Jigsaw

CHAPTER 2

“…and remember everyone this months theme is significant monuments in history, but please do your research the complaint letters I had to deal with last month in regards to the ‘ten commandments’ being Merlin’s Christmas wish list was quite disturbing. Please remember these are muggles we’re writing for not wizards.” Harry smiled up at the blonde witch standing at the head of the conference table, as everyone else began to leave chattering away about their own work. “Let’s walk and talk Potter.” Harry nodded and obediently stood up from table as Luna Lovegood strode from the conference room, leaving her intern to gather up all her papers and things from the table. Harry had to run to catch up with the witch, whose short skirt rode up high on her thighs, and her high heels clicked on the tiles of the corridor. Luna after school had gone from shy, head in the clouds kind of girl to corporate witch in the blink of her eye. She’d started the magazine from scratch, intent on keeping the muggles in the world informed of what was actually real and what wasn’t in their world. It was a good idea but the muggles it seemed were quite happy being non-believers, and instead the magazine had done better in the niche market of ‘alien’s’ and ‘ghosts’ stories. “So what’s your story this month Potter?” Luna glanced over his shoulder at Harry who was still a step or two behind her.

“Big Ben.” Harry spoke quickly as he climbed into the lift beside Luna who held the doors open long enough for her over loaded intern to scrambled in behind them before shutting them and pressing the button for the next floor.

“Ah yes, Professor Snuffleboat’s time machine, good idea Potter.” Harry smiled at Luna as the bell of the lift indicated that they’d reached the next floor. Stepping out of the lift Harry followed Luna down the hall of cubical to his own little workspace. It was not surprising that the small 5 by 5 space was now decorated in birthday balloons, gifts and streamers. “Well as long as it’s in before deadline next week, Harry Birthday Potter.” Luna smiled sideways at Harry who nodded as she began down the hall towards her own spacious office at the end of the hall.
“Are you coming tonight Luna?” Harry inquired as he pushed some streamers out of the way to try and see his computer screen.

“Unfortunately not Potter I’m afraid I can’t bare being in the same room as Neville. Sorry.” Harry nodded understandingly as the blonde disappeared into her office, her door slamming closed behind her just as her intern scuttled in after her. Harry sighed and flopped down onto his chair in the cubical and looked around at the gifts, cards and other birthday things on his desk. It didn’t seem like eight years since he’d graduated from Hogwarts and it certainly didn’t feel like six since Voldemort had gone. The war was over and everyone had moved on, everyone accept him it seemed.

With a sigh Harry got out his notes for his story, and typed for as long as he could managed before finally he’d had enough and his craving for space outside drawing him up from his desk.

With a smile and a wave at the secretary manning the front desk Harry left work and headed for the Leaky Cauldron. He’d promised his godfather he’d go and see him this week and now seemed as good a time as any, even though he was likely to be seeing him tonight at the so called ‘party’.

“Good day Mr. Potter?” Harry smiled at the barkeeper as he passed through the dingy little wizarding pub, making his way through the back and out into the unassuming brick wall. With a flick of his wand the wall disappeared and Harry stepped through onto the busy street of Diagon Alley. The first day of the new school year at Hogwarts began tomorrow and parents and students alike were running to and fro across the street gathering their last minute school supplies. Harry dodged them all, stopping only momentarily in the sweet shop to collect two Knuts worth of boiled sweets for his godfather and Remus. Harry reached the apparition point and was quickly moved along the line until he was soaring through space to land without a scratch in the middle of Hogsmeade Village. Dodging out of the way of a horse pulled cart Harry made his way over to the set of shops opposite the Three Broomsticks pub. Harry smiled up at the sign hanging above the shop window.

‘Sirius and Wolf Specialty Quidditch Supplies.’

The shop bell jangled as Harry stepped inside the warmth of the shop.

“Be with you in a minute.” Came the familiar voice from behind the counter. Harry smiled and took a moment or two to check out the new broomstick levitated in the window, along with the new ‘professional’ grade snitch. “Well then how can I help you…” Harry spun around as watched Remus stand up from behind the counter, dust clinging to his nose and a large black broom polish mark across his cheek. “Ah Harry, ‘bout time you dropped in.” Remus practically beamed at Harry who obediently came around and hugged the wolf, who sniffed him pensively for a moment. “Stopped smoking again have we?” Remus inquired knowingly as he held Harry out at arms length to get a better look at him. Remus had aged very well over the past eight years; the wolf genes in him making him seem younger than what he was.

“Trying.” Harry muttered as he handed Remus the bag of boiled sweets, the wolf’s eyes lighting up in wonder as he opened the bag and began shuffling through them looking for his favorites. “Where’s Sirius?” Harry glanced around Remus into the back of the shop looking for his godfather but there was no sign of him.

“Next door digging holes in the garden and pissing all over the twin’s shed.” Remus replied quickly as he stuffed a large, red boiled sweet into is mouth and sucked vigorously. Harry tutted and rolled his eyes wondering what had gone on now between the Weasley Twin’s and his godfather. It had been only four years ago since Remus and Sirius had gone into partnership in the little shop. It had seemed like a good idea for his godfather to buy the shop next to the twins joke shop but with time the flaws in this plan had come to the surface. With the absence of their younger brother Ron, as their test subject the twins had turned their attention to Remus and Sirius, who were constantly being the subject of the twin’s experimental jokes.

“What did they do this time?” Harry muttered as he sat himself up on the counter as Remus continued to suck his sweet.

“Weasley’s Wizarding Bubblegum. ‘The bubble that never bursts.” Harry knew already that this story was going to end in disaster but let Remus continued anyway. “They gave Sirius a bit to try last week, he blew a bubble so big he took to the sky. The twins came up with this spray that bursts it, but when it did finally burst it literally covered Sirius head to foot. There was no way of getting it off him but to shave him bald.” Just at that moment the door bell jangled and Harry watched as a very pink, bald and dirty dog came padding into the shop, it’s tail wagging enthusiastically as if it had just caused chaos next door. Harry stifled a giggle as Sirius transformed quickly back into human form. Thankfully Sirius in human form had hair obviously a spell but Sirius the dog was a bald as could be.

“Harry! Happy Birthday! I told Remus you’d drop by.” Harry smiled as Sirius hugged him tightly completely ignoring the fact that his hands were still covered in dirt. “Oooh, sweets.” Harry smiled as Sirius snatched the bag of sweets from Remus who had already eaten the one’s he liked. “Remus you pig you ate all the red one’s.” Sirius glared at Remus before settling for a blue sweet when Remus gave him a red colored cheeky grin.

“So here on pleasure or you in the market for a new broom?” Sirius smiled at his godson who looked pointedly over his shoulder at his godfather’s comment.

“You know I don’t fly anymore.” Harry whispered feeling the heartache settle in his chest as he thought about how good it had once felt to be atop a broom in flight.

“I still don’t know why, it’s a pathetic excuse if you ask me.” Sirius looked pointedly back at his godson who sighed heavily, not really wanting to get into his argument again having explained time and time again why he no longer flew.

“Don’t start Sirius, I’m not in the mood.” Harry snapped sharply as he took one of the sweets from the bag and put it in his mouth. It was a green flavored one, and Harry screwed his nose up at the taste. Everyone hated the green ones; it was just his luck to get the single one out of the entire pack.

“So I’m guessing Ron told you about the party tonight?” Remus quickly changed the subject noting the rising tension between godson and godfather. Harry rolled his eyes and nodded.

“Yeah, last night.” Harry muttered not at all looking forward to the party, he was required to attend.

”We did try and tell her Harry but Molly won’t listen. Just come and enjoy it, she hasn’t got a lot to do anymore now that Arthur’s gone and her brood have all left the nest.” Harry nodded understandingly. Molly Weasley had been like a mother to him for most of his school life and it had been an extremely sad day when Arthur Weasley had died. The man had battled on with his injuries after the war but in the end like many he’d been lost. Molly had looked after him in those last few months and Harry had spent every waking hour with Ron, who it seemed was most affected by it. In the end though he went quietly in his wife’s arms the unbreakable curse taking his last breath from his body, too late for the curse breakers who’d been trying to save him for years.

“So anyway how’s things with you two?” Determined to lighten his mood Harry changed the subject, if he dwelled for to long on the past it would only serve to make his nightmares about the war worse tonight.

“So, so. The shop’s been doing a roaring trade, Remus has finally found a new supplier of quality wolfsbane potion, and me I’m enjoying life fucking with the Weasley twin’s backyard.” Sirius grinned cheekily as the clock on the wall behind the shop counter struck lunchtime.

“Mmm, about time for some food I reckon. Harry do you want to join us?” Remus grabbed his and Sirius’ coat from the back room of the shop before flicking his wand at the till and locking it up.

“Alright.” Harry agreed as he joined Sirius outside on the road, waiting while Remus locked up.

“We just go across to the pub, but Madam Rosmerta makes a mean toasted cheese and ham sandwich.” Harry smiled and allowed his godfather to guide him towards the pub. He felt better in the company of Sirius and it wouldn’t hurt to spend his birthday with his family.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>

A/N I\'d appreciated at least a few reviews but please don\'t kick me while I\'m down, cause I\'m likely to curl up with my tail between my legs and whine all night... I understand if you\'re a little miffed about me pulling the last story but I promise I won\'t pull the plug on this one... promise with sugar on top.

RiffRaff