Hedda Prince and the Hidden Family Line

by Bubbles's unwilling master

Late one night Severus Snape was disturbed by a Magical Children Service's worker. It tuns out he is the only living relative of a young, abandoned child. He grows fond of her, as fond of her as Snape can be of anyone, anyway. Most likely due to her wonderful potion ability, and dour personality, similar to his. This is her story.

3. Chapter 3

Hedda Prince and the Hidden Family Line

Part 3: Hedda Prince and the disappointing and not so disappointing parties

Authors note: hello there, if you have not noticed it yet, this is a sort of crossover/ meta crossover? Between the Harry Potter series and Yazziyou Daydreamer's fanfiction Harry Lupin: the son of two Marauders. I do not own either of them, just the people and stuff I made up.

Um, I recently made a account come check me out: Fluffball122. Yazziyou's Daydreamer has one as well: Yazziyousdaydreamer/posts

For those a fan of my Seidotama story, you'll be pleased to know that I am working on the third chapter now as well as writing this one.

Finally: I could not have made this possible without the help of Tracy from the Success Center and Lelani from Fanfiction Fanatic for their editing help! Finally, Yazziyou's Daydreamer for giving me some insight and answering questions about her OCs.

-Beginning of Part 3-

3 years later

June 17, 2005

The Prince Estate, Somewhere in the English Country side

The kitchen was painted a soft ivory, that complemented the rustic looking wooden cabinets. Copper pans, and other cooking things hung from a rack by the stove. The large oven had several things baking in it. The savory smell of cheese and meats drifted through the large kitchen. A golden yellow cake sat in the ornate bronze pan. If one only saw the kitchen they never would have guessed they were inside the Prince Manor. The rest of the house's many rooms décor was dark colors, eloquent furniture and somehow hold a forbidding nature in its very walls much like its long line of owners.

At one of the counters, a child with her hair tied into a long braid wore a green apron decorated with cartoonish potion bottles. A spindly creature, in a pink apron covered in bows, stood over the child on a much taller stool. A mini chef hat attatched to a head band decorated the house elf's head. The servant pointed at the white powder in the bowl and directed the child to mix it. "It don't mean a thing… Ain't got the swing!" sang Ella Fitzgerald on the record player spinning on the counter opposite of them.

Since the elf stood on the stool they were the same height, Dapper smiled at Hedda. She was teaching her young mistress how to make master Severus's favorite dessert. "Noo poor th' milk intae th' mixture, yoong mistress." Dapper instructed in her squeaky voice. Hedda nodded, grimly. Her brows were furrowed in concentration. The pitcher shook as the creamy liquid spilled into the bowl and some of its contents splashed onto the table.

"What are you doing?" Severus glided into the kitchen like death upon a battlefield. Hedda gulped, quickly setting the pitcher down, causing more milk to splash out. "EEK OOH EEK!" Alarmed monkeyish sounds slipped out from the witch's lips as she hurried to clean up the mess with the rag she kept in her apron pocket.

Severus raised a dark eyebrow but otherwise ignored it. Placing a pale hand on the table, Severus wondered if she had finally gone mad. It happened on occasion with weak minded mudbloods, more often than not it was average muggles though, that were suddenly made aware of the presence of magic. Though the muggles that did, were often highly religious or had no imagination. If Hedda had lost her mind, Severus supposed it would be unlikely for it to be because of magic—she had made it this long, after all. No. He imagined if she lost her marbles it would be because of a combination of genes (too much inbreeding in certain parts of the family line) and her environment, she had been raised in a stressful from birth and with all the new things like puberty that just began to kick in. The potions master quickly dispelled this thought. His niece was sane. Sane enough, anyway. "I asked you to wait for the mail today."

"It's mah faut master Severus. Ah speart th' yoong misstress if she wanted tae bake the-day. Ye, Dapper hud me several left ower bins ay Cloodberries an' th' yoong misstress hud finished th' studying Master assigned th' yoong Miss.. Sae, Dapper offered tae shaw th' yoong mistress hoo tae make Master Severus's favorite puddin'. Och aye, Ah did." The house elf's bulbous, tennis ball sized eyes blinked up at her master.

Severus shook his head, causing his hair to curtain his face for a few heartbeats. The wizard's raven colored locks were fine and soft, not oily like usual. Severus had just gotten out of the bath when he heard Dapper and Hedda in the kitchen. "Just go wait in the parlor," he instructed his niece. "You may finish with baking when task is finished." Severus sighed, as he disappeared back towards his private rooms.

The dark-haired wizard needed to finish conditioning the special oils in his hair to make sure the potion fumes did not burn his hair off. Secretly his hair was always kind of his pride. Since his revolting father—if one could call the disgraceful creature such a thing, starting balding early in life—at the age of thirty-two, Severus has always taken great care with his locks, if only to spite the other man.

With a sigh, eleven-year-old Hedda raced back up the stairs, after apoligising to Dapper about leaving the lesson early, and sat on the window seat. She peered out of the heavy curtains, watching for the mail owl to arrive. 'He must really want the teacher's edition of the seventh-year potions text book he ordered.' Hedda pouted, staring out of the window for what seemed to her an eternity. With a dramatic sigh, the young witch plopped open her copy of Potions from the Far East & How They Differ from the West by Nannerel Goshawk. The young witch only looked up when she heard the fluttering of wings shoot in from the open windows.

To Hedda's surprise it was not the grumpy ashy faced owl, that usually brought Uncle Severus's deliveries from Sternburg apothecaries supply branch in England. This one was larger, and it was all white. It carried only a letter attached to its leg. Even more surprising was the fact that the letter had the Hogwarts Insignia sealed on it. From her robe pocket, Hedda produced a small dagger that she kept with her in case she needed to cut ingredients on the fly.

To Hedda Prince

In the room down the Hall from Professor Snape's.

Prince Manor

England

The witch wrinkled her nose. 'How could they possibly know where my room was?' Hedda did not want to believe they stalked children or anyone for that matter. That would be a little too creepy… 'Wait! why would the school be writing to me? Could it be about a bring your child to work day?' Hedda remembered when Horace Slughorn told her about the time he brought his nephew to Hogwarts for bring your kid to work day, back when he was the potions Professor

.A few months ago, Severus and Hedda ran into him out getting new ingredients– they needed more cedar oil for the flea potions Mrs. Figg ordered. Slughorn was always quite adamant about prattling on about the old days. While imagining, standing on front of the lecture hall in the potions hall with her uncle in front of several groups of students, with a grimace, Hedda opened the letter.

Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards.

Dear Ms. Prince,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find the enclosed list of all of the necessary supplies and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We will wait for your owl no later than July 31st. The sincerest apologies about the lateness of your letter. I can assure you, that if

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva Mcgonagal.

"Oh!" Hedda eyes lit up. The specks of gold in her eyes became more pronounced with her delight. All of Hedda's previous displeasure at being forced into meeting the kids her uncle complains about all of the time was forgotten. With all of the excitement of late (Uncle Severus took her and Harry to a muggle aquarium, she had just gotten a new potions book and was learning how to bake more elaborate cakes, not to mention she had her first menstrual cycle yesterday), Hedda had completely forgotten that she was now old enough to attend Wizarding school.

A sharp clapping sounded behind her. "Ohheeeoh!" More monkey sounds sounded from her as she turned to find Severus and Dapper behind her, both clapping. The wizard of course was doing his dry golf clap. The house elf's was more energetic than his.

"I sharply anticipate having you in my classes. It will be refreshing from the usual drudges." Severus gestured toward the cake six-layer lemon pound cake decorated with a little figurine of Hedda. It moved and held a little letter in its hands. The mini Hedda smiled and waved around it's letter. The real Hedda studied with a broad smile across her face. Most people, not even Hedda, who arguably knew the dour wizard best, would have expected this.

"Master hud Dapper, make Mistress Hedda 'er favorite cake!" Dapper gestured grandly towards it. "It is some ay mah best wark… if ye ask Dapper." The house elf nodded, pleased with her work.

Both Hedda and Severus now stood awkwardly neither sure what to do. Dapper, gingerly nudged them together with a small, invisible force created by her magic. It was uncharacteristic of a house elf, but Dapper was not just any house elf. She was the house elf of the Prince Family, and had the same independent trait characteristic of the family that she served.

Getting the hint, Severus stepped forward with his arms outstretched. His body was very stiff and rigid, rather like a mannequin. His niece was not more relaxed as she stepped into his arms to confirm the hug. Severus's sweeping black robe sleeves engulfed her. This was the first time they had ever hugged—as neither of them would ever be described as touchy feely kind of folk and preferred to avoid touch when they could.

After cake and chai tea Severus left Hedda to enjoy her book, and he sat down in his study to work on paperwork for the coming year. An eloquent brown eagle owl appeared carrying a note from Narcissa inviting them over for a party in a few weeks to celebrate the "Fantastic Accomplishment" and "Mark of Adulthood" that was reached today. The note was brief, and scribbled hurriedly, as mentioned in her letter Narcissa needed to head to the cake shop herself. There was a mix up in the orders, and her house elves could never make as perfect of a cake as Leonolda Poilane, the famous French baker and owner of Mignon Gateau's, a very famous French cake shop, does.

The potions master thought it was odd that his distant relative was taking such an interest in Hedda. His heir had only ever stayed at their place for part of one summer while he was at Hogwarts and they often forgot about her presence. They acted similarly when Hedda and himself visited. Often mistaking her name, who she was, sometimes even wondering why she was there in the first place. Severus did not find it amusing in the least but he tolerated it because the Malfoy's were one of the only families (particularly related to himself) Severus found that he could stand to be around for more than an hour or two without wanting to slip draught of living death into their after-dinner tea.

Nonetheless, he supposed it was good Hedda was spending some time with them. It reads in How to raise a reliable witch who does not raise her robes for every handsome wizard by Lavina Damorpe that it is good for children to have family ties, so they have a strong family bond to support them.

August 27, 2005

Somewhere in England,

The next weekend, the lush gardens of the Malfoy estate were decorated with fairy lights (made by real fairies of course). Long tables stood decorated with golden spider web silk, in the main garden besides the large fountain with a statue of two Veela ladies pouring a wine bottle. The water trickled from the wine bottle.

Here and there, there was a flash of white as several peal white peacocks strolled about fanning out their beautiful tails. Yellow daffodils sprang fourth all over the grounds—they have been recently planted, and there were vases of them at all the tables.

Twinkling music fell over the garden, as the tall woman in aqua robes, gracefully strung her bow over a violin. The lights seemed to shimmer over her moon light skin. A gentle breeze blew, moving her auburn curls.

"Lindseyera Sterton. The best violinist in all of Western civilization!" Narcissa exclaimed as she leads several women through the garden.

A woman a few inches shorter than Narcissa giggled, as she wiped her mousy brown hair over her shoulder. "Wow. That must have cost you a fortune?" Mathilda Greengrass gushed. The ladies bantered back and forth.

"Is that Severus Snape?" An almost anorexic looking witch whispered to Narcissa and Marthilda. Evermorna Parkinson was Marthilda's fraternal twin sister.

Severus was studying a Hungarian Horntail firework display with a curled lip. The Hungarian Horntail looked as if it would come to life at any moment and it would once the wick was lit. The dragon would pop to life with an alarming roar, shoot into the sky and burst forth into a bunch of mini ones before dissolving into harmless lights. It was placed near the doorway to be brought out once it got dark. It was an arrangement brought directly from China. The dour wizard was more and more pleasantly surprised as he studied the party. Severus did not realize that Narcissa paid so much attention to Hedda. Lindseyra Sterton was Hedda's favorite classical musician. Hungarian Horntail's were her favorite dragon—Hedda always seemed to prefer the most vicious things. Daffodils were Hedda's flower of choice and yellow was the young witch's favorite color– which subconsciously worries Severus.

He was worried that she might end up in Hufflepuff. As it was, as her guardian he had to have her best interest in mind. He refused to be like that dunderhead Sirius, and try to influence her personality and what she enjoyed just to be certain that his niece was sorted into his preferred house. To the potions master's great horror, Severus had learned that Sirius had even tried to delay his daughter's–no–son's education and forbid books so that he would no end up in Ravenclaw.

The brooding wizard paid no mind to the women as they passed him. He pretended to not notice that they were gossiping about him. Severus never understood why Narcissa stayed friends with them after Hogwarts. The three of them were inseparable then, besides when one of them backstabbed the other—which was often. Then they would make up. The cycle repeated itself every other week or so. He had always thought that after they all married and had children they would each go their separate ways but they did not.

"Yes. He is my sixth cousin or so," Narcissa nodded, with a tight-lipped smile. She would prefer to keep her family life separate from her social life. It could not be helped, however. This was a day to celebrate bring family and friends together again.

The three-woman watched as Evermorna's daughter, Pansy, a chubby, pug-faced girl with a black bob was sitting with two other girls cutting out letter paper hearts. Pansy was giggling to another girl who wore her brunette hair which she wore twin braid with red ribbons, Rina, about how she was going to marry Draco when she was older. The girl next to her smiled. "That's fine. I would like to marry B-Blaise." The little brunette witch blushed.

The women flounced past the other party goers as their gossiped changed to how at the Minister of magic seemed a little to attentive to his secretary, Amanda Merdin as he taught her how to play croquet—one of the many activities that were set for the guests to amuse themselves with. His wife was at home bed ridden again this weekend, and his son was watching over her.

Since they considered themselves to be good friends with the Malfoys, Elaine Crouch insisted that her husband go to the party as planned. So Bartemius Sr. attended the festivities with his secretary. Amanda was a red headed bombshell with a hour glass figure and cat eye glasses. "Isn't she a mud blood?" Evermorna inquired. The ladies contemplated if the Minister was having an affair with his secretary or not.

Portraits of unsmiling pale people framed the long hallway. As Severus first arrived with Hedda within the, in his opinion, gaudy, overly grand halls Malfoy manor, Severus noticed Hedda was the most cheerful that she had been in a while. The potion's master was surprised by how little he found it irksome. Although, he preferred her when she was solemn. As he glided through the halls, the child– no. Young lady, Severus corrected himself. The young lady, glided away. Hedda's mannerisms becoming more like Severus's own every season it seemed. A fact, Sirius Black had noticed, and has made loud comments on it several times, always vexing his sworn arch enemy, Severus.

-Flashback to last weekend-

"See! See Moony!" The handsome, black haired man tugged on the brown sleeves on his mate's robes. "Look at her! She's just like Snivalus!" He sighed dramatically. "You owe me an apology for not letting him watch our cub! Do you want a cub that stays in a damp, dirty dungeon all day and night skulking over vials of potions!" His black eyes grew wide in horror. "It's bad enough that our little future Marauder insists on reading all those nerd books all the time!"

Severus and Hedda had gone to visit the Lupin-Black household for the afternoon, last Sunday. The Potion's master did not really want to but, he did not mind Remus's company, but he could barely sand to be in the same room with the overly dramatic Black. Severus however knew how much Hedda enjoyed Harry's company, and he did not wish to deprive her of having childhood friends. He thought she needed someone closer to her own age, and a few more—just in case one turned out to be an evil bitch. So, Severus often dropped his niece off for play dates.

Remus patted his mate on the hand, ignoring him for the most part as he flipped through the pages of the Dailey Prophet. "Hedda's a nice girl, Siri." The werewolf mumbled, sipping his tea.

"Hmph." Sirius placed his hands on his hips. "You're not listening to me," he huffed. "That's clearly why we should adopt her ourselves! She spends too much time with them! I want to save her!" The wizard paced back and the fourth the small kitchen. "Over the years, we have known her! She has always been nice! And Harry like her! I don't want her to end up living alone brewing potions!" he flailed his paled arms almost knocking over the pile of books on the counter. "Most importantly I don't want her to end up with gross greasy hair!"

Remus sighed. "Your starting to sound a bit like Ja–"

"What! How could you insult me like that?!" Sirius slapped his hand against his chest. "The man that squeezed your cub out! Let me tell you! It wasn't as easy as a slice of Christmas pudding! More like those rock cakes Hagrid used to make! When we got detention and he had a bunch left over! Except it felt like a goblin sized rock cake! I thought you loved me Moony!" The dramatic wizard gasped as if he had been shot and then flopped to the floor dramatically.

His husband relatively used to this, stood and went to the pantry and refilled the sugar bowl before coming back to sit and finish reading the paper. Sirius jumped to his feet, once he realized Remus was no going to pay attention to him. "Hmph! Unlike that Dunderheaded barrel of dragon dung I have good intentions! No one can possibly be sane hanging around Snivalus! His mere presence for so long drove his best friend to madness! And she turned into a crazy harpy or worse a Social Justice Auror!"

During this rant, Sirius had failed to notice the shadow standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Hedda would be in more danger of becoming a prattling simpleton, such as yourself!" Severus drawled from the archway. His hands folded into his sleeves. "The only reason Harry has turned out well is Remus's genes, I do not even need imagine." Severus curled his lip at the dramatic wizard. "And Lilly was always as malicious as a wet kneazle with rabies." Severus snarled. "She was just very good at hiding it."

Sirius rolled his eyes ignoring Snape's glare. Remus walked passed the men, ignoring the tension between them that could cut a line in split pea soup. It was like this every time the children were not in the room. The werewolf could be heard down the hall in the drawing room, where Hedda was sprawled on the floor with Harry at her side, teaching him how to draw dragons.

"Hedda, Severus is here. Don't forget your pumpkin pasties!" Earlier the children and Sirius did some baking and almost burnt down the kitchen. Luckily, Remus had just come in from the garden expecting a nice quiet afternoon, his mate was teaching the children how to embroider snitches by the fireplace when he left. The wizard returns to his home with a basket of fresh pumpkins to find the entire north wall of the kitchen in flames! With an extremely false smile, trying to remain calm, Remus had sent the children off to play before he started exasperatedly chiding his mate.

Hedda paid no mind, she was used to this every time she came to visit. She showed her uncle the pastries they had made, before saying goodbye to Harry and his family.

-End of Flashback-

Severus shook the memory off as Remus approached him by the firework display, holding two goblets of champagne. "Sirius went to show Harry the mini quidditch field in the third garden.' Severus happily accepted it. The potion's master knew he was going to need it to calm his nerves, when the annoying Gryffindor returned.

Meanwhile, after Hedda wandered away from her guardian to explore the gardens. She had never been in this one before. When she came to visit, she was usually in one of the smaller one, where they used for just small get togethers. This specific garden was used for larger parties and celebrations. The shrubbery which was shaped like different magical creatures, and occasionally moved and made noises. Hedda was exploring when she came to rest under the willow tree. After greeting several of the guests, none of whom she recognized, she had started to feel claustrophobic.

Her distant relative must have invited at least three hundred people. She pulled a book out of her robes and began reading. The witch would never be known for her social graces, Walburga had made several comments about this, the few times the Black head had met her. Though Walburga did imply if not say outright, that even if Hedda would have been a mud blood (Severus told them the same half lie he gave Narcissa) that she would still be a hundred times more useful than her good for nothing son, Sirius.

The Prince heir was terribly anxious and crowds and started to feel much calmer once to her own accord. After calming herself, she was about to return to her party when she came back through the hedges she came face to face with a gang of boys. They turned to face her, as soon as they heard her footsteps on the fallen twigs.

There were two larger boys it was hard to tell if it was muscles or fat; to Hedda it looked to be a bit of both. They had dull ogreish looks on their faces. If the witch remembered correctly their names were Vincent Crab and Greggory Goyle. Too nice of names for such nasty boys. The ogreish boys were watching a colored boy, that was tall but had terribly thick eyebrows. Blaise Zabini who was speaking to a short taller boy who stood with such a supreme type of arrogance that if most adults noticed it they were concerned by it being possessed by such a young boy, Draco Malfoy. The leader turned to his cousin with a disgusted face. "I see my mother once more let the riff raff in."

Hedda matched his sneer with a snide smirk. "Are you just upset because you ran into a bogart and it turned into a mirror?" She stuffed her hands into her pockets that she had specially stitched in. Women's robes often lacked pockets or they were so small they were useless—which is why she usually wore men's clothes. Unfortunately, she and been forced into lady like things for formal events.

Blaise turned to study the centaur shrub behind him which was trotting in place, so only the shrubbery got to see his amusement. Only knowing that his best friend would make him deeply regret it, Blaise would have muttered "Ohh. she got you!" or something of the like. Even though the colored wizard deeply disliked the witch the few times he had met her, Blaise still found her amusing.

Crab and Goyle just stood there cracking their knuckles. "Did anyone ever teach you any manners?" Draco smoothed back his pale blonde locks, which were already smooth thanks to the extreme amount of hair gel he glued in this morning. "You should not talk to your betters that way!"

Hedda ignored this. She was used to this type of Pure blood nonsense. "Regardless, if you'll excuse me I would like to return to the company of people with good sense," She raised her moderately crooked nose high in the air.

"Why is she even 'ere?' Goyle asked the other boys. Hedda did not here their response as she swept away, becoming more noticeably Snape like in her annoyance. 'What did he mean why am I here? This is my party,' she scowled. Hedda was relieved when she came to stand beside her uncle.

"Gather round! Everyone!" A crystal chiming rang out. Narcissa clanged a goblet with her wand. Draco and his friends appeared as well, each coming to stand beside their parents. Severus nodded at the reappearance of Hedda, but showed no further acknowledgement.

"As everyone knows the reason for today's extravaganza is to celebrate a child we all know and love's mark of adulthood!" Narcissa declared. Draco took the opportunity of all of the adults focused on his mother to sneer at Hedda, who ignored him. This was her moment. Hedda would not allow his childishness to spoil it. After a few moments, Narcissa ended her dramatic pause. "Draco joined the junior quidditch team, for young boys who are still too young for Wizarding school last week!"

The crowd, all except three, burst into a round of applause. "Well, let us feast!" Narcissa finished, lifting the lowering her arms as loads of food appeared on several tables and guests rose to fill their plates—like a buffet in the muggle world. The jewels on Narcissa's robe sleeves glimmered in the sunlight as she turned this way and that to see the guest enjoying themselves.

Hedda composed her face into a perfectly blank state and speed walked through the crowd, not really paying attention, and filled to the brim with the urge to get away to cry in private. Severus barely noticed her departure. His deadly glare fixed on his distant relative.

"Let us have a word, you two." Severus's voiced dripped with barely concealed venom. It was a tone that his students who were about to have their House points taken away were familiar with. Obliviously, Lucius's wife smiled broadly. "Isn't just wonderful, Severus! Lucius and I bought him a new broom for a congratulations present!" Lucius nodded, absently. His thoughts were more concerned with is the Minister and his wife were pleased with the gifts placed in their gift bags. All of the gift bags for the party were specifically chosen for each guest. Bartemius Crouch Sr. was given front row tickets for his favorite teams next quidditch match and a bottle of Brandy aged in a wooden cask created by a Meliae spirit in a cask of the wood from an ash tree. Elaine Crouch was given pearls gathered from the merfolk in Atlantis and silk cloths delivered from Asia. Severus did not respond to his cousin's inquiry.

The three adults stepped into the house. They strolled down one corridor, turned left, then right before going down one more hallway. Severus lead the way opening a heavy oak door and closing it when Narcissa and Lucius stepped inside. It was Lucius's study. There was a painting of himself above the fireplace, a large writing desk and fancy oval chair, and a small couch, and a few other chairs and bookshelves throughout the room. Lucius immediately sat at his desk, and looked over some of the papers placed on the desk. The Potions' master started on them, but the larger portion of his anger focused on Narcissa. "This! All of this, was for a bloody quidditch team?"

Narcissa's pale eyebrows shot up into her hairline. "Whatever did you think it was for?" her blue eyes widened as she noticed how upset he was.

"I assumed it was because Hagrid, the grounds keeper a Hogwarts got a new puppy?'" Snape quipped, crossing his arms in front of him tucking pale arms into the black sleeves, in an Asian like style. Usually his robe sleeves were too tight, but his dress robes are looser than his average ones.

The witch's face went blank. "Ummm? Severus, you do know I do not associate with him, righ-" She cast him the sideways look, that people give others when they are crazy.

"No. Today's extravaganza, as you so put it, was supposed to be for Hedda," he snarled. This got Lucius's attention finally. Neither of them had ever been the brunt of the younger's man's fury.

"Why Severus… Dear…" Narcissa rose to place her delicate hand on Severus's arm. "What do you mean? Were you babysitting, Henriyetta, again today?"

Severus shook her off. "How many times must I tell you people? Hedda is my Heir." He turned his back to them and took a step out the door before turning back and saying, "I must be going. I have a party to plan for my niece," he huffed. Severus's robes flew behind him as he disappeared and apparated beside Hedda.

Hedda was alone in the garden hedge animals with her book. The young witch was sitting with her head on her knees and the book on the ground. Hedda was not even looking at the book, as she could not see because her tears blurred her glasses. It reminded her of some of her younger memories of her mother. For Christmas, Caitlin would often buy boxes of cool things like a CD player, or a book collection then fill it with things like dirty socks or old T-shirts filled with several holes

When Severus appeared by magic at her side, the potions master pretended not to notice that she was crying. "Come. I could use a decent butter beer, after this." Hedda slowly rose to her knees, wiping at her eyes which knocked her glasses askew. It did not occur to the upset witch that her uncle did not drink Butterbeer.

Less than a half an hour later, Severus had lead them to a quaint, little neighborhood in London. The pub was generally very nice with an ornamental fireplace that took up a large corner of the place. It usually had a fire burning in its hearth—often enchanted to burn different colors. If front of that was several armchairs with blankets–engraved with the Bar's insignia of an amber fox's eye with a black slit for a pupil. The bar itself was made of a sparkling amber marble. Above it hung a gold chandler with tiny crystal foxes drooping from it. There were also several booths, and tall tables. A few book shelves lined the walls filled with board games, novels, and picture books.

The door on the right from the outside door was an ornate archway, that lead to a lovely small dining room that was often used for yule parties and charity events for people in the tight knit community. Out back there was a fenced in playground with swings, a wooden club house, a slide, and several other outdoor toys for children

The Fox's Eye may look like a high-class joint, but it's was mostly middle class wizards that inhabited its cozy interior—a mix of young wizards and witches attending college in the muggle world there to form study groups to single and divorced parent support meeting groups, to quidditch moms hoping to catch up with their friends to elderly folk just gathering to hear the gossip and get out of the house.

Today it was all dark. All of its lights darkened. Not a sole in sight. Nibbling on her bottom lip, Hedda turned to look up at Severus. Her brown eyes nearly black with grief and anger. The Princes were outside looking in the giant windows of the pub. "I think it's closed?"

"Nonsense." Severus pushed the doors open and swept inside. Doubtingly, Hedda followed behind him, wondering if they could get in trouble for entering if her uncle was wrong. As soon as the girl stepped more than five feet away from the entrance everything sprang to life!

The lights turned on, and at least twenty people appeared before her very eyes as if by magic! Except for once it was not magic, as the explanation as is had been for the past seven of so years. Hedda's eyes widened and she stood there frozen for a few moments. After all of the anger and misery she had been feeling at what happened with the Malfoy's then the pleasant surprise of having a sudden surprise party seemed to have broken her.

A young adult man who was slightly shorter than average, with shaggy brown hair was the first to address her. " 'eaven and 'ell … Daan't just stand 'ere. This moriarty is fer ya! Ya kna?" He reached out his hand and patted her head, in a friendly manner.

Hedda frowned back at him, and light pushed away is hand. In a split flash, she grinned back at him. "How are you today, Ringo?" She studied him.

Today the wizard wore a yellow kimono and hakumas. That might have been strange on most British fellows in the center of London, but not Ringo. Depending on the day, he might be dressed as a stereotypical sailor or a Roman gladiator. Once an older woman asked him if he thought it was inappropriate to be dressed so silly at work. Mind you, the muggles that saw her earlier, at the muggle flower shop, thought she looked silly gowned in pink robes and a floral pointed hat. Ringo explained to her, "That's why I decided to own me Jack Jones business. People frowned upon a waiter that wore footy pajamas ter work and Daan't even get me started on the bleedin' I wore an Azkaban uniform when I worked as a delivery rob roy."

"Brilliant outfit today, as usual!" Hedda smiled. She actually thought he often looked ridiculous—she was the never one to enjoy playing dress up. 'Eh. If it makes him happy.'

Severus left the crown to go sit at one of the leather booths in the way back. The Potions Master watched Hedda as she interacted with everyone. This was her crowd not his. The Potions Master searched in his pocket for parchment and quill and began to write down a list of things he would need to still do before the school term began.

A pretty child, that most would assume to be a girl, in emerald green robes emerged from the crowd with two men following behind her. One shorter than the other with messy brown hair and kind green eyes. His robes were patched at the elbows; this was only noticeable when the other man whom he was holding hands with swung his arms back and forth. The other man wore bright red robes with golden snitches decorated into the lining—it looked as if he was entering the ugliest robes competition at a Yule Party. The two men left their child with his friend and went to go chat with Centauri Prince, Severus's great uncle and Cerberus's grandpa who was chatting with Griphook. It still creeps Sirius out how well the Prince Heiress go along with goblins (It's not every day you see witches and wizards on friendly terms, let alone friendly enough that they would willingly go to their parties.

Centauri did not want to be anywhere near Severus, but he did not want to be impolite. The old wizard was not bad looking for his age with very few wrinkles and gray hair that went well with his pale skin. The only color on his outfit was a silver handkerchief in his robe pocket other than that he was donned in all black, as typical of the Prince family.

"Harry!" Hedda smiled and hugged the girlish looking boy who accepted her hug warmly. Hedda was not too often one to initiate physical touch of absolutely any sort, but Harry was a special acceptation as her only real friend.

"I'm happy you got your letter." Harry smiled and was about to ask her some more questions when a pale boy with black hair came up to the Black and Prince Heiresses. "Harry. Murus said he will be here soon. He got caught up with Seren, who are spending the night at Seren's at his great uncle's or something. So, they will be here soon." Cereberus snorted in a disgusted matter. "Dionysius will be here soon as well. His parents had to do some school shopping beforehand since there to Greece tomorrow."

The would-be Prince Heir finally looked at the current Prince Heiress. "Congratulations, Hedda," Cerberus muttered grudgingly after Harry elbowed him in the ribs. If anyone one had been watching they might have snorted with the amount of effort Harry had to use to reach his friend.

A ridiculously tall, mulatto boy towered behind the boys. He held a sunshine yellow wrapped package above his kind smile. "Where would you like me to set this?"

Hedda looked down, her pale flushing. "You did not have to get me anything." She rubbed the back of her neck, not meeting the younger boy's eyes.

"Nonsense. I would have been rude to go to a party and not bring anything!" Murus chuckled cheerfully.

"Well… Er. Thank you—" Hedda started.

"Drum it wahn of the tables. It's a nickel and dime for Jim Skinner!" Ringo interrupted the children, strutting back into the bar from the kitchens. "Ya, won't be disappointed." He snapped his fingers and platters of jam print cookies, gyros, crisp salads, and steaming steaks fresh off the grill appeared on the bar with several of Hedda's other favorite foods.

"In the misty morning fog with…Our hearts a thumpin' and you… My brown eyed girl! You're my brown eyed girl" Someone must have put a coin in the juke box because over the speakers began to play one of Hedda's favorite songs Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. It turns out that Severus was a fan of muggle oldies and would play them often at the estate. They quickly became a favorite of his niece's as well.

For the strange cast of characters all with extremely different personalities the party ended up going very well. Even when Dionysius and his large family showed up with a giant basket of baklava for Hedda, and the blue haired boy accidentally tripped over Seren who was lying on the floor looking for narggles or something, and got some in Cerberus's hair.

Cerberus just calmly went to the bathroom room, and with Harry's helpful magical cleaning rag, that was given as a gift to Sirius so he would destroy less things with his efforts to clean. It did not help, so Remus gave it to his son to avoid as much destruction as possible. Harry quickly got all of the sticky treats out of his friend's hair. The dark wizard normally might enjoy an excuse to get into a fight with Dionysius, especially since he learned an interesting potion that would let him get the better of him in a fight—but Cerberus knew that causing a scene at Harry's beloved cousin's birthday party would upset the Black heiress. Harry was the reason they were there in the first place. Aside from Cerberus, none of that group had any reason to dislike Hedda. In fact, they did not at all, they thought she was okay. They just were not friends with her. Harry was though, and that was all the reason any of them needed.

Once everyone was finally gone, only Ringo, Severus and Hedda remained within the pub. Hedda was trying to help clean up, grabbing several of the empty platters and carrying them to the kitchen. The pub owner stopped her half way. "Daan't bovver wif that. I'll do it anovver nickle and dime." He smiled warmly, taking the faux gold trays from her and dropping them back on the bar with a loud clang!

Hedda winced at the noise. She took a deep breath breathing in deeply all the familiar smells of the pub. Sweet butterscotch, bitter distilled spirits, sharp antiseptics, and smoky fire. It should have smelled terrible, all of those things combined. Surprisingly it had a… what could only be described as a welcoming quality about it. Like arriving home after a long day at work and sinking in to your favorite chair. "Thank you for the party! It was wonderful!" The witch's eyes were sparkling more than a witch's gown at the yule ball.

Ringo shook his head. "Daan't thank me. It as yer uncle 'oo wrote ter me. Tellin' me yer needed a drum fer your garn away moriarty."

Understanding dawned on the young witch. That was why her uncle disappeared after their distant relative's announcement about the true reasoning for the party. He must have sent a letter to Ringo, who responded immediately and the men planned this, for the witch that was dear to them.

In the back booth, Severus was still there. The dark wizard's raven locks curtained his face as he poured over several documents. His right hand was twitching rapidly as it gripped the quill and wrote.

To do list:

1. Gather Hedda's Supplies for school

2. Letter of complaint to supplier about spoiled dragon's liver

3. More potion bottles. Stupid first years have a habit of breaking them

4. Have

A shadow appeared behind the distracted figure. Lurking him, it moved in closer before speaking. "Thank you."

Severus stood. "Do not bother with words of gratitude. With a nod to the owner, the head of the Prince family swept across the floor and to the fireplace. Hedda smiled and mumbled a goodbye and gave Ringo a quick fist bump—an exchange the two of them developed several summer's ago, when Hedda first started staying there when Severus was away at Hogwarts for the school term. The witch quickly followed, after her uncle. "If you wish to properly show you appreciation… Do not fail my expectations." Severus finished as the two of them disappeared from the pub's fireplace and into the one in the main hall of the Prince estate.

Gripping her gifts, Hedda smiled at Severus's retreating form as he retired into his study. For the gruff, middle aged wizard, that was as close as saying "I love you," as he ever came.

Hot water gushed out of the bronze faucet and into the large clawfoot tub. Steam hissed out of it, and fogged the large mirror in the heiress's bathroom. The bathroom looked pretty much the same as it did before her uncle adopted her. A moderate sized room with a tub, sink, and a wardrobe for towels. The only change that was made was that there were now yellow towels instead of green.

Hedda sunk into the water, wincing at the temperature. Too lazy to get back out, she sucked it up and let the water burn her flesh. Reaching over she pulled out her book. It was a good day in all. Rarely leaving the house, it was enjoyable when she got to. As well as getting to see both Harry and Ringo in the same day! Not to mention Severus's loving words! Hedda could hardly believe it. The rustling of the pages, the warm water, and the general chaos of the day eventually lured the girl to sleep. The book fell to the floor with a plop!

The Prince heiress would later look back on this memory and recount it as one of her happiest. Later still she would use it to summon her patronus in a time when she needed it the most. Because what could make a person feel more loved than a group of people that care about her happiness for various reasons, but enough to all show up without more than an hours' notice to help her celebrate her going away party.

-End of Part 3-

Authors note: HI again! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last few. As always, please review, favorite, follow, kudos, whatever else! Please comment any Easter eggs you find or are curious about. I might leave more Easter eggs in my stories than Marvel does in its movies 😊 Just in case you did not know, constructive criticism, and blatant but honest flattery are always welcome. Flaming and dishonest flattery are not and the punishment is death. Not really– because I would probably get in trouble… But anywho, Have a good whatever time you're in right now!