A/N: Sorry for the long wait on this (well, compared to how quickly the other chapters were posted). Not much longer now... probably another two chapters and an epilogue... then this story will be done. I've already got the ending written out in my head. And it's a nifty ending, too. So... enjoy chapter six! (This is where the characters start getting slightly more OOC...)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HP stuff. Get used to it.


Chapter 6: Shopping, or Why Snape Will Never Volunteer Again

Thursday and Friday passed much the same as Wednesday had for the three newest residents of Hogwart's. Amy spent the majority of her time down in the dungeons, assisting Professor Snape with his classes, and when she was not with Snape, she was most often found in front of the portrait of Salazar Slytherin, conversing (alternatingly) in English and Parseltongue.

Eleanor was most often found in and around the Defense classroom, helping Potter with classes, or chatting up the portraits that line the corridors of the school. Cassandra spent her time trying to familiarize herself with the layout of the castle and chatting with Professor Lupin.


Amy watched the sun rise on Saturday morning from the window of her bedroom. It was a breathtaking sight to see the sun rising slowly, casting it's light over the Hogwart's grounds. She soon lost track of time, and was only brought back to reality by a rapping at her door. "Tempus est," she whispered. A green mist slowly formed numbers in front of her eyes – 0703. Amy grinned, He's three minutes late.

She hurried to her door, already dressed for the day. Amy had been too excited to sleep that well, and she was getting used to rising early anyways. Snape had taken to waking her up at seven A.M. sharp the past two mornings, but she didn't really mind. She swung the door open just as Snape was going to knock again. "Good morning, Professor."

He regarded her warily, "Good morning, Ms. MacLeod." She grinned at him. "You are... ready to go then, I presume?"

"Yes, Professor... But, I was thinking... since the shops in the Alley don't open until eight anyways, why don't you and I take an early breakfast in the Great Hall and let the others sleep a bit longer?"

Snape stared at her for a few moments before nodding once. "Alright. I suppose that will not hinder our plans for the day. Come along then." He spun on his heel and began to make his way down the stairs, not even pausing to see if Amy was following him.


At 7:45 Snape and Amy returned to the Teacher's Tower. Snape went to wake Cassie and Ella up, and sent Amy to go wake up Potter. Amy headed up the two extra flights of stairs up to Potter's level in the Tower. She glanced around the quad, noting the names on the doors. Potter lived in the same quad as Lupin and McGonagall – there was one empty room on their level.

Amy approached the door labeled "Harry Potter" and knocked lightly. After waiting a few moments for a response, and receiving none, she knocked a lot harder. Almost immediately the door swung open, revealing a shirtless Harry Potter brandishing his wand. She giggled, "Sorry to have startled you, Professor Potter, but Professor Snape sent me to wake you up."

Potter blinked, momentarily confused. "What time is it?"

"7:52. We're supposed to leave to Diagon Alley in a few minutes."

"Oh." He disappeared inside his rooms, but left the door open. Amy could hear him grumbling, something about sadistic Potions Masters and how Saturdays are for sleeping. She grinned, but hid her smiled when the Defense Professor reappeared. "Right. Let's go."

They quickly went down the stairs to the Teacher's common room, where Snape, Eleanor, and (a rather pissed off) Cassie were waiting. The Potions Master sneered at Potter for a moment before turning to the fireplace. "The Headmaster has instructed us to floo to one of the shops in Diagon Alley. From there we will do our shopping, and we will have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron. After that we will proceed back here. Any questions?"

"Yeah," Cassie glared at Snape, "what shop are we 'flooing' to?"

Harry grinned. "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes." Amy and Ella nodded in understanding, but Cassie just stared at him blankly for a moment before shrugging.

Snape grabbed a handful of floo powder and tossed it into the flames. He stepped into the green fire, "Number 22 Diagon Alley!" And he was gone.


"Hey, Harry!"

"How you been, mate?"

"So what's the verdict..."

"...on the Lion Lemons? And..."

"...who are these three..."

"...gorgeous ladies?"

"Jesus Christ. That's creepy." Everyone turned to look at Cassie, who was dusting off the last bits of ash and floo powder from her clothes. "At least they have an excuse, since they're twins, but it's even creepier when Ella and Amy do it."

Amy smirked and turned to the Weasley twins. She held her hand out to the one on her right, "Hello, Fred. I'm Amy MacLeod, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

Fred Weasley shook her hand, unable to mask his surprise. "Blimey, how'd you know I was Fred?"

Amy shared a look with Ella, who nodded slightly, "Auras. Yours is sort of a sky blue, while George's is more of a royal blue. And... I just knew."

Snape sneered at Amy, "There are an awful lot of things you 'just know', Ms. MacLeod."

"I know, Professor Snape." She smirked at his look of utter annoyance.

"Anyways," Harry stepped up to the twins, "this is Eleanor Jolie, and Cassandra Graustark. They're going to be teaching assistant's this year at Hogwart's."

"That's great, mate..." Fred began.

"...but that still doesn't explain," George continued.

"...how she," Fred gestured to Amy.

"...can tell us apart." George folded his arms over his chest.

"Well, Fred usually begins sentences." Eleanor looked to Amy, who nodded. Ella smiled, "And George usually ends them. So, since Amy and I both know that, we're able to tell the two of you apart immediately. Plus... once Amy knew the difference, she was able to read your auras, and now will always be able to tell you apart on sight."

"How'd you guys know about how we talk?" Fred stared at them intensely.

Snape cleared his throat, "The short explanation is that they are from another dimension where this world is fictional. They happen to be familiar with that fictional world. Extremely familiar, in fact." He folded his arms across his chest, "Now, if you want more information, I suggest you speak with Potter, or Granger, at a later time. We have things to do."

The twins watched Snape stalk through their shop and out into the Alley, followed closely by Amy, who waved at them as she left. Ella shrugged and smiled at the twins before following Snape and Amy. Cassie followed Ella without so much as a second glance at the Weasleys. "You know," Harry said as he turned to leave, "with Amy's hair being as red as it is, she could be an honorary Weasley." He grinned at the twins, "She's certainly got a mischievous streak in her that reminds me of the two of you." He hugged the twins and promised to visit them again soon before heading out of the shop and catching up with the group.


Shopping in Diagon Alley wasn't nearly as much fun as the three girls had intended it to be. Snape was rather snippy about the whole thing, and was even more irritable after Cassie reminded him that he volunteered to be there.

Snape ushered them through most of the shops as quickly as possible. They went from Madam Malkin's to Flourish & Blott's, from the apothecary to Quality Quidditch Supplies (much to Snape's chagrin).

Around eleven in the morning they were finally done getting their supplies, save for a trip to Ollivander's. Snape had put it off for last, thinking that it would take the longest. However, he was quite mistaken.

"Ah, I have been expecting you three ladies for some time... though I didn't think I would see you this soon." Ollivander appeared from within the stacks of his shop, startling Potter slightly. The shopkeeper smiled his strange smile and disappeared momentarily.

Cassie glanced at Ella and Amy, "Is he supposed to be this creepy?" Ella and Amy nodded to their friend, and it took most of Snape's willpower to suppress the smile he felt tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Ollivander returned quickly, holding three boxes that were absolutely encrusted with dust. He pulled out a handkerchief and brushed some of the offending filth away. Snape stared at the boxes, rather entranced. He'd never seen any other boxes like this in the shop, and Snape had been in this shop more than a time or two. The three boxes Ollivander laid out on his counter were each black with a metallic design embossed on the covers. The distinguishing characteristics for each box were the color of the embossed pattern, and the design of the pattern itself.

The first box had a rather rune-like design to it in a deep forest green. The second box had various Celtic knots and designs done in silver on it, and the third box had a rather Asian design done in gold. Snape looked on curiously as Ollivander picked up the first box and opened the lid. He reverently picked up the wand and held it out to Cassandra. She eyed him warily before taking it. The moment she touched the wand, however, a green glow enveloped her.

"Ah, yes... The wand is made from the Yggdrasil, 12 and ½ inches long... The core is made up of hair from each of the Norns... A very powerful wand indeed." He smiled eerily.

Cassie stared at Ollivander for a moment before inspecting her wand carefully. "Uhm... yeah. Thanks. Cool." Snape sneered. Of course the girl had no idea of the significance of the wand. The Yggdrasil had been destroyed long ago, and the Norns had died with their tree. Cassandra was holding a treasure, but seemed completely oblivious to that fact.

The wand-maker picked up the second box, the one with the silver embossed lid, and opened it carefully. He carefully took the wand out of the box and gave it to Amy. A silver glow surrounded her as she grasped her wand, and she grinned. Ollivander smiled brightly, "Yes. Quite a rare treasure, isn't it, Ms. MacLeod? Made from the most sacred Black Bamboo... 11 and ¾ inches... the core contains a feather from a Storm Phoenix. Quite rare indeed... You'll take good care of it, won't you?"

"Of course, Mr. Ollivander." Snape stared at the girl in barely concealed shock. He wondered if she knew exactly how rare a wand made of Black Bamboo was... the wood was said to be too magical to use to focus spells with... it was very rare indeed to find someone with a functioning Black Bamboo wand. Add to that the rarity of finding a Storm Phoenix (a black phoenix with silver and blue trim to it's feathers), and actually getting a Storm Phoenix to give a feather to a wand-maker...

Snape was startled out of his thoughts by Ollivander taking the final wand out of it's box. He held it out to Eleanor, who took it and was surrounded by a golden glow. Ollivander smiled brightly, "Made from the purest Crepe Myrtle I've ever seen... 10 and ¼ inches, with heartstring of a Chinese Fireball dragon in it's core. It will serve you well, Ms. Jolie."

Eleanor curtsied to Ollivander, who shuffled back behind his counter. Snape was now openly gawking at the girls. Eleanor's wand was made from Crepe Myrtle!! Crepe Myrtle was as volatile as Black Bamboo when it came to channeling magic... and not to mention that Chinese Fireball dragons were nearly extinct.

Snape was startled out of his shocked silence as Ollivander began to shuffle towards the back of his shop. "Mr. Ollivander," the Potions Master called, "what will the cost of the wands be?"

Ollivander turned that creepy smile on Snape, "Oh, no cost, Mr. Snape. Those wands were always meant for these ladies, and I cannot accept payment for them. Now, run along, children. Have a good day." And then the shopkeeper disappeared between the rows of shelves.


Lunch at the Leaky Cauldron was a rather subdued affair. Eleanor, Cassie, and Harry were conversing quietly on one side of the booth, while Snape and Amy were sitting in silence across from them. Snape was lost in his thoughts, and Amy knew better than to interrupt the comfortable silence between them.

The peace and quiet didn't last long, however. "Remus!" Potter's voice startled Snape out of his musings, and he glared across the table at his colleague. Luckily, Potter wasn't paying any attention to him. Instead, Potter was standing motioning for Lupin to come and join them. "Remus," Potter said as Lupin sunk down next to Amy in the booth, "what are you doing here?"

"Well," Lupin smiled at Cassie, "the Headmaster thought that you'd be having lunch right about now... and he thought that perhaps after lunch, since our three new colleagues will be with us for a while, that they might enjoy a quick trip out into Muggle London for some more new clothes.

"Shopping!" Cassie grinned, "Awesome! You and me, Remmy, we're hitting the town!"

Snape glared at the werewolf on the other side of Amy, "Well, I most certainly will not be joining you."

Lupin coughed, trying to hide his smile, "I'm afraid that Albus insists, Severus. He said it would be best for us to split up into three groups... since Amy, Eleanor, and Cassandra each have very different tastes." Snape raised an eyebrow at Lupin, "And he was thinking that perhaps you could accompany Amy, as he believes you two have similar tastes... and he also said, I believe, that 'Severus will be able to tolerate Amy the most'."

The Potions Master continued to glare at Lupin, but finally sighed. "Very well. Let's get this over with." He rose, as did the rest of the group.

Lupin reached into one of his pockets and pulled out three small pieces of plastic. He held one out to Eleanor, then one to Cassie, and finally one to Amy. "The Headmaster set these up this morning, one for each of you in your names... He said to, and I quote, 'use them freely'... so I guess he doesn't mind if you rack up a huge bill." Lupin grinned and offered his arm to Cassie. "Shall we, Cassandra?"

"Yes, Remus, we shall." Lupin and Cassie exited the Leaky Cauldron to Muggle London.

Eleanor and Potter looked at Snape. "You know, Severus," Potter began, "you can't go into Muggle London like that."

Snape glared at them, "Oh?"

Amy grinned and brandished her wand, "No, Professor. You definitely can't go out in those robes. A definite fashion faux pas in the Muggle world..." Eleanor giggled.

"What about you three?" Snape gestured at them.

"We're already in Muggle type clothes... notice the lack of robes?" Eleanor glared right back at the Potions Master.

"No need to worry though, Professor Snape." Amy waved her wand casually, and giggled as Snape's robes quickly changed into black dress slacks and a black oxford shirt. "There. Now you look more Muggle."

He glared fiercely at Amy, "Never. Ever. Point. Your. Wand. At. Me. Again."

She winked at him and looped her arm through his. "Of course, sir." Amy dragged him out into Muggle London without a second glance back at Eleanor and Potter.


Cassie and Lupin soon found their way to a vintage clothing store. The shopkeeper would later tell one of her friends that she'd never had a better day of business, and it was all because of one customer.

Eleanor and Potter wound up in a rather eclectic looking clothing shop, full of flowing, unique looking materials. Potter was coerced into trying on clothes, but found that he rather liked the way he looked in this style, and soon both Eleanor and Potter had their hands full of bags.

Amy and Snape made their way to some small, out of the way shops. Snape found Amy's choice of clothing rather odd – pants that had zippers all over them; shirts that laced up the sides; bands of studded leather to wear as a bracelet. Almost all the clothes Amy picked out were black, with a few silver, blue, and green items thrown in. Snape said nothing disparaging about her taste in clothing, and secretly he would have liked to try on some of those zipper-full pants.


They returned to Hogwart's by floo from the Leaky Cauldron in the middle of that Saturday afternoon. The girls went up to their rooms to unpack their things, leaving Lupin, Potter, and Snape in the common room of the Teacher's Tower. Snape sneered at his colleagues before leaving the Tower – presumably to go down to his dungeons.

Lupin grinned at Potter, "Did you have a good time, today?"

Potter nodded enthusiastically, "Eleanor and I had a wonderful time shopping in Muggle London."

Lupin nudged Potter, "You better watch yourself, Harry." Potter arched an eyebrow at his friend and colleague, and Lupin grinned again. "If you end up hurting her, Amy and Cassandra will be out for your blood."

"What? What in the world are you talking about?"

"I can smell it, you know," Lupin winked. "You may try to deny your attraction to Eleanor, but I can tell. It's one of the only things that a werewolf's heightened senses are really good for."

Potter blushed furiously, "Oh yeah? Well what about you and Cassie? I mean, I thought you fancied blokes!"

"Oh, I do, Harry." The older man smiled, "And she knows that. She said she could tell... and we talk... we're friends. Nothing more than that."

"I see," Potter regarded him warily. "There's something else you're not saying."

Lupin chuckled, "That's right. I know something you don't, and it'll drive you mad."

Potter playfully punched Lupin in the shoulder, "Come on, man, out with it!"

Lupin leaned closer to Potter in a rather conspiratorial manner. "Snape," he whispered, "is beginning to develop an attachment to Amy."

"No way." Potter stared at Lupin, dumbfounded. "There's no way that greasy git's got a heart!"

The werewolf chuckled again, "And that's where you're wrong, Harry."


A/N: Whee! That was a fun chapter... So, like I said before, just another chapter or two... and then an epilogue. Then this silly story will be done, and I'll be able to get back to my other fics! Heh. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. See you next chapter!