Asylum

A special thanks to my beta, Saeadame.

Asylum

Chapter 8

August 15th-- 2 weeks later

Harry squealed, "You're letting me get my wand?" His voice was high-pitched and child-like.

Dumbledore twinkled and nodded. "Indeed, my boy."

Harry squealed again causing Severus to flinch and groan. An excited 17 year old that acts like a 6-year old is never a good thing for Severus.

"Alright. Let me go grab my shoes and then we can go." Harry ran up the stairs screaming in a singsong voice all the way. "I'M GETTING MY WAND, I'M GETTING MY WAND."

Dumbledore heard a laugh from the hallway and turned to see Sirius.

"I take it Harry is finally going to Diagon Alley to get his things?" They had been going over various magical theories with Harry as well as teaching him the incantations to do spells and the wand movements, but he had yet to get a wand to perform said spells.
Harry had surprisingly gotten along with everyone in the house, and quickly formed close bonds with the people in the short time he had been there, even Snape. When not in lessons with Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, or Snape, he was often found either in the library quietly talking to Hermione or flying in the yard with Ronald on an old Cleansweep. Harry was actually very good on the broomstick, especially for someone who had just learned how to fly. A real natural. The broom hindered him a bit though.

Sirius grinned. He'd just have to pick him up a new one while they were in Diagon Alley then.

"What led you to that astounding conclusion, Black? Could it have been the very loud and obnoxious singing of, 'I'm getting my wand,' over and over again?" Severus drawled.

Despite Severus's statement, he didn't hate the loud 17-year old. True, the boy could be a bit annoying when in his child-like state, but he was actually rather quiet and easy going when in his normal, everyday persona. The kid was smart too. He picked up on magic quickly and was nearly done with the entire first year curriculum. As of yet, he hadn't failed in making one potion. Then again, it was only first year material.

This was only the third time he had seen him in his child-like persona. The first being at the hospital and the second was two days after he came to headquarters. He seemed to drift into this role when he was excited, such as over finding an animal (he found the owls in the house as well as Hermione's cat Crookshanks), and now he drifted off due to finding out he was going to get his wand.

"I'm going to take him to see everything. First, we are going to be getting him his wand, then some new clothes that are actually stylish. We'll need his school supplies, and then we can go to Florean Fortescue's for ice cream. Then, we can end the day by getting him a new broom!!! He's going to have so much fun!" Sirius said, ignoring the comments of Snape.

Dumbledore frowned. "Sirius, Harry won't be going with you."

Sirius froze. "What?"

"It would look odd for Severus's apprentice to be seen with you. People might come to the right conclusion that it is Harry. Speaking of which, we need to think of a name for him before we leave. No one must know that Harry is back."

"Bu-but I don't want Harry to go with the old grease ball." Snape looked mildly offended at that. He was only 2 months older than Black!!! "He won't let him have any fun while in Diagon Alley. You don't want to upset Harry, do you?"

Now that was low, even Severus wouldn't go so far. They all remembered the one time where Harry had truly gotten angry during his two weeks stay. It frightened them all.

~*Flashback*~

Harry had been in the house for about a week, they were all sitting around the table enjoying dinner. An order meeting had just been let out and everyone was downstairs eating, except for the twins who had ran upstairs to get something or other, no one really wanted to ask what.

Suddenly, "FILTH!!! IN THE MOST ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK! DISGUSTING BLOOD TRAITORS! YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE! GET OUT! OUT OF MY HOUSE! OUT!!!"

"Damnit. I hate that blasted portrait!" Sirius got up from the table only to see Harry grab a sharp knife and with a murderous expression on his face he ran from the room and into the hallway.

Everyone froze. "MY BABIES," and Molly ran out of the room to save her troublesome twin sons. Everyone quickly followed only to stop and watch as Harry tossed around insults to the portrait of Mrs. Black.

"SHUT UP YOU OLD TWAT! THIS IS SIRIUS'S HOUSE NOW. YOU CAN'T JUST ORDER EVERYONE ABOUT."

"IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT MY FIRST BORN WOULD BECOME I WOULD HAVE HANDED THE HOUSE OFF TO HIS COUSIN BELLATRIX OR NARCISSA TO GIVE TO THEIR CHILDREN. I WOULD HAVE WILLED IT TO SOMEONE I AM PROUD OF INSTEAD OF THIS LOUSY EXCUSE OF A PUREBLOOD. WHAT A WASTE!"

Harry suddenly grew quiet and whispered, "Don't you dare insult Sirius in front of me you old wench." He pointed the knife at the portrait threateningly.

She sneered. "And what are going to do with that? You can't kill a portrait darling - you can't even injure me. And I made sure you couldn't remove me from this wall. This is my house and,
I'LL TALK ABOUT MY GOOD FOR NOTHING SON HOWEVER I WANT TOO!"

"I warned you." Harry then took the knife and cut the inside the frame of the portrait above Mrs. Black's head. "You said that I couldn't remove you from this wall? Well guess what? I may not be able to remove the frame from the wall, but I CAN remove you." Harry cut along the inside edges of the frame with a sadistic smile on his face.

Mrs. Black screamed all the while. "STOP! STOP, YOU FOOLISH BOY! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM! THIS IS MY HOUSE AND I REFUSE TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS!"

She was muffled when Harry finally got the canvas out of the frame and walked over to the fireplace, lit it up, and threw the screaming portrait in. Mrs. Black's screams finally stopped screaming and Harry just smiled and softly hummed as he listened to her painful screams die out, rocking back and forth on his heals.

Everyone stood wide-eyed.

"Now why didn't we think of removing the canvas from the frame?" Sirius said trying and failing to break the tension. No one was hungry after watching the violent display, and Ron stayed up all night, makings sure his roommate didn't stab him to death.

~*End Flashback*~

Dumbledore sighed. "Sirius, don't be ridiculous. I'm sure Severus and Harry will have a great time. Unlike you two, they get along perfectly fine. You can go with the Weasley's and meet up with Harry and Severus in the Leaky Cauldron later. Now any ideas for names?"

Harry came bounding down the stairs, smile on his face. "I'm back, can we go now." Harry asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

Albus smiled. "Not yet, Harry. We have to think of a name for you before we can go. You have to like the name as it will be the same one you will use at Hogwarts."

"How about Felix." Sirius said in mock seriousness, trying to suppress his laughter.

Harry took a step away from Sirius and looked at him in horror. And in a very childish voice asked, "Do you want me to be beat up, Uncle Sirius?"

Sirius was about to apologize and comfort his pseudo nephew when he saw Harry crack him a smile. "Scamp. Don't do that." Sirius ruffled Harry's hair, making it even messier.

"Well if not Felix, how about the great hero Achilles? That's a strong masculine name. Surely you won't get beat up with that."

Severus snorted. "Of course not. No one would ever dare touch Achilles, they would simply point and laugh."

"Well if you're so great, Sniv-" Sirius eyed Harry for a moment and changed his mind, "Severus, then you come up with something."

Severus glared at Sirius and then eyed Harry. What would fit this young man? "How about Dorian?"

Sirius was about to laugh when he saw Harry's face light up at the name.

Harry tried the name a few times. "Dorian. Dorian. I like it. But I still need a middle and last name." He was obviously over his childish persona for now.

"Hmmm, do you have any you like Harry?" Albus asked kindly.

"Well I like Nathanial as a middle name." Harry said. "What do think would be good for a last name?"

"How about Gray?" Sirius said snickering. Harry gave him a funny look, obviously not understanding. "Never mind."

"Well, it is August. How about Augustine? It's Latin, and means royal." Albus said.

Harry shrugged. "I can think of worse. Dorian Nathanial Augustine. I like the sound of that." It just rolled right off the tongue.

Dumbledore clapped once. "Marvelous. Now it is time to be going. Severus, you floo first and show Harry how it is done. And Harry, remember to call Severus Master Snape or sir in public as he is your potions master."

Severus stepped up to the fireplace and grabbed a small pile of what looked like black sand from a dish. "Diagon Alley." He said clearly while throwing the sand into the fireplace, disappearing in a flare of green fire.

Harry gaped. "That was sooo cool." Harry ran up to the fireplace and grabbed the floo powder. "Diagon Alley." And he was gone.

Harry closed his eyes after he saw a few fireplaces whiz by making him slightly nauseous, until his feet were slammed onto solid ground making him topple over. "Umph."

Severus sighed and gripped the bridge of his nose as he saw his new apprentice fall to the ground. "Of all the people I could have as an apprentice, I would get stuck with a clumsy one."

Severus grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him to his feet. "We'll get you some proper wizarding clothes first before doing anything else." Snape said eyeing rather colorful robe
Harry had on with distaste. Dumbledore had provided Harry with a few robes to wear out in public figuring his muggle clothes would attract too much attention; unfortunately, Harry was currently wearing a lime green robe that would most likely attract more attention then said muggle clothes.

"Actually, why don't you take off that sorry excuse for a robe now. I would rather be seen with a muggleborn or muggle lover than with someone that has the same fashion sense as Dumbledore." Snape said.

Harry unbuttoned the robe and held it out for the potion's master to do whatever he wished to it. He stood there holding it out as the potion's master stared at him. Harry looked down at himself; he didn't think the clothes he had on were that bad looking to have the Severus looking him over so critically. He wore tight fitting jeans and a long sleeved black turtleneck. He almost always wore long sleeves to cover some of the scars on his arms.

"Er, Master Snape?" Harry asked, trying to draw the man's attention away from his obviously out of place muggle outfit.

Severus shook his head and cleared his throat, removing his eyes away from the younger male. Younger as in a teenager. A teenager 20 years younger than him. A teenager young enough to be his student. Hell, someone young enough to be HIS kid. He should not be eyeing the young man as if he were his favorite meal being served on a silver platter. Lily would be ashamed of him! Thinking such thoughts about her only child.

Snape grabbed the offending lime green robe from Harry and banished it away. "Come, Dorian. We must be going."

"Yes, Master Snape." Harry said as they walked out of the crowded pub trying to look at as much as he could.

"Stop that. You look like a fool." Severus said, seeing Harry turning his head from this way to that looking at everything.

Severus walked up to a brick wall and tapped on a few bricks with his wand, Harry paying close attention to the order. He gapped as the wall magically slid away revealing Diagon Alley.

Severus started walking a brisk pace expecting Harry to follow behind him. They walked down the alley only stopping when they reached Madame Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. Severus opened the door. "In," was all he said.

Harry walked into the shop and looked around. The shop was full of robes and cloaks of all colors and sizes. Two stools stood in the center of the shop.

"Ah, Severus Snape. It has been a while. What can I do for you today?" A portly looking woman strolled up to them with a measuring tape draped across her shoulders and extra pins stuck into the fabric of her robe. It was obviously Madame Malkin.

"Hello, Madame. This is Dorian Augustine, my new apprentice. We need 3 apprentice robes, 3 casual robes and two traveling cloaks." Severus rattled off everything Harry needed. "The apprentice robes need to be equipped with a fire repellent charms, stain resistant, and chemical resistant." He thought for a moment. "Actually put stain resistant and wrinkle resistant charms on all of the robes and cloaks. He is a bit clumsy."

An indigent, "Hey," was heard from Harry.

Severus just gave him a look that clearly said 'well you are.'

"Alright, and what colors do you want all of those in?" Malkin asked taking notes on the order.

"Black for all the apprentice robes and for the casual, one black, one dark green, and one navy blue. For the cloaks, black and dark gray." Severus said, looking at Harry as confirmation.

"Why black for all three apprentice robes?" He asked curiously.

Severus smirked. "Can't have you ruining my style, can I?" He asked referring to his own over-usage of black in his wardrobe.

Harry snorted. "Sure, whatever you say sir."

Malkin eyed the two with a small smile. Not many had the balls to talk to Severus like that, and it was even more rare that he would take it with such humor. "Alright. Up on the stool with you." Madame Malkin said. She then took her measuring tape and began taking measurements and pinning fabric. After about a half hour he was clear to go.

"You can take this robe with you dear and I'll send the rest to you in a few days." Malkin said as she rang them out.

"Next we go to Gringotts and then we can get your wand and other supplies." The trip to Gringotts was short unlike the one to Ollivanders.

"Mr. Potter, I was begging to wonder if I would get a chance to sell you a wand." Ollivander said after appearing from a shadowed corner.

Harry jumped and whirled around. "Don't do that." He thought for a second. "How did you know my name?" Harry asked making sure his scar was still cover with some muggle makeup. Some wizards could see through glamours, but makeup was unexpected so no one thought to look to see if there was a scar under the cosmetics as it looked natural.

Ollivander just gave him a mysterious smile and began shoveling through boxes. "I remember when your parents were buying their first wands." He said. He handed Harry a sleek black wand. "Give it a wave."

Harry broke a lamp. Severus rolled his eyes. This was going to be a while.

"Not that one then." After nearly twenty wands Ollivander began to get excited.

"Tricky customer, Mr. Potter. Very tricky. Don't worry though. I believe I know the perfect wand for you." He wandered back a pulled an old dust filled box and pulled out holly wand.
"11 inches holly, with a phoenix feather core, very supple."

Harry waved the wand and gold sparks flew out.

Ollivander clapped. "Curious."

"What's curious?" Snape asked stepping up to the old man and Harry.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Snape. The phoenix that gave this feather gave only one other. It is very curious that this wand would choose Mr. Potter, when its brother gave him his scar." With that Mr. Ollivander turned and walked to the back of his shop.

"That was weird." Harry said. "Where to now?"

After dragging Harry to the Flourish and Blotts, Gambol and Japes, the cauldron shop, they were now at Severus's favorite store. The apothecary.

When Harry went in he immediately covered his nose. The smell of many substances all hitting his nose at once. Pickled toads, powdered mandrake, aconite, feathers of all different kinds, as well as teeth, furs, and claws of various animals were all around the shop.

"Ah, Severus, that shipment of Jobberknoll feathers is in if you are still interested." The owner of the apothecary, Arnold Leminski said.

"Yes would you please bag that up? I'm afraid I have run out of all mine." Snape said, absently.

Leminski looked over at the teenager standing next to Snape. "And who is this, Severus? Is this your son?"

Snape nearly choked. "What? My son? No, no. I don't have any children. This is my new apprentice, Dorian Augustine."

Harry held out a hand to shake, the other man gripped it firmly. "Arnold Leminski." The man said shortly.

"Dorian, why don't you go and collect these ingredients while I talk to Arnold." Snape handed Harry a paper that told what it was and how many they needed. Luckily all of the items were packaged in paper or were in jars so they wouldn't react to each other.

Severus watched the young man walk away to gather ingredients, a soft look in his eyes.

Arnold saw the look on his face and risked asking a question. "Mixing business with pleasure, Severus?" Leminski asked. He obviously knew Severus long enough to risk his temper.

Severus whipped his head around. "Excuse me?" He asked in an irritable voice. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Precisely what I asked. An apprentice, Severus? You've never taken one on before. Merlin knows you can't hold your temper long enough to keep one around for a full school year. There must be some reason you've taken up an attractive young male for a role that you've never given anyone before." Arnold ventured.

Severus glared. "Don't be ridiculous, Arnold. He's seventeen!"

"Precisely! He just happens to be old enough to be considered an adult. And I don't recognize him Severus, so he couldn't have been one of your students. I know you would never date anyone that you've taught."

"We're not together. Our relationship is purely professional." Severus said, eyes going back to the young man gathering ingredients, scrunching up his nose at some of them.

Arnold smirked. "Right. And that's the reason your eyes are glued to his arse every time he bends over to get an ingredient."

Severus took his eyes off said arse and put them back on Arnold. "We're not together." He said frostily.

"But you want to be?" Snape didn't have to answer, as Arnold already knew. The man, for some reason or another, was infatuated with the teenager.

At that moment Harry came up to them.

"I've finished gathering the ingredients, Master Snape."

Snape nodded and took the basket with ingredients and put them on the counter. "These and the feathers, Arnold."

Arnold knew they were finished with the conversation, especially now that the young man, Dorian, was back. He only hoped Severus worked it all out. They left the shop, finished with what needed to be done.

"Is there anywhere in particular you wanted to go before we head back to the Leaky Cauldron?" Severus asked. The boy didn't really get to do anything fun today. The highlight of his day must have been when he picked up a few books for himself for pleasure reading instead of studying. They hadn't gone anywhere Harry wanted to go yet.

Harry looked around, his eyes briefly stopping on the Quality Quiddich Supplies before moving on. As much as he would like to play quidditch, he knew he couldn't be on a house team. He was only going to Hogwarts to be an apprentice, and if he wanted to fly he could always use a school broom, no sense in wasting his money. Then his eyes lit up when he spotted the Magical Menagerie. "There."

Severus saw the pointed finger and groaned. Of course he would want a pet. The boy loved animals far too much in his opinion. "Fine." He said making his way to the shop, Harry happily following behind him.

Harry nearly ran in front of Severus and into the shop, but figured that would be way to disrespectful and followed behind him. When they arrived Harry once again had to cover his nose. It smelt horrible, but at least this shop didn't have dead animal parts floating around in jars. Instead they were alive and happily running around securely attached to their bodies.

Harry looked around spotting cats, kneazles, owls, hawks, dogs, lizards, pygmy puffs, fish, and snakes off all kinds in tanks and cages all around the shop.

He walked over to where some baby kittens were meowing and pawing at the edge of a fenced in area, trying to get his attention. He leaned over and picked up a cute white fluffy one. The cat purred and tilted its chin for Harry to scratch.

"You like that don't you cutie?" Harry asked the cat in a soft voice, practically gushing over the cute little creature.

"Why don't you look at something more practical? Like an owl? That way you can keep in contact with people." Severus said. He didn't want an animal living in his rooms that would likely claw up his furniture or other nonsense.

"Most of the people I know will be going to Hogwarts with me so I don't need an owl. If I did, I could always use a school owl." Harry said reasonably putting the cute furry creature back into the pen of kittens all trying to get attention. Harry explored a little more until he heard arguing.

:Don't even think about it evil spawn! Get away from me.:

Harry looked around only seeing Severus, the owner, and a blonde male near the snake tanks. Who the heck was saying that? He looked over and saw the blonde taping the glass on the tank of what looked like a very dangerous grey snake with glowing red eyes.

:Stick your hand in, I dare you!!:

Harry knew the voice wasn't the boys, so that must mean it came from the snake. But snakes don't talk, but perhaps they do in the wizarding world?

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Harry said as he strolled up to the blonde who was about to reach in for the snake in the tank.

:Come on. DO IT. Let me bite you, vile creature of the sun.: The snake said, obviously considering the boys hair to be like the sun. It sure was blonde enough.

"And why not?" The boy said snidely, looking down his nose at Harry.

"Because it's going to bite you if you do." Harry said giving the boy a strange look. Didn't the boy pay attention at all? The snake said clearly that it would bite him if he stuck his hand in.

The boy rolled his grey eyes. "Please, look at it. The thing is completely docile. Plus this is an ashwinder, it is not poisonous." And that's when he began to stick his hand in.

"Fine. Get bitten. Whatever." Harry said, calmly watching as the boy stuck his hand in.

:Closer. Closer…and….NOW:

The snake struck. The boy shrieked, and the owner ran over.

"Can't you read the sign? It says to let an attendant retrieve the snakes. Just because it's not poisonous does not mean it does not bite. Ashwiders are easily angered you fool." The owner snapped, pressing a cloth to the boys wound.

Harry laughed. "Told you."

The boy sneered and walked out of the shop, never seeing his potions professor smirking at him.

Harry looked around in the other snake tanks. Listening to each of the snakes as he went by.

:Come my pretty, come to me.: One black one was saying to a mouse running across the floor.

:I like water. It's so nice and cool. So refreshing.: A green one said, it's body gliding through a thing of water in the tank.

:Bored. Bored. Bored.: The snake was black but had a red underside. It was lying on a rock, a lamp beating on its black skin.

Harry red the label. A red-bellied-black snake. Huh, well that is easy enough to remember. He read on. Native to Australia, its venom is capable of causing significant morbidity; it is not generally fatal and less venomous than other deadly Australian snakes. Its usual prey is frogs, but can also prey on reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes including their own species.

:Hello.: Harry unknowingly hissed.

At hearing Harry the snake's head snapped up.

:You can speak?: The snake hissed astonished.

:Of course I can speak! I am actually surprised that you can speak. In the muggle world, snake's don't talk.: Harry looked inquisitively at the snake.

The snake hissed out some laughter. :No speaker. You are the one speaking my language, I am not speaking yours.:

Harry tilted his head in confusion and then looked to Severus who, while he was speaking, moved closer to Harry. Severus had the most astonished expression Harry had ever seen on him the two weeks he has known him. His eyes were slightly wide and his face paler than usual.

"You're a parseltongue." It was a statement not a question.

"A what?" Harry asked.

"A parseltongue, you can speak to snakes." He lost his wide eyed look and his face regained some color.

"Oh. I take by your expression that it is not a normal magical ability?"

"Correct." Snape said, finally back to his usual self.

"Okay." He turned back to the snake. :What is your name?:

:They call me Saami.: The snake replied, finally getting of its rock and moving closer to the glass to take a good look at Harry.

:Is that a male name or a female?: Harry asked.

The snake, Saami, hissed in anger. :Of course I'm a male! What kind of half-witted speaker are you?:

:I apologize, I am just unfamiliar with the name, and I admit not knowing much about your species.: Harry apologized.

:You are forgiven, speaker. What is your name?: Saami asked.

:I'm Harry." He smiled.

:And is that a male name or a female? I am not familiar with that name, and you look like both.: The snake half teased.

:I'll have you know I am very rugged and manly.: Harry sniffed in mock indignation. Harry knew he wasn't exactly the picture of manliness, but he could be worse off.

The snake once again hissed out laughter. :I like you speaker. Take me home with you.:

Harry was taken aback for a second before turning to Severus, who looked completely lost.

"Well? What did it say?" He asked, genuinely curious.

"His name is Saami and he wants me to get him out of here." Harry said.

"Don't tell me your actually thinking about it. That is a very poisonous snake, Dorian. And besides that, students are only allowed a cat, owl, or toad." Severus rattled off.

Harry smirked. "Well then I guess it's a good thing I'm not a student then isn't it?"

Severus opened his mouth to protest, but then shut it to think. Harry could pass of as a Slytherin with the way he thinks sometimes. He could obviously communicate with the snake to assure it won't bite him or other students. Besides that, the look on Dumbledore and Black's faces would be priceless. The boy-who-lived, owning a snake. Not only owning one, but being able to converse with one. Maybe he should just let the boy have the snake.

"You have to promise you won't allow it to bite anyone." Was all he said.

Harry beamed and asked the owner over.

"Are you sure you want this one? It's not exactly safe." He asked.

"I'm sure."

"Alright, but all sales are final, and once the snake has been paid for the Magical Menagerie is no longer liable for anything the pet may do." He warned.

"I realize that." And with that Harry went over to the counter with his new snake and paid for that along with some frogs for the snake to eat.

"Would you like to set up an owl order to ship new frogs to you every two weeks?" The owner asked.

"Yes, please." Harry wrapped Saami across his shoulders and Severus led them back to the Leaky Cauldron.

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Meanwhile, while Harry was shopping in Diagon Alley with Severus, Sirius was inside Quality Quiddich staring at the brooms. He was looking at three on a pedestal. They were the three newest and fastest brooms on the market.

In the center and raised the highest was the Firebolt. It was red with gold writing down the side. Able to accelerate up to 150 mph in 10 seconds, it was the best all-purpose broom on the market. He had seen this broom before, but the two next to it were newer models that just came out this year.

The Thunderbolt was to the right of the Firebolt. It was blue with silver writing, it too reached speeds of 150, but is made of harder wood and its tail twigs were more bushy and hard not sleek and slick like that of the Firebolt. It was a keeper's broom.

Lastly, on the Firebolt's left was the Lighteningbolt. This one was entirely black with gold writing. Once again, the speed matched that of the Firebolt but this one was just a tad bit more sleek and slender and according to the plaque beneath it was actually lighter in weight making dives and dodging all the more easier. This one would be perfect for the position of seeker.

Sirius thought for a moment. Which one would Harry like the best? He remembered watching him and some others playing quidditch in the back yard, Harry seemed to favor the seeker position as it allowed him more time to just glide and enjoy his time in the air.

Sirius made up his mind and went to the nearest shop attendant and asked him to box up a Lighteningbolt for a gift.

Sirius smiled. Harry would love it, even if he couldn't play on a team.

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At the Leaky Cauldron, Harry looked at the menu in horror and befuddlement. He didn't know what half of this stuff was! He had tried some pumpkin juice at Grimmauld, but that was it. What the hell was Firewhisky or Gillywater? Would it be weird if he just ordered some milk? At least he recognized the food on the menu, well, most of it anyway.

At this time Tom came over to take their orders. "What would you like to drink?" He asked starting with Harry.

He looked over at Snape giving him a helpless look. Snape lifted a brow in amusement.

"I'll have a glass of sherry and a butterbeer for him."

"I will be back in a moment to take your orders," and Tom walked off to get their drinks.

Once Tom left Harry turned to Severus. "What's butterbeer?"

"It's a drink that tastes mildly like butterscotch. I'm sure it will be up to your standards. Merlin knows all teenagers have a horrible sweet tooth." He sneered.

Harry smirked. "Oh really? And just how bad was your sweet tooth when you were my age?"

Severus glared. "I meant almost all teenagers. Luckily I was never one to follow the crowd."

At this point Tom came back and took their lunch orders. Harry took a sip of his chilled butterbeer. After the first sip he swigged down nearly half the glass.

"You're right. It is very good." And that is when Saami decided he was interested.

:What is that?: Saami hissed.

:It is called butterbeer.: Harry said, and watched in amusement as his snake slipped down off his shoulders and stuck its slitted tongue into his cup, trying the liquid.

Saami reared his head back. :That's dreadful. Why would you drink that? Next time get water. Saami likes water.:

Harry laughed at his snake while Tom walked over with their orders, though he walked off quickly after noticing Harry's snake. Saami didn't say anything else, but started to taste some of the food on Harry's plate, settling on eating a bit of the roast beef.

"That's disgusting. You shouldn't eat off the same plate as your animal. You'll catch something." Snape said.

"Like what? And it can't possibly be worse than sticking your tongue into someone's mouth while kissing. I'm sure you could catch even worse diseases that way then letting your animal to share some of your food." At this point Harry took a piece of roast beef Saami had just had his tongue on and put it into his mouth looking pointedly at his 'Master' Snape.

Severus looked ready to protest, but backed down as he thought about Harry's point and mumbled something about insufferable teenagers.

When their lunch was cleared away, dessert was served. Severus, never being one for sweets merely ordered some Earl Grey to sip on while Harry ordered a single chocolate cupcake. Severus watched in fascination as a pink tongue darted out to lick of the icing. It started off on the edge and slowly worked its way to the middle, swirling and lapping at the chocolate. Harry moaned softly at the taste and looked up when he felt eyes on him.

"What? Did I get icing on my face?" Harry asked wiping at his mouth to check and see if that was what Snape was staring at.

Severus cleared the sudden lump in his throat, and willing away a matching one that was hidden under his robes. "No. But is proper to the entire cupcake, not to just lick off the icing."

Harry looked at him funnily. "But where's the fun in that. The icing is the best part." Harry said, and then took another swipe at the icing with his tongue.

Snape pointedly looked away.

Suddenly, a semi hyper voice appeared behind the duo. "Dorian! If it isn't my most favorite little potion's maker." Sirius said taking a seat next Harry and hugging him.

"I bought you a late birthday present, since I wasn't there to celebrate it." Sirius said while handing Harry the long box, ignoring Snape's glare.

"I thought you were with the Weasleys." Snape said.

Sirius shrugged. "I was, but I got bored so I ditched them to go shopping for you." He looked over at Harry. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open it."

Harry smiled and tore off the wrapping paper it was in. He slowly opened the box and gasped. He looked up at Sirius. "You bought me a broom." He whispered.

Sirius nodded.

Harry squealed, and pulled Sirius into a hug.

"Can we go now? I want to try out my new broom" Harry looked at Snape pleadingly.

He sighed. "Well, we've finished everything we had to do here. I see no reason why we can't leave." Severus got up and paid for their meal.

They all left, heading back to Grimmauld Place.

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A/N: Hello dear readers! Surprised at the length? So am I. I wanted to get this out last week (most of it was done last Sunday) but thanks to bad weather knocking out not only my power Tuesday through Friday, I was unable to write anything. My entire county was out, as well as the one next to mine. Then on Saturday, my store was practically the only one open because of the weather, they weren’t letting anyone onto the freeways or anything. Those couple days without power though was horrible. It was soooo cold in my house, and there was nothing to do. I had no gas in my car and no stores were open so I couldn’t get gas to leave.

Then to top it all off, we put my mom into Cleveland clinic earlier last week, and they told us she has scleroderma which is causing her kidneys to fail. After months and months, they finally found out what was wrong with her. Now my mom either has to go through dialysis 3 times a week or get a transplant. Now the problem with the transplant is that her disease could destroy the new kidney within the year. The second problem, I’m the only one in my family with my mom’s blood type (O-) which means no one else can donate to her. She doesn’t want the transplant, so things are getting really crazy around here.

So in other words, sorry for the late update, but as you can tell everything is out of my control, but hey, this is the longest update I have ever given for any of my stories.

Oh, and before anyone asks. Saami is pronounced Say-me.

Thanks to all my reviewers.

Please review.