Hey guys this is my first attempt at writing fanfiction I hope you enjoy the read. As I have stated previously don't expect there to be unicorns and flowers in this. This story will show the truly evil side that humans are capable of.

(My apologies about any grammatical mistakes.)

Chapter 1

A Dark Beginning

Candice arose carefully. She had always had very good vision at night, so the darkness did not hinder her. Looking across the bed, she saw her Uncle passed out. She could smell the alcohol on his breath. Sliding off the bed, she was once again thankful of her slight weight. Treading lightly across the floor she carefully opened the door willing it not to squeak as it open. As she knew it would be, the rusty door guarding her bedroom made no sound. As she stepped foot outside her room she stopped for a moment listening carefully. Nothing. Good the light had not awaked him. She started walking again, heading to the kitchen. Stopping in front of the fridge, she opened it quietly. She grabbed the milk, poured herself a glass, and quickly downed it, being careful to make no sound. She put the milk away, rinsed her cup out with water, and put it back in the cupboard. Just as she was closing the cupboard door, the light flicked on. She froze unable to stop the gasp the rose out of her. Licking her lips nervously she turned and faced her uncle.

"What are you doing out her" he said looking at her drunkenly.

"Uncle I came to get you more alcohol" Candice lied, willing her hardest to make him believe. He looked at her drunkenly for a minute then turned and walked back to her bedroom. Candice quickly grabbed a bottle of scotch and hurried back turning off the light on her way back.

As the sun arose the next day Candice lay on her bed relaxing as she so rarely got to. As she laying dozing in the sunlight streaming in though her window she heard the click of the mailbox as the mail was pressed though the slot. Sighing she rolled over. No sense in waiting and taking the risk of forgetting she had done that once. In the processes of gathered the letters she abruptly froze. Running her fingers across thick yellow parchment she eyed the emerald-green ink. Candice. It said it clearly across the front of it. She only knew a few words but that was the first one she had been taught, back when her Aunt and cousin were alive, back when she was still allowed to go to school. Quickly putting the rest of the letters on the counter she opened her letter with trembling fingers. Suddenly the door was unlocked and her uncle walked in. He caught site of her in the kitchen trying to read her letter. His faced went red and he started towards her. Gasping in fear she dropped her letter and ran to her room hiding under the bed. In the kitchen she could hear her uncle pick up the letter and start reading it. She braced herself.

"Girl! Out here now" he roared.

Taking a deep breath, she crawled out from under the bed and exited her room walking to stand in front of her uncle. "Yes uncle" she said submissively.

"Why did you read this?" he snarled. "I told you your freakishness was at an end!"

"I'm sorry uncle," she said softly with her eyes on the floor. "I saw my name"

His race beet red he took a few breaths glaring at her. "You were mistaken"

"Yes uncle" she whispered.

"Go to your room and don't come out" he told her harshly.

The next day her uncle put bars on the windows and blinds outside to keep all the light out. She sat on her bed watching him as he put a bolt on the outside of her door. Looking through the doorway she could see her reflection in the mirror. Long black hair framed her face and vivid green eye stared back with no emotion. The bruises on her face stood out against her pale skin. Her uncle had not been gentle last night.

"Done," her uncle said smiling happily looking up from his work. "You'll stay here forever now."

As he walked out the room and locked the door Candice felt a growing sense of dread.

Darkness. That was all she knew now. She did not know how long she had been locked up with just her thoughts to keep her company. Occasionally she would hear her uncle muttering outside the door angrily. He visited her nightly and sometimes brought food. Days on her bed one night (at least she thought it was she had no way of knowing for sure) she heard loud knocking on the door, followed by her uncle wrenching open the door.

"Who the bloody hell are you" she heard him say.

"I am Severus Snape and I have come to acquire Candice Potter." A smooth articulated voice said. "Bring her to me"

"Your one of those freaks!" her uncle snarled "Leave my home this instance the brat isn't here"

She heard the other man sigh then her uncle gasp.

"Imperio" the man named Severus Snape said. From her Uncle there was no sound, she heard the door close and footsteps echoed down the hall. "You might as well come out Potter, I know you're in here."

With a soft gasp of surprise she threw herself under the bed shaking in fear wondering who this man was. She heard the man speak again, a word she didn't understand. His footsteps approached her door stopping outside of it. "Potter come out of there" She felt his will suddenly. Its intent was to unlock her door. Concentrating her hardest she willed the door to stay locked. A loud click told her the she had failed. Huddled under the bed she stayed completely silent. His footsteps approached stopping at the foot of the bed. She could see black boots under some kind of dress. "Potter!" the man's voice was hard and angry now "when you get to Hogwarts the first thing you will learn is that you are never to try and use your power against me like that. Now I have been patient enough, out from under the bed or I drag you to Hogwarts by your damn hair." Almost sobbing she slowly crawled out from under the bed, and then cowered in front of him. "Come" he snapped not even looking at her turning on his heel and walking quickly out the door. Hesitating only briefly she followed albeit a bit slower. "I have been sent to take you to diagon alley to get your school supplies and then take you….." his words died in his mouth as he finally looked at her. For a moment, he seemed at a complete loss of words. Then for a moment, he looked almost as if he would cry. Stepping forward he raised his hand touched the bruises on her face the shape of a large handprint obvious. She tried not to flinch but she had always hated it when someone made physical contact with her. "How" the words grated out of him. His hand forced her face up so that he could look in her eyes.

As Severus looked into eyes that looked so much like lily's he saw fear, he could feel it with his Liglemecy skills as well. Raw terror. She was shaking too he realized and her eyes were starting to fill with tears.

"Please" he heard her whisper pleadingly. She whimpered and closed her eyes refusing to look at him any longer. Abruptly he felt her try to apparateand rebound from the anti-apperation wards surrounding the home. She went limp having fainted when she realized she wasn't going anywhere. Surprised he caught her slight weight and picked her up. He had to take her to Albus immediately she looked to be on the verge of starving to death.

Severus watched her as she lie limply in the hospital bed. After he had brought her here he had went back and question Dursley with veritaserum. What he had learned was horrifying. He had killed Dursley after he had learned everything. Burned him alive. It made him feel a little better. Sighing he turned and looked at Poppy. "How long until she wakes" he inquired.

"Patience Severus, she will awaken" Albus Dumbledore said as he walked stately into the hospital wing.

"No thanks to you! You said she would be safe! We made a deal! Explain why you didn't uphold your end of the bargain." Severus snarled.

Albus sighed sadly "I thought she was safe Severus."

The door opened quietly and Minerva and Minister Fudge walked in.

"How is she?" Minerva asked quietly.

"Alive. Barely" Poppy responded.

"What happened to her? How could this happen?" Minerva questioned with tears in her eyes.

Poppy hesitated then quietly whispered "Her Uncle did not treat her well."

"What do you mean? Are you saying that he starved her intentionally? Fudge asked.

Poppy let out a small sob and took a deep breath. "Diagnostic spells reveled that she's been starved for years. He also ….. he … he raped her. Repeatedly."

Albus and Minerva gasped.

Fudges face hardened. Taking out his wand he sent out a patronis to deliver a message.

"Cornelius?" Albus asked quietly. His face was pale and he was visibly shaking.

"I'm sending an Auror team to take Mr. Dursley into custody immediately." Fudge said answering the unasked question.

Albus hesitated then his faced hardened into a mask that portray but one emotion. Rage. "No" he said firmly. "I wish to deal with Dursley myself."

Fudge hesitate a moment then nodded and sent out another patronus.

"You're too late" Severus said bitterly.

The others looked at him questioningly.

"He's dead. I killed him. Burned him alive." Severus told them.

Albus nodded no emotions showing on his face.

"You shouldn't have done that! We needed to question him." Fudge snapped.

"I did. Merlin help me I did. He told me everything." Severus whispered.

Minerva drew a shaky breath. "How long"

"Since she was four." Severus said dully.

Poppy let out another sob and Minerva sat down slowly on the floor.

"Did he suffer" Albus asked coldly.

"I did my worst" Severus replied.

"Good" Albus said quietly tenderly smoothing Candice hair.

Candice regained conciseness slowly. She was in a soft bed. Softer than her uncles. Then someone was touching her. Running their hands on her hair. Involuntarily she flinched and let out a gasp. Knowing now that they knew she was awake, she opened her eyes. An old man stood above her. At the foot of the bed she was in was the man who had captured her. Severus she thought he had said. Severus Snape. Next to him stood two other men, and a woman in a nurse outfit and in a large pointed hat. Was she at the hospital? The man above her smiled and reached out a hand.

"My name is Albus Du-"

He scream of terror cut him off. Quickly pulling away from his hand she accidentally fell off the bed. Scrambling away in fear she realized she was trapped. The other three were between her and the door. Were they going to hurt her like her uncle did?

Albus heard her gasp and felt her flinch. He must have touched a wound on accident. Her eyes opened and he was momentarily struck by what a vivid shade of green they were. He smiled at her calmly extending his hand to shake hers.

"My name is Albus Dum-"

Then she was pushing herself away with a scream and she tumbled off the bed. Surprised by this he was unable to catch her. Poppy quickly walked around the bed to help her up. Gasping she scrambled on all fours to the corner of the room, where she huddle against the wall and cried softly with her arms wrapped around her. Poppy slowed hesitating.

"Candice" she said softly "We're not going to hurt you." Candice made no reaction at all and kept sobbing. Poppy slowly approached her knelling down and slowly reaching out a hand. "Candice?"

Candice pushed herself father into the corner. "No!" she said loudly. At the same time Poppy was shoved backwards by and unseen force. Candice's body went limp and they knew she had passed out.

Albus took a deep breath "Poppy are you all right?"

Candice lay silently on the floor in the corner of the room. She had no control over her body, it was the old mans will restraining hers that kept her here. She focused harder on breaking his control but he was to powerful. Slowly she lapsed in to unconscious. When she awoke again she was quickly aware of another person in the room with her. Keeping her breathing even she carefully extended her thoughts touching everything with them. It was the man who called himself Severus and strangely, she felt none of his previous maliciousness.

"I know your awake Candice. It is very rude to read another person's mind you know." His voice was soft and soothing countering the bite in his words. "How are you feeling?" Opening her eyes Candice sat up slowly and looked at him. He was seated on a chair near the foot of her bed. She watched him carefully least he make any move to attack. He sighed tiredly and looked at her sadly. "Were not going to hurt you Candice. No one will ever hurt you again."

"Where am I sir?" she asked her voice light and barely audible.

Severus looked at her and nodded "Yes of course, you are at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardly. I am the potions master here." She looked at him blankly causing him to frown. "Surely you read your letter?"

"I can't read sir. Just my name."

Severus frowned at her words "Well I suppose it falls to me to tell you then, I think Albus has already done enough." He said trailing off quietly at the end, only her acute hearing allowed her to hear it. "You're a witch Candice. You can do magic." Severus told her.

Candice frowned slightly but made no other reaction. Sighing Severus pulled out his wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa" he intoned causing the nearby bed to levitate slowly off the ground. Candice watched expressionlessly. Severus lowered the bed to the floor and frowned at her obviously having expected more of a reaction. "Right well tomorrow, I will take you to diagon alley and we will get you your school supplies. For now sleep well, you need to rest." With that he turned and started walking out of the room.

"What if I want to leave?" she asked her voice stopping him at the door.

He turned back slowly. "You are safest here."

"So I'm still a prisoner? Are you going to hurt me like my Uncle did?" she asked softly.

Severus frowned at her words. "No dear child no one will ever lay a finger on you again." With that he opened the door and closed it quietly behind him leaving Candice alone with her thoughts. Staring up at the ceiling Candice felt something that she had not felt in a long time … hope.

Severus walked quickly in to the great hall to find Albus , Poppy and Minerva already in deep discussion. "She woke briefly last night." He told them with no preamble.

"How is she?" Minerva asked quickly.

"About what you would expect. She knew nothing about her being a witch. I told her that we would go to get her things from Diagon alley today." Severus told them.

"Do you think it is wise to take her out in the world so quickly?" Albus asked.

"Planning on stopping me?" Severus asked eyeing Albus flatly. "The best thing for her right now is to be shown that there is a world outside of the hell she's spent her childhood in."

Albus inclined his head. "Perhaps you are right. Needless to say I do not think my decisions regarding her safety have worked well. I will be guided by you in this Severus."

Severus blinked in surprised. "That's unexpected"

Albus smiled sadly at him. "But very true. When are you going to get her?"

"Now" Severus said turning on his heel and walking out the door. Stepping to a nearby fireplace, he pulled out a pinch of floo powder and tossed it in the fire. Immediately the fire turned green in color and he step in. "Hospital wing" he said clearly, and with a loud whoosh, he was gone.

Candice heard the door open and she sat up quickly, shaking slightly in fear and eagerness. It was an odd mix of emotions. Severus walked into the room and stopped some distance away from her. "Good your awake." He said. "Well go on and get up. Here." he said placing some clothing on the foot of the bed, he had stopped at. "Get changed you can't go out in public in a hospital gown." With that he turned and walked out of the door. Candice got slowly to her feet and walked over to the bed he had left the clothing at. Running her finger slowly across the embroidery on the green dress she was given, she marveled at the quality of the clothing. Never before had she had clothing so grand, so soft. Walk walked slowly over to dressing mirror and stripped absent-mindedly. Naked she surveyed herself in the mirror. The bruises that had previously marred her skin were miraculously gone, leaving smooth soft skin. Her face was unblemished as well, with the exception of a barely visible scar in the shape of a lightning bolt of her forehead. A knocking on the door made her jump.

"Hurry along Candice we have much to do today" Severus's muffled voice sounded through the door. Wordlessly Candice dressed quickly putting on the soft leather boots that had been provided. Silently she padded across the floor and turned the handle, her slight weight made opening the large door almost impossible and she grunted jerking her weight against the handle. The abruptly gave and all but flew open almost throwing her to the ground. Severus raised an eyebrow at her from the other side of the doorway. Silently she looked back. "I think it is time you finally read your letter. Or rather have it read to you." With that he pulled out a thick piece of parchment with green writing on it. Opening it he began.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WHICHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

After a long silence with her only reaction being a deepening of the frown she seemed too permanently wear Severus sighed saying. "Well come along, we'll be traveling by floo powder today." With that, he walked over to the fireplace and threw a large pinch of what looked like sugar into the fire. The flames turned green causing her to blink and consider them carefully. "Since you have never done this before you will be traveling with me." As he said this, he extended his hand towards her. Shaking her head she slowly backed away. "Candice, I promised I'm not going to hurt you." Severus told her softly. Licking her lips she considered carefully what to do. Truly, she did not have much of a choice, her only logical course of action was to stay silent and obey him least he hurt her. Taking a deep breath, she shakily put her hand in his. Gently he led her into the fireplace causing her to flinch back before she realized there was not heat. "Gringotts" Severus said clearly. At his words they abruptly began spinning and then just as suddenly stopped. Stepping out of the large ornate marble fireplace Severus looked down at her. His finger slowly brushed a tear off her cheek. "Come" Turning he walked up to a tall counter, she loitered slowly behind him. "Miss Candice Potter needs to make a withdraw from her trust vault." He told an ugly creature sitting behind the counter.

"Key?" the goblin said not looking up. Wordlessly Severus handed one across the counter. The goblin looked at it carefully. "Very well. Griphook! Take these two to the girls trust vault." At his words another ugly creature walked up and bowed to them slightly. The cart ride down was defiantly not enjoyable. As they stopped outside her vault Griphook held out his hand for the key. With a loud click it unlocked as the creature turned the key. It swung open silently to reveal massive piles of gold stacked to the ceiling.

Severus walked in quickly "This is your trust vault. It is refilled yearly from your family vaults which you will gain control of on your 17th birthday. The gold ones are galleons. Do not bother getting anything but those right now. We can get change at the shops." Candice walked in slowly behind him and hesitantly began placing gold coins in the bag that she had been given by Severus earlier. After she had filled it they got back on the cart and ascended to the surface.

Blinking in the sun, Candice looked out on the long street from the top of the marble stairs leading up to the entrance of Gringotts. Quickly she hurried after Severus who was already at the bottom catching up to him as he came to a stop outside of a store. "You'll need to be measure for school robes. Come." Walking in Severus motioned for her to go stand on a stool in the center of the shop. "I will find the owner."

Next to the stool she went to stand on, was a tall blonde boy. Turning he smirked at her "Hogwarts?" His eyes were an incredible shade of blue. She nodded wordlessly. "I thought so." He said confidently "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He looked at her expectantly.

"Candice Potter" she whispered quietly.

At her words, his eyes widened dramatically. "Are you really?" he asked excitedly. "I've heard all about you, they said you were living with muggels is that true?" Candice nodded nervously. "Well that's unfortunate. I'm sure that was terrible." At this Candice nodded her head vigorously. A woman walked up to them then interrupting their conversation.

"Well what will it be today my dears? Just the standard Hogwarts robes?" At her words Draco sneered.

"A Malfoy does not were the clothing of common rabble, neither does a Potter. Make us both robes of the finest silk." His words caused a widening of the woman's eyes, which looked quickly at her forehead obviously having knowledge of the barely visible scar. "Today women, Miss Potter is not here for you to gape at." The woman quickly went to work measuring both of them. Candice licked her lips nervously at the closeness of her. "Have you got your wand yet? My father is going to take me to get mind after this. Do you want to go together?" Candice nodded slowly. She did not think Severus would mind and this boy seemed very nice.

"All done dears. Your robes will take some time to make but we will owl them to you shortly." The woman told them.

Stepping off the stool Draco turned to her and then stopped in surprised. "Severus! What are you doing here?"

Severus walked over and smiled down at Draco. "Helping Candice here get her school things."

"We were going to go get our wands together is that alright?" Draco asked him.

Severus thought this over quickly, Draco was a good boy, and it would be good for Candice to make some political connections. The Malfoy's were a very powerful family. "I see no reason why not. Come." Severus turned and walked out the door stopping outside and waiting expectantly. As they followed him outside they were soon joined by another man. He was very tall and with blond hair it was obvious that this was Draco's father. "Ah Lucius it is good to see you again. Your son has just met Candice. Candice this is Lucius Malfoy. Lucius this is Candice Potter."

The blonde man bowed slightly to her. "A pleasure Miss Potter. It's interesting to finally met the girl who defeated the dark lord."

Clearing his throat quickly Severus said "Draco was actually saying he was planning on getting his wand. If it's not an inconvenience would you mind if Candice followed along? I unfortunately have an errand to run."

Lucius smiled slightly "We would be honored."

If you enjoyed please let me know so I can decide whether this story is worth continuing with.