Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters in it. Everything in here that you recognize is JK Rowlings amazing work. I only own Thorn Rose and Sparkie, the other unidentified characters are my friends, which I have permission to use!

Authors Note: This is my first fanfic, my own character in the books. Rated for future chapters, please forgive me if you don't find the first chapter that interesting, it will get better, trust me.

Chapter one

Murder so young

Severus Snape stood in the street of a nearly empty and quite abandoned neighborhood. He stood in front of 453 sage street. To anyone else's eyes this was a vacant lot, muddled with trash, yet to the wizard's eyes there was a large house, painted red and silver. He was the only one, aside from Albus Dumbledore, and the people who lived within the house itself, that could see its existence. The reason behind this was the fact that Severus was the Secret Keeper of those within. Yet now worry clouded his heart. His sister, her husband, and their child lived inside, and he hadn't heard from them in over twenty-four hours. Severa, his younger sister, wrote him daily, and he usually received more then one letter a day from her. Yet she hadn't sent him any news, like she'd promised to. Besides, today was his niece's birthday, she would have sent him an owl by now. So the Potions Master walked to the door and knocked. No answer.

Severus knocked again, yet the same result repeated itself. "Severa?" He called, but no one came. He finally opened the door and looked around. He was in the entry way, and the house was strangely quiet. There was the steady ticking of a clock, which was the only thing that could be heard. He couldn't here Severa and Romulus talking. He couldn't hear his three year old niece walking around like she usually did. She didn't laugh like other children. Yet all the same, it was too quiet. "Severa?" Severus called again. "Romulus? Thorn?"

He walked through the entryway, which was decorated with lions and serpents, and into the living room. A book was set face down, opened, on the couch. Severus picked it up and read the cover. The Auror's Handbook. Both Romulus and Severa were aurors, so the book held little surprise. What did though, was the fact that it had been left opened. His brother-in-law, Romulus, always closed his books when he was finished.

A year before, Severus would have been going into hysterics. A year before, the Dark Lord, Voldemort, would be in power, and one of his main targets was his sister. Thorn would have been safe from his attack, for he had chosen her for a special purpose, so Severus knew that if a Death Eater had attacked, at least his niece would live. She had been chosen as The Dark Lord's heir, and at her young age, she held the dark mark on her left forearm. And, thanks to Voldemort, Thorn was much stronger then other witches. She also had the gift of Parstletounge.

He turned to the desk and saw a piece of parchment on it. He picked it up and recognized Severa's handwriting. It was addressed to him. He read it quietly to himself, though the letter was unfinished.

Dear Severus,

Though you well knew, today is young Thorn's birthday! My child is now three! She received something from us that she will always be close to. One of the last Daemon Lizards. He shall live until she herself dies, so she will have a life long companion. I think that is something that she needed.

Yet it still looms over me, the fact that the Boy who Lived is today two. My worry for what the future brings has deepened. My daughter has been connected with Voldemort since she was only six months old, and now, I fear that she may be connected to Potter as well. There is nothing I can do, and I was hoping that you could continue to teach her occlumency. We've discovered that my own skills in that area are limited. I was hoping that she would be able to hide herself from her emotions, and memories, completely.

What also scares me is that I have a feeling that my own life has been numbered. I may not be a Seer, but I have this vague feeling that today may be my last. I don't mean to scare you, so I shan't continue on that topic. Well, it's time for Thorn's training. Luckily for me, Romulus has yet to discover it, he would not approve. I shall continue in my writing later.

Severus set the letter down, his hands shaking slightly. He had the feeling that what his sister had thought was correct. And if so, what brought her untimely death? As for Thorn's training, was she so sure about Romulus's reaction? Of course he wouldn't approve, in fact, Severus himself didn't much approve. Ever since Thorn could hold a wand and talk she had been taught the unforgivable curses, as a protection means. Already she had mastered the Imperius and the Crucaitus curses, and was more skilled then many with the Avada Kadavra. Severus had always worried about his sisters judgment for her teachings, but he never questioned her.

Then, suddenly, the professor heard sobbing. He turned around to another door, which led to Severa's training room. He leaned against it and pressed his ear to the cold wood. The crying carried on. He Took his wand from his robes and held it at the ready, then he pushed open the door, and gasped.

He slowly lowered his wand and looked with shock and a sudden understanding at the scene ahead of him. His niece, only three years old, sat crying in the middle of the room. In her hands she tightly gripped the slender, dark wood of Severa's wand. On her shoulder, sat a young blue lizard with red wings. Yet that wasn't what startled him the most. Ahead of Thorn, sprawled on the floor, were the bodies of Severa and Romulus Rose.

Severus instantly knew what happened. Thorn had, without meaning to, killed both of her parents. He rushed to her side, his robes waving behind him. He knelt next to her and put an arm around her. "Thorn?"

She looked up to him, her dark eyes filled with tears that continued to fall down her face. "Severus!" she cried, her R's a bit mispronounced. She threw her little arms around his neck and cried hysterically onto his shoulder.

He pulled her to him in a comforting hug and said, "Oh, Thorn, don't worry, it will be okay..." Despite his words, she didn't falter in her tears. She clung to him desperately, her knuckles white by the strength that she held onto the black fabric with. The little winged Daemon Lizard looked around startled.

Averting his eyes from his sister's body, he carried Thorn into the other room. He heard the rushing of wings as the owl he had sent his last message to Severa with landed on the table. Hecate watched him with unblinking eyes. Setting his niece onto the couch, and prying her arms off of him, he walked to the desk, trying to remain calm and in control. Severus took some of Severa's parchment and began to write to Dumbledore, yet his shaking hands made the writing nearly impossible to read.

Professor Dumbledore,

I need your help. Severa is dead, as is Romulus. Thorn, however lives. I'll explain more later, for at the moment my hand may fail me. I'm at their house, please come.

Severus Snape

He knew that it was a bit short, but at that moment he could care less. He tied the letter to Hecate's leg and she flew off, already knowing where to bring the letter. He sighed and looked over to Thorn, who's tears had ceased. She was staring at the floor, her eyes almost unreadable, but held a deep sadness. He walked back to the couch and sat next to her. She instantly rested her head on his shoulder, or tried to, and her crying returned. "Shh..." Severus said soothingly, "Thorn, it's okay..." He stroked her head, her long black hair smooth beneath his fingers.

Then, she said between sobs, "Severus, do you hate me?"

He was startled by this sudden question. "No, Thorn, I could never hate you, dare I ask why you thought that?"

Thorn's sobs became harder and she fought to talk between them. "I didn't mean to! I just, and they, I don't know!" She then broke into tears again and held onto Severus's arm tightly. The lizard made a high pitched, kind of like mewing, sound, and nuzzled her.

Severus looked down at her and struggled to keep himself in control. He had to be strong for Thorn. If she saw him hurt, she would blame herself. He kissed the top of her head lightly then they heard the door open. Severus looked to the hallway and saw Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Rubius Hagrid.

"Severus," Dumbledore said in a rushed voice, "What happened? Where are they?" Rubius looked around. He was related to Romulus Rose in some distant way.

Severus stood, leaving Thorn sitting on the couch. She still held her mothers wand tightly, and now she held the small lizard in an embrace as well. "They're in there, Headmaster." He pointed towards the door.

Albus nodded silently and went in, Rubius followed. Minerva put a hand on Severus's arm encouragingly. She and her coworker weren't very close, in fact, far from it, but she knew that now was a time that he needed help. "Severus?" She asked, "Are you okay?"

The potions master took a deep breath and covered his face with one of his hands. His curtain of black hair fell around his face as he looked downwards. "I don't know, Minerva, honestly I don't..."

She nodded and then said, "What exactly happened, do you think?"

Severus looked to her then said, "Well, Severa has been teaching Thorn the unforgivable curses and-"

"She's been doing WHAT!?" Minerva interrupted him. Her eyes held a dangerous glow. "Has Albus been notified of this!?"

Severus nodded, "Yes, I told him. He said that I shouldn't stop it."

"Why ever not?" His fellow professor seemed quite enraged.

"Because," Severus said in a dangerous voice, "She might need to use them in the future. Dumbledore has a feeling her future is going to be filled with dangers." McGonagall didn't question further.

Thorn walked over to her uncle while he was talking and tugged on his robes. She lifted her hands in the general meaning of 'hold me.' He lifted her and she stifled another sob. Minerva gave them both a pitiful look.

Albus then came back out, a solemn look on his face. Rubius followed and looked on the very verge of tears. Then Dumbledore said, "Severus, there is no way that we're going to be able to hide this. Romulus and Severa Rose were famous aurors, and I'm betting that the Daily Prophet has already gotten news of this."

Severus nodded. Then he said, "What about Thorn? You're not going to send her away, are you?"

Albus shook his head with a small, sad chuckle. "No, Severus, She's already got a wonderful home. She'll remain with you."

"What about the school year, Albus?" Minerva asked.

Dumbledore thought about it, then said, "I have an idea on someone who will help with that, but I'll call them later. Now, we have to go before-" his words were cut short by talking outside.

He rushed to the window and cursed under his breath. In the streets was a crowd of wizards and witches. Only a few were official.

"Dumbledore!" an aged wizard shouted. "Come out! We know about the deaths!"

Severus scowled. The ministry always made a scene about anything, in fact, they always knew if anything happened, but there was no way that they could avoid this. They followed Albus Dumbledore outside and Severus let the others see his sisters house.

He gave all the ministry wizards venomous looks as they questioned the others and himself. They had no choice but to tell the truth. Severus had the urge to use a curse himself on the reporter, Rita Skeeter, who's acid green quill was writing on its own accord.

A cold lump grew in his throat as two official ministry members walked out of the house, levitating two stretchers between them. Though there were sheets over their bodies, Severus could perfectly see the look of surprise that had permanently set itself into their features.

When the crowd died down and the ministry and reporters left, Severus turned back to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, what do you think they're going to do? Do you think that they'll take Thorn from me?"

Albus sighed, "Honestly, Severus, I'm not sure. They may, but I think I convinced them. You're just going to have to make sure that Thorn only has her wand when she's practicing occlumency. We've at least convinced them to let her continue the practice."

Severus nodded. "Of course." Thorn, who had been in her uncles arms the entire time, had fallen asleep. She looked so content while she slumbered. Yet her hands were cold and white, still gripping the dark wood of Severa's wand. It had been near enough to impossible to take it from her grasp. The lizard slept on Severus's shoulder.

Minirva looked to them with pity once again and then said, "Well, Albus, I must return home. I'll talk to you later then." She turned to apperate away, but then, remembering something, she turned back and, to Severus, said, "Good luck to you both, Severus." Then, with a loud pop, she disappeared.

Hagrid patted Severus on the back, nearly making him fall forwards and almost waking Thorn up. "Well, I'll be seein' ya 'round the school I bet. Luck to ya both." Then he walked off and was soon out of sight.

Severus looked down upon Thorn's sleeping form and sighed. He ran his free hand through his black hair and felt Albus's eyes on his back. He turned to see the headmaster looking like he had something to say. Then he nodded and said, "Severus, will you come with me please?"

The headmaster walked back into the house, Severus followed. He walked into the front room and stood in front of their fire place. He turned to Severus and said, "We're going to my office by floo powder, careful with her in the tunnel." Then he stepped into the fire and took a small handful of floo powder. He threw it into the fire and said, in a strong, clear voice, "Dumbledore's office!"

A wave of fire engulfed the aging wizard and he suddenly disappeared. Severus waited for the fire to die down before he took a small handful himself. He stepped into the fireplace and griped Thorn firmly. He moved her little lizard inbetween the two of them to make sure that he wouldn't fall into a wrong doorway. Then he threw the powder into the fire and called, "Dumbledore's office!"

The warm flames surrounded him and he felt himself spinning in the vortex. He held Thorn close to him to make sure that she didn't get hurt. Soon he felt himself being dragged from the tunnel and then found himself in Dumbledore's fireplace.

He emerged, brushing the dust and dirt from his black robes and from Thorn. He looked up to his headmaster to see him open a closed cabinet. Inside was a shallow stone basin, containing a silvery liquid. A pensive.

Thorn, though she went through the fireplaces, stayed sound asleep. She shifted in Severus's arms a bit, but otherwise she could have been mistaken for dead. The young lizard, however, was now awake and crawling around the two in fear.

"Severus, I think it's time you knew..." Dumbledore took the pensive and set it on his desk. "I had been worried about this. I was going to show this to Severa, but now," he sighed, "I can't show her, so I'll show you. You have the right to know."

Severus gripped Thorn tightly. He had a strange feeling that this was about her. He nodded silently, afraid that if he spoke, his words would betray him.

Dumbledore continued, "There was a prophecy made about her long ago. We're sure that it's about her, no mistake. She is the only one that fits the description, I am sure of that now."

Severus remained quiet. He could feel Thorn's small body move with every intake of breath she took. He shuddered at the thought of ever loosing her. "What is the prophecy?" He asked, barely capable to keep his voice in a controlled calm.

Dumbledore sighed and rubbed his temples. "Here, let me show you. Our very own Sibyll Trelawney had this prediction, not long after Harry's." The headmaster took his wand and stirred the pensive's liquid. A form emerged from it, seemingly made out of water and mist, yet it was unmistakably the seer that taught Divination at the school. When she spoke her words were harsh.

"She shall be born exactly one year before the boy who lived, and will be connected to him by coincidence. She will bring death to those closest to her, and fear to bring pain to the living. She shall be chosen as the Dark Lords heir, and he shall willingly make her stronger with one mark. She will be the strongest witch of her time, and will be capable to destroy almost any life. She shall hone her skill and learn to be flexible, and will use it to save herself and others. It shall be impossible to kill her by magic, though many times will it have been tried. Then, her secrets shall be discovered, and the prophecy shall then begin. Her species will each try to take control of her, her blood will stain the snow, and she shall be truly pained for the first time, she shall save her true leader, and aid in the death of his rival. Her decision is hers alone, and it holds our fate." Then, with the message delivered, the silvery form of Sibyll Trelawney fell back into the pensive.

Severus had not moved through the entire prophecy. "Her species will try to take control? The snow shall be stained with her blood? Headmaster, does this mean that my niece, is she in danger?"

Albus nodded slowly. "Yes, Severus. We now know that it is her that the prophecy means. The part where Sibyll said that she will bring death to those closest to her was the final bit of evidence. She killed her parents, and, in doing so, has clarified the fact that she is the one this prophecy spoke of."

Severus could hardly believe it. Thorn Rose, the last living part of his sister, had such a drastic future ahead of her, and there was no way to escape it. She was trapped and there was nothing that he could do to help her.

Dumbledore seemed to know what Severus was thinking, seeing as he said, "Why don't you go home, today has been really troublesome for you. Use my floo powder."

Severus nodded. "Thank you." He readjusted Thorn in his grip and walked back to the fireplace. The Daemon Lizard had settled itself, once again, in between him and Thorn. He took the powder and called, "The Cavern!" as he threw it into the fames.

The fire engulfed him and he was pulled into his home. He emerged into his living room, the walls were black and grey, potions covered the shelves around him. He brushed himself and Thorn off again and walked into his study. There was a couch that would serve as Thorn's bed for the moment. "We'll change this into your room, Thorn," he told the sleeping toddler. He set her down on the black couch and covered her in a black blanket. She hardly stirred at all. He kissed her for head lightly. "Good night." He whispered. Thorn sighed contently.

Severus walked into the living room and sat in one of the black armchairs. The Cavern, his home, was far from the muggle society, hidden within a forest. Enchantments surrounded the woods, making any muggle that came near remember something urgent and leave so that no non-magic people would find his sanctuary.

Severus hid his face in his hands and thought about the entire predicament. He had never even thought that his sister would be killed by any other person then the Dark Lord himself or his followers. It was so hard to believe that one of the most important people in his life had been the one to kill her. Yet he couldn't hold a grudge against her. She must've had a reason, an excuse.

He was about to go to bed when he heard the creak of a door opening behind him. He turned to see Thorn standing in the doorway, holding the wand still, the lizard on her shoulder. "Severus?"

He smiled and knelt down and held his arms out. She walked to him and into his arms, holding him close again.

"Are you okay, Thorn?" Severus asked as he stood up and sat down in his chair, Thorn on his lap.

She looked down, obviously not sure what to say. She acted much older for her age, because of her occlumency lessons, yet at times like these, she seemed to become her own age again. "I'm scared, Severus, I want my mommy and daddy." Tears welled up in her eyes again and she clutched the wand tighter.

"I know you do, Thorn, but... but there's no way that we can get her back," Severus sighed and rubbed his temples. "What happened? How did they..." he stopped, not wanting to utter the word.

Thorn's tears ran down her face silently, "They... Mommy had been teaching me the cruses, and she had told me to use them when I was scared. Then, today, Daddy came in and he started screaming at Mommy. I was real scared, Severus, I really was! Then, I don't know, I used the curse Mommy and me had been working on. I didn't mean to!" Then her hysterical crying returned and she buried her head in Severus's robes.

Severus held her close, trying to comfort her. "I know you didn't mean to, Thorn. Shh, it's okay."

He had been right. It wasn't Thorn's fault. Severa should have explained better, not to use the curse when scared, but when she's being attacked by death eaters or The Dark Lord. It was also Romulus's fault. He shouldn't have screamed at his sister like he had. And it was also his fault. Severus sighed, "I should have stopped her..." he said quietly.

Thorn hadn't heard him. She was staring at the potions that covered the walls. The small lizard, who had been in the study, climbed up the chair and onto Thorn's shoulder.

Looking for something to cheer Thorn up, Severus said, "Thorn? What are you going to name your lizard?"

She looked up to him and then took the small lizard into her hands. He watched her with large eyes and cooed slightly. He could make many different sounds, Severus noted. Then, Thorn said, "His name shall be... Sparkie!" She smiled slightly and the small lizard, now named Sparkie, yipped and spread his wings.

Severus laughed lightly and said, "That's a wonderful name." He stroked the lizards back. Though he wasn't very fond of animals, he would let Thorn have a pet. Though Sparkie would probably be closer then just a pet. Daemon Lizards almost always became really close to their owners. "Now, I think that you and Sparkie should get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll change the study to your room."

Thorn nodded and Severus walked her to the room. He set her down on the couch again and said," Good night, Thorn." He kissed her for head lightly and walked out of the room.

Yet before he reached the door he heard his niece say, in no more than a whisper, "I love you, Severus."

He smiled sadly, "I love you, too, Thorn."

He slowly closed the door and walked into his own room. Changing into his grey nightshirt he climbed under his covers. After hours of tossing and turning he finally fell into a fitful sleep.