Anabeth discovered that she did have her own bank account and was, in fact, quite wealthy.
A few days later, Severus Snape came to the school to take her to get school supplies.
"You've changed since I last saw you," Severus observed, examining her from top to toe.
Unsure whether this statement was intended as a compliment or not, Anabeth merely raised an inquisitive eyebrow in response.
In response to her arched eyebrow, Snape clarified, "The last time I saw you, you were three years old and a bubble of energy. It was very annoying."
Anabeth was uncertain of how to respond to this assertion, so she made no reply, and they traveled to Daigon Alley to purchase her school equipment in silence. Upon arriving at Ollivander's, Mr. Ollivander began testing her with different wands. After spending six hours trying them out to no avail, he announced "Miss Riddle, it seems that none of my current wands are for you. However, due to your--unique--magic I have an idea for your wand. Follow me." The eccentric man pivoted and led Anabeth to a backroom filled with wand-making supplies.
"Choose a one, my dear. None of these has been cored, so one should call out to you."
As he established as much, Anabeth stroked the unfinished wands until she felt something pulsing through her like electricity. Pulling her hand back, she saw a red maple that was about eleven inches long.
"That one?" Detecting her reaction, Ollivander's eyes gleamed as he posed this question. Still astonished by what the wand had done to her palm, Anabeth nodded mutely
"Good choice," approved Ollivander, nodding his head in pleasure with her decision. Then, his manner became brisk once more, as he went on. Now if you would bring it here." Obediently, she carried the wand over to him and placed it in his outstretched hand.
"Miss Riddle, I have a theory. I'm sure you know that wands control and channel our magic, correct?" At Anabeth's nod, he educated her, "My theory is this: I believe that you, and only you, can control and channel your own magic. Therefore, I want to put one of your own hairs into your wand."
Anabeth watched with fascination as he performed a series of spells and charms that strengthened and inserted a single one of her own jet black hairs into the core of the wand. Then, he offered the completed wand to her. No sooner had she touched it, then a light and a wind surrounded her and she could hear music.
"It seems that this is the correct one for you, Anabeth," commented Severus. "I'm glad that we bought your things ahead of time considering how long this took. Now, although it is late, I think you need a pet. Let's go to the pet store."
As they entered the pet store Severus told Anabeth, "I suppose an owl would be best, but Hogwarts allows cats, toads, and owls. Occasionally a rat, and, on rare occasions, bats or crows will be allowed. Look around. Choose your favorite."
Anabeth roamed the pet store, looking at the animals. She examined the owls, inspected the cats and scrutinized the many other animals. She saw a crow in a small cage in the back of the shop. Anabeth felt drawn to the bird. Seeing her approaching the cage the shopkeeper called out, "Stay back, miss. That's not a bird I'd recommend for a pet. He bites anyone who comes close to his cage."
Anabeth ignored the warning, drew near the cage and placed her hand flat against the cage. The crow looked at the witch appraisingly. Then, suddenly he let out a shrill "caw" and ran his closed beak up her palm. With her free hand, Anabeth signed, "I want this crow, please."
Severus crossed the room with quick steps. He put his hand upon the cage and was forced to pull it away as the crow nipped at his hand.
"Are you sure? He seems vicious," Severus remarked.
"He's not vicious," she signed, "he's plucky. He's a one woman bird." Anabeth reached up to release the latch to free the bird.
"Don't do that, miss!" called the shopkeeper. "That blasted bird pecked a hole in my hand last time it got loose."
However, Anabeth had already tripped the latch. She slowly opened the door and reached into the cage. The crow examined the digits that were approaching him. He stretched out his neck and tongued Anabeth's middle finger in response. Anabeth beamed and crooked her finger. The crow cawed and hopped onto her hand. She pulled the bird out and placed him on her shoulder.
"Please, Uncle. I really want him," Anabeth pleaded. Severus watched as the crow began to preen the witch's hair as he might do his own feathers.
"Well, it seems clear to me this rough fancies you, Anabeth" Severus remarked. He turned to the shopkeeper, "We'll take him." Severus paid for the bird and a cage. He convinced a reluctant Anabeth to put the bird in the cage.
"Do you have a name picked out, miss?" inquired the shopkeeper. Anabeth nodded and scrawled on a bit of parchment. Severus looked over her shoulder and grinned.
"Sev?" demanded the shopkeeper his smile widening."You're naming your pet after your professor?"
"No," she scribbled, "I'm naming him after a friend."
"C'mon, Anabeth," Severus Snape said. "I should get you back to the Leaky Cauldron before dark."
As the two of them walked along Diagon Alley, Anabeth stopped abruptly.
"Is something wrong?" asked Snape
"You said we met before?" she signed.
"Yes, we did," confirmed Snape.
"When? Why?" she queried. Severus located a bench not too far away. He sat on it and motioned for her to do the same.
"You were about two years old. You had until that time been in the care of some friends of mine. They could not care for you anymore. I'll not go into that now," he said with a grin. "They asked….well, I was told to care for you. You were a bundle of energy and I was hard pressed to keep up with you."
"Did you know about my magic?" she inquired.
"Not really. You were a very quiet child. I had to push you to talk. Strange things happened around you, it's true. However, I just attributed that to you being a young, particularly powerful witch."
"And to being related to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," she signed deliberately.
"Yes, There was that," he affirmed. "Who told you?"
"I don't know. I just have always known. Goes right up there with knowing my mum died when I was born."
"That's something we have in common," He admitted quietly.
"May I…." Anabeth trailed off awkwardly, realizing that what she was about to ask might sound presumptuous.
"What?" pressed Severus.
"May I call you Uncle?" The words burst out of Anabeth without her being fully cognizant of their departure. "I've always wanted an uncle."
"When you were young you called me Unce Sev. If you wish, you may continue to do so now," at her fervent nod, he went on, "Let's get you to the Leaky Cauldron. It's beginning to get dark."