The noise of the crowd outside was drained by the closing of the door, as the group headed inside Ollivander's wand shop, and it seemed to put Severus quite at ease. Harry and Jack were too excited about getting their own wands to notice his actions, but Erin did. With the way Severus paused a moment ago, she expected him to glance out the window constantly with the same alarmed yet composed stance he expressed minutes earlier. She assumed wrong, however, as Severus seemed more interested in which wand his son would get than whatever or whoever he had seen outside that caused him to worry.

It made Erin nervous, because she only now realised that in all the time she'd been using her reclaimed magic, she knew very few duelling techniques. Her fear resided in her own certainty that if something happened, then she would not be of great use. Thinking of the safety and happiness of the two enthusiastic boys in front of her, Erin vowed to ask Severus later if he could help her expand her magical training even further.

'Did you get your wand here too, Miss Summers?' Jack asked Erin as he had a quick look around, and Harry tried to keep still in his excitement.

The sandy-haired boy wanted to know because he'd noticed her shared shock when they saw Diagon Alley for the first time today. And as far as Jack knew, this was the only place they could buy a wand from, and Erin did own one.

'Yes.' Erin answered and caught his expression. 'Although, I did not see the alley itself. I stopped by the wandmaker's home during one of his day's off. It was most fortunate Severus had made the arrangement, because I do not think I was ready for all of this at the time.' She looked towards the window, taking a moment to watch the magical folk who'd surrounded them outside on the street and in the stores - with the exception this shop, which was so quiet and still.

The boys eagerly hurried to the counter, not taking notice of the dust or privacy within what Erin had expected to be a very popular place. She supposed witches and wizards kept their wands for a long time, and therefore mostly children at the age of eleven really had such a frequent use for the shop. Unlike quills and robes, which would need replacing much more regularly.

Harry rung the bell on the counter and waited for the storekeeper, though nothing happened at first. Severus, who was already looking towards the left end of shelves, was the only one who didn't react in shock when Ollivander slid into view from the specified direction.

'Ah!' Ollivander looked from one child to the other. 'Come to buy your first wands, have you?'

'Yes, sir.' Jack nodded. 'I want a really good one, please.'

'I assure you, all Ollivander's wands can perform with excellence if matched to the right witch or wizard.' Ollivander winked.

He asked which was their wand arm, and enchanted measuring tapes began to measure each boy at once. Harry held up his right hand instantly, while Jack had to work out what Ollivander meant, as he was not familiar with all of the magical terms yet. Guessing Ollivander meant his writing hand, Jack offered his right arm as well.

'Ah, yes.' Ollivander nodded, though the boys weren't sure at what.

He lifted his gaze and seemed surprised, though not displeased, to see Severus a short distance away, giving each child a piercing look from where he stood.

'Yours?' Ollivander asked curiously.

'Only one.' Severus answered and indicated to Harry.

'Of course.' Ollivander decided to start with Jack first. 'Step over here, that's it.' He spoke in a quiet voice and went around the counter to pick out a rectangle box.

He lifted a wand from it and handed it to Jack, who had no idea what he was supposed to do.

'Yew. Eleven inches, with dragon heartstring core. Supple.' Ollivander said. 'Well? Give it a wave.'

Jack smiled at the idea of waving a magic wand, and flourished it dramatically in his over-eagerness, which caused it to hiss steam into his face, turning it a pinkish shade.

'Ah, apparently not.' Ollivander snatched it back and went to get another. 'Ebony, much like Severus over there. Ten inches, with unicorn hair core. Slightly springy.' He watched Jack carefully, and lunged forward to retrieve it before the boy had properly grasped it.

'You've got an ebony wand, dad?' Harry turned towards his father. 'Can I see it?'

'You have already seen my wand on multiple occasions.' Severus answered, suddenly feeling protective of his precious wand when Harry looked far too eager. He was not going to hand his wand to an eleven-year-old boy who could barely stand still at the moment, and firmly instructed the boy to pay attention to what was going on.

'Hawthorn at eleven inches. Contains a phoenix feather-no, no!' Ollivander seemed to find Jack to be a tricky customer, and the sandy-haired boy was feeling very discouraged. He worried there might be something wrong with him and that's why it was so hard to find him the right wand.

'Not to worry.' Ollivander said as Jack's expression showed the concern, as it was in times of worry that Jack's emotions could be very transparent. 'We'll find it. Ah, Elm. Twelve inches with unicorn hair. It's quite flexible. Perhaps...?' He handed the wand to Jack, who accepted it with caution and gave it a wave.

Harry had to duck when an empty box shot out of nowhere and dangerously flew barely an inch over his head.

'No, no! Certainly not that one.' Ollivander muttered as he disappeared amongst the long and high shelves.

He was gone for nearly a full minute before he returned, dusting off a box as he approached the counter again.

'Perhaps, this.' Ollivander tried again and handed Jack yet another wand. 'Holly. Ten and a half inches, with dragon heartstring core. Pliant.' He said. 'Give it a try.'

Jack, not expecting much, was startled when the tip of his wand glowed and a warmth spread through his fingers. He smiled at the sensation of magic and decided he liked this wand quite a lot.

He hoped Ollivander would agree.

'Ah, yes.' Ollivander nodded. 'That's the one.' He seemed relieved for a brief moment, and then looked at Harry rather quickly, as though the dark-haired boy had called his name.

'And now it's your turn.' Said the wandmaker. 'Let's see, shall we?' Ollivander reached under the counter for a box while Severus strode forward and took the wand from Jack, who had been about to wave it again.

'Absolutely not.' Severus told him drawn-out, non-negotiable tone. He placed the holly wand back inside its box and fixed Jack with a stern glare. 'This may be your destined wand, however, we do not need you setting something on fire. You will require more than the capability of just waving and swishing to use a wand.'

'Oak. Twelve inches with unicorn hair. Flexible.' Ollivander told Harry, as he offered him a wand, and Jack pouted in the background.

The dark-haired boy stared at the wand for a moment and then reached towards it. The wand felt warm in his hand, but cold as well. It didn't seem possible, but Harry wasn't surprised when Ollivander watched him wave it and nothing happened. Taking it back, Ollivander headed amongst the dusty shelves and returned with three more boxes.

'Blackthorn, ten and three-quarter inches.' Ollivander told him.

Severus moved a little closer (gripping the box containing Jack's wand tightly), and Erin sat on a stool beside the window to watch the scene with an interested smile.

'Unicorn hair core.'The wandmaker continued. 'Very pliable.'

'Ah!' Harry yelped when his movement of the wand caused a vase nearby to burst, sending shards everywhere, though luckily not close enough to do anyone damage. 'Sorry.' He blushed to Ollivander, while shoving the wand back onto the counter.

'Not to worry.' Ollivander barely blinked. He waved his own wand and the vase fixed itself, which caused a gasp of amazement from the two onlooking boys. 'That was not your wand at all, no...' He dusted off a box and looked upwards at the shelf above as though contemplating getting another.

Offering Harry the one he had, Ollivander's words caught Severus' attention rather quickly.

'Willow. Eleven inches with a rather nice phoenix tail feather.' Ollivander's voice took on a stranger tone as he watched Harry wave his wand. The room glowed with warming, golden light from an undetermined source. 'It's reasonably swishy.' Ollivander added with an edge to his tone. Despite finding the right wand for Harry, he frowned at the display from such a wand and the boy it had chosen.

'That's very curious.' Said the wandmaker.

'Sorry, but what's so curious about my wand?' Harry wondered.

Ollivander looked at Severus and saw the extensively guarded expression on the black-haired wizard, and knew Severus had noticed as well. 'I remember every wand I ever sold. And I find yours to be very curious, considering your eyes. And your father.'

'What do you mean?' Harry frowned with increased confusion.

'Your eyes. They remind me of someone. A witch who had a willow wand that was also swishy, though hers was also very good for charmswork, whereas yours is rather undecided on its greatest strength. The girl, however, well...your father knew her.' Ollivander said in a soft voice filled with intrigue. 'What is your name, I wonder?'

'Cody.' Harry answered. 'Cody Summers. What was her name?'

'That is enough!' Severus found his composure, barely. 'We best be on our way. Ollivander, what is the total cost of these two wands?'

Ollivander answered and sold the pair of wands to them.

He watched Erin usher the children towards the door and was glad Severus remained behind for a moment. Severus had always been incredibly intuitive about such things, and even though Ollivander had seen him pass through his store from time to time over the last couple of years (though rarely in regards to matters concerning wands), Ollivander could not erase the image of the nervous eleven-year-old boy he had met all those years ago. The child who Ollivander saw more potential in than the boy himself could scarcely imagine, and as though to prove his instinctive estimation, that same child also obtained his finest ebony wand.

'Severus.' The aged wizard said carefully. 'You have seen it in the boy, I presume? Is he hers?'

'No.' Severus answered in defiance. 'Harry Potter is missing. Lily had no other children. Cody is my son.'

'Very well.' Ollivander nodded. 'I shall accept that answer. I find the wand choosing the wizard does not always care why, but I think in this case it is quite clear your son is destined for something beyond more than anticipated. She was, after all, a very talented witch. Her son or not - Cody is a very special boy if that wand has chosen him.'

'I am aware of my son's own potential. You needn't remind me.' Severus glanced once at Ollivander and left the store.

--

With the boys now in ownership of their very first wands, the group headed for the next item on the shopping list.

It took a moment to make the children focus, because they whined about wanting to carry their wands with them like real wizards did, but Severus would not allow it. He kept the boxes gripped under his arm and that's where they would remain for the time being.

'How many different cauldrons are there?' Jack asked Severus while reading over the requirement of a pewter standard size 2 cauldron, and walked towards the store they would be buying it from.

'Numerous.' Severus answered, his gaze sweeping over the area with practised concentration, once again on edge after leaving the private confines of the wand store. 'There are far too many in which to list.'

'Wow.' Jack admired not what Severus had said, but rather the many ingredients he saw through the Apothecary window. He pressed his hands to the glass, while Harry glanced at it once and sighed, looking back at the box of his wand in his father's fierce possession.

As the group bought a pair of shiny new pewter cauldrons, Jack rambled about all the potions he wanted to make once he got to Hogwarts. Severus, feeling he was going to get a headache trying to keep up with how fast the child was talking, decided not to tell Jack how impossible it would be for a first year to even attempt to brew what he was saying.

Erin seemed a bit dazed as they examined the phials, with Harry standing a short distance away. Jack frowned at his shopping list, as it said they could get glass or crystal and he wasn't sure which one to pick. Severus indicated to the crystal ones, and turned to look at his son. Harry seemed abnormally distracted by something outside the store window. Severus left the pair and walked to where his son was. Placing a hand on Harry's shoulder, the boy hardly moved at all and only sighed.

'Cody?'

'Her name was Lily, wasn't it?' Harry asked without looking up at the man, which was something Severus felt thankful for. 'I saw it on the tree, the one near Spinner's End. Lily and Sev; friends forever. What happened to her, dad?'

They were quiet for a moment.

The pair stared out the window of the darkened store and watched the passing crowd obliviously going about their businesses outside. Severus was glad his son didn't look his way, because of the bright, familiar green eyes he would have to endure at that moment, while thinking of her.

'She died.' Severus finally said. 'Much like your parents. The Dark Lord's reign caused the loss of many lives, and damaged even more.'

'You miss her, don't you?' Harry did turn around his time, though his father looked to the distance and avoided his gaze. 'She was your best friend, right? And it didn't last forever.' He didn't need to hear his father say it, as Harry stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his dad. Severus entirely returned the gesture, unaware of Erin cleverly keeping Jack distracted to allow the father and son a moment of private peace.

'I'm sorry my wand makes you miss her.' Harry pressed his cheek to the soft material of Severus' robes. He briefly wondered if his dad's Lily was the same Lily as his birth mother had been, but didn't want to assume it just because of the small similarities. Lily might be a popular witch name, for all he knew 'But I'll use it well. I'll treasure my wand in her memory, and I promise I'll do my very best to look after it.'

'It is your wand, Cody.' Severus sighed. 'Despite the familiarities, the wand is entirely your own. You needn't have a noble reason for ensuring the required care and maintenance of your wand. Lily is gone. The past shall remain as such.'

'She's not gone, dad.' Harry told him as he let go and smiled up at his father, who did meet his eyes this time. 'Mum said that as long as we love someone, even when they're not around, then they're never really gone. I just wish I could have met her.'

'As do I.' Severus felt uncomfortable with the topic and nudged his son back into the depths of the store, directing the boy to the crystal phials.

They then joined Jack and Erin over at the scales, where she was trying to explain why he couldn't have the silver or gold ones, when the shopping list stated brass.

'Jack.' Harry said. 'I like the brass ones. And they must be good if Hogwarts wants us to use those ones. Besides, the other ones look like they cost a whole lot.' He said, diffusing the situation easily as Jack soon agreed with Harry and grabbed the brass ones.

'We just have to get a telescope now.' Harry said in a low tone, looking over his list yet again, his mind was still occupied with sadder and more serious thoughts.

Erin brushed some hair from his face in sympathy, and looked at Severus. She didn't say anything, and hadn't overheard what they'd been talking about, but Erin wished she could do something for him as well.

'Come along.' Severus seemed to sense her intentions, and quickly turned to lead the way to the counter so they could purchase some of the last of their items.

After the phials, the final requirement on the shopping list was a telescope, which was what they had to buy next.

This proved to be far more difficult than expected.

Jack quickly found one he liked, but Harry was very picky. Much like the dragon hide gloves, he and Severus examined their options and wanted to be satisfied with the selection they would make.

Erin, in effort to keep Jack content, as the boy was becoming increasingly bored, she took him outside the store so they at least had something to look at while they waited. Jack sat on a seat and watched some of the passer-bys with interest. He loved the magical shopping district and wished they could stay longer, even if his feet were getting a bit tired and he wanted to go back to Harry's house to try and make spells with his wand.

He straightened when something touched his leg so softly he'd barely felt it.

Wary of the unknown, Jack bent down and saw a black and white cat sitting near his ankles. It wasn't a kitten, but only just, and certainly hadn't reached adulthood yet. Its eyes were a dark gold, which had fixated on Jack's brown eyes.

'Hello.' Jack smiled and reached for the cat, and only just brushed his fingers against its fur before it jumped back. 'It's okay, I won't hurt you.' He tried to soothe it, but the cat did not appear convinced.

Jack realised it was a bit skinny, and its fur was rather messy. Looking around, Jack had a feeling this cat didn't have an owner. He wanted to point it out to Erin, but when he looked back under his seat, the creature was gone.

'Finally.' Erin breathed when Severus and Harry left the store. 'Is that everything Hogwarts has specified?'

'Almost.' Jack stood quickly. 'The letter says we can bring an owl, cat, or toad.' He reminded them. 'Cody's taking Frogabook. Can I have a pet too?'

'What would you like?' Erin asked. Severus looked like he strongly wanted to protest, as he considered Frogabook to be quite a menace as it was.

'Well, I don't know if Frogabook would like a toad friend.' Jack thought about his important decision on the way to the stores where he might find his new pet.

'And Frogabook might eat him.' Harry said honestly, which startled Erin and Jack as they considered the statement.

'Er, right.' Jack shuddered. 'I don't want my pet to be Frogabook's lunch. I know!' He pointed upwards at some of the animals in cages and in the windows. 'I'll get an owl. I love owls, and Mr Snape said they deliver post and everything.'

'Yes, they're very useful.' Erin nodded. 'Alright, how about we go inside and have a look at the owls? I'm sure we can find one you like.'

Severus stood outside to wait while Erin took the boys inside so Jack could pick an owl he wanted. He gaze narrowed when it became quite clear he had not imagined the person earlier, as the tall wizard walked in the direction of Knockturn Alley. He hadn't noticed Severus, and it was perhaps a very good thing, as the small group left the shop a few minutes later.

Jack did not have an owl with him.

'Is there a problem?' Severus asked.

'Yeah.' Jack said miserably. 'I didn't like any of them. And a crow bit me.' He frowned at his reddened finger.

Sighing, as he wasn't sure what to do now, Jack didn't realise the other three engaging in a conversation about lunch. He gasped, though it was drowned out by the crowd around them, when he saw the cat again.

'Hey.' Jack smiled at it, as the furry creature wandered across from him some several feet away. His mood dropped very quickly when the cat meowed and its tail drooped along with its ears. It looked so sad and abandoned that Jack could not stand the sight and knew he had to do something.

'Jack!' Erin exclaimed as he suddenly took off at a run.

They didn't know about the cat, and all the group saw was Jack run into a crowd of witches and wizards busy with their shopping. Severus snatched Harry's arm, as the boy looked ready to chase after his friend, and followed Erin in search of Jack.

The sandy-haired boy seemed to have vanished into thin air, despite such being impossible – even magically.

'Do. Not. Release. Him.' Severus said very firmly to Erin as he passed Harry's squirming wrist the Erin. She did not need telling and instead of holding the wrist of her son, she wrapped her arms all the way around his middle from behind.

'Mum!' Harry whined and tried to break free in fear for his friend, but his mother proved she was a lot stronger than she looked.

Severus had his wand out, and cast a locator charm to track down the runaway boy. He was very concerned when his wand indicated Jack had run into Knockturn Alley. Jack wasn't his son, yet fear clenched at Severus all the same.

'Ah, Snape!' Someone called to him in a manner of greeting when Severus he rushed passed, moving around Borgin and Burke's as he went.

He didn't even look to see who it had been to call his name. His only goal was to find Jack before all sorts of horrors happened to the eleven-year-old muggle-raised child. It took Severus several minutes to find the boy, and he couldn't even be mad as relief washed over him the moment he spotted Jack. The child was in a darkened corner and was bent over to pick up what looked like a cat. Severus reached him in a second and grasped him by his ear.

His relief washed out, and was replaced by his barely contained, silent fury.

'Ah!' Jack cried out in surprise and slight pain in his ear. He held the cat close and winced profoundly when he was unceremoniously dragged from Knockturn Alley.

Erin released Harry when she spotted them and rushed to Jack's side. She hugged him and cuffed the back of his head, which was something Severus had raised his hand to do. He was pleased she had picked up a few of his habits, though he was not pleased to see Jack looked rather unaffected by his venture into Knockturn Alley. Yes, he was glad the boy was safe and unharmed, however Jack should have been terrified and vowing to never, ever go back inside the dark alley again.

The boy looked like he'd just gone on a rather enlightening adventure, and it made Severus fear he could easily predict the house Jack would most unfortunately belong to.

--

'Why aren't we allowed a broomstick?' Harry asked an hour later.

The group had left the main portions of Diagon Alley and were alternating between less-ventured magical stores, and slightly more popular muggle-inspired ones across from them.

It was their last stop, where the group did a bit of last-minute shopping, in accordance to Erin's own handwritten list. The event consisted of buying the boys a brand new pair of shoes each, for everyday wear (not the black, laced uniform ones required for school, which they had already purchased), and a new pair of black and maroon striped pajamas for them. And for some reason no one wanted to ask about – a lot of soap.

Erin had so far collected at least six varieties of soap, and three different shampoo/conditioner potions.

While Harry was starting to think this part of the day was becoming rather dull, Jack could not be happier despite being scared of the glares constantly aimed his way by Severus. The cause for the sandy-haired boy's retrained enjoyment was the carry cage he gripped and dragged with him, which contained his newly adopted pet.

The black and white cat had feasted on most of the boy's lunch (which they slipped through the bars during the meal, thinking the adults hadn't noticed), and was looking rather pleased to be in its shiny new cage. After being chased and grabbed by an eleven-year-old, the cat seemed to think its situation had improved tremendously.

'Muuum!' Harry whined as they stood by shelves of products. She was rubbing his face with a sample of purplish soap and Harry did not like it one little bit. 'Gerroff!' He complained. 'Dad, help!'

Severus did not move the slightest in attempt to save his son from what he deemed as Erin's “excessive mothering”.

He hadn't liked the way she'd looked at him while browsing the shampoos earlier, and therefore Severus had no desire whatsoever to rescue Harry from her soap-laden clutches. Deciding Jack can start being punished early for his reckless stunt of running off to Knockturn Alley just for an underfed, formerly-abandoned cat, Severus strategically pushed the boy towards Erin, who instantly asked Jack if he liked the fruity fragrance of the conditioner she was sniffing.

'I don't need all of this stuff.' Harry insisted.

Jack looked like he wanted to agree, but did not risk saying anything as he glanced over his shoulder at the scowling Severus.

'Personal hygiene is very important, Cody.' Erin told her son a moment later when they left the store. Even so, she was still trying some of the soap on him despite his best efforts to evade her. 'Being clean is not just about washing your hands and face.' She lectured as another store caught her fancy and she led them inside.

As she perused the rows of potions that promised to make hair shine and skin become smooth, the boys huddled closer and began whispering to each other.

'Maybe we could hide under the counter?' Harry suggested in hurried undertones. 'Or behind dad?'

The boys hushed about their options of escape, even if neither of them had the nerve to actually flee, while Severus twitched as he easily overheard their plans. He hoped they realised he would not be the most effective defence, and if either child made a move to use him as a shield, they would be sorely sorry.

'Ah ha!' Erin exclaimed, making all three of them jump.

The two boys groaned at the sight of yet another sample they had to endure. As she asked Jack what he thought of the scent, which was apparently a task she had trusted to him, Harry spotted a speckled blue bottle on the shelf.

'That one looks nice.' He commented without realising.

'Oh?' Erin turned at once.

This was the first suggestion either of the boys had made and she was determined to evaluate it in every way. Harry almost wished he hadn't said anything, though Jack seemed rather grateful.

'This is very useful.' Erin commented. 'It says it can be used as a soap and shampoo.' She spoke aloud. 'It'll be more convenient, because you two need to wash everything properly.'

'Mum!' Harry choked from embarrassment, his face turning red while Jack stared intensely at the floor. Even the cat seemed uncomfortable, and it didn't know what was going on or the apparent torture its new owner was enduring.

'Cody, this is a very important matter.' Erin scolded her son. 'Being clean is a necessity. And you better be washing your hair and otherwise regularly, believe me, I'll know if you don't.'

'How?' Harry stared and shuddered.

'Mother's sense.' Was the only explanation she gave them. It seemed to worry the boys even more, to the point they could say nothing else until after they'd finally left the shop.

'Oh, I have bought you both extra sets of knickers as well.' She added, ignoring the sympathetic looks the boys shamefully got from people in the street.

'Muum!' Harry felt like he wanted to cry just from the humiliation. He was not looking forward to sorting through all her purchases later. 'I don't need that much! My hair's fine.'

'Cody Summers, it most certainly will not be if you don't maintain it!' Erin frowned at her son's lack of realisation towards how filthy one child can get in a single day. 'Dirt, potion fumes, and who knows what else? None of that is good for your hair. Just look at your father.'

Harry would have been amused by the quiet strangled sound Severus made, as the man flinched and resolved to a crimson blush, except Erin's words had finally left an impact on the boy.

He stared at the ground in silence as they walked the way back to the Leaky Cauldron where they were going to floo home at last. He didn't think about his hair getting dirty, or his fear of walking the halls of Hogwarts while smelling like flowers and strawberries, but rather he didn't like the comment his mother had made about his dad's hair.

It made Harry think of the time three years ago when he'd had to pick his name. Cody Harry Summers was what had been decided, but he'd secretly wanted to be called a “Snape” just like his dad. It was the first time Harry had truly realised that his father wasn't very liked in the magical world. Later on, Severus had hinted at a little more.

And Harry still held his determination to get everyone at Hogwarts to see just how wonderful his dad really was, if they just gave him a chance. Looking sideways at Severus' hair, though Harry saw nothing wrong with it, he did not want Erin's words to be true.

He felt rather unsettled when she said such a comment he deemed to be harsh and uncalled for, so Harry had a lot to think about as he barely managed to floo to the right fireplace. Severus, of course, apparated once again, much to the annoyance of Erin, who thought if they were to be covered in soot than he should be as well. Muttering reputedly about the existence of her perfectly working car, Erin sat down to sort through the items she had bought.

Severus instantly looked towards the basement door like a mouse preparing to scurry into hiding, and was startled as a package was placed into his hands by a smiling Erin. With extreme caution, he peeled back the brown paper. In his shock towards the contents, Severus did not have the courage to tell Erin that her kind and carefully selected hygiene choices for him were, in fact, something from any dignified man's nightmare.

As the final week of August grew ever closer, and the calendar on the fridge magically crossed out the days remaining until September arrived, the entire household was very busy almost every day.

When Harry wasn't constantly asking his dad why first years weren't allowed broomsticks, and Jack wasn't chasing his new cat around the house (which Frogabook had taken to hiding from), the group were putting all their energy and time towards preparing for the boy's first term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

And that meant Harry and Jack were often seen each night sitting quietly, though reluctantly, in the living room where they read through the first chapter of their textbooks. It was, of course, upon Severus' firm instruction that they at least read through the very first chapter of every single one of their set course books before getting on the train. The boys cared about their studies, but would much rather be begging for their wands and running around in the backyard than sitting and studying for their classes before school had even started.

Jack tried many times to trick Severus into thinking he'd already read most of it, or to avoid reading all of it at all, and none of them had worked. Harry was the smarter one, deciding to quietly get it over with. Surely the beginning chapter of each of the books would run out of pages soon?

Several days before the arrival of the final week at home in the muggle world, something happened that no one had been prepared for.

Harry's jealousy of any significant attention Jack received from either Erin or Severus had been growing. He tried to ignore it, but his emerald gaze followed his best friend when he felt threatened by the fear Jack was getting more from his parents than Harry felt he should be. He tried to be reasonable, really he did, but Harry could not help feeling hurt by it and worrying that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't being paranoid.

He sat on the floor of the living room with Frogabook, who was sleeping on his open History of Magic textbook (something Harry considered very helpful), and watched across the hall to the kitchen. He could see Jack seated in a chair at the table, his head bent over a piece of parchment in frustration. Erin stood behind him, giving Jack advice and praise in her efforts to teach the boy to write with a quill.

Harry thought he was being stupid, because he knew Jack needed to learn and Harry himself had many years ago with his dad's careful teaching. His mum had been taught then as well. And yet there Jack sat, with Erin, in the same chair Harry had sat in, as she educated him with smiles and encouragement.

'That's it, you're getting the hang of it!' Erin cheered sometime later as Severus emerged from the basement. Hovering jars, vials, and containers followed him. He placed a leather doctor-like bag on the ground and hovered the contents into it. Harry remembered asking his dad about that bag a year ago; it was used to store potion-related items of sensitive value without them becoming damaged or disturbed. And there was unlimited space. Harry had wanted one for himself, but Severus did not think he needed one just yet.

'What are those?' Jack asked eagerly as he left the seat and approached the bag. 'Were those potions?'

'No.' Severus answered. He reached in and lifted out a container that caused Harry to squirm with an uncomfortable feeling.

The dark-haired boy watched with building insecurity and frustration as Severus pointed to the orange-tinted leaves of the ingredient Harry himself had picked from their special garden outside. He told Jack how to recognise their use, and potions they can be used in, just as he had told Harry all those years ago.

'Jack, would you like to help with dinner?' Erin asked as she emerged from the kitchen.

And that was about as much as Harry could handle.

Jack had always been good at cooking and so he nodded his head at the request with a smile. Harry helped with dinner from time to time, but he always offered and was never asked. Jack had received something Harry hadn't, and no reasoning was getting through to the offended boy. He ducked his head, hot tears burning his eyes, as his fists clenched and he tried to tell himself why he was being silly, and how bad it would be if he did anything about it.

But Harry didn't care.

He got more angry, and further hurt, as he listened to Jack and Erin laughing, and to his father placing more things into the bag containing precious items Harry had gathered under his careful guidance.

And finally, like a bottle being filled with a fizzy liquid – his emotions burst.

'I KNEW IT!' Harry jumped up, his cheeks trailed with tears as his eyes glared angrily and painfully at his parents.

The three of them were shocked by his sudden yell, so much that Severus only had sharp reflexes to stop himself from dropping a vial of blue liquid into his bag of ingredients.

'Cody, what-?' Erin gasped as she clutched her chest as though he had nearly given her a heart-attack.

Jack's eyes were wide and frantic, while Severus just looked plain annoyed and regretful of leaving the safety of his basement.

'You-you like Jack more than me.' Harry's lip trembled, but his anger spurred him onwards. 'You're going to...' He sniffled at the fear that had seized him, a terror he had not realised had been haunting him until now. 'Jack's a better son, isn't he? You love him more. I bet you're going to get rid of me and keep him instead!' Harry's knees felt weak as he cried more than yelled now.

'That's why you asked him to stay?' Harry turned his hurt gaze to his father, who avoided looking in his direction and appeared to ignore the boy entirely. This did not help matters at all. 'Or-or why you hug him so much, but not me?' Harry accused Erin, who looked sad and as though she wanted to hug him right then and never let go.

'You love him more!' Harry shouted again and aimed a kick at the nearest thing he could reach with his foot.

It turned out to be his History of Magic textbook, which Frogabook had hurriedly vacated the moment Harry had started yelling. His tantrum-fuelled kicking had caused the book to fly at a nearby wall, spilling pages as it slumped onto the floor like a shot bat.

'Cody, that is quite enough!' Erin scolded.

In reaction to the outburst, Jack took an instinctive step towards Severus who he always saw as someone strong and protective. Harry noticed, and in a rush of desperation, lunged towards his father. Severus had straightened and looked skyward with irritation as Harry clamped his grip around his dad's arm.

'You can't have my dad!' Harry told Jack, who he blamed for the entire ordeal. 'He's my daddy!'

'I don't want your dad!' Jack shouted back, feeling annoyed by the accusations and guilty as though he had done something wrong, but he didn't know what.

'What's wrong with my dad?' Harry faltered a little.

'Nothing, I just...' Jack shook his head. 'This is stupid! What's your problem?'

'You!' Harry released Severus and the man reached for him, but missed.

He slammed into Jack with just enough force to knock the other boy over. The two eleven-year-olds scuffled until a loud sound startled them. With the distraction, Erin and Severus each reached for a child and pulled him away.

Harry saw Erin holding onto Jack, and hurt flooded him again.

'Enough.' Severus said in a dangerously low tone.

He snatched the scruff of Harry's neck and dragged him from the room. He shoved the boy lightly into the child's bedroom and the door was soundly shut. Guarding it, Severus looked down at his sniffling son and waited for Harry to calm down a little.

Harry, his shoulders hunched and his mind confused, sank to the ground and pressed his forehead to the floor as he cried. Nearly an entire month he had gone without exploding like he just had. It wasn't something he did, to just react like that instead of enduring and then later venting in his own space. He'd gotten upset and Harry really wished he had just stormed outside and kicked a ball around until he'd calmed down, or gone to his room himself and buried his face in the pillows.

And now his dad was mad with him, which only made Harry feel even worse.

There wasn't much time left until Harry had to start Hogwarts, and the boy felt he wasn't ready, that he would never be ready. On top of that, the jealousy towards Jack had reached the point where Harry had to vent his frustrations, and he had gone about it all wrong.

He knew that now, but it was too late to take it back.

For those few minutes he was allowed to cry against his bedroom floor, trying to cope with frustrations and confusions he didn't understand, Harry almost wished he was the invisible boy again.