Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter or Severus Snape, no matter how much I wish I did.
I probably should have mentioned this before. This story takes place during Harry's fifth year on up. Severus had a weekend off and that's why he was able to show her his house. I know Wormtail first moved in during the sixth book, but for the purpose of the story, that already happened.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
It was a short trip to the Order headquarters as they were already in London. Although she had seen many extreme events as the result of magic, it still amazed her when an entire house appeared between two others.
"They will probably ask you to take an oath not to tell any other Death Eaters of this location," Severus informed her as they walked to the door.
"That's okay. I'd think they were insane if they didn't. I just hope they won't throw me out once they know who I am." She laughed nervously, then frowned as she realized that might be fully possible considering the intense emotional and physical pain her grandfather had caused.
"Don't worry about that now," he said. He looked at her with empathy in his eyes, knowing what it was like to be bullied all too well. "Once they talk to you, they'll realize you're the exact opposite of the Dark Lord."
This seemed to calm her because she gave him a look of gratitude. They entered the building and walked down a hallway to what must have been one of the largest dining rooms Miranda had ever witnessed. The room's many occupants continued talking until they realized Severus had another person along with him. Then silence engulfed the room.
Miranda was unable to do anything other than stand there. Moments later, although it seemed like hours, a man with a white beard and long white hair came up to them. "Severus, my boy, it appears you brought along a friend. Why don't you introduce her?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, of course, this is Miranda Riddle."
'My name,' she thought. 'They'll recognize the last name. I never even had a chance to be accepted. Why?! It was such a good day! Now every good part's gone down the toilet!' She felt like bursting into tears.
"So that's why she's with Snivellus!" exclaimed a man with curly shoulder-length hair. At this, a single tear escaped her eye.
"Come on Sirius, it could be a coincidence," said a man with short brown hair, a lightly scarred face, and light brown eyes.
"It's not," she whispered, her heart clenching. She could lie to them, but what difference would it make? They would still find out, and the lie would only make it worse.
The old man with the twinkle in his eye said, "My dear, names do not define us. I, myself, have an extremely long name, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Miranda, who had been concentrating on the floor and keeping her tears at bay, glanced up with a small smile on her face.
"I'm not evil," she said. "I'm really not. I've never hurt anyone in my life. Well, I did once, but they were trying to hurt someone else that was completely defenseless."
Forty-five minutes later, Miranda was on speaking terms with everyone in the room. That even included Sirius Black, who after finding out she wasn't there to send any Order members to an early grave, questioned her sanity for staying with Severus. The conversation went like this:
"So is he holding you against your will or are you just insane?"
"No…" she said. "I happen to actually like it there."
"You do realize that if you stay here you can have your own room, right? That is, unless you'd like a gorgeous bloke to keep you company," he said, suggestively placing his hand on her thigh.
She pretended to consider it for a moment. "You know, that sounds great!" He got a hopeful twinkle in his eye. "When you find one let me know," she smiled, gave herself a mental high five and went back to a conversation with Arthur Weasley. It seemed no one ever informed him what a rubber duck was for.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and immediately, everyone stopped talking. "As much as I have enjoyed meeting Miranda, it is not the only reason we are here. I called this meeting because Harry Potter has been having dreams as a connection to Voldemort. It seems he is becoming more active."
After that, the meeting continued for almost an hour. As it ended, and Miranda was preparing to leave, Dumbledore came up to her. "I was wondering if I might have a word?"
She smile up at him and replied, "Sure." He led her to what appeared to be a study down the hall and asked her to sit. He sat down behind the desk.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, however, I feel I must ask you why Voldemort placed you with Severus. Even though you are his granddaughter, the relations of people have never stopped him before." He still had that perpetual twinkle in his eye, and it was beginning to drive her insane.
"Well, technically, he didn't 'place me with Severus'. I'm actually supposed to be a sort of slave. I suppose her did it because I wouldn't join him."
Dumbledore appeared pensive for a moment. "Normally when a person declines joining his ranks, he will kill or torture them. Do you have any idea why this did not happen?"
"Umm, well, you see, I'm the Queen." She couldn't help but stutter. Severus' warning haunted her and she didn't want her power used for the wrong reasons.
"If you don't mind my asking, what exactly are you the Queen of?" He seemed to fear the answer.
"The Underworld," she said quietly.
"I see, and you've been in this position how long?"
"Roughly two years. But it's not what you think. I never asked for my powers. I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I was sixteen, I went on a road trip with a friend of mine. I had lived as a muggle my entire life and had a license and my own car. We were staying in a hotel in Colorado and I couldn't sleep so I decided to go for a walk. There was no way to know that there were people performing a ritual in an abandoned lot.
"Long story short, I got hit with the spell and gained the title as the Queen. It's not like I'm abusing my powers or anything though. Quite the opposite actually. Since that night, there have been fewer attacks on people and there is a stronger, more peaceful relationship between the other kingdoms."
Dumbledore, who had been listening with great interest, said, "Yes, it does seem as though attacks from your… loyal subjects have decreased in recent months. Well, then, keep up the good work."
Miranda rose to leave. "Oh, one more thing," stated Dumbledore. She sat back down. "I presume you will be returning to Hogwarts with Severus?" She hadn't really thought about it. However, where else would she go?
"I hadn't really asked him about it, but yes, I suppose I will, if that's not a problem?"
"No, of course not. I'll simply have an extra room added to his quarters." There was a knock at the door. "Come in."
"I apologize, Headmaster, for interrupting," said Severus, stepping into the room.
"Not to worry, we were done talking. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miranda," he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.
"It was nice meeting you too," she smiled. "Thank you for being so kind."
She and Severus left in silence, although, he did slip and arm around her waist as they walked down the street.
Sorry to anyone that loves Sirius out there, but it's nearly impossible to have Sirius and Severus be nice to each other without making them out of character.