Diagon Alley
The streets of London hummed with the early bustle of a city waking up. Lily stood on the edge of Charing Cross Road, her eyes wide as she tried to take it all in at once. The shops, the cabs, the chatter of passersby—it was a world she knew, but today, it was a gateway to one she didn’t. Clutching her satchel tightly, she glanced at the pair beside her.
Severus stood a few steps away, his hands shoved deep into his coat pockets. His dark eyes glanced around, not with wonder, but with a sharp, calculating focus. He looked calm, almost disinterested, but she knew better. While he wasn’t as outwardly enthusiastic, the tight line of his mouth betrayed his anticipation.
Just behind them, Eileen Snape stood tall and quiet. Her thin frame was wrapped in a well-worn cloak that fluttered slightly in the breeze. She observed the two children with a reserved intensity, her sharp eyes seeming to miss nothing. There was no warmth in her expression, but neither was there coldness. She was there as a guide for the day and nothing more.
For the first time, Lily found herself getting a rare glimpse into Severus’s world. He rarely revealed anything personal, always keeping his thoughts tightly guarded beneath his extensive understanding of the magical world. But standing next to his mother, the similarities between them were impossible to miss. From their sharp, angular features, to the way they held themselves. It brought a smile to her lips.
“This way,” Eileen said briskly, her brows furrowing as she noticed Lily smiling up at her. The woman gestured toward a small, unremarkable pub nestled between two larger buildings. No one but them seemed to take notice of it, which was silly. Because it certainly was there…wasn’t it?
“Um…” Lily hesitated, blinking up at the pub’s faded sign and grimy windows. “Is that…it?” she asked tentatively, glancing at Severus, skepticism written all over her face.
He nodded, looking slightly taken aback himself.
Eileen didn’t respond, nor did she wait for them. She pushed the door open, and the soft murmur of conversation spilled out into the street. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of wood smoke and something faintly sweet, like caramel. The dimly lit room was filled with a handful of people, some hunched over drinks, others chatting in low voices. The woman at the bar counted coins with long, practiced fingers, looking up as the three of them passed by. She gave a slight wave, meant as a friendly gesture, though she looked far more intimidating that she probably intended.
Lily gripped the sleeve of Severus’s jacket, causing the boy to tense briefly. “Sorry,” Lily murmured. She released him, but stayed glued to his side. It wasn’t fear…well… not exactly —it was more like the thrill of stepping into something entirely unknown. It was both wonderful and nerve-wracking at the same time.
“Come along,” Eileen ushered again, looking slightly annoyed. She led them to the back of the pub, pausing in front of a brick wall, her wand already in her hand.
Lily watched in fascination as Eileen tapped one of the bricks three times, in a specific cadence. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a low rumble, the wall began to shift and rearrange itself, bricks sliding aside to reveal an archway. Beyond it, a cobbled alleyway stretched out, alive with movement and color.
Lily couldn’t help the gasp that left her. She’d imagined many things, but never anything like this.
“It’s… it’s amazing,” she whispered, stepping forward as though drawn by an invisible force.
Diagon Alley was alive and bustling with magic. It was filled to the brim with people—witches and wizards, both young and old. Brightly colored shops lined both sides, each one a unique treasure trove of wonder. There were cauldrons stacked high in one window, broomsticks on display in another, and a shop filled with books whose titles seemed to shimmer and shift on their spines.
Severus moved to stand beside Lily, his hands still in his pockets. His expression remained composed, but Lily caught the slight widening of his eyes as he took in the bustling scene. She found herself smiling again. He was just as excited as she was, even if he wouldn’t say it.
“Where do we start?” Lily asked, turning to Eileen.
“Gringotts,” Eileen replied curtly. “You will need to exchange your Muggle currency at the bank. You did bring some, did you not?”
Lily nodded quickly, reaching into her pocket to pull out a small leather pouch her father had given her that morning. It jingled softly with the weight of coins.
“Good,” Eileen replied, gesturing toward the towering white building at the far end of the alley, its marble facade gleaming in the sunlight. “Come along, then. Best to get it over with before the crowds swell even further.”
As they began to make their way through the bustling street, Lily couldn’t help but marvel at the sights and sounds around her. A tiny wizarding orchestra played a lively tune outside one of the storefronts, and a pair of enchanted quills zoomed around each other in a playful chase outside a stationery shop. A nearby stall sold glittering magical sweets, each one more colorful than the last.
“Look at that!” she exclaimed, pointing to a shop window where a display of robes floated gently, adjusting themselves as though modeled by invisible figures.
Severus followed her gaze but said nothing, though the slight tilt of his head betrayed his curiosity.
“Keep up,” Eileen said sharply, glancing over her shoulder. Her tone was enough to pull Lily’s attention back, and she hurried to fall in step beside Severus again.
When they reached Gringotts, the sight of the towering bronze doors flanked by stern goblins made Lily’s breath catch. The goblins’ sharp features and piercing eyes were both intimidating and mesmerizing, though she managed to muster a polite smile as one of them opened the door with a nod.
The interior of the bank was even more extraordinary. The marble floors gleamed beneath their feet, and the high ceiling was adorned with glittering chandeliers. Long counters stretched across the room, behind which goblins scribbled furiously or weighed stacks of coins.
“Stay close,” Eileen instructed, her eyes scanning the room with a practiced familiarity. She led them toward one of the counters, where a goblin with a particularly long nose peered down at them over a set of spectacles.
“Good morning,” Eileen said curtly. “We’d like to make an exchange.”
The goblin’s sharp eyes flicked to Lily as she pulled her coinpurse out. She hesitated for a moment before stepping fully forward and setting her pouch on the counter.
“Muggle currency,” Eileen clarified.
The goblin gave a curt nod, his long fingers deftly counting the bills and coins before exchanging them for stacks of gleaming gold, silver, and bronze. Lily’s eyes widened as she picked up the strange, heavy coins—Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The goblin leaned forward, gnarled fingers curling around the edge of the counter, his jagged grin stretching wider than natural.
“You’re welcome.”
Lily, intimidated by this, instinctively stepped back, bumping into Severus, who stood just behind her. Heat rose to her cheeks. “Sorry…” she mumbled, avoiding his gaze as she stumbled awkwardly off to the side. Severus only offered a brief nod, his attention still fixed warily on the goblin.
As they finished their business, Eileen made an exchange of her own, handing the money she received directly over to Severus—who’s eyes widened like he’d never seen so much in his entire life. He looked up at his mother in astonishment. She met his gaze for a brief moment but remained silent. After a pause, she turned away. Lily didn’t quite understand it, but judging by Severus’s reaction she could tell this was special and it wasn’t something that happened often. He stared at the coins in his hand, turning them over as if verifying they were real, his fingers trembling slightly.
Lily had been too preoccupied watching Severus to notice Eileen’s eyes were on them once again until she cleared her throat.
"You two may go on from here," she said, her voice firm. "Meet me near the entrance before sundown. Don't be late."
Severus's head snapped up. "Alone?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Yes," Eileen replied without elaboration. "I trust you can manage."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. Exploring Diagon Alley without an adult? Excitement and apprehension warred within her, but she glanced at Severus and saw his expression harden with determination. He gave a small nod.
"We'll be fine," he said, tucking the coins into his coat pocket. "Come on, Lily."
Eileen cast them one final, scrutinizing look before disappearing into the bustling crowd. For a fleeting moment, Lily swore she saw a smile on the woman’s lips... or had she imagined it?
“So… where to first?”
“Ollivanders,” he declared without hesitation. “We’ll need wands.”
Lily’s face lit up with excitement. “Alright, then. Last one there’s a Flobberworm!” she shouted, dashing ahead.
“Lily, wait!” Severus called, exasperation creeping into his voice. “Do you even know where it is?”
“Not a clue!” she hollered back, waving as she disappeared into the crowd.
With a resigned sigh, Severus hurried after her.
A soft chime echoed through Ollivanders as the pair stepped into the narrow shop. The air was rich with the scent of polished wood and aged parchment. Countless slender boxes were stacked in towering columns that stretched all the way to the ceiling. At first glance, the shop seemed deserted, with no one behind the counter. But then, an elderly man with silvery hair and curious eyes appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Ah, welcome, Mr. Snape," he said in a soft, knowing voice. "And Miss Evans, I presume?"
Lily blinked. "How did you—?"
Mr. Ollivander gave a small smile and reached for a measuring tape, which sprang to life and began taking their measurements without further instruction. It hovered around Lily, stretching and retracting, measuring the length of her arm, the distance between her fingers, and even the curve of her smile before snapping back into his grasp.
“Wands have a way of knowing their witches and wizards,” Ollivander said, his gaze flickering between them. “Let's see...” He strode to the shelves and retrieved a slender box, lifting the lid to reveal a delicate wand of hazel. “Ladies first.”
Lily reached out hesitantly.
"Hazel,” Ollivander elaborated. “Phoenix feather core, ten and three quarter inches."
She grasped the wand and gave it a small wave. A loud crack echoed through the shop as a pile of boxes tumbled to the floor. She winced.
"Not quite," Ollivander mused, plucking the wand from her hands and replacing it with another. "Perhaps this one…” The moment her fingers curled around it, a soft warmth spread through her fingertips, and a shower of golden sparks erupted from the tip. She gasped, eyes wide with delight.
“Ah, willow,” Ollivander murmured approvingly. “Ten and a quarter inches, swishy, with a core of unicorn hair. Excellent for charm work.”
Lily turned the wand over in her hands, marveling at the intricate carvings along the handle. It felt right, as if it had been waiting for her all along.
“Now, young Mr. Snape,” Ollivander continued, his pale eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Severus. He selected a box from a higher shelf and offered it with an air of certainty. “Ebony and dragon heartstring, thirteen and a half inches, rigid. A powerful combination.”
Severus took the wand cautiously, and the reaction was instant. A pulse of energy hummed through the air, stirring the dust motes into motion. A shadow of a smile crossed his lips, though he quickly schooled his features into neutrality.
“Interesting,” Ollivander mused. “Ebony wands are often drawn to those with strong convictions and an independent spirit. I suspect it will serve you well.”
Severus nodded, carefully placing the wand back into its box with a reverence Lily rarely saw from him.
After settling their payments, they stepped back into the bustling alley, their new wands tucked securely away.
“So... you were right about yours,” Lily remarked as they continued on. “But mine has a unicorn hair core. You mentioned phoenix feather and dragon heartstring being the powerful ones. Does that mean mine isn't?”
Severus hesitated. “Not exactly. Yours is also made of willow, which could make a difference. But generally, yeah, unicorn hair wands aren't usually known for producing the most powerful magic on their own.”
A small, disappointed frown crossed her face, though she tried her best to hide it. Severus seemed to notice immediately, and she saw a flicker of something in his dark eyes—guilt, maybe? She didn’t want him to feel bad.
“It doesn’t mean it won’t be good,” he added quickly. “Willow is great for charm work and healing spells. It’s flexible, adaptable... It suits you.”
Lily’s lips twitched slightly, a faint smile forming. “You think so?”
“Yeah,” Severus nodded firmly. “And anyway, it’s the witch, not the wand, that matters most.”
That made her smile, for real this time. She nudged him playfully with her elbow. “You’re such a know-it-all, Sev.”
He smirked, pushing back a strand of his dark hair. “I just read a lot,” he muttered, before glancing down at the crumpled list he had pulled from his pocket.
“Speaking of reading… we still need our books,” he noted, straightening up. “Flourish and Blotts is just down there.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” she grinned, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle tug.
She felt him resist for only a moment before letting himself be pulled. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, noticing the small smile he wore. It made her feel a little lighter, even amidst the noise and chaos surrounding them in the alley.
As they entered the towering bookshop, the scent of parchment and ink enveloped them. Shelves upon shelves of books stretched up to the ceiling, and the quiet rustle of pages turning filled the air.
They spent the next hour selecting their required reading—some books looked ordinary, while others wriggled slightly as they picked them up. Lily found a book of introductory spells and flipped through the pages in awe, while Severus methodically checked each title against his list.
After they had gathered their required readings, they continued their exploration, stopping to admire the gleaming cauldrons stacked outside the apothecary. Severus took his time explaining, in great detail, the importance of adhering to the provided list and choosing a pewter cauldron over a gold one. They also lingered a little too long at Madam Malkin's, captivated by the elegant robes displayed in the window. Lily insisted they try them on—just for fun. By the time the sun hung lower in the sky, Lily's satchel was considerably heavier, they had several large parcels to pick up before they departed for the day, and her feet ached, but she couldn't remember ever feeling so thrilled about that fact.
As they made their way back toward the entrance of Diagon Alley, Lily suddenly caught sight of a familiar storefront she’d spotted as they came in. The Magical Menagerie. Despite their limited time, she couldn't resist the urge to take a quick peek inside. Without hesitation, she stopped dead in her tracks, tugging on Severus's sleeve to get his attention.
"Sev, look! Just one quick peek through the window?" she pleaded.
Severus made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a groan the moment his eyes landed on the store.
"We don't even have to go in! Just a look," she insisted, tugging him toward the shopfront before he could protest further. “I promise.”
Unfortunately for Severus, it wasn’t just a look.
Lily’s excitement bubbled over as she pushed open the door to the Magical Menagerie, the bell above jingling softly. The moment she stepped inside, her senses were overwhelmed by the sounds and smells of the place—soft hoots, rustling feathers, and the earthy scent of straw mixed with something musky and sharp. She didn’t mind. If anything, it added to the charm of the little shop.
She glanced back at Severus, who lingered near the doorway, arms crossed and frowning as if the entire place offended him.
“I just want to see the owls,” she reassured, trying to sound as convincing as possible. “It’ll only be a minute. I promise.”
Severus sighed, muttering something under his breath, but followed her in anyway. His attitude didn’t bother her—she was used to it by now. In fact, she sometimes thought he secretly liked it when she dragged him along on her little adventures, even if he never admitted it.
Lily wandered deeper into the shop, her eyes lighting up as she passed cages filled with all sorts of magical creatures. A small group of Puffskeins caught her attention, their round, fluffy bodies bouncing as they hummed in unison.
“Look at them, Sev!” she called over her shoulder. “Aren’t they adorable?”
“They’re fine,” he replied flatly, still standing stiffly near the door.
Lily rolled her eyes, moving on. Severus wasn’t going to ruin this for her. She made her way to a section lined with perches and cages of owls—barn owls, tawny owls, even a majestic snowy owl that blinked at her lazily. She stopped in front of a particularly striking tawny owl, its feathers mottled in shades of brown and cream.
“This one’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, glancing back at Severus, who to her surprise, had finally ventured closer. “Look at his crooked little beak!”
He gave the owl a quick, indifferent look. “I suppose.”
“ You suppose? ” she scoffed playfully. “C’mon…let's go find the shopkeeper. I want to see how much he is.”
“What happened to just looking ?”
Lily didn’t respond.
As they turned a corner, heading toward the counter, a giggle caught their attention. Near the back of the shop, a girl was crouched beside one of the cages. She looked to be around their age, with long sandy brown hair tied back loosely with a bow. Her hands were extended out toward a small, mischievous-looking creature with beady eyes and a tuft of fur sticking out at an odd angle from the top of its head.
“Come on, little one,” the girl cooed, holding out a piece of food. “I won’t bite. You can trust me.”
The creature, a Niffler, eyed the food and then darted forward—but instead of taking the treat, it leapt into her bag, disappearing with a golden coin in its tiny paws.
“Hey!” The girl half-laughed, half-scolded, trying to grab the Niffler. “When did you nab that?!”
Lily giggled as she approached. “Looks like you’ve made a friend.”
The girl turned around, still grinning despite the Niffler’s antics. “I don’t think he’s necessarily interested in friendship—just anything shiny.”
Severus, having been watching from the sideline, raised an eyebrow. “How did it get out?”
“I unlocked the cage,” the girl replied nonchalantly, as if there wasn’t anything wrong with her statement. She held her bag open, peering down inside of it.
“Excuse me, mister. I would like that back.”
Grumbling echoed in response from deep inside the bag.
“What is he?” Lily asked, leaning over to peer inside. To her surprise, she couldn’t see anything.
“He’s a Niffler,” the girl responded, dusting her robe off as she stood up. “I’m Elenora, by the way.”
“Lily. And this is Severus.”
“Is that an Extension Charm?” Severus chimed in, uninterested in anything, but the bag she held.
“Yeah,” Elenora grinned, excited that someone had noticed. “It’s my mum’s—but she lets me borrow it sometimes. It's really useful when harvesting plants. It can hold so much!”
Lily arched her brow. Something about the way Elenora spoke gave the impression that she was only halfway telling the truth, or not at all. But discerning what part—or if the entire thing was the lie—was a whole other matter entirely. Lily glanced at Severus who seemed to have come to the same conclusion as she did, his gaze now scrutinizing the girl before them.
“Harvest a lot of plants in Diagon Alley, do you?”
“Sev!” Lily whispered loudly, shooting him a look. They really didn’t need to be getting on anyone’s bad side so soon.
The girl seemed unfazed by Severus’s remark—or perhaps she didn’t hear the admonishment in his voice.
“Well…not here so much, but my mum got some Moonseed from a friend and planted it near our house. It really took off and now the forest is littered with…”
Elenora fell silent as a woman wearing heavy black spectacles emerged from the storeroom, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Oh! I didn’t even hear you come in, dears,” the woman said, adjusting her glasses. “I’ll be with you in just a moment—just finishing something up in the back.” Without waiting for a response, she disappeared through the doorway again.
The moment the woman was gone, Elenora perked up, her smile returning. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Lily, Severus. I’ve been in here too long—my parents are probably wondering where I’ve wandered off to. See you at Hogwarts!”
With a quick spin on her heels, she waved and made her way to the door, her grin as mischievous as the Niffler now peeking out of the side of her satchel. The tiny creature’s nose twitched as it poked out further, its beady eyes glinting as the door closed behind them.
“Did she just—”
“Steal it?” Severus finished Lily’s sentence, annoyed by the entire situation. “ Yes. We should leave.”
Lily nodded solemnly, following quickly after Severus.
She wasn’t getting her owl today.
The sun was beginning to dip behind the buildings of Charing Cross Road as Severus, Lily, and Eileen stepped through the concealed entrance to Diagon Alley and back into the Muggle world. The familiar hum of London traffic filled the air, a stark contrast to the bustling magical shops they had just left behind. The faint scent of car exhaust replaced the aroma of spell books and potion ingredients.
Eileen Snape walked ahead, her sharp gaze scanning the streets, her posture rigid as always. Severus trailed just behind her, his arms full of parcels, while Lily carried her own, still chattering excitedly about everything they had seen.
“I can’t believe how many magical creatures there were,” Lily said, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at Severus. “And those robes! They’re so much nicer than anything I’ve ever worn to school before.”
Severus gave a nod but said little, his dark eyes flicking between Lily and the ground.
Eileen came to a halt near a quiet corner where a black wrought-iron bench sat under the shade of a tree. She turned to face Lily, her expression calm but reserved.
“Well, this is where we part ways.”
Lily glanced around, noticing her parents’ car parked a short distance away. Her father was leaning out of the driver’s window, waving as soon as he saw her.
“Thank you so much for taking me,” Lily said, turning back to Eileen, sincerity clear in her voice. “I really don’t know how my parents would’ve managed with all of this.”
“It was no trouble,” Eileen replied, though her tone was more detached than warm.
Lily smiled and then turned to Severus. “And Sev,” her voice softened, as she placed her parcels down for a moment. “Thank you for putting up with me today.”
Severus hesitated, his grip tightening on the packages in his arms. “It wasn’t a problem,” he muttered.
Lily smiled. Without giving him a chance to react, she leaned in and gave him a quick, impulsive hug. Severus stiffened, his face turning an uncharacteristic shade of pink.
“See you on the train!” Lily giggled, pulling back. She quickly scooped up her supplies and dashed toward her parents’ car.
Severus stood there, staring after her as she loaded her things into the car with the help of her father. Her mother waved cheerfully from the passenger seat, and Lily leaned out the window one last time.
“Bye, Sev! Bye, Mrs. Snape!” she called, her voice carrying over the hum of the street.
Eileen nodded in acknowledgment.
As the car merged into the steady flow of Charing Cross Road traffic, Lily leaned back against the seat, her mind drifting over the day's events. She cast a final glance out the window, catching sight of Severus and his mother by the bench. Eileen appeared composed, distant even, but Severus... He simply stood there, parcels in hand, his eyes fixed on her car until it vanished from view.
There was something in his gaze—hesitant, uncertain—as if he were still making sense of the hug she’d given him. A faint smile appeared on Lily’s lips, a curious flutter stirring within her chest.
She turned back to her parents, who were discussing something about dinner, and for a moment, the noise of the city faded into the background. Severus had been fairly quiet today, as usual, but she could tell he had enjoyed at least some of it. The thought made her smile grow.
“Everything all right, Lily?” her mum asked, glancing over her shoulder.
“Yeah,” Lily replied, her gaze shifting from the rearview mirror to the road ahead. “It was a really good day.”
And as the car turned the corner, disappearing into the London streets, she felt a small surge of excitement—not just for Hogwarts and all that awaited her there, but for the moments she’d get to share with Severus again, somewhere just a little less ordinary.