Severus Snape would find his own hand periodically start to shake throughout the rest of the day. As it went into his robe pocket finding the curse-ed vial Miss Potter had given him. It was not a prank, like her father and some Weasley twins would have done.

That girl had deliberately cut herself, spilling Lily's precious blood. Just to prove how wrong he was.

Oh yes! He knew she was Lily's. How could she not be?

Unlike the Potter brat known as her brother, "The -Boy-Who-Lived" to remind him of what he'd lost to James Potter! The boy was practically his clone with his mother's eyes that did NOT belong there. She on the other hand was a black-haired version of Lily, just a little taller and skinnier, with a paler complexion that brought out her mother's freckles. The eyes didn't match though, nor were they Potter's hazel? He noticed that when she had confronted him. They were familiar?

And despite what he'd said earlier, she did not behave like a "Potter." She wasn't lazy or arrogant, definitely not a show off with her knowledge. (Unlike that insufferable first year Miss Granger. That one had probably read through every single book before coming to class and could not think for herself without reciting text.)

Getting back to Miss Potter, he had been keeping an eye on her ever since Minerva announced her name. She was a puzzle piece that didn't fit. Given her age, that would mean… Lily HAD her when they were STILL in school? And he KNEW for a fact the James Potter did not officially sink his claws into the woman he loved until Seventh year…

Even now as he looked at the girl at the dinner table, she was different. She was polite when someone ask her a question. But she wasn't a "social butterfly" like her parents. As he'd heard some American put it. He could tell she was uncomfortable with so much attention on her while the table loudly discussed her apparent Animagus form. Definitely not a Potter trait. For the most part, Miss Potter just sat there quietly eating and going over something before sending it off with her brother's bird. But Snape supposed he had time to figure her out at detention next…

...

Lucy walked back to the dungeons, raising her hand to knock on the door politely.

"Enter," the Professor's voice said. She opened it and went in. The man was alone at his desk as Lucy approached and quietly waited for instructions. He of course had heard her footsteps, but was surprised she hadn't said anything. For a full two minutes this went on until Severus couldn't stand it any longer.

"Miss Potter, do you understand why you're here?"

"Yes," she simply replied with a blank look. Snape was really starting to hate that expression and tone. It should not belong to Lily's child. He then noticed the hand she had injured earlier had a bandage on it.

"You- you did not ask one of the other teachers to help heal you or even Madame Pomfrey?"

The girl's eyebrows fused together in confusion. "And…WHY would I do that? It will heal eventually and there will be a scar. Just like the rest of them. You forget, Professor. I haven't been IN the Wizarding World for ten years. And I haven't had magical healing since my mom died. Just clean it the best you can, and hope it doesn't become infected."

Snape's eyebrows raised, "You were in the-? That means- Petunia! You were left with Petunia?!"

"Yes…. But enough about my past Professor. What is it you want me to do? For the hour grows late and I would like to be in bed before midnight." Lucy answered him, not in a cheeky sarcastic tone but an honest one.

He sighed, "First of all Miss Potter, sit down by my desk and don't move until I return" She obeyed while Snape got up and went into his storage closet, coming back with a container of something. "Essence of Murtlap" he said, "Give me your hand, the injured one" Lucy raised an eyebrow before reaching it out.

Wordlessly the Professor "gently" unwrapped her hand. The girl only winced slightly at the end as the last layer became undone. Raising his wand, Snape transfigured an item on his desk into a bowl. Pouring the essence inside before lowering the hand in. He grabbed a small hourglass and turned it over. "When the sand runs out, I will look at it again. Don't move, just let it soak"

She nodded. Fifteen minutes later, her hand came out of the bowl looking a lot better, it felt better too. "Let the air get to it," the Professor instructed. "Now, with your good hand, your writing hand. I want you to take a piece of parchment and write down this sentence on the board."

Grabbing a stick of chalk he underlined the words he's already written. "I will not CUT myself to prove a Point" "Five hundred times. After that, you may go"

"Just like that?"

"Provided you don't do it again"

"Does that include you? Because I will not sit by and watch my little brother get harassed for his heritage or fame. Something he had NO control over. An event the entire Wizarding world glorifies instead of the TRAGEDY it is. I'm not stupid, I know there was a rival between you and James Potter. And I don't blame you for lashing out, but it's at the wrong person. I never want him to go through what I do for being Lily's Bastard. You don't have to like Harry or me. All I am asking for is: Tolerance or at the very least turning a Blind Eye to his presence unless he is actually doing something Stupid or Dangerous, deal?"

Snape was silent,

"I've done my best to teach him to respect authority. But it's HARD to respect someone who doesn't respect you, isn't it?"

Snape had to look away, that girl had inherited her mother's ability to strip him of his mental armor and leave him bare naked truth. "500 times," he reminded her before getting up and going into his office. Lucy did as she was told and finished her last sentence at a reasonable hour. The Professor didn't return in that time, so as she stood up. She saw and grabbed the Murtlap jar before walking over to the office door to knock.

"Yes?"

"Pardon me Professor, I just finished writing and came to return this" she said, putting the object down by the doorstep. "Thank you…for healing me. Good night" she told him walking away. Severus opened the door after she left, seeing the jar and taking it in…

Surprisingly, things were better at the next shared potions lesson the week after.

Harry was especially in shock when Snape practically ignored him after roll call and instead focused his ire on Miss Granger's consistent blurting out the answers without being called on. But to be fair, that was irritating everyone not just the Slytherins. The girl was not doing herself any favors, something Lucy had warned her about on the train. And this time when she paired up with Neville, they received a passing grade. It was almost too good to be true but after all these years, the teenager was grateful for even the smallest of blessings.

What she didn't know was that while the Professor was indeed choosing to turn a "blind eye" to the boy, BOTH his eyes were on her when she wasn't looking. Miss Potter's declaration of being a "B-!" one of those children had shook him to his core. To think that Lily had-! It started to reinforce the strange thought that SHE wasn't Potter's? But then, whose was she? He hoped none of his death eater "friends" had done it. Severus couldn't stand the thought of Lily being-!" It made his blood boil…

...

The evening owl post brought Lucy a relieved yet eager smile to her face as she read the letter's response. Getting up from the common room, she went and knocked on Professor McGonagall's office door. "Come in," Slowly the girl opened it.

"Oh, Miss Potter?"

"Hello Professor, is this a bad time?"

The older witch shook her head, "No, I was just finishing. What can I do for you? Are you settling in alright? The reports I've gotten back from most of the other teachers say you're doing astonishing well. Even Professor Snape was impressed, and that is saying something."

"Thank you, Professor. I'm doing as well as can be expected. It's a nice change to be back in the Wizarding World, even if it's just for school"

McGonagall winced, "What is it you wished to see me about?"

Lucy bit her lip, "It's about Halloween. Is it mandatory that everyone comes to the "Feast"?

The woman raised an eyebrow, surprised at the question. "The Feast is a Celebration and everyone is invited to attend. Most if not all, do come."

The teen shook her head, "I am not most people. That day for me, is not of celebration, but rather a day of Mourning and Remembrance."

Professor McGonagall put her hand over her mouth as she gasped and her eyes widened in realization. "Oh Lucy! I am so sorry, it never occurred to me-!"

"Most never do, Harry is lucky. He only remembers certain pieces of it. I got the full picture because I was old enough"

"I still can't believe You- He missed you in that house"

"Momma hid me real good inside the nursery closet, on top of illusion charms and a powerful "Protego" shield that fell after Voldemort's curse backfired covering me with debris. My guess is there wasn't enough time for her to do the same for Harry"

The Professor nodded, "Yes, your mother was always talented in that area but you both survived."

"At a terrible price, one the "world" has forgotten or ignores. Professor, I don't want to ruin the other students' fun with their ignorant insensitivity. But I also don't want to make myself miserable. I've written and explained my situation to my old teacher, Miss Aurora. She and my friends, the other pupils she's taught with me. Have invited me to spend the night with them at the hospital in Surrey where they live upon receiving your permission.

Professor, Can I please do this? The next day is a Saturday and a Hogsmeade weekend. I could use the floo powder and be back at the Three Broomsticks by 2 o'clock? I'll even attend class the day of Halloween and leave at the end before the "Feast" starts"

McGonagall sighed; this was very unorthodox. "Perhaps if I knew Miss Aurora's last name and wrote then spoke with her in person."

Lucy took a moment to think it over, she really wanted to do this and she didn't want to cause trouble for her beloved teacher.

"Could you come closer?" she asked, the Professor. The witch raised an eyebrow unsure if she heard her correctly,

"What?"

"Could you please come here? I don't feel comfortable saying this out loud unless the nearby portraits are willing to take a vow of silence. The last thing I want is for this to be all over Hogwarts until she is ready to face it." Intrigued, Professor came closer.

"Dumbledore," the teen whispered, "Her name is Aurora Ariana Dumbledore. She's Alberforth's daughter"

Professor McGonagall backed away, her pupil dilating behind her glasses. "Alberforth? The Headmaster never mentioned-!"

"He doesn't know. After what happened with their sister… His brother has tried to keep his personal life a secret to protect her."

The witch nodded; she had known Albus had problems with his own family. But she didn't know it was THAT bad! He really should not be saying anything about the Potter children's living situation with the Dursleys. "Practice what you preach" as the saying goes.

Knowing that she was dealing with a Dumbledore made things look a little bit different. That woman was already a promising teacher from the sounds of it. The thought made her a little excited. "Yes, I will write to her and after conversing, if I feel it is a safe enough situation, you may go"

Lucy smiled,

"But even if things don't work out, you are NOT forced to attend the Feast. I promise you"

"Thank You!"

Time passed and Lucy did indeed get the approval. She did go to classes that day. But as everyone was heading down to the Feast, Lucy stopped her brother.

"I'm not going to the feast nor will I be back tonight. Please stay out of trouble"

Harry nodded, "I won't."

Having already packed her bag, she went out the giant castle doors beginning the walk to Hogsmeade. Coming out of the fireplace. The girl paused; it was quiet. Too quiet… Then-

" A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh In the jungle, the mighty jungle The lion sleeps tonight In the jungle, the quiet jungle The lion sleeps tonight – ho, ho! Weeheeheehee, dee heeheeheehee, weeoh aweem away"

Lucy laughed and tacked her friends…

Enjoy your time away Lucy. But something tells me, Harry is going to do the Opposite of what he promised... Hope you enjoyed and will review.