The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Chapter Three: First Meetings

August 5, 1971

Professor McGonagall stood in the small courtyard behind The Leaky Cauldron. Lily and her parents stood behind, all three watching in wide-eyed fascination as she tapped the bricks with her wand and the bricks moved to reveal the entrance into Diagon Alley.

A few hours ago they had arrived at the West Street Market just down the road from their house. Petunia had to spend the day with the neighbors, since it would probably just upset her seeing Diagon Alley. At least, that's what Lily's parents thought. Lily had a feeling that Petunia would have loved to see what Lily was experiencing, or perhaps not.

At the market, they had met Professor McGonagall who had explained everything to them, answering their questions. After a nice conversation over some tea and biscuits, she had led them to the Leaky Cauldron and to the back entrance. She had given them a map to navigate Diagon Alley and it even had little red fingers pointing to where they could get everything.

She faced them. "Welcome to Diagon Alley. Here you can purchase all the supplies you need." She smiled a tight lipped smile, as though she wasn't all that used to smiling. "This is where I'll leave you. You'll be perfectly safe and to get back, the entrance will open up when you approach it. If you go straight ahead," she pointed, "to Gringotts, you can exchange your Muggle currency for wizarding coins."

"Thank you, Professor," Richard said, smiling and shaking her head.

"Yes, thank you so much. We're so proud of Lily," Rosemary said, hugging Lily around her shoulders, smiling proudly down at her.

Lily smiled up at her mother and then looked at Professor McGonagall. "I'm going to be the top of the class," Lily exclaimed and a small real smile appeared on the professor's lips.

"I hope you do. Well, I must really be going. See you at Hogwarts, Miss Evans." And with that, Professor McGonagall walked back into the pub and the Evans faced the long street of Diagon Alley. It was crowded with students, parents, and other witches and wizards going about their daily business.

"Well, here we go," Richard said and they took their first step into Diagon Alley. "She said to go to Gringotts. I suppose that crooked building is it."

They began walking through the crowded street, Lily looking around in fascination at all the different shops. The animals, the people, it was all amazing. She wished that Petunia could have come, but her parents had said she wasn't feeling well.

As they walked into Gringotts, Lily let out a little squeak of surprise as she saw the goblins. "Blimey!"

"Muggles? This way please," one of the goblins motioned them up to the long counter. Her mother looked nervously around at all the goblins while her father was grinning, taking it all in.

Richard took out the money he had brought to buy Lily's things and set it on the counter. The goblin took it, counting and then pushed a pile of gold, bronze, and silver coins towards them.

"The gold coins are Galleons, the silver coins are Sickles, and the bronze coins are Knuts," the goblin explained.

"Sounds easy enough," Richard said, scooping the coins into a pouch that was given to him by the goblin. "Thank you, sir."

He took Lily's hand, and looked comfortingly at Rosemary. "It's alright, Rosemary, they won't hurt you."

Rosemary, however, had a look on her face that clearly said she didn't want to be in there any longer, so Richard led them out of the bank. Lily kept looking back at the goblins, wanting to learn more about them and talk to some of them.

As they stepped out of Gringotts, Richard looked at Lily. "Do you have your list?"

Lily nodded and pulled out her supplies list. "First, I need three sets of robes, a pointed hat, dragon hide gloves and a winter cloak."

Her parents looked around as they walked. "Robes....aha, that looks like a place," Richard said, pointing a Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

As they entered the shop, a small bell tinkled and a medium-height slender witch bustled out of the back of the shop. A bright smile appeared on her face as she saw her visitors. She brushed a strand of her fly away hair from her face. "Hello! I'm Madam Malkin. Hogwarts dear?"

"Yes," Lily said, nodding excitedly, a grin on her face.

"Right then! We'll get you fitted up straight away. Come with me, your parents can wait here in the lounge." Lily looked back at her parents, who nodded, smiling and followed Madam Malkin down a short hallway and into a large fitting room. There were step-stools lined up in front of a long row of mirrors. "Just step up right here. I'll go get you some cloth." Madam Malkin bustled out of the room.

Lily stepped up onto the stool and looked around at the walls covered in cloth and robes as she waited for Madam Malkin to return. Her gaze landed on a tall brown-haired girl that was being fitted up next to her by another witch. The girl caught her gaze and grinned. "Hi! I'm Jaina LeMay, you going to Hogwarts too then?"

Lily nodded. "I'm Lily Evans."

"Wizard." At that moment, the witch stood up and magically took the robes off of Jaina and folded them up.

"They'll be up front for you," the witch said.

Jaina nodded, looking at her. "Thanks." The witch left and Jaina turned back to Lily. "Are both your parents wizarding folk then?"

Lily shook her head. "No, they're Muggles. So is my sister."

"Where are they?"

"My parents are out in the lounge, my sister stayed at home."

"Jaina! We've got to get your books!" a female voice called from down the hall.

"That would be Mum," Jaina said, smiling. "Wicked meeting you, Lily. I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express!" Jaina hopped down from the stool and ran out.

"Bye!"

Madam Malkin came back at that moment as well, and began fitting Lily for her robes. "That should do it, dear. Anything else I can get for you?"

"I need a winter cloak and a hat."

Madam Malkin smiled. "That's easy enough, dear. I'll be back shortly."

A little over fifteen minutes later, Lily stood outside Madam Malkins, the packages that held her clothing in her arms. They were walking by Florean Fortescue's when Lily spotted a huge strawberry ice cream cone. "Mum? Dad? Can I have one? Please?"

Rosemary and Richard both smiled. "I don't see why not," Richard said and handed a few Sickles to Lily. She handed her father the packages in return and headed over to the counter. She was turning away with her cone in her hands when she nearly ran into a boy that was turning as well.

"Oh, sorry!" he said, nearly dropping the cone in his hands. Lily reached out and helped prevent that occurrence. "Thanks!"

She smiled. "You're welcome."

The boy smiled back and then glanced over at Lily's parents. "Are they your parents?"

She nodded. "Where are yours?"

The boy pointed over to two people who stood out in the street chatting with two other adults. "Are you going to Hogwarts too?"

Lily looked back at him and smiled brightly. "Yes I am! I can't wait!" She was getting excited just thinking about it.

"Me neither." The boy grinned. "I almost didn't get in; I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't."

"Wow. Oh, I'm Lily Evans." She chuckled. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine." The boy took a lick of his ice cream which reminded Lily of the melting strawberry in her hands. She took a lick. "I'm Peter Pettigrew."

"Lily! We should get going!" she heard her mother call.

"Mum's calling." She smiled. "I'm glad to meet you, Peter. I'll see you on the train?"

Peter nodded, still grinning. "You bet!"

"Brilliant! Bye!" Lily ran back to her parents, trying to lick the strawberry that was oozing down her fingers.

"Who was that boy?" Rosemary asked as they began walking again.

"His name is Peter Pettigrew. He's going to Hogwarts too!" Lily grinned.

"Wonderful."

"Now how about we get your books," Richard said, smiling. Lily nodded and they headed towards Flourish and Blotts, Richard looking at the map McGonagall had given them.

~***~

Remus wandered down the long isles in Flourish and Blotts, running a finger over the bindings. He paused at one entitled, Personality Potions. He smirked. Romulus could use one of those. He continued his walk until he heard voices nearby. He paused, listening.

"Where do you suppose we can find Magical Theory?" a man's voice asked.

Remus stepped out, looking at the two adults. There was a girl with them with long red hair and when she turned to look around he noticed her bright green eyes. "If you're looking for Magical Theory, it's just down that isle." He pointed and the mother smiled.

"Thank you. Come, Lily, let's get that book. It'll be the last on your list," the mother said, ushering the girl forward. Remus watched as they walked by and didn't stop until they had disappeared around the corner of one of the rows.

He looked down at the book in his hands, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and then walked over to where a few large comfy arm chairs had been set up by a fireplace. Since it was summer still, there was no fire, but Remus knew it'd be a cozy place in the winter. Curling up in one of the chairs, he opened the book and began reading, his thoughts drifting.

His mother had needed to buy a few things from the Apothecary and he had asked to go with her. She had been surprised but hid it well. Now he was spending his time in the book store, waiting for her to come back. When he was reading, it always seemed to help him get away from anything that was bothering him. And his brother constantly grated on his nerves. One of these days, he'd blow up at Romulus, and he wouldn't feel one shred of guilt. He'd had a temper since he'd been four. It wasn't uncommon when he was little that he and his brother would get in all out wrestling and yelling matches. Remus tried to keep his temper under control, however, because especially when he was nearing the full moon, he could become very snappish and had hurt his mother's feelings once when he hadn't controlled his anger.

"Is that interesting?" a voice broke his thoughts and he looked up to see the girl from earlier. What was her name... Lily?

"This?" he asked, startled, glancing at the book in his hands. He was still on the same page he had been on earlier. "Very."

She smiled, taking a seat on the armrest. "Can I see?"

"Sure." Remus handed her the book and he watched as she flipped through the pages, obvious excitement on her face. "You really like reading?" He mentally hit himself. Of course she likes reading, dimwit, why would she be so excited about a book otherwise?

She looked at him, nodding. She smiled. "It's one of my favorite things to do. And I just got my books for Hogwarts so I know I'll be reading them cover to cover."

Remus chuckled. "You'll have it all memorized before school begins."

Lily blushed. "It's just really interesting."

Remus smiled. "I know, it's like that for me too."

She looked down at the book, flipping through a few pages. "I wonder what it's like to meet a unicorn."

"They're not really that interesting, mostly stuck up."

She looked at him, her eyes wide. "You've met one?"

Remus nodded. "In the forest by where I live. But unicorns don't really like wizards, they prefer witches. But they're still not my favorite animal."

"What is?"

"A puffskein."

"What's that?"

"It's this furry little creature that fits in the palm of your hand." He was making hand motions as he spoke. "Its fur is like silk and its purr is so loud. Just like a kitten. It's one of the sweetest magical creatures and as long as you're kind to it, it's perfect."

"Wow," she whispered, smiling. "I wish I could see one."

"You just might."

"Brilliant." She looked down at the book and began reading one of the pages. Remus watched her, smiling. He felt extremely happy. Here, finally, was someone else that he could really relate to, and they weren't judging him at all. Of course he was cautious, but that didn't mean he had to hide from everyone. His mother's words finally seemed to have struck a chord inside of him and getting that Hogwarts letter had helped tremendously, even if he hadn't shown it. Romulus was wrong. He wasn't a failure, he was not a freak. Yes, he was a werewolf, but as long as no one ever found out, he could at least live a semi-normal life. And sitting here, with Lily, was making a world of difference. She was like his first friend, if he could count her as that just yet.

"What?"

Remus blinked, realizing he had just been watching her. "Oh, sorry." He smiled. "I was just thinking."

"That's okay." She smiled.

"Lily!" Lily looked up to see her mother walking towards them. Remus followed her gaze. "Lily, dear, it's getting late and we should head back home."

Lily nodded, standing. "One minute, mum." She turned to Remus, handing him back his book. She smiled. "Thanks. By the way, I'm Lily Evans."

Remus smiled. "Remus Lupin."

"Pleasure. I'll see you on the train then?"

He nodded. "See you then."

She smiled, giving him a little wave. "Bye!" He watched as she left with her mother. He smiled. Maybe this entire going to school thing wasn't going to be as bad as he had thought.

~***~

August 15, 1971

Sirius slouched in one of the vast leather arm chairs that decorated much of 12 Grimmwald Place. A roaring fire cast light from the hearth, even if it was the end of summer. His mother, Mabelene Black was always cold, if a bit insane, much like her sister-in-law, Cassiopeia. In Sirius' opinion, the entire family was messed up, in more ways then one, except of course, for his Uncle Alphard, the only person who seemed to understand Sirius.

His eyes flicked to the flames, the light casting shadows on his tanned face. The long curtains that decorated the windows were shut, they always were. The entire manor was dark, cold, and not the least bit inviting. His insane aunt, Elladora, would keep to herself. The house elves that went to serve her never came back and he wasn't surprised. He knew that if she didn't like a house elf, she beheaded it. It was disgusting.

The only thing he actually could look forward to when he was home and not over at the Potters, were his cousins. The eldest, at thirteen, Bellatrix, was a dark beauty, with black hair and cold black eyes. The middle, at eleven, Andromeda, was lively and always interested in how everything worked and the whys of the world, and always seen with a grin on her face. With long auburn hair and blue eyes, she could bring everyone's gaze to her, but she was nothing compared to the youngest, Narcissa. Narcissa, at nine years old, was an extraordinarily beautiful child. Shimmering gold locks, the bluest eyes, and fair skin, she could make a room come to a complete stop.

Sirius got along very well with Andromeda and Narcissa, but Bellatrix had always been one to keep to herself. He knew that his father and her would be locked in his study for hours, working on dark magic and Sirius wouldn't be surprised if she grew up to become a dark witch, just like his brother, Regulus, was already well on his way in the Dark Arts. Of course, the way he saw it, he wouldn't get along with his two cousins, or barely with his parents if they knew he was friends with James. Of course, if it hadn't been for that incident three years ago, Sirius probably wouldn't be friends with James at the moment either ....

Sirius stood in the shadows of the line of buildings that walled in Diagon Alley. He was waiting for his father to come out of Gringotts, as he had some business transactions to do. Sirius, of course, was far happier outside, for he was always cooped up in the manor. Though if he'd have had his way, he'd be with Narcissa and Andromeda, playing a game of Exploding Snap or Gobstones. He was getting quite good at both, though Andromeda would always beat him repeatedly in wizards chess.

"Get away from her!" a voice broke Sirius out of his reverie. He straightened, glanced around, before heading towards the source of the voice. He neared the entrance into Knockturn Alley, a place he had frequently visited with his father. When he rounded the corner, he saw a tall boy kicking a girl on the ground. It seemed she was in the throes of some sort of curse and when he saw her twitching, he realized that it was a Dark Magic curse. It wasn't an Unforgivable but it was near nasty enough.

The boy that had shouted was shorter, thin, and had glasses that seemed to have gone askew on his face. He was trying to get the boy away, but as Sirius knew that this kid couldn't be much older than him, if that, the boy couldn't use magic without getting in trouble. The older boy that was cursing the girl had to have graduated; there was stubble on his chin. Sirius watched as the boy grabbed at the older boy, furious. Then he noticed Sirius.

"Going to help him, Black?"

Sirius was startled at first but then realized the boy must know him because of the many dinners that they always attended. He didn't recognize the boy, but the boy obviously knew him and by the scowl on his face, didn't like him one bit. Probably because Sirius was a Black and Blacks used Dark Magic.

Sirius didn't answer and, being the burly boy he was, strode up to the tall boy who seemed to have stopped the curse momentarily. The boy turned and looked at him. "You want some of this too?" He sneered.

"Not at the moment." And Sirius punched the boy soundly in the face, making the surprised boy stumble back, his wand dropping as his hands went to his face.

"You'll pay for that, you slimy git."

"How are you going to do that without this?" Sirius smirked, holding the boy's wand. "Go fetch." He threw it up, making it land in a nearby gutter. The boy lunged at him and Sirius, having fought with his brother so much, knew the basics in hand to hand defense. He grabbed the boy in a head lock, bringing him down onto his knees. "You were saying?"

The boy scrabbled at the arm around his neck, trying to get away, but Sirius had him good. Finally, he gave up and Sirius threw him into a wall, the boy stunned. He walked over to the girl, helping her to her feet. "Are you okay?" She looked at him, terrified and pulled from his grasp. She ran for it, disappearing into the shadows. "You're welcome!" he shouted after her. Then he caught the boy with glasses looking at him curiously. "Yeah?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what? Beat up that bully? Because he shouldn't do that."

The boy eyed him. "Aren't you a Black?"

"Sirius Black, to be specific."

The boy didn't say anything for a while and then offered his hand. "James Potter."

"Nice to meet you." Sirius shook his hand. He smirked. "A Potter? Saving the day, I suppose."

"Trying." There was a hint of a smile on James' face and Sirius was about to ask him what he was doing at the moment when he heard,

"Sirius!"

It was his father. "I've got to go." Sirius gave a little wave. "Hopefully I'll see you around." And he was gone...

Sirius smiled slightly at the memory. He and James had seen each other a few other times after that. Sirius had had to prove himself about three more times before he and James became friends. He grinned, thinking of the dinner party that they had been forced to.

"Time to liven things up," Sirius muttered to himself, grinning as he stood in the kitchen at the Malfoys. There was a huge dinner party that night and all the families were there, even the Potters, though Sirius knew that his father would have preferred them not to be there. But it was the yearly routine and with the darkness looming over the horizon, he knew that even the nosy Potters would want to be there. Of course, James wasn't that bad, after the past few times he had run into James in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, they had talked a little. But that didn't mean his parents were going to act just like him. James had said Sirius was going to meet his parents one of these days when no other Slytherin families were around. Sirius dreaded that day.

Sirius turned his attention back to the huge pudding. Grinning like mad, he took out some wet-start fireworks with his added touch, a small timer. They'd go off in exactly two minutes, just in time for desert.

"What are you -" Sirius spun to see James and sagged in relief.

"James! Don't sneak up on me like that." He eyed James. "You're not going to rat on me, are you?"

James smirked. "Are you kidding? I had my own plan." He held up a dungbomb and Sirius snickered.

"Perfect. Put it in here too." Sirius lifted the fold where he had put the fireworks and James slid the dungbomb in. Sirius fixed up the pudding and at that moment, someone could be heard coming into the kitchen. Sirius grabbed James' hand and pulled him into a hiding crouch behind a counter. He had to put his hand over his mouth to cover his snickers as the lady took the pudding out.

"Three... two...one," he whispered and it was followed nearly immediately by shrieks. James was snickering too.

"That'll show the Malfoys."

They snuck out.

No one ever found out who had rigged the pudding, but it had been from then on that James and Sirius started to become better friends. Needless to say, when Sirius met Bryon and Samantha, it hadn't gone that badly. And within a year; Sirius had been sneaking out to James' house. Since then, they had grown extremely close and the Potters had adopted him like a second son.

"Sirius!"

Sirius glanced over at the door and saw Narcissa run into the room. She was shaking frantically at something attached to her hand and immediately Sirius was on his feet, meeting her half way across the vast room. She was nearly in tears.

"Shh, shh, it's alright, here, let me see." Sirius knelt down in front of her and wrapped his hands around the furry creature that didn't seem to want to let go of her hand. He stroked it and felt it vibrate in his hands, purring and consequently letting go of her hand. He smiled down at the puffskein, petting it. It was purring loudly now. He looked up at Narcissa. "Let me see your hand."

She sniffed, wiping some tears from her eyes but handed him her hand. He checked it but there was no bleeding. There were two little dents where the puffskein had attached to her hand, but they would be gone soon enough. "I was just playing in the garden when it bit me."

"You'll be fine." Sirius set the puffskein down in the chair next to them.

She smiled at him. "Thanks, Sirius." She flung her arms around his neck and he smiled, hugging her back.

"Narcissa! It's time for tea!" Sirius heard Cassiopeia call from the other room.

Sirius pulled back. "Run off to your mum."

"Okay. Bye Sirius!" She ran off and he stood, smiling. That was one of the few times he actually enjoyed being in that house. He sighed, his smile disappearing. He doubted that young innocence would last much longer, not if his parents had anything to do with it.

"Sirius! Did you read this book yet? It's wizard!"

Sirius looked over to see Andromeda running in, grinning. She held one of her books for Hogwarts in her hand.

"Can't say I have. Reading isn't my thing."

"I love this. It's so interesting and it talks about the goblin rebellions and the past dueling tournaments and all the famous wizards and witches!" Andromeda rambled on, making wild motions with her free hand.

Sirius just smiled and nodded and when she paused to catch a breath, he said, "Brilliant, Andromeda."

She just grinned and ran back out. Sirius was pretty sure she'd pounce on Uncle Alphard next to tell him all about what she was reading. But before anyone else came in to talk to him, he was going to get out of there. Bryon was taking him and James to Hogsmeade for a treat and Bryon hinted that he had something special for them. Without a glance back, Sirius left, remembering to take the puffskein out and release it.

~***~

"Come on, Dad, can't you tell me yet?" James prodded, trying to get Bryon to tell him what was in the mysterious packages under Bryon's robes.

"You'll see eventually." Bryon laughed. "Once Sirius gets here, we'll go to Hogsmeade."

"Now?"

"Soon."

James rolled his eyes slightly. "You've been saying that for the past hour."

"And I'm not answering with anything else." Bryon grinned.

"Dad!"

"James!"

If the door hadn't opened and Sirius hadn't walked in at that moment, James would probably have wrestled his dad for the packages or at least attempted. Though he knew he would have lost.

"Am I interrupting something?" Sirius asked with a grin.

"Just father and son bonding," Bryon said with a grin and reached to ruffled James' hair, who pulled away, trying to look angry.

"Dad! Not the hair!"

"Not like it'll make a difference," Sirius said and he and Bryon laughed. James fumed.

"Oh stop acting all sour," Bryon said. "We're going to Hogsmeade, cheer up. Meet me in the living room when you're ready." He left and Sirius turned to James.

"So what was all that about?" Sirius asked.

"Dad has two packages under his cloak and he won't tell me what they are."

"Well, the sooner we get to Hogsmeade, the sooner we get to find out." Sirius nudged James. "Come on." He nudged him again and kept nudging James until the shorter boy pushed back slightly.

"You're annoying, you know that?"

Sirius grinned. "You know it."

James rolled his eyes. "Better than anyone else. When you get pushed off a cliff by some anonymous person you annoyed to death, don't come whining to me." But there was a laughing smirk on his face as he walked towards the living room.

"Of course not." Sirius laughed and then paused, looking confused. "Wait, how am I supposed to be pushed off a cliff by someone dead?" But he was alone in the front hall now.

"Are you coming, Sirius?" came Bryon's voice from the living room, startling Sirius from his ponderings.

"Yeah!" He ran into the living room, skidding to a stop between Bryon and James, who stood in front of the roaring fire in the fireplace.

"James, you first."

James nodded, taking a handful of powder and stepped into the flames. "The Three Broomsticks!" And he was gone in a blaze of green light.

"You next, Sirius."

Sirius took the powder and, minutes later, he stood next to James in the Three Broomsticks, coughing slightly and brushing at the ash on his clothes. Bryon joined them soon after and led them to a corner booth, James and Sirius looking around, grinning. They had been in The Three Broomsticks once before and still remembered those warm mugs of butterbeer and Madam Rosmerta, who owned the pub.

Sure enough, as soon as they had sat down, the clicking of heels hailed Rosmerta's arrival and three mugs of foaming butterbeer in front of them. "Yeah!" Sirius said, licking his lips and wrapped his hands around the mug, sipping at it. "Thanks!"

Rosmerta smiled, watching as James copied Sirius' movements. "Always a pleasure, having you here."

Bryon smiled. "Always good to see you too."

Rosmerta blushed a little and Sirius snorted into his butterbeer, spraying liquid all over James. "Sorry, mate," Sirius said, wiping his face. He grinned at James as Bryon and Rosmerta chatted like old friends.

"Next time you want to give me a butterbeer bath, warn me," James said, wiping some of the suds off his shirt.

Sirius just grinned and sipped at his butterbeer. When Rosmerta left to take care of her other customers, they looked at Bryon expectantly.

"Alright, alright," he conceded, chuckling and pulling the two packages from within his cloak. "This is for you, James." He tossed the spongy package to James, who inspected it. "It was my father's and has been handed down generation to generation of Potters. For getting into Hogwarts, it's your turn to have it."

James ripped open the package and pulled out a shimmering cloak. "An invisibility cloak!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Wicked!" He ran his hands over the silky material, grinning from ear to ear.

Bryon chuckled. "Thought you'd like that. And besides, it'll help with all your pranks."

"Definitely," James said, still in awe of the cloak he held in his hands.

Sirius reached over, running his hands over it. "Bloody brilliant." He grinned at James.

"And this is for you, Sirius,"

"For me?" Sirius looked at Bryon and took the package from Bryon. It was very heavy and solid.

"You're like a second son to me, this is the other item that's been handed down to me by my father and I think you'll get a lot of use out of it."

Sirius unwrapped the package, taking out two mirrors. "Mirrors?" He arched an eyebrow. These were boring compared to what James had received and he didn't what would be so special about them.

"Not just any mirrors." Sirius looked up at Bryon. "Using these mirrors, you can see where the other holder is whenever you want. And you can communicate with them through these."

Sirius' eyes lit up. "Seriously?"

Bryon grinned. "Try it out."

Sirius handed James one of the mirrors. "Go somewhere, don't tell me."

James nodded, taking the mirror and crawled out of the booth, disappearing out of the pub.

"Just say who you want to talk to," Bryon instructed.

Sirius nodded and held the mirror in both of his hands. "James Potter."

And within a fraction of a second, James' face appeared in the mirror. "This is wicked, Sirius!" James said, grinning.

"Smashing!" Sirius was grinning as wide as James had when he had received the cloak. He looked at the background where James was. "You're in front of Zonkos."

"Right on. Should I come back now?"

"Go ahead but -," Bryon said, but was cut off as the sound of a huge explosion filled the pub. Sirius was knocked off his booth, the mirror skidding underneath. He landed hard on his back, feeling the air whoosh out of his lungs. He coughed as smoke and dust clouded his vision. "Sirius, are you alright?" He felt Bryon help him to his feet and he winced, rubbing his side.

"Yeah," he coughed. "What happened?" The sound of people talking was like a freight train to his ears, it was so loud.

"You stay here; I'm going to find out." Bryon helped him sit down on the booth and Sirius watched as he disappeared into the crowd. Looking around, he saw that a few of the windows had shattered and some of the furniture had been overturned in the rush. Most of the people by now had filtered out of the pub and he very much wanted to find out what had happened, but he stayed there.

Then he remembered the mirror and he got off the booth, kneeling on the floor, searching under the table and booths. He spotted it where it had slid to a stop by a wall. Lying flat on his stomach, he stretched his hand until he felt the tips of his fingers come in contact with the ornate silver handle. Pulling the mirror to him, he stood up.

"James, are you there?"

Something caught inside of Sirius' throat as he waited for the blank mirror to show his best friend's face.

"James!" There was a note of panic in his voice now. If anything had happened to James, he didn't know what he would do.

Then, to his immense relief, James' face appeared and it looked like he had been just as worried. "Sirius! What happened?"

"James! Thank god. I don't know! Your dad just went to find out. What does it look like out there?"

He saw James look around and he could pick out a crowd of people standing around a building but he couldn't pick out what they were saying. "It's not too bad. It was just one building, next to the Three Broomsticks. An explosion of something, I don't know."

Bryon came back at that moment and Sirius caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye. "Hang on, James; your dad just came back." He looked at Bryon expectantly.

Bryon had a look of relief on his face. "It was just one of the generators in the back of one of the storage buildings beside Wizarding Wear. No one was hurt." It looked like Bryon had been expecting something far worse.

"Dad?" came James' voice from the mirror and Sirius handed the mirror to Bryon. "What happened, Dad? Was it Vol-"

"Just an explosion, James. No one was hurt."

Sirius watched the conversation, an eyebrow arched. Had Bryon thought that Voldemort had attacked? Had it really been thought to be that serious? Hogsmeade had been attacked the past year, but no one had been hurt.. And it hadn't said that Voldemort was behind it.

"But -"

"James, not now. Let's go to Zonko's shall we?" Bryon smiled but Sirius could tell he was still getting over the worry he had been in. "I still have to get you some more pranking items that we didn't find in Diagon Alley."

He handed James' the Invisibility cloak.

"Remember, don't tell anyone, especially your mother," Bryon instructed, slipping him a wink. James nodded and Bryon clapped them both on the shoulders. "Let's go." He led them out.