In which two lives are forever changed
-This is the second scene in this set, fallowing the craziness in the Potion class. Here we find out what's got Snape so riled and what it will mean for Margret.-
It was a wonderfully calm day, the kind of day where the hospital wing was likely only to be visited if someone wasn't paying attention in class. Or, a Potter was causing an uproar. That was definitely Margret's voice coming towards the wing, so Madam Pomphry left her office to see what new havoc she'd wrecked on herself.
"Would you just answer the damn question?" She barked as Snape dragged her into the Hospital wing, "What's going on?"
"What is going on Severus?" Pomphry asked, wondering why the pair were there since neither of them seemed hurt.
"When was I to be informed that Ms. Potter has Magika Emotus?" He asked Pomphry with strange coldness.
"It's never been an issue," Pomphry said, surprised, "As she brews the potion herself I don't treat her."
"That still doesn't explain why I wasn't informed," Snape snapped, not pleased.
"Cause it's none of your business," Margret said, suddenly remembering her strength and ripping herself free, "This is the first time it's ever been a problem."
Snape's dark eyes glared at her, causing her to step back in alarm. It wasn't a hateful look, but a threat for silence all Slytherins knew on sight. He grabbed her forearm and threw her onto one of the beds, pointing a threatening finger when she tried to stand.
"If I am correct," he said coolly, his voice almost strange, "Then it is indeed my business. I must fetch the Headmaster. ."
Margret nodded, the tone in his voice making it clear he wouldn't be disobeyed. She watched him leave, and reached out to his mind, to find out what emotions were causing his strange behavior. She'd never tried to read Snape's mind, since she never had a reason to. So, it was very surprising when she encountered a solid mental wall when she tried.
It was even more surprising when he stopped and turned, shooting a dark look at her. Keep your mind to yourself, young lady, she heard him snap, though not out loud. He'd communicate with his mind directly to hers!
Margret had never communicated with someone with her mind. She had figured out as a child that only telepaths could communicate that way, but she'd never encountered any before. Telepathy was a blood gift, powers given by the wizard king centuries ago to his closest allies and passed to their children, the oldest wizarding families. She didn't know Snape's lineage, but how could he have the gift too? And judging by the alarm and turmoil she sensed in his mind he was wondering the same thing.
He'd shut his mind again and kept going, leaving a reeling Margret. How was Snape a Telepath? And what exactly did it mean?
A few minutes later Snape swept back in with Dumbledore. Margret shot to her feet and reached her mind out and felt his. His dark gaze landed on her.
Professor, what's going on? She asked with her mind, half aware of the bemused look on Dumbledore's face as he watched them stare at each other.
"For future reference," He said sharply, "It is impolite to communicate Telepathically in polite company. Now, sit." He reinforced the last word with his mind.
For some reason Margret couldn't disobey, sitting down the instant he told her too. Though, she crossed her arms and legs and pouted, earning a chuckle from Dumbledore.
"This is not a laughing matter, Albus," Snape snapped, rounding on the old wizard, "This is quite serious."
"As I have no idea what this is all about, my boy," he said affably, "I couldn't have possibly known that before."
Snape stepped back slightly and let out a huff, apparently irritated with himself. "Ms. Potter has Magika Emotus," He said crisply.
"Yes," Dumbledore replied, nodding with a happily bewildered expression on his face, "I was informed when the condition was discovered."
"And why wasn't I informed of this fact?" He asked, dangerously, "and that she was telepathic?"
"Because it doesn't-" Margret began, but Snape held out a hand to silence her. She really didn't like how he was able to make her obey.
A look of comprehension dawned on Dumbledore's face. "Good heavens," He whispered, "I never made the connection. But how is that possible, Severus? Did you and she ever-?"
Snape blushed, which was just strange. "Only once," He said softly.
"Oh dear," Dumbledore said, suddenly looking very sad, "If only we had known before."
"And how could you not?" Snape questioned, vicious, "How could anyone possibly believe that - after all the experiments he conducted on himself - the Dark Lord could conceive a child?"
"Wait. What?" Asked Margret, drawing their attention back to her, "I'm pretty sure you two are still talking about me, so what are you saying? Tom Riddle isn't my father?"
"Possibly," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Then who is?" Margret asked, confused.
"How much do you know about your condition?" Snape asked her.
Margret gave him a funny look but answered. "It's a mutation in the magical core," She said, "that connects it directly to a wizard's emotions. When the wizard is feeling strong emotions it can give them a power boost, but if they're not careful their emotions can take it too far and their magic explodes out, causing massive damage and leaving the wizard depleted for days. Usually it's passed down from parent to child, but on rare occasions it just pops up."
"The condition does not just "pop up"," Snape corrected, "That lie was presented so that illegitimate children could not be traced back to their parents."
"Well that's great to know," Margret said, rolling her eyes, "Why do you British have to be so weird about legitimacy? Ignoring the kid doesn't change the fact that it exists. And what's the point of this anyway? Neither Tom or my mom had it, but as far as I know no one my mom knew did either."
"There was one person," Said Dumbledore as Snape stalked toward a chair.
"Who?" She asked, trying not to let her skepticism show. She was convinced this was some elaborate prank by the other team, for which the responsible party would be made to pay. She'd made it quite clear last year that pranks involving her family wouldn't fly.
With a sigh Snape sank into the chair and buried his face in his hands, as if very tired. "Me," He said simply.
Margret blinked. "Eh?" She asked, not sure she'd heard right.
"Do not be so thick, Margret," He said harshly, glaring at her, "Has spending your free time with weasley and Longbottom made you as dimwitted as them?"
"Just because someone isn't very good at potions it doesn't mean they're stupid," She snapped, glaring right back, "And I'm not being dimwitted. Considering what you're trying to tell me it's a miracle I can even talk. Most students would eather faint or have an out and out panic attack, you're not exactly every one's favorite teacher."
Snape tried not to, but Margret could see he was smiling. "You sound exactly like your mother," he said softly.
"Remus says that alot too," She said back, "But, seriously. You're telling me that you're my father? That I'm a Snape?"
"What!" Came a shout from the door.
They turned to see Draco, Ron, Hermione and an alarmed Harry.
-Margret is Snape's daughter! Like that little twist? Harry probably doesn't, or Ron, or Neville for that matter. Probably a lot of people won't be too thrilled to hear that Margret Potter is actually Margret Snape. Next few scenes we see how everyone handles this revelation.-