Departure for Hogwarts

A sharp knock sounded at the door, startling Harry as he stood by the stairwell, quickly scarfing down the scraps Aunt Petunia had brought him from the breakfast. It was nearly 7 am, which was unnaturally early for all of them to be awake on a Sunday. All of them, aside from Dudley, he likely still laid snoring. But Vernon had woken early after a restless night, and Petunia had rushed to wake her nephew to prepare breakfast at barely 0600.

"The bloody hell someone want at this hour! Get the door boy, but if it's solicitors, get rid of them." Uncle Vernon shouted from the kitchen, voice muffled through the mouthful of bacon and eggs. Harry sighed before he placed the bowl down on the third step, pulling at his ill-fitting clothes and wild hair before he opened the door. It would be his luck that his Uncle would still take opportunities to boss him around after weeks of being ignored in this home.

"Mr. Potter," Severus said the moment the door opened, and Harry frowned at the man who stood in the doorway. The man before him was pale, with long black hair, greasy framing his face, with sharp, focused black orbs of eyes.

"I'm Professor Snape and teach at the school you will be attending this school year. It was brought to my attention that you may need someone to escort you today and complete some shopping that may not have gotten completed with the Groundskeeper Hagrid. So I will be escorting you to go shopping, after which I will ensure that you will be taken to the train station as well. Please inform your relatives." Severus said this so smoothly, silkily that Harry wouldn't have dared to discuss nor question him. Instead, he nodded and motioned for the Professor to step in, who politely declined.

"Good riddance," Vernon finally growled after a short altercation with the freak in the doorway, acutely aware of Mrs. Perkins, who lived across the street, throwing curious looks their way.

"See you next summer, Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia," Harry said in good manners, even as he tried not to laugh when his relatives flinched as Snape shrunk his belongings and placed them in his pockets, releasing his owl with brief instructions to fly to Hogwarts already.

"How much do you know of Magic, Potter?" Severus asked carefully. He wasn't sure how far Merlin had altered their wishes to better suit whatever version the seasoned wizard wanted for this little episode of making a wish.

"Hagrid told me that I'll go to Hogwarts, and about my parents and Vol- You know who." Harry quickly corrected himself when he saw the man flinch. He couldn't stop staring at the man. There was a feeling in his gut that he knew him, but Harry, for a fact, that he'd never seen him before. He remembered faces well, but something about him seemed so familiar, it was as if it was at the top of his mind, but he couldn't grasp it.

"That shall do," Snape said curtly before he led the boy down the street with a hand around the back of his neck until they got to an alley. "We will apparate. It will be uncomfortable, but it is the quickest way to get to Diagon Alley."

Harry nodded, not quite sure what all that meant, but also comforted by the fact that somewhere, deep down, he knew to trust the man he was with. Perhaps it was a magician thing. He also knew to trust Hagrid when he had picked him up that night. Snape begrudgingly allowed the boy to be awed all over again by Diagon Alley, acutely aware of the families around doing last-minute shopping for forgotten items.

"We are here to buy you proper apparel. I will assist you, but I do ask that you behave yourself and stay where I can see you." Snape instructed as if he was talking to a toddler. He led the boy towards the Snitchlet store, a rather famous apparel brand nowadays.

"Miss Tonks," Severus greeted as he led the boy into the store, not allowing for his face to show any emotion, as he curiously looked at the young woman, who either was a formidable occlumence or also had no idea that time had been turned back.

"Professor, nice to see you again. And Harry Potter!" She gasped next, her 18-year-old self jumping around the corner to get closer to the boy.

"A side job? I thought you were in Auror training?" Snape asked, raising his eyebrows at the young woman. How that witch hadn't ended up killing herself and the other Potions NEWTs was still beyond him. He had never met a witch this clumsy before in his life.

"It's just to help with the bills," Tonks said, nearly avoiding the question altogether, as she smiled at the boy.

"We shopping for you today? What do you need?" Her chatty and cheerful demeanor was a refreshing change for the boy, who returned her smile shyly.

"He will need everything, from undergarments to practical robes and winter apparel."

It would be a lie if he said if he didn't quite enjoy himself, as he watched the young boy blush to the tips of his ears when Tonks asked him he was a briefs of boxers' kind of guy. He wouldn't be surprised if the boy had never really had a choice but rather had always worn hand-me-downs from his cousin. He, at times, would give the nod or firm shake of the head when Tonks got a little too carried away with her fashion choices but mostly approved of her choices. It didn't take an hour until the boy had an entire wardrobe chosen for him, going through all four seasons, with plenty of outfits ranging from casual to formal.

"Bill his account, please," Severus said and instructed the boy to produce his wand. Then, with a flick of the wrist, the matter was taken care of.

"We shall now get you proper robes," Severus explained as he guided the boy to Madam Malkins and instructed the woman to produce the more delicate material, as well as more durable for his extra two robes. He had his own plans for the trio, which included absolute academic perfection and allowed the boy to benefit somewhat from his name and fame. But, unfortunately, he hadn't had much time to think on the matter. Still, Merlin had shared some of his advice, and who was he to not listen to the oldest magician ever known?

"I already got robes, Professor," Harry said quickly as he frowned at the little stools.

"She may not even have to measure you, as she just did so recently," Severus said, with all the patience he could muster. Still, he was acutely aware of the fact that this was not natural to him.

"Mr. Potter, quick, up you, get," Madam Malkins said as she had the boy step on the stool, flicking her wrist for a binder to appear quickly rustling through its pages until it got to the right one, she flicked her wand and numerous tapes appeared, measuring him all over again, but in more places, tighter, around his neck, and midst, and buttocks and even right up at the top of his thighs.

"He will need two sets, one formal, one semi, black and green – the green to match his eyes if possible," Severus instructed, and Malkins nodded, flicking her wand numerous times.

"Three-piece? Five Piece? Six Piece?" Malkins asked, as the quill to her write wrote quickly.

"Five Piece is fine," Severus said, sternly looking at the boy when he saw him swat at the measuring tapes that tickled at his sides. "Behave," he said quietly when he saw the boys' frustration grow.

"Can those be delivered by owl? We are not looking to return to Diagon Alley for quite some time," Severus had the boy produce his wand to pay once more before he shared some words with the witch.

"Alright, a few more stops before we get you to the train. We must rush if we want to complete all the shopping in time." Severus said as he led the boy out into the street with a hand around his neck.

"I already got all my School supplies, Sir." Harry quipped quickly, entirely frustrated with the being pushed around like a toddler.

"Don't discuss with me," Snape said absent-mindedly as he walked the boy first into the book store, buying all of the supplemental reading the boy had dutifully ignored and proper learning quills as well as ink. Then the apothecary, to purchase adequate storage containers for the boy's potions equipment, as well, before bringing the boy to the owlery to buy proper owl food and treats, and then the hairdresser.

"He will need a proper haircut, something orderly and neat."

"It'll just grow back," Harry growled with irritation as an older woman pushed him into a chair in front of a mirror.

"No, we will make it look proper, so there'll be no reason for you to grow it all back," She said, smiling as she pushed her wand to his skull.

"Not too short, please?" Harry asked, even as he saw Snape stand by the doorway, with his arms crossed over his chest, scowling at them.

It was nearly 10 am when he escorted the child back to the Leaky Cauldron and asked for a private booth at the end. He was hungry, and just by looking at the boy, he was sure the child hadn't received a proper breakfast.

"Did Hagrid explain why people recognized you during your last visit?" He asked, after giving his order to the Innkeep, briefly expressing their lack of time.

"He, he said that I was the only one to not die from Voldemort," Harry said after a brief moment of hesitation. The man's intensity was intimidating. His black eyes were so intense, Harry could not maintain eye contact. Instead, he stepped to the side, carefully sitting down next to the pile of books Severus had neatly stacked with the aid of magic, eyes running over the titles.

"You are considered a hero in this world, Mr. Potter. No one else, ever, has survived the killing curse. Since you survived that night, vanquishing the Dark Lord, people consider you their savior. They consider you the-boy-who-lived. There are books written about you, child. Your story is a favorite amongst children's bedtime stories. A mere baby, so powerful and strong that he could defeat the most evil wizard of their time. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"They're wrong though, right? It's just stories they're telling? We, the non-magical world, we have fantastical stories too, but we know they're not true." Harry replied, watching as Snape enlarged his trunk on top of the table, taking careful count of his items and magically resorting it, stocking it with his newly bought clothes, before pulling a new set of clothing from the pile.

"You survived that night, Mr. Potter. And with your survival, the Dark Lord, who had wreaked havoc for a decade, vanished into thin air. The war ended, murder, torture, horrors, and fears went away. You lost your parents that night, Mr. Potter, but everyone else gained hope and freedom. Of course, they sympathize with your loss, but for them, you are their hero. Their savior. Their future." Severus said, eyes in the trunk, carefully organizing the trunk in such a way that the child would easily be able to transfer his clothes to his dresser in Hogwarts.

"So, everyone will know me?" Harry was decidedly uncomfortable with the conversation, and it was easy to tell. Snape had known for a few years now that Harry had truly hated his fame, but when he was a child, Snape had allowed his own bias and hatred for James to ignore these telltale signs. How he hated himself for it now.

"Every child that was born into magic knows your name and knows your story."

"They know more about me than I do then?" Harry asked; his voice was thick, heavy with uncertainty and fear.

"Yes, they know more of the past, the war, the horrors, they know more of the night that your parents were murdered, the night you survived, than you do. They know more of your parents than you do." Severus replied honestly, sitting up straight, eyes on the child, gauging how he took in the news. The boy was careful to avoid his eyes, still reading over the titles of the books, every now and then stroking a finger over the intricate binding of the top quality books the man had insisted they buy today.

"Do you know why I am telling you this?" Severus finally asked when the boy didn't make any attempts to ask questions.

"No." Harry finally answered, sitting back until his back rested against the chair, eyes eventually wandering up until they met his.

"People will expect you to be the boy of those stories. Those tales they have been told. They will expect you to be powerful, wise, and regal. You're their savior, their hero. But, they're not expecting a child that is ignorant of magic. A child that does not know of his parents or his past."

"Well, I'll disappoint some people, I suppose," Harry mumbled, eyes wandering back down to the books dejectedly, a finger once against scratching against the leather of a heavy book.

"Or, you don't," Severus suggested gently, as he started picking up the first few books, mainly the history of magic and supplementary readings for History of Magic, Herbology, and Transfigurations.

"You take this time to ask questions. You take this time to read and learn about yourself and the magical world."

"Do they really expect me to be powerful and wise?" Harry asked, a hand carefully picking up a book on Magical Decorum and Etiquette.

"I think some will. Some know that you were raised away from magic to allow you to grow up like any other normal child, without being treated like a hero, like a prince. But others may not know."

Harry nodded, a finger carefully opening the binding, reading the first few words of the foreword. "So, what do I do?" He finally asked, eyes briefly meeting his, before falling back to the books.

"Remember that people will be watching you. Parents have likely heralded you for your classmates' entire life. You're the walking kid wonder in their eyes. Just don't be surprised if you run into those expectations and behaviors. I can't tell you what exactly to do, but I can caution you, does that make sense?"

"I suppose," Harry mumbled, putting the book he had picked up back down.

"That's likely a good book for you to read through before you go to sleep for the next few nights. In addition, it may teach you to treat your elders with respect," Severus said, raising his eyebrows at the child. "I will expect you to address your Professors by their title and with honorifics. So, either address me as Professor or Sir, clear?"

"Yes, Sir." Harry supplied sheepishly before his eyes whipped over to the small dining table as a tray materialized before his eyes.

"Magic, Mr. Potter. Eat your breakfast. We will have to hurry to make the train at this rate," he took the book from the child's hands before he carefully packed the child's satchel for the train ride, sure to cast a feather-light charm on it.

He waited until precisely 1030, when the child had put his fork back down and sat back. "Go change into this outfit in the loo, please, and hurry, we mustn't miss your train."

The child obeyed as he rushed to the restroom and eagerly changed out of his worn and mangled outfit, putting on the brand new pair of black pants, black slacks, white undershirt, green button down, and black socks with comfortable sneakers. He stood for a second, looking himself up and down in the mirror on the door. He had never had new clothes that had only belonged to him. He felt his throat grow tight for a moment before he forced himself to swallow past the lump.

"Here, this is your school satchel. I've ensured you have enough money to carry you through the year, however, if at any point you need more, you can owl Gringotts, and they'll send some via a certified carrier. I've also added a book and writing material. Let's go." He held the satchel and his school robes out to him. "It's a magical bag, so it is feather-light and allows for more storage. Please roll up your cloak neatly, and then bring it to the bags opening."

Harry did as instructed, and the moment he lifted the cloak to the satchel, it was gently pulled from his hands and sucked into the bag, situating itself in a small separate section.

"That's wicked!" Harry exclaimed, staring at the bag.

"Indeed, now, don't dawdle. We have an appointment."

It was another five minutes before Harry stood on platform 9 ¾, dressed in his brand new clothes, trimmed hair, new glasses, and comfortable shoes in his size. His wand was safely stored between his slacks and the new belt on his left side. Snape had dropped him off with only a little satchel, filled with his money, as well as a book he had made him purchase as a last-minute afterthought that very morning. An introductory guide to the Wizarding World.

"I expect you to read this book while you are on the train. You will make it through at least the first three chapters. After that, you will be quizzed on it, so I highly suggest you obey me." Severus spoke as he pushed the boy through the wall, ignoring the boys' violent twitch. He had tried his best all morning to level his tone and his temper.

He knew that Merlin had taken liberty with the children's wishes. Still, they had been quite clear with their request about retaining at least a shadow recall of their memories… but Potter had been utterly ignorant of the fact that this wasn't his first time traveling to Hogwarts, nor that he was responsible for Snape's plight. So how could he be angry with the boy if he was indeed just an ignorant first year?

The trio needed to become fast friends; Merlin had stressed that. Merlin had not made many demands, other than Snape taking the opportunity to find a happy life for himself. He had advised that Snape not let the boy grow up ignorant and abused, but rather take him under his wing early, and guide and mentor the trio into early adulthood, as regardless, Potter would need to face the Dark Lord at the final showdown, and that no matter how much Snape aimed to control the present, that some issues were already destined to happen.

He stood on the platform, watching silently as more and more students walked through the barrier with their parents. His eyes immediately made out bushy-haired Granger child the moment she came through with her parents. The muggles were painfully out of place as they walked along gawking, introducing themselves to other parents of first years, hastily exchanging addresses of potential future playmates. He wasn't surprised when they were drawn, immediately to other muggles.

Potter stood quietly, by himself, fiddling nervously with the hem of his brand-new shirt, as he glanced around the stranger children. The train was only just pulling in, drawing the most ridiculous reactions from all the children, and Snape nearly scoffed at the Potter boys' face. Wide with wonder, practically drooling as he glanced at the red engine, so drawn to it, that he completely ignored the Malfoy family closing in on him.

Snape nearly moved forwards to stop the interaction when he saw Potter rush at the train the moment the doors opened, hiding in one of the cabins. Severus exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He waited a few more minutes before he walked towards the Granger family, immediately aware that he had the attention of nearly every returning student.

"Granger Family," He greeted carefully, "Hello Miss Hermione Granger, I am Professor Snape; I will be instructing you in the arts of Potions." He extended his hand for the formal handshake with the girl's parents and allowed a moment of small talk before sighing.

"Allow me to get the girl settled with another student who is traveling by themselves. I am sure they will make fast friends," he said, at the first whistle of the bell, just as he saw the Weasley child split from his family and make his way towards the train with his twin brothers. The boys would be the death of him.

"That would be kind," he turned to the side as he ignored the parental displays of emotion and watched the Weasleys all make their way for the train, eyes roaming the platform for the Weasley Patriarch, finding himself disappointed when he finally found the back of the man's head.

Merlin had promised there'd be others with their memories intact, and he had tried to think on who would be worthy, who would be a trusted ally, who could he rely on? There weren't many he felt would have been an option, but the Weasley Patriarch had certainly been within the top 5 of the list.

"Come now, Miss Granger, lest you miss your ride to school."

"That wouldn't do," Mr. Granger laughed, despite his moist eyes, and gently nudged his daughter towards the train. Severus didn't say much more as he flicked his wrist and transfigured her suitcase to weigh nothing more than feathers.

"Magic," she breathed, with excitement, as she quickly lifted her trunk to her side and nearly skipped with the trunk ahead of the Professor.

"Here," Snape said as he walked down the aisles, finding Potter sitting by himself, face plastered to the window as he watched parents hug their children goodbye.

"Your trunk, Mr. Potter?" The man asked, and Harry pulled the transfigured little box from his pocket and handed it to the man wordlessly.

"Miss Granger, this is Mr. Potter, Mr. Potter, this is Miss Granger; I expect you'll make fast friends," Severus introduced awkwardly.

"Are you the Harry Potter?" The girl asked, with eyes wide open, before Harry had the chance to introduce himself. "I've read everything about you!" The girl rushed out, reaching for his forehead, before yelping in surprise and drawing her hand back, face blushing a deep red, as she clasped her smarting fingers to her chest.

"That was incredibly rude, Miss Granger," Severus admonished sternly, quite surprised at himself. The girl blushed an even darker scarlet before she looked at her new friend sheepishly.

"Sorry Harry, I get carried away sometimes. My name is Hermione. You can call me Mione."

"Okay, you two, do you have any questions before I depart? This train ride will be rather long. Mr. Potter has been instructed to read a few chapters of a book; I trust that you can keep busy, Miss Granger?"

"Yes, Sir. See you at school." She said happily before she sighed somewhat in embarrassment as he opened her with a flick of his wrist and pulled forth her robes.

"I… suggest that you take this time to clean your trunk, Miss Granger. This is most unbecoming for a young lady. You wouldn't want to run around in wrinkled clothes, now, would you?" He asked, curling his lip at the state of her trunk. It was evident that she had thrown all of her possessions into the trunk at the last minute, paying no mind to the state of her clothes.

"I will, Sir. Thank you." She blushed again as he lifted his wards trunk to the compartment but left hers open.

The man left without another word but nodded as he closed the compartment door behind him. He nearly plowed into the Weasley boy as he stood in the aisle, clearly looking for a welcoming compartment.

"Here, Mr. Weasley," Severus said as he opened the door, he had just closed. He made the same introductions before also opening the boy's trunk and pulling forth the robe.

"Same for you, Mr. Weasley, you will neatly fold and put away all the belongings in your trunk. No young man should be running around in wrinkled clothes while attending Hogwarts." He said sternly, charming the trunk to remain feather-light and putting a stabilizing charm on to ensure that anything within it would stay in place despite being thrown around.

"Uh, sure," Ron said, quickly, his eyes on the black-haired boy, longingly looking for a scar he had so often been told about.

"Staring is rude," Snape admonished, before, with a nod at the three, he took his leave.