The Bonds of Blood

Chapter Four A Matter of Trust

Sofia felt warmth wash over her as she stepped into the round room. It was decorated simply, most of the colours a warm crimson. She felt a sigh escape her. She could not decide if she was glad that the drapes and duvets were red instead of green…

She shook these thoughts from her head, and turned to Hermione, who was saying something.

"You'll be rooming with Lavender and Parvati- they're the other two seventh year Gryffindor girls."

Sofia nodded, looking around the empty room. Her luggage –what had been salvaged from the fire the death eaters lit- was at the foot of the bed nearest the window.

"Why do I get the window? Wouldn't one of the others…"

Hermione was already shaking her head. "That's what I always thought too- but apparently there's a draft."

Sofia smiled and shook her head- oh, so Lavender and Parvati were that kind of girl, were they?

She went and sat on her bed, and Hermione stood near the end of it. "Right… I suppose I'll just leave you to unpack…" she said, slightly uncomfortable.

"Hermione… could you answer a few questions for me? It seems you're the only one who'll actually be any help." Sofia asked, and Hermione nodded, sitting next to her.

"I warn you- I'm not sure about quite a few things, so…"

"That's ok… first- why didn't you mention any last names when you were introducing me to Harry and Ron?"

Hermione settled herself, and chewed on her bottom lip for a second before answering. "Well… you know Harry?" Sofia nodded. "He's Harry Potter…"

Sofia's eyes widened slightly. "Really? Poor bloke…"

Hermione tried to hide her astonishment- not many would say 'poor bloke' about Harry. "Yes. That's why I didn't mention last names- Harry doesn't like being 'put out there', if you know what I mean."

Sofia nodded.

"Ok second... I was wondering… if you could tell me about my father."

Hermione averted her eyes.

"I think… that it would be best if you were left to make your own opinion of your Father."

Sofia nodded, but felt confused about the answer Hermione had given her.

But, as she thought later that night as she tried to ignore the gossiping whispers of Lavender and Parvati, she wouldn't have long to wait. Classes started in just two days.

As Hermione led Sofia away, Harry felt his knees tremble. He moved to collapse into the armchair nearest him.

Snape… Snape has a daughter… and her eyes… No. it's a coincidence. Has to be.

"What the hell were you thinking Hermione?!" Ron's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to see Hermione and Ron (once again) yelling at each other.

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to look after her Ron! What was I supposed to do?"

"Take down to the dungeons and dump her on the Slytherins' doorstep!"

"That's not where the sorting hat placed her!"

"The sorting hat's wrong then, isn't it?"

"Sofia is a Gryffindor, whether or not you chose to accept that. You don't even know her Ron."

"You can't tell me that after knowing her for two hours you trust her!"

Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but Harry stood up.

"Hermione's right Ron. If there's one thing I've learnt from Snape, it's don't judge someone by their parents."

"Harry-" Ron walked forward and leaned closer to the raven headed young man. "You can't… this is Snape's kid, Harry- Snape! Do really think that he hasn't been training her, teaching her? She's here to spy on you, for either Snape or You-Know-Who!"

"Ron-"

"No Harry. If you're going to trust this… intruder over your best friend, then fine. I just hope she watches your back, because I'm not doing it anymore." with that, Ron turned and stalked up the boy's staircase.

Harry groaned, and slumped back down onto the chair. Hermione came to sit on his lap, and he started playing idly with her hair.

"He hasn't been training Sofia, Harry. They barely know each other." Hermione said softly. Harry looked at her inquisitively. "Snape gave her up, to protect her. Her foster parents were killed in a death eater attack, and her birth Mother's dead."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

'Coincidence!' he thought to himself. Aloud, he asked, "Do you trust her?"

Hermione was quiet. "I trust Sofia… until she gives me reason not to."

Harry felt bad when he could not stop himself thinking, 'Being Snape's daughter isn't enough for you?'