Chapter 3

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.