Chapter 4 Decisions and Deja vu

Snape was thinking hard and couldn't decide. Dumbledore had given him two names of the best French decorators he knew. He had heard of the first, Maurice Du Bois, but not the other, Pierre DuPont. Maurice Du Bois was an older man in his late 50's and he was expensive. But Snape wasn't worried about money. He had plenty of inherited and earned. Pierre DuPont was young and fairly new and wasn't very expensive.

How in the hell was he supposed to know what 16 year old girls liked? He hated 16 year olds. Catching them doing something they aren't supposed to be doing and punishing them was fun. Especially when it can to the Golden Brats. Well maybe he should go with the younger one since he was close to Elaina's age and might know what girls like better. Now should he surprise her and have a room already ready? Or should he wait and let her chose what she wanted? If only he knew what she was like then he could surprise her. Well better wait and let her choose. He didn't want to fix a room and have her hate it.

He went to his desk to write to Monsieur DuPont.

Dear Monsieur DuPont,

My name is Severus Snape. I am a teacher at Hogwarts and got your name from Albus Dumbledore. You see, I have just recently discovered that I have a 16 year old daughter. Her mother has passed away and she will be coming to live with me. I need to make my living quarters more girl and teen friendly. I would like to hire you for the job. If it is possible, could you floo to Hogwarts tomorrow at 12:00 noon? Please send an immediate response with my owl, Eloise.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

PS: Eloise is very finicky, she will want a cracker before taking off.

After Snape sent Eloise off, he went to his wardrobe to figure out what to wear. He didn't have many choices, he realized, all his robes were black and looked identical. And just as he was finishing buttoning his robe, Eloise Flew in the window and he took the letter from her leg.

Dear Monsieur Snape,

It would be an honor to decorate for you!!! I'm so excited!!! I will be there 12 sharp. And by the way, Eloise is precious!

Sincerely,

Pierre DuPont

well that settles it then. Now he had to get going if he didn't want to be late getting to the Malfoy's on time. He hated being late and prided himself on punctuality. Well here goes nothing.

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As Elaina stepped out of the fire place she took in her surroundings. Above her, hanging from the ceiling was a crystal chandelier. The walls were lined with portraits of people, most of them with platinum blond hair like Lucius. The furniture was Victorian style and the cushions were an emerald green and the wood looked to be mahogany. Behind her the fireplace was made of white marble. It was a beautiful room. She couldn't wait to see what the rest of the house looked like.

Just as Lucius stepped out of the fireplace he said, "well now, your father wont be here for another hour. Would you like some tea?"

be fore she could say yes, a house elf popped out of thin air with a tray of tea and cookies and started placing them on the coffee table.

"thank you Dory. Would you please find Narcissa and tell her that our guest has arrived. I'm sure she would want to greet her."

"yes master Malfoy." and with another pop she was gone.

Lucius motioned for her to sit and said, "how do you like your tea?

"2 lumps of sugar and some cream, s'il vous plait, Monsieur Malfoy."

"please call me Lucius. Or Uncle Lucius if you prefer. Your father and I are like brothers."

"Very well, Uncle Lucius." and she took a sip of her tea. Mm mm that tasted wonderful. Ir warmed her whole body.

Just then Narcissa walked in.

"Oh this must be Elaina! My you are pretty! Come and give your Aunt Cissy a hug. Don't be shy!" Elaina like this lady. She felt safe in her arms and her personality reminded her of her mother. Always welcoming and friendly to everyone. But she promised herself she wouldn't cry so she held back the urge.

As Narcissa held her at arms length she studied her. "you look just like your mother dear. If you were the same age I bet I wouldn't be able to tell you apart. Well yes I would because she had blond hair as you very well know. You must get the black from Severus." and as she motioned her to sit again she got herself a cup of tea. "how do you like your tea?"

"mm its delicious. Thank you. Chamomile Am I correct?"

"yes. Dory makes wonderful chamomile tea. She brews it with a little honey. At least you don't have your fathers taste. Severus hates tea. He prefers coffee." and at that Narcissa pretended to gag which made Elaina giggle.

"might I ask, what is my father like? I want to be prepared so I know how to act around him."

"well Severus can be a very difficult man. He can be very strict and he is antisocial. He likes to keep mainly to himself. But deep down, he is a good man. A strong and courageous man with a good heart. Not many people have had the privilege to see that part of him, but I did. When we were young and He-who-must-not-be-named was around. He fought bravely to protect those dear to him. Especially your mother. He loved her very much. She was his whole world and more. And when he thought she was dead, well, he was never the same. He has never let another get close to his heart since. He thought he-who-must-not-be-named had killed her. He didn't know until just a couple of days ago that she had left. I just hope now that he has you he can become himself again."

That gave Elaina a lot to think about. "now dear how about a tour, hmm?"

"yes I would like that."

"right. Follow me." they walked out of the drawing room and came to the entrance hall. "well this is the entrance hall. Do you like the rug dear? It is a Malfoy Original."

"your family made rugs?"

"well the Malfoy family did many thinks. Lucius's Great-great-great grandfather was into rugs. And as I said, the Malfoy's were into many thinks. Some invented potions. Did you know it was a Malfoy who came up with Skele-gro? Yes we Malfoy's are famous for many things. And we are very wealthy. Now we have the hall lined with all the members of the family. Here are the first Malfoy's and in every room you will find many more portraits with many more. Now there is Lucius's study. And her is our library. Our library has many rare books. Some that aren't even in print anymore and some that are banned and some that you cant find anywhere else. Are you a reader?"

"Oh, Oui, Madam. I love to read. I would read all day if I could."

"well you are welcome to use our library whenever you like. I wish Draco was more of a reader. All he seems to want to do these days is hang out with friends and listen to noisy music."

"who is Draco?"

"oh dear I'm sorry, Draco is my son. He is about your age. Well we will meet him in a little bit. His room is on the second floor. No doubt he is taking a nap or listening to his music.

Now then the kitchen is through there and to the right is our ballroom. I host wonderful parties, if I do say so myself. Isn't that right Lucius?"

"oh yes, they are the talk of the prophet for weeks after. No one can rival a Malfoy party."

that made Elaina jump a little. She had almost forgotten that Uncle Lucius was behind her.

"now here we go up the stairs, watch your step. Now to the left is our room, mine and Lucius's. And to the right her is Draco's." she knocked on the door. "DRACO!!! open up there is someone we would like you to meet!"

Elaina heard nothing coming from the other end. Maybe he wasn't here. "DRACO!!! oh and its locked too." she took out her want and muttered, "Alohomora ." and Elaina heard a click.

As Narcissa opened the door they were blasted with very loud music. Elaina had to cover her ears to keep from going deaf. And then she saw him. In the center of the room was a boy with short platinum blond hair head banging to the music playing an air guitar. It was like deja vu. She had seen almost the exact scene in her mothers memory. She could take her eyes off of him. He was the most gorgeous boy she had ever seen. She she never went for the music kind. She always liked the bookish type. But she couldn't stop stating.

"DRACO!" and when he still didn't hear, she pointed her want to the box and said, "quietus" and immediately the music stopped. Draco looked at it confused and walked over to check what was wrong. "Draco." he jumped probably ten feet in the air.

"oh hello mother, father."

"Draco I want you to meet Elaina Snape. She is Snape's daughter."

that was when Draco saw her. She smiled at him and immediately his knees turned to jelly. She was the most prettiest girl he had ever seen. No way she was Snape's daughter! Snape was old and had a big nose. Elaina's nose was cute and button-ish. He walked toward her and looked in her eyes and he noticed she had violet with specks on onyx. He went to shake her hand but instead he bent and pressed his lips to them while still looking in her eyes.

"and honor to meet you."

she curtsied and blushed, "the same to you."

Narcissa didn't say a word. She was shocked. Its as if she and Lucius didn't exist. Oh this might be a good thing.

"Draco. Snape is on his way. We were just giving Elaina a tour of the manor. She will be attending Hogwarts after the break."

"well I'm sure you are going to love Hogwarts. Your father is head of the Slytherin house. I wonder if you will be in Slytherin. I'm in Slytherin." he was babbling. I hope she is in Slytherin I hope she is in Slytherin.

Just then the heard a pop and Dory appeared. "Master Severus is her to sees you Master and Mistress."

"thank you dory. Tell him we will be right down. And offer him some refreshments."

and with another pop she was gone.

"alright. Here we go. Ready Elaina?"

just then Elaina was scared. She wasn't ready at all. What if he didn't like her. What if she didn't like him. No she wasn't ready but now it was too late. Alright Elaina, smile and act like everything is alright. Be brave. Mama would have wanted it that way. Well here goes nothing.

AN: well i am so sorry it took so long for me to upload. again this is for my sister. i love her bunches!!! and please review!! i want to know what you think. i also accept suggestions!!! in the next chapter they meet! exciting huh? meeting ur dad for the first time? well im sorry for the wait. please dont kill me :D. enjoy and review!!!