Author's Note: I am so sorry for the long wait but here it is! Since the summer is here, I think I have a lot more time to write now but there's no promise that I would be able to update quickly since I have work and summer assignments to do. But anyways, enjoy! Please review at the end!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters except for my OC!
Lilian was in heaven. Her senses were on overdrive by her greedy intake of everything around her. Drifting her fingers along the stone walls beside her, she skipped her way ahead of Severus who floated darkly beside her, mumbling about the students. She let a smile bloom on her face as she heard "Ignorant students coming in, I expect none reading their textbooks and unprepared for my class. That stupid Potter, probably coming into my class late and expecting me to let him go with a warning. Foolish Potter..." Rolling her eyes, she let her eyes trace over the floor and torches lighting the hallways. It's intricate designs of age and the fact that she's never seen it before made her squeal in excitement.
"Severus, this is amazing! This school is just beautiful and I can't believe that Draco gets to live here. Honestly, I'm jealous..."she said, her hand finding his arm as she pulled him along faster. It was her second day at Hogwarts and the first day for school for the incoming wizards and witches coming in. She couldn't wait to see her brother entering and observing the students from all four houses. She inwardly pouted at the reminder from Severus that she was to stay close to the Slytherin house. It was almost like her parents reminding her to stay within her room when they had guests over. She never knew why her parents wanted to hide her from society, only allowing a selected few to know. But she didn't pay any mind to it, believing her parent's were looking out for her. When she did ask, they would say nothing and change the subject. After being refused many times to be answered, she gave up and took her situation as her life.
"Ah, Miss Lilian. Good morning to you. And Severus, of course." She chirped out a greeting back as her shoeless feet stopped in front of the Hogwart's Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. He was a nice old man, she supposed, although a little strange with his lemon drops and need for knitted scarves or socks. She had met him last night when she was able to sneak away from Severus while he was putting away his possessions.
Flashback
Lilian silently closed the door of the dungeon, sighing in relief as it shut quietly. Honestly, the way Severus hovered over her reminded her of the elves back home. She knew they were under her parent's order to watch over her but she didn't think they meant it literally. Fortunately, she was able to sneak away while Severus was busy putting away his potion ingredients. Now that she was out of his sight, it was time to do some exploring! Darting down the hall, she let her shoeless feet guide her through the halls, stopping once in a while when she saw something interesting before moving on. She never stopped for too long, knowing that Severus could track her down within a few minutes once he realized she was gone. At this moment, she was standing in front of two large stone gargoyles whose large mouths were stretched into what was trying to be a welcoming smile. Lilian was so absorbed in staring at the gargoyles that she didn't notice the footsteps behind her.
"And who might you be, my dear?" Lilian tensed before turning around cautiously. Her eyes trailed over the figure in front of her. It was an old man with the longest beard she had ever seen, dressed in a blinding sky blue robes that had her blink a couple of times. She saw his eyes crinkle in good humor as he held out a plate.
"Lemon drops?" he offered and Lilian shook her head slowly as he shrugged before popping one into his mouth. She was tense, ready to bolt if he showed the slightest sign of attacking her. Although she was kind and cheerful, she rather felt uncomfortable standing alone while meeting this man. Already she was starting to regret leaving the dungeon to explore and out of Severus sight. Noticing her distress, the old man smiled at her gently before turning to look at the gargoyles.
"Gumdrops."he said and the gargoyles creaked as they began to move aside. Lilian looked on in awe as the wall shifted to form a stairwell in front of her very out an arm, the old wizard silently asked if she wanted to go up. Seeing as the man meant no harm, Lilian graciously looped hers around his and the two ascending the stairway as the gargoyles creaked back into their original positions, hiding away the secret entrance.
"Now, seeing that you haven't answered my first question, who are you, dear?" the man asked, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief, almost like he knew her name. With a smile, she introduced herself.
"Ah, Miss Lilian. I knew you'd be as beautiful as your mother of course."he said as the two finally arrived in a spacious office, decorated with artifacts from all over the world. Her eyes gazed around the room in a curious stare before being stopped by the sight that stopped her breath. A startling shade of red and gold, mixed until it was no longer distinguished as either yet clear as day, sat peacefully on a stand was a phoenix. Breaking away from the old man, she shuffled forward in a daze in front of the bird. The bird lifted its head and the two stared at each other, one in curiosity and the other in awe.
"I see you like my phoenix. Amazing creatures they are." the wizard chuckled, breaking Lilian out of her daze.
"Who are you?"she whispered, facing the old wizard. Her senses were whispering something but she was unable to recognize the signs around her that would help identifying who this man is. The old wizard opened his mouth the answer only to be cut off from the abrupt opening of the door.
"Albus, do you happen to know where-"Severus stopped to notice the lady he was frantically searching the castle for, standing in the office of the man he grudgingly worked for.
"Ah, Severus. Good to see you well in your months away from Hogwarts. Are you settled in your rooms yet?" The old wizard said, his form showing calmness and seemingly unknowing of the tense atmosphere between the other two occupants in the room. Lilian winced at the patronizing glare directed toward her and fiddled with her skirts when her mind caught up to her about the name of the old wizard.
"Wait a second, Severus. Did you just call this man Albus?" she questioned, her face growing with realization at the man she had been speaking to for the past few minutes.
"It seems I cannot hide myself away from you forever, Miss Lilian." the man smiled as he straightened himself, revealing the tall height and the aura of his power. Lilian's face grew slack as the man introduced himself in a way that Lilian would never forget.
"My name is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Flashback End
"It seems that the students have arrived. I suggest you two take your seats in the Great Hall before they come." Dumbledore advised, chuckling a bit when the look of pure hatred deepened on Severus's face. Lilian ignored this and swept away in her aquamarine dress, her footsteps mixing with the more heavy ones as the two wizards headed toward the directions of the Great Hall.
