Diagon Alley

Author's Note: I don't own Harry Potter!

It had been decided that Fiona, Remus, and Sirius would homeschool Harry. Joining their little class would be Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom. Harry hadn't met Neville yet, but his godparents and Uncle Moony assured him he was a very nice boy.

The first day came nearer and nearer, Sirius kept trying to come up with reasons to postpone it, but Harry was actually quite excited. He couldn't wait to learn about magic. However he worried that because Neville and Ron had grown up with magic, he'd be very far behind. One day he brought this up to Aunt Fiona.

"Auntie Fi?" He asked.

"Yes, Harry?"

"I'm nervous." Harry told her.

"Why?" Fiona asked.

"Well," Harry shuffled his feet anxiously "I'm just thinking, won't Ron and Neville be really far ahead of me?"

"In magic?" Fiona laughed "Oh, I see. Don't you worry, Harry. Ron and Neville may have grown up seeing magic but they don't know how to actually do it. And you won't learn how either until you go to Hogwarts."

"But I thought you were gonna teach me magic?"

"We are going to teach you theory. That's where we just explain how it works and maybe demonstrate it." Fiona explained "It's against the law for underage witches and wizards to do magic outside of school and you can't get a wand until you turn eleven. And you'll be learning other stuff too. Maths and reading and writing, and something tells me you'll be far ahead of Ron and Neville in those subjects."

"Why?" Harry questioned.

"Well, they both come from wizarding families and didn't go to primary school. Their parents didn't think it was necessary, they taught them from home." Fiona told her godson "But you did go to primary school so you learned a little more than them."

"Really?"

"Really. I think they might need a little help from time to time and Sirius, Remus, and I are counting on you to help them when we can't."

"Really?!"

"Yes, Harry." Fiona laughed "Now I have an idea. Let's go to Diagon Alley and get you some school supplies. How does that sound?"

"Can Moony and Paddy come too?" Harry asked.

"Of course. I'll go get them, you get your shoes on."

The barefoot little boy dashed away to get his shoes making Fiona giggle.

They used the floo to get to Diagon Alley and Harry stared around the dingy pub in confusion.

"Now, remember, Harry, keep your head down and don't talk to strangers." Fiona reminded him.

"I know, Auntie Fi." Harry nodded.

Fiona smiled and she, Sirius, and Remus led Harry to the back, through a door, and outside where there were a number of old dustbins. Sirius took out his wand and tapped a few bricks. The wall opened into a great arched gateway and Harry's jaw dropped as he gazed in wonder at the colorful street.

"What do you think, cub?" Remus asked.

"It's amazing!" Harry cried "Everything's so bright!"

The adults laughed and Fiona led the way to the bookshop where they picked up several books on arithmetic, magical theory, and potion making. As they left and walked down the street Harry peeked into the windows of every shop. He gasped at the animals in the pet shop and stared in awe at the broomsticks.

"What kind of broom is that?" He asked Sirius.

"That's a Cleansweep ten. It's the newest model." Sirius explained.

"Wow!" Harry's mouth hung open "It's so cool!"

"You want it, pup?"

"What? You don't...I mean...You don't have to." Harry protested, blushing furiously.

"Pup, I may not act like it, but I am the heir to the House of Black. I have plenty of money and if I can't spoil my godson a little bit then what's the point?" Sirius laughed.

"But, I mean, I don't really need it."

"Kiddo, you might not remember this but Fiona and I bought you your first broom when you turned one. It was just a little one, it only rose about two feet off the ground." Sirius knelt down in front of Harry and put his hands on his shoulders "It would be an honor for us to buy you your first real broom. Besides then we can have quidditch matches with your friends when they come visit."

"What're you talking about, Sirius?" Fiona and Remus has doubled back when they realized Harry and Sirius were no longer with them.

"We're going to buy Harry the Cleansweep ten." Sirius declared.

"You really don't have to." Harry whispered "You've done so much for me already."

"Oh, sweetheart," Fiona smiled "We know we don't have to, we want to. We want you to be happy. And we're never going to stop trying to make you happy."

Harry flushed and flung himself into his beloved Aunt Fiona's arms, almost knocking her over.

"Thank you!" He murmured "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"We love you, Harry. Don't forget it." Remus smiled and nodded to Fiona "Between you, Sirius, and I, I think we have plenty of money for the broom, everything else, and some ice cream later."

Harry bounced excitedly "Do you really mean it, Moony?"

"Of course, Harry." Remus unwound the boys' arms from Fiona's waist.

"Let's go get you that broom." Fiona laughed and led the way into the broom shop.

Harry led the group of adults down the colorful street, following his Aunt Fiona's directions to a place called Florian Fortescue's. The grownups were lugging bags of books, clothes, and the broom as they hurried to keep up with the energetic little boy.

"What is this Florian Fortescue's place?" Harry asked, slowing down to walk beside his new family.

"It's the best ice cream parlor in all of London." Sirius exclaimed "There's dozens of flavors. You'll love it."

"I've never gotten to have ice cream before." Harry said softly.

"What?" All the adults chorused, spinning to face him.

"The Dursley's never let me have any." Harry explained "They said sweets weren't for freaks."

Fiona sighed deeply "Oh, Harry, you're not a freak."

Harry frowned "But the Dursley's-"

"Are downright bas-"

"Sirius!" Fiona reprimanded "We don't use that kind of language." She turned back to Harry "Harry, the Dursley's are wrong and mean people. Remember, you don't have to go back to them. You are not what they told you you are. You are our godson and we love you. You are not weird or a freak. You're a little boy who's had a hard life. That's all."

Harry thought for a moment before he smiled "Okay, does that mean I can try ice cream now?"

The adults paused then burst out laughing.

"Of course, cub." Moony chuckled "You can try ice cream now."

They went into the ice cream parlor and Harry quickly chose a flavor, chocolate, he liked regular chocolate, so he figured he'd like the chocolate ice cream. Fiona had mint chocolate chip. Remus had vanilla. And Sirius got three different flavors.

They all sat down outside and the grownups watched as Harry scooped a spoonful and lifted it to his mouth.

"What are you all staring at?" Harry asked, lowering his spoon.

"We want to be there for your first tase of ice cream." Sirius cried "Come on, pup, don't keep us in suspense."

Harry giggled and lifted the spoon back to his mouth and took a bite. His eyes widened.

"It's cold!"

Sirius laughed "Well, it's not called ice cream for nothing."

"What do you think?" Remus pressed.

"It's delicious!" Harry smiled and lifted another spoonful to his lips.

He took several more bites before wincing and putting his hand to his forehead.

"Brain freeze?" Fiona asked sympathetically and Harry nodded.

"Eat a little slower, cub." Remus suggested "That'll make it better."

Harry nodded and after a minute continued to eat until the sweet, cold treat was gone. He liked the ice cream and decided it was now his favorite food. After they had all finished, Harry was somewhat sleepy and noticing this, Sirius picked Harry up and gave him a piggy-back ride back to the Leaky Cauldron.

He rode the floo with Sirius and they landed on top of Remus as they flew out of the fireplace in Lupin House. As they untangled themselves Fiona spun out and landed carefully on her feet.

"I'm only good at the floo when I go after you two." She joked "That way, you can't land on top of me."

They took Harry to bed as it was clear the boy needed a nap and then sat down in the kitchen to get started on food.

Word count: 1449 words
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Love,
The Author