The breaking point

The next morning, Julia found her parents in the dining room, talking quietly to each other and a file of papers in front of them. When they saw her coming, they smiled and told her to sit down.

"Did you sleep well?" Her mother gave her a smile and handed Julia the plate with pancakes.

"Yes, yesterday was tough. What's up today?" She was still a bit shaken and tired, but she tried not to show that too much.

Her parents looked at each other and then back to her. "Well, after breakfast, we need to talk to you."

Julia raised an eyebrow, her parents seemed serious and Julia felt that something was up. She hoped it wasn't something life changing, she had had enough of that for a while.

An half an hour later, Julia and her parents moved to the drawing room, and while her parents sat down on the sofa, she sat in one of the armchairs facing them both. Her mother looked down in her lap, and at the file that had been on table before.

"We are not sure how to tell you this, but it needs to be done, so we will try." Julia had a sinking feeling in her stomach, but nodded at them, motioning for them to continue.

"As you know, John and I have no children of or own, and that leaves us in a position where we have no heirs. That was until a few weeks ago, when Severus contacted us about you and your problem. When we agreed to this, when you agreed to this, you became our legal heir. We thought that this would be it for you, but a few days ago, something came up."

Her mother opened the file and pulled put a letter, which she handed to Julia.

Dear Mrs Zabini Prince

To my surprise, I find a certificate on one Julia Camille Zabini Prince in my files, and ask myself, where have this young woman been hiding? According to my previous knowledge, you never had a daughter, but I know the certificate is real, so I wont argue.

I don't know how much you know about your family history, but seeing as this very thing happened to you, I would be surprised if you were unaware of this that I am about to inform you about now.

The Prince family has an old tradition that was created when the first born child to a Christoffer and Janice Prince was a girl. The heir of the line Prince must be married before their 21th birthday otherwise, the family assets will be given to the family closest to the Prince family, and in this case, your uncle, Jonathan Templeton.

Also, the heir must be socially introduced at her 20th birthday, otherwise, the girl wont be seen as a proper woman, and believe me, that is a situation that you do not want.

I hope that this is nothing new, and that the girl is well prepared for this. I'm looking forward for a invitation to your daughters social introduction.

Yours sincerely

Anthony Vence

Julia felt the letter leave her hands and a few moments later she followed the piece of paper down to the floor, and everything went black.

Camille screamed when her daughter fell to the floor, and blacked out. This was what she had been afraid of. She rushed to her side and checked her over. "Did she pass out?" She heard Johns concerned voice behind her. She shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe we should call Sev, he may know what to do. She seem to be fine, but if you could carry her up to her room when I call Sev, I would be grateful."

When John walked away with Julia in his arms, Camille threw a hand of powder in the fire. "Severus Snape!"

After some seconds, the man appeared in the fire, looking concerned. "What is it Camille?"

She sighed. "I need you to come here, Julia has collapsed. I showed her the letter from Anthony."

Her brothers face went hard. "She wasn't ready! I told you. Step back, I'm coming." A minute later, Severus came flooing in, and they both headed to Julia's rooms.

Camille was berating herself. If she only had remembered this before the whole thing started! She had never been in this situation herself, because she married at the age of nineteen, but her mother had explained, so she should have remembered.

She hurried after her brother, hoping that Julia would be alright.

When they reached the set of rooms that were Julia's, they found the door open. They hurried inside and headed to the girls bedroom, and at the door, they stooped, shocked at the sight before them.

The room was a total mess, and John was standing beside the bed, doing nothing as Julia trashed in the bed. When he saw them, he hurried over. "Some kind of shield was erected around the bed as soon as I put her down, I can't get through." he said, frustrated and a bit nervous. Severus stepped around him and walked up to the bed. When he reached out, a force stopped his hand midway, and he drew back, looking at the clearly upset girl.

"Her magic is protecting her." Severus said, looking at the other two. "She finally cracked. I was waiting for this."

His sister looked surprised. "What do you mean?" she asked, not taking her eyes of her daughter.

Severus sighed. "She never showed any signs of dealing with the things happening to her. She haven't spoken about her time in Azkaban, never mentioned her former friends, not once complained about anything. Yesterday, she found out that she had a brother, and she didn't make such a fuss about it. She has just been accepting everything that happened to her in these few weeks, never once dealt with any of it. And now, today, it became to much. All her suppressed anger, guilt, sadness and fear became to much and her magic cracked."

John spoke after a moment. "How do you know this?"

Before he could answer, Camille answered her husbands question. "Because he has been in the exact same position."

Severus nodded but didn't speak, He turned to the bed and Julia again, thinking. When he himself had been in this state, his sister had been the only one able to touch him, to get through the shields. The magic inside him had protected him form all those who ever had done something wrong or mean to him, and his sister had at that time, been the only one who hadn't betrayed him in any way, and therefore, she had been able to reach out to him and comfort him.

He wasn't able to touch the girl, because of their not so pleasant past. John and Camille would not be able to, because of the resent happenings. Who would be able then? The girl had no friends. No, that wasn't right. She HAD in fact two friends. Two redheads, under the names Fred and George Weasley.

He took one last concerned look at the girl he had started to care for more than he would admit, before he turned and left the room and the two adults.

WWW was filled, no crowded with people. Severus couldn't help but admit that the Weasley twins prank shop had been more successful than he had expected. The shop was filled with eager costumers, both children and adults.

Since the war had started, the two redheads had started selling more useful things, not just the ordinary prank stuff. Many of the items could be used as defence, and had been very appreciated among both the ministry people, and the usual population.

He made his way over to the counter, and saw Fred standing there, talking to an employee. She nodded at him and Fred made to go into their office when Severus caught his attention. "Mr Weasley!"

The young man was surprised to see him, that much was clear. He walked up to Severus and smiled. "Professor, what can I do for you?" Severus motioned for the back of the shop and spoke quietly. "I need to speak with you and your brother for a moment."

The redhead nodded and motioned for him to follow. The entered the office and Fred closed the door. George Weasley sat behind a desk and looked up when the two of them entered. "Professor Snape? What a surprise. What can we do for you?"

Severus decided to get right to it. "I would like you to follow me back to the Zabini Estate. It looks like Julia's magic decided to lock us out."

The twins looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Severus sighed. "She got some chocking news this morning, and apparently, it became to much for her, so her magic erected a shield around her. None of us can reach out to her, and I think that you two will be able to. Am I correct when I say that you never have fought with the girl? Ever?"

The twins nodded. "Then I think this will work. But we must hurry though, god knows what will happen if we leave her like this longer than necessary."

"Of course we will come." Fred spoke and headed out to the shop. "Mary! We need to do something important, and I don't know when we will be back. Can you handle this?"

Severus wasn't able to hear what the girl replied but soon, they were on their way back to the Zabinis.

George had never seen Snape this, concerned? Was that the right word? He thought so. He had gotten to know the man better during this last weeks, but he had yet to see this side of his former professor. They had apparated to the estate and was now running up to the house.

What was wrong with Julia?

They entered the house and Snape showed them the way to her room. They stopped outside a set of double doors, and they entered.

He heard Fred gasp behind him. This wasn't just a room, this was a wing! And a nice one at that.

Snape headed to what George supposed was the bedroom, and they followed him, stopping when they was their friend. She lay in the bed, moaning, sobbing and trashing. George acted on his instincts and walked up to the bed and climbed into it. He looked up and saw Fred doing the same thing. They touched her and in an instant, she stilled and they drew her in their arms.

They had no idea if she was awake, but she leaned against the both of them and cried her heart out.

Hmm, I know what you think. What a crappy chapter. I had no idea how to write this, but this is the resault. Oh well, tell me what you think, I like reviews, as you know :) The next chapter will be up...in a few days if everything goes as planned.

Take care, Sara