Chapter 20: Shopping and Wands
Sirius Black. One of the greatest Aurors in the ministry who prided himself on his skills, his achievements, and his fortune not to mention the dashing good looks that he always thinks highly of himself stood gaping at the statement made by his godson, Harry Potter.
Sirius believes his brain has already exploded. Harry Potter son of James Potter, is a big fan of Severus Snape!
Sirius couldn't think straight. Severus, no Snivellus, yeah, he is back to Snivellus, just stole his godson! His godson thinks being a potions master is the coolest thing ever. He wanted to march into the git's house and give him a scolding! An Auror is the coolest thing there ever is in his opinion!
"Hey, do parents normally name different people as godfathers to their children?" Iris's voice distracted Sirius from his train of thought. "What does a godfather do anyway?"
"There are also godmothers," Harry answered. "Or godparents in general. I believe they should take part as parents if the biological parent is unavailable or died."
"Really?" Then Iris looked at Sirius. "Where have you been then?" she asked accusingly.
"Iris, dear Merlin." Sirius almost stuttered. "Your parents didn't want me to take care of you. Even though I have as much as a claim to Harry and even Severus to you as your aunt, we couldn't do anything as their preference still trump our rights as godparents. Not to mention Dumbledore's interferences. I would have stolen you if I can, however, the law would have my ass on that one. Not to mention, despite our efforts to track you we can't find you due to some heavy wards around you." Sirius tried hard to explain it as simply as possible. Harry and Iris are muggle-raised.
"And what happens if the godparent is married to someone not named as a godparent? Wouldn't that be a burden?" Iris asked. Growing up, they know how important it is for parents to always make the right arrangements for their children's care, including never passing their children to people without their consent.
"As far as I know, normally parents make sure the godparents are also a couple I suppose," Draco commented.
"Really?" Iris said then looked at Sirius Black. "So, Snape's your husband then?"
Sirius sputtered in shock, "WHAT?!"
This time it wasn't Draco who is left laughing out loud but the rest of the people in the shop. Everyone knows that Black and Snape are not on good terms with each other despite their civil friendship. But these children don't know that.
"What's wrong?" Iris looked around confused. "There is nothing wrong with liking a man, I suppose."
Sirius who is clearly out of breath from all the panic his heart went through (twice now!) glared at his nephew who is trying to hold himself away from laughing as it is unbefitting to be rolling down the floor and laughing for any heir of an ancient and noble household.
"Iris." Sirius began, almost losing it. "I, Sirius Black in no way in any relationship, romantic especially, with Severus Snape!"
Iris opened her mouth but Harry intervened. "Iris, I think that's enough." The boy is smirking.
"I apologize, Mr. Black," Harry said. "My sister can't help to tease you when she sees you reacting like that."
Sirius looked at the two a bit confused then realized when he noticed Iris giving him a teasing grin. "Why you little minx." That only made the little girl giggle at him.
"Also, I apologize for uh hurting your feelings. I don't mean any disrespect or being ungrateful. I just got a little excited. I like potions you see."
"You don't say?" Sirius only grinned but then frowned. "Wait a minute. I thought you two were muggle-raised. How do you know about potions?"
"That's a long story," Harry replied.
"A very long story," Iris added.
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Lily arrived at Madam Malkins and was surprised to see Sirius Black and the young heir of the Malfoy talking happily with her two children. She can't help but frown. It has been years since she talked to Sirius. She knows aside from being lord, Sirius works with James in the Auror office and is competing to be the next head of the office one day. She admits that she did miss Sirius in the past but Sirius' actions against the death eaters during the way scared her. Even if her children were squibs, she agrees with Dumbledore about how dangerous it is for Sirius to have custody of the children. Even though she has hoped to have reconciled with Severus, his custody was also not given due to his status as a death eater. Not to mention despite Sirius fighting for the light, he is technically a Black. The Black was a very dark pureblood family and does have a history of insanity known as "black madness".
"Lady Potter." Sirius greeted her indifferently.
"Lord Black." Lily made a short bow of her head as a greeting. Normally, women would curtsy but despite being Lady Potter, the Potters were not that big on traditional old family values, formalities, and the like. Although the darker and more traditional families feel that this is an insult, the lighter families are more lenient about it.
However, what Lily did not know was that many of these families even the light ones forego the lack of courtesy and traditional values from the Potters mostly because they wanted access to the boy who lived so they overlooked their lack of formalities.
"Lily. Do you think Uncle Sirius can come with us?" Iris asked their mother.
"We also asked if Heir Malfoy can come along?" Harry asked.
Heir Malfoy? Uncle Sirius? She's calling him uncle already? Lily's eyes bulged before trying to control herself. "I don't know you two. We have a lot to do and we have to meet your father, brother, and younger sister afterward." Also, your father would kill me if I allow this. Lily is pleading with them silently hopefully they relent.
"All the better, Lady Potter," Sirius said, who noticed Lily's reluctance. "It would have been faster if I were included. We can divide the tasks and end the shopping early. In addition, I get to spend the day with my godson." He smiled gleefully as he pats Harry's shoulders. "And I am considering adopting Iris as my goddaughter," he patted Iris's head who gleefully laughed and grabbed his hands.
Lily closed her eyes and try to breathe.
"If you are worried about Heir Malfoy, we can just hand him off to his parents. They are already done with all his shopping, except his wand so far."
There was a resounding "hey" from the little Malfoy.
"Wait, why does he not come with us? Is there a problem?" Harry asked.
Sirius just gave him a forced grin. "It's one of those long stories, Harry."
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The duo says goodbye to Draco Malfoy who was picked up by his father who happens to be his spitting image of him. Tall, long-blonde hair but eyes a pale blue not gray. "They kind of remind me of the elves from Lord of the Rings," Iris muttered. The man glared at their mother but gave a side eye to Sirius who just waved at him happily and called him "Lucy".
Lily wanted Sirius to stay away but she couldn't say no. Harry and Iris were giving her the look and as she was trying to curry favor with her two abandoned twins, she couldn't find it in her heart to tell them, especially since for them to understand requires a lot of explanations – explanations that could not be said in such a short time and the lack of proper space for privacy.
Having Sirius was fun in Harry's opinion. He was able to provide insights on the school products that Harry and Iris were not aware of like how he showed them a four-compartment trunk with a secret compartment that can be password protected and has an expansion charm large enough to fit a house. "You know for those secret things you wanted to bring." He winked. It was a bit pricey and while Lily was willing to pay for it, Sirius decided to pay for it instead. "I did miss a lot of birthdays."
In the bookstore, their mother was able to get all the textbooks they needed but Sirius brought in additional books that he thinks they should have. Lily didn't seem to mind as they were very good resources for the two children but she stopped Sirius when he introduced them to books about pranks. "No prank books, Sirius!" she yelled angrily. Only Harry was able to notice that his mother called his godfather Sirius instead of Lord Black.
Harry was on the moon in the apothecary looking around and even explaining the different purposes of each ingredient which surprised Lily who has been wondering how to connect with the very silent boy. He bloomed in the apothecary. Lily loves potions which is why she took a mastery's in potions and has been able to reap profits from selling hers and even earning royalties from researching and brewing potions. She specialized mostly in health-related potions which is why Lily works at St. Mungos as one of their potioneers. It would seem this is something she and Harry can bond over. Godric was not fond of potions, he prefers quidditch most of all. Iris was easy to get along but her youngest was difficult as she was also a quiet one who likes to lock herself in her room and read.
She wanted to work in Hogwarts this year so she can keep an eye on Godric and this extends to Harry and Iris but she couldn't qualify for the new positions. Albus was willing but the new board of directors was strict on qualifications. They already have a potions master whom Lily despite her mastery could not reach in terms of skill and all the teaching positions even the new mind healer position was filled. The board has been adamant about a mind healer as part of the Hogwarts staff. That's three healers in the school, one who teaches, one who is full-time in the hospital ward, and one mind healer. Although Lily is worried since the board has been pushing for a mind arts course as well which she is against due to the repercussions it has on the children's minds and also, she believes it is very dark.
Iris however was not happy with the Scrivenshaft's quill shop. This is mostly because she glared at the parchment. "Animal skins. It has to be animal skins." She muttered. "What's wrong with paper?" Then she glared at the quills. She tried writing on them but she finds it very different to do. Lily has to convince Iris to buy the quills.
"But who writes with these things? They are impossible!" she muttered angrily.
"Well, quills are charmed. And because they are very distinctly different from other writing materials in the muggle world, they are less likely to be picked up if they accidentally get in the hands of a muggle." Sirius explained.
"So, all I needed is a pen that works just like a muggle one but distinctly different that muggles don't accidentally use it?" Iris asked.
"I suppose? There is no alternative so far for quills. They are standard for Hogwarts and they are charmed with anti-cheating spells during exams." Lily explained to them.
Iris winds up buying two quills and some parchments. Lily didn't think that was enough as it is common for students to lose their quills. "I'll still buy fountain pens, glass pens, and muggle notebooks. I'll reserve the quills for exams or figure out to charm the pens." She muttered to Harry after they left. Harry only bought those for status quo reasons. He is aware that some wizards and witches will not take kindly to new things like pens but he can't exactly ignore the efficiency of writing on paper and using pens. Fountain pens are the best because they are more formal to write through.
Their last stop is their wands. They found themselves in a narrow and shabby shop that has peeling gold letters on the door that read Ollivanders: makers of fine wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lying on a faded purpose cushion is displayed on the dusty window. Sirius won't be joining them as he said he has an errand to run.
That's a very long time. Harry thought of the year it was founded.
"Ollivanders is the best when it comes to wands," Lily said to the two.
That explains it. Harry thought. The place is shabby and dusty. If this was the muggle world they won't have a reason to get in and buy in a shop like this without a reason.
A tinkling bell range in the depths of the shop when they entered,
"Well, well. Lily Evans, or is it Lady Potter now?" an old man stood before them with wide pale eyes shining like the moon. "It was only yesterday since you bought your wand. Ten-and-a-quarter inch long, swishy, willow, unicorn tail core. Great for charm work."
"Hmmm." The man whom Harry and Iris assumed is Mr. Ollivander (he didn't introduce himself) peeked at them. "I didn't realize you have other children, Lady Potter."
Lily's face went red. "Yes, well. This is Harry and Iris. They are Godric's other halves in the triplets."
"Interesting. Interesting." Mr. Ollivander gave them a piercing look. "Oh, well, who would like to go first?"
Harry and Iris looked at each other. "I would like to go first," Harry said.
"Alright, which is your wand arm?"
"My wand arm?"
"Yes, your dominant arm."
"I used both, though I favor my right hand." A tape measure suddenly came out of Ollivanders pocket and started measuring Harry's arm and even some parts of his body. This made him question how this is related to the type of wand they should be taking. "That will do," Ollivander said after taking out boxes from the varying shelves.
"Try this, Mr. Potter, beechwood and dragon heartstring, nine inches, very flexible. Try to give it a wave?"
Harry tried to wave but the wand is immediately snatched "No, no, here try ebony and unicorn hair? Nope..."
Harry tried and tried until the number of wands next to Harry's is growing and growing as they rejected one another. Harry was worried that this would annoy the wand maker but instead, he seems more excited. "Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match! Here try this..."
It took a few more minutes before Mr. Ollivander handed him a new wand and this time, Harry felt a strong warmth and red and gold sparks shoot up from the tip like fireworks. "Oh, good show!"
Lily was very happy. She was starting to worry that they could not find a match. They can still go to other shops and she did worry for a second. Harry and Iris were declared squibs in the beginning so she thought their magic was not enough to register for a wand.
"Curious, very curious," Ollivander muttered.
"Curious? Why?" Iris asked.
"That is holly, phoenix feather, eleven inches nice and supple. Phoenix feathers are difficult to match and they are known for the greatest range in terms of magic. However, I sold three wands using the same phoenix feather that was released by the same phoenix. One of those wands went to your brother, the other is the one who placed that scar on your brother."
"Mr. Ollivander!" Lily tried to chastise but Ollivander just continued, "He-who-must-not-be-named did great things, terrible, but they are still great."
"We shouldn't be talking about this, sir." Lily glared at the old man who doesn't seem to be fazed by her glare. "Ah yes, let's find you one, Ms. Potter."
Iris took even longer than Harry. Mr. Ollivander went wild as he removed one box to another to get Iris to match. "It would seem none of the regular cores such as unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, and phoenix feather would match Ms. Potter today."
"What?" Lily gape. "Then what should we do?"
"No worries, Lady Potter. I still have other wands that are not among the popular three. Let's see if these would work. Try this, Ms. Potter, Yew, mermaid's hair? No? What about oak with wampus cat hair, no..."
It took a while until one of the wands sparked colors of purple and green.
"Oh, joy! Finally!" Ollivander said excitedly almost jumping for joy.
"What is it?" Iris asked.
"13 inches, willow, Curupira hair." He answered.
"Curupira hair?"
"Yes. Creatures from Brazil. These cores are rare and are known for being unpredictable. I suppose I expect surprises coming from you, Ms. Potter."
Harry and Iris paid for the wand, seven galleons although for Iris it was 10 since Curupira's hair and her wand took longer and more effort to make. They paid an additional 2 galleons for a wand holster.
"That was fun," Iris said.
"Harry! Iris!" a familiar voice called on them. They saw Sirius Black grinning widely at them. In his arms were two cages with owls in them. One is a beautiful snowy white owl and the other a small tawny one. "I missed your birthdays, so here's a gift from your godfather!"
Harry and Iris excitedly accepted the owls. "They are beautiful, thanks, Uncle Sirius!" Iris exclaimed.
"Yeah, thank you," Harry said as he looked at the snowy owl.
Lily groaned and glared at Sirius. "Really?" she asked annoyed.
"What? Oh..." Sirius seems to have realized it. "You were planning to buy them the owls as a birthday gift as well?"
Lily didn't respond but just groaned.
"Er, sorry?" Sirius said apologetically though he isn't exactly guilty about it.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
WordySmith
WordySmith I was reading about wand cores and after watching Dumbeldore’s secrets I wondered whether it was possible to make a wand core from Qilin. Turns out you can but they are a wand core that is difficult to get and a side effect of wizards and witches with these cores is that they cannot cast dark magic at all. They also choose wizards and witches who are serene and peaceful – I can’t imagine Iris being like that.
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