This is JKR's world, I am extrapolating for my own enjoyment.

2 October 1995.

I had trouble sleeping again last night. I dreamed about my father again but when it came to the part where he was facing the Dark Lord, it was no longer my father but Snape who refused to beg for his life. I saw the Dark Lord use the Cruciatus Curse on him and saw the agony he endured. I had to look carefully at him at breakfast to see if it had been only a dream. He had a pinched look about his eyes that spoke of barely concealed pain. In the afternoon, I waited in the library for Miss Granger. I asked her if she could help me find a certain book. She seemed taken aback that a Slytherin should ask her for assistance but then she remembered that I was not a dyed-in-the-wool Slytherin but only a latecomer to that House. I mentioned to her that it was Viktor Krum who had suggested I seek her out. She and I carried on a conversation for a few minutes and parted on an amicable basis. If we were not friends yet, then we were surely cordial acquaintances. I had papers for Flitwick's First Years to grade and Transfiguration papers for McGonagall's Second Years also. I almost skipped dinner but something Malfoy was sniggering about in the common room made me show up for the meal. Apparently, Professor Snape had been burned when a student's cauldron had exploded after class. He had gone to Madame Pomfrey for treatment. He was not at dinner. As soon as dinner was over, I made my way to the Infirmary. I asked Madame Pomfrey if there was any work for me to do. She asked me if I would read to her only patient as his burns were healing. She warned me that he was surly at the best of times and positively nasty at the worst of times. However, since I was his prized Potions student, he might just behave for me. Then she winked at me and handed me a book. I immediately saw the humour in the choice of volumes.

Dickens', A Tale of Two Cities. I sat down and began to read. 'It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.' His hand reached out to grab the book from me. He turned pain-filled eyes on me. I could only stare into those depths. Then he allowed me to continue reading. I knew the story well. The one thing that always made me sad was that Sydney Carton had to die. He had been one of the tragic heroes I had cried over when I was a young girl. I read to him for two hours. When Madame Pomfrey released him, I walked with him back to the Dungeons.

"What potions have you finished, Thera?"

"The Felix Felicis, it is aging now; Polyjuice, which is also aging; Blood replenishing should be done in a few days; Pepper-Up is already in vials in your private stores. The Wolfsbane is also ready. I have made up a flask for your friend. It can go by owl at any time. Are there others I need to work on?"

"There are three, Dreamless sleep, Draught of Peace, and Draught of Living Death. It is always good to have a supply. We will talk in the morning." He slammed the door to the Potions office behind him.

3 October 1995

This morning I awoke to find presents on the end of my bed. There were new boots from Mother, a fur lined cap and muff from Viktor, a book wrapped in brown paper with no tag and a small leather box of potion vials made of Elfin Crystal which was from Professor Snape. The attached note said I should keep certain potions with me at all times. I looked at the book more closely and realized it must be from Father. I used the nursery spell he taught me to disguise my jewel box and the journal was revealed to me. He wrote that he was hiding out and moving from place to place every few weeks to avoid capture by the Dark Lord. He wrote that he loved me very much and that he knew I was much safer at Hogwarts. He reminded me that his friendship with Severus Snape would provide some measure of safety for me if need be. He told me to tell Mother that he was sorry and that he loved her too. He had included a letter to Professor Snape in the journal. I removed the letter and re-charmed the journal to look like a guidebook to Kiev again. I dressed and made my way to the Great Hall. The House Elves had created a small birthday cake for me and my teachers all gave me cards. I had completed the assignments for my classes early so I was assisting Professor Flitwick with his First Year students who were having trouble with the Wingardium Leviosa charm. I was correcting their hand motions and he was correcting their pronunciation. Professor Umbridge was doing her inspections and was quite rude to Professor Flitwick. I made a promise to myself that somehow before the end of the year that woman would get the punishment she so richly deserved. I had seen her reduce most of the teachers to nervous wrecks and some to tears with her condescending ineptitude. She was truly insane. I wanted to hex her very badly. Professor Snape just let her little barbs roll off him but I saw what her abuse was doing to some of the other teachers. High Inquisitor of Hogwarts? What arrogance. I would smile and bite my tongue until I could deal with this fat old hag as she should be dealt with. I had noticed that the twin boys in Gryffindor who were in their seventh year were very bright and extremely good at creating new uses for things. I approached them with an idea. An infusion of Wartcap Powder and Venomous Tentacula juice mixed with furniture polish to be used on every surface in Umbridge's rooms. They agreed to pursue that idea and told me they would get back to me. The day ended with Professor Snape brewing potions while I took notes. He had me hide the entire batch of Veritaserum. He also had me store the Felix Felicis in the wardrobe in my room. I transfigured the bottle to look like a terrarium with a fungus growing in it. We hid large amounts of the various potions with the teachers. Some of the potions Professor Snape had taken away from the school. At seven thirty that night, I was summoned to Headmaster Dumbledore's office. Professor Snape was there too. He and the Headmaster were going to take me to the meeting of the Order of The Phoenix. They cast a disillusionment charm on me. The two of them walked out of the office with me following behind. They called to Filch that they were going into Hogsmeade for a drink and would return later. The moment we were out of the School grounds Professor Snape removed the disillusionment charm and took my wrist. He disapparated us to a seedy looking area of London. He handed me a note, told me to read it then destroy it. The building we were going to appeared as the Headmaster led the way up the steps. I was introduced to the members of the Order who were there that night. Alastor Moody questioned me for a long time before admitting that I was exactly what was needed to work with Snape as a partner. Remus Lupin voiced the opinion that it was too dangerous for a young woman. The female Auror, Dora Tonks, took exception to that comment and promptly came to talk to me. Arthur and Molly Weasley welcomed me graciously. Kingsley Shacklebolt winked at me and said he had not thought that Igor Karkaroff had any children. Sirius Black smiled and kissed my hand and flirted outrageously with me. I explained my training and my skills to them. I proved my proficiency at Occlumency and Legilimency, my nonverbal spell casting, wand-less magic, Professor Snape even bragged on my Potion making. I was accepted into the Order as a new member. I spoke at length with Moody about my chances of being accepted as an Auror trainee after my schooling was finished. He said it was very likely that, with my skills and previous training I would be accepted. There was no urgent Order business that night. The Headmaster, Professor Snape and I disapparated back to the outskirts of the school very late. Professor Snape disillusioned me again so we could get back into the school. He listened at the door of the Slytherin dormitory and made a decision. He walked me down to his office again before ushering me inside. Then he opened the door to his private rooms.

"There is a door to a passageway behind this bookcase. The spell is simple. Tap the bookcase at this end three times, say Thera. The passageway will open. At the other end, tap three times again, say your name again. It leads directly into your room. The reverse is slightly different. Tap the wall in your room three times, say Severus, then three times at this end of the passage and my name again. I have no idea why or when this was constructed. However, since your room is directly off the common room I surmise that it was an escape route if trouble arose. There is also a passageway from the alcove in my bedroom to the edge of Hogsmeade. The entrance is warded. I will add you to those few who are permitted to enter that way. I will show you the entrance another time. A word of caution about Sirius Black, Thera, do not take this the wrong way, I am merely concerned that you know. He spent many years in Azkaban for a crime he did not commit, the imprisonment made him reckless and strange. He is still a hunted man. He is very lonely and I do not know if you are susceptible to his charm. He is not a suitable companion for you or for any female at present. Now you may go on to your room. "

I could not believe he had warned me off a man. I did not intend to flirt with Black, but to be warned like a child was insulting. Besides, I am an adult now and make my own decisions.

26 October 1995

Preparations are underway for the Halloween Feast. Headmaster Dumbledore had me accompany him when he made certain requests of the House Elves for Halloween and the Yule Ball. The Halloween Feast would have a new punch served, Pumpkin, Cranberry, and Pomegranate. For the Yule Ball he asked for a special cake, Cranberry Orange with a Pomegranate Glaze. He winked at me as he ordered these new items. He whispered that Delores Umbridge had definite feelings about Pomegranate. I understood him to mean that she was highly allergic and this would be an effective way of assuring she did not linger at either event. I reached up to kiss his cheek and was astonished when he told the House Elves that I would now become their liaison with the teaching staff. All questions and problems would henceforth be referred to me. He cheerfully told me that Professor Snape had suggested it as an added "keep Thera busy" scheme. I mentioned to the headmaster that I had gotten a letter and a journal from my father and I had forgotten the letter that should go to Professor Snape. He said that by coincidence Professor Snape was going to be directing the last minute decorating in the Great Hall that very night. Then he asked me how our Potion brewing was going. Had we made copious amounts of NEWT level potions? He inquired if I had decided on a dress for the Yule Ball yet. I told him I had written to my mother with specific instructions. She would be bringing me a selection to Hogsmeade next weekend. I asked if Miss Granger was the girl my cousin had taken to the Ball last year. I told him that I thought Viktor really liked her, but that like my father, Viktor's Slavic temperament made it difficult to commit to a relationship. We arrived back in the Great Hall to find Delores Umbridge glaring at us. Dumbledore turned to me and said "A bientot, Mademoiselle."

I replied "Au revoir, Headmaster." Then I made my escape. I ran back to my room and grabbed the letter. I then calmly walked to Professor Snape's office and knocked.

He bid me enter then told the student cleaning cauldrons that they were released. He turned back to me with a question in those dark eyes. I simply handed him the letter. I said quietly, "I heard from him on my birthday. He sent me a journal. I forgot to bring you the letter before now."

He tore it open and read. When he was done he looked up at me uncertainly. His eyes asked for entry so I lowered my shields for him. He looked to see if I knew what my father had written to him about. When he realized I knew nothing of what was in the letter he turned away. "What he asks me in this letter, Thera, is difficult. He is concerned for your welfare. I must discuss this with Dumbledore. Are you going to your mother's for the Christmas holiday?"

"She will be in Hogsmeade next weekend; she is bringing me a selection of dresses for the Yule Ball. Do you need to speak with her?"

"Yes, I think so. Tell Persephone I will take you both to lunch at Madam Puddifoot's. Then you can go off to do your shopping while I talk to your mother. If Igor had any messages for her you had best give them to her before lunch. I doubt she will be in a good mood afterwards. Were they still fighting before he disappeared? They used to fight very loudly and very passionately. "

"What would you expect? He is Russian and she is Greek, of course they fought! Isn't that normal? I fully expect to fight with the man I choose. It is a sign of passion, of strong beliefs. Haven't you ever fought with a woman you cared for?"

"Only once, she walked out of my life afterwards. She died five years later along with her husband. Are you telling me that fighting, all that yelling and throwing things was part of their relationship? That is astonishing."

"No, it was more, erm, how do you say it, foreplay. Yes! Mother told me that sex with my father was always much, much better after one of their yelling, throwing things fights. Do you find that hard to believe?"

"I am just astonished Persephone would say that to her child. How old were you?"

"She said it this summer when we got Dumbledore's message that father had disappeared. We were both crying and she was on the verge of hysteria. She was remembering the good times. I had thought that their fights must be something like that. The next day after a fight, they were always very close. My parents were very open about sex. My father told me that sex could be satisfying with a variety of partners but with your true mate, it is incredible. He told me that somewhere there was one man for me, a love that would last for my lifetime. He said I would know when the time came. He said I needed a very strong wizard to match me. I wish I could find my father. I want to talk to him again. I want him to hold me again." I could not help it tears began rolling down my cheeks. Professor Snape pulled a cloth from his robes and handed it to me. When our hands touched I fell to my knees. He caught me, pulling me against his chest. I knew my tears were soaking his vest and shirt, but I could not stop crying. He was murmuring soft words into my hair, patting my back and holding me close. Professor Hooch suddenly appeared in the doorway. She merely raised an eyebrow before starting to close the door. Snape motioned to her to come back in. He sat me in his chair before talking to her.

"She is distraught. The worry over her father is finally getting to her. We were talking about her parents and she broke down. I do not deal well with weeping students."

"It looked to me as if you were doing very well. Dumbledore wants you in the Hall in about half an hour. Bring the girl. She will still be fragile. You are a tie to her father. She may fixate on you, Severus. You will have to watch the situation carefully."

"You cannot imagine the half of it, Rolanda. There is much more to this than you can believe. We will be there."

She left after suggesting Snape get some tea into me to calm me down. Snape immediately called for a House Elf. He ordered Earl Grey for me. He sweetened the tea with honey and added milk. Then he knelt in front of me to hold the cup for me.

"Thera, he loves you, he loves your mother. He would be with you if he could. He left to keep you both safe. The Dark Lord would kill all of you if he found you all together. Hush, lass, hush. You had a loving home life. Your parents love each other passionately, they love you. You are bright, beautiful, and strong, their love made you that way. You are a vibrant, passionate young woman. You will find the right wizard for you. Drink your tea, you need to be calm." He tucked the letter into the pocket of his coat and wiped the remaining tears from my face. He sent me into the bathroom of his quarters to wash my face. He warned me that he would turn me over to the Weasley twins to be cheered up if I did not smile. That alone made me smile at him.

We walked to the Great Hall and found a disaster. House Elves were arranging cornucopias on the tables and Flitwick was trying to keep the autumnal leaves floating in the air. The leaves kept floating away and the cornucopias kept vanishing. I could see the Weasley twins peeking around the door to the entry hall. I nudged Snape who disarmed the two before sending them back to Gryffindor tower. He handed me their wands. He said to escort them, to give them back their wands only after they were inside the tower.

They, of course, thought I could not understand them when they plotted to sneak their wands away from me and return to cause more mischief. On our way to the tower, Hermione Granger caught up with us. I greeted her in French, asking her to deliver the miscreants to the tower. Then I asked her to help me with my English the next day. I surmised I could tell her of the deception and she would keep my secret. I was beginning to see why Viktor liked this girl so much. The Weasley twins couldn't try any of their tricks on Hermione so I went back to the Great Hall. Dumbledore and Snape were having what looked like an argument but I could not hear what was being said. Someone had cast the Muffliato charm. Dumbledore gestured to me as if to tell Snape that I had returned to the room. Snape flicked his wand, removing the spell, and called me over.

"Are you truly so worried about your father, Thera? Severus tells me you were crying earlier. Perhaps you had best go on to bed. He and I have things to discuss." Dumbledore asked.

From the look they exchanged I guessed that what was going to be discussed was the letter, possibly even me. There was something in the letter that directly concerned me. Neither of them was going to tell me. I knew Snape would be making a case for not letting me work as a spy if I was going to dissolve into tears at the slightest provocation. I could do nothing about it that night so I went back to my room.

The next day I managed to get Hermione to walk with me in the grounds. I apologized to her in French for the deception I had been playing, and then continued the conversation in English. I swore her to secrecy about that, and then told her about Viktor being my cousin. I told her that Viktor really, really liked her, that he was coming to the Yule Ball again this year. "I invited him. I wish to have my cousin near to get me through this holiday. I am Karkaroff's daughter, that too must be kept a secret. I have now trusted you with three important secrets. Please do not betray me, Hermione. I am trying to finish school, to get out to fight the Dark Lord. I know a Slytherin should not want to fight him but I am not truly Slytherin. On the other hand, possibly, I am more Slytherin than I thought, since I have been less than honest with most of the students here. No matter, I have made at least one friend in you, Hermione."