Loved By You. (A Severus Snape Love Story)

Chapter Three: Diagon Alley

August 30th 1995
I woke up unusually late that morning. 10:00.
"Shit." I shouted as I awoke. I barely had an hour before I was meant to get up and ready to meet Snape and be on our way to Diagon Alley. My grandfather had said he would speak to Snape about taking me shopping but I hadn't been told if he had actually agreed. I hated the man and couldn't bare to think what it would be like to spend the hole day with him but I hoped that he would come nevertheless.
Without thinking another thought I jumped out of bed and ran to shower.
As usual I did my morning routine; shower, wash hair, brush teeth, dry hair, make-up, curl hair.
Once I had finished putting on my make-up and doing my hair I spent the last precious minutes I had choosing an outfit to quickly throw on. I ran about my room in my bra and pants, regretting my long lie. I wouldn't have time to eat now.
Just as I was about to shove on my jeans there was a knock at my door.
I was in such a rush to get ready I forgot to cover myself up as I went to answer the door, I had half expected it to be a house elf with my breakfast anyhow.
Frustrated I threw open the door.
To my surprise and horror I was confronted by Severus Snape. His permanent scowl was in place but it changed when he looked down at me. His pale face reddened and his eyes widened.
"Miss Dumbledore..." His velvety voice spoke.
"Yes." I snapped, to annoyed to concentrate on anything else.
"We will be leaving shortly for Diagon Alley, I was sent to fetch you." He droned boredly, his face still turning pink.
"Well if you gave me a minute then I would be ready but... Oh Shit!!"
I gasped as I looked down and realised I was standing in my underwear in front of my soon-to-be-professor. Immediately I slammed the door in his face.
Just to spite the man I took my time getting ready.
It was particularly cold today so I opted for my blue skinny jeans, baggy black shirt, knitted snood, leather jacket and high heel boots. I emerged from the room 5-10 minutes later to find Snape returned to his natural form leaning awkwardly against the wall.
"Ready?" He grumbled.
"Yes." I sighed and followed him down the hall.
He didn't speak to me until we in the Entrance Hall of the castle.
"We cannot apparate on the school grounds, we shall have to travel to Hogsmeade before heading for Diagon Alley."
"Thanks fine." I said trying to be almost as emotionless as him.
We remained in silence again for the most part of our journey.
"I take it you have apparated before, Miss Dumbledore." He asked boredly.
"Yes. We started training for out apparition lessons in third year, in Salem." I replied matter-of-fact-ly.
"Good. I won't have you vomiting all over my shoes then shall I?"
"Well if I do it won't be because of the appariting, I can tell you that." I sneered.
It was then, amongst the silence and tension, walking with this man that I realised I would be having a completely new slate here at Hogwarts, no one knew who I was, what I was or anything about me. I could be whoever I wanted to be. And I knew exactly what I wanted to be...
I could use what was my 'weakness' to my advantage. If I studied hard I could become a great witch. I was in Slytherin now, I knew I wasn't going to get bullied and if I was I will get revenge.
I don't want to be who I used to be ... I'm a new person now and no one can change that!

We arrived at Diagon Alley soon enough and I had a completely different outlook on life now. I was cheerier, happy and more enthusiastic to start the new year.
"So where first?" I chirped.
"We'll need to go to Gringott's bank first, your grandfather has given me the key to his vault, he says you've to have what ever you want... But may I suggest you do not take advantage of his generosity."
"What do you think I am." I snapped, annoyed by his arrogance. "Of course I won't take advantage of it, he's my grandfather it's not like I'm going to rob him if every penny he owns!"
"Very well, I was just making sure."
"I'm not some kind of thug you know. I'm a nice person." I insisted.
"Hmmm." Was the only response I got.
"Clearly you are not!" I mumbled but I knew he heard.
When we arrived at Gringott's the bank was full with people doing their last minute school shopping and needing money but as soon as Snape and I entered the goblins who ran the establishment stopped and stared. All eyes were on us and they watched us as we walked down to the front desk.
"I'd like to enter Albus Dumbledore's Vault on his behalf." Snape droned as the goblin looked down at me suspiciously from his podium.
"Very well... do you have the key?"
He asked his nasally voice going right through me.
Snape held up and old brass key to show the goblin. It nodded simply in return.
"Follow me." He demanded jumping down from his stool and waddling away through the doors.
We followed in silence as I took in my surroundings, curious as to what this place was like past the shiny entrance. It was dark to say the least.
We were made to hop into a cart for a small journey into one of the caves. We stopped outside one of the large wooden doors decorated with gold trimmings. The goblin took the key from Snape and unlocked the complicated doors.
As it opened Snape told me to wait outside while he ventured in and collected some Galleons and sickles from the vault.
In almost no time at all we were back in the streets of Diagon Alley.
"Where are we off to now?" I questioned.
"You'll need books so I suggest Flourish and Blotts, do you have your list?" Snape replied stoically.
"Of course." I retorted pulling out the piece of parchment my grandfather had sent a house elf to give me this morning.
It read:
Books
• The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5 by Miranda Goshawk
• Defence Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard
• Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky
• Numerology and Grammatica
• Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles by Wilhelm Wigworthy
• Spellman's Syllabary
• A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch