So, while I work tirelessly on all my other stories little by little, I decided to add another peek into the lives of this duo. It was on my mind so I let the story take me where t wanted. Surprise! Enjoy.


Rue Dispa was a lot like Diagon Alley in many ways. One: it was in the center of Paris, the capital city of France, so therefore, there were muggles everywhere that one had to avoid. Two: it was hidden from muggles by way of an old tea shop where one had to do a strange hand pattern in a painting motion near a portrait in the back of the store, which then revealed a door that led to a café in the very center of Rue Dispa. Three: it was always bustling with wizards and witches alike shopping at the small establishments, cafes, and even theaters.

Harry did not mind the chaos, though. He loved traveling to new cities and exploring not just the magical side but the muggle side as well. As soon as the conference was over, he could usually convince his father to visit a famous attraction in the city before heading home. And of course, Harry wanted nothing more than to visit the Eiffel Tower. What better way to spend his thirteenth birthday than to visit such a landmark?

Boomslang meowed loudly as he rested on Harry's shoulder, and Harry reached up a hand to stroke the cat while he studied the bookshelves. At the moment, he was browsing one of the bookstores for some leisure reading while Severus picked up some ingredients at the Apothicaire. Apparently, there were a few items that could only be found in France, though what those were, Harry did not know. Severus had been kind enough to allow Harry the freedom to pick out a couple new books while he did his errands, and Harry was excited to read something written by French wizards or witches. Reading books in another language helped reinforce learning the language, and Harry was proud to say he was mastering three new languages: French, Spanish, and German. Severus had suggested that Harry start practicing Mandarin while he was still young, and Harry knew he should probably start on that sooner than later, but he also enjoyed touching up on what he already knew—and showing off.

"Avez-vous des recommendations?" Harry asked the shop owner sitting at the front of the store browsing through a book himself. "Mystères?"

"Troisième étagère," the man said, not looking up from his book once. "Je recommande L'Arrestation d'Arsène Lupin écrit par Maurice Leblanc. C'est un moldu mais c'est un bon livre."

Harry glanced down to the third shelf and smiled at the book in question. The Arrest of Arsène Lupin, which was apparently written by a muggle if "un moldu" was anything to go by, but the shop owner said it was still a good book. Harry was definitely going to try it.

"Merci," Harry said as he pulled the book off the shelf and flipped through it.

"Excusez-moi," a bushy-haired girl his age said as she slowly walked down the aisle toward him. "Parlez-vous anglais?"

"Yes," Harry said, holding the book at his side and turning to face the girl.

"Oh, thank you!" she said, a look of relief washing over her. "My French isn't very good. Do you think you can help me find a book? Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons: une histoire."

"What do you want to read that for?" Harry asked.

"Curiosity," the girl said with a shrug. "I've already read all of Hogwarts: a history. It's fascinating to learn about the different origins and cultures of the magical schools."

Harry wasn't entirely sure he agreed, and by the way Boomslang tilted his head at the girl, he was sure the cat was just as perplexed. He shrugged the shoulder Boomslang wasn't on and led the way over to the history section. He helped the girl scan the aisles of the shelves in search of the book until he finally spotted it tucked away in a corner.

"Here it is," he said, holding it out to her.

"Oh, thank you!" she exclaimed, accepting the book and hugging it to her chest.

"How do you plan on reading it?"

"A translator spell," she answered with another shrug.

Harry's brows shot up, but he kept his comments to himself. He knew it was far better to learn a new language then to rely on magic for every little thing. As Severus said, if you find yourself suddenly without magic, you needed a plan b. The small movement of his hairline drew the girl's attention, and her eyes widened as she stared at something on his head, most likely his scar.

"You're Harry Potter!" she said.

"Yeah. That's me."

"It is an honor to meet you! I read all about you—you were supposed to come to Hogwarts a couple years ago. Everyone was disappointed when you didn't show up."

"Disappointed?" Harry tilted his head, mirroring Boomslang. "That's a bit silly of everyone, don't you think?"

The girl's cheeks reddened and she nodded her head.

"Yes, actually, it-it is kind of silly. I mean, you have your own life and all, so it's really no one's business."

Harry snorted and started walking for the front counter, not surprised when the girl followed him.

"I'm Hermione, by the way," she said. "Hermione Granger."

"Nice to meet you. Ҫa coûte combien?" Harry said to the shop owner as he set his book down. He jerked his head at Hermione's book. "Je paie pour les deux."

Hermione made a confused face as the shop owner glanced at her book and stated a price for the two books altogether, then her jaw dropped as Harry paid for both books.

"You didn't have to do that," Hermione said as she followed Harry out of the shop. They paused just outside the entrance.

"Of course not. But I wanted to."

"Thank you. That is too kind. How can I pay you back?"

"No need. Though I do advise that you try learning a little more French. It can be very handy, especially if you're in the country."

"Right." Hermione blushed once more as she brushed back a lock of hair behind her ear. She smiled at Boomslang and offered a hand. "Cute cat. May I?"

"Go ahead," Harry said, turning so Boomslang was closer to Hermione. "He's nice to just about anyone."

Boomslang purred as Hermione scratched an ear, and he kneaded into Harry's shoulder, which Harry was quite used to. When Hermione pulled away, Boomslang stood on Harry's shoulder and butted his head against his owner's, and Harry reached up to stroke a hand along the cat's back.

"He's so cute. Maybe I'll get myself a cat familiar. He seems very loyal."

"He stays close for the most part. My dad has his sister. She never leaves his side if she can help it."

"Definitely getting a cat." Hermione grinned at Boomslang before adjusting the heavy book in her arms. She frowned at Harry. "If you don't mind me asking, why didn't you go to Hogwarts?"

"My dad homeschools me, so there was no need for me to go."

"That is amazing. I'm muggleborn, so my parents couldn't teach me, obviously, but Hogwarts has been an amazing experience."

"You like the school?"

"It's alright. I'm in Gryffindor. It's the house Albus Dumbledore was in, you know, so that made me happy when the Sorting Hat put me there. I have a few friends, but really, it's just been me and the books."

"Sounds lonely."

"I need the school to learn how to use my magic."

"You need more companionship, too, it seems. Hey, do you have an owl?"

"No." Hermione shook her head.

"Here." Harry reached into his robe and pulled out a coin. "This is an Owl Post subscription coin. If you tap the coin twice, it summons an owl to your location. While you have the coin, it's of no cost to you, but just a heads up, the owls appreciate a snack before delivering your mail."

"You're just giving this to me?" Hermione asked as she accepted the coin. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. My Dad and I have one each, so I can just use his if I need to. I have an owl, so I really only use them when she is preoccupied. This way, we can keep in touch, and maybe you can teach me something you're learning at Hogwarts. And I can teach you something I'm learning."

"I would love that." Hermione pocketed the coin. "Thank you, Harry."

Hermione glanced at her watch, then gasped and started backing away.

"I have to go. I promised my parents I wouldn't be in Rue Dispa for more than an hour. But it was so nice meeting you and thank you so much for everything!"

"You're welcome," Harry said, waving goodbye to Hermione. She smiled before disappearing in the crowd. She seemed nice enough, and she gave Harry a chance to have an insider in Hogwarts. It would give him a chance to learn whatever they may be learning, and he was sure Severus wouldn't mind him giving away his coin in the pursuit of knowledge. Harry put his book in an inner robe pocket before he reached up and stroked his cat as he studied the crowd. "What do you make of her, Boomslang?"

Boomslang meowed softly.

"I agree." Harry said, giving the black cat an ear rub, earning loud purrs.

As he watched the crowd, Harry frowned as he saw a familiar person duck into a dark alleyway.

"That can't be," he muttered.

Shuffling his way between people, Harry quickly made his way over to the alleyway he saw the blue robes walk down. It was a dark street with many closed shops and cafes, and at the end of the alley was a small café shop with outdoor seating. The shop was closed at the moment, and Harry leaned against the building, keeping out of sight of the outdoor seating area. He strained his hearing to catch what was being said by the two people sitting alone. While Severus would say eavesdropping was wrong, it was perfectly fine if it was necessary in keeping yourself safe and alive. Harry bit back a growl as he realized his suspicions were true. Boomslang growled softly, and Harry rested a hand over the cat's head, a gentle command to stay silent.

Albus Dumbledore was in Paris as well.

What on earth was he doing here?

"Did you see him?" a man asked Dumbledore in a hoarse voice.

"I did not," Albus said, "but I did catch a glimpse of Harry. He appeared to be making friends with a student of mine, Hermione Granger. He is doing well."

"How can you say he is doing well?" the first man snapped. "He's living with a wizard whose loyalties are unknown to either side. An absolute rogue."

"Severus will not hurt Harry, that I can be sure of. I regret I did not keep tighter reins on Severus when he went off the grid all those years ago. I never thought he would pull something like this, but I should have suspected he was up to something when he quit working for me after only a year of employment. I don't know if he was always planning on taking in Harry or if it was a whim of the moment, but he has convinced Harry that I am untrustworthy, and he blames me for abandoning him at his relatives."

"Well, isn't that what you did?"

"It was necessary. As long as Harry was within the blood wards, no harm would have ever come to him."

Harry's frown deepened at those words, and he pressed his ear closer to the edge of the building.

"With Sirius Black on the loose," Albus continued, "he is at more risk than ever before."

"Sirius Black was reported saying "he's at Hogwarts." He may have no clue Potter does not attend the school. That may help keep the child safe."

Harry was furious. How could the headmaster think the blood wards were still effective when his relatives didn't even care about him? And who was Sirius Black and what did he have anything to do with himself? Before Harry could consider any more questions, he was startled as hands roughly grabbed his shoulders and yanked him away from the building.

"Look what we have here!" A man with wild hair, a scarred face, and one normal eye and one electric blue eye, glared down at Harry as he pulled him out toward Albus and another elder man, who both stood up at the sight of Harry. "Snape's been teaching you well, hasn't he, you little spy!"

"Let me go!" Harry growled, yanking against the man. He flicked his wand out of the protective sleeve holder in the way Severus had shown him, but this man was quick and snatched his wrist and twisted painfully before bringing his arm around his back in a very restrictive hold. Harry felt his wand removed from his hand and he kicked at the man desperately.

Boomslang yowled before biting down on a hand that kept Harry from moving.

"Ah!" the man yelped before tucking Harry against his side in a restraining hold while scruffing the cat and glaring at it. Boomslang cried out while the man spat, "Wretched thing!"

"No, don't hurt him!" Harry pleaded.

"Alastor, enough!" Albus said. "Put the cat down."

Alastor Moody made a disgusted face as he threw Boomslang down, and the cat managed to land gracefully on his feet, but Moody hit the cat with stunner, knocking him to the ground frozen.

"No!" Harry shouted, fighting harder against Moody's hold. "What is wrong with you? He's just a cat."

"A mangy cat," Moody said. "I should have that thing tested for rabies."

"Alastor," Albus scolded. He turned gentle eyes to Harry. "Your cat is okay, Harry. What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" Harry glared at Albus. "What are you doing here? You've been following my dad and I around!"

"I have been checking up on you both through the last couple years, yes," Albus said. "I just want to be sure you are safe and thriving."

"We're fine and we certainly don't need you hovering around."

"He's brainwashed," the elder man standing next to Albus said. The man stepped closer to Harry. "Young lad, I'm Elphias—good friend of Albus's—we have reason to believe that Snape is manipulating you for a greater purpose that only he knows. Surely you can see Albus's reason for wanting to stay updated on how you are doing."

"You expect me to believe that?" Harry snapped.

"Why would you have reason to doubt us?" Elphias asked.

"I don't know, maybe because you're holding me hostage while feeding me this information!"

"We are not holding you hostage," Albus quickly said. "Alastor, let him go."

There was a pause for a moment before Moody released Harry, who jerked away from the man and scooped up Boomslang in his arms, cradling the stunned cat close while backing away from the men. Perhaps he had been a bit rash in following the headmaster to his private conversation. He was regretting this decision, but he also wasn't sure how to get out of it without seeming like a cowardly child. Besides, Albus currently had his wand.

"Still no sign of Snape," Elphias said, glancing at Albus. "What should we do now?"

"I say," Moody interjected, "that we take advantage of the situation and kidnap him. Force him to go to Hogwarts; a young wizard needs proper schooling."

Harry felt his heart leap into his throat at that, and he took a few more steps back. They wouldn't really do that, would they? The look Albus gave Moody said no, but one could never be too sure.

"The light side endorses kidnapping now?" Severus's silky voice asked as he stepped around the café building and walked toward the group, his black robes billowing just slightly behind him. Belladonna, his black cat familiar, trotted at his side, her tail held high as she glared at everyone who wasn't her owner. "That is certainly news to me."

"Dad!" Harry cried, running over to his father and standing just slightly behind him. "They threatened to kidnap me."

"So I heard."

"We were never planning on kidnapping him, Severus," Albus said placatingly.

"Are you okay?" Severus asked Harry, ignoring the men for a moment.

"Yeah." Harry nodded before he adjusted his cat in his arms to show his father. "They hurt Boomslang."

"Hurting a child's familiar," Severus tsked while shaking his head at the men. "That is low, even for you gentlemen."

"We did not intend any harm," Albus said. He pulled out his wand and stretched out his arms toward Harry and his cat. "I can wake him for you, Harry."

Harry held Boomslang closer against his chest protectively while glaring at Albus. Severus snorted before waving his own hand over the cat, counteracting the stunning spell, and Boomslang flailed for a moment in Harry's arms before relaxing and allowing Harry to stroke him. Harry smiled at his cat while muttering a soft thank you to Severus before looking up at the men and saying, "They've been following us."

"I know," Severus said, meeting Albus's eyes. "Ever since I took you in, Albus has always been around the corner."

Harry always felt surprised that his father seemed to know everything, but he was used to the feeling and didn't outwardly show it. How anyone thought they could outsmart Severus was beyond him, and he smirked at the men.

"You shouldn't even have the child," Moody said. "How you buried your records to obtain guardianship is beyond me."

"Is it?" Severus retorted. "A spy for the light side, someone who risked his life for the greater good, gave everything yet still lost someone near and dear, but takes in her child as my own. I'm practically a hero, Mad-Eye, and by Albus's own words. His wand, Albus."

Severus held his hand out for Harry's wand, and Albus handed it over easily.

"We did not come here to dispute guardianship," Albus said. "Harry is legally your child. We merely came to inform you of Sirius Black's escape."

"You think I don't read the paper?" Severus asked, raising a brow as he handed the wand back to Harry, who tucked it in its protective sleeve holder. "I'm not daft, say what it is you truly wish to tell me."

"Harry isn't safe out in the open like this," Albus said. "And alone, might I add."

"He is not alone," Severus said. "We are in Rue Dispa, a rather crowded place full of capable wizards and witches and where attempting to attack a child would draw far too much attention. The only time he was alone is when he foolishly followed you here, but had you not raised his suspicion, perhaps he would not have felt the need to investigate."

Harry blushed at Severus's words, and he knew he would hear more about his foolish decision later.

"I'm not raising a child who can't handle himself," Severus added. "Harry knows how to react in an emergency, even if only briefly, it might be enough to save his life."

"That is a bit risky, don't you think, Severus?" Albus asked. "Harry should be experiencing classes with classmates and exploring large castles and playing Quidditch. He shouldn't have to be learning how to fight or protect himself."

"As if he wouldn't be doing the same thing at Hogwarts right now," Severus snarled. At Albus's pale look, Severus smirked. "Yes, I have acquaintances who've kept me informed of the ongoings at your school. The philosopher's stone which you nearly lost had you not belatedly realized who exactly was pursuing it; the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets which only ended after you chanced upon the diary responsible for the activity. Luck has been kind to you, Albus, but your luck will run out. I can't imagine how things would have played differently if Harry had actually attended the school."

Severus put an arm around Harry's shoulders and turned away, leading Harry with him. He paused for a moment to glance back at Albus and say, "I heed your warning, but Harry stays with me. I will not let him become your pawn. And with that said, if you would cease stalking my son and I everywhere we go, that would be appreciated. Ce n'est pas la mer à boire."

With that, Severus led the way back to Rue Dispa, leaving a defeated looking Albus behind.

That evening, after eating dinner and showering, Harry was dressed in nightclothes and ready to pass out for the night when he noticed Severus was still writing away in his journal at the desk in their hotel room. His father was always working on one project or another. Harry decided to feed the cats since they were clearly forgotten if their cries were anything to go by. He opened a can of food and split it between two plates before setting the food on the floor for the cats to dig into. Once they were eating contently, Harry walked over to his father, leaning over his shoulder to see what he was working on.

Words written in Severus's neat scrawl marked up the page around an impressive drawing of a colossal skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth. Harry frowned at it, studying the design before attempting to read the words surrounding the picture, but Severus had chosen to write in Latin in this journal, and Harry made a face. Another language he would have to study.

"It is rude," Severus said suddenly, "to hover over another's shoulder while they are working."

"Sorry," Harry said. "What is that?"

"Research," Severus said as he set his quill down and closed his journal. "Of which is none of your concern."

"It looks scary," Harry said.

"It is absolutely terrifying," Severus agreed, turning in his seat to face his son. "But as I said, it is none of your concern. Do not worry yourself over it."

"Can I ask you something?" Harry asked, his eyes falling to stare at his father's black slippers. "It's been bugging me all day."

Harry felt a finger tilt his chin up once more until he was meeting Severus's eyes. His father raised a brow expectantly and Harry swallowed dryly.

"You didn't have an ulterior motive for adopting me, right?"

"Of course not," Severus said. "Are you thinking about what Albus said? Do not let his words get to you. He is a stubborn man when things do not go his way, and he will say anything to muddle your thoughts and persuade you to his cause."

"Is it the wrong cause to fight for?" Harry asked. "You called it the light side. If there's a light side, the other side must be dark."

"And that is what makes the world so black and white, Harry. There doesn't have to be sides, light or dark. I am not fighting for either side. I am fighting for you."

"But why did you adopt me? I mean, you didn't really know me and I kind of just showed up in your house, but you were quick to take me in when you realized who I was. When you saw the scar on my forehead like everyone else who sees it."

Severus sighed heavily through his nose before he stood up and pulled his son into a hug. Harry accepted the embrace, wrapping his arms around Severus and resting his head against his chest.

"I suppose I was a bit hasty in taking you in," Severus said, absently running a hand through Harry's hair, "however, at the time, it had nothing to do with politics if that is your concern. Yes, I saw your scar and that clued me in to who you actually were, but I also saw Lily in you, and you reminded me of the promise I made to her years ago. When you came to me, I realized that I had not kept my promise in keeping you safe, and that I would not be able to keep it at all if I had let you walk out that door and return to your relatives. I knew I needed to keep you around before I lost you forever to whatever plans Albus had for you at Hogwarts. I kept you that day because I loved Lily, and I adopted you ten months later because I loved you."

Harry felt his eyes water and he squeezed his arms around his father tighter. He felt Severus place a gentle kiss on the top of his head.

"And I love you still, Harry."

"I love you, too, Dad." Harry pulled back and looked up at his father. "I'm sorry, I didn't doubt you, I just was thinking about—"

"I know. Albus has that effect on people."

Harry smiled at his father; glad he wasn't mad. Boomslang trotted over to them and pawed at Harry's leg, and Harry picked up his cat to help him get to his shoulder, where Boomslang happily perched.

"Who's Sirius Black?" Harry asked, suddenly remembering the man that was mentioned earlier.

"A dangerous criminal who escaped a wizarding prison. He is said to have been a supporter of the Dark Lord, so we must be careful when we return home. Many followers of the Dark Lord would love nothing more than to get to you."

"Yippee," Harry said, but hearing that was nothing new. Severus was always reminding him to be careful whenever they went out into public. Harry's eyes brightened as he recalled a different highlight of his day. "I made a new friend. Hermione Granger. She goes to Hogwarts. She said she read all of Hogwarts: a history and she wanted my help finding the French school's history book so she could read about the culture and origins of the school. Not sure why, but she was kind of fun to talk to."

"She sounds like an insufferable know-it-all," Severus said as he put away his journal and quills into their rightful place in his suitcase.

"Oh, like you, Dad?" Harry shot back. "Say, when are you going to start teaching me Latin?"

"After I wash your mouth out with soap for your cheek," Severus fired back. "It is late, and we have a conference to attend in the morning."

"Why are they always so ridiculously early?" Harry asked as he stretched out on one of the hotel beds with Boomslang stretching out next to him. "Haven't people heard of sleeping in every once in a while?"

"Only those who have no desire to advance their research," Severus said as he crawled into the opposite bed, Belladonna curling up gracefully on a spare pillow. "Go to sleep, son. Goodnight."

Harry smiled as Severus turned all the lights off with a flick of his wand. Boomslang was purring loudly next to him, a soothing rumble, and Harry pulled the blanket around himself and turned over, getting himself comfortable on the bed. He stroked Boomslang until he felt his eyes grow heavy. He was happy that he chose to stay with his father. It sounded like Hogwarts was a dangerous school anyway. Now he kind of felt bad for Hermione. He would write to her tomorrow for sure, just to check in and let her know he had meant it when he said they could be friends.


I created my own little French Diagon Alley rather than followed what is canon. Why? I liked my version better. Hope you enjoyed!