Minerva pressed her hand against his forehead as they stepped back into the village. Harry squirmed with embarrassment under her care, but a stern gaze warned him that it was imperative he stay put. He remembered Aunt Petunia doing the same for Dudley after he had caught a chill after playing out in the rain. Of course, she had never checked him in such a fashion and it made him feel awkward to have so much direct attention. She waved her wand and muttered a few spells, but seemed satisfied with the results. Harry looked up at her curiously.

"I just wanted to ensure the excitement of our morning hasn't caused you to fall ill again." Minerva explained, her eyes glittering calculatively. Harry's heart did a tiny flip at the idea of the woman caring about him enough to stop what they were doing and check.

"I feel fine." Harry announced and Minerva nodded.

"You're a quick mender it would seem." She gave him a small smile.

Harry returned the smile and his eyes darted across the street. In his observations while they ate at the Three Broomsticks, Harry had been quite taken with the small and inviting looking shop. He hesitated to ask Minerva to visit the store as she had already been so gracious in buying him new clothes, getting his haircut, and treating him to his first meal out. However, he didn't have to - the witch followed his gaze to the store and pulled him across the way.

The door tinkled with the chiming of several bells as they bustled into the store.

"Welcome to Corduroy's Curiosities and Amusements." The ancient looking wizard greeted them with a tip of his blue cap. "May I help you find anything today?"

"We're just browsing. Thank you." Minerva answered for the pair and the man nodded before retreating behind one of the shelves. She looked at Harry and he stared around the place with awe.

The shop was made up of several narrow aisles that were filled to the brim with unusual looking objects. Harry felt his feet leading him towards the first aisle as curiosity burned in his chest. The shelf was crammed with what looked like glassware and china. Crystal goblets glittered in the candlelight and several cups seemed to empty and refill themselves. Minerva followed him closely as they continued deeper into the store.

The next aisle was much less exciting than the first. It seemed to be crammed with an assortment of dusty looking books. Harry's eyes gleamed over the titles, but somehow '10 Ways to Get Rid of Garden Gnomes' just didn't capture his attention. Minerva seemed much more taken with the aisle and Harry smiled as the older witch sneezed as she brushed the heavy layer of dust off a few tomes. He decided to wander down the main alley through the cluttered mess to see if any of the other aisles were more worthy of his attention.

There was an area for furniture and chests which had a few unusual pieces including a mirror that called Harry 'dashing' as he passed by. He blushed a deep red before moving as far as he could away from the enchanted mirror. That was when he stumbled upon the very aisle that had captured him from the store window - the toy aisle.

Harry had never had a toy. Sure, he had a few chewed up toy soldiers that Dudley had tired of when he was three, but the Dursleys had never given him anything of his own. He was probably too old for such frivolity now. No well respected seven year old dragged around their toys with them or so Dudley had told Piers once when he had brought his favorite G.I. Joe doll to school. Harry had thought the little plastic figure with its military garb was pretty cool especially since it had come all the way from America.

"Find anything you like?" Minerva asked, causing Harry to jump.

He hadn't heard her come up from behind him. Harry looked up at her shyly and noticed she had three books of her own in hand. He tried to make out the titles, but they were all worn and faded.

"I don't think so." Harry answered reluctantly although his eyes trailed longingly over the plush looking owl that hooted softly on occasion. It's feathers looked like toasted marshmallows and it had a rounded cream colored face with tawny eyes. He had seen it nestled in the back of the shelf behind the tin knights.

Minerva studied him carefully for a few moments before plucking out the stuffed toy. Harry looked up at her with surprise. How had she known he liked the stuffed animal? She handed the owl to him and he grabbed it hesitantly. He had been afraid to touch anything lest he break it and Minerva had to pay for his mistake. He had learned that lesson all too well from his aunt as whenever she did have to take him out to the shops it always came with a warning to never touch anything. If she was handing it to him though, it must be okay, right?

Harry was surprised to find that the owl not only hooted softly, but its body was warm to the touch. The soft feathers felt like silk against his skin and he had the urge to snuggle his face into the stuffed creature. It was much too nice of a toy for a freak like him. He went to set the owl back on the shelf, but Minerva stopped him.

"You've been very brave this morning, Harry." She said with a smile. "I would like to get you something for being so well behaved. Would you like the owl?"

Harry looked up at her with wide eyes. "You've already done too much for me." He muttered, thinking of the clothes, the haircut, and the luncheon. He had never been treated so nicely and generously before. He hadn't even had the chance to thank her yet!

"I've only done the things which a guardian ought to." Minerva said stiffly and he could see a fire light behind her eyes. "The fact that you think these actions are already too much is more telling of how awful those muggles have been to you. Come, we will take the owl with us."

Minerva strode towards the front of the shop and Harry followed her gobsmacked. He was too afraid to argue further with the stern witch. She paid for their purchases quickly and Harry held onto his stuffed owl whom he had named Mallow tightly. Mallow was his first real gift and he vowed nothing would ever happen to the stuffed creature as long as he lived.

A/N: Thank you all so much for your tremendous support and the plethora of reviews! I really hope this chapter will help with the long wait for an update. I've had quite a few hiccups in my personal life and have been unable to dedicate much time to writing. I love the idea of Harry raised by Minerva. It never sat right with me that she just let Albus leave him with the Dursleys without ever ensuring he was being treated well. My Harry will be a well rounded boy with a better idea with the world of magic he loved so dearly. For those of you who have been itching to get other characters involved in this tale I will remind you that Minerva is a very independent character and has very few close personal relationships. Right now, she's focused on Harry learning to love himself and learning how to love him. There will be time for friendship and tomfoolery as time goes on. This story is definitely in it for the long haul - so stay patient, my readers. Thank you all again!