Chapter 14: A Shopping Trip

Edric found Hadrian in the corner of the library that he had claimed as his office, a small stack of books was piled on top of his desk and parchment fell onto the ground in waterfalls of paper. An old school photograph sat in the center of the desk, unframed and horribly creased. The school boys from the picture just smiled and jostled each other before settling into a pose and the loop began again.

Hadrian was sitting curled up in the wingback armchair that had become his place of comfort. He wasn't reading or anything, merely sitting with his knees to his chest eyes leagues away as he was lost in thought. It had been years since Edric had found his ward like this, curled up protectively and hiding from the world.

"What is wrong Hadrian?" He asked softly, kneeling before the eleven-year-olds chair.

"Lepus is angry with me." Was all he got, but with a light nudge he managed to draw out a little bit more.

"I wouldn't stop talking and it annoyed him. I think he's angry that I won't be going to Hogwarts with him." Hadrian mumbled out finally. He hid his face in the burrow created between his chest and his knees.

"Oh Hadrian," he had known that this upcoming separation was bothering him but hadn't realized how deeply his worry ran. "I don't think Lepus is angry with you. He's just worried himself, he won't know anyone in his year and I think he was hoping that you would be able to soften those first few weeks of uncertainty. But I fear he would have been stuck in your shadow had you decided to go to Hogwarts as well. Sure, he is older than you by a year, but…"

"I am the crown prince, and people would flock to me regardless of what year I was in. Lepus would feel overshadowed. But what if I had wanted to go anyway?"

"Then I would have asked you to be kind to your brother and remember what it was like growing up alone and without any friends, but I wouldn't have stopped you." Hadrian just sighed and looked and Edric deeply, his eyes looked old and his face made Edric feel a bolt of sadness. He had grown up too quickly.

"He's angry with you too." Was all that was said but it made Edric splutter in shock.

"What have I done?"

"Drummond kept us late, it's half four now and most shops close at five. He's upset that he won't get to go to Diagon today and he was very excited about it." Another way he had failed his boys then. The trip to Diagon had clearly meant a lot to Lepus. Of course it had, what was he thinking!

"Well, we shall just have to make it up to him. Tomorrow I have cleared my schedule entirely and we will go to the Alley in the morning right after breakfast, and we shall not leave it until the shops have closed and we have had a nice supper." The idea sounded taxing to Edric, but he had well and truly messed up today. Tomorrow would have to be spectacular.

"Well, I think you should still apologise." Hadrian the wise was how his ward would be known. He was right, despite his own pride rankling at the thought of apologizing for something he had never wanted to do in the first place. He told it to shut up and check itself. He was no longer a lonely bachelor with only his own needs to focus on.

"I had better do so at once then, hadn't I?" Hadrian nodded and gave him a small smile before pulling himself closer to the desk and gave him a little shooing motion with his hands. Aghast at his ward's dismissal of him and how he had grown from the shuddering ball afraid to even speak to this confident young ruler.

"Mind your manners." Was all he said in response. He caught the sneaky grin on Hadrian's face as he turned to leave the library.

Edric had not expected to find Lepus asleep when he arrived in the older boys' rooms. He was curled under the thick duvets and clutching his pillow tightly to his chest. He looked the very picture of an upset little boy, were it not for the missing evidence of tears. He had not been alone in his room, crying himself to sleep and that was a measure of comfort to Edric.

He approached his bedside and perched there, hesitating only a moment before running his fingers through his hair. The black locks had been allowed to grow out and they now reached just below his chin. In this moment he truly looked like a LeStrange. Edric could also clearly see the Black blood that ran through his veins. He looked so similar to Regulus Black, but he could see that he had received his curls from Bellatrix. She had always hated them, from what he could remember, but they had been what had drawn Rabastan to her from the beginning. It was a little-known fact that Rabastan had asked for Bellatrix hand in marriage from the beginning, but the honour had been given to Rudolphus instead. The announcement of the match had nearly driven the brothers apart, but now it was clear why Rabastan had never married. Rudolphus had proved incapable of procreating (likely due to the fact that he preferred shagging pretty boys in the prefects washrooms) and Bellatrix had proved that she didn't care for the man either. Rabastan and Rudolphus had come to an agreement then, and Lepus was the result of said agreement.

Beneath his hand Lepus stirred and his dark eyes slid open. His hand fought up from beneath the covers to rub away the sleep in his eyes.

"Edric?" He whispered, voice craggy from the dep nap.

"Yes. I'm very sorry about today Lepus. I truly had meant to take you to Diagon today, but I received unfortunate news. Tomorrow, we'll go tomorrow right after breakfast and spend the day on the town." He wiped a few strands of stray hairs off of Lepus' forehead and back in line with the rest of them.

"It's alright. I know that you have important things to be doing."

"I do, but nothing is more important than making sure you are ready for school and that you are happy. I have been very negligent of you these past few weeks, too busy worrying about the court of public opinion when I should have been focussing on you. And now we've left your school shopping to the last minute. I've let you down Lepus, and I apologize." He was startled to realize how sincere he truly was. But that was that. He would do his best to make it up to the young man. He could see that Lepus was considering his apology.

"As soon as breakfast is finished. No taking letters or answering fire calls. Once breakfast is finished, we go." An early start at a negotiation, and something Edric truly had no reason to be fighting. He nodded with a gentle smile.

"As soon as the houselves have cleared away the last of the dishes, we go." And that was that.

The next morning was a burst of rapid energy. Lepus had made sure that Edric was good on his word and as soon as the last dish had vanished from the table, they had their shoes and coats on and they were preparing to apparate.

They arrived in Diagon Alley at the apparition point, a small Alley just off the beaten path, and they could already hear the crowds. Hogwarts was due to start in less than a week and the street was stuffed full. The buzz of excited students and the rumble of thousands of feet upon the cobble stone. All at once Lepus felt nervous. He clutched as the sleeves of his robes in agitation. Hadrian caught his hand and held it briefly before separating with a tight squeeze.

"All right. Before we go I just want to make one thing clear. If any of us, for any reason are separated I want you to make your way to the Leaky Cauldron and wait just on the inside of the entrance to Muggle London. Ask Tom for the time at once and if we are not there within fifteen minutes, I want you to use your portkeys, am I clear?" Both boys nodded solemnly. "Alright, off we go."

Diagon Alley was every bit as whimsical and extraordinary is Lepus had remembered from the one trip he had been dragged on by Alberny Braxton to get him new robes. The very robes he had arrive at Blackwell hall in after being taken under Hadrian's wing.

Hadrian, on the other hand, didn't remember much from his brief visit to Diagon as he had been too preoccupied with healing from the near fatal abuse from his relatives, and the fact that he was seeing goblins for the first time in his life. What he did remember most clearly was the giant white marble building of the bank, and that was clearly intended to be their first stop. Now that he was no longer being carried around on his guardian's hip and hyped up on both painkillers and confusion Hadrian could clearly read the warning written in fine gold lettering atop the door frame:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed

For those who take, but do not earn

Must pay most dearly in their turn

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

The inside of Gringotts was just as he remembered it, all hustle and bustle as Wizards and Witches and Goblins pushed to have their businesses begun and concluded in order to avoid interacting with each other. It was a visible division between wizard and creature that had been present in the world since Wizard-kind had decided that the goblins were an inferior race.

Edric guided them towards an empty teller's booth, drawing out a long chain fob from his jacket. Four Gringotts keys lined the fob. He pulled a larger golden key from the chain and presented it to the goblin. The Goblin in turn turned it in his large, clawed fingers, scouring the surface of the Key almost like he was searching for imperfections in a priceless diamond. Finding his search to be sufficient he returned the key to Edric and gestured for another goblin.

"Take these wizard-kind to the vaults." Then without a parting word he turned to help the next wizard in line.

While Hadrian couldn't say that he had enjoyed the rapid trolley ride through the large cave network of the bank, he could say that he enjoyed watching Lepus, who was clearly having the time of his life. By the time they had reached the second vault on their journey his brothers face was well flushed with excitement.

"And just imagine that we have to go back up!" He cried, jumping slightly on his toes, eyes bright with the imagining. Edric gave him a small smile as well, remembering the lurch of excitement that he had always felt when his father had agreed to let him go down to the vaults with him.

"I'd rather not if that's alright?" Hadrian muttered. He fell back behind Lepus as they waited for the goblin to finish the process of opening the protected vault. Edric fell into step with him.

"Is it the height or the motion that frightens you?" He asked lowly.

"Neither," Hadrian whispered back, his fingers plucking at a loose thread within his robe pockets. "It's the idea of falling out of the carriage and being separated from you both. One could get lost in there… Never find their way back out without a goblin to guide them. I don't want to spend my life wandering around in the darkness."

"You have no fear of that Harry." Edric rarely called him Harry, choosing to use his formal name always. "I wouldn't leave that bank without you, and I would never stop looking if we did somehow get separated. As for falling, the carts have protective wards on them, much like those parents put on their stairs or bannisters at home. They keep anyone from falling from the carts no matter how much it flips or jerks." They met each other's eyes. Hadrian smiled. His fear of being lost while out in public was eased slightly, but suddenly the small portkey hanging from his neck felt a little bit heavier. He may not be lost here, but Edric had made it very clear that he could not always protect him, and that while he was safe now there was no guarantee for tomorrow. With a forced smile, Hadrian pushed the maudlin thoughts away. He was determined not to ruin the day for any of them.

After Gringotts came robes. Madame Malkins was expectedly busy with her Hogwarts orders but Lepus and Hadrian were sized and fitted regardless of the lines. Afterwards Edric ordered them both to Twilfitt and Tattings for additional everyday pieces. He had noticed that Lepus' trousers were growing short around his ankles and that Hadrian's coats were rising up his arms whenever they were too far extended. The clothes would be delivered by owl post and it was better that they got them out of the way. Despite the early hour the alley was a thrum of activity and excitement. First time Hogwarts students as well as those returning had made their way to the center of Wizarding Commerce for their early purchases. It was known to the average shopper however that as the day wore on it was the clothing shops that filled up the most. By midday both Malkins and Tattings would be bursting at the seams with customers looking be fitted. Hadrian and Lepus were of the same opinion regarding both establishments. While Twilfitt and Tattings provided a more expert fit, there was simply something special about Malkins floating tape measure and the colourful fabrics that lined the walls - perhaps that was why she had a near monopoly on Hogwarts Robe Orders. Her fit was comfortable, and each robe was made with quality and passion, but there was something to be said about each robe that came out of Twilfitt's. Despite both enjoying the benefits of the two establishments, neither boy was known for their patience nor their ability to stand still for very long.

As soon as they were able Hadrian and Lepus had taken each other by the arm and were racing through the alley staring through the windows of each storefront and eying the items open for display on the many vendors stalls. Had Edric not kept a sharp eye out for the both of them, he would have mistaken them for any other child in the Alley that day.

"Lepus! Hadrian! Keep close!" This was not the first time he had called them back, but it was hardly going to be the last and he couldn't begrudge them the freedom nor the wonder they were experiencing. The two boys spiralled back to him, chatting animatedly amongst themselves. Lepus had become quite excited about the brooms on display. As a second year he would be able to take one to school with him, should he choose to.

"Right. We have only managed to secure your robes so far but there is much to get today, and I really do not want to be coming back amongst this crowd tomorrow because we failed to use our time accordingly." They both nodded solemnly, glancing around and seeing the other people for the first time since their excited jaunt through the alley.

"Should we head to Ollivanders next?" Lepus asked, gesturing over to the small wand shop, tucked away in the far side of the alley. A large swarm of people had already descended upon it and it looked like wait times were going to be unusually long today. Edric shook his head. As much as he loathed leaving either boy unprotected he had other plans for their wands.

"No, I don't think so. Besides, I think we might be better suited to finding our wands elsewhere." Lepus gave a little pout. He had likely heard the Braxton's talking about how fine the wands at Ollivanders were and how he would never get one. Perhaps that had been a dream of his, owning an Ollivander wand, but Edric would not be compromising on this one. It was a matter of their personal safety. Despite his momentary disappointment, Lepus was quick to choose their next destination: Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment.

The interior of the store was exactly what one would expect when entering a Wizard's shop. Odd bits and bobs seemed to be clumped everywhere and hanging from the ceiling were a number of containers filled to the brim with tiny metal devices or other apparently useless things. Lining one of the walls was a number of telescopes and tools for astronomy, each instrument sparkling nicely in the morning sunlight. It was obvious that these were their top sellers and it was good incentive to make them look prettier and far more luxurious that they were probably worth. To Harry, this was exactly as he had imagined a wizard's shop would look. Lepus made quick work of gathering his set of scales and the required telescope – though Harry was not alone in noticing his longing glances at the large telescopes that stood off the ground on specialty feet that were decorated with the large curls and loops of gold.

"I'm going to buy one, one day." He muttered under his breath, promising himself. Harry had no doubt that he would, Lepus was like that. If he set his mind to something it was unlikely that he would give it up without good reason.

"Astrology is something you're interested in?" Harry asked him as they continued deeper into the shop, their hunt for a school trunk just beginning.

"It's something that fascinates me. It's maybe the only class I am genuinely excited about, besides charms of course," he said. Harry wasn't too sure about that one. The novelty of attending the famed school had not quite worn off for his brother yet, despite the danger he faced by merely attending. With every day closer to the first of September, the more Harry's worries grew for Lepus. Would Dumbledore try something, would another professor? Would he be allowed home for the holidays and half term? Would he want to? Harry swallowed his fears. He had promised that he would not ruin it for Lepus.

"You'll need a fairly large trunk then won't you?" He asked, eying the selections that were on display.

"Not too large I think. Just big enough to fit everything," Lepus smiled at him, almost like he sensed his unease. "Besides, you'd be needing a trunk just to fit all your books, let alone your robes and other equipment." Harry grinned up at him, curled his hand into a fist to keep himself from grabbing hold of Lepus robe and refusing to let him leave. It was strange, knowing that Lepus was going to leave him and go and have his own adventures and make new friends and continue living without him. Was this how other parents felt when they sent their child off to Hogwarts? But without the impending sense of dread that he might not come home?

His thoughts must have read on his face because Lepus turned and grabbed both his arms,

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want you to go…" Harry whispered reluctantly. And suddenly the floodgates were opening. He felt a tear drip down his face, followed quickly by another. He couldn't stop himself from crying. He grabbed hold of Lepus robes and pulled him into a tight hug, burying his face in his chest. He didn't really know why he was crying or why he felt like someone was ripping a large hole out of his chest, but he did. And it had something to do with Lepus leaving him.

"Oh Harry…" Lepus whispered into his hair, holding him tight in return. Harry was still very much a little boy, having been robbed of his formative years. Lepus might have been only twelve but in some ways he had always felt like he was older, and he knew that he had become an older brother to the Lord of his house, and - technically – guardian.

In the back of Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Lepus held Hadrian as he cried for the first time in many many years.

By the time they'd made it to Flourish and Blotts, both boys felt drained - in more ways than one. Despite their shared exhaustion they managed to curry up enough energy to push through to their final destination. Lepus, eager to find as many advanced magic books as he could, vanished into the shelves, eyes skimming over the spines and titles of the displayed books. Hadrian on the other hand, made his way towards the counter. He had owled Mr. Euphemius Blott nearly three weeks ago regarding a particular subject, and he was hoping that the man, known for his seemingly boundless knowledge on obscure subjects, might have something that would stem his curiosity.

Euphemius Blott was a tall and spindly looking wizard with octagonal glasses that perched on the tip of his nose. Hadrian found him leaning over a large book, almost falling apart at its seams. He was younger than he had expected, if he were being honest with himself, but he also looked exactly like he was expecting the owner of a Wizards Bookstore to look.

He had barely made it up to the counter when Blott turned and walked away into the back room. Hadrian would have called out to him, but he reappeared barely a moment later holding a small paper bound package. From what Hadrian could see, the wrapping paper was yellowing and bound with twine.

"You're not the first to come asking about the Staff. Do keep that in mind lad, there are others - much older than you - who have sought the Staff and either gone missing or gone mad." He slid the package across the counter. For a moment Hadrian thought he would retract his decision, the way his hand hesitated over it. Instead, Blott pulled his hand away and began to write up a receipt. The amount almost made Hadrian faint, but he reasoned that whatever the book was it had taken a long time to find, or had been hidden away for a reason. Why Mr. Blott was passing it along now was a puzzle, but Hadrian put it out of his head. He needed to know what had driven Ephram Caldwell mad, and what had frightened Arcturus Black.

"Be careful with who you open that around," was the final piece of advice Blott gave him before turning back to his book. The octagonal spectacles slipping further down his nose as he squinted through the lenses at whatever was written on the yellowing pages. The advice felt redundant to Harry. He had planned on keeping this a secret from everyone. He had purchased the package with his own galleons, small bits he had been smuggling away from his allowance, or change from past purchases. He had been saving up for months now. Edric would never know about this purchase, and Hadrian had no plans to tell him.

"Business at Flourish and Blotts eh?" Lepus teased. Their arms were full of stacks - most of Lepus' choices had turned out to be fiction in the end, but several of the newer factual books had made it into the pile.

"It was all I could think of to get Edric here faster," Hadrian blushed a little, more at the lie than at his fictional reasonings. The secret package felt heavier in his pocket than it had when he had first put it there. He couldn't help it though. He needed to keep this to himself in a way he hadn't needed anything before. Lepus took his lie at face value, his excitement about Hogwarts overcoming his better judgement. Already he was talking a mile a minute about how he would be scheduling reading time between classes, meals, and study periods.

They met up with Edric and were home just as the sun was setting. Up in his room, Harry placed the book in the centre of his desk. He was facing an important choice. He knew that if he wanted to, he could hide the book in the desk drawer and never think about it again. He could go back to not knowing, and not wanting to know. Or he could tear away the paper and look at what was inside.

There ended up being no choice at all.

Beneath the yellowing paper and the tightly bound twine was a small journal. The pages, from what he could see, were handwritten. He didn't recognize the handwriting, but beneath the date was a name he recognized.

October 15, 1899

My name is Ephram Caldwell. I have started this journal as I have begun my journey, with much trepidation and uncertainty. I have departed from England with very few of my personal belongings. I am heading to the New World in search of a man who might be able to tell me more about the items I am seeking. I don't know if I will return, but I am certain that if I do I will not be the same as I was. Whether or not this godforsaken quest will drive me mad is still a matter of much debate. All I know is that our world is slowly turning to rust and ruin. If I can restore the Artefacts of Magic, I may be able to save our Magic. We don't have much time left at all, maybe a few hundred years, before this thing that sets us so apart from Muggles vanishes entirely. If I fail, then I have doomed us all.

TBC

A/N: Finally! It's been a whirlwind of a thing. My muse practically abandoned me in May after I lost my job. But it's been a few months since and I have managed to get my feet underneath me. I am now working as a First Assistant Editor on a Christmas movie and the hours are long, leaving me with very little time to write. But, I've done it!

I hope you all enjoy this chapter. If you want more content or are interested in seeing some previews of upcoming fics, I've got a Facebook page that you can feel free to check out. The link is on my profile or in some of the author's notes in previous chapters.

Until Next time….