The first month of summer vacation, Harry had spent his time at the beach with his dad. They had gone fishing and snorkeling off the coast. The next month Serverus Snape came to visit he had been released after having saved Dumbledore from being killed by Bruce. Serverus had jumped at his chance to cancel the life debt. Now Snape was free to come and go as he pleased without fear of Dumbledore.
What surprised Harry the most was the fact that Snape and Bruce were so very alike. They had black hair both were pretty much bats in the night, although Snape was more of a all day bat, and they were both very private people.
It was in late July when Harry, Bruce, and Snape went to visit the American ministry of magic. The American minister, Bobby Smith was the brother of the Mayor of Gotham, Roy Smith (I don't know if the mayor had a name in any of the movies or cartoons), today the minister was going to take them to the American version of Diagon alley.
They entered the large office decorated with plain simple decorations with a large red carpet on the floor. The room was round and a mahogany desk sat in front of a large open window "Mr. Wayne, young Harry how are you today?" the minister asked.
Harry shook the man's hand, "fine thank you," Harry motion to Snape, "this is Serverus Snape my potions professor." The minister shook the man's hand they talked for a few minutes more before the minister told them the name of the floo address was and taking off.
Harry stepped into the floo and shouted, "Redwood alley." His arms tucked in tightly to his sides as he spun around and around. He could see a ton of fireplaces shoot by before dropping down into one. Harry slammed into the ground and fell to the ground at the minister's feet. The older man smiled," I know I'm the minister Harry but there's no need to bow at my feet."
Harry glared at the man who reached down and helped the boy up just as his father came through quickly followed by Snape.
The room they were in wasn't a bar like in Diagon alley, but a nice hotel. The walls were white and the tables had coverings on them and were made of steel. The group walked to the back door and stepped through. They were met with a alley much like Diagon alley, it was filled with various shops but had electricity instead of the various candle's at Diagon.
They walked to the bank like Diagon it was a Gringotts, accept inside the goblins were dressed nicely and were treated with respect by the general public. The group walked up to the nearest open teller and waited. Harry turned to him and asked, "Are all of these Gringotts linked to the other banks or do you have to be in your original country."
The minister smiled, "there all linked the accounts in any Gringotts bank can have money transferred over here. But today it's my treat." Harry nodded and waited as the minister got money before they left.
As they were leaving Snape grabbed Harry's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "When you get back to England, look into your bank account. I believe your parents left you a trust account for personal use."
Harry nodded and made a mental note to check into it. The group walked over to the book store and Harry quickly found interesting books. See in America the Dark arts weren't banned, they saw that it was the intent of the castor that causes a spell to be bad. So Harry got Dark Arts for beginners by Natalie Prewitt and Dark Arts you need to know. Also he picked up how to make Electronics work with magic by Christopher Mallory and Defensive Magic by Timothy Griffin. Harry was happy with his choices but vowed to come back and get more later on.
After the book store the group went over to the robe shop where Harry bough 3 dress robes for ministry balls they had decided to attend. With the minister's help while they were in England they had decide they would support him with his upcoming campaign.
As it got later Harry grew more and more tired he eventually fell asleep his head falling against his father's shoulder. The adults continued to talk for another hour before they finally decided to call it a night. Bruce stood and picked up Harry into his arms. He said his goodbyes before he and Snape left.
The next morning Harry woke and headed to breakfast Alfred gave him a plate of bacon and toast with a side of eggs. "Alfred, where's dad?"
Alfred poured Harry a glass of orange juice, "he and Master Serverus went out. They'll be back later in the afternoon." Harry nodded and turned to his food.
The morning was spent playing video games and watching TV. Harry sighed and turned off the TV, it was 3 and Bruce and Snape weren't back yet. Harry decided to do some homework and went up stairs. He breezed through history of magic and Defense before setting down his quill. Harry went out to the garage and grabbed the keys to the dirt bike. He put his helmet on and turned on the bike. Harry knew he wasn't supposed to be driving it till he was 14 but what his dad didn't know wont hurt him.
Harry raced through the dirt roads in the back of the manor, popping wheelies and doing tricks. He sped along the road at top speed. As he got farther from the manor he skidded to a stop, and took off the helmet. He got off the bike and headed off the trail to a small stream before taking off his shirt and jumping into the water.
Harry swam for about an hour before it started to get dark; he got out of the water and grabbed his shirt putting it back on, before getting on his bike and taking off at top speed laughing as he went. Harry slammed on his breaks when he saw something run in front of him. He flew over the handle bars and
landed hard on his side. Harry was laying in pain for a second when he felt something wet touch his cheek.
Groaning he turned over and was met with the site of a large black dog sitting beside him. Harry sat up and the dog licked his face. Harry laughed and pushed the mutt away, "What are you doing here. Where do you live boy."
The dog barked and Harry could see right away there wasn't any fat on the dog, "do you want to come home with me boy. I've always wanted a dog."
Harry stood and looked at his bike and cursed, it was broken the wheels were bent. Harry grabbed it and began to walk towards the manor the dog following him. They walked a long time before they finally reached the manor. Harry put the bike in the garage before going in. Inside Harry was met with his fathers angry face Harry swallowed, "h-hi dad."
Bruce looked at his son, the boys cheek was cut up and his shirt was ripped. Behind him he saw a very skinny black dog. "You took the bike out when you knew you weren't suppose to, didn't you," Bruce crossed his arms and glared at his son.
Harry guiltily," I was just bored dad. I'm sorry."
He knew if he at least pretended to be guilty he wouldn't get into as much trouble.His dad looked at him, "get that mutt something to eat, and then go into my study," Bruce glared at his son one more time before turning around and leaving.
Harry looked at the dog and sighed, "let's go boy."
He went to the kitchen and found two bowls. He filled one with water and the other one with left over roast beef from supper the night before. After taking care of the dog he went to his father's study.
Harry entered and sat in front of his dad's desk. Bruce began to lecture his son, "Why do you always disobey me. I tell you to do something and then you go and do it anyway. Why can't you do as I ask for once? I was going to get you a reserve the Gotham amusement park for your birthday. But obviously don't deserve the reward."
Harry gasped there was no way his dad was thinking not to reserve it, there was a no way. "Dad come on you can't. I'll be good until my birthday please."
Bruce shook his head, "if your can behave that long I'll think about it. Now as for your punishment, get over here."
Harry want to ague but knew it would only be worse he did. Harry was pulled over the older man's knee, "When I tell SLAP you not to SLAP do something SLAP then you don't SLAP do it SLAP." Harry bit his lip trying not to cry but the hand pounded hard on his butt, leaving no part unpunished, "if you do SLAP it again SLAP you'll go SLAP to boot camp SLAP for the rest SLAP of the summer SLAP am I clear SLAP."
By this time he was done Harry was crying. Bruce noting this picked Harry up and settled him where it wouldn't hurt his butt before beginning to rub the boys back soothingly. When Harry finally stopped crying Bruce sent him to his room. Harry collected the dog from the kitchen and headed to his room. When he got there he laid down on his bed.
The dog jumped up beside him and for the first time noticed the dog didn't stink anymore. Harry shrugged Alfred must have bathed him. The old man couldn't stand for anything dirty to be in his house. Harry turned to the dog and began to pet him, "what are we going to name you boy," the dog yipped, "hmm... good but I think Snuffles is a better name," The dog barked in agreement.
That night Harry slept with Snuffles his arm wrapped around the dog and the dogs nose buried in his neck. For some reason it felt natural, he was in this position when Bruce entered the room causing the older man to chuckle at the sight. Bruce walked up to Harry and tucked him in, causing the dog to wake up and look at him. "Watch over him for me dog," the dog stared up into his eyes and for some reason the man knew the dog would. Bruce walked over to the door and turned out the light before leaving.