Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot and anything you don't recognize. If you sue, you will get little more than pocket lint.

Rating: M

Summary: Harry Potter is 16 and beginning the summer between his 6th and 7th year. He is found to be in danger and some crazy events change his life forever.

Pairings: SS/HP hinted RL/SB

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Chapter Three: Shopping for Black

It's always lalalalala...
Shopping never end
It's always lalalalala...
Shopping with our friends
Shopping once again – Barenaked Ladies

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The weeks had flown by and Garry finally received his last Hogwart's letter along with a letter from Ron. Harry smiled slightly, knowing that the rest of the Weasley's had probably added their own comments. He took a seat on the couch, opening the letter quickly. He began to read the letter, his small smile growing as he read.

Dear Harry,

How have you been? Hermione and I were told about you staying with Snape. Hope he hasn't been a complete slimy git.

Herms has spent the summer with us and actually forced me to do my homework early on. It gave me more time with the twins. Charlie and Bill were in for a while. We've been working hard trying to get rid of the gnomes

Hi Harry! Ginny here. Finally got this away from Ron. So sorry about you having to stay with Snape. Hope you're doing well. Hang on, the twins want a go

Hiya Harry! Pulled any good jokes on Snape now that you're living with him? Speaking of jokes, the Joke Shop is booming, mate. We're hoping to open a shop in Hogsmeade before the first trip. We have some new items. See you soon.

Sorry bout them. Herms' still asleep or I'd send this to her. Sure she would love to talk to you. We all got our Hogwart's letters this morning. We're headin' to Diagon Alley the week before term. We have rooms at the Leaky Cauldron and were hoping you could meet us there, mate. Of course, with the greasy git, we'd understand if you can't. Hope to see you soon

Your friends,

RonGinny, Fred and George

Harry frowned as he read the ending. Snape would never want to leave the week before term, especially to spend time with the Weasleys and Hermione. 'How am I supposed to ask for this?' he thought to himself before standing in search of the Potion's Master. To his surprise, Snape was only standing a few feet away watching him. Harry forced a very small smile while he leaned against the back of the couch.

"Sir," Harry began, his voice shaking slightly.

"What now, Potter?" the older man questioned annoyed. Harry gulped in a steadying breath.

"The term will be starting soon and I'll need my books and things. Iwaswondering ifIcouldmeetmyfriendstheweekbeforeterm?" he asked, the phrase molding itself together.

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Severus sighed.

"Mr. Potter," Severus began, slightly amused by the young man's fear. "As much as I would love to answer your question, I could not understand the jumbled mess you presented." Potter's head dropped slightly and a small blush crept onto his cheeks.

'He looks so hot when he blushes,' he thought before mentally slapping himself. 'I cannot think of students as hot.'

"Er…I was wondering if…um…I could, you see, oh, bugger. I wanted to know if I could go to Diagon Alley to meet my friends the week before term?" he asked, gaining some confidence.

Severus responded simply. "No. Headmaster Dumbeldore has arranged for your necessities to be brought here. You will have all year to spend with Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger." He walked to one of his forbidden rooms and disappeared into it.

"But sir," Harry whined. Severus didn't hear a word.

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Several days later, Harry was seated on is bed, reading through his new school books. He had found them on his bed with a note that simply read 'Sorry. SS'. All Harry could do was glare. He knew that the man truly didn't care about his well being or else he would be in Diagon Alley with his friends right now.

Harry rubbed his eyes and stood up. He stretched then immediately fell back onto he bed, moaning slightly. A sharp rap on his door made Harry flinch slightly.

"Get up, Potter!" the cool voice exclaimed. A few more loud knocks followed before receding footsteps. Harry stood again and walked toward the door, opening it slowly to the cold dungeon air.

"Why did you wake me?" he asked, slightly angered. Snape glared.

"The Headmaster has ordered that I take you to Diagon Alley. It has come to his attention that your robes are too short now and you are in need of new ones," he said shortly. "We leave in twenty minutes."

Harry couldn't believe what he had heard and ran off to get ready.

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Severus sipped his cup of coffee, hoping that Albus had been kidding. He hated the street, regularly. He hated to imagine it packed with students. He sighed as the Daily Prophet landed on the table in front of him. 'Finally something of interest,' he thought as he grabbed the paper and began immersed in it.

After Fudge had been voted out of office, things had taken a downhill turn in aspect to the killings. Several had been at Severus's hand. He sighed again, setting the paper down for another sip of coffee in attempts to wait patiently for Potter.

Finally, the young man emerged. He glared as he finished his second cup and stood, eyeing the man over. He was dressed in muggle clothing, an unusual thing for Severus to witness.

"Are you ready?" Severus asked, his voice silky and smooth.

"Yea," Potter answered with a huge smile, which caused Severus to glare more.

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Harry smiled all the way to Diagon Alley even though they had taken a Port Key. He had noticed the Weasley's Joke Shop first thing and had run inside, forcing Snape to follow him.

Ron and Hermione both had been inside and the trio had had their reunion. Now, Ron and Harry were standing in Madame Maxinne's shop getting fitted for new robes. Hermione had run into the book store next door and Snape had positioned himself outside the door.

"How are things with going?" Ron asked quietly, making a head motion over toward Snape.

"It hasn't been as bad as I originally thought. I mean, he's tried to be," Harry paused, searching for the word, "nice about this whole thing," he finished lamely.

"You mean, he can be nice?" Ron asked, baffled by this statement.

"Yeah, when he wants to be," Harry responded, staring out the door.

"You don't, do you?" Ron asked and Harry knew exactly what he meant. Last year, he had told his two best friends he was gay and they both were supportive.

"No, but he is trying to save my life, so I can deal with sharing a room and being civil," he replied growing annoyed with Ron.

"I would've figured it would be ruddy awful, mate," was all Ron could say."You're done dears," the old witch stated and immediately Harry was out of the store.

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Severus noticed the two boys coming to the door, Harry in front of Weasley. He smiled inwardly as they were paying.

'Great, we can leave now,' he thought. The two walked through the door and saw something he had never seen Harry give him, a smile. That's when he knew something was wrong.

"Are we ready to go back to Hogwart's?" Potter asked, trying to lead him to say yes.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I believe we are," the older man stated and grabbed Potter's arm gently. At the look of horror on Weasley's face and the smirk on Potter's he knew that there was something going on.

That's when it happened, Harry hugged him, tightly. Before anyone else could see anything, the pair apparated to Hogsmeade and started the long walk back to the castle.

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A/N: Hope you liked it. Sorry that this chapter took so long to update. Special thanks to Serpent91, Zarek4ever, Phoenix 5, HopelesslyConfussed, kino, FlayingFoxFire, kizunakat, Chariot-of-Fire, serialreviewer, snarryaddict, SShapiness, Jimbocous, Angelkissofdeath, Azzy 494, ms.gringotts, and yaoi-fied. The more reviews, the faster I update.

Also, I would like to take a moment to offer my condolences to the families and students who lost friends, family members, and loved ones in the Virginia Tech shooting. It is awful that this happened. Please, keep them in your prayers.