'Thought'

'Inner voice'

"Speaking"

"Parseltongue"

Disclaimer: I own nothing, no need to remind me.

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Chapter 3

Diagon Alley

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The pub was filled with the noise of clinking glasses and people talking. All of that stopped when they noticed who entered their pub. Although it was not rare that someone Apparated into the pub, but this time it was who was rare.

None other than Harry Potter had appeared among their midst. Everyone was staring at him and some even gaping, but none dared to move. And all the while a very agitated Snape was waiting for his charge to move. When that didn't happen he, Snape, was seriously thinking of dragging that infernal child with him. Though that would mean he would have to touch the child. Oh well, someone got to do the dirty jobs.

So he grabbed the child by its upper arm and the entire pub woke up from his spell. Everyone hurried to Harry to either introduce their selves or to simple touch him.

"Ah, Mr. P-P-Potter." Harry turned his head around to see a man walking straight to him. The other guests were even making room for him. As an afterthought it could be because of the man's smell. You see, he was wearing a turban that smelled like garlic, and his robes gave off a disgusting odour like they haven't been washed in a very long time.

He too took Harry's hands in his own and started shaking them. All the while with a big happy smile on his face that irritated the hell out of Snape and Harry. And the worst part had yet to come; the introduction.

"Good m-morning, I-I-I was ex-x-xpecting you. I am going to be you D-Defense Against t-t-the Dark A-Arts P-Professor. Not that you need it o-of course." He let go of Harry's hands and disappeared back into the crowd.

'Well, that was weird. I wonder why they all want to shake hands with me.' What better way to find out than to ask your professor. But said professor wasn't paying attention to his charge. So he tugged on Snape's arm and he was immediately dragged of to a door in the back. The door leads to a small alley next to the pub. Again he wanted to ask Snape a question but this time the man drew his wand and tapped a brick. The bricks moved aside to reveal an archway.

"Where are we?" He asked dazedly, still amazed at what he saw. Snape rolled his eyes but answered nonetheless.

"This is Diagon Alley. Now stop gaping and move."

Gee, that man really needed to fix his temper, but he followed his professor trough the archway. And they where walking straight trough it, not even stopping to look at the windows let alone to buy something. Ok, time to play dumb.

"Where are we going?" Snape repressed a groan but didn't answer. He would try again. "Sir, where are we going?" This time he could hear the growl of irritation.

"To Gringotts. To collect your money that was left by your parents." Snape snapped.

And then he saw it: An immense white building complete with towers. The front doors were made out of gold and were pulled open by strange creatures. Inside they faced another door with a rhyme on it. Snape didn't allow him to read it and marched straight on, hopefully, into the real bank. His wish became true and stepped into the real bank. Everywhere he looked he saw those strange creatures. Some were weighing gold and diamonds, other were helping customers and others were doing god knows what.

Snape walked to a counter with a creature behind it, and by the looks of things he wasn't doing anything. From his pocket Snape pulled a small key and gave it to the creature. The creature looked at it and nodded.

"Griphook." He called and another one of those things was coming their way. He was given the key and told us to follow him. We walked to a wall with many doors and Griphook opened one and stepped into the cart. He gestured for us to come as well. The ride was fast and fun but extremely confusing. He tried to remember the way but they were making many twists and turns that he lost count.

A few minutes later they stopped and Griphook stepped out of the cart. With his finger he traced a small line on the wall. The wall behind it disappeared and an enormous vault was revealed. I too stepped out of the cart and walked to the vault. It was filled with golden and bronze coins. He saw a few diamonds, even a few books.

Ten minutes later they were back outside heading towards Madam Malkin robes for all occasions. He was ushered inside by Snape and dragged off by woman to the back. He was put on a stool and his measurements were taken. Next to him was a girl with fuzzy brown hair and hazel eyes. She saw him looking and immediately started to question him.

"Are going to Hogwarts too? I can't wait till September the first. Do you know what house you will be in? I hope I will get sorted into Ravenclaw. That's the house for who like to learn. Did you know that? Oh by the way my name is Hermione Granger. What is your name?"

Thankfully he was saved by Madam Malkin saying that she was done with the Granger girl. He barely met the girl and already he couldn't stand her.

"Alright dear, you are done. Here you go." And she gave him the bag with his clothes in it. Now for the rest of his robes.

"Madam, I would also like a few robes in the colours: dark blue and a dark green please." He asked sweetly. No woman could resist those big green eyes of his, so she happily complied with his request. She told him that he could pick his robes up in an hour.

Next they went to the bookshop. But instead of going with Harry inside Snape walked in the direction of what looked like a potions store.

"Professor, where are going? I thought that we would go and buy my books now."

"I will go and get your potions ingredients while get your books. I want this trip to be over as soon as possible."

Oh well, who cares. He shrugged and walked into the bookshop. First he got his schoolbooks and he putted that on the counter. Next he walked to a section of the bookshop that was a little shadier than the rest. There was also no sign above it telling what kind of books were there. He lazily scanned the titles of the books until one captured his attention. Checking to see if no one was looking he grabbed the book and started to skim trough it. The book was actually quite interesting on second thought and he went back to check the shelves for more books. Unfortunately none of the other books looked interesting or far too suspicious for him to buy. At the counter the owner gave him a weird look at seeing the extra book, but luckily he didn't question him about it.

When he walked out of the shop he saw that Snape was waiting there for him. He looked down on the pile of books and was about to shrink them when he noticed the extra book Harry had purchased. He narrowed his eyes slightly in suspicion.

"Do you know what this book is about Potter?"

Of course he knew what this book was about. He bought it just a few minutes ago before skimming through it. "Yes sir, of course I know what this book is on. I just got it." He said, confusing clearly evident on his face. This didn't go unnoticed by Snape who pinched the bridge of his noise out of aggravation.

"Potter that is a book made for Parseltongues." Harry gave Snape a look that clearly said: 'so what.' Snape let out a growl and took a deep breath. He began talking, like he was explaining something to a 5-year old. "The Dark lord, the one that killed you parents, was a Parseltongue himself. If people saw you with this book they are going to think that you will become the next Dark Lord." Snape smirked at his. "Even though it is the most preposterous thing I ever heard."

"But I am still going to keep it, it doesn't matter to me what people are thinking about me." Actually he did care but he wasn't going to tell Snape of all people that. Time to move on and he did. He simple walked away straight to the animal shop. On their way Snape shrank his books without further ado.

He was allowed to bring a cat, an owl or a toad. Well that was easy for him. Of course he would pick an owl and so he began walking trough the shop. He saw all kinds of owls but none of them peaked his curiosity. When he was in the back of the store he saw a lot of owls that were dark of colour and glaring at him. But there was also one that eyed him curiously. He held his hand out and the owl flew onto his arm. He walked to the front of the shop and saw that the owl was midnight black with amber eyes. He paid for him and left the shop. (Snape silently thanked the Gods that he didn't pick a snake.)

Their last stop was Olivander maker off fine wands since 1492. Upon entering he was greeted withed with enthusiasm.

"Welcome Mr. Potter. Finally you are here. What is your wand arm?"

He was slightly taken aback by the question, so he stuttered a little when he answered. "I think both, but I am not quite sure. If I would have to pick it would be left."

Mr. Olivander muttered something and suddenly measurements were taken of his arms, his shoulders, legs, waist and even his hair. Though he had a feeling it wasn't supposed to do that because Mr. Olivander told it to stop from where he was searching the shelves. After ten minutes he returned with a few boxes and gave the top one to Harry.

"Go on, give it a wave." And it was snatched right out his hand before he could lift it properly. This went on and on to the delight of Mr. Olivander who was getting happier with the minute. He came back with some dust in his hair and muttering about impossible and strange.

"Try this one Mr. Potter. Yew, 14 inches, Phoenix feather."

When he took the wand from the older man a strange warm feeling went over him. He lifted it and sparks in every colour filled the room. Mr. Olivander gained a weird glint in his eyes and shared a look with Snape. Olivander picked up the rest of the boxes and returned them to their rightful places. On his way back he muttered something to Snape what sounded suspiciously like 'how unusual.'

"Mr. Olivander what is so unusual about this wand?" Harry dared to ask.

"This" he said, pointing at the wand "is the wand that gave you that scar. This is the wand of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." The old man said with fear in his voice. Harry not knowing what to do looked at Snape and saw that he was as white a ghost and fear evident in his eyes.

He quickly paid for the wand and left the shop but not before he heard Olivander say "I believe that we can expect great things from you Mr. Potter."

Harry decided that as soon as the moment arose he would ask the Headmaster about it.

Snape didn't say a word when he Apparated them back to the Dursleys in the middle of the living room and scaring the shit out of the inhabitants. Snape curtly explained how to get to platform 9¾ and telling him that he still wasn't aloud to use magic and the next moment he was gone with a soft plop.

Harry ignored his relatives and walked calmly to his room like nothing happened. He let himself fall on the bed and fell asleep and dreamed of the wonderful pranks he could pull on Dudley.

T.B.C

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Chapter 4: Blood

--ChaosDream--