Disclaimers: Anything or anyone you don't recognise belongs to me, especially Eltala Riddle, and Lily Snape

Disclaimers: Anything or anyone you don't recognise belongs to me, especially Eltala Riddle, and Lily Snape. Everything else belongs to J K Rowlings. I haven't, and I won't make any money out of this!

Please R/R if you want me to continue!!! Even if you don't!

Unexpected - chapter Three

"Welcome" said Professor Dumbledore, the candlelight reflecting on his silvery beard. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. Apart from our new first year students, who of cause we all welcome, we have two new students for fifth year."

Eltala stepped forward. Her hair was swept back into a tight bun, which strangely resembled that of Professor McGonagall, except it was jet black. Professor Dumbledore introduced her as Eltala Riddle. It was obvious that she was nervous at the name being told to the whole school, but only some of the teachers reacted. Every one watched as Eltala put on the sorting hat.

"Gry - Slytherin!" The hat broke the silence. It was all that those who recognised the name expected, but it was obviously not what Eltala, herself, had been hoping for. Eltala removed the hat, and walked amongst staring and muttering to the Slytherin table, taking a seat next to Draco Malfoy.

Next, another girl stepped forward. She looked very much like the Potion Master, Professor Snape, except much prettier. She had long black messy hair which was pulled loosely back, and green eyes. A curl of black hair had escaped the mess, (which vaguely resembled a bun) and hung loosely down her pale forehead.

Professor Dumbledore introduced her as Lily Snape. Whispers swept through the Hall, echoing around the great marble walls. The first years looked to the older students, unsure of the commotion was about. The Great hall silenced, and every face looked towards Lily Snape as she put on the sorting hat. The silence that rolled around the hall seemed not to be a lack of noise at all. It was almost an anti-noise, so thick you might be able to cut it with a knife.

"Gryffindor!" The hat broke the silence, with the most unexpected noise. A Snape in Gryffindor? Lily removed the hat, and walked amongst staring and muttering to the Gryffindor table. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were in their fifth year at Hogwarts, and thus would be taking classes with the new girl, and they were curious to know whether the girl was in fact a relation to their most dreaded teacher – the potions master, Severus Snape.

After the feast, (which surpassed even it's own grand reputation, with huge platters of every type of food imaginable) the Gryffindors headed up to the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron walked with their other best friend, Hermione Granger, the Muggle-Born witch. They were about to ask Lily whether she really was a relation of Severus Snape, when the Transfiguration Professor, and head of Gryffindor house, stepped out of her office. Quickly she found the trio and asked them to step inside her office. Exchanging nervous glances, they did just that.

"No, you're not in trouble" reassured Professor McGonagall, seeing their looks. "I want to ask a favour from the three of you. - "

Hermione interrupted "Of course, we'll do anything to help." Ron sent her annoyed glance, not wanting them to get themselves involved with something, without knowing what.

"The new girl Lily, would you three look after her? I am sure you will find her well up to your standard of work, home tutored though. Also look out for Eltala. I know she isn't in your house, but I didn't think anyone in Slytherin would be- er….. suitable. This is probably much the biggest group of children of either them have ever seen" The Professor looked between them.

"We'd be glad to help, Professor." Harry assured her. "One thing though, is she is a re-"

With the usual bad timing, Professor Snape swept into the room in his usual way, shooting Harry and Ron a strange look. He was wearing not his usual black robes, but some of a deep bottle green, with silver trimmings. Professor McGonagall raised her hand, motioning for Snape to wait, and Harry to continue. Harry turned a deep shade of red, as red as Ron Weasley hair and freckles. He muttered something about it being nothing and he stood up and moved as if to leave, but Snape stopped him.

"I want to speak to you, Potter. Not now, I am busy, but maybe later? Yes? Tomorrow then, my office, six o'clock, say? After class? Good."

They left, puzzled. Harry couldn't be in trouble, yet could he? However, the Potions master had sounded almost cheerful, almost – nice? That meant that Harry was in trouble, unless – no it couldn't be -That Professor was never nice to the Gryffindors, and seemed to have a joint hobby with Draco Malfoy, his archenemy, and strangely enough Dudley Dursley, his fat cousin. This hobby was of course making Harry miserable.

Speak of the devil, who should come round the corner, but Draco Malfoy himself? He was looking positively dazed. Or maybe positively dazed, was the wrong term. Nothing to do with Malfoy could be positive, even without, his usual bodyguard, Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron broke the silence. "Lost?" he asked sarcastically.

"What? Oh. No, not lost, in fact coming looking for you, Potter. I want to tell you something"

This surprised every one, and Harry, smelling a rat, replied carefully:

"What d'ya want with me now, Malfoy? You know, you're really not up to your usual standards. No insults? No thug, to put us in hospital wing!?!?"

Malfoy looked hurt, and couldn't see, to think of anything to say in return. He came out in the end, sounding rather pathetic.

"Potter, you – you shut up! You'll wish you'd let me speak!" With that he stormed away.

Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way slowly back to the Gryffindor Tower, shocked. Malfoy had wanted to speak to Harry, but then had ran off without telling him why, Snape had nicely asked to speak with him. Was something wrong with the whole Slytherin House? Did they all want to talk with Harry?

They knocked on the entrance to the common room, for they hadn't heard the new password. Fred, (or was it George) came to the portrait, and welcomed them inside, telling them that the new password, was 'Sorcery'.

They were in a large cosy room, with golden walls. Scattered across the common room, were lots of squashy scarlet armchairs. Some were pulled up to desks, but unlike during the middle of the term, these desks were empty, and looked unused. Some gold lanterns, scattered around the walls and ceiling, lit the room, for not much light came through the windows. Through the window, you could see the lake to the left, an almost full moon reflected on the water. To the right, was the Quidditch pitch, the six golden hoops looking strangely unreal, in the bright moonbeams.

Harry looked around the crowded common room, looking for Lily Snape. She was sitting by herself, by the fire. Hermione went to finish reading her new schoolbooks, and Ron went to talk with Ginny. Harry walked slowly over to where Lily was sitting. She was, like Hermione, reading her new schoolbooks, but they didn't seem to be giving her the same amount of pleasure that they gave Hermione.

"May I sit there?" Harry inquired, indicating the chair next to her, covered in books.

Lily blushed, and quickly moved the books of the chair.

"Lily, I'd like to ask you something, it's your choice if you answer, of course."

"Ask me anything, I don't mind."

"Are you at all related to the Potions Master, Professor Snape?"

"I suppose it can't be hidden for ever. Yes, he's my father."

Harry, was startled, he didn't know what he was expecting, either a no, or something like an uncle, but Father? He was about to say something, when Professor McGonnagall stepped inside the common room.

"Professor Dumbledore has asked me to remind you, since last year's Yule Ball was such a success, that we will be having a ball this year, in two and a half weeks. This time it is for the whole school."

She left. Cheering erupted around the common room, especially those who had been at the Yule Ball (5th year up). Even Harry found himself cheering along with the rest, although he had hated the Yule Ball. But maybe this year, Cho Chang would go with him.

Ron sat down beside Harry, looking thoroughly bored. Harry thought he knew just the way, to brighten his friend.

"Who are you asking to the Ball?"

A/N Haven't quite decided who Ron should ask. If you have any ideas, tell me.