AN: This takes place during The Goblet of Fire and it is also a bit of AU-ok mostly AU (Alternate Universe for those who don't know what AU means). The story behind this is what if Snape had fallen in love again? So this is what I came up with. I know it is futile to say 'No Flaming' however I know that that's impossible. So, enjoy it, flame it do as you like. And yeah, sorry this first chapter is kind of short.

Prologue: The Request

It had not been easy for her to leave her home in the United States and move to London. Her friends, her home, her life were all back there; across the pond. But she could not deny who she is or was and would be again once the time was right. And there for, her reason for returning to London and what's more her reason for accepting Dumbledore's request.

That Albus Dumbledore himself had traveled to America and seek her out had been quite a shock for the young woman who now stood inside her newly purchased home. The last time she'd seen the wizard she'd been no more than eleven years old. However, she also knew that his presence meant much more than just a visit.

Dumbledore dressed in elegant Muggle clothing was led by a thin, tall man through the foyer of the great house and into the finely decorated Drawing Room; where he was made to wait. Dumbledore took in his surroundings. Decorated in silvers and all shades of greens, the man could tell Minerva had been here. A few bookshelves were placed to the right side of the fireplace. In the mantle three picture frames sat. To his left a black piano sat before the large oval windows; where one could see the back gardens adorning the mansion.

His thoughts were cut short by the sound of the door opening. His blue eyes connected with those of the young woman. He couldn't help but smile at her. Wearing dark blue bell bottoms, a long black shirt with three red roses at the center, long black wavy hair tied in a ponytail; the bottom half of that hair he knew from memory to be a blood red color.

"Du-Dumbledore!"

The wizard walked towards her and took her hands in his, "It has been so long since we last spoke."

She nods, "Yes…I…" She took a deep breath, "Come, have a seat."

While Dumbledore sat on the sofa the young woman sat across from him. "I must admit, that having you here is-well a big surprise! When Edward told me Mr. Hamilton was here…well-"

"Yes, I admit using another name was not my idea. But due to the circumstances I was left no option."

She nods, "I understand." She glanced at her butler, "Ed, please bring us some tea and those jelly beans I told you about."

"Yes madam," the butler replied bowing.

"Your eyes, they have become more beautiful than I remember them," he said.

The young woman possessed eyes each of a different color. While her left eye was a soft baby blue, her right was an emerald green. "Thank you." She sighs, "Dumbledore, let's skip all this and go right to the point."

He chuckled, "I have a request I'd like to make."

"Request?"

"Yes," he said now in all seriousness. "You have to return."

She shook her head, "Nonononono." She stood rapidly turning around, tripping on her own to feet, knocking the flower base which rested to her left as she fell.

Dumbledore had risen to help her p.

"Ow!" she whispered as she took her hand. "As you can see-"

He smiled.

"I have not lost my klutziness."

"Ah, that. Well it makes you who you are. Adorable I do recall a certain person say once."

She smiled, "Dumbledore…as much as I-"

"You are needed more than ever. Dumbledore interrupted her. "You know from Minerva's letters that Voldemort has shown himself-not in his complete form but he has tried to kill Harry many times."

She nods, "I have read about Potter's trails."

"What's more. He needs you. And by He I am not only speaking of Harry."

At this she turned away, "Albus…"

Dumbledore placed his hand on her shoulders reassuringly, "You are no longer a child, my dear. And if I am reading this right, your heart has not changed in the many years that have passed."

"It will matter not, for him I will always be that klutzy, pigtailed girl."

"Are you giving up so easily?"

She glanced over her shoulder, "Albus-"

He smiled and leaned forward kissing her temple. "I have faith in you my dear. Even as a child you could do things no one else could. That his eyes never saw past the girl you were is his own mistake. His life has been a hard one-"

"And his heart will always belong to her…I do not hate her. I don't. But-"

Dumbledore did not wait for her to finish, "I will write to you in a week. Your reply to my letter will be the one to tell me whether you will come or not."

"But-but-"

"In a week…"

And alas, one week later a latter from the school arrived form Dumbledore. His request plain and simple. A request she had said no to-when he asked it the first time. But during that week she'd had much to go over. To figure out and in the end, she'd accepted.

And as she set about unpacking her things and turning a chaos into a perfect home, the young woman sighed. In a week she'd have to leave and enter the halls of Hogwarts. Come face to face with her past. She knew no one would recognize her. Gone for years, no news about her or what she looked like.

"Everything will be fine," a shadowy figure said from the hall leading to the kitchen. "No one need know about you. For all they know you're just a temporary professor helping Hagrid out."

She kept herself busy, "That's…never mind."

"If you're going to be this nervous about seeing that person, then why accept Albus' request?"

"Because…-"

The shadowy figure became smaller and smaller until in its place a four legged animal stood. "My mistress…does your heart still beat for-"

A shoe flew right smack at the animal sending it leaping into the air with a loud hiss.

TBC