Chapter 3
While Harry was still in Snape's lap, Snape said to Harry: "Harry, I'm going to call a little creature known as a house elf and order some lunch. I don't want you to be afraid when she appears."
"Kay," Harry answered, turning his head to see what creature would appear.
"Meeka," Snape called out and snapped his fingers.
"Professor Snape sir," a little creature of no more than two feet with bulging eyes and very, very large bat like ears, bowed before Harry and Snape. "What is you needing?" she inquired.
"Harry and I will be having lunch here today," Snape told the elf.
"Yes sir, Professor Snape, sir. Meeka is getting that for you sirs," Meeka bowed again, then disappeared as quick as she had arrived.
"Into the dining room we go," Snape said to Harry and carried him over.
The table had a platter of little sandwiches and another platter with cut fruit. The end of the table where Snape would sit, there was a steaming cup of tea and the first seat on the right side, had a large glass of milk.
There was a variety of finger sized sandwiches and Snape put a few different kinds on Harry's plate.
"If there's one you don't like, then put it aside and try a different one," Harry's dad told him.
Not eating something that was being offered did not make sense to Harry.
When Harry was finished with his sandwiches, his dad asked him if he'd like more sandwiches or some fruit.
Harry decided he would like to try one of every kind of fruit.
Before Harry had a chance to wipe fruit juice off his face, his dad told him to use the napkin that was beside his plate.
Aunt Petunia had fancy cloth napkin like this one, but they were only used when company came over. Harry felt privileged to use such a nice piece of linen.
"Finish your milk. Then go wash your hands and make sure you get all the sticky fruit juice off your face and hands and then we'll go to Hogsmead to do some shopping," Snape told the boy.
"And use a towel to dry your hands," Snape said louder as Harry headed for his bathroom.
Harry stayed close to his dad as they made their way through the castle. He continued to walk along like a well trained dog when they followed a cobble stone pathway to the nearby town of Hogsmead.
Even as he glanced in various store windows, Harry did not move from Professor Snape's side.
Their first stop was at Gladrags.
"Afternoon, Mr. Snape. I see Minerva's earlier purchases were a good fit," the middle aged woman with dark brown hair greeted the pair when they entered the store.
"Harry requires an entire wardrobe. The only clothes he has are those purchased by Minerva," Snape told the woman.
The woman now examined the boy closer. Harry in turn looked up at her.
"Harry. Harry Potter," the woman exclaimed. "Come along dear, let us find you some clothes."
The woman put her arm around Harry and tried to lead him away from Snape, but Harry was unwilling to leave his dad's side.
"Go with Mrs. Finch," Snape told Harry. "I will be right here." Snape pointed at a chair not far from where they were standing.
Harry repeatedly turned his head to make sure his dad was still sitting in the chair as the woman lead him further into the store.
Each time Harry found something he liked, Mrs. Finch would make the article float over to the counter near the till. The woman even set underwear and socks floating over to the growing pile, even though Harry hadn't been looking for either of those type of articles.
Harry was quite happy to find a robe similar to his dad's, but in a deep navy blue with silver trimming.
Snape had just finished reading the Daily Prophet when Harry and Mrs. Finch joined him at the front of the store.
Harry stood quietly as Mrs. Finch showed Snape Harry's choices. Snape gave Harry a raise of an eyebrow when Mrs. Finch held up a robe and pyjamas that matched Harry's bedding.
"We will be back went your winter wear comes in," Snape told Mrs. Finch as he paid for the clothes.
"They should be in stock the first week of September," she told him.
Snape tapped his wand on the bags of clothes, making them shrink down small enough to go into one of his pockets.
Harry thought that was brilliant.
Snape did not shrink all their books and writing stuff, he asked that those items be delivered.
"You can look around the toy store and find a few things you would like, while I go next door to pick up some supplies," Harry's dad told him. "Do not leave this store."
"Kay," Harry replied, bouncing with excitement as his eyes scanned over a few toys near the doorway.
There were so many toy that required closer inspection that Harry had barely covered half the store by the time his dad returned.
"Did you find anything you'd like to get?" Snape asked his son.
"I haven't even seen everything yet," Harry admitted.
"We can come back another day and look at more stuff. It's getting late, so show me what you would like to get today," Snape stated.
"This one," Harry pointed at the box in front of him. "I have to measure the right ingredient into the cauldron and follow the instructions properly and I will learn to make my own sweets," excitement running wild in his voice.
Snape read the box; 'Potions for beginners. While having fun, your child can learn the fine art of potion making.'
"You have an interest in potion making?" Snape questioned, feeling a rush of pride streak through him.
"Yes sir," Harry beamed. "I know it isn't magic, but it sounds like it."
Snape picked up the box, without hesitation.
"Did you find anything else?" he asked the boy.
Harry nodded.
"This is all you want to get today?" his dad asked.
"Yes sir. 'cause I have all those books to read and I have to learn to write with a feather thing and colour with the magic ink. The only other thing I want they don't have here. I looked but I couldn't find a stick like yours so I could learn to make magic like you," he sounded disappointed and a small pout took shape.
"It is a wand, not a stick," Snape explained. "You cannot have one like mine until you are eleven. We should be able to find you a child's practice wand so you can learn some basic hand and wrist movements. I will ask the clerk when we take this box up front."
"Kay," Harry's beaming smile returned.
Harry ran ahead of his dad, stood next to the cash counter and looked at his dad, as if to say hurry up.
"Appropriate gift for you to purchase for a child, Professor," the young boy behind the counter smirked.
"Careful Mr. Applewood. School resumes in six weeks," Snape scowled at the cashier.
"Sorry, Professor," the cashier apologized, but the big grin remained in place.
"Do you have any practise wands?" Snape asked Mr. Applegate.
"Yes sir," the boy put a box on the counter. "These just came in today. They are capable of a few basic spells."
Mr. Applegate pulled a slender box out of the large box, opened it up to reveal a wand. Taking the wand from the box, he gave the wand a flick and said: "Lumos." A gentle light came from the tip of the wand.
Harry bounced with excitement.
With another flick of the wand and the word 'nox' the light went out and the cashier replace the wand into it 's slender box.
"We will be needing one of those," Snape told the cashier.
"Can I hold my wand?" Harry squeaked.
"May I," Snape corrected Harry.
"May I. Please, please, please," Harry's eyes sparkled.
The cashier and Snape exchanged glances. Snape gave the cashier a gentle, quick nod of his head.
"Here you go," Mr. Applegate reached over and handed Harry the wand.
Harry gazed at the wand for a moment, then hugged it tight to his chest. His body gave a slight swivel of joy and he held the wand like it was the most important thing in the world.
"Time to head back to Hogwarts," Snape said to Harry, bring Harry back down to Earth.
All of Harry's new stuff was piled up on his bed, except the wand he still clutched.
"You can put your stuff away later," Snape told Harry. "Go wash up so we will join the other teachers in the Great Hall for dinner."
Harry scurried into his washroom.
"Did you have fun shopping?" Professor McGonagall smiled at Harry when they sat down for dinner.
"Yes," Harry beamed.
"Look what I learned," Harry held out his wand. "Lumos," he said with a flick of the wand and watched as the end give off a dim light.
"Very good Harry," Professor Flitwick praised.
Harry's pleasure was obvious in both his eyes and facial expression.
"Young Mr. Applegate demonstrated the wand to Harry, he seems to have caught onto the wrist motion and spell after only one quick demonstration," Snape mentioned proudly.
"Nox," Harry said. Showing he knew how to turn it off as well.
"I expect Harry will have no problems in charm once he starts classes," Professor Flitwick announced proudly.
"It is a child's practice wand, it shouldn't be too hard to operate," Professor McGonagall smiled.
"But he got the wrist movement and spell after only one brief showing," Snape countered.
"Impressive," Madam Pomfrey grinned at Harry.
"Put your wand away now and eat," his dad told him after placing a variety of food on Harry's plate.
Harry placed his wand in his lap and fisted his fork as if to stab his food viciously.
Snape stopped Harry before he could attack his food and showed him how to hold the fork correctly.
"If you can master a wand that quickly, you should be able to use a fork properly without effort," Snape remarked.
"Kay," Harry meekly whispered.
Harry soon lifted his plate so he could use the fork to shovel in his food.
Madam Pomfrey was on Harry's right and she was the first to notice Harry's eating style.
She placed her fingers on the edge of Harry's plate and forced it back down to the table, while shaking her head from side to side.
Snape caught a movement out of the side of his eye, but nothing looked out of the norm when he turned to look at Harry and Madam Pomfrey.
Harry wanted to see what else his wand could do, not bother with putting his new stuff away. He crammed his new clothes into the wardrobe and didn't bother to unpack the box containing his new books and writing supplies.
His dad however was standing in the doorway, thinking Harry might need some help putting his new stuff away.
"Harry, your stuff needs to be put away properly before you can play," Snape stated with a raised eyebrow and a mild glare.
"Kay," Harry said with a slouch of his shoulders.
"Would you like some help?" his dad asked.
"Kay."
"Instead of this 'kay' word, you should try saying yes please or no thank you," Snape told him.
"Kay," Harry replied. "I mean yes please."
"Pull those clothes you crammed into the wardrobe out and we will put them away properly," Snape ordered and stood near the wardrobe.
Harry pulled open the doors and tugged the shopping bags out. He then began to take different articles out of the bag and handing them to his dad. Once the clothes were all put away, they began working on the box of books and writing supplies.
"Tomorrow I will show you a bit more of the school and we will talk about some of the rules you will have here," Snape said as they put stuff away. "We will also have to find you a tutor so you can finish your primary school classes. You won't be taking classes at Hogwarts until you turn eleven."
"I have to wait a year before I can learn magic?" Harry whined.
"No whining," Snape glowered. "You may ask questions; however, I will not answer ones that are whined at me."
"Sorry," Harry apologized quietly.
"You are allowed to perform the simple charms and spells that are in your wand instruction book," Harry was told.
Harry bounced away from the box of books, heading for his bed. The slender wand box and instruction book were laying in the middle of his bed. His wand was still safely tucked into the back pocket of his jeans.
"After we have put everything away and you have had your bath," Snape stated, stopping Harry from retrieving his book from the bed.
"Kay," the shoulders slouched as Harry return to his dad.
Snape took a deep breath.
"No kay, right?" Harry remarked at his dad's scowl.
"Yes, Harry," his dad replied. "Now let's get the rest of your stuff put away."
"Yes sir," Harry smiled and got back to work.
When everything was put away, Harry cautiously approached the large tub that was sunk into the floor of his bathroom. Harry had to climb into the tub in order to reach the taps that where situated on the side of the tub.
Harry enjoyed the first hot bath he had ever had. He laughed at his wrinkled finger tips and toes when he finally decided to get out. He wrapped himself up in a big fluffy towel and walked into his bedroom to get his pyjamas and robe.
The stone floors were cold on Harry's toes so he put on a pair of socks, before he left his room.
Harry looked around the living room and study area, but there was no sign of his dad. He opened the door on the other side of the fire place, which he realized was his dad's bedroom, but that too was empty.
Harry came out of his dad's room just in time to see one of the book shelves in the study area open up like a door.
Snape stepped around a book shelf door.
Harry's eyes were wide with excitement: "A secret door," he giggled.
Snape closed the book shelf, and looked directly at Harry: "It leads to my private lab. It is strictly off limits. You are never to go in there unless I take you. Do you understand?"
Harry could tell his father was very serious about this rule.
"Yes sir," Harry answered.
"Come here, I want to show you something," Snape said in a calmer tone.
Harry approached his dad without hesitation, which Snape was happy about. Once Harry was standing before his dad, Snape showed Harry a certain book he could tip forward and a bell would ring in Snape's lab.
"Would you like to have some milk and cookies while we read some of the charms and spells that are in your wand's instruction book?" Snape asked Harry as they walked over to one of the couches.
"Oh yes please," Harry replied with the same excitement that was in his voice most of the day.
"You fetch your book and I'll tell Meeka to bring us cookies and milk, or would you prefer tea?" Snape asked.
"Tea please," Harry yelled as he scampered off.
"I think we need to get you some slippers," Snape noted when Harry returned and his dad saw the socks on Harry's feet.
For an hour Harry tried to levitate one of the cookies, using the charm 'Wingardium Leviosa' while swishing and flicking his ward properly. Snape could tell Harry was getting frustrated and tired. He thought it best to call it a night and Harry could practise that charm more tomorrow.
Harry wanted to argue, but a big yawn prevented him from whining his protest of having to go to bed.
Snape put Harry's wand on the night table and tucked Harry into bed. Harry noticed the night sky on his ceiling and the star were twinkling.
"Good night Harry," Snape smiled at the boy.
"Night dad," Harry smiled back.
Snape felt a wonderful rush of warmth run through his body when Harry called him dad. The last time he ever felt anything close to what he was feeling now, was when he was in Lily's arms.