A/N: Please read and review. All characters belong to JK Rowling, bar Eliza Dawson. The story is based around 5th book.
Eliza stood outside of Hogwarts. It was approximately 11pm and she had just arrived at the castle. She was purposely late though as she didn't want to mingle with any of the staff and students, especially not on her first day. She needed some alone time, to collect her thoughts. The ice cold air blew against her pale skin and pink cheeks, brushing her dark brown hair back off her face. Her deep blue eyes fell onto the castle. Most people would be nervous about starting a new job, but not Eliza, but then again she was different to most people.
"Good evening Albus. Sorry I missed the welcoming feast" Eliza smiled, sounding sincere. She took a seat in front of the desk. She looked around the Dumbledores office, it hadn't changed much since her last visit. The décor remained the same apart from a few additionally paintings.
"Evening Eliza. It's no problem, I'm just glad you made it here okay. Did you make it here okay?" Dumbledore asked. Eliza nodded, smiling at him. "Good to hear" Dumbledore paused for a moment, collating his words, "How's your sister, Clarissa?"
"Talk about getting straight to the point" She responded with a frown, standing up from the chair to wander around the room, "She is fine… Well, if by fine you mean a serial killer. Last I heard she was in the south of France, killing anyone she could. I'm presuming she's back in with you-know-who" She sighed, as she gazed out the window, "She's gone Albus, I can see it her eyes. Once they've gone that far they're never coming back"
"You did" Dumbledore reminded her. Eliza looked back at the old man. There was a flash of anger across her face. She was annoyed Dumbledore had even brought that up. It a dark time in Eliza's life which has been pushed to the back of her mind, along with all the other terrible memories she had. After a second her face softened. She knew the man was only mentioning it to give her hope for her sister.
Eliza shook her head though, "She's too far gone. I've seen it so many times before. Every last piece of humanity in her is dead"
"I know this must be hard for you Eliza, but please do not turn your emotions down. I know it may seem like the only option to you at the moment" Dumbledore said. Eliza looked over to him and nodded in agreement, "But in the meantime Hogwarts is the safest place for you. You know that. Plus you're not the only one who needs protecting aside from Harry Potter" Eliza looked perplexed, a slight frown on her face, "Severus Snape" He responded. Elizas' face dropped.
"Excuse me?!" She cried out, before Dumbledore even had a chance to explain to her, "No. No. You cannot be protecting that… that… that death eater" She stormed across the room to collect her belongings, "I cannot be in the same vicinity as him. What if he is working with you-know-you?!"
"People change. You know this" Dumbledore insisted, as he watched the young woman pick her bag up, "He is on our side, and he can be trusted" Dumbledore hesitated, wondering how much information he should be giving to Eliza, "You-know-who wants him dead as well"
"Why?" Eliza scoffed.
"Severus is no longer a death eater. He disobeyed you-know-who and stood by the Order" Dumbledore retorted, "I am afraid I cannot tell you everything. That information is private to Severus, but believe me the Order and I trust him"
Eliza sighed, "Fine. I trust your judgement, but if he double crosses you I will rip him to shreds" Eliza stated, "Anyway. I must head to bed. Goodnight Albus" Eliza gave the headmaster a small nod before leaving his office.