What Lies Within the Shadows [SEVERUS SNAPE]

Passing the time-17

The night sky was a blanket of deep indigo, stars scattered like diamonds across the canvas. The crescent moon hung low, casting a gentle glow over the quiet streets. It was a serene contrast to the bustling daytime, and I found myself drawn to the peacefulness it offered.

A hooded figure moved silently through the shadows, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound accompanying their footsteps. It was me, slipping out of the apartment complex and into the night, making my way towards Diagon Alley. The familiar cobblestone streets, now bathed in the soft glow of street lamps, felt like a path to freedom, an escape from the constraints of the day.

Diagon Alley, usually filled with the lively chatter of witches and wizards, was now a quiet labyrinth of shops and stalls. I moved quickly, my eyes scanning the surroundings, looking for anyone who might be watching. But the night was my ally, and the few who wandered the streets at this hour were preoccupied with their own affairs.

My destination was not the bright, welcoming stores of Diagon Alley, but its darker counterpart: Knockturn Alley. The shift in atmosphere was palpable as I turned into the narrow, dimly lit alley. The air was colder, the shadows deeper, and an eerie silence hung in the air. This was a place where secrets thrived, where the forbidden and the obscure were traded like common goods.

I walked through the eerie streets, my eyes darting from one shop to another. I needed ingredients, rare ones that couldn't be found in the respectable shops of Diagon Alley. But I had my limits. I refused to hurt Luna or any other creature for the sake of a rare ingredient.

As I moved deeper into Knockturn Alley, I kept my senses sharp, aware of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. The shops here were a mix of the macabre and the bizarre, their windows displaying everything from cursed artifacts to exotic potions. The shopkeepers eyed me warily, their suspicion clear. But I knew how to navigate this world, how to find what I needed without drawing too much attention.

I paused outside Borgin and Burkes, the infamous shop known for its dark artifacts and rare ingredients. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside, the bell above the door jingling softly. The dimly lit interior was filled with shelves of peculiar items, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and old magic.

"Looking for something specific?" a raspy voice asked from behind the counter. The shopkeeper, a wiry man with sharp features, watched me with keen interest.

"I need an ingredient," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Rare one."

He raised an eyebrow, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "You've come to the right place. What exactly are you looking for?"

"I need a Dragon's Liver. Where do you think I could get one?" I asked, his smile growing immediately. He turned away from me.

"We actually have some here, do you have a specific kind you're craving?" The thought of eating a dragon made me slightly sick. As if I hadn't already...

"Give me all of them." I ordered, the man's eyes widening as he turned to face me.

"This won't be cheap, my dear. Are you sure?" I simply nodded, my eyes narrowing as his smile grew sickening. I knew I was going to get hussled, but I didn't care much. It wasn't like I didn't have the money right now. And thankfully, after the bet during Harry's quidditch match, it wasn't as expensive as it would've been.

"10,000 galleons." He spoke, I quickly handed him a bag, the man shocked that I had that much on my person.

"Keep the change." I took the jars of the organs, making my way swiftly out of the shop and back to my home as quickly as possible. I kept the jars hidden on me, my eyes continuing to scan as I returned to my apartment.