First Day (OPEN)

[slytheringal]

Alexis through the Leaky Cauldron and through the entrance to Diagon Alley, tapping the bricks to open the way through. This was actually her first time back to Diagon Alley since she was a student, and having taken a year off after graduating, she was curious to see how much things had changed. She was not going to Diagon Alley to shop, however, for she was going there to start her new job as Shop Keeper for the Apocathery shop. A place she used to apprentice during the holidays and such when she was a student at Hogwarts. The owner had recently passed and left the shop to Alexis.

Yes, Alexis did want to either become a Healer at St. Mungos or a Professor at Hogwarts, but she was still young and those opportunities were still there if she wanted. Having the love for Potions as she did, being owner of the shop would suit her very well and it was convienent to everything.

She walked into the Alley to see is bussling with witches and wizards of every age, however, it was a bit chilly. She wrapped her cloak around her body and head, as well as concealing the dark mark that still lay upon her arm as well. She stepped into the shop to see it still in one piece, even after the war and such. Things were a little dusty, but Alexis would have the place cleaned out in no time. She was used to cleaning cauldrons and the like since there were many times she would spend in detention doing the same thing. Oh the life of a Hogwart's professor's daughter, but she indeed had a good life and growing up, with sometimes a little more growing up to do even now.

She quickly got started cleaning right away to get done a fast as she could.

[Professor Severus Snape]

Snape easily moved down the path of the Diagon Alley, his steeps where soft much like a great jaguar & with a hint of grace much like them for any that noticed, though it was more likely that they took note to stay clear of him for he could be like a snake that would strike if one got to close to them. One thing on being the Professors as he was & having the rep that he did, not many bothered him, something that was good & yet bad at times though he found it was more suiting for people to stay out of his path.

Though oddly he also did not come here for items for him self or Hogwarts, it was to cheek on his daughter Alexis. Something that was hard for many to take in that knew, after all Snape was seen as cold & unfeeling, yet he had a daughter & even with that idea, it was left to many to question on if was a child of love or a mistake, though there was questions if Snape had not adopted after all Snape to many did not appear the type that many would want to get close to or that he would allow close.

He moved closer to the Apocathery shop, he was glade that Alexis was making a path in the word & yet it was in ways hard to see her do so, though it was something that most parents went threw. There where things he had hopped would of not happened to her such as her joining the D.E. but, then she was more likely him then he would ever want to admit & perhaps she did it more to prove it. Though only she held the real reason & Snape was left to figure it out, how ever with the war being over at least at the moment he did not have to worry as much about her though he only hopped that Alexis would not become a pawn with Jamie & her plotting.

In a way he did not think Jamie, knew of Alexis so he said nothing on it but, he was willing to kill to insure she remained safe though the odds where those that where more likely to die would be D..E. Members. His mind moved away form such thoughts as he moved to open the Apocathery shop door & enter, his eyes scanning for Alexis.

[slytheringal]

Only a couple hours had passed since Alexis had first gotten to the shop, and she was proud of herself that she had gotten a lot done in that short of time. The place was starting to look like her own, with the shelves dusted, bookcases moved around, and so forth. She was indeed making the place herself and her own little personality which she often did with whatever she was doing. She even rearranged around her own house, which sometimes irritated her father when she did so. Yes, she still lived at home, she hadn't took that step yet to live on her own but she was just not ready to leave her roots just yet and leave the house that she grew up in behind. There were a lot memories, good and bad, in that house and in her childhood.

Alexis, being the 19 year old she was, had her maturity to her but she still tended to have that childish side to her as well which she did not want to let go. But she also knew that her father was proud of her with the paths that she was taking, although she wondered if he truly was pleased with her joining the Death Eaters when she did back when she was 17. Despite all the rumors and gossip, she did not care what others thought of her and like he was to her, she was protective of her father, wanting nothing to happen to him.

With her earphones in her ear as she was in the back storeroom, she was able to hear the front door open. Setting down a box to sort through later, she brushed the dust off her jeans and tshirt and fixed her hair up a bit, and made her way out to the front to see who had just entered. When she saw it was her father, a smile drew upon her face.

"Hello father. What brings you here today," she replied.

[Professor Severus Snape]

Snape had glanced around the place it had come quite a way he could tell, he paid attention the detail of the place much as he did when he watchful for something hidden that could not be seen but, then living the life he had it was more a precaution for there where times ones life was saved or lost when one could noticed that something was nor right to start with or that there was something that would place them in danger later.

His eyes saw movement from the back, they then landed on Alexis as he saw her smile with her words he spoke simply “I came to see how you where doing with the place & how you where doing”

(Sorry it is short)

[slytheringal]

Alexis moved around towards one of the counters fixing some things up as she talked and listened to her father's words.

"Me? I am doing great. I love the fact that I was left this shop for I always love this place when I was a student, loving the smells and everything in it," she replied, "I am just cleaning up a bit and making this place my own. Of course I have had a lot of practice cleaning cauldrons and such, thanks to those detentions I had back in school." She managed a laugh out of the last statement as she turned towards her father once again.

"Anyway, how are you? Is there anything I can get you that you need for classes or anything? Cuz you know I would be happy to help you get the supplies you need," she said.

[Professor Severus Snape]

Snape had watched Alexis as she moved with her words he spoke “Yes I can see that you have cleaned up quite a bit & I sure that you did get much practice with cleaning the cauldrons, though you could not expected my to play favorite besides I wanted to make you one of the best, when you left. That no matter what job you wanted you would be able to get it” Snape did not miss her laugh with her last words “I know you would be happy, though at the time I am in need of nothing but, when I do I will let you know Alexis. I just came here, to insure that you where doing well”

[slytheringal]

Alexis nodded, "Of course I did not expect you to play favorites. That would have not done well for your reputation nor mine. I mean, I already got grief when I was in school about being the daughter of a professor but I held my own as you know very well I can."

She then thought of all the jobs that she could have. "Yea, I am still hoping to one day become a Healer at St. Mungos or a professor myself, even with the shop on the side. Speaking of which, anything at Hogwarts that I could possibly get a job doing," she replied as she always checked in to see if there were job opportunites elsewhere for Alexis to do. Was she happy where she was? Of course, however, she knew that she could not be a shop keeper forever, espeically with her skills.

"I have never been better, this place is so perfect and I am thinking about putting a small shop over in Hogsmeade as well," Alexis said.

[Professor Severus Snape]

“I am sure there was a time, you would liked me to play favorite” After all what child did not hope for it at some time or another, when there parent worked there & could do so if they choose. “I knew very well that you held your own, for I heard about it… perhaps not all of the events but, enough & the reason for some of your detentions, I have little doubt that much of the grief you went threw was because of my reputation & being seen as one that always appeared to favor my own house over others”

Of course to some degree he did what head did not but, he was not above putting his own house in line if something did happen. “If a healer is what you wish, I have no doubted that you will excel at it. I know that Hogwarts is looking for some one to teach Transfiguration, D.A.D.A. & Ancient Runes” (There are other options if you are interested)

Snape watched her as he spoke “Of course you would not have to be the head Professor there, you could choose the field of your choose & be able to sub in when need be, this would allow you to know if being a professor at that field is what you want or if there is another you wish to try you hand at”

Snape did not miss her last words “This other shop you are looking at doing, would it be the same as this one or a different one”

[slytheringal]

Alexis managed a laugh out of reply to her father's response about favorites and such. "Of course there were times, but I knew that you couldn't just pick one favorite as well. I mean, the whole house of Slytherin was your favorite. But I will admit, I tended to still do whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted, even though I paid the consequences," she replied leaning up against the counter and crossing her arms, "I will also admit as I grew older, I very much grew to have your personality as well and I think that's what made people talk."

It was true, Alexis was a lot like her father in many ways, including her actions and facial expressions, but she still had her own little personality that snuck out there once and awhile.

When she heard her father speak about her being a healer and excelling at it, a smile came across her face widely. And then she heard him say there were a few positions open at Hogwarts. "Oh that would awesome to be DADA professor. Of course I think I would definately excel at Potions professor, but of course that is already taken by you. Course, I suppose I could always be a sub if for some reason you could never make it to teach lessons and such," Alexis replied.

"The shop in Hogsmeade would be a smaller version of this one. That way if students desperately need supplies, they would not have to go far," she replied talking about the other shop.

[Professor Severus Snape]

Snape heard her words “Yes, you did quite a bit at your choose & I would not be surprised if you did not get caught for half of it? Snape watched Alexis “You think if you had my personality they would of left you be but, I suppose you dealing with it also made it where they knew it more. But, you did not have to take them on as if the world is against you, just as you do not have to take on the world now, it is no a good life to live”

Snape heard her words “Then if you interested is to work as a Professor I would tell you to go speak with t on he Head Mistress. I hope your sights on not set to high on my job but, you are welcome to be a sub should I not be able to work a day. But, perhaps when I steep down you will have the chance to take the potion mistress”

Snape nodded to her words “Let me know how the second shop goes, I will help you if you need me to”

[slytheringal]

Alexis heard her father's words when he spoke and just nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I suppose I could have been a little less defensive with everyone in my past but I guess that's just how I handled everything," she replied. She knew the way she handled the things in the world were harsh and tough and she knew that she should not try to take on the world, but she just handled things like that, that if something or someone caused problems, she was right on top of them trying to gain revenge.

"I will try to make time to go talk to the Headmistress about positions and such, but for now I will focus more on the shop and getting that back up and running. I want to try and be open in a week and as you can see, there is a lot of work to be done yet," she replied, "As for me being potions mistress someday, I can't say that I wouldn't be good at it...I mean, look at the great teacher I had even from when the time I was seven years old and just discovering that I was a witch."

Alexis then nodded, "I will let you know how things go and if I need any help. You have been there all my life for any help I needed so I know that I can count on you to help."

[Professor Severus Snape]

Snape listened to her words “You can deal with people as you see fit but, if you ever need to speak about it I will be there” He would providing he was not dead but, the odds right now where not so much stacked against him. “I can understand your time restricted & I have no doubted that you will open on time” He knew she had enough drive to do it though she might be tired when she was done after that day or the day of trying to get everything ready.

Snape folded his arms over his chest as he spoke “And to think you showed signs before then even but, it took you time to grasp what was happening & what you where, Though he chuckled softly where her words of a great teacher, Alexis was about the only one that could make him do so to others he never so much as smiled “I cannot say I am not faulted at being called a great treachery & it would be nice if others saw & though as you did but, I merely did what I could to insure you where ready for Hogwarts”

[slytheringal]

A smile grew over Alexis's face when she heard her father speak. "Yeah, I know you are there if I want to speak about things and such and I greatly appreicate it. But you know me, always wanting to handle things on my own instead of relying on others, not sure if that trait came from you or mum," she replied as she thought about her mum and the old photos she would always look at. Not knowing her mum, she pretended to know her.

"As for the store, yeah, I feel I will be quite tired when I get it up and running but it's want I choose to do so I will stick with it," she replied shaking off the images of her mother in her mind and getting back on track.

She then laughed a bit, "I remember the time I was discovering I was a witch and I got angry for some reason at you and all the books fell off the bookshelf. I was so stunned right there in my tracks." Alexis loved rummaging through her old memories of when she was younger and such, like learning how about Potions, discovering she was a witch even in the oddest of ways, and things like that. She thought about her letter of acceptance to Hogwarts as her father spoke the last words, "And when I got my letter, I was so excited! But I know I was nervous because I thought I would not have been sorted in Slytherin, but perhaps Ravenclaw or even, I hate to think of it, Gryffindor."

[Professor Severus Snape]

“I understand you want to handle things your self but, I wished to say it any way so that you would know & if the time ever came you would know you could speak with me” Snape had not missed that she smiled, one thing about her that she did not get from him & she got a glowing look when she did it enough that Snape knew it could gain notice with no more then it” Snape waited a moment before he spoke “I suppose it would be more me then your mother but, you where also around me longer so it only makes since. Though your smile is hers & not mine at least when you do not smirk” Snape smirked at this before he though more on what to say. “I am glade you are finding something that will help to set you apart form others, by doing something as simple as opening a shop to make it simpler for students or who ever”

Snape nodded his head “Yes, I remember that day well but, once you accepted it you only flourished even more. Though I never appear to favor other houses, I would have been proud of you no matter what house you would have been placed in & I can say that all the students in other houses are less then a slythering, there are some that excel very & there some in each house though it is rare”

[slytheringal]

Alexis was silent once again for a few moments as her father mentioned her mother and that she had gotten her smile from her and such, of course she got that familiar smirk she did quite often as well from her father, but it made her happy always when she heard that she got her smile from her mother, which it was easy to believe seeing as her father never smiled really. She wanted to know what else she got from her mother, but did not want to bring up the subject of her mother at that present time, for she would much rather be home for that.

"Yea, growing up and being raised by just one parent, I suppose it is easy to say I gained a lot from you, and I would have to say I got my Potions and Dark Arts expertise from you. Not to mention my Occulmency skills, which, I know, needs work. At least I know I got at least once aspect from my mother, her smile and not to mention her green eyes," she replied thinking of the images once again in pictures, being strong enough to hold back the tears in her eyes that often formed, but always seemingly not to allow them to stream down her face, at least not in company of others. Alexis was strong like that.

"I definately think opening this shop back up and eventually in Hogsmeade will help students out a lot. Because if there is one thing I learned at Hogwarts, I know that the potions professor likes to make sure they have the right supplies," she jokingly replied.

Alexis nodded in agreement and smirked, "Yea, I know it would have not mattered what house I was in for I would probably excelled in any house, even at Quidditch the way I did making Chaser and that. And yes, I agree with people excelling from other houses, like my long time enemies I had back in school: Harry Potter and his friends, not to mention the late Professor Lupin (guessing he is dead ), whom, other than you, I learned the best of how to defend myself."