Diagon Alley looked... different than it had the last time Harry was here. Naturally, everything looked a little bit newer but not brand new. The displays were a bit different but everything else seemed to be the same from the kids whispering at the window of the Quidditch shop to the people walking up the road whispering to each other. The biggest difference Harry noticed this visit to Diagon Alley was that nobody pointed to his scar and began whispering his name excitedly. Harry was just a normal kid here and that was refreshing.

"Let's start by getting your robes, Harry," Severus' mother said, guiding them towards Madam Malkin's. The store was pretty much the same as it was in the nineties, except the door was a few shades lighter.

"Hogwarts, dears?"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, remembering the last time he had been here and couldn't believe he actually had to get all of his supplies for the second time.

Getting his robes was pretty much the same as last time, the measuring tape took his measurements and when his robes were done they left.

"Don't you need robes?" Harry asked Severus who laughed and shook his head.

"I got my robes last week, the only thing I want to get today is a few new potions books. I earned a few extra galleons making some itch soothing potions this summer," Severus said smirking.

"When I went to Diagon Alley the last time, I saw a book called brilliant potions made easier but Hagrid wouldn't let me get anything that wasn't on the list," Harry said, wondering if that book had even been written in the seventies or not.

"That book just came out, I'm going to be picking that book up today!" Severus said.

"Can I read it once you're done? The books on this list are the same as the last ones and I already read those," Harry said, earning himself a bit of respect in Severus' books.

"Why don't we practice making a few. I've made potions before growing up but you probably haven't," Severus said, as they made their way to Flourish and Blotts.

"I used to cook for my relatives but I'm not sure whether it's the same or not," Harry said, not noticing the frown Severus' mother had made at the statement. She looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it. Instead, she went to the counter and requested a Hogwarts bundle.

Harry and Severus were glancing at several potions book when the door opened. Harry could hear some kids come in but didn't bother looking up until once of them spoke in a loud, obnoxious tone.

"Guys, look! Snivellus made a friend! Probably another..."

When Harry turned around to face the obnoxious kid, he was surprised to find how much the kid looked like him. The differences were visible since he was bigger, taller and his eyes were brown instead of green but the similarities were obvious. The two other boys who were with him noticed the similarities as well but they at least tried to control their expressions.

"James, do you know him?"

"No Sirius, I don't. What's your name, kid?" James asked, looking Harry up and down, clearly trying to figure out if he'd met this kid somewhere or not. He was obviously trying to figure out why Harry looked so much like him.

"I'm Harry," Harry said simply, finding himself not liking his father's attitude. He knew if he told James his last name, it would cause a lot of questions and drama and Harry just wanted a quiet day to shop without being bothered with questions and suspicious looks.

"And what's your last name?" James demanded but was cut off when a loud crash from across the room caused them all to jump. When they turned to face the source of the noise, James rolled his eyes and stomped over. Harry was surprised when the boy gave Harry a brief nod before turning his attention to James.

Harry watched as James and his friends picked up a stack of books each and made their way out. James turned to the owner and called something about sticking them all on his tab as they walked out the door. Harry couldn't believe how much of a... prick his father appeared to be.

"Is he always so... charming?" Harry asked Severus sarcastically.

"Oh yeah! He's a pleasure! And Sirius is just as bad! Remus isn't too bad but Peter is a little creepy," Severus said.

"James reminds me of my cousin Dudley," Harry said, not really wanting to compare his father to Dudley but he would be lying to himself if he didn't draw that comparison. "Why did he call you Snivellus?"

Severus looked uncomfortable for a minute before he finally turned to face Harry. He looked almost nervous to answer the question but Harry could tell he was going to answer anyway.

"It's a nickname he and Sirius made up for me last year and it has yet to die down," Severus told Harry with a frown. Harry couldn't believe how much of a jerk his father was. He could see that his aunt had actually been telling the truth when she called his father a bully. Harry shuddered to think that something his aunt had told him was true.

Later that afternoon, Severus and Harry were sitting outside of Severus' house eating some brownies when a girl with bright red hair and green eyes approached the house. She was smiling brilliantly and looked happy to see Severus. Just by looking at her eyes, Harry was pretty sure he knew who this was and his stomach flip-flopped with excitement.

"Sev!" she cried as she pulled Severus into a hug.

"Lily!" Severus cried hugging her back with just as much enthusiasm. "How was camp?"

"It was great, we spent every day outside and we spent night studying the constellations. Who's your friend?" Lily asked kindly, looking at Harry with a bit of recognition but her expression changed when she met his eyes. Harry couldn't stop the large grin that had spread across his face as he looked his mother in the eye for the first time. He almost wished he could hug her too but she might find it a little weird to have some strange kid hugging her.

"This is Harry Potter, he's staying here because..."

"Is that a time turner?" Lily asked, pointing to the chain. Harry hadn't realised that the pendant was showing but sure enough when he looked down, it was hanging out of his shirt between a couple buttons.

"Yeah, it is," Harry said nervously tucking the pendant back into his shirt. He made a mental note to put it in his trunk when he went to bed tonight to prevent this from happening again. He didn't want to have to explain the time turner to anyone else.

"Are you staying here because of that?" Lily asked, pointing to the time turner; Harry could see that she was already putting the pieces together in her mind.

"She's the brightest witch of our year," Severus told Harry, his eyes shining as he told him this. Harry had no choice but to agree, it was scary how fast she was putting this together and with no help. Clearly Aunt Petunia had been lying when she called Lily dumb because she was brilliantly smart.

"What house are you in?" Harry asked, hoping to change the topic but Lily just crossed her arms and gave him a look that said 'nice try, buddy'.

"Look, Lily, you have to promise not to tell anyone but Harry found that time turner and accidentally brought himself back here from 1991," Severus told Lily, blushing. Harry almost found it amusing how quickly Severus spilt his guts for Lily when he figured Severus was so guarded with everything. Did Severus have a crush on Lily? Hmm, Harry wondered why he wasn't with her because Harry was willing to guess she liked him as well.

"Oh my! And now you can't go back home, can you?" Lily asked. Lily looked at Harry sadly but once again her gaze turned to curiosity when her she caught site of Harry's eyes. Harry wondered if she was on the brink of figuring out who his mother was when the front door opened and Severus' mother wrapped Lily in a tight hug. Harry made another mental note to thank her later.

"Lily, why don't you stay for supper?" Severus asked, his eyes bright with excitement. Lily's face brightened and Harry almost hugged Severus for saying something that took her mind off of Harry's eyes.

"Sure, I just have to ask my mum. I don't think she'll mind since Petunia's having a sleepover tonight," Lily said. Harry hopes of Lily not noticing the way he flinched at his aunt's name died when she gave him a questioning glance. Harry shrugged and quickly excused himself to the toilet before Lily could ask any more questions. At this rate, Lily was going to figure out the truth by the end of the month.

When Harry finished in the bathroom, he went downstairs to join Severus and Lily at the table. Severus' mother gave Harry extra servings of veggies and a tall glass of milk.

"We're going to have you healthy before you go to Hogwarts," she told Harry. "Make sure you eat everything, dear."

"Yes, Mrs Snape."

"Please, call me Eileen," Eileen said softly as she looked at Harry with an expression that only a mother would make. Harry had never had anyone look at him that way and it made his heart feel warm and a smile broke across his face.

"Yes, Eileen."

Harry smiled when she patted his shoulder and started eating. It was nice to eat at the table with other people and now his mother was sitting across the table from him. Harry was going to have to be careful not to slip up and mention his aunt's name or even his uncle's name. But he knew it probably wouldn't be long before she put it together and realised the truth.

"What are your favourite classes?" Harry asked Lily, he wanted to know as much about his mother as possible and this was the best opportunity to do so.

"I like charms and transfiguration. Potions is great too," Lily answered happily, causing Severus to smile at the mention of his favourite class. "You're starting Hogwarts this year?"

Harry nodded and smiled at the reminder that he was going to be going to Hogwarts this year. He couldn't wait to start learning magic.

"Yeah, we just got my supplies yesterday. I've officially bought the same supplies twice," Harry told Lily with a small laugh.

When Lily went home, Harry asked Severus to tell him some things he'd need to know for potions class. Severus began telling him about different cauldrons and different cuts and herbs that would be helpful to know. Severus also gave him some tips and helpful advice that wasn't found in the book. By the time Harry went to bed, he was exhausted. Severus had gone over a lot of what they'd be covering within the first year and a lot of it wasn't even mentioned in the textbooks; the potions they'd be brewing simply were based off the ones from the book.

"You'll be fine, you already show a firm understanding and the skills you obtained from cooking will definitely be helpful. Besides, I can help you out if you need any help with coursework. Professor Slughorn lets me use his lab on weekends sometimes," Severus had told Harry before he went off to his own room for the night. Harry was glad to know he'd have at least one person who'd help him out because not only did Harry had to adapt to the magical world, he had to adapt to it ten years before he was even born.

As Harry lay in bed that night, he reflected upon the day. He'd met his parents! His mother had been beautiful, smart and funny. His father had been a real tool; a spoiled, arrogant brat. He couldn't believe it, his father was just like Dudley! Okay, hopefully, his father wasn't quite that bad but he was obnoxious. Harry found himself almost relieved that he didn't have James as a role model growing up but maybe he wouldn't be as obnoxious when he grew up.

Harry thought about his mother; he had her eyes but for the most part, Harry looked like his father. But Harry was still Happy because today he got to meet both of his parents. Before Harry went to sleep, he began to think about Hogwarts. He wondered about the things he'd be learning, the people he'd be meeting and the spells he'd get to do. It was really exciting and Harry couldn't wait to dive right in and start.

Becuase Harry didn't really care what time he was in, he was just happy to be away from the Dursleys. If he was lucky, he'd never have to see them again and that thought was enough to make Harry smile as he fell off into a deep sleep that night. His back still stung as he thought about them.