kbinnz - Harry's New Home

Snape had been surprised that the brat hadn't even asked about bringing along his friends, but again, perhaps Albus had warned him. He had to admit, the boy was тАУ so far тАУ behaving very well indeed. He hadn't even sicked up after they Apparated, much to Snape's surprise.

#

Harry was in Heaven. He'd loved the sensation of side-along apparition, especially as it gave him a socially acceptable reason to give his guardian a hug. Snape had looked at him a little oddly, but hadn't objected, and the man had even given him a little pat on the shoulder and a "well done" when Harry kept his feet during the transport. And now, they had been wandering the Alley for hours.

Snape kept going into the most fascinating stores тАУ with weird potion ingredients and captivating books тАУ and he'd actually bought Harry something at most of them. This was utterly unprecedented in Harry's experience, and he'd protested, but his professor had insisted in his usual way. "Potter! I have had enough of your impertinence! Having the companion guide to your potions textbook will enable you to develop your essay themes in much greater detail. No more arguments. I will be purchasing this book, and you will be reading it. Do you understand?"

And now Harry kept flipping through the amazing book тАУ which had step by step animated illustrations to show the difference between chopping and dicing and why stirring counterclockwise was important and how to tell salamander eyes from newt eyes andтАж "Potter! Pay attention! You nearly walked into that stand!"

"Sorry, sir, ma'am," Harry said quickly, nodding to the stand's owner. The old lady caught sight of his scar and gasped in delight.

"Ooooh, Mr Potter, sir! Here, have one on the house!" She stuck a stick in his hand and waved away his thanks.

Harry hurried over to where Professor Snape stood waiting, a sour look on his face. "What is it, sir?" he asked, holding it out for inspection.

"An all day sucker," Snape snapped. "It tastes like whatever is appropriate for the hour тАУ pancakes in the morning, tea at midday, and so on."

"Brilliant!" Harry said, popping it into his mouth. "Mmm!"

Snape huffed. "Just what you need тАУ more sugar."

Harry started to remove the lollie, but Snape shook his head at him scoldingly. "It would be most ungracious to refuse it, and I suppose you still require additional caloric supplementation to make up for past neglect."

Harry happily replaced the sucker and handed over his book for the professor to stow with the rest of his purchases.

"Potter," Snape said, a bit uncomfortably, as they continued down the street, "are youтАж all right?"

"Huh? I din' hurt m'sel on th'stand if tha's what you mean?" Harry asked, a bit confused.

"Do not mumble around that treat in such a slovenly fashion," Snape corrected sharply. "Take it out of your mouth when you are speaking."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. What do you mean, am I all right?"

"It is a simple enough question." Snape's voice was harsh, revealing his feeling of awkwardness. "You have experienced many changes in your life over the past few months. It would be natural to feel тАУ unsettled."

"Oh." Harry thought about it. His life certainly had changed a lot, but they were all good changes. He had a new place to live, friends for the first time, more than enough to eat, and тАУ best of all тАУ he had his guardian who looked after him and spoiled him with outings and presents. He was learning to use his magic, and no one had called him a freak in months. Even when he got into trouble here, he didn't have to fear a beatingтАж Could life get any better? "I don't think I feel unsettled. Everything's good," he assured his professor.

"Has the attention around your godfather been," Snape cleared his throat uncomfortably, "difficult for you?"

Harry considered. The only real difficulty had come when Snape had caught him looking at what had turned out to be a naughty picture. Harry still wasn't sure whether his godfather had helped to kill his parents or not тАУ he figured his professor would let him know when everything had been sorted out and a decision reached on that point тАУ but even if it hadn't been him, someone had helped kill them and they'd still be dead no matter what. Harry suspected that if he were still living with the Durselys, then he'd care a lot more about his godfather's guilt or innocence, as that might provide him with a way to escape his relatives' care, but since he now had his professor, the whole thing became a lot less relevant.

Besides, he didn't know what this godfather was like. Most of his life, Harry's luck had been pretty rotten, and he knew better than to expect things to turn out well for him. What if his godfather was mean or bullying like the Dursleys? Or even just a lot less tolerant than his guardian? Harry had had enough of getting screamed at and whacked (really whacked, not the little swats his professor administered) and made to scrub floors. He knew his professor would never do any of those things тАУ but with this new unknown anything was possible. No, Harry was very happy right where he was.

He knew his professor was still waiting for an answer, so he shrugged. "Not really."

Snape frowned. Was the brat in denial? Burying his feelings? Hmm. He might have to get a few more books on child psychology. Perhaps those Muggle books he'd special ordered had finally arrived at Flourish and Blotts. "Come along, Potter," he led the way into the store. "You may select two books to purchase," he said sternly. "Only two, mind!"

Harry's jaw fell open. "B-but, Professor тАУ"

"No arguments," Snape snapped. Greedy little fiend! "Two!"

"But you already got me a book! You don't have to buy me any more!" Harry protested. He'd already cost the professor so much today.

Snape blinked, readjusting his preconceptions. "Potter," he said, his tone significantly less sharp, "I am perfectly aware that I don't 'have' to buy you these books, but it is customary to be permitted a few treats on a shopping expedition тАУ if you behave yourself like a young wizard should," he added hastily, lest the brat come to think he was entitled to such gifts.

The smile spread over Harry's face like sunshine. "So I've been good? I've behaved properly?"

"Didn't I just say that? Shall I have Madame Pomfrey check your hearing?" Snape asked snarkily. "Now go look for your books. I will not sit around and wait while you dilly dally!"

Harry shot off, straight for the Quidditch section. How predictable. Snape rolled his eyes and made for the counter at the back of the shop.

He'd just finished paying for his books and was about to go in search of the little monster when a voice behind him purred, "Severus. So good to see you again."

"Lucius." He turned, his face carefully neutral.

"Mr Malfoy! Hi!" Harry appeared at his side, grinning up at Malfoy. "Is Draco here too?"

"No, I assume Draco is safely back at Hogwarts," Lucius replied, casting a pointed glance at Snape. "School is still in session, is it not?"

Severus' eyes narrowed, but he didn't take the bait. Harry, on the other hand, was as artless as usual. "Oh, sure. But Professor Snape had to run some errands, so he brought me with him. Wasn't that nice of him?"

"It certainly was," Malfoy answered, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "He must take exceptionally good care of you."

Harry nodded vigorously. "He's brilliant!"

"That's why I was surprised to hear of your latest adventures," Malfoy continued, finally turning to look at the boy directly. "A troll, Mr Potter?"

Harry's eyes widened. "How did you know about тАУ Oh! Did Draco write you about it?"

"He did, though I had already read about it in the paper."

Now Harry's mouth formed an "O" of surprise. "The newspaper! The newspaper wrote about the troll?" He spun to face Snape. "Did you know that?"