The Magic Quill, pt. 2

Harry’s journey back to Hogsmeade was quick; he was filled with a new confidence at his success, and wouldn’t let anything stand in his way. He traveled back to 1971, then Apparated away. Harry went to the home where he had recorded his supposed current address. Sure enough, when he went inside, a crisp yellow letter was waiting for him. In emerald green print it read:

Mr. Jacob Walker

509 Loyola Drive

Shropshire, England 

Harry opened it, delighted that the spell had worked. It was the standard letter, there was nothing that suggested anyone was suspicious of him. He couldn’t help grinning at the good news; it was one less thing he had to worry about. Sure, there were other things he’d have to sort out eventually, but for now he could be satisfied that he had accomplished something. Moreover, he was able to go to Hogwarts. 

He was just at the peak of his relief and excitement when he noticed a second envelope, which had been half hidden underneath the doormat. He tried to convince himself that it wasn’t what he thought it was, that it was just normal Muggle mail. But he couldn’t control the sinking feeling of what it might contain. He picked up the envelope, labeled just as the first was. His suspicions were confirmed as he began reading the neat print: 

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s) of Mr. Jacob Walker,  

Because you have not been home, and your whereabouts are unknown, a witch/wizard could not contact you to discuss your son’s future. We will attempt to return on 15th August. If you are still not home, we will leave a book explaining the wizarding world to you. It can only be opened by someone of magical ability to ensure its secrecy. We would dispatch a wizard to find you personally, but we are very backed up with other business.

Harry considered this. What did “other business” mean? Dealing with the rise of Voldemort? Other Muggle-borns? Did they suspect him? It wouldn’t surprise him if they did, since they couldn’t find him! This must be a first: they could find the Dursleys when they were in the middle of nowhere…so wouldn’t they know something wasn’t adding up? The good news from the second letter was that he could get away without having to bewitch a couple into thinking they’re his parents—he’d simply avoid the house on the 15th, and be done.  

Harry skimmed the rest of the letter, which held nothing of importance. He stood, considering the situation. Although being an orphan would ideally be a lot easier than pretending to belong to a family, he would never be able to Apparate ahead in time during the summer without someone noticing he was gone. Harry had already committed to at least an entire school year, maybe more, in order to change the past. He pictured himself spending more time than that, coming to the present as an old man. He at least owed a few years of his life to help people, to repay his debt to all the people he had endangered. But that didn’t mean he had to stay longer than necessary. 

He had to save time in the summer to make up for the age he’d gain during school. That meant being in a day at three hours tops, or preferably not at all. Hopefully, he could spread himself out for no more than five days in his time over the next month. Harry would only spend time becoming Snape’s friend, not stalking him and Lily. 

He dug into his bag and pulled out a sandwich, eating it quickly. He wiped his hands and got ready before he set off to eleven in the morning on the next day. 

Harry made sure the house showed no sign that anyone had been here, then left.

Over the next few weeks, Harry fell into a rhythm. He met Snape, or rather Severus, as he was now used to calling him, right after hung out with Lily. Each day he use a different way to get a bit closer to knowing the seemingly unreachable boy. 

One day, Harry brought the acceptance letter from Hogwarts. He left the envelope at home so Severus wouldn’t know where he lived.

As Severus was heading home, he saw Jacob running toward him, madly waving something in his hand. “I got it! I got the acceptance letter!” At first Snape was surprised, both to see Jacob again despite their established friendship and because he was right about Harry being a wizard. As he got closer, Harry could see smugness replace disbelief in his impenetrable black eyes.  

Harry handed Severus the pieces of parchment, then bent down, hands on his knees. As he pretended to catch his breath from the run, Severus looked over the letter. He didn’t seem to quite know what to say, so he waited awkwardly for Harry to recover. It didn’t take much longer before Jacob Walker, the hyper, supposed eleven-year-old, was back to his usual happy self. Harry was sampling many different personalities in his attempt to seem younger, but nothing felt comfortable. At the least, he tried to balance Severus’ solemnity.

“I’m excited to go to Diagon Alley! Although…my parents are ending up to not like the whole magic thing,” Harry said, his tone suggesting he felt guilty for this. At least the statement seemed to get a reaction from Severus, who seemed frustrated, clearly proud of having at least one magical parent. 

“Who do they think they are?” He stuck his chin out in indignation. “I bet you they’re just…” he trailed off, searching for the proper word. 

“Jealous?” Harry finished. “I don’t think so. They think it’s odd, to be like I am. Abnormal. I can still go, but I can tell they wish I was the way I used to be.” 

Harry diverted their conversation from pitying his life to “learning” about Severus. “At least…well, your parents are proud that you’re a wizard, right?” Severus’ face darkened and he looked away. “My dad isn’t. He’s a Muggle.” He paused, as if ashamed of this, so Harry asked, “Do you not like Muggles?” Severus looked at him. “I don’t like my father,” he replied simply, and didn’t explain further. 

They started walking in silence as Severus continued home. Harry tried picking up where they left off. “My parents don’t want to take me to Diagon Alley.” He let the statement hang in the air. Another awkward silence ensued. Severus finally found something to say in response.  

“My mum is just giving me money, she’s not shopping with me…they don’t really, I mean…” Severus trailed off, once again self-conscious of his family. Harry studied his blank face, then gave a sad smile and looked forward. “It’ll get better, you know. Even if you have a rotten family, you have someone who cares about you a lot, right?” That was how he, personally, got through living with the Dursleys. 

Without meaning to, Snape replied (even though it was a rhetorical question), “Lily.” After he said it, his eyes widened in horror. He had revealed her importance to Jacob Walker, his new acquaintance, as though it was a big secret. In a way, it was, because Lily never knew how much Severus cared for her…or had she?

“You’re lucky, then. To have her. Make sure it lasts,” Harry said gently. Snape looked away, hiding a smile, the genuine kind that only Lily knew. 

“So…she’s she a witch, too?” 

“Yeah,” he answered, lost in thought. They said nothing more until they reached Snape’s house. 

Again, the shame of his heritage washed over Snape at the appearance of his house. “Well…here it is…” he said uncomfortably, and started toward the house. 

“Okay, I’ll see you around then.” Harry waved goodbye and continued walking. As he disappeared from the view of the house, he pulled out his watch. It had the current date and time on it, plus, in the center, a timer that he now started. When it got to 16 hours, he’d rest. 

He jumped twenty-three and a half hours ahead in time. It was like clockwork, Lily and Severus. They always parted around the same time, leaving Harry to meet up with Severus.  

They were getting closer, day by day. After 5 hours of Harry’s time, he and Severus spent about forty-five minutes each day walking around. And by the 13th of August, as Harry could feel himself wearing down from sleep deprivation, Severus asked: 

“Would you want a ride to—to Diagon Alley? I think my mum would be fine with it. I mean, we’d travel by Floo powder, but…” Severus didn’t meet Harry’s eyes. 

Harry was taken aback by his offer. It was the first direct sign of kindness shown from Severus to him, not Lily. He was so surprised that it took him a while to respond. “Oh. Oh! Yes, that would be very…very nice,” he managed, clearing his throat. “I don’t know how else I would get there, honestly,” he lied. 

Severus blushed at his sincerity.

Harry smiled. The sky was clear, the sun hot but not pressing, and there was a slight breeze. Two squirrels crossed their path, chasing each other up a tree. It was nice just enjoying the weather. 

“I hope we’re in the same house,” Harry said, and even though he knew that Severus wanted to be in Slytherin, Jacob didn’t. It was an innocent wish, but one that could end up being controversial. Severus had told him all about Hogwarts, while Harry pretended to be surprised and asked questions at all the right times. He had described the traits needed to be placed in a different house, subtly biased against Gryffindor. He had failed to mention, however, his desire to be in Slytherin. 

“Yeah,” Snape agreed half-heartedly.  

Harry decided to ignore his unenthusiastic, we-don’t-need-to-continue-the-subject tone. “I honestly don’t know where I’d get placed. Maybe Hufflepuff. But…I think I’d know where you’d be put. Even though I don’t know you well.”

If he didn’t have Snape’s full attention before, he definitely had it now. “What one?” he asked eagerly.  

“Gryffindor,” Harry replied simply, and immediately disappointment shaded Snape’s face. 

“What? Why? Do I come off as stupid to you?” 

“That’s not—Of course not. That’s not what Gryffindor is.” Harry gathered his opinions, planning out what would be best to convince him. “It’s not for…arrogant, thick-headed, big-muscled brutes. It’s for the wise, brave, and good-hearted. You don’t need to be a hero or a show-off with a high ego to be in it.”

Severus raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?” 

Harry cleared his throat. “Er, which house did you have in mind?” A familiar superior look crossed Snape’s face. 

“Slytherin,” he replied smugly. 

Harry looked on him in shock. “You’re joking, right? You don’t seem the type for Slytherin.”  

Snape narrowed his eyes at him. “And why not? How would you know? You’re a Mud—a Muggle—er, well, you don’t know enough about it to understand.”  

Oops. He forgot about how much he’s supposed to know. “I know enough. Let me just tell you this.” Severus sighed and looked away in exasperation.

“If you want to lose that kind friend of yours, Lily, I think, then go ahead and be happy with Slytherin. But you’re better than that. People go bad in that house. You don’t need that to happen to you. You’re kind, caring—and you’re going to be a great wizard.” Harry turned, then added, “Just think about that.” And with that, he ran away from the perplexed boy.