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Chapter 12 - July 21st - Day Nineteen

A Trip to Aberfeldy

This //..// is Parseltongue

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Last Chapter:

"Oh, it's a snake I found outside." said Harry, holding his arm up to show Snape the sleeping snake, "Her name is Ethelinda."

"I don't believe I've ever seen a snake like that before." said Snape, "Are you sure it's not dangerous?"

"I'm sure," said Harry, "She was quite nice when I spoke with her. So can I keep her?"

"I don't see why not, just as long as it stays out of my way." said Snape as he walked out.

"Just when I think that I understand him, he does something to totally surprise me." said Harry to himself as he went back to his book.

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Harry was up early the next morning. He was actually looking forward to seeing what Snape had planned that day. At least it would beat sitting around doing homework or brewing Potions. Although, he had definitely improved in Potions from working with Severus.

Harry decided to wear his Hogwarts uniform for that day because a cold spell was passing by, but when he tried it on, it no longer fit. Harry sighed and looked into the wardrobe to see if any of Dudley's old hand-me-downs that Twinkle hadn't taken away to wash were suitable to wear. When he failed to find any that were decent, he sighed in defeat before his eye caught sight of something in the back. He reached and took it out. Hanging on a hanger were light blue summer robes. Not sure whether to wear them or not he called,

"Twinkle?"

The house elf appeared and replied, "Yes Young Harry?"

Harry held out the robes and asked, "Um, how did these get into the wardrobe."

"Master Snape gave the robes to Twinkle to place in the wardrobe for Young Harry. Master Snape wants Young Harry to wear them today." replied Twinkle.

"Thanks Twinkle." said Harry as Twinkle left the room.

Harry then took a look at the robes wondering why Snape would do something like that for him. He decided to go with it. After all, Snape wouldn't hurt his own flesh and blood, would he?

Harry mentally chided himself for thinking such stupid thoughts. He put on the robes. He would be late if he didn't hurry up and he didn't want to keep Snape waiting. He checked on Ethelinda and saw that she was still asleep on the bed. He placed some snake food next to her that Twinkle had delivered earlier.

After breakfast, Severus and Harry stood in the entry way. Snape took his wand out.

"I'll need to change your hair and eye color before we leave. We might be going somewhere where there are wizards and it's best that you aren't recognized."

"That's okay with me." said Harry as Snape started to chant some words.

When Snape finished, Harry felt a tingling sensation around his head, but it quickly left after a few seconds.

"What do I look like?" he asked Snape curiously.

Snape conjured a mirror and Harry gasped when he saw his reflection. He now had wavy brown hair that covered his scar. His eyes were also a clear blue color.

"I've also put a spell over your scar, so that people won't notice it if they look at you." said Snape, "Now come on, we don't have all day to get to where we are going."

Snape banished the mirror and stalked out the front door. The sinister front fountain was actually quite nice looking now that the sun shined on the sparkling water falling from it. The two walked out the front gates and down the dirt road for a short distance. Harry nearly bumped into Snape when he suddenly stopped.

"We are now passed the anti-apparation wards. Take my hand." he said.

Harry took his hand before closing his eyes when he suddenly experienced the strange feeling of apparation.

When the feeling stopped, Harry opened his eyes. They seemed to be on the outskirts of a small town.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"On the North Side of the town of Aberfeldy in Scotland. It's mainly a Muggle town, but on the north side is a decent sized Wizarding area. There are anti-muggle wards around the north side to keep any muggles from learning about us. This is actually the closest town to Snape Manor." said Snape, as he walked down the hill towards the town.

"So we're in Scotland." said Harry to himself as he followed Snape down the hill.

"I haven't been here in a while, so I'm not sure that what I am looking for is still here." said Snape walking down a road. "There used to be an excellent apothecary here, it would be a shame if it was closed now."

Harry looked around at the shops that were on the street. A few people were walking around the street and looking at some of the window displays. There seemed to be a few pubs and a clothing store and some other stores selling various magical things. Snape grabbed Harry's attention when he said,

"There it is. It looks like it's still in business."

Harry looked to where Snape was looking and saw a small building with a ratty sign hanging outside that read 'Adolph's Apothecary c.1742'. A faint whiff of rotting eggs met Harry's nose as they headed towards the shop. The door was open and they entered the store. It was dark and hot in the store and it was no wonder that the door was wide open. A wizened old man sat at the counter. He appeared to be nodding off until Snape cleared his thought to get his attention. The old man jumped in surprise as he looked to see who had made the noise.

The old man peered at them through his thick spectacles. He suddenly smiled as he saw who it was.

"Severus Snape, it's wonderful to see you again. Why, I haven't seen you for, how many years has it been? Ah yes, about 16 years. I remember when you used to come in here as a little boy. You loved to look around in here when your father..."

"I remember Adolph," Snape interrupted, "I'm staying at the Manor for the summer and I need some Potion ingredients refilled."

"Very well," said the old man a bit put out at not being able to finish his tale, "What do you need Severus?"

Snape pulled a list out and started talking in low voices to the man. Harry meanwhile looked around the store. There were several dried herbs and animal parts for sale. Some Demiguise hair was in a glass case for 5 galleons a hair. Snape walked up behind Harry as Adolph went in search of the ingredients he wanted to buy.

"Not a bad price for Demiguise hair." he commented, "It sells for 10 galleons in Diagon Alley."

"Really?" said Harry, "Aren't invisibility cloaks made out of it?"

"Yes," said Snape, "The hair is very hard to get, that's why it sells for a high price and why invisibility cloaks are so rare and expensive."

Adolph joined them with a box of potion ingredients.

"Here you are Severus." he suddenly noticed Harry for the first time, "Oh, I didn't realize that you had brought someone along. My sincerest apologizes. I'm Adolph Sigfreid Woodworth the 10th and you might be?"

Harry was completely unsure of what to answer when Severus answered for him.

"I don't believe you have ever met my son Harry Snape."

"I did not realize you had a son." said Adolph smiling toothlessly, "He does have Regina's eyes though. It's nice to meet you Harry."

"It's nice to meet you as well. You knew my mother?" said Harry curious for information about his birth mother.

"Yes, she was a beautiful and graceful lady. She captured the attention of several good looking young men, but the only man she ever had eyes on was your father." said Adolph.

"Thank you Adolph for the ingredients your money is on the counter. We really must be going now. Goodbye." said Severus impatiently as he took the box from the old man.

"Goodbye Severus and it was nice to meet you Harry." said Adolph as the father and son left the store.

"Where are we going now." asked Harry as they walked along.

Snape looked at his watch and said,

"Well, it's getting close to twelve, so why don't we go and get something to eat?"

"That sounds good to me." answered Harry.

They entered a small cafe and ordered some lunch. While they waited for the food to arrive, Snape shrunk the box until it was the size of a small coin and put it into his pocket. They ate their meal in peace and after they left the cafe, Snape said,

"Hold it, I just remembered something I need to take care of. Could you wait for me in the bookstore? It will take just a few minutes."

"Okay." said Harry as the formidable form of Snape disappeared into the crowd.

With a sigh, Harry entered into the bookstore and started looking around. He wandered towards the Quiddich section and started looking through the books there. He saw one on Seeker techniques and began to flip through it. With his head buried in the book, he started to walk towards some big, comfy chairs in the back. However, he was stopped when he bumped into someone and was barely able to stop himself from falling backwards. Sadly, the other person fell down.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry." said Harry hurrying over to help the other person. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," said a female voice that was strangely familiar.

Harry reached his hand out to help the girl up when he suddenly saw who it was. Luna Lovegood looked up at him from the floor. Luna was a Ravenclaw at Hogwarts and was a year below him. She was a little odd and had earned the nickname 'Loony Luna' from her classmates. She had helped out a lot during the whole Department of Mysteries incident though and was pretty nice.

Luna didn't seem to recognize Harry though and allowed herself to be helped up.

"Thanks." she said as she looked at him. "Do I know you?"

"No," said Harry, "Most likely not."

"Oh," she looked at him carefully for a bit longer before she reached down and picked up the book he had dropped. "Here's your book."

"Thanks," said Harry taking the book back.

"Are you a seeker?" asked Luna.

She then blushed and added, "Wait, that's kind of a stupid question. I mean why else would you be reading a book about seeker techniques if you weren't a seeker?"

Harry smiled and said, "I am a seeker although I haven't played much Quiddich lately."

"That's a shame that you haven't played much Quiddich. I don't really play Quiddich at all to tell the truth, but I am interested in the sport. I'm not much of an athlete though. Bad genes and all you know." said Luna.

Harry was a little surprise at how different Luna was now than how she was at school. She was a lot more chatty and not at all misty sounding.

"Well, what interests you?" asked Harry in curiosity.

"I'm actually very interested in learning about Wizarding myths and legends. After all, most legends are based on fact and I really would like to learn about the facts behind the myths." said Luna earnestly.

"That's really interesting. In fact, that's really cool." said Harry.

"You think so?" said Luna eagerly, "Most Wizards and Witches could care less. My Dad runs a Newspaper that investigates on those issues. You might have heard of it. It's called the Quibbler."

"I've heard of it." said Harry.

"I thought that you probably had." Luna sighed, "Most people think that it's ridiculous flop. I will admit that most of it is made up. My father needed a job and didn't want to work for any of the other papers, so he created one in order to have a bit of fun."

"No offense or anything, but that does explain a lot." said Harry truthfully.

"Actually, my Dad and I both like to act very strange and misty in the public world, but in truth we are both just normal people. In fact, I'm not sure why I act like a crazy person at school. It is fun though." she said as she gazed off towards the window.

"Well, I think it sounds interesting." said Harry.

"Really! Oh, sorry I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Luna Lovegood." she said sticking her hand out.

"I'm Harry." said Harry as he shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well." she said smiling, "I have to go now, do you live around here?"

"I think so," said Harry. Seeing Luna's confused look he added, "I'm staying with someone for the Summer, so I'm not quite sure what is where."

"Well, I live in the apartment above the Quibbler headquarters. If your ever around, drop by sometime and maybe we could talk some more." said Luna.

"That sounds nice." said Harry, "Maybe I will. Bye Luna."

"Bye Harry." said Luna as she waved goodbye and left the store.

Harry was lost in his thoughts when Severus cleared his throat to get his attention.

"Oh, sorry about that. What's on the agenda next?" asked Harry.

"Well, my business is done, so what might you like to do?" asked Snape.

"Could we look around some of the other stores?" asked Harry.

"That sounds like a probable idea." replied Snape, "Perhaps we could also get some clothes that are more decent than some of the rags you own right now."

Harry nodded and they continued on, headed towards the clothing store.

-End Chapter 12-

A/N: Yay! Chapter 12 is up! I'm sorry about missing last week, but I was very very busy. Hopefully with my project complete, things will calm down around here. I've heard about a new Fanfiction.net thing that says we can't reply to reader's replies in our chapters. I'm not sure about this policy, but I will say that I'm am grateful to everyone's positive responses. Hopefully chapter 13 will be up next week.

-Lilyanphino