A/n: I'm sorry for my poor grammar and spelling. Thank you for those who reviewed the previous chapter. I hope you like this chapter. :D Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling, no money is made through my writing. No copyright intended.
Diagon Alley
It is difficult to obtain the friendship of a cat. It is a philosophical animal...One that does not place it's affections thoughtlessly ~ Theophile Gautier
The Evans household sat at the family dining room. Chewing and munching on their food silently. Everything felt normal with Mr. Evans occasionally eyeing both his children while Mrs. Evans ate her food in peace, thankful for the tranquility present in her home. Suddenly Lily Evans, the youngest of the family ran out of carrots and decided she wanted to eat more.
"Tuney can you please pass the carrots?" As if Petunia cannot hear a thing, she raised her nose higher. Mrs. Evans sighed. Here we go again. "Tuney I said. Please pass the carrots!"
"Here. Have some potatoes instead." Mrs. Evans got a spoonful of cream-colored mashed potatoes but Lily pushed her plate away from the gruel, scrunching her nose in disgust.
"But I want to eat carrots." protested Lily. She eyed the carrots in front of Petunia. "Tuney, PLEASE pass the carrots."
The utensils clattered as Petunia Evans stood up, her nose high in the air leaving he family table. "Tuney where are you going?" Mrs. Evans called after her eldest. Petunia stopped and glared at all of them.
"To my room." There was a certain menace in the tone of her voice. It seems she hasn't forgiven anybody for yesterday's turn of events. Without wasting another second, she turned her heel and went to her private room, closing her door with a loud thud.
Mrs. Evans stood up but Mr. Evans stopped her. "Darling, I think its best we let her be…" Mrs. Evans only nodded. She looked longingly at Petunia's room, wishing the girls would be back to their normal sister relationship. Mrs. Evans didn't eat anymore, instead her eyes darted from Petunia's seat to Petunia's room.
"I did say I was sorry." Lily said breaking the long silence, her eyes darted down at her food, rolling a pickle with her fork. Last night, when Severus left she went up to Petunia's room to say sorry but the latter didn't even acknowledge her presence.
"Don't worry Lils." Mr. Evans said enthusiastically, trying his best to comfort Lily. He smiled at his youngest, knowing how hard it is to argue constantly with a sibling. "I know what'll cheer you up! When you're done eating we'll go to Diagon Alley to buy your supplies."
That seemed to make Lily's mood better. But Mrs. Evans suddenly looked nervous and white. "I was thinking maybe we could postpone it.." Lily's face suddenly dropped. Before Lily could protest, she continued. "I'm a little worried at Petunia. She might do something crazy again…"
"Tuney's a big girl.." Mr. Evans tried to reason. But Mrs. Evans nodded her head no.
"Tuney is a big girl. But I don't trust the situation." Lily only sighed and continued to. play with the pickle left on her plate. Her parents are too busy to notice how she's fork-handling the poor pickle left uneaten. "If Lily wants to go now… I don't.. think I can come… I would love to go but…."
Mrs. Evans did not finish her sentence and both of them looked at Lily waiting for her decision "Well… Okay.." Mrs. Evans half-smiled and patted her daughter's head. It broke her heart not being with Lily on the first time she holds her wand. Lily felt a little disappointed that her mother couldn't come. Lily only drunk the remaining milk on her glass, not anymore bothering with the carrots, she clearly lost her appetite. "Daddy, I'm finish."
.
.
The wizard pub called the Leaky Cauldron were filled so many people. It almost seemed impossible to move. From the looks of the drinking, chatting and laughing witches and wizards, the Leaky Cauldron is a famous place, not only because of the portal leading to Diagon Alley but because of it's accessibility and fame. There were smokes coming out of the walls but nobody seemed to mind, there were many little tables scattered everywhere each with a maximum of 6 people and the Leaky Cauldron had an aroma of beer mixed with something else that made Lily feel woozy. She covered her nose with her free hand and let her father drag her to the nearest counter.
"Excuse me sir." His father called the attention the bartender. The bartender looked scary. He was bald, his left eye was a little higher than his right, a scar made him look like he survived a knife fight and his back was deformed making him a picture of a nightmare.
"What can I do for yeh?" The bartender dropped the mug he was cleaning and wiped his hands with a rug. Lily got a better look at him when he turned around to face them. Scary is the biggest understatement of the century.
"My daughter is going to start Hogwarts soon and-"
"Are yeh a Squib?" The bartender smirked. Instantly Mr. Evans turned bright red.
"No I'm-" Mr. Evans was cut off when the bartender left the counter and motioned for them to follow him. Lily hid behind her father's back when a few witch and wizards trailed them with their eyes. The bartender led them to a secluded place where the walls were about to collapse and the wooden door leading to the back creaked every time the wind hit it.
"Well, yeh open the door." The bartender motioned Mr. Evans to open it for them, much to his annoyance and the door made a loud creak. A gush of cold wind welcomed them, Lily clutched her father's hand tighter, and Mr. Evans closed his eyes in fear. The bartender rolled his eyes and growled. "Squibs"
"Excuse me?" snapped Mr. Evans. The bartender faced Mr. Evans with a sick sweet smile playing over his lips.
"Yeh, tap the bricks, then yeh reach Diagon Alley." The bartender said. Mr. Evans looked around for something he could tap the bricks when he saw a limp stick near a trash can. He picked it up and tapped random bricks on the wall. To his frustration and to the bartender's entertainment nothing happened. The brick wall didn't even vibrate. "Squibs. Always doing it the wrong way." He muttered under his breath.
"Yeh tap from the trash can, three up and two across. Yeh don't tap it randomly!" The bartender grabbed the stick swiftly from Mr. Evans' hands and tapped the stones in an intricate manner. Mr. Evans scoffed when nothing happened. Suddenly, a small hole appeared from the brick wall, then it magically formed a large archway. The event left Mr. Evans and Lily with open mouths.
"Well, I'm done helping yeh." The bartender made his way back at the pub when Mr. Evans regained his composure.
"Sir, what's your name?" asked Mr. Evans. He had yet thanked the man for helping them find Diagon Alley.
"Chalmers."
.
.
Diagon Alley was beyond what Lily expected. Everybody in Diagon Alley wore robes and hats like what her fairytale books portrayed. Stores can be found here and there. Some children were running around. Around a corner, some people were crowding a stall that sold beverages. The same smell of beer illuminated the streets and a big friendly sign said WELCOME TO DIAGON ALLEY.
"Dad! Dad look!" Lily pulled his father's sleeves, her finger pointing to a moving poster. Lily dragged her father closer to the post to examine it closer. "Dad, oh Dad! It's moving!"
"Yes, Lils it is." Mr. Evans couldn't contain the excitement in his voice. Lily stared at the moving poster, reminding her of the t.v back at home minus the wires and electricity. Lily continued to look around the streets while her father trailed behind her making sure she wouldn't get lost. Everything amazed Lily from the talking paintings, to the adorable cats and to the ghosts who roamed the street freely.
When Lily had her fair chare of sight-seeing, she sat at the nearest bench waiting for her father for some 'butterbeer'. Lily fiddled with her thumbs and continued to look around the place taking in every detail she can. She didn't notice Mr. Evans approach her until a mug of butterbeer was placed in front of her.
"Lils. Do you think you could stay there at that pet shop first?" asked Mr. Evans who had a mustache of butterbeer on his face. Lily looked at the place her father was pointing. Lily immediately nodded, wanting to see more of the magical pets. She gulped her glass faster. "I'll be back soon. I'll exchange some money for gold then we'll buy your school supplies."
Then Lily remembered the furballs she saw. "Dad, can you buy me a cat?" Lily pleadingly asked. "The letter said we could bring one." The offer was very tempting. Since Lily would stay most of her time in Hogwarts and away form home, she figured she could use some faithful pet to accompany her.
"… A cat?" Hmm… I don't know…" Lily looked at him even more pleadingly. Mr. Evans remained unaffected by her pleading looks and teary eyes. "A new pet is a very big responsibility Lily."
She knew that was coming. In a very sweet voice Lily countered him. "But I am responsible…" Mr. Evans continued to nod his head no. If she were responsible, Tuney wouldn't have been close to having a heart attack yesterday. "I won't argue with Tuney. Ever. I'll make sure you'll have the peace and quiet you and Mum always liked…"
Mr. Evans pondered for the very tempting offer. "Well we'll see. If we have some budget left then we might buy one."
"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you Daddy!" Lily squealed and hugged her father in delight. Mr. Evans smiled at his young daughter. He is a softie when it comes to Lily. He doesn't know how his Darling wife would react to the new addition but Lily would want nothing more than have a new kitty.
"Remember Lily, I said might." Lily only nodded and hoped to the pet shop. Lily knew her father would buy her one. Lily couldn't help her grin from erupting. Outside the shop, she could see from the clear mirror many animals locked in cages. When Lily opened her door, the chimes produced a soothing music.
"Hullo Dear." An elderly woman greeted. She had all sorts of animals dangling around her. The woman carried a small cat in her arms, an owl sat on top of her white hair like it was some kind of nest, a snake hung loose around her neck like some kind of jewelry, a rat poked it's head out of her robe's pocket and a green frog lied contented on her right shoulder. It's a miracle all of them are alive.
"Is..Is that real?" Lily pointed to the snake.
The woman smiled warmly and held the snakes head to Lily's direction. Immediately Lily shrieked back from the snake making it hiss. "You don't like to touch little Martin? He's harmless…" Lily nodded her head fiercely. Magical or not, snakes have poison. "What about an owl? Would you like one?"
The woman eyed Lily with curiosity. With every step the woman made to reach Lily, Lily made a step back afraid the snake might bite her. The old woman sensing Lily's discomfort removed the snake off her neck and placed it at the nearest basket. "Better?"
"Thank you." Lily then smiled. Lily looked around more looking for the cats she saw earlier. "Do you have cats?"
"Dear girl. Cats are for Muggles." Said the woman who pulled another basket that had soft purring sounds coming out of it. "What about kneazles or half-kneazles?"
"Kneazles? You mean the cat you are holding is not a cat but a kneazle?" Lily asked politely. The woman nodded.
"Take your pick, they're barely two months old but they make great company." Lily made her way over to the basket and saw eight little kittens- kneazles meowing and outdoing each other when they saw her. Lily put her hand inside the basket and immediately the little kneazles made their way over to it and caressed her hand with their soft fur. "Cute creatures, aren't they?"
"Yes" Lily was barely paying any attention to the woman. The kneazles were keeping her preoccupied. The kneazles look like expensive cats but its big ears and plumed tail made the difference.
"Kneazles don't only give great company but they are very intelligent creatures and they can detect suspicious people." Said the woman who took the liberty to seat next to Lily and pet one of the kneazles.
"What do they do when they sense something suspicious?" Then one of the kneazles nibbled her pointing finger and bit it making Lily jump. "Aw."
"Did it bite you?" The woman asked. When she saw the blood rushing out of the Lily's thumb, she grabbed her wand and muttered something underneath her breath and Lily's finger instantly felt better.
"Wow. Where did you learn that?" asked an excited Lily. The woman smiled.
"From the same place where you are going to learn them." Hogwarts sounds even more appealing. The chimes clinked to each other and the woman excused herself from Lily's company leaving Lily to play with the kittens again. She fell in love with all of the kittens and it would break her heart if she only gets to get one.
"Are you intending to buy one of those horrid creatures?" The voice sounded so arrogant and suddenly Lily found herself being towered by somebody else's shadow. She turned around and saw a boy about her age and height, more or less staring at her. He wore a look of disgust as he eyed the kneazles. "Or are you stupid for even thinking about purchasing one?"
"Why? What's wrong with kneazles?" snapped Lily. The boy wore thick glasses and had very untidy hair like it hasn't been comb in centuries. 'What a nerd'
"I dunno…" The boy pretended to think about it, running his hands through his hair making it look even more untidy. "Maybe it's just that they can't deliver anything, all they do is sit around all day and purr at you like you'll be gone for the rest of their miserable lives… In short they're bloody useless."
Lily felt her eyebrows furrow and her cheeks turn red. "What do you reckon is better?" Obviously this boy doesn't have a single taste in animals.
"An owl is a better animal than a kneazle. No competition." Then the boy wore a smug smile on his face. "It's the pet that I asked my father to buy."
'Arrogant toerag'., thought Lily. 'So what if you want an owl? I want a kneazle. No competition? No competition your sorry face!'
"Useless? Are you daft?" Lily couldn't believe the nerve of this boy. "They are intelligent pets and they can sense suspicious people. I can use its abilities, thank you very much."
"Ah… I get it now. You're muggle born…" Lily rolled her eyes. Her arms where at her chest, clearly irritated at the intruder, but the intruder didn't mind she was mad at him. In fact… He seems amused. "Then you don't know Hogwarts is the safest place on the universe, why on Earth would you need a kneazle? I say it's a waste of money considering they might claw you to death if they don't like you."
Before Lily could reply, the boy's father called for him.
"Coming Father!" The boy gave Lily one last smirk before he went over to his father. 'Good riddance' Lily thought. She patted the little kneazles' heads before she left them at their basket and waited for her father to return silently at the door.
.
.
The new cauldron Lily bought was full of heavy books and dainty quills and ink. Lily hadn't spoken a word to her father about kneazles or cats or about the stupid toerag… She didn't even mention about having a new pet. Lily was too drenched in her own thoughts to notice that they've stepped into Mr. Ollivander's Wand Shop.
"Hu-achooo!" Mr. Evans sneezed.
"First wands?" The wand maker, Mr. Ollivander asked. His voice is whisky and hoarse. He didn't greet them like any other merchants would. But Lily didn't mind. Manners are the last thing that's on her mind right now.
"Yes… My daughter's starting Hogwarts soon." Mr. Evans beamed. Mr. Ollivander nodded his head smiling at the two of them and gestured for them to come closer. Mr. Evans sat the chair in front of the table. They waited for Mr. Ollivander to finish inspecting some wands before trying one for Lily.
"Here." He handed Lily a long stick. Lily looked at it bewildered, silently asking herself what to do with it. "Flick it!" cried Mr. Ollivander like it was the most obvious thing in the world. When Lily flicked it, something airy came out. It did nothing else. No matter how Lily swished, flicked or swayed, the wand only released air. Nothing more significant just air.
"What now?" asked Lily, looking as if the wand dejected her.
"Don't worry. First wands don't always go exact with every user." Mr. Ollivander made his way to some shelves and got two boxes, blew on it to remove the dust and handed it over to Lily. "Try wands that have dragon heartstrings as cores."
"Cores? What are they?" asked Lily who picked one of the wands Mr. Ollivander offered her. When the first wand was swished, it made a strong force that made Lily drop it. Mr. Ollivander picked it up and set it on the table handing Lily the other one. A frown on his face.
"The 'heart' of your wands. Cores are what's inside all the wood." Mr. Ollivander said. He handed Lily another one. The first three wands didn't suit Lily. It produced air, caused pressure and made havoc. He looked for another one, this time searching his hidden cabinets. Mr. Evans already fell asleep in the chair. Lily glanced at her clock, they spent almost two and a half hours inside this shop looking for her wand. "Try this."
Lily nodded. She grabbed the wand and made one swishy motion and suddenly Mr. Ollivander smiled. This is it. Lily Evan's very own wand. It felt nice, holding it for the very first time and she felt like it was already glued to her hand. "This is it, isn't it?"
Mr. Ollivander's eyes twinkled with joy and that was the only answer Lily needed to call it her own. "10 ¼", made out of willow and has a phoenix feather as a core. Why didn't I think of that earlier?"
"It's really great holding it!" Lily said joyfully.
"It's swishy too. And great for charms." Mr. Ollivander added. "When you're at Hogwarts, I'm sure you'll enjoy charms."
Lily handed him the exact payment before they went out of his shop. Lily waved back at Mr. Ollivander who was waving at them, her father still felt drowsy at his little nap at the shop.
"Okay do we have everything?" asked Mr. Evans as he searched his bag for the list of things Lily needed. "Say check if we already have it. Do we have your uniform?"
"Check"
"Three sets of black work robes?"
"Check."
"Plain pointed Black hat for every day wear? I never knew wizards would still be using those."
"Check."
"Protective Gloves? Winter Cloak? Complete with nametags?"
"Check. Check. Wait let me see… Definitely check."
"What about your books? Standard Book of Spells, History of Magic, Magical Theory-"
"I have every book Dad…"
"Okay then… What about your Wand? Oh, stupid question. You're holding it. What about Cauldron? Set of Glass? Telescope and Brass Scales? "
"Check to all Dad."
"Cat?"
"Che- Cat?" Lily asked while stopping dead on her tracks. She forgot about that. Suddenly she remembered what that toerag said about kneazles. "It's okay Dad… I … I changed my mind…"
"Why the sudden change of heart?"
"They aren't…" Lily started. She couldn't find the words to describe what she felt about those fur balls. What that toerag said affected her. She wished Severus was there when that boy said those words, Severus would have thrown a fit at the boy.
"Too bad then… " Lily raised his brow at his father. His father was carrying a little box with something-a kneazle meowing for attention. Lily gasped. "So… Do you still want it or not?"
"Well I…" Lily was lost for words. She had a funny feeling in her stomach. Lily could feel her cheeks turn a bright red and a smile crept on her face. She tried to fight it, but excitement got the better of her. "Well, it would be a shame if we return it. After all the trouble you've been through."
"Uh-huh? Trouble I've been through?" Mr. Evans asked playfully. Lily only grinned at him. It was the answer to that question. Lily Evans wants nothing more than a new pet.
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