The sun shone brightly over Diagon Alley as Eduardus and Harry walked toward Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, their spirits high after a morning of shopping. The bustling street was filled with wizards and witches going about their business, and the lively atmosphere was infectious.

"Let's take a break and get some ice cream," Eduardus suggested with a grin. "It's your birthday, after all."

Harry's face lit up with excitement. "That sounds great! I've never had wizard ice cream before."

They entered the parlor, and the cool air and sweet aroma of various ice cream flavors greeted them. They made their selections—Harry chose strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice cream, and Eduardus opted for Sticky Toffee Pudding ice cream. They found a table outside where they could watch the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley.

As they sat down and started eating, Eduardus turned to Harry. "So, who did you come to Diagon Alley with?"

Harry took a bite of his ice cream and replied, "I came with a half-giant named Rubeus Hagrid. He's the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. He had some errands to run and told me to start shopping for my school supplies."

Eduardus felt a wave of concern for Harry. "You've been shopping on your own?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, but it's been fun. There's so much to see."

Eduardus smiled warmly. "Well, how about we shop together for the rest of the day? It'll be more fun that way, and I can help you find everything you need."

Harry's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "That would be great, Eddie. Thanks!"

They ate their ice cream in companionable silence before Harry looked at Eduardus curiously. "What about you, Eddie? Can you tell me more about yourself?"

Eduardus hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But then he heard a faint whisper, almost as if Lady Magic herself was guiding him. "My parents... Well, it's a bit complicated. My father is Sirius Black, and my Mother is Marlene McKinnon."

Harry looked concerned when he saw Eduardus looking hesitant. "What's wrong?" He asked.

Eduardus looked at his surroundings warily before looking at Harry. "When we go to Hogwarts on the first day of school or maybe even at the Hogwarts Express and see people look at me cautiously, it is because of my father." He whispered.

Harry tilted his head, looking confused.

"My father. He is currently in Azakaban. It's like a Wizarding Prison for Witches and Wizards who have committed horrendous crimes." Eduardus explained so Harry could understand.

Harry nodded.

"My mother told me, ten years ago, my father got arrested for telling Voldemort where your parents were hiding." Eduardus saw Harry look conflicted.

"She knows my father very well! My Mother knows he would rather kill himself than tell Voldemort where your parents were hiding because, as I said earlier, your father and my father were best friends, almost like brothers. She and I believe he got framed because he had never gotten a trail." He explained.

"The Wizarding World doesn't believe in Innocent before proven guilty?" Harry asked.

Eduardus stared.

"It's a Muggle term I have heard at school: Any defendant in a criminal trial is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty," Harry explained.

"Well, the Wizarding World is in the Victorian era, so the Muggles are ahead of our time apparently," Eduardus mutters.

"Is your Mother with you? I want to meet her," Harry smiled, changing the subject.

Eduardus bit his inner cheek. "My Mother couldn't come with me to Diagon Alley. Even though it's been ten years since Lord Voldemort died, she's in hiding. My Mother and I are the last of the McKinnon family since Voldemort slaughtered the rest of them." He frowned.

Harry's expression turned solemn. "I'm sorry, Eddie. That sounds awful."

Eduardus forced a smile, wanting to keep the mood light for Harry's sake. "It's been hard, but I'm here now. And I'm glad to have made a new friend."

Harry smiled back. "Me too. It's nice to have someone to talk to about all this."

As they finished their ice cream, Eduardus felt a renewed sense of purpose. Protecting and guiding Harry felt like the right thing to do, and he was determined to ensure his new friend had the support he needed in the magical world.

"Ready to get the rest of your school supplies?" Eduardus asked, standing up and offering Harry a hand.

Harry took it with a grin. "Definitely. Let's go."

Together, they continued their journey through Diagon Alley, their bond growing stronger with each step.

Eduardus and Harry stood before the tall, narrow shop of Ollivanders, the sight of countless wand boxes stacked high bringing a sense of awe. The two boys pushed open the door, and a soft chime announced their entrance.

Inside, the shop was dimly lit, and the air smelled of aged wood and dust. A tall, silver-haired man appeared from the shadows behind the counter. His eyes were sharp and curious, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Good afternoon," greeted Garrick Ollivander, his voice as soft as the chime they heard earlier. "Ah, Mr. Potter, I've been expecting you. You look remarkably like your father but with your Mother's eyes."

Harry nodded, a little taken aback. "Thank you, sir."

Ollivander's gaze shifted to Eduardus. "And you, young man, you look familiar. Are you, by chance, related to Regulus Black?"

Eduardus shook his head, his expression calm. "Regulus was my uncle. My parents are Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon."

Ollivander's eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Ah, I see. Your birth must have been quite a secret."

Eduardus nodded. "Yes, sir. I was born on March 14, 1980, when Voldemort and the Death Eaters terrorized the Wizarding World. Only a few people knew of my existence, and two of them were James and Lily Potter."

Ollivander's expression softened with understanding and sympathy. "You both have remarkable histories. Now, who shall be the first to find their wand?"

Harry stepped forward, nerves and excitement evident on his face. "I'll go first."

Ollivander nodded and began pulling out boxes, measuring Harry, and handing him wands to try. After several attempts, Harry finally found the right one: a wand of holly and phoenix feather.

"Curious," Ollivander murmured but didn't elaborate further.

Now, it was Eduardus's turn. He stepped up, wondering if he would receive the same wand he had in his first life or if a new wand would choose him this time.

Ollivander measured him, muttering as he pulled out a few boxes. Eduardus tried several wands, each rejecting him in turn. Finally, Ollivander handed him a wand of cedar wood and dragon heartstring. The moment Eduardus held it, he felt a warmth and a surge of power through his hand.

"Ah, yes," Ollivander said, smiling. "A fine match. Twelve and a half inches, cedar wood, and dragon heartstring. A most intriguing combination."

Eduardus looked at the wand, feeling a sense of connection to it. "What does it mean, Mr. Ollivander?"

Ollivander's eyes twinkled as he explained. "Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty. My father, Gervaise Ollivander, used to say, 'You will never fool the cedar carrier,' I agree. The cedar wand finds its perfect home where there is insight and perception. I would go further than my father, however, in saying that I have never yet met the owner of a cedar wand whom I would care to cross, especially if harm is done to those of whom they are fond. The witch or wizard well-matched with cedar carries the potential to be a frightening adversary, which often comes as a shock to those who have thoughtlessly challenged them."

Eduardus absorbed Ollivander's words, feeling a sense of pride and responsibility. He nodded, understanding the weight of the wand he now carried.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander," Eduardus said, slipping his new wand into his pocket.

"Use it wisely," Ollivander replied, his gaze lingering on the two boys for a moment longer before they left the shop.

As they stepped back into Diagon Alley, Harry looked at Eduardus with a newfound friendship. "Looks like we both have a lot to live up to."

Eduardus smiled, his determination renewed. "Yes, but we'll face it together."

As they made their way down Diagon Alley, they spotted Hagrid towering over the crowd, his wild hair making him easy to identify.

"Hagrid!" Harry called out, waving.

Hagrid turned, a broad smile spreading when he saw Harry. "Harry! There yeh are!" He made his way over, his giant steps causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Harry grinned up at him. "Hagrid, this is my new friend, Eduardus. We'll be starting at Hogwarts together this fall."

Hagrid looked at Eduardus, his kind eyes twinkling. "Nice ter meet yeh, Eduardus. Any friend o' Harry's is a friend of mine."

Eduardus smiled and shook Hagrid's hand. "Nice to meet you too, Hagrid."

Hagrid beamed, then held the cage to Harry. "I've got a little somethin' for yeh, Harry. Happy birthday!" The two boys see a beautiful female snowy owl, her feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

Harry's eyes widened in amazement. "Hagrid, she's beautiful! Thank you so much!"

Hagrid's grin widened. "Glad yeh like her, Harry. You'll need an owl at Hogwarts, and she'll make sure yeh can send and receive letters."

Harry gently took the cage, feeling a surge of happiness and gratitude. "I've never had a birthday present before. This means a lot to me."

Eduardus watched the interaction, touched by the genuine affection between Hagrid and Harry. He knew Harry was in good hands with Hagrid.

Eduardus patted Harry on the shoulder. "I'll see you on the first day of school, Harry. Take care."

Harry nodded, still beaming. "Thanks, Eddie. See you soon!"

Eduardus walked away, heading to a quieter part of Diagon Alley. He spotted Kreacher waiting for him in a shadowed corner.

"Master Eduardus," Kreacher said, bowing slightly. "I have acquired the rest of your school supplies and a pet, a black owl, for you. Everything has been taken back to Grimmauld Place."

Eduardus smiled, feeling grateful. "Thank you, Kreacher. You've done an excellent job. I'm going to check out Flourish and Blotts for some books."

Kreacher nodded. "Very well, Master Eduardus. I will be nearby if you need me."

Eduardus entered the bookstore, immediately drawn to the rows of shelves filled with books. As he wandered through the aisles, he noticed a girl struggling to reach a book on a high shelf. He walked over and quickly grabbed the book for her.

"Here you go," Eduardus said, handing the book to her.

The girl, a bushy-haired witch with intelligent eyes, looked at him in surprise. "Thank you!" Their hands touched briefly, and both felt a strange, warm sensation.

"You're welcome," Eduardus replied, a bit flustered by the unexpected feeling.

Hermione smiled, holding the book close. "I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"

"Eduardus Black," he answered. "Nice to meet you, Hermione."

Hermione looked at him curiously. "Black, like Sirius Black?" She whispered.

Eduardus nodded. "Yes, he's my father."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Wow, that's interesting. I've read about him. I didn't know he had a son."

Eduardus smiled. "It's because Mother didn't want anyone to know about me. It was nice meeting you, Hermione. Maybe I'll see you around."

Hermione nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Maybe you will. Thanks again for the book."

Eduardus waved and walked away, feeling a strange connection with the girl. As he browsed the shelves for books to read over the summer, he couldn't help but wonder if he would see Hermione again. Little did he know, their paths were destined to cross at Hogwarts, and this brief encounter was just the beginning of their intertwined futures.