Chapter 16: Diagon Alley
The morning of August 10, I got dressed, double checked my luggage, and ran to Lily's house. It was the morning of our trip to Diagon Alley, and this time, I was planning to rush Lily. I couldn't wait!
Petunia opened the door, a picture of haughtiness. "So you've come to take the freak to the nuthouse, eh, Magda?"
I rolled my eyes at her. "You know very well that I'm just as much a witch as she is, maybe more. Shame you're not jealous of me too."
Ignoring Petunia's scowl, I bounded up the stairs and threw open Lily's bedroom door. She was holding p two identical shirts with a look of despair on her face.
"Here we go again," I groaned to myself.
Thirty minutes later, we came into my house with Lily's stuff. My mother pulled them into the Floo fire, and then disapparated to Diagon Alley. We arrived a minute later, and immediately ran to the ice cream parlor. Then Lily and I split up- she went to Flourish and Blotts and I presumably ran to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Presumably.
After I saw Lily safely into the bookstore, I turned and raced down the winding alley that led to Knockturn Alley.
Severus Snape was waiting for me at the entrance. He had written a few days before to offer me a job at his father's store. It was only part time, and I wasn't being paid so well, but it was just a good excuse to look at everything in the store and spend time with Severus.
At the moment, he was chattering excitedly about the Pegasus 80 he was saving up for. The broom wasn't great, but Severus had never flown before, and didn't need a fancy racing broom.
"I've been saving up for three years, and now I think I can try out for the Slytherin Quidditch team! They've obviously lowered the bar, since Gryffindor let in Potter. Maybe I'll join the big annual Quidditch match at the end of the summer with Evan Rosier-"
"Wait," I interrupted. "What annual Quidditch match?"
Severus looked puzzled. "Don't you know? Last year's game was so entertaining, Mr. Clemens has agreed to sponsor another one. Everyone's getting into it, and you're one captain. Potter's the other."
My eyes widened. I hadn't realized that our pickup game of Quidditch last year would result in this…
"So can I be on your team?" Severus asked eagerly. I nodded mutely, trying to figure this out.
We worked in silence for a few minutes arranging the display window, when Severus spoke. "Last year, you got BB for your birthday. When is it?"
I was startled by how considerate he was. "Actually, tomorrow. I may not be able to work for long, because my mother will want to spend the day together. Why'd you ask?"
Severus shrugged. "Just wondering. Then he changed the subject and I didn't pursue it further. I told him about Volde, and to my surprise, he was fascinated.
"A loyal snake without being a Parselmouth is something I've never heard of before," he said in wonder.
I laughed, enjoying his attentions.
The rest of the day passed as a blur. At two o'clock, I left Knockturn Alley and met Lily at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. Then, we spent the afternoon discussing strategies for the Quidditch game. Lily hated Quidditch, but wasn't bad at it and didn't mind being on my team. We knew that James would win, but we were willing to put up a fight.
The next morning, I woke up to a very off-key "Happy Birthday" by my mum. We went with Lily to London, and then my mother took out a tiny silver locket.
I opened it and saw my parents waving at me from the frame.
"So you don't forget your roots," my mother said seriously. I shrugged. My mum tended to say strange things like that at times. Some people thought that she had the Sight, but all of her predictions were far off and had never been proven correct.
"Thanks, Mum," I said, smiling.
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The next day, at Knockturn Alley, Severus brought out a wrapped box.
"Thank you!" I said awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
"Go on, open it!" Severus urged. I unwrapped the package and opened it.
"A music box?" How… unlike Severus.
He beamed. "I found it in the back of the store, and bought it. D'you like it?"
"Of course I do!" I grinned.
As I returned to Diagon Alley a few hours later, I saw Lily down the block and caught up to her.
"I went to Quality Quidditch Supplies today to get you a birthday present," she told me quietly. "I dropped by the field in back to see how you were doing…" she stopped speaking. She didn't have to say anymore, just raised an eyebrow.
"I must've been in the magical Menagerie then," I lied.
"Mr. Clemens said he hasn't seen you all summer," she said. "Alright, where have you been?"
"Knockturn Alley," I confessed, trying not to look at Lily's stunned face. "I've got a job there, and friends."
"Like who?" Lily demanded.
"Severus Snape," I told her. "If I bring you along one time, will you keep quiet?"
Lily sighed and nodded.
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The next day, instead of working, Severus and I took Lily on a trip through Knockturn Alley. Unlike my fascination, her reaction to most of it was disgust. Yet another difference of ours.
At three o'clock, we were heading back, when we came face-to-face with Lucius Malfoy, Nott, and Goyle.
"Well, well," Lucius sneered, "a mudblood out of her natural habitat. Best beware!" He spun around and shouted, "Mudblood! Mudblood!"
The entire street went silent, and some of the pedestrians took out their wands. I fled, pulling Lily after me.
Hexes came at us in every direction. It was impossible to dodge them all, and a stray one hit me, making my nose grow about eight inches. Raucous laughter coming from every corner of Knockturn Alley spooked me, and Severus's frightened face was a relief.
But then he drew his wand too, and I felt a wash of betrayal. Pointing it at Lily and me, he muttered something.
I ran, but it hit me anyway. In a matter of seconds, my hands grew into wings and I shrunk to an owl's height. I looked behind me and spotted a horned owl. I knew instantly that it was Lily, and I was a second owl. Severus had transfigured us.
Not wasting any time, I took off. Flying without aid was a wonderful feeling, and I spent the flight from Diagon Alley trying not to ruin it by thinking how Severus was able to use such power.
Both of us returned to the Leaky Cauldron and spent half an hour explaining nonverbally to my mum what had happened so she could change us back. Even for an experienced witch like her, it took all night.
Later, Lily made me promise that I wouldn't go back to Knockturn Alley. I agreed, since it was ruined for me any way now that people would be on the lookout for me. Well, there were only fourteen days left to the summer. I'd find a way to keep busy- especially with the Quidditch match in less than two weeks and the Marauders coming to Diagon Alley in three days…
