A/N Hullo peeps! Sorry that I haven't updated in sooooo long... it's just that...homework sucks, you know? And people, as much as your fam wants to, NEVER EVER MOVE SCHOOLS OR HOUSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRICKING YEAR... IT WILL CAUSE YOU A LOT OF BACK PAIN...and neck pain, but mostly back pain... Pls forgive me, peeps. Life is difficult, but I won't give up on this fanfic just yet...not yet... I have some ideas for some other fanfics already, but I won't start on them until I'm at least sure that this story is stable, on wheels, and on its imaginary track, already set off and running... so, eh, um, yeah. That's pretty much it for now... oh yeah, I made this chapter slightly longer than the others, and I hope that this is a bit more descriptive than the others...
DISCLAIMER TIME! ALRIGHT PEEPS, TIME TO GET HYPED UP. I, DEADLY DRACONIS37, DO NOT OWN THE HARRY POTTER FANDOM IN ANYWAY. AND ALL CREDITS TO J.K. ROWLING! ALTHOUGH THE CLICHES IN THIS STORY ARE FROM MY BRAIN, THE ROOTS OF THE CHARACTERS, BACKSTORIES AND THE OTHER STUFF ALL BELONG TO THE HARRY POTTER FANDOM, AND THUS, J.K. ROWLING...
I hope that that was a good enough disclaimer... yay! And now, onto the story!
By the way, please R&R (read and review)! Any holes in my storyline, please point it out, and for those who enjoy researching on Pottermore or about certain characters, please point out anything that don't make sense. I'll then try to explain it out in my next chapter or fix it up a little, best to my abilities!
God dammit. I am so frickin forgetful!
SHOUT OUTS TO MY REVIEWERS (I'M REALLY SORRY FOR FORGETTING THIS... PUMPKIN CAKES TO EVERYONE THAT I FORGOT ABOUT... SORRY!) :
LGilbert1982
aliciasellers75
Maaikex
adenoide
Snow Leopard Pasha
Lonley Fox Spirit
Rebecca
And... I would add Guest... But that can be practically anyone... D:
For those peeps who're interested, here's the word count... Word Count for this chapter: 7,963 words... woah... damnnnnnn that's alot... my fingers are dying by now..ugh...gahhh. fine. I'll stop stalling you guys from reading the story now... hahhahaahha bai then! See ya guys at the end of the chapter! :P
Anyways, FINALLY... ONTO THE STORY!
Previous Chapter:
Drying my hands and hair with a towel, I changed into my nightclothes.
After checking on my occlumency shields, I fell into a satisfied sleep, oblivious to the road that I had opened for Harry by helping him today.
IGNORE ME... I'M JUST A LINE... NO MATTER...HAHAHHAHAAHAHAAH...IGNORE ME! WHAT DID I SAY FOR YOU TO DO?I SAID TO IGNORE MEEEEEEEE
Severus POV
Rise and shine, Severus. I thought to myself when I arose. Contrary to what the students may think, I do not wake up early just to catch student roaming the halls. Besides, it's the summer, and it's the potion brewing that does this to you.
Getting dressed, I apparated from my cottage and to Hogwarts, glaring at my fellow professors (who were already awake) as my greeting. Picking up my cup of black coffee on the way, I made my way to the Headmaster's Office.
Glaring at the suit of armor, it wordlessly let me in, knowing the consequences if it didn't.
I wasn't surprised to see Albus sitting at his desk marking papers. Looking up at me when I came in, he smiled. "Sit down, my boy. Lemon drop?" He asked me, already reaching for one.
When will he understand that no one wants lemon drops? I wondered incredulously. I declined, but stayed standing. Frowning at me, he leaned forward, hands clasped. "What did you want to talk to me about this early in the morning, my boy?"
"I am to pick up your Golden Boy and take him shopping? Yes?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at the task.
Face taking on features of recognition, he clapped brightly. "Oh yes! Harry Potter, I'm afraid I haven't recieved his letter for Hogwarts yet. " Eyes twinkling, there seemed to be something else in there though…
"Yes, you haven't received it because I left his letter on your desk when I returned from his nest." Nodding stiffly as I did.
"I'll find it, don't worry." Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I performed a simple accio, and the letter flew out from under the pile of papers.
"There it is, Headmaster. I shall see you in the afternoon, after my meeting and shopping spree with Mr. Potter." Sneering at the name, I turned and left the room wordlessly.
At the Dursleys
Knocking on the beige door, I waited impatiently for someone to open it. After 5 minutes of standing outside, Walrus finally opened it, bleary eyed, but still glaring at me. Looking around outside warily, he spat at me. "Come inside before you infect this neighbourhood with your freakiness."
Walking in after him, I went directly upstairs to where Harry was staying. Knocking on his door, I heard a tired "Yes?". "Professor Snape."
Upon hearing that, I heard a bunch of things falling, the child stumbling I presumed. Harry opened the door, hair messed up, glasses crooked, and sweatpants almost falling off. Asdref slithering after Harry quickly, still in his form of a garter.
"Hello sir. Have you come pick me up for Diagon Alley?"
"Of course, you dunderhead. Are there any other reasons why I would be here, in a muggle neighbourhood, in Petunia Dursley's house?"
"... Good point."
Scoffing, "Of course it's a good point. I am not a teacher for nothing." Seeing his condition, I sighed. "Get dressed. We will be going before all the other wizarding families go out for Harry Potter Day. Honestly."
"There's a holiday named after me?" Face screwed up, repulsed by the thought of it.
"Of course not, are you that vain, child? They treat it like that. The only reason that it's not officially called Harry Potter Day is because that they'll need your specific permission for it. Now get dressed."
Closing Harry's door for him, I waited outside his room, standing perfectly still. About 2 minutes later, Harry exited his chamber in a pair of loose jeans, dirty sneakers, a blue shirt, a stringy sweater on top, and Asdref in his hair.
Looking at the selection of clothes disdainfully, I transfigured them into a cloak, black robes, black trousers, a dark green dress shirt, and a pair of proper shoes.
"Asdref, please do get yourself out of Mr. Potter's hair. It is already a rat's nest, there is no need to make it even worse." I stated blandly.
Stalking downstairs, Walrus was in front of the television, stuffing his face with crisps. "Do not expect Mr. Potter to be back until late afternoon."
Once Harry and I were outside at the park, surrounded by trees where no one could see us, I stretched my arm out.
"Hold onto my arm. I will be apparating us to Knockturn Alley." Harry complied, and I focused on the scene of Knockturn Alley, imagining that we were there, I felt a pull in my gut, and off we went.
3rd Person POV
In the middle of Knockturn Alley, Harry Potter and Severus Snape appeared. The child stumbled before face-planting on the cold cobblestone.
"Well that sucked." Harry mumbled at the ground, lying there. Rolling his eyes, Severus pulled the back of his cloak not-so gently, setting him on his feet.
[Geez. And not even caring about the snake stuck inside your sleeve. Honestly! Do warn your local snake when you'll be doing that again!]
Severus ignored the hissing, while Harry stroked his left inner arm in comfort.
"First of all, we would be retrieving your wand first. We will be going to a wand shop in here, Knockturn Alley and not in Ollivander's as they have ministry trackers and does not give you your very best potential. Here, they are custom-made, so your wand will practically be in perfect sync with your magical prowess.
Do not go into a shop without me or my consent, do not talk to anyone suspicious looking, do not touch anything in the shops unless you have my direct permission, as they will most likely harm your person, and that is all for now."
"Does that mean I'm not supposed to talk to you?" Harry asked cheekily. Glaring at the child, the professor turned briskly and walked off into a random direction, leaving Harry to stumble after him. After a few moments later, they stood before and entered a worn down store. Inside, was a counter, and behind, endless amount of drawers.
When they entered the store, it took a while for the owner to show up, which was understandable once they saw the old man. Severus stood there, patiently waiting for him to speak, as Harry peered around the store, though there was not much to look at other than the dusty paintings, abandoned at a corner of the store.
"Welcome to my store." Came a raspy voice behind the counter. There stood a man with half-mooned glasses, a weathered face, and robes that has clearly seen better days. "I am Joseph Thyrsos." Studying the two before him carefully," Now which one of you young men are going to get your wand at this fine establishment?" Grimacing, Severus gestured towards Harry.
Hesitantly, Harry stepped forward slightly, but the old man grinned disarmingly. Well, to Harry it was a mouth full of yellowed teeth. Wincing from the smell, he quickly asked him, " So, how do you go about this? Choosing the wand and stuff? Like, do you go around a choose a mixture of wands, and just lemme choose?"
Joseph shook his head. " I'm afraid the process here isn't all that easy, my boy. Sure, perhaps at that crazy old Ollivanders, but not here. Here," At this, he spread his arms, gesturing at his store. "We have a grand variety of wand cores, an even greater collection of wood!"
Staggering to the back of the store, he paused and looked back at Severus and Harry. "Well whatcha waiting for? Come back here so you can choose your wand!" Instantly, the pair followed after the old man.
"C'mere!" Joseph cried out from inside the store, somehow way ahead of Harry and the professor. When they finally caught up, they found themselves inside a colourful room, shelves full of boxes, and in the middle, a table with an assortment of gadgets. Banishing the table and the gadgets, Joseph grinned lightly.
"Now, close your eyes, no peeking. Close your eyes, and feel your magic. Just go ahead and grab whatever box you feel the most drawn to. Choose one on the right wall, and another on the left wall. Take the ones that you feel the strongest pull towards. Well? Go ahead my boy!"
Looking back at Severus nervously, the professor rolled his eyes and told him to go ahead. With that, Harry closed his eyes and walked towards the left wall, face scrunched up in concentration, "Can I have a ladder please?" Excitedly, the owner fetched him a stepladder, and watched as Harry's hand glided across the boxes, stopping at each one. "Brat, do hurry up."
Finally, after a suspenseful 5 minutes, Harry finally decided on a box, choosing the one on the fourth last row, but with a dusty top that showed it to have stayed there for a pretty long time.
Opening his eyes, "What did I get?" He asked eagerly. Joseph opened the box and widened his eyes. "Well of course! This lad got solidified basilisk venom! It is one of the rarest cores, but it is also used mainly in dark magic. But, matters aside, Choose the wood!" The man exclaimed excitedly.
"But what if I felt a core that I was just as drawn to, before?" Harry blurted out, face pink.
Blinking, the owner replied just as rapidly. " Then go ahead and get it! There's no point in creating a wand that's not complete!"
Nodding quickly, Harry stumbled towards the stepladder, hands gliding once again over the boxes, before settling on one around the top. Grabbing it carefully, he rushed down in front of Joseph, handing it over with Severus's watchful eye.
Opening the second box, Joseph smiled as if he just came across a gun next to a sleeping and defenseless Voldemort. Oh. Too dark? Too much? Fine, something more like, he just came across proof that Lucius Malfoy was actually a ballerina in muggle London.
"Well, this makes much more sense. A griffin's plume. This is used mainly in light magic, so it should balance out your use of dark and light magic." Looking at the feather in awe, he put it back in carefully. "Now, continue on!" Smiling brightly, yet still oblivious to Harry's cringe at his teeth.
Closing his eyes once again, Harry made his way to the right wall, raising his hand to prepare feeling the magic. But strangely, there didn't seem to be any that he was drawn to. Confused, he asked the owner if there were any other woods.
Shaking his head, "I'm afraid not, child. Perhaps it's at the top again?" Not sure that was why, but Harry frowned slightly, but agreed nonetheless. Severus was still by the side, watching them, interrupting them, "Rather than searching at the top, are you sure that you don't happen to have any other woods? Perhaps in hiding?" He drawled out, eyeing the man suspiciously.
Ignoring the professor's obvious suspicion, the Joseph shook his head. "I would've remembered had there been any other ones.
While they've been talking, Harry took the stepladder himself, and reached his hand up to the top shelf. Feeling for any boxes, he felt something rather wrinkly beneath his fingertips. Wondering if this was it, he pulled it out from the shelf carefully, not wanting to break it.
Pulling it out, and setting it in his palm, he screamed a high-pitched screech, eyes wide, and threw the rotting hand on the ground, alarming the two. Wiping his hands on his pants in disgust, "What the bloody hell was that doing in a wand shop?!" Still alarmed from the hand, which was now on the ground.
Fiddling with his glasses, Joseph chuckled nervously. "Oh, I haven't cleaned these shelves in a while, and this hand was actually one of my brothers. He thought it was a good idea to hide his body parts in my shop, and preserve it. Haven't got around to finding and disposing them yet. So you saved me from the trouble, laddie." Banishing the rotting hand, the owner gave Harry a handkerchief, to clean his hand of any grime, dust, or blood. Wiping his hands, he gave it back, "Thanks."
And with that, Harry reluctantly climbed back on the stepladder, preparing his nerves for another abnormality. But this time, instead of reaching his hand inside, he kept his hand in front of the shelf, seemingly scanning for anything that his magic reacted to. Feeling a spike in his magic, he slowly reached his hand into the shelf, grabbing something that he was sure was a box, took it out and set it in his palm. Opening his eyes carefully, he sighed in relief when it wasn't another body part.
Knowing that this was it, Harry hopped off the stepladder, and handed it to the owner, visibly excited. "So? What is it?" He blurted out before the owner could even open it. "Calm down you brat. This is your wand wood we're examining, not an ordinary stick. So be patient." Rolling his eyes, Severus grumbled about 'imprudent brats ruining his day'.
Chuckling, the hand already forgotten. " Now, laddie. This is a beaut, English Oak. Merlin's wand was rumoured to be made of this type of wood. You must have been acquainted with magic herself already, it's either that or that your magical core must be recognising the magic around you already….." Looking up at Harry in awe, whereas Severus was amused as to how close Joseph was to the truth.
Oblivious to the professor's amusement, he continued on. "Combine these three, this will turn out to be a wand for a very very powerful wizard… But it will only last so long…. It should last for about five or six years, yes? So, the longest it will last with a powerful wizard using it, about six years. So, if you're going to Hogwarts, you should come back during the summer of year 6. Come back and I will make you a staff. Or else your magic will, how do muggles say it? Ah, Haywire. Else your magic will go haywire without a proper conductor. Or you can learn wandless..."
At this point, the owner was muttering about tweaking the cores and wood so that it would last longer, lest we didn't have the time. "Oh yes! You two! This will cost about 13 galleons, since this is custom-made, but since you will require a staff in the future, I'll lower it to 10 galleons."
Severus shook his head, yet before he could say anything, Harry piped up, interrupting his professor. "Oh, no thanks. We don't need a discount, since you've been so nice to us. Also, since you said that the basilisk venom and griffin plume were rare, I feel like we need to pay you a bit more." Smiling sheepishly as the professor glared at Harry for interrupting him, but otherwise, ignored him.
"As the brat said, we would be willing to pay more due to the rarer cores used in the wand. And also due to the fact that we would be required 2 holsters with the special charms. I trust that you have them?" Raising his eyebrow again.
"Of course I do, what do you take me for?" Joseph looked a tad offended at this, "Which charms would you like on the holsters?"
"We will require and holster that allows only the user to be able to take the wand out, that cannot be damaged, and that can be hidden easily." As Severus listed the requirements, Joseph jotted them down, and went to the back storage to take the ones that had the charms, then took them out on the counter.
On the counter were three holsters. There was a light grey one with purple markings, a black one with silver linings and markings, and a simple dark brown holster. " This one," Pointing at the light grey and purple one," has those charms, but including one that prevents a majority of any damage, such as stray spells, falls, water, and the such." Joseph holds up the black and silver one, "This one has those charms, but it will appear in the user's hand when they will it, or think it. But they'll need to practice willing it into their hand." And lastly, he held up the simple brown one, "And this one just has the charms that you required."
Nodding briskly, he asked, " Is there, or can you make one that is a mix of the first and second?" Joseph nodded before the question was even finished, but just reached under the counter for it, and came up with a black with golden linings and markings.
"Alright then. We will take this one, two of them. And you do require the blood in order for the holster to recognise the user, yes?" Severus asked, taking care of everything as Harry just watched on boredly. "Yes, so, laddie, can you place a few drops of blood in… this container?"
Perking up at the term and something to do, Harry nodded enthusiastically. Taking the knife, he made a small cut on his palm, held it over the vial, and watched as seven drops of blood dripped into the vial. Afterwards, he watched in fascination as his palm healed itself. Slow, but healing. "That's your magic there, looks like you're stronger than I thought." Said the owner, interrupting his thoughts.
Blushing when he realised that his professor and the owner were waiting for him to get his head out of the clouds, he paid attention. Watching (again) as the owner poured a few drops of his blood on one of the two holsters, it glowed for a second, then dimmed as it recognised its owner. Repeating what he did with the first one, the owner finished with the holsters, and handed it to the professor. And in return, Professor Snape handed him 35 galleons, somehow knowing how much the holsters cost without the owner even telling him. Handing the holsters to Harry, with the words of warning, " Do not drop or lose them."
"Come back in about three days, and I will have your wand. And, the wands should be… Oh my, I can't believe I forgot to ask, but what are your names? My memory is failing me, forgetting my manners already." Smiling at the old man, but looked at Severus first for permission, and nodded. Continuing to smile, " I'm Harry Potter, and this is my Potions Professor Snape." At this, Joseph paled slightly, but grinned good-heartedly. "Then I'm happy to make your acquaintance, young men. Have a nice day then! Come back for any repairs you need. See you in three days!"
Exiting the store, Severus and Harry were side by side, though Harry was slightly behind the man nonetheless.
[Well that was stuffy. Staying quiet and not talking is a very stressful task. You guys should try it one day.]
Just as Harry was about to respond Asdref's hisses, Severus interrupted.
"Not here, brat. There are people around here that mean you harm. But anyways, Hold on to your holsters for now. Actually, put them on. One on your left inner arm, and one on you right calf, on the side so that it's within easy reach. But when we reach Diagon Alley, we'll go to the Leaky Cauldron, and there, you'll put your holsters on. But, we'll still getting another wand from Ollivanders, so that it won't be suspicious that didn't get one from Ollivanders, rather than a wandmaker from Knockturn Alley. Got it?"
Harry nodded at the set of instructions. It was relatively easy to comprehend. Just put on the holsters at the place called the Leaky Cauldron. " By the way, professor, thank you for paying. I don't have any money, and Aunt Petunia didn't give me any… So I don't get how I will be paying for all my school supplies."
"It wasn't a problem. You can just pay me back once we get to Gringotts." At Harry's curious look, Severus quickly fell into teaching mode. " Gringotts is the Great Britain's Wizarding World's equivalent of a bank. It is run by goblins, and it is greatly protected. None would dare steal for Gringotts due to the protections, wards, and the creatures they place in certain vaults in order to protect the money. It was erected during the year of 1474, by their founder, a goblin called Gringotts. Hence the name, Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
"But the history aside, you have a fortune in the vaults, since your father," Sneering at the name, "was the last and sole heir of the Potters, an ancient and wealthy family. Combined with your mother, Lily's-" Here, his tone was softer. " family's fortune was added to it, though about half of it was probably given to Petunia." Sneering at the name again. After that, a pregnant silence stretched between them.
Once they got to the exit of Knockturn Alley, and the entrance of Diagon Alley, Severus tapped his wand on the bricks, but just as Harry was about to ask what he was doing, the brick fell apart to show a road, crowded with plenty of witches and wizards. Walking forward, through the archway that showed 'Diagon Alley'. Following his professor, but slower than usual due to his curiosity, looking around the place with wide eyes.
"Hurry up brat. We're not here to go sight-seeing. We will be going around Diagon Alley to retrieve your school supplies after we go to the Leaky Cauldron, then Gringotts." Ignoring the people's curious looks at the feared Potions Master with a child that looked no older than 9, Severus strode forward, hand on Harry's shoulder, steering him through the crowd.
In no time at all, they reached the Leaky Cauldron. Still striding confidently towards the counter, he called for Tom. When Tom reached him, Harry saw a old man, quite bald, but nonetheless, looked friendly. "Hello Tom, can we just have today's lunch special? For two."
The old man grinned, "Why hello, Severus. Ya never come around anymore. And who's this? You look no older than nine, m'boy!" Harry frowned. Do I really look that young? Guess I'm gonna need to eat more after all. "Oh. I'm eleven."
"My apologies then. Are you here to shop for school supplies with Professor Snape?" Nodding, Harry replied with a smile this time. "Of course! My muggle guardians would've never took me here!" Tom smiled back, " You still haven't introduced yourself yet. I'm Tom, the bartender here at the Leaky Cauldron."
"I'm Harry Potter." All it took were those three words that stopped the conversation around him and Tom. Inwardly, Severus groaned, not understanding why he didn't stop this earlier. After a few seconds of silence, Harry looked around in confusion, why did everyone stop talking and stared at him? Was it because of his name?
Upon Harry's emerald green eyes scanning the room, it broke out into chaos.
"HARRY POTTER! WE HAVE WAITED-"
"OH MY! DEAR, I HAVEN'T DRESSED UP FOR THIS OCCASION, DO GIVE-"
"HARRY POTTER IS HERE?! WHERE IS HE, HE MUST BE SO HEROIC, THOSE-"
" 'EY KIDDO. 'ELCOME TO DA VIZARDING VORLD. PLEASE VISIT MY SHOP FOR-"
"HARRY POTTER! THANK YOU, SAVING THE WIZARDING WORLD AND KILLING VOLDEMORT MUST BE SO TIRING, PLEASE STAY-"
"HARRY POTTER! C'MON! COME OVER HERE, I WAS ONE OF YOUR PARENT'S BUDDIES!"
"SUCH WONDERFUL NEWS, BUT-"
"EVERYBODY SHUT THEIR TRAPS!" Bellowed Severus, effectively shutting everyone in the bar up. "Now, Mr. Potter here will not be signing autographs or meeting his fan club. He is to be buying school supplies like any other first year. Now, excuse us. We were preparing to eat lunch until you bumbling buffoons interrupted us with your yells and screams of yearning." Turning back to Tom, he calmly asked "Can we have our lunch to go?" Whilst handing him nine sickles, and fifteen knuts. Tom nodded back, grinning at the professor's reaction to the crowd, not really surprised.
"WELL WHO ARE YOU TO TELL US WHAT TO DO? YOU SLIMY SNAKE, YOU'RE JUST A-"
"MEETING HARRY POTTER IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT, YOU SNAKE. JUST BECAUSE-"
"WELL TOO BAD. MAKE US STOP, HE'S HARRY POTTER FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!"
"Welcome back, Harry Potter. Beware the Wrackspurts, they're flying around your head." Said a soft voice at the front. Apparently the only voice that wasn't screaming at Severus or Harry.
Harry tilted his head when he heard the soft voice, ignoring everyone in the Leaky Cauldron, he searched the crowd for the voice until his eyes landed on a girl with platinum blonde hair, tied up in two pigtails, eyes staring dreamily at Harry. Unconsciously, Harry stood up, silencing the crowd, and pushed - well, everyone parted for him - his way towards the girl. Turns out, she was just at his shoulder.
"Hello. I'm -"
"Harry Potter, yes, I know. But beware the Wrackspurts. They stop you from thinking straight." Interrupted a voice that seemed to be in a dream-like trance, eyes matching the voice.
"Well, what's your name? You look nice." Harry tilted his head again at the girl, blushing slightly at the last part. Her father behind her, narrowed his eyes when he sensed the flirtations and the blush.
"Oh. I'm Luna Lovegood. This is my daddy behind me," Luna gestured at her father. "And he's the editor of The Quibbler." Many wizards and witches opened their mouths to criticise the newspaper. But before they could, Severus interrupted. "Potter, that is enough. Contrary to popular belief, the sun doesn't revolve around you. So we do need to finish purchasing your supplies, preferably sometime today, before nightfall."
"Oh yeah… Bye then, Luna. See you in Hogwarts?" Asking the younger girl hesitantly. But Luna shook her head lightly, "Oh no. Not this year. I'll be there next year! But I don't think you'll remember me by then. You will have probably already made many friends by then, forgetting about me."
Shaking his head in response, Harry quickly corrected her. "I wouldn't forget about you. SInce you're the only one that hasn't yelled at me today. Well, other than Professor Snape and Mr. Thyrsos. But, goodbye then! See you next year!" Waving at her enthusiastically in farewell, he walked back to his Professor, meeting his gaze. "So, are we going or not?" Being skipping out the bar, fully aware of the stares he was gaining.
Sighing inwardly, Severus replied, "Yes, we are." Before retrieving the food package from Tom, and heading out after Harry, leaving the silenced crowd behind them. Striding to where the boy was waiting for him, grin on his face, "Potter. We will be eating at Forlean Fortescue's, the Ice Cream Parlour. You may get an ice cream afterwards, but after lunch, we will be heading over to Gringotts, then Ollivanders."
Before long, Severus and Harry sat down at a table inside Forlean Fortescue's, Severus eating slowly, looking out the window,observing the witches and wizarding walking past, not even glancing at the snarky professor inside an ice cream store of all things! After Harry finished his lunch, he asked his professor, "Can I have ice cream now?" Sighing inwardly, the professor obliged. "What flavour?" "Chocolate." Harry replied instantly, a lopsided smile directed at Severus. Ordering the cold delight, the duo set off, Harry giddily licking his ice cream cone, following after Severus.
Not long after, they arrived before Gringotts. Whilst Severus strode right in, Harry walked slower, his eyes running over the wondrous pillars, unconsciously walking up the set of white stairs, eyes landing on a set of burnished doors. Entering after Professor, turns out they were in the entrance hall, and on the silver doors, were engraved:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, finally allowing himself to catch up to Severus. Raising his head to look behind the tall desks, he saw goblins! Well, not that he knew that they were goblins. "Professor, who are they?" He whispered, tugging at his professor's robes. "They are goblins, they talk in their language, known as Gobbledegook, and they are extraordinary metalsmiths, notable for their silverwork and they mint coins for wizarding currency. Which consists of galleons, sickles, knuts, there are 29 knuts in a sickle, and 17 sickles in a galleon. Goblins also have their own type of magic, and can perform magic without a wand, also called wandless magic. They are also a highly intelligent race, although often looked down upon by a majority of witches and wizards."
Harry nodded at this piece of information, filing it away for later in his mind. He was about to ask another question, before Severus addressed another man, with long platinum blond hair, expensive looking black robes, and a solid black cane with a silver snake's head on top, the tall man seemed to be caressing the top oddly. His face stoic, eyes emotionlessly dragging over the room, and lips set in a firm line. Only when Severus arrived in front of him did his face and body language change, features were warmer, and his body relaxed.
After studying the man, Harry realized that there were two more people behind him, a boy slightly taller than him, shining platinum blonde hair that ended at the neck, a small smug smirk, high cheekbones, and some baby fat on the cheeks. Beside the boy, was a tall, slim woman, with blonde and brown hair, high cheekbones, and a small warm smile set upon her face.
"Hello, Severus. How are you today?" The tall man addressed the professor, nodded slightly at the other man. "Hello, Lucius. Long time no see, I'm fine today. How are you and your family?" The normally tense man replied warmly. Though not before casting a silencing ward around the group, so that no one would be able to listen in. The rest of the interactions, Harry ignored, since he was too absorbed in the other boy. When the other boy caught his gaze, Harry tilted his head, and hoped that his eyes said 'Hi, who are you?' Instead of something else.
It seemed like it worked, because after a moment, a glint of recognition entered his eyes, and he nodded ever so slightly, his chin pointing in the direction of 'Lucius', telling Harry that he was there with the man, and probably his son. Harry nodded back slightly, showing him that he understood, whilst blowing some hair out of his eyes, declaring that he was bored with the interaction already. The other boy reacted with a small, barely visible shrug, showing that he was already used to these sorts of conversations.
As Harry eyed the other boy's hair-do, he grinned slightly, combing his hair back with his right hand, mocking the other boy's own hair. Though, the other boy's reaction wasn't one that he expected, the other boy's grey eyes widening in surprise, mirroring the woman's reaction, although hers wasn't as obvious. Just as Harry was about to send a look a confusion to the other boy, he was jolted back to the professor and the man's conversation when he heard his professor say his name.
"- Mr. Potter. I am here to accompany him shopping for his school supplies, to obtain his wand, and to explain to him about the rules and laws that he must abide." Harry turned his slightly to look at his professor, although he just ignored him, continuing to look at 'Lucius's face.
'Lucius' nodded, and smiled before stating to the professor. "Of course, he is new to the Magical World, is he not? Was he placed with the muggles?" Sneering at the last word. The Professor nodded, "Yes, he was. From the way he has survived for the past nine years, I am personally disgusted by those muggles."
"Speaking of Mr. Potter, why don't you introduce me to him? You haven't forgot your manners yet, have you Severus?" 'Lucius' asked him amusedly. The professor rolled his eyes slightly, glaring at 'Lucius' before actually introducing the two.
Severus stared at Harry, eyes telling him to introduce himself. And of course, not wanting his professor's wrath on him, he obliged. "Uh, hello. I'm Harry James Potter, glad to be of acquaintance." He said, dipping his head slightly, showing respect to the older man. Although he didn't know that, Harry just copied it from a television show that had to do something with spies.
"Good day. I am Lucius Malfoy Senior." Lucius drawled out, eyes glued on Harry's scar, before sticking his right hand out, gesturing that he expected a handshake. Awkwardly, Harry drew his hand out of his pocket, and placed his hand in the man's hand, and shook. Noting that the skin was surprisingly soft for a man that looked so…. Important.
Withdrawing his hand at the same time as Mr. Malfoy's, he barely noticed that the man nodded towards the blond boy, " I am Draco Lucius Malfoy, glad to be of acquaintance." Harry nodded, repeating what he said to Mr. Malfoy, "Hello, I am Harry James Potter."
Turning his head towards the tall woman, his gaze met hers, and warm blue eyes met his. Blushing slightly, Harry dipped his head, already ready for the introduction. "Good morning, I am Narcissa Malfoy, mother to Draco, and the wife to this intimidating, politically powerful man." She greeted, rolling her eyes at the latter words. Smiling at the young boy. Harry smiled back tentatively, "Good morning to you too, Mrs. Malfoy, I am Harry Potter." His words obviously warmer to her than to both Draco and Lucius.
"Now that the introductions are over, how are you today, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Malfoy asked Harry abruptly yet gracefully. Not ready for the sudden question, Harry blinked before realizing that he was required to reply. "Uh, I'm alright, I suppose. Since I'm away from the Dursleys and all, and Professor Snape has been great to me, compared to my relatives. Um, how about you, Mr. Malfoy?" He managed to stammer out, inwardly kicking himself for the clear uncertainty in his voice.
"I am fine, as I am here today with my family to look over our vaults, and we have found out some wonderful news." Malfoy Sr. admitted, eyes still glued on Harry's forehead. This time, Harry sighed, exasperated. "Sir, no offense intended, but my eyes are here, below my forehead, not on my scar, on my forehead." Harry stated matter-of-factly, not noticing the stifled smile of Narcissa.
At the man's gaze, Harry scratched at his collarbone nervously, exposing some of his bruises and scars that haven't been healed yet. Lucius and Narcissa's eyes narrowed at the sight of it, simultaneously coming up with a plan to get Harry to talk about the story behind them. Whilst Draco just watched the people around him, making sure to glare at the people who seemed dangerous towards the shorter boy.
During all this, Severus justed watched as the gears turned behind the Malfoy parents, knowing that it was only a matter of time before they confronted the child about the bruises and scars. It was Lucius who started.
"Of course. But, I am curious, where did you live before Severus visited your relatives? And what do usually do throughout the day? The way he talked about your relatives implied more than there was to see…. And you seem more guarded around me than around Narcissa…" Mr. Malfoy drawled out, eyes glued to Harry's.
"Of course he would be more guarded, dear! You shouldn't be strutting around all arrogantly around a socially shy boy! Honestly!"
"Yes, dear. But, Mr. Potter, please answer my question." At this, Mr. Malfoy seemed to lean in slightly, eyes encouraging them to answer the question, just as his words did.
"Uh, I, um. I-I lived in the cupboard, u-under the stairs, as it said on my Hogwarts letter." Harry stuttered out, suddenly nervous from the glint present in Mr. Malfoy's eyes. "And, u-um, I usually did the list of chores that U-Uncle Vernon gave m-me in the morning." Harry gulped at the threatening look in his eyes, urging him to elaborate. "W-which usually included mowing the lawn, g-gardening, cleaning the rooms, c-cooking meals, laundry, a-and sometimes retrieving the post when it came."
"Lucius! Dear, you shouldn't be scaring the boy so much that he's stuttering! Remember, he's only a first year, presumably younger than Draco! Honestly!" Mrs. Malfoy huffed out, still not losing her warm features and body language. "Mr. Potter, did those muggles ever withhold any necessities from you? Such as food, water, shelter, or rest room breaks?" Even her eyes were glinting with something amongst the lines of curiosity and warning.
"Uh, sometimes, when I did something freaky, he would sometimes-" At this, Harry glanced at the professor, who was standing there watching the conversation. Noticing that the child was looking at him as if asking him for permission to continue, Severus nodded. "H-he would hit me and send me back to my cupboard, or rub a stinging liquid in where is was bleeding. It hurt a lot, but he would just stand by the side, just watching me…While laughing at me… I didn't know what was so funny though..." Harry's words faltered at this point, but at Narcissa's gentle smile, he continued, but not before taking a deep breath. " They just kept me in the cupboard, I didn't eat much, since they didn't give much food to me, and, uh, I was only allowed to use the loo once a day-" he flushed at this, not meeting their eyes. "-and I had to keep quiet when they had guests over, or else I would have meals for the next two days, depending on which kind of guests they were."
Harry took another deep breath. And looked over at his professor once again, eyes asking if he really needed to do this. Despite the desperation clear in the emerald eyes, Severus nodded. "B-but there was only one time that they, u-um, withheld shelter? I think that's what you said….It was just that one time, I was seven at the time, when I was throwing out the t-trash, they locked the doors before I could go back in, and because it was December at the time, it was snowing...I was still wearing Dudley's hand-me-downs at the time, so it was something like a thin blanket… I don't remember much, but I did wake up to U-Uncle Vernon using a shovel to wake me up, I couldn't move, and I was still covered in snow, so he kicked me until I got up and went to my cupboard… I stayed in there for at least five days with no food, only some water and crackers that I managed to save over the weeks…." Harry hiccuped against his will, blushing as he did.
But because he was still looking at the ground at the time, he didn't see the exchanged looks between the Malfoys and his professor. "Of course, Mr. Potter… I think that is enough for now.. Have you been able to look at your vaults or talk with the manager of the Potter vaults yet?" Mr. Malfoy asked Harry, normally, for once.
"Uh, what?" Harry sent a look of confusion towards the Malfoy, not understanding why he'll have a manager of the Potter vaults, didn't he just have one? It can be that much money that it required a manager of all things, did it? "Of course, you're muggle-raised. We, the Malfoys will be accompanying you and Severus to your vaults, and visiting your manager for anything that could aid you during your years at Hogwarts. An heir of a Ancient and Honourable house shouldn't be inhabiting in a neighbourhood infested with filthy muggles." At this, Lucius sneered, disgust clear in his voice, although his face remained the same.
With that, Mr. Malfoy turned around and strutted to one of the desks with the sign 'Vault Manager', the boy, woman, and professor followed, so Harry followed too. When they arrived, Mr. Malfoy gestured for Harry to stand beside him, and so he did. "Mr. Potter here will be looking at his vaults and any other information that your bank can give him about his family, money, magical guardian, political power, and any contracts or vows that he is under." Mr. Malfoy stated curtly, looking at the goblin in the eye. "
The goblin nodded, and said. "Of course Mr. Malfoy. You will require the manager of the Potter Vaults for this." And he hopped off the seat, left for a few moments, before a different goblin came out, this time, a goblin with greying hair, a crooked pointed nose, and a mad glint in his eyes. "Good morning today, Mr. Malfoy.. And Mr. Potter? Is it? Ah…. I met your father before….. An arrogant but good natured boy… yes..How can I help you today?" The goblin asked at last.
At this, Mr. Malfoy's left eye twitched, but repeated what he said to the other goblin nonetheless. Afterwards, the goblin nodded, flipped the sign saying 'Available' to 'Closed' and hopped off of his seat, and came out from behind the desk, and turns out that he came up to Harry's nose. "Come along. We will be reviewing the contractual, influential and family matters." At this, the goblin eyed Lucius's lordship ring. "But because you are of Black heritage through your spouse, you will do." Leaving everyone confused as to why being a Black would matter.
As the goblin started walking off into the direction of the meeting rooms, Harry was the first one to run up to him, and asked. " But sir, what's your name?" He asked curiously, and the goblin turned to face him, and replied. " I am Griphook of Gringotts. At your service." And after he said that, he bowed at the waist towards Harry. But, not knowing if he was supposed to reply in the same way, he bowed back, though awkwardly. "I'm Harry Potter. Glad to meet you, Griphook." Around him, goblins turned their head to look at the young heir, bewildered at the action.
After a few awkward seconds, everything went back to normal although the witches and wizards didn't know what happened, and didn't care. Besides, why should they care about what the servants of the bank were surprised by? Pfft. They shouldn't, it was common wizarding logic.
Continuing on their path, Griphook and Harry walked side by side, leaving the Malfoys and the professor to follow after, having no idea why the atmosphere changed so suddenly, although the Malfoys had an idea, just no proof to back it up.
A/N Alright, ok, ohkeh, this is it for now. I hope you enjoyed the story so far! And just as I have said earlier, please review, and anyone is welcome to poke at any holes, and you guys can ask any questions, and I'll try to answer it to the best of my abilities, or I'll try to fix up the story so that it'll patch the hole up...
Anyways, and other than that, please enjoy the rest of your time on fanfiction! I'll try to update as fast as I can.. but, "Do or do not, there is no try." So, I WILL update as fast as I can. Please tell me if you want these long-ish chapter to continue its trend, or you just want it back to those short ones...
Damn, now I'm just rambling.. Ok then, I'll just put an end to this, so, hope you have a good day. Thank you for reading, and... well... GOOD DAY... AS ALWAYS
-DeadlyDraconis37