Chapter Twelve, Part I
Hogsmeade or, I don't need underwear!
1985, 13 August
Harry had awakened for lunch and then Severus had taken the boy to meet the Groundskeeper Hagrid and his slobbery mastiff Fang. Harry and Fang both loved each other on sight and Hagrid was happy to watch over the boy for the afternoon. Contrary to what many thought of the half-giant he was a responsible man who took care of many inhabitants of the Forbidden Forest that included unicorn, Thestral, a Demiquise that liked to hover near the school when term was in session and several Bowtruckle on the south side of the Forbidden Forest.
While Harry had played Severus had taken the afternoon to brew potions for the Hogwarts Infirmary. By the time he collected his worn out and snoozing charge it was dinner time. They ate in Severus' quarters and then the Potions Master tried to teach Harry how to play chess. The game quickly became a battle between the pieces.
It was now Tuesday and after a breakfast of pecan pancakes and bacon Harry and Severus had taken a Thestral drawn buggy to Hogsmeade. Harry was able to see the Thestral and Severus wondered if that was possible due to his own death and subsequent time as a Spirit. Once in Hogsmeade Severus sent the Thestral and buggy back to Hogwarts. Harry gasped as the Thestral unfurled its wings and flew up into the sky with the buggy.
"How we gonna get back, Sev'rus?"
"We shall employ a mode of wizarding transportation known as Flooing," replied Severus.
"What is Flooing?" Severus just smirked at the small boy who took his hand. "It's a su'prise, isn't it?"
"Indeed. A fine sur-prise," he subtly corrected.
"Surprise," Harry repeated softly. He then gave the village of Hogsmeade a wide-eyed look of wonder. His eye was caught by a sign his height under the display windows. The sign declared that it was Monty's Python Familiars & Other Extraordinary Animals. The lettering rotated in a rainbow of colours and were framed by a parade of a variety of familiars. "Could we see the animals, Sev'rus?"
The Potions Master hesitated. It was rare for a magical child to not return home with a familiar. One day Harry would have a familiar, but not this soon! Right? The Potions Master was not too thrilled about inviting a pet into his quarters.
Harry noted the wizard's hesitation and let out a sigh of disappointment. Severus rolled his eyes. He hated that "kicked puppy" look on the little boy's face. It made his heart hurt. "Clothing first, Harry. Then, if we have time we will come back and we will also look at other shops that interest you."
Harry smiled but its incandescence was subdued. Severus, without having to Legilimens the boy, he knew that he was already accepting this disappointment would remain so and he had to forget about it. Something he had obviously learned to do at the feet of his "loving" relatives.
The wizard dropped to one knee and gently caught Harry's chin in his hand when the boy started to look away. "Harry, one thing you need to know about me. I. Never. Lie. We shall come back here if there is time after the errands we must complete first. If there is not enough time to appreciate the animals, I promise, we shall return another day. Will that be all right?"
Harry nodded. "I'd like that, Sev'rus. And, I'll remember," he placed his hands on the wizard's cheeks. "you don't ever lie."
Severus captured the little boys hands and kissed his cheek. It continued to anger him to discover, so abruptly, how many 'firsts' Harry was facing. The boy was understandably pleased, delighted, and beyond happy about these freedoms. Severus knew he had to get the frustration, anger, and need to do more than the maddening nightmares he had left the bull Vernon Dursley and the whispering voice Petunia would have the rest of her life. kept his sudden frustration to himself. He knew Harry wanted to believe.
Harry pulled Severus from the shadows of his thoughts by taking the man's hand in his. "That sign says Gladrags Wizardwear, doesn't it?"
"You are quite right, Harry." Severus rose to his feet. "Let us see what they have."
There were a few customers in Gladrags but not many. When the proprietor Teresita Gilliam saw her new customers the sight of the little boy, wearing robes that matched his father, simply enchanted her. Teresita rarely saw children under 11 in her shop so she wanted to take care of this little one who reminded her of her grandchildren.
"Hello," greeted Teresita as she approached Severus and Harry. "I'm Teresita Gilliam, welcome to Gladrags."
"Professor Severus Snape from Hogwarts," the Potions Master bowed slightly. "This is my son, Harry. Recently Harry lost his mother and he came to me with a very meagre wardrobe, Miss…"
"It's Missus, Professor. I lost my beloved Terry during the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named War. I'm terribly sorry to hear about your ex-wife." She smiled as she put aside the maudlin past. "So, an entire wardrobe, hmmm? Do you have any preferences, Harry?"
"Purple, please," Harry replied as he moved a bit closer to Severus. "I like purple."
"Any other colours?" Teresita prompted.
"I do like black but I think blue and green are kinda nice, too," said Harry with just a bit more confidence.
"Would you take my hand, Harry?" asked Teresita. Harry glanced up at Severus who nodded at him to let him know it was all right to do so. When Severus sent him a nod and a small smile of encouragement the little boy took Teresita's hand.
The middle-aged woman took Harry towards the back of her shop where there was a wealth of clothing for children 10 and under. Harry was stunned by the variety of clothing. Shirts, trousers, nightshirts, pyjamas, sweaters, coats, and even robes his size. And, the colours. Harry could not help himself. His knees weakened and he fell, plop!, onto his bum.
"Harry?" asked Severus softly as he turned and helped the little boy back to his feet. "Are you all right?"
"Those aren't Dudley hand-me-downs," Harry rasped. "I get to choose whatever I want, right, Sev… uhm… daddy?" Harry wasn't sure about calling Severus 'daddy' but the man had introduced him as his son so he didn't want to mess anything up.
"Anything you like, Harry. I'm going to let Mrs. Gilliam help you, all right?"
Harry nodded. "Don't go far, Daddy. I… I… uhm… don't want you to get lost."
Severus conjured a simple chair for himself. "I'll be right here."
Harry sighed and smiled. He turned back to the proprietor. "I'm ready, Mrs. Gilliam. What should I look for first?"
"Let's start with a shirt and trousers." She pointed. "When you pick them out I'll charm them onto you so you can see what they look like and we can see if they are good colours."
Harry, it turned out, was a very discerning shopper. Or, picky, as Severus thought. He was reminded of his friend, Lucius Malfoy, who kept two closets for his wealth of clothing. Severus' heart lurched as he realised he was not aware if the free wizard had survived Bellatrix Voldemort's purge at Azkaban. He needed a Floo.
"Mrs. Gilliam, do you have a Floo?" asked Severus. "I need to make a quick call."
"My office," she began.
Harry dropped the shirt he had been contemplating. "Daddy?" his voice was fraught with worry.
"I shall not be long, son," Severus spoke quietly and without the worry he held in his beating heart. "I need to make a short Floo call. You will be all right with Mrs. Gilliam."
Harry could only nod his head. He did not know what a "floo call" was but he remembered when the phone at the Dursleys rang Uncle Vernon would stop whatever he was doing with Dudley to take it.
Neither father nor son could turn away from each other. Teresita intervened by stepping next to Harry. She held up a pair of shorts. "These would be marvelous for playtime, don't you think, Harry?"
Harry's curiosity drew his gaze to the shorts enabling Severus to step away to the proprietors' office.
The little boy knew that his daddy was gone but he chose to have faith that he would return. Therefore he let Mrs. Gilliam spell the shorts and shirt he had dropped onto his body.
"Cooool!" whispered Harry. He really loved magic.
Kneeling down on the hearth, Severus called Malfoy Manor where he was answered by an elf who told him nothing. Some of his tension left when he saw Narcissa's head in the green flames. "Narcissa, do pardon me for calling without warning but it has been a strange time and… and…" Severus squeezed his eyes against the tears that threatened.
"Severus, dear brother, what is the matter?" asked Narcissa softly.
"Lucius," Severus could only manage in that brief second. "Is he… is he well?"
"Lucius is quite fine, Severus. Sleeping, though. His left forearm ached for a rather long time," she said pointedly. "Perhaps you ought to come to tea so you may see him and get his story from Lucius," suggested Narcissa.
Severus nodded. "An excellent idea, sister." He decided not to mention Harry. Not that he did not trust either Malfoy but it was a secret to keep as much as possible for now.
"Until later, Severus," Narcissa's face vanished and soon the green flames did.
For a moment Severus bowed his head as he breathed deeply. Lucius was alive.
Harry discovered that as much as he loved the colour purple it tended to overwhelm him and wash him out. Blue and green of varying shades were good colours for him. Orange was awful and yellow was too 'girly'. Pink was silly even if Teresita called it salmon. Harry really liked cream since it looked 'yummy'. He wasn't terribly fond of most clothing with patterns (stripes were okay if they were not excessive) or had 'cute' pictures on them.
Finally, shirts, trousers, shorts, and t-shirts were all settled upon. Harry was undecided on the nightshirts versus pyjamas. Neither felt as soft as the nightshirt his daddy had resized for him. He looked over his shoulder towards the office where Severus had disappeared. He wished his daddy would come back and help him. Seconds later, though, the little boy smiled brightly as he saw his daddy emerge from the office. Harry could not stop himself as he broke into a short run to his daddy. Severus caught Harry before the boy collided with him.
"Daddy! I gots lotsa clothes and shirts and trousers and shorts and… and lotsa stuff. But, I can't make a 'cision on the nightdresses or the 'jamas." Harry leaned closer to his daddy's chest and whispered, "They don't feel as soft as the nightdresses you make for me."
"I do see the problem, Harry," agreed Severus as he put the child back onto the floor. "Why don't we gather what you do have, pay for it, and look for night clothes at another store."
"'Kay." Harry faced the proprietor. "We're done Mrs. Gilli-yum.
Teresita smiled. "Very good, Harry. You have a very nice wardrobe." She gathered a good portion of the clothing while Severus picked up the rest. He was busy paying for everything while Harry wandered around the store but not out of sight of the Potions Master. After it took forever Severus called Harry to him.
"I think you will like this, Harry," said the wizard as he swept his wand over the boxes and bags. "Reducio!"
Harry's eyes widened and then he clapped his hands and crowed, "Look, Daddy! They're smalling!"
"Shrinking," Severus corrected as he Summoned the now small boxes and bags so he could pocket them.
"Shrinking." Harry took Severus' hand and they left Gladrags. "You really have lotsa cool magic, Daddy. Did it take a long time to learn all of it?"
"Well, I never have stopped learning, but my training began at Hogwarts when I was eleven," replied Severus.
"That's where we live," Harry interrupted with delight.
"It is. I was a student there for seven years and then I won an apprenticeship with Master Timofei Roman Stanislav in Russia. That was four years." Severus did not clarify that the apprenticeship had almost been paid for by Voldemort but Abraxas Malfoy died at that time and Lucius paid for the apprenticeship instead. Neither wanted Voldemort to have more of a hold upon either of themselves beyond the Dark Mark.
The next place Severus took Harry too was the little known shop that specialised in only night clothing and under clothing. Sarai's Dreamwear.
Sarai Sukara the proprietor of this unique shop dressed in the beautiful traditional lehenga choli which was a very colourful long skirt with a heavily ornamented bordered hem, and the choli was a fitted blouse with short sleeves for her torso. When Sarai went out of her shop she had a traditional saree that draped over her head and around her body. The shop reflected Sarai's birthplace in India. She bowed at seeing her regular customer Severus Snape with a little boy.
"What may I do for thee, Master Snape?"
"Harry, this is Madame Sarai," Harry shyly waved as he pressed a cheek to his daddy's leg. "Madame, my son, Harry." Severus placed both hands upon the boy's shoulder as he briefly explained that Harry's mother had passed and the child was now his. "He disliked the pyjamas and nightshirts on offer at Gladrags Wizardwear. I am certain that what you have he would rather wear."
The proprietor bowed to Harry. "Do you like pyjamas or nightshirts, Harry?"
Harry barely heard the question. He was dazzled by everything that sparkled or was bright on her clothing. He could not stop his mouth from blurting, "Are you a princess?"
Sarai chuckled as her eyes sparkled. "Ahh, you are so sweet, Harry." She easily dropped to her knees and held out her arms. Harry was all too delighted to hug the princess woman.
"You got some red paint on your forehead," pointed out Harry.
"It is called a bindi, Harry. It means that I am a married woman." She smiled and slowly shook her head, "But I am not a princess. I dress in the traditional fashion to honor my heritage." She stood and took Harry's hand in hers. "Let me show you both pyjamas and nightshirts."
"'Kay."
Severus followed a moment later. At first he thought he ought to restrain Harry, in case he might be inadvertently rude. Madame Sarai was only charmed. Conjuring another chair he seated himself and watched as Harry looked at all of the nightwear and in the various colours. As time passed the little boy was becoming overwhelmed by all of his choices. Harry finally walked away and leaned wearily against Severus' thigh.
Severus brushed the little boy's hair off his face and then he touched a cheek with his fingertips. "Too many choices, Harry?"
"I like 'em all, Daddy, but I don't know what to get. And, I never wore p'jamas so I don't know if they're good but I like the nightdr… shirts a lot. But, there's so many colours." Harry took an exhausted breath.
"Why don't I decide for you?" Harry nodded hopefully. "Pick out three nightshirts. One in each of the colours you like. Even if one is purple. Then, pick a set of pyjamas in white and one set in black. That will give you a full week of nightclothes. You also need a night robe and and slippers. For now, go with black in the slippers and night robe. If you want a different colour we'll get that later."
"I can do that," Harry sighed in relief.
Harry returned to Sarai's side where he picked out three nightshirts, one blue, one green, and one purple. Then Madame Sarai picked out the two sets of pyjamas, the night robe (very plush and soft) and the slippers. With a wave of her hand she sent them up to her counter.
Harry was satisfied with his choices and was smiling until Severus mentioned, "My son needs underwear, Madame Sarai. Would you have any in his size?"
"Not a little one's size but I do have a selection of t-shirts, briefs, and boxers that I could shrink. A moment, please." Sarai turned to the back storage beyond her office.
"Do you have a preference in regards to boxers or briefs, Harry?" asked Severus.
Harry's cheeks were cherry red as his eyes were wide with horror. His jaw dropped in disbelief. He couldn't believe his daddy would ask him such a thing in front of a girl! He hissed, "I don't need… underwear!"
Severus crossed his arms over the front of himself. "I beg to differ, Mr. P-Snape," he almost called the boy Potter and that was knowledge he and Albus were keeping to themselves. "I will not keep transfiguring my socks into fresh underwear for you. When Madame Sarai returns with the shrinkable items I will choose a goodly amount for you."
"No," Harry pleaded. "She's a girl!"
"Yes. She is," Severus smirked. "Ah! Madame Sarai. We shall take a week's worth of briefs and a weeks worth of boxers and two weeks of undershirts."
"Of course, Master Snape." Sarai wielded her wand. "I will take your measurements quickly and shrink the underclothes. Shall I leave everything white, Harry?"
Harry let out a strangled gasp and buried his face in Severus' robes against his leg. Severus snorted and patted the embarrassed child's head gently. "White for the t-shirts and his favourite colours in the pants. Including purple."
"He'll love what I choose, Professor Snape. Do you want to take all these packages with you or would you like me to send them to Hogwarts?" asked Sarai.
"Hogwarts, please."
"That will be done, Master Snape." Sarai smiled and bowed, including included Harry in her farewell. "Thank you so much for coming to my shop. You both continue having a wonderful day!"
