NEW PART!! YAY!  (This part is dedicated to Skye who was SUCH a good reviewer.  Thank you for your support!)

PART 3: Surprise Beginnings

            Professor Snape's head snapped up and he frowned. "Potter, what are you doing here?  This is a restricted area you know.  You should be wandering in people's rooms."

            "I heard Aleese scream. What have you done to her??" He asked, motioning to the redheaded girl.  For a moment, he was surprised to see the red hair, instead of the hood he was accustomed to.  She stopped crying and seemed to be listening.

            "I didn't' do anything to her, and the insinuation that you've made is just disgusting Potter.  I was merely comforting her after a nightmare." Snape responded, his tone dripping with distain.  Aleese sniffled, and his arm reflexively rubbed her back..

            "Aleese?  Are you alright?" Harry asked, quietly. 

            "I'm fine, Harry. Thank you." Aleese's muffled voice came through.  She turned her body and moved away from Snape.  Her head faced towards the bed, her nose appearing behind her veil of red-gold hair. 

            "What's going on?" Dumbledore asked, as he rushed into the room.  His eyes settled on Aleese, and he rushed over to the bed, and pulled her close. "Are you alright?"

            "She's fine," Snape said, and he stood up.

            "Thanks Serveus." Dumbledore said. "I was in a meeting across the school.  Was it…?"

            "Yes, daddy, it was another nightmare." Aleese said, holding him close.  The whole room took a collective gasp, and Dumbledore kissed Aleese's forehead.  Snape wandered over and ushered the students out of the door.

            Back in the common room of the Gryffindor tower, the students were abuzz. Questions of Aleese were flying across the room, and whispers of surprise radiated.

            "I can't believe Dumbledore has a daughter. Fitting isn't it, that Voldemort would do that to Dumbledore." Hermione said.

            "When I saw them like that, I thought that Snape had raped her or something." Ron piped up.

            "So did I.  Then when he acted that way, I thought that HE was her father! I was so surprised! I mean…Aleese being SNAPE's daughter?" Harry winced "Ug"

            "I didn't know that Dumbledore had a daughter though. I mean, you'd have thought he'd have told us." Hermione frowned.

            "I would have told you, if I didn't think it would affect things as it has." Dumbledore said from the doorway. The room fell silent and they all blushed crimson. "Its alright, I understand, this is all a shock to you. That's why I'm here to explain it."

            "But…" Ron sighed quietly.                          

            "Aleese has been plagued with Nightmares since she was a small child. Like Harry Potter, she sees her mother dying, and the curse being placed upon herself.  It's a terrifying experience, and it pains her every time she remembers it.  For a while, she had no nightmares so I thought she was safe."

            "How did her mother die?" Harry asked quietly.  His tone was respectful, but curious.  Dumbledore studied his eyes, and saw the look of pain that occurs at loosing someone close.

            "My wife died shortly after my daughters birth, due to complications.  We had only been married a year when Aleese was born, and I have taken care of her most of my life, with the help of friends.  Snape, as you have witnessed, is especially close to my daughter.  He's known her since she was very young, and acts like a second father to her.  I've been very fortunate, really, with all the support."

            "So, what will happen to her now?" Hermione asked.

            "I'm going to take her out of the school. I was wrong in thinking that she would be able to take it.  It's very stressful to not be able to see people, to not sleep at night, and to be insulted and laughed at." Dumbledore sighed.

            The room roared, and all around him people were trying to convince him to let her stay.

            "I am not sure this is the wisest course! I have to consider my daughter's safety!" Dumbledore quietly argued.  "I will leave it up to her to decide."

            The room slowly turned to face Aleese.  "I…I don't know…I mean…" She muttered quietly, rather shocked.  "I…"

Authors Note: BREW HA HA HA!!! Another Cliff Hanger!