A Taste of Magic

Chapter 30: 30th Course - Bitter and Sweet

Diagon Alley felt a little different to Harry, despite having visited a few weeks prior for his birthday.

People walked around with a faint sense of unease. There were posters of a man hanging on the walls, all asking people to alert the authorities if they saw the wanted man: Sirius Black. People looked at the posters and whispered among themselves. If Harry had not been forewarned, he would have been quite unsettled.

When he arrived at Diagon to purchase school supplies, he was pleasantly surprised to find Remus waiting for him in the Leaky Cauldron. The man had sent Harry a message asking when Harry was going and had shown up to be with him. When Harry asked him why, Remus had hesitated for a moment before he took Harry to one side.

"Sirius Black," he said slowly with a very strange expression on his face, "broke out of Britain's Wizarding prison: Azkaban. He is one of the only people to have successfully done so and it is rumored he might be around here if not moving more northward."

"Why did he go to prison?" Harry asked, shocked.

"He murdered many people, a wizard named Peter Pettigrew, and many Muggles. It happened at the end of the last war," Remus said quietly.

"Why?" Harry could not help but ask.

Remus rubbed his face. "I…cannot say. Not right now, not here. Forgive me."

"Sure, of course." He gave Remus a considering look. "But why are you here with me?"

"I did not want you to be in such a public space alone," Remus said.

"Is he coming after me or something?" Harry said, half-joking. His smile died at Remus' very serious look. "Really?"

"There's a possibility," Remus admitted. "One of the rumors is that he is going to Hogwarts for some reason."

"But why me?" Harry asked, starting to panic a little.

"I do not know," Remus said sadly. "Neither does anyone really. That being said, we are fully prepared to protect you."

"I believe that," Harry said weakly, "but, it's still worrying."

"I'd be worried for your mental state if you didn't find it so," Remus smiled gently, making Harry smile as well. "As someone who has lived with fear and concern for many years, try not to let it ruin times of peace. Besides, I did not just wish to accompany you to watch out for you. I wanted to spend time with you outside of class and school, and I need to get you a belated birthday gift."

"Oh you don't have to," Harry protested.

"Ah but I do, I have missed so many." Remus patted Harry's shoulder warmly. "Come! Let's enjoy the day."

Despite the slightly grim start and that general sense of unease, it was an enjoyable day. Remus was fun to talk to while they shopped. He pointed out some helpful books for the coming year and beyond and his gift to Harry was purchasing said books. Remus shared more stories of his parents as they shopped and walked, precious moments of memory that Harry committed to his. They had a nice late lunch at the Cauldron and Remus waited with him for Vernon to come get him.

"Thank you, Remus," Harry said brightly. "I had a good day."

"Excellent," Remus smiled back. "Do be careful before returning to Hogwarts. If you need anyone, send Hedwig or call for Inky. I believe I heard her coming to your aid last year?"