At promptly 7:45 the next morning, Severus floo'd himself from his home to the Leaky Cauldron for his bizarre trip with Harry Potter.
He had made the offer on a whim, something he typically avoided. The more he thought about it though, the more logical it became.
Children who were abused or targeted by bullies were more prone to finding comfort and acceptance amongst those of darker orientations.
One only had to look at Tom Riddle or Severus himself to find the truth in that statement.
Severus grimaced when he remembered the stained, ripped, and threadbare clothing he had seen Potter wearing the night before. They were in worse condition than Severus' own childhood clothing had been and would have definitely marked the child as impoverished to the other children at Hogwarts.
Although, it would be interesting to see a student attempt to bully Potter, Severus mused. The child seemed to switch rapidly from scared and submissive to confident and aggressive. When Severus remembered the ease of which Potter successfully imperioused Minerva, he shuddered to imagine what would happen to someone bullying the child when he was feeling aggressive.
If assisting the child in purchasing a wardrobe that he wouldn't be mocked for meant taking a tiny step to prevent Albus' (currently unfounded) fear, then so be it.
And if Severus could take this opportunity to learn more about the child's past, a mystery that plagued Severus as all good mysteries tended to do, then all the better.
Severus stepped out of the fire grate at the Leaky Cauldron and brushed the soot off of his muggle attire. He felt more graceful in his wizarding robes, but his muggle clothes brought undeniable comfort to him.
He nodded across the bar to Tom, the owner of the pub, as he began ascending the stairs to the rooms. He was grateful to the older man for informing him of Potter's residence when he had questioned him a few days ago, and was impressed that he seemed to be keeping it quiet that the famous child was staying there.
Severus had planned on removing the child from the inn back to wherever he had been residing up until the child had informed him, reluctantly, that he was not residing anywhere and it had been that way for years.
And had that not been quite the nasty shock? The perceived savior of the wizarding world spent the last three years living on the streets.
Severus had not lied to Potter when he told him that he was rather content with his current lodgings. The Leaky Cauldron was certainly more secure than the back alleys of London. He would work on finding a more permanent solution during this school year before next summer.
Severus steeled himself before knocking on the child's door, thankful to Tom again for informing him of the room number.
The door flew open and Severus suddenly found himself with a sharpened knife pressed against his abdomen.
What in Merlin's name?
"Oh, Professor, sorry 'bout that." Potter said, blinking as he retracted and pocketed the knife.
Severus eyed the child warily and raised a brow at him. "May I ask why you decided to answer the door by jamming a blade at me?"
Potter shrugged carelessly, "Didn't expect ya yet so I wasn't sure who it was, was I? Gotta be careful."
Severus was unsure if he should comment on the child's horrendous grammar, the cockney accent he clearly picked up on the streets, or the fact that Severus had arrived precisely at the time he informed Potter he would.
Ultimately, Severus decided to comment on the use of the switchblade.
"Potter, you cannot carry a pocket knife with you to Hogwarts," Severus sighed. A normal child would understand that knives were not a tool for children to use. Potter was no such type of 'normal'.
The tiny abnormal child scoffed up at him, "'Course I can. 'M not gonna let someone get the drop on me, sir."
"Your wand will be sufficient to protect you in instances where you feel as if though your life is in danger," Severus told him curtly.
"Can't always use my magic, can I? Sometimes I got too many thoughts in my head and I can't get it to work right." Potter patted his pocket where his knife was hidden, "This works even when 'm not thinkin' straight, don't it?"
Well reasoned, Severus thought silently. It wasn't that he disagreed with the child's logic, it was simply the fact that a paranoid and traumatized child was clearly more likely to swipe first and ask questions later.
Severus studied the defiant child for a moment while he considered what he could offer that Potter would consider equal to relinquishing the knife he relies on for his personal safety.
"May I offer you a deal?"
Potter narrowed his green eyes at him. "Ya can offer," he said stoutly.
"I will teach you two spells to stun and incapacitate an attacker if you relinquish your knife during your time at Hogwarts." Severus raised his hand when the child opened his mouth to interrupt. "Both of these spells are classified in some categories as grey. Grey magic inherently operates outside of emotion and utilizes pure intent. Hence, if you memorize the incantations you will be able to cast them even in the midst of a full blown panic attack."
The child had an almost perfect mask of indifference on, but he was unable to mask the keen look of interest in his eyes.
"Maybe if ya offered three of those spells I can use then I won't carry my knife no more," Potter said slyly before quickly adding, "But I'm keepin' it in my trunk."
Severus smirked. Severus may believe divination to be as useful as cheese-bottomed cauldrons, but he felt certain that he could see in the near future that this child was bound to be one of his Slytherins.
"It is a deal, Mr Potter."
After teaching Potter the stupefy, incarcerous, and expelliarmus spells (and had it not been another surprise to learn the child was smugly aware that his wand was not yet being traced?) Severus watched him carefully place the knife in his trunk and replace it with his wand.
"'Kay," Potter said, walking to him, carefully stopping out of arms reach. "I got money from the bank this morning and 'm ready."
"Potter, what time did you wake up?" Severus asked, curiously.
The child shrugged, and evaded eye contact with him. "Dunno, early. 'M always up early."
Severus sighed internally.
"If you have difficulties sleeping and find that it is impacting your functioning when you arrive at Hogwarts please seek out either myself or Madam Pomfrey, the school's version of a doctor, and we shall prescribe you potions to assist."
Potter nodded, "'Kay."
Severus would get the obstinate child to stop saying 'kay' and shrugging if it was the last thing he did.
"Come along then, let us embark upon the department stores of London," Severus drawled.
Potter began fidgeting and inching away from him, a sign Severus was beginning to identify as anxiety.
"Uh, sir, w-what about the p-promise?" Potter stammered out softly.
"Ah, yes, apologies." How could Severus forget the altogether alarming vow Potter had wished him to take before agreeing to undergo a terrifying task such as shopping together?
"Have you decided the wording is adequate?" Severus asked him.
Potter looked hesitant, "Can I add somethin'?"
Severus nodded at him, "You may, although I reserve the right to decide if I wish to speak it."
The child fixed his eyes on the wall to the left of him, once again avoiding eye contact, as he blushed furiously but softly said; "Ya said ya wouldn't touch me in a way to hurt me on purpose, can ya also add that ya won't touch me even if ya think I'd like it?"
It took Severus a moment to decipher the meaning behind that request and he blanched severely once he figured it out.
What did you expect of a small and soft child living on the streets?
Severus' wand hand twitched with anger at the reason Potter would think to add that disturbing addendum.
"Potter, look at me, please."
The child looked at him, still red faced.
Severus spoke in the gentlest tone he was able. "I can assure you that is an altogether unrequited request to make of me. I hope that in time you will come to see that I am an ally to you and you can trust me to stay within my bounds as your professor and someone you are safe with. However," he slowly raised his wand to not startle the child, "I will vow that I, Severus Tobias Snape, will not touch you, Harry James Potter, in any way that would intentionally cause you harm or injure you. Furthermore, I vow that I will not place a single hand on you with hostile intent. This includes sexual advances and malicious purposes. I make these vows on both my magic and my life. So I have spoken, so mote it be."
Severus felt the familiar shiver of magic washing over him, binding him to his vow.
Potter was still avoiding eye contact but nodded at him, his body language signaling his relief.
Severus knew that they would eventually need to have a conversation, a damned lot of conversations, about his past, but he was willing to let it fall to the wayside in favor of giving the child a relatively easy afternoon.
"If you would like to follow me, Potter. We can reach our destination by foot I believe."
Severus led the quiet child through the pub and out in to the Muggle side of London. Potter seemed to have an uncanny ability to walk silently along the edges of the buildings. His face was impassive but the lines of his body were tense in agitation when crowds went by or strangers walked too closely to him.
Potter walked as if he expected to be attacked at any given moment.
Severus was relieved when they reached their destination. He had intentionally decided to go to a nearby department store. It may have lacked as many options as other stores, but he believed the quicker they could complete their shopping the more relaxed Potter would be.
The child's eyes lit up behind his atrocious and broken glasses (another trip they should complete before the first...) and he glanced at Severus uncertainly.
"I-I dunno what all ta get, sir," he all but whispered.
Severus restrained himself from placing a soothing hand on the child's shoulder, certain he would not appreciate it, and instead beckoned for him to follow along.
"I believe you should start with the basics. Socks, pants, trainers, boots. You will also want trousers, jeans, t-shirts for casual wear, shirts for a slightly more formal wear, some jumpers, a jacket or two, and a coat." Severus spoke briskly and factually, hoping that providing a basic list would help make it less overwhelming of a task.
Severus guided Potter along and allowed him to choose items he liked, occasionally giving his input when needed. Severus had laughed outright when the child picked out graphic t-shirts; he certainly favored Lily's aesthetic.
"Your mother was fond of band t-shirts as well," Severus told him.
Potter looked at the shirts in a new light after that, carefully snagging one of each in his size.
Severus shared a little about Lily while they browsed the clothing section. He talked about the bands she enjoyed (rock), her favorite colors (purple and grey), and her childhood dreams (to become a rockstar).
Severus pretended it didn't ache to be the one informing her son of these things instead of her being there to do it herself.
While they shopped for footwear, Severus quietly told Potter more about Hogwarts. Information about the classes, the teachers, and how the grounds looked during various seasons.
Severus steadfastly did not bring up the Headmaster, the bias against Slytherin, or the way that Potter would surely be swarmed with both fans and enemies the moment he entered the doors.
After they checked out (and Potter pridefully insisted on purchasing his own belongings, "'M not owin' ya nothin'" he'd said), Severus had to admit to himself that altogether it was a much more pleasant experience than he had anticipated.
Potter was a vigilant, paranoid, traumatized child who spoke with a horrendous accent and flinched more than he moved. He was aloof, withdrawn, snarky, and anxiety ridden. However, he was also unfailingly polite (likely a trait beaten into him by Petunia and her husband), witty, intelligent, and, if his accidental confessions were true, exceptionally powerful.
Potter was certainly going to make the next seven years at Hogwarts interesting.
*****
After they returned to the Leaky Cauldron and placed Potter's bags in his trunk, Severus decided to invite the child to a local spot he enjoyed for lunch.
"Why?" Potter glared at him.
Severus refrained from rolling his eyes. "Because I do not despise your company and believe you will enjoy a lunch outside of this pub."
There were other motives as well. Severus still had a few tasks the child should complete and Severus had not learned a single thing about the boy yet. Severus also hoped the child would trust him sooner rather than later as it was exhausting justifying every request he made to an 11-year-old whose paranoia would put Alastor Moody to shame.
Potter smirked at him after agreeing. "Don't get attached, Professor, 'm not doin' this every day."
Severus did roll his eyes at that comment. As if he would become attached to the spawn of James Potter.
But would you to the child of Lily Evans? his subconscious whispered.
Severus occluded that thought right out of his head.
Guiding the child through Diagon Alley to the restaurant was an experience Severus never wished to have again.
Every three steps it seemed as if someone recognized the child and stopped to shake his hand, pat him on the shoulder, or - in two cases - outright hug him.
Potter became paler and paler with each encounter. His body was visibly trembling and his eyes appeared to be filled with terror while he was hugged by a weeping widow.
Severus did his best to protect the child from unwanted advances by the ignorant masses. He stayed close to the child and snarled at everyone who tried to come near him. Eventually he pulled his wand out and held it stiffly at his side, a clear threat to wannabe well wishers to the child.
They walked briskly to the unobtrusive awning of Jiggery Deli unhindered once Severus drew his wand.
Severus shot the child a reassuring look after arriving at the deli. "Would you like to see why this is my favorite location?"
Potter, who was still pale and shaky, gave him a quick nod while his eyes flicked around anxiously.
Severus leaned close to the black door and whispered, "Patentibus".
He smirked slightly at Potter's look of amazement as another doorway to the right, seemingly floating in the middle of the sidewalk, shimmered in to view.
"Follow me," Severus said simply before stepping through.
They stepped through to a warm and softly lit porch. There were no walls, simply just a screened in patio set in what appeared to be the middle of a flower covered field. A table set for two materialized in the middle of the room.
"Wow," Potter breathed from beside him. "What is this?"
"This, Mr. Potter, is the Jiggery Deli." Severus smirked at the child's look of awe. "There are no waiters, or menus, or fellow patrons. When you give the password the doorway takes you to a set location, which to my knowledge is different every time you visit, and a table appears for the exact number in your party. We will sit, I will place the required amount of coins on the table, and a predetermined meal will appear before us."
"Wow," Potter breathed again, a smile forming when Severus mentioned the lack of fellow patrons. "Brill."
Severus gestured to the chairs and his lips twitched slightly. "Yes, 'brill' indeed. As someone who cherishes his privacy and quiet, much like I believe you do, Potter, this has always been a favorite location of mine."
Potter nodded in fervent agreement as he sat down in the wooden chair at the table and began gazing at the field around them.
Severus surreptitiously placed two galleons and four knuts on the table, taking advantage of the child's distraction to pay for his meal without having to explain that no, he did not expect anything in return for it.
Potter didn't look away from the field until the slight 'pop' alerted him to the arrival of their meal.
Then Potter glanced at the food, vegetable soup and loaded jacket potatoes, and narrowed his eyes up at Severus.
"'M gonna pay you back for the food."
Alastor could take tips on constant vigilance from this wisp of a child.
Severus inclined his chin in agreement. "Whatever you wish," he said easily, lifting his spoon.
Potter glared at him a moment longer before carefully lifting his spoon as well.
They ate in companionable silence for a while until Potter eventually lowered his silverware and cleared his throat hesitantly.
"Er- sir?"
"Yes?"
Potter's gaze flicked around and he placed his palms face down on the table. Severus raised an eyebrow at the way Potter's things ran back and forth as if of their own accord across the tablecloth.
"I- er, I wanted ta say- I mean- thank ya, I wanted to say thank ya, for today," Potter said in a stammered rush.
Severus raised a brow at him, believing that the foolish child was thanking him for escorting him to purchase his own clothing. "Potter you paid for your own wardrobe," he drawled. "There is no need to thank me. I believe you would have acquired the necessities on your own eventually."
Severus was surprised when Potter waved an agitated hand, brushing off his response.
"No, not that sir. I mean for makin' those promises and for tryin' to keep all those bloody whackos away from me earlier." He shrugged in a futile attempt to appear casual when he said, "I know 'm a burden but I 'preciate you helpin' me."
Oh, child.
Severus met Potter's gaze and held it steadily, hoping he could convey his message through his eyes as well as with his words. It was almost not a difficulty to imagine Potter as any other first year Slytherin, one that Severus would not question himself before helping.
"Child, listen to me. You are not a burden. Whoever told you so, or made you feel that way, is a despicable liar. You are a child who is deserving of basic human rights such as shelter, clothes, food, and care."
Severus took a deep breath and prayed to Merlin that he phrased the next part correctly.
"You have experienced cruelty in your life, I expect you have experienced cruelty beyond what I can begin to imagine." He looked intently at Potter and said very solemnly, "This does not mean you deserved it. Do you understand that?"
Potter was completely still in his seat, palms suddenly flat on the table and unmoving, his face frozen in a look of impassivity. The only hint Severus got about his emotions at all was a brief glimpse of anguish before the child blinked and it was gone.
"Yes, sir," the child dutifully responded.
Severus sighed and shook his head. "I do not expect you do at present. Nevertheless, you will learn."
The two of them finished their meal together in comfortable silence. Severus had nothing to truly discuss and Potter seemed to enjoy the quiet regardless.
When they were finished, Severus placed a disillusionment charm on the child so they could walk to the Wizarding Library together.
On the way, Severus pointed the Optometrist to Potter, hoping that the child would take the hint and obtain new glasses as his were dreadful. It would be responsible of Severus to take the child himself, but Severus preferred to not push either of their limits more than they already had.
At the library entrance Potter quietly thanked Severus again for the day together. Severus assured him that it was no bother to him, and that he would see him in a couple of days at Hogwarts.
As the child walked through the doors he turned around and gave Severus a smile.
It was a small one, and relatively shy, but Severus was pleased with the days efforts when he realized it was the first genuine smile he had seen on the child since the first time he saw him.