It has taken me several days to work on this chapter, as I just wasn't sure where I wanted it to go. I didn't mean to drag on the 13 year old Isobel. I had originally planned on quickly going to their final years, but I think I'm going to work my way up more slowly. Every so often I stop to re-read what I've written, and I go "Wow, Snape...a dad, who'dve thunk it?" Lol, I hope I'm making him out to be a convincing, unexpected father. Thanks for the reviews!
. . .
Isobel was seated at the smaller, less worn armchair that Severus had conjured home one day for her personal use, reading a book on Arithmancy when he walked through the doorway with barely suppressed anticipation.
"We're headed to London today. We will meet Mr. Malfoy's wife, Narcissa, along the way," Snape informed her while holding his arm out.
Isobel refused to move while staring at the offered arm. Slowly, she inquired, "Is there another way to get there?"
Snape arched his brow visible under a long strand of black hair and glanced at the unused fireplace. He exhaled heavily while staring at the ceiling to regain patience. "You will overcome this aversion to Apparition, but as we haven't the time to deal with it at present, I will allow you to use your Animagus. You shouldn't feel the ill effects in your animal form."
Smiling fully up at Snape, she hopped up from the chair and immediately shrunk down to a fuzzy burnt umber fox with a brown and white ring around the bushy tail. Severus merely eyed the easy transformation before reaching down just as she hopped into his arms.
Holding the fox snugly, Snape apparated with a pop.
They reappeared in front of the Dark Arts shop known as Borgin & Burkes, with Snape using the billowing sleeves of his robe to hide the fox in his arms before sweeping inside the shop.
Seeing no one in sight, Snape hissed, "Now would be a good time, Isobel." Then he let her jump out of his arms and back to the small form of a little girl.
Isobel managed to catch a glimpse of a few alarming items in the dimly lit wizard shop. A withered hand on a cushion, a glass eye, demonic masks on the walls staring at her, and rusty, spiked instruments on the ceiling that she stared at in surprise as Severus grabbed her hand to yank her out in case she were to act interested in getting a closer look.
Snape hauled Isobel out of the Dark shop as quickly as he could. Once they were back in the dark and dingy Knockturn Alley full of all sorts of unmentionables, he turned toward his curious daughter and warned her softly, "This place is not considered respectable by most wizarding standards Isobel, so do please keep this visit to yourself. Understand?" At her nod, he glanced around uneasily, unsure who had caught a glimpse of Severus Snape and an unknown girl.
He peered down the road at the shop Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary as he knew the shop on Diagon Alley would not contain potions ingredients he needed. While Isobel was occupied with Narcissa, he would be purchasing from that shop.
"Come on, Isobel." Before Snape could usher her far, someone grabbed his elbow. It was a rough looking wizard with rotted teeth, speaking to Snape under his breath as Snape regarded him disdainfully, "Severus, may I have a word?"
Motioning for Isobel to stay put, Snape walked with the man to stand in front of a wizarding Betting Shop, keeping Isobel in his sights mere feet away while the unkempt man began whispering to Snape in a voice that didn't carry to Isobel.
Deciding to take that opportunity to look around, she glanced to her left and arched her brows at the funny skeletal man with stringy red hair talking to a wall. Peeking at Severus, she realized he was engrossed in his conversation with the other wizard. She would only check this out for a short moment. He wouldn't even know she had left her spot, she reassured herself.
Moving closer to the man, she was able to distinguish the whispered words, repeated over and over, "…He know what it's like…"
What in the world, she thought as she concluded he really was talking to a wall.
Too late, she understood she had spoken aloud. The wizard's manic eyes swung to meet her frozen form, and she jolted as if shocked.
Despite appearing so fragile as if a strong gust of wind would sweep him off his feet in an instant, he was quick. She tried to walk back, stumbling over her feet and robes, but he was swiftly in her face, breathing his putrid breath. All she could do in that moment was cover her mouth.
Feverishly, he whispered, "The Mother…. the Mother knows you…" followed by maniacal laughter as he repeated himself several more times, but Isobel's ears were ringing.
Snape appeared abruptly at her side, his wand out and ready, pointed at the wizard's chest as he snarled something dangerous at the man, yet Isobel's ears were still ringing. She swayed and leaned into Severus, and the next moment she was being jostled toward the exit.
"Isobel!" Snape shouted, drawing some unwanted attention. Softer, "Are you alright? Did he do anything to you?"
Isobel stuttered, "Yes, I mean no." Clearing her throat, she continued, "I'm fine. Nothing happened." She straightened her spine and gazed steely into his eyes to assure him she was fine. "He was just a creep, that's all."
Looking unsure, Snape sighed, then spat softly, "I told you not to move. In the future, do as your told! Now, I have business to attend to, and we've wasted far too much time already." Pointing in the distance, he informed coldly, "Narcissa should already be waiting at the ice-cream parlour, Florean Fortescue."
He waved her away and left her as he reentered the dark alley. She watched him retreat as she collected herself from the man's strange and confusing words. Who was "the Mother"? Then she turned to inspect Diagon Alley and its cobblestoned streets. It was much brighter and busier here, bustling with people carrying packages every which way, the screech of owls still heard over the cacophony of sounds.
Sighing, she weaved her way through the crowd until she spotted the parlour. A woman with hair as blond as her husband strode very primly in her direction with a tight smile on her face.
"You must be Isobel," the woman known as Narcissa greeted her. Was it that obvious that she was Severus Snape's daughter? Her blue eyes were reserved, and Isobel wondered if her husband had pressured this expedition on her.
Isobel returned just as demurely, "Yes, I am, and you must be Mrs. Malfoy."
Some of the frost thawed from her eyes, "Please, call me Narcissa. It's a pleasure to meet the daughter of my son's favorite professor. Come now, we have much to see and do today to fit you with a proper attire and supplies."
Mrs. Malfoy kept true to her word. They purchased several items from Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions, measuring her small form in every way imaginable to order clothing specifically made for her. Because as Narcissa said, "Only a proper witch orders clothing this way. Your father would agree with me." And the discussion was over, not that there was much of one to begin with, not with the dignified woman making her demands known. She was clearly respected and feared by those around her, well known to the owners.
They bought supplies, equipment, and books at Flourish & Blott's, a crowded quaint little shop that Narcissa had to drag her away from.
After every shop, Narcissa called a house elf to collect the items before disappearing with a crackle, bags in hand. Mrs. Malfoy assured Isobel that the house elf was familiar with Snape's house and would deliver them safely.
Eventually, there was no more shopping to be done, and Narcissa faced Isobel with a calculating gleam to her eyes, "Inform your father that your tailoring will be done by the end of the week, and I've had it all ordered to be delivered to my home."
Thinking on the dirty, abandoned neighborhood that she now called home, living in an outdated house full of threadbare furniture, Isobel couldn't hold back a concern that had been weighing on her the entire day. Speaking stiffly, but softly, Isobel asked, "Did you pay for all of this?"
Mrs. Malfoy's eyes widened, and she 'tsked' before responding, "Isobel, child. I am not lying when I tell you Severus has paid for nearly all your supplies, and the few items I paid for myself at Madam Malkins was because I didn't want your father to refuse or send them back. Severus is very well-to-do even though he chooses to hide it. Lucius and I have had many discussions with him because of…that place he choose to call home. In our opinion, it's no longer befitting for a young witch of your standing." She drew herself up with a pinched expression on her face as if the thought of Snape's home were insulting to her sensibilities.
For a moment, Isobel wanted to defend his choices as she tried her best not to be judgmental, but she held her tongue because there was a small part of her that truly would rather live in a community near more wizards and witches.
Exhaling through her nose, Narcissa regarded Isobel heavily, "Know this, Isobel, Lucius and I would like to see more of you. We see Severus more like family rather than a simple professor. Know that you are always welcome and don't fear telling that father of yours. He doesn't visit as often as he used to." Looking away as if holding herself back, she continued, "Well, it's time we arrive at the next checking point. I'll walk you there. I'm sure Severus is wondering what we're doing to take so long."
She spun on her heel and began to stride away. When Isobel caught up to her elbow, she said under her breath without turning her head, "Isobel, don't tell your father that I've told you how we feel about his housing choices. I doubt that will go over well."
Isobel said nothing, even when they turned down Knockturn Alley. She said nothing, although her heart sped up, when they walked past the alcove where the whispering wizard had stood, who was conveniently gone. She said nothing, until they stopped in front of the meeting place, The White Wyvern, a wizard pub. "Mrs. Mal – Narcissa, thank you for today. It was my first time going shopping for myself and being allowed to choose items that I liked, and thought were pretty. I won't mention the issue with Severus."
Pursing her lips, Narcissa nodded, although her eyes were much warmer than the beginning of the day, and she ushered Isobel inside the dimly lit, eerily quiet pub.
Severus was standing in the corner by a window talking to short and jovial wizard wearing important-looking clothing. As they neared the wizards deep in discussion, Isobel couldn't help by overhear.
"Ah, Severus, you don't need to worry any further. I can assure, it's being dealt with, and he's usually quite harmless."
"Please do, Minister."
The greying man glanced over in time to see Narcissa arrive, who extended her perfectly manicured hand and enthused, "Minister, how nice to see you today."
While the Minister for Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge, passed pleasantries with Mrs. Malfoy, Severus Snape observed Isobel, who was quietly standing by them all.
He moved to hover next to her and whispered under his breath conspiratorially, "Would you like to check out a few shops?"
Surprised, Isobel squeaked, "On this alley?"
"Yes, if you'd like."
Glancing over, she noticed the other man staring at her curiously, so she reacted with a quick, "I would."
Snape thanked Narcissa for her hospitality in helping Isobel and bade the Minister goodbye over his protests of wanting to meet his daughter. Ignoring them both, he walked with Isobel out of the door.
Keeping close to her this time, they ambled down the street as Isobel studied each shop. She grimaced at the shrunken heads on display outside of Noggin and Bonce and held her nose in distaste once they neared Shyverwretch's Venoms and Poisons. They continued past questionable shops such as The Coffin House, which claimed to raise the dead, and Coff & Webb's, full of Dark Arts items.
Eventually, she noticed a small, nearly indistinguishable shop called The Starry Prophesier. Exclaiming in excitement, Isobel pointed to the shop and requested, "Can we go there?"
Severus eyed the store critically but couldn't refuse the childlike excitement that Isobel was displaying, a rarity in itself. "Yes, but be careful in these shops. I'm sure I don't have to warn you twice. Allow me to go first." Snape led her into a shop that was surprisingly clean and minimally cluttered but smelled strongly of a pungent incense.
A woman who blended within the shadows and wearing tribal jewelry greeted them upon their entry. The shop was newly opened, and they were welcome to peruse.
Isobel was not interested in most of the items until she approached a low-lying table with an old, wooden witch mirror, sitting next to a brass necklace that appeared to be even older than the mirror, with intricate designs and etchings. Isobel deduced the internal part of the necklace could move with tiny gears inside.
She had never seen anything quite like it before and was spellbound.
Severus's voice jolted her in surprise, "That's an astrolabe, the oldest one I've seen in fact."
In awe, Isobel reached a hand slowly to touch it softly before picking it up and grasping it firmly in her hand, at the same time catching a glimpse of her eyes in the mirror.
Gasping, she promptly fainted while listening to a dull roar in her ears that sounded like the ocean echoing in a small cavern.