Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Carefully Tangled Webs of Darkness	By : Ladygreychaton Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 37461 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: Do not own Harry Potter, characters, rights to, any books, movies, songs, poems or references made. Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling, this is just for fun, with no intentions of profit.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
[[ Do not own Harry Potter, characters, rights to, any books, movies, songs, poems or references made. Several hints to Harry Potter books, but again belong to J.K. Rowling. Any further things belong to their original owners, aside from original characters. Used with no intention of profit!
Quotes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Pottermore, Wikia, hints at other books, or other things I may have forgotten, none of them belong to me! ]]
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McGonagall moved onto the regular Alley road again, collecting their group and focusing her attention on Harry. "Mr. Potter-Black, have you your acceptance letter? We can use it to check off your school supplies as we go," the witch offered, holding out a hand for the thick envelope.
Harry pulled out the letter that he had carefully tucked into a hidden vest pocket against his shirt, smiling sheepishly. "I already have a telescope, some glass phials, and some crystal phials. I suppose I could get some more, but I have a perfectly good set I just got this year..." the boy offered, trailing off as he considered the pros and cons of buying extras as if they were necessary.
His guide studied him for a moment, appearing very serious. "Mr. Potter-Black, while I'm sure you have a perfectly good telescope, the one you will purchase from the wizarding world has specific runes and spells designed for viewing constellations. Things that the nonmagical world cannot provide. Science, however wonderful, is a different branch." She paused, considering him. "If you would like to purchase extra phials, there are several that have been charmed or inscribed with runes to make them unbreakable. Very useful in potions class, you'll find."
With that, she began to sweep off down the street, glancing back at Petunia and the two boys. "Come along now, we haven't all day. We'll make two short stops, then see about filling our bellies before finishing the rest of the list." Dudley perked at the thought of food, and they all trailed after the Scottish woman dutifully after that.
The first stop was to a small shop at the north side of the Alley called 'Potage's Cauldron Shop' and it sold various cauldrons. A sign out front read "Cauldrons - All Sizes - Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring - Collapsible." Harry had to wonder why some of those were needed, but could agree that some sounded useful. After all, certain properties likely changed the potions that were made inside said cauldrons. Glancing at his List, he noted it called only for a pewter cauldron, standard size 2, whatever that meant.
Moving through the crowded and overstacked store, he and his guide quickly tried to navigate and find the correct cauldron for him, a first year. Once they had, McGonagall moved them to the till, where Harry shelled out fifteen galleons for the standard pewter. The Transfiguration Professor moved her wand in a complex motion, shrinking it for now so that they could continue about their day unencumbered by the size and weight of it. The boy noted this was a rather practical bit of magic.
Since it was also on the north side of Alley, they moved to Flourish and Blotts, quickly making their way inside the book store. McGonagall then began checking his booklist, and marched off to rows of shelves, leaving Harry alone. The boy wizard shrugged, leaving her to the standard school books and looking around curiously. After a few moments, he motioned to his Aunt and cousin, huddled near the door to follow him. They did so dubiously and Petunia picked up shopping basket to hold any books he might like.
Nodding his appreciation, the green-eyed child began to trail his fingers along the shelves curiously. After all, things were so bright here, coated in magic as they were. The colors so vibrant to his eyes. But at the moment, Harry Potter was not worried about a world of color, he was more interested in what books might benefit him to study.
There were already eight books on the original cirriculum, but he was an avid reader and enjoyed learning as much as he could, as much as Niamh teased him. Really, it would be finding a way to keep his mind occupied, especially if he didn't make friends, or didn't feel challenged. Pheobe stirred, as did Aeolus, both of the quiet spiders murmuring that should he be friendless, he would never be alone. Smiling to himself, Harry moved about the shelves contently, browsing.
The first book that caught his eye was Numerology and Grammatica. A quick study of it's preface revealed that it was good for Arithmancy, which combined with Runes could make spellcrafting. It also allowed one to understand spells, take them down, or avoid them. Though this was not an advanced book, Harry found the theory interesting and passed the book to Petunia instantly.
Curses and Counter-Curses was rather flashy, and hardly prompted much skimming before Harry was quickly tucking it into Petunia's basket. Her face seemed to fall a bit at the title and he tried to smile reassuringly at her, shaking his head, but he wasn't sure the message came across. His long fingers continued to dance across the shelves, the only parts of them not covered by his black gloves. After a moment his index came to a pause as it pressed against a title that reminded him of something Albert had said.
"An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe," Harry murmured quietly, recalling their discussion about transferring should Hogwarts not fit. Well, best to be safe and not sorry, or prepared in this case. With that in mind, he removed it and added it to the growing pile of books in his Aunt's shopper's basket.
He wandered to the next shelf, eyes roving up and down before they landed on 'The Healer's Helpmate'. This discovery caused him to pause and he nodded. Yes, healing was something he was interested in, or at least being able to take care of himself. An addition of this book to his stack didn't bother Petunia and in fact, the blond woman seemed to sniff and smile a bit.
Dudley was glaring at a book, and Harry glanced at it, before nearly shoving it into the pile. After reading the title, it was clearly something he was interested after all. Though how Dudley had found 'Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes' was beyond him, and when he asked, his cousin had only murmured, "It was spelled wrong." Shaking his head, Harry moved on down the line.
Two books were quickly added then, one that he found would further help him be aware of Wizarding culture. One had been suggested by Diaboli, and the other simply sounded interesting. Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy and The Decline of Pagan Magic were both fascinating, and offered a view into the world he would be joining. Harry liked the idea of keeping himself abreast of society and ideals, but this was an entire new world to him, one which he had barely touched. It would do well to read as much as he could.
A Rune Dictionary and Ancient Runes Made Easy were added to the large stack of books, before Harry realized that he ought to slow down. Blushing slightly, he glanced around sheepishly, but no one seemed to have noticed the overzealous young first year. However, despite this he couldn't help but stack a few more in the small basket when it came to the Magical Law section when he recalled Diaboli's words--- warning him about Albus Dumbledore and what was allowed, and dark magic. Perhaps it would do to keep himself aware of the laws regarding things in the magical world, so that should it come up, he would not be caught ignorant. With a sigh, he thumbed through Ancient Law, The Dark Arts: A Legal Companion, Law and Literature, Unforgivable Curses and their Legal Implications and Pureblood Directory. Petunia's pale eyebrows had risen at the names of these, but she said nothing, shifting the weight of the basket on her hip.
A quick tally of the books in his Aunt Petunia's shopper's basket revealed that he had thirteen, which meant that with the addition of the original required eight.... he'd have twenty-one. Harry winced a little, cursing his over-active brain and his desire to conscious of all that was going on around him. Surely he couldn't learn all this before school, let alone during the regular hours--- but he was determined to try.
They sought out Professor McGonagall then, needing to meet up with her at the till. She had the original required books and sighed, murmuring something about his mother when she saw the large stack of books he had acquired amongst the various aisles. After a moment, the stern witch shook her head and said, "Altogether this expense would be too high for even your velvet purse, Mr. Potter-Black, putting a dent in your finances for the rest of the trip. You'll have to ask them to remove the gold directly from your vault."
The green-eyed boy blinked, not realizing that he'd spent that much but nodded. Had he really put such a dent in his finances extracted from Gringotts just with books? Apparently, if he was being advised to 'charge' it, as it were. Shrugging it off, Harry directed the manager to charge it to his vault, signing his name awkwardly on a sheet after the total came out to 91 galleons and 12 sickles. But, the books were shrank as the cauldron had been and they moved out of Flourish and Blotts, ready to get a bit of a bite, and then settle before heading back out to continue their day of shopping.
Like a fierce animal herding them across, the blue tartan dressed woman shepherded them across the busy cobbled street and through the odd crowd. For a moment the adults debated on whether or not they should eat at one of three places : The Leaky Cauldron (which was quickly discarded, as both women found it too public and deplorably maintained), Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour (which also served parfaits and Dudley seemed to be highly interested in), but in the end settled on Rosa Lee Teabag for a bit of tea and sandwiches.
The adults ordered, and though Harry, Petunia and McGonagall all got into a heated debate on who would pay, it was eventually settled that Hogwarts would pay as it was a Hogwarts outing. This was only agreed upon after the witch assured two very stubborn members of their odd group that no, it did not come from her personal pocket nor salary. With that, they sat down for a quiet bit of black tea and tomato sandwiches, sliced with watercress and aged cheddar. It hit the spot, especially after a long morning in Gringotts and then the Ministry, so they tucked eagerly into their peaceful repast before they'd have to head back out into the wizarding shopping district.
With bellies considerably fuller, and attitudes a bit lighter, the group left the tea shop and headed out into the afternoon crowd. It was decided that they would purchase his school robes, then his telescope, brass scales, and phials. After that, they would head to the final two shops, purchase quills, ink and parchment from one, a trunk from the other to store everything in. With that scheduled for their rather busy day, the quartet set off to Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, parting the crowd swiftly with the Scottish witch at the lead.
Now here Harry realized quickly that he was faced with a serious issue, one that might cause something of a complication in the case of the robe shop he was currently heading to. Harry Potter-Black did not like others to see him in a state of undress. No, he did not like anyone to see him in anything less than fully clothed right down to his fingerless gloves. However, often times seamstresses would require hemming and fittings. Things close to his skin, skin he would rather cover and not expose to judgemental eyes.
Entering Madam Malkins revealed that they were not the only patrons seeking to be served that day. Whether by fate or by chance, a boy stood on a stool getting fitted for his own robes. He was about Harry's age, slim with rather pale platinum hair and an angular face. A woman with perfect posture and similar hair color was seated and eyeing the whole thing with a critical eye, one Harry could only assume was the boy's mother. McGonagall seemed to heave her bearing forward, straightening herself into a stiff and formal sort of walk. The green eyed boy got the impression that she was uncomfortable, but couldn't imagine why. Could he use this? Less people to see him being fitted, naturally.
Opening his mouth smoothly, he smiled at his guide. "You know, it's been a really long day, Professor, and I'm sure you don't want to stay and watch me get poked and prodded by pins." He smiled charmingly, but not too large, aware that he didn't want to look like he was up to something. Speak slowly, use logic as though it was coming to you. "I have a rather long list, and we took all day at Gringotts and the Ministry already... would you mind terribly picking up a few things for me? It's not as though I'll get into trouble here, I have my Aunt with me for supervision." And there it was. The ultimate kicker, to gently remind an adult that you could be responsible, but whatever fears they had were unfounded because they weren't alone and could depend on another to take up the cause in their stead.
The blue tartan dressed witch paused, and glanced at the other family in the room. She looked back at Harry and the Dursley's, and then frowned. After a moment of warring with herself, she shook her head, but a nudge from Harry had Petunia saying, "We're perfectly safe in this Alley, Madam, didn't you say? I would like to discuss the prices and look at fabrics myself. Time would go faster if you were to pick up a few things since we got held up earlier rather unexpectedly. I am capable of controlling the boy's purse and ensuring he isn't frivilous. If we finish before you, which is doubtful, we'll just wait in front of this shop for you."
The graying witch's tight chignon bobbed as she nodded, heaving a sigh. For a moment the green-eyed boy wondered if she wore a corset, as time-backwards as she appeared, before shoving the thought behind him with a shudder. She really was a bit of an older woman, such thoughts were strange.
McGonagall informed them that she was heading to Scribbulus Writing Implements to pick him up some quills of various sizes and styles, quill cutters, various ink pots and colors (to which Dudley excitedly exclaimed that Harry should get the colour-changing kind that he'd seen on the sign), and rolls of parchment (including the heavier and more expensive version that was used for formal letters, since he was Heir Regent). She also agreed it would be useful to get him gold and silver ink, and then swept away, breezing out of the shop with a formidable air that left Harry chuckling.
Petunia twitched a little, then subsided, moving off to look at some of the magazines and yards of fabric offered by the Madam, chattering away at the woman while Harry climbed up onto the second stool. His conversation with McGonagall seemed to have drawn the attention of the other family, for the blond woman was eyeing him with a wary sort of interest, and the boy with open glee.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, are you getting fitted for Hogwarts? That was a masterful way you got rid of her, if I do say so, you'll be a shoo-in for Slytherin for sure. Are you hoping to get into another house? Who are those two with you?" The excited and rather poncy looking blond with sharp features seemed to breath out all at once, the charmed tape measure moving around Harry and measuring various angles at once.
Draco's mother tutted at his questioning, but Harry hid a smile. While he didn't approve of spoilt children, and had a vague feeling this one was one such case, Diaboli's words about charming important people coming in handy reverberated in his mind. Kali quietly agreed, whispering against his ear that even bratty children could have connections.
"My name is Harry Potter-Black, and I don't know which house I'll be in yet. I suppose I'll find out at Hogwarts like the rest of the first years." He moved uncomfortably when the cloth tape tried to measure his inseam. "That was Professor McGonagall, and those two are my family, the only family I have left, or so I'm told." Harry's shoulders lifted in a shrug as he felt the magical tape move around his feet.
The woman, who had sat silently decided now would be a good time to speak up. "That is not true, Mr. Potter...Black, was it?"
Harry flicked a glance at her, green gaze sharp. "It is, yes. Apparently I'm Heir Regent of the Black family. I'll be the Black Head when I turn fourteen," the boy wizard admitted, glancing down at the odd tape around his waist.
Mrs. Malfoy's keen eyes narrowed, the look seeming to penetrate the black haired boy on the stool. Then, quietly to them she began to speak, "Then you are my Regent, and soon to be Patriarch. As such, you are Draco's Regent since he does not have a living grandfather, the line passes to the mother's Head to decide who will best ensure his future. Had you not been the Black Head, his father would have decided it all from his betrothal to his future." She paused for a moment. "But as you are taking up the mantle, we are now in your hands, and it is up to you where Draco's future lies. We are your responsiblity, and your family. You have great power over us, and I hope we can be great allies, Lord Potter-Black."
The regal woman dipped down, lowering into a curtsy and spreading her velvet gray robes, despite the fact that she was seated. Draco had gone pale beside him, and darted a glance at Harry, his eyes wide, and his mouth slightly agape.
"I... I can still go to Hogwarts, can't I?" The pale child asked in a horrified whisper. "What about Slytherin? My family's always been in Slytherin... you won't make me refuse it, will you?"
Harry blinked in confusion at the two of them, wondering what on earth had suddenly happened and how he could fix it. A headache was building at the base of his skull, and he had no head for politics or trying to dissect the hidden meaning behind her words right now. Pheobe soothingly began to hum and the pain began to fade some, enough that he could focus on the matter at hand.
"Look... I... I'm new to this, alright?" Harry began with a sigh. "I live in a muggle community. I have... knowledge of the wizarding world but it is limited. I'm attempting to broaden my horizons." All of this was stated carefully, and Aeolus nodded coaching the child to simply breathe. "Let's start simply, and get to know one another. I've just received the documents from Gringotts today and they need to be properly read before I can say much on anything as the Regent... I've also purchased books on the topic, but wouldn't mind a bit of steering." He flicked a glance at Mrs. Malfoy, who seemed to eye him curiously, as though she were evaluating him, or perhaps appraising his worth. "We could always exchange letters--- I'm told wizards use owls, though I've a familiar that's a raven and she's rather territorial. But she'll get the letters to where they need to go, and we can begin correspondence... working on what is needed between us, as well as getting to know one another."
It was a dignified response, Harry thought, and he was drawing at straws, trying to think of how Diaboli or Kali would have responded. Books he had read as a child, and various characters far more sauve than he rose to mind and he tried to draw from their strength like a well. Internally, he was panting and clasping his arms to his chest, a small boy seeking reassurance from his Spider-kin who whispered sweet nothings. Outwardly he appeared calm and collected, waiting for the two pale Malfoy's to respond.
"I... I can go to Hogwarts and Slytherin?" Draco repeated carefully.
Harry bubbled with laughter, breaking the silence when his mother shot her son a disapproving look. When the gales of glee had subsided, he smiled gently. "I have no desire to control where you go to school, or change that. Go to Hogwarts, go to Slytherin. As long as you're not getting into trouble or getting me into trouble, I see no reason to forbid you," the boy wizard admitted.
The magical family glanced at each other warily but before they could answer, Madam Malkin was bustling over with her wand out. "Oh yes, I have just the thing for you, dear! Hogwarts too, yes. Your Aunt says you prefer silks and soft fabrics, which we have some but... others you might have to order separately," she carefully admitted with a sniff, as though it pained her to do so. "I've given her a brochure for Twilfitt and Tattings, which carries other merchandise that my shop does not, and should you find that your sensitive skin is bothered you can purchase additional robes or material from them. They have Owl Orders as well, so you needn't bother today."
Harry nodded a bit to himself, darting a glance at the Malfoy family. A part of him was relieved, glad that he wouldn't have to buy everything at once today. Especially since his... additions made his skin and hair so sensitive that he didn't like certain cloth (such as wool) and wearing it would make him bristle in irritation or worse.
Madam Malkins flicked and twirled her wand, moving so that the robes she was holding slid onto his outstretched arms and then settled. The woman nodded to herself, and then began to move around him, pinning and hemming, tutting and murmuring quietly. When she went to pull back his sleeves, Harry quickly spoke up. "A-actually, I'd rather they were a bit longer than usual. You see, I really do have sensitive skin, and I'd prefer to keep it covered. I'm aware that it could be a hindrance, but I can take care of myself, Madam," the boy politely offered, hoping the sleeves would be longer than average. Should he be disallowed gloves, they would come in handy.
Madam Malkin was about to argue, but Mrs. Malfoy elegantly rose to his defense, her expression like marble disdain. Coldly, she began to tell the woman, "Now, I think if the boy said he can keep the extra length from being a hindrance, then you should listen to him. A customer is always right, and it is his robe. Hem the sleeves a bit longer, what's a few inches?" Her ice blue eyes sweeping over the seamstress and then back to Harry with a motion that seemed to settle it all.
Madam Malkin balked but eventually nodded, finishing the minor hemming at the bottom of his robe and moving back to the counter for a moment. Harry turned to Mrs. Malfoy and smiled. "Thank you, really. You... don't know how important that is to me," the green-eyed boy adressed the former Black, relaxing slightly. Maybe, just maybe, he could make it out of this shop without revealing his skin.
Her gaze settled on his gloved hands for a moment, then moved back to his face. "You do not seem intent on exposing yourself to the elements, Mr. Potter-Black, so I can imagine. Though you must have your reason, it was my duty as a former Black and member of your Noble House."
There it was again. Was she trying to rub it in, or fish for something, Harry wondered idly. He glanced over at the woman who was talking to Aunt Petunia while Dudley looked at samples of Chameleon skin and Dragonhide leather. With a sigh, Harry moved his mouth carefully, a hiss following in careful clacks and clatters, addressing his Kin. "Do you think it's safe to tell them anything?"
There was a gasp from Draco beside him, and he shuffled a bit on his stool, mouth opening only for his mother to raise her hand slightly as though to stall him. A moment later, there was a stirring in Harry as Kali shifted, and her presence became more focused, less 'deep' inside the boy. More alert to the present topic, she answered with a soft, "I suppose... that depends on what we tell them. They are yours. But they are close to your Kind, though not. They would be hard to snare, should they speak of it to others... be wary, child-mine."
Spiders began to pour from nooks, interested in the chattering that was taking place in the shop. Large, fat abdomen archnids with spindly legs that Harry hadn't seen before, dangling down from the ceiling on threads as he began to answer, "I don't know what to tell them, or how to begin. I just want to make sure I can get my Hogwarts robes that don't bother my spider-skin, and get out of here without Malkin seeing anything she'd report to someone as non-wizardlike or dark."
A spider landed on his shoulder and the green-eyed child smiled at it, greeting the blood-fiend kindly. It scuttled about for a moment then sat still, while others began to drop down onto him and search for places on him, trying to get into his clothes and pockets. Harry, used to this treatment, rolled his eyes and held his arms out obediently for the new friends while his Skin-dwellers went out to greet the new spiders with chattering excitement.
His happy indulgence was broken when he looked up to the stunned faces of the Malfoys, both paler than the usual palour of smooth aristocracy. Harry's smile turned sheepish and he slowly put his arms down to his sides, aware of his companions climbing within his sleeves. "I have many secrets, Mrs. Malfoy," he said in english, aware that she could not speak spider. "Some of which I am willing to share. I am a very private person, however. My skin is very sensitive, for various reasons. I don't like to expose it, nor have others see it." He snuck a glance at Madam Malkin, then looked back at the Malfoys. "I imagine I am not what others are expecting, but I will do my best as Heir Regent for the Black family."
After a moment, the woman nodded, still holding a hand up for silence towards her son. "Very well. Should you need help... concealing anything, it is our duty to help you as Blacks and family. We will do our best, Mr. Potter-Black," she haughtily stated, primly folding her hands in her lap. Harry inclined his head in thanks, aware that she must be burning with questions but proper form and social decorum did not allow her to ask him about assorted topics.
Draco turned to Harry, his eyes blown wide in his face and went to speak again, but Madam Malkin chose that moment to return. "Your Aunt says you're rather fond of gloves, so we've ordered several pairs, seeing as you're so prone to wearing them. Chameleon skin, charmed leather, dragonhide for potions to start with. Three each, of course, automatically resizing and self-repairing were features included. Your Aunt recommended self-ironing, said it would give you an easier time and that you like to look smart." Critically she examined him for a moment and nodded. "I think I can agree on that, but do you agree, Mr. Potter-black? Is there anything else you'd like to add? Would you like your Hogwarts robes to re-size as you grow, and self-repair? I've already added a pack of name-tags, but your Aunt thought with your new titles you might need formal robes as well."
Mrs. Malfoy chose that moment to speak up. "Please, Mr. Potter-Black, allow me to purchase some for you. A gift from the family, formal robes for the Heir Regent is only something we should be doing, after all."
Harry hesitated, nodding to the elegant blond witch, then turning to the seamstress. "I think the gloves sound fine for now, I can always order more through Owl Ordering, as you said. The robes... yes, I'd like self-ironing, self-repairing, and re-sizing to be added. It'd save me a great deal of time to just get it now, and it might save me money for next year if they hold out."
Madam Malkin made a note with her quill, jotting it down before she looked up. "The cloaks too, dear? Hogwarts only requires one, but your Aunt said you'd likely want a spare, and one for impersonal things. That'd make three total. She recommended wool and felt on the outside, a blend for your skin. Charmed weather proof, come free. Charms to keep you cool or warm, whatever the weather cost extra, however. Two black, and one in whatever color you like."
The scarred boy wizard considered this, feeling the new spiders clamour over him like excited children. Mrs. Malfoy seemed intent on his reaction, but Draco gasped, motioning gently as his mother said, "Why, Madam Malkin, I think I'll buy that personal cloak for him as well. With the additional spells for comfort, naturally, you can add it to the Malfoy family bill, and we'll discuss it all at the end of our purchase. I think green would look lovely, bring out his eyes..."
Draco's gasp was due to the spider eagerly trying to crawl from beneath his collar and into his hair, shuffling up into the tied black tresses and moving along the narrow expanse of his pale neck. For a moment, the body of the archnid had been quite visible however, and the seamstress likely would have noticed. Harry was tempted to chide her, but couldn't at the moment, so left it up to Sobek who moved to chatter seriously with the other who had endangered their secret.
"Right," Harry agreed. "I'll take the two black cloaks, though. Additional spells for comfort sound wonderful, I agree. I'd like those a lot, thank you." He smiled winsomely, making Madam Malkin blush slightly before she moved off to finish the order with his Aunt and cousin.
"You are a very interesting person, Mr. Potter-Black," Narcissa Malfoy said quietly. Draco nodded, then glanced at his mother, trying to appear as refined as she did. Harry wondered if this was how spoiling someone started--- never refusing someone anything (their easy purchase of the formal dress robes and cloak spoke of accustomed wealth), and idolizing one's parents into mimicry. Especially the aristocrats that seemed to be fond of thinking they were better than others, as apparent by the Malfoy's haughty attitude. He decided he'd have to ask Diaboli about the Malfoy family later, along with the Blacks.
Things wrapped up quickly after that, and the Malfoy family agreed to write, as did Harry. The boy also noted that the blonds paid little attention to his Aunt Petunia and cousin, though they didn't say anything outwardly on the matter. Exiting the shop after paying the bill and getting the Owl Catalog for both Twilfitt and Tattings and Madam Malkins, Harry and the Dursleys moved to meet McGonagall outside.
"Have you your robes, or will they be sent to you?" The prim woman asked, holding the small bags that held his shrunken purchases from the day. Harry nodded and glanced at his Aunt Petunia, who smiled awkwardly at the Scottish witch.
They set off to the last two shops, then intent on finishing the rest of his list as quickly as possible and getting back to Little Whinging before nightfall. With this thought in mind, the group moved to Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment along the North side of Diagon Alley. There, Harry learned that wizarding telescopes (made of brass) were quite different from muggle telescopes. The excitement was quite worth it, and it only cost him five galleons! He then purchased a set of brass scales (three galleons), some crystal phials (seven galleons), a star chart (against McGonagall's wishes, and a further six galleons), and finally some regular glass phials (five galleons). The glass and crystal were charmed unbreakable, as well as adding his initials engraved into the bottom. A total of twenty-six galleons, plus an additional six for the spells and engravings left him at thirty two and two sickles. Harry paid and the quartet left.
The supplies were once again shrank and put aside in their bags, while McGonagall, Harry, and the Dursleys headed to the last shop of the day. Dudley was by now complaining that his feet hurt, and Petunia was so delighted that her child was speaking again that she soothed the boy in hushed tones and held him against her while walking around the Alley.
The last stop was at TerrorTours which normally offered travelling for witches and wizards, but also sold trunks and the like on the side. Harry was there to purchase a large three part trunk, hoping the extra compartments would hold all that was important to him.
When they went in, he was eager to look around as he spotted several signs that advertised steam trunks with compartments with expanding space, meant to physically look the same on the outside while altering the dimensions of space contained within for storage of over-packed witch or wizard. Overall, it sounded like something Harry needed and something he'd be interested in.
McGonagall grudgingly even seemed to agree that he seemed to need a great deal of items and care, and Petunia mentioned that he used special soaps made from purely natural ingredients, otherwise storebought made him ill. At the mention of this, the Transfiguration Professor offered to get him another Owl catalog from an apothecary for fresh herbs and oils if this continued to be the case at Hogwarts.
Some time later, they found and agreed upon a trunk with two expanded compartments, and one normal. Originally his Aunt had wanted to get another, arguing that more space was always better. Harry had thought one compartment expansion was enough, and McGonagall had compromised evenly in the middle. The trunk was purchased for forty galleons, with an additonal twelve for lightening and monogram spells.
Now armed with a trunk embossed with his initials : HJPB, and resizing and placing his purchases and folders from Gringotts, as well as various catalogs inside, they then shrunk the trunk and put it in Harry's pocket. McGonagall gathered their group, ensured they were all together and none of them were lagging or lost, and then headed to leave through the Leaky Cauldron.
The trip via the Knight Bus was considerably calmer this time, and Petunia seemed a bit less stiff-backed and aggressive. Dudley, while still quiet, beamed around and kicked his legs as the beds slid about and rolled as the red double-decker bus made it's way back from London to Surrey and off to Wisteria Walk.
From there, McGonagall let them off and walked them discreetly to their door, where they were deposited. Vernon's car was in the drive, and McGonagall bid them good day, unshrinking his trunk and handing Harry his train tickets and giving him careful instructions on how to reach platform 9 and three quarters, for the Hogwarts Express September 1st at 11:00 o'clock sharp. She also reminded him that she was only an owl away, to which Harry informed her that he had a familiar. The witch frowned a bit at the non-conformity of the raven, but could find no fault in it as a wizard or witch's familiar is important to their developing magic. After that, she turned on her heel and disappeared with a small 'pop' leaving them on to stand at the door of Number 4 Privet Drive.
Petunia entered the house and glanced at the green-eyed child as he carefully began to heave the trunk up the stairs with his cousin, Dudley moving to help without being asked. She opened her mouth then paused, shook her head and decided against it, instead heading into the dining room where Vernon sat in confusion, sipping the early morning's coffee.
"Where have you all been?" The man asked his wife, confusion on his rotund face. His mustache looked askew, almost as though he'd been pulling at it in worry. Petunia smiled a little, a fond sort of smile as she put a kettle of water on the stove for tea.
"We went with Harry's teacher to that Alley for his school supplies," Petunia began slowly, noting her husband's indrawn breath. Before he could sputter however, she moved about the cupboards gathering the china and cups for a good tea setting. Something to calm their bellies before she worked on dinner, she thought. "Dudley enjoyed himself. He spoke, Vernon. He laughed today..." Her pale eyes seeking out to make her husband understand. "Dudley was normal today in a way he hasn't been in two or three years, Vernon. I don't care if that world is bad. I don't like it much... Harry... was kind. He's trying, and Dudley enjoyed it. If Harry keeps trying and Dudley does better, I'm happy."
Vernon took a sip from the stale morning coffee, swallowing it carefully before returning the mug to it's saucer. He glanced down then looked back to his wife. Slowly, he nodded. "Dudders first, Pet. Dudley always comes first... you know that. I love my boy more than anything, save maybe you. My family is my life," he gently reminded his wife. After a moment she nodded.
Petunia turned back to the stove, putting tea leaves into the metal infuser and getting it ready for the hot water. "Yes, as I thought." The kettle began to whistle, letting out a trill that announced it was quite warm and ready. "Harry also wanted help with things from his Kind's bank, things that he was willed. He has several properties and duties that I promised you and I would look over with him when we had the chance, during the summer before he starts school."
Vernon seemed to chew this thought over for a moment before nodding, and they settled into comfortable silence, broken intermittenly by discussions about the day.
While the adults mulled over the events of the day, Harry was setting up his trunk at the end of his bed, and Dudley was quietly excussing himself to his room after making Harry promise that if he was allowed, he would be either included, told, or shipped items or letters. Harry dutifully promised his excited and mild cousin, watching as the pudgy boy trotted off down the hall leaving the boy to collect himself.

Carefully, he flopped onto his bed, making sure that none of his new friends were roaming his back as he did so. Arms spread wide, he starred at the ceiling with a quiet sort of reverie. "The boy who lived, huh?" He murmured to himself, watching the shadows in his monochromatic world come to life, as the spiders returned to greet him and the new additions. The sun was setting on the past, and rising on a new beginning. Many things would have to be found and told, learned and defined. So little time, the summer seemed to stretch before them, grasping and wisping away like hot fingers of a ghostly figure. Fading quickly, it seemed apparent that all too soon it would be August, and then September after that. Harry would have to be careful with his time. His eyes closed unbidden, and a smile donned on his face. He couldn't wait...
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CDGaymer : Still going to be at least a day before he receives his wand for the core, maybe the next chapter. Wait and find out! No telling!
DinaTheCat : I'm glad you're enjoying it! Draco he thinks is rather spoiled, and isn't sure he likes, to be honest. Maybe that'll change with time, but at the moment? Hm. Ron... well, time will tell on that one as well. Snape! Oh my, you really will have to see for that one as well. Enjoy!
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Carefully Tangled Webs of Darkness