In the back of her mind, Taylor wondered what they would be like. "And once they arrive, you will go to Hogwarts where I'm sure you'll find plenty of friends." The blonde twenty – year – old woman from the orphanage guided the twelve year old to the town square. Frowning, Taylor curled a single strand of her light brown hair with her finger while her other hand tightened around the handle of her luggage.
"Oh look! There they are! Severus! Charlotte!"
Two people were approaching them, the married couple that had claimed her as their own since the deaths of all of her relatives. Seeing them up close, the man wasn't the best looking. His hooked large nose stuck up from his pale complexion, which was curtained by greasy black locks of hair. Charlotte, a name Taylor had personally despised, was a striking redhead, with a fairly full figure and green eyes that were friendly. The phase 'opposites attract' popped into her head. Severus with a feeling of dark gloom with his black eyes as well as wardrobe, verses his wife's green plain dress that mirrored her eyes. And to finish the image all off, the woman had a bundle of light pink cloth that, to Taylor's horror, was a baby girl. Thank God, she thought, she looks like she won't take after her dad. Her stomach did a flip-flop thinking of the very word dad and then knotted, realizing she would have to call the ugly man before her that word. For some reason, however she could easily imagine call Charlotte mom. In fact, it was rather inviting.
"This is your new daughter, Taylor! Taylor, this is Severus and Charlotte Snape or Dad and Mom." The blonde smiled as if introducing a five year old to different types of candy.
"Taylor Snape, follow me." Severus's voice did not match his face at all. It was low and rather sly compared to the expected huskiness. Almost hypnotic. Not saying a word, she did as she was sharply ordered, her luggage dragging noisily behind her. "Now let's understand the following rules. No cursing, partying, drinking, smoking –"
"Sev, you make it sound like she's eighteen!" Charlotte's high pitch voice made her husband's voice red. Or maybe it was the use of his pet name.
"I was just trying to clarify that-"
"She's twelve! And what we should be focusing on is new school robes, books, parchment, quills –"
"Cauldrons," he added, slightly relieved at the change of subject.
"Of course," she turned to face Taylor, "Taylor, you need to be measured. And maybe we can get you a new wand –"
"I am sure she has one of her own."
"But let me see it first. It might be too old or –"
"Charlotte, honestly…"
"Sevvie!" He found himself staring at the gravel on the street.
Charlotte giggled, turning to face Taylor again. "He hates when I call him that in public. If I ever want him to shut up, it works every time!" A wide smile appeared on her face. The brunette smiled meekly back. This is going to be a long life, she thought silently to herself as the foursome, one asleep, trotted along.