After the War (year 1997)

Severus (his story)

Her story was one of many wonders. How had she lived her whole life not knowing she was a witch? Surely her parents would have told her. How had they hidden her from

Dumbledore when she turned eleven? On and on the questions flew through Snape's mind, unanswered, as he paced in front of his fire. Memories of the last few days flooded his mind. Pausing again on the final battle...

A scream of pain sounded from Harry. He was struggling with Voldemort, locked in a duel. In the middle of the battlefield, Severus Snape pulled off his Death Eater hood and rushed to Harry's aid.

"Crucio!" Voldemort yelled, as Harry again cried out in pain. "Imperio!" 'Join me Harry. I will make you great!' a voice sounded inside Harry's head.

"Avada Kedavra!" Harry boomed.

A bright green light ceased all fighting on the battlefield. Voldemort fell with a noiseless cry. His wand burst into flames, turning to ashes, and his spirit flew from his vacant body.

Harry gasped, "No! He can't get away again!" Voldemort's spirit laughed, not knowing how it had survived. POP! Voldemort's spirit ignited, leaving behind a blood-curdling scream, "NOOOOOOO!"

Malfoy flew across the battlefield to were Snape stood. "TRAITOR! AVADA…" Malfoy shouted.

"Stupefy!" Harry cried behind Malfoy. Malfoy fell to the ground, stunned. Macnair appeared out of nowhere grabbing Malfoy's hand and pressing down on a ring.

"Portkey," Snape said calmly to an enraged Harry.

At that moment, all remaining Death Eaters shouted, "Revenge! Snape!" They pressed their rings in unison and Portkeyed away.

The light caught the tension in his face and the worry in his eyes. He was not the same Potions master he had been before; this man had faced his demons but had yet to forgive himself. Snape heard a faint noise and knew instantly who it was.

"Come in, Headmaster," he said loudly to the door which opened upon command. An elderly wizard with long white hair and a twinkle in his eye closed the door behind him and crossed over to Snape.

"I know you do not wish to leave, Severus, but you know that you are no longer safe in this part of the world, Wizarding or otherwise. Hogwarts cannot protect you from the dark forces threatening you," Dumbledore reminded him.

"Yes, Albus. I know all too well. But, what of this girl who is to take me in?" the dark wizard wondered.

Dumbledore pulled a chair up close to the fire and motioned for Snape to join him.

"Naturally, you have many questions about her. Why, after so much time, has she just become known to the Wizarding world? It is because we could not teach her. No one can." He smiled, then added, "I believe you should know her proper name: Selene Agalia Prudence is her Muggle name. Her grandfather was a Muggle and her grandmother a pureblood. She was raised as a Muggle even though both of her parents attended Hogwarts." Chuckling to himself, Dumbledore rose from his seat. Snape stood as well, and followed him, puzzled as to why he would leave it at that. Dumbledore had almost reached the door when he turned and removed a piece of parchment from his pocket. He handed it to Snape, before exiting. Snape closed the door with vigor and returned to the fire.

Quickly opening the letter, Severus began to read. A picture fell to the floor without his notice.

Professor Snape,

My hope is to find you well. Knowing that you are very wary of this arrangement, I will meet you in Diagon Alley as soon as this letter is received. If you feel that I am untrustworthy, then you may leave without a second glance. I will be shopping for quills, parchment, and potions supplies. Watch me, get a feel for my persona, and then you may decide if you feel comfortable returning to my home.

Selene Agalia Prudence

Severus read it twice before looking down at the floor. He took the photograph in his hand. Two people were laughing together, an old wizard and a very youthful-looking Muggle. No, not a Muggle. Selene, he presumed. They where standing in Dumbledore's office. He and Selene were laughing at the Sorting Hat, which seemed to be hiding in embarrassment. Selene giggled as her long brown hair shimmered red, gold, purple, and black. Spellbound, Severus crossed to the fire, grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and stepped in. "Diagon Alley," He commanded.

Once there, he brushed himself off and applied an invisibility spell upon himself. Watch me… she had said. His eyes lifted from the photo in his hand as he gazed down Diagon Alley.

A witch, standing only 5 foot even in dark green robes, window-shopped as she slowly wandered down the street towards the potions shop. Her small figure moved elegantly against the backdrop of Diagon Alley, yet something about her did not fit into the scene.

A/N: R&R

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the HP Universe. JK Rowling owns all of it. I only like playing in it.