Severus hated the way Albus's eyes scrutinized him, it made him feel as if he was a student again, coming back after a horrendous summer.

"I am fine Albus," Severus stated indifferently as he crossed his arms on his chest. The normal emotionless mask was in place as he tried to avoid showing the enormous amount of pain he felt. Severus had no desire to be dragged up the hospital like a five year old and he had no desire to run into his sister as Albus forced him up the stairs.

"Severus. . ." Dumbledore began

"Albus, I am fine" Severus reassured the elderly man. "If I feel a bit off, I will make my way up to see Poppy." Albus looked intently at Severus's face, looking for any signs of deception, and was pleased when he found none.

Elizabeth watched silently from her place in the doorway, She found these meetings between the Headmaster and her father went by faster when she wasn't noticed, then she didn't have to answer the twenty thousand questions that the old man possessed. Don't get her wrong; she loved Albus, more than her mother's parents, but sometimes the number of questions he asked just got annoying.

"I will see you later then Severus," Albus sighed as he pushed himself from the chair in which he sat. "Good Bye Elizabeth."

"You really need to teach me to lie like that" Elizabeth stated a few seconds after the headmaster had left.

" Must you know all the tricks?" Severus inquired as his teenager took the seat his employer had vacated.

" Yes" Elizabeth smiled " I enjoy learning the things you know how to do, even if they aren't legal."

"You know to much." Severus claimed as he stood up and headed back to bed, determined to sleep of his pain.

By the start of term, Adora had only seen her brother four times, but she had seen the mysterious girl she had run to more than ten. And that was a bit strange, but she did not question it, figuring it was just someone from Hogsmead needing to see Madam Pomfrey or have a discussion with Dumbledore.

Severus sighed as he dressed in his normal robes, the train would be there in less than half an hour, and of course, he would have to be present at the feast. He had no desire to go for the fact he had just come back from another brutal meeting with the dark lord and he would have to sit next to his 'kid' sister. Hopefully she would not try to make a conversation, which was the last thing he wanted. Well at the moment anyway.

Elizabeth smiled smugly as she stared in her mirror, adjusting her green and silver tie. Her silky black hair pulled out of her face, exposing her cream colored skin and piercing hazel eyes, the way her father preferred on the start term and special occasions. With one more glance at her appearance in the mirror, the teenager grabbed her robe pulled it on and headed into the sitting room.

Severus was already gone by the time Elizabeth emerged, but that was nothing knew, they had always done that, to keep the castle, except the staff of course.

The entrance hall was pack with returning students, so many faces where familiar to the young Slytherin, and slowly she interjected herself into the sea of students so she wasn't noticed and made her way to her house table. Elizabeth's eyes scanned the Head table and was relieved that the creepy ministry official that wore the color she hated the most was no longer there. Instead, the woman she had ran into a few weeks sat next to her father.

'Hopefully she'll be better than Umbridge.' Elizabeth though as Draco Malfoy took the seat next to her. Her God brother looked so sophisticated behind his well-placed emotionless mask, yet sadness could still be detected in his body language, but she asked no questions afraid of finding out something she didn't wish to know.

Severus avoided all conversation with his sister, instead keeping to himself, as he was known for on many occasions. His black eyes often wandered toward his house's table examining the many children of his fellow death eaters. It was obvious it was going to be one long school year.

Authors' notes: I am so pleased I finished this chapter despite the horrid week I have had with the fact of three deaths in the family in less than a week, but I hope to have the next chapter up ASAP.

SEV'S LITTLE GIRL