A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

Part 68

"Maybe we should stop making them," Fred said.

Harry and Tom continued to explore while Sirius began asking the twins questions about other potentially bad products.

"Let's hope they're more careful in the future," Harry said.

"Yes, let's." Tom looked agitated, casting glances at the entrance.

"We can leave if you want. I don't mind. The shop's not going anywhere anytime soon."

Tom shrugged. "We better tell Sirius."

Sirius, unsurprisingly, wanted to stay longer. "Where do you want to meet up? Florean Fortescue's? I wouldn't mind some ice cream."

"Sounds good," said Harry. "See you there."

They passed Ron, Ginny, and Hermione on their way out. Ginny had a purple Pygmy Puff in her arms.

"Your mum got you one, then?" Harry said.

"Mhm. I named him Arnold."

"Better than what he would have suggested," Tom said, jabbing a finger at Harry. "He probably would have called him Furball or Fuzzy."

"I would not have!" Harry said indignantly. "Don't listen to Tom, he's just mad about U-No-Poo."

Ginny laughed, looking a little better.

Harry and Tom reached the parlor and bought ice cream. Harry had to stop eating at one point because Tom kept making unnecessarily loud noises as he licked his spoon off.

"Do you mind?" Harry finally said.

Tom rounded his eyes. "Do I mind what?"

"You know what!"

"Mm, I'm pretty sure it's called U-No-Poo."

Harry gave up.

"Harry!"

It was Draco that had spoken. He came over and pulled up a chair. "Have you seen the new joke shop?"

"Yeah, we just left," Harry answered. "Did you go in?"

Draco shook his head. "Father said we have better things to do than waste our time fooling around with trivial matters. I agree."

"It's a really cool place," Harry said defensively. "Granted, some of the products can be dangerous, but then again, what isn't? Anyway," he went on, changing the subject because Draco didn't look convinced, "how are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine. Except Mother keeps dropping hints about courting Pansy when the time comes. Mothers!" He shook his head.

"Mothers," echoed Harry, painfully aware he couldn't truly understand his friend's plight. Well, Remus came close, he supposed. And Severus certainly had his moments, especially when Remus didn't.

He was saved from having to say anything else by Sirius' arrival.

"I hope you three were behaving," Sirius said, giving the group a look.

"When have we ever misbehaved?" Harry asked, smiling and blinking up at him innocently.

Draco looked indignant. "Don't group me with those two."

"Draco." Sirius clapped a hand on his shoulder. "When you're in the presence of these two, you're bound to be caught up in our shenanigans somehow."

"Or you," Harry pointed out.

"Or me," Sirius agreed. "And once you add Rem and Sev into the mix..."

Draco stared up at him for a few seconds before slowly standing. "I'm going to go find my father." Before I get caught up went unsaid but fully understood.

Sirius ordered some ice cream for himself and Remus and they all went home.

The first thing they heard coming in was Barty running around yelling Azure's name. "Where the fuck is that little snake?"

"Where have you checked?" Harry asked.

"Where haven't I checked?" Barty retorted, looking frazzled.

"Outside?" Tom suggested. "She likes burrowing in the dirt."

Barty paused. "Be right back." He disappeared so fast he might have Apparated.

Remus was lying on the couch with a pillow clutched over his head. Sirius leaned over and removed it, revealing unkempt hair falling over a very disgruntled face.

"We're back, Moony," he said in a singsong voice.

"About time. I was this close to hexing Barty," Remus said, holding his fingers close together. "So how was it? Get anything?"

"Just ice cream from Fortescue's," Sirius replied, handing the chocolate sundae over to Remus, who immediately dug in. Then he went on telling him all the cool products they saw — and the one that didn't leave a good impression.

"Love potions? Really?" Remus looked skeptical, pausing with the spoon halfway to his mouth. "They do realize their sister was basically under one for a good several months, don't they?"

"Not until Harry brought it up," Sirius said, finishing up his ice cream. "Ginny was pretty upset, not that I blame her."

"Is she okay now?" Remus asked.

"She seemed fine when we were leaving," Harry replied. "Her mum had bought her a Pygmy Puff. Cute little ball of fluff. You'd love them."

"You'll have to show me next time we go, then." He took one last bite and laid back down. "But for now, leave me alone. I'm tired."

Harry and Tom went off to leave him in peace. And Sirius went to fetch some more food for Remus.

Remus loving chocolate is one of those headcanons that you just accept without thinking too deeply about. I mean, canonically, Remus is never seen eating it himself, he's always handing it to someone.

Thoughts on George fangirling (fanboying?) over Sirius' approval of the products? Barty's and Azure's friendship? Ginny's reaction to the love potion? Anything else?

Up next: the party the night before Harry's birthday — and before he and Tom bond