California Love

Chapter 2. Diagon Alley - P2

Diagon Alley

Everything for Severa Snape was an escape at this point.

Hogwarts was to be the best escape from her father's abuse, she was to make friends and be the smartest girl in Hogwarts, get the best job. But her plans changed when she met Lily Evans. Her other half.

Lily was the complete opposite of Severa, she was a sight for sore eyes: lovely red hair, a kind personality, an overall angel to others. You could say that this is what drew Severa to Lily in the first place, Lily was the star in Severa's life, so bright and always there to pull her out of the darkness she had to call 'home'.

After it was revealed Lily was a witch, Severa had a new plan for life, the two of them would go to Hogwarts and be sorted into the same house, they would always be there for each other, Best friends forever.

But yet again, things changed at the sorting, when the hat yelled out 'Grifindor!'.

At first, they stayed the same, always talking, always happy and together. But that joy only lasted for barely two years. Cause then came the marauders and their stupid boyish smiles and 'childish' pranks.

Their 'Childish' pranks were nothing but, you can say it started childish, hair tugging and giggling as she walked past. But it soon became downright bullying, and no matter what Severa said to anyone, why would they believe her? she's the ugly dungeon bat with beady eyes and a big nose and they're the rich, pretty, grifindor's golden boys.

She had no chance when it came to them, no matter the power she held or the brain she had, they had Dumbledore in their corner and they just got Lily too.

Between the damn marauders and her father, severa was at her wit's end, and it didn't help that her parents seem to be fighting a lot more these days, and the fights are getting worse.

And one of those fights is what brought her to Dagon Alley. After getting punched in the gut for trying to stop her father from hurting her mother, she ran, scared she would be killed instead. But she had nowhere to run, no lily, no other friends, no family, nobody. So she ran and ran, not knowing where she was going, just letting her legs take her. And soon she found herself at the doors of the Leaky Cauldron.

As Severa pushed open the creaking door of the Leaky Cauldron, a rush of warmth and chatter enveloped her, instantly dispelling the chill of the London streets. The dimly lit interior welcomed her with open arms, its cozy atmosphere a stark contrast to the bustling Muggle world outside.

As Severa made her way further into the Leaky Cauldron, her eyes caught onto the man behind the bar, His weathered face bears the lines of years spent behind the polished counter, each crease telling a story of the countless customers he's served and the secrets he's kept. Despite the wear of time, his eyes sparkle with a mischievous glint, hinting at a well of hidden knowledge and a sharp wit that keeps the pub's atmosphere light and jovial.

"Can I help you lass?"

The man's voice broke Severa from her thoughts, its warmth enveloping her like a comforting embrace. She glanced up, meeting his gaze.

"Uh, yes, please," she stammered, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his stare. "I'm looking for... well, I'm not quite sure, actually."

The man chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to resonate throughout the pub. "No worries, lass," he said, his voice reassuring. "You're in the right place. Take a seat, have a drink, and let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

As the man turned to tend to another customer, Severa hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage. "Wait, um, can you open the entrance to Diagon?" she blurted out, her voice tinged with nervousness.

The bartender paused, his eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. "Ah, a young witch eager to explore Diagon Alley, I see," he remarked, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Of course, dear. Just give me a moment."

The two made their way through the back door into a small alley with only a trash bin, with a flick of his wand, the bartender muttered an incantation under his breath, and suddenly, the bricks of the wall in front of them shifted, and rearrange themselves, forming a narrow archway bathed in a soft, golden light.

"There you go, lass," the bartender said, gesturing toward the newly revealed entrance. "Mind your step, and remember: keep the magic alive."

When Severa looked behind her in search of the bartender, she found nothing. Assuming he went back inside the pub, she turned and made her way through the arch, entering Diagon Alley.

With the little pocket money she had, Severa gripped her bag tightly and made her way into Flourish & Blotts. The quaint bookstore was bustling with activity, shelves lined with towering stacks of spellbooks and magical tomes.

As she browsed the books, each one seeming to call out to her with promises of adventure and knowledge, Severa found herself lost in the enchanting atmosphere.

But her reverie was abruptly interrupted when she bumped into a small child, sending a cascade of books tumbling to the ground.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Severa exclaimed, bending down to pick up the fallen books. But before she could finish apologizing, she felt a sharp and hard hit on the back of her head, causing her to yelp in pain and surprise.

Dazed and confused, Severa turned around to see who had struck her, only to find herself face-to-face with a scowling figure looming over her. It was a woman with a menacing expression, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Watch where you're going, you clumsy girl! You hit my son!" she growled, her voice dripping with disdain.

But as soon as she reached the other side of the store before she could even take another breath, she felt a strong hand grip her shoulder and yank her back with surprising force. Startled, Severa stumbled, her feet tangling as she was pulled towards the exit.

Before she could protest or even fully comprehend what was happening, she found herself being thrown out into the middle of the bustling street, the harsh sunlight momentarily blinding her as she landed in a heap on the cobblestones. The sounds of the city seemed to blur together as she struggled to push herself upright, her head spinning with confusion and fear.

As Severa fought to regain her bearings, her senses reeling from the sudden assault, she barely had time to register the looming figure before her when she felt a sharp kick right in her ribs, knocking the breath from her lungs.

Pain lanced through her body, radiating from the point of impact, as she crumpled back to the ground, gasping for air.

Her vision swimming, Severa glanced up through teary eyes, her gaze locking onto the form of her assailant, now looming over her with a malevolent sneer. Before she could get a good look at her attacker, three random men who must have seen some or the whole thing rushed forward and started to apprehend the man.

As the men were trying to stop Mr. Drunk, she was suddenly looking at a woman with hazel eyes and unruly black hair, the woman did nothing but stare at her with big shocked eyes.

While the woman just stared at her, several pushed herself up and started to pick up her belongings. After a minute or so Severa looked up at the woman, only to find her staring not at her, but at one of her designs that fell from her bag.

Severa picked up her final paper and was reaching for the one from the woman's hands when she saw one of the men who apprehended Mr. Drunk staring at her potions essay from the year before.

Both of them had this look in their eyes, a look that screamed....'Finally, someone on my level...."

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sorry for not posting, these last 2 months have been hell, BUT I'M BACK BABY!! 

(1337 words)