Ch 4 Old Friends
Severus had gone into Diagon Alley that day to see about acquiring some furniture for the boy. He went into a furniture store and looked around a bit uneasily as a saleswoman came forward smiling.
"What can I do for you sir?" she asked her voice sugary. He cleared his throat.
"Well I will I need a bedroom set for a toddler." he said looking around.
"Excellent come this way" she led him toward the back of the shop. "Now what is your budget. We can accommodate nearly every budget." she said still smiling.
"I don't have a budget. I want the best" he said swelling with pride. Now he would have something useful to spend his money on instead of alcohol. She smiled and bowed slightly before leading him to the right. The furniture was more magnificent then it had been on the dividing path. Here the woods were thicker and more extravagant. She lead him over to a light oak wood four poster that was miniature.
"The great thing about the more pricy furniture is as you must have noticed everything is small. Well as the child grows so does the furniture. It grows to accommodate the child." she said her voice sounded rehearsed.
"Excellent only do you have something a bit darker. I hate bright colors" he said. She took in his black robes and smiled.
"Of course" she said and lead him further into the store. At the back they had many selections of darker woods. Severus choose a dark cherry wood. The bedroom set came with the bed, a wardrobe, a toy box, and to Severus' utter amazement a tiny writing desk.
"This is excellent." he said taking in every angle of the mini desk. "This is just like mine" the witch smiled.
"Will you be wanting it delivered?" she said a clipboard appearing in her hand.
"Yes. To Hogwarts please" he said still amazed at the small furniture.
"And how old, how big and how heavy is your toddler?" she asked. Her tone brisk and business like.
"He'll be three. He's about this tall" he indicated with his hands somewhere around his knee "And he's very small, skinny" he said. She wrote this all down.
"and will you be paying in cash or withdrawal?" she asked.
"Withdrawal" he said. She handed him the clipboard. He grabbed it and with his wand signed giving his authorization. She handed him a receipt. He shoved it in his pocket.
"It will be delivered within the next two hours" she said. Severus nodded and left the store. He went into the toy shop and looked around. Picking out things as the sales associate took them behind the counter. He spent almost as much in that store as he had in the store with the furniture. Suddenly a familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Severus? I never thought I would see the day that you would enter a toy shop" he said humor in every trace of the voice. Severus turned slowly and faced the blonde man. His fellow ex Deatheater buddy stood there a smirk on his pale face.
"Lucius what a pleasant surprise" Severus said his back ram rod straight indicating his discomfort.
"Oh don't act like a stranger Severus. So why are you in a toy shop not having a kid are you?" he said jokingly. Severus smiled beginning to relax. This used to be his old friend after all.
"In a way. I am acquiring a toddler" Severus said lightly. The man looked interested.
"Really? How old?" he asked.
"Nearly three" Severus said. A screaming kid came round the isle and ran smack into Severus. Lucius bent over and picked up the blonde toddler.
"Severus this is my son Draco. You haven't seen him since he was ababy I believe?" Lucius said holding up a small grinning boy who looked exactly like his father.
"He looks just like you Lucius" Severus said smirking the Slytherin in him returning.
"Indeed. Listen Severus why don't you come by this weekend Narcissa will be out of town and she is leaving me with Draco. Bring your kid and they can play and we can catch up." Lucius said. Looking around for his wife.
"I'll see what I can do Lucius." Severus said wondering if it was a good idea.
"Alright well I hope to see you soon Severus. Good day" he said and walked away to find Narcissa who had left the store.
Severus continued to shop for toys he thought might make the toddler happy. When he finally finished he disapparated back to Hogwarts. He went to his chambers where several large boxes sat waiting in the room that adjoined his bedroom. It was empty save for the boxes. He removed the contents and set them around the room in a meticulous way.
The room looked cold and not a room that would belong to a child. Severus was thinking about it when a knock sounded on his door. He opened it to find a beaming headmaster.
"You seem very enthusiastic about your task Severus. The house elves just took order for about athousand toys!" Dumbledore said beaming. Severus scowled.
"Well if he is truly going to be in my care its time he learned the joys of childhood." he said.
"Well said my boy. So how is his room coming along then?" the older man said as if reading Severus' exact dilemma a moment before.
"Well it still seems to adult to me. Not very welcome to a child" Severus said making his was back to the room.
"I know just the thing" Dumbledore beamed and waved his wand. The room glowed with blindingly bright colors. Severus closed his eyes and when he was sure it was over he opened them slowly. He gaped at the room.
"Perfect" Dumbledore said stepping into the room. The stone that used to be the wall was now covered in moving magical creatures in a forest. Severus stared as he saw Hippogriffs in the skies and unicorns concealing themselves behind the trees. The carpet was a solid blue a few shades darker then the sky. It seemed to tone down all the ramped colors that stood on the wall. In another wave of his wand all the toys Severus ordered appeared in the room. Arranging themselves in appropriate places as shelves appeared to accommodate some of them. After conjuring some bed sheets, that were thankfully the same solid color of the carpet, the room looked complete. Severus walked around it admiring Dumbledore's handy work.
"Well Albus I must admit you really do know how to cheer a room up." Severus said smiling. Albus beamed.
"You will be happy to Hear that young Harry had awaken this afternoon. He is still in Poppy's care but he seems fine in every way. Poppy reckons he will be ready to leave the hospital wing in a few days time. She only wants him to stay to get a bit stronger." Dumbledore said. Severus barely contained a jump and a whoop when he heard the news.
"Albus?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes my boy?"
"Lucius Malfoy invited me and Harry over this coming weekend. I was thinking that perhaps if Harry is well enough I can take him. Lucius does have a son after all. I think it would be good if he began to make friends." Severus said suddenly uncomfortable as the older wizard frowned a bit.
"I suppose there is no harm in that as long as we don't reveal Harry's true identity. I was actually considering this earlier. Perhaps a few feature altering spells and a changed last name will keep him safe." Dumbledore said. Severus nodded slightly and him and Dumbledore left the room but not before grabbing a few toys to take to the healing child who was most likely board beyond his wits in the hospital wing.
/Alright no lasting effects on young Harry and soon he will find a friend in the young not evil yet Draco Malfoy.Tell me if you like it thank you to all who reviewed. TTFN
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