Disclaimer: All copyrights belong to JKR. This is solely for the purpose of personal amusement. No profits whatsoever.

A/N: Hey guys! An update after a looong time!! So sorry that I was gone for this long. Hopefully, it won't happen again. Updates will be once or twice a month depending on my workload.

Reviews are always welcome!

Chapter 4: Allies

When Harry had side-along apparated for the first time to the front of the Tonks' house, his first thought was whether he had been a bit too naïve to trust the elderly man so soon, and whether or not the man was planning on killing him. When Harry asked that same question to Ted Tonks, he just chuckled and replied that Harry would get used to apparition sooner or later. Unfortunately, Harry's queasy stomach disagreed.

After a few moments, when Harry had finally gained control of his nausea, he was led into the house, where he found an intimidating woman. She was tall, regal-looking and her entire appearance screamed nobility. She stared down at Harry, which made him want to fidget with nerves. But then, she smiled at him and her smile seemed to change her entire appearance, somehow softening it. Harry smiled back hesitatingly.

"Mr. Potter, you have no idea the service you have done me and my family. It is a great pleasure to meet you."

"The honor is mine, Mam."

"Oh, come. None of that now. It seems we might be family after all. You may call me Andromeda."

"Uh..yes Mam, I mean, Andromeda. And it's just Harry."

The lady looked at him critically, and then nodded. "My cousin's betrayal was something that I could never understand. But learning of his innocence has been great news. And for that, I thank you."

"Oh, I've merely told you what SharpClaw told me. I didn't do anything."

Andromeda smiled at him while Ted chuckled and commented. "Such a modest young man!" Harry had nearly forgotten Ted's presence in that he was so taken in by Andromeda. Harry blushed at Ted's comment.

"SharpClaw? Am I right in assuming that he is the goblin in charge of your family vaults?" Andromeda asked.

"Uh..yes."

"Hmm. Well, we have a lot of things to discuss. But first, we shall eat. And you have to meet my daughter Harry."

So saying, Harry was introduced to a young woman with bright orange hair, who insisted on being called Tonks rather than her real first name, Nymphadora, much to the annoyance of her mother. He was informed that she was a final year Hufflepuff who wanted to be an Auror. What followed was definitely the best dinner of Harry's life, consisting of general good-natured ribbing between the adult Tonks', accompanied by theatrical commentary by the now pink-haired youngster. Harry snickered and laughed with the younger Tonks, getting along with her famously. He also discovered her metamorphmagus ability, which intrigued him completely that he spent almost five minutes spouting questions at her breathlessly and forgetting everything about his food that Ted took it upon himself to ask loudly and melodramatically whether Andromeda's cooking was that bad. Harry was immensely mortified and immediately started apologizing to Andromeda all the while trying to put as much food as humanly possible into his mouth, while Andromeda merely glared at Ted and Nymphadore guffawed with laughter in the background, her dinner forgotten as well. By the end of dinner, Harry was smitten completely and utterly.

"So, Do I have to pull out the protective dad act for you to stop ogling at my daughter, Harry?" Ted slyly asked with a smirk on his face. They were all seated comfortably in the living room after the sumptuous dinner they had consumed.

Harry's face resembled a tomato while he quickly averted his eyes from Nymphadora, who he could not stop staring at.

"Oh, I don't mind, Dad! Harry's quite dashing himself." So saying, the young witch winked at Harry, which made him more embarrassed if that was possible.

"Oh, leave him alone, you two." chided Andromeda as she sat herself opposite Harry.

After half an hour or so of light-hearted fun, Nymphadora, or Dora, as Harry had dubbed her, much to her consternation and her parents' amusement, retired to her room after a pointed glance from her mother. Harry immediately stiffened as he felt the change in the atmosphere. His Dursley days, as he had begun to call them, had made him highly susceptible to change in people's moods and now, he was very much aware of the tense silence that had descended. He could feel that the elder couple was getting ready for an intense discussion and he warily watched them.

"Harry, what do you think of Diagon Alley? Ted told me you are staying there."

Harry was momentarily thrown off by the question. "Umm..it's good. I like it there."

"You've visited many shops there?"

"I went to get my school supplies. And I really liked Flourish and Blotts. They had so many interesting books. But, there was something that bothered me." Harry relaxed as he started talking about books, without noticing it himself. "I found books about me. I mean, there are people who actually wrote about me. I don't think I like that very much."

"Oh." Ted and Andromeda looked at each other for a minute, and then Ted told him, "If you want, I can look into it."

"Really?"

"Yes. If someone wrote about you without your permission, then legally you can take action against them. So, I can take a look and see."

"Ok."

Andromeda asked him, "What about any other shops? Like Madam Malkins?"

"I've been there to get my uniforms."

"Did you check out what else they had Harry?"

"Huh? No. I, uh, didn't have time. Actually, I haven't checked out that many shops. I've been busy. And it's been only been two days. I figured I could do it later."

"Harry let me be straight with you." She breathed deeply and said, "I am a healer Harry. More than that, I am a mother and I can sense things. And anyone with two eyes and half a brain can look at you and tell that there is something not right with the picture."

Harry stiffened and clenched his fists. He was used to the Dursleys saying that he was not 'normal' but he didn't think that others would feel the same way, particularly the two nice people seated opposite him. His face paled and his breathing hitched.

Andromeda's voice immediately softened. "Oh don't get me wrong, dear. You are an absolutely wonderful child and your parents would be so proud of you. But that is the problem; you are just a child who had been dealing with too many things that he shouldn't have been dealing with in the first place."

"I can take care of myself." Harry's voice came out a bit strangled.

"No one's saying you can't. We are saying you shouldn't have to." said Ted.

"I don't understand."

"All I am saying is that there should be a responsible adult looking out for you and we want to do that for you. And before you say anything, your parents were my friends and my cousin is your godfather. I already feel responsible. I only worry that I wasn't there for you before." said Andromeda.

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything, Harry. Well, let's start small, shall we? How about the two of us go out shopping tomorrow?"

Harry's mouth hung open as he sputtered, "Shopping?"

Ted guffawed and said, "Now, you are in trouble, young man. Never get caught in the shopping net again."

"What did you say, dear?"

Ted immediately sobered and said, "Nothing." and just like that, the tense atmosphere was broken. Harry stayed for a while after that and left with the promise to meet up for lunch with Andromeda the next day. He was also beaming on his way out as he was asked to call them Uncle Ted and Aunt Andy. And Harry had a feeling that these two would be very different from the Uncle and Aunt he previously lived with.

The next day, Harry decided to check out the shops in Diagon Alley first thing in the morning and sometime later, he ended up at the Apothecary. He wandered through the shop ogling at all they had to offer, from pickled newt eyes, flobberworm mucus, bat spleens to the more exotic Acromantula venom, Runespoor eggs and Unicorn hair. He had decided that he would get the potions kit that Florean Fortescue suggested, after returning the sub-standard one that he had gotten as a first year set. He found potions extremely fascinating and though he had not gotten much time to read on the subject, he knew it would be one of his favorite things to learn.

Quite some time later, he was standing on his tip-toes to get a better look at the dragon scales when it happened. He lost his balance and almost fell when a hand caught him around the middle and prevented it.

A silky voice hissed, "Foolish child!" Harry looked up to see the dark-haired man from the Leaky Cauldron from the night before staring at him. He blushed when the man continued to berate him. "This is not a monkey circus like a Quidditch shop where you can stand around and gawp like an idiot. There are a lot of dangerous ingredients in here which has to be handled delicately."

Harry felt like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. He meekly apologized to the man who just glared at him and walked away. Harry knew that it was his entire fault and that he should have been more careful. He went to pick what he wanted to buy, more subdued than before, unaware of the onyx eyes following his every movement. As soon as he got his cauldron, stirring rod, and a quality potions kit, he moved on to pick some essential potions that he felt he should stock up on. He was mostly acting on instinct as he had no real knowledge on Potions.

When he reached the counter to pay for his purchase, the same silky baritone once again rang out, "You might not want to buy all those potions. First year, is it?"

Harry turned to once again face the man, "Yes, sir."

"Well, you won't be needing some of these in your everyday life unless you plan on getting into troublesome situations on a regular basis," so saying the man stared at Harry piercingly who squirmed and bit out a "No sir".

"I would think not." The man once again stared at Harry intently as if assessing him and then went on to say, "The hospital wing of Hogwarts is well supplied to take care of any medical potions that a student might need, within reason, obviously. Moreover, any dunderhead would know that certain potions lose their efficacy over time."

"Sorry sir, I didn't know. I'm just starting my first year. But I'll learn sir. I want to." Harry stated earnestly.

"Hmm.., not the usual lazy dunderhead then." He paused for a minute. "See to it that you go through Belby's "Basics of Potion-making". It is usually suggested as a background reading for first years but most of the thick-headed idiots simply don't care or are too arrogant to put in any effort. Let's see if you are any different, Mr…?"

Harry was torn. On the one hand, he wanted to remain anonymous, but he also knew that this man was going to be his teacher and he certainly didn't want to be caught out in a lie before the school even started. He also had to consider the fact that the Headmaster had to be unaware of his activities for the time being and the man before him worked at the school, under the jurisdiction of Albus Dumbledore himself. Nevertheless, Harry had the irrational urge to disclose his identity to this man. So, he settled for, "Harry, sir. Just Harry."

The man's gaze intensified if that was possible and Harry could have sworn he heard him mutter, "…the same posture….just like I thought… " But before he could think any more on it, the man continued, "I wish to speak to you. Pay for your purchases. I'll wait." He then turned abruptly and went outside the store, presumably to wait for Harry. Harry quickly finished the transaction and ran out to find the man standing stiffly on the sidewalk. When he caught sight of Harry, he gestured for him to follow him and walked towards a café on the other side of the alley. Harry debated to himself if it was prudent for him to continue the interaction, for all he knew, this man could Before he could second guess himself, Harry followed him. Once they were comfortably seated, the man asked, "Do you know who I am, Mr. Po…Harry?"

The man's slip let Harry know he knew who he was despite his glamour. He rushed to answer, "Yes, sir. You are Mr. Snape, the Potions Master at Hogwarts."

"Yes I am. As I also know exactly who you are." Harry tensed but Snape continued. "Rest assured I am neither a blithering idiot of an adoring fan," Snape sneered at this, "nor someone who wishes you harm. But I am concerned because I am your teacher. Moreover, I am also a…family friend."

"You knew my parents?" Harry blurted out.

"A long time ago." Snape said after a pause. "I also know your current guardians."

Harry's guard went up and his whole body tensed. Snape could sense the change in the child immediately and he was not surprised. He floundered for a second not knowing how to phrase what he wanted to say and then ploughed on. He spoke slowly as if he didn't want to spook Harry, "If it helps, I never agreed with your placement with your muggle relatives for I was intimately acquainted with their…. disposition." Harry struggled to look at him. "I also know that you are currently supposed to be safely ensconced back in your home and definitely not roaming around Diagon Alley." Harry still stayed silent wondering if he made a mistake in talking to Snape.

Snape made an impatient noise and continued, "I merely wish to know you are safe Mr. Potter." Harry wildly looked around at the mention of his name which Snape noticed. "I am not an imbecile Mr. Potter. I assure you that I have rendered our conversation private. Now answer me this, were you not supposed to be back home with your guardians?"

Harry hesitated briefly and then decided that deflection was his best bet in that moment.

"I wished to learn more about this world Sir. I thought to explore." He shrugged nonchalantly or so he thought. Unfortunately for him, Severus Snape used to be a spy. Moreover, his position at any period of his uncomfortable life had made Snape acutely intuitive and vastly suspicious. And there was the fact that Snape had often watched the Dursleys and was entirely aware of the hardships Harry had faced in his short life.

"Don't take me for a fool, Mr. Potter. Your aunt would sooner let her precious son burn down her prize garden than let you wander off into the magical world." He snapped in anger. But his words proved to Harry that he was not some long-lost family friend of his parents, but rather, he was intimately knowledgeable on the going-on within the Dursley household. Harry panicked. And then he grew angry. This man sitting in front of him knew his aunt, knew the way she treated him, knew about his miserable childhood, and then had the gall to enquire after his safety. Harry internally scoffed. He squared his shoulders and met Snape's gaze head on.

"Safety is a relative term.", he derisively stated, "I am as safe as I have ever been. Might even say more so now than ever before."

Snape instantly deflated and regarded the child in front of him. For all the world, Harry might look like a petulant kid having a minor tantrum, but Snape saw him for what he really was, a hurting child who used defensiveness as a shield. Snape spared a second to think of his own childhood trauma and understood where Harry was coming from. When he ran into Harry in the Apothecary, he wasn't sure at first of what drew him to a random child, but the more he observed him, the more he was reminded of his childhood friend, Lily. He was confused at first and then when he saw the child lose his balance, he reflexively reached out to steady him. What surprised him was the tinge in his magic when he touched the child. To someone as magically aware of himself as Snape, it was easy to pinpoint the cause of the flare, his long-owed life debt to Potter. He reached the only conclusion that was available to him, that this child was somehow Harry Potter. He carefully approached said child and drew him into a conversation to ascertain his assumption. And now he sat contemplating how best to get through to an angry Harry Potter.

"Mr. Potter, let me assure you that had I a say in your placement with your aunt, I would have moved heaven and earth to ensure that you had never heard of the name Petunia. Unfortunately, I never even knew for years that you were growing up with her. And when I learnt of your placement, there was little I could do except to make sure now and then that you were relatively fine. I couldn't approach you for I was not supposed to be there. Let's just say I was not even supposed to be aware of where you lived. My hands are tied." He stated as a matter of fact.

Harry sat flabbergasted for a minute gaping at the man in front of him. "Why would you even care?" His mouth seemed to move automatically.

"Because I do. Your mother was an extraordinary witch, Mr. Potter. I would do her wrong if I remained blind to your sufferings. And yes, I knew you suffered." He paused and seemed to gather himself up, "I have always wanted to let you know that there are those who genuinely care for you, but I was…. dissuaded from approaching you directly. Nevertheless, I have made up my mind for quite some time now that when you come to Hogwarts, I would do everything in my power to help you. And that is exactly what I am going to do if you let me."

Harry quite literally did not know what to make of this man and his confession. It rang true yet he hesitated. He gazed shrewdly at the man sitting in front of him, studying him. Snape sat back and watched the child deliberate, allowing him time to come to a decision by himself.

"Thank you for your honesty Sir." Harry slowly stated having come to a decision. "I really do not know you, so I'm not sure what to do here. But I assure you, I am quite safe, and I do have people looking out for me."

Snape looked disappointed though not surprised. He had wholly expected Harry to be suspicious of him. For that matter, he was surprised with himself for having been so open. The last time he remembered interacting with a person with any sort of openness was with Lily. No wonder her son bought out some long-lost earnestness in him.

"Very well. I see that you do not require my help. But do keep in mind that my office will always be open to you should you need anything at Hogwarts."

"Thank you, sir." Harry stated with as much sincerity as he could gather. He briefly debated the intelligence of what he was about to do and ploughed on before he lost the nerve, "I would appreciate it if you didn't mention running into me to the Headmaster, Sir."

Snape's eyes glinted when he heard that particular request. He smirked at Harry, "Not to fear, Mr. Potter. My lips are sealed. Though if that is the direction you are heading in, I can only approve, for my responsibility towards you would be greatly lessened in that case."

Harry took it to mean that he approved of his subterfuge with the Headmaster.

"I shall take my leave then and leave you to your exploration."

After Snape left, Harry was left pondering the surprising encounter for some time, when he realized that it was time for his meeting with SharpClaw. In fact, he was in danger of being late, so he rushed towards the bank, his head buzzing with questions.