Jessica’s mind was buzzing with excitement after Scarlet explained everything about the school she was about to attend.

It still felt surreal after she woke up and held the small notebook Scarlet had given her – a personalised guidebook to help her navigate this new chapter of her life. The guidebook wasn’t just a set of instructions; it was a thoughtful way to avoid any misunderstandings when writing letters back to Mama Susan and the other at the orphanage. Scarlet really thinks of everything, Jessica thought proudly.

“Scarlet!” Jessica asked eagerly over breakfast, practically bouncing in her seat. “What do I need to prepare? How are we going to get ready? Do I need to make my own wand?”

“We’ll go shopping today,” Scarlet replied, pausing to take a sip of tea. “Professor Snape will be taking us.” She noticed Jessica’s hesitation at the mention of the Potions Master. “Don’t worry, I’ll be with you the entire time. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Jessica pouted and furrowed her brows. “But he looks scary.”

“He is scary!” Black interjected with a cackle. “Harry’s always going on about how some student cry in his class!”

Before Black could say more, Meiko reached over and gave his arm a firm grip, whispering sweetly but firmly, “Mr. Black, please don’t give Jessica the wrong impression about the school.”

“Alright, alright!” Black muttered, wincing as Meiko let go. That’s going to bruise, he thought bitterly, rubbing his forearm and silently adding it to the tally injuries Meiko had inflicted on him recently.

Scarlet chose to ignore the commotion at the other end of the table, turning her attention back to Jessica. “Well,” she said reassuringly, “he’s a strict teacher, but as long as you follow his instructions, you’ll be fine. Just like the chemistry experiments we’ve done.”

“Chemistry?” Jessica perked up, recalling what she’d read in the guidebook. “You told Mama he’s a chemistry teacher. Is making potion like doing chemistry?”

“In some ways, yes,” Scarlet nodded. “You have to be precise with measurements and follow the steps exactly. One mistake, and your cauldron might blow up.”

Jessica’s eyes widened in awe. “Like in cartoons? Ka-boom?”

“Exactly like that,” Scarlet said with a grin.

“Cool!” Jessica exclaimed, her mind racing with images. Then another thought struck her. “So...Hogwarts is like Beauty and the Beast? With talking furniture and everything?”

“Not quite,” Scarlet said, laughing softly. “But...sort of.” She hesitated briefly, trying to think of a better example. Unfortunately, her mind drew a blank - most of the stories she remembered had been part of her previous life, in a timeline very different from the present. She struggled to recall what might have existed in 1992. But Beauty and the Beast has been in theatres just last year, and she’d even arranged for the orphanage to watch it. It seemed a good enough starting point.

Jessica, her imagination running wild, sat eagerly in the living room after breakfast, her eyes fixed on the fireplace. Scarlet had mentioned that the “blackish professor” would appear from there, and Jessica couldn’t wait to see it for herself.

She waited...and waited...and at exactly nine o’clock, green flames roared to life in the spotless, empty fireplace.

A tall man in black robe stepped gracefully out of the swirling flames.

“Ms. Hong...” he began, his deep voice cutting through the air, but he froze as his sharp gaze fell on the black-haired girl watching him from the couch. His tone shifted slightly, becoming stiffer. “...And Mr. White. Good day to both of you.”

Out of Character. Totally OOC. There’s no way Professor Snape would greet someone with ‘good day’. Scarlet’s thoughts raced as she observed the scene. But how could it be? He’s been acting fine all school year... Then, as if struck by lightning, a realisation hit her: Snape isn’t the main character in this fanfics world - it’s his daughter!

Scarlet stood there, momentarily stunned by her revelation, until Jessica tugged at her sleeve, pulling her out of her thoughts. Jessica seemed surprisingly at east with Professor Snape’s presence. Scalet wasn’t sure if it was because she herself was nearby or if Jessica instinctively sensed the blood connection between them.

Regardless, the group of five set off for Diagon Alley, traveling in three batches: Professor Snape and Jessica together, Scarlet with Meiko in another group, and Black on his own.

Before they departed, Meiko had once again silenced Black with her notorious grip, warning him to keep his opinions about the Potions Master to himself. Begrudgingly, Black obeyed, though he rubbed his still-bruised arm bitterly. This woman’s grip is insane! My bruises from yesterday look even worse today. He thought, fuming.

Their first stop was Gringotts, but only the front of the building.

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“Jessica, this is the only magical bank in Britain,” Scarlet explained as they approached the towering white building. “We’ll set up an account for you once you have some wizarding currency. For now, all your expenses – including clothes, equipment, and books – will be covered by Professor Snape.”

Jessica turned to the cold, quiet man, her eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thank you, Professor! I promise I’ll get the best results in all my subjects!”

Professor Snape regarded her silently, his dark eyes studying her every move. “...Do whatever you like, as long as you’re fine,” he muttered eventually.

Since their first meeting, Snape had been quietly observing her - his daughter, as confirmed by the Kinship Draught and their blood. Seeing her smile – a warm expression on a face similar to his own – was something he still found difficult to process.

“You’re so kind, Professor!” Jessica beamed before turning her attention to the bustling alley, her excitement palpable.

Their next stop was Ollivanders, the renowned wand shop.

“This is where you’ll get your wand,” Scarlet said as they approached. “It’ll be yours for life...assuming you don’t snap it in half.” She had effortlessly taken on the role of guide, introducing Jessica to the wizarding world as if she’d done it countless times before.

Outside the shop, two students waited with their parents. The small, cluttered store was already packed, and Ollivander, the wand maker, was busy assisting another customer.

“Looks like we’ll have to wait,” Scarlet said, gesturing toward the queue. She pointed at the list in Jessica’s hand. “We don’t need to worry about the books – you can use mine. They’re full of notes that’ll help you. The only set we’ll buy new are Gileroy Lockhart’s series, but we’ll get those from a second-hand shop.”

She leaned closer and whispered, “They’re not worth buying new. Lockhart’s been linked to a few...let’s call them ‘questionable cases’ that are still under investigation. It’s better to steer clear of him.”

Jessica frowned. “But he’s one of our teachers, isn’t he?”

“Now you’ve learned a valuable lesson,” Scarlet said with a shrug. “Teachers can be criminals too. But don’t worry, if anything happens, just look for Professor Snape. You’ll be alright.”

“Really?” Jessica glanced at the man standing nearby, trying to be discreet but failing miserably. Snape immediately noticed her gaze but pretended to be looking elsewhere.

“Yep,” Scarlet continued confidently. “He’s the best Potions Master in Britain. None better than him.”

As a family exited the wand shop and another entered, Scarlet motioned for their group to be ready. Black, overhearing the conversation, gave a derisive humph but kept his mouth shut under Meiko’s sharp, warning glare. Jessica, meanwhile, looked at Snape with wide-eyed admiration.

The two girls began discussion their shopping plans, agreeing to check the second-hand shops for most items and buy new ones only if no suitable preloved options were available.

“Sound like the second-hand shops sell almost everything,” Jessica noted cheerfully. She was perfectly fine with hand-me-downs; growing up in the orphanage, sharing and reusing items was second nature. Worn things were recycled or repurposed until nothing usable remained. However, they still had their own lockers for personal belongings, like books and toys. It wasn’t much, but they were happy and content with what they had. “Did they sell school robes second-hand too?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah,” Scarlet replied. “There’s even a shop called Second-Hand Robes that specialised in preloved robes. We can find you some there.”

Snape’s cold, form voice cut through the conversation. “No. Ms. White shall have new robes.”

Scarlet blinked, momentarily surprised. “Sure,” she said slowly. “You’re the sponsor, so it’s your call.”

Jessica, however, was more thoughtful. “But Professor, I’m growing quickly. If we buy new robes now, they won’t fit next year. Wouldn’t second-hand robes make more sense?”

Snape’s tone didn’t waver. “New robes provide better protection. Unless you’d prefer to experience danger firsthand, I suggest otherwise.”

“Oh, right,” Scarlet said, her voice tinged with mock seriousness. “I forgot how hazardous Potions class can be.”

Jessica looked between them, puzzled but curious. “Danger? You mean like...ka-boom?”

“Yes, the ka-boom,” Scarlet confirmed with a sigh, “Multiple ka-booms, actually. Some students can’t follow basic instructions when adding ingredients.”

Jessica puffed out her chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Scarlet! I won’t make any ka-booms. I aced my science classes, so I’ll definitely ace Potions! Although...” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “I would like to see a ka-boom up close, just once!”

Scarlet shot her a playful glare, making Jessica giggle as she covered her mouth.

The three adults who had overheard the conversation were clearly out of their depth when it came to the mysterious “ka-boom”.

Finally, it was their turn to enter the shop.

“Whoa...” Jessica whispered, awestruck as she stepped inside. The small, dimly lit space was packed with shelved stretching from floor to ceiling, crammed with hundreds of thin, long wand boxes. The whimsical, almost otherworldly atmosphere captivated her.

But after a few moments, the dim lighting and dusty air began to bother her. Jessica frowned slightly, recalling the advice Dr. Singh and Scarlet had given about poor lighting and air quality being harmful to eyes and lungs. She glanced around, started worrying about the people who lived and worked in these surroundings. Don’t they have any safety standards here? The workshops I visited in the orphanage had strict precautions. She wondered. Or do magical people simply not need such things?

“Cypress wood with Thestral tail hair core,” Garrick Ollivander murmured. The old craftsman’s keen gaze fixed on Scarlet as he spoke in an amused tone. “A pleasure to see you again, Ms. Scarlet. May I examine your wand for maintenance?”

“Sure,” Scarlet said with a shrug, took her wand from the pendant she wore around her neck.

Ollivander took the wand carefully, his movements delicate as thought handling a living thing. His sharp, observant eyes studied it before he handed it back. “It appears to be in excellent condition – rarely used, I’d wager. You’ve cared for it well.”

“I always take care of my belongings,” Scarlet replied matter-of-factly as she slipped the wand back into her pendant. “Especially ones that can respond to me. Beadouriché doesn’t like to be disturbed. It prefers to stay quiet and sleep.”

The old wandmaker’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve...named it?”

Scarlet blinked, puzzled. “Beadouriché? No, I didn’t name it. That’s the name it told me.”

Ollivander inhaled sharply, his voice dropping to a reverent whisper. “Miraculous.”