The Harry Potter Parent Alternative

Chapter 2 - Part 3

First stop was Diagon Alley. Severus needed some more potions ingredients, so he could get a head start for the upcoming school year, as well as helping Madam Pomphrey by making her all the potions she'll need for the hospital wing. It was his way of trying to prove to them all that he wasn't just there because Voldemort has been defeated - he regretted his actions which led to Lily's death, and he wanted to turn away from the darkness forever, and if it weren't for the deal he'd made with Albus, agreeing to become his spy in exchange for protection, he'd have been in Azkaban. To think he would ever be free of the darkness would be foolish, as he could never truly be free until he died, maybe not even then, but he was, at least, further than he was before, and for that, he was truly grateful.

Stopping himself from getting lost in these thoughts by accidently stubbing his toe on a pram wheel, he quickly apparated the three of them to the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Stepping into the potion ingredients shop, he resisted the strong temptation to stop and admire the many rare ingredients which lined the shelves, forcing himself to remain focused on the tasks at hand: buy the necessary ingredients, then move on to the rest of the day.

He checked out, his total coming to over three hundred galleons (most of which Hogwarts' potions and hospital budgets were paying for, the rest being a few things he simply couldn't resist for himself), before moving on to their next destination: Flourish and Blotts.

As Severus had realized last night, Harry and Dudley needed some more children's books, and whilst he was there, he also needed to get some potions books, notebooks, quills, and a lesson planner, also all for the upcoming school year. It may be the second day of the holidays, but Severus was determined to be prepared. Determined not to give anyone any more reasons to hate him. Determined not to fail.