Severus Snape flew over the country of England, not able to shake the feeling away. He had always known that his god-daughter had had problems, but he never suspected that they would be as bad as the ones that his gut told him they were for her now. He had been sitting in his office at Hogwarts and just pondering over the list of students when a flash of a vision came into his mind. Elyse Mantritch, his best friend's daughter, was dying.

Elyse was sitting at the bar of her parent's country home, a glass of wine sitting in front of her. She wasn't an alcoholic, but the taste reminded her of her father. Sixteen years old and she was already losing all control of her life. No one seemed to want to talk to her ever since word got out that she was a vampire. The first downhill slope in her life was when she was eight years old and her mother committed suicide after her father told them both that he was a vampire. Then her father was slaughtered by a werewolf and Elyse was left in the care of her god-father. Severus wasn't exactly a father figure; he was shy and awkward, for one way of putting it.

It was time to end this. She knew she was not cut out for this sort of life, trying to live with Muggles as a witch or with magic-folk as a vampire. Werewolves, curse them, could take a potion to tame their instincts, but the thirst for blood and death was always with her. Elyse was going to die in the way she had killed. A regular blade would let her heal automatically, but there would be no heal for a magic cut. Her wand (black walnut, dragon heartstring, 11 ½ inches), lying on the table, was cold as she picked it up and held it to her left wrist.

Severus touched down on Elyse's front lawn, and a wave of negative emotions hit him. He dropped his broom on the lawn and bursts open the door with his wand. He swiftly scanned the area but there was no sign of her in the foyer or living room. He entered the kitchen and stopped. She was on the floor, her wand was in her left hand and he could see a dark pool in the dim overhead lights. He unglued his feet and rushed to her. She was still alive and opened her silver eyes. He muttered incantations to stop the bleeding, but she grabbed his arm feebly.

"Don't." she muttered, and her body went limp. For the first time in his life, Severus felt like crying.

As soon as she felt the warm sheets, Elyse knew she had failed. A deep sense of sadness swept through her. Not because she had just tried to kill herself, but because she had to live. No one wanted her. She did not eat; she thought that would kill her. But St. Mungo's has ways of dealing with stubborn patients. She fought and screamed and even bit when they tried to bring her back to health. Finally she just gave up and didn't move. Until one day, she had a visitor. A soft knock at the door from her god father didn't even receive the bat of an eyelash. He approached her, unsure of what to say. But it came to him after he had set the vase of blue roses on the table and sat next to her.

"I am not going to lecture you about this. You are old enough to make your own choices. All I want to know is why? What is going through your mind? What are you thinking right now?"

Elyse looked at him. His dark eyes stared back. He looked stiff, like his face was too used to scowling.

"You should smile." He did, with a little chuckle.

"Look who's talking." She looked away, out the window. "Why?" he asked again. Elyse answered.

"I don't belong here." She could tell he was getting annoyed.

"Do you know how many times I have heard that from you? Too damn many! There are people who have had it worse off than you, Elyse." She sat up, in the mood for a fight.

"Who? Name someone." He stood, towering over her.

"Harry Potter! He went through a lot more than you. He never attempted suicide. He never gave up like a bloody coward!" Harry was a year younger than her.

"He had friends, Severus. He had people to stand by him! You were never there for me! Where were you when I needed you?!" She yelled at him, beginning to cry. He was speechless and ashamed, and then he sat down again and spoke in a quiet tone.

"I thought you were strong enough to handle things on your own. You have so much of your mother in you; I knew you could take care of yourself. But I suppose I was wrong." He stood and went for the door. A nurse came in and said something then handed her something.

"I have a letter for you." She handed it to her, but Elyse didn't move. The nurse left it on the bed near her and left. Elyse continued to stare out the window until curiosity got the best of her and she opened the letter. The envelope was addressed to her from Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Dear Miss Mantritch,

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 no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

Elyse rolled her eyes, but stopped her negative thoughts. Maybe this could be a good thing. At least it would give her something to do.