Harry Potter-Changing History Ongoing

Chapter 1: The Forest

Harry James Potter stood there in the forest. His voice quivered. His eyes widened. For once the boy who lived showed a different side of him. A new side of him that had been hidden away in a casket. A sensitive side of him. He was scared. He had just ran away from Uncle Veron after he got scared but what shook him to his core was when Dudley said, “See! Look what you did! You scared Harry! Again!” And then he ran after him...but Harry was faster then Dudley, with all the practice he does in track, he better be. That’s when a voice^___and not just any voice^___came out of nowhere.

“Harry!” A filmar, faint voice called. “Harry please! I can’t lose you^____not again!”

“...O-Over here D…” Harry said, curled up in a ball by a tree that had been turning red and yellow by the attack of fall.

“Oh thank god!” Dudely said, bushing the leaves away and going to Harry. He slouched down beside him. “I um...if you were too..I..can I um..” Dudley had a hard time getting his words together. “Oh Harry please don’t leave us!” For the first time Dudely was crying, in full tears. Hugging tightly on to Harry.

“Oh Dudley...I would never in a million years leave you.” Harry grinned slightly, something that rarely appeared on his face when he was with the Dursely’s.

“...I….are we going to go back?” Dudley asked. He’d jump if Harry said jump, he’d fall if Harry said fall.

“We have too.” Harry said. “They will literally kill us if we don’t, we are already going to be in trouble for leaving.”

“I know it’s just that…” Dudley never finished because before them a snake approached them.

“Harry! Snake!” Dudley said, arming himself with a twig.

“Oh calm down. That’s just Nagni.” Harry said, laughing at Dudley’s attpment to arm himself. A snake couldn’t be stopped by a twig, ya know.

“Oh hi!” Harry hissed. “What are you doing here, Nagni?”

“Tom wants you.” Nagni hissed.

“I already told Tom I couldn’t!”

“You did? Well, Tom doesn’t remember that one.”

“Ugh! Come on Nagni….please, c’mon I’m dealing with...things.”

“What things? What do you mean?”

“Unimportant there’s a million things I haven’t done”

“You really shouldn’t make a habit of saying that.”

“And why?”

“Because. You're obviously uncomfortable. You always say that when you don’t want to talk about it.”

“Whatever.”

“I’ll tell Tom you can’t go but…”

“But...what?”

“He might go to the Dursely’s and umm...barge in.”

“If he does he has to follow the rules.”

“And those are?”

“No magic. No killing them. No curses.”

“Alright. Okay. Fine.” Nagni slivered away.

“You can understand it?” Dudley asked, still frightened by the snake.

“Yeah….and it’s a she not it, Dudley.” Harry said, standing up and lending a hand so Dudely can get up. “Uncle Veorn is going to kill us, c’mon.”

“Whyyyyyyyy?” He groaned. “We can just stay here.”

“Dudely, c’mon.We have too, we have nowhere else to go.” Harry knew this was a lie. They could go to the Riddle Manor but then they’d be in more trouble. And he also told Nagni that he wouldn’t be coming.

“Fine.” Dudley took Harry’s hand and they walked back to Privet Drive together. Hand in hand. Dudley knocked on the door first, and Harry rang the doorbell.

“WHAT^___” Veron Dursely looked at the two. “You.” He whispered.

“Dad. No. You, I ran after him, you scared him.” His face felt hot with anger and then a burning pain and a scream of fright from Harry.

“Don’t talk to me boy.” Uncle Veron ordered. “Just because your my blood doesn’t mean I can’t treat you the same as this one over here.” Harry felt hot and he hid his sensitive side. Just for the moment.

“Shut up!” Harry yelled, “You're allowed to push me around. Not him.” Sparks flew off of Harry. His anger had gotten the best of him and both him and Dudley knew it.

“Harry!” Dudley yelled, then he thought what would get him to calm down? “Umm...breath in Harry.”

“What?” Harry snapped.

“Breath in Harry In one, out two, in one, out…” Harry followed Dudley’s words until he was calm enough to speak.

“We are leaving. Now. C’mon Dudley.” He grabbed Dudely’s arm and dragged him down the street.

“Where?! I thought you said^___”

“Dudely please shut up. I’m trying to prepare myself.”

“For who?”

“An angry Tom Marvlo Riddle.”

“Why’s he angry?”

“I normally call Nagni to let her know I’m coming but I can't because she already left.”

“Nagni?”

“This big snake from early? I thought I told you this.”

“Oh...the big, big snake.”

“She’s not that big.”

“Why are we in the forest then?”

“Shhh Dudley. I told you once, shut up.”

“Alright...fine….” And they walked in the forest in silence. Only the crunching of leaves and the wind was heard.

“Tom..? Is this how I reach you?” Harry hissed silently in his mind.

“It is, hatchling. What’s up?” Tom hissed back in Harry’s mind.

“Me and uh..someone is going to be coming to the Riddle Manor.”

“But you said^___”

“I know what I said but what I do is always different from what I say.”

“Alright...fine. So I need to prepare your room and a guest room?”

“Yes but I left and everything was in^____wait...did you make a mess of the Manor already?!”

“Sorta of. Don’t worry about it.”

“Yeah, Yeah Tom. Bye.”

“See you there.”

Chapter 2: Riddle Manor

“Harry…I know you said to be^____” Dudley got cut off by Harry, who was muttering something just a few minutes before.

“Yes, Dudley?” Harry asked, his eyes lazily looking at Dudley, he was tired and looked as if he was about to pass out.

“Harry. You're worn out, let’s take a break, Okay?” Dudley said sternly. Either Harry had an all nighter the night before or he was just tired and exhausted from walking.

“But^___” Harry began to protest. He had been up all night the night before but he wasn’t going to admit it.

“Harry, tell me where we are going. I’ll carry you and you can sleep.” As much as Dudley was willing to listen to his argument it would’ve wasted time.

“Fine.” Harry reluctantly explained that he needed to keep walking forward and then when he got to a old castle that had a nice crimson color and say ‘The Slytherin Prince”

“A guy named Snape will answer, don’t be rude and explain who you are. I highly suggest when you meet a person named Tom you shut your trap till I wake up.” Harry added. He knew how Tom was about strangers. Especially strangers that were carrying a sleeping Harry Potter.

“Oh...okay…” Harry climbed on Dudley’s back and closed his eyes before falling into a dreamless sleep. Snoring softly and on Dudely’s back he slept has Dudley carried him through the forest.

“The Slytherin Prince.” Dudley said sternly, just as Harry taught him a few minutes ago. He wasn’t standing up though, he was slouching because Harry’s lightweight had somehow gotten heavy as he slept.

“Who is it^___” A tall adult with dark, tamed greasy black hair and thick, long robes opened the door to the castle. His face was expressionless so it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He almost sounded like Dudley’s private tutor. “Who are you?”

“Dudley. Harry told me to come here, he’s dreadfully tired. Can we go in? He said he knew someone named Snape?” Dudley asked. He didn’t be rude, and asked before doing so. Something they had to practice for an hour before they got it down.

“Alright…” Severus Snape closed his eyes in a short, slow, blink. “Tom! Make Harry some tea!” Dudley sat on the couch with Harry sleeping peacefully on his shoulder. When he heard the name ‘Tom’ he remembered what Harry said. Then again, he said Tom would need an explanation of who he was.

“Why? He didn’t mention about^___” Tom’s eyes went from his light red to a threatening crimson. “Who’s this kid?”

“Dudley. He didn’t give me a last name and he said that Harry was ‘dreadfully tried’ so I let him in.” Severus said.

“Harry talked to a snake...Nagni or something.” Dudley interrupted their conversation. He wanted to prove that he knew Harry. He never had too before, but now he did. And he didn’t blame them, he looked nothing like Harry at all. Dudley had watery blue eyes and thick blond hair. If anything, he looked like Justin Timberlake.

“Nagni? When?” Tom asked, his eyes turning back to their normal color as he got interested in the kid. Even if he didn’t trust him, he was a muggle, and that meant he didn’t know about talking to snakes, and Harry never talked to snakes in front of anyone. Not even him. Was this the ‘someone’ Harry was talking about? He thought as he questioned if he was judging the kid too fast.

“Today...in the forest.” Dudley replied and then his face turned pale with fear. Harry had twitched^___not just any twitch^___a night terror twitch.

“N-no!” Harry muttered in his sleep. His hands grabbing, reaching for something. Or someone. “P-Please! D-Dudley! Don’t leave me!”

“What’s he saying?” Tom asked, seeing the change in expression from Dudley. Other than that, he had seen Harry’s twitching and had stopped a few night terrors himself.

“Harry.” He said, ignoring Tom’s question. He shook Harry. Roughly. “C’mon Harry it’s just a dream I’d never leave you...I promise..I promise..c’mon, wake up.”

“What’s he saying?” Tom repeated, getting irritated that Dudley ignored him. He knew about night terrors himself and he knew Harry had the more frightening bunch.

“D-Dudley?” Harry asked, then looked around as his eyes focused. His voice then dropped to a whisper. “Dudley. Which one?”

“....Number eighty three..” Dudley whispered. Now whether Tom heard them is a mystery you’ll have to figure out.

“Alright.” Harry said out loud. “Tom! Make me some tea!”

“I told you.” Severus said, with a small, sly, grin rarely seen by anyone.

“Oh shut up.” Tom clicked on the stove and opened a cabinet with tea boxes galore, “Which one?”

“The one made from flowers.”

“We have^__”

“I know how many we have Tommy, just pick one you’d think I like and put it on. I need to stay awake.”

“And why is that?”

“We’ve got to talk.” Harry needed to tell that he’d be staying with them till school started or...maybe just for the night. He hadn’t thought it through enough.

“I hate when you say that. You do know that right?”

“I do and we don’t do it often anyways so stop whining.”

“Oh, you're lucky you're my kid brother, I’d punch your teeth in right now.”

“You sure about?”

“Oh I am sure about that.”

“Cut it out! I don’t want to play ‘dad’ again. Last time I had to use my magic to break up a fight and Tom you almost broke Harry’s arm and Harry you almost shattered Tom’s skull!” Seveurs snapped as Dudley stayed quiet as can be but was practically dying of laughter from within.

“Sev, we always fight. Don’t we?” Harry asked.

“Oh shut up Harry.” Seveurs said in his best professor voice he could muster. For he’d become good friends with the two. They were like family to him and he to them. And for that reason, it was hard to keep his stone cold look and professor feel.

“I win!” Harry smiled and slid off the couch.

“Dudley come on, we need to take a shower. We’ve got mud all over us. Tom you have a change of clothes?” Harry led Dudley up the stairs.

“In my room, to the left!” He called after them. After they took they’re showers Harry went downstairs with Dudley and his tea was still piping hot. After an hour or two.

“How is it…?” Harry asked before he saw Severus had conjured a spell to keep it hot but was asleep while doing it. “This idiot…”

“Hm?” Dudely asked, “And what’s that coming out of that..that twig?”

“It’s called a wand Dudely, Tom showed it to me the last time I visited here. I don’t exactly get it either^____wait.” An idea popped into Harry’s head. “Where is he?” His eyes widened. His voice quivered. He went back to that sensitive person and then realized what happend. Had he gone through my thoughts? Harry said, a grim look on his face What if he read them and^___he...oh bloody he^__

Harry’s thought got interrupted by Severus, who must've noticed the terror in his friends eyes for he titled his head to this side. A classic sign for confusion and need of answers.

“Harry? Where’s Tom?” He asked, knowing that if there was any panic caused in the Riddle Manor was usually made by Tom Riddle himself.

“Gone! He’s gone! He’s going to kill someone again!” Harry cried, talking fast. Fidgeting with his hands. He didn’t really know if he was going to kill someone but it was still a very good chance.

“Woah, woah, woah, slow down. What?” Severus sat straight up, not even in his regular slouch like he normally was when conjuring a spell and trying to sleep at the same time.

“So I think Tom read through my thoughts and memories and I think he might have..” Harry’s voice trailed off, but when Seveurs opened his mouth a new voice came out. It wasn’t even his voice.

“I didn’t leave.” said Tom. “Not exactly anyways, I was out feeding Nagni. But why are you panicking, I go through your thoughts a lot, but never your memories. Do I need to?”

“U-Um..I know I shouldn’t be getting in this but he killed someone? You did say again.” Dudley forced himself in the conversation.

“Dudley j-just shut up!” Harry’s cheek felt hot and tears rolled down his cheeks. “Please…” He didn’t feel like answering a question that needed at least an hour to explain.

“C’mon we need to talk, and Dudley was it?” Tom said, having everyone sit in the circle as Dudley nodded. He hated talking when Harry said that they needed to and he knew Harry hated when he said it. “Alright, well Dudley, you're going to be joining us.”

“I don’t want to talk…” Harry whispered.

“It’s not what you want to do, you cried Harry. That’s a problem.” Tom explained.

“You never cry Harry. Not once.” Severus added.

“They..um, Harry they are true.” Dudley agreed. And if Dudley agreed with them then it was three against one.

“Fine..” Harry finally said after a while.

“Now, what’s so bad about your memories?” Tom asked as Dudley and Harry stared at each other, their expressions matching.

“Uhhh...I didn’t know we’d be talking about...this…” Dudley said finally after a few minutes. “We never talk about it….”

“This? What’s this? Is it bad?” Seveurs asked. Dudley and Harry looked at each other, unable to speak.

“Harry…? Do you um..” Dudley looked with a asking look on his face.

“No. I do not.” Harry crossed his arms and stayed there. Until Severus took out his wand and said “Bewitched Sleep!” and fell into a deep slumber.

“Dudley, take Harry to his room, it's labeled, “Kid brother” and yours is next to it. Get a good night's sleep.” Severus told him.

“Well erm...actually, I need to sleep next to Harry...sometimes he has^___” Dudley was interrupted by Tom.

“Nightmares. We know, he doesn’t tell us about it.” Tom said. “Now go to bed.” Dudley climbed up the stairs and as soon as he was out of sight Tom’s hand started turning gray^____as if he was taking the form of Voldermort once again.

“Tom. Calm down.” Severus said, reaching for his wand. Not grabbing it yet^___just reaching for it. “Think logically.” Tom did an exercise that Harry had told him the last time he’d come.

“Out one...in two….out one...in two…” He muttered as the gray started to fade and his tan skin came back. (Doesn’t this seem so filmar?)

“Now, what is it?” Severus asked.

“Well...I’m worried about Harry.” Tom responded.

“And why is that?”

“It’s just...he’s ten and it’s only the summer^___july will be here soon and he will be eleven and then he’ll meet^__”

“Don’t you even say what you're going to say. Use the proper name.”

“Fine, Dumbledore.”

“How hard was that?”

“Very.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“And what if…”

“He is not going to leave us.”

“How do you know that?! You can’t possibly know that!”

“I’m a professor there aren’t I?”

“...yeah...that’s^___” Their conversation was interrupted by Dudley, who was knocking on the door frame.

“I’m sure Harry wanted me to tell you this,” He said, “Good night.”

“Well..thanks. Good night.” Severus and Tom said in unison.

Chapter 4: Hogwarts letters

“I got the mail!” Harry said running in. Severus and Tom had made a deal with the Dursely’s. Dudley and Harry could stay with the Dursley’s weekends and he could stay with them on the weekdays. (The only reason Harry was staying is that Dudely begged him too.)

“You did? We actually have mail?” Dudley asked, jumping up.

“Duh! It’s a Manor after all.” Harry plopped beside Dudley and went through the mail. “Tom...Tom...Severus...Dudley...Me^___Wait.” He paused after Tom’s mail. “Dudley? You got mail? For here?” Harry asked.

“No...you?” Dudley asked.

“No…” Harry thought for a moment. “Severus!”

“What, Harry?” Severus said, walking down the steps.

“We got mail,” Harry explained.

“And what’s so important about this mail?” Severus asked.

“Because...uh...it’s for all of us.”

“All of us?”

“That’s what I said isn’t it?”

“Don’t get mouthy, Harry.” Severus sat next to Harry and snatched the mail from him. He opened his letter. It read:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Dear Professor Severus, we are pleased to have you another year at Hogwarts. Your request for Dark Arts has been canceled. Dumbledore thinks it’s best if you just stay in Potions for now. Good luck,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

“Blast it,” Severus said, reading the letter again.

“What’s up Severus?” Harry asked, trying to get a look at the letter.

“Hogwarts letters.”

“Hogwarts? Isn’t that^___.”

“It sure is,” Severus said and handed the boys their letters. “Go on, read them.” Harry went first. Confused and scared.

“D-Dear Mr.Potter…” His voice got lighter and his face brighter when he read the next part. “We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”

“Welcome to Hogwarts, Harry!” Severus said with a grin.

“What about me…?” Dudley asked. “Harry?”

“Dudley, idiot, Dudley don’t worry! You got one too!” Harry glimmered, pointing to the letter still in Dudley’s hand.

“Oh, right,” Dudley said. “Dear Mr. Dursely, We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance into Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We are sorry for your late letter, but the book of acceptance has only just now seen your magical strengths and abilities.”

“Amazing Dudley!” Severus clapped.

“Thanks, Snape.” Dudley said with a smile, “It looks like we're both going to Hogwarts.”

“We need to tell^___” Harry was interrupted by a loud crash coming from upstairs. And not just anywhere upstairs^____in Tom’s office upstairs.

“I’ll check on him.” Harry jumped off the couch and marched up the stairs. Please don’t be what I think it is… He begged in his head. Hopefully, it wasn’t too late. He swung the door open and saw that Tom had just fallen from his swivel chair and was muttering words no eleven-year-old should hear.

“Tom?” Harry asked, holding back laughter. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just fell.” Tom picked himself up only to cry in pain.

“Tom!” Harry ran to him and looked around. Glass! The glass! He called for Severus.

“What happened?” Severus asked.

“Tom fell, and his cup shattered,” Harry explained.

“Alright, hold still.” Severus pulled out his wand. “Emendo!”

“Severus Snape!” It was the only time Harry^___or Severus for that matter^___heard Tom say Severus’ full name. “You never should use that spell on me.” Tom finally said a few minutes later. “It hurts like he^___”

“Tom. Don’t you dare?” Severus said, giving him a glare. “Harry’s here.”

“Alright. Fine.” Tom said. “But it did hurt like rat’s dew”

“Stop using…” Severus paused. “Shakespeare?”

“Yep,” Tom replied, proud of himself for remembering that.

“Tom guess what!” Harry said, getting back to the reason he was going to come up in here.

“Yeah?” Tom asked, leaning against the desk.

“We got our Hogwarts letter!” Harry said, his arms flinging up in the air.

“You got your what?” Tom asked.

“Our Hogwarts letters,” Harry said, slowly. Pronouncing each syllable.

“Oh. Those.” Tom said with a disgusted look.

“What’s wrong with Hogwarts letters?” Harry questioned with a devastated look on his face. “I thought Hogwarts was amazing!”

“Hogwarts is amazing. It’s just that^___” Tom got interrupted by Severus who had a very dad-like expression on his face.

“He has a certain grudge of the headmaster Dumbledore,” Severus explained. “He hasn’t got over it. Not yet anyway.”

“Tom holds grudges?” Harry asked as Dudley walked in, curious to what was happening.

“Believe it or not, the great Tom Marvlo Riddle does hold grudges.” Severus said, “Now, do us a favor Tom, and make some tea.”

“Tea?” Tom said, grinning. “What type?”

“You really shouldn’t have to ask,” Severus answered. “It’s Vahdam for me and the tea you made for Harry last night.”

“Alright.” Tom, Harry, Severus, and Dudley all walked down the stairs one after the other. Tom went to the kitchen, Severus to his potion labs, and Dudley and Harry to play a game of Wizarding Chess.

“Your^__” Tom got interrupted by a very concentrated Harry.

“Shush. I almost got ‘im.” Harry was right at the corner and had Dudley trapped. “Checkmate!” He announced triumphantly as the knight moved to end the game as the board disappeared.

“Aw, man!” Dudley said, “Good game Harry.”

“Good game Dudley,” Harry then turned to Tom who was standing over them. “Yes, Tom?”

“Well, for starters, a very good game of chess. And your tea is ready.” Tom handed him a cup of Honeysuckle Tea.

“Mmm...smells good!” Harry said, taking a sniff of the tea. “Honey?”

“You’ve been around Severus way too much.” Tom joked, putting down another cup of tea, This time it was Vahdam Tea.

“Well, what shall we do now?” Harry asked, taking a sip of his tea.

“Well, that’s up to you, we may need to go shopping,” Tom stated, laying back on the couch.

“Alright.” Harry said, “Dudley want to come with us?”

“Of course I do!” Dudley replied muffled through bits of granola bar. “Why not?

Chapter 5: Ollivanders

“Severus!” Tom called out the front door of the manor while tying his shoelaces on his black and red boots. “We’re going out for a bit!”

“Alright! Stay safe!” Severus called from his potion’s lab. “Don’t get too mad Tom!” And with that, hand-in-hand, Tom, Dudley, and Harry walked out of Manor and walked to Diagon Alley.

“First stop, Ollivanders.” Tom swung his arms like a grand opening, showing them the crooked sign.

“Woah,” Dudley said, breathless.

“This. is. amazing!” Harry added, jumping up and down with excitement.

“Well, let’s go inside before you two lose your minds.” Tom led Harry and Dudley into the store. They huddled together as Tom walked to the front, where Garrick Ollivander stood, and a castle of shelves with wands behind him.

“Ah, hello! Two youngins?” Ollivander greeted them, looking at Harry, or rather, Harry's scar that had appeared visible when he brushed his hair to the side.

“Yes, both need wands,” Tom said like a business person said ordering a product. Meanwhile, Harry and Dudley pointed at different wands, oohing and awing. It was a thrilling experience. Even if they didn’t know exactly what they were doing there.

“Well then, who’s first?” Ollivander asked.

“Dudley is!” Harry pushed Dudley to the front of the room. He’d never be the first to try new things, especially when Dudley was there.

“Mr.Dursley, is it? Well, let’s try this one.”Ollivander handed him different wands at a rapid speed. Each wand either attacked Ollivander or attacked Tom and Harry.

“Watch it!” Harry yelled, ducking after almost getting hit from behind.

“Dudley Dursely!” Tom screeched after almost falling over from an attack.

“Well then,” Ollivander said, breathing heavily, handing Dudley a wand. “Try this one.

“Alright.” Dudley swished and swooshed the wand a few times and sparks appeared out of thin air.

“Perfect! That one is made of ash.” Ollivander explained, grateful that they finally found the right wand. “Keep it safe. It can break easily.”

“Will do!” Dudley tucked the wand into his baggy jeans.

“Harry, it’s your turn,” Dudley said in a sing-song way.

“Fine.” Harry walked up to the front. And they tried out a few wands.

“Hey!” Dudley and Tom yelled in unison ducking from an attack of one of the wands. “Watch it bub!”

“Sorry!” Harry said, sheepishly.

“Alright,” Ollivander said breathlessly, for he’d been dodging attacks from the wands as well. “Try this one,” He handed Harry a wand made of holly wood and phoenix feather core. Harry swished and swooshed the wand and sparks appeared, none attacking Ollivander or Tom and Dudley.

“Curious,” Ollivander said, dreamily.

“Sorry,” Harry said, questingly. “But what’s curious?”

“I remember every wand I’ve ever sold, Mr.Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tailfeather resides in your wand gave another feather...just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar.” Ollivander explained.

“I-” Harry tried to speak but his face got grim and his eyes misty. Tom noticed and walked up to the front, his face strained with a smile.

“Alrighty!” Tom said, clapping his hands together. “We’ve got more shopping to do so let’s get a move on.” Tom paid fourteen gallons for the wands, thanked Ollivander for the help, and left with Dudley and Harry, who gladly walked out of the shop.

“Where to next?” Harry asked, looking up at Tom.

“Madam Malkin’s Robes of course!” Tom answered, grinning.

“And why do we’ve got to go there?” Harry asked.

“Well for starters you two need school robes, and Severus will kill me if I don’t get him a new robe,” Tom explained.

“What happened to Severus’ robe?”

“I spilled something on it.”

“And that something is…?”

“His tea, I knocked it over and spilled it all over him.”

“And that was his ‘professor’ robe wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was.”

“Well then,” Harry said, “It looks like we’ve got a mission to do.”

Chapter 6: Madam Malkin’s Robes

“Hello, Malkin.” Tom greeted her, pushing the two boys into her view.

“Hello, Mr.Riddle.” Malkin said, “You must be here to pick up and pay for Snape’s robe, correct?”

“Pay for?” Tom asked. Of course, he had expected this, he just hoped Severus would have been a bit on the nicer side of things.

“Oh, Mr.Snape didn’t tell you?”

“You break it, you buy it comes to mind.”

“Well hello, little ones!” She said smiling as she had just noticed the two boys standing there in complete silence. Both of the boys turned their heads and looked in awe. She motioned back and forth and then looked at Tom. “Hogwarts outfits I presume?” and then, with a nod from Tom she added, “What’re their names?”

“Blond hair is Dudley, black hair is Harry,” Tom explained, pointing to each boy.

“Ah. Okay.” She pointed to Dudley. “You. Come here.” As Dudley started to get pricked with needles another blond-haired boy came in along with his mother. He looked pale and had a crooked nose. He sat on a nearby stool, the next one, currently, was being used by Harry.

“Hello,” the boy said, shifting himself on the stool. “Hogwarts, too?”

“Yep! I’m excited.” Harry said, uncomfortably. He’d never talk to any other than the few people in his life and school teachers. However, he never liked talking in general. To make matters worse, this certain boy looked like he wanted to start a conversation. A very long conversion.

“My father’s next door buying my books and Mother just went up the street looking for wands.” The boy paused, turning his head. As if he was looking for something. Or someone. “Say...where’s your parents?

“My parents?” Harry said, his voice quivering just a bit. “Uhhh….” He hadn’t discussed this matter since he met Tom. And that was over a year ago.

“Leave him alone,” Dudley said, still getting stuck with a needle. Dudley had become very observant since becoming friends with Harry. And he knew when Harry wanted to be left alone.

“...No.” The blond-haired boy said, looking at the boy with some confusion. “I'm quite fond of him.” The bond-haired boy stuck his hand out. “I’m Draco. Draco Malfoy.”

“Harry,” Harry said, relieved to pass the topic as he took the hand and shook it. “Harry Potter.”

“The Harry Potter?” Draco asked, “You have the scar and everything?”

“Yeah,” Harry said, pushing his hair revealing the lightning bolt scar.

“Cool,” Draco said at last after closing his gaping mouth. “Who’s that, the boy, the one that said to leave you alone.” He pointed to Dudley and Harry nodded and grinned.

“That’s my cousin. His name is Dudley.”

“You’ve got a cousin? I’ve never heard that before.”

“What do you mean ‘heard that before’?”

“You haven’t heard? Harry^____If I may call you that^___.you’re a legend!”

“A legend? No way.”

“Yes, way! You beat the one and only you-know-who!”

“Oh...him.” Harry was motioned by Madam Malkin to get stuck with a needle next. “Well this chat has been nice, I shall see you at Hogwarts then?”

“Oh, certainly.” Draco then takes a seat next to a stack of books his mother brought for him and began his reading.

* * * * * * *

Harry is happily swinging a cage with a snowy white owl he calls Hedwig. As he swings the cage back and forth he is walking in the forest as Tom manages to carry a sleeping Dudley on his back.

“How did he even fall asleep?” Tom murmured hefting a bag filled with the boy’s Hogwarts things inside.

“Well, we’ve been out all day, he’s tried and I am too, I just have a bird to hold to keep me company,” Harry explained, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, Yeah.” Tom paused thinking about what Harry just said. “Don’t get mouthy, Harry.”

“I’m not getting mouthy,” Harry explained. “I’m just stating pure facts here.”

“Yeah, Yeah,” Tom and Harry stopped at the old crimson castle. “Slytherin Prince,” Harry said.

“You two have been out awfully^___” Severus looked down at the cage. “You got him an owl?! Tom, we talked about this!”

“Still, it’s just an owl,” Tom told him. “I don’t see what’s the matter of it.”

“It’s alive.” Severus pointed out. “That should say anything.”

“I can take care of her,” Harry said, butting into their conversion. “All by myself. I promise.”

“Okay.” Severus said slowly, “Why’s Dudley asleep?”

“He’s tried and so am I,” Harry said, pushing himself in the manor. He headed to his room and put the owl on a desk near the corner, changing into his pajamas he got in the bed and fell asleep.