Don't Own
Please R&R
This wasn't the story I intended to work on when I originally sat down at my desk but it just sort of came to me
Enjoy!
…
"Are you ready?" Snape asked.
"Yes" all three Gryffindors replied.
Snape gave a curt nod and then apparated them to Diagon Alley.
Harry stumbled as he landed and was surprised when Snape gently reached out to steady him. He tried not to let the shock show on his face now that they were out in public, he didn't want to go ruining their cover.
As Snape withdrew his hand from Harry's shoulder, Harry looked around. Snape had apparated them right next to Gringotts.
"I just need to run into the bank," Snape told them "Come along."
Hermione who had been standing beside Harry quickly moved to Snape's side and grasped his hand with her tiny fingers "Yes Daddy" she said.
If Snape was surprised by her actions he didn't show it, instead he tightened his lax grip on Hermione's hand and then began walking towards the bank.
Ron and Harry seemed to be in shock for they just stood and watched.
Snape stopped before he got to the steps of the bank and turned to look at them "Ben, Gabe, come along."
Ron snapped out of his shock first, he grinned at Harry and then he gave the other boy a shove before he ran to catch up with Snape and Hermione.
"Hey!" Harry yelped as he almost lost his balance, then he ran after him.
Harry ran up the steps and through the door, he came to a halt as he crashed into Snape's non-moving legs.
Snape turned and glared at him "There's no running indoors Gabe, you know that."
"Sorry" Harry muttered.
Snape nodded and then turned and faced forward.
When Harry looked around he realized that most of the people who were in the bank were staring at them. He felt shy at their curious looks and felt uncomfortable since he didn't know what to do.
Then Harry remembered Snape's words from earlier that day 'Just relax and let the potion guide your emotions and actions.'
'Right' Harry thought as he closed his eyes and let himself totally relax. When he opened his eyes again he realized that Snape, Hermione and Ron had already started moving father into the bank.
Harry let out a tiny squeak and raced forward since that's what his instincts told him to do. Once he was right next to Snape he reached up and wrapped his tiny fingers in Snape's robes.
Snape looked down at him but didn't say anything.
"Daddy?" Hermione whispered and Snape moved his gaze to Hermione "Are those…" Hermione gulped "are those goblins?"
Snape looked up at the angry faced goblin they were approaching and felt Hermione's hand tighten in his "Yes," he said, gently squeezing Hermione's hand in his "but don't be scared, they won't hurt you."
"Are you sure?" Hermione whispered, her voice small and scared.
"Yes," Snape assured her.
Harry fidgeted slightly as he too looked up at the Goblins, they seemed much scarier at the moment than they had the first time Harry had seen them with Hagrid, he unconsciously moved closer to Snape.
Snape waited in line patiently for one of the Goblins to be free to assist him, there wasn't much of a line but the bank had quite a few people milling around.
They all seemed to be casting glances at them and Harry began to feel self-conscious. Without thinking he raised his hand to his forehead where his scar would have been if it weren't for the disguise.
Snape must have seen his action for he, using the hand that he wasn't holding Hermione's with, reached over and took Harry's hand in his, pulling the boy closer to him.
Harry looked up at him and gave him a worried look, he was afraid that he had already blown their cover.
Snape seemed to give him a reassuring look, though the expression looked odd on his face, he then gave Harry's hand a squeeze and looked away.
It was weird, Harry truly did feel comforted by Snape's reassurance, and he began to relax a bit.
Harry looked over at Ron. The other boy was standing with his head back, staring up at the ceiling, his mouth was hanging open.
Harry looked up too, to see what Ron was staring at; he didn't find anything very interesting with the ceiling. It was high vaulted, and there seemed to be at least a hundred lanterns floating above them, but there wasn't anything special, though Ron still seemed mesmerised.
Harry shook his head and turned back to Snape. The line was finally moving and Snape pulled him and Hermione along towards one of the Goblins who called them forward.
Harry followed without hesitation. He looked back at Ron to see that his friend had snapped out of his daze and was hurriedly following them.
The Goblin peered at Snape "Mister Snape, what can I do for you today?" he asked.
Snape let go of Harry's hand for a moment and reached into his pocket "I would like to make a withdrawal from the Prince vault" Snape said handing the Goblin the key before taking Harry's hand in his again.
The Goblin gave a simple nod as he looked over the key "Very well," he said "I will have Ragwin take you down to your vault." The Goblin then gestured over to another Goblin who Harry guessed was Ragwin.
"Thank you," Snape said, then he looked back at Ron and said "Come along Ben."
Ron nodded his head and followed the group.
Ragwin lead them to the carts that would lead them down to Snape's vault.
Hermione stopped as they reached the edge and grasped Snape's hand tightly "I don't…" she trailed off "Do we have to go in that?"
"It's okay Riley," Snape said "it's not that far and you'll be safe."
Ron on the other hand gleamed when he saw the cart "Cool" he said.
Hermione still looked scared and Ragwin looked annoyed "Perhaps you should come back, when you don't have the young ones with you?" he suggested.
Snape shot him one of his most deathly glares and the Goblin seemed to realize his mistake, he looked away.
"Come on Ry," Ron said as he took Hermione's other hand in his own "It will be fun."
Finally Hermione nodded.
Ron smiled and hopped into the cart, Harry followed him, though he did so a little more carefully, and finally Snape helped Hermione in and they were all sitting down.
Ragwin got in last and the cart started to move.
Hermione cuddled into Snape's side as the cart flew down into the underbelly of the bank. Harry placed a hand on her arm to comfort her but he was just as excited as Ron was as they went lower and lower.
It seemed the Prince vault was even farther underground than the Potter vault as they seemed to just keep going.
Ron awed in amazement as they flew though the tunnels.
Finally they came to a stop and made their way out of the cart, Hermione on wobbly legs. Snape gently guided her to the vault as Ron and Harry followed.
When the vault was opened Harry's mouth practically dropped open. He had never seen a bigger vault in his life, his paled in comparison to this one, and that was saying something.
"Whoa…" Ron said quietly, looking at all the gold.
Snape stepped away from Hermione for a moment to walk into the vault and put some of the money into a pouch that he pulled out of his pocket.
Then he swiftly turned back around and gave a nod to Ragwin "Alright, let's go."
Hermione wasn't any more pleased to get into the cart again as she had been the first time, but she did so without protest.
Soon they were out of the cart and making their way out of the bank.
Hermione seemed to be relieved and she let out a deep breath "Daddy, where are we going now?" she asked.
Snape looked around "I thought we'd go get some lunch, how does that sound?"
"Awesome!" Ron said with a grin, "Where to?"
"I was thinking we would go to the Leaky Cauldron" Snape said.
Ron grinned and then gave Harry a shove "Race you there?" he said and began running.
Snape looked annoyed while Harry looked lost.
"Benjamin, don't go too far ahead!" Snape called out.
Ron stopped where he was and looked back "Yes dad," he said and then looked to Harry "aren't you coming?"
Harry had a flashback to a time when he had been out with the Dursleys. They had gone to a mall and were reluctant to take him but Mrs. Figg hadn't been able to watch him so they had no choice. Harry had been so excited, he never got to go anywhere with the Dursleys. When they got to the mall the first place Dudley wanted to go to was the toy store and of course Dudley always got what he wanted so that's where they went. Once they were there Harry had excitedly looked around at all of the toys, he was sure he had only looked away from the Dursleys for a moment but when he turned back they were gone. There had been so many people around and Harry ran through the toy store frantically looking for them. When he didn't find them he ran out into the mall where there were even more people around, they walked and bumped into him, and Harry was so scared. Finally someone that worked in the mall was able to help him find the Dursleys by using the loud speaker.
Harry shook the memory away but then looked around at all the people in Diagon Alley and his chest tightened with fear. Harry shook his head violently and grabbed Snape's free hand, walking close to him.
Ron shrugged and continued on ahead.
Harry was staring at his feet and didn't catch the confused look Snape threw at him.
…
When they got to the Leaky Cauldron a waiter came and seated them at a booth. He brought over three kids menus and a normal menu, and then walked away to give them some time to decide on what they wanted.
Ron eagerly opened his menu and looked down at it.
Harry opened his menu more slowly and looked at the pictures of the dishes.
"What would you three like?" Snape asked picking up Hermione's menu "Let's see, the lunch special is Grilled Cheese with French Fries, or how about Chicken Fingers?"
Ron seemed to drool at the suggestion "Mmh…can I get Mac and Cheese?" he asked with a grin.
Snape looked down at the menu "Of course," he said and then looked to Harry and Hermione; they were both looking at Harry's menu.
"Uh I'd like the Chicken Fingers," Harry said quietly.
"Me too" Hermione said.
Snape gave a slight nod and then waved the waiter over. He ordered for them, while ordering a chicken salad for himself, and ordered them all chocolate milk to drink.
Once the waiter left they grew into an uncomfortable silence, though there weren't many people in the pub so Harry wasn't too worried.
Harry looked around the room, unconsciously twisting the bracelet on his right arm.
Hermione, who Harry guessed seemed to think it was too quiet, looked up at Snape and said "Those carts at the bank were scary…why do they need em anyway?"
Snape looked over at her, though it was obviously a question that they all already knew, Snape seemed to be pleased to have something to talk about.
"They're there to help protect the wizards' vaults Riley," he explained "Only Goblins can operate the carts, and there is no other way to get to the vaults."
"Ohh…" Hermione said with a thoughtful expression, Harry thought that if they had been muggles Hermione would have made a good actress. "Well I still don't like them!"
Snape chuckled, and Harry found that the sound still seemed weird to him.
"Well we don't have to use them again anytime soon" Snape said.
"Good, because I think you should do as that Goblin said next time and come back without us." Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Snape's look darkened "That Goblin didn't know his place; we had every right to take our time, especially since you were fearful."
Hermione narrowed her eyes "He was only trying to help!" she said, her protectiveness of all creatures, kicking in.
Harry bit his lip; he had a feeling this was going to turn ugly.
"He had no right to suggest that to us Riley, do you understand me?" Snape said.
Hermione looked like she was going to argue but then she thought better of it. She gave a stiff nod and then crossed her hands over her chest, and sat broodingly.
Snape continued to glare but didn't press the issue.
Harry fidgeted uncomfortably; he didn't like the tension at the table.
Just when they began to drift back into silence again, Ron let out a groan and whined "I'm bored, when's the food gonna get here?"
This did not improve Snape's mood "Don't whine Benjamin, it's not polite, I'm sure the food will be here soon."
Ron looked tempted to continue to complain but Harry decided to jump in before the tension at the table could get even more uncomfortable.
"Um…" he said and Snape looked over at him, still glaring "Where are we gonna go after this?"
Snape let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose "I had been planning to get some potions ingredients but I think we might have had enough of an outing for today. We can always return on the weekend."
"Oh," Harry said "What are we gonna do when we get back to the mansion?"
"I didn't have any plans, I'm sure you could find something to amuse yourselves" Snape said.
"Will you be working on your potions?" Harry wasn't sure why he was asking but this was the first real conversation he thought he had ever had with Snape, without them yelling at each other and the questions just seemed to come to him.
"I will probably work on them at some point today, yes" Snape said.
Harry nodded and looked over at Hermione who was still brooding "What potion are you working on?" Harry asked.
"Well," Snape said "I have been working on all the potions that the infirmary needs me to brew. I always take the summer to restock them, and Merlin knows the infirmary needs them."
"Is it hard?" Harry asked.
Snape gave him a questioning look.
"To get it all done in the summer?" Harry added.
"No, not really, I quite enjoy it" Snape answered.
They continued the conversation until their food came. Harry tried to make himself sound like a six year old would. When he had been six he had never really had experience with others since the Dursleys left him in his cupboard most of the time. So he didn't know how much of a conversation a six year old could really have, but Snape didn't seem worried so he thought he must not be doing too badly.
Hermione was still a bit grouchy while they ate their lunch but after Snape snapped at her for acting immature, Hermione seemed to snap out of it.
Ron was just happy he had food.
When they were done with lunch, Snape ordered them all ice cream, which was a surprise, but it seemed to put them all in a better mood.
"Hmm," Snape said as they walked out of the Leaky Cauldron "maybe we should go get the potion ingredients now after all, unless you three are too tired?"
All three of them shook their heads and then followed Snape.
They made their way to the Apothecary, Snape warning them not to touch anything, and they were in and out rather quickly.
As they walked out of the store Harry stopped for a moment as he looked across the street. He stared at the Owl Emporium and wondered for a moment how Hedwig was doing, he had left her at the castle for the summer because he had been worried the Dursleys wouldn't have let her out of her cage.
"Gabe!"
Harry turned around and realized that while he had been staring Snape, Hermione and Ron had started walking away; they were now half way down the street. They were stopped because Snape seemed to be talking to two witches who had stopped him.
Afraid of being left behind Harry began running towards the group.
When he was almost there he tripped on the cobblestones and fell, his hands coming forward instinctively to protect him. He landed on the ground with a thud and winced as he felt his hands scrap against the ground.
Harry looked up when he heard a woman gasp and then footsteps coming towards him, Snape was walking over to him, a glare on his face. Harry bit his lip as he went to push himself up and then hissed as his palms stung with pain.
Snape kneeled down to gently help him up. Harry closed his eyes tightly 'act like a six year old' he thought to himself. Tears gathered in his eyes and he looked up at Snape as the man helped him up. The two women and Ron and Hermione had also come over.
"I'm sorry Sir," Harry said in a pathetic voice and then his eyes widened as Snape stiffened beside him. He had just called Snape Sir, in front of two strangers!
"Sir?" one of the woman commented, surprise evident in her voice.
Snape picked Harry up in his arms and Harry instinctively tucked his head in the nape of Snape's neck. Snape ran a hand over Harry's head in a comforting motion, though the pressure was a bit harder than it needed to be.
"He was the most attached to his mother," Snape supplied, almost in a whisper "He's still getting used to the change; it's been hard on him."
He was playing the sympathy card and thankfully it worked.
One of the women looked like she was tearing up, while the other gave Snape an understanding look "Oh the poor dear," she stated "of course it would be hard on him." She shook her head "Such an awful thing to happen to a child, and at such a young age."
Snape gave a nod "I really don't mean to be rude, but I should get them home, we've all had a long day."
"Oh yes, yes of course," the woman said, giving Harry another sad look "See you around Severus."
The two women walked away.
Snape tightened his hold on Harry "We are going home, now" he grunted. He took Hermione's hand, and Hermione took Ron's hand, and then they apparated away.