Chapter 1. Raven Hair and a Sallow disposition.

The room was cold, drafty, and yet, oddly comfortable. It seemed like an ordinary room. When you take a glance, you sson realize that it is a dormitory. Judging by the posters of male actors and the colorful bed sheets, you see that it is a girls dormitory.

Though, something is out of place. A flash of light suddenly fills the room. However, just as quickly as it came, it disappeared again. Moments later, another flash of light. A voice calls out:

"Will you stop it already! It's past 2 am!" A girls voice. British. Around the age of 17. There is a sigh, from the other side of the dormitory. Finally, you see her.

Long, silky black hair, with a black rose tucked behind her ear. Her face pale, but beautiful. She puts down her wand and looks in the other girls direction.

"Sorry Rebecca. Good night." she says. Her voice is low-pitched, but still feminane. Along her full bottom lip, are three black dots, the mark of a witch with telekinetic abilities. Along her left eye, is the Eye of Ra. Tattooed in black.

This will need to be explained. Of course.

In the wizarding world, the Eye of Ra manes something completly different. It is the symbol of an orphaned witch. though most orphan witches and wizards choose not to show their status in such a public manor. However, she has a reason, a reason that her classmates and professors know all too well.

:Flashback:

Its the first rise of the Dark Lord Voldemort. This girl, with the black hair and pale skin, was only two years old. The daughter of two well known wizards. In the span of one peaceful evening, inside the small home, both of her parents were brutally murdered by the Dark Lord himself. The nieghbors saw a huge skull with a snake slithering out of its mouth hovering above the house. The Dark Mark. Some important members of the Order of the Phoenix stormed into the house, only to find blood and gore with each footstep.

One man, inperticular, heard a small cry coming from the hall closet. He opened the door and got on his knees. He had raven colored hair that went down to his chin and a crooked nose. He peered inside the closet and saw a small girl. Tear stained cheeks and fright in her eyes. The man spoke softly and offered her his hand. After moments, she took it.

"My name is Severus Snape. Dont be afraid." His voice was deep, practically monotone.

"I'm Rowan. Rowan Rose." She said, her voice full of trembles.

"You're safe now, Rowan." She stood and followed the man out of the blood stained house.

:End Flashback.:

That was how the dreams always went. She would fall asleep in her dormitory, with thoughts of studies flying through her head. But this night was different. She didnt dream about the night of her parents murder, she dreampt of something that frightened her much more.

So frightening that she woke suddenly, in silence. She didnt scream out for her gaurdian. She just opened her eyes, looked around the room and sat up. Her fellow students asleep in their beds. A book titled, "Occlumency for Beginners" lay at her feet.

She slowly climbed out of bed. She wore a red, "Wierd Sisters" tank top and black sweat pants. Her body was slightly trembling.

She walked out of the dormitory into the cold dungeon halls. The stoned walls were covered in lit torches and tapistries covered with images of snakes. She walked quietly through the corridors, passing the entrance to the boys dormitories. She was quiet, because it was after hours. Not that getting caught this late by a prefect would really get her into trouble anyway. You'll see why.

She finally arrived at the large oak door. the metal door-knocker was a carved snake holding the knocker in its mouth. She took it into her hands and knocked twice, quietly. After waiting a few seconds, she got no reply.

She turned the handle, the door was open, so she walked in.

The room was musty, nothing like the dormitory. This room was very familiar to her, she felt safe inside. The walls wre covered, from floor to ceiling, with shelves. They held numerous things. Jars full of wolfsbane and rose petals. Also, books beyond count. Mostly about Potions, astrology and other such mystical subjects.

As she tip-toed about the room, she finally catches sight of him. Pale face, raven hair that matched her own, crooked nose. A black robe covering his body. A man from the past. Severus.

Older now, wrinkles showing the age on his face. He is asleep, on his office chair, in front of his desk. Cluttered with papers with low grades marked on them. Also, a quill, lying next to its bottle of Dragons Blood ink.

"Severus..." She whispers, however, he doesnt stir.

"Severus!" She says a bit louder, and finally, his eyes open only an inch.

"I thought you would have come sooner, Rowan." He says, his deep voice echoing throughout the tight spaces of his office.

"Not sleeping well?" He asked before she could comment. She smiled a bit and sat down on the opposire side of his desk.

"I was studying. Sir." Rowan said, she pushed a grip of her hair behind her ears. Severus studied her face, trying to read her eyes. As they looked at each other, Rowan swore she saw the beginning of a smile around the corners of his lips.

You see, this man is not the kind of man to just smile.

Severus Snape.

Potions professor and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

A very pale, sallow looking man, with an unhappy disposition. The only time anyone ever saw a glimmer of contentment or possibly...happiness- was when he was with this particular girl. For a good reason as well.

After the death of her parents, she became a wizarding orphan, thus getting the Eye of Ra tattooed onto her young flesh. Ultimatly, the only person willing to take her in, with this man. Out dear old, Potions Professor.

Now, she sits before him.

"I see. Occlumency I hope." Severus said. She nodded in silence.

" Did you have another nightmare?" He asked her. This is was it worked everynight. All she did was nod. He nodded back as well.

"But...it wasnt about my parents..." She said, quietly. Severus looked surprised. Almost, completly perplexed.

"Oh...and what did you dream about?" He asked. Rowan looked at her hands, fiddling her fingers around each other. A nervous habit. Finally...she looked up into the black eyes of her gaurdian.

"It was about Deakon."