I inhaled slowly, trying to remember that my freedom was already dead and buried and that those new restrictions wouldn't change much.

"Can I see the thing?"

Dumbledore opened a drawer and took a piece of leather jewelry. My peripheral vision caught Snape smirking in amusement.

It was a fucking choker.

"What do you think I am, a dog? A whore?"

"Damascus steel shouldn't be at direct contact with your skin, it might burn you. But leather is an excellent conductor of its good properties".

"Also", Snape said, following the old coot lead, "it's better to put it in a place you can't easily cut off".

"That is correct. If you ever need to take it off, Severus and I can remove it."

I sighed. At least it was black, so it wouldn't clash with my school robes.

"Do I need to put it on now?"

"Yes, my boy. We need to check if everything will run smoothly before your trip to Diagon's Alley tomorrow."

"Ok, fine…" At least I had something to expect. I held the thing between my fingers as if it was something that could bite. I looked at Sev. "A little help?"

He grunted at my request, but he took to choker off my hands and positioned himself behind me to tie it on my neck. If I had long hair it would have been sexier…

"Oh, I know it! My name is going to be Geralt!" I could definitely use some inspiration on Geralt of Rivia's long hair.

"Geralt is a good name", said Dumby. "What do you say about Geralt Prince?" Sev stiffened by my side, but the old coot hadn't finished yet. "Your relationship is not going to pass unnoticed.

"We don't have any relationship, Albus".

"Yet", I added. He just glared at me while Albus beamed.

"Exactly, Severus. Sergei — Geralt — is not going to be subtle about that, and it's foolish to think we can force him to do it. It's better to have a good explanation beforehand."

I almost burst out laughing when I realized what Dumby was up to. He was trying to set me up with Sev. Geez, even Dumby knew Sev needed to get laid.

"Mr. Prince", said Snape, with all the hate he could muster. "Go get yourself some food while I speak to the Headmaster".

"Yes, cousin!" I smirked and then left.

The next day was the big day. I got dressed impeccably. It took me a moment to remember what I felt when I was with Draco, but in the end, I had a marvelous aristocratic 17-year-old body. My hair was pitch black and it went just a little below my shoulders. I made some thin braids and tied it at the back of my head, like a dark-haired Geralt of Rivia. It was kinda sad that no one would pick up the reference.

"Are you ready yet?" Sev asked, annoyed.

"Yes, yes, let's go."

"Where do you keep your gold?"

"Do I have gold?"

"How can you not know that?"

"Memory loss, remember?"

"This is the lamest excuse I've ever heard."

I stiffened. Well, what did I expect? Snape would obviously catch that something was up with me. I knew nothing about what Sergei probably knew, and there were a lot of things on the tip of my tongue that Sergei couldn't be aware of.

"I could get the information right out of your mind, but I am sure you're not worth the effort."

Ouch. I scowled at him.

"So, I don't have any gold. What can we do?"

"You can use the Hogwarts fund for muggleborns and orphans, although you'll have to use second-hand robes and books."

"Or maybe you can lend me some money, right, cousin?"

"I will do no such thing."

"You're so neglectful with your family. What a shame."

A vein was throbbing on Snape's temper, so I decided to let him be. For now.

We arrived at Diagon's Alley very early, and there were just a few people in the street. I smiled fondly at the place. The real thing was more amazing than my imagination could produce. Even though a lot of stores were closed and people walked warily and hurriedly, it was impossible to deny the feeling of magic in the air. Knowing I was there to study at Hogwarts made everything even sweeter.

At Gringotts, the goblins glared at me as if I was an intruder. I wondered if they knew what I was and if maybe I had some gold there. Judging by the hard stares, I doubted that any of my gold was with them.

Snape went to talk to a goblin and left me behind, coming back a few minutes later with a small bag of gold. I glanced at it doubtfully.

"Is that enough…?"

Snape didn't answer, already leaving the bank. I hurried after him.

"Where's first? And by the way, where can we get my wand, as Ollivander is not available?"

"We have other wand-makers. Not as good as him, but we can find a wand suitable enough. First, let's get some robes."

Madame Malkin was boring and quick. I tried to offer suggestions on how to make the uniform more… sexy, but Snape cut me off every single time.

The library was a little more interesting. Snape asked me which courses I would like to take, and since I didn't have to pass anything I chose Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. At least I would make a good impression. While Sev was paying for my stuff, I found a book titled "The Rise of the Vampires" and nicked it. The store didn't have an alarm system to warn them when a book was stolen. Thank God for small mercies.

Then we got the potion's ingredients. Snape scowled the whole time we were there, complaining about "bad storage system" and "rotten beetle eyes". For me it was just very, very smelly.

He tried to buy me an owl, but when we entered the store all the animals started making sounds of displeasing and fear. A snake even tried to attack me, and after that, we decided to leave.

After parchment, quills, scales, cauldron, and telescope, we finally headed to buy my wand.

"There are three other wand-makers in this area," explained Sev. "I'm sure we can find a good, suitable wand for you."

Of course, nothing was easy for me. In the first shop, I blew up eighteen wands to ashes before the owner led us out, saying that he couldn't afford another loss. The second wand-maker was less patient; I only needed to explode seven wands before he gave up. The third one didn't even let us in, saying that I smelled like death and he didn't work with death.

Sev was beyond fury by this, and I barely heard the whispered "follow me" and he was already walking — leading me right to the Knockturn Alley.

A/N: Hope you liked it! The chapter is kinda short but I didn't want to leave you waiting. Comments are very much appreaciated!