Hi everyone, here is the next chapter. Let me know what you think of it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and/or any associated characters.
Tom couldn't help himself from staring at Harry's torn, oversized, and stained shirt gaping open at the centre as he finished his breakfast. His shirt looked to have been through multiple paint fights, more red than any other colour. "How long have you had those clothes for Harry?"
"They used to be my cousin's sir, I was given them bout two years ago. You see they thought that even these were much too good for me." Harry's eyes snapped up after speaking from where he watched Severus reading the newspaper
Anger bubbled up inside Tom, soon enough, he'd have those filthy muggles dead and he'd thoroughly enjoy it. A mischievous grin spread across his face at that thought but he quickly hid it. "You will not be wearing any of those filthy rags anymore. Either myself or Severus will take you out shopping to buy a new set today." The teen's eyes widened, he was thoroughly enjoying living with Tom and Severus. 'But surely they can't want to get me new clothes?' it was simply he didn't expect but one he'd certainly try to fund himself.
"I'll take you to Diagon Alley as soon as you're ready. There's no way we can leave you in those, they look like something that you wouldn't even find in a rubbish heap." Severus spoke, folding away his newspaper as he did so.
"Thank you, Severus, I'll see you both when you get back then."
A few minutes later Severus and Harry appeared in Diagon Alley just outside the Leaky Cauldron. Adjusting his hand so it rested on Harry's upper back, ignoring his momentary flinch, they headed towards Gladrags Wizardwear.
Ushering Harry inside, he followed suit and led him over to the clothing racks. "You can choose as many clothes as you want, Harry. The prices don't matter, I'll get them for you regardless."
He searched through the racks searching for clothes that looked like they'd fit Harry. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Harry doing the same albeit anxiously.
He pulled out a few robes and held them up allowing Harry to choose. Shopping was one thing he'd never done before with a teen but this he enjoyed but didn't care to admit to anyone anytime soon. So far he seemed to have managed not to belittle Harry, something that's never happened before. That wasn't to say it wouldn't happen for he was Snape. Severus Snape.
Like a heart-wrenching stab to the chest, he was reminded of his teenage years spent shopping with Lily. How different he'd treated Harry compared to Lily. All because of one man, James Potter. Why Lily married James he'd never know, she could have done better for herself.
"Are you happy with those?" Severus asked as they neared the friendly witch sitting behind the till.
"Yes, thank you so much, sir." Harry eyed the clothes blanketing his arms in amazement.
"My pleasure, Harry." Severus ruffled the teen's hair and embraced him in a hug, much to his amazement Harry didn't flinch or stiffen, which was a big improvement. Of which he knew wasn't likely to last.
After entering a number of shops Harry and Severus found themselves in Flourish and Blotts crouched down searching through the bookshelves for books on spellcraft and Dark Magic. All of a sudden, Harry was almost knocked over as Dumbledore walked straight into him.
"Ah Harry m'boy," his blue eyes glistened as he composed himself and looked around spotting Severus, "What are you doing with him Severus during the summer months. He should be with the Dursleys during these months?" Dumbledore made to grab Harry only to have Severus step between them.
"Never mind what Harry's with me for Albus." Severus' lips curled into his usual snarl and he wrapped his arm around the teen's shoulders giving it a reassuring squeeze. Dumbledore opened his mouth as if to speak but then swiftly closed his mouth. And with that, he apparated away leaving Harry confused and Severus fearing for the teen's safety. His safety was his number one priority especially when away from the protection of Riddle Manor.
Pushing their encounter with Dumbledore to the back of his mind they continued through Diagon Alley buying a few items as they went.
"Are you hungry, Harry? Severus inquired as he stopped outside a fancy Chinese restaurant at the edge of the street they were walking along. As if in response Harry's stomach growled and he replied. "No thank you, I'm fine sir."
Ignoring his verbal response, instead, listening to the non-verbal one he headed inside with Harry following hesitantly behind him.
"Here is your table over here." The waiter instructed beaming at Harry and Severus in turn and led them over to a table in the far corner. Harry slid into the seat by the wall and took the menu Severus handed him. After staring at the menu blankly for five minutes he gave up and placed it back on the table. There was simply too much food to choose from, more than half of which he'd never tasted before. Living with the Dursley's he never got much variety of food, always the leftovers.
"Is there anything there you'd like?" Severus asked placing his menu atop Harry's.
"No sir, I've no idea what to choose."
After a few minutes spent discussing Severus and Harry decided on a selection of dishes.
Soon after the waiter returned placing a bowl of prawn crackers down on the table and collected the menus as she did so.
"Can I get beef satay, fried rice, chicken szechuan, chicken balls, and chips please."
"Of course sir, any drinks with that?"
"Butterbeer and Sherry please."
Harry and Severus made their way through the prawn crackers as they waited for their food to arrive which didn't take long.
After Severus split each of the dishes in half and poured half onto each plate, Harry nibbled on a chicken ball and couldn't keep from worrying how he was going to pay for the meal with all his money being in Gringotts. He'd been told he didn't need to earn his keep but he doubted that applied outside of the manor.
"What is it Harry, are you alright?" Severus put his fork down giving Harry his full attention after noticing the sudden change in the teen's demeanour. He was met with an incomprehensible mumble and Harry's gaze moved to the floor.
"It's alright, dear, take your time."
After a few minutes of silence, Harry whispered. "I-I can't pay for the meal sir-my money is in Gringotts, I'm sorry, but I can take some out and repay-" Severus cut Harry's rambling short. "it's alright, Harry, I don't expect you to pay for a meal I treated us to-or any meal for that matter. I'll pay for it."
With Harry looking visibly calmer after mulling over what Severus said for a few moments deciding it was the truth. Although it was hard to tell with Severus. They finished the remainder of their meal in silence and left the restaurant together with the shopping bags crammed on Severus' arm.
Arriving back at the manor Severus met Tom in his private quarters while Harry unpacked his new clothes.
"How did it go you were gone quite a while?" Tom questioned, noticing how uncomfortable Severus looked.
"It's Dumbledore m'lord, he seemed very happy when I told him Harry was staying with me." When Tom nodded he continued. "He wants Harry to have a terrible life and he definitely has a plan of some sort and I feel it's suspicious."
Wanting nothing more than to blast Dumbledore's body into a million pieces, he forced himself to remain somewhat sane, something he rarely was but that was beginning to change. "We'll have to deal with him then before he has time to enact any of his plans into action. I'll need you and Lucius to keep a close eye on him and notify me."
"Yes m'lord." And with that Severus disappeared leaving Tom alone to strengthen up the wards surrounding his manor.
After developing his plans to handle Dumbledore and the Dursley's he headed up to Harry's room. Sitting down on the edge of Harry's bed he beckoned him over. "Come sit next to me Harry, I'd like to talk to you," upon seeing Harry's worried look he added, "You're not in trouble, I promise."
At this, harry threaded over towards Tom and gingerly sat down next to him on the spot he'd patted just a moment before.
"Your clothes are lovely, they fit you well."
Looking down at what he'd changed into Harry spoke. "Thank you. I really like them." They were vastly different from the rags he was used to wearing while under his relatives' roof, which he wasn't used to.
Tom wrapped Harry briefly in a hug before pulling away so as not to terrify him anymore.
"Um-m sorry for asking but T-Tom but can I write a letter to Hermione, my best friend, please? I won't mention anything about here, I promise."
Tom smiled, it was the first time Harry had referred to him by his name which he was really happy about. Whether Harry did it intentionally or not he didn't know.
"Of course you can, dear, you can ask her over here and Severus will collect her from Diagon Alley. But she must swear never to tell anybody about this, it's too dangerous."
Summoning some parchment and a quill Harry penned a letter to Hermione which included Tom's order and tied it to Hedwig's outstretched leg. "Deliver this straight to Hermione please and do not stop for anyone else." With a hoot, Hedwig took off through the open window with Harry watching as she disappeared from view before returning to Tom's side.
"Now Harry I've been thinking you could do with some tuition in the likes of charms, potions, and defence in the afternoons, how does that sound?"
Harry's features twisted into a wide smile. "Extra classes for me?" He asked disbelief coating his words.
"Yes dear for you. Myself and Severus will teach you. Would you like to practice now?" Tom stood up and took his wand out from his sleeve.
"Yes, please. Thank you, sir." Harry grabbed his wand off his locker and followed Tom down the seemingly never-ending corridor.
"We'll begin with a duel just so I can gauge where you're at and then we can work from there. You can throw the first spell when you're ready."
After the first spell was cast countless more were thrown at each other until Tom won. Harry knew from the beginning he wouldn't win against the Dark Lord but still he enjoyed the challenge and looked forward to learning more and broadening his knowledge.
Tom had to admit, Harry was far more advanced than any teen his age and appeared to be a quick learner who would master the spells soon enough. The teen got a few good spells in, ones he wouldn't expect a wizard of his age to cast.
"Well done Harry you did well with those counterspells. We'll continue tomorrow with some more spells but first I'll need to give you the book so you can read up on them."
Harry nodded and left Tom's room with the book held securely between his arm and side and made to turn right only to be stopped by Severus looking somewhat excited about something.
"Are you tired, Harry?"
"No sir, no I'm not tired." He stared curiously at Severus wondering where the conversation was going to go.
"Grand, well I'm feeling very competitive right now and I was wondering if you wanted to play Wizard's Chess with me?"
"Y-yes sir, I'll p-play." It wasn't like Severus to play any game but Harry wasn't going to waste another minute pondering his thought and they headed off towards the dining room. It was a game he played often in Hogwarts and wasn't about to pass up this opportunity.
Harry choosing the colour white moved one of his pawns up two squares and watched as Severus moved one of his. He thoroughly enjoyed chess and played it all the time with Ron in their dorms but this time was different. On and on the game continued with both of them laughing whenever the opponent lost a piece. He had to admit he quite enjoyed playing with Severus.
Harry, suddenly spotting a way to win the game moved his bishop diagonally three spaces, grinning mischievously as he did so.
"Checkmate! " Harry threw his arms in the air and giggled hysterically earning a glare from a defeated Severus.
"Damn you, Potter." He hissed.
That's it for now. Looking forward to any reviews.