Ayleen sat in the leaky cauldron and waited for the Malfoys. Severus had dropped her here several minutes ago so she could accompany Draco and his parents to Diagon Alley. Ayleen wouldn't officially start school for another year, but she could still have a look around. As Ayleen looked around the pub she could see Draco stumbling out of one of the fireplaces. Grinning she went to him. "Nice entrance," she said to the blonde. "Shut up Ayleen", said Draco patting the ashes off his clothes. "Be nice Draco", said Narzissa, who emerged from the fireplace at that moment. "Hello Ayleen darling, where's Severus?" Narzissa asked looking around for the black-haired wizard. "Oh he had to do something for school," Ayleen said with a shrug. "Alright, then let's go to Gringotts", Narzissa said clapping her hands. "Is Lucius not coming?" Ayleen asked confused. "Father is busy in the ministry", Draco explained and dragged her with him to the exit that lead to Diagon Alley. Narzissa tapped her wand against the bricks and the passageway opened. Ayleen's eyes widened when she saw the alley with all its shops and all the people. "Stay close to me", Narzissa asked und guided the children through the crowd. Together they entered the large bank building. Determined Draco's mother went to one of the goblins while the children followed her. "Good Day we would like to visit our vault", Narzissa said in a demanding tone. "Name?" the goblin asked bored. "Malfoy", she replied handing him her wand. "Do you have here a vault as well?" Draco asked as they followed the goblin to one of the carts that would take them deeper into the bank. Ayleen shrugged. "No idea, Severus takes care of such things, but my parents surely left me something." Draco nodded and looked at his mother, as coldhearted as his parents sometimes could be, he still couldn't imagine how it was for Ayleen to grow up without her parents. The ride to the vault of the Malfoys wasn't pleasant and Ayleen was glad when she was back out in the fresh air. "I guess you didn't take it too well," Draco laughed, although he also looked paler than usual. Ayleen simply stuck her tongue out at him. "Behave both of you", Narzissa scolded them. "Sorry mother", Draco mumbled sheepishly. Narzissa shook her head. "Well you two, you go to Madame Malkins, so Draco gets his robes. I get the other things in the meantime and we meat later at Ollivanders. Draco grinned and took Ayleen's hand so that he didn't loose her in the crowd. "Do you know that I'm really jealous of you", Ayleen remarked while they went down the street to the clothes shop. "Why's that?" Draco asked confused. "Well you can go to Hogwarts, while I still have to wait a year." Draco stopped and looked at her puzzled. Ayleen stopped as and looked back at Draco. "What?" she asked. "Don't you spend most of your time at this castle?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Ayleen rolled her eyes. "That's not the same Dray. I spend most of the time in Sev's private rooms, you on the other hand will learn all kinds of spells and curses." Draco laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "But I'm sure you're already better at potions than any seventh year." Ayleen laughed as well and wrapped her arm around Draco's waist. She didn't know her real brother, but she always imagined that she would have such a relationship with Harry if they had grown up together. She had asked Severus once why he didn't also take in her brother, but he had only answered that her mother had only asked him to take care of her and that their relatives surely took good care of him. They entered Madame Malkins with a soft ding. A lady immediately came up to them and smiled at them in a friendly manner. "Here to get your robes for Hogwarts?" she asked. "Only him", Ayleen said pushing Draco in her direction. "Very good, then follow me dear", she said and led Draco to a pedestal where she pulled a black cloak over his head. Ayleen grinned and looked around a little. After a while the doorbell rang again and Ayleen could hear Madame Malkin talking to a boy. Ayleen fought her way back through the collection of robes to see who had come. She froze when she saw the boy standing next to Draco. The two talked but Ayleen couldn't hear a word. The boy was skinny and to almost drown in his clothes and the cloak. He had black, messy black hair and behind round glasses she spotted green eyes. The same eyes she saw in the mirror everyday and shared with her mother. Madame Malkin took the robe from him again and he smiled gratefully at her before pushing past Ayleen to go outside. For a while Ayleen starred at the closed door until Draco laid his hand on her shoulder. She turned forward the blond and blinked to get her bearing back. "Are you alright?" Draco asked looking worried at Ayleen. "Do you know who that boy was?" Ayleen wanted to know and looked back at the closed door. Draco only shook his head, took the parcel with his robes and led Ayleen out of the store. "Come on, mother is probably already waiting for us."
Ollivander's wand store was filled to the brim with wands and Ayleen wondered how he could ever find the right one. Narzissa stood beside her while Draco was measured by a magical measuring tape. Mr. Ollivander, meanwhile, pulled out several boxes of wands. With a flick of his wand the measuring tape rolled up again and Ollivander handed Draco the first wand. Ayleen could see how sparks flew from the tip and Ollivander nodded content. "10 inch, hawthorn with unicorn hair, a very good wand Mr. Malfoy", Mr. Ollivander explained matter-of-factly. Narzissa paid the wand and the three of them went back to the leaky cauldron. "Hawthorn and unicorn hair how fitting", Ayleen snorted while Draco walked beside her. "What do you mean?" Draco asked confused. Ayleen just pulled on Draco's white blond hair and laughed as he slapped her hand away. When they reached the leaky cauldron Severus was already waiting for them. Ayleen immediately threw herself into his arms and buried her face against his chest. Severus stroked the girl's head, somewhat perplexed; he couldn't explain what could have caused this reaction. "Severus nice to see you, I'm sorry but we have to leave right away" said Narzissa. Severus nodded telling her goodbye. Worried Severus looked at his daughter. "Ayleen?" he asked worried. "It's all right, but can we please go home?" the girl asked, looking at him urgently with her green eyes. "Of course", he agreed leading her to the fireplaces.
Sighing Severus went to Ayleen's room, she had hidden herself there for the rest of the day and hadn't reacted as he had called her for dinner several times. He knocked on her door, waited and when he heard nothing, Severus hesitantly opened the door. "Ayleen", he said softly stepping into the room. Ayleen sat on her desk starring out the window. In her hand she held a quill with which she played, lost in thought. She didn't seem to have noticed him. Slowly Severus went to her. "Ayleen" he repeated her name and laid a hand on her shoulder. Ayleen flinched and turned to him. "Oh Severus", she said stunned. "Didn't you hear me, I called for you", Severus said looking worried at her. Ayleen shook her head. "I'm sorry I was thinking", the girl apologized. "I see. What's wrong?" Severus wanted to know and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Ayleen shook her head biting her lips. Severus smiled sadly as this gesture always reminded him of Lily. He sat down on Ayleen's bed and tapped the empty seat next to him. "Come on, tell me what's on your mind," he asked, looking at his daughter expectantly. Ayleen hesitated for a moment, but then sat beside Severus and laid her head on his shoulder. Severus immediately wrapped his arm around her and stroked her arm. "I was with Draco at Madame Malkins", Ayleen started. "And there you saw something you didn't wanted to see?" Severus asked. "Ugh, no!" Ayleen was indignant and punched him in the chest. Severus laughed softly. "I'm sorry. Please continue." Ayleen took a deep breath and continued. "I was looking around when an other costumer entered." Here, Ayleen leaned away from Severus and looked at him with wide eyes. "It was Harry, he's coming here this year too," she murmured. Severus pulled Ayleen closer and kissed her head. "Ayleen don't worry, he will love you as soon as he gets to know you", he assured her. "Are you sure?" Ayleen asked with her pressed against his chest. "Totally sure. If you've even got Lucius to like you, your brother won't be a challenge." Ayleen laughed and wrapped her arms around Severus. "Thanks Severus I needed that." "Don't worry. What do you think about dinner?" Severus wanted to know and as if on commend Ayleen's stomach grumbled. She laid her hands on her stomach and blushed. "I think I could do with a little something," she admitted. Severus clapped his hands and shooed the girl from her bedroom into the dining room where they ate dinner together.