Disclaimer
This is fun to write, but I don't own any of it.
The italics in this chapter is the letter.
A Letter for Mr. Fuss
The Hogwarts Express
The train was a different experience for Harry without Ron and Hermione. He had retrieved Hedwig from the owlery that morning. As he put her in her cage he remembered how awful it had been to have to feed her through the bars and to not be able to hold and pet her beautiful feathers the previous summer. How guilty he had felt that he couldn't let her out to fly. That wasn't going to happen again.
Harry searched the train until he found Lee Jordan. Since Jordan was best friends with the twins there was a good chance they had taught him how to pick locks.
"Hey Harry! What's up?" asked Jordan.
Harry looked around the compartment at the other fourth years. "Could I talk to you for a minute? Alone."
"Sure Harry." The two found an empty compartment. "What's going on?"
"The twins helped me with a lock once. The muggle way. I was wondering if they taught you how to pick locks and if so, could you teach me?" Harry looked hesitantly at Jordan.
Jordan smiled, "I was the one that taught them! Useful skill that. Do you have something we could use to practice on?"
Harry spent the next two hours learning and practicing how to pick locks. Jordan was entertaining to be around and he was a great teacher. Harry spent the rest of the ride playing Exploding Snap and chess with Jordan and his friends. He might as well have fun while he had the chance. Being at the Dursleys' certainly wasn't going to be fun.
The Train Station and Dinner
Harry exited platform 9 and 3/4 to find Uncle Vernon waiting for him. "Here, I'll carry that." Harry jolted backward as his Uncle reached forward and took hold of Hedwig's cage. "You must be hungry after that ride. Where would you like to go? McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King?"
Harry just gawked and swiveled his head. Was someone watching them? Monitoring his Uncle's behavior? Causing him to be nice? This had to be a joke.
Vernon just turned and walked away carrying Hedwig. "Come along, the car is just over here." Vernon carefully put Hedwig's cage on the backseat. "Here, I'll put that in the boot for you." Vernon lifted Harry's trunk and put it in the boot. "So, what place did you decide on for dinner?"
Harry looked at his Uncle like he was insane. What was going on? His Uncle had never helped him with anything before and had certainly never offered him a choice of what to eat. On the rare occasion the Dursleys had brought home a hamburger from McDonald's for him, but he had never had French fries or Taco Bell. Harry decided to take advantage of his uncle's odd behavior while it lasted. "Could we get fries at McDonald's and the rest of the meal at Taco Bell?"
And that is what they did. The hot, crisp, salty fries were one of the best foods Harry had ever tasted. When he grew up he was going to eat McDonald's fries every week. At Taco Bell Harry ordered a burrito supreme and a Pepsi. The burrito burst with flavors and he loved how the Pepsi fizzed. Maybe he could start a petition to have fast food night at Hogwarts. Though, he'd have to find a way to get samples of the food to the pure bloods, otherwise they would never sign. Maybe the twins could help.
Privet Drive & A Letter for Mr. Fuss
Vernon's politeness continued when they arrived at Privet Drive. He carried Harry's trunk up to his room while Harry carried Hedwig. "Good night Harry." Vernon exited the room, shutting the door, but not locking it. Harry flopped down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. What the hell was going on?
Harry heard a crinkling sound below the pillow, reached under and found a letter.
Dear Mr. Fuss,
Your new wardrobe is in the drawer under your bed.
Harry stopped reading, leaned over the side of the bed and lifted the blanket. Sure enough, there was a drawer. Harry rolled to the floor and pulled it open. Inside he found t-shirts and jeans as well as socks and undergarments. Harry quickly pulled off Dudley's old shirt and his school slacks which he had been wearing. Harry put on the top shirt, a blue and green stripped one, and a pair of the jeans. Then he rushed into the loo to see himself in the mirror. Harry grinned. His first new clothes that weren't a school uniform! Harry tore through the rest of the clothes, trying on outfit after outfit and running to the mirror to see how they looked.
"What's that racket?" called Petunia, "If you don't stop running around up there I'll lock your door."
"I'll stop, Aunt Petunia. Sorry."
Harry went back to his room and quietly shut the door. At the back of the drawer Harry found a new pair of black pajama bottoms and a Star Wars shirt with Yoda on the front levitating Luke's x-wing. He put them on and then snuggled back on his bed to finish his letter. It felt so good to wear clothes that hadn't previously been worn by his cousin.
There is a button on the side of the box. Press it to switch to the food section. You should find a menu inside. You now have an account with Edesia's Cafe Diem. You can order up to three meals a day, including a small desert with lunch and dinner.
Harry pressed the button and found the menu.
Edesia's Cafe Diem
Please put a check next to the items you wish to order, then place the menu back in the drawer. We'll buzz you when it is ready.
Tonight's Dinner Selections
Roast beef with potatoes and carrots
Chicken soup and a roll
Fried Cod with rice and broccoli
Desserts
A brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel topping
Apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Harry put a check next to apple pie and put the menu in the box. Harry sat on the floor and waited. A few minutes later the box vibrated briefly and gave a slight buzz. Harry opened the drawer to find a slice of apple pie with lattice crust and a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. Harry savored every bite. When he finished he placed the used plate back in the drawer and shut it. He opened the drawer again and found the plate had vanished. He then pressed the button and checked the drawer again just to make sure his new clothes were still there.
Harry climbed back up on to the bed and continued his letter.
New locks have been installed on your door. One makes it so if your relatives lock you in the door will seem locked from their side, but will still open from your side. The other will make it so you can lock your door to prevent others from entering. The key is in the pocket of one of your new pair of jeans.
This was something that needed to be tested. What if the writer of the letter was wrong and the Dursley's locks did still keep him in? Harry bit his lip and glanced at the door. Only one way to find out. Besides, if he did get locked in at least he had food this time and the ability to let Hedwig out.
Harry stepped into the hall and slammed his door. Then he jogged down to his cousin's room and opened and slammed it. Luckily Dudley was still at Smetlings. Next was the door to the guest room.
"That is it! Get in your room. This instant." Petunia marched up the stairs, took ahold of her nephew's arm and led him to his room. "Get in." She then bolted the door from the outside. Harry waited until Petunia's footsteps faded away, then he carefully turned the knob. The door opened! No more being locked in! He might still have to pretend to be locked in from time to time, but knowing that he could get out if he needed to made a huge difference.
Harry returned to the letter.
Tomorrow your aunt will be taking you to the Y to get you a membership.
"Yeah, right!" thought Harry. Then he remembered his Uncle's odd behavior that evening, "Maybe?" considered Harry.
If your parents were still alive they would have paid for you to participate in certain activities. I have left you a debit card for you to use. It is connected to your Gringotts vault. Pick two of the club activities offered by the gym and use the debit card to pay for them and any supplies you need for participating in the activities.
Harry wondered what kinds of activities the Y offered and if his Aunt would actually get him a membership.
If James were alive he would have spoiled you rotten. Lily was more sensible and would have limited your weekly allowance.
Harry teared up and re-read those two lines several times. Information on his parents. He still knew so little about them that he cherished every ounce he discovered.
I am setting your allowance at 12 pounds or 2 galleons, 1 sickle and 3 knuts a week. You can choose to spend your allowance or save it up to buy something more expensive. You may use the debit card for your allowance money but you will be held accountable for your savings and spendings. Use the grid on the back of this page to keep track of what you save and what you spend.
Do not fret over the money being used from your account. You are the sole survivor of the Potter line and its only inheritor. You have more money than you could find ways to spend, but you will not do so. I will not allow you to become a spoiled, arrogant twit.
I expect a weekly letter informing me of your activities and expenditures.
Sincerely,
S.S.
It finally fully registered that it had been Snape that had done all this for him. Subconsciously he had already known, but he hadn't wanted to think too hard on it. It just didn't sit well that the bat of the dungeons was taking care of him. Getting paddled had hurt but had also made him feel for the first time like there was an adult that cared if he risked his life. The Dursleys never cared if he was in danger, in fact they probably hoped that some fatal accident would befall him. The professors at school actually gave him rewards each time he risked his life. Snape had been the only one to put his foot down and say you will not willingly endanger yourself. It felt good to know an adult cared if he lived even if his backside had paid dearly for it. Now that same man had seen to it that Harry had new clothes, plenty to eat, a way to get out of his room, an allowance and, presumably, a membership to the Y.
Harry sat reading and re-reading the letter. Then he took Hedwig out of her cage. "Hi girl. Things are looking up." Hedwig cooed while Harry gently ran his finger across her feathers.
Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, reviewed or simply read and enjoyed! Next chapter: A Trip to the Y