Chapter 14- Diagon Alley
Severus stands up and waits for Harry to do the same. When he does he puts a hand on the Child's shoulder and guides him down to their quarters.
The trip down to their quarters was quiet. They eventually reach the quarters in the dungeons and Severus motions for Harry to enter ahead of him. Harry sees this and obeys quickly. When both of them are in the rooms Harry turns to Severus while waiting for instructions as to what he should do.
Severus turns and sees the young child looking expectantly at him for instructions. "I want you to go get your cloak and anything that you may need during our trip to Diagon. We will be getting you clothes to replace your cousins cast-offs. We will also be getting you things that you may need to do your summer work. Understand?"
Harry hears all the things that Severus plans on getting and he knows that it will cost quite a bit. "Sir, will be able to stop at Gringotts?"
Severus is surprised at Harry's question, he then remembers that the Dursley's didn't pay for any of Harry's necessities. "No Harry we don't have time to. But, you won't need any money as I am your guardian now I am in charge of your necessities and your accounts. You will receive a weekly allowance that is not required it is dependent on your behavior from the week. That is only to be used on things that I don't feel are necessary."
Harry is listening to what Severus says and is shocked at what Severus is telling him. "But sir, I was forced on you, you shouldn't have to pay for things of mine. I have the vault that my parents left me which will get me through until I can get a job."
'Those damn muggles have ingrained in this child to not rely on anyone for anything.' Severus thinks to himself in disgust. "Harry, listen to me child as I won't repeat myself. You are a child, it is not your responsibility to buy all your needs. That is what your guardians should be responsible for. I am your guardian now so it is MY responsibility to make sure that you have your needs whether it be clothing, food or medical attention both physical and, Merlin help us, mental. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir." Harry responds softly clearly not believing what the older man was saying.
Severus sighs when he sees the uncertainty in the child's eyes. 'He is 11 years-old and refuses to trust anyone'
"No. You don't, but I will make sure that you do. We need to get going else we won't make it back before nightfall which I don't want to happen."
Harry realizes that he won't get away with lying to this man. Harry sighs not wanting to go outside of the castle, nods.
Severus sees Harry's nod and smiles at the very clear reluctance of the young child. He decides that no matter how much he wants to he won't get through to the child in a day.
"If you are ready we can get going."
"Yes sir. I am ready." Harry responds with obediently.
"Very well we can leave now." With that Severus walks through the portrait door and waits for Harry to come through as well. Once they are both in the corridor they set off at a brisk pace heading out onto the grounds.
"Sir? How are we going to get to Diagon?" Harry asks tentatively.
"We will be apparating which is another form of transportation. It will feel uncomfortable and may make you feel disoriented but everything will be alright. You have to have a license to apparate when you are 17. Until then you will have to side-along which is going with someone who can do it or find another mean of transportation."
Harry just nods in understanding when he hears the new information. The pair finally reaches the edge of the Hogwarts protections and Severus says, "Okay Harry, I want you to grab onto me and don't let go until I tell you too."
Harry is unsure of how to hold onto his guardian. Severus sees Harry's discomfort and makes a quick decision. He draws Harry into an embrace and says, "Hold your breath this is going to be uncomfortable." He feels Harry suck in a breath and Severus turns on the spot disapparating to his desired destination.
Harry and Severus appear in Diagon Alley. Harry would have fallen to the ground unless Severus hadn't been holding him. It takes a little bit of time until Harry has regained his balance. Severus whispers softly in his ear, "Don't worry child it will take a while to get used to. It is uncomfortable and can be dangerous, which is why you have to have a license to do it. You did very well for your first time. Are you ready? Can we get into the stores or would you rather stand here all day?"
Harry just nods while saying, "Yes sir, we can continue to shop."
"Very well. I think we should go to Madame Malkin's and get you a new wardrobe and should stop at the Apothecary so you can refill your potion set. Is there anywhere else you want to go?"
"Yes sir."
"Is it the Quidditch shop?"
"No sir."
"Oh, then where would you like to go?"
"I was just wondering if we could stop at Flourish and Blotts?"
"The bookstore?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes, we can go there if you want to. But, I want to stop at the other places and get what you need first. Is that agreeable?"
"Of course sir. Only if we have time, I would like to look at some books and see if there are any that will interest me."
"I won't ever argue with reading because it can improve your concentration and your vocabulary."
They walk into Madame Malkin's and and hour later of trying on clothes making sure they fit properly they finally leave the store with the clothes shrunk in Severus's pocket and head to the apothecary. Harry is disgusted by all the slimy looking ingredients in jars. He even swears that an eyeball blinked. After that happened Harry goes by Severus. After 20 minutes Severus walks up to the cashier and places his order and is going to have the ingredients owl sent to Hogwarts.
Severus guides Harry out the shop and asks, "So you want to go to Flourish and Blotts?"
"Yes Sir!"
Severus just smiles at the young child that has changed the way he saw him in the past week.
They enter the store and Harry looks at Severus silently asking permission to leave him.
"Harry, you can go off and look at the books just stay in the store."
Harry immediately scampers off towards the story book section. Harry's attention is drawn to an arithmancy book that he sees out of the corner of his eye. Harry immediately picks it up and looks at the first few pages of it and is enthralled.
He is unaware of the man coming up behind him and is drawn out of his stupor when a voice comes from behind him, "Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived. All alone in a shop where it would be oh so easy for someone to "accidentally" take him." Harry turns around and sees a tall man with long blond hair with a sneer in place on his face.
Harry is rescued by Severus coming up and saying, "Ah Lucius. How good it is to see you."
The man called Lucius looks up startled by the voice of Severus. "Hello Severus. I was just talking to young Mr. Potter here."
"You want to be careful as some might question your motives while talking to Mr. Potter. We both know how quickly rumors can spread and how they can destroy your reputation."
"Yes we do. Good day Severus, Mr. Potter." Lucius says stiffly and walks away.
Severus then turns his attention to Harry and asks, "Have you found anything that interests you?"
"Yes sir, it is a book about Arithmancy. It looks rather difficult yet important."
"Yes, why don't you get that. Is there anything else?"
"Ummm, I haven't seen anything else I have just been looking at this book."
"Why don't I show you some books. Although this is a wizarding store we do have some muggle books that you may like."
"Yes sir, that would be wonderful."
Severus guides Harry towards another part of the store and says, "pick out 2 books you would like and we can get them."
Harry picks out two books called, "The Great Gatsby." and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
"Those the two you want?"
"Yes sir."
"Let's go pay for them and then we can go back to Hogwarts. It is getting late. We can have an early dinner or would you rather have tea when we get back?"
"Can we have tea?"
"Of course child."
After everything is paid for they apparate back to Hogwarts and enjoy a quiet tea. When they are both done Severus tells Harry, "Why don't you go read or do something quiet until dinner. I recommend that you start your summer homework but you may choose whatever you choose."
"Yes sir." Harry says and goes into his room and pulls out his homework and works until dinner.
An/ I am soooooo sorry that it took this long. My computer has been acting stupid and I haven't had a chance to update. I also have exams this next week so I don't know when I will be able to update.