Severus Snape's Point of View

I walk and glance at some ingredients labeled, 'Dried Nettles'."Liar, those are fresh ones without any doubt," I thought to myself. "My dried nettles are the cheapest in London! You won't find a lower price anywhere." The enormously fat old man said bringing his thumb and pinkie finger out. "60 Sickles!" I roll my eyes. "60 Sickles are 'cheap', indeed." I said as I turn my back on him and head home.

The day is frostbite cold but still, the streets of Diagon Alley are crowded with people. "What do you want for Christmas?" "A boyfriend!" I hear the loud speaking of some girls who are now giggling. Now that I notice, my surroundings are of Santa Clause's figurines and offers for the 25th. My mind suddenly has a voice and said, "Christmas is near, Severus. Are you going to stay at your gloomy house again for this special day?" "Yes." I reply back. I've been spending Christmas alone and I'll do the same for the rest of my life.

As I hurry to Spinner's End, I pass a dark back alley in between of Flourish and Blotts and Potage's Cauldron Shop. It wasn't an ordinary alley; it lurks with magic that is even stronger than Albus's. The powerful magic is so alluring but also seems to warn me not to come near at the same time. In the end, I gave up to my curiosity.

At that very moment, I heard a ringing from a bell. The bell is not in material form, I can tell. Is the magic influencing me? From what appears to be darkness even if I've pass through the entire alley, I finally arrived to the source of the magic and I am not so sure what to say.

My eyes focused on the young girl, 11 years old from appearance, holding her arm. The blood is still running even though a small poodle in the size of her palm is dry. No normal human/witches can survive from the excessive loss of blood.

I rush to help her but pause for a moment. If the source of the magic comes from her, then isn't it dangerous going near her? I shake the thought off my head and kneel down. A few seconds earlier, I didn't observe her carefully. Seeing to that, she is actually naked. Her long silver hair covers her sensitive areas, but I still lose my robe and veil her. I immediately Apparate to Albus's office.

"Good evening, Severus. What a surprise to see that you brought company." "No time for this. Help her." I gently place her on the desk while Dumbledore takes out his wand and points at the young girl. He cast unknown spells that I've never heard of. In a blink of an eye, a jet of red light burst towards her. Raging fire begin to surround her as if swallowing her deep.

"Where did you found this lady?" "In an alley." He puts the Elder Wand back inside his pocket and said, "Then destiny must have bounded you both together." "What does that mean?"

"This girl contains the phoenix."

Phoenix? As in the legendary bird? "What in the-?" He cuts me off before I can continue. "I'll arrange for her stay at here." All of a sudden, a smile appears on his face. In the time of my career at here, I know that smile spells trouble. "Severus, I know this might causes you some struggle but…" He walks slowly towards the young girl and currently standing at her side.

"…will you take her under your care?"

"Pardon?" If only my hearing is not as fine as it now. "I am afraid to say that this girl has lost all her memories." "I am not the right person for this-!" "You are her saviour. I believe that she will repay you; this lady here is of pure light." I am truly out of words to counter him back. This man gets everything he wants with his sweet talk. He won't take no for an answer. "By the way…" I solemnly swear that problems can stop coming out from him.

"…give her a new name." "Albus, can't you present one to her yourself?" "As I have spoken, you're her rescuer. Furthermore, I couldn't think anything better than 'Lemon' or 'Sock'." said Dumbledore as he chuckles. Inwardly, I roll my eyes. Though I still obey his orders. I should have trusted my instincts at the time of her discovery.

I stare at her who is consumed by fire and find something new again. The fire must be the phoenix's flame. The phoenix must be the reason of her strong presence. The phoenix's flame is stated to attack those came near, and burn them to death. I reach my hand for the flame and strangely, it does not harm but warms me from the cold weather.

Her hair got my attention the most. Silver hair is the rarest although I can feel that the reason wasn't just that simple. At the last, I know and softly push her head so it faces sideways.

There is a unique stroke of black lies hidden inside her hair. Though it can be easily tell from some strands that show off. Black. Black. It might be normal to others however it is not to me.

"Blake."

"As expected from you, Severus." Dumbledore slightly chuckles. "Old English for 'black', am I wrong?" I shoot a death glare at him as he counters with another smile. "There is another inconvenience though, as the girls' dorm is full at the moment." Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the Grand Sorcerer and headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry enjoys calling upon trouble.

"Would you please share your room with her?"

"This isn't the matter of the phoenix now, I am a male and she-" "Severus, I knew you as a person who will not causes harm to the opposite sex." "The time is also late now. I shall get going, you too." He closes the door though leave a space for him to continue. "Have a good night, Severus and Blake."

If only I could just turn back the time so this will never happen.