Hey everybody. Look at that, a new chapter for all of you. See how quickly this works when you've got three people doing the work. ( Thanks to Padfootfan and No Name LOL for reviewing. And I suppose thank you to redrosey for reviewing too, though she's the co-author now, well, one of them. Hope you enjoy.

AN AUTHOR NOTE FROM THE REAL AUTHOR, REDROSEY: i hope you like this chapter. i would like to thank Ashley and Randi for making this chapter even better. you guys are the best. i would like to thank my little cuzz for inspiring me for this chapter and the character Missy. well here it is and I hope you like it.

Severus Snape was in his bedroom thinking about what Dumbledore had said. 'Maybe it is a wonderful three. Albus does have a point. You can't rush these things.' With that thought in his head, Severus went to sleep.

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He woke up at 6:00, and after getting dressed, went into Emmilen's room. To his surprise, she was up and doing her homework. "Hi, Uncle Sev'rus, look what I can do: /a/,/a/,/a/,/n/,/n/,/n/,/t/,/t/,/t/!" Emmilen pronounced, proudly and perfectly.

"Good!" Snape gave her a surprised smile. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, Uncle Sev'rus," Emmilen said as she grabbed her bookbag.

Together they went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Emmilen put her bookbag under the Head Table and went to sit down next to her baby- sitters at the Slytherin table. Severus took his usual seat and started eating. When he was done, he watched Emmilen laughing at one of the girls making a funny face. After breakfast was over, Emmilen went with one of her sitters to the Slytherin common room. Severus watched her leave with a smile on his face. The grumpy Potion Master was actually smiling in front of the remaining staff and students! Many wondered if the world would end before noon.

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Classes went by quickly. It seemed like time was speeding. 'Today was a good day,' Severus thought to himself as he looked at his students finishing up. 'I only had to take 20 points from Gryffindor today.' Looking at the clock, Snape announced, "Time is up. Put your potion in a flask and label it, then you may go." The students did as they were told, hurrying out of the classroom.

As the last student left, McGonagall entered. "Severus, Albus wants to speak with you in his office." 'What now?' thought Snape. "All right. Thank you, Minerva," he said as he left his classroom. 'I wonder what he wants now.' was the mantra playing through his head as he approached the stone gargoyle.

After giving the password, "Ice Mice," he climbed onto the revolving escalator. Once he'd knocked on Dumbledore's door, the headmaster's voice called, "Come in."

Severus walked into Dumbledore's office, and immediately noticed a girl in her late teens. "Take a seat, Severus. This is Missy Terlan. She is seventeen-years-old and is training to be a teacher." Albus said, pointing to the girl in the seat next to his. "Missy, this is Professor Severus Snape. He is the Potion Master here at Hogwarts. Miss Terlan graduated from an American wizarding school, Hunter, I believe it's called."

The girl nodded with a timid smile.

"Miss Terlan wants to be a teacher, so I've offered her the opportunity to train here and assist a professor," Albus continued.

Severus nodded politely, but in his heart was wondering 'OK, so why am I here?'

Dumbledore must have known Snape was thinking this for he got right to the point then. "Missy is Emmilen's cousin on her mother's side. She will be occupying the spare room next to your office, Severus, so she can be close to Emmilen. Besides, I think Emmilen will love having her here."

Snape nodded, but he was a bit confused about a certain issue.

There was a long pause then Dumbledore continued. "Severus, why don't you escort Missy to the Great Hall?"

"Of course." replied Snape. "But could I speak to you a moment alone?"

Dumbledore nodded. "If you would just wait outside, Miss Terlan, Professor Snape will be with you momentarily.

Missy nodded and left.

"Yes, Severus?"

"I thought you told me that Emmilen had no relatives other then her grandmother and myself, that all the others were killed."

"They were," replied Dumbledore. "Missy escaped my notice as she was away at school at the time. She has no one else either, which is why I allowed her to come to Hogwarts. Apparently, Emmilen is close to her older cousin as they visited often."

Snape nodded. He'd try to be considerate of the girl then.

He left Dumbledore's office and immediately spotted Miss Terlan. She began to follow him. To make conversation, Snape asked, "What class will you be assisting in?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," the teen replied, shyly. "Good choice," Severus replied.

"It's my favorite." Missy sighed as they walked through the Great Hall doors. Severus walked ahead and, leaving Missy behind, took his seat at the Head Table. As Missy walked by the Slytherin table, Emmilen spotted her and with a shout of "MISSY!" ran to give her a big hug.

"Hey, Monster," Missy rejoined, as she returned her cousin's embrace. She'd squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in Emmilen's hair. She, therefore, was unaware of everyone looking curiously at them, including one very bemused Severus Snape.