Alice Dumbledore, like usual, had her nose buried in a musty old book. Her quill scribbled madly on her piece of parchment, paused for a moment, and the continued in it's furor. She was sitting in the Hogwarts School library, where her grandfather was headmaster, doing a little brushing up on her transfiguration studies.
"Turning a horse into a house... I can't find it anywhere," she mumbled while flipping through another book. She wore black robes with an emerald green trim, her hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Her black glasses hung low on her nose, and made her look older than her 19 years. Her toes tapped impatiently as she searched for her desired information.
"Alice, here at such an hour... Why aren't you eating something?" a familiar voice said from behind her. She turned around, away from her studies.
"Uncle Snape!" she exclaimed with a yelp of joy, as she jumped up to hug the man who seemed to stiffen at the sudden attention. Alice planted a large kiss on Snape's cheek, causing him to turn a light shade of scarlet, a show of emotion that was rare for him.
"Silly girl," Snape said half sighing, "Your grandfather told me you were here. I thought I'd check up on you, see how my best pupil is doing. Up to no good, I see," he said, glancing at her pile of books.
"Just brushing up on a few things," Alice said while stacking up the books she was using. "Will you join me for dinner, Uncle Severus? I hate to eat alone, and I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to meet many people yet. You know, with my studies and all..." she waited for an answer.
Severus Snape, or as Alice called him, Uncle Severus, was the potions teacher at Hogwarts, and also one of Alice's favorite people. She knew he had a reputation for being hard and harsh, but she also knew that beneath that, Snape was a very kind and caring person. He had taken her under his wing when she was a young girl, teaching her the ways of the wizarding world better than any other teacher could have.
"Yes, yes," Snape replied, "Of course. However, I have a surprise for you I think you'll enjoy in my office, so if you will, perhaps we shall eat there? I'll call a house-elf to bring us something, and we can catch up in quiet, away from those kids. I tell you Alice, they get worse every year... I can't even imagine what the future will be like with them in charge, I mean..."
"Uncle Severus, you said the same thing when I was in school!" Alice exclaimed, half flabbergasted with Snape's pessimism, and half grinning at her mentor's absurdness. "So, what's this surprise," She asked while linking his arm under his. "Something good, I hope."
"Just you wait," Snape replied with a smile his students had come to fear.
* * *
They walked across the campus and passed the board that announced the house scores to the school. Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied for first.
"Still giving Gryffindor a hard time?" Alice asked with a smile. She herself had been in Gryffindor during most of her time at Hogwarts. She started in the house as a 3rd year at age 11, when her peers had been first years. Before that, she attended classes, but lived with her grandfather. The Dumbledores had always been in Gryfinndor, just as the Snapes had always been in Slytherin.
"I still think you would have made a fine Slytherin, very fine indeed," Snape said. "Gryffindor, They're nothing but trouble makers. They get far more credit that they deserve..."
"Oh Uncle! The Slytherins are just as bad. Kids are kids, and they all want to get in trouble. It's how things work. You just want to give them a hard time, and I know it," she smiled. Snape inhaled sharply. They arrived at his office, which was in a dimly lit corridor.
"Toadflax," Snape said and the door immeadiately swung open. Alice had always loved her Uncle Severus. She, unlike most others, knew his history, how he was once a Death Eater, serving Voldermort as his Lord, but later came and worked as a spy against him. She knew he had the Dark Mark on his arm, and that he was bothered by this fact, and it made him often times harsher than he should be. Her grandfather, Albus Dumbledore, trusted Snape with his life, and she did too. He had helped her achieve more than all of her peers as a youth, and she still excelled in all things magical. Snape had taught her more than just what Hogwarts curriculum was, though. She had mastered the dark arts. Not just what they could do, but how to do them. Perhaps this is why she and Snape had such a bond. They were both good wizards who could, even though they did not, harness the dark arts.
"Do you remember where it is?" Snape asked as he opened a bottle of silvery dust that smelt much like a rotten egg. He poured the dust, which in mid-air transformed into a liquid of sorts, into a cauldron.
"Of course I remember," Alice said. "Am I going to need to use it?" she asked, somewhat nervously. Her eyes had lost the since of playfulness they usually had, and much like her grandfather, taken on a look of sheer power. Alice was a champion dueler in her school days, half because she had been advanced in her studies, and half because she scared the other students with her look of total control, of total invincibility, or complete and utter power.
"No," Snape said. "I just wanted to make sure you knew where it was, in case you needed it. Things are getting worse, and I'm sure you know what I mean. That's why you're here after all. Your grandfather didn't pull you out of university for anything," Snape said as he added some strange root to his bubbling cauldron, which he had taken out of a locked cabinet. "He's not as strong as he used to be. Oh, I know he's not weak by any means, but.. well, what we're up against needs more than what he can do alone. McGonagal will be here, of course, but she has little experience in these matters. I'm trusting you, Alice, because I've trained you myself. You know I don't trust just anybody. I can't be here, and you know why. But .. If you need it, you know where it is."
"I know. And I hope I will never have to use it. But, Uncle, will you be okay? I mean, what if he finds out?" Alice asked, playing with the top of Snape's hat, which had been lying on a chair in front of his desk.
The cauldron bubbled as a tiny knock was heard at the door. A small, ugly head appeared, and slowly entered, carrying a silver platter. Two more house elves appeared, one carrying a pitcher and some goblets, and the other one a magnificent cake. They bowed and quickly left. Snape shut the door behind them.
"I don't know what he'd do if he found out. Kill me. Torture me. Take control of me. I'd fight it until my last breath, though, Alice, don't you doubt it. But.. If you see me, later in the year, and I'm not myself..." He paused, "I want you to do what you must to stop me. Kill me yourself if you have to."
"But that's an unforgivable curse!" Alice cried, shocked that Uncle Severus would even mention that sort of thing as a viable option.
"These are desperate times we're coming into, and that calls for desperate measures. Which reminds me..." He pulled a key out from under his robes and proceeded to unlock a small box, which had an even smaller box inside of it. He took another key, this one was tied around his neck, and unlocked the box. His thin fingers reached inside of it and pulled out a necklace. It was a black cord with a silver orb with a blue glow to it dangling from it. "This," Snape said, "is something I want you to wear at all times. When you are in danger, it will get hot. If there is a death eater near by, it will turn blue and glow."
"But it's glowing now..." "Some ties are harder to break than others," Snape said, looking at his arm, which was covered by his robe. "I still have the mark. Many of us still have the mark. Alert yourself when it glows... But when it gets hot.. do whatever you must to protect yourself." He tied the cord behind her neck. "Your family line is what will win this fight. You have it inside of you."
"Uncle, don't talk like that..." Alice trailed off. She knew this was a serious matter. And yet, the thought of seeing her beloved Uncle Severus on the Dark side, even if it was as a spy, chilled her to the bones. "I think I've lost my appetite," she said, looking at the food the house elves had brought in. "I'm in the West Tower. The password is 'brusselsprouts' if you need me. I think I'm going to go study some." She looked at Snape, who was looking paler than usual. She put her hand on his shoulder. "We can do it. Both of us can. You're trusting me, and I've learned from the best," she said with a forced smile. Snape nodded silently and Alice knew that this was her cue to leave. She tapped the candelabra once, which opened the door. She slipped out and heard the door close behind her.
"Turning a horse into a house... I can't find it anywhere," she mumbled while flipping through another book. She wore black robes with an emerald green trim, her hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Her black glasses hung low on her nose, and made her look older than her 19 years. Her toes tapped impatiently as she searched for her desired information.
"Alice, here at such an hour... Why aren't you eating something?" a familiar voice said from behind her. She turned around, away from her studies.
"Uncle Snape!" she exclaimed with a yelp of joy, as she jumped up to hug the man who seemed to stiffen at the sudden attention. Alice planted a large kiss on Snape's cheek, causing him to turn a light shade of scarlet, a show of emotion that was rare for him.
"Silly girl," Snape said half sighing, "Your grandfather told me you were here. I thought I'd check up on you, see how my best pupil is doing. Up to no good, I see," he said, glancing at her pile of books.
"Just brushing up on a few things," Alice said while stacking up the books she was using. "Will you join me for dinner, Uncle Severus? I hate to eat alone, and I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to meet many people yet. You know, with my studies and all..." she waited for an answer.
Severus Snape, or as Alice called him, Uncle Severus, was the potions teacher at Hogwarts, and also one of Alice's favorite people. She knew he had a reputation for being hard and harsh, but she also knew that beneath that, Snape was a very kind and caring person. He had taken her under his wing when she was a young girl, teaching her the ways of the wizarding world better than any other teacher could have.
"Yes, yes," Snape replied, "Of course. However, I have a surprise for you I think you'll enjoy in my office, so if you will, perhaps we shall eat there? I'll call a house-elf to bring us something, and we can catch up in quiet, away from those kids. I tell you Alice, they get worse every year... I can't even imagine what the future will be like with them in charge, I mean..."
"Uncle Severus, you said the same thing when I was in school!" Alice exclaimed, half flabbergasted with Snape's pessimism, and half grinning at her mentor's absurdness. "So, what's this surprise," She asked while linking his arm under his. "Something good, I hope."
"Just you wait," Snape replied with a smile his students had come to fear.
* * *
They walked across the campus and passed the board that announced the house scores to the school. Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied for first.
"Still giving Gryffindor a hard time?" Alice asked with a smile. She herself had been in Gryffindor during most of her time at Hogwarts. She started in the house as a 3rd year at age 11, when her peers had been first years. Before that, she attended classes, but lived with her grandfather. The Dumbledores had always been in Gryfinndor, just as the Snapes had always been in Slytherin.
"I still think you would have made a fine Slytherin, very fine indeed," Snape said. "Gryffindor, They're nothing but trouble makers. They get far more credit that they deserve..."
"Oh Uncle! The Slytherins are just as bad. Kids are kids, and they all want to get in trouble. It's how things work. You just want to give them a hard time, and I know it," she smiled. Snape inhaled sharply. They arrived at his office, which was in a dimly lit corridor.
"Toadflax," Snape said and the door immeadiately swung open. Alice had always loved her Uncle Severus. She, unlike most others, knew his history, how he was once a Death Eater, serving Voldermort as his Lord, but later came and worked as a spy against him. She knew he had the Dark Mark on his arm, and that he was bothered by this fact, and it made him often times harsher than he should be. Her grandfather, Albus Dumbledore, trusted Snape with his life, and she did too. He had helped her achieve more than all of her peers as a youth, and she still excelled in all things magical. Snape had taught her more than just what Hogwarts curriculum was, though. She had mastered the dark arts. Not just what they could do, but how to do them. Perhaps this is why she and Snape had such a bond. They were both good wizards who could, even though they did not, harness the dark arts.
"Do you remember where it is?" Snape asked as he opened a bottle of silvery dust that smelt much like a rotten egg. He poured the dust, which in mid-air transformed into a liquid of sorts, into a cauldron.
"Of course I remember," Alice said. "Am I going to need to use it?" she asked, somewhat nervously. Her eyes had lost the since of playfulness they usually had, and much like her grandfather, taken on a look of sheer power. Alice was a champion dueler in her school days, half because she had been advanced in her studies, and half because she scared the other students with her look of total control, of total invincibility, or complete and utter power.
"No," Snape said. "I just wanted to make sure you knew where it was, in case you needed it. Things are getting worse, and I'm sure you know what I mean. That's why you're here after all. Your grandfather didn't pull you out of university for anything," Snape said as he added some strange root to his bubbling cauldron, which he had taken out of a locked cabinet. "He's not as strong as he used to be. Oh, I know he's not weak by any means, but.. well, what we're up against needs more than what he can do alone. McGonagal will be here, of course, but she has little experience in these matters. I'm trusting you, Alice, because I've trained you myself. You know I don't trust just anybody. I can't be here, and you know why. But .. If you need it, you know where it is."
"I know. And I hope I will never have to use it. But, Uncle, will you be okay? I mean, what if he finds out?" Alice asked, playing with the top of Snape's hat, which had been lying on a chair in front of his desk.
The cauldron bubbled as a tiny knock was heard at the door. A small, ugly head appeared, and slowly entered, carrying a silver platter. Two more house elves appeared, one carrying a pitcher and some goblets, and the other one a magnificent cake. They bowed and quickly left. Snape shut the door behind them.
"I don't know what he'd do if he found out. Kill me. Torture me. Take control of me. I'd fight it until my last breath, though, Alice, don't you doubt it. But.. If you see me, later in the year, and I'm not myself..." He paused, "I want you to do what you must to stop me. Kill me yourself if you have to."
"But that's an unforgivable curse!" Alice cried, shocked that Uncle Severus would even mention that sort of thing as a viable option.
"These are desperate times we're coming into, and that calls for desperate measures. Which reminds me..." He pulled a key out from under his robes and proceeded to unlock a small box, which had an even smaller box inside of it. He took another key, this one was tied around his neck, and unlocked the box. His thin fingers reached inside of it and pulled out a necklace. It was a black cord with a silver orb with a blue glow to it dangling from it. "This," Snape said, "is something I want you to wear at all times. When you are in danger, it will get hot. If there is a death eater near by, it will turn blue and glow."
"But it's glowing now..." "Some ties are harder to break than others," Snape said, looking at his arm, which was covered by his robe. "I still have the mark. Many of us still have the mark. Alert yourself when it glows... But when it gets hot.. do whatever you must to protect yourself." He tied the cord behind her neck. "Your family line is what will win this fight. You have it inside of you."
"Uncle, don't talk like that..." Alice trailed off. She knew this was a serious matter. And yet, the thought of seeing her beloved Uncle Severus on the Dark side, even if it was as a spy, chilled her to the bones. "I think I've lost my appetite," she said, looking at the food the house elves had brought in. "I'm in the West Tower. The password is 'brusselsprouts' if you need me. I think I'm going to go study some." She looked at Snape, who was looking paler than usual. She put her hand on his shoulder. "We can do it. Both of us can. You're trusting me, and I've learned from the best," she said with a forced smile. Snape nodded silently and Alice knew that this was her cue to leave. She tapped the candelabra once, which opened the door. She slipped out and heard the door close behind her.