His Dark Lady | Tom Riddle Novella

Chapter 3: Burke's Assistant

August 11th, 1950

Diagon Alley was teeming with families and children doing some back-to-school shopping as Emelina and Rosalie made their way through the crowd in an attempt to get some shopping done.Emelina was irked at all of the children running around once and scowled, wrinkling her nose as they had exited Slug and Jigger's Apothecary with their potion supplies fully stocked.

"Oh, stop making that face, Em," Rosalie laughed at Emelina when she pulled a face at a group of young Hogwarts students arguing about some Quidditch-related matter with their faces pressed into the display window at Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Emelina shot her friend a glare, "But why are they yelling, they can easily discuss Quidditch at normal tones." She huffed and squared her shoulders as they kept walking, arm-in-arm. "I mean seriously, it's not even that deep. Players get traded around so often, how can they possibly stay loyal to one specific team for that long?"

"Do you want to stop by Madame Malkin's?" Rosalie asked as they passed it. Emelina eyed the store from outside with wide eyes and shook her head.

"I think I have PTSD." She responded with a cringe.

Rosalie laughed, "It couldn't have been that bad."

Emelina gave her an incredulous look. It was most definitely that bad if someone who loved shopping as much as Emelina was traumatized by her aunt's expenditures. Anyone would just have to take one look at Emelina's wardrobe to know just how much she loved her designer clothing, but Hepzibah was too much at times even for her.

"We were in there for 2 hours trying on dresses and didn't even end up getting anything from her for the gala at the Nott's; mind you she did end up getting me five outfits 'just in case'." Emelina imitated Hepzibah's high-pitched voice, and it was true. Hepzibah had them visit 3 more stores in London's muggle fashion district. Her aunt was less concerned about what she herself was wearing, but more concerned at ensuring that her bachelorette niece looked better than anyone else at all times.

"Hopefully you'll agree to go out with one of the boys this Sunday," Hepzibah had commented once they'd arrived home after their long day of shopping. "You're not getting any younger and if you wait too long, all the good ones will be taken! I honestly really liked Abraxas Malfoy for you but you flat out refused to accompany him anywhere. Now look at him- betrothed! Now Dragomira is truly a lovely girl but we all know that you would've been a better match. We are aristocrats after all, like the Malfoy's. The Prewett's on the other hand, not so much."

Emelina had resisted the urge to roll her eyes and simply allowed her aunt to drone on. She knew that Hepzibah meant well and during this time period, getting married into a good family was seen as the best thing for any young woman.

"Anyways, Rose," Emelina continued. "We are most definitely not looking at any dresses, robes or dress robes here. Unless it's in the fashion district, of course. I heard Givenchy's fall collection has finally arrived and I've been dying to check it out." Rosalie rolled her eyes and dragged her into Flourish and Blotts, another hotspot for the returning Hogwarts' students.

They browsed through some of the books before Emelina asked, "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"Not really," Rosalie responded a little distracted as she browsed the titles. "Stefano's mom reckons I should improve my household spells a little more." Emelina rolled her eyes. "She wants me to quit my job at the ministry and just be a stay at home wife like other members of magical high society, can you believe it?!"

Emelina hated to admit it, but she very well could believe it.

"Hey, at least you were able to work at the ministry for some time," Emelina said a little miserably. "After school, it was straight back home for me."