Prologue- Alone
The sun was just beginning to set after another day in Clarkstone town. Families were relaxing together, all content, except one. In the house of 139 a petite, dark-haired teenage girl could be seen staring out her window forlornly. Sighing in sad anticipation she turned to pace her small bedroom for what seemed like the hundredth time. Counting the paces, the teen passed by a number of spell books and a wand lying forgotten on the floor. The girl in question was Autumn Leslie Reiner, a witch who had just returned home from the private school she attended. Just a week after coming home her parents, who were aurors, had been called on a mission. What it was Autumn never found out but later they were found badly injured. Being far away from any hospital as they lived in a muggle area a medi-mitch was sent to them at the house. Autumn had been waiting now for days of news.
A soft knock on the door caused her to jump slightly.
"Come in" said Autumn in a quiet voice. The tall blonde medi-witch poked her head in, a sorrowful expression on her face.
"I'm sorry dearie." She started, a tear in her eye, "There was nothing I could do..."
Autumn heard no more as she collapsed onto the floor sobbing loudly. For the first time in her life she was alone.
Chapter 1- Where do I go from here/
Autumn didn't sleep at all that night and cried into the rainy morning. She had never felt so lost, so without purpose before. At 8:30 that door to her bedroom creaked open and the medi-witch came, her cloak and suitcase in hand. "I'm so sorry I can't stay longer to keep you company but a social worker will be here in a half hour to sort out where you need to go." With that the witch pulled the teary-eyed girl toward her into a hug before apparating. The teen found herself starring at nothing and eventually fell back on her bed listening to the "tat tat" of the rain outside.
Half an hour later the doorbell rang and Autumn pulled herself out of bed and made her way to the door. A short, little man in a red robe stood before her and stated promptly "Hello Miss Reiner, my name is Ethan Topper. I'm sorry we have to meet in such unpleasant circumstances." Autumn shook his hand and lead the wizard to the dining room table where they sat down. The teen swallowed hard and tried to remain calm. "Now let's see," said Mr. Topper flipping through a file. Finding the one he wanted the little man peered closely at it. "Hmm, I see that, according to your parents will the only remaining relative you have is an Uncle, correct?"
Autumn snapped to attention at those words and spoke sharply "We never met, I really don't know anything about him, he doesn't even know I exist so excuse me if I don't consider him my Uncle!" Mr. Topper looked startled by her outburst and Autumn blushed slightly. Taking a breath he continued, "Well...this is an unusual circumstance but never the less you are not old enough to live without a guardian. You have no other relation to speak of so there does not appear to be another option for you right now."
Autumn remained silent for a while thinking. 'She really didn't have another option; she knew her parents would want her to be safe. Anyway, how bad could this Uncle be...' Focusing one Mr. Topper again the young witch sighed and replied, "Yes, you are right Mr. Topper. I suppose I could at least give it a try." As an afterthought she added, "What is my Uncle's full name, all I know is my mothers maiden name was Snape." I Topper thought her question unusual he didn't show it. "Severus, Severus Snape. I need you to sign these." The wizard said as he pulled out a few pages. Signing her name neatly on the with his quill she again turned to Mr. Topper and asked bluntly "When am I leaving and where am I going Sir?" The man cleared his throat once before replying "I will send a worker to come and get you at 3 O'clock this afternoon. Her name is Maggie Hawkins and you'll be going to Hogwarts school where you're Uncle teaches. Maggie can explain more to you later. Now, sorry to leave in a rush but I'm late for another appointment and...Oh! Before I forget, I am sending a letter to your Uncle before hand so he will be expecting you, good day!"
"Wait!" called Autumn "Did you say you are explaining all this in a letter?" but the wizard had already dissperated with a crack. "I don't have a good feeling about this." muttered Autumn as she went to pack. She set about packing all the contents in her room that was able to fit in her four huge trunks. One of them held school supplies, journals, and parchment. Two of them that barely closed were full of clothes, and finally the other was filled with her picture frames, music, jewelry, and other personal trinkets. Dragging everything downstairs Autumn ate a small lunch and curled up on the couch, her dark hair fanning around her. Although she was finally tired the house seemed so quiet and empty and she started to cry again as the reality of what had happened came crashing down on her. A few minutes later the teen had fallen asleep.
Snape's POV
Severus Snape sat grading the last of the potions finals. Scowling, he wrote a large P on the paper in front of him muttering "unbelievable, I must have covered that potion three times this year." Just then and owl swooped into the dungeons and dropped a large envelope onto his desk. Snape grabbed the envelope, tore it open, and scanned it, paling considerably. It read:
Mr. Severus Snape,
We regret to inform you of your sister, Susana Snape Reiner, and her husband Daryl Reiner's passing. We would also like to inform you that you are now the sole, legal guardian of your niece, Autumn Leslie Snape Reiner, age 15. A Ms. Maggie Hawkins will be at Hogwarts later with your niece. Hoping this finds you well.
Sincerely,
Mr. Ethan Topper
The potions master sat there, gaping at the letter a moment. 'His sister and her husband dead? No, no it wasn't possible.' Snape had never been on great terms with Susanna but she was his sister and you never want to lose a sibling. "I have a niece, I have a niece," he repeated to himself trying to sort it all out in his head, and rubbing his throbbing temples. Snape collected himself and scanned the paper again. "Autumn Leslie Snape Reiner, age 15" he scowled as he read, "great a bloody, hormonal teenage girl" like he didn't have enough of that here at Hogwarts. Focusing on the other paper he flipped through them: Birth certificate, guardian forms, and her vault information at Gringotts. Signing in an aggravated tone he stood up to see the headmaster. No matter how cold-hearted and angry he seemed he knew he could not just turn his niece away- not until he gave it a chance anyway.
"Bubblegum" muttered Snape when he reached the gargoyle, exasperated at Dumbledore and his muggle sweets. "Severus!" exclaimed the headmaster, a twinkle in his eye. "Hardly ever see you up here in the summer."
"Yes, well" cut in the potions master curtly, "there has been a development I think you should be aware of." He handed him the letter and Dumbledore read it, the twinkle never leaving his blue eyes. "Hmmmm" was the only reply the frustrated Snape received.
"Hmmm nothing Headmaster! Is that all you have to say?" snarled Severus annoyed at the headmaster's calmness. "Sit and calm down Severus!" said Dumbledore firmly. "I was already aware of your niece's existence although this is a little unexpected, don't you think?" The man before him sputtered, "You mean to tell me Albus that you KNEW the whole time and never told me ANYTHING!?"
"Yes Severus" the headmaster said evenly. "I thought it best since you and your sister were on such, shall we say, uneven terms."
"You never cease to amaze me Albus." Growled Snape sarcastically. "Excuse me, I have some things to sort out before my niece ('good god' he thought to himself) arrives." With that the potions master stalked out of the office, his robes billowing behind him.