The Bookstore
Knockturn Alley was even more crowded and woebegone than the last time Livia had visited England. Though she walked confidently down the Alley she was very aware that the place was known to harbour criminals, dangerous beings and purveyors of dark magical items and services and as such she took the necessary precautions. But it also housed those who worked hard for little money or were social outcasts in Wizarding Britains light focused Ministry so it wasn't unusual to see small waif like children running around hoping to get a few Knuts or something to eat from the adults shopping there
Livia headed straight towards her favourite book store in Wizarding Britain. Each time she returned to Britain this was one of her first stops, in part because it housed so many rare and one of a kind books but most especially because of the store owner, Bert Lewis, whom she had known since childhood. He was a kind and knowledgeable old man and he allowed he access to his books, all of which she was forever grateful for.
Recently her gratitude had been particularly bent towards his allowing her to use his rare and antiquated book store as her personal library. She was not well off and didn't come from a wealthy family and as such attempting to complete three masteries simultaneously was beyond her financially if not intellectually. In her defence it had been somewhat accidental that she had found herself completing the three masteries simultaneously. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your outlook) for her the idea she had submitted to conclude her Warding Mastery relied heavily on a thorough and in depth knowledge of both Runes and Rituals. The research involved had led Warding Master Vega to make recommendations to both her (now) current Rune and Ritual Masters, therefore enabling her to complete her masteries in all three subjects which, if her experimentation continued to follow the rough timetable she had set herself, should be completed around her 20th birthday.
Livia pushed the familiar heavy, worn wooden door opens and heard a bell, deep on the store, announce her arrival deep in the store.
"Mr Lewis?" called Livia when she saw the main shop area empty of its proprietor, she stood by the small dark wood counter where the till was situated at the right hand side of the store.
Bert, slump shouldered, wrinkled and balding, walked through a door behind the counter where Livia knew his store room was located and placed a large pile of books on the counter and gave her a warm smile.
"Livia my dear! How long are you in the country for this time?" asked Bert, glad to see the young woman who was easily one of his favourite people in the world. He had known the Snape siblings since she was barely able to see over his counter and her brother, Severus, not much taller. Their mother had been looking for work in the Alley at the time to help feed their muggle fathers drinking addiction and lessen his ire. Both of them had been dragged along with her that day to keep them away from her violent husband. In a fit of compassion for the two youngsters who had been polite but wary of him he had and he had offered up his shop as somewhere they could hide and became inordinately fond of them in the process. Their mother would have been proud of the adults they had become had she lived long enough to see them grow and come into their own, their father... well the less said the better.
"I shall be here for a few months at least this time! Runes Master Saima Abbas has had her expertise requested on a project here in Britain and will be staying for at least three months. That means I will get to spend lots of time with my three favourite men!" She finished cheerfully.
"Three you say? Well I know full well one of those is your delightful brother. What of the other two? Is there something you wish to tell me? Perhaps a young man you intend to introduce me to?", he teased.
She laughed, eyes alight with good humour "You are quite correct that one is Sev. Though I’m surprised you haven't guessed at least one of the other two! My little godson Draco, who I've not seen nearly as much as I would like, is of course one and you, my dear Mr Lewis, are the other!" despite the levity in which she said it, it was meant sincerely, she had missed the old book seller that, as a child, she had wished was her father instead of the vicious drunk her mother had married.
He shook his head fondly "Livia, still the same charmer you have always been I see and how many times must I remind you that you may call me Bert?"
"Always at least once more Mr Lewis" she said with a cheeky grin and he chuckled at the familiar argument.
The door bell rang as another customer entered the shop and moved to peruse the book shelves, Bert left them to it knowing if they needed assistance they would seek him out.
Livia drew herself up and looked Bert in the eye, with all the gravity of one imparting devastating news she said "Mr Lewis, I have come to purchase a book".
Bert's lips twitched and with an air no less serious answered "I am honoured that you would condescend to frequent my humble establishment and that you consider my products as being worthy of your illustrious self".
At this proclamation Livia laughed heartily and with delight, it wasn’t often she managed to tease his well hidden silly side out, each time she succeeded she was surprised and enjoyed it immensely.
"I have finally saved enough money for the book on Aztec rituals by Franziska Krauss" she said more naturally, handing over her money as he pulled the book from behind the counter where he had put it when she had expressed an interest in purchasing it and handed it over.
He had tried many times to gift both Livia and her brother books but they always steadfastly refused his 'charity' as they called it. He had then tried discounting the books they wished to purchase only to be met with refusals and the full cost or they refused to purchase it, knowing they would go elsewhere, likely spending above and beyond what the book was worth, he had relented to the two stubborn and independent youngsters. They were both very different in temperament but in the fundamentals they were disconcertingly similar, something he attributed to the hardship they endured at the hands of their parents.
"Is today going to be a short visit or are you intending to drink my tea and finish that book you started last time?" Bert asked wryly.
"I will take you up on your kind offer of tea and the reading your books Mr Lewis" with an impish grin she headed further into the store where two ratty old armchairs and a small table had been placed when Livia and Severus' frequent visits had begun.
Bert busied himself sorting through the books on his counter and make himself available if the gentleman who entered, and was steadily making his way down the outside aisle, should require assistance.
Lord Thomas Marvolo Slytherin, known to a select group as The Dark Lord Voldemort, had been browsing the bookstore and half listening to the conversation between Bert Lewis, one of his supporters, and the young woman. He had been surprised when, after what he could only think of as unnecessary levity and chatter, the young woman had purchased a relatively rare tomb that, he knew from experience, was somewhat difficult to decipher and detailed the many intricacies of warding in Ancient Aztec. It was not a book for the casual reader nor for those of limited intelligence.
He continued his perusal for a few more minutes, collecting a few books that were not currently in his collection and headed to the counter.
"Do you by any chance have Andreassen's Magico-Numerical Theory of Runes?" He asked watching as Mr Lewis tensed slightly upon recognising who was before him.
"I do" he began, having seen Livia lift her head to look at them. She gave a small resigned smile, as it was the book she had been reading during her last few visits and it had proved very useful for her warding creation.
She walked over to the desk, book in hand and a polite smile on her face.
"Here you are sir, I believe this is the book you're looking for" she said more cheerfully than she truly felt, holding the book out to the tall man who must be at least 6'5", even taller than Severus she thought idly. He had a handsome aristocratic face, neat brown hair and a swimmers build and his age could have easily ranged anywhere from 30 to 60 for a wizard.
Lord Slytherin, took the offered book and observed the petite young woman, whose dark eyes regarded him without hesitation and were somehow vaguely familiar, reminiscent of someone he had met perhaps, but he couldn't place who it could be.
"You were reading this book?" He asked eyebrow raised, his deep voice cultured and smooth.
"I was", she answered with a small smile.
"It seems that my purchasing of this book will bring an end to your ability to finish reading it" he said with a carefully crafted lightness hoping to discern why she would be reading it in the first place, it was too advanced for a NEWT level student and she didn't look above 16 or 17 years old, probably still at school.
"Ah, but that is the peril of beginning a book in a place such as this. A book store requires patrons who will, when all is said and done, purchase the books and not just read them, it is in the nature of business to require as much if the store is remain open" she said with mirth in her eyes contrasting with her seemingly grave statement.
She continued as if sharing a secret "In this case it is imperative that this should happen as this is by far my favourite book store and I would not wish to see my dear Mr Lewis driven out of business" she gave Bert, who had gone slightly pale listening to the xasual and playful manner his young friend was addressing the Dark Lord, a wink and a grin.
"You could try 'An analysis of Runes and Magical Theory' by André Iverson. It doesn't have the same detail but it may be of use?" Bert suggested to her, his voice wavering slightly, hoping that she would take the distraction and that the Dark Lord would not be offended.
"Thanks Mr Lewis, I will have a look" she replied, eyeing his greying pallor with concern.
Lord Slytherin held up the book she had handed to him and inquired "Did you find this book to be worthy of continued reading or are you indifferent to it's removal?"
"It has some very interesting concepts detailed and I can recommend it if you are researching more unfamiliar lines of magical rune theory" she answered lightly "To find the worthiness of the book however, I must advise you read it and make your own judgement. All opinions on a books contents should be formed individually so that it may be understood without the bias of another reader before hand don't you think?" She turned and made her way back over the armchair she had been seated in and plucked up the book she had purchased, a cup of tea appeared on the table next to her.
Bert looked at the Dark Lord, fully aware of who young Livia has been speaking to with such a lack of care, he once again, fervently hoped that his Lord had not taken offence. He felt a spell for privacy surround them, and giving a slight bow he asked "Is there anything else I can help you with today My Lord?"
"Her name?" He says nodding in the young woman’s direction.
Bert frowned slightly and somewhat hesitantly answered "Livia Snape, My Lord"
Lord Slytherin gave a small hum and paid for his books and calling for one of his house elves to return them to his home. He wondered if she was a relative of his Potion Master and Spy Severus Snape, it would explain why her features seemed familiar, this in mind he approached the girl who was now engrossed with her book and said in what he thought of as his friendly voice.
"I was remiss in not introducing myself. I am Lord Thomas Slytherin" he bowed slightly and held out his hand to take hers.
Livia stood, lifted her hand to his with a small curtsey and nodded her head in the correct form and answered, "Miss Livia Snape".
He took her hand and bent over it as was custom and asked, "Would you by chance be a relation to an acquaintance of mine, Potions Master Severus Snape?"
At this she gave a genuine smile and answered proudly, "Yes I am. He is my older brother".
He eyed her critically he could see the resemblance, though she was much shorter than her brother, but he had no knowledge that his Potions Master had a sister. Why her existence had been neglected to be mentioned by his followers or Potions Master was a question he would ask of them soon enough, in the mean time he could get his own answers.
"Perhaps then if you would care to finish the book you started, I could owl your brother and arrange for you to visit my library?"
"That is a very kind offer Lord Slytherin however, your acquaintance with my brother is no reason to feel obligated to have me occupy a book you have only just purchased." She says kindly knowing he was offering only out of politeness.
"I didn't make the offer lightly, I recognise a fellow scholar when I see one so the offer will remain open. Should you change your mind I'm sure Severus knows how to contact me" Lord Slytherin bowed again and bids farewell to both Ms Snape and Mr Lewis. He leaves the store feeling both glad and disappointed that she did not take him up on his offer of finishing the book, if she was as intelligent as her brother she could be very useful in the future.
Livia reclaimed her seat and opened her book once again and takes a sip of tea, turning over the meeting that had just occurred with Lord Slytherin. She was by no means stupid nor unobservant, Mr Lewis' tense behaviour while she was speaking to the stranger and the subtle deference that Mr Lewis had shown the younger man when they were under the privacy bubble, his association with her brothet all confirmed what she had suspected. She had just met the Dark Lord Voldemort or as he was now named Lord Thomas Marvolo Slytherin, the one who had marked her brother, along with countless others, as a follower of his ideals.
She could see the appeal objectively, charming, handsome, titled, rich and powerful made for a potent combination but she had heard tales of his cruel streak and impatience. She wished once again that her brother hadn't placed himself at the disposal of such a man. He was ambitious and if the political route failed to work in his favour she feared he would lead them all to war. She wondered what he had hoped to gain by offering her access to the book he had purchased, she became sidetracked thinking of how large his library much be, if it was half as impressive as the man himself there was little she wouldn't put up with to access it, she gave herself a mentally shake and returned to her book.