Living at Spinner's End and Diagon Alley
Professor Snape side-along ApparatedHarry to Spinner's End. When they arrived, Harry could hear Professor Snape mumbling under his breath.
"Of all the idiotic, stupid, Gryffindor things he could have done, he chose to save the great Harry Potter." The Professor ranted. Harry just sighed.
"I'm not that great." Harry whispered to himself. He was so busy taking in the sights, he did not notice that the Professor had heard him and stopped in his tracks. He quickly caught himself and began walking to catch up to the young boy who continued toward his house.
"While you are here, there will be a few rules you must follow." Professor Snape started. "First, you will keep your room clean here. Second, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served promptly at 8, 12, and 5, respectively. If you do not arrive on time you will not eat. Third, I will be in my potions lab all day. You will not disturb me unless your life is in mortal peril." Harry nodded in agreement with those terms. Professor Snape showed him to the guest bedroom and Harry placed his trunk, Hedgwig's cage, and his broom next to the bed.
"Thank you, Professor." Harry replied gratefully. He paused for a moment and turned to his professor. "Professor Snape, is this the house you grew up in?"
"Why do you ask, Mister Potter?" Professor Snape replied. Harry shrugged.
"Well, I was just thinking, if this was the place you grew up in, then my mum's childhood home would not be too far away. I thought maybe I could go see it sometime." Harry put forward. Professor Snape stood in the doorway, looking pensively at the boy.
"Perhaps." Professor Snape finally agreed. Harry smiled. Professor Snape then resized his trunk and turned to leave.
Professor Snape walked out of the room and down into his potions lab. Harry took out his prized photo album and continued looking at the pictures. He stopped at one of Sirius, James, and Remus.
"Soon, Sirius. Soon." Harry promised.
The next weeks went by uneventfully. Professor Snape did not have any real reason to complain, as Harry did exactly what he was told. His room was impeccably clean, he always arrived to meals on time, and he always remained very quiet. Of course, the Professor never thought that these could be manifestations of abuse showing through, so of course he had no reasons to believe that Harry might have been abused.
The time came for Harry to go to Diagon Alley to get his school books and supplies. Professor Snape adamantly refused to let Harry go alone, and Harry could not tell if he was grateful or exasperated. Why in the world would Professor Snape want to go shopping with me? Harry wondered as they Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
They first went to Gringrotts. Harry grabbed a huge pile of money. He noted that someone should have told him that this was just his trust fund vault. Had no one really thought to tell him that his father-as Lord Potter-had at least two more vaults in his name waiting for when Harry became of age? He was glad that he had been informed thusly last time when he turned 17.
He came back out and met with Professor Snape. The Professor then took the boy to the Apothecary, where they spent time getting what Harry needed for potions. Harry was slightly bemused by the fact that he noticed Professor Snape slipping things into his cart, as well.
"Why would I need that, Professor?" Harry asked cautiously.
"It may or may not be the secret ingredient in one of your potions that will help you get a better grade." Professor Snape hinted. Harry had to smirk. Truth be told, he could enjoy potions this time around, without someone breathing down his neck. He even managed to keep an O in potions all last year.
For the first time, Harry realized that there were many options open to him other than becoming an auror. For example, he could become a potions professor, or a DADA teacher, like Remus. Harry pondered further on this. He was so engrossed in his thoughts he did not see himself bumping into someone on the street. He regretted it as soon as he realized what he had done.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed in greeting. "How are you? Did you get my letters? I never got a reply."
"Um, a house elf was stealing my mail. I didn't get any mail. Draco had to come and get me." Harry explained, faking a mournful look. He would have continued but at that point Professor Snape arrived behind him. Ron gave him a look of pure terror.
"Mate," He whispered as quietly as possible. "The slimy git we have as a teacher is right behind you. Don't look now." Harry rolled his eyes.
"He's not a git." Harry defended loud enough that Professor Snape heard him and was mildly surprised.
"Who's not a git?" Professor Snape asked, weeding his way into the conversation. Ron gulped.
"I…I think I hear my mum calling me, Harry. I'll see you on the train. Bye!" Ron almost ran away, he fled so quickly.
"It's nothing, sir." Harry responded to Professor Snape. "Ron's just being a prat, as always." That sentence brought to mind fourth year, when Ron had turned his back to Harry. He sighed.
"Harry!" A voice called out from the crowd. Before Harry knew what was going on, he had a mouthful of bushy hair and a Hermione clinging around his neck. He hugged her back.
"Hi Hermione." Harry greeted.
"How was your summer? Did Ron come and save you again this year?" Hermione asked him. Harry shook his head.
"Thankfully, no." Harry started. It was then Hermione saw Professor Snape standing next to Harry.
"I am going to the Leaky Cauldron. Find me when you are done, Mister Potter." Professor Snape instructed. Harry nodded his head in understanding.
"Harry, did Professor Snape save you?" Hermione asked. Harry considered this.
"In a way, yes, but no. Draco came to save me from the Dursleys. Snape came to save me from the Malfoys." Harry explained as they walked toward Flourish and Blott's. As soon as they entered, Harry sighed. He had forgotten that this was the day Professor Lockhart would be at the bookstore for his book signing. He looked up and imagined Fate and Time looking back at him. "Was this really necessary?" He questioned irately.
"Come on. Let's hurry up and leave before…" Hermione started.
"Harry Potter." Lockhart cried in recognition. Harry flinched and gave Hermione a silent call for help. She shrugged and mouthed, "Sorry." She then pushed Harry toward the man still calling his name.
Harry really could have done without the speech, the books, and the picture, but he was grateful to get out of the crowd of mad women. Thankfully, as soon as he was out of the crowd of Lockhart fans, he saw Draco.
"Hey Draco!" Harry greeted. Draco smiled.
"Hey Scarhead." Draco teased as they gave each other a manly hug. Once they broke apart, Hermione flung herself on Draco. Draco looked shocked for a moment, but then eased into the hug. Harry-for his part-only smirked and looked on.
It was then that he noted Lucius Malfoy talking with the Weasleys. He walked over, questioning whether or not he should get involved, when Lucius called on him.
"Ahh, Mister Potter, the celebrity. Enjoy your five minutes of fame over there?" Lucius asked menacingly. Harry just held his ground and refused to avert his eyes.
"Hey! You have no right to say that to him!" Ginny defended. Harry and Draco were both plenty surprised that the youngest Weasley had the nerve to stand up to Lucius Malfoy.
"Gryffindor in the making, aren't you?" Lucius asked her. "Draco, come. We are leaving."
Harry looked apologetically at Draco. The boy shrugged.
"I'll see you on the train, Harry." Draco promised. Harry nodded. Then, the Malfoys left.
"Oh, Harry. I hear my parents calling for me. I better go, too. See you on the train." Hermione said as she turned and left.
At this moment, Harry realized he had yet to say anything to the Weasleys. He turned to Ginny.
"Thank you for defending me. Ginny, was it?" Harry asked knowingly. Ginny smiled wide, blushed and nodded her head exuberantly.
"I better get going myself." Harry turned to Mrs. Weasley. "By the way, thank you for the Christmas present. I'm sorry I did not get around to thanking you before. Things just got so busy, it must have slipped my mind." Harry apologized. Mrs. Weasley nodded in understanding.
"It's alright, Harry Dear. Ron told me about the exciting time you all had. I really appreciate you taking our little Ronnie under your wing." Mrs. Weasley gushed. Harry looked surprised but recovered quickly.
"Of course," Harry lied. He looked down at his watch. "I better go. My guardian will be looking for me soon." The Weasleys said their goodbyes and Harry ran off toward the Leaky Cauldron. He really could not wait until he was back at Hogwarts with his friends, and Ronald, apparently.