Medicine, pt. 2

James Potter stood next to a man who slightly resembled him, most likely his father, who already had gray hair. James was looking his best to look innocent as his dad held up a thick school book in one hand and a thin one in the other. Harry casually walked over to the bookshelf behind them and heard his father read in a low voice, “116 Ways to Cheat in Class?” He tried to stifle a smile. “You hid this in a book? Really, James. I would’ve expected you to put in a little more effort.”  

“Good job, dad. I’m impressed,” James said, trying to hide his disappointment. But then, when his dad turned around to go to the checkout, James pulled a Galleon out of his pocket and hid it casually in his hand. He grabbed another book that was sitting in wait on a shelf nearby, then went over to the counter with his father. 

After his dad paid and was pushing through the crowd, James bought the book, one that blended in with the rest of the other standard school books. But by the mischievous look on James’ face, he knew it wasn’t on the Hogwarts supply list. 

Harry felt a renewed sense of excitement. First he had felt awed, then depressed, then too overwhelmed to think clearly, and now he felt light-headed with disbelief. How had he expected he’d react when he saw his father in person for the first time? After first seeing his mom and dad in the Mirror of Erised, he realized he wanted nothing more than to have a family.  

And now, the only other emotion that surfaced was…disappointment. It was similar to seeing his dad in the Pensieve in his fifth year. After that experience, Harry had been devastated at how much of “an arrogant toerag” his dad was. Already, at age eleven, James managed to flirt with all the girls that looked his age on his way out. You could tell where he had walked in the store because he left a trail of severe giggles. Just before he closed the door, he waved to a pack of three girls who looked to be about twelve. They all waved back, then laughed and started chatting animatedly, peeking outside to catch a last glimpse of the boy. Harry still didn’t think this made James out to be a complete monster, just conceited, maybe. Though…he hated that he could figure out his father’s personality just by watching him for a couple minutes.

Harry bought the book and went back outside. As he walked, he pulled out a bag he’d filled with supplies he already had from the purse. He now had to carry two owls and two heavy bags, and knew this was going to make the day seem longer. 

He surveyed the diverse faces in the swarm of people on the street. His white owl hooted, annoyed, as the cage bumped against the jumbled mass of people. Well, maybe it wasn’t that unusual, Harry consoled himself as he watched a sullen girl with striking black hair walk next to a sour-faced, middle-aged woman. By her moody complexion…she looked like a true Slytherin. Maybe some people were just easier to figure out than others. 

Harry felt a jolt of guilt. He shouldn’t label people based on how they appear to passerby. His dad probably had complicated feelings that he wouldn’t understand unless he allowed himself to accept there was more than what met the eye. How many times was he going to have to remind himself of that? 

Maybe the boy who was waiting under the awning seemed awkward, depressed and poor; someone one’d want to avoid, but Harry didn’t see Severus that way, now that they were sort of friends. No, he only saw the smile that lit up Severus’ face as he came closer, as he held up the beautiful owl that he bought for him. 

“Wow, thanks…” 

Harry angled the cage so they could admire the bird, which turned its head to look at each of them in turn. Every time it made eye contact with Harry, he felt the back of his neck prickle. It was like…the bird could see right through him. Somehow the sharp eyes and wise appearance reminded Harry of Dumbledore. 

“I’ve never seen one like this. How did it get to be black?”

The bird now twisted her head toward Snape, who smiled at it, not noticing anything unusual. 

“The guy at the store said that it was mutated. I thought she was the coolest owl in the shop, personally.”

Harry’s new owl, now named Enoch, hooted in protest. “And this one was okay, too,” he said, smirking. 

“I got you something, too,” Severus said, reaching into one of his bags. He produced a rainbow-spiraled lollipop. Harry forced a smile, feeling guilty because Severus had felt the need to buy him something when he had already little money to spare on himself.

“It change colors and flavors as you eat it. It isn’t as good as an owl, but…”

“Wow, this is so cool! Thank you! I wish Muggle candy was like this!” Harry said ecstatically. Snape beamed as he immediately popped the sucker in his mouth.

“So, I already got all my stuff…” Harry began, taking the lollipop out so he could talk. Snape looked at him in mild surprise. “Really? I’ve only got my robes and wand. Speaking of wand, what does yours look like? Mine’s twelve inches, birch, and dragon heartstring, rigid…What about yours?” 

“Eleven inches, holly, phoenix core. It was the first one he pulled out, that’s why it didn’t take that long.” 

“Oh. Well, I still have to get the rest of the things on my list, if you don’t want to come…” 

“No, it’s fine. Maybe afterwards we can get ice cream? Did you have lunch already?” 

“I’ve never had ice cream before! From here, I mean…And, er, I’m not hungry, so…” Snape trailed off. Harry wondered if the reason Severus was so thin was because he didn’t get fed well at home. Maybe it was that, plus the fact that he had inherited his parent’s spidery figures.  

“Okay, well where do you want to go next? Is Lily gonna be here today?” 

A pink tinge rose momentarily in his pale cheeks. “Yes. Why do you want to know?” 

Harry bit his lip to keep from smirking. “No reason. Let’s start to Potage’s, it’s closest.” 

They spent another two hours buying Snape’s supplies. They went into shops Harry had never had to go into, second-hand stores with low prices on beat-up books that seemed overpriced for their quality. Severus was surprised at the amount of money his mum gave him; what he didn’t know was that Harry had slipped a few Galleons into his bag. If Harry hadn’t done so, there was no way he would’ve managed to afford everything on the list.

Within the approximate three hours they had been in Diagon Alley, the only person Harry had recognized had been James. It wasn’t until they went to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor that they saw another person they knew.

Harry and Severus had just got their ice creams—cookies and cream and a chocolate sundae, respectively—when Lily entered the store. Her mother, a woman with dark hair and large glasses, waved goodbye through the glass and walked away. “Sev!” Lily exclaimed, and headed toward him, beaming. Snape’s face relaxed and he returned her smile. “Hi,” he said, warmth flooding his usually cold voice. 

“It’s wonderful here, isn’t it? My mum came with me—she’s going to Gringotts to exchange more money.” She sighed. “I think Petunia wanted to come, but you know her…” Snape nodded, and Harry did, too, without realizing it, because he also knew what she was talking about. His aunt had been jealous that her sister was a witch and got to go to Hogwarts, and to cover her feelings up, she made fun of Lily and didn’t want anything to do with magic. 

Harry’s mother seemed to notice him for the first time. “Oh, hi!” She looked between the two, taken aback that Severus was with someone other than her. Lily probably thought she was Severus’ only friend. “What’s your name? Mine’s Lily Evans, sorry if I was rude.” And suddenly, for the first time, Harry came in contact with his mother. They shook hands—she had a very friendly, solid grip—then she looked at him expectantly. 

Harry mentally shook himself, still feeling a bit dazed. “Er, nice to meet you, my name’s Ha—I mean, Jacob. Jacob Walker.”

“Nice to meet you, Jacob.” Turning back to Snape, she said, “Listen, Sev, my mum is going to meet me back here in two hours…Do you want to hang out until then? All my shopping’s done.” 

“Yeah! We’re done, too. My mum is picking me—us—up at six, so we have time.” Severus was staring at her, a dreamy sort of smile on his face, so Harry cleared his throat loudly to snap him out of it. “Ah—sorry, er, so—” He fumbled with what to say. 

“Where’d ya get the owls?” Lily asked, oblivious that anything awkward had just taken place. She got in line and the two boys stood on the other side of the divider, continuing to eat their ice cream. As the line moved forward, they continued talking. 

“Actually, Jacob gave it—the dark one—to me. As an, er, early Christmas present.” 

“How thoughtful!” She now looked at Jacob, with an expression of either approval or annoyance, or a mixture of both. “It really is beautiful. I like the white one, too, though. I think my mum is going to get me one. She wants me to write home every week, I hope I’ll have time…” Lily turned, as she was next in line, and placed her order for a small mint chocolate chip in a cone. She paid, unnecessarily carefully counting out loud, then rejoined them. They sat at the only table outside, which was magically shaded from the sun. 

“So, Jacob, have you been to Diagon Alley before? It’s my first time, and I know Sev has been here before.” 

“My parents are both Muggles, so…” 

“Hey! Me too!” Lily seemed very excited at this, so Harry feigned equal interest, smiling and acting pleasantly surprised.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t be the only one,” she continued, “Sev says there are loads, but I don’t know, I was worried this year would be different…” For the first time, her natural confidence wavered, and she seemed almost insecure. 

“Why were you worried? What difference does it make if your parents are both Muggles?” said Harry, torn between his faux naivety and frustration that she would care about being the only Muggle-born. 

Lily hastily changed the subject. “So, what are you guys most excited for at Hogwarts?”

Severus thought for a moment. “I can’t wait to learn in general, I guess.” 

Yeah, learn the Dark Arts, Harry thought bitterly. He could tell it was going to wear him out, knowing the fates of the people around him. “Well, I can’t wait for Quidditch.” 

Snape was just about to ask how he knew about Quidditch when he added, “It was mentioned in that book I got a while ago, and it seems really exciting.” 

“Yeah, sure,” Severus said, though he could hardly care less. He was only halfway through his ice cream, and although he had enjoyed it, he seemed unable to eat any more. He went into the store to return the bowl from his sundae, scooping a last mouthful on his way in, leaving Harry and Lily alone. 

“So, how long have you known Severus?” he asked, starting to eat the cone part of his ice cream. 

“Hmm, it’s been maybe two, three years? What about you? I never, er, knew that he was friends with you. ” That was about as polite she could say he’s never had another friend without coming across as jealous.

“I met him recently.” Severus was just now within earshot, so he asked, “And, I was wondering, what house do you want to be put in? I’m sure he’s told you about them, right?” Severus sat down and shot Harry an annoyed glare, which wasn’t that effective since he had some chocolate ice cream on his face. 

“Hm, I don’t know…Gryffindor, maybe. He hasn’t told me much about any of them, so I don’t really know.” Harry gave Snape a see-what-did-I-tell-you look, and Severus ignored it stubbornly. He noticed Lily was trying to catch Snape’s attention, touching her cheek repeatedly, trying to point out a bit of chocolate on his face. Snape was too busy not meeting Harry’s eyes to notice. Lily got up in exasperation and went inside to get a napkin.

“Where are you—” Snape began, but she was already inside.

Lily returned with a napkin and said to him, “Sev, you have some chocolate on your face,” and bent down to his level. Snape stiffened as she tilted his face to the side and wiped his cheek carefully. “Almost…there we go!” She straightened up and tossed the napkin into a trash bin. Snape was still frozen in place, and Harry was, yet again, hiding a smile. He might as well enjoy it while it lasted; soon he wouldn’t think constantly being around eleven-year-olds was amusing, just annoying. After all, there was an age gap of seven years. Perhaps Harry would become less mature over time.