Nicole, a first year, had just been sorted into Gryffindor house last night, and was pacing the common-room. It was Saturday and she couldn't find anyone awake yet this morning. Wanting to explore the castle, and unable to remain in the common-room a minute longer, Nicole walked to the porthole and quietly slipped out.

As her silvery-turquois eyes quickly adjusting to the lack of lighting corridor she began wondering down corridor. She decided to start her little adventure in dungeons and work her way up back to the common-room.

Nicole liked the creepy, exciting feeling of the dungeons…somehow she felt… most…at home here in the dungeons. "How...odd…" she whispered as this came to mind.

"Who's there?" came a deep voice up ahead.

Turning to run Nicole found a hand clamped on her shoulder and spun her around. As Nicole found herself face-to-face with the head of slytherine, Professor Severus Snape, she couldn't help the high-pitched squeak that escaped her deep-red lips.

"What are you doing wondering the dungeon corridors, Ms. ….."

"I don't have a last name."

"Don't play that trick on me." sneered Professor Snape.

"I'm not ...I don't have a last name, sir. Or at least not one that I or anyone else could read. The person whom wrote the note had horrible handwriting, sir."

Snape raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'm Nicole, Serena Nicole."

Snape's eyes widened at this. The name was the same…but it couldn't be… this raven haired girl…

Nicole starred at her professor as his though consumed him and he became lost to the world.

"Nicole" Snape whispered softly, without thinking.

"Yes?" Nicole's response brought professor Snape out of his thoughts.

"Nicole, I think it's time I walk you back to Gryffindor tower. You will remain there until breakfast," Snape ended more sternly.

"Yes, sir," Nicole said looking at her feet wondering what had come over her professor.

As they walked to the tower in silence Snape glanced at Nicole. 'Serena Nicole,' he thought to himself, 'How could it be…'

Reaching the Fat Lady, Nicole glanced at professor Snape.

"Am I allowed to say the password in front of you, sir?"

"Yes, I'm not going to enter Gryffindor tower."

"Flying Frog-stools," she whispered quietly. The door swung open with a little creak.

"Night, little Ms. Serena Nicole," Professor Snape said placing his hand on her back and helping her through, but stopping before his hand passed completely into the short corridor that lead into the common-room, thus keeping his word.

"Sleep tight little one," he said quickly before turning swiftly, cloke billowing out behind him and walking quickly away into the shadows.

Nicole stood for a moment staring at the spot where she had last seen him, wondering what had just happened, and why the older students had lied to her, saying professor Snape was the meanest teacher in school, when he was so nice and lenient with rules.

Back in his room, Snape sat down on his bed, wondering if it was even possible that she was the one that she held so near to his heart at one time. The child he knew his one night had formed. Had she truly been born? Had she truly grown without him knowing? Him thinking he had lost her? That one night had changed everything.

*Flash-Back*

"Marcia," Severus said deeply, letting his voice do its own magic, "Would you join me at my apartment for dinner, dear?"

"Yes."

*Two-Weeks Later*

"Get out of here Severus Snape! You evil BASTERD!" Marcia cried, "You KILLED innocent People!"

"I did what I had to!" Snape said in anguish, ducking to miss a hairdryer intended for his head.

"BULL!"

"Dear…Please!" Snape says trying to comfort her, but seeing no way keeps his distance.

"GET OUT! GO TO HELL!" Marcia ends, slapping Severus hard, nails drawling blood.

"I'm so sorry," Severus whispers, as if to the wind, turns and walks out the door, suitcase lazily following.

*Three-Weeks Later*

Snape sat drinking his black coffee, and reading the Daily Prophet, when a pure black owl flue in the apartment window, landing on the table in front Snape. Begging for attention, the owl tapped Snape's hand with the envelope. Taking the letter, Snape scratches the owl between its wings, and read…

Dear Severus ,

I'm pregnant. It's a girl. It's yours. It has no name. I won't name it.

Marcia Michaels

Snape re-read this, then grabbed a quill, and wrote…

Dear Marcia,

Wow! Tell me where you are, and I'll be there by tomorrow. A girl, a beautiful girl! Let's name her Serena; Serena Nicole.

Love,

Severus Snape

*A-Week Later*

Severus Snape sat crying on his bed. 'It is all my fault, I know it is my entire fault.' Marcia's letter lay beside him on the bed.

Dear Severus ,

I had a miscarriage. Sorry.

Marcia Michaels

"It's all my fault!" Snape shouted, "If she hadn't known my daughter would still be here. She would still be alive," he cried.

"Marcia…why…Marcia why did you terminate our daughter," he sobbed, watching the rain fall down the window as his tears came faster and faster.

*Present-Day*

Snape sat on his bed, a lone tear trickling down his cheek. Quickly he wiped it away, and walked to a nearby cupboard pulling a bottle of vodka out. Snape ignored the shot glasses, uncorked the bottle, and took a long swig, which left his head on fire. Snape put the bottle on the bedside table, pulled his cloak over his head, and headed for the bathroom for a shower.