Potions
In the apothecary, they encountered their first unsolved problem. While Ares was able to tell which potion would do what, Harry wasn’t tall enough to reach them, and most importantly, he couldn’t pick them up while he was looking through Ares eyes, and after switching back, they didn’t know which potion it had been.
‘I could ask the cashier for help.’
“No. Don’t asked him for help. He’ll pull you right over the table, once he realises that you have money.”
‘Then what? I can’t just pull different potions from the shelves and hope they’re the right ones.’
“Let me think… Can you look around a bit with my view?”
“There. Ask that one.”
‘Who?’
“The one who just entered the aisle with the animal parts. He apparently taught potions at Hogwarts recently. He has dark hair, is tall, he seems to like wearing black clothes. His expression might not look like it, but he is kind hearted and protective over children. According to the vibes at least.”
Harry switched back and looked around. There was a tall man, who didn’t look sympathetic, in all black clothes with black hair. While Harry made his way slowly over looking at the feathers on display, he switched sight again and Ares ensured him, that this was him.
“Excuse me, sir?” He asked as polite as possible, cautiously walking up to the man that might be kind hearted under his stranger-danger expression.
“Yes?” the man asked, turning and looking down at the small child with a frown on his face.
Harry gulped as he looked up into the dark eyes of the stern man wearing all black robes. “I was wondering, could you help me pick out which potions I need? I haven’t gone to Hogwarts yet, so I don’t know what they all mean.” Playing dumb was always a good idea when interacting with strangers, it made them underestimate you.
The wizard seemed slightly irritated at being held up by a child, but to Harry’s surprise, he gave a short nod. “What are you looking for?”
“See, I told you he would help. Now just tell him the ones we thought about.”
“I want a good nutrient potion. One that will keep for a while if I buy a lot and store it. I also need a general healing balm, a pain potion, and… is there something that heals internal injuries?”
The man’s frown deepened as he looked the boy over. He didn’t recognize the child. The only wixen family that was known for having glasses, were the Potter’s and the child’s hair was black, not the brown James Potter had. His eyes were also the wrong colour, as the only living Potter was Lily’s son who had green eyes. The ragged clothes, the way the child was shrinking in on himself, and the list of potions, caused the usually very stoic man to pause, coming to a disturbing conclusion. “My name is Severus Snape. May I ask your name, son?”
“Erm, John… Smith. John Smith,” Harry tried to smile innocently, but it was probably more of a grimace. He wasn’t used to speaking to people outside of his head. The Dursleys preferred him quiet. And he had already spoken to so many that day.
“Really, you couldn’t come up with a more obvious fake name?”
‘Like you would’ve done better.’
“You could’ve just said no. He asked if he would be allowed to ask you’re name. No where did he mention that you have to tell him a name.”
‘… sorry… I’ll be cleverer next time.’
Mr Snape continued to frown down at him, knowing the name was fake. “How old are you?” He tried a different tactic as he looked down at the child who he was guessing was around 6.
‘Any idea’s on how to answer that?’
“Just tell him you age. He needs to know, to make sure you’re getting the age approved potions.”
“I’m 7, sir,” Harry smiled, happy to answer this one truthfully.
Mr Snape nodded but with a grimace at the small size of the boy. He picked up Harry’s basket (he had taken at the entrance) and went through the shelves adding any potion he would recommend for a severely abused child, as he was certain that was the situation presented before him. He also took the time to explain each potion, how it worked, and when it should be taken.
Harry nodded along knowing that if he didn’t remember everything, Ares would point it out to him with her sight. He finally slid the basket onto the counter and took out some money. “Oh, I have money, sir!” Harry spoke up as he reached for his pocket.
“Nonsense,” he grumbled at him. “Consider this a welcome to Hogwarts gift. I expect you to do well in my class. I teach Potions.”
Harry smiled up at him. “I just bought a potion book!” he exclaimed. “It’s all about how to brew healing potions!”
“If I hadn’t already seen the vibes of him assuming you’re being abused, he’ll definitely knows now.”
‘I’m wearing you’re glamour. I’ll be fine.’
“His vibes say that he wants to know more. And he will use his cunning to get the information.”
‘Oh, well, I’m good at hiding. Besides, he seems awfully nice.’ Thankfully Ares didn’t respond, but Harry could still feel the ‘I told you so’ over their bond.
“Oh really,” Snape smiled down at Harry. “Be careful that you follow the directions very specifically or you may have an accident.”
“Oh, I don’t plan on brewing the potions now,” Harry said, taking the package with potions and thanking his future Professor. He realized that Severus Snape seemed to have forgotten whatever he came in for originally as he followed Harry to the door.
“Really? Then why would you buy the book?”
“My family are muggles, so trying to brew a potion in their house is suicidal. I plan on brewing them at Hogwarts before I have to return during the summers. I’m just reading up now to have a plan before I’m busy learning about everything else.” Harry smiled at him innocently, knowing he would never be this honest without the anonymity of the hidden runes on his glasses.
Snape stopped and stared at the boy’s candour and wondered how he even knew about the wixen world if his family were muggles. “Well, thank you sir. I’ll see you in a few years! I look forward to your class!” Harry smiled and hurried away from the man.
“Well, looks like it’s time to go home. Just activate the rune sequence on your right sleeve with you’re magic, like we practised. To hide the sound before you disappear in a side street.”
Harry did just that, and before Severus Snape entered the side street, he was already back in the shed.