Disclaimer: Same as always, I don't own HP characters, but I fully take responsibility for my own characters.

Rating: T

Pairings: Multiple!

This chapter required a lot of thought processing and the like. I've gone back and revised about a trillion times but its all good now. Warning of slash and mentioned mpreg. Open minds are welcome, reviews are welcome, so I've but one last thing to say...

Read this and enjoy it! (Or not, you don't have to if you don't want to!)

Chapter 4

The rest of the ride to Hogwarts had been less eventful and full of antsy first years wondering what houses they could possibly be in.

When the train had finally stopped at the platform in Hogsmead all of the older students went off towards a gate that led to the main road that would lead them all up to the castle in carriages. The first years were all ushered by Hagrid into small boats that would float them across the lake to the castle.

"I'll carry your trunks up to the castle personally and you girls will definitely be fine. Good luck…maybe one of you will get into Slytherin--favoritism you know." Draco smirked widely and laughed haughtily as he shrunk the two girls' trunks and put them safely in his pockets.

Sophia's eyes hardened and she smirked quite identically to Draco and said, "You wish."

Once the girls were on their way across the lake and Harry and Draco had vacated a carriage all to themselves, Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and said, "She looked and sounded like you jut now. If it weren't for her strawberry blonde hair. She said the exact same words you said to me when we were in our second year-" "Dueling club-" "Scared Potter?" "You wish." They grinned at each other and Harry kissed him on the cheek then lips. "I can tell its going to be quite the year."

DMHPSSDMHP

When all of the first years stepped out of the boats and were led into the empty entrance hall just outside the Great Hall doors, a witch stepped in through the massive doors and introduced herself. "I am Professor McGonagall, welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will be learning the art of spells, potions," Sophia smirked, "jinxes, curses, charms, and defending yourselves against the dark arts. You will be tested on all that you have learned at the end of each year, which will make way for even harder exams. So study hard now and stay out of trouble, (points will be gained by good behavior but lost by the bad as well) . Now, in just a few moments I will come to lead you all into the Great Hall to be sorted into your houses." She left them with a sharp glare to warn them all that if they misbehaved, as soon as they were sorted points would be taken away.

Morgan, Abigail, and Paul came up to the front to stand with Sophia and Em. "I hope I'm sorted into Gryffindor. Mum said she'd be happy if I were in any house, but I hope the hat doesn't throw me into Slytherin," Paul said as he ran his long fingers through his silky honey-blonde hair that flowed passed his shoulders and down to his waist. "Why would they? You're not a backstabber," Abigail said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Hey! Watch it you muggle lover," a cold and curt voice cut through the quiet chattering, clearly offended by the poorly educated biased red head, completely silencing everyone. A boy with silvery-blonde hair and clear silver-blue eyes stepped out of the crowd. He was slightly shorter than Paul, who was 5'3". "The name is Castor Malfoy." Sophia and Em gasped quietly, taking in the boy's appearance…he looked just like Draco and his last name was Malfoy. "And you are," he gestured towards Sophia, not noticing her shock or obvious dislike of him.

"My name is none of your business. I might be contradicting my friends' family but, sod off Malfoy," Sophia's eyes had darkened into a stormy grey. The young Malfoy glanced at the three others standing near her and smirked, "You're making an unwise mistake. But if you must know, I am the son of Lucius Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy Fortune since my unfortunate brother blew it with the family so many years ago. But as it stands, I can see you're heading towards the wrong sort. I can help you there," he held out a pale hand, obviously thinking she'd take it. Sophia could feel the others' eyes on her, wondering what she would do; take the offered hand of friendship…or slap it bravely away, since this boy was indeed a Malfoy.

She stared defiantly into his eyes and for a moment, she thought she could see trepidation and hope reflecting in them and for another moment she thought about taking the offered hand. But as soon as the young Malfoy realized she was seeing how he really felt, his expression changed into one of certainly practiced coldness and she instantly berated herself for thinking that someone like him could be her friend. She wouldn't accept anyone's offer of friendship if they were calloused and didn't want her to see the real them. No. Being in a friendship full of deceitfulness and only wanting of power was not something she would be able to live with.

"Actually Malfoy we didn't insist on knowing who your bloody father is, like I said: sod off," she murmured coldly, never taking her eyes off of his. The young Malfoy's face twisted into a look of pure loathing and disgust and with a sneer he said, "Just like your Golden-Boy-Hero-of-a-father, rejecting my brother's offer of alliance and power."

Sophia barely had time to register all of what he had just said because at that moment Professor McGonagall returned and she cast an odd look in Sophia's and Castor's directions. "We are ready for you. Line up in single file and proceed to the front of the hall, stand still until your name is called. Follow me," the seemingly strict witch said as she opened up the grand doors.

The strawberry blonde Snape had been pushed to the very front of the line and she glanced around at all of the students, some of them she recognized, others naught. She turned her total attention to the Head Table where she saw her "Grandpa" smiling at her, to which she smiled back. She also saw her father's eyes smiling at her and she grinned even wider…but it all too soon faded when something that foul Malfoy kid said, 'Just like your Golden-Boy-Hero-of-a-father,' entered her mind. Draco was sitting at the end of the table and his lips smirked but his eyes smiled. Sophia offered a small wave and her eyes turned to Harry who smiled at her as well. Their eyes lingered and Sophia thought she could have sworn she saw a sad look to them, almost like Mrs. Weasley's that morning.

"When I call your name," came McGonagall's voice from the front, snapping Sophia from Harry's gaze, "you are to come forward, sit on the stool, and I shall place the Sorting Hat upon your head." The sorting went like this:

Evan Avery--Slytherin, the hat barely even touched his dark head.

George Finnegan-Thomas--Gryffindor, his fathers were there once, and his older brother David was in his brother.

Isobel Creevey-Ravenclaw, her mother saw this coming much to the chagrin of her father….

Five others went before one of the first Weasleys to be called; Paul was the first… "Gryffindor!" many cheers broke out and the blonde happily bounded to the Gryffindor table. Morgan was next, (after two more people. Why couldn't all the Weasleys just go together?), "Gryffindor!" More cheers broke out and she happily joined her cousins at the famed table.

Abigail was next, (right after Morgan). "Ravenclaw!" not so many surprised gasps came from her friends and family. They all knew that's where she should be, and for good reasons.

Six students remained and a boy named Ayden Zabini was unsurprisingly sorted into Slytherin, everyone knew of his father's friendship with the famous Draco Malfoy.

A girl named Veronica Lupin-Black was sorted into Gryffindor, no surprise to Harry and Draco as they knew who her parents were….

Emmy gave Sophia a nudge when she was called up to be seated on the stool. Several minutes passed and it seemed like Emmy was having an argument with the hat. Finally, after so much anticipation the red haired Weasley threw off the hat and stomped angrily off to the Gryffindor table shouting obscenities at the hat as she went, "Damn hat! Telling me I should be in Slytherin!…where the hell did it get that from? Foul git."

The hall broke out in scattered applause, as it seemed as if the hat had clearly been shouted out by the girl, and grudgingly didn't yell out to everyone what house the firecracker Weasley was in…it was easy to figure that out in the end.

Harry and Draco exchanged bemused looks, Emmy was surely her father's child….

Sophia looked over her shoulder at her friend who mouthed, 'Good luck.'

'Thanks,' she mouthed back.

"Castor Malfoy!" McGonagall called out. The boy smirked familiarly and sauntered with all of the Malfoy grace and confidence, up to the stool. He sat. The hat never fully touched his head as it instantly called out, "Slytherin!" Cheers from the Slytherin table were obviously the loudest as their new and powerful addition joined them.

Harry looked over to Draco and saw the look of utter bafflement on his husband's face. "I never knew you had a brother." Draco stared at the child that was almost the spitting image of himself…though one thing gave away as to whom his other parent might be. He couldn't be Narcissa's son because Draco knew his parents had been separated almost five years before Sophie was born. Castor's eyes seemed to be distinctly almond shaped…like those of a certain blonde Ravenclaw he once knew of.

"Sophia Snape!" gasps could be heard, as the first years who had never heard of her, gaped with surprise as the last student to be sorted made her way up to the stool.

They had never heard tell of any other Snape in the world besides, one Professor Severus Snape himself. Sophia felt her cheeks burn lightly as she sat on the stool. The Sorting Hat was placed over her head and slipped over her eyes--she couldn't see a thing.

'Ah, Ms. Snape…or should I say Ms. Malfoy,' a voice spoke in her ear. 'My name is Sophia Snape. I am not a Malfoy,' she said back, wondering why on earth the hat said that. 'Ah…I see you do not know of…."the hat paused. 'Know of what?' Sophia asked curiously. 'It is not my place to say if you do not already know,' the hat said again.

Sophia sighed, this really was a little bothersome. She could see why Emmy had gone off on the crazy hat.

The hat started speaking again, 'I can see that you are brave…yet cunning…a very Slytherin trait you have…but also a thirst to prove yourself. You have hidden talents and powers far greater then you could imagine--much like your father.' Sophia smirked, of course, she was her father's child. But of course, the Sorting Hat was not talking about the father she thought he was referring to. 'Far greater achievements can be reached…you could be great you know…but where to put you? The bravery of a Gryffindor, yet the cunningness of a Slytherin.' Sophia nearly panicked, she didn't want to be put into the House of Snakes, 'Not Slytherin.' 'Ah, your father was…is. Why not?' 'I do respect my father's house…but I don't think I would make a good Slytherin…I have friends in Gryffindor,' Sophia explained. The hat spoke, 'Ravenclaw perhaps?' 'I can't see myself there.' 'Hufflepuff-' 'Is not the house for me,' the blonde chimed. The hat seemed to have reached a decision and exclaimed to the hall, "GRYFFINDOR!"

All of the Gryffindors stood and applauded a blushing yet smiling Sophia. Before she turned to go to her table, she turned and looked at her father who was smiling approvingly at her. She let out a sigh of relief, it wouldn't do for her own father to be angry at her for being sorted into his house's biggest rival.

She also gave her "Grandpa" a thumbs up and waved at Harry and Draco. Harry, for some reason, had tears in his eyes, though he was smiling proudly at her….For some other strange reason Sophia felt glad that he was that proud…and that it was Harry Potter who was so proud of her. The tears however…well it was a little over the top.

"It was taking you ages-" "We thought you were Slytherin for sure," Morgan and Paul whispered to her as she sat down with all of them. Emmy hugged her tightly and whispered, "I'm so happy! We'll be the best Gryffindors they've seen yet!"

Sophia grinned and chanced a look over at the Slytherin table. Her eyes met with a pair of

silver-blue ones and she was strongly reminded of Draco…but a much younger version, and that was only when she saw a picture. She saw it when she came across a photo album when she was only eight.

(FLASHBACK)

Sophia had been wandering around in her father's main study at Snape Manor. She came across a book that had black binding and moving silver doodles on the covers, (both back and front). "Father, what kind of book is this?" she asked as she walked over to Severus whom was at his desk sorting out grown up things and what-not. The black haired man looked up from his papers and looked at the book his daughter was holding--he frowned slightly and gently took it from her hands and examined it.

"I think that it is a photo album…do you want to look through it?" he asked her after handing it back. Her eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, "Of course Father! Maybe it'll have some in there of Auntie 'Mione or Grandma Weasley!" she said excitedly. Severus nodded a bit hesitantly, pictures of Draco might be in that album as well, not so much of Harry though since he wasn't around during his younger years. Sophia opened it up and flipped through it silently for quite some time…until she came to one picture that caught her eye. "Who is that Father?…he looks just like me."

Severus quickly looked down at the picture and nearly snatched the book away from her as if it were on fire. Draco Malfoy, on the day that he would be going to Hogwarts, smirked up at him with an excited smile in his eyes. Sophia was right, it looked just like her. "I don't want you looking at this anymore. Go play with your toy broom," he said quietly. Sophia didn't argue, though she looked curiously up at him as she gathered her toy snitch off of the floor. What was he trying to hide? But she soon forgot about it with the excitement of her broom.

(END FLASHBACK)

She didn't know why her father didn't want her to look through it then, and she never pressed for answers…just left it alone. And it was fine…wasn't it? He wasn't really trying to hide anything…was he? She glared as Castor glared back, turning her attention back to her new housemates, leaving her inner thoughts on the matter alone for the time being.

After Dumbledore declared that the Forbidden Forest was just that--forbidden, he introduced the new professors.

"Mr. Malfoy," he indicated to Draco who stood with the introduction, "will be teaching alongside Professor Snape in potions, and will only be taking over when your beloved potions master is incapable of teaching that day." Draco smiled thankfully at the headmaster and took his seat again.

"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore indicated to Harry who also stood at the mention of his name, "will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts…hopefully he will be a permanent addition to our staff."

Many peals of understanding laughter erupted within the hall and Harry laughed as well, "I hope so too, Headmaster," he added as he took his seat once again.

Dumbledore stood once more and said with that undying twinkle in his eye, "Tuck in."

And so they did.

Sophia watched in mild amusement as she observed Ben stuffing things into his mouth before even filling up his plate. "Emmy…your brother is-" "Disgusting; I know," Emmy replied to her friend as they both ate the proper way.

Paul and Morgan engaged them all into a conversation about their very first classes the next day, wondering which class they would get first.

Their schedules would be passed out at breakfast time, 'Hopefully,' all four thought simultaneously.

After dessert was served and everyone ate their fill, Dumbledore stood once more and said rather merrily, "Now, since we are stuffed to the hilt, students, if you will please follow your house prefects, they shall escort you to your houses and provide you with your passwords. Goodnight to all!"

Sophia, Paul, Emmy, and Morgan all caught up to Benjamin who was inevitably Head Boy and followed him. "This is so exciting! I've never seen so much of Hogwarts before! They only ever describe it in Hogwarts: A History," Morgan babbled excitedly. "You are such a bookworm," Paul sighed helplessly. Sophia nodded and said with a smile, "Just like Aunt Hermione." Everyone laughed, that fact was far from being a lie.

When they reached the Gryffindor tower and the portrait of the Fat Lady, Sophia smiled and yelled out, "Hello there Lady!" "Well hello there Sophia. I see you made it to Gryffindor, congratulations!" the lady beamed and clapped, also congratulating the other first years. Ben jokingly rolled his eyes, he always thought from the day that he and Sophia met seven years previous, that she was definitely Slytherin. Though he was proven wrong apparently. Sophia saw him and smirked at the older boy, she knew what he was thinking.

Ben turned to the Fat Lady who asked politely, "Password please?" "Inferi," Ben answered. The portrait hole was revealed as the Lady swung forward for everyone to enter through and walk into the common room. Many people started chattering right away, the first years all amazed at the legendary room. Sophia could only smile at the familiarity of it, she was always in here with Ben when he babysat her for her father only just a few years ago..

"Listen up everyone!" Ben yelled. Everyone quieted down and turned to hear what he had to say. "Girls' dormitories are up the stairs to the left," he pointed left, "and the boys' dormitories are to the right," he pointed right. "Curfew is at eleven," his friend Eric Gumbart piped up, "but I should suggest to all of you unknowing and fearful first years to be back fifteen minutes before eleven because Filch and his bleeding cat Mrs. Norris don't play fair."

He added as an afterthought, "I swear that damn cat isn't a cat at all…probably his mistress-" "Anyhow," Ben cut across his rambling friend before he could say something else stupid, "just consult the bulletin board by the steps leading up to the dorms if you have any other questions about the rules. Carry on and…goodnight."

Everyone dispersed; first years going up to their dorms to unpack; older students milling about with friends catching up on their summers apart.

When Sophia and Emmy made it up to the first year girl dorms, they noticed the plaque on the first door had their names on it, along with three other girls: Veronica Lupin-Black, Anna Evans, and Morgan Weasley.

"Well, lets have a peek shall we?" Emmy asked as she pushed open the door. Sophia followed and when they entered she smiled, it was just how she remembered it when she had been in here several months ago. It was funny because it still came to her as a surprise when she saw the burn marks on the floor. They were from the time that she had picked up a girl's wand and accidentally set the hangings on one of the beds on fire which fell on the floor leaving permanent burn marks forever etched into it.

'Great times,' she thought.

"Hey Sophie! Our beds are right next to each others'--yours in your favorite spot at the end by the windows," Emmy exclaimed happily as she jumped on her friend's bed. Sophia giggled and joined her on the bed as well. They were jumping and having so much fun that they didn't notice someone else come in until they heard the distinctive shuffle of unpacking a trunk.

Sophia was first to notice the blonde-haired girl. She moved about silently, placing photos and books on her nightstand. She looked like someone Sophia knew…the pale blonde hair a shocking resemblance to Professor Malfoy and Castor Malfoy….Sophia quickly put two and two together, and before she could stop herself from asking she said, "Are you by any chance related to the Malfoys?"

The girl looked up, startled, at being spoken to and Sophia gasped at the beautiful amber eyes that looked shyly back at her. The girl nodded and said in a quiet voice, "Yes….I'm Veronica Black and my father's cousin Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy a long time ago…she's who I get the blonde hair from."

Emmy peered closely at the girl and gasped when she made out some of Veronica's distinct features: slightly olive skin tone, small yet prominent nose, slightly full lips, and strange yet beautifully colored amber eyes…. "Your father wouldn't happen to be Sirius Black by any chance would he?" she asked.

Veronica smiled and nodded, "He is." Emmy smiled excitedly at her and looked back and forth from Sophia to Veronica several times before both girls gave her strange looks. "Her dads are famous war heroes from the Second War! You know! With Voldemort and the Death Eaters!? Sirius Black! And Remus Lupin! They fought alongside my mum and dad! They're Harry Potter's godparents!" Emmy cried jumping up and down.

Sophia gave Veronica an apologetic look and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you Veronica. And forgive Em here, for being so…blunt." Veronica shook her blonde head and said, "Its perfectly fine. I'll admit I haven't had anyone so interested in my family openly express their interest but I don't mind in the least."

Sophia smiled at the girl and as soon as Emmy was done babbling energetically about everything imaginable, she bade goodnight to her housemates, (including Morgan and Anna who had joined them in the middle of Emmy's one-sided rant).

She made her way quietly down to the dungeons after slipping out of the common room unnoticed and to her father's chambers. It was custom for Sophia to spend the first night of term with her father because he was always free the first night. Ever since she hadn't been old enough to start properly at Hogwarts she would stay with her father, then the next few months she would spend with a sitter and stay with the Weasleys until the Holidays.

'Not anymore,' the strawberry blonde thought as she found herself outside of the familiar portrait entrance leading into her father's chambers. She knocked softly on the portrait and waited patiently for her father to open the door.

Five minutes later the portrait swung open and she stepped inside. "Hello Sophia…what brings you here?" Severus asked as he went back to one of the armchairs by the warm fireplace. Sophia rolled her silver-green eyes and sighed, "You know I come to stay here the first night of every term; its no different now that I'm here to actually stay." She sat next to the black haired man in another chair, "Besides…I wanted to stay here tonight…is it against the rules?" she added with a pout. Severus chuckled lightly and shook his head, he had to admit that it was nice spending time with his daughter. She was very special to him, and in ways that she wouldn't understand, "Why would it be anyway?"

Sophia smiled and giggled, "I don't know…," she trailed off as she eyed her father's smile.

The two sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company…. "Father?" "Yes Sophia," Severus answered. The strawberry blonde fidgeted a bit in her seat and she turned searching eyes on her father.

"Sophia, you have something on your mind--no, I did not pry into your thoughts, I can always tell when something is bothering you."

Sophia's eyes widened slightly as she dropped her defenses and accusatory glare. She had learned occlumency at a relatively early age because her father said that it would be safer for her to go out in public if she could block her mind and if there ever was a crucial point in her life when there came a time to use it, she would be prepared. Those close to her often held the private thought that she was extraordinary, and they kept those thoughts private because they knew she didn't like the attention she was so often given for such things.

She learned to be quite good at it Sophie would admit, especially when it came to blocking out her father. She was so used to him doing it during their lessons that it came in handy when she ever lied, though eventually he could get the truth out of her, without occlumency.

"Father?" she finally asked, her voice quiet and small.

Severus looked at his daughter, quietly got out of his chair, knelt in front of her and asked like any concerned parent, "What is troubling you?" Sophia remained silent for quite some time, just staring at her father, briefly wondering what features of his had been passed to her….

Finally, though, she couldn't take it anymore. She erupted with,

"That rotten foul git-"

"Watch what you say."

"Castor Malfoy!" she continued like she hadn't heard her father. Snape raised an eyebrow.

"What did he say that's gotten you so upset?"

Sophia sighed and focused her silver-green eyes on the fireplace.

"He said…'just like your…Golden-Boy-of-a-father who rejected my brother's offer of…power and alliance.' After I rejected his hand in alliance," she paused and a thoughtful look passed her flawless features. Then she turned to her father who had gone slightly pale, (unnoticed to Sophia of course), "and the only time I can recall hearing, 'Golden Boy,' is when Draco called Harry that on the train…."

Severus tried to hide his obvious shock and uneasiness but Sophia noticed and hugged her father, "I'm sorry Papa. I didn't mean to bother you with it, its just that…I can't help but think that Mr. Potter and I are somehow connected. More so, me and Mr. Malfoy as well ."

That comment shook Severus out of his stupor. He took Sophia softly by the shoulders and pulled slightly away from her to look into her eyes, "I think you shouldn't worry about that. Some sleep should do you some good for tonight seeing as it is late and someone should be going to bed."

Sophia nodded and smiled apologetically as she took this as her cue to not bring up the subject again, like the picture in the photo album… 'Or the damn thing at all,' she thought slightly dejectedly. "Come along," Severus said quietly as unease settled in the pit of his stomach and he led his daughter to her room that was lit with dimmed candles.

"You have some nightclothes in here and I'll have the house elves bring you your school robes for tomorrow."

Sophia nodded once again and walked into her private bathroom to change and brush her teeth. When she came out, Severus was sitting on her bed waiting for her to climb in. She shook her long strawberry blonde hair out of her face as she sat in her queen sized bed, adorned with pale yellow sheets and baby blue blankets. She grabbed her brush off of her nightstand and began to brush the long strands of hair upon her head. Severus pulled it back into one long braid and then tucked his precious daughter in.

"I love you Father," Sophia whispered quietly as she drifted off to sleep. Severus couldn't bring himself to say it. The fact that Sophia could figure out who she really was at Hogwarts was looming over him like a dark rain cloud. Finding out for everyone would only cause confusion, heartache, and distrust. So he settled on saying, "Goodnight Sophia."

Over the next few hours Sophia slept peacefully as her father slept fretfully. But soon the whole castle was woken out of their slumber, when a blast shook the castle and the sounds of a battle were raging outside. "Daddy! Daddy!"

Severus rushed into his daughter's room followed by Harry, illuminating the candles as he made his way to her bed. "Sophia calm down, we have to get to the Great Hall before its too late," Severus said urgently, grabbing her cloak and instructing her to put it on as they ran into the sitting room where Harry had put the fire out.

"Why? Father…Father….Dad!" Sophia finally yelled, twisting away from the black haired man who had his hand already on the door in front of them. It grew quiet in the room--the only noise present was beyond the walls and ceiling of the battle. Severus slowly turned, but instead of looking at Sophia, he looked past her at Harry, whose face had a look of masked fear. The emerald eyed man nodded slowly and watched as Severus turned to face his…their daughter and say, "This is not a war for Hogwarts alone…this is a war for you."

(A/N: : No one likes cliffys. I, myself, do not like cliffys so with that said, I am deeply sorry about the cliff but it won't last for very long).

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