Chapter 5: Chapter - 5 : Coils, Cauldrons, and Consequences
"Here you are, Mr. Potter. Keep her with you always and out of sight if you can. People have an aversion to snakes, unfortunately."
Harry happily took her, letting her wrap around his left wrist and hiding her easily with his sleeve.
"Thank you, Professor. What sort of things did you cast on her?"
"A light protection charm, so if someone accidentally steps on her she won't be seriously hurt, and an intention charm. I trust you can tell her that she will only inject venom into what she bites if she truly desires to kill her target."
Harry nodded, briefly hissing into his sleeve to tell her.
"Very good. Let us retrieve the rest of your supplies."
They quickly got the rest of the needed supplies, though Severus insisted on Harry getting new casual clothing, shoes, and winter gear. They would be destroying his Dursley hand-me-downs as soon as possible. He also helped Harry choose a book that would assist him in caring for Coral and another that would begin helping him gain a superior control over his magic. Severus was confident Harry would be able to read them before school started, as well as the first few chapters of his schoolbooks — especially after he spoke to the Dursleys. Harry surprised him though when he pulled a small potions book out to also buy. It was an in-depth beginner's guide to understanding potion reactions and telling a potion's qualities.
"Well, I need to start somewhere, right?" Harry asked, seeing Severus' reaction and hoping to gain his approval.
"You do."
"So, um, who teaches Potions? I hope they're not too hard, but I suppose they might have to be if potions can explode and stuff. You had said earlier cauldrons can melt?"
"Yes, they do, and too often because students don't know how to follow simple directions written on the board and printed in their books. I don't know how many times I've had to tell classes to stand on their chairs as a ruined potion spreads on the floor, threatening to eat away their toes."
Harry's eyes widened comically. "You're the Potions professor?"
"Yes, and I'll expect your potion grades to be E's and O's, so use that book well and read a chapter in your class book ahead of every lesson," Severus said sternly, wishing to impress upon him, yet again, the importance of his studies. He would not accept substandard work from the boy, especially since he knew his true potential. Harry would be challenged and, when absolutely necessary, nurtured from the get go. It was crucial.
"Yes, sir," Harry answered quickly, feeling a little dumb about not having realizing what Severus taught sooner.
"I'll give you that parselmagic book I mentioned before when I take you back to the Dursleys."
Harry nodded, approaching their next to last destination in Diagon Alley.
Going into Ollivander's, Severus went to one of the few racks and removed two items.
"You will be getting these. Wand holsters are important and every sensible witch or wizard uses them," Severus said.
"Alright, professor," Harry answered, before really looking around the shop.
"Good morning, Mr. Ollivander," Severus said, deciding to call out Ollivander before the man could begin his creepy introduction.
"Ah, Severus Snape. Oak, dragon heartstring, 12 inches. It has treated you well, I hope?"
"Yes," he said simply, his tone pointedly indicating that any further conversation was unwanted.
Ollivander looked to Harry, wisely heeding the unspoken message.
"I had wondered when I would be seeing you, Mr. Potter. It feels like only yesterday I was giving your mother and father their wands," he said, putting one of the narrow boxes away before coming to the side of the main desk of his store.
Severus leaned back against the wall as Ollivander chatted away about the wands of Harry's parents. He knew they were going to be in there for a while, so began mentally going through what things he needed to do once they were done in Diagon Alley.
"Nope, not that wand," Ollivander said for the fifth time.
Harry glanced nervously at Severus as wand after wand failed to be a good fit for him.
"It's fine, Mr. Potter; some wizards take longer than others," Severus reassured.
Harry nodded, though still looked a little uneasy as Ollivander disappeared into the back.
"And Mr. Potter, once you get a wand here, we will be going to the bank."
"Yes, sir."
Soon after, Harry finally did find his wand, the brother wand to Voldemort, just like last time — with red and gold sparks. Enduring Ollivander's tirade, they paid for the wand and the two holsters. Ollivander didn't ask about the second holster.
"That man's creepy," Harry said as they headed to the bank, his wand secured in his holster on his right arm.
"Quite."
Harry stepped a little closer to Severus when they entered the bank, Harry looking uneasily at the goblins about.
"These are goblins; they run the bank and financial system of the Wizarding World. Treat them with great respect and give them a brief bow before and after you speak to them. Never thank them, just say it was an honor to do business. You may elaborate on what was an honor, but do not brown nose."
Harry nodded, devoting everything he could to memory.
With the key, going to his vault was no problem. Once there, Harry was adamant about repaying Severus in full, and had even wanted to pay some interest (upon seeing he had plenty to spare), but Severus refused to take more than he had given. That done, Severus turned to the goblin escorting them.
"I suggest taking Mr. Potter to his main family vault. I have it on good authority there is an item he may retrieve before he becomes the Head of the Potter line."
"If you insist, sir," he stated flatly, though not rudely.
"I do."
"Very well, this way."
Harry looked at Severus as they followed the short goblin, but his attention was quickly taken by the opening of his main family vault.
"There should be a small, thin box etched with gold writing somewhere within. Go in and retrieve it, but touch nothing else," Severus said.