Chapter Two

A Fresh Beginning

Severus's POV

I woke up the next morning around 8:00am. I quietly opened the door to Katie's room to find her still sleeping. The sun was shining on her face and I could see her features clearly. Her hair was dark brown and curly like her mother and from last night, she had green eyes like her father.

After checking in on her I went downstairs and found a letter on the table. Next to it was a brown owl. Dumbledore's sent a letter already. He doesn't waste time does he? I sat down next to the table and opened the letter.

Dear Severus,

I know that last nights events happened so suddenly. I hope you and Katie are doing alright. Despite your complaints last night, I know you and her will hit it off. Just don't worry about it. I know you'll do a great job raising her. Remember, school will be starting again in only a month, so start getting ready.

Albus Dumbledore

Only a month until the beginning of a new year. It seemed like there was a lot more time until then. That only gives me a month to get to know Katie, and then help her get ready for school. Will she be able to do the spells in her mind? I hope everything works out. Oh brother would you look at me? I'm becoming soft.

I suddenly felt someone tapping my shoulder and when I turned around Katie was standing in front of me. "Good morning. I hope you were able to get some sleep last night."

She nodded and then sat down beside me. There's no food here so I guess we have to go out. " What do you usually have for breakfast?"

To my surprise she picked up the paper on the table and flipped through it until she held up an ad. "So… you go to the old restaurant in the center of Hogsmeade? Well I guess it's off to the center then." Katie gave me a questioning look but I just nodded.

Katie's POV

Breakfast was great. My uncle was being so nice to me, considering I had only just met him last night. This makes me wonder if all of my papa's stories were true. He said that my uncle was cold hearted and very strict and mean, but he's been nothing other than extra nice to me. He probably just over reacted.

" So… what do we do now? Sorry if I mess up at all, I'm not really used to taking care of kids…" he said.

Well, this will make things a lot of fun. Hm… I do need some new clothes since I don't have any of my things. I wonder how he feels about shopping…

I tapped him and then pointed at my dress. He stood there for a minute and then gave me a clueless look. " Pink? Cloth…? Clothes?"

As soon as he said clothes I nodded my head. Gosh, sometimes I wish I could talk. Things would be much easier for both of us.

" So you want to go sho-shopping?" my uncle asked with a stutter.

If you ask me he didn't like the idea. I guess I can see he's a little hesitant. I mean I AM the first kid he's had to take care of. Oh well, this ought to be fun.

We walked around for about a half hour until we came to a clothing store. It was the most amazing place I had ever seen. Everything was perfect. I must have seen a bazillion things I liked but I was only able to get 3 things. All of them were dresses though, but I loved each of them.

By the time we got home it was almost 2:00pm. I know, we spent a lot of time shopping, but what can I say, it was fun. When I got inside I noticed a letter on the table. I ran over and suddenly smiled as I found it was to me!

I grabbed the envelope and ran over to Uncle Snape. He looked at it for a minute and then handed it back to me. " Go on, open it."

I smiled brightly and carefully opened the envelope and looked at the letter. It was written in cursive and I couldn't read all of the words to I held it up to Snape so he could read it to me. He didn't seem to mind and cleared his throat.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely

Minerva McGonagall

Severus's POV

When I looked back up Katie had the largest smile I had ever seen on her face. I'm guessing her parents told her all about their experiences at Hogwarts, so she probably can't wait to go. " I'll send them a letter back saying you'll go, okay?"

Katie nodded quickly and smiled. I can tell this is going to be a very interesting year. Now that reminds me. It's already almost August. Her birthday's coming up. What am I supposed to get her? I know, I'll ask Professor McGonagall. She's a girl after all. I swear, this is going to be the death of me.

Katie had now gone back upstairs, probably to change. First I wrote the reply to Dumbledore and then I pulled out a blank piece of paper and started writing.

Dear Minerva,

I'm sorry to trouble you but I'm in a little bit of a jam. Everything's been okay so far. I guess it's not as hard as I thought it would be, although I never knew that girls clothing was so expensive. But now I have a new problem. Katie's birthday is coming up and I have no clue what to get her. You've just got to help me come up with something. I mean, you ARE a girl and all. So please, reply ASAP. Thank you.

Severus Snape

I then gave the letter to the owl and it was off. After it was out of sight I sat down beside he front window and picked up a copy of the daily prophet. My eye's widened at the first page. Rita Skeeter's daughter was now head reporter. This spells trouble. I'll never forget how much trouble she was back when Harry was in school and now her daughter's grown up to be just like her. This is going to be one crazy year.