********** CHAPTER 9 **********************

As Professor Severus Snape made his way back to his personal chambers he pondered over what he had learned from Draco regarding Ms. Eliza Scrimgeor. He was shocked that he had never heard of her prior to her arrival at Hogwarts. While Professor Snape was not a very open man he considered himself to be relatively close to the Malfoy family. Why then, had he never heard mention of Lucius' god daughter before now? As Professor Snape thought the question over in his mind he realized that the only way to receive an answer would be to ask Lucius himself. With that thought in mind Professor Snape walked over to his fire place and picked up a small handful of dust and threw it in the fireplace. As the flames turned green Professor Snape knelt on the floor and inserted his head into the fire, speaking Malfoy Manor as he did so. A second later the voice of Severus Snape could be heard echoing in the silent study of one Mr. Lucius Malfoy.

"Lucius, we need to talk!" exclaimed Severus from the fireplace.

After a few minutes a tall man with shoulder length blond hair and stormy grey eyes entered the room and came to stand in front of the fireplace.

"Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this evening?", questioned Lucius sounding anything but pleased.

"I believe something of yours has come to Hogwarts this year", responded Severus with equal false nicety.

"I am quite sure I do not know what you speak of", stated Lucius guilty.

"A young lady was sorted into Slytherin tonight Lucius, one who appears to be your god daughter", stated Severus.

"Oh", indicated Lucius looking relieved, "I am very glad Eliza was sorted into Slytherin".

"Is that all you are here about?" questioned Lucius.

While Severus knew that he had come to tell Lucius all the wrongs that his god daughter had committed that day something was nagging in the back of his mind and past experience had taught him to listen to his instincts. For whatever reason, Severus found himself answering Lucius with a yes and quickly bidding him a good night before extracting himself from the fireplace in his office. Standing and stretching out his sore knees he pondered why he had not told Lucius about his god daughter's behavior. The more he thought about it the more Severus decided that the reason did not really matter, he did not need to tattle on his students to their god parents. He, Severus Snape, was perfectly qualified to curb the misbehavior of his young charges, and that was exactly what he intended to do the following day. With that in mind, Severus retired to his bed chambers for some much needed rest. He could tell this was going to be a very interesting year.