The Princess and The Half Blood Prince

An odd shopping trip

Severus and I landed in the middle of the ally. It was bright, colorful, and noisy. I felt my muscles tensing. Other than the school year, I didn't typically spend a lot of time around people. Even my staff rarely saw me. The guys were the only exception to the rule. Even they were limited.

I took a deep breathe and looked at the list Mcgonagall had given me before I had to run after Severus. Snape! I mentally corrected myself. He is your professor not your friend. I scolded myself.
"The bookshop?" I asked PROFESSOR SNAPE. Basically screaming it to myself so that maybe I would remember.

"This way." He lead me to Flourish and Blotts.
"Unique." I commented more to myself.
"Indeed." Severus. PROFESSOR SNAPE! Replied.

"How can I help you?" A kindly looking old man chimed.
"I need school books." Unsure of how exactly to reply. I normally shopped online.
"Excellent!" He replied and motioned for me to hand him my list.
He glanced over it quickly, "That's an awful lot of potions books miss. Are you sure this list is correct?" He did a double take as he noticed Snape standing behind me.
"Yes sir," I replied trying to ignore the nasty look he had leveled at the professor. "Potions will be my area of expertise. I've come to England in hopes of finding an apprenticeship before graduating."
"Ahh I see." He had heard maybe half of what I said. I could tell from the way he was looking at Professor Snape.
"And what can I do for you Severus?" The shop keep spat the sentence out like poison.
"Dumbledor has requested I show Miss Greyson here." He made a motion toward me, "around. Seeing as she only come to England a few hours ago, and these are troubling times." Snape dismissed the man.

The look he had given Severus now landed on me. "I see. Professor Snape is here is something of a potions genius." Sarcasm dripped from his lips. I fought the urge to smack him.

I leveled red eyes at him. "I am aware. Now do you intend to assist me or should I find someone who knows how to do their job?"

The shop keep stepped back grumbling under his breathe. "Wait here."

Thirty minutes later I had all my required books. Carefully I placed them in a black cloth similar to the one Stranger and Artorias were riding in now only much smaller and filled wall to wall with books.

"What a jerk." My eyes flashed again.
Snape made no reply
"Your eyes change color when you're angry."
"An inherited trait. From my mother's side I believe." It wasn't a complete lie. Merely an omission of some truths.
"I see." His dark eyes met my green ones. I could feel him attempting to get the full truth my sheer force of will.

I quickly changed the subject. "Robes are next."

I followed Severus to another near by shop. Black and green to match most the rest of my clothes. I only managed to find two in stock that were short enough. The semester took my measurements and promised the rest to be delivered by the end of the week.

I looked back at my list. Potions class was next on the list.
"Where do you suggest I shop for my potions supplies?" I looked back at Severus who had dropped a pace or two behind me.
"Hmm. The best place. Follow me."
We wondered through ally ways, wide streets, dark decrepit tunnels. Until we came out to a shady looking section of town. People stared openly or shrunk back into the shadows as we passed.

"It's not much farther." He said as I let out a yelp.

He turned in time to see a man dragging me into the ally we had just passed.  Blue eyes stared down at me.

"Now now Miss Greyson. No need to cause a scene."

"Release her immediately!" Severus was standing at the end of the ally.

Ricker looked up. "Go mind your own you filthy death eater!"

I threw my head back. The sound of his nose breaking was by far the most satisfying thing I would hear for the rest of my life.
"You little whore!" He screamed. Blood poured down his face.

I landed at the other end of the ally in a heartbeat. Severus steppes closer to me and wrapped his free arm around my shoulders.
"Are you alright?"
I nodded. Everything else was a slight blur. Severus bound Ricker then apparated us all back to Hogwarts.

No one tries to save me. Why did he do that? I could have handled it. Thoughts ran through my head.

Apparently I had missed him sending his patronas to warn them of our coming. Professor Mcgonagall and Dumbledor were waiting for us at the gate.

"Minerva, take Miss Greyson to your office please." Dumbledor nodded to the castle.

She held out her hand to me. I suddenly realized I was still grasping Snape's waist. I was loathe to let go of him. He was safe and warm, but I did was I was bid and followed her into the castle.

She handed me a cup of warm tea. "Drink." She commanded. "It'll help calm your nerves."
"Thank you Professor." I took the cup hands steady.
Mcgonagall raised a brow at me but made no comment. Instead she summoned a house elf to fetch some biscuits.  The elf returned a moment later and a biscuit was placed in my hand.

It was hard and flat. I was momentarily confused before I remembered that English biscuits and American ones were two totally different things. I took a tentative bite and fought the urge to spit it in the trash. It was hard and tasted like well nothing. I scarfed it down to get the torment over with.
"Another?"
"No thank you Professor." I said politely

"Are you hurt?" A mans voice came as the door opened.
"No I'm alright." I turned to Severus.

Lines creased his face as he studied me. "You're sure?"
"A few bruises where his nails dug in, but they'll be gone within the hour."
He raised a brow.
"I heal rapidly. Another one of my inherited traits." I said quickly
"Hmm," was his only response.
"Could you please show me to the dormitory Professor Snape? I need to get my things unpacked and shower."

"In a moment. Mr. Ricker will no longer be a danger to you Miss Greyson. The ministry had stripped him of his magic and broken his wand."
"That was fast." I was wide eyed.
"Yes well the headmaster has some pull there, and was very clear that Mr Ricker was to be made a none danger to his students." Snape said it as though that explained everything.
"I see." I couldn't bring myself to smile.
"This does not please you?"
"He doesn't need a wand to attack another girl." I said solemnly.

To my surprise he placed a hand on my shoulder. "He won't hurt anyone else." Snape eyes burned with furry.

I smiled at him then, "Of course. Thank you Professor Snape."

Mcgonagall cleared her throat behind us. I tensed again. I forgot we were standing in the middle of her office.

"Thank you for the tea and biscuits Professor Mcgonagall." I gave her a smile as I followed Snape from the room.