Chapter Nine

The rain wasn’t as bad as Harry thought it would be, really it was actually a cool relief to the humidity outside. This had to be the hottest day of the year, and Harry had to refuse holding Severus directly because the heat was just driving him to the point of infuriation. So Remus had taken care to hold him and keep him from running off. They walked in silence for quite a bit, the only sounds they were really listening to was the ones of those around them.

He wondered if Remus was nervous about walking around in the open like this…especially with a deaged Severus. Granted, the fact that the little boy was so tiny and cute right now, made him almost unrecognizable as the past snarky Potions Master. It was still the fact that Harry stuck out like a sore thumb in a crowd. People always stared at his scar, and with the Ministry making him a laughing stock in the wizarding community, he felt more irritated with their stares than ever.

“Harry,” Remus called to him, realizing that he had actually walked a bit farther ahead of them while in deep thought. “Here’s a nice clothing store…why don’t we start here and get Severus some clothes?”

“Oh yeah…sorry…” he sighed, jogging back to Severus and Remus.

“I don’t like clothes shopping,” Severus grumbled, his head resting on Remus’s shoulder again. “Father picks ugly clothes…I never get to pick.”

“Well you get to pick this time, Severus,” Remus said, stroking his black hair back. “Whatever you want, it is yours.”

Harry watched as Severus nodded and couldn’t help but think he saw a great change in his mood. A couple minutes ago he was happily playing with Dittany, but right now he seemed sluggish and a bit tired. He probably just needed a nap, Harry found that his little brother got fairly cranky when he didn’t get the chance to nap in the day.

“Alright…let’s start in the shorts little one,” Remus said gently. “You need a bit of everything…some for the summer, some for the fall, and a couple jackets for winter…oh and pajamas.”

Harry could not help but smile at Remus, he couldn’t tell who was more excited…Severus or his past teacher. He adored that Remus loved Sevvy so much; it just made his heart swell with happiness. Sevvy was getting a family, and Harry couldn’t help but feel that he was getting one too…this was just a great situation.

“Let me see…you would probably be a size…three…you are so tiny for your age.”

Harry watched as Severus smiled a small smile and felt his worry increase a bit…Severus was quiet normally, but he was just starting to scare him. Maybe his father had trained him to behave this way in public…yes, that had to be it…maybe after a couple more stores Severus would come around…Harry hoped he did.

They had gone to over ten stores, and had more than ten fifteen bags of things for Severus. They had depleted a lot of the gold in Sirius’s vault, but Harry had said he would compensate for it. It was around three when they finished, and Harry decided that now would be a good time to head back so they could have lunch with Sirius.

Severus seemed pretty fond of that idea, granted he remained practically comatose the entire walk home. Harry, however, could not stop complaining about the heat! It was utterly pathetic, he could actually SEE the heat waves radiating off the streets!

“How can you not be hot, Remus?” Harry groaned as they made it onto their street. “It’s bloody screaming out here!”

Remus chuckled and pulled Severus’s hair back so it was no longer sticking to his tiny face. He had a low body temperature regardless; it came with being sick most of the days of his existence. Whether like this felt wonderful to Remus, he adored summer…it was winter that usually bothered him the most.

“I’m sure it’s nice and cool in Grimmauld Place,” Remus said gently. “It’s usually a bit drafty in there.”

Opening the door so that his past professor and little potions master could go inside he sighed with relief the moment a cool gust of air rushed up his back and against his face. It felt so wonderful and Harry had to do all but remove his shirt right then and there and just bask in it.

“I heard a door!” Sirius called from the kitchen. “Harry, Remus, is that you?”

“Yes, Sirius,” Remus called back. “Is lunch ready? It smells divine.”

Sirius came into the room, brushing his hands off his pants and nodded. He had worked very hard on their lunch, mostly to repay Remus back for all the cooking he does regularly. He had realized, though, that while he was cooking…he really didn’t know what Severus liked and didn’t like. He felt that any normal kid had to like macaroni and cheese; it had been one of his favorites at the Potter’s. Sirius could only hope that the kid wasn’t lactose intolerant; that would have made this a big waste.

“It’s Mrs. Potter’s recipe,” he said winking at Harry. “Your grandma was a great cook Harry; I can’t wait to spoil you with all of her treats.”

Harry smiled back and sniffed. It smelled amazing and the more the aroma wafted in and out of the rooms the more Harry’s stomach growled with want. He looked to Severus who still seemed pretty down, maybe a few bites of food would help him cheer up. Harry knew that there weren’t many little kids that could pass up comfort food.

“Harry, why don’t you take Severus to wash up,” Remus said handing the little boy over. “We’ll get the table set.”

Harry nodded and smiling warmly left with his, sleepy, brother.

“So, how’d it go Mooney?” Sirius asked as he led the way into the kitchen. “Did you break the bank?”

“I believe we came close to doing so,” he chuckled setting the bags down. “Severus didn’t seem to enjoy the shopping all that much…he was very quiet and tired.”

Sirius had to resist rolling his eyes; he just felt that the kid should be more grateful about getting a ton of toys and clothes at his expense. He supposed that he didn’t really like shopping either, but it was still the thought that counted, he would talk to Harry about talking to Severus regarding his manners later.

“I think it was the heat, he was fine until we got outside.” Remus continued pulling out some of the clothes and folding them neatly on the kitchen table. “Sirius, you should have seen him in some of these clothes…he was simply adorable.”

Sirius rolled his eyes, the brat had only been there for a day and already Remus has fallen in love. He supposed that was how Remus always was…he always loved children and wanted to be loved by them. It was just the warm heart he possessed, it was truly a beautiful thing.

“I’m so sure.”

“You’d be surprised,” Remus continued, folding a pair of light blue pajama bottoms. “He doesn’t like just black and grey…as a matter of fact, the only thing I got him that was black are his winter jacket and a pair of dress shoes.”

“Wait…you bought him a winter jacket?” Sirius asked, turning from the stove. “Just how long do you think he is going to stay this way, Remus?”

Remus smiled warmly, and without missing a beat said, “It doesn’t hurt to plan, Padfoot, old friend.”

Sirius sighed, why did Remus had to be so kind? Had he been anyone else, he would have seriously laid into him. All of this money for clothes and toys that Snape might not even need! Then again, there could be a slim chance that this planning would prove beneficial later…not that he was saying he would keep Snape if that were to occur…just that…oh, he wasn’t even sure what he was trying to think or say anymore.

“I will take your word for it, Mooney.” Sirius said with a sigh.

Remus nodded and after folding the clothes sent them off with a flick of his wand to the dresser Sirius had found for Severus’s room. Little did Sirius know that was only the first bag…Remus had not been joking when he said that he had practically broke the bank shopping for their new little guest.

“Did Harry enjoy the shopping?” Sirius asked, pulling the macaroni and cheese from the oven. “He seemed a bit agitated.”

“It was the heat,” Remus laughed. “That boy really could not stand it, but I’m sure he is better now that he is cool and washed up.”

Sirius nodded once more and wondered what could possibly be taking those boys so long to wash their hands. Maybe Harry wanted to give Severus his bath before dinner. He had seen the tyke when they came in and he did look a bit peaked. A nice, cool, bath would probably help with Severus’s mood and, hopefully, make dinner easy to get through.

Harry had helped Severus wash his hands and washed his own, he could tell that Severus was still tired, but upon suggesting a nap before lunch the little boy shook his head. Harry wished that Severus was more vocal with everyone, he really didn’t need to hide from them all…but Harry supposed that saying such a thing would be highly hypocritical, as Harry got the same complaint from all of his friends and teachers as well.

“Ready to go eat, Sevvy?”

The little, raven haired, boy nodded at him and sluggishly headed downstairs. Severus didn’t really want to eat, but he knew that it was disrespectful to refuse a meal. Besides, he had heard what it was and Severus really liked macaroni and cheese. No one could make it as good as his mummy, of course, but he was sure that after a couple bites the yucky feeling would disappear. He didn’t like thinking that he was sick…if that happened then he got in a lot of trouble. It was best to just say it was in his head and then wait it out…his head would make him better later.

Crawling up into his chair beside Remus he leaned back and wiped some of the sweat that her accumulated on his forehead. He just needed to make it till nap time, then after that he would be able to lay down and sleep this all away. One plate of macaroni and a small cup of juice…that was usually what his mummy would give him to eat…father ate the rest.

“Severus are you hungry?” Remus asked gently, his eyes taking on the young boys, pale, features.

“Yes…” Severus said softly. “Can I have something to drink too?”

Sirius brought Severus his plate first and then served the rest of his family. He had always thought it best to serve the younger ones first. It was just a matter of manners and priorities…not that he was saying Snape was a priority in his life. Just that he remembered Mrs. Potter always doing it when Sirius and James wanted to eat.

Harry licked his lips as his supper was placed in front of him and didn’t even wait to receive permission to begin eating. He watched Severus briefly and saw the little boy put a single noodle in his mouth. That had to have been a habit continued on to adulthood, Snape always seemed like a finicky eater when he was at Hogwarts too.

“So Harry,” Remus said gently. “I trust you are ready for your OWL’s this year?”

Harry nearly choked on his pasta…well that was unexpected. It wasn’t that he minded talking to Remus about school, it was just that Harry felt that he made an idiot out of himself when he revealed he was not ready. Apparently, this was the year that students also planned out their futures. Harry felt that he didn’t have much of a future ahead of him. Not if Voldemort was involved…so it was needless to say that Harry really didn’t take the time to plan it. What would be the point?

“Umm…I guess…” Harry shrugged. “I haven’t really given it too much thought just yet.”

Sirius nodded, “And that is understandable, you still have time to think.”

“Yes, but it is always good to have an idea.”

Harry sighed and took another bite from his pasta, swallowing it down with a sip from his glass of pumpkin juice. He had considered a couple things that he wanted to do after he graduated from Hogwarts. One of the big things was to become an auror, that seemed to be his ultimate calling, since he was always so good in Defense Against the Dark Arts. The other one he really didn’t like sharing with people was that he wanted to be a teacher at Hogwarts. At the moment the only problem was that he couldn’t decide on a subject. With the DADA position being cursed, Harry didn’t want to risk being killed or sacked at the end of the year. He truly got enough of that from a day to day basis.

“I have an idea,” he said with a sigh. “But I’m still not sure about it yet…let’s talk about something else.”

Remus could sense that Harry was a bit uncomfortable when it came to the subject of his future, and he sort of felt guilty for bringing it up. He just wanted to encourage Harry to continue to live, regardless of this whole Voldemort mess mucking it up. However, he wouldn’t pry anymore; Harry would come to them when he was ready…just as James had when he was young with his own folks.

Sirius felt that this dinner was slowly turning into something awkward and a bit unpleasant. That meant but one thing; time for him to lighten the mood with a joke or story of old. Sirius hated when things were made awkward and uncomfortable…it really made him feel out of place. He had dealt with it far too much when it came to his own parents and he would be damned if it happened again under his own roof.

“Well,” he said clearing his throat and smiling. “I know James was no better…I swear, that man was dead set on being the star of his own national quidditch team.”

Harry smiled gently.

“He even informed his father and mother…I swear I had never seen a woman turn so ash white in all of my life. Then after a long scolding and push, James decided on something a bit more realistic.”

“Really?” Harry asked. “Like what?”

“Oh, he became an auror.”

Harry felt his chest swell with pride and his eyes glowed. His father had been an auror! That was just the push he needed! Harry knew exactly what he wanted to be now…just like his father…an auror. He took another bite of his pasta and glanced over at Sevvy for a moment, a frown slowly forming on his face.

He had forgotten that Severus had been eating with him he was just so quiet. There was something that didn’t look quite right about him though. His face was very pale now and it almost had a green…hinge…to it. Severus looked sick, but he couldn’t think of anything that would make him that way.

“Sevvy? You okay?”

The little boy didn’t answer, but merely looked up at him with an apologetic expression, and turned to be sick on the floor a moment later.