Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone: Take Two
by MysticSong1978
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot switch and any original characters I may add in as I deem necessary. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling. Should any other literary references be used, they will be so noted at that point.
Dialogue is in double quotes ("") and Thoughts are in single quotes ('').
Their first stop was Flourish & Blotts to purchase the list of required textbooks, along with a short list of others which Snape realized Harry was going to need. It was the list usually given to first generation Muggleborns. Although Slytherin didn't usually have many (or any), all of the Hogwarts professors contributed to the list, providing at least one or two books pertinent to their First Year curriculum.
Harry was quite grateful when Snape shrunk all of the books before handing him the now very-easy-to-carry bag. From there Harry was introduced to number of other shops that would be helpful to him during his time as a student, and even beyond.
Scribbulus Writing Instruments (quills, ink, parchment) and Amanuensis Quills was pointed out as well; Potage's Cauldron Shop (Snape pointed out a few extras that usually he only told the Slytherins about; he could remember a little easier now that this was also his beloved Lily's child); Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment for a student trunk; Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions; and, of course, Ollivander's, for a wand. Snape was not entirely surprised that Harry wasn't irritated about the idea of clothes shopping, realizing that new clothes were a novelty for the boy he had been so sure was spoiled. He could grudgingly admit, if only to himself, that he had been very wrong about that situation.
During the cauldron purchasing, Snape caught Harry admiring the gold ones. "If you're wondering, Mr. Potter, the answer is no. First-years tend to melt or blow-up quite a number of cauldrons even with using the more stable pewter ones. Which is the type you're getting. Gold would be far too volatile." Next they visited the Apothecary for his potion ingredients. Harry knew he couldn't go wrong, what with having the Potions Master pick out his ingredients. "You won't need many of these until later in the year, but it will save you the trouble later of getting hold of them as First Years are not allowed to visit Hogsmeade. You will still need to acquire certain items when instructions call for fresh only, but if they can generally be acquired in your Herbology class." Snape, satisfied with the ingredients he had selected for Harry, set about purchasing a few for his private stores.
"Now, Harry, your wand." Harry grinned with pure delight. He'd been looking forward to that bit since he read his letter.
They stepped through the doors of Ollivander's to see stacks upon stacks of boxes from floor to ceiling. An old man popped up from behind the counter. "Ah, Mr. Potter. I was wondering when I would see you. Let me take your measurements and which is your wand arm, my boy?"
Harry was glad that Snape had explained to him about everyone knowing who he was ahead of time. Otherwise he would have been quite alarmed. "My right arm, I guess," said Harry, astounded to realize that the tape measure was measuring him on its own. Mr. Ollivander was still behind the counter shuffling through boxes. "It's the one I write with."
"Enough of that!" Mr. Ollivander cried, and the tape measure dropped to the floor in a heap. "Let's try this one!"
Harry went through wand after wand, waving them as instructed, not sure what he was supposed to do. Knowing as well as the two men did that when things exploded, it probably wasn't the wand for him. Finally, he was handed one that made his fingers tingle. The wood felt warm in his hands and emitted a lovely shower of golden sparks. "Very interesting, very interesting, Mr. Potter, that you should be destined for that wand. For you know, it is the wand that chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter, and not the other way around. Very . . . peculiar."
"What's peculiar about it?" snapped Snape, impatient with Ollivander.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Severus. That wand's magic core is a single phoenix feather. That phoenix donated only one other feather. Mr. Potter has one; but it's brother, Severus, its brother resides in the wand that gave young Mr. Potter that scar." Ollivander looked sharply at Harry who had shrunk back a bit. Snape was frowning. "He was a great wizard, Mr. Potter. Terrible yes, but great. I'm sure, Mr. Potter, that we can expect great things from you as well. Good day, Mr. Potter, Severus."
Harry looked at Snape with concern. "Will anything bad happen in light of what he told us?"
Snape shook his head. "I do not know, Harry. I'll mention it to Headmaster Dumbledore. He ought to look into it." He sighed. He did that a lot around Potter, he realized. Snape pointed across the street. "Harry, go ahead to Madame Malkin's and get your school robes purchased. I need to take care of something. I'll meet you over there shortly. Do not leave the shop without me."
"Yes, sir," said Harry. He cautiously opened the door and peered inside. A small, blonde-haired boy was standing on a stool being measured for his robes. He immediately started speaking to, or perhaps at, Harry.
"Hello, there. Will you be attending Hogwarts as well? It is my first year, but I know what to expect, of course, coming from a long line of wizards. Pure bloods of course. I don't know why Professor Dumbledore lets muggleborns in. My Father wanted to send me to Durmstrang, which only lets in purebloods, but my mother didn't want me to go to school that far away. Play Quidditch at all?"
Harry shook his head, not even knowing what it was.
"I play all the time. I wish they'd let first years play. I'll probably bully my parents into letting me bring my broom. I think it is simply foolish that we can't even have brooms until our second year, don't you?"
"Sure," Harry said, not knowing for sure what he was agreeing to, but knowing instinctively that he didn't particularly like this boy. He reminded Harry too much of Dudley.
"Which house will you be in?" Harry shrugged, trying not to be stuck with a pin as he was measured for his robes. "We don't really know of course until we get sorted, but I'm sure to be in Slytherin like the rest of my family. As long as I'm not a Hufflepuff!" The boy shuddered. "I'd rather die, wouldn't you?"
Madam Malkin gave the blond haired boy a severe look of which Harry couldn't fathom, and went to get robes for each of them.
"Oh, excuse me," said the boy, "How rude! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. What's your name?"
Before Harry could answer, he noticed a dark figure sweep into the store behind him. "Are you ready, boy?" he said to Harry. Harry was confused at the sudden change in attitude towards him by the professor, but said quietly, "Almost".
"How much longer?" asked Snape, directing his question to Madam Malkin.
"Just a touch more, Professor." She quickly made a few adjustments, and then packed up several regulation school robes for Harry. She discretely helped him pick out the amount due, as Draco looked on curiously. He made his way over to the professor and showed him the package to let him know he was ready. Harry had the feeling that limited speaking was perhaps best here.
"Good. Let's go." Severus nodded to Draco, and turned, expecting Harry to follow him.
"I suppose I'll see you at Hogwarts," said the boy. Harry noticed that Draco seemed perturbed that the professor was helping him, but said nothing, turning back to let Madam Malkin.
Harry nodded politely back, and followed Professor Snape back to the streets of Hogsmeade.
When they were well away from Madam Malkin's (Robes for All Occasions), Snape turned to Harry. "I . . . apologize . . . for my treatment of you back there. I wasn't expecting to see Draco, though I should have expected to see some students since school starts soon. His father was a Death Eater. Probably still is even though he is one of the ones who claimed to have been under Imperious. Draco and his like cannot see me treat you nicely, and therefore my demeanor in school, especially classes, may be less than favorable, especially depending on which House you are sorted into. Slytherins traditionally do not mix well outside of their own. It is unfortunate, and has cost many a friendship, but it is what it is."
Harry nodded. "I understand sir. Snape's lips quirked briefly in what could perhaps be considered a smile. If one had a good imagination.
"Harry, this is for you." Snape held a large cage out to Harry.
Harry was so surprised he forgot to call the man 'sir'. "You got me a bird?"
"You're allowed to bring a frog, rat, owl or cat. This is the only item you do not have yet from your letter. Owls are extremely useful; they deliver mail and all sorts of things. Muggle lore tells us that owls are not very intelligent. And maybe their owls are not, but the ones who bond with wizarding families are quite intelligent and learn quickly." He held the caged owl out again. "Take her."
Harry started in amazement at the beautiful caged owl he was presented with. She was a Snowy Owl and the loveliest bird Harry had ever seen. "Sir! This is wonderful! Thank you so much."
"It's just a bloody owl," Snape said, embarrassed at both his unexpected act of kindness and the boy's reaction to it.
"It isn't just an owl, sir," Harry said, his head bowed. He looked up suddenly, and Snape was surprised to see tears in the boy's eyes. "It's the first present I've ever gotten."
"... Muggles." Was Snape's only reply, but Harry glimpsed compassion in his eyes before the hardness returned. "Let's go back to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink and a small meal before I take you home. Remember not to start eating until I give you another potion. I'll resize your purchases for you and you can pack your trunk. I advise reading through the first few chapters of your textbooks prior to the start of term."
When they entered the tavern, nearly everyone stopped and stared. Severus Snape was a rare enough guest, especially twice in one day, but with a boy no less! Presumably, with all this odd belongings, a Hogwarts student, but still! "Taking the students about their school shopping, now are you, Severus?"
Updated 5 January 2017
