Chapter 12 is here! I hope you enjoy it, I thought it turned out pretty good lots of sweet fluff in this chapter.
Chapter 12
After Dumbledores visit Harry wasn't surprised when his Hogwarts letter arrived a few days later. It was very similar to the letter that Harry received every year during his own time. The most noticeable difference being that there seemed to be no rules on what pets you could bring to school with you. He felt a moment of sadness wash over him as he thought of Hedwig, he hoped that whatever had happened in his own time that she had survived and was happy somewhere.
It did get him thinking about what kind of pet he wanted to take with him to Hogwarts in this time. He shied away from an owl again, he wasn't ready for that.
He looked around the table, everyone was over for breakfast and Regulus, James, Sirius and Remus were all reading their own Hogwarts letters.
"How does everyone feel about parselmouths in this time?" he asked, brow furrowed in thought.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at Harry, and he had a moment of clarity that he probably could have worded that better.
"Why do you ask, Harry?" Orion questioned calmly.
"Well, in my time I was a parselmouth, I'm not sure if I am one here but if I am I thought it might be cool to get a snake as a pet for when I go back to Hogwarts."
Everyone continued to stare at him. Perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned the parselmouth thing.
"You can speak parseltongue?" Regulus breathed; eyes wide.
"That's considered a really dark gift" James said tersely, and Harry frowned.
"So, people don't like it?"
James quickly started backtracking, seeing Harry's disappointed look.
"It's extremely rare, so people would probably be interested in it or find it suspicious, but I don't think they would be openly hostile about it" James explained looking thoughtful.
Harry considered this. "Well, maybe I'll get a snake but will hold off mentioning the parselmouth thing for a while." He scratched his chin, "that's even if I am still a parselmouth…"
"Can you not just speak it, and see?" Sirius asked.
"I've only been able to do it when speaking to a snake" he paused, remembering the entry to the chamber of secrets "and images of snakes, I guess."
"Well, when we go to Diagon Alley we can stop by the menagerie, and you can have an explore. See what catches your eye" Orion said with a warm smile and Harry nodded, liking the idea of choosing something for himself.
"We were also thinking you could shop for some things, for your room here as well as at Potter Manor" Fleamont said, and Harry looked confused.
"Oh, I don't need anything. Everything I've got is perfectly fine."
Fleamont and Orion shared a sad look.
"It may be perfectly fine, but you don't just want things to be perfectly fine. You want to have things that you have chosen and enjoy. Not just basic things like blankets and clothes but silly things, fun things" Fleamont explained slowly.
Sirius spoke up excitedly "what's the craziest thing you've ever bought!?"
Harry looked perplexed for a moment. Craziest thing he'd ever bought…
"Well, on a trip to Hogsmeade once I bought a variety of lollies and sweets."
Sirius' face fell infinitesimally.
"What about a new racing broom or crazy robes, or or" he struggled to think of something appropriately crazy, "a love potion?"
"Professor McGonagall bought me my first broom and when it got destroyed by the whomping willow you bought me a new one" Harry said with such a fond look at Sirius that the Black heir was floored for a moment. "I never really bought many clothes, I used to wear a lot of Dudley's old hand me downs, and then of course school robes. Oh" Harry said, suddenly remembering something. "Mrs Weasley used my money to buy me robes for the yule ball in fourth year. They were a dark green, very pretty."
Harry looked expectantly at Sirius, was this what he meant?
"They sound lovely" Sirius said haltingly, and Harry looked pleased.
"Why didn't you pick your own robes for the yule ball?" Euphemia asked, her brow furrowed.
"Oh, we didn't know anything about the Triwizard tournament or the yule ball until Hogwarts had started for the year, so it was too late to buy new robes for it."
"But how did they access your vaults?"
Again, Harry looked confused. "I'm not really sure, they accessed my vaults every year and got money out to buy my school things. I never actually got my key; I think Dumbledore had it."
"Another strike against Dumbledore" Euphemia said seriously.
"I honestly didn't think much of it" Harry said, cheeks blushing in embarrassment. "I never had any money growing up and didn't really know how things were supposed to work."
"That is not your fault, Harry" Orion reassured him, and Regulus rubbed his back soothingly. "It sounds like Dumbledore played on your ignorance. You should have had your key, and no one should have accessed your vaults without your permission."
Harry nodded, his thoughts turning melancholy.
"We've already set up your own vault, and we will pick up your key when we visit Diagon Alley next. It will be yours to do with what you will." Fleamont said, trying to cheer Harry up.
Unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect, with Harry's large green eyes suddenly brimming with tears. A warm pair of arms wrapped around him, and Harry turned, burying his face in Regulus' neck. The arms tightened, pulling him closer and Harry felt himself relax into the hold.
His face prickled in embarrassment, but everything had gotten just a bit overwhelming. After a few more minutes Harry pulled his face away but didn't move from Regulus' arms.
"Thank you" he said shyly and Fleamont beamed at him.
"Are we all free to go shopping tomorrow?" Orion asked around the room, to general nods of approval. "Wonderful."
Harry felt the same wonder wash over him as they entered Diagon Alley the next day as he had every time, he'd visited the alley in his own time. He supposed it would wear off after a while but seeing as how he rarely visited, he wasn't holding his breath that it would happen anytime soon.
It all looked so different, but also the same. Tom still worked behind the bar, smiling and greeting everyone who walked through to the Alley, though he looked considerably younger than he did in Harry's own time. Some of the shops were the same and the look of them had barely changed over the years. It warmed his heart to see Ollivanders and he couldn't keep the smile off his face when he saw Fortescue's ice cream parlour, remembering many happy days spent there when he was 13.
"What are you smiling at?" James asked curiously, as they made their way through the Alley to Gringotts.
"In the summer before third year I blew my aunt up like a balloon, so I had to come and stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the summer. I went to Fortescue's nearly every day for ice-cream, it was amazing" Harry explained happily.
James gave him a sad kinda smile, "how about we come back for ice-cream later, you can show me which flavours are your favourite."
Harry's face lit up at the suggestion, "ooh yes, please."
"Can't be any worse than James' favourite, rum and raisin, blech" Sirius pulled a disgusted face and Harry laughed.
"It's definitely not as bad as that" Harry teased, and James gave him a gentle shove. Careful of his leg.
"Like you can talk, Mr Pistachio" Remus laughed as he elbowed Sirius.
"Please tell me you at least like something normal" Harry joked as he turned to include Regulus into the conversation
"Chocolate" Regulus huffed, while Sirius snickered, "boring."
They continued their conversation all the way to Gringotts, where Harry was introduced to the goblin that manages the Potter vaults, his blood was taken, and a key was given.
"That vault now recognises you" Fleamont explained, "no one will be able to enter it without your express permission."
Harry nodded awkwardly, "umm, th-thank you again, you really didn't have to do that."
"Nonsense" Fleamont huffed, "you are a Potter and shall be treated as such."
Harry felt warm inside at the words.
"Now, let's shop!" Sirius cried, his own money bag jingling happily at his hip.
They got their school things out of the way first. Robes and potion ingredients, books and a cauldron. He got a new trunk and a large variety of personal hygiene items of the very best quality. Fleamont ignoring his stammered thanks and offers to try to pay.
They then moved on to clothing, beautiful robes for everyday wear, some made of silk, others cotton and wool. Harry had never really had nice robes that he could wear outside of his school robes, and he was a little overwhelmed at the variety of styles and colours there were to choose from.
Harry was allowed to pick whichever ones he wanted; the only stipulation was that he needed at least 10 outfits.
"10!" Harry squawked. "Surely I don't need that many."
Orion shrugged, "it is good to have choices."
He chose a mixture of fabrics and colours, preferring the deeper earthy tones, his favourites being a flowing silver silk robe that ran like water over his skin and a deep green wool robe that would be lovely and warm in winter.
He also chose three new cloaks, two for winter and one a little lighter.
He flushed crimson when Sirius started throwing different pairs of underwear at him, but he grabbed a dozen pairs and placed them with his steadily growing pile on the counter.
"Don't forget socks and shoes" Remus piped up, which led to 30 minutes of trying on shoes, Remus tying and untying every pair as Harry rested his leg, before he decided on five new pairs. His head spun at the magnitude of everything he was buying.
Once Euphemia had magically shrunk everything and placed them in her handbag, they headed off again. This time to a homewares shop, where Harry wandered around confusedly.
"I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to get, or what will look good" Harry confessed quietly to Regulus who was walking at his side.
"Just pick whatever you like, that's what's important."
Harry looked dubious but nodded none the less. He gripped his cane tightly as they walked along some more. Sirius had gone to find new pillows for his room and Orion, Fleamont and Euphemia were talking quietly as they looked at towels.
A plum-coloured blanket caught his eye and he paused, reaching out a hesitant hand to touch. It was so soft!
"I like this" he said quietly, looking to Regulus as though for approval.
Regulus nodded, "it's beautiful" he said pulling the blanket into his arms to hold it while Harry continued to shop. Harry found a rug, a lamp a miniature dragon alarm clock that roared loudly when it was time to wake up, as well as several paintings of the Scottish Highlands. He thought they would look beautiful on his wall.
"What about this one?" Harry asked Regulus as he picked up a gorgeous image of the Orkney Islands.
"A truly lovely piece" a new voice said from behind him and both Regulus and he spun around to find Lucius Malfoy as well as Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange standing behind them.
Harry gulped nervously, but otherwise showed no reaction to the sight of the three.
Lucius' blue eyes pierced him, before they swung to Regulus who had moved to stand directly beside Harry.
"Regulus, how wonderful to see you" Lucius greeted warmly.
"Lucius, Rabastan, Rodolphus" Regulus said with a nod, looking completely relaxed.
"Just doing some back to school shopping?" Rodolphus asked with a grin. "Can't believe I'm about to start my last year at Hogwarts."
Before Regulus could respond Lucius spoke up, "who is your charming friend here?" And Harry hoped that he imagined the leer Lucius was aiming at him.
Regulus appeared unphased. "A distant cousin, who will be joining us this year at Hogwarts. Harry Potter, meet Lucius Malfoy and Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange."
All three eyes widened slightly at the mention of his name, and Harry knew the gossip would start to spread as soon as they left the store.
"Lovely to meet you" Harry said quietly.
"How old are you, little one?" Lucius asked, eyes running over Harry and this time Regulus stepped closer and wrapped his arm around Harry's middle, giving the Malfoy Heir a hard look that caused the other to smirk.
"16" Harry said with a frown at the blonde-haired teen.
"Well, hopefully you get sorted into Slytherin, best house there is at Hogwarts. The others are all rubbish compared to it" Rabastan said.
"Regulus has been telling me wonderful things about Slytherin, I'm not sure where I will be sorted but I would be happy if it was Slytherin."
None of that was even a lie, he really had no clue where he would be sorted this time, he had a feeling that it wouldn't be to Gryffindor again, but that didn't necessarily mean it would be Slytherin.
All three looked pleased at Harry's answer.
"We haven't had you over to the manor all summer, Regulus, I will have to make sure I rectify that before the holidays are through" Lucius said and with one last look at Harry he swept out of the store, Rabastan and Rodolphus trailing behind him.
"Everything OK" James asked, appearing suddenly at Harry's elbow and causing the small teen to nearly jump out of his skin. Regulus' arm around him tightened, helping to calm Harry's racing heart.
"No trouble I hope" Sirius asked. "We saw them but thought it would only make things worse if we tried to approach."
"Nothing to worry about, just the usual Slytherin pandering" Regulus said. "The news of Harry's arrival will be through all the pure blood circles by the end of the day."
"Probably for the best" Sirius murmured, "let everyone get used to the idea before Hogwarts goes back. Though they may expect a ball, something to introduce him to society."
A ball! Harry thought horrified, but wisely kept his mouth shut.
"I will speak to father about it" Regulus said, his face thoughtful. Harry hoped they would forget all about the idea.
He glanced up unsurely as Orion, Fleamont and Euphemia made their way over, Harry got the distinct impression that they had been trying to give him some space while he looked.
"That all looks wonderful" Euphemia said enthusiastically, and Harry felt himself relax minutely. "Remember we can come back at any time if you want anything else. There's also catalogues that you can owl order from, actually I think I will go and grab you one just in case you want to have a look when you get home."
She hurried off towards the counter, Fleamont giving her a fond look as she passed.
Their last stop was the menagerie and Harry could admit that he was feeling pretty exhausted by this point, though he had had a wonderful day. He'd taken a pain potion a little while ago and everyone had offered to head home and come back to the menagerie another day, but Harry had declined. The menagerie was what he'd been most looking forward to visiting.
They entered the shop, full of cages and the smell of animals. He was happy to note that each cage had been magically enhanced to be quite sizeable and perfectly suit that animal's natural habitat. He'd had a snake in mind but was keen to wander and see what was actually on offer.
He past cages of rats, spiders, lizards and toads. None of which interested him. He paused at a cage of pixies but when one started swearing at him, he quickly moved on. He wandered around but saw no snakes at all, maybe they weren't a common pet.
He rounded a corner away from the owl section and came face to face with a very familiar looking cat.
"Crookshanks!" Harry breathed; eyes wide with surprise. Hermione's erstwhile cat, that had been grumpy but incredibly clever, even helping to bring down Wormtail in third year, stared back at him. A curious look upon its squished face.
His heart broke for the poor thing, he knew that the store owner had told Hermione he'd been here for ages before she adopted him, but he had no idea that it had been this long.
He hurried forward, sticking out his hand for Crookshanks to inspect before reaching in and giving the furry beast a scratch behind the ears.
"Would you like to come home with me?" Harry whispered. "I promise I'll take such good care of you."
Crookshanks looked like he was analysing the sincerity of that statement, before he rubbed his head against Harry's hand.
That is the ugliest cat I have ever seen in my life" Sirius laughed as they walked out of the menagerie a few minutes later, a large cat cage held in James' hand.
"Don't listen to him Crookshanks, you're lovely" Harry crooned, his need to protect this small part of his old life coming to the front.
"Besides," Harry said, turning to look at Sirius. "You should be nice to Crookshanks, he tried to help you when you escaped from Azkaban. Getting you into the castle, stopping the whomping willow from hitting you and trying to capture Peter for you."
Sirius look suitably flummoxed, taking in this new information for a moment before looking at Crookshanks with new eyes.
"Good boy" he murmured.