Half a Life Without You
Chapter 13: "Diagon Alley"
Everly POV
I stumble gracelessly over to where Dumbledore was greeting our newest arrival, "Mr. Snape please join us, we were just finishing up for the morning." Finishing up? What, how… Dumbledore's voice interrupts my barrage of befuddled thoughts. "I was just about to make Everly aware as her primary tutor this summer you'll be escorting her to Diagon Alley to procure the necessary supplies required to begin her lessons."
I stare back at Dumbledore with wide deer eyes, "Diagon Alley?" I ask in confusion. Dumbledore, possibly seeing the uncertainty in my eyes gently places his hand on my shoulder navigating me closer to Severus. "Yes, as your primary tutor this summer, Mr. Snape will be the one to escort you to Diagon Alley to procure the necessary supplies, which will include robes, broomstick, standard book of spells, and of course a wand." Severus moves closer, his eyes look deeply into mine, "Hey" he whispers softly. The tension slowly melts from me, and I give him a small smile in greeting before reluctantly giving my attention back to Dumbledore.
"You will travel by floo through my own privately registered fireplace." Dumbledore lightly grabs both our arms propelling us over to a massive fireplace so large I could stand inside without hitting my head, Severus on the other hand must duck as he enters taking his place beside me. "Wait!" I yell and hop out of the fireplace. Severus rushes over, "Are you ok? Are you in pain? Maybe you should sit down."
"No, No, I'm fine. I just need a word with the headmaster for a moment." I step back from him and fix my gaze to where Dumbledore is standing, who tilts his head and sighs with a smile. "If you'll excuse us a moment Mr. Snape." He turns leading the way back up the stairs back to where I had recently and willingly leapt into a nightmare.
"Everly…" I put up my hand to stop him. "Every day, every hour, and every minute here has been a bombardment of emotions. I cannot…" I pause clearing my throat to hold back the tears threatening to begin, "I cannot just leave and pretend I didn't just witness." I pause waving my hand towards the pensieve still glowing with memories, "and be expected…be…be expected…"
His soothing voice halts what I'm about to say, "It's always the small pieces of a puzzle that make the big picture." What is he talking about…a puzzle? "It's all a jumble of random shapes and colors…until… alas they fit together, and all is revealed." He pauses clasping his hands behind his back, "we're just starting to put the small pieces together. Be patient Everly, all will be revealed in time."
"Why did you pull me out right when I was about to see who that man was? I would consider it a significant piece to our… puzzle?" I boldly ask, not ready to let it go.
He sighs and shakes his head slightly, "Don't rush and try to force the pieces together. I promise you it will all make sense soon." He claps together his previously clasped hands, signifying an end to our conversation. "Let's not keep Mr. Snape waiting, we'll continue this conversation tomorrow morning."
I can only gape as he swirls around elegantly retreating down the stairs, left with little choice I slowly follow behind him. I'm still quietly seething as we approach a waiting Severus. His concerned black eyes rest on me, they're hooded with dark shadows under them and despite his obvious exhaustion, his whole focus is on me. I feel the familiar fluttering in my stomach as I step next to him, "I'm ready now."
Dumbledore once again positions us in the fireplace handing each of us floo powder, "Mr. Snape, when you return, please escort Ms. Quinn to the Gryffindor's head girl's room it will be vacant this summer and until everyone returns it will feel significantly cozier than an empty dormitory."
Severus wipes his head around to look at me, "you were sorted into Gryffindor?" Holding his gaze I murmur, "yes". Shock, dejection, and anger all blur across his face within a matter of seconds before it hardens into a blank expression.
"Sir wouldn't a fellow Gryffindor be a better suited to escort Ms. Quinn?" his clipped tone may have sounded bored, but I could see the white-hot rage burning bright in his eyes. His question should have me incensed, enraged, wrathful even, instead… I'm crushed. I look away and rapidly blink to hold back the tears burning for release, I refuse to let him see how badly he's hurt me.
"Perhaps Mr. Black could take your place, I…"
Severus practically growls "I'll take her." cutting off a very amused looking Dumbledore. "Very well." He says cheerfully, "you best be off before the stores become too crowded." He begins to head away from us before pausing, "Oh, before I forget, I've sent word to have all charges sent to Hogwarts."
"I strongly advise Hogwarts funds not be spent so frivolously Dumbledore." The portrait of Phineas Black calls out scornfully. Ignoring the outraged portrait Dumbledore focuses on Severus, "take care of her."
Severus nods stoically, his penetrating gaze holding mine as he throws the floo powder to the floor, "Diagon Alley!"
I close my eyes for a moment to silently rehearse what I need to say and talk myself out of flipping off a painting. Finally, I open my eyes and breath out, "here goes nothing, "Diagon Alley!" Floo powder whirls everywhere and then without warning I'm standing in a much smaller fireplace; black soot blurs my vision causing me to trip over the edge as I step out. Attempting to regain my balance, I nearly knock a stack of dusty books precariously placed on a table in front of the fireplace.
"Are you coming?" he asks, barely concealing an amused sneer. Not waiting for a response, he proceeds to grab the shop door stepping out into the bustling street. "Ass", I hiss when the door jingles closed behind him. I aggressively dust off the black soot and trudge miserably after him.
As soon as my foot touches the crooked narrow streets of Diagon Alley, I'm remember, I'm getting my wand today. I hustle past him on the street calling over my shoulder, "coming?". I feel amazing…for exactly 3 seconds, then I realize - I don't know where I'm going. Well, this is embarrassing. He chuckles slightly as he catches up to me, "want to get your wand?" I gasp, I guess in my excitement I must have said the bit about getting my wand out loud, I swallow my pride, "yes please".
He smirks down at me, "Come on then, Ollivanders is this way." A genuine smile lights up my face and before he can catch himself, he returns it briefly. Clearing his throat to hide his fleeting smile, he spins around in a flourish of black robes taking the lead once more. I follow closely behind him as he slices straight through the crowd, never once being the one to step out of the way. I should consider it rude and arrogant, but I can't help but find it impressive and…well… a little hot if I'm honest.
Five minutes later we're standing in front of Ollivander's wand shop, then the next thing I know the owner himself is handing me my first wand to try, then a second, and then a third. After a small explosion, burst of flames, and mini hailstorm my excitement at getting my wand is starting to wane.
Severus put a magic shield around himself after a softball size ice ball hit him in the nose, I tried to apologize but he just glares sullenly from the corner rubbing his nose. I hesitate as Ollivander approaches with a fourth wand for me to try, I see Severus step back even further into the corner of the shop, bracing for whatever chaos I may call forth next. Before Ollivander can even hand me the fourth wand, he stops to stare at me intently over the rim of his spectacles, "no, no. I think not this one either..hmmm….", he shuffles back down the narrow aisle mumbling as he attempts to locate that perfect wand.
Since we're waiting, I decide to question Severus about last night, "late night? You look tired."
"There was an end of year party in the Slytherin dorms." shrugging as if it means nothing.
"That's why you never showed up last night?!" I whisper scream at him.
He swallows hard causes his adam's apple to bob in his throat as if something was making him uncomfortable, "it was… partly the reason."
"That's it? Nothing else to say except you partied last night, but it was only partly the reason?" I demand.
"I think we've found it!" Ollivander says excitedly placing a box on top of the counter, unaware or oblivious to the tension brewing between Severus and myself.
I watch him lift a small chestnut colored wand from the box, there's a slight sparkle when the sun hits it and I notice tiny shards of ice blue crystals speckled sparingly over its entirety. My fingers practically tremble with my eagerness to hold it.
"9 ½ -inches, made from the uncommonly used Holly wood tree branch. This wand has an exceptionally rare chimera scale core, which is almost exclusively paired with a dual core to balance the aggressive nature of the chimera." He twists the wand around to examine it closely before his eyes light up with a smile, "It's paired with a Griffin feather, amazing. The Griffin is a courageous protector it will help balance the unpredictable nature of the chimera. Small yet mighty, it's a wand to be envied for sure, especially with the addition of the moon stones imbedded so beautifully in the wood. Moon stone is another great way to center and promote balance in wand's owner. I haven't seen a wand this rare since…" He trails off staring distantly over my head.
"Since when?" I prompt.
He stretches out his hand extending the wand to me, "Never you mind me, just the ramblings of an old man."
As soon as I touch the wand a tingling warmth starts to spread from my fingertips moving quickly over my entire body. I lift the wand nervously pointing it up toward the ceiling, holding my breath I make a swishing motion and wait. A burst of blue sparks suddenly lights up the room, a warm breeze sweeps down causing the sparks to twirl excitedly around me lifting my hair.
"Hurrah!" Ollivander shouts out happily. "Very good indeed. Great things lay ahead for you my dear, the chimera is a fierce warrior, paired with the strength of the Griffin and balance of the moon stone it will provide you the equilibrium to master all it has to offer. Only a unique and talented witch can command such a wand, even the Holly wood it's carved from usually only finds someone on a dangerous or spiritual quest."
My enthusiasm gradually is replaced with a sense of unease…dangerous quest. I'm suddenly insecure at my ability to command this beautifully rare wand. "Thank you, I will do my best." I reply humbly.
I look up as I feel Severus slide next to me, his deep baritone voice washes over me, "This wand will make tutoring lessons…interesting." His lips twitch in a half smile.
"I would think the wand will only be partly responsible for any potential mishaps." I quip.
I roll my wand between my fingers enjoying the strength humming through it, solidifying for me I am truly a witch.
"Where to next?" I don't let him answer. "Robes, I think. I've been wearing this black t-shirt and jeans since I arrived." I look up at him expectantly.
He nods holding the shop door open, "robes it is then". I wave goodbye to Ollivander thanking him once again.
Severus easily cuts through the crowd once more as he leads us toward the next shop, as I watch him from behind, I can't help thinking how utterly infuriating he is…yet…I still find him maddeningly attractive. Damn.
Next chapter is in progress. We will start the tutoring lessons, Everly will get more pieces to the puzzle, and navigate through new friendships and relationships. Thanks for your patience.