My dad had decided we would go to Diagon Alley the next day to buy everything I needed for the new school year. We apparated in the alley we used to avoid Muggles noticing us; it has always been the perfect place to use magic without being seen, as it's in between two tall buildings, casting the alley in shadows, and besides, no one ever comes around here because of the awful smell courtesy of the piles of garbage bags lying around everywhere.

We apparated near the Leaky Cauldron, walking towards the pub when we ran into Hermione and her parents.

"Eileen!"

"Hermione!"

I ran up to her and hugged her, the both of us laughing. The both of us entered the pub, ignoring our parents, and walked straight to the entrance to Diagon Alley. I took out my wand and was about to tap the bricks on the wall when Hermione grabbed my hand.

"What are you doing? You know we can't use our wands outside of school!"

"I know, but there's no problem using it here. Look." I touched the bricks in the correct order, and the wall began to move, revealing the streets and shops of Diagon Alley. "See? Nothing happened."

Hermione stood still for a few seconds, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw that nothing happened.

"I have to admit, it's good to know this. I thought I would have to ask for someone to help me to get in. But I thought they knew when someone used magic?"

"They do, but only that someone used it, not exactly who did it. In a place like this, it's basically impossible to know it."

"So, if I use magic at home, they'll know it was me because I'm the only witch... Is that true, Professor Snape?"

Hermione looked back to ask my dad.

"That is correct." My dad said. "The Ministry can only detect magical activity near an underage wizard or witch, but they can't tell if they are the ones performing the magic or not."

"That's… So unfair! I mean, you've been doing magic all summer, then?" When I nodded, she became more upset, which made me laugh. "I've been studying the theory of spells this whole summer because we can't use magic! I was even afraid to touch my wand! And now you're telling me I could have avoided all that if I had just been in a magical household?"

"Yep," I said with a smile, popping the 'p'. "By the way, where are we going?"

"We need to exchange our Muggle money for wizarding money."

As soon as we climbed the stairs of Gringotts, Mrs Granger exclaimed, and we all turned to see what she had seen.

It was none other than Harry, accompanied by Hagrid. I wondered why Mrs Granger was surprised. Do they also know about Harry in the Muggle world? Oh, how silly of me. They probably had never seen someone as tall as Hagrid before.

"Harry! Harry! Over here!" Hermione said, running down the stairs. I calmly descended the stairs, not wanting to trip and make a fool of myself in front of everyone. When I reached them, I greeted them by waving my hand slightly. "What happened to your glasses? Hello Hagrid! Are you also going to Gringotts?"

"Yes, as soon as I can find the Weasleys."

"Oh, you won't have to wait long," Hagrid said, looking behind us. When we turned around, we saw the Weasleys running toward us. Ron, Fred, George, Percy, and Mr Weasley were all heading in our direction.

"Harry!" Mr Weasley said, panting and trying to catch his breath. "Molly is desperate. We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far…"

"Where did you come out?" Ron asked Harry.

"Knockturn Alley."

"Excellent!" the twins said at the same time. It still gives me chills whenever they do that.

"We've never been allowed to go there."

"And for good reason," Hagrid said, annoyed.

"It's not a big deal," I told the twins and Ron. At that moment, Mrs Weasley appeared and approached Harry, brushing him off with a brush.

"Have you been there before?" George asked. Envy and astonishment were evident on Fred's and Ron's faces.

"Yes, I bought a couple of books there."

"What a nerd," Fred said, smiling, and I punched him on the shoulder. "It's good to see you again, mini Snape."

"Likewise, I missed both of you."

"Well, I have to go," Hagrid said. "I'll see yer at Hogwarts!"

"I bet you can't guess who I saw at Borgin and Burkes," Harry said as he, Ron, Hermione, and I started climbing the stairs to Gringotts. "Malfoy and his father."

"If there was something wrong with going to that place, it wouldn't even exist in Diagon Alley in the first place," I said, but apparently, no one heard me.

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy something?" Mr Weasley asked. When Harry told him he had gone to sell, Mr Weasley smiled with satisfaction. "So, he's worried. Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something…"

"Be careful, Arthur," Mrs Weasley said as we entered the bank, where I saw my dad still with Hermione's parents at the counters. "That family is very dangerous. Don't make a wrong move."

I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable when I heard that. Not only because they were calling my family dangerous, but also because Uncle Lucius had asked me to take some books home as a precaution. Does that make me dangerous too? Just because I'm interested in some books?

I decided to walk away from them and go with my dad, who was talking to one goblin. When I walked away from them, I could swear I felt their eyes on me, but I chose to ignore them and keep walking.

"Sorry for wandering off."

"I thought you'd prefer to be with your friends."

I didn't say anything. I just followed him and the goblin into the narrow stone passage at the end of the atrium and boarded the cart that had arrived as soon as the goblin whistled. I could see Harry and the Weasleys coming behind us, but since the torches didn't illuminate much, I don't think they saw me.

We quickly arrived at vault 791. We weren't as rich as the Malfoys (who had like a million vaults full of Galleons), but we had several piles of Galleons in our vault. My dad put the necessary Galleons in a bag for me to buy what I needed, and we left Gringotts.

First, we went to Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary in Knockturn Alley to buy some potion ingredients that I was missing and a couple of things he needed to buy. My dad didn't let go of my hand the whole time we were there; from the moment we entered the alley until we left.

He bought me a vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and then we went to Quality Quidditch Supplies to see the brooms. It was easy to see the brooms from the shop windows because even though everyone was crowding in front of the glass, making it difficult to see things, as soon as they saw my dad, the students who already knew him moved away and told those who hadn't started yet to stay away from him. It was impossible not to laugh a little. I should definitely use this fear to my advantage.

"Are you planning to join the Quidditch team?"

"I don't know. I'm not good, and besides, there are no spots available on the team."

I think my dad felt relieved that I didn't want to join the team. He never liked me flying, and Uncle Lucius told me that he didn't like heights either when he was at Hogwarts (he told me he even cried during his first flying lesson, but I don't know if I should believe him, and I've never had the courage to ask my dad. I still want to live, thank you very much).

We went to Flourish and Blotts and were surprised to see a crowd of people gathering there. When we managed to reach the front, we found out why.

GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
today 12:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

"I can't believe it! Dad! Look! Look!" I said while tugging at my dad's right arm sleeve to get his attention. "Gilderoy is just a couple of meters away from me! I must get his autograph!"

"I'm not going inside, let alone go see him."

"Please! Please! Please! Besides, we still have the books left to buy."

"We can come back tomorrow to buy them when the store is empty."

"But I want to go in today! I want to meet Gilderoy Lockhart, please, daddy, let's go in."

My dad pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I'll be waiting for you at the Leaky Cauldron." He handed me the bag with the remaining galleons and walked away from the crowd. The problem with him leaving is that now I won't have anyone to scare people and let us pass, so I had to resort to elbowing people.

When I got inside, I took all the books on the list and went to pay for them. If I'm lucky, maybe I can line up multiple times and have Lockhart sign all my books.

"Hey." I turned around and saw Draco leaning against the staircase railing, so I had to twist my neck a little to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Buying the books," I said, lifting the bag with all my books. "What about you?"

"Accompanying my father on some important errands."

"Sure..." I knew those 'important errands' meant selling things at Borgin and Burkes, which were probably illegal, but I chose to stay quiet.

"Isn't that Harry Potter?"

Someone exclaimed, and people started whispering. I saw someone grab the arm of the person I assumed was Harry (since they were facing away, and I couldn't see his face). When they turned around, I saw that it was Lockhart who had grabbed Harry's arm, and a photographer began taking several photos of them.

"Oh, this is going to be good."

I don't know when Draco had come downstairs, but now he was by my side, and I realised how much he had grown over the summer. We used to be the same height, but now I reached a little above his shoulder.

"Don't make a scene, Draco."

"Sometimes you're no fun, Leen."

I punched him on the shoulder and sat at a small table behind me to get a better view of what was happening.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart said loudly, raising his hand to ask for silence. "This is a glorious moment! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography, which I shall be happy to present him now, free of charge."

I started applauding along with the crowd. Draco turned to look at me and laughed, so I slapped him on the shoulder and put my hands on my lap.

"What he didn't know is that he will receive much more than just my book, 'Magical Me', but Harry and his schoolmates will have my presence this school year. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that starting in September, I will be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

Everyone started applauding, and I had to restrain myself from joining in. I didn't want Draco to bother me for the rest of the summer because of it.

"Is that idiot really going to be our new professor? Hogwarts gets worse every year. They should have sent us to Durmstrang instead."

I saw Harry give Ginny, the youngest Weasley, the books that Lockhart had given him. At that moment, Draco moved away from me and approached them, so I followed him to try to avoid a fight between the two of them.

"You loved it, didn't you, Potter? The famous Harry Potter can't even go to a bookstore without wanting to be the centre of attention."

"Leave him alone," Ginny said. "He didn't ask for this."

"Potter, you've already found yourself a girlfriend!"

"Draco, leave them alone," I said, putting my hand on his arm, trying to pull him away, but obviously I couldn't. Ginny turned completely red while Ron and Hermione approached us.

"Oh, it's you." Ron said. "Surprised to see Harry here, aren't you?"

"Not as surprised as seeing you in a store. I guess your parents will go hungry for a month to buy all this."

"Draco, that's enough!"

Ron seemed like he was about to fight Draco, but Harry and Hermione held him back, while Mr Weasley approached us with Fred and George behind him.

"Ron, what are you doing? Let's go outside. There are too many people here."

At that moment, I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned my head and saw that it was my uncle Lucius, who also had a hand on Draco's shoulder. Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?

"Well, well... Arthur Weasley."

"Lucius," Mr Weasley said, looking at my uncle coldly.

"I've heard there's a lot of work at the Ministry, with so many raids... I suppose they at least pay you overtime." He took a book from Ginny's cauldron, a very old and worn-out copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Clearly not. Tell me, what's the point of dishonouring the wizarding name if they don't even pay you well for it?"

I tried to distance myself from them. I really didn't want the Weasleys to think I'm like those two, but as soon as I tried to move, my uncle's hand gripped my shoulder tighter, so I stayed there, looking at the ground.

"We have a very different idea of what it means to dishonour a wizard's name, Malfoy."

"Clearly, judging by the company you keep..." My uncle said, I turned to see where he was looking, and it was right where Hermione's parents were. "I thought you couldn't sink any lower."

I was about to say something when Mr Weasley lunged at my uncle and started hitting him. Someone hit me on the shoulder with their elbow, and it hurt so much that I think I might have a bruise. Draco approached me and took hold of my arm, pulling me away from the fight.

"See what your beloved friends are like? Savages who resort to violence at the first opportunity they get." Draco said while looking at Fred and George, who were shouting words of encouragement to Mr Weasley.

"He wouldn't have done that if your father hadn't insulted them."

"My father simply spoke the truth."

I jerked my arm abruptly to make him let go. Hagrid managed to separate my uncle and Mr Weasley after wading through a sea of books.

My uncle had a swollen eye. It seemed like a book had hit him in the eye. He returned Ginny her Transfiguration book and put it back in the cauldron.

"Take it, girl. It's the best your father can give you."

My uncle broke free from Hagrid's grip and gestured for Draco and me to follow him. I stood there, looking at the Weasleys. I truly wanted to apologise, but the hatred in their eyes, even Fred's, stopped me. All I could do was mumble an apology before Draco took my hand and dragged me out of the store.

"They act like animals," my uncle said as soon as we were away from the store. "They're a disgrace to wizards."

"You had no reason to insult them, Uncle. I would also hit anyone who insulted my family."

My uncle stopped and turned to look at me, a look of disgust on his face.

"You and your father have never known how to choose better friends." My uncle gave me a slight push with his cane, in which he always kept his wand hidden, on the shoulder that had been hit. Obviously, it hurt, so I started rubbing it with my hand. "I'm disappointed. We thought we had raised you better, but hopefully, when you grow up, you'll realise that being close to that kind of people will only bring you misfortune, just as your father had to learn. Draco, let's go."

My uncle started walking toward Knockturn Alley, but Draco stayed looking at me.

"Are you okay? Your shoulder... I saw something hit you in the bookstore."

"As if you cared."

I walked away from him and headed towards the Leaky Cauldron. I had already made my dad wait for too long, and I was sure he would be angry. On the way, I felt my eyes filling with tears, so I tried to wipe them away as quickly as I could with my hands.

"Eileen, wait."

Upon hearing Fred's voice, I started walking faster. I was about to enter the Leaky Cauldron when he grabbed my arm.

"Fred, let go of me."

"No, it's just that..."

"What? Was it not enough for you and your entire family to look at us with so much hatred? Do you also want to come and tell me how horrible my family is or how dangerous we are?"

"No! Of course not! Well... My parents don't know what kind of person you are because they don't know you, and... Well, they worry because you always say that the Malfoys are your family, even though you're not a Malfoy. And since you didn't try to do anything in the bookstore and—"

"What could I have done against two adults fighting? Even the staff couldn't do anything! Hagrid had to separate them!"

I managed to free myself from Fred's grip and pushed him away. I entered the Leaky Cauldron and searched for my dad. He was sitting in front of the bar, and as soon as he saw me, he stood up and knelt to be at my eye level.

"What happened?" he asked.

"C-Can we... Can we go home first?" I stammered.

He looked into my eyes for a few seconds, but I don't think he was trying to invade my mind. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs and nodded. He stood up and placed a hand on my back, leading me to the exit of the bar. At that moment, I saw the Weasleys near the fireplace, using Floo powder. Fred saw me and smiled, but I chose to ignore him and looked away.

When we finally arrived home, I sat on the sofa without even trying to go to my room. I hugged one cushion and started crying. My dad sat beside me and placed his hand on my head, stroking it in an attempt to calm me down.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" he asked.

"We were in Flourish and Blotts... I was with Draco, and he started arguing with Harry. Then my uncle Lucius arrived, and he started insulting Mr Weasley, and... He got so angry that he started hitting him. I don't know how, but one of them ended up hitting me on the shoulder. Hagrid managed to separate them, and Draco dragged me outside the store, where I argued with my uncle, and... Well, he said some very unpleasant things."

"When I was about to enter the Leaky Cauldron," I continued, "Fred grabbed my arm, and we argued, too. He blamed me for not saying anything, but what could I have done? Why was I the one who had to do something?"

I turned to look at my dad, and I felt tears welling up again. He offered me a handkerchief, and I blew my nose with it.

"Why can't my life be normal? Why can't I have a family that people aren't afraid of and say are dangerous?"

I leaned my head on my dad's shoulder, and he simply hugged me. I continued crying until I calmed down enough for him to go and prepare my favourite chamomile tea. He also gave me a jar of the green, gelatinous paste he always gave me when I got hurt and told me to apply it on my shoulder to make the bruise disappear.

It was only around 6 in the evening, but I was already exhausted, so I decided to go to sleep.