Harry Potter: The Last Exodus

Unexpected Encounters

The warmth of the Weasley manor was inviting, with laughter and the scent of freshly baked pies filling the air. Fred, George, and Sirius had just settled in the parlor when a loud knock echoed from the door.

"Expecting anyone?" Sirius asked with a raised eyebrow.

Fred smirked, glancing at George. "Not exactly, but knowing our crowd, it's likely one of our more... 'unusual' visitors."

The door opened to reveal a young man with a slightly crooked grin and an easygoing air about him. Max Russo strolled in, his curiosity obvious as he took in the room. He spotted Sirius right away, eyes widening with intrigue.

"Whoa, who's the cool dude with the long hair?" Max said, flashing a grin as he sauntered over. "You must be new around here. I'm Max Russo—local... well, you could say local magician and sandwich enthusiast."

Sirius chuckled, leaning back with a gleam in his eye. "Sirius Black. Let's just say I'm reacquainting myself with the world... or worlds, I suppose."

Max's eyes twinkled with intrigue. "Ah, a man of mystery. I knew I'd feel right at home around here," he said, plopping onto the arm of a nearby chair. "You ever been to Jester's Juggling Center? It's my own spin on a place for a little harmless chaos—think exploding sandwiches, gravity-reversed tables, you name it."

Fred chimed in, grinning. "Max here gives us a bit of competition, especially with his sandwiches. Almost stole our business last month, didn't you, Max?"

Max held up his hands in mock innocence. "Hey, hey, there's room enough in this town for all kinds of mischief. Besides, I've got my hands full making sure people survive their lunches."

Sirius chuckled, immediately drawn to Max's mischievous spirit. "I like the way you think, Max. We might get along well enough to cook up a bit of trouble ourselves."

Max's grin grew wider. "I knew I liked you, Sirius. So, I'm guessing you're joining these two geniuses in their... let's call it 'creative business ventures'?"

Fred and George exchanged a look, and Fred nodded. "He's got a knack for the dramatic flair, so we thought Sirius would fit in with our world quite nicely."

Sirius leaned forward, excitement in his eyes. "It's been years since I had the chance to be part of something this... lively. And with all of you, I think we could make magic that's not just entertaining, but maybe even legendary."

Max let out an impressed whistle. "With you three working together, I'm not sure Staros—or any other city, for that matter—is going to know what hit them."

George tapped his chin, a smile creeping onto his face. "Max, you know, maybe we should all work on a joint project. Imagine it—a combination of Weasley's Wizardry World chaos, Jester's Juggling Center flair, and some Mischief Memory Mayhem from the Marauders."

Max's eyes lit up as he leaned forward, nodding eagerly. "I love it! We can call it... 'The Ultimate Prank Experience!' Or maybe something a bit subtler, like... 'The Mischief League.'"

Sirius chuckled, his gaze shifting between the three of them as they brainstormed. The thrill of planning and the spark of possibility felt like magic in itself. This wasn't just business; it was a chance to build a life filled with laughter, creativity, and connection.

Fred patted Sirius on the back. "Welcome to the crew, Sirius. With you onboard, there's no limit to what we can do."

As they continued discussing ideas deep into the night, Sirius realized he had truly found his place.