"CHAPTER 3-SOMEPLACE NEW, YET SOMETHING FAMILIAR"

Students began to stand up and pour through the halls out towards the train doors, Sawyer reached up to take her trunk out of the overhead compartment.

"Leave your things, they'll be taken into the school for you," Luna said. Sawyer nodded then followed Luna out of the train doors and onto the sidewalk. Severus had told Sawyer to go with the first years, seeing as she was going to be sorted along with the rest of them.

"Luna, I have to ride with the first years over to the castle," Sawyer said.

"Alright, that big man over there takes the first years in boats, you should go talk to him," said Luna.

"Thanks, Luna, I'll see you in there."

Luna smiled and nodded then went towards carriages that were being pulled by very dark horses with leathery wings; they gave Sawyer the chills and she turned away and walked towards the extremely tall man yelling, "Firs' year here!" She joined the growing group of first years surrounding the big tall man until the group stopped growing and the man turned to them, he spotted Sawyer last and looked confused.

"Yer in the wrong place, fourth years ride the carriages," he said.

"Yes, but I'm new and my dad told me to ride with the first years because I have to be sorted with them," replied Sawyer.

"Sawyer is it?"

"Yes."

"Ay I'm Rubeus Hagrid gamekeeper here at Hogwarts, now students follow me ter the boats."

Sawyer followed along with the rest of the first years who huddled together and looked a bit frightened. All Sawyer wanted was to see was what house she was in, based on her dad's stay at Hogwarts he had been a Slytherin and told her that was most likely where she'd be put. Then on the other hand from very good covert conversation tactics she learned her mother had been a Gryffindor during school. Which was odd considering her dad had not, and still was not, a fan of Gryffindor. Sawyer knew Severus would love her no matter what but she was still scared that if she was placed in Gryffindor she may remind him too much of her mother and he would start to draw away from her.

All the first year slid into boats and once the boat were full they began to slide gracefully over the water, as they glided nearer and nearer the tip of the castle began to appear and then the rest of the castle slid into place thereafter. It was beautiful, it was big, and every window had a light on, Sawyer watched in awe along with the other students. When they reached the lawn in front of Hogwarts they all climbed out and followed Hagrid into the school.

"Professor McGonagall will take ya from here," Hagrid said, nodding to the first years then Sawyer watched him walk away towards the back of the school. Then a woman in an emerald green dress and a tight bun walked up to the first years.

"I am professor McGonagall, first years, you will line up single file alphabetically in front of this door then make your way down the great hall to the chair and hat, once there your name will be called. You will then sit on the chair and put the hat on your head, the hat will decide your house and once called you will take a seat at your house table. Now listen to me while I organize you," McGonagall finished her speech then lined up the students, she skipped over Sawyer in the S's but pulled her in at the end of the line.

"First years first, Ms. Streem," she said. Sawyer nodded then followed the line into the great hall; on her way in she spotted Luna and waved at her. Luna waved back and Sawyer smiled, it was nice to have someone to wave to. As the line grew closer to the front of the room Sawyer looked up and saw her dad sitting at the staff table, she smiled big at him and he looked around then quickly waved, that was enough for Sawyer. When her turn was up she got a longer introduction then the others.

"Students, this year is a special year, for the first time in the history of Hogwarts we will be excepting a student whom has never been to a school of magic. Her name is Sawyer Streem, she was home taught up until this year in the workings of magic and when she had taken exams to place her in the right grade she passed them all with flying colors. She will be starting as a fourth year and I expect you all to treat her with kindness and respect," Dumbledore said, from his chair a few feet from where Sawyer was standing. He signaled to the chair and hat and Sawyer sat down nervously and placed the hat on her head.

"Ah, such a dilemma we face, Ms. Snape," Sawyer heard a voice inside her head say.

"What did you say?" Sawyer asked in a whisper.

"No need to talk out loud, I can hear your thoughts and don't worry, no one can hear me. I know who your father is and who your mother is and this is always a tough choice when those sorts of things happen."

"Mother who, who's my mother?" Sawyer thought.

"This you will not know until your father deems it so but for now what to choose........I see deep into your soul. Gryffindor is crying out to be heard but Slytherin is present so clearly on top. Should I help Gryffindor out of hiding should I continue to let Slytherin grow.........ah, I finally see, Ms. Snape."

Sawyer heard the hat clear its throat then shout.

"Gryffindor!"

Sawyer groaned un-happily and turned to look at her dad but what she saw in his eyes wasn't disappointment but remembrance. He didn't look let down or sad, it seemed he was happy like he had wanted this for Sawyer all along. She smiled and took her place at the Gryffindor table next to a pair of red headed twins.

"Sawyer Streem right?" one of them asked.

"Obviously," Sawyer said, smirking and the twins looked to each other and grinned.

"I'm George that there's Fred, it's nice to meet a celebrity around here, well, beside Harry."

"Harry...." Sawyer said, with disgust in her voice, the twins seemed to pick up on it and began to scratch their heads awkwardly.

"Sorry about that, old habits die hard, my dad had a bad experience with James and his hatred kind of rubbed off of me a little."

"Yeah, well, we're the Weasleys, that there with the long red hair is our sister Ginny and sitting next to....Harry is our brother Ronald."

"Only child."

"We didn't even finish, we have three other brothers Bill, Charlie, and Percy, but they're graduated."

"The Weasleys, I know you my dad..…. I just recognize your name," Sawyer said, now kicking herself, her dad wasn't Severus Snape, he couldn't be, not here, only places when they could be alone.

"Mysterious, I like it," Fred said, grinning.

Sawyer smiled then listened as Dumbledore spoke yet again this time on something called the tri-wizard tournament. It was a legendary tournament where three schools came together, three champions were chosen, then competed in three trials. The tri-wizard tournament hadn't taken place in years but it was going to this year between Hogwarts, Beaxbatons an all girls French school, and Durmstrang an all boys Bulgarian school. Then Dumbledore announced the Beaxbatons arrival and in popped at least 15 girls all dressed in blue followed by a very large and tall lady Sawyer sort of recognized. Sawyer clapped as some of the girls did ballet then stood shocked when she saw a girl she recognized.

"Fleur?" Sawyer questioned, as a tall beautiful blonde walked past.

"Sawyer?" the girl asked back, then was nudged forward. Sawyer stared at Fleur as she walked past, then looked up at Severus who noticed Sawyer looking at him and averted his gaze. After the Beaxbatons had finished and walked to one side of the room Dumbledore then announced the Durmstrangs who came in holding canes and wearing coats with fur around the neck, arms, and sides. As they slid by and to the other side of the room Dumbledore continued his speech explaining the rest of the tournament and asking the Hogwarts students to treat the new schools students kindly. Then food appeared on the plates before everyone as dinner was served magically.

When dinner was finished Sawyer waited for Fleur to walk by before grabbing her arm and pulling her into a hug that Fleur returned fully.

"Sawyer, how iz za vorld treating you?" Fleur asked.

"Harshly, it is so good to see you though, how have you been?" asked Sawyer.

"Amazing, I picking up za Englash langwege."

"I see that, I'm glad I'm not going to be completely alone my first year here."

"Az am I, dear Sawyer."

"Well, I suppose I'll see you tomorrow, let's have lunch together."

"It'z a deal."

Sawyer hugged Fleur goodbye then joined her fellow Gryffindors on their walk to their common room, on her way the twins joined her.

"You know the blonde?" Fred or maybe it was George asked.

"Yes we're friends," answered Sawyer.

"Care to introduce us?"

"In your dreams."

"You'll warm up to the idea," they said together, then walked away, leaving Sawyer smiling. The Gryffindors reached their common room and Sawyer learned the password was "buttledwarf". Once inside Sawyer found her bed and discovered her roommates, a Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Lavender Brown.

So you're new?" Lavender asked.

"Do I really have to answer that?" Sawyer answered, trying to hide slightly how dumb the question was.

"What I mean is where are you from?"

"Salzarian Hollow."

"Oh, is that far?"

"Yes."

Lavender nodded then all of them changed into their pajamas and lay in bed, once Sawyer heard them all sleeping softly she got out of bed and slipped a bathrobe on over her shorts and tank pajama number. She wasn't exactly sure how to get down to the dungeons but she knew they were down, doing her best to sneak from place to place she managed to find a concrete staircase. After she reached the bottom she saw that it had led into her dad's potions class and passed it was a built in office/bedroom where her dad slept. She walked to the door and knocked, she heard shuffling inside and then the door opened and on the other side was Severus, a potions book in his hand once again.

"Sawyer, you could get in a lot of trouble for this," he said, setting the book down.

"Then let me in before I'm caught," Sawyer said, her dad stepped aside, let Sawyer in and shut the door behind him.

"What are you thinking coming down here, Sawyer?" he asked, folding his arms.

"Why didn't you tell me Fleur was going to be here?" Sawyer asked bluntly.

"Because I wasn't sure if she would be."

"You could have told me anyway, you sent me to Paris for a full summer to train with Madam Maxime in etiquette. I didn't even want to go then when I meet a girl and make friends then I have to leave and you wouldn't let me go back the next year to continue my friendship. Were you hoping I wouldn't recognize her or are you trying to make me a loner ,what, dad, why did you not say anything?"

"Because, Sawyer, I didn't want to get your hopes up only to possibly have them smashed."

"I really wish you would have let me know, it would have meant a lot."

"I'm sorry, Sawyer, I didn't want you to be hurt if it turned out Fleur wasn't coming," Severus said, and Sawyer sighed.

"Must you be that convincing, daddy?" she asked.

"It's a gift, alright, you should get back to your dorm, if you're caught out there you know I can't say anything, only Dumbledore knows the truth, no one else must find out."

"I don't care if I get caught I'll be back any other night I need you, even if I make friends with every person in this school I'll need you, every girl needs her father."

"And mother," Severus said un-happily.

"Are you......disappointed, daddy?" Sawyer asked.

"That you were put in Gryffindor? Not in the slightest, Sawyer, you could never disappoint me."

Sawyer beamed then kissed Severus on the cheek.

"Night, dad."

"Goodnight, Sawyer."

Sawyer walked out of the dungeon and down the hallway when she ran smack into something solid. It knocked her back and she looked up and saw a boy standing in the hallway rubbing his chest.

"Prefect?" he asked.

"No, you?" Sawyer asked back.

"No."

Sawyer and the boy gave relieved sighs then the boy came into better view and Sawyer saw he was tall with slicked black platinum blonde hair and piercing ice blue eyes. He seemed to have a nice muscular figure from what she could see through the gray tank shirt, pajama pants, and robe draped over his shoulders.

"What are you doing wandering the halls, beautiful?" the boy asked, and Sawyer raised an eyebrow and smirked.

Taking in the sights, handsome."

The boy smirked as well.

"I don't see why, though, you'd come to a dungeon to see the sights."

"It has that smooth stone look and fabulous musty smell, who wouldn't come down here."

"I'm Draco Malfoy, Slytherin," The boy said, extending his hand.

"You won't like this then, Sawyer Streem, Gryffindor," Sawyer said, but the invitation to shake remained and Sawyer took the opportunity and shook Draco's hand. Then he headed towards a stone statue that had to lead into the Slytherin common room. He whispered the password and was about to go inside.

"Wait, why are you out here?" Sawyer asked, catching up to Draco. Draco did a not so subtle stare by looking Sawyer up and down before simply stating.

"Just taking in the sights."

He then walked past the statue before it slid into place blocking Sawyer's view. Smiling genuinely Sawyer turned around and headed back to Gryffindor common room.