This is my second fanfic, and I must say, I'm rather excited about it.

I've had the story line in my head for a good year now, but it always ends a different way each time I go back to think about it. So, I'll just have to see where this particular one goes. I've also always wanted to write a Harry Potter fanfic, but I've just been very scared to.

Hopefully, though, that will go away.

Enjoy!

I Dreamed a Dream

Though the weather outside Hogwarts was at it's best in months, the atmosphere behind it's sold oak doors was becoming increasingly ominous. The Headmaster had not been seen by any of the students or staff at meals during the week, and what students found even more surprising was that, along with the Headmaster, two other faculty members had also remained absent.

At first, the recognition of Professor Snape's absence was met by relieved sighs and joyful outbursts; however, as soon as Madame Pomfrey, the school's mediwitch, and Headmaster Dumbledore had joined his disappearance, the school was left in a state of confusion. The chaos ensued when news came forth that there was no one available at Saint Mungo's to temporarily hold Madame Pomfrey's place, and quidditch was forced to an abrupt end.

It wasn't long before rumors traveled throughout the school - each with their own twisted explanation. Loyalties were questioned, alliances were formed, and the inevitable theory that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was involved in the large scheme of things. A smaller war in the midst of a much larger one was threatening to erupt, for this had not been the first time Professor Snape had mysteriously gone missing; and, of course, one happening such as this occurred one time too many in the eyes of the corrupt Ministry of Magic, who believed that no man with a past was completely innocent until he had long since died for the cause.

What no one saw, however, was the struggle that had been occurring in the very chambers that belonged to Professor Snape…

* * * * * * * * * *

"Poppy, how is he?" Headmaster Dumbledore asked.

"I've tried everything, Albus, but he has yet to respond to any of it." The Mediwitch replied effortlessly, but her eyes betrayed her, reflecting the long hours she had worked in the previous days.

"There's nothing more you can do?"

Poppy turned back to stare at the still form of Professor Snape sleeping peacefully on the bed, before replying, "We can only pray." Dumbledore's only response was a curt nod, before he made his way towards the fire place.

"Where are you going?"

"I have an idea. It may not work, but it may as well be our last chance to save him."

"When can I expect you to return?"

"I cannot say," he began, "for there are some things that need a bit more than a slight push to get them going; but as the muggles say, 'If at first you don't succeed, try and try again.'" With this statement, Dumbledore threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and vanished in a burst of blue flames.

* * * * * * * * * *

Though many adolescents - particularly the males - had heard of Fleur Delacour, they were never aware of the existence of her step-sister. In fact, with her lack of blonde hair, blue eyes, and French accent, Leia was rarely assumed to be a Delacour at all. Her father was Reynaud-Toussaint, who traveled to The State's in hope of furthering his research on communicable muggle diseases. It was there that he met his first wife, a muggle by the name of Bronwyn; however, after a year of trying to make their marriage work, it seemed as if the only good thing that resulted from their partnership was the birth of their daughter.

Leia remained living with her mother in The States until her eleventh birthday, when she received her letter from Beauxbatons Academy. Upon realizing that Beauxbatons was located in France, she immediately wrote her father. Reynaud was undoubtedly ecstatic with the news and insisted she move to France with him in order to begin her wizarding education. Leia agreed, and days later, she was introduced to her step-mother, Appolline, and her step-sisters, Fleur and Gabrielle. Although her appearance and American accent made her the black sheep, the part-veela women welcomed her into their family with exceptional ease.

As years passed and Leia's education furthered, it was clear to her family - and the rest of the adult population in the wizarding world - that she was an incredibly gifted child. From the minute she stepped into the flourished halls of Beauxbatons, Leia began absorbing every piece of knowledge that was available to her. By her third year, her skills had matched well-known and very powerful witches and wizards across the country, including Albus Dumbledore, who was drawn to the girl after witnessing her success in the Triwizard Tournament a year before. Her advanced powers were rejoiced by many, but the Ministry, however, had quite a different perspective.

In the summer leading into her fourth year, Leia had received owls from various newspapers, all of which asked for exclusive interviews. When Leia politely declined, her face along with the headline 'Leia Delacour: Future Dumbledore or Voldemort?' was published on the first page - the article was rarely ever in her favor. The Ministry's general dislike towards her heightened, when they learned that she had secretly taken both her OWL and NEWT exams early, enabling her to not only graduate from Beauxbatons in only her fifth year of school, but also cease any of the actions that the Ministry took to monitor her.

The next three years of her life were spent in what people believed to be isolation. Very few people saw Leia, and even fewer had heard from her, including her family, whose only communication with her was through a letter she sent once a month assuring them of her good health and safety. It appeared that she had completely disappeared; however, the Headmaster of Hogwarts knew very well that this was untrue. Since the year Leia walked away with the Triwizard Cup, Albus Dumbledore had made sure that he had kept in touch with her. Eventually their relationship through letters turned into one more intimate, consisting of sitting down for tea and conversation every Tuesday of every week. He had grown to think of her as a daughter, and she, in turn, loved and trusted him just as equally. Unfortunately, even he was unable to prepare her for the events that would change her life indefinitely and irrevocably…

* * * * * * * * * *

Leia laid sleeping on her living room couch with her body facing the TV. She had come home earlier than she expected and immediately set out to make up for lost sleep. Though she had no position or steady income, she lived happily off of a large trust fund and always managed to keep herself busy.

Her dining room table was rarely used for eating or entertaining company. Instead, she found a more practical use for it, layering it's surface with dozens of thick textbooks and papers summarizing her months of research. Her kitchen was also rarely used. More of her books filled the oven, and cabinets were left bare, except for a small box of Poptarts located on the top shelf. She had no time for herself, her health, or her needs. Her work consumed her, and no matter how many times Dumbledore had pleaded with her to tread carefully, she could not pull herself away from it. It was the equivalent to her as a child is to a mother, and she would make sure it grew to be great, even if it meant making personal sacrifices along the way.

It was the sound of someone flooing inside of her house that awoke her. She moved carefully in order to appear as if she was still asleep, grasping her wand tightly with her right hand. In one quick movement, she was on her feet with her wand pointing straight at the throat of the intruder.

"Dumbledore!" She stated with wide eyes, returning her wand to her pocket. "I wasn't expecting you. I'm very sorry."

"No worries, my dear. No harm done."

"Are you alright?" She asked, looking him over in search of injuries or a copy of the Daily Prophet. It was very unlike him to come unannounced.

"I'm afraid not." He sighed before continuing, "I must ask something of you, Leia, that I would never ask, unless I was absolutely sure that it would be a significant blow to our cause otherwise. Last night, an Order member, Severus Snape, was severely injured. I have done everything in my power to stop his condition from worsening, but I have been unsuccessful."

"Severus Snape? The death eater?"

"Ex-death eater, Leia." He corrected.

She sighed, moving to look out the window in a moment of deep contemplation. She had not planned on returning to the wizarding public until after her research was completed. It would have assured her a higher opinion in the people's eyes than the Ministry could ever dream of having, and this time, they could not take it away from her; but Dumbledore truly needed her. She knew deep within herself that she could not deny his request, especially when the man he had spoken about obviously meant so much to him.

Dumbledore watched as she stood there thinking, and his eyes continued to follow her as she disappeared into her bedroom. When she had not returned after a period of time, he began to doubt that she would ever come out. These doubts, along with a majority of his sadness, immediately vanished as she emerged from her room, holding her jacket with one arm and carrying a number of books with the other.

She looked at him and the fireplace expectantly. "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go."

A/N :: I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I'm still very scared that I won't do justice to JKR's characters, but I am trying. I'm sure I'll get better as the story goes on.

Hope you enjoyed it.
Next chapter will be posted asap.