When she looks back at it later, entering Diagon Alley was an interesting experience Seren would really rather not go through again. The professor had managed to reserve her a room above the dusty pub, The Leaky Cauldron, and was leaving her things, a lazy Uparaja and a sleepy Tantibus- as Professor Snape decided to call his familiar- in the small room. As she waited for her future potions teacher to return downstairs, she explored a bit with Mother tucked happily into her large shirt, wrapped securely around her shoulders.

~Sarff. The smoke from the two-leggeds bothers me, little one, let us find a better spot to wait for the dark one.~

Seren complied and looked around, searching for a quiet, out of the way spot to sit while still being able to be on the lookout for her professor. Spying an unused, darkened corner Seren darted over to claim the small table before another stole it. As she slid onto the rather tall chair, Mother poked her head out of the shirt collar to discreetly scent the air; now that they were away from the pipe smoke of an older wizard, Mother could quickly and easily notice any danger near her.

~Describe those around us, be my eyes and let me experience the wonders of your Hud filled world. How I wish I could observe with my own eyes...~

~Mother, your cataracts are too bad for you to do it yourself and you know thinking about it only makes us both sad. You only have to ask and I would gladly be your eyes for as long as you want; forever even, if it'd make you happy.~

A soft hiss met her ears as Mother gave a quiet laugh, ~You know I don't have forever, my Sarff, but I would like to take your offer for the time being.~

Seren dipped her head in sadness and willed away the wetness in her eyes before looking out, over the entirety of the pub and used the skills her Den-mates had helped her obtain. As she was describing the people she saw and the things around her, Seren's eyes fell to a man sitting at the bar. At first, it was the ugly purple thing wrapped around his head that caught her attention; then the observational skills and tricks she'd been learning for years kicked in.

He was hunched, as if afraid and yet his head was held high, as if in pride. His chocolate brown eyes shifted quickly in a cautious way that could have seemed finicky and frightened, if not for the way he seemed to catalog the people around him; always with his fingers subtly twitching for, what she could only assume was, his hidden wand. The man acted like prey, but secretly screamed predator.

A snake in the grass...

And she told Mother as much. After all, one could never be too careful around a creature that could eat you alive; even if only metaphorically. Mother's response to her slight fear was to tighten her coils in a comforting embrace and offer her some snake wisdom, ~A serpent at the top of the chain is more of a danger to other creatures than any mere snake it may have once been; and yet they will cower before dragons even while those dragons bow to the might of The Dragon. What do you get from this, Sarff?~

~That depends. Where do I stand in the chain from your wisdom?~

Mother hissed her approval, ~You were once a mere snake, now you are a creature that gathers more strength on her way to being a serpent; yet you have a long way before you become a dragon, let alone The Dragon. Now answer my question, little one.~

Seren thought a few moments before she answered, spotting the professor making his way over from the bottom of the stairs, ~I think, I don't have enough power or experience to face that serpent and that I should be as careful as any other creature would.~

~Why?~

~Because... While he seems to be a serpent, his contradicting actions could mean he is a dragon in hiding. I may have a chance against a serpent, but none against a dragon.~

~Very good, Sarff, be sure to gather good information from the dark one. It may be useful in other hunts.~

By that time, Professor Snape had made his way over to their table. She had slid down from her perch and Mother had retreated into her shirt, so as not to scare anyone, by the time he asked, "Are you all set to go, then?"; she was as prepared and enthusiastic as she could possibly be. He directed her through the back door into an enclosed back alley, flicking his wrist to bring his wand into his hand as they approached the back wall.

"Watch carefully, Seren," he said as he tapped out a specific rhythm across the bricks. She watched in awe as the tapped bricks slid into and around each other to form a simple enough archway.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, one of Britain's largest shopping areas for all magical peoples."

She couldn't help the soft chirp of surprise and awe she released before she began to notice the sheer amount of people in the alley. Without thinking, she made a soft squeak of discomfort and reached out to snag the professor's cloak in mild fear. Severus flinched in surprise and looked down at the small child gripping the soft material hard enough to produce white knuckles. Hesitating only slightly, he rested a large hand softly on the top of her head.

"Are you well?" His voice was soft enough to not startle her even more than she already was. The gentleness of his gestures giving her the sense of safety that allowed her to step closer to his side, nearly tucking herself behind his legs.

"Well enough, sir, though crowds bother me a lot," there was a soft tremble to her words that fit the tenseness of her frame. Mother wrapped her body more snugly around her throat, looking like a rather expensive choker. With her full length visible and her head resting on Seren's clavicle she provided more protection and acted as a sort of security blanket.

Giving it a quick thought, Severus held out his arm and offered her a soft, "We shall make this trip as quick and painless as possible then. We'll start with the Gringott's Bank, then proper clothing and we'll see where we go from there."

Seren looked up at him and gave a shy sort of smile before threading her petite hand around his elbow like a proper little lady.

"Very well, my good sir, please lead onward then."

He gave a slight upturn of his lips then straightened up and began moving with purpose causing much of the crowd to part before his measured steps. Seren did well to match his posture and sense of purposeful hurry. He was actually quite proud of her ability to follow such subtle queues, it would only serve her even better during her schooling.

Dare he say it, but he was beginning to hope her sorting would favor his snakes.

"Is that it, sir, the bank?" She looked up to see his nod and returned her gaze to the positively magnificent marble building in front of them. She was extra careful to watch her step as they went up to the doors; mostly because they were decently large, but also partly to avoid any embarrassing tumbles. She tensed a bit at the sight of the goblins standing guard at the door but didn't say anything so as not to offend or look stupid about something nobody even looked twice at. As an extra caution, and because her aunt had done much to instill proper manners into her, she gave short bobs of her head to the guards; not noticing the raised brows the mildly frightening creatures gave her in return since they passed through the atrium and into the bank proper rather quickly.

The creatures, goblins according to the professor's quiet words, were rather efficient; if a bit terse.

They'd hardly stood in line more than a few moments before the teller was calling them forth. Seren said nothing as the adults had a swift exchange about her vault and key but once again offered a courteous dip of her head when the teller turned his attention solidly onto her. He gave a short hum and called an attendant forward to direct them to her vault. She gave Severus a startled look when they said that it was entirely for her.

Their guide, a kind enough goblin by the name of Griphook, was quick to get them into the cart and down to her vault. She may have given a few giggles and squeaks along the way. It was a rather fun and exciting trip even if the professor looked hardly affected. When the vault door was opened she definitely couldn't stop the look of disbelief and mild terror at the sight of all the gold.

"Sir?" She waited for his hum of acknowledgement, "There's a mistake. No way that's for me. My parents didn't work..."

"Of course not. Your father's family was rather old money, they had no need to work. This is only your trust fund, there is more in your proper family vault but that is for your age of majority. This is entirely yours. It's meant for your school years specifically but has enough wiggle room for an allowance I should think; to get something nice for yourself every once in a while, it is preferable to do that sparely."

Seren was silent a moment before quietly, "I've no idea what to do with this amount of money. I don't even know what it all means. You'll help, sir? Please?"

Severus gave her a look that was borderline soft before nodding and explaining their currency. He took the small pouch Griphook offered and explained the differences between each coin as he added a decent bit more than needed for her school supplies; enough to get herself some nice clothes and necessary items before going to school while allowing for a nice enough sum to be used as an allowance. Seren, it turns out, was as eager as a Ravenclaw to learn knew things and paid very close attention, repeating important things a few times to ensure they stuck. Severus was actually a bit proud that she took to learning like her mother before her had.

And if there was no one but the goblin attendant to see him being more gentle than his usual appearances allowed, well. That was no one's business but his own.

Seren took just as much pleasure in the return trip as before, though Severus did note that it looked like Mother had relaxed her coil slightly after they were off of the cart and heading out of the bank;. It would seem the old girl didn't appreciate the trip as much as her charge did.

"Where to now, sir?" Seren asked as she handed the pouch to Severus. Noticing his raised brow as he accepted the little bag, she gave an uncomfortable look, "I'm afraid I'll lose it and I'd rather not disappoint you. Not after you've treated me so kindly."

"I've treated you as you should have been treated, like a human. Though I will safe-keep it for you since that is what you'd like." He offered his elbow once more before heading off, "We'll stop at the robe shop first, they'll also get you some proper clothing. It won't be anything fancy but they do have some simple items available at the shop, though your uniform and robes are tailored and will be sent to you."

"May I get some skirts?"

He looked down in surprise, she looked a bit pink in the cheeks, "Would you like some, Seren?"

"Maybe just one or two, if I may? They look so pretty and I've never had anything so girly before."

"It will get cold in Scotland, where the school is located, but we can get you some proper stockings and that should help keep you warm. I don't see any harm in you getting pretty clothes since they'll be reasonably priced here, would you like anything else?"

Her bright eyes sparkled as she gave him such a deeply happy smile that he felt a tension relax at having put it there. 'I seem to be getting rather attached, but I'm not entirely sure its a bad thing...'

"May I get a dress, too, with shoes that fit? Like the pretty slipper ones?"

He opened the door for her as he answered, "A dress is fine, but I'm not sure what kind of shoes the madam has here."

Madam Maulkins answered with a sweet smile, "Plenty enough that the little lady has options, professor. Welcome, dearie, Hogwarts it would seem."

"Yes, miss. I'd appreciate some help."

"My, my," the madam started, "What a polite little dear. Of course I'll help, love, its my job and I doubt the professor would be too good with the fashion of a lovely lady like yourself. Up on the stool now, we'll get those school items out of the way first."

"Yes, miss," Seren chirped as she moved to climb the tailoring stool. Severus offered her his arm when it looked like she would wobble before getting settled. She gave him a happy little hum, smile and all, before turning her attention back to the madam as she returned with her tapes and pins. "I was just asking if I might get some pretty skirts and a dress as well? Some fitting shirts would be welcome, too, please. Maybe something nice like a blouse?"

"And some warm stockings and tights," Severus reminded.

"Yes," Seren giggled, "So that I won't be cold. And the shoes, perhaps a pair of winter boots, too. Is- is that too much, miss?"

"I should think not, dearie," Madam Maulkins laughed at the little girl's excitement over clothes, "I think its good for every growing lady to have nice clothes to feel pretty in. This shop has plenty enough that it won't be a problem in the least."

Seren gave another happy hum and settled down.

They got through the fitting quickly and set out through the shop for her regular wardrobe. With the okay from Severus, she gathered a simple enough set of clothes that consisted of a few pajamas and nighties in colors she liked, a handful of light colored blouses that had different ruffles or laces, a few pretty skirts of varying length with different pleats and patterns- one even had suspenders!- ranging from soft grey to black, a few fleece tights and slightly less warm stockings also in darker colors except for a single pair of leafy green tights, as well as two pairs of pretty sandal-like shoes that strapped closed to be a bit sturdier and a fur lined pair of boots.

The dress they'd settled on was easily Seren's favorite item with a lacy blouse-like top that led into a fitted waist with a layered, airy flared skirt that ended near her shins all done up in her favorite colors; an green so deeply vibrant it rivaled her eyes, trimmed up in black shimmery lace with pretty silver buttons. The material would be okay to wear in warmer and cooler weather and the madam had even given her a small petticoat that could go with the dress and a few of the skirts she'd gotten. Severus even let her pick out a few hair ribbons while he had the madam find her a light cloak for breezy days and a plush fur lined cloak for winter that came with matching gloves, scarf and fluffy ear muffs. Then the madam had pulled her aside for the super embarrassing talk about undergarments and added those to the decent pile of clothes discreetly enough to lessen the burn of blush across her cheeks.

With everything packaged and paid for, the madam promised to have her school things sent to the Leaky Cauldron within the next few days and then they were off to get a nice trunk to carry everything in before they continued down the list of items. Severus was a man on a mission as they got through most of the list quickly, including the book collecting, with a few extra to help Seren assimilate into her new surroundings, and the potions ingredients since he knew exactly what's needed for his class. Not letting the clerk try to bully her into buying unnecessary items eased her stress from being around so many people, then they were back out into the bustling alley and on their way again.

"You've no need of a familiar since you already have one, so that makes one less stop. If we hurry to the wand shop, we may be able to get out of there quick enough to avoid most of the patrons in the Cauldron so that we can get some proper food in you at last. I've been attempting to speed us along for both your comfort and because I want you fed since I'm sure you're starving."

"It's no problem, sir, I've been hungrier."

Severus looked at her with a severe face, "That does not make it any better. I'm sure you'd have been taller and perhaps less bird-boned had you been fed properly by those animals."

Seren gave a hum of agreement and a soft smile stretched across her cheeks. 'It's nice, having someone worry over such little things. I think I'd like to get used to this feeling, its very warm.'

She tucked her hand into his elbow again and they entered Ollivander's shop, where she had what was probably the weirdest encounter of the day; which said a lot considering everything she'd had happen through out the morning. She decided the elderly man was a bit too much to deal with at the moment with her crowd stress and just went with whatever he said, she'd ask the professor later.

And she did.

As she ate what was probably the most filling meal of her entire life, she asked him everything that had run through her head as the wand-maker had rambled about what seemed like anything and everything. Not much of anything he said was very happy but what struck her the most wasn't something huge like she figured, but something almost unnecessary in the grand scheme of things.

"You mean there was a car accident? That killed my parents?"

Severus gave her a confused glance, "No, Seren, they were murdered. What made you think it was a car accident of all things?"

She gave a heavy sigh and shrank into her chair, petting Mother's body for comfort, "Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had said they'd been lazy, unemployed, degenerate drunkards that had died in a drunk driving accident. That was what put me in their unfortunate care and they were quite unhappy about the whole deal."

Severus sighed heavily, "Unemployed, perhaps. But only because they had no cause to be since they were a Lord and Lady from old family money. I don't think even your father could be considered lazy, he was far too involved in his pranks. And I highly doubt degenerate or drunkard could ever be used to describe either of them. No matter how much James Potter and I never got along, I won't lie about something like this."

Seren wiped at her wet eyes as discreetly as she could, even though she knew the professor had seen and was just being kind about not saying anything. "Thank you, sir. It means a lot to me. I've never heard anything but that about my parents. If its not too much trouble, would you be okay telling me about them?"

"I've no problem talking for hours about your mother, Lily was a close friend of mine as children. For your father, however, I recommend asking someone who got along better with him. I'm afraid my disagreement with his character would show too much and I'd rather you had good memories of your parents shared. Do you understand, Seren?" He waited for her to agree before continuing, "Now then. Continue with your food, I'd like you to try for at least half of your plate, please."

"Yes, sir," she said with a little smile. 'If all of the teachers are even half as caring as the professor, I think that I'll enjoy school a whole lot.'

She did her best to get halfway through her plate but didn't quite make it. Severus didn't hold it against her, just ushered her up to her rented room and helped her settle her things, including tucking her money pouch into her trunk which was charmed locked with a verbal password just in case, before gathering Tantibus and preparing to leave. She was grabbing some sleep clothes as he hesitated a moment at the threshold.

"Seren?"

"Sir?"

He turned to face her as earnestly as he could, "I will do everything I can to keep you away from the Dursleys. If it comes down to it... If it happens to come up, would you mind if I offered to house you?"

Seren gave him one of her perfectly content smiles, "Not at all, professor. You've been kind and generously understanding. Plus, I could ask you all the millions of questions I have about everything! I'm sure I can learn so much from a professor that became a Master in his subject."

Severus nodded, "Thank you for the trust you've put in me. I will try to visit again before the week is up. If I can not make it, I will send you an owl, feel free to send any questions you have with it. I will definitely be here to escort you to the train station, though, even if I have to fend off other volunteers."

Seren giggled as she pushed Uparaja over so that she could prepare the bed for the nap she intended to take, "I would appreciate that, sir. Thank you again for today, despite how overcrowded it was."

He gave her another nod and a slight upturn of his lips before leaving and closing the door behind him. She closed the curtains to dim the room and changed into a pastel green, satin nightgown before sliding under the covers to curl up for a very much needed nap. Uparaja coiled around and over her and under her and she allowed his heavy comfort, the almost too full heaviness of her stomach and thoughts of the professor's many kindnesses lull her into one of the best sleeps she'd ever had.

'Soon to be one of many.'