✧HOGSMEAD✧

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There had been a loud buzzing energy throughout the castle, it held an extra spark since the gloomy aura of the Dementors seemed to carry about, but with rushed breakfast in the great hall showcased that everyone was excited to head off to Hogsmead.

Though it was Lori who pouted beside her brother at the Slytherin table.

"Why is it that first years aren't allowed to go?"
"Most of the first years don't show much maturity, don't worry Lori—Third year is just around the corner." She rolled her eyes and stabbed the small potato on her plate before forking it in.

"How about I buy you something from Honeydukes?..." She nodded, still solemn about not joining her siblings. It wasn't the first time she wasn't old enough to attend.
"...And a surprise book from the store?" That had allowed her to pique enough interest and return his smile.

And with the help of Avery and Yaxley, they even added that they'd gift her something as well—Including something for Rose and the rest of her friends to enjoy, they might not have the same style as the cheery Hufflepuffs, but Ronan stood by the act that they watch for their own.

Much like Romulus would for his siblings.

The Lestranges had met at the side of the grand hall, their smiles and eager teasing had them all produce their signed slips. "Did you get mum's work signature?" Cara said holding her's up as they stood in line for the Deputy Headmistress to collect it and check them off as being allowed.

"Imara and I asked together, think we got her lazy signature to be frank." Ronan now took a gander down to his, seeing that he received one of the fancier script.
"I'd be bloody tired with writing my name if I was her too, besides, it's all the same." Ronan offered and watched as Cara had pulled up her slip and smiled thanks to McGonagall.

"Remember! These visits to Hogsmead Village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again." Her voice had managed to carry to all the areas of the courtyard and over the student's conversations.

Cara's eyes had followed down to see the Golden trio, Harry had approached Professor McGonagall but she didn't allow him one word. "No permission form. No visiting the Village. That's the rule, Potter." It had taken the young Lestrange daughter by surprise, she hardly asked him how living with muggles was like.
Though she had enough of an inkling to know he preferred Hogwarts to his home.

Not wanting to impose or ask about home life so he wouldn't ask her either. But he couldn't get a signature?

"Yes, Professor, but I thought if you said I could go—"

"But I don't say so. Only a parent or a guardian must sign, and since I am neither, it would be inappropriate," She relayed, and while she walked forward a few steps, she turned back and offered a saddened frown.
"I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my final word." Both Ron and Hermione had watched the exchange and stood waiting for their friend, but he simply shook his head and waved for them to head out.

Cara, on the other hand, made her way forward. "I'm sorry you can't go...Do you want some company in the castle?" She asked, and while he wouldn't have minded. It was clear that she had a group of her own that were waiting for her to return. "No, I'm sorry I can't make it for the butterbeer."
"I'll get you something from Hogsmead, promise...And maybe now you could get started on that potion's assignment." She teased, but Harry didn't find it all that funny.

But he did appreciate that she was willing to purchase something for him. Even if he attempted to stop her, it just earned him another smirk.

"See you later Harry!" She called out before returning back to her family—all before conjoining with the rest of the students headed off to the village.

"So. No Hogsmeade, eh?" A voice pulled Harry from his thoughts and turned up to see Professor Lupin offering a kind smile, his cloak fastened around his shoulders as he nicked his head. Offering a walk.

It was easy to walk forward off towards the bridge, though Harry didn't question the professor—Watching in particular to the others on brooms tossing a quaffle back and forth.

"Don't feel too bad. I was roundly disappointed the first time I went." Lupin said with a small smile tugging on his lips, and Harry's head shot forward with relief.

"Really?"

"No. I was just trying to make you feel better. Honeydukes' sweets are the best in the world. Their pepper Imps are so strong you smoke at the ears. And Zonko's Joke shop may be dangerous, but you can't beat their Stink Pellets." Remus listed off, though he wondered if those products were outlawed in Hogwarts since the day he and his mates graduated.

Harry's shoulders instantly fell, recalling Hermione's plans of what to visit today and in what order. But at least she had Ron so she wouldn't be alone on the adventure.

"...Not to mention The Shrieking Shack, which, according to Herminone, is the most severely haunted building in Britain," Harry added, and Remus had been thankful he had been looking off in a different direction as he didn't need a reminder of that.

"Yes...That too." He offered, though this time it was a much tighter grin than the last. He didn't regret his decision on pushing Harry to join him, there was no doubt in that. Not to mention that this was the son of Jame Potter, he wouldn't put it past the fellow to sneak into the village on his own.

"Professor, can I ask you something?"

"You'd like to know why I stopped you from facing the Boggart...I should think it'd be obvious. I assumed the Boggart would take the shape of Lord Voldemort." It was clear from Harry's facial expression that Remus had taken him by surprise, though it caused him to look at him curiously. "But clearly...I was wrong."

It wasn't often that Harry had his head examined by someone other than Dumbledore. But having read James Potter throughout his youth, it was clear that all Potter's wore their heart on their sleeve for everyone to see.

"I did think of Voldemort first. But then I remembered that night on the train...And the Dementors..."
"Well. I'm impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is fear. That is very wise." Well Harry didn't feel all that wise at the moment.

"Before I fainted...I heard something. A woman screaming."
"Dementors force us to relive the worst memories of our lives. Our pain becomes their power." Remus explained, hoping that it might jog a bit more of a memory to tie into what he had heard, but Harry just turned grim as the moments passed.

He brought the heaviest part into the mix, something that he hadn't offered out to his friends.

"I think it was my mother. The night she was murdered." Harry said, looking up to his professor in hopes there was some sort of answer. Remus had been hopeful that he hadn't any trauma from that damned night—But here it was returning to torture him.

As if Sirius Black's escape hadn't been the worst mention of the year.

Professor Lupin didn't know if he wanted to extend too far of a helping hand to Harry, he hasn't deemed a godfather nor godmother—As if Aurora cared anymore from she was in making mere millions. However, after his monolog, his gaze turning to fond memory from the same castle—Course it was hard to look at Harry without recalling the first time he'd held him.

But Aurora had been right that faithful night of Harry's birth, that she certainly saw the glimpse of the future—That Harry would enjoy his time at Hogwarts.

Thus leaving him to eye the young lad affectionately, and Harry smiled at that reaction. Hearing about his mother and father in such positive light or in such a personal setting hadn't been the same. Not from his aunt or other professors, that's for sure.

Hagrid had been the one to produce the photo album in his possession—His pride possession at that.

"I could tell you stories—And there are many about your parents, Harry, but know this...They lived. Every moment of every day. You should know that. That's how they'd want to be remembered." Yes, Remus thought, that's how James and Lily would pass onto Harry.

The words had resonated with him for the rest of the walk back in return to the castle and Professor Lupin had issued that he had some assignments to grade, thus leaving the young Potter alone with his thoughts.

It hadn't been that much longer when Harry had wandered endlessly around the deserted castle. In previous years it hadn't bothered him all that much considering he couldn't do it, yet now he was of age and still couldn't.

He should've just forged the damn thing.

In returning to the grand hall, he caught the familiar buzz it had this morning right alongside breakfast. As he walked to his already seated friends, he greeted them with a smile.

"...And the post office! It's about 200 owls, all sitting on color-coded shelves, depending on how fast you want your letter to go!" Hermione said just breaths after asking Harry how his time in the castle had gone.

Not that he did the homework that Cara had pointed out was still going undone.

"And Honeyduke's is brilliant! Sugar Quills, Flaming Whizbees—And blood-flavored lollipops for Halloween!" Harry wanted to be happy for his friends, but his nods fell numb as he found himself picking through the offered candy from one of the Gryffindors.

Hermione was the first to notice.

"But I mean, after a while it got a bit boring. Don't you think Ron?" She ushered and Ron's brows had scrunched together in confusion.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Dead depressing. Especially having that drink with the Lestranges and my brothers, might have to watch out for those birds this season. Hang on—Almost forgot. I got you something wicked at Dervish and Bange's. It's a pocket Sneakoscopes." Ron claimed, placing a small glass spinning top on the table, and Harry had eyed it in question.

"If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's meant to light up and spin. Mind you, Fred and George said it's rubbish, sold for Wizard tourists, but I thought you know...Can't hurt given that—"
"Sirius Black's trying to kill me," Harry said finishing the observation, he took the solid glass device in his hold and smiled. Thanking them both for thinking of him during their time out.

"I'm glad you had a good time. Really. And thanks for this...Rubbish or not, you're right. It can't hurt." He hadn't said much else after that, not when the topic of Sirius Black had risen once again somewhere else.

However, the sudden greeting of a bubbly Cara Lestrange had caused him to jump. "So sorry Harry, didn't mean to scare you...A promise is a promise." She said, placing down the weighted bag of goodies, leaving his eyes to go wide.
"Cara, really this is too much—" She waved it off, all before catching the glass ball in his hand and she smiled.

"Oh that's a brilliant little thing, course it's hard for it to make it recognize you as the prime person. I'd put it under your pillow tonight when you sleep, that'll help it for sure." She said, and Hermione had been on the verge of questioning the process on that front. Yet Harry's smile had widened tenfold, even having peeked into the bag it was clear that she got him more than something Honeydukes.

"Romulus wouldn't let me bring a butterbeer for you back, but hopefully you'll be able to go soon." He shook his head and mumbled 'probably not,' and she pouted.

Something plagued Harry's mind and he was too private to speak out loud about it and thus, he bottled it up. So she remained and continued to dwell into a conversation with Ron about the Quidditch statistics for the professor league.

Which prompted Ginny to come and join the debate on which team was the better, course it was safe to say that the Holly Head Harpies had a strict fanbase between the two.

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Date Posted: 03-22-2021

Time: 9:07

Words: 2150

✨Surprise! Happy National Ravenclaw Day! And yesterday was National Slytherin Day!✨
Where are my snakes and birds at🐍 🦅
Any badgers or lions?🦡 🦁

Next update is for Immer Waise, see you Saturday and have a good rest of the week🤗💕