Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOT MINE! NOT MINE!
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
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6. Meeting
(Posted 01/09/04 - Friday)
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The sun rose in the far distance, signaling the beginning of the new day, August thirty-first. Mrs. Weasley and Percy woke at the same time, a shared mother-son ability to wake without the aid of an alarm. Coffee was brewed and breakfast was being prepared by the time Mr. Weasley and Severus, an early riser, came down.
"Good morning dears," Mrs. Weasley said, magically flipping eggs, sausages, bacon, and pancakes on the stove on four different pans.
"Good morning," Mr. Weasley said to both.
Severus rubbed the crusty eye boogers from the corners of his eyes and sat down next to Percy. "Good morning."
"Morning Severus," Percy said, folding the Daily Prophet, morning edition, and putting it aside on the table. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," said Severus.
"No nightmares, I hope," Mrs. Weasley said, layering a tower of thick pancakes on a plate and setting it in the center of the table.
"None," said Severus.
"Would you like something to drink?" asked Percy, changing the subject.
Severus nodded. "Coffee, two spoonfuls of milk and three sugar cubes please."
Mr. Weasley smiled. "Aren't you too young to be filling your body with caffeine?"
"I'm going to need all the energy I can get," Severus said, allowing himself be pampered as Percy gave him his coffee and Mrs. Weasley set a plate of food in front of him. "We ARE going to Diagon Alley and meeting the Boy-Who-Lived today."
It took Mrs. Weasley a lot of observing and trial and error to finally know what Severus liked to eat for breakfast. He liked his egg whites and yolks fried separately or sunny-sided up but he would cut the yolk out before eating. He would not eat bacon if they were crispy and hated sausages with a deep passion.
Percy took some pancakes for himself and poured syrup over them. "I'm sure he'll like you."
"But I thought I was mean to him when I was his professor," Severus said, a small frown gracing his face. "Wouldn't he hate me?"
"He has known about your condition for more than a month," said Percy. "He has plenty of time getting used to dividing his own image of his former professor and the current you."
"I hope so," said Severus. "I feel bad for him."
"Feel bad?" said Mr. Weasley.
Severus nodded. "From what Ron and Ginny told me, Harry doesn't like attention but because he's the Boy-Who-Lived, he's attracting way too much."
"If he didn't act irrational most of the time, he wouldn't attract unwanted attention," said Percy. "And he can break rules without any serious punishment given to him so of course he doesn't know when he's crossed a line or not."
"Percy!" said Mrs. Weasley.
"He's right," said Severus. "The Headmaster favors him openly. It's no wonder the Slytherins don't let him."
"Err," said Mr. Weasley, unable to counter.
Like a godsend, Ginny and Ron came down for breakfast. Good mornings were exchanged and Ron was already drowning his pancakes with syrup and butter.
"That's gross," said Ginny.
"It's how pancakes are meant to be eaten," said Ron.
Severus laughed. "You're going to get fat."
"Not if I make it on the Quidditch team," Ron said, then sticking his tongue at Severus.
Severus stuck his in return automatically but retracted it immediately when his brain registered what he was doing. Ron beamed at having made him do a childish act. He and Ginny kept score on who could make Severus do something his age more.
"Watch your cholesterol level," said Percy.
"What level?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Never mind, Dad," said Percy. "It's a complicated Muggle term."
"Since when have you become an expert in Muggle terms?" Ron asked, a half- chewed lump of stuff in his mouth.
"Swallow before speaking," scowled Severus. "And no elbows on the table."
"Alright, alright," said Ron. "Whatever you say, your Majesty."
"That's a good subject," Severus said, giggling.
"Someone needs to wake the twins or else we'll be late meeting Harry and Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now, whose turn is it?"
"Me, me, me," Severus said excited. "I'll go get them."
Before anyone could stop him, he slid off his chair and ran upstairs to the twins' bedroom. He opened the door quietly and tiptoed inside. He had learned the art of moving silently early in his young life to save himself from his father's frequent beatings. Without ado, he pounced on George, attempting to scare the shit out of him.
"What the?" mumbled George. "Who can this lump on me be I wonder?"
George poked at the boy's side.
"No one," Severus said, muffled from burying his face in the blanket. "I am a figment of your imagination."
"Big words coming from a little guy," said George.
"I'm not little," said Severus.
"Okay," George said, looking across the room to his twin. "Want to wake Fred up together?"
"Kay," Severus said eagerly.
From the kitchen, everyone looked at the ceiling when a cry, followed by laughter, erupted from upstairs.
Percy finished his drink and refilled it with fresh coffee. "I guess they're awake."
"Severus is getting along with them," said Ron. "Maybe they're getting along too well. Aren't they going to be a bad influence on him?"
"I don't think Severus would play pranks on us," said Ginny. "If he does, it shouldn't be on us."
"I hope so," Ron said, picturing the horrible image of the twins and Severus roaming at night at Hogwarts when they were supposed to be in bed.
"Severus is smart enough to know that he should not break any rules while in school," said Percy.
"Percy, are you still angry that he's not staying here?" asked Ginny. "It's just that he needs more freedom and social interaction, and there's no better place to do have those than Hogwarts."
"I know, but it's a bit sad to see him go," Percy said, this being the closest to admitting he was very attached to the shrunken Potions Master. "He's going to have trouble sleeping since I can't read to him anymore."
"I can read to him," said Ron.
"You won't but Hermione might," said Percy. "We're been reading my old fifth year textbooks anyway."
Ron's eyes budged out. "What do you mean fifth year textbooks?"
"What's this talk about textbooks?" Fred said, yawning. "Oh! It's time for breakfast."
"You have less than half an hour to eat," said Mrs. Weasley. "We leave for the Leaky Cauldron in an hour."
"That's not humanly possible Mum," George said, carrying Severus on his back.
"Yes it is," said Severus. "You and Fred always inhale your food anyway."
Severus squealed when Fred tickled him under his ribs.
Mrs. Weasley clanged two pans together. "Hurry before the food gets cold or you're shopping with empty stomachs."
"Aye, aye, captain!" yelled Fred and George.
Breakfast was finally done and the dishes soaking in the sink. Severus and Percy had a private parting talk where tears were nearly spilled but held back with pure stubbornness. The Weasleys and Severus got into the magically enhanced car and drove to London before rush hour began.
"There's the Leaky Cauldron," Mrs. Weasley said from the front passenger seat.
"I need to find a parking spot so I'm dropping you off now and reuniting in a few minutes," said Mr. Weasley.
"Okay Dad," said Ginny.
They exited the car and unloaded their luggage and Ron's big cage containing the tiny owl, Pig. They entered the inn slash diner and saw neither Harry nor Hermione. Tom gave them keys to several rooms so they put their stuff away in them first. Ginny, Ron, and Severus shoved their things into their rooms and came back downstairs.
"Hey," Hermione said, sitting at a table. "I just came down from my room. Is Harry with you?"
"We just came too and we haven't seen Harry yet," Ginny said, sitting next to the intelligent girl. "Would you like to meet someone very special?"
"If you mean the cute, small person hiding behind Ron's leg, I would love to," Hermione said, smiling widely.
"I'm not small," muttered Severus.
"I apologize," Hermione said sincerely.
Severus nodded in acceptance and stepped forward but had one hand in Ron's. Ron rolled his eyes and sat on Hermione's other side and planted Severus on his lap.
"Severus, this is one of my two best friends in Hogwarts, Hermione Granger," introduced Ron. "She helps Harry and me complete our homework on time and force us to study for exams."
Severus patted Hermione's hand, that was lying on top of the table, lightly and said in sympathy, "Poor you."
"Why you little," Ron said, fingers in position to tickle him.
Severus sighed and pouted. "I'm not little. I'm seven."
"You ARE small for your age," said Hermione.
Severus glared at her and turned his head away.
"His size is a sore topic," Ginny whispered to Hermione. "His parents starved him."
"You know, Harry was smaller than me when we were younger but he's a lot taller and bigger than me now," said Hermione. "It was all thanks to playing Quidditch and the Hogwarts' meals, and you'll be going through the same thing."
Severus sniffed. "You're forgiven if you'll read me your new textbooks at bedtime."
Hermione's eyebrow rose. "I can do that."
"Hey look, it's Harry at the door," said Ginny.
"Harry!" said Ron.
Harry Potter, the famous Boy-Who-Lived, entered the Leaky Cauldron with one trunk and his owl cage. He heard his name and his whole face lit up, ecstatic seeing his friends after two long months. He also saw the child Ron was holding.
"Whoa! That's Snape?" thought Harry. "He's cute as a kid."
Severus tried to hide in Ron's robes when Harry walked closer. Hermione and Ginny found extremely adorable. Women!
"Look at who was waiting for me outside the Leaky Cauldron," Harry said, stepping aside.
"Snuffles!" exclaimed Ron and Hermione.
Severus looked at the large dog and at Ginny. Ginny shrugged because she really didn't know that the Grim-like animal was actually Harry's godfather and Azkaban escapee, Sirius Black.
"Oh yea, Harry, this is Severus," said Ron. "Severus, meet Harry."
"Hello," Severus said in a low voice, staring at the dog rather than the new person. "Is he friendly?"
"Snuffles is VERY FRIENDLY," Harry said with deliberate emphasis, sitting next to Ron. "He'll even let you pet him."
Snuffles made a sound that would have been a snort if he was in his wizard form. Harry took Severus from Ron and set him on his own lap. Of course Ginny, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley, who had just arrived, thought it was an adorable scene. Women!
"Go on," said Harry.
Severus gingerly laid a hand on the furry head and stroked. Sirius bared his teeth and Severus quickly removed his hand. Harry swatted Sirius without really hurting him but hard enough to let his godfather know that he had to be nice to Severus or else. Sirius whimpered and butted Harry's leg in apology.
"One more time," Harry said to Severus. "He won't make any more faces at you."
Severus touched the dog reluctantly but since he had Harry on his side, it would be fine. Sirius, trying to please his godson, licked the tiny hand, which tickled. Severus giggled at the weird feeling running pass his palm.
"Silly puppy," said Severus.
Sirius looked insulted at being called a puppy but Harry laughed so he'll let it slid this one time. The twins came and greeted Harry and Hermione, and the same went when Mr. Weasley came in.
"Everyone's here," said Mr. Weasley. "Got the list of school supplies?"
"Yes," chorused the real Hogwarts students.
"Let's go then," said Mrs. Weasley. "We want to get all the shopping done today."
"Harry, you're rich, aren't you?" said Severus.
The Weasleys looked uncomfortable.
"I have enough," said Harry. "Why?"
"I'll forgive your dog for threatening me if you'll buy me a set of books," Severus said, not noticing the looks of shock on the others' face.
"Dear, it's not polite to ask for gifts for no reason, and especially not from someone you've just met," said Mrs. Weasley.
Severus ignored her and continued staring at Harry.
"It's not a problem," said Harry. "It was Snuffles' fault for scaring you."
"Good," said Severus. "Let's go to Diagon Alley and straight to Flourish and Blotts."
"Impatient little bugger, isn't he?" said Ron.
"I'm not little!" said Severus. "I'm seven!"
Harry sensed the start of a tantrum and decided to intervene. "Severus, would you like to ride on Snuffles?"
Snuffles made a strange, choking noise that translated as "WHAT!!!"
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I'm in a good mode so new chapter today!
Unbeta-ed so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore Book 5
Pairings: NO ONE ATM!
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6. Meeting
(Posted 01/09/04 - Friday)
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The sun rose in the far distance, signaling the beginning of the new day, August thirty-first. Mrs. Weasley and Percy woke at the same time, a shared mother-son ability to wake without the aid of an alarm. Coffee was brewed and breakfast was being prepared by the time Mr. Weasley and Severus, an early riser, came down.
"Good morning dears," Mrs. Weasley said, magically flipping eggs, sausages, bacon, and pancakes on the stove on four different pans.
"Good morning," Mr. Weasley said to both.
Severus rubbed the crusty eye boogers from the corners of his eyes and sat down next to Percy. "Good morning."
"Morning Severus," Percy said, folding the Daily Prophet, morning edition, and putting it aside on the table. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine," said Severus.
"No nightmares, I hope," Mrs. Weasley said, layering a tower of thick pancakes on a plate and setting it in the center of the table.
"None," said Severus.
"Would you like something to drink?" asked Percy, changing the subject.
Severus nodded. "Coffee, two spoonfuls of milk and three sugar cubes please."
Mr. Weasley smiled. "Aren't you too young to be filling your body with caffeine?"
"I'm going to need all the energy I can get," Severus said, allowing himself be pampered as Percy gave him his coffee and Mrs. Weasley set a plate of food in front of him. "We ARE going to Diagon Alley and meeting the Boy-Who-Lived today."
It took Mrs. Weasley a lot of observing and trial and error to finally know what Severus liked to eat for breakfast. He liked his egg whites and yolks fried separately or sunny-sided up but he would cut the yolk out before eating. He would not eat bacon if they were crispy and hated sausages with a deep passion.
Percy took some pancakes for himself and poured syrup over them. "I'm sure he'll like you."
"But I thought I was mean to him when I was his professor," Severus said, a small frown gracing his face. "Wouldn't he hate me?"
"He has known about your condition for more than a month," said Percy. "He has plenty of time getting used to dividing his own image of his former professor and the current you."
"I hope so," said Severus. "I feel bad for him."
"Feel bad?" said Mr. Weasley.
Severus nodded. "From what Ron and Ginny told me, Harry doesn't like attention but because he's the Boy-Who-Lived, he's attracting way too much."
"If he didn't act irrational most of the time, he wouldn't attract unwanted attention," said Percy. "And he can break rules without any serious punishment given to him so of course he doesn't know when he's crossed a line or not."
"Percy!" said Mrs. Weasley.
"He's right," said Severus. "The Headmaster favors him openly. It's no wonder the Slytherins don't let him."
"Err," said Mr. Weasley, unable to counter.
Like a godsend, Ginny and Ron came down for breakfast. Good mornings were exchanged and Ron was already drowning his pancakes with syrup and butter.
"That's gross," said Ginny.
"It's how pancakes are meant to be eaten," said Ron.
Severus laughed. "You're going to get fat."
"Not if I make it on the Quidditch team," Ron said, then sticking his tongue at Severus.
Severus stuck his in return automatically but retracted it immediately when his brain registered what he was doing. Ron beamed at having made him do a childish act. He and Ginny kept score on who could make Severus do something his age more.
"Watch your cholesterol level," said Percy.
"What level?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Never mind, Dad," said Percy. "It's a complicated Muggle term."
"Since when have you become an expert in Muggle terms?" Ron asked, a half- chewed lump of stuff in his mouth.
"Swallow before speaking," scowled Severus. "And no elbows on the table."
"Alright, alright," said Ron. "Whatever you say, your Majesty."
"That's a good subject," Severus said, giggling.
"Someone needs to wake the twins or else we'll be late meeting Harry and Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now, whose turn is it?"
"Me, me, me," Severus said excited. "I'll go get them."
Before anyone could stop him, he slid off his chair and ran upstairs to the twins' bedroom. He opened the door quietly and tiptoed inside. He had learned the art of moving silently early in his young life to save himself from his father's frequent beatings. Without ado, he pounced on George, attempting to scare the shit out of him.
"What the?" mumbled George. "Who can this lump on me be I wonder?"
George poked at the boy's side.
"No one," Severus said, muffled from burying his face in the blanket. "I am a figment of your imagination."
"Big words coming from a little guy," said George.
"I'm not little," said Severus.
"Okay," George said, looking across the room to his twin. "Want to wake Fred up together?"
"Kay," Severus said eagerly.
From the kitchen, everyone looked at the ceiling when a cry, followed by laughter, erupted from upstairs.
Percy finished his drink and refilled it with fresh coffee. "I guess they're awake."
"Severus is getting along with them," said Ron. "Maybe they're getting along too well. Aren't they going to be a bad influence on him?"
"I don't think Severus would play pranks on us," said Ginny. "If he does, it shouldn't be on us."
"I hope so," Ron said, picturing the horrible image of the twins and Severus roaming at night at Hogwarts when they were supposed to be in bed.
"Severus is smart enough to know that he should not break any rules while in school," said Percy.
"Percy, are you still angry that he's not staying here?" asked Ginny. "It's just that he needs more freedom and social interaction, and there's no better place to do have those than Hogwarts."
"I know, but it's a bit sad to see him go," Percy said, this being the closest to admitting he was very attached to the shrunken Potions Master. "He's going to have trouble sleeping since I can't read to him anymore."
"I can read to him," said Ron.
"You won't but Hermione might," said Percy. "We're been reading my old fifth year textbooks anyway."
Ron's eyes budged out. "What do you mean fifth year textbooks?"
"What's this talk about textbooks?" Fred said, yawning. "Oh! It's time for breakfast."
"You have less than half an hour to eat," said Mrs. Weasley. "We leave for the Leaky Cauldron in an hour."
"That's not humanly possible Mum," George said, carrying Severus on his back.
"Yes it is," said Severus. "You and Fred always inhale your food anyway."
Severus squealed when Fred tickled him under his ribs.
Mrs. Weasley clanged two pans together. "Hurry before the food gets cold or you're shopping with empty stomachs."
"Aye, aye, captain!" yelled Fred and George.
Breakfast was finally done and the dishes soaking in the sink. Severus and Percy had a private parting talk where tears were nearly spilled but held back with pure stubbornness. The Weasleys and Severus got into the magically enhanced car and drove to London before rush hour began.
"There's the Leaky Cauldron," Mrs. Weasley said from the front passenger seat.
"I need to find a parking spot so I'm dropping you off now and reuniting in a few minutes," said Mr. Weasley.
"Okay Dad," said Ginny.
They exited the car and unloaded their luggage and Ron's big cage containing the tiny owl, Pig. They entered the inn slash diner and saw neither Harry nor Hermione. Tom gave them keys to several rooms so they put their stuff away in them first. Ginny, Ron, and Severus shoved their things into their rooms and came back downstairs.
"Hey," Hermione said, sitting at a table. "I just came down from my room. Is Harry with you?"
"We just came too and we haven't seen Harry yet," Ginny said, sitting next to the intelligent girl. "Would you like to meet someone very special?"
"If you mean the cute, small person hiding behind Ron's leg, I would love to," Hermione said, smiling widely.
"I'm not small," muttered Severus.
"I apologize," Hermione said sincerely.
Severus nodded in acceptance and stepped forward but had one hand in Ron's. Ron rolled his eyes and sat on Hermione's other side and planted Severus on his lap.
"Severus, this is one of my two best friends in Hogwarts, Hermione Granger," introduced Ron. "She helps Harry and me complete our homework on time and force us to study for exams."
Severus patted Hermione's hand, that was lying on top of the table, lightly and said in sympathy, "Poor you."
"Why you little," Ron said, fingers in position to tickle him.
Severus sighed and pouted. "I'm not little. I'm seven."
"You ARE small for your age," said Hermione.
Severus glared at her and turned his head away.
"His size is a sore topic," Ginny whispered to Hermione. "His parents starved him."
"You know, Harry was smaller than me when we were younger but he's a lot taller and bigger than me now," said Hermione. "It was all thanks to playing Quidditch and the Hogwarts' meals, and you'll be going through the same thing."
Severus sniffed. "You're forgiven if you'll read me your new textbooks at bedtime."
Hermione's eyebrow rose. "I can do that."
"Hey look, it's Harry at the door," said Ginny.
"Harry!" said Ron.
Harry Potter, the famous Boy-Who-Lived, entered the Leaky Cauldron with one trunk and his owl cage. He heard his name and his whole face lit up, ecstatic seeing his friends after two long months. He also saw the child Ron was holding.
"Whoa! That's Snape?" thought Harry. "He's cute as a kid."
Severus tried to hide in Ron's robes when Harry walked closer. Hermione and Ginny found extremely adorable. Women!
"Look at who was waiting for me outside the Leaky Cauldron," Harry said, stepping aside.
"Snuffles!" exclaimed Ron and Hermione.
Severus looked at the large dog and at Ginny. Ginny shrugged because she really didn't know that the Grim-like animal was actually Harry's godfather and Azkaban escapee, Sirius Black.
"Oh yea, Harry, this is Severus," said Ron. "Severus, meet Harry."
"Hello," Severus said in a low voice, staring at the dog rather than the new person. "Is he friendly?"
"Snuffles is VERY FRIENDLY," Harry said with deliberate emphasis, sitting next to Ron. "He'll even let you pet him."
Snuffles made a sound that would have been a snort if he was in his wizard form. Harry took Severus from Ron and set him on his own lap. Of course Ginny, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley, who had just arrived, thought it was an adorable scene. Women!
"Go on," said Harry.
Severus gingerly laid a hand on the furry head and stroked. Sirius bared his teeth and Severus quickly removed his hand. Harry swatted Sirius without really hurting him but hard enough to let his godfather know that he had to be nice to Severus or else. Sirius whimpered and butted Harry's leg in apology.
"One more time," Harry said to Severus. "He won't make any more faces at you."
Severus touched the dog reluctantly but since he had Harry on his side, it would be fine. Sirius, trying to please his godson, licked the tiny hand, which tickled. Severus giggled at the weird feeling running pass his palm.
"Silly puppy," said Severus.
Sirius looked insulted at being called a puppy but Harry laughed so he'll let it slid this one time. The twins came and greeted Harry and Hermione, and the same went when Mr. Weasley came in.
"Everyone's here," said Mr. Weasley. "Got the list of school supplies?"
"Yes," chorused the real Hogwarts students.
"Let's go then," said Mrs. Weasley. "We want to get all the shopping done today."
"Harry, you're rich, aren't you?" said Severus.
The Weasleys looked uncomfortable.
"I have enough," said Harry. "Why?"
"I'll forgive your dog for threatening me if you'll buy me a set of books," Severus said, not noticing the looks of shock on the others' face.
"Dear, it's not polite to ask for gifts for no reason, and especially not from someone you've just met," said Mrs. Weasley.
Severus ignored her and continued staring at Harry.
"It's not a problem," said Harry. "It was Snuffles' fault for scaring you."
"Good," said Severus. "Let's go to Diagon Alley and straight to Flourish and Blotts."
"Impatient little bugger, isn't he?" said Ron.
"I'm not little!" said Severus. "I'm seven!"
Harry sensed the start of a tantrum and decided to intervene. "Severus, would you like to ride on Snuffles?"
Snuffles made a strange, choking noise that translated as "WHAT!!!"
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I'm in a good mode so new chapter today!