Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related is the property of J.K. Rowling and anyone else who has claim to a piece of Harry's fame

Disclaimer 2: I own the plot and Saerry Snape.  Nothing more, nothing less

A/N: Severitus – Thank you.  Unfortunately he's not (though that's a good idea for another story!  *grin*)  So do I.  Its fun to write the two of them together.  ^^  Oh, and he knows.  You'll see that in this chapter.  Yes, its fun to weave the challenge into this.  Especially for writing things like the scene on the train  *evil grin*.  *laugh*  Very heavily debated.  Heheh.  ^___^  I look forward to that.

Ah really?  Cool.  ^^  Yep, its fun to mess with people's minds.  J

Chapter 5

**Snape's, Werewolves, and Worries**

Saerry awoke with a start, sitting up quickly and looking around the room frantically.  It took her a moment to remember all that had happened and as she remembered she relaxed and lay back down onto the bed, pulling the dark green cover up to her chin.

A few moments later there was a soft knock at the door and she said, "Come in."

Her older brother Severus entered the room, his face lighting up when he saw her.

"Good evening."

"Evening brother."

Severus frowned and sat on the bed beside her.  "Something wrong?"

Saerry shook her head and replied, "Nothings wrong."

"Saerry . ."

"What?"

"I know something's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong Sev, I swear."

Severus chuckled and said, "You haven't changed a bit Saer.  Now, come along.  The Sorting's about to begin and you look like you haven't had anything to eat in weeks."

"I haven't."

Her brother's face instantly shadowed and he said, "C'mon then.  I refuse to let my sister waste away into nothing."

Saerry shook her head and ducked under the covers.

"Oh no you don't . . ."

Saerry giggled as Severus tried to pull the cover off.  He gave a little humph then said, "Ah ha!"  A second later he was tickling her sides and she was laughing her head off.

"Sev . . . . please . ."

"Not until you come down with me!"

"Sev . . ."

"I'm not stopping till you come."

"AH!  FINE!"

Severus stopped tickling her and got up.  As Saerry poked her head out from under the covers he grinned and held out a hand.  She gave a half-smile then threw the covers off, rising to take his hand.

With a smile he handed her a brush and said, "For your hair."

Saerry ran the brush through her hair one-handed then sat it down on the bed.

"Let's go."

Severus gave a faint nod and led her out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As the horseless carriage stopped at the front of the castle, Harry, Hermione, and Ron piled out of it, heading quickly up the stairs.  They walked quickly into the Great Hall, only slowing to let Ron's twin brothers Fred and George catch up along with their friend Lee Jordan.

Fred grinned and asked, "So, Harry, how was your summer?"

Harry sighed.  "Horrible."

Fred looked about to say something when George asked, "What happened to your hair?"

Harry rolled his eyes then heard the question asked again as Ginny, Ron's younger and only sister, joined them as well.  He looked at all of them and glumly said, "I don't want to talk about it okay?"  With that he walked faster, heading into the hall before them.

The twins looked at each other then turned to Ron.

"What's up with him?"

Just as Ron opened his mouth to reply, Hermione covered his mouth with her hand and said, "Another run-in with Malfoy."

The twins eyes narrowed.  George hissed, "Slimy Slytherin," and Fred nodded in agreement, followed by Lee.  Ginny frowned, looking off after Harry.

As more people came in, they headed on into the Great Hall to catch up with Harry.  They saw him sitting alone, staring down at the tabletop, paying no attention to what was going on around him.  Quickly, they hurried over to him, Ron sitting down beside him with Hermione beside him and Fred, George, and Lee on the other side of the table.  Ginny squeezed into the spot on Harry's other side and gently touched his shoulder.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up at her, his eyes smoldering with confusion.  A second later it was gone and he said, "Hello Ginny."

Ginny frowned, worried, and asked, "Is something wrong Harry?"

"WILL ALL OF YOU STOP ASKING ME THAT?  NOTHING'S WRONG!"

Everyone blinked at Harry's outburst and several people from other tables and their own looked over at them.  Harry looked back down at the table and closed his eyes, obviously not wanting to talk.

Ginny felt a little pang inside but she left him alone.  Ron tried to get Harry to join in the conversation but gave up when Harry looked up once to glare at him.  Hermione looked worriedly at her friend, her eyes meeting Ginny's over his bowed head.  Fred and George also looked worried but they were happily talking to Lee.  None of the trio nor Ginny spoke a word.

The first years came in, led by McGonagall, who was carrying the battered Sorting Hat and the three-legged stool.  She sat them down and pulled a scroll out of her robes then watched the hat with a piercing gaze.  The first years stared at the hat in wonder while the rest of the school waited.

A few seconds later a rip opened near the brim and the hat began to sing.

Another year, another day

More new students for me to place

Either in Gryffindor, where the bravest are

Or Hufflepuff, where the loyal lie

Perhaps Ravenclaw, where the thinkers are

Or Slytherin, where the cunning are found

In one of these you shall go

So put me on your head

And just sit tight

For all shall put you, where you seem right!

(a/n: Those who had read my other HP story Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses will notice that this is the same song the hat sings.  As I couldn't think of another one, I just decided to use the one I already had)

Everyone clapped as the hat finished then fell silent as McGonagall unrolled the school.

"Ainsworth, Jeffrey."  "RAVENCLAW!"

"Arney, Matt."  "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Adcock, Linda."  "HUFFLEPUFF!"

The Sorting went on, cheers going up from each table as a new House member was put there.

Finally, after "Vigoda, Cyrus" and "SLYTHERIN!" McGonagall rolled up the school, picked up the Sorting Hat and stool, and disappeared through a door to the side of the Head Table.  As soon as she reappeared Dumbledore stood.  Instantly everything went silent.

"Welcome to a new year.  I have a few before-dinner announcements to make as there is a large announcement to be said after supper.  There are very few things to remember this year, the foremost being that the Forbidden Forest is forbidden.  I am sorry to say that all Hogsmeade trips have been canceled due to . ."

Dumbledore could not continue as a loud groan went up from the students and they began to talk loudly.

Dumbledore gave a little cough and everything went silent again.

"As I was saying, all Hogsmeade trips have been canceled due to the returned of You-Know-Who.  All students must be in bed by curfew as well.  That is all.  Now, let the feast begin."

Instantly the dishes and cups on the tables were filled and everyone began to eat.  Although some looked about nervously, either searching for Voldemort himself to appear or looking to others in confusion.

Ron, Fred, George, and Lee dug into their food greedily until they noticed Hermione and Ginny only picking at their plates and Harry not eating at all.

Fred leaned across the table and asked, "C'mon, Harry, what's up."

Harry mumbled something they couldn't hear in reply then said it louder when George said, "What?"

Emerald eyes flashed angrily as Harry looked up to glare at Fred and George.  "I said its nothing.  Now leave me alone."

With that he looked back down at the table, leaving the twins to look at each other in surprise and Ron and Hermione to remember what happened on the train with Draco.  Once again, Harry had looked like Snape.

The two turned to look at the dark Potions Master and had to blink.  Sitting to his left was a woman in red robes with the same dark hair, black eyes, and pale skin.  While they watched Snape leaned over to say something to the woman, who turned her full attention to him.  She smiled and replied to him then looked around the room, her eyes bright and curious.  Snape smiled and leaned back into his chair, putting a scowl on as he spotted Ron and Hermione staring at him.

Turning around quickly, the two looked at each other then shook their heads.

"You don't think?"

"Couldn't be . ."

The twins caught their surprised looks and asked simultaneously, "What's up?"

Ron looked at his brothers and replied, "Look at Snape."

Fred blinked.  "Why?"

"Just do it."

The twins looked in that direction and blinked.  George gaped and hissed, "There's two of them!"

Lee looked up in confusion and said, "Huh?"  Fred pointed at Snape and Lee looked, his eyes going wide a second later.

Ginny turned to look as well and had to blink twice.

Snape spotted them staring and scowled at them before turning to the woman again as she touched his arm.

Fred gaped at them for a moment longer then asked, "Who do you think she is?"

"Daughter maybe?"

Hermione shook her head.  "Probably not."

Lee asked, "Then what?"

Ginny spoke up now.  "Sister?"

Fred, George, Ron, and Lee all looked at each other then said at the same time, "Snape?  A sister?  No."

Ginny gave a little shrug and mumbled, "Could be."

Hermione nodded.  "That's more than likely what it is."

Harry spoke up suddenly.

"Or maybe they're not related at all."

Fred rolled his eyes and George said, "Yea, Harry.  They're practically twins!  I think they're related."

Harry sighed and looked up at Snape and the woman.  After a moment he returned to the position he was in before and sighed again.

The other six looked at each other worriedly then returned to eating, not wanting to ask Harry what was wrong again and be yelled at.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Severus scowled as he saw the remaining Weasley's, Granger, and Jordan all staring at him from the Gryffindor table.  He growled softly and Saerry turned to look at him.  She followed his line of sight and watched the six for a moment before reaching out and touching his arm.

"Severus?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing?"

Severus turned to look at her and replied, "Trying to stop the blasted Gryffindors from staring in this direction."

Saerry gave a little laugh.  She smiled and said, "Same old Sev.  You never did like Gryffindors.  Especially James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter . . oh, I can't remember.  Peter something."

"Pettigrew."  Severus' voice came out in a growl.  He had had to go twice through the summer to Death Eater meetings and have seen Pettigrew.  A coward of a man, the real betrayer of the Potter's and the betrayer of his friends, Black and Lupin.  Severus loathed him.  Not only had he clung to those in power, he had betrayed the only true friend Severus had had during the years at Hogwart's.

Lily Evans.

Saerry caught the anger and sadness in her older brother's eyes and looked worriedly at him.

"Sev?  What's wrong?"

Severus closed his eyes before answering her question.  When he reopened them, the sadness and anger were gone, replaced by a mask of calm.

"Nothing's wrong Saer."

"Severus . ."

Laying one hand on top of hers he said, "I'll tell you later.  It's too . . risky . . to say it here."

Saerry nodded.  She knew her brother had been a Death Eater.  That was what she had recognized when she was . . . wild . . . before.

Giving a soft sigh, she leaned back in her chair just as the plates cleared and Dumbledore stood up.

"Now, I suppose most of you are wondering who the new face at the Head Table is."

At his words over a hundred heads turned to look at her, causing her snap to attention and want to hide at the same time.  Only Severus felt her muscles tense or saw her eyes widen.  And only his hand on hers kept her from bolting.  Silently she cursed the wolf's reaction and tried to calm herself down.

Dumbledore smiled at her and she felt herself relax.  Something about the man did that to nearly everyone.

Turning back to the students Dumbledore continued, "No need to worry, she is not a new teacher."  Several students groaned and Saerry smiled.  She saw Severus frown out of the corner of her eye and Dumbledore smile at her as well.

"She is simply a guest here due to the fact that her only relation is here and she has no place to stay.  I hope you all will be polite and kind if you see her in the halls or elsewhere.  If you do not, I'm afraid you shall have to face her brother."

Saerry gave a little chuckle as Dumbledore smiled at them again, causing Severus to blush slightly.

Dumbledore paused for a moment then said, "Ms. Saerry Snape."

Saerry waved at the students, a cheerful smile on her face, causing some who had groaned when they heard her name to grin.  Severus leaned towards her and whispered, "You're ruining the Snape reputation dear sister."

Saerry grinned and replied, "It is what I live for brother."

Severus gave a snort and Saerry could see laughter dancing in his eyes.

Dumbledore raised a hand and silence fell almost automatically.  The Headmaster's blue eyes twinkled as he said, "We also have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.  A returning teacher actually.  Professor Remus Lupin!"

Several of the students cheered, including the six Severus had been glaring at.  Saerry noticed that a boy sat in-between the red haired boy and girl, his head bowed.  She frowned at him for a moment then turned her attention to the man who had entered the hall from the door to her left.  He was fairly tall with brown hair speckled with gray and a tired face.  But his eyes were a friendly brown as he walked over and sat down in the only empty chair, which was the one beside her.  Severus glared at him over her but the man ignored it.

Instead he turned to Saerry and said, "A pleasure to meet you Ms. Snape."  Saerry blinked then smiled.

"You as well Mr. Lupin."

"Please, call me Remus."

"Saerry."

Remus smiled and said, "Alright then."  He then looked beyond her to Severus and said, "Hello Severus."

Severus narrowed his eyes and growled, "Lupin.

Saerry was about to break the two of them up when Dumbledore said, "Now, everyone off to bed.  Prefects, lead the first years to the dorms."

Chairs scraped against the stone floor loudly and Saerry winced.  She saw Lupin do the same and turned to stare at him.  As some of the staff got up to leave she leaned forward and asked in a low voice, "Pardon me if you're offended by this, but are you a werewolf?"

Remus stared at her for a moment, giving Severus a glare, then replying, "Yes."

Saerry nodded.  "I thought so."

"Why is that Ms. Snape?"

"You winced at the chairs over the floor.  I noticed it because I did the same thing."

Remus' eyes widened.  "You . .?"

"Yes Mr. Lupin."

Remus nodded then looked over at the Gryffindor table, where three of the seven that Severus had been scowling at where trying to get the black-haired boy to get up.  Saerry noticed where he was looking and asked, "Do you know them?"

"Yes.  The red-haired boy is Ron Weasley and the red-haired girl is his sister Ginny.  The other girl is Hermione Granger."  He paused a moment then continued, "And the other boy is Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter?"

Saerry turned to look at the boy.  She vaguely remembered hearing about Lily and James Potters son from Severus and her parents but nothing beyond that.

Remus nodded.  "Yes.  Though, I don't understand why he's so . ."

Severus looked up from looking at the floor and said, "Out of it?"

Remus glared at him then his gaze softened as it drifted back to Harry, who still hadn't rose from his seat despite his friend's urgings.  The werewolf turned back to Severus and growled, "You haven't done anything to him have you Snape?"

Severus looked up and snarled, "I didn't do a thing to the boy Lupin."

"Then what's wrong with him?"

Sensing a fight about to emerge, Saerry turned to Remus and said, "Why don't you go check on him?"

Remus looked at her then nodded, rising from his chair and walking swiftly over to the four, his patched cloak swirling behind him.

Saerry turned on her brother, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

Severus gave her a hurt look and said, "Now, Saer . ."

"Don't you 'Saer' me Severus Sadiron Snape."  Severus winced at her use of his full name but kept his eyes on her.  Saerry continued, "I want you to leave that poor man alone.  He has enough on his mind.  I should know."

Severus sighed.  "This will be hard."

"I know.  I'm your sister remember?  I know how you can be to people.  But at least try.  For me?"

"Alright.  I'll try."

Dumbledore walked over to them and said, "Ah, Severus.  I hope you know what will be needed to be done for Remus."  He paused, his blue eyes turning to Saerry.  "And of course, Ms. Snape."

Saerry smiled at the Headmaster and said, "Saerry, please, Headmaster."

"Then do call me Albus, Saerry."

"Of course He – Albus.  But what is this about something for Remus and myself?"

Severus turned to her and said, "It's a potion.  For your . . ahem, condition."

Saerry blinked then realized what he was talking about.

"They have a  potion?  Does it cu . ."  She cut off her words as Severus turned away and the twinkle left Dumbledore's eyes.

"Oh."

Severus turned back to her and said, "But it'll help during the transformations.  You'll be able to control it.'

Saerry smiled at the thought of not waking up not knowing where she was and covered in blood or feathers for once.  She said, "That will be wonderful."

Dumbledore smiled at them and said, "I will leave you two alone to talk."  With that he turned and left the hall, eying Remus standing by the four Gryffindors.

Severus sighed and put his head in his hands.  Saerry touched his shoulder and said, "Its not your fault brother.  What happened to me happened."

"It shouldn't have."

"But it has and it cannot be undone."

Severus looked up at her and nodded.

"I know.  But I can wish can't I?"

Saerry nodded.  "You can.  I wish for that everyday."

Severus smiled and took her hand.  He said, "I think its time we left."

"What about . .?"  Saerry looked at Remus and the four children, three of which were talking to Remus.  The other, Harry Potter, still sat in the same position.

Severus shrugged.  "They'll work it out."

Saerry was appalled at her brother's lack of compassion but then he had hated James Potter during the time he was in school with him.  Sighing she rose from her seat and said, "Let's go."

With a nod Severus rose and led her down through the gap between the Slytherin and Gryffindor table.  As they passed the spot where Remus and the children stood Saerry could not help but look at them.  She blinked at what she saw.

What she saw was a boy with pitch-black hair that hid his ears.  At the moment that hair fell over his forehead and nearly hid the emerald green eyes.

As they walked out into the hall she said, "Severus."

"Mmm?"

"That boy.  Harry.  He . ."

Severus sighed.  "Don't talk about him Saer."

"But Sev he . ."

"Please."

"Alright.  But I intend to talk to you about that boy."

Severus rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm about her shoulders as they walked up to the portrait that led to the professor's quarters.  He hugged her close and said, "I know you will.  But not tonight."

Saerry nodded and Severus muttered the password to the painting, which moved aside, the wizard in it grumbling all the while.  They passed through and went down to Severus' rooms.  As they entered Severus said, "You can have the bed until Albus finds some other place you can stay."

"I'll take the couch if you want."

Severus smiled down at her and kissed her cheek.  "Dear little sister you are a saint.  But I shall take the couch and relinquish the bed to you."  He turned serious and said, "Now go before I change my mind."

Saerry smiled, remembering how Severus would change his mood from loving, to playful, to serious all in a few seconds when she was a child.  She glumly said, "Alright Professor."  Severus laughed and she reached up to peck his cheek.

"Good night Sev."

"Good night Saer."

Saerry went into the bedroom, closing the door behind her, as Severus settled down on the couch.

A/N:  Ooo, that's long!  Eight pages!  Longest chap yet in this story!  Whoosh!  *grin*  Is Sev a bit out-of-character?  I don't think he is that much but then again you guys might have another opinion.  Anyway, ONTO CHAPTER 6!