It's short, I know. But I'm finally writing again (got inspired by a friend) so hopefully more will be coming soon.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter copyright belongs to the wonderful, brilliant JK Rowling

Chapter 5

Theo took a step back releasing Blaise's shirt, his hand coming up to rub his cheek where Blaise had struck him, a look of shock on his face.

"Don't touch me" Blaise said venomously, his fists clenched at his sides.

Theo's eyes narrowed as his hand went from his face to reach inside his robes.

"You're going to pay for that" he said pointing his wand at Blaise's face.

"What do you think you're doing?"

All three children froze and then slowly turned to face the angry voice. Approaching them was a tall, thin woman her eyes on Blaise.

"Your son hit me Mrs. Zabini."

"What?"

"He grabbed my shirt mum, he was threatening me and he called me pathetic."

Her face turned even angrier as she stopped to stand in front of Blaise "perhaps he's right, fighting in pubic with your fists like some barbaric muggle. You know better."

"But…"

"How dare you embarrass me like that"

Blaise lowered his eyes "I'm sorry Mother"

"Now wait a minute" Nequam jumped in. "That ain't fare. He was messin' with us" pointing at Theo "Blaise didn't do nothin' wrong."

Mrs. Zabini turned her cold eyes to Nequam. "You dare speak to me in such a way?"

Nequam's eyes widen as she stumbled backward dropping the book in her arms. "I- I - …"

"Who do you think you are you little piece of…"

"What's going on here?"

Snape stepped into the row his eyes sweeping over the four of them before coming to rest on Nequam.

"Are you alright?"

Nequam gives a jerky nod as she takes a small step towards him.

His eyes turn back to Mrs. Zabini, "Hello Shelby"

"Severus. What are you doing here?"

"Buying books" he said as if talking to an idiot.

She tensed and opened her mouth to reply but Snape cut her off.

Turning to Theo he said, "Don't you have somewhere else to be Theodore? Or do I need to tell your father what you've been up to?"

Theo looked from Snape to Blaise, then looking back to Snape he said "No Professor, I was just leaving." He turned and started walking toward the front of the store, disappearing from view.

"Severus -" Mrs. Zabini started again but he ignored her and turned to Blaise "What happened here?"

"Nothing Professor, Nequam and I were just looking at books when he came up and tried to start a fight" Blaise said trying to calm down.

"And you stuck him? You're a Pureblood wizard Mr. Zabini, not some common muggle, you should act like it." Snape said harshly

"Now see here Severus" said Mrs. Zabini red faced "I'm quite capable of disciplining my own child"

Snape looked back to her "Very well, I say leave you to it."

"Come Nequam" he said turning back to the front of the store, not bothering to look back to see if she was following.

She hurried after him, glancing over her shoulder back at the Zabini's. Mrs. Zabini looked quite irritated, but Blaise gave her a smile and a slight nod. She smiled back then hurried after Snape.

The rest of their trip to Diagon alley was quick and uneventful. Snape was eager to return to Hogwarts and end this little babysitting adventure. He led Nequam into the Leaky Cauldron planning on using their floo power fireplace to travel back to Hogwarts. A few of the witches and wizards in the pub gave them curious looks wondering what Severus Snape was doing with a small child but none of them were brave enough to question him.

"We need to use your fireplace" Snape said addressing the barman.

"Of course Professor" as he gestured to a corner where a small fireplace could be seen.

The barman looked just as curious about the strange looking girl with Snape, but like his patrons he stayed silent.

Snape approached the fireplace with Nequam on his heels. He stopped in front of it and looked down at her.

"Witches and wizards can use floo powder to travel between any fireplace that is connected to the network" he explained.

"Hogwarts has been temporarily connected so that we may travel though. Normally a child of your age would travel by themselves, but I have no desire for any mishaps. Therefore we will be traveling together"

He turned and grabbed a hand full of powder and stepped into the fireplace, motioning for Nequam to do the same. After she was firmly at his side, he threw the powder down and in a clear voice said "Hogwarts Medical Ward" and in a rush of green smoke, they vanished.