Here you go, another chapter. To be honest I'm not 100% happy with this one but I decided to post it anyway because I didn't know how I could have made it better anyway. I hope you'll like it. Next one is Diagon Alley and Daisy will meet a certain blond head. In the meantime, tell me what you think about this one.

Chapter 4

SEVERUS SNAPE

Severus Snape apparated in a narrow alley as close as possible to number 4 Privet Drive, making sure he was out of sight of any muggle passerbys. He couldn't believe he had actually volunteered for this. Yet, that letter…there was nothing apparently worrying in it, but it was what wasn't explicitly mentioned that was the problem.

Daisy Potter had been kept in the dark about Hogwarts, about magic altogether. Did she even know how her parents had died? Why had they died?

Severus hadn't known before that morning where exactly Potter had been sent to after…after that night. Dumbledore had simply said that she would be safe and Severus had left it at that, too caught up in his own grief and guilt to care about the Potter child. He had imagined the girl-who-lived would grow up pampered and spoiled and she certainly didn't need more mollycoddling, especially not from him.

Finding out that Daisy Potter had been sent to live with Lily's jealous and spiteful sister for ten years though…and that address: 'the cupboard under the stairs'.

Dumbledore hadn't wanted him to go, preferring to send that buffoon Hagrid to show her her first glimpse of the Wizarding World. But this time Severus had put his foot down. He had to see for himself. He had spent ten years dreading the moment when the child of the woman he loved and the man he hated would arrive at Hogwarts. He had spent ten years convincing himself that that child would be as spoilt and arrogant and obnoxious as James Potter – pretending to hate her, to keep his cover, would have been easier than anything he had ever done.

And then her letter had arrived and Minerva had immediately come to him, had shown him the address the Hogwarts letter had bent sent to, told him of the night she and Dumbledore, and Hagrid, had left Potter on the Dursleys' doorstep. How Minerva had been convinced those were the worst muggles she had ever seen. How Dumbledore had convinced her – as it often happened – that that would be the best thing for Daisy Potter, to keep her safe.

'I'm afraid we made a terrible mistake, Severus.' She had told him then, fear and dread in her eyes. And that – Minerva's reaction – was what had finally convinced Severus to come investigate for himself, going – for the first time since he had first changed sides – against Dumbledore's wishes.

Severus' long strides brought him at the door of the Dursleys' house. He rang on the doorbell and waited. He didn't have to wait long. Soon, a woman he knew very well – though he hadn't seen her in sixteen years – answered the door. Petunia Evans – Dursley now – looked the same, only older. Same washed-up blonde hair, same long neck, same long face and horse teeth, same large, pale blue eyes. There was nothing of Lily's beauty on her; Severus had often wondered how those two could have been sisters.

"YOU!" Petunia shrieked at him, with the same shrill voice he remembered her having.

Severus smirked at her, finding satisfaction in the fact that, even after all those years, Petunia had recognized him immediately. "Hello Tuney." He said, using Lily's old nickname for her.

"VERNOOONNNN!" Petunia screamed at the top of her lungs for her husband, Severus presumed.

He rolled his eyes at her, already getting tired of her histrionics. "No need for such theatrics Petunia. You knew we would come eventually. Dumbledore's letter said as much, did it not? Where is she?"

When Petunia didn't answer, Severus asked again. "Where is Daisy Potter?"

"I'm here." A faint voice could be heard in answer.

"I demand that you leave at once, sir!" Vernon Dursley said. "You are breaking and entering! I will call the police if you don't."

Severus ignored Vernon's sputtering, moving the two Dursleys out of the way with a wand gesture, then he walked the few steps separating him from the door of the cupboard the voice had come from.

When he opened the door of the cupboard and first saw her dark hair, his first reaction was to sneer – the haircolour reminding him immediately of James – but the moment she raised her head to look at him, Snape's heart lurched in his chest. Vivid green. Lily's eyes. And no glasses to hide them.

It took a moment longer for Severus to notice the rest of her. He was relieved to notice that she wasn't a copy of either of her parents. Lily's eyes in James Potter's face would have been too much for him to bear. But having Daisy Potter looking exactly like Lily would have still been a blow to his forbearance. He could still see hints of both her parents on her face – her nose and chin were definitely Lily's while the arch of her eyebrows and her oval face was James'. Her high – almost aristocratic – cheekbones and her small mouth she had probably inherited from someone in the family line, because he had vivid memories of both their faces and neither James Potter's nor Lily's had looked like hers.

Daisy Potter was a beautiful child, not that Severus really expected any differently. Lily had been beautiful and striking, and James – loathe as Severus was to admit it – had been very handsome too. Perhaps not as handsome as the traitor Black had been, but still good-looking enough that he had no problem attracting the attention of basically all the female population at school – even the slytherin girls, who wouldn't usually be interested in gryffindor boys. He had certainly managed to attract Lily's attention, for far longer than she had been willing to admit – but Severus had known, he had always known.

And there, half hidden behind a lock of hair on her forehead, slightly to the left, was the famous scar. A lightning bolt, small but clearly visible and still red like the wound could have reopened at any time.

Severus observed the rest of her and frowned. She was far too thin, nearly skin and bones, her clothes threadbare and far too big for her frame, more fitting for a boy than a girl. And she was far too pale as well, almost sickly so – the kind of paleness a child who was kept too much time inside would assume. Lily had been fair-skinned like her daughter, but her complexion had glowed and the freckles on her nose and cheeks had made her look slightly tanned even in winter.

Severus resorted to Occlumency to make sure no expression crossed his face – though inside he was seething in rage – before he said, "hello Miss Potter. My name is Severus Snape, Potions Professor at Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House. I believe we have a lot to talk about."

Daisy Potter blinked at him, then smiled, a smile so bright it lighted up her whole face. Severus recognized that smile – it was the same smile Lily used to give him when he would talk of Hogwarts to her before the both of them had received their letters.

"I was afraid you wouldn't receive my letter. Or that you wouldn't come even if you did." She said at last, still smiling.

"What letter? What did you do, girl?" Vernon asked with a voice he probably believed was threatening. Severus sent him a chilling look and the fat man shut up immediately.

"Why don't we proceed to the living room, Miss Potter? The conversation we're about to have require sitting down."

"Yes, sir." Daisy said, gesturing with one hand for him to proceed her.

"Stop!" Vernon commanded. "Stop right there, sir! I forbid you to tell the girl anything!"

Severus turned around and said, voice glacial. "I don't think you understand, Mr. Dursley. Miss Potter should have been told about Hogwarts and our world, as it was her right, years before receiving her Hogwarts letter. The fact that you kept her in the dark for ten years doesn't change the fact that she belongs there. She will be going to Hogwarts, whether you like it or not. Your permission is not necessary nor wanted. Your only obligation was towards her wellbeing – which you didn't fulfill at all, as I can see. When it comes to wizarding matters, you don't have a say. Have I made myself clear? Now, if you don't mind, I would like to talk with Miss Potter alone, so I advise you to take a very long walk, and to bring your son with you. We don't want to be disturbed and if you dare to do so, I assure you, I won't be happy and you won't like the consequences."

Vernon was about to retort, his face assuming a puce color so deep, Severus was very nearly worried he was going to have a stroke. Petunia put a hand on her husband's arm, to stop him from saying anything, and instead shook her head at him. Vernon sighed, calmed down, glared at Daisy one last time and then the two went up the stairs, presumably to get their son and then get out of the way.

"Come on, Miss Potter. I'm afraid it's going to take all day to explain everything."

The two of them sat on the sofa and then Severus summoned a tray with hot tea, some biscuits and sandwiches. Daisy startled at first, but then an expression of wonder filled her face.

"Please, serve yourself, Miss Potter, it looks like you need it."

Daisy bit her lip in silent indecision and looked at him almost pleadingly. "I assure you, Miss Potter. I'm not trying to poison you." At the shake of her head, Severus sighed, sensing what the problem was. "Am I to assume the Dursleys would punish you if you were to take food that didn't come from them?"

"Yes, sir. I wasn't even allowed to eat at the school canteen."

"I assure you, no one is going to punish you if you eat what's on the tray. In fact, no one is every going to punish you again for taking food when offered."

Daisy smiled at him again, though this time her smile was more cautious and shier than before. "Thank you, professor."

Severus observed her drinking a cup of tea and then nibbling on a few biscuits. Two small sandwiches later, it seemed like she was done. "Are you sure, you don't want more?"

Daisy frowned, looking uncomfortable. "My stomach…it rejects food if I eat too much." She merely said.

Severus understood immediately and decided that a visit from Pomphrey was in order. Starvation and vitamin D deficiency to begin with, perhaps stunt growth as well – both Lily and James had been taller at eleven. Potter needed a full evaluation, as soon as possible, to start remedy the damage the Dursleys had inflicted on her body. Severus would make sure to brew the potions she needed himself. He had made a promise to protect her after all, and it seemed, up until now, he had failed miserably.

"So, Miss Potter. Your relatives didn't tell you anything about Hogwarts, isn't that right?"

"Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir, they didn't tell me anything."

"Do you know how your parents died and why you were left on the Dursleys' doorstep?"

"No, sir. My aunt and uncle told me that my parents died in a car crash. That my father was a good for nothing drunk who killed both himself and my mother. And they also told me that's how I got my scar."

Severus was enraged. How dare those muggles tell such lies? Lily died to save her daughter, she sacrificed herself so that Daisy Potter could live and those muggles told her daughter that her mother died in a car crash?

Though, he had to acknowledge, if the Dursleys wanted to keep Daisy ignorant of the Wizarding World, as it was obvious that had been their intent, they couldn't certainly have told her that they had been killed by the Dark Lord.

"I never believed it, though." Daisy continued, bringing Severus out of his thoughts. "I often dream of them. Of my mother especially. I remember a little of her face – her eyes like mine, and her red hair, like living flames. I remember her pleading someone not to kill me. I remember her screams. And a green light." Severus flinched, unable to suppress his reaction at hearing of Lily's final moments. "They were killed, were they, my parents?"

"Yes, Miss Potter." Severus said at last, once he had calmed down enough to be able to tell her the truth. "Both your father and mother were magical. Your father came from a long line of witches and wizards while your mother was what we call 'muggleborn' because she was a witch born of muggle parents – muggle is the term we use to indicate someone born without magic, like your relatives. Years ago, long before you were born, a very powerful dark wizard rose to power. He was so terrible that even now, ten years after his defeat, most people in the wizarding world are still afraid of saying his name. We mostly call him He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, You-Know-Who or the Dark Lord. I will say his name only once, then I beg you not to use it in my presence, but to refer to him with one of his monikers." At Daisy's nod, Severus said, "his name was Voldemort."

Daisy nodded again, mouthing the name, trying it out. Severus waited a second before continuing, "the Dark Lord believed that only those born from wizarding families deserved to belong in the wizarding world and that muggles and muggleborns didn't deserve to live in this world and they had no business mixing their dirty blood with wizard kind.

"He gathered followers, people who shared in his ideals; they called themselves Death Eaters. A war broke out, and your parents, like many others, rose up against the Dark Lord and his followers. The Dark Lord targeted them and your parents went into hiding. The 31st of October 1981, the Dark Lord discovered where your parents had been hiding and he killed first your father and then your…your mother. But when he raised his wand against you, something happened and somehow, you survived when you should have died, that scar on your forehead the only sign left of your attack, while the Dark Lord's curse rebound unto him.

"That night he was defeated, while you were dubbed the girl-who-lived, the only person who had survived the killing curse – that is the green light you see in your nightmares. Professor Dumbledore – the Headmaster of Hogwarts –, believing the Dark Lord is not really dead, merely in hiding, has decided to leave you with your mother's only relative, your aunt. He's convinced, you see, that it was your mother's sacrifice that saved your life that night. And that the protection of that sacrifice lives into you. As long as you live with someone of the same blood as your mother's, the power of Lily's sacrifice remains strong in your veins."

"Does that mean that I have to stay here? When I'm not at Hogwarts, I mean?" Daisy frowned, her eyes clouding in disappointment.

"I'm afraid so, Miss Potter. However, I promise you, any mistreatment you have suffered until now at their hands, will cease. We have been remiss, not sending anyone to check on you in all these years. We won't make the same mistake again. I will assure personally that your treatment from now on will be as it should have been from the start."

"I tried to tell many times – usually to a teacher – how the Dursleys would treat me, but no one ever believed me. You're the first adult I met that has ever even acknowledge it. I want to believe you, professor. I want to believe that you'll do as you promised me." The 'please, don't disappoint me' written all over her face even if she didn't say it aloud.

Severus merely nodded in response before deciding it was time to change the subject. "I believe it is time you learn about Hogwarts now. But first, I would like to ask you something. You weren't disbelieving when you received your letter. Why is that?"

Daisy shrugged. "I guess I always knew, somehow, that I was different. I can do things that others can't. Magic seemed like a good explanation for that."

"You had incidents, I presume, when your emotions got the best of you. That is called accidental magic. It happens to all magical children before they learn to control their magic inside them, studying at Hogwarts."

Daisy nodded. "Yes. But that's not all. I can…control it, a little."

"Is that so? And what is that you can do?"

"Lots of things. I can open locked doors and padlocks. Move things with my mind. Jump from really up high and not get hurt. Summon balls of light. Light candles. Make flowers bloom."

"Make flowers bloom?" Severus asked, startled once again. Lily used to make flowers bloom in her hands. It was how Severus had known she had been a witch.

"Yes." Daisy replied, not realizing the significance of her last statement. "And sometimes, I just need to wish for something really, really hard and that thing would happen. Like this year, the Dursleys were forced to bring me along to the zoo for Dudley's birthday and we were in the snake house and Dudley got me mad and I wished for the glass to disappear so that the snake inside could escape and…and it did. Just like that. And also…" she hesitated a little before continuing, "I can speak to snakes too."

Severus' eyes widened before he could control his facial expressions. "You can speak to snakes? And they talk back?"

"Yes, sir. The snake I freed at the zoo – a boa constrictor –, and the garden snakes that I sometimes find in the front lawn. I can understand what they say. The boa told me that I was speaking in the snake language. Though I don't understand how I can speak a different language that I never learned. Unless I learnt it when I was really young, before my parents…Could my parents speak to snakes too?"

"No, Miss Potter. The snake language is called Parseltongue and those who speak it are called Parselmouths. But the ability to speak parseltongue is very rare. Only someone descended from Salazar Slytherin can speak it. Or, at least, that is what we always believed. But your mother was a muggleborn and, as far as everyone knows, the Potter line is not descended from Slytherin."

"Who's Salazar Slytherin?"

"One of the Founders of Hogwarts, together with Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. Slytherin was renowned for his ability to speak to snakes, though he wasn't the first one. However, only his line survived to this day – once again, as far as we're aware."

"Then how…?"

Severus sighed. "The Dark Lord…he was descended from Salazar Slytherin. He, too, could speak parseltongue. It's common knowledge. Because of that, more than for any other reason, parseltongue is considered a dark ability; I advise you then, not to spread the knowledge around that you can speak it." At Daisy's nod, Severus continued his explanation. "It is possible that, when the Dark Lord tried to kill you that night, he inadvertently left a little of his powers in you."

"You mean, I can speak to snakes because Vol…I mean, the Dark Lord could speak to snakes?" Daisy's face assumed an expression of horrified disbelief.

"I'm afraid so, Miss Potter. Though, it's only my conjecture. Nothing is certain." Daisy hummed in acknowledgment but she didn't look convinced. Severus decided that to return to their initial topic of conversation. "I believe we should resume our conversation about Hogwarts now."

"Yes, sir. I would like to hear about Hogwarts."

"Like I already told you, Hogwarts was founded by four very powerful magical beings, two witches and two wizards. Each one of them would choose their students based on specific characteristics. And even today, Hogwarts sort his students into four Houses, named after the four founders. I am, myself, Head of Slytherin House. Then there is Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher, the one who sent you the Hogwarts letter, who is both Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. Moreover, there are Hufflepuff House – and its Head of House, Professor Pomona Sprout, who teaches Herbology – and Ravenclaw House – and its Head of House, Professor Filius Flitwick, who teaches Charms.

"Gryffindor House values bravery, courage, determination and daring – though its students can also be brash, arrogant and reckless. Ravenclaw House values intelligence, wit, creativity and wisdom – though its students can also be snotty know-it-alls, willing to backstab each other to come out on top. Hufflepuff House values loyalty, hard work, patience and dedication – though since Hufflepuff accepts students who are rejected from the other Houses, it also has the reputation of forming less talented witches and wizards.

"And finally, Slytherin House values cunning, ambition, resourcefulness, self-preservation, determination and pride – though because Salazar Slytherin valued blood-purity, Slytherin House has a reputation of accepting only purebloods. That is untrue. I am, myself, a half-blood and, even though it is rare, it has happened from time to time that muggleborns were also sorted into Slytherin. Moreover, Slytherin house has a dark reputation. Many followers of the Dark Lord were Slytherins – though the other houses like to forget that just as many came from the other Houses. Members of Slytherin House are often dubbed dark wizards and blood-purists for this reason, even if, I assure you, most of them don't share in these believes."

Potter looked fascinated by his explanation but also confused. "Do you have any questions?"

Severus noticed her biting her lower lip once again – it seems that was her signature gesture of nervousness. "You're allowed to ask questions, Miss Potter." He reassured her.

"Really?" Daisy asked him, looking pleadingly at him. "And will you answer without making me feel stupid?"

Severus frowned, understanding what the problem was. "You have a right to ask questions, Miss Potter. In fact, I encourage you to. No question is ever stupid. And I will provide you with the answer, as far as I'm able."

Daisy nodded. "How are the students sorted?"

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't tell you that. It's a tradition that the method of the sorting would remain secret until the moment of the sorting itself. All I can tell you is that it will be a kind of…test. Nothing difficult, nothing you will need to worry over. And you won't need any previous knowledge of magic to pass it. It's more of a…personality test, I would say."

"And my parents…in which House were they when they were at Hogwarts?"

"Gryffindor, both of them."

"Will I be in Gryffindor too?"

Severus wanted to answer that, yes, she would surely be in Gryffindor. Where else would the girl-who-lived end up in? He bit his tongue though and answered, "Not necessarily. Though often children end up in their parents' House, it is not always the case. In fact, if that were to happen, it has something more to do with the way the children were brought up that in the fact that the sorting is somehow inherited. The sorting is based on your personality and characteristics, not that of your parents."

"I'm still not sure I understand the point of the sorting though. People can be both ambitious and brave, intelligent and loyal etc. People are complex beings. They can't just be put into boxes."

Severus stared at her, surprised at her words. It seemed that there was an intelligent and inquisitive mind behind those familiar green eyes. Perhaps Ravenclaw was an equally fair option for her, like it had been for Lily. "You're right, Miss Potter. But most often than not, one personality trait is more prominent than another. People can be a lot of things at the same time, but the Sorting will decide not only who you are and where you are most fit to be in, but also the person you'd want to become, what you value most. Is it ambition? Is it bravery? Is it intelligence? Is it loyalty? Is that clear?"

"I think so, yes. Thank you, sir."

Severus nodded. "Do you have any other questions?"

Daisy grinned, a mischievous grin that Severus somewhat recognized, but there was none of the malice there often was in James Potter's. "About a thousand. But, most of all, I would like to know about the Hogwarts curriculum. You spoke of Potions, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms. I would like to know more about those. And the other subjects I'll learn at school."

"Very well. Potions are created by mixing a number of various ingredients together – some come from plants, others from animals and insects – and they're used to provoke certain determined reactions on the drinker. Potions can be used to cure illnesses, to poison or to counteract poisons. They have an incredible number of uses, in fact, and they vary in nature, brewing difficulty and effects.

"Transfiguration is a branch of magic that focuses on the alteration of the form or appearance of an object, via the alteration of the object's molecular structure. Charms, also known as enchantments, are spells that add certain properties to an object or individual. Charms are distinguished from transfigurations in that a charm adds or changes the properties of an object; it focuses on altering what the object does as opposed to what the object is.

"Herbology is the study of magical and mundane plants and fungi. I suppose you could see it as the wizarding equivalent to botany. A lot of the plants and fungi you will study in Herbology, you will probably find in Potions class as ingredients for various potions. A witch or wizard who wants to excel in Potions can't underestimate the importance of Herbology, especially because it's always better to be able to plant and harvest your own ingredients – or at least supply yourself from a reliable herbologist – instead of relying on the ones from the Apothecary, which can sometimes be of lower quality and could, therefore, negatively affect the potions you'll be trying to brew.

"The other subjects you will start this year are: Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic and Astronomy. In Defense Against the Dark Arts class, students study and learn how to defend themselves against all aspects of the Dark Arts, including dark creatures, curses, hexes and jinxes – dark charms –, and dueling. Astronomy is the branch of magic and science that studies stars and the movement of planets. Astronomy is another subject connected to Potions since many potions are brewed under specific astronomical events. History of Magic is the study of magical history, as it is easily inferred by its name. It's a purely theoretical subject which you will study for five years, unlike all other subjects, which you will have the option of continuing for all your seven years at Hogwarts.

"In year five, you will take an exam called O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level), a standardised subject-specific test administered by the Wizarding Examinations Authority, of the Ministry of Magic, for every subject you will have studied for the first five years at Hogwarts. After that, for year sixth and seventh, based on the results of your OWLs and your own preferences, you will continue your NEWT subjects. N.E.W.T (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test) are the exams that students have to pass to be able to pursue their chosen careers. In your second year you will also choose a minimum of two and a maximum of five further subjects which you will begin to study in your third year.

"These subjects are: Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Muggle Studies. Divination is the branch of magic that involves attempting to foresee the future, or gather insights into past, present and future events, through various rituals and tools. Arithmancy is the magical discipline that studies the magical properties of numbers, including predicting the future with numbers and numerology, calculating probabilities, magnitude, strength and effectiveness of magical forces. Moreover, arithmancy formulas are the basis for the creation of new spells.

"Ancient Runes are the study of runic scriptures, also called Runology. Runes are symbols representing various sound values, belonging to a runic alphabet. The runes themselves can be used both as an alphabet or as stand-in for whole words (as logograms). They were used to write various Germanic languages in North-Western Europe – including Old English – in the period 100-1100 AD. As a writing system they were used to write texts, but also to carve inscriptions in stones or other items. During the Early Middle Ages many Old English inscriptions were written in runes; this caused them to be widely used by many Medieval wizard communities in Great Britain. Ancient Runes were the language in which spells were written before being replaced with Latin as the main language. However, though the incantation of the spells we use today is in Latin, the wand movement chosen for the spell is a rune that visually represent the effect of the spell being executed.

"Care of Magical Creatures, also known as Creature Care, is the subject that deals with the feeding, maintaining, breeding, and proper treatment of magical creatures. Usually those who pursue this subject past their OWLs are interested in becoming Magizoologists. And finally, Muggle Studies involves the study of the history and daily lives of Muggles, and how they are able to live without magic, but instead with electricity, technology and science. You will find more in-depth information in your textbooks. Do you have any questions?"

"I do. Where do I find the school books and other things that I will need for Hogwarts?"

"There's a place hidden from muggles called Diagon Alley. The entrance to the Alley is in a pub called the Leaky Cauldron in the centre of London. I'll show you tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?"

"Because we need to take care of some things first today. I told you that I intend on making sure that your mistreatment at the Dursleys' hands will end today and I meant it."