Part seven – Albus
Harry and Remus managed to avoid the nasty reporter for the rest of the morning as they went about their shopping. There were so many shops they needed to go into for one thing or another that Remus came up with his own battle plan in his mind on how to manage their trip and set out to implement it.
"Alright, Harry, first stop for both of us…the Apothecary. You need supplies for the school year and I need to pick up several items for Severus."
Harry glanced up at the man beside him through his fringe, wondering if the supplies for Professor Snape included the ingredients for the Wolfsbane Potion he brewed regularly for Remus. As they entered the shop, his nose was assaulted by a huge number of smells, everything from Abyssinian Shrivelfigs to yew and dried Yeti parts (yuck!). He idly wondered why there was zombie dust or zebra hooves and made a mental note to ask Hermione sometime, if nothing else than to see her go into research mode. Then again, maybe he'd do some research on that subject himself. Now that he thought about it some, it sounded like something pretty interesting.
As the boy looked around the shop, he suddenly realized that he hadn't gotten his Hogwart's letter yet and had absolutely no clue what he needed to buy. He turned abruptly and nearly ran into Remus who was standing right behind him with a slight smile on his weathered face, "Problem, Harry?"
Feeling a little foolish and afraid that he had wasted the older wizard's time, he admitted, "I don't have my letter; I don't have the first clue what I need to buy for fourth year."
Reaching into his robes, Remus pulled out an envelope with Harry's name and the school's crest on it and held it out, "I was wondering when you would realize that. Severus brought your letter when he stopped in this morning and asked me to pass it on to you for our outing today."
It still boggled the mind that Severus Snape, of all people, was really not a bad guy, Death Eater, vampire, or bat, despite all evidence to the contrary leading up to the end of third year. The Potions Master was in reality a spy for the Light, had known Harry's mother Lily since they were children, and, after a rough few years, had become close friends with the Marauders by the end of their schooling at Hogwarts. Snape had to appear to have it in for Harry when he first started at school, but was actually doing everything in his considerable power to keep the boy safe. Having so many children of Death Eaters in his House watching his every move had made life difficult for the professor, but he still managed to keep Harry alive.
After gathering and paying for their ingredients, Remus shrunk everything down to slip into a pocket of his robe before dragging the teen to the cauldron shop to get a new pewter one for school and to Eeylops Owl Emporium to pick up treats for Hedwig. Harry was already eyeing Quality Quidditch Supplies and Remus, nodding in understanding, sent the child into the shop to drool over everything.
"I'll be just over here at the stationary shop to pick up your quills, inks, and parchments, Harry. Please, don't leave the store for any reason; I will be right back to get you. Alright?"
"Yes, sir," Harry responded eagerly, thrilled at the chance to spend some time alone in the shop of his dreams. There were so many different things to look at and touch; he just didn't know where to start. He didn't need to worry about a new broomstick, Sirius had taken care of that for him in third year by getting him his beloved Firebolt. He did, however, spot a practice Snitch that could be put on different settings: hopeless, beginner, better, normal, advanced, professional, and not-a-chance.
Harry was counting how much money he had on him when a hand reached past him and picked up the Snitch. He turned around in surprise and found himself face to beard with none other than Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. He lifted his eyes to meet the ever-twinkling blue gaze and couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, "Good day, Headmaster."
"And a good day to you as well, Mr. Potter. I see you found the latest in Quidditch equipment with this little gem," replied the amiable gentleman.
"Yes, sir, I was just checking to see if I had enough money with me or if I needed to wait on it for a later time."
The elderly wizard smile affectionately down at the boy, "I'm sure that something can be done so that you have this wonderful new invention to hone your already formidable skills to an ever higher level." Still holding the Snitch, Dumbledore began to wander towards the front of the store and inquired back over his shoulder, "I wonder, Harry, if you would do me the honor of joining me for a spot of ice cream?"
Just the thought of one of Florean Fortescue's ice cream sundaes was enough o cause Harry's mouth to begin to water, "I would love to, sir, but I have to wait until Remus comes back to get me. He's just over at the stationary's shop and should be back in just a moment."
"Of course, Harry, of course, I should have thought of that myself. I knew someone would be with you today and of course they would never want you to wander around on your own."
"You knew?"
The old man smiled, "Of course, my boy, I've been in contact with your godfather several times and was also the one to set up the wards around your new residence for the summer for your safety. I suggested that someone pick you up and take you out for your supplies before taking you to…where you're going." Albus looked toward the door, "Ah, here comes Remus now."
Sure enough, the werewolf was stepping through the door and approaching them with a soft greeting for his mentor. The headmaster held out the Snitch Harry had been admiring, "Remus, my boy, Harry has found this delightful contraption to help further his skills as the top Seeker at Hogwarts. Is there any way to see that he gets it?"
"Of course, Albus, I'm already under orders or see to it that he gets some special items while were here, so let this be the first!"
Harry watched in stunned disbelief as Remus accepted the Snitch and turned to place it on the counter. The price was outrageous and the boy immediately caught hold of Moony's robe sleeve, whispering, "It's okay, I don't it, it's way too much!"
Remus patted the child's shoulder reassuringly and murmured, "I have more than enough to spoil you a bit, Harry. Please don't worry about it; things will be explained to you more later."
He squirmed a bit, but kept his mouth shut when the wizard handed over the galleons required. When he gave him the Snitch in a small silver box to carry, he whispered a heartfelt, "Thank you."
"Now, Remus, I was just inviting young Mr. Potter to join me in an ice cream sundae; I do hope that you will allow it and have one yourself?"
"Of course, Headmaster, I was planning on stopping there with Harry next before we went to get his robes."
In short order, the three of them were settled at one of the outdoor tables, mostly hidden from passersby, content to enjoy their sundaes. Unnoticed by his tablemates, Albus made a slight motion with his hidden wand, erecting charms to hide them from prying eyes for a bit, and silencing spells so no one could overhear them. Just as Harry was finishing his, the headmaster spoke up, "Harry, my boy, I was wondering if you could tell me how you acquired that bruise on your cheek?"
Harry's hand rose instinctively to the cheek in question and covered the mark as he tried to hedge, "It's nothing, sir, a misunderstanding at home this morning."
Unfortunately for him, Remus was having none of it, "His aunt slapped him this morning when he burned a pancake at breakfast. Of course, from what I could see of all the food on the table, one pancake wouldn't have made a difference."
"I just started daydreaming and my aunt couldn't get my attention…"
"And why," Remus interrupted, "was there only three place settings at the table, Harry? And the burnt pancake was on the counter with a small bite out of it. Were they making you eat that disgusting thing while standing by the counter rather than joining the rest of the family?"
Harry's face reddened as he scrambled to come up with a placating answer, "I was…uh…it was a waste of food, and…um…I thought since I burned it…I…"
The elderly wizard reached over and placed one gnarled hand lightly on the thin wrist of the stammering boy, "Harry." Green eyes slowly met his, "The truth, please, child."
Undone by the sadness in the man's voice, he let it out, all of it. The fiasco at breakfast, the constant and many chores, the lack of food in general, the slaps, the spankings, the threats, the hatred directed at him by his aunt, the bullying of his cousin, the attempts of his uncle to smooth things over, the feelings of not belonging, never having someone just hug him and tell him what a good job he did, and, finally, the cupboard under the stairs he lived in for so many years.
By the time he finished, Remus was looking as if he were debating between shedding tears for the grief the boy had gone through or heading back to the Dursley household and going feral on them. When Harry looked at Dumbledore, he was stunned to see tears in the old man's eyes that slowly slipped down his cheeks to wet his beard.
"Oh, Harry," he whispered sadly, "My dear Harry, I am so very, very sorry. In my zeal to protect you, I thought that I knew better than anyone else and placed you where I thought you would be loved and cared for. I truly thought that your family would provide everything you needed in life." Albus wiped his eyes with an embroidered handkerchief he pulled out of a pocket, "Harry, how could you ever trust me, believe in me, even listen to me after what you've been through in your young life?"
The teenager wriggled in his seat, completely uncomfortable for all the emotion being shown on his behalf. He hadn't told them because he wanted to get them upset or in tears; Harry had told them because Dumbledore had ASKED him to tell them. He hadn't even thought about the consequences of his words or the impact it would have on the two men listening. It had just felt so good to finally let it all out!
Drawing in a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Albus pulled himself together enough to reach into his robes for a small vial. Pulling out the stopper, he placed one index finger to the opening and tipped the vial to get some of the ointment on it. Lowering it, Albus slowly reached out and lightly, tenderly, rubbed it on the bruising shadowing Harry's cheek.
Trusting in his headmaster, the child didn't flinch at the careful contact and simply allowed him to do as he pleased. To his surprise, the lingering discomfort from the bruising faded with the touch, "What is that, sir?
A sad smile crossed the lined face, "A simple ointment to heal bruising and remove the pain associated with it. At my age, I tend to bump into things and bruise rather easily; so Severus kindly keeps me well supplied with it for just such occasions." He wiped his hands off, re-corked the vial, and used a linen napkin to remove the excess oil from the young wizard's face.
"Thank you, sir, it's much better."
"Oh, Harry," the old man's sadness returning in full measure, "I should never have placed you in a position to have to bear that kind of pain. You've already dealt with more than your fair share of hardships in this life, you deserve someone to look after you, take care of you, and, most of all, love you. I think you will find all of those things in Sirius, and I know for a fact that he is eagerly looking forward to spoiling and coddling you to make up for all the years he couldn't."
"Coddling me?! I'm not a toddler or a baby who needs coddling!"
Harry achieved his goal of making the two men laugh at his reaction to the thought of someone doing such a thing. He desperately wanted to make the mood lighter and making a big deal over something he so eagerly desired seemed to work.
Albus Dumbledore rose and smiled down at his students, former and current, "I think, Harry, that you would do well with a bit of coddling, and I know that Sirius could do with some himself. Perhaps, the two of you can take care of each other for the rest of the summer and see who can out-do the other in the loving care department!"
That being said, the elderly gentleman cancelled his charms around the table, bid them both a good day, and swept away in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron to floo back to the school.
Remus sighed, letting go of his own anger and sorrow at Harry's revelations and rose as well, "You ready to visit Madam Malkin's for your new robes, cub?"
Nodding, Harry bounced to his feet, making the wolf roll his eyes at the obvious display of sugar intoxication the boy was now experiencing, "Yep!"
Standing still for robe measurements was going to be such a joy with a teenager high on sugar. Maybe…
"Hey, Harry, I had a thought. If you can hold still and get your fitting done fast enough, we'll still have plenty of time to stop and Gambol and Japes joke shop if you'd like?"
"Really? You'll let me buy some stuff from there?"
Remus smirked, "I'm not on the faculty this coming year, and you ARE the son and godson of Marauders. I would have to say that it's a requirement for us to make that stop. We just need to make sure that you have plenty of time to go through the shop and make wise decisions on what will work out best for different situations."
Harry grinned as he skipped along, "Think we could find something to brighten up Sirius' day?"
The tall man put one arm around the boy's shoulders, "Harry, I guarantee you; just seeing you walk through the door is going to brighten up his day like a supernova."
