Chapter 9
Months had now gone by since Severus had quit his job; he had indeed gotten the house elf to take them back. He had spent more time outside than he remembered in his lifetime. He no longer had that pale look around him; he had a healthy looking tan. His hair was now shiny with him not spending so much time in his dungeons. However, he mostly still wore back; you could not expect a miracle now could we.
He was indeed teaching Harry, but mostly the young boy spent time reading his books. They had not been bothered by anyone, just as he had predicted. Harry had gained weight and grown a great deal in the past few months. His clothes were hardly fitting him; he would need new clothes soon that were for sure.
Harry had learned more about Potions than anything, Harry seemed amazed at what they could do. Just like Severus had been when he was a child, unfortunately Severus' passion had not been encouraged like Harry's was. His father had forced him into learning the dark arts, which he ended up growing fascinated with anyways.
Harry spent loads of time in the pool though, he loved the pool it was cool, relaxing, and a way to burn off his energy. Left him tired so he could get good nights sleep at night.
"Come on we are going to Diagon Ally" said Severus from where Harry was in the pool.
"Why?" asked Harry curiously?
"Because you need new clothes or haven't you noticed nothing fits you anymore?" asked Severus.
"Nope, I'm mostly in my swimming trunks" said Harry smiling at his guardian.
"True, but come on," said Severus.
"I'm coming," said Harry getting out of the pool.
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"Good lets go" said Severus waiting on Harry at the fire place.
"Are we flooing?" asked Harry.
"Yes," said Severus smirking.
"I hate floo!" said Harry grumbling as he grabbed some of the powder.
"I know, it's the LEAKY CAULDRON speak clearly" said Severus.
"I know, I think I learned my lesson the last time" shuddered Harry, landing himself in a creepy looking shop. Severus had, had to make the same mistake Harry had so he would be able to get the boy.
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"Good you ended up where you said you were going" said Severus coming smoothly out of the floo.
"Of course" said Harry rubbing the soot off him, as he shot a dark look at Severus' quiet chuckle.
"Come on then lets get going" said Severus immediately going for the back door of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Yeah!" said Harry almost skipping his way over to Severus.
Tapping the correct bricks, which then moved away creating an arch way for them to move though. Into Diagon ally they started making their way to Madam Malkin's. She used the best material and her prices were reasonable.
"SEVERUS!" said a surprised and shocked voice from across from them.
"Albus" said Severus respectfully tipping his head before continuing on. Aware that Dumbledore was more than likely to follow them and try and talk to them.
"That's Snivellus?" asked a shocked James Potter from the Headmaster's side.
"Well he is looking after himself now," said Lily not taking her eyes of Harry as he walked on.
"Do not call him that, we need him" snapped Dumbledore to James angrily.
"Sorry Albus" said James.
Albus sighed, he didn't know why he still bothered with them, and their son was not the prophecy boy. He needed to get Severus to listen to him, get him to let him apart of Harry's life. The boy would need trained and made into a perfect pawn for the war. Otherwise god knows what would happen to the war; he needed to believe he was responsible for saving everyone.
"Severus, good to see you" said Madam Malkin's as they walked into her shop.
"And you as well Madam" said Severus respectfully.
"Severus would you let me speak to you privately for a moment?" asked Dumbledore respectfully.
"Sure," said Severus.
"I want a whole new wardrobe for Harry here Madam Malkin's he has out grown everything he had, although I would like them to be able to magically expand a few feet, so they last longer, he seems to be growing at an alarming rate" said Severus.
"I will do Severus, in fact I will shrink them slightly how about that? All you need to do is UN shrink them when he gets bigger" said Madam Malkin's
"That's fine thank you, now Harry let her take your measurements while I speak to the Headmaster" said Severus.
"Yes Severus" said Harry softly going up on the box, and letting the magical items roam around him. He had been surprised the first time; even though he was aware of magic it had still surprised him.
"How are you Harry?" she asked tapping her wand against her mouth.
"I'm great thank you" said Harry smiling softly.
"Good, still getting the sun I see, its good for you and for Severus" she said smiling.
"Yeah, he looks much better" whispered Harry smiling cheekily.
"Yes, but he is a good man with or without his greasy hair" she said.
"I know he was kinder to me than my own parents" said Harry. Madam Malkin's new all about that, Harry had begun to trust the woman. She had been surprised at what he told her to say the least. Of course that had nothing what so ever to do with Madam Malkin's using cheep material for the Potter's clothes all of a sudden of course not.
"Well are you wanting to pick your trunks young man?" she asked, every time she did him he always got a pair of trunks, always different colors.
"Yep" said Harry cheerfully.
"Go on then" said Madam Malkin's.
"Sorry to interrupt Severus but are you wanting bigger jumpers? I mean it's a long way to winter so I was just wondering…If I should get them in a bigger size? He could use his cloak until it gets colder and he can use his jumpers" said Madam Malkin's
"That's fine Madam, also I would like a pair of green gloves, scarf and hat for him. Also like one for myself, and a new cloak and still the same size" said Severus.
"Right away, sorry to have disturbed again" she said going into the back of the shop.
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"Can I help you Headmaster?" asked Severus curious to know where this was heading.
"Are you sure you cannot be the potions master? I cannot find anyone else, and no one is as good as you at potions. Your Slytherin's are learning nothing as well as the rest of the students" said Dumbledore.
"It's hardly my fault Headmaster, go to St. Mungo's there are plenty apprentices who would jump at the chance of working at Hogwarts" said Severus.
"But none are as good as you with your potions" protested Dumbledore.
"My answer is no Headmaster, I won't come back," said Severus.
"But you loved your job" said Dumbledore playing the confused card.
"You know I did not Headmaster" said Severus shaking his head in irritation.
They were interrupted by Madam Malkin's briefly, thankfully otherwise Severus would have shouted at Dumbledore. It was the last thing he needed, being accused of shouting at Albus Dumbledore and that he was going dark.
"Please Severus, I will double your wages" said Dumbledore at a last ditch attempt.
"It won't even come to half of what I am earning on my own, Headmaster people are asking me to make their potions, including St. Mungo's so I get millions more each week with what you would give me for ten months wages" said Severus.
"Very well, at least let me know where you live so I can tell the others. Minerva really wants to know how you are doing" said Dumbledore, it was half true, and Minerva had been worried about him.
"Then I will come to Hogwarts and see her" said Severus softly.
"Very well then" sighed Dumbledore knowing he would not win on anything.
"I've got Silver ones this time" said Harry bouncing though.
"Have you?" asked Severus an eyebrow raised.
"Yep" said Harry smirking.
"Good," said Severus.
"Why are we getting hats scarfs and gloves?" asked Harry, it was the middle of the summer for god's sakes.
"Because I'm taking you ice skating plus you will need them for winter" said Severus.
"Really?" asked Harry almost bouncing up and down, he had wanted to go for so long now.
"Yes, now go and get the bags" said Severus.
"Is it fair that he should carry everything? He is after all only a child!" said Dumbledore eyes twinkling.
"He takes the bags, the ones from here anyway; they have a spell on them so they are weightless. He likes to be helpful, plus I've got potion ingredients to buy next door and cannot do that with full hands" said Severus.
"I see" said Dumbledore his twinkle leaving.
"And I'm not a child" said Harry looking insulted as Severus and him left the shop with a quick goodbye to Madam Malkin's.