Chapter 6: Diagon Alley
Early morning. Even though the sun had just risen, Diagon Alley was already bustling with activity. A ceaseless stream of wizards moved back and forth along the narrow street, picking out their preferred goods.
Among them, naturally, was Lyra... or she was supposed to be, anyway.
Huddled in her hood, she followed behind Lupin, not daring to lift her head. It was only thanks to her wand, which she had hooked onto the hem of Lupin's robes, that she wasn't swept away by the current of people. But even this was taking all her strength.
Lupin, walking ahead, also felt a bit strange. Here he was, not a Hogwarts professor in the slightest, yet he was the one taking Miss Hamilton shopping.
He didn't much like crowded places either; these bustling spots always made him feel innately uncomfortable. But he was nothing compared to Lyra.
As the crowd grew denser, Lyra was reduced to simply tugging on the hem of his robes to respond to whatever he said.
It feels just like being a father taking his child out... Lupin suddenly thought. The next second, he patted his face.
He really couldn't be so disrespectful... Besides, strictly speaking, this Miss Hamilton was actually a bit older than he was.
He had already heard what happened to Lyra from Dumbledore, and he had to admit... Miss Hamilton was just tragically unfortunate.
To have lost fifty years for no reason... Who knew how many of her friends and family had passed away in that time.
Thinking this, Lupin's gaze toward Lyra softened with a trace of pity.
If Lyra had known what Lupin was thinking, she might have felt a bit awkward. She didn't really have any friends—at least, that's what she herself believed.
And as for family... hers had passed away before she even left for school.
Of course, Lyra was still deeply upset about losing fifty years. After all, Lord Grindelwald's mission...
"We're here," Lupin said quietly, looking back at Lyra.
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions... Lyra subconsciously glanced at the shop's sign.
"I thought you might want to get a change of clothes first," Lupin said gently. "After all, the robes you're wearing must be fifty years old..."
He's right... Lyra looked down at her robes. They hadn't been fashionable even fifty years ago; now, they looked like something a beggar would wear.
I don't... smell, do I?
Even though she had bathed... Lyra, who still hadn't changed clothes, blushed and lowered her head instinctively.
The oblivious Lupin just scratched his head, a little confused.
"Please, come in."
As the two entered the shop, the first thing Lyra heard was an enthusiastic voice.
"Ah... a young witch, are we?" The shopkeeper, Madam Malkin, looked at Lyra with interest. "Coming to buy robes now... don't tell me you did something to your robes...?"
"Oh—wait, what you're wearing doesn't seem to be Hogwarts robes."
"Madam Malkin, she's not a Hogwarts student," Lupin had to interject and explain on Lyra's behalf. "In fact, she's a Hogwarts professor."
"A Hogwarts professor?!" Madam Malkin froze, then lowered her voice. "It couldn't be for the Dark Arts...?"
"Yes." Lupin nodded slightly, glancing at Lyra. He wasn't sure if she knew about the strange legend surrounding the post.
Lyra noticed their strange behavior. She lifted her head slightly to peek at Lupin...
What's wrong with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?
Is it about the Dark Arts... Although Lyra had never been to other schools, she knew that a school like Durmstrang, which openly taught the Dark Arts, was a rarity.
She doesn't... discriminate against the Dark Arts, does she... Lyra instinctively shrank into herself.
"I see..." Madam Malkin seemed to realize something. She smiled lightly and said, "Still, it's the first time I've ever seen such a young professor."
"Miss Hamilton is just naturally petite," Lupin said, also smiling. He didn't directly tell Madam Malkin Lyra's story.
"In that case... why not try a new style?" Madam Malkin suggested after a thought. "Miss Hamilton is more petite than the usual professor... you certainly don't need those stuffy, old-fashioned robes."
"Perhaps something more like what the students wear?"
"N-No! That's not necessary!" Lyra quickly shook her head. "Just... regular robes... will be fine..."
"Black robes..." she muttered.
She didn't want to dress in anything eye-catching, lest she attract unnecessary trouble. This was not just for her own sake, but also for Lord Grindelwald's mission.
That's right! It's for Lord Grindelwald's mission!
"Is that so?" Madam Malkin seemed a bit disappointed. "Miss Hamilton has a perfect figure for robes, you know." As she spoke, she waved her wand, and a robe flew off a rack.
"I have plenty of black robes... but none in such a small size." She said, gesturing to the few in front of her.
"Which of these styles do you prefer, Miss Hamilton?"
"Th-This one..." Lyra pointed randomly without even looking.
"This one?" Madam Malkin raised an eyebrow. "Very well... I can have two tailored for you by this afternoon."
With that, she flicked her wand, and a pair of scissors and a measuring tape flew straight at Lyra, startling her so much she instinctively stumbled back a few steps.
"Don't worry, they're just here to take your measurements," Lupin soothed her quietly.
"I... I know..." The second she jumped back, Lyra knew what they were for. She had just been startled by the scissors suddenly flying at her.
"For two, that will be... fifteen Galleons," Madam Malkin said casually.
Lupin nodded at her words, then casually took out the Galleons and handed them to Madam MalkMalkin.
"Thank you very much," Lupin said with a slight bow, speaking for the once-again-silent Lyra.
........
"M... Mr. Lupin..."
"What is it?" Startled at being called, Lupin paused and turned to look at Lyra.
"That money... I... I'll pay you back..." Lyra bit her lip and said quietly.
"Ah... no need," Lupin shrugged. "Headmaster Dumbledore gave it to me."
Dumbledore really is a nice person... Lyra felt a subconscious flicker of gratitude.
Wait, is he trying to buy me off with money? I'm on Lord Grindelwald's side! I'll never be bought by this paltry sum!
On second thought, Lyra pressed her lips together. "Then I'll pay Headmaster Dumbledore back..."
"That's not necessary either." Lupin scratched his face. "The Headmaster said it's an advance on your salary."
"..."
I really gave you too much credit, DumbledFumbledore.
"Well then, shall we go get you a new wand?" Lupin said slowly, looking at the silent Lyra. "After all, clutching a broken wand is enough to make any wizard uneasy."
"Mm... y-yes... you're right."
Lyra also felt that she would be much more at ease with a proper wand... At least what she was clutching wouldn't just be a broken stick of wood.