A/N: I have spent most of my time refining this. I realized that I need to learn to write present tense. I don't own Harry Potter, which means SADLY I DON'T OWN SEVERUS. I hope you enjoy
oo*Prologue*oo
On the night of Christmas dinner of Harry's first year, having the dullest dinner since the Dursley's. Harry, who had spent the day trying to find Nicholas Flamel, sat enjoying his time with the Weasley's.
Severus found everything to be entirely too boring. He kept his eyes on Quirrell. Quirrell of course enjoyed drinking the wine along with McGonagall and Hagrid. Those that are drinking wine were having a good time. As those who were not, like Severus, were just sitting there because Dumbledore had asked that they attend if they were not going home for the holidays.
Severus is not enjoying those people who make fools of themselves on this holiday. Crossing his arms, he thought about how ridiculous it is that Dumbledore takes one dare every year. These dares drifted from some form of clothing to not wearing socks. Severus is never one to participate. Instead, he observes. For example this year Dumbledore decided to draw the dare out of his own hat, which turned out to be that he swap his hat for a distasteful flowered bonnet.
He keeps his eyes off Dumbledore for most of the dinner. An explosion the sound of a cannon draws his eyes to the Gryfindor Table.
'Wizard Cracker.' His mind sneered.
Unfortunately, many of the Professors were high on their drinks. Severus sat, waiting for the chance to head to bed. Severus began to listen on a conversation about Peeves between Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney.
"Foolish child, keeps sticking gum in my keyhole." Trelawney says gazing at Flitwick though her glasses.
"You aren't the only one, he's been dumping feathers onto my floor every morning." Came Flitwick's reply. "And you know what, the feathers have been coming from Professor Quirell's pillows. It's no wonder he never gets much sleep."
Severus knew why Quirell was hardly getting sleep, but he was not about to tell them that secret in the midst of the Dinner. He turns his head to get a look at the rest of the great hall. He notices that most of the students are heading out the door. He realizes that Harry must have left with the Weasleys, who were no longer at the table. Quirell decided just now to leave to his bedroom.
Severus did not worry. Quirell seems far too out of it, to do anything else. He got up from the chair to head out. Half way there, he noticed that the castle doors (which were supposed to be locked) were open. Flicking a glance at Dumbledore, he walks toward the open castle doors.
There is a young girl, full of snow and dirty, laying on the floor. It was as if she had just arrived. The doors shut behind her. Student's start forming a circle around her.
"Off to bed. Now." Directs Severus to all the students, of course they followed his orders without another word. He conjures a stretcher and places the young girl onto it. Dumbledore steps in behind Severus
"That face. Did she walk all the way here?" Questions the Headmaster, gazing curiously at the girl. Severus is not sure, nor did he answer.
"Take her to the hospital wing." He motions to Dumbledore. Dumbledore nods, knowing why Severus did not wish to do it himself. Dumbledore takes up the task. When they are out of sight, Snape goes toward the dungeons. Meaning to return to his room.
Questions began streaming through his head. How did she get here? Why is she here? What happened to her mother? None of the questions have any answers. He reaches the point where he is very near the kitchen. Flich came round the corner, holding a broken lantern.
"You asked me to come directly to you, Professor, if anyone was wandering around at night, and somebody's been in the library—the Restricted Section"
Severus paused for a moment then replys "The Restricted Section? Well, they can't be far, we'll catch them." Then he follows Flich, where he spends most of the remaining night searching for the invisible Harry Potter in the invisibility cloak.
ooooooo