Chapter 2

Thanks to CB13 and DuchessofArcadia for beta services.

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June 1971

Severus swept the front of the shop. He'd helped Kem so much around the shop that Ayo had made him an honorary employee. He was happy about that. Ayo showed him, and Kem, how to perform a few simple spells.

"Severus, tea time." Kem's head poked out of the shop door. He followed her up to the flat. On the small window sill, Bobert tapped at the window, almost as if teasing an annoyed great horned owl. Kem flicked Bobert on the head and let in the foreign owl. It didn't belong to any of the regular customers, and it wasn't that stuck-up eagle owl of Abraxas Malfoy. The owl presented its leg bound with two minute letters. Kem took the letters as the owls sized each other up.

"Sevvie, there's a letter here for you." The two opened their letters at the same time. The owls circled each other; Bobert threw faux pecks at the much larger owl. Severus read his letter over and over again. Here it was, concrete proof: he was going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He'd assumed so. But now he knew for certain.

"Hogwarts is a bit late," Kem muttered, "Mahoutokoro and Beauxbatons sent their letters ages ago."

"Let's go and see Lily to see if she has received her letter," Severus added. Lily just had to have her letter as well. The duo dashed out the flat and the shop.

"Mind the store, father," Kem yelled over her shoulder.

"Yes, boss," Ayo nodded before carrying on building a small pyramid of vaginal itch relief creams.

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As they approached the Evans, an old man in business attire made his way out of the front door. Instead of waiting until the man had left like Severus, Kem strolled right up to him.

"I know you," she spoke in an accusatory tone. He raised a surprised eyebrow.

"Do you, now?" he asked good-naturedly. "I've seen you in photos," she began, "with my grandfather."

"And your grandfather is?" he inquired.

"Ogonna Uchenna Darlington Okafor."

"And," he questioned on, "which of his many children is your parent?"

"Chiwetelu Oludotun Edochie Benjamin Okafor," Kem stated.

"Ah yes, Ayo. He did very well in Potions and Transfiguration if I'm not mistaken. And what might your name be?"

"Kem."

The man chuckled to himself. "Decided to keep it simple, did he? You must excuse me, tight schedule. I'm sure we'll see more of each other at the start of term." He gave Kem a wink and tipped his hat to Severus as went on his way. Kem glared at the man's disappearing figure. Severus made his way to Kem, about to ring the Evans' door.

"How do you know him?"

"I don't really, but I don't care much for any of my grandfather's associates."

Mr. Evans opened the door in a hurried fashion. "Sorry, loves, the girls won't be coming out today."

"I KNEW IT!" They heard Petunia screech. "She's a little freak!"

"Petunia, darling, you don't mean that," Mrs. Evans said from a distance. A crash of porcelain rang out, maybe a plate or a vase, and then came the sound of feet stomping up the stairs. "Maybe tomorrow, yeah?" Mr. Evans asked before he closed the door gently.

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Ayo held the door as Severus and Kem walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Severus stayed very close to Kem, but not so close to make her think he was frightened.

"Hello, Tommy," Ayo called out to the young man, barely out of his teens, wiping down a table. "Did you enjoy your summer?"

"Not really," the young man replied, "I had to spend my entire holiday here at this bloody tavern."

"Come now, who doesn't want to spend their days catering to a room full of slouched wizards?"

"Such is my lot," Tom sighed. He looked at Ayo's little companions. "And who might they be?" Ayo chuckled and ruffled Severus's hair, which caused the boy to scowl.

"This boy's mine, can't you see the resemblance? The girl? Don't know where she came from; turned around one day and there she was." Kem rolled her eyes, tugging her father's sleeve with impatience.

"We best be off; tell your father to save me a bottle of that special firewhisky of his." Ayo winked at Tom before leading the children to the alley.

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"Okay, you two, what's our first stop?" Ayo asked. Kem carried with her a clip board and a long list of every item they would need as first years. Severus followed as Kem instructed him and Ayo. At every shop Ayo paid for Severus's supplies, stating that his mother had given him the funds in private. His father had been furious when he had found out that Severus was a wizard. Tobias barely spoke to his wife, and when he did, it was to argue. He scarcely acknowledged his son. Which was why Severus accompanied Ayo and Kem.

"All that's left are our robes and wands," Kem said after checking items off her list. Severus could not believe this was the world where his mother was raised.

Why on earth had she chosen to live a life without magic, he wondered.

"Severus! Kem!" The two turned to find Lily rushing towards them. The girls clasped one another with great force. Lily hugged Severus, as well, who froze at the embrace.

A short distance after Lily, a woman with dark blonde hair and a semi stern look on her face walked briskly towards them.

"Ms. Evans, we mustn't dawdle," she said, placing a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Oh my days!" Ayo exclaimed, approaching the woman. "Minerva McGonagall, is that you?"

"Good heavens, you're a sight for sore eyes." McGonagall let herself be engulfed by the big man.

"How did you come about escorting little Lily?" Ayo asked.

"I've taught at Hogwarts for four years now; I assist the Muggle-born students to get situated."

"Took over Herbology, did you?"

"Heavens no," McGonagall tittered.

The adults seemed to completely forget about the children as they became reacquainted.

"Isn't this wonderful? The three of us will be in Hogwarts together!" Lily was visibly excited. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her wand for Severus and Kem to see. When it was Kem's turn, she aimed the wand at her father, sending yellow sparks at his backside.

"Little bugger!" Ayo shouted. Kem quickly gave the wand back to Lily.

"You're being rude daddy; introduce us to your friend." Kem pouted as Ayo rolled his eyes.

"If you must know, dear child, this is the woman who was almost your mother." He winked at McGonagall.

"Don't fill the children's heads up with nonsense, Okafor. Head Girl and a Slytherin first year, what would people say?" she chided with mock sternness.

"It could have happened if you had given me the time of day," Ayo replied cheekily.

"Well, we really must be getting back to our group," McGonagall said, dismissing Ayo.

Lily gave a quick hug to her friends. "I'll see you both at home." The children made their farewells and departed.

"Right, you two, all that's left now are your wands," Ayo said, looking over Kem's shoulder to the clipboard.

Diagon Alley proved to be quite the labyrinth to Severus's eyes. The streets, lanes, and corridors appeared so muddled and unplanned.

"Here we are children, Ollivanders!" Ayo exclaimed with a touch of grandeur as he ushered them into the shop.

A man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop. He welcomed them in.

"Why, Okafor, Yew and Kneazle whiskers. 13 and 5/8th inches." His eyebrows rising to his sandy grey hair.

"Right to the last Knut," Ayo nodded.

"First years, I assume?"

"Yes, sir, my daughter, Kem, and her friend, Severus Snape."

Mr. Ollivander picked a random wand from the shelf and handed it to Severus. Severus looked to Ayo and Kem, unsure what to do with it.

"Is this one for me?" he asked Mr. Ollivander.

"That's for the wand to decide. Give it a swish." With a jerky movement, Severus tried the wand. Nothing happened.

"The right one will come to you. Try another." Mr. Ollivander guided Severus around the shop testing numerous wands to no avail.

Kem, with idle hands, roamed the shop on her own. She looked at a couple of wands, but none interested her. She eventually found her way to a door marked 'employees only'. She turned to rejoin the others when she heard a small tapping at the door. She peered over her shoulder, cautiously turning the door knob. Barely an inch ajar, a wand slipped through landing on Kem's foot. Holding the wand, it felt as if it slightly quivered in her grasp. Wand in hand, she ran through the shop to rejoin the others.

"Daddy!" she yelled with excitement, "this one came to me!"

Mr. Ollivander glanced at the wand for a mere second. "Vinewood and stalk of Dittany. 10 and a 1/4 inches. You might have a future Healer on your hands, Okafor."

Kem spun herself around, shooting jets of stars and sparks. Severus pursed his lips, testing yet another wand.

"Let me help you, Severus." She pulled down several wands from the shelves. She tossed away shorter, lighter and flexible wands, Ayo tidying up after her. Mr. Ollivander frowned at her carelessness. She took one particular wand, holding it next to Severus's face. The wand was as dark as his jet black hair and equally as firm as his face.

"Give it a go," Kem encouraged. The instant Severus took hold of the wand, he felt warmth in his palm. Severus flicked the wand as if cracking a whip; a thin string of fire emerged from the tip, singeing his shoelaces.

"Let's see here. Wood from the rare Black Birch tree. Dragon heartstring from an Ukrainian Ironbelly. 15 inches even. Very good for dueling, I imagine." Mr. Ollivander eyed the wand slowly.

"I'll wrap things up with Mr. Ollivander, and then how about some lunch?" Ayo asked. Kem nodded to her father and, gently prodding Severus with her new wand, guided him out of the shop.

Once they were outside the shop, Kem grabbed Severus firmly by his wrists and spun them both at a dizzying speed. Less than a minute of spinning and Severus began to feel sick; he wedged himself from Kem, which caused her to fall on her backside. She returned to her feet quickly smiling.

"That was fun, Severus. Why don't you ever laugh?"

"That wasn't the least bit fun. And I do laugh sometimes," he replied.

"Only when Lily is around, I wager."

"Yes, well you aren't Lily."

Kem inhaled sharply, adopting the look of a smug pug. At that moment Ayo stepped from the shop. He took one look at his daughter and then Severus.

"I know that face," Ayo chuckled to himself. "Come on, you two. Food fixes everything."

A bewildered Severus fell in step beside Ayo.

Throughout lunch, Kem made a point to not speak directly to Severus, and whenever her father tried to talk to him, she interrupted.

"Daddy, I'm going to the loo," she stated, stomping off before he could acknowledge her.

"Merlin's pants, that girl of mine. Now, Severus," Ayo turned to Severus, placing a hand on his shoulder, "there are a couple of things I wanted to talk to you about."

Severus nodded simply. He rarely had private conversations with Ayo. If ever.

"I notice you spend a great deal of time with Kem and Lily. Well, son," Ayo paused trying to find the best words. "Boys play very differently, especially young wizards. I'd like to teach you a few... tricks and spells to even the field, so to speak."

Severus nodded again; he wasn't sure what Ayo meant, but if it somehow gave him an advantage over others, he was glad for the help.

"And now for more pressing matters." Ayo waved his wand, and a yellow rose landed on the table.

"If you ever see that weird up-turned expression on Kem, just apologize."

"Why should I apologize?" Severus asked, "What have I done?"

Ayo shook his head almost somberly. "As a man, you will never know."

Kem returned to them, eyeing them both suspiciously.

"Look dear, a woman, came with flowers, and Severus bought this for you."

Severus quickly handed Kem the bright rose, pricking himself in the process.

"Sorry about before." He winced, even though he didn't know what 'before' was. Kem licked her thumb and brushed it over Severus's minor wound. She hugged his neck and whispered a 'thank you' in his ear, causing Severus to turn slightly pink.

"So what's for dessert? Mango sorbet would be ace," Kem said, smiling as she placed the rose in her hair.