A/N- Long long chapter. But it is jammed packed with details and events. The x's are there to help break it up into managable and understandable sections. Severus may seem OOC here but this is non-canon compliant. This is a world where Voldemort is truly dead. No Horcruxes, no twin cores. This is my, well I'm calling it my "Saving" arch. IT is AU. If you do not like AU, don't read. No descriptive abuse today, I wasn't in the mood for it. Anyway, enter Severus and our old friend, Tim Rainwater. (See INoS?.) Oh, and Draco too. Let me know what you think.~Case
Vernon was on a business trip for the week, thank god. Hopefully she could find a way to get Harry out of there, and soon. Vernon had nearly killed him this last time, and that hadn't even stopped the man from hitting and kicking the child whenever he saw him. She was up early this morning, having seen him off to the airport at a quarter past five. Harry was still asleep and when he woke up, she would let him know that Vernon was gone. A week. Just a week to fix all the wrongs her husband had done to that child this year, but it would have to be enough. She would have to make this a good week for Harry. His birthday was soon, this week even, and Dudley was still at camp. She could finally spend time with just Harry. And she was thankful for that. Her bruises had faded, but her mind was still angry. The poor child. She just had to help him.
Harry woke with a start. It was quiet. Very quiet. A quick glance at his door showed rays of sunshine peaking through. He had overslept. Crap. Vernon would kill him. With that last thought he pushed himself up, pulling a dirty shirt over his bruise-covered ribs, snatched his glasses off the shelf and cautiously opened his cupboard door. He peered around the edge with a small frown. There was no one. Where was uncle? He padded silently to the kitchen and froze at the sight of Petunia making breakfast. She turned her head toward him with a small smile.
"Morning, Harry. Sit down, breakfast shall be ready soon." Petunia remarked softly, watching him. Chances were he was confused. Vernon was rarely gone for long periods and even rarer was Dudley gone at the same time.
Harry merely stared at her. "Sorry. Let me get that, Aunt Petunia." He muttered quietly, eyes down, padding toward the stove.
"No, Harry. Sit at the table please." Petunia ordered with a sigh. It would be a long week. "Vernon is away on business for the time being, on the continent. He will be gone for a week and a half. While he is gone, we will play a game Harry. Do you remember that game?" How she hated this, but how else did she make a ten year-old boy understand the cruelty that he was faced with constantly was not right. How did she explain what a normal family was to him, when this had been the normal for his entire life?
"Yes, Aunt Petunia. "
"Can you explain the rules to me, Harry?" She asked softly.
Harry frowned, screwing up his face in thought. "Yes, Aunt Petunia. I have to pretend to not be a freak."
"Harry!"
"Sorry." He ducked his head. What else did she want him to say? He was a freak. He knew he was a freak. She had just forgotten, was all.
"Perhaps I shall remind you, then. Rule number one, you are not to call yourself that name. You are not a freak, Harry James! You are not to do the yard work or the cooking. You may help me around the house if you want to but only if you want to. You will allow me to buy you a new toy and you will go with me for your birthday dinner. You will not sleep in the cupboard, but in the...guest bedroom. You will eat every meal at the table and you are allowed as much to eat as you want. You will let me take care of you. You will ask questions, if you have any. You will play games. Do you understand these rules Harry? Can you follow them?" Petunia sighed, outlining everything that a child should have. Harry's shocked nod was the only sign that he was listening. It was going to be a long day indeed.
-x-
Three days later, Petunia knocked briefly on the door of the guest bedroom. The room that should be Harry every day, not just when the men were gone. She had let him sleep late, and for good reason. Today was his birthday. When his little face peaked cautiously around the edge of the door at her, she smiled. "Happy Birthday Harry. I made brunch for you but I want you to open this first." She held out a wrapped package to him, watching his round, shocked eyes. She had never given him a present on his birthday before. Vernon would never allow it. She always managed to sneak something into his cupboard, a new book or a warm blanket, but never much. This was his first present for the day. She was going to take him out. Perhaps to the Zoo, but probably to the museum as Harry always seemed to enjoy those field trips at school. Harry slowly took the package from her, fingering the plain brown wrapping. "Go on, Harry. Open it. I got it just for you." She encouraged softly, just as she had encouraged him to eat and play and read for the last three days. She wanted him to have a normal life but she knew that unless she escaped, he could not. Not under this roof.
Harry slowly pulled the paper off and then lifted the lid off the package. Inside was a brand new paper of trousers, ones that would actually fit, and a new button down. His eyes lit up at the gift. He had never had new clothes before! But if Vernon saw them...then Vernon just wouldn't see them.
"Go put them on Harry and come downstairs." Petunia hid a smile, hiding down stairs back to the kitchen. And stopped instantly when she spotted the owl on the window ledge. Of course it would come today. She sighed and went over to it, glancing back to make sure Harry was still upstairs. She quickly took the scroll it offered, giving it a bit of bacon. "Would you please wait until I have a response? It will not be until this afternoon, but I need to sent a message to the Headmaster." She asked softly. The owl merely hooted, took the bit of bacon and glided into a nearby tree. She smiled, pocketing the letter. She would open it later and write a reply. And a request.
After a long day of celebrating, having tucked Harry into his bed and told him another, much longer, story about Lily, one that he fell asleep listening to, Petunia pulled out the envelope once more. She had told Harry the story of Lily's magic tonight. He had been confused but she tried her best to explain it, even when he kept telling her that Vernon said magic didn't exist. She would have to speak to him about it in full tomorrow. But now, now she needed to read and sent a message back to Hogwarts. She read quickly through the acceptance letter, merely glancing at the supply lists. She had money saved up, hidden from Vernon, for Harry's education and supplies. That was not much of a concern. What was a concern, however, was keeping Harry safe. With that thought, she took out a sheet of paper and a pen, quickly jotting down a note. Walking to the window, she called the owl down. With a long remembered ease she tied the letter to its leg, feeding it a bit of bread. "Take this to the Headmaster, please." The owl took flight, quickly vanishing into the distance.
"Dear Headmaster Dumbledore, I am imploring you to please sent someone to help Harry get his supplies and to take him immediately back to Hogwarts. He is not safe here. I cannot protect him from my husband for much longer. I fear for the child's life. I ask that you sent someone tomorrow evening, I will spent the morning informing Harry of his heritage. Please help, Petunia Dursley."
-x-
Harry glared at his aunt. Glared! He was always passive but now she was messing with his head. The letter she gave him, from some boarding school, could not be real. Not at all! Magic didn't exist. That's what Vernon said. But Vernon had been wrong before. Right? Right. His parents death oddly made sense in his mind, it explained his odd nightmares. But still, magic! "Mum was a freak too, then." He muttered.
"Harry James! Your mother was not a freak. You are not a freak! Magic is a special gift. It does not make you a freak. It makes you different, yes. But you are not a freak. I do not want to hear you say that again, young man. Or you will not like the consequences." Petunia scowled, frowning at the young boy. She realized immediately that she had just threatened him like she did Dudley, when Vernon wasn't around. Hopefully he would not make her carry through out that threat, she was not sure if she could punish Harry in any way. He had not taken the news well. But she hadn't expected him to. She frowned toward the door, shaking her head as Harry moved to answer it automatically. "Sit, Harry. I will get the door." She muttered, stalking toward it.
The boy followed her slowly, watching her open the door from around the corner. When she gasped, he flinched. Hoping against hope it wasn't Uncle Vernon, home early. "You! Thank God! Please, come it.." He heard her say. Who was she thanking God for? He didn't even think the Dursleys believed in God.
"I'm not quite sure why you are thanking the gods, Petunia. You have never been quite this excited to see me." A man drawled from the stoop. Harry stiffened. He was not very fond of men, especially strange men. They tended to hurt little boys.
"Oh hush, Severus. I take it the Headmaster received my letter? Come it, I will explain." Petunia held the door open, gesturing for the man to come inside, and come inside he did. He stepped into the entrance way and Harry backed up, nearly running into the wall. He knew the man could not see him but the man was scary looking. He was tall, wearing all black, with long black hair. He was not big like Vernon, but much taller and with muscles.
Severus lowered his voice, glancing toward the small shadow at the end of the hall. "Albus said that you were scared for Harry's safety?" He asked softly. Petunia gave a slight nod. "I take it, that's Harry?" He nodded toward the end of the hallway.
Petunia glanced down the hall, to the barely visible shadow peering around the corner. "Harry? Come out here please. There is someone I want you to meet." She called softly. There was no answer. "Harry...Professor Snape was a good friend of your mother's, growing up. He's the one who told her about..who told her how special she was." Small, shuffling footsteps came around the corner and the little boy slowly approached them, eyes locked on the floor.
Severus frowned, surveying the child. He was walking stiffly, favouring his right leg. His posture was slumped, his manner resigned. Severus moved suddenly and scowled when the boy flinched and threw his arm up instinctively. So Albus was right, Potter was not treated well. But Petunia was not looking at the boy with hate or pity. But rather...love and concern. She had grown up, he knew that. He knew that she and Lily had put aside their differences and reconnected again, but it was different to see it up close than to know it. Severus moved slowly, cursing himself as the boy recoiled again. He crouched down, on the boy's level, a good ways away. "Hello Harry. My name is Severus Snape, I am a professor at Hogwarts. I have come to take you to collect your supplies. Petunia will be coming with us to get you ready for school." His voice was gentle, not his usual snarl. But then, he had experience with hurt children.
Harry looked up at Petunia, who nodded encouragingly. He looked up at Severus but did not meet his eyes directly. "Hallo sir." He whispered. "Are you a freak too?
"Harry!" Petunia scolded, shooting Severus an apologetic look. "You are not a freak!"
Severus froze, merely staring at the child. "No child. I am not a freak and neither are you. I am a wizard." He frowned down at the child, desperately trying to reign in his temper. It would not do for the boy to believe that he was anger at him. Not at all. "Come. We must get going, it is a bit of a trip to London." He ordered softly, straightening up and glancing at Petunia.
"Yes, it is quite a drive." Petunia raised her eyebrow at Severus in question, hiding a smile at his nod. Of course he could drive. But he probably had not driven in years. "Come on Harry. In the car please." The boy reluctantly followed them to the car, ducking his head. It was going to be a long day.
-x-
Severus watched the young boy and his guardian. The child should be excited and bouncing, staring openly like all the other muggle-raised children did. But no, this little eleven year old boy kept his eyes downcast. His face was blank. Petunia's was not and she kept trying desperately to bring the boy out of his shell.
"Look at that Harry! Isn't that amazing?" Of course Diagon Alley still impressed her, even though she was no longer a jealous school girl. "Ollivander's...that's where your mother got her wand." Her statement had the desired effect. Harry's head snapped up and his eyes found hers.
"Can we go there?" He asked quietly.
"Of course, Harry. But first we have to go to Gringotts." Petunia smiled at the little boy, gesturing toward the large, towering, white building. The little boy merely nodded, returning his gaze back to the ground. "Harry? Could you stay here with Severus for a moment? I must run in and get something." She did not want the child to know what precisely she had to do. He would fight her if he knew.
Severus frowned at the woman. Why did she not want to take the child into the bank? He was well-behaved, annoyingly so. At his raised eyebrow, she mouthed the word money, with a glance at the obedient child. Ah. "Actually, Petunia. The healer I mentioned in the car? I would like to take Harry to see him while you run into Gringotts, if that is alright." It would be easier to get it out of the way now instead of later.
"Of course, Severus. Harry, be good for Severus." Petunia smiled at the boy, he was always good. No worry there. "Shall I meet you there then?" At Severus' nod, she squeezed the boy's shoulder, turning and heading up the steps to Gringotts. She was going to set up an account for Harry's schooling, so that the boy would never have to worry about paying for books or tuition.
-x-
"Come along, Mr. Potter." Severus strolled away from the bank, heading for a small clinic set off the main road. He moved at a much slower pace than normal, so that the small boy could keep up. Hopefully Tim would find nothing too serious, but he could already tell that the child was small for his age and too thin. Harry followed him, keeping an eye on the black robe of his professor, so that he would not get lost. Severus stopped in front of a small brick building, waiting for the boy to catch up. He held open the door, gesturing for the boy to enter first. The child never glanced up, perhaps that was a good thing. It meant that the child missed the gold lettering on the door. Tim Rainwater, Healer. He had only been here a few times before, usually with a young, hurt student. Tim always came to him when he was hurt. Tim was also rather good with children, especially abused children.
"Good day, Severus. And you must be Harry." The kindly tall man stood, coming over toward them. The lobby had a handful of chairs and a receptionist desk. His brown hair was neatly combed and he wore sensibly black robes with the wand and heart symbol of a healer in gold, a note of his rank.
Severus merely nodded, meeting the healer's deep brown eyes, jerking his head toward the young boy. "Harry, this is Tim. He is a good friend of mine. He's going to scan you quickly." He turned to the boy, his tone matter of fact. His sharp eyes focused on the child whose only acknowledgment was a slight nod. Tim opened a door to one of the examining rooms, holding it open for Severus and Harry. "Come Harry." Severus barked, stalking into the room. Harry followed at a subdued pace.
Harry glanced around the plain white room. He flinched and tried to pull away when Tim suddenly lifted him from under his arms onto a long, tall table. Doctor. Nononono. Uncle said no doctors! NO! His breath quicken and suddenly the doctor man was shoved away from him, the dark man caught and steadied him. Severus hadn't said it was a doctor! Did he? Harry wasn't sure but now he was completely frightened.
"Harry! Mr. Potter! Calm down this instant. Tim will not harm you. I promise you that." Severus growled, slowly and cautiously moving toward the child.
Tim merely sighed. This was not the first, nor probably the last, child that had struck out with accidentally magic."Harry, please tell me what has frightened you?" Tim asked gently, soothingly.
Harry rapidly shook his head. Telling was not allowed, not even to Aunt Petunia.
"Mr. Potter, tell us what you fear. No one will harm you or punish you here. You are safe." Severus barked briskly, knowing his tone was one that the child would obey. Frightened children always did. "Look at me, Mr. Potter."
Harry's head snapped up. He didn't dare disobey a direct order. "I can't sir." He whispered.
"You can, Mr. Potter, and you will. Whatever rules you are following are void here." At the child's confused expression, he sighed. "Those rules are not in effect here, Harry. You will not be punished, at any time, because those rules do not exist here. But these new rules do. Would you like to here the new rules?" Severus elaborated, dropping his tone down a notch, to sooth the boy's irrational fear of him. Well, of everything. The rapid nod was his only answer. Of course he wanted to know the rules, knowing the rules was the only way to avoid punishment for an abused child. If he was abused and currently all signs were pointing that way. "The rules that you will follow today are as follows: you will attempt to eat at all meals, you will obey your aunt and I, you will tell the truth at all times,you will not refer to yourself in a degrading manner, you will ask any questions you have, and you will allow Healer Tim to exam you. Understood?"
The child needed a firm manner, it was what he understood best, and it was proven to be the best course of action a moment later when he replied with a quiet "Yes sir."
"Good. Now as for punishments for breaking any of these rules. If you break any of these rules you will write lines and if you continue to degrade yourself, I will wash your mouth out with soap." Severus finished. Consequences were good, they would help Harry feel safe if he knew what to expect. "These rules apply for all of today and the near future. Now, are you going to be a good boy and let Tim examine you?" Severus asked, still using his strict, potions master tone.
"Yes sir." Harry whispered. The rules were so simple, so much better than Uncle Vernon's rules. He gave a silent gasped and smacked his head hard. He wasn't suppose to think like that! He went to smack his head again, but a gentle hand grabbed hold of both his wrists and suddenly he felt calm. Peacefully even. More freakishness. He gave a small sigh, but relaxed into the touch.
"Whoever harms him has Harry trained." Tim murmured to Severus, sending small doses of calming magic into the child while Severus slipped off the boy's shoes, which seemed brand new. The trousers he was wearing were new as was the shirt, but both seemed to be in their second or third day of being worn. A child without many nice things. His socks showed obvious wear, full of holes. His glasses were taped together. And his ribs showed through his shirt. This child was neglected, at the very least. "Who gave you these clothes, Harry?" Tim asked softly, letting up on the calming magic so that the boy could hear him clearly.
"Aunt Petunia. For my birthday yesterday. 'Twas the first time I ever had new clothes! And new shoes! They fit!" Harry replied, a bit drowsily. The calm that flowed through his body felt so good. It was different and comforting. He didn't even realize that he had answered honestly until the fog around his brain started to fade. He tried to hit his head again, but the healer held tight to his wrists.
"No Harry, no hurting yourself. The rules state that you have to answer honestly, remember? You do not need to punish yourself for following Severus' rules." Tim replied calmly, his face as kind and calm as always. Inside his mind was not, this child had been seriously hurt. He could see it in the child's eyes. It would be a long road to healing and if they pushed the boy too far, he could end up as a self-harmer. His current actions were proof of that. "I'm going to scan you now Harry. First with my wand and then with my hands, is that alright?" He added quietly. The boy merely gave a nod. He slowly pulled his wand out of his holster, letting the boy see it for a moment before waving it in an intricate pattern, muttering in Latin. A deep scan, one that would note every injury every done to the child, as well as his age and the time and date. When a quill and parchment appeared near his head, Harry flinched and cowered away from it. "It's alright child. It will not hurt you. That's just magic. Now, while that is working, I want to scan you. I just need to place a hand on the back of your head and one on your chest, is that alright?" A timid nod was his answer.
Several minutes later, Tim sighed, stepping away from the child and grabbing the parchment and scanning it. His frown deepened even further, if that was possible, as he read the long sheet of parchment. He had known, upon seeing the child, that it would be bad. But he did not realize how bad. His own scan and the deep scan showed damage over a period of time. Abuse that had grown and increased as Harry became older. Tim motioned to Severus, waiting until the younger man stepped over to him before raising a silencing bubble around them. "He cannot return to that home. I won't allow it." His calm demeanor faltered for a brief moment but he reigned it back it.
Severus sighed, glancing over at the boy who was staring at his own swinging feet. He had known that this was likely, but it was not an easy situation. "His aunt told Albus that she feared for the child's life. I was sure she was exaggerating." He lifted a brow, holding out his hand. Tim wordlessly passed over the parchment. Severus scanned it and his scowl darkened. Tim raised a gentle arm on the younger man's forearm, refraining from sending calming magic to the man just yet.
"You will not do anything rash, Severus. Or I will have you on restriction until September 1st." Tim threatened softly. Severus growled and glared at him, but gave a hesitant nod in agreement. He would behave. For now.
"There is another child at the house, his cousin. But Petunia said that her husband spoils the child and has never raised a hand to him. From a glance at the family portraits, of which Mr. Potter was not in any, the child is severely overweight. With Harry removed, the uncle might turn his attention to the other child. I am sure that he hits the aunt." Severus drawled slowly, not liking his line of thinking.
"I will have to report this to Wizarding Child Services, but I will wait until Harry's guardianship has been transferred. I assume he will stay with you and Albus. However, tomorrow I can submit a report to muggle Child Services. If the aunt comes by here, I will offer her help. It is difficult for a woman, no matter how strong, to remove herself from an abusive situation, especially if she faces losing her child to said abuser. Harry suffers from all four forms of abuse, and if we are lucky he will not develop the fifth. From what you have observed, the cousin probably suffers from neglect." Tim sighed. It never became easier, working in these situations. But this, then again, was his specialty. "I will heal Harry and then you may continue your outing." He added quietly, ending the silencing spell and going back to the child.
-x-
An hour later and Severus was leading the way to Madam Malkins. Petunia had spent a good twenty minutes talking with the mind healer and had finally agreed to accept the wizard's help. After Severus had assured her that he could be trusted of course. For some reason unknown to even herself, she felt that she could trust Severus, the boy she had mercilessly teased as a child but who was still willing to help her family out of a bad situation. She directed Harry onto a stool, nodding to the friendly witch who strode over, taking rapid measurements of the timid boy. "He needs a full kit please and three extra sets of robes. Two pairs of trainers and a pair of good boots." She remarked absently, gazing around the small shop.
The witch frowned, taking in the state of the child in front of her. Dressed in new clothes, but ones that have yet to be washed. Probably his only set, the poor dear. "Pants and undershirts too? Socks are a definite. Causal shirts and trousers, perhaps. What colours would you like dear?" She muttered, mostly to herself but aimed her last question at Harry, who glanced up shocked and dropped his eyes back down just as fast. The witch glanced at Petunia, who merely sighed, and then back at the child. Perhaps he was shy.
"His favourite colour is purple. You have...muggle clothes I see. So perhaps a purple button down and a dark purple jumper. Hm. Light blues and dark greens bring out his eyes. Two of each in button downs. Also a forest green jumper. Five causal shirts in those same colours. A black winter coat, mittens, and scarf. Hogwarts hat, scarf, and tie. Two dark trousers, two of the denim and two khakis. One pair of swim-trucks. I remember Lily mentioning how wonderful the lake was for swimming. A dozen trouser socks. A dozen pants, half briefs and half boxers. Let's make the boxers a nice silk, green, blues, and purple. Pajamas, one set purple and blue, the other green and silver. And then, six of the school uniform shirts and robes. Perhaps an extra pair of trousers." Petunia murmured, watching the witch who nodded and waved her wand, the requested items in the right sizes floating into a box.
"Would you like growth charms? It is a bit extra, but good for growing boys. It means that his clothes and shoes will grow with him, at least two sizes. Should last nicely until his second or third year. Pants and socks, of course, will not grow." The witch remarked, hiding a smile. Although she hated seeing children who need everything, usually with Professor Snape, who was lurking in the background, because they were usually neglected, she did love a woman who knew what she wanted and who bought so much.
"A growth charm would be amazing." Petunia smiled, wished that Dudley's clothes had a growth charm. She glanced at the small boy in front of her who was openly gaping at her.
"Are you trying to catch flies boy?" Severus teased, frowning as the boy stiffened but then barely concealed a grin as he closed his mouth, understanding the joke. Severus frowned at the small, blond boy who hesitantly entered the shop, completely alone. He knew the child. He also knew that at eleven, the boy would be terrified and trying to hide it. He should not be alone. But he could not leave the pair that he was escorting to hunt down the boy's father.
Petunia had also noticed the child, frowning at his absence of parents. One of the attendants had pointed the boy toward a stool to stand on and be measured until the Madam finished with Harry. She glanced at Severus, who was scowling darkly at the door, shooting glances in the direction of the boy. He had noticed it too, it seemed. She sighed, stepping toward the boy. "Hello there. My name is Petunia. Are your parents with you?" She asked gently. The boy scowled at her with a nearly blank face, but his pale blue eyes showed fear. Whether of her or someone else, it was not clear.
"Are you a mudblood?" He growled, stepping back from her. His father had drilled into him that muggles and mudbloods were not to be trusted. He did not understand why exactly, but he did as his father said.
Petunia frowned at the boy. She did not understand the term but she knew it was offensive. "No, I am not. Where are your parents?" Her question was still soft, still kind. It was a tone she had learned to use when asking Harry difficult questions or calming Dudley down when he was hurt.
The boy scowled. "I don't have to tell you."
"You don't know, do you?" Harry asked, frowning at the rude boy. No one should talk to his aunt that way. She was nice, especially to him.
The blond looked down, biting his lip. He would not cry. He would not. "Shut up, mudblood." He snarled.
"Draco Malfoy! If I heard you say that word again, you will regret it young man!" Severus growled, stepping on of the corner and frowning at the blond boy. Both eleven year olds flinched and he sighed, taking note to soften his tone.
"Uncle Severus! I didn't know you were here." Draco murmured, relaxing a bit. No one would hurt him with his Uncle Severus around, even if his father had recently forbid him from seeing or talking to the Potions Master.
"Draco, can you tell me where your parents are? Do you need help finding them?" Petunia asked gently. When the boy shuddered, she frowned. That was not a good sign. She glanced at Severus who had strode over to stand in front of the two boys.
"Mother is at home, having tea with her friends. Father brought me to Diagon." The boy shrugged, replacing his mask forcefully. He glanced at the other boy and extended his hand. "I'm Draco. What's your name?" He added. A new friend would be something good to come from this trip. His father had left him with enough galleons to buy all he needed and treat himself a bit, a bribe for him to not tell his mother that he was left on the Alley by himself while his father went to do god-knows what.
Harry stared at the hand for a moment, not quite sure what to do. He glanced at Severus, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Mr. Malfoy wants you to shake his hand, it is a polite gesture to do so when you meet someone new." Severus drawled, hiding a smirk when the Malfoy boy glanced at him incredulously.
Harry merely nodded, extending his own hand and hesitantly touching Draco's. The boys shook hands but Draco still raised an eyebrow at him in confusion.
"Tell him your name." Petunia ordered softly, trying to help the boy along. She never realized how much he did not know until they were in situations like this. Vernon had taught Dudley this when he was five. But Harry...well, she rather not remember what he did to Harry.
Harry blushed. It was so simple. He should know this! Idiot. "My name is Harry." He whispered.
"Louder, Mr. Potter. I do believe that Mr. Malfoy cannot hear you." Severus ordered, shooting Draco a glance when the boy's mouth dropped open. Draco quickly calmed and nodded, he understood that look quite well. He would not make a big deal out of who the boy was.
"I am Harry." Harry stated again, slightly louder this time.
"Good to meet you Harry." Draco grinned. This was a learning experience for sure! All of his associates already knew how to introduce themselves. It felt good to teach someone else.
"You too." Harry muttered, figuring that it was a good response as any.
Draco turned to speak with the Madam as Petunia went to pay for Harry's new clothes. Severus sighed. He would bring Draco with them. The boy was too young to roam Diagon alone. Easier still, they would not have to lug around his packages, as the boy had the forethought to get everything sent to his house. Severus waited until all were set and then led the way on. Three more stops and they would get wands.
-x-
An hour later they were standing in Ollivanders and the two boys were listening intently as Petunia described when Lily had gotten her wand. Severus smirked. It was a good memory, he had been there as well. He did shoot Petunia a glare and a raised eyebrow when she divulged in his first wand experience. But it had both of the boys giggling, giggling!, like the children that they were. Children who had been forced to grow up so fast. He had already sent an owl to Albus and knew that Albus would have an owl waiting for him back at the Dursleys. One that would hopefully tell him what do to with the child.
Draco's wand had chosen him fairly fast but Harry's was going much slower. Wand after wand. Holly, Oak, Blackthorn. Nothing seemed to like him. Nothing at all. Aspen and Beech both shattered the glass. Applewood blew up the counter. Harry just knew, deep down, that there was not a wand for him. He wasn't a wizard after all. But Mr. Ollivander kept shoving wands in his hand. The older man seemed to think that something would work. Yew, Elm, and Fir did not work. Finally Mr. Ollivander disappeared into the back, muttering to himself. Harry glanced at his aunt and sighed. She was sitting patiently, watching him. Draco was bored, swinging his feet and twirling his new wand, until Severus made him stop at least. But Severus, Severus merely had an air of disinterest, a shield surrounding the three watchers, much as it had when Draco was trying out wands. Hawthorn for Draco. But even that had not worked for Harry. Although he had to admit that some of his explosions had been pretty spectacular. Mr. Ollivander reappeared suddenly, holding a dusty old box. Harry obediently took the proffered wand and gave it the desired swish. Surprisingly, nothing blew up. The wand felt...good. It fit his hand perfectly, like it was made just for him. The sparks that flew out of the end, purple and red, were different from the other wands he tried and even from Draco's wand.
Severus had leaned forward when Harry picked up the wand. The wand which acted as wands should. Apparently this wand 'chose' the boy. Or rather, it fit his personality well enough for him to work best with it. It was rather interesting, the wand looked almost like his own. Almost but not quite.
"Ah, good Mr. Potter. This wand has chosen you. Willow, eleven and a quarter, slightly swishy, with a Unicorn core. I say, this will be a good wand for you, Mr. Potter." Ollivander smiled at the boy, turning to go to ring up both of the sells and the arm holsters that Severus had suggested to both boys. Harry merely shrugged. A wand was a wand. This one felt amazing. Finally, truly he believe. He was a wizard.
A/n- Yes, Harry has a different wand here. From the wand woods list, on pottermore, Willow is a healing wand. It is good for healing magic and for wizard who do not quite have faith in themselves yet. It fits Harry quite well. This Harry at least. In this story, Severus also has a Willow wand. Thirteen inches with a core of Dragon Heartstring, but the wood is darker than Harry's.