1.
Once the moon had sunk below the horizon, the sun began to rise and light began to shine through the sheer curtains that covered the massive windows, awaking Adrianne. She sprawled herself across her bed, her hair still smelled like the bath she had the night before.
Rising from bed, went over to the window, pulling the curtain aside, finally she could see her surroundings. More light streamed in and as her eyes adjusted to the shine she noticed she was looking out across a crystal clear body lake, with the sun rising on the other side. She looked out at the water's edge, where a beach lay right before her window. Looking more closely to her surroundings she began to notice that she was in a valley of mountains, even though it was summer, they were still tall enough to house snow. And the mountain's refection glimmered across the water making a photographer's dream.
"It's more beautiful than Hogwarts," she whispered as she then turned to get dressed.
Within minutes she was soon headed back up the stairs, and stood in awe as she observed the view from the great room, for it was even more spectacular.
"Breakfast?" A voice called from the kitchen. Adrianne turned to see Snape, even though it was summer, he still wore his school robes. Adrianne nodded and received a plate of delicious breakfast. The two then proceeded to eat together as Adrianne endlessly complimented Snape's cabin.
2.
After exploring her new home, Adrianne threw on her dirty, old trainers and ventured outdoors. The air smelled even fresher, but it was a hot day. Summer was certainly upon her as beads of sweat already began to form on the bridge of her nose and brow. Instinctively, she headed towards the water and kicked her shoes off. Slowly, Adrianne dipped a toe in the water, it was such a cooling sensation, but soon she was interrupted.
"Potter!"
Adrianne turned around and saw Snape on a balcony on the third floor of their home, his bedroom.
"What?" Adrianne said sassily.
"I am responsible for you this summer, and even though The Dark Lord's existence is demolished the unexpected may still occur. I would appreciate it if you let me know of your ware bouts this summer. Please, Potter."
Adrianne rolled her eyes and mumbled in agreement.
"Don't think I didn't see that, Adrianne." Snape snickered caringly as Adrianne turned back around and sank down on the bank of the water, her feet under the clear depths and the sun made her dark hair sparkle.
Then it was decided. Today was a day for swimming. She grabbed her trainers and kicked dust behind her as she ran up to the house. Yanking the large doors open she sighed as the icy cool indoor air surrounded her.
Snape was watching this made him raised an eyebrow. Adrianne gave a quick grin and bounded downstairs to her room. Hearing from the distance behind her, "What are you up to, Miss Potter?"
Rummaging through her trunk, she finally found it, her swimsuit. She'd only worn it once, during the Triwizard Tournament a couple years ago. She knew it would still fit; her lanky figure hadn't changed that much over the years. Bounding back upstairs Snape glanced over her apparel and smiled, hearing the door slam moments later.
3.
When Adrianne returned to the cabin she still dripping wet and she bore an entirely new skin tone, brown head to toe. Walking towards the kitchen Snape, who was reading a novel at the table, handed her a towel, which she wrapped around her body, soaking up the moisture from her glistening skin.
Sitting down next to Snape Adrianne asked, "Do you ever swim?"
Snape seemed to be reminiscing over his thoughts before he answered, "When I was younger."
"Why not anymore, Professor? You're not that old."
Snape smirked, "watch it, Potter."
Adrianne grinned mischievously, making Snape spurt out in deep laughter that she'd never heard him use before.
4.
The next morning the skies were dark. Rain drops drizzled from above onto the window of Adrianne's bedroom as she gazed hopelessly out on her once picturesque view. Today she would be indoors. Yet, nothing to fret about, it wasn't like she was stuck with the Dursleys.
She pulled on some summer muggle clothes, shorts and a shirt, that Hermione had bought her, but the air was colder today. She tossed the sweater Ron's mum had made her over top and headed downstairs.
Snape had a firing brewing in the massive stone fireplace. Adrianne sat down by him as the fire gently cracked next to her. The two engaged in some casual conversation, but Snape, who sat nearby, mainly kept his nose in a book.
5.
When afternoon arrived the drizzle had turned into a strong downpour. Adrianne stood by the glorious windows in the great room, looking out at the water, when she suddenly had an idea. Snape knew her well enough to know she was up to something. Raising an eyebrow he glanced up and watched her search the food cupboard, and then she took off to the door, opening it she ventured outside into the rain.
Moments later she appeared again, with damp hair, she held a few long sticks in her hands. Snape was now engrossed with wonder of what she could possibly be up to as Adrianne went off down stairs and then returned, pocketknife in hand.
"May I ask what you are up to, Potter?" Snape asked.
"S'mores," Adrianne answered clearly as she began to scrap the bark off of a stick.
"And what is that supposed to be?" Snape asked as he got up and went to sit by her near the fire, he'd heard the muggle word before, but couldn't recall what they were.
"Who's the teacher now?" She said as a spirited smirk dignified her lips. She pressed the skinned stick to Snape's chest and walked away from the fireplace and back to the kitchen, an astonished smile crossed Snape's face.
Once he saw the ingredients Adrianne was carrying his memory recalled what a s'more is. "Ah, I remember these now."
"You've made them before?" Adrianne asked as she poked a couple marshmallows on the skinned part of her stick and sat down on the hearth of the fire.
"I haven't actually made one before, but I'm familiar with the concept." Snape said. "I assume you have made them before."
"I haven't actually made one myself, but I've had plenty of s'mores before." Adrianne answered.
"What did your relatives cook for you when you stayed with them?" Snape said sarcastically.
Unaffected Adriane answered, "No, I just got the ones that my cousin burnt and was going to throw out."
Snape's heart sank. He didn't know many details about her life with her relatives. When she was brought to Hogwarts last summer by Dumbledore he just assumed Dumbledore was being spineless. The two sat quietly, roasting their snacks in the blazing crackles.
6.
Sometime later, Snape glanced over at the girl, whose eyes weren't breaking from the fire. "You alright, Potter?"
"Hmm?" Adrianne seemed to break from her trance. "Yeah, just thinking."
"Anything you'd like to share with the class?" Snape ask cleverly, but equally gently.
"Mmm… No." Adrianne shook her head.
Snape felt a nurturing quantity in himself rise from inside. He scooted across the hearth, "It's me. You know you can talk about it, or anything."
Adrianne scrunched her face in her thoughts, and then tossed her stick into the fireplace. Snape put a hand gently on her shoulder and Adriane turned and sunk her face into his chest. He felt her breathe in deeply.
"Sirius and I were going to live in the country together." She spoke softly and then pulled herself away from him, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Again Snape's heart plummeted. That mutt of a godfather left quite an impression on her. And he left an even greater crack in her heart when he left.
"Potter…" He said tenderly.
Adrianne looked at Snape optimistically, "I don't mean to bother you with this. I mean, I shouldn't even feel this way. You killed Bellatrix and avenged Sirius, just like I wanted to do…"
Snape moved closer to her. His eyes fixed but heavy yet features relaxed.
"Even revenge can't heal some wounds. Nothing will ever heal the loss you feel in your heart every day." Adrianne knew Snape was once referring to how he felt and still feels about her mother, Lily. "But you just need to make the best out of the situation you are given, for if you don't, you can sometimes miss something that could be just as great." Snape paused. "You know I'm always here for you," he finished. He wrapped his arms around her as rain pounded onto the roof down to where they streaked across the windows, as an identical drop streaked down Adrianne's cheek.
7.
Once evening arrived Adrianne found herself alone in her room, sleepily watching the sunset go down past the mountains. Then she suddenly realized something. It was quiet. No more was rain beating down on the cabin.
Adrianne suddenly didn't feel very tired. She walked over to the window, the dark clouds had dispersed. She spun around about to head to the door, when suddenly she saw her broomstick propped up against the wall. A smile grew across Adrianne's face and she snatched it and left her room.
She stepped out of her room as a familiar request entered her head. Snape had asked, twice, for her to inform him of whenever she leaves the house. Adrianne pushed that to the back of her mind and walked out the large door near her bedroom.
Never had she been out that door before. Observing her new surroundings she saw that she was standing on a great wooden porch. She walked over the edge, "I'll be back before Snape can even notice that I'm gone…" With that thought she legged herself up so she was standing on the top rail. In one swift movement she had her broomstick in riding position and soon kicked off in the darkening sky.
8.
"I still can't believe it. Potter, here. And this summer has been the best in years, maybe in my entire life. How could I have not seen the part of Lily in her before? The idea that she's James daughter must have completely consumed me for all those years. Adrianne… I feel so lucky to have a piece of Lily back in my life. And what I have now may be even better. But still, my heart still aches for Lily… And always will. And I'm not the only one still in mourning. That mutt was probably the best to Adrianne. I hope I'm helping her pain. She doesn't deserve to live her entire life in loss. We must be getting closer to each other though, she really opened up tonight. I hope she's okay. Maybe I should check? No, Severus, that's completely out of line."
Snape gazed into the fire place, still thinking.
"She did go to her room a little earlier than usual. Maybe I'll just see if she needs anything."