictures.

"Is your patronus the same as your animagus?" He asked as they wandered down Diagon Alley. Now with a birdcage in hand.

"Mine is, but patronuses can change."

"Remus has an owl patronus. Did his change to that or was it always the same as yours?" Renny looked over bewildered.

"Oh, um. Yeah, his would have changed. It was a wolf when we were growing up." She explained trying to cover her amazement. Remus and her had been apart for so long. And he had loved her the whole time. Renee doesn't recall the last time she saw his patronus but she knows it was a wolf.

"What's my mum's patronus?" Harry asked as they neared the floo.

"Lily's was a Doe, your parents were destined to be together."