The Serpent's Daughter

Chapter 6: A Chance Encounter in Diagon Alley

Lily stood just outside the entrance to Diagon Alley, fidgeting slightly as she waited for Dumbledore. Her letter from Hogwarts had arrived a week ago, a simple parchment that was the key to the world she already knew she belonged to. But today was her first time truly preparing to step into that world as a witch.

The hustle and bustle of witches and wizards rushing about their business filled the air with an electric excitement. Dumbledore had wandered off, leaving Lily with instructions to "explore the shops, but don't stray too far." She was used to his casual style of guardianship, though it had always been clear that he was watching her more closely than it seemed.

Feeling a little out of place, Lily wandered through the cobblestone streets, staring at the windows of Flourish and Blotts, Eeylops Owl Emporium, and Madam Malkin’s. She passed groups of other Hogwarts students, some of them huddled with their families, discussing their first-year supplies. Lily didn’t have that—no family to guide her through the process. She had Dumbledore, but he wasn’t exactly the “parental” type. Not like the other families she saw.

It was while she was deep in thought that she bumped into someone, nearly knocking over the stack of robes they were carrying.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” she blurted out, stepping back to steady herself.

The boy she had run into scowled at her at first but quickly seemed to regain his composure. He was pale, with sleek blonde hair and sharp, aristocratic features. His grey eyes looked her up and down, clearly assessing who she was—or at least trying to.

“Watch where you’re going!” he snapped, though his voice lacked the genuine bite of anger.

“I said I was sorry,” Lily muttered, feeling defensive. She straightened up, meeting his gaze.

Before the tension could escalate, a woman’s voice interrupted. “Draco, don’t be rude.”

A tall, elegant woman stepped forward, her sharp, graceful features resembling the boy’s. Her eyes were cold but calculating as they flickered over Lily. “Who’s your friend?”

“I don’t know,” Draco said, folding his arms and looking at Lily as though waiting for an introduction.

“I’m Lily,” she said quickly. “Lily R—” She hesitated. Saying “Riddle” wasn’t exactly the best idea. “Lilyanala.”

The woman arched a single eyebrow at her hesitation, but said nothing. “I’m Narcissa Malfoy, and this is my son, Draco.” She gestured to the boy. “We’re doing some shopping for his first year at Hogwarts.”

Draco’s expression shifted slightly, as if suddenly remembering something. “Wait, are you going to Hogwarts, too?”

Lily nodded. “Yeah. First year.”

That seemed to pique Draco’s interest. His cold demeanor softened, just a little, and he gave her a more appraising look. “Well, then, I suppose we might be seeing a lot more of each other.”

“Perhaps,” Narcissa said coolly, still observing Lily with a strange intensity. “Lilyanala, you say? That’s an unusual name.”

Lily shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “It’s… old.”

Draco, sensing the unease, cut in. “Mother, we still need to go to Ollivanders for my wand.” He looked at Lily. “You’ve got your wand already, haven’t you?”

Lily shook her head. “No, not yet.”

Draco smirked, clearly pleased to be one step ahead. “Then come with us. My family always gets the best. We’ll make sure you don’t end up with anything second-rate.”

Narcissa’s eyes narrowed slightly but didn’t object. “If Dumbledore is the one overseeing her care, Draco, I’m sure she’ll manage just fine.”

At the mention of Dumbledore’s name, Narcissa’s tone became sharper, and Lily noticed the faint tension that rippled through her. Draco didn’t seem to care, though. He was already moving toward Ollivanders with a casual wave for Lily to follow.

Lily hesitated for only a moment before deciding to go with them. After all, Dumbledore had said to explore, and it wouldn’t hurt to get to know her future classmates. Plus, there was something about Draco—despite his arrogance—that made Lily curious. He seemed sure of himself in a way that Lily wasn’t used to. And maybe, just maybe, having someone like him as an ally could be useful.

They reached Ollivanders, and the tiny, dust-covered shop was just as mysterious and inviting as Lily had imagined it would be. Shelves full of long, narrow boxes stretched toward the ceiling, and an old man with silvery hair and wide, curious eyes stood behind the counter.

“Ah,” said Ollivander, smiling as they entered. “Mr. Malfoy, I’ve been expecting you.”

Draco puffed out his chest slightly, clearly relishing the attention. “Yes, I’m here for my wand.”

Ollivander nodded and quickly began sorting through a variety of boxes, muttering to himself as he did. Narcissa stood quietly near the entrance, her arms folded as she watched the process with a mixture of disinterest and calculation.

After a few tries, Draco found his match: an 11-inch hawthorn wand with a unicorn hair core. He twirled it in his hand, testing it with a flourish, a grin spreading across his face when it sparked to life with a bright light.

“Perfect,” Ollivander murmured. “A fine wand for a fine wizard.”

Draco beamed, clearly satisfied, and stepped aside. “Your turn, Lily.”

Lily stepped forward nervously. Ollivander studied her intently for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he sensed something deeper about her. He pulled down a box and handed her a wand, but the moment she touched it, nothing happened.

He tried another.

And another.

The silence grew more uncomfortable with each failed attempt, but Ollivander remained calm, focused, as he continued searching.

Finally, he handed her a slender, dark wand made of yew, 10 ½ inches, with a phoenix feather core. The moment her fingers closed around it, a warm surge of magic flowed through her, and the room filled with a soft, golden glow.

“Interesting…” Ollivander whispered. “A curious match indeed.”

“What’s so curious about it?” Draco asked, though he didn’t seem too concerned.

Ollivander didn’t answer directly. “The wand chooses the wizard, after all,” he said softly, his eyes lingering on Lily for a moment longer than usual.

Lily tucked the wand into her robes, feeling both relieved and more unsettled than before.

As they left Ollivanders, Draco turned to her with a grin. “Not bad, Lily. I guess we’ll see what you’re made of at Hogwarts, won’t we?”

Lily gave him a small smile, her mind racing. She had come to Diagon Alley expecting to gather her school supplies and prepare for Hogwarts, but what she had found was something more complicated.

As they walked through the crowded street, Draco kept up a steady stream of chatter about Hogwarts—about Slytherin house, Quidditch, and his family’s connections. Lily listened, nodding when appropriate, though her thoughts were already far away.

Something was brewing inside her, something that tied her to her father’s legacy. She couldn’t ignore it, and she knew that her time at Hogwarts would be far more challenging than simply learning magic. There were deeper, darker forces at play, and Lily was caught right in the middle of them.

And perhaps, Draco Malfoy was the first piece of the puzzle.