"Sorry we're spending your birthday shopping in that mess, pup," Sirius offered tossling Harry's hair.

Harry sent his Godfather a reassuring smile. "It's ok. I've never seen Diagon Alley this full before."

"Neither have we." Sirius glanced at Severus. "For the most part."

Severus shook his head. "I usually avoid the busy season so I was equally oblivious to how crowded it would be." Harry returned to staring at the mass of people below them in the very shopping district they were discussing. "Unfortunately this means Snuffles will be required."

Sirius shrugged. "Wasn't planning on being human here in the first place."

The clock on the bookcase started to toll the hour. Remus rose slowly from the armchair looking as if the sound had woken him from dozing yet when he moved, none of the drowsiness showed. He placed his hands on Harry's shoulders drawing the boy's attention from the street below. "Come on, Harry. Let's get settled into bed and read for a bit."

"Ok."

When the bedroom door clicked shut behind the pair, Severus looked to Sirius with a raised eyebrow. The fact that it was Remus and not Sirius helping Harry settle into bed was telling. "I assume you have something you wish to discuss."

"Yeah, something Harry brought up yesterday." Sirius leaned against the windowsill, hands pressing into the top of it. "Did he ever talk to you about his Sorting?"

Surprise flickered through his chest. "No; but that may be more due to my lack of availability this last week than his lack of desire to discuss it."

And not from a lack of trying. He hated that complications had occurred with one of the projects to a degree that required his assistance but at least it had stabilized enough to allow him Harry's birthday off.

"Makes sense." Sirius nodded towards the door. "He asked both of us at different times about what House he would end up in, though he phrased it differently when he had. He'd asked Remus which House he thought Harry would be Sorted into while he asked me if I would be happy if he got Sorted into Gryffindor."

It was enough for Severus to piece together what Sirius was getting at. "You believe he's fretting about the Sorting."

Sirius shrugged, the motion exaggerated as the man's hands came off of the windowsill to hang in the air palms up between them. "Didn't you once you learned about the Houses? Every kid does but they don't usually have to deal with the adults they look up to having been in two opposing Houses. I don't think he's fretting too much about it but I think he could use the reassurance from you that any House would be perfectly ok with us. Heck, a failed Sorting would be fine; as long as he's happy, that's all anyone cares about."

A frown pulled itself across Severus's face as he folded his arms. "You cannot guarantee his happiness even if he was Sorted into the perfect house. There will be times he will be unhappy at Hogwarts as there would be at the IPPA school Tanner will be attending."

"I know that," Sirius ground out, a helpless frustration flashing across the taller's face. "But surely there's something…"

"Sirius." Sirius met his gaze with a sharp, flat look. He cut right to the heart of it. "He will be outside of your protection when he goes to Hogwarts."

Sirius curled in on himself, gaze going back to the bedroom door. Severus sighed, not overly confident that he understood Sirius's sudden mood despite knowing what gnawed at the other. "I will speak with him before he leaves for Hogwarts but I am not forcing the conversation. We have to have faith he has the skills to handle this on his own. Should we not, we run the risk of making things worse." He gained Sirius's gaze again. "He will be fine, no matter the House."

"Even Slytherin," Sirius challenged.

Had it been ten years prior, he would have scoffed at the idea of comforting Sirius in something so ridiculous as Harry's wellbeing at Hogwarts. Hogwarts would be the safest place outside of their home for him to be; it was far safer than the IPPA school Harry would have attended with Tanner, IPPA protocol be damned. "Especially Slytherin. I take pride in making my House a safe space no matter the reputation even if I cannot guarantee he will not run into trouble. Do not forget, though. I have already made arrangements for another room to be added to my quarters for his use with his decision to go to Hogwarts. It will be his room that he will have full access to whenever he is at Hogwarts but we agreed to allow him to experience Hogwarts like the other students. He will spend most, if not all of his year with his House." Sirius didn't look overly assured and Severus rolled his eyes. "At least trust that I and the other teachers are going to do our damnedest to keep all the students safe and alive." Sirius nodded, body relaxing. "Good. Now, Remus should have Harry settled enough for us to give the boy his gifts. If you can go get Harry's presents, I will get the cake."

Sirius immediately perked up and hurried off to do just that. Severus let out an amused huff of a chuckle. Gryffindors.

The following morning met them with good moods despite the prospect of an overwhelming day. Harry was chipper as ever during breakfast, legs swinging beneath the table as he talked about the latest satellite being built to gather information on solar flares and the new technology that was going into it. Four science magazines were stacked next to Harry's plate, all renewed subscriptions thanks to Tanner's parents Harry had received the night before. Harry had the top most magazine open to the article he was referencing as he talked and would ask after concepts he wasn't fully grasping or for the definitions of the larger words.

It was as they were getting ready to step out that he noticed. Sirius had transformed into Snuffles and was getting strapped into his harness by Remus but the man now turned dog was nosing Remus's arm, a tell Remus was ignoring for some reason. Severus stepped away from Harry as the boy started putting on his other shoe to create some privacy when he reminded Remus, "Do not overdo it."

Remus offered him a simple smile, straightening. "I won't; don't worry. It's nothing that warrants me missing out on this."

Severus let his incredulity show on his face even as he let Remus be. "Speak up when you need to stop. There is nothing that has to be done in a timely manner."

Remus nodded, gathering Snuffles leash into hand.

Joining the crowd curbed some of Severus's good mood. He made sure Harry was tucked between him and Snuffles, Remus on Snuffles other side, before they truly delved into Diagon Alley. It didn't take long for Snuffles to move to Remus's other side creating an excellent buffer against the press of the crowd. He realized it would not take long for Harry and Remus to reach their limits in this and what he had glanced of Remus's grip on Snuffles's leash informed him the other man was aware of it too, the conversation before they had left the room notwithstanding.

"It may be faster if I went and grabbed Harry's books while you get his school robes," Remus commented as they came to a stop outside Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. A cluster of people were shoving their way through the shop's doorway and not even Snuffles moved to try and get through it. "Would cut down the amount of time we're here and give us more of the day."

The latter words came across as vague thoughts like Remus was thinking out loud more than trying to convince Severus. Not that Severus needed any convincing. "We will meet you at the ice cream parlor, then, and decide how to proceed from there."

Remus nodded but the man was hesitating. "Do you want me to leave Snuffles?"

Snuffles looked up as if offended by the suggestion but Severus was already stepping away with a hand between Harry's shoulders. "No. I would rather not have to deal with Madam Malkin."

Remus nodded as if he hadn't considered that. "We'll be back."

A step back and Remus and Snuffles disappeared into the crowd.

Severus and Harry passed through the empty doorway and barely made it a few steps into the room when Madam Malkin, a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve, greeted them personally. She smiled first at Harry before turning her attention to Severus. "Seems I have nothing but Hogwarts students coming in today. Let's head to the back of the shop and, if you don't mind taking a seat, I'll have our young friend here situated with a full set of robes."

"Thank you," he spoke, gently pushing Harry forward. There was a moment of hesitation from the boy but Harry didn't fight him. Madam Malkin led them to the back of the shop where another child was standing still on a footstool as a second witch pinned up the long black robes. Severus settled in the chair that was out of the other child's direct line of sight as Madam Malkin pulled a second stool over for Harry. He recognized young Draco Malfoy the moment they had made it halfway to the back of the shop, those platinum blonde locks a rare enough sight to be a calling card of sorts. As much as he was not opposed to being seen by the Malfoy heir, it was better if the two boys' first interaction wasn't tainted by his presence. He caught the flinch from Harry when Madam Malkin draped fabric over the boy's head but Harry did well to stay still as she started pinning it to the right length.

The young Malfoy spoke up after a moment with a rather arrogant politeness. "Hello. Hogwarts too?" Severus wasn't surprised when Harry's response was only a nod. "My father's next door buying my books and Mother's up the street looking at wands," the young Malfoy drawled. Severus couldn't help the skepticism that pulled at his expression. While young Malfoy sounded bored, even Severus could see how awkwardly the boy stood. "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why First Years can't have their own. I think I'll bully Father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow." If Lucius Malfoy was turning his heir into a spoiled brat, he was going to have a few choice words for his old friend. "Have you got your own broom?"

"I've used my guardian's old one," Harry offered. Severus was pleased to hear the use of 'guardian' rather than a name; it was reassuring to hear the boy had taken their conversations to heart. "They said if I get into Quidditch, they would buy me my own."

"You play then?"

That seemed to spark genuine interest in the young Malfoy but Harry shrugged. "I chase a practice snitch around if that counts."

"I play," the young Malfoy stated proudly. "Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my House and, I must say, I agree. Know what House you'll be in yet?"

"No."

"Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin. All our family have been. Imagine being in Hufflepuff. I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"

Severus frowned, watching the young Malfoy's expression. Despite being the son and heir to Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy was still as expressive as any other 11-year-old should be. The moment there was a shift in topic, there had been a shift in expression, and if Severus was reading the boy's tells right, Draco Malfoy didn't quite believe his own words.

"Not everyone follows their family's footsteps," Harry cautiously said after a moment. The young Malfoy was startled by the statement and Severus caught a glimpse of the fear all children seemed to have at some point when it came to the Sorting. "But that's normal. Each of us are our own person. We don't have to follow after others if we don't want to."

Anger flared in the young Malfoy's face masking the fear poorly. "You're from a family of Hufflepuffs, aren't you?"

"No," Harry responded calmly, gaze never wavering from the other boy's face in the mirror. "Gryffindor and Slytherin." Harry shrugged again, looking elsewhere as he added as an afterthought, "I heard the Hufflepuff House is located near the kitchen, though. Do you think they sneak into the kitchen after hours and return with armloads of food for those studying late? I don't think the other Houses could do that easily."

Amusement flittered through Severus at the confusion that filled the young Malfoy. It would take very little to get the Malfoy heir out from under his father's ideologies, especially if Harry chose to become the boy's friend.

Harry spoke up before the young Malfoy could sort through the confusion. "I hope you get into Slytherin like you want. It sounds like a good house and I wouldn't mind being in it. Or Gryffindor. I don't think I could manage being in Ravenclaw, though. I like learning but I don't like tests."

"All done with you, my dear," Madam Malkin informed Harry, pulling the robe off carefully. Harry hopped down from the footstool and quickly crossed to Severus. Severus placed his hand on Harry's back again and returned them both to the front of the store. If the young Malfoy caught sight of him, the boy didn't speak up.

It would be almost fifteen minutes before they stepped back out onto the street. The shop was busy and while it didn't take long for Madam Malkin to process the order and allow Severus to pay, there were others in line who took far more time.

They met Remus and Snuffles at the edge of the parlor's patio. Snuffles pressed into Harry's chest and the boy seemed quite happy to wrap his arms around the massive dog's neck. Remus settled at the railing close to Severus, his voice carrying weakly across the short distance. "It seems we had good timing. Flourish and Blotts had been a madhouse and I wasn't sure if we'd get out of there before the next hour. If any of the other shops are equally busy, his wand will have to be the last thing we do."

Severus covered Remus's shoulder and was surprised to feel the man quaking. It immediately changed his words. "I can go get his remaining supplies. Do you want to stay here or return to the room?"

What little color still filled Remus's cheeks faded as the werewolf sagged into the railing and, for a moment, Severus thought Remus was just dropping his walls for a brief moment. But then Snuffles was suddenly there pressing against the front of Remus's legs and Severus realized that it wasn't the case. Severus felt Harry at his side but the boy didn't reach out. Severus placed a hand on Harry's head to keep track of the boy's location as he quickly stepped in front of Remus. Both of his hands went to the man's shoulders. "Remus," he spoke gently, not expecting a response.

He didn't get one. The seconds passed with no response from Remus but neither he nor Snuffles moved. Harry fully moved to the railing a few paces away, hands latching onto the bars as he settled his back against it. It was almost a minute later before Remus's right hand released the railing to grip at the handle on Snuffles's vest. Between them, Snuffles shifted about but Severus didn't bother to glance at the dog. It would be almost five minutes before Snuffles sat down. It was a good sign, a sign that Remus was out of the worst of it. Severus moved a hand from Remus's shoulder to the side of Remus's neck, palm finding the pulse point as he tried to get a verbal response again. "Remus."

Remus blinked his eyes open, gaze unfocused somewhere near Severus's chest. It was a few seconds before Remus managed a faint, "I'm ok now."

Remus took his weight off of the railing. Severus let his hands fall away only to find Snuffles's head underhand; he absently rubbed at the dog's head as his attention remained on Remus. "I will meet you back in the room. There is no need for you to be out here any longer. Not today."

"But Harry's wand-"

"You do not have to be present for that," Severus cut in gently. Snuffles's head slipped from his hand but he barely noticed. "And it would be wise to not push yourself much longer."

"I want to be there when he gets his wand, Severus," Remus countered, more hurt than offended. "Neither of us want to miss that."

Barely any of the color had returned to Remus's face but he knew there was no point in fighting Remus on this. He had no right denying Remus and Sirius this. "Then I will be expecting you to take care of yourself along the way. Set the pace and speak up when you need to stop. Once we are done at Ollivanders, you return to the room."

Remus's grip on Snuffles's harness handle slackened as the man nodded.

Harry's hand wrapped around Severus's but when he looked down at the boy, Harry's gaze was on the ice cream parlor. Severus met Remus's gaze again. "Do you want anything from the ice cream parlor?"

"Just the use of their patio railing for a bit longer."

"We will be as quick as the line permits, then."

Remus waved the comment off, returning his weight to the railing. "Take your time. I'm in no hurry to start moving yet."

He was sure Remus heard the soft, "Good," that had fallen past his lips but the werewolf didn't comment on it, not even when he and Harry returned with an ice cream cone each. A good amount of the mint chocolate chip in Harry's cone was already gone, the boy happily devouring the cold, sweet treat. Severus waited until they were back with Remus and Snuffles before biting the top two inches off of his chocolate cone. Remus gave him a fond look and Severus gave him a rather muted glare.

Remus led the way through the shopping district at a pace that was far slower than the rest of the bustling crowd. Snuffles placed himself between the crowd and Remus leaving Severus and Harry to take up the shop side. It didn't take long before Harry had moved to be closest to the shops happily looking at everything they passed. Despite the pace, they soon reached a shop that was oddly empty compared to the bustling street before it. The shop itself was narrow and shabby with peeling gold letters over the door reading "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.". A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

The sound of a tinkling bell from somewhere in the depths of the shop greeted them when Severus pushed the door open. The shop was a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair off to one side. Remus moved to the chair without a word and settled as if he was waiting for the next train. Snuffles had gone with him but once Remus was settled and the leash was unclipped, the massive dog trotted over to Harry's open side and pressed into it. Harry draped an arm over Snuffles's back but while there was no sign of easing in the boy's back, he was leaning against his Godfather.

The shop was just as oppressive as Severus remembered it but, unlike the first time he had been there, he could now explain why; the very dust and silence seemed weighted down by heavy, wild magic that he had only ever felt around Madam Gold leaving behind a sense of foreboding underneath the weight of magic.

"Good afternoon," a soft voice greeted. Even more rigidity filling Harry's back. Severus quickly reached over and gave Harry's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as Snuffles sought out Harry's other hand. The boy started mindlessly rubbing at the dog's head but those green eyes had yet to leave the point the voice had come from.

An old man moved into the space, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop. There wasn't a response from any of them yet the man nodded. "Ah, yes. Yes, yes. It is about time for you to have your own wand, isn't it, Harry Potter."

The old man's gaze flickered from Severus to Remus and Severus immediately spoke up, stemming off what would undoubtedly be a long winded conversation as cordially as he could manage. "It would be best if we did not dally with small talk, Ollivander. If we could get started, it would be appreciated."

"Of course, of course!" Ollivander assured him, pulling out a long tape measure with silver marking. "Now, Mr. Potter, let me see. Which is your wand arm?"

Harry raised the arm on Snuffles's back. Ollivander looked down at the dog when Snuffles remained in place. For a moment there was a staring contest between the old man and massive dog before Snuffles huffed and returned to Remus. The old man repositioned Harry's arm with a quick touch before stepping away and letting the tape measure start measuring on its own. "There we are. Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter," Ollivander explained, walking off to flit about the shelves taking down boxes as he went. No matter where he went, his voice filled the shop perfectly. "We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another's wand."

The tape measure dropped to the floor from Harry's wrist as Ollivander set a stack onto the counter. The old man offered Harry a wand, handle first. "Right then, Mr. Potter. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave."

Harry didn't gave the boy a gentle push forward. Harry stepped forward and took the wand but he barely had it in his hand to give it a flick when Ollivander snatched it away.

"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy. Try-" Harry had hardly raised it before it was snatched back. "No, no- here, ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy."

Wand after wand passed through Harry's hand and with each wand, the more frustrated and tired the boy grew. Severus was sure the growing pile of discarded wands was not helping and knew without a doubt that the fear of never finding a wand was starting to settle in. But where Harry was growing more uneasy, Ollivander only grew happier with each wand he had to pull from the shelves. With the latest wand joining the discarded, Ollivander disappeared back into the stacks talking more to himself than Harry or the others. "Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere." Severus returned to Harry's side and ran his hand through the boy's hair. Harry shot him a pleading look, very much done with the whole ordeal. "I wonder, now- yes, why not," drifted towards them before Ollivander appeared again. The one box Ollivander brought back was excessively dusty. Only a few boxes had been dust free but even the dustiest had shown signs of handling with how the dust appeared patchy on the lids. This one, though, had a layer of undisturbed dust thicker than any box prior and the only signs of handling were from the cleared patches of Ollivander's handling. "Unusual combination: holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."

As soon as the boy's hand had wrapped around the wand, the disheartened expression on Harry's face immediately changed to surprise. With a wide sweep through the air, a stream of gold and silver sparks shot from the end of the wand like fireworks, throwing dancing spots of light on the walls. There was happy clapping and barking from Remus and Snuffles. "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good," Ollivander cheered right along. Harry's arm returned to his side, his entire body sagging with relief. Still standing at Harry's side, Severus saw the awe and wonder as Harry slowly rolled the wand in his fingers.

Something changed, like a switch had been flipped, and it put Severus on edge. His hand settled on Harry's shoulder as he drew the boy close. His gaze was on Ollivander just as the old man started to speak. "Well, well, well…how curious….how very curious…"

"Something interesting?" Remus questioned from near the chair. Severus was unwilling to glance and find out if the other was approaching or not.

Ollivander offered the open box to Harry. "I remember every wand I have ever sold. Every single wand." Once Harry had carefully placed the wand inside, Ollivander closed the box and wrapped it in brown paper. "It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in Mr. Potter's wand gave another feather - just one other." Apprehension filled Severus's chest as Ollivander's gaze settled on Harry's scar. "It is very curious indeed that he should be destined for this wand when its brother gave him that scar." He heard Snuffles let out a low growl but Ollivander continued as if he was oblivious to the sudden agitation in his shop. Severus pulled Harry behind him. "Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember, and I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."

Snuffles pressed into Severus's front as he felt Remus's hand gently grab at his shoulder. The hand slipped from his shoulder as Harry's body left his personal space. Severus knew Remus had Harry without looking back. He tugged on Snuffles's harness to get the massive dog to go after Remus but Snuffles refused to budge. Annoyed but not willing to deal with it now, Severus put the coin on the counter, stating flatly, "It would be ill advised to repeat this conversation with anyone."

Ollivander pushed the wand box towards Severus, nodding as if he hadn't heard the threat in those words. "Of course, of course. Not to worry." Those wide pale eyes were tight around the edges as if it was the only sign of annoyance the wandmaker couldn't hide. "I am a humble wandmaker, afterall. I lack what is required to affect things in such ways."

The press of magic still thick in the air had Severus severely doubting that. Hand still painfully tight around Snuffles's harness handle, he left the shop.

Stepping out into the bustling street should have been a relief, a return to safety. Instead, he stepped into a warzone. At least three individual buildings on the other side of the street were engulfed in flames, the heat from the closest one caressing his skin where the scorching sun amplified it. People were running, children screaming, and his gaze immediately snapped towards an explosion down the street. The hot sand slid into the sandals he wore as he slid his foot across what counted as pavement but the hot grit barely registered under the overwhelm of what he was witnessing.

A body shoved passed him, something shouted, and he knew he needed to take action. He had to help - he was supposed to be there to help - but he had left his wand in the room above - stupid, idiotic - and he was useless without it.

He tried to back up, tried to go into the building he had vacated, but there was a tug on his left arm as if he was holding onto something unmoving and for a brief, bewildered moment, he found himself panicking.

Something cold and wet pressed into the palm of his other hand and it was quickly followed by something warm and equally wet sliding over the inside of his wrist. Jerking his hand away, the world snapped back into place around him, the sounds of a bustling Diagon Alley almost deafening by contrast alone. The sun was hot on his hair and the sleeves of his robe but it was more like a warm caress than the scorching heat it had been only moments before.

Snuffles's nose pressed into his palm even where he had raised it, the motion tugging on the harness handle Severus was still firmly clasping. Severus lowered his hand, dodging the dog's snout in order to rub the dampness on his skin into the back of Snuffles's neck.

It seemed enough for Snuffles. Waiting long enough for him to complete the action, Snuffles turned and started towards the Leaky Cauldron.

Remus was waiting a few paces off with Harry cradled against his chest. He didn't say a word - didn't even spare Severus a glance - as he clipped the leash back into place and fell into step beside them when Snuffles came within reach.

The room was blessedly quiet when they entered. Remus carried Harry to bed, softly announcing that they were taking a nap. Sirius quickly changed back to human once the harness was removed and turned to Severus. "See if you can't join them. I'll go get the rest of his supplies."

"Stay here where you are needed," he bit out. Sirius raised an eyebrow, not quite believing him. "I am perfectly capable of-"

He flinched when Sirius took a hold of his shoulders. Severus glared at the taller man, frustrated that Sirius was proving him wrong before he could even voice his retort. "I'll be quick," Sirius assured him, those hands moving to gently squeeze his upper arms. "Will even put on a glamour so that I don't get recognized. If you don't want to join them, at least try to relax."

"You cannot stop me from finishing the shopping."

Sirius grinned. "Probably not, but I'm trusting your Slytherin ways to exploit the fact that I'm giving you an out." That grin faltered under the concern that filled Sirius's expression. "Please, Severus. Let me do this for you." The grin came back but it was stained. "Can't have the dour Potions Master ending up on the front page from blowing up some mom and pop shop."

He rolled his eyes, offended. "I would never-"

"I know," Sirius soothed, squeezing his arms. "Go sit down for a bit and read. I'll be back shortly."

Sirius stepped away leaving frigid air in his wake. With a quick flick of his wand, Sirius was sporting the same hair color he had the week prior at the amusement park. With a quick pull, the majority of Sirius's hair was up in a sloppy knot tied in place by a ribbon of velvet green that had suddenly appeared in the man's hand. Whether from a spell or a pocket, Severus didn't really care. He offered Sirius Harry's list when the man looked ready to leave.

"I'll be back in a few hours if the lines are terrible," Sirius commented with a grin. "Don't wait up."

The door clicked shut behind him.

Despite the ideas that had floated around of going back out, they had ended up spending the rest of the day in the room. Severus wasn't sure he napped so much as sat in a daze staring out the window. Harry brought him out of it with a soft touch to his knee, magazines in hand. Sirius was at the room's kitchenette cooking, leaving Severus clueless as to how long he had been sitting by the window. Still, he helped the 11-year-old into his lap and settled in with the boy against his chest.

Somehow he fell asleep like that, waking only when Sirius touched his shoulder calling his name softly. Sirius gave him a soft smile, informing him, "Dinner's ready. Come eat."

Harry and Remus were already at the table as Severus stood from his chair. He joined the pair, inquiring politely, "Did you get some rest?"

Remus chuckled. "Not nearly enough, but yes, I did. Harry didn't sleep nearly as long as I did though." Remus reached over and ruffled the boy's hair as Sirius placed Harry's plate on the table. The boy accepted the touch without much reaction, spearing a gravy soaked carrot with his fork that promptly vanished into the boy's mouth. "What of yourself?"

"As unintentional as it had been, the nap was probably needed." Severus gave Sirius a nod of thanks as the man placed a full plate before him. "Though how restful it had been is left to be determined."

"Hopefully it helped," Sirius spoke up, joining them with his own plate. "What do you think, pup?" Sirius directed at Harry. "Did we get enough rest to go check out the Golden Jubilee Bridges one last time?"

When all Harry did was shrug and shove another carrot in his mouth, a mild concern filled the air between the adults. It was Severus, though, who asked, "What are you thinking about, Harry?"

Harry's gaze remained on his plate chewing on the carrot as he mulled over the question. "Is…" Harry started but nothing more followed. Harry took another bite before he finally asked, "Are people really expecting me to do great things?"

Remus offered gently, "People will always have expectations of others, be it for you to do great or someone like Severus or Sirius to do something horrible."

Harry's gaze came up, a deep frown across the boy's face. "Why would they expect Sirius to do bad things?"

Sirius said, "You see us as who we are, Harry, but others won't. They'll only see me as a Black despite how much of a black sheep of the family I've been. The Black family has a reputation of being Dark followers through the ages and that isn't going to go away simply because I'm not."

"But do I have to do great things?"

Severus frowned as he caught a glimpse of the weight that he hadn't noticed had settled on the child's shoulders.

Sirius shook his head, assuring Harry, "Only if you want to, pup. No one's going to make you do anything you don't want to do." There was a brief pause before Sirius added, "Are you thinking of something specific?"

"Do I have to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named when he comes back?" All three men jerked back in shock. They had never censored their use of the Dark Lord's name. Remus and Sirius had made sure to break Severus's use of "Dark Lord" to replace it with the madman's name barely two years after they had effectively kidnapped Harry. Harry using the censored name Ollivander had used spoke volumes.

"Absolutely not," Severus said. The words were hard but he did his best to counter it with a soft expression. "You are a child, Harry, and children are not soldiers. The only thing expected of you is your continued growth as a person until you are no longer a child. When that time comes and you wish to help stop him, do so to the capacity you are comfortable with. You will never be responsible for bringing down any Dark Lord regardless of what others say."

"But they call me The Boy Who Lived like it means something."

It came out as a wary whisper as Harry's doubt finally showed. Severus reached out in tandem with the others. His hand found Harry's head while Remus's went to Harry's shoulder and Sirius's covered one of the boy's hands. Harry covered Severus's hand with his free one. Severus was adamant as he said, "Harry, you are not responsible for saving anyone, especially not at the age of eleven. You will never be responsible for saving anyone until you come of age and have chosen a career path that requires you to do so. Each of us here will do everything in our power to make sure you are able to be a child for as long as possible, so focus on being young for as long as you can."

"Does that mean I still have to go to school?" Harry asked with large doe eyes and a faint smile.

That broke the tension and Severus found himself smirking. Sirius started laughing while Remus chuckled softly across from Severus.

"Yes, you still have to go to school, do your homework, and help around the house when we ask," Severus returned. His smirk fell as he returned them to the serious conversation. "For as long as we are here, you will never have to face any of this alone. Let us handle the bad guys while you focus on finding new things to study."

Harry beamed at the three of them, seemingly content with that. "Ok."

It wasn't until hours later when Harry was in bed that Sirius brought the conversation up.

"We can't let Harry go to Hogwarts if that was any indication of what his entire experience is going to be," Sirius said, plopping down on the couch. The man waved a hand, clarifying, "The whole thing with Olivander."

Severus glared at nothing in particular, settled once more in the chair by the window. "He will be expected at Hogwarts come September 1st whether we think he should be there or not. We had agreed to let Harry choose. It would not be wise to negate his decision now due to personal feelings on the matter."

"It would also avoid angering Dumbledore and provoking him into doing something that would cost us Harry," Remus added sharply, the words quiet. Out of all of them, Remus seemed the most agitated despite being tucked into the other side of the couch. Sirius placed a hand on the man's knee, gaining a taut smile. "Sorry. It's just- certainly you both know where this is going. Dumbledore will make a child soldier, a martyr out of him when Voldemort returns."

"We won't let that happen," Sirius stated with such conviction, Severus was almost convinced they could.

Severus shook his head. "As long as Harry ends up in a House that will allow him to have a childhood, then he should be fine regardless of how much interference we are capable of managing between him and Dumbledore." Severus sat up a bit more in the chair. "Speaking of: he had a conversation with Lucius Malfoy's boy, Draco, while we were in Madam Malkin's. I doubt the young Malfoy ever realized who he had spoken with and most likely won't until they are at Hogwarts. That aside, the topic of Houses came up as it does with any cluster of new students. Harry made a rather good argument for Hufflepuff, as much of an argument as being close to the kitchens can be." The other two chuckled at that. "He did state enough that I think the only House placement he is concerned about is Ravenclaw."

Remus spoke up. "I can understand that. With the main thing about Ravenclaw being knowledge, it isn't a stretch to think he'd assume that there would be high levels of expectations when it came to knowledge and scores if he was sorted into Ravenclaw, even if we weren't the ones holding those expectations for him. Ravenclaw isn't known for its compassion when it comes to those that don't fit their status quo, even in our school years." Remus gained a fond expression. "As intelligent as he is, he's never been fond of studying to the degree his housemates will expect of him."

Sirius agreed, commenting, "I don't think we have to worry about him ending up there. He's more likely to end up in our Houses before he ends up there."

"And Hufflepuff." Severus met their gazes evenly and he expanded on his comment. "As much as we want him in our Houses, I would not brush aside the possibility that Harry could end up in Hufflepuff. He reminds me of my Hufflepuff students just as often as he reminds me of the other Houses, Ravenclaw included."

"So, what, you're going to tell me I can't root for him to be in Gryffindor?" Sirius asked, feigning offense.

Severus snorted a laugh. "Knock yourself out. Just leave Harry out of it."