The Corpse That Lived.

Chapter 22

A/N Votes and comments are appreciated!!!

She and Hyacinth had already gotten most of their supplies and all that was left were robes and their wands.

Maybe a toad? Toads are in the alleys all the time.

Dahlia was humming happily despite how tired she and Hyacinth were after all the long lines and endless shopping. They had already gathered most of their supplies and all that remained were their robes and, of course, their wands.

James stretched his shoulders with a groan. "First year is the worst," he said lightly. "Half these things, like cauldrons and brass scales, you'll use for seven years or more. After this it only gets easier."

Lily laughed under her breath. "Then let's make this first round go faster. How about we split up? I'll take them for robes, you grab the last of the books, and we'll all meet outside Ollivander's to buy their wands."

"Perfect," James agreed, they headed off in different directions through the bustle of Diagon Alley.

James led Dahlia into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, the shop Professor Snape had recommended. Dahlia paused just inside the doorway, surprised to find that it looked almost like an ordinary clothing shop, bolts of fabric stacked in neat towers, shelves packed with neatly folded garments, and rows of robes hanging along the walls.

A kindly witch wearing a name tag that read Madam Malkin bustled forward with a welcoming smile. Toward the back of the room, a pale boy stood on a footstool while another witch worked quickly, pinning the hem of his dark school robes.

"First-year Hogwarts robes for her," James said, giving Madam Malkin a polite nod.

"Of course, dear," Madam Malkin replied. She guided Dahlia toward an empty stool beside the other student. Once Dahlia had shrugged off her jacket, the witch slipped a long black robe over her shoulders and began fastening and pinning it so it would fall at just the right length.

She didn't like her having her hands on her body and held herself stiffly, with her jaw clenched, to get through the fitting.

James probably noticed her discomfort. "This is taking ages," he murmured with a sympathetic smile. "How about a break after this? Want to go grab some ice cream?"

Dahlia brightened immediately and nodded. "Yes, please."

Madam Malkin chuckled as she adjusted another pin. "Go on, dear," she said to James. "I'll keep an eye on her while I finish up. She won't be but a few more minutes."

"Hello," said the blonde boy, "Hogwarts, too?"

"Yep," Dahlia gritted out, she needed to endure a stranger touching her, she was not in the mood for small talk.

The boy looked at her curiously. "Are you alright?"

Dahlia nodded sharply, "I'm fine."

The boy kept staring. "Okaaay, sure. Well I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Dahlia glanced at him, not sure if he was having her on or not. It sounded like a nickname some of the street kids used, but this boy looked too posh to be on the streets.

"That your real name or your street name?"

"I- I don't even- what in Merlins name is a 'street name'?"

Dahlia grinned a little. Definitely too posh to be on the streets. "Nevermind then, I'm Potter, Dahlia Potter."

Draco forgot all his lessons on decorum as he gaped at her. This short, tiny, slip of a girl, who barely looked 9, and definitely not 11,  was the (now living) legend Dahlia Potter??