Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I wish I did. I wished I owned Lupin too. And Snape. Isn't he fun? But I don't, J.K. Rowling does, and no use crying over it, I suppose.

Chapter Three: Bundles and Cords

Harry stumbled and nearly fell as the old familiar streets of Diagon Alley flashed into clarity before him. Only by grabbing onto Ginny's shoulder was he able to remain upright, and keep her so as well.

"Everyone alright?" Moody asked, his magical eye rolling around to peer at the lot of them. They were standing in a small passage between two buildings off of Diagon Alley. From what Harry could see, it appeared that their sudden appearance had gone unnoticed. He clasped Ron's hand to pull him up and noticed Moody solicitously offering the same service to Tala, who looked startled.

She noticed his glance and gave a self-conscious laugh as she allowed Moody to pull her up. "First time." She said quietly, brushing off the back of her robes. Ron assisted Hermione, and, after Moody peered cautiously out of the mouth of the small alley, they all trooped out.

Moody gave them a word of caution before they went their separate ways. "Keep your hands on your wands, your eyes open and stay in Diagon Alley." Then he went off in one direction, Tala took the girls to Madame Malkin's, and Harry and Ron headed over to Quality Quidditch Supplies to look over the latest in equipment, planning on heading over to get their own robes a bit later.

"I'm not getting new robes, anyways." Ron told Harry quietly as they looked over broom care supplies. "Dad gave me some of his and Bill's and I have the dress robes Fred and George gave me. I'm just going to have Madame Malkin let them out a bit, they made sure there was plenty of extra material at the hem and sleeves."

"Thoughtful of them," Harry murmured, a bit embarrassed. He didn't like to be reminded of how little the Weasley's, some of the nicest people he knew, had. He had his own pocketful of Galleons and Sickles, but he knew that Ron would never accept money from him. "We'll have to make sure to visit their joke shop while we're here. I want to see the results of my investment." He grinned.

It wasn't difficult to locate Fred and George's new place of residence. This was due in part to the huge sign above the door that flashed Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in lurid colors every few seconds. The green smoke pouring out the door was also hard to miss. Ron and Harry held their robes over their faces, and, after a nervous look at each other, headed inside.

"Fred, George?" Ron called when inside. He immediately burst into a fit of coughing. The green smoke had a distinct smell of sulfur and appeared to fill every corner of the shop. Harry heard a crash, then Fred, or George's voice calling out a dispersion spell. The smoke disappeared in a puff of...smoke, and Ron and Harry could now see the twins staring at them both wearing their coats of lurid green dragonskin.

"Ronnikins! Harry! Good to see you." Fred called.

"Pardon our smoke, my good fellows, we were just demonstrating a new product." George added, "But it seems our customer has vanished. Hope we didn't do that."

The shop was quite large and filled from top to bottom with assorted jokes and tricks. Harry spotted the old familiar joke wands, fireworks, and large boxes of Skiving Snackboxes, which had been used to great effect the year before. As Ron talked to his brothers, he moved around, somewhat cautiously, peering in boxes and crates. He was delighted, and impressed with the variety of products that the Weasley twins had invented. He picked up a box that read 'Dragon Dungbombs' and held it cautiously, knowing the tendency of Weasley products to suddenly explode.

"Specialty, new and improved. Guaranteed twice the stink." George grinned from over his shoulder. "All right, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "How's business?" he asked.

"Doing splendidly." Fred said, "Lee started helping us out over the summer, so we have more time for, other things."

The emphasis Fred put on the last two words told Harry all that he needed to know. Fred and George, now that they were out of school, were members of the Order, as they had longed to be. Harry wasn't sure exactly what they did for the Order, but the two of them seemed satisfied with their work, so Harry figured it was going well.

They spent quite a bit more time perusing the shelves, often with one of the Weasley twins providing commentary. When they left they were loaded down with bags of jokes, most of them procured at discount. They headed towards Madame Malkin's, already planning a bit of havoc, not too much, just a bit, for the coming year. As they headed that way they passed Ginny and Hermione headed the other direction.

"Going to visit Fred and George," Ginny called with a wave. They were both weighted down with various packages, and Harry assumed that their shopping was a success.

They entered the robes shop, and Harry looked at the racks, wondering what exactly he should buy, while Ron stood on a stool as Madame Malkin adjusted his robes to fit. He had grown a few more inches over the summer. Harry found a few plain robes in dark colors. He didn't want black, so he selected navy blue, forest green and, on impulse, a deep purple. He liked the style and thought that they would get him through quite a few years. He also purchased a dark gray wool traveling cloak, as Professor Lupin said it could get cold on the ship. He even got a good pair of dragonhide boots. Finally he got new dress robes, bottle green as before. When he had purchased them he found Ron waiting for him, holding his own packages in his hands.

"Flourish and Blotts next?" He asked. Harry nodded and off they went, negotiating their way down the street. Ron was somewhat ahead of Harry when someone knocked into him and his parcels were dropped and scattered. He grumbled as he gathered them up again and stood, finding himself face to face with Professor Snape. Snape looked as ill-tempered as usual.

"Potter." He said briefly and them moved to go past him.

"Professor." Harry said coldly. He had still not gotten over his belief that Snape was responsible for Sirius' death, even though he knew he bore the better part of the blame.

Snape stopped and turned, and Harry could see that he was startled. "What did you say, Potter?"

"Nothing, sir." He injected the phrase with as much sarcasm as he could muster. Snape stepped closer, and Harry could see his eyes roaming the street in quick, jerky movements.

"Potter," His voice had dropped to a whisper. "What did you SAY?" Harry stared at him. He hadn't said anything to his knowledge. Certainly nothing to elicit this reaction. He took a step back. "I couldn't understand you, Potter." Snape said in a barely audible voice.

Harry thought he had spoken clearly enough, so he said nothing. But then he wondered, had he... He thought a moment before it struck him. Parseltongue, he thought, if Snape hadn't been able to understand him, then that must have been it. But why would he speak parseltongue?

"Do you think I am a SNAKE, Potter?" Snape said dangerously.

"No sir." Harry said quietly, he privately thought of Snape as more of an overgrown bat, but he wasn't about to say that. Snape grabbed his arm in a compulsive grip and steered him away from the crowd, stopping in the shadows in front of one of the stores.

"Do you see it?" He asked quickly, and Harry was startled at the intensity of Snape's voice. "Do you see it, Potter?!" Harry shook his head. "You need to see a snake to speak parseltongue, don't you?" Harry nodded. "Then where could it be?" Snape looked around, and Harry could see something like apprehension on his face. "Look, Potter, this is important. Snakes are used, as I am sure you know, as spies for the Dark Lord. If one is following me around, or you, we must know."

Harry stared at him, the lack of rancor in his Professor's voice was very unusual. Then he looked around, seeing nothing, he closed his eyes and strained his ears, trying to hear the voice of the snake that Snape believed was nearby.

"Where are you?" He said in parseltongue.

"Quieter, Potter." Snape hissed.

"Where are you?" Harry asked again. He moved his head from side to side. Trying to hear the barest whisper.

"You speak." Came a small, hissing voice from the shadow of Snape's robes.

"Don't move, Professor." Harry said urgently, "it seems to be in your robes." Snape turned so pale that Harry would not have been surprised if he fainted dead away. He spoke to the snake again. "Why are you here?"

"I am commanded to be." The snake paused. "Are you a master? You speak."

Harry only hesitated a moment, "I am. Come out so that I can see you." A moment later a small snake, black like Snape's robes, slid out of a fold in the material and slithered towards Harry, it's tongue darting nervously.

"What is your wish, master?" the small snake asked. Snape backed against the wall, swallowing.

"Poisonous." He mouthed to Harry.

"What are your orders?" He asked.

"To remain with this one," It flicked its tail at Snape, "Until I am summoned back to report all that I see."

"I see." Harry said. He looked down at the snake, then up at Snape. His mouth tightened. "Would you like to remain with me instead?"

"Potter!" Snape said harshly, "What are you doing?" For Harry had stepped closer to the snake and was stooping down, offering it his hand.

"Would I like to? What does it matter whether I would like to or not?"

"I will not force you." He said, knowing the streak of independence that snakes had, having felt the effects of being one several times. The memories filled him with horror, still. "I just ask that you do not bite any of my friends, or my pets." He added.

"That is all?" The snake asked curiously. "It seems simple."

"It is," Harry assured him. The snake approached his hand, and curled around his wrist, flicking its tongue out to taste Harry's scent. Harry ignored Snape's intake of breath. "We will be friends." Harry said confidently.

"An interesting concept." The snake murmured.

Harry pulled his sleeve down to cover the snake now contentedly wrapped around his wrist, and turned to Snape, who was staring at him in disbelief.

"What have you done, Potter?" He hissed.

"Gained a new pet." Harry said carelessly. Snape's mouth hardened into a thin, white line.

"This is not a joke, Potter. You have taken a dangerous creature, one of the," he glanced around, then lowered his voice, "Dark Lord's creatures into your possession. Are you insane? What makes you think it won't bite you in your sleep?"

"Snakes don't lie." Harry said. Snape made a low noise in his throat. "Well, normal snakes don't."

"Of what do you speak?" The small snake said rather sleepily.

"He doubts your trustworthiness." Harry said bluntly.

"I will not betray you, master. You asked, you did not command." The snake assured him with a small bite to his voice.

Harry turned to Snape again, "I'll be fine, Professor. This snake will not kill me." Snape's eyes narrowed at him, and Harry wondered if he had said too much.

"You are either very brave or very foolish, Potter." Snape spat, leaving no doubt as to which one he was leaning towards. "I will see you at the start of term." Then, with a swirl of his black cloak, he swept away, leaving Harry with an armful of bundles and a small poisonous snake curled around his wrist.

"Oy, Harry! Mate!" Harry saw Ron waving at him. "Where have you been?" He asked when Harry joined him in front of Flourish and Blott's.

"Just talking to Snape." Harry said in exasperation. "He's as pleasant as ever."

"I see, sorry." Ron consoled him. "Well, at least we only have potions with him for two more years." He said with a grimace.

Harry laughed grimly as they entered the shop and he gave his book list to the assistant. He wandered around as he waited, peering in some of the books that looked interesting. He was aware of the weight of the snake, he needed to think of a name for him, curled around his wrist. He moved around one of the shelves and quickly came face to face with Tala. Well, not exactly face to face, as she had her buried in a book. She looked up briefly.

"Hey, Harry." She greeted him, "It's really quite amazing, the book selections." She gestured with the book, and Harry could read the title, which was printed in peeling red letters. 'Anciente and Obscure Potions.' "I've already gotten some ideas on variations I can use in my research." She said excitedly. "Listen to this!"

"This potion was used in order to prevent the use of transfiguration on unwilling parties. It inhibits the transmogrification of the cellular structure and keeps the individual who has taken it in his or her chosen form." She was grinning broadly.

"That does sound promising." Harry said a little doubtfully, knowing that never in a million years would he be able to invent his own potion.

"I need to buy this book." Tala said. And she dashed off to the counter as the assistant approached Harry with the contents of his booklist. He paid for them, and then he and Ron, who had been cheerfully absorbed in a volume about the longest quidditch match in history, left the shop to head to Fortescue's, where they had agreed to meet the others. Along the way, Harry told Ron about the trouble with Snape and the snake. Ron was suitably amazed and asked to see the snake.

"Bloody hell, mate!" he exclaimed. "Doesn't it make you nervous to have a snake, a poisonous snake, one that was sent by, V-voldemort." He gulped. "On you, where it could turn and bite at any moment?"

"No."

Ron stared at him, then shook his head. "Harry, you're the bravest bloke I've ever met."

"Or the most foolish." Harry supplied.

"So, what did you name it?" Ron asked, still nervous, and trying to hide it.

"I didn't" Harry admitted.

"Well, don't let Ginny do it. I mean, look at Pig." He pulled a face and Harry laughed.

"How about Cord?"

"Where'd you get that?" Ron asked, shifting his bundles in his arms.

"Top of my head." Harry replied.

"Works for me, mate." Ron said with a grin. "Wonder how everyone else is going to react."

"Let's keep it pretty quiet," Harry thought quickly, "I don't think that the others would approve."

"You've got that right." Ron muttered. "Imagine what Moody would say."

Just then they caught sight of the others standing in front of Fortescue's, Tala grinning as she clutched her new book, and a few other things wrapped in brown paper, which could have been anything. The rest, but for Moody, holding heavy bundles. "Ready, Harry? Ron?" Tala asked cheerfully. The two of them nodded.

If any of the others had noticed the way Harry held his wrist, stiffly and a little away from the rest of his body, they didn't say anything. Florean Fortescue nodded at Harry as they trooped away. Soon they found themselves back in the small space between two of the shops, and Moody pulled out an empty box of matches. He peered at it in curiosity for a moment before holding out to the rest of them. There was much shifting of bundles as they all moved in closer to lay a finger on the port-key. Harry found himself contorting into odd shapes, trying to keep the wrist with Cord wrapped around it away from the others. Finally, all fingers were touching the large matchbox and they were whisked away.

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