Note: Just realized we forgot a crucial part of fanfiction writing on this story, the disclaimer! Oops! Is this where I blame the main author? Probably both of our faults; anyway, Harry Potter characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling and no copyright infringement is intended. Original characters came from the author's imagination with some other influences previously mentioned in other stories where these characters first appeared (Saving Harry). Whew. Onward!

Chapter 4: Shopping

Lunch was quiet. Harry picked at his food, which caused Jeff to add the dreaded nutritional powder to his milk. Harry frowned but obediently drank the milk. About halfway through the glass, he started feeling really hungry so he quickly gobbled down his sandwich and crisps. He looked up as he reached for the apple and saw Jeff slowly chewing his own food as he watched Harry eat. Harry blushed but Jeff smiled and ignored it.

After lunch, they got ready to go shopping. Just as Jessi was fussing over Harry for not having a proper jacket, the fireplace flared green. Harry looked shocked and shrunk behind Jessi, trying to disappear into the wall, as a tall man stepped out of the fireplace.

"Hello," said Jessi. "We were just about to go shopping. But I did want to talk to you anyway. Harry, go with Jeff, and I'll be there to join you so that we can leave soon."

Harry was confused, but followed Jeff out of the room into his room.

Jessi put up a silencing charm. She didn't want Harry to hear this.

"So," she said, facing Albus Dumbledore. "How dare you leave Harry with his aunt and uncle and not even check on him! Do you have any idea what injuries he had when Jeff went with Madam Bones and Auror Shacklebolt to find him? And Jeff said that you told them to take him back when he was found and healed. Seriously Albus? You think that Jeff was going to just let an abused child go back to abusive situation? Perhaps you should have listened to Minerva when she warned you about them! You could have at least checked up on him! I'm sure you didn't mean him any harm, but you have no idea what he's been through! He can barely eat anything, he's scared that we'll beat him if he makes any sort of mistake, he doesn't understand that he's allowed to sit on the furniture or sleep in a bed, and he's convinced that he has to cook and do endless amounts of chores in order to earn his keep! It is going to take a long time to heal this damage."

"I'm truly sorry," said Albus.

"I know you are," said Jessi, calming down from her rant. "I'm just so worried for Harry. He's such a sweet boy, and no child deserves the treatment he got. Someday you get to be the one to explain to him who chose to place him with those people."

"Well," said Albus. "I think I've learned to listen to Minerva more. I think that it is a great idea to adopt him, and that if you ever need anything; you know where to reach me. Have fun shopping." He stood and walked back over to the fireplace to head back to Hogwarts.

Harry was excited as Jeff transfigured his light jacket into a heavier one. Harry liked this magic thing.

"Will I learn magic?" he asked.

"Jessi and I will teach you what other magical kids learn before Hogwarts but you will not have your own wand until you turn eleven and are ready to enter Hogwarts for formal training. Now, put on the jacket and we'll be ready to go."

Jessi came into the room with a big smile.

"Who was that?" Harry asked her.

"It was Albus Dumbledore," Jessi said. "The Headmaster of Hogwarts. We had some things to discuss that you do not need to worry about." Jessi looked relieved when she saw that he was wearing a good jacket. "Let's go," she said. "We're going to go by floo."

"Floo?" Harry said.

"We will be travelling through the fireplace. It won't burn us, don't worry. Since this is your first time using it, we'll let Jeff go first, then you and I will go together."

Harry nodded in acceptance. Minutes later, they were standing in a dingy pub. People immediately surrounded Harry.

"It's Harry Potter!" said a bunch of people.

"Can I take your picture?" a woman asked excitedly. "I want to ask you some questions!"

"No Ms. Skeeter, we have no time for one of your interviews," said Jessi. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have shopping to do."

Finally, they got out of the crowd. Harry was confused. How did everyone know his name? And why did everyone seem impressed with seeing him? He walked with Jessi and Jeff into a beautiful alley lined with shops.

"Clothes first," said Jessi.

Harry walked into a store that was definitely bigger on the inside than on the outside.

"First," said Jeff. "Let's get you some boxers and socks. Then we'll look for trousers, shirts, a couple sets of informal robes, a dressing gown, pajamas, proper coat, and cloak. We'll do shoes last."

"Robes? Cloak?" questioned Harry as he followed a very excited Jessi as she starting pulling things off of racks and shelves.

"Wizarding wear, Harry. It differs from muggle clothing but you need both, as children do not wear robes when not required to. Plus, you will need a uniform for school but we'll have to go to a different store that specializes in uniforms," said Jeff as he herded Harry towards the fitting rooms to start trying the things Jessi selected for him.

Jeff noticed Harry's level of anxiety was rising even as he tried to hide it.

"Harry? Why don't you pick the coat and cloak you want? I think we can be done with trying things on as we now have all of your measurements and sizes. Let's go with the informal robes in a couple colors and be done."

Harry was relieved. He grabbed a coat he liked, and received smiles from Jessi and Jeff. He turned to the cloaks and accepted a few words of guidance from Jeff before choosing a plain black one. Jessi took everything up to wait in the queue to pay while Jeff led Harry to the shoe section. Harry selected new trainers while Jeff added a second pair of trainers and a couple pairs of nicer shoes for school. He added all the shoes to the pile Jessi levitated with her wand as she waited, and gently steered Harry out of the clothing store and into a toy store.

Harry immediately moved to inspect the mound of soft toys. He recognized the standard bears and cats, but saw many animals he assumed had to be either mythical or magical.

"You may pick two," said Jeff, as he browsed the book section and selected a book on magical animals.

Harry shook his head. He didn't want to be a burden. Freaks didn't deserve toys. Especially not stuffed animals.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Jeff asked.

"Freaks don't get toys," Harry said.

"Every child deserves toys, and remember, you're not a freak," Jeff said patiently.

Harry sighed. Why were they telling him he wasn't a freak? They were acting as though the Dursleys were wrong to call him a freak. He slowly selected a teddy bear and after a moment, selected a brightly colored bird creature too. Harry would never forget the time when Dudley removed the eyes from his old bear before throwing the toy at Harry then running out of the room howling about Harry destroying the toy. He didn't want to remember the punishment that followed but it seemed his brain disagreed. A hand landing on his shoulder jolted him back to the present.

"Let's get you a training broom too and I'll teach you how to ride it, when Jessi is not home," Jeff said, adding the broom to their collection.

Harry was curious about all the toys but refused to ask for anything else so Jeff paid for just the book, the broom and two soft toys.

They met Jessi outside of the shop with their bag and followed her back to the pub floo. Harry kept looking at Jessi, wondering where all the clothes were. Maybe she decided he didn't need new clothes after all?

Jessi went through the fireplace with him again and Harry decided he hated traveling like that. Once back in the house, Jessi led Harry to his room and pulled a small bag from her pocket. After setting it on the floor, she pointed her wand at it and it grew back to its normal size, revealing all of Harry's new clothes. Jessi helped Harry organize the wardrobe and decide where to place his soft toys. Harry was surprised to see the book but eagerly opened it to look at the pictures. She then convinced him to join her and Jeff in the kitchen for tea. The adults watched as Harry fidgeted for several minutes until he finally directed a question towards Jeff.

"When will you teach me how to ride the broom?"

"You got him a broom? Well, best do it now, before dark. Out in the garden, both of you! I'll go find the first aid kit," said Jessi, as she pushed both Jeff and Harry out the door, pausing just long enough for them to put on jackets and shoes.

Jessi watched from inside as Jeff showed Harry how to fly the broom, and warned him about what could happen if he didn't fly correctly and that he could fall. Jessi smirked. Jeff always made sure that everyone knew the risks of just about everything but never actually discouraged an activity. Typical healer.