The Name in Red **COMPLETE**

Hello! Here is chapter 5! I must once again thank all of you who have left lovely reviews for me. It is greatly encouraging! I love reading them. They definitely inspire me to write more.

I will say to a few of my reviewers, you have asked some very clever questions ;D I assure you that all of your questions will be answered in due time! Just have some patience! I'm afraid I am introducing even more questions to ask in this chapter!!

Please enjoy chapter 5! :)


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The Name in Red.

Chapter 5: Set up and Shopping.
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The ground outside of Hogwarts was completely saturated. The sun was shining brightly, but the air remained thick with the smell of rain. A very heavy storm had passed through during the night, soaking the earth. Even now, about halfway through the day, there were still puddles everywhere that the bright sun could not banish. The floor of the Forbidden Forest was almost completely mud. This was the cause of much displeasure for a dark, cloaked figure standing at the edge of the forest, just outside the school's perimeter. Every so often, after sinking about an inch into the mud, it would kick its boots angrily against the tree it leaned upon. Boots relatively clean once more, the figure would lean up against the tree, waiting.

The figure grumbled deeply to itself. He had been waiting here for almost the better part of twelve hours. He didn't understand why he had to do the messy legwork, the figure thought. He was a major and crucial part of this plan after all, was he not? Yet here he stood in the muddy, rain-washed forest, having done what he was instructed to do, and waiting.

After not much longer, the figure heard a loud crack. Someone had Apparated to him. A second darkly cloaked figure now stood only a few feet away from where the first figure was leaning up against the tree. He quickly turned to face him.

"About time," the first figure said gruffly.

"I told you, I had business to take care of and I might be late," the second figure replied impatiently. The first figure only grunted.

There was a long pause in which both figures stared out of the forest toward the large castle nearby.

"Well?" the second figure asked. "Did she make it in?"

"She did," the first figure replied, kicking more mud off of his boots. "She's in there now, if she's still alive. She ran into some of those half-breeds. We weren't planning for that. They almost mucked the entire thing up. Shot her too, from the looks of it."

"She was able to get away from them?" asked the second figure.

"Yeah," the first figure replied, "Was close though. One of them nearly got her with its spear. I've never seen reflexes like that," he remarked.

"She'll have survived," the second figure said confidently. "Now, we wait. You will go and stake out the next location. It may be a while, but it's only a matter of time now before she turns up there, I think."

Clearly not taking well to being ordered around, the first figure grunted in reply.

"You're sure about all this?" the first figure asked.

"'Course I am," the second figure replied. He sounded annoyed. "For the last time, I told you everything I found out about it. It's all right there. Now get yourself to the place I indicated, and stay there. We've already made arrangements for you to stay there for as long as necessary. You already know what to do when the time comes."

The second figure then turned on the spot, vanishing into nothingness with another loud crack. Mumbling obscenities, the first figure followed suit.


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Having exited the hospital wing, Professor McGonagall moved to stand beside the same dented suit of armor as she had done the previous night. It was not long before the doors to the hospital wing were slammed shut loudly, and a very angry-looking Snape hurried up to her. She immediately took stride with him, heading down the long corridor side-by-side. Not wanting to open the floodgates of his anger upon herself, she remained silent, waiting for him to speak first. Seconds later, no longer able to contain himself, he began fuming.

"Shopping, Minerva? I am to take the girl shopping?" he asked mockingly, his voice raised. "I would prefer that you ask my permission before volunteering me for such an asinine job in the future. I am not a babysitter," he spat.

"Come now, Severus," McGonagall replied patiently, "It is not babysitting. Who knows, you may even enjoy it if you can manage to calm yourself down about it. You have barely left the castle since the start of term, if at all. It will be good for you to get out," she said sternly.

"I hardly see how that is of any consequence," Snape replied flatly. "It is beginning to sound as if you are babysitting me."

"Forgive me for being frank," said McGonagall, her voice raised, "But dealing with you, Severus, is indeed akin to dealing with a child sometimes. A stubborn child," she added.

Snape looked livid.

"Regardless, I-," Snape began, but was quickly cut off.

"Indeed! Disregard yourself for one small moment, Severus," McGonagall said loudly, "And begin to think instead about some of the things you have just heard!"

The pair continued to walk along in silence for some time. Snape did not look any less irked, clearly being unable to disregard his own annoyance at being volunteered to take the girl to Diagon Alley.

"The girl needs a wand," pressed McGonagall, her voice serious.

Snape took a deep breath, managing to slightly master his temper. Mastering it completely would be a herculean task of epic proportions.

"Do you really think that wise, Minerva?" he asked, folding his hands behind his back as he walked, and looking thoughtful. "The girl obviously has no control over her magic, and has produced extremely powerful reactions without even trying to."

"That is precisely why she needs a wand, Severus," McGonagall replied. "I believe her to be even more dangerous without a wand than with one."

"Why is that?" asked Snape.

"Precisely the reason you yourself just spoke of, Severus," she continued, "The girl has no control over her magic, and has produced extremely violent reactions. It is true that she was under great duress at the times in question, and has not produced powerful magic under other circumstances, but she has still done things that most witches and wizards would be hard-pressed to do, even with the use of a wand."

"Then why hand her a powerful magical tool?" Snape argued.

"Because she needs this tool, Severus," McGonagall stressed, "Whatever the reason, the girl was kept out of school, and was never taught how to control her magic. It is imperative that she learn how to control and focus it. Otherwise, I believe her to be a danger to herself and others. This is why she needs a wand, and you will be seeing to it. You yourself have already told me of the strange reaction she had after having a powerful, uncontrolled surge of magic. I wonder if it is permanent. Do you really want to find out what else she is capable of when out of control? Or to see what else might happen to her because of it?"

Snape remained silent, deep in thought. He still did not believe it was a great idea to simply hand this girl a wand, but he could see the logic in his colleague's argument. Perhaps if the girl was taught to use a wand and control her magic, she would no longer be at risk of creating dangerously violent magical reactions without intending to. He decided to put this thought aside and let McGonagall win this end of the argument. There was still something else that was troubling him about the girl, however. He lowered his voice significantly before speaking again.

"What about the rest of her story," he said, turning his head slightly to look at McGonagall as he spoke. "It is obvious what must have happened after the event she described to us, even though she herself is not aware of it."

"Yes," replied McGonagall, sounding grave. A crease formed between her brows as she spoke. "Someone obviously went to great lengths to cover it up."

"What do you think it could mean?" Snape asked. "The entire situation is... strange."

"I am unsure," McGonagall continued. "This girl was never approached by a member of the magical community to inform her of the fact that she was a witch. At the same time, her little faux pas involving the tree was seemingly covered up. Almost instantly from the sound of it. They must have known where the magic originated from. Trees do not simply attack children on their own; save for the Whomping Willow, of course. But I highly doubt that the tree in the middle of her Muggle schoolyard was a Whomping Willow. For an incident of that size to be covered up so very quickly in the middle of Muggle America is very odd. The magical population there is extremely scattered and sparse. The chance of a witch or wizard having been there at the time is slim to none."

"Someone must have been keeping an eye on her," Snape deduced.

"It is possible," agreed McGonagall, "But why, then, was she never approached?"

"I haven't a clue," answered Snape.

"Nor have I," said McGonagall. "I agree, the entire situation is strange."

The pair continued to walk on together, passing through thick patches of warming sun which was brilliantly streaming in through the windows. In some cases, it was creating harsh glares of light off of the shiny suits of armor which lined some of the corridors. Many of them, like the one back outside the hospital wing, were harshly dented from when they had marched into the final battle against Voldemort. Some plinths here and there were even completely empty, their former occupants having been too badly damaged to return to their homes.

After a time, Snape and McGonagall stopped walking and turned to face one another. They had reached the gargoyle outside of the Headmaster's tower. The current conversation could go no further; neither of them had a clue as to the girl's circumstances. It was obvious someone must have known that she was a witch. It is possible that she was even being watched by someone from the magical community, who was then immediately able to step in and erase all traces of what she had accidently done. At the same time, come the age of eleven, she was never approached. The girl hadn't the slightest clue that she was a witch until last night. She was already eighteen years old, many years well past the point that someone from the magical community would have approached her.

"All that aside," said McGonagall, "I expect you to be civil with her tomorrow, Severus. I daresay just about everything there will be a shock to her."

"She has been living as a Muggle her entire life, Minerva, of course it would be," he snarked back. "How would you expect a Muggle Londoner to react if you swooped down upon them and tossed them into the middle of Diagon Alley?"

"Probably about the same as she will react, Severus," McGonagall replied, sounding amused and trying not to smile as she recalled Sarah's reaction to the magically repaired flask. "Please try to be patient with her."

"I make no promises," he replied, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at her. "We are going there to purchase a wand for her and then we are coming straight back. While we are on the subject, Minerva, how exactly do you expect her to pay for it?"

"I am more than willing to pay for the girl's wand," she replied. "I would also like you to take her to Madam Malkin's so she can get out of her Muggle clothing. I will provide the money for both."

Snape could no longer resist the urge to roll his eyes.

"Is there anywhere else you would like me to take the girl, Minerva?" he replied sarcastically. "Shall you make out a shopping list for me?"

"Honestly, Severus," McGonagall chided, "Is it really so much trouble? I am sure she will behave herself around you."

"If it is so little trouble, then why not take the girl yourself?" he contested.

"I have told you, Severus. I have business to take care of within the castle. You are the best candidate to take her." McGonagall almost rethought her choice of words at this; she already had pictures in her mind of the tall, dour man dragging the poor girl along Diagon Alley. It was simply a matter of convenience that he take her. She also did honestly think it would be good for him to get out of the castle. "Besides, getting out of the castle will do you good. I am sure you could do with a stop-in at the Apothecary to restock on some things."

"I no longer teach Potions, Minerva," Snape replied, sounding annoyed.

"And what are you doing all the time while you are shut up in your dungeons?" McGonagall continued, "I know you still brew away like a madman, Severus, no matter the subject you teach. The hospital wing will have enough Pepper-Up Potion for the next five years."

Snape smirked.

"Please try to let the girl enjoy herself, Severus," she said. "No matter how difficult that may be for you to do for yourself."

"Fine," he said shortly.

"And as I will be paying for the girl's things, it looks like you will have to be making a stop with her at Gringotts as well," McGonagall twinkled. Snape practically growled. "She should enjoy that. I shall owl the bank right away and inform them that you will be making a withdrawal from my account tomorrow."

Snape stood silent for a while longer, scowling darkly at McGonagall. He was waiting for her to inform him of the next five additional places he would be required to drag the girl to.

"That will be all, Severus," said McGonagall, sensing the reason behind his scowling silence. "After going to Gringotts, Ollivander's, and Madam Malkin's, you can take her straight back here. You do not have to make any other stops for her if you are not so inclined."

"I assure you I am not," he drawled.

"After you return, I shall wish to speak to both of you," said McGonagall. She then spoke the password to the gargoyle, watching as the stairs slowly raised themselves.

"As you wish," Snape replied. Giving her a small bow, he turned and quickly left the corridor. He was not headed back to his dungeons, however; he was now going to stalk the halls and find an unlucky rule-breaking student on which to let out his anger.


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Harry arrived at the portrait of the fat lady. Delivering the password of 'phoenix fire', he was able to step through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room. The fire was crackling merrily, keeping the autumn chill at bay, and the room was filled with bright midday sunshine. Ron, who was sitting quite closely together with Hermione on one of the comfortable couches, looked up at him as he entered. Hermione did not look up from her reading. In her hands she held today's copy of Daily Prophet. Across its front, in bold black lettering, it read: THICKNESSE CONTINUES TO CONTEST SHACKLEBOLT'S AUTHORITY AS MINISTER.

"Hey mate," said Ron, watching Harry take a seat in his usual armchair. "What took you so long? We left Potions nearly half an hour ago."

"Slughorn wanted me to deliver something to Madam Pomfrey," Harry replied. "Ever since the start of term he's been turning me into The-Boy-Who-Does-His-Personal-Errands. I just think he likes to show that off to the other staff members," Harry rolled his eyes.

"Sounds like him," Ron agreed. "What did he want you to deliver?"

"I'm not sure exactly," Harry said. "Probably just potions he'd made for the hospital wing, I imagine."

Harry yawned and leaned back in the soft armchair, making himself comfortable. At a table across the room, Neville sat studying quietly. Students who had attended Hogwarts the previous year had been offered the opportunity to repeat their particular year of education under more normal circumstances. Nearly everyone had accepted the offer; preparing for N.E.W.T.S. and O.W.L.S. in some subjects hadn't really been possible with a couple Death Eaters for teachers. Some of the students had even effectively dropped out at one point, having to take refuge in the Room of Requirements to escape the wrath of the Carrows.

Everything had carried over smoothly, with the minor exception that this year's class of first years was a bit larger than normal. Other than that, the school was completely back to normal, and Harry was immensely enjoying being back. The threat of Voldemort was no longer looming over him, and he finally felt as if he were living a normal life.

"Where's Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Still down at lunch with Luna, I think," Ron replied.

Hermione had still not looked up from her newspaper. Ron settled into the couch a little more, leaning into Hermione and glancing over her shoulder at the text in front of her.

"When's he going to give it a rest," Ron commented. Hermione gave a couple tiny nods to acknowledge that she had heard him.

"I saw a girl in the hospital wing," Harry said, the witch who had not recognized his scar still fresh in his mind. "I don't think I've seen her at Hogwarts before. She was sort of strange."

"What d'you mean?" asked Ron, looking up at Harry again.

"Well there were a few things that were out of sorts about her," Harry began. "First of all, she looked like she'd been beaten up or something. She was bruised and scratched and her clothes were a bit torn up."

"That might explain her being in the hospital wing, mate," Ron laughed.

"There's more, though," Harry continued. "She was in Muggle clothes, which isn't too unusual I guess. But she sounded American to me."

"American?" Ron repeated, casting a surreptitious sideways glance at Hermione and sounding as if his interest had piqued. "That's great! You should take me up there to see her, Harry, I hear American girls have got really big-," Hermione elbowed him gently in the ribs. Harry laughed. Ron smiled and wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders. Still looking into her newspaper, she smiled as well. She knew that he was only joking around and trying to get her to take her attention away from her reading.

"The weirdest bit, though," said Harry, "She seemed to not know who I was."

Ron looked at him quizzically.

"When she saw me, she saw my scar, obviously. I thought she was just another one of those people who would see it and say, 'Oh, you must be Harry Potter!'. But instead, she told me that it looked really weird and then she asked what it was from," Harry explained.

Hermione lowered her newspaper a little and began watching the conversation.

"Blimey," said Ron, sounding surprised. "What witch or wizard wouldn't recognize that scar?"

"That's what I was thinking," Harry replied.

"Don't worry, mate, she's probably just mental," Ron dismissed. "That would certainly explain why she's in the hospital wing, wouldn't it? Aside from having gotten into a row with someone, like you said."

"I'm sure she's not mental, Ronald," said Hermione, folding up her Prophet and depositing it roughly in Ron's lap. "Someone's probably just hexed her and she can't remember anything, and she's speaking funny, that's all."

"Could be," said Harry. Her explanation was somewhat plausible. Harry, however, had thought that the girl had appeared alert and articulate enough; not at all like someone who might have experienced a hex or curse that had damaged their memories somehow. She could be right, but there was no way to know for sure. Unless, of course, Harry went to talk to the girl again. His newly-acquired peaceful life had left him somewhat restless. He was almost eager to find something new to sneak around about. His invisibility cloak had been gathering rather a lot of dust lately.

"I still say she's probably just nutters," said Ron. Hermione smirked.

"Madam Pomfrey got in a state when she saw me with the girl, too," Harry continued. "When she walked in and saw me standing near her, she practically tossed the girl back into bed, behind a curtain. Then she pretty much chucked me out."

"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey just didn't want her being out of bed," said Hermione. "She was probably hurt, like you said, and needed bed rest."

Harry nodded quietly. Something about the whole thing seemed slightly off to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"What time is practice tomorrow?" asked Ron, shaking Harry out of his thoughts.

"One in the afternoon," Harry replied. "I've told you about twenty times."

"I keep forgetting!" Ron said in his defense.

"Don't worry," said Hermione, "I'll make sure he shows up." She then leaned over to the side of the couch, picking up a large book that she had put there, and curled up with it. She began reading once again.

"Think I'll have a nap, then," Harry said, raising himself out of his armchair. Ron nodded to his friend. Hermione was once again completely absorbed in her reading.

Harry headed up to the boy's dormitory. He had lied; he wasn't really going to be taking a nap. A great idea had just occurred to him, and he intended to act upon it straightaway. Opening his trunk, he began sifting through it until he found the object that he had been looking for: the Marauder's Map.

Hopping up onto his bed and unfolding the map, he began scanning it until he located the area of the castle which held the hospital wing.

There, he observed a tiny black dot labeled Sarah Garrend.


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Sarah awoke the following day at about nine in the morning. The rest of the previous day had gone somewhat smoothly for her. That was, of course, aside from her trying to climb up the wall again when a house-elf had appeared to deliver her lunch. It took Madam Pomfrey a while to calm her down and explain what it was. She then spent the rest of the day staring longingly out of the windows, admiring the school's beautiful surroundings. Come supper, when another house-elf appeared with more food for her, she seemed well-adjusted to the idea of them and was no longer frightened.

Having been supplied basic toiletries by Madam Pomfrey, Sarah was able to freshen up and prepare for her upcoming trip. Glancing in the mirror as she did, she was pleased to see that she now looked completely healed. There were no longer scratches and bruises from her ordeal in the forest. When it neared ten o'clock, Sarah sat idly on her bed, wondering what to expect from Diagon Alley. At the stroke of ten, the doors to the hospital swung open loudly to reveal Professor Snape.

He was dressed in the same black attire, as Sarah had come to expect, but was wearing a warm-looking traveling cloak over his robes. He simply stood in the doorway for several moments, eyeing the girl sitting on the bed a small distance away. When she did not move, he called to her.

"Well, are you coming or aren't you?" he yelled.

She quickly sprang out of bed and rushed to the doors to meet him. Before she could reach him, he quickly turned around, robes and cloak billowing, and began walking down the corridor at a hurried pace. Correctly assuming that she was meant to follow him, Sarah trailed after Snape. She nearly had to jog to keep up with him as his long strides carried him forward. As they wound their way through the castle, Sarah barely had time to marvel at the suits of armor or the portraits which seemed to move as she passed by. She was awed at how huge the place seemed, and she had barely even seen a fraction of it.

Reaching the entrance hall, Snape quickly strode up to the huge doors and tapped them with his wand. Catching up to him and breathing a bit heavily, Sarah watched wide-eyed as the door's mechanisms magically unlocked themselves and then slowly opened. Without a moment's hesitation, Snape strode through the doors, down the steps, and began his way down the long path which would lead him to the school's winged boar-tipped gates.

Momentarily distracted by her amazement at the huge doors, Sarah did indeed have to break into a jog to catch up with him this time. They continued walking down the path in silence. It was cloudy outside, but clear. It was also rather chilly. Only a few small puddles remained from the huge storm that had passed through the night before last.

Exiting the school grounds, they continued walking for a short while longer. Sarah had begun to wonder if they would be walking the entire way to wherever this place was. Snape suddenly stopped walking and turned to her, Sarah nearly colliding with him. Snape held out his arm.

"Please take my arm, Miss Garrend," Said Snape. He sounded just about as annoyed as he looked.

Sarah quirked a brow at him; was he trying to be cordial? She was confused. When he inclined his head toward her and gave her a harsh glare, however, she complied and put her arm in his. Something about his proximity began to make her nervous. She was close enough to take in his distinct scent as she breathed. She found that she enjoyed it.

"Hold on tight," she heard him say. She then felt him turn on the spot. She experienced the strangest sensation of her life; she felt a jerk somewhere behind her navel, and felt as if she were being pulled forward into crushing nothingness. She felt as if she were being squeezed from all directions, and she did not feel as if she could breathe.

As quickly as the sensation began, it was lifted. She felt her feet hit ground, and her lungs expanded to take a deep, gasping breath. Jarred and unsteady from coming out of nothingness, she became disentangled from Snape and tumbled to the hard pavement. She lay there for several seconds, breathing heavily, trying to process what had just happened to her.

"Such natural grace," Snape murmured.

Sarah turned her head upward to look at him, eyes wide. They appeared to be in a dark, urban-looking alleyway. He smirked down at her.

"Despite your apparent wonderment," said Snape, "This, particular alley, unfortunately, is not Diagon Alley."

She only continued to stare up at him silently. Snape glared down at her with his black eyes.

"If you would, please," he stated, extending a hand toward her to help her up.

Taking his outstretched hand, she was roughly pulled to her feet, almost toppling over again. Managing to regain her balance and composure, she hurried after him as he left the dark alleyway. He turned left down a normal-looking urban street. Sarah examined her surroundings as she followed after him. Just moments previously, they had been just outside the castle. They had been surrounded by mountains and forest. Now, they were in the middle of a large-looking city. Cars were driving down the street, opposite of the sides she was used to. Pedestrians dotted the sidewalks, all bound for their own destinations. Looking up as they passed a street corner, she saw a sign that read Charing Cross Road. She picked up her pace and drew closer to Snape.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"London."

"How did we get here?" she pressed, still curious about the strange sensation she had experienced. "What was that?"

Snape sighed. The girl was full of questions, and they hadn't even reached Diagon Alley yet.

"That was called Apparition," he responded, trying to be patient. "It is a method of travel used by witches and wizards to quickly reach a specific destination."

"Can I do that?" Sarah asked, sounding astonished.

"It is fairly advanced magic," Snape replied. "Perhaps sometime in the future, with enough practice. For the time being, it appears I shall be doing it for you. That is called Side-Along Apparition."

"Why didn't we just do it right away from inside the castle?" Sarah asked.

Snape exhaled loudly, rolling his eyes.

"The castle has enchantments which prevent anyone from Apparating or Disapparating anywhere within the school's perimeter. It is necessary to leave the school's perimeter in order to do so," he replied. Sarah nodded.

After a few more minutes of walking, they reached a run-down looking pub called The Leaky Cauldron. Snape quickly opened the door, holding it open for Sarah.

"I thought we were going to-," Sarah began as she walked past him inside the door. He cut her off, quickly stepping in after her and letting the door shut behind him.

"We are," he said, sounding thoroughly annoyed.

Sarah was thankful to enter the warm pub; wearing nothing but a t-shirt and jeans, she had quickly grown quite chilled walking along the street. They passed through quickly, exiting through the back into an alleyway with red brick walls. Before giving the girl time to inquire if this was Diagon Alley, Snape drew his wand from his robes and tapped the specific brick on the wall. The bricks quickly began rearranging themselves to form an archway.

"Wow," Sarah mouthed quietly.

"After you," said Snape, stowing his wand back in his robes.

Sarah slowly and cautiously stepped through the archway. She then found herself in an extraordinary place, much different from the Muggle city she had just stepped out of. She stood looking down a long, crooked-looking street lined with a menagerie of little buildings on both sides. Far in the distance, she could see a larger building with pillars, which looked like it was made out of white marble. There were merchant's shingles hanging everywhere. A small crowd of witches and wizards were walking along, chatting to eachother, stopping in the stores, or just window shopping. They were dressed in the same type of clothing as Snape was; Sarah suddenly felt very out-of-place in her Muggle t-shirt and jeans.

After giving her a moment to absorb the sight, Snape pushed past her and began walking down the street. She hurried after him, quickly growing chilled again in the cold autumn air. She wrapped her arms around herself, running her hands up and down her biceps. She was at least thankful that her long hair kept her ears warm. As she walked, she nearly collided with many people as she glanced all about, trying to see as much of the alley as she could.

When she reached a storefront which read Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the excitement was finally too much. She had stopped to peer into the window which was full of strange things she had never seen before. They zipped, whirred, and glittered. She was transfixed.

Snape had continued walking on without her for several more paces, until he noticed he could no longer hear the second pair of hurried footsteps shadowing his own. Turning about, he saw Sarah standing in front of George Weasley's shop, looking interestedly in the window.

"Honestly," he said, rolling his eyes, and quickly striding up to her. There he took hold of one of her forearms and began pulling her along with him. Sarah was about to protest loudly, but her complaints were silenced in her throat as she became focused on how warm Snape's hand felt on her arm. For some reason, her skin tingled and a slight blush spread across the bridge of her nose and tops of her cheeks. She allowed herself to be dragged along.

Even Snape could not help but notice how cold the girl's skin was as he had put his hand on it. Letting go, he turned back to glance at her. There was a slight amount of color in her face, but the girl looked pale in the cold. She had once again wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to keep warm. She was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

Snape stopped walking and quickly began to unfasten his traveling cloak. Sarah nearly collided with him again as he had made a sudden stop. She looked up to see him in the process of removing his cloak from over his robes.

"Surely you knew how cold it was," he said, giving her an annoyed look as he shrugged his cloak off. He begrudgingly thrust it into her arms, turning away from her immediately. "You should have worn something warmer," he smirked, quickly continuing on his way.

Pausing for a moment to look down at the cloak in her arms, she had to jog a bit to catch up with him again, throwing the cloak on herself as she did so. It was still warm from being wrapped around his shoulders, and she was quickly able to fight off the cold. She snuggled into it subconsciously as the cloak carried the same pleasant scent she had first come into contact with before her Side-Along Apparition with him. The cloak was much too large for her, and she practically swam in it.

They were nearing the end of the street now, and the large white-pillared building was looming in front of them. Sarah could now read the words Gringotts Bank across its front. Reaching it, she hurried up the steps alongside Snape, who pulled open one of its heavy bronze doors for her. They next encountered a second, smaller set of silver doors. Snape drew one of them open and stood aside.

Stepping inside, Sarah's eyes widened. She was in a large bank hall with shining marble floors. Long counters stretched the hall's length on both sides. There were a few witches and wizards standing along them. Snape moved past her once again and walked up to the nearest counter. Sarah followed, her eyes on the shining floors. She nearly jumped back when she saw the teller; he was a strange-looking creature much smaller than a human, with long, thin fingers. He also had a long nose and long, pointed ears. The goblin peered at her angrily as she gaped at him. Embarrassed, Sarah retreated behind Snape's back to wait for him to finish whatever he needed to do here. She looked across the hall to the other counter, lined with similar creatures.

"How can I help you?" the goblin asked Snape.

"Severus Snape," he replied, "Here to make a withdrawal from Minerva McGonagall's account. She should have contacted you yesterday."

"Ah yes," the goblin nodded. "I shall return presently."

The goblin disappeared behind the counter. Snape looked back over his shoulder. He quirked a brow at the girl, who was standing directly behind him, only inches away, facing the other side of the bank. The goblin quickly returned.

"Here you are," he said, handing Snape a small black bag which jingled pleasantly. "Have a nice day."

Thanking the teller, Snape moved away from the counter back toward the doors, Sarah following after him. When they exited the building and were back onto the street, Sarah glanced back at the bank and opened her mouth to speak.

"Goblins," Snape supplied before she could get any words out of her mouth. He then drew close to one side of the street and opened another door for her. Sarah looked up and saw a merchant's shingle which read, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

"We shall stop in here first," Snape said, "I doubt that Mr. Ollivander will cherish the idea of selling one of his wands to a girl whose clothing screams of Muggle."

About forty-five minutes later, Sarah had been fitted for a few pairs of casual black robes. Madam Malkin had been difficult to deal with when Sarah had insisted that she continue to wear her jeans underneath, however. The girl would only acquiesce to a more appropriate pair of shoes than her Muggle boots. Sarah also insisted on getting a larger set of robes and some loose-fitting, comfortable pants that she could use as pajamas, as well as some additional simple undergarments. Snape paid for her purchase with large gold coins from the bag which the goblin had given him.

"Who's paying for all this? I've got money, it's not gold coins like that, but-," Sarah had began when they exited the shop, but Snape cut her off.

"Professor McGonagall has been kind enough to pay for your little shopping trip today," he said. "We shall, however, be able to have some of your Muggle money changed into wizarding currency at a later date, if you so desire. Come."

"Oh, wait," Sarah said before Snape could start hurrying away again. Now dressed in her new casual robes, she no longer needed his cloak to keep warm. "Your cloak," she said, handing it out to him. She thanked him quietly.

Giving no sign that he had heard her thanks, he threw on his cloak again and began to proceed down the street. Sarah followed, carrying her bag of clothing. They soon reached another shop labeled Ollivander's in peeling gold letters. She stepped inside as Snape held the door open for her once again.

This shop was very small and narrow. There were huge stacks of long, thin, rectangular boxes everywhere. A small, frail-looking man with white hair and pale eyes stood behind a small counter. He smiled politely at his new customers.

"How can I help you two?" he asked.

"This young lady needs a wand," Snape stated, shuffling Sarah around to stand near the counter.

"I see, I see," said Ollivander, looking Sarah over appraisingly. She felt strange as he examined her. He was about to start inquiring about her, but stopped when he saw Snape's glare. The last thing Snape needed was Ollivander asking too many questions about the girl.

Almost an hour later, during which parts of the store had been significantly damaged, Sarah had finally found a wand.

"Oak and chimaera scale," said Ollivander, nodding as he examined the wand now in Sarah's hand. "Ten and one-half inches. A perfect match, I think," he smiled at the girl. She smiled back. The wand felt extremely good in her hand, but she could not explain why.

"The core is somewhat rare," said Ollivander, "But it is quite powerful. Known even to be volatile at times."

Snape sighed and ran his left hand over his face tiredly. Just what she needs, he thought to himself. This is going to be a disaster.

After having paid for her wand, they both stepped back onto the street. Sarah happily tucked her new wand away inside her robes. She was glad she had it, even if she hadn't the faintest clue of how to use it. They began to walk back toward where they had entered Diagon Alley.

They soon neared Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes once again. As they drew closer, Sarah recognized it and began eyeing it hopefully. This did not go unnoticed by Snape. He sighed to himself. Not knowing what had possessed him to do it, he crossed to the side of the street that the shop was on, Sarah following after him. When they reached it, he opened the door. He watched as the girl stood there, looking at him confusedly.

"Well? Didn't you want to go inside?" he asked impatiently.

Sarah's face brightened into a smile and she quickly went inside, Snape closing the door after her. He remained standing outside of the shop. His name having been cleared, and explaining his own actions to the man himself, Snape had been forgiven for the incident with George's ear. Despite this, Snape still felt some guilt, and did not feel entirely comfortable in his presence. A short while later, during which Sarah browsed through the fascinating items and promised the shop's friendly one-eared proprietor that she would return, she joined Snape outside.

They made one additional stop inside the Apothecary. Sarah watched as Snape purchased strange things that she had never heard of. She found the shop interesting, but it had an unpleasant smell. Snape explained that this shop sold many ingredients which were used in potions, like the ones she had drank.

Once they had returned to the Muggle street outside of the pub, Snape began his same hurried pace back toward the dark alley that they had Apparated into. Sarah hurried after him, walking a bit unsteadily, unused to her new shoes. Trying to keep up with his pace, she did not notice the large crack in the pavement which she stumbled over. She gasped, falling forward, closing her eyes as she anticipated hitting the hard ground below.

Instead of connecting with pavement, she found herself up against robes and a very hard, lean chest which she had felt once before. Breathing in that same pleasant scent, she opened her eyes. Snape had caught her before she had fallen. He placed his hands on her shoulders and distanced her from him, steadying her. He had an impatient look on his face. Turning, he continued on his way. Sarah followed.

When they reached the alleyway, Snape again held out his arm for the girl.

"Thank you," she said, thanking him for many things at once.

"You are welcome," he said softly, just before turning on the spot and pulling them both into nothingness.


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A/N: There you have chapter 5! I hope you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed writing their trip to Diagon Alley. Snape's behavior made me rofl. As you can tell, the young canon heroes will be playing a role in the story. We'll see more Harry next chapter, I think! As always, please leave a review if you would be so kind. Chapter 6 soon :) Thank you so much for reading!!