Chapter
3
Journey to Diagon Ally
One
week later…
Severus's
POV
It's been a week since I sent
McGonagall the owl and still I haven't gotten a reply. There's only a week
until Katie's birthday and I'm still clueless as of what to get her. Not
to mention there's only 3 weeks until the beginning of the new school year, and
I have to be there a week early. Oh geez, things just aren't going my way. Will
things ever get better?
Someone must have
heard my thoughts because no sooner did and owl fly through the window and drop
a letter in my hand. I grinned as I found it was from Professor McGonagall.
Dear
Severus,
I'm glad to hear everything's going okay. I have to admit I had my doubts at first but I guess I was wrong. As for her birthday coming up, I knew you'd ask me sooner or later. It's a lot easier for girls to shop for girls. As you know, the money we gave you is enough for her school things so that's out, but what about a pet? I'm sure she'd love an animal. Maybe a cat, or if your feeling generous, maybe even an owl. That's what I think would be the best thing, but it's your choice. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall.
A pet. Now that's something I really hadn't thought about
before. Would she be able to take care of it properly? I mean she IS a little
girl. But still, that's a great idea. I'll have to thank Minerva when I see
her.
Suddenly I saw Katie out of the corner
of my eye and quickly folded the letter and put it away. I could see the questioning expression on
her face. " It's nothing. Don't worry about it. Is there anything I can get
you?"
She shaped her hand in a circle and
put it towards her mouth. "I'm guess you're thirsty. Remember what I said, your
welcome to anything, no need to ask."
I watched her as she walked over to
the cabinet and jumped up, trying to reach the handle to open it. I couldn't
help but laugh slightly. " I forgot, here I'll get it," I said as I walked over
to the cabinet and handed her a glass. " There you go."
She smiled and hugged me, then poured
a glass of juice and walked back upstairs. That was close. I wouldn't want
her to know what her birthday present is before she even gets it.
That
Night…
Katie's
POV
Today had been a fun day. Uncle Snape
had let me go outside and play with another kid. He was really nice and we got
along great despite my little disability. His name was Jamie Lewis. I hope I
get to meet him again soon.
Suddenly I heard a knock on the door
and then my uncle appeared. He walked over to me and kissed my forehead. " Good
night," he said. He was about to leave but then turned back around. " I almost
forgot, we're gonna go to Diagon Ally tomorrow. School will be starting soon
and we have to get your things. Okay?"
I nodded and then he left my room. This
is going to be fun! I'm actually going to get my things for magic school. I'll
have my own robes and books, but what I want most is a wand! My very own wand…I
can't wait.
The
next Day…
I made sure to wake up bright and
early. Quickly, I put on my pink sundress with flowers embroidered on it and
ran downstairs only to find no one else up. He must still be asleep. I
wonder if I should go wake him up? It wouldn't be very nice…but I just can't
help myself!
I ran back up the stairs until I stood
outside of Uncle Snape's room. I thought for one last second but then opened
the door and jumped on the bed. I wasn't getting a response so I kept jumping
higher and higher.
Suddenly his eyes snapped open in
alarm. " What's going on?" he said looking around the room. Then his eyes
narrowed down on me. Out of the blue he grabbed me and pulled me down. The
strangest part was that he was laughing. I couldn't help but smile.
After a few minutes he sat up and
looked at me. " I'm up now, and I hope you're happy." Before he could continue
I nodded and smiled. " What is it you want anyway?"
I quickly reached for a paper and
jotted down something. When he read it he gave me a slight grin. " You want to
go THAT bad? Well, let me get ready and I'll be downstairs soon."
That was enough for me and I
triumphantly left the room and walked down the stairs.
Severus's
POV
Was I ever that excited to go shopping
for my school supplies? I don't think so. Oh well, this should be a very
interesting day. Hastily, I got dressed and joined Katie downstairs. When she
saw me a bright smile appeared on her face. It's strange how attached I feel
to her. I usually despise all of the children I meet. Something about her just…
I don't know, seems right.
" Well, we can
leave whenever you're ready," I said. As I had expected she quickly got up and
ran over to me. I then opened the door and we left.
When we got outside I went around the
back and grabbed my broom. " We're going to have to fly to get there," I
stated. For the first time after the accident, Katie's smile disappeared. I smiled
and put my hand on her shoulder. " Don't be scared. It's perfectly safe."
Suddenly my broom propped up and flew
into the air…with me still on it! " What the heck? This isn't supposed to
haaaappennnnn!" I yelled. We swerved and curved until finally I was able to
gain control and fell to the ground, my broom next to me. That's just great.
Katie was worried and that couldn't have-. When I looked over at Katie and
was about to say something to my surprise, she was smiling, looking as though
she was trying not to laugh.
" Not funny," I stated simply. I then
got back onto my broom and held out my hand for hers. " Come on, let's go." She
hesitated for a moment but then took my hand and I helped her on. I then
mumbled a few words and we rose off the ground.
As soon as we took off Katie grabbed
onto me tightly as if she were holding on for dear life. After we had been
flying for a little she loosened her grip slightly. Soon after, we arrived at
Diagon Ally.
I waited until Katie had gotten off
the broom and them used a spell to shrink it and placed it inside my pocket. I
then took hold of Katie's hand so she couldn't wander off and headed to the
first shop. As I looked down at my niece I couldn't help but smile at the look
of amazement on her face.
Katie's
POV
I can't believe I'm finally here! I've
waited for this day forever. For this time only I wish I had eyes all around my
head so I could see everything. Before we walked into the first shop I was able
to read the sign, " Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions." This is probably
where I'll get a uniform.
As we walked in a group of people
suddenly surrounded us. I couldn't help but feel a bit strange and held on
tighter to my uncle. All I could make out were the name's of my parents which
suddenly made me try to hear what they were saying. Suddenly I heard Uncle
Snape yelling to someone else and lifted me up. " Madam Malkin. Please, take
Katie to get her uniform. This crowd is too much."
With that, I was passed to a lady
stand in the back and then placed back on the floor. " Geez. You're only a
little girl. You'd think people would leave you alone."
I have to admit, I had no clue what
she was talking about and only gave her a confused look. As she looked back
down at me she laughed nervously and then smiled.
" Let me start over. Hello. My name's
Madam Malkin, I'll be the one to help fit you for your uniform at Hogwarts. Now
let me see…your very small…" she said trailing off. The next thing I know, she
had pulled out a measuring tape and was measuring my size. " Small indeed. I'll
have to adjust one of the small ones so it will fit."
Just then my uncle burst through the
back of the crowd and joined us. " My goodness, people need to learn to control
themselves," he said brushing of his robes.
Madam Malkin simply laughed and then
cleared her throat. "Professor Snape, it's been a long time since I last saw
you."
He nodded in agreement. " It has
hasn't it? I'm taking my niece around to get her school things."
" Now isn't that a nice thing to do,
so unlike you," she said laughing heartily. I couldn't help but crack a smile.
" Anyway, I must say she's very small. I have to make adjustments to one of our
small ones so it'll fit her. You'll have to come back later to pick it up."
" Alright, we'll come back after we
get the rest of her things. See you later," he replied taking my hand. Then we
left the shop and went to get my books.
A
While Later…
Severus's
POV
We finally had all of her books and
things. The last thing we needed to get was the wand. I kept that for last
because I know that's what she wanted the most.
As we entered the store I nearly had
to drag her to the counter away from all the wands. " Oh, Professor Snape! I
haven't seen you in ages…and who's this with you? Oh my…is it?"
Before her could continue I nodded. "
Please, you must keep this quiet. We've had to dodge huge crowds of people all
day."
The store owner winked at me and
Katie. " No problem. Now let's see…" he said coming out from behind the corner.
" Let's get this nice young lady a wand.
Katie smiled in delight and followed
the man over to a shelf containing many of the wands. I watched as one by one
he handed them to her and took them back. " No…not that one. Not that either.
Definitely no…YES! This is the one."
The wand left in her hand was 10
inches long. It was light pink and on the top was a yellow star.
Katie's
POV
I smiled brightly at the wand that had
chosen me. It's pretty and matches me perfectly. Now I finally have a wand that
I can call my own. I ran over to my uncle to show him and then hugged him.
I heard the owner laugh a bit and walk
back over to the counter. " I don't think I've ever seen someone so happy to
get a wand from my store."
My uncle laughed and paid for the
wand. " She's been this excited all day. I myself don't get it."
I simply smiled and jumped on his
back. After that we left the shop and walked back up to pick up my uniform.
Then after a long day of shopping we left to go home.
