Hi guys! I saw the reviews and was really happy:) I got like 50 emails saying I have a new review or whatever! I'll definitely keep going with this. Keep reviewing and putting this on alert! I read over it and saw some errors, so I apologize about those. GarnetMonsoon, I think you are right. This chapter has not been looked at by a beta, so beware...
Severus POV:
"Headmaster, I find this extremely unnecessary!" I said.
"Now, Severus, after finding out about Mr. Longbottom's abuse, do you really think we should take a chance?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Do you really think any other one of these students are being abused? It's a ridiculous thought!" I exclaimed.
"What about Mr. Malfoy? We both know Lucius isn't a qualified father-"
"Obviously. But who else? This is taking away from class! You know very well that they will need the skills." I said, temper flaring, usually under my control.
"You might be surprised, Severus. This isn't up for discussion. Now, would you like a lemon drop?" he asked, smiling.
"No, Headmaster." I said, irritated. I exited his office, robes billowing behind me. So now we have to check up on these brats? I thought. At least I'll have proof that this Golden Boy is being pampered so much at home. I smirked as I walked to the dungeons. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. If I prove this, Potter wouldn't have nearly as much of a spotlight as he wants. Could teach this brat he doesn't get everything he wants... I went down to the potion room. It was dark, with plenty of books. In the dim light of the crackling fireplace, I could see my stock of potion ingredients. I was low on Aconite, the key ingredient in the potion I was making. Walking over to it, I stirred it 3 times counter-clockwise. The liquid inside was a warm brown, and very thin. Once the Aconite was in, it would be a healing potion for bruises and scars. Madam Pomfrey was low and didn't have the time to make them herself. Typically I'd do this at my home, but Dumbledore needed me to stay in the school until the end of July. I walked over to the fireplace for transportation. I grabbed a bit of the Floo Powder and clearly said, "Diagon Ally."
Harry POV:
We all loaded up in a little cart to head down to the vaults. I didn't get so dizzy anymore. Ron stuck his head out to feel the breeze. The cart stopped with a jolt. The Weasleys' would get their money first. When the still scary looking goblin opened the vault, there was a small pile of Knuts and Sickles. There were hardly any Galleons. Mr and Mrs. Weasley went in to get some of the small stack. I have so much compared to them, I thought. I'd offer them lots of it, but they wouldn't take it. They didn't like charity.
"Alright, everyone! Ginny, you might have to use some of Ron's old textbooks. Ron, you should use some of Fred and George's." Mrs. Weasley said, trying to be cheerful.
"Not to worry, you'll have all you need for school. Now come on, Harry has to get his money too!" Mr. Weasley said, hustling us all in the cart. He and Mrs. Weasley shared a slightly worried look, overlooked by the rest of the Weasleys'. I could notice the slightest details since Uncle Vernon could get angry at any given moment. The cart door cut into my side, hurting one of my worst bruises. It took everything not to cry out. After a couple minutes in the fast-moving cart, we got to my vault. The goblin opened it up. My vault contained a huge pile of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. I tried to block the view from the Weasleys', but I was too skinny. I quickly went in and took a few handfuls of money and nearly ran out to close the door. We all loaded in the cart, a bit more quiet. Fred and George broke the ice with a joke. We were all laughing by the time we could see the light. After thanking the goblin, we went outside Gringotts.
"Alright, let's split up. Harry, Ron. Fred, George. Ginny, you can go with one of your friends. Let's meet back up by Olivander's at 6:00." Mrs. Weasley said.
"C'mon, mate! Let's go to Quality Quidditch Supplies! I hear you can try out their broomsticks!" Ron said excitedly.
"Yeah! Let's!" I said back with a smile. I would have to be careful on the broomstick. One bad fall... We started to the store.
"You boys be careful! Don't forget to get your textbooks!" called Mr. Weasley.
"Okay Dad!" Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"Of course, Mr. Weasley!" I said smiling.
As we walked to our favorite store, we talked about our favorite teams. Or, at least, Ron did.
"I love the Chudley Cannons! They're an I Irish team. Have you heard about them?" Ron asked happily. Who wouldn't be happy talking about Quidditch?
"There's the store!" I said. "Woah, look at that!" I said, pointing to a magic poster in the window.
"Wicked!" Ron said, astonished. The magazine had the Chudley Cannons playing their best game. After staring at it for awhile, we walked into the store and marveled everything, from the magazines to the broomsticks. Ron looked at the Firebolt.
"You can borrow mine anytime you want to, Ron." I said.
"Thanks, mate." he said, genuinely grateful.
"I think we should probably get our books, before the store closes." I said.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Ron said, a bit disappointed. We left the store to see Hermione looking through Flourish and Blott's window. She turned her head to see us walking towards her.
"Harry! Ron!" she cried, giving us both a hug.
"Hey Hermione!" I said, laughing.
"Hi!" Ron said smiling. We talked about how our summer has been. I talked as little as possible about my summer.
"My summer's been normal, I suppose. I've read so much though! I'll be on top of everything for our 5th year. We really ought to start studying for our O.W.L.S. You know."
"But Hermione, those are such a long time away
"Harry! How did you get that bruise?" Hermione asked in a motherly way.
"I was playing soccer." I said, trying to hide my nervousness. "No need to worry, it's not that bad."
Hermione gave me a look. I thought my story was completely blown, but than she scolded, "You really ought to be more careful!"
I smirked and said, "Yes, Hermione." She glared and hit my shoulder. She hit one of my bruises, and I winced in pain. Ron laughed, thinking I was kidding. Hermione looked slightly confused, but quickly regained her composure, rolling her eyes.
"You two should go get your books. I'll show you where they are." said Hermione. With that, we walked in the store. Inside, books were stacked everywhere. Through the windows sunlight shined in. I remembered when Lockart was here. He dragged me into the spotlight, where we both got cover page. Whenever I thought about Lockart, I had to think about the many lies he's told. His memory was still gone, permanently, I hope. Hermione led us to a little stack of books, where we saw our DADA (Defense Against the Dark Arts) textbooks.
After Ron and I grabbed one each, Ron asked, "Do you know who's gonna be teaching?" We both turned to Hermione, knowing she was most likely to know.
"I'm actually not sure..." she said thoughtfully.
"Guess we'll find out September 1!" I said, smiling. September 1 was always the best day of the year.
"Your birthday's coming up, Harry! I already have your present." Ron said.
"I do too! I'm sure you'll love it!" Hermione said, right after.
"Thanks! You really didn't have to get me anything..." I said gratefully.
"Nonsense!" they chorused. We laughed, and I got the rest of my books. Ron was using Fred and George's old books. He only had enough to buy one, so of course his favorite subject. We walked around Diagon Ally for awhile, until we got to the Apothecary. When we walked in, I saw huge shelves, going on as far as I could see. It was dark, and candles lit the store. There were more than 10 aisles filled with shelves on either side. The shelves were filled with Bezoar, Aconite, Flobberworm Mucus, Fluxweed, Bat Spleen, Horklump Juice, Porcupine Quills, and so much more. According to Hermione, that is. I got out my supply list for potions. It read:
4th Year Required Potions Ingredients
Bezoar
Armadillo Bile
Ginger Roots
Scarab Beetles
Porcupine Quills
Flying Seahorses
Fairy Wings
Asphodel Root
Snake Fangs
Horklump Juice
Flobberworm Mucus
Dried Nettles
Salamander Blood
All other ingredients will be supplied at pupil's first potion's class.
Ron looked astonished. "That's a lot of stuff!"
"Not really, especially when you remember how many potions you make. Err... try to make." informed Hermione. Ron's ears turned red.
"Well maybe if we didn't have Snape as a potions teacher..." said Ron. That was probably true.
"How do you suppose we're going to find the stuff?" I asked, staring at the huge shelves.
"Probably magic." said Ron. Typically they'd supply all the ingredients at Hogwarts.
"Or we ask the person at the front desk." Hermione said. That was probably obvious to her. We walked up to the front desk. The person there was a man, tall with a strong build. His skin was pale, and had a long face. He looked pretty young, maybe a 7th Year.
"Ah, 4th Years! I'll just summon these ingredients. You'll have to get your own Bezoar. You can't summon that since it's over 2 Galleons an ounce." he said. His voice was deep, but had a kind feel.
"Thank you." I said. First nice thing in 2 months. He looked deep in concentration, so we couldn't ask where the Bezoar was. Guess we'll have some hunting to do.
"Well there are 3 aisles with potion ingredients, so we'll split up. Whoever finds it will get the others." said Hermione. Ron and I agreed, and we were off. Ron took the leftmost, since there was only one side of shelves. I took the middle, and Hermione took the one next to it. The aisle went on for what seemed forever. I looked everywhere. You couldn't see where you were going until you were there because of the dim light. I wonder how these are organized, I thought. I looked up at the left shelf. I saw a label that clearly said, Aconite. I bumped into something big and solid.
Realizing it wasn't a wall, I said, "I'm sorry..." Looking up in the dim light, I saw a very familiar person. My eyes widened. Snape. "Sir." I said. I was not exactly prepared to see him. I really only remembered him as a bully. The Dursleys' made me not exactly... want to be around adults as much.
"Careless as usual, Potter." he sneered. I looked up at him.
"Sorry. Won't happen again." I said, voice trembling slightly. Hopefully he didn't hear that. I quickly moved, going farther into the aisle. When he was out of hearing range, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Uncle Vernon hated it when I came close to touching him. I'd figure Snape was the same way.
"There you are, Harry!" Hermione called. "You went really far in." Ron was right behind her.
"Here's the Bezoar. It's awfully expensive, I'm afraid." I just smiled and chuckled a bit. We walked out of the aisle and to the front desk. After paying for the ingredients, Mrs. Granger saw us.
"Hermione!" she yelled. "We have to go. There's a meeting at the office today!"
"Ok, Mum. I'll just be a second!" Hermione yelled back. "Bye Harry, bye Ron!" she said, after giving us both a hug. "I'll send mail. See you at Hogwarts!" She ran off to her Mum.
"We have 'bout an hour until Mum wants us. I have to get some quills, and then we're free." said Ron.
"Alright. I have to get some too." I replied. We walked to Scibbulus Writing Instruments, wizards and witches staring, of course. It gets awfully annoying, after awhile. When we walked in, we saw Malfoy looking through the quills.
"I'm surprised he doesn't get his supplies from Knockturn Ally." Ron said to me. He obviously meant for Malfoy to hear, as he turned to face us.
"Well, well, well, the Potter and the Weasel." said Malfoy, in his normal, drawling voice.
"Don't call him Weasel, Malfoy." I said. Malfoy's just a stupid bully.
He snorted. "Ooooooh, I'm so scared!" he said pompously.
"Makes sense, the coward you are. Can't do anything without you Daddy, can you now?" Ron said, gesturing to Malfoy Senior.
"At least I'm pure, and not a bunch of blood traitors like-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Malfoy." I said, voice threatening. Malfoy Senior walked up.
"Draco, time to go to get you a broomstick." he said, voice silky. He handed Ron some quills, and said, "Least I can do for the poor."
"I don't need your charity." Ron said, stuffing the quills in his hand. He smirked, and left the store, Malfoy close behind.
I asked while breathing a sigh, "Well then...white or black?"
I had dinner with the Weasleys'. It was absolutely delicious, and the Twins' antics were even more funny than usual. Before long, it was time for me to go back to the Dursleys'.
"Can't wait for Hogwarts. I'll see you there, mate." Ron said, as a goodbye. Once back at the Dursleys', Aunt Petunia told me to wash the dishes. She said I would be making up the chores tomorrow.
Snape POV:
I recounted seeing Potter at the Apothecary. He hadn't grown, at all, really. He was even skinnier than usual. Probably refusing food since it's not good enough for his high standards, I thought. He said sir... probably a big joke between him and his sidekicks. Now, Severus, your just making excuses now. He's my child too, Lily's voice echoed through my head. The Golden Boy? Abused? Please, that's impossible. No questions asked.
Hope you liked it:) I hope you can sort of see where this is going now. But who knows, there might be a big twist... and maybe not the one your expecting...
-WriterAtTwilight