Same Disclaimer applies!
(Some years later)
"Alright everybody! Up! Up! Up!" Susan waltzed around the kitchen in her light cotton robe and long thin night pants with a tank top . Bright eyed and bushy tailed she awoke the entire house hold at the crack of dawn. Well, it was more like six thirty a.m., but the three that made up the rest household didn't know that.
"You know, not every person in the world shares your insane internal clock." Severus reminded her, half asleep. "Oh hush and Eat, we have a big day ahead of us!" Susan scrapped a serving of scrambled eggs on to his plate. Severus merely grunted and shrugged. Susan sighed and pulled a steaming cup of strong coffee and pushed it to him, "Here, a little liquid energy." Severus nodded and didn't bother letting it cool before drinking as the two children filled down the stairs still in their night clothes.
It seemed Harry shared his Aunt's demeanor and had coxed Vera out of bed. "Morning" He piped and Vera simple grumbled while rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "See, Harry's in the spirit of things" Susan pointed out and eyed Vera who at the moment was very much her father's daughter. "He gets it from your side of the family" Severus muttered.
"Haha, see it's that sense of humor that got me to marry you." Susan quipped and served eggs, toast and bacon to the children.
Susan snatched the list of school supplies, which had come with Harry's Hogwarts letter, off the counter. "We're going to have to get a head start if we want to get all of this before the crowds hit and they're sold out"
"Let me ask you something Susan, exactly how many cups of coffee have you had this morning?" Severus asked.
"Three, why?"
"Curiosity"
"Right, everyone eat up, get dressed, we leave no later than seven fifteen." Susan clapped her hands together and made for the bedroom to shower and dress. Severus watched her go and momentarily wondered how the two of them even dated, let alone got married.
Vera and Harry finished their food and made for their separate rooms, "What do you think Hogwarts is going to be like?" Vera asked. And Harry grinned. "Aunt Susan says it's amazing." Vera felt a flame of jealously that her cousin got to go to Hogwarts without her but after many an argument with her mother, she had come to accept the fact that she would need to wait two more years."
Harry dressed in pair of plain jeans and a red T-shirt, He grabbed his Hogwarts letter, which was neatly folded on his bedside table and read it over again and again. "Come on Harry!" Vera poked her head in the door, dressed in a teal polo shirt and a pair of grey cargo pants. Harry gave her a look, "What did I tell you about knocking?" He reminded her and Vera stuck out her tongue and gained a mischievous grin.
Harry didn't have time to react before Vera tackled him on the bed and the two proceeded to battle until they rolled off the bed.
Downstairs Susan and Severus looked up at the ceiling as they heard a dull thunk from above. "They're at it again." Susan noted. "They act like brother and sister." Severus observed as the sound of a scuffle faded.
"Well that's a good thing isn't it?" Susan turned and brushed out her hair, as soon as she said it they both looked up again as a much louder crash came from upstairs, "Hey! No Magic!" Harry protested from above and Severus cast Susan a worried look.
"Is it?"
Susan rolled her eyes and walked out to the foot of the steps, "Are you two behaving?!" she called out and the sounds of fighting ceased immediately. "Yeeesss" they replied in unison. "Well hurry it up, we leave in five." She walked back into the bedroom, "Handled it."
"You know, you handle the kids so well I really don't think you need my help on this trip…." Susan hushed him quickly, "Nice try buddy, but you're not squirming your way out of this one."
"I am offended that you would think I would do anything of that…."
"You're going!"
"Fine."
Susan watched him from the mirror as he sulked a little. She smiled a little and shook her head, "Oh don't be such a baby, and you need fresh supplies anyway." She reminded him and pinned up her hair. The sound of feet on the stairs signaled the children waiting for their guardians to finish up.
"Alright, everyone ready? Harry? Have to got your list?" Harry waved the sheet of paper and Susan nodded, "Good boy, alright Severus and Vera first, then Harry and I will follow." Severus nodded and stoically ducked to enter the hearth followed by Vera. Susan handed Severus the ash pot from which he grabbed a hand full of Floo Powder and spoke clearly, "The Leaky Cauldron." And dropped the dust, sending them both into the flames and gone in a flash.
"Alright Harry, our turn now. care to do the honors?" Harry nodded and took a handful of dust. "The Leaky Cauldron." He said and they were enveloped in the warm green flames, the first time Harry used the Floo he was terrified out of his mind and thought that his new family was insane. But now he was quite used to it.
The landed in the communal floo network of the Leaky Cauldron and were greeted by Tom, the ever friendly bartended, who never seemed to forget a face, no matter the length of time. However Severus and Vera were know were to be seen
"As I live and Breathe, it can't be." The old man ogled at them, "Little Suzy Potter all grown up." Susan waved a little and blushed at her old childhood nickname. "Morning Tom." The pub was practically empty seeing as it was seven in the morning. "And with a brood of her own, off to Hogwarts then?" he assumed, "Yes, Harry is. Just on our way to shop for school supplies."
Tom squinted down at Harry and his face spilt into a look of Awe, "well bless my soul, It's Harry Potter." Susan grimaced, and thought, 'oh No'
The occupants in the bar were on them in second and Susan pushed through the crowd as politely as she could finally the two made it to the back wall as Susan pulled out her wand and muttered while tapping the bricks in the traditional order.
"I should have warned you Harry, you're a bit of a big deal here. But you mustn't let that effect you." She gripped his shoulder, "remember, you're no stranger than anyone else" Harry nodded, a little flustered as they met Severus and Vera behind the brick wall, "gee, thanks for waiting up." Susan scolded Severus tartly.
"Anything for you love, alright, let's just get this over with." Severus disliked being roped into situations where he might get pulled into an unwanted conversation, and an entire street consisting of people he went to school with seemed to fit quite neatly into the category. "Alright Mr. Antisocial, why don't you and Vera head to the Apothecary's and Harry and I will get the books, we'll all meet at Ollivander's in an hour."
The group parted ways and Harry was awe struck by all the shops and stores. The street was already filled with people who had the same idea as Susan. "Stick close Harry" she instructed as they passed street venders and food carts to get to Flourish and Blott's book store.
The store smelt wonderfully of new and old parchment, of dust and of leather bindings. "let me see that list again dear?" Harry handed Susan the list and she skimmed it over quickly.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Uniform:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (Dragon Hide or Similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Course Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students many also bring an owl OR a cat Or a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Well, that seems manageable." Susan nodded, "Think I can trust you to find a few books on your own?" she asked and Harry quickly assured her that he could do so, eager to wander the shop. "Alright, don't cause any trouble." She warned and made for the potions books to search for the proper text book.
"S-Susan P-P-Potter?" She heard a thin, airy voice behind her and turned. "Yes?" she faced a thin, pale man dressed in plum robes with a matching purple turban. "I-I-I Th-thought that w-was you." The man smiled, "I-I d-d-don't suppose y-you remember me?" Susan almost pitied this nervous man with the persistent stutter, however he did seem very very familiar.
"I…" Susan struggled to place his face, "wait a moment." She grinned, "Quirrell, Quirinus Quirrell, we went to school together." She remembered then back tracked, "I'm sorry, but did I hear you call me Susan Potter?" she asked and Quirrell nodded shyly. Susan laughed lightly, "Forgive me, but I haven't been a Potter in years,"
"Really…" Quirrell seemed slightly disheartened but Susan didn't seem to notice, "Yes, I've been married for, God uh, eight years now." She subconsciously spun her wedding ring around her finger. "T-to whom? M-may I ask?" the man stuttered out. "Uh Severus Snape, you remember him don't you?"
Quirrell stiffened considerably and trembled, "Y-yes, S-Severus and I a-a-re aquai-a-nted, I W-work at t-t-the sc-chool as w-well, though I-I R-r-really can't I-imagine him m-m-married" Susan nodded, "Well, he comes off hard and callus but he's a good man." She glanced at him, "Severus never mentioned you two working together, what do you teach?"
"W-Well I used to t-t-teach M-Muggle Studies, B-but t-this y-year I will be t-teaching D-defense against t-the D-d-dark A-arts" Susan smiled, "Well, I'm sure you'll be seeing my nephew this year." She looked around, "he should actually be here somewhere, Ah Harry? Harry!" she called the small boy one she spotted him.
Harry wobbled up to them with his arms full of books, "Harry, I want you to meet Professor Quirrell, one of your teachers at Hogwarts." Harry struggled to see past the stack of book, "How do you do sir?" He asked politely and Quirrell knelt down a bit, "H-How d-do you d-do Mr. P-P-Potter?"
"Well it's been lovely talking to you, but We have to get going, so much to do." Susan smiled kindly, hopping to momentarily relax the constantly nervous man, "Y-yes, I-it's been nice to see y-you again to S-S-Susan."
"You to Professor"
Susan ushered Harry to the counter, taking a few of the books from his arms and paying for them at the checkout area. "Did you know him?" Harry Asked curiously. "I did a long time ago, now we have to go meet your uncle and Vera at Ollivander's"
Harry helped his aunt carry the bags down the street as they walked out of the store, "now the store is just at the end of the street, I have to warn you, Mr. Ollivander is a bit uh…." She searched for the write word, "Eccentric"
Harry nodded, as he lived with his aunt and uncle he had come into contact with several odd characters. It was almost common place. They reached a modest looking shop with a sign that read Ollivanders: Makers of fine wands since 382 B.C
Severus and Vera waited outside the shop for them, Vera spinning around her father's legs restlessly. "There they are!" She pointed them out of the crowed as they advanced. "About time, I was almost going to go looking for you." Severus pushed off the brick wall, "well, Let's Get this over with" Susan eyed him, suddenly realizing why they hadn't had a date night in months.
They filed into the store and as Susan pushed the door open a tiny bell suspended by a hook rang through the store. Severus kept a tight grip of Vera, a silent reminder of 'Don't. Touch. Anything.' Susan looked around memories of the first time she stood in this very same spot when James got his wand, and then a few years later when Susan herself got her own. The shop hadn't changed in the slightest, the same dust coated the shelves and the same stale air filled her lungs making her cough lightly.
The sound of wheels again wood floors harkened to the arrival of the ancient Mr. Ollivander. A tiny old man with wild white whispy hair dressed in a maroon velvet suit. His pale yes twinkled knowingly as his gaze set upon Harry. "I knew I would be seeing you today Mr. Potter." Harry seemed taken aback by this and Susan pushed him forward encouragingly.
"It seems like just yesterday your mother and father were in here getting their first wands." The old man climbed down the ladder and hobbled over to the counter, "Your Aunt and Uncle as well…" He pointed to Susan, "Mahogany, Kelpie Mane, 13 inches. And just as temperamental and loyal as its owner."
Susan smile passively, he wasn't the only person to think she had a quick temper, Severus commented on it often. "You however Mr. Snape. I remember distinctly, 12 ¾ inches, Black Wood, Dittany Stalk core. A rather unique combination. I don't recall ever making a wand with Dittany stalk but my father was known to make use of the herb occasionally"
As he recalled all of this he searched row after row of slim boxes until he finally found on, "let's try… this" he pulled out a falling apart box and set it gently on the counter. "Come on come on." He waved Harry over and handed him a long slim grey wand. "Give it a whirl." Harry bit his lip gave the wand a slight waved.
As soon as he did so a large vase of flowers shattered and flung shards of pottery across the room. Harry sat the wand on the table quickly with an 'oops' expression on his face. "No no, that won't do at all" the old wizard swiped the wand off the table and made for the shelves again, "Let us try…..this one here." He plucked up another one and handed it to Harry who was hesitant to wave it but gave it a short flick of the wrist, causing a Vera to squeal as the end of her back length hair shot behind her and jerked her head to the side. "Nope! Definitely not!" Ollivander rejected the wand and with a snap of his fingers Vera's hair ceased its assault. "Sorry" Harry shrugged as Vera stuck out her tongue childishly with a glare.
Ollivander paused a moment and muttered to himself, "I wonder" he scuttled back to the very back of the store, and pulled a snuggly fitting box off the back wall and turned it over in his old tired hands, "I wonder"
He returned to the front and set the box on the table, and lifted the lid very carefully. Then pulled a reddish brown wand from the container, "try this one." Harry took the wand in his hand and found it warm and welcoming. A magical fire filled him and a stream of sparks spat from the tip of the wand. "Yes, I think that will do very nicely." Ollivander nodded but his eyes were troubled. "curious"
Susan paid for the wand and before they left Ollivander took Harry Aside. "Sir?" Harry asked, "When you said my wand was Curious, what did you mean by that?" Ollivander sighed, "Mr. Potter I remember every wand I have ever sold. And It just so happens that the phoenix which gave a feather for you wand, gave one other feather. Just one, making you wand that wand's brother in a way. And it just so happens that that owner of that wand, gave you that scar."
Harry's young eyes widened. "and Who owned that wand sir?" Ollivander shook his head gravely, "we do not speak his name. But I believe that we can expect great things from you Mr. Potter. After all You-Know-Who did great things. Terrible, yes very terrible. But great"
Harry nodded slowly, His aunt had told his the story, or at least what he suspected was an abridged version of it. His parents were killed by a Dark Wizard named Voldemort but since his mother sacrificed herself Voldemort couldn't hurt Harry and instead ended up being killed himself.
"Farewell Mr. Potter. Until we meet again."
Harry rushed to join his family and Susan placed her hand on his shoulder, "what was that about Harry?" Harry shrugged casually, "He just wanted to tell me about my wand." He replied, blocking a few details. "Alright well you just need your robes now and then we can get back home."
Severus was more than ready to leave but knew that Susan wouldn't let him hear the end of it. Susan took lead as usual and the other three trialed behind her. She made for Madame Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. Her mother and Madame Malkin had been good friends but Susan hadn't seen the Woman in years.
The shop contain a few other people, also students and parents getting uniforms for Hogwarts. "Harry you're with me, you two can walk around if you like." Vera wasted no time zipping through racks of clothes and bolts of fabrics and Severus tasked himself with wrangling her in as Harry and Susan caught the attentions of a stout little witch with dark grey hair dressed all in maroon robes. "Hello Dears, Hogwarts as well?" Susan nodded. "Yes First year."
"Well I have one booth left open so come on back dear" the witch led Harry back to the row of booths where other children stood to be measured by a set of magical measuring tapes. "Just up on the stool dear, I'll be around for your measurements in a few minutes" Harry stood on the stool and suddenly a long tape measure began to take his measurements on its own as Madame Malkin collect the measurements of other customers and rummaged through bolts of fabric. Susan tracked down her husband and daughter. Soon Harry was set up with seven uniforms, a winter cloak and everything else needed for proper clothing. Severus practically dragged them out and back to The Leaky Cauldron. "I'm not sure if I could handle this more than once a year." He muttered and Susan rubbed his arm. "I know you hate crowds but if we had come any later the place would have been even more packed." She reasoned.
Severus never liked crowds or cramped spaces. Even when they were in school, crowed hallways and common rooms made him uneasy. Susan reasoned it was from hiding in cramped closets and other tiny spaces for a variety of reasons growing up. Susan could tell he was still unhappy about her dragging him along and she grabbed his large hand, "I'll make it up to you I promise."
They piled into the Floo in the leaky cauldron in a spit second arrived in the living room. "Now Harry go right up stairs and pack all that stuff into your trunk so you're not scrambling at the last minute" She instructed and once both children returned to their rooms, Susan turned to Severus. "I need to head back I forgot something. I'll only be a moment." She said.
"What did you forget?" Severus asked, certain they got everything they needed. "It's a surprise." Susan said cryptically and returned to Diagon Alley alone before Severus could ask anything else. She made her way to a pet shop on the corner of the street. The wall was lived with caged of Cats and Toads and Snake and Owls and every other kid on animal you could own. "Excuse me?" she called the attention of the clerk. "I'm looking for a birthday present for my Nephew, He's going to Hogwarts this year and I would like to get him an Owl." The clerk, a young man with light stubble and blue eyes nodded.
"would you prefer a male or Female owl?" he asked and Susan shrugged, "either is fine." The clerk nodded, "a female probably, they are easier to handle." He concluded and scanned the rows. "How about this one?" Susan pointed to a sleeping snowy owl hanging in the window. "She's beautiful."
The clerk nodded pulled on a leather glove and got the snoozing owl from her cage. "Would you like to purchase a Cage while you're here?" Susan nodded and chose a simple silver wire cage. The owl was thirty galleons and the cage was ten.
Susan returned to the house and Severus took one look at the covered cage and set down his glass of water, "Susan, what have you done?" She pressed her finger to her lips with a spirited grin. "Harry, can you come down here a moment?" she called up.
Harry tramped down the stairs quickly, "Yea?" Susan grinned from ear to ear, "Now I know your birthday was a while ago but I wanted to give this to you before you left for Hogwarts." She pulled the sheet off the owl cage and revealed a snowy white owl with black speckles on it's feathers.
"Holy Cricket!" Susan clapped her hands together, "do you really like it?" Harry was beyond Happy, he was positively ecstatic. "She's beautiful! What's her name?" He asked, "well that's up to you." Susan told him, "and she's really mine?" Susan nodded "all yours sweet heart"
After Harry carfully took the bird upstairs Susan turned to find Severus looking at her with a mixed expression. "I know what you're going to say but in my defense I felt better with him have a way to send letter home while at school" Severus shook his head, "Susan, we're already on a budget you know that!" Susan pouted, "I know I know, but you saw how happy he was!" Severus rolled his eyes, "you're going to spoil them, I don't fancy playing the Bad guy every time I have to shine a ray of reality into your dream world."
Susan crossed her arms. "Fine fine fine, I'll reign it back a bit alright. But only if you lighten up a little. Deal?" Severus nodded, "deal." He agreed half heartedly
(A few weeks later)
"Have you got everything?" Susan said for the fifteenth time that morning. "Yep." Harry nodded, "You're positive, Wand, owl, cloak, all your books?" She fussed as Harry secretly rolled his eyes. "I check five times."
"Susan leave the boy be, He's nervous enough already." Severus chastised his wife as they walked along to Platform 9 ¾ . "You will write me right Harry?" Vera skipped along beside the trolley. "Every week." Harry assured her. "Alright Harry, you first. Then Severus then Vera and I." Vera pouted. "Mum I'm old enough to go by myself." Susan looked down at her and sighed. "Alright them missy, you then me."
Harry lined up his cart with the brick platform as His aunt instructed. He was almost positive he would collide with the wall but he shut his eyes and took a running start. Soon he was through the wall without a problem. Severus followed at a relaxed stroll, Vera practically sprinted through the wall and Susan took a fast walk.
She met her family on the other side and leaned on Severus and closed her eyes with a grunt. "Alright there?" he asked and she nodded. "Head rush, I haven't done that in a while."
"Alright, it's almost eleven." Susan said rushed. She looked down at the little she raised for the past four years. She suddenly knelt down and enveloped Harry in a bone crushing hug. "Be a good boy, write me, every week." She commanded. "Promise?" Harry nodded and hugged her back awkwardly. "I promise…Uh Aunt Sue?" She hummed and kept him in her arms.
"I-I kind of need to get on the train." Susan nodded and pulled away. "Alright. I love you." She sighed and brushed his jet black hair. "Love you to." Harry said sincerely. Vera hugged Harry tightly and Harry grunted and half hugged her with a little smile.
The two men didn't bother saying good bye as both were going to the same place. Susan looked at both other them. "Merlin, both my men leaving me." She gushed, "Now Go. Before you miss the train." She hurried him off and Harry pulled his trunk into the train along with Hedwig the owl and Susan and Vera waved him off until the train was out of sight. Severus simply gave the boy a slight two finger salute.
Susan wiped her eyes quickly and covered her mouth. "Susan? Susan are you crying?" Severus asked in incredulity. "I, what?! No! I'm, I'm not crying! You're crying! Shut up!" she stammered.
Severus nodded slowly, "Uh huh okay, Well I have to go quickly so we had better say our good byes now." Severus knelt down and embraced Vera, "Be good for your mother Flower"
Susan turned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Unwilling to let him go to. "Promise me you'll look out for him." She whispered. "Susan you know I won't treat him any different than the other students." Severus reminded her and Susan nodded, "I know just keep his feet on the ground, keep him out of trouble." Severus rolled his eyes and hugged her tighter. "We'll be back for Christmas. Stay out of trouble." Susan grunted and planted a hard and deep kiss on his lips. Telling him exactly what she thought of him leaving again. Vera pretended to gag as Severus responded quickly and they stayed locked that was like a French oil painting of a couple kissing on a train platform.
After a long good bye of Susan stalling his leaving Severus finally insisted on going and Susan was left with Vera on the platform. "Come on." She petted Vera's hair. "How about left over mac and cheese for lunch huh?"
Vera nodded, sad to see her companion and her father leave at the same time. "Mummy when Can I got to Hogwarts?" the thought struck Susan hard. Two years from now she would be alone, both children and her husband at Hogwarts, she wouldn't know what to do. "Not for a while baby." She replied. "Let's go home"
Final Chapter, I plan on continuing this in a new story based around Harry's first year, and his different friendships :3
I hope you enjoy don't forget to review.