There will be vampires in this story along with other magic creatures but there will be absolutely NO SPARKLING. WTF WAS STEPHANIE MEYER THINKING? Also, this ISN'T SLASH NOR WILL IT EVER BE.
Chapter 10:
After the odd encounter with Magmas in the Apothecary, Harry and Severus left with their pockets filled with shrunken goods, all of which were 100 times better than those they had gotten at Slug and Jigger's in Diagon Alley.
Spider Alley, it seemed, was just as Magmas said. The small, family owned stores were open to anyone and everyone. There were no slums, like Knockturn Alley, filled with dark witches, wizards, and vampires or werewolves who had been shunned. Everyone here was equal, yet not everyone here was human.
Severus and Harry had run into their first know magical creature in Morgana's Manuscripts, a stationary store. They had both been walking slowly, looking around in awe at the very different place they had stumbled upon, when Harry had tumbled ungracefully into the shocked, stony arms of a pale, burgundy eyed man. "So very sorry, young man, you'd think with super human reflexes I'd watch where I was going!"
Harry simply widened his eyes but otherwise remained impassive, "No, forgive me, sir, it was my fault."
The man looked him over, his eyes curious, "You look familiar, have we met?" he bent over Harry slightly and sniffed, "You smell like snake." The last part was mumbled almost noiselessly. Harry shook it off and also analyzed the man.
He wasn't normal, that was obvious, what with the 'super human reflexes' and the sniffing. But was even more astounding was his appearance. His skin was paler than Harry's own, his black and auburn hair tied back in a knot at the nape of his neck, some loose strands falling in front his face. His face was angular, but not Elvin, like the ones in that program Dudley liked, The Lord of The Rings. Overall, Harry considered him an overall pleasant looking person, not terribly frightening, but still foreboding.
Severus stepped forward, scowling at Potter who was once again observing the man as if he was the most interesting specimen. Sev, of course, knew exactly what this man was, but didn't say anything as it would be incredibly rude. However, he did introduce them, albeit with a little annoyance in his voice, directed at Potter, "I am Severus Snape and this boy is Harry Potter."
The man's sharp eyes snapped to Potter, briefly flicking to his scar, before he smiled at them both, "Scherzare Stelle, but you can call me Zare. I knew I knew you from somewhere Harry. You Severus Snape, I've read about though. Potions journals are more like gossip rags about the latest Potions Master these days, they're hardly good for anything else." He grinned, showing over-long canines and Severus's lips twitched ever so slightly.
Harry questioned, "If you don't mind me asking, sir, but how are you out and about right now, isn't it a bit dangerous for yourself?"
Snape glared slightly at the boy's audacity but Zare simply smirked but his face lost some of his original joy, "There's a charm that people can place, sort of like a ward. It keeps the harmful rays of the sun out, protecting people like me. It's a simple spell, really, but people don't especially like Vampires, they think we're going to kill them as soon as they blink just because of that idiot Dracula." Zare shook his head mournfully and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. Severus was surprised that the boy didn't flinch at all. Harry frowned,
"That's stupid. People shouldn't be so prejudiced because of something someone can't control. They're fools if they believe what you've said."
Zare smiled and Severus cleared his throat, "Yes, well, it's been pleasant speaking with you, Mr. Stelle, but it's time for Mr. Potter to get home. I hope to be seeing you again." He placed a hand on Harry's other shoulder and the boy's face once again closed off, leaving Severus slightly distressed and Zare more than a little worried. Zare waved goodbye to the two before smiling and stepping into the shade, despite the charm.
Harry studiously followed the Professor out of the archway and out of the side of a shut down flea-market door. Snape turned and gazed at him briefly before speaking lowly, "This must remain our secret from everyone, do you understand? We wouldn't want to jeopardize them."
Harry nodded and looked down, apprehensive, before looking up again, "Sir is there any way I could stay at Hogwarts until term began?"
Snape looked at him closely before apologizing and shaking his head. Harry followed after him, dejected.