Elsa clutched the infant to her chest, praying she could outrun the others.
She heard footsteps behind her, gaining. There was no way she would be
able to escape her pursuers. They wanted blood, and they would get it
tonight. A chant behind her and she felt a pulse wave sweep through her.
She arched her back to the pain, then collapsed, with her last breath,
trying to protect her daughter.
One of the three pursuers kicked the woman over, only to find a sleeping baby cradled in the dead woman's arms.
"What shall we do with the child?" one asked.
Another answered, "Kill it. Their blood runs through its veins."
Luckily, an older man interjected, "No. The child has done nothing."
"Then what should we do Dumbledore?"
"Take her somewhere she'll be safe. Where no one will know who she is."
The first asked, "And where would that be?"
"That's what we have to find out."
Dumbledore sat at his desk, with Snape and McGonagall across from him. So much had happened the past few days that he needed to speak with these two professors for counsel. He already had his opinions on what to do, but the other two deserved to have a say, no matter if he refused to follow their guidance.
"I don't think that we should bring her back. It's too dangerous. Besides, how do we know we can trust her?" Snape asked.
"How do we know we can't? Have you ever met her?" Dumbledore took a moment to think of the young, sweet girl that he had just recently visited, to tell her the horrible news, "She knows what she is, and she has openly denounced that life. Those that raised her have guided her well. She has already begun training, and could easily be transferred here. I think that it would be better that way. We all know she's now in danger, and it would be harder for her to be taken if she was here at Hogwarts."
"It might be safer for her, but what about the other students? And what if they found out who she was?" McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore easily answered, "Then we must see that the students never discover her identity."
Accepting that the girl was coming, Snape asked, "When is she arriving?"
"Actually, she should arrive tonight. I've already arranged for a place for her to sleep with the other fifth years. I have her staying in Gryfindor. When she arrives, I'll introduce her to Miss Granger, to help her begin to assimilate."
Snape didn't like that at all. "Why will she be automatically put in Gryfindor? She has a Slytherin heritage."
"She also has Gryfindor heritage. Despite the lineage of her parents, I know the girl, and I believe that she is a Gryfindor at heart. Therefore, she will join Gryfindor."
Desiree slowly turned so she could examine the large entrance hall of Hogwarts. She had just arrived, and was more than a little tired. Her green eyes roved over the moving portraits. They all seemed surprised to see her, but they had a look of fear, and knowing. Obviously, each painting knew who she was. No doubt, they had all known her parents ages ago.
Her hand subconsciously tossed back the black braid that had been lying on her right shoulder, leaving the braid on her left shoulder where it was.
Ahead of her she saw an older man with a long white beard walking towards her.
Smiling, Desiree opened her arms for a hug, "Dumbledore."
"My little Des. How was your journey?" the professor asked, releasing the young girl.
"It was tiring. I'm definitely ready for bed."
Dumbledore extended a hand and Des took it without question, then he led her up the stairs to Gryfindor tower. On the way, the elderly man explained a few things, "No one here can know who you are. As you noticed in the great hall, the portraits know your heritage, but they have been instructed to say nothing. You should go by the name Desiree Foster. Tell no one your real name. There are those who might recognize it, and we can't have that, now can we."
Desiree nodded, stifling a yawn. Up ahead there was a portrait of a rather large lady, who seemed to be whispering to someone in a nearby picture. No doubt, gossip about her. Des should be accustomed to it by now, but it always hurt when people acted that way around her.
The Fat Lady eyed Des up and down, then asked, "Then it's true? I know who you are. We all know."
"We are well aware," Dumbledore stated, then took a moment before reciting the password.
The Fat Lady didn't seem pleased at all to allow Desiree into the tower, but she had no choice. Swinging aside to reveal the door, the Fat Lady huffed and puffed. However, she soon fell silent when she heard Dumbledore's companion sniffle, as if trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
Dumbledore led Desiree to the fifth year girls' dormitory, where Hermione Granger was sitting up waiting for them.
"Miss Granger, this is Miss Foster. I would like you to show her the ropes here at Hogwarts. She knows her schedule and where her classes will take place."
Hermione glanced over at the new girl, whose eyes had glazed over with tears. The fifth year Gryfindor reassuringly smiled, "Hello, I'm Hermione. A bed has been put beside mine. If you're tired, we can go ahead and go to sleep."
Dumbledore chimed in, "I think that would be a good idea. Good night." The old professor silently retreated from the dormitory and eventually the tower, leaving the two girls.
Hermione sat down her own bed and said, "Your things have already been brought up. Would you like to unpack first?"
Desiree looked around a moment before answering, "I'll unpack in the morning, I'm really tired. And my name is Desiree, but my friends call me Des."
At breakfast the next morning Harry and Ron were surprised to see Hermione walk in with a girl that neither of them had ever seen before. Apparently they weren't the only ones who noticed, for the entire hall looked at the new girl who had arrived in the middle of the night. Hermione led the black haired girl over to the Gryfindor table and sat her down across from Ron and Harry. The two boys stared at each other, then at the new girl, neither one seemed able to ask who she was.
"Oh, before you die of curiosity, her name is Desiree Foster. She transferred here last night," Hermione stated, after one look at her two best friends.
Extending a friendly hand, "Hi, I'm Harry Potter."
Desiree looked in shock. She barely managed, "You're Harry Potter?"
Harry didn't think he would ever get used to the greeting he usually got. "Yes, that's me," Harry sheepishly grinned.
"Excuse me," Des jumped up and practically ran from the table and straight out of the hall.
Dumbledore saw this and instantly knew why. One look at whom she had been sitting with, and anyone, at least anyone who knew Des, would know what had spooked her. It wasn't quite customary, but Dumbledore managed to make his way out of the banquet hall. Searching for Desiree took a few moments, but he eventually found her wandering down hallways that her parents had wandered down years before. The portraits whispered amongst themselves as she walked by. Some even fled their paintings in terror of the new student.
"You left rather hastily," Dumbledore began.
Des turned to the white haired man, "I'm sorry. I know that I'm supposed to blend in, but meeting Harry Potter right off.I just wasn't prepared for it."
"One seldom is prepared for such things. You must remember that Mr. Potter doesn't know who you are. None of the students do. With that in mind, you can't keep making a spectacle of yourself like that, continually running from a member of your own house. It would bring unwanted attention to you. These are perilous times for all of us, but especially for you. You must take care."
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Desiree nodded. "I know it's ridiculous. I didn't even know him, but I still cry. Seems so silly."
"It's not silly. Your feelings are what separates you from him. Never be ashamed of the love that you give him, it's natural. Just don't let family love become something greater. The others are already looking for reasons not to trust you. Don't give them any excuses."
Her jaw gaping open, "They still don't trust me? What more can I possibly do?"
"I don't know what else they could ask of you, except one thing, and I swear I won't allow that to happen."
Des knew what he meant. All throughout her life, she had wondered if she could do it. Honestly, she didn't know, but if things didn't get better, she'd soon find out.
"I've never seen anyone react to meeting you like that before." Ron mentioned as he jobbed another bite of egg into his mouth.
Harry was more reflective, "Me either."
"She was probably just intimidated by you. Most people don't think they would ever meet you, so it just startled her. I'm sure of it," Hermione stated.
"Of course that's it," Des answered as she sat down across from Harry. She kept her eyes on him as she began to eat her breakfast.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked.
Des forced herself to take her eyes off of Harry, "I'm fine now."
"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley," Ron managed with a mouth full of food.
Smiling, Des responded, "It's nice to meet you." However, one glance back over at Harry wiped the smile from her face.
Harry couldn't stand it. Desiree was wonderful with everyone but him. And she treated him like a leper. Everyone in all of the houses, including Slytherin, loved her, and her first week at Hogwarts hadn't even ended yet. No Gryfindor had been so universally accepted. And the Slytherin! Harry understood that the Slytherins were nice to her because a sixth year supposedly liked her. It also didn't hurt that he was the captain of their Quidditch team, so he commanded the respect of his entire house.
Desiree was walking in front of him with Hermione, as Harry leaned over to whisper in Ron's ear, "I just don't understand why she doesn't like me. I've been trying so hard to get her to even look at me without terror on her face."
Ron chuckled, "Maybe you're trying too hard. Have you ever thought about that?"
Harry sighed as they all stepped into their class, Charms. Des took her usual spot between Ron and Hermione, and Harry felt like he was alone, even with Ron sitting right beside him.
Draco Malfoy watched Desiree from across the banquet hall. There was something about her, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Something that his father had told him long ago. Ever since he had first seen her, he had suspected she was not what she seemed. He just needed to find out what her story was.
Another Slytherin wouldn't take his eyes off of her, the captain of the Quidditch team, William Montague. After lunch he was planning on making his move to talk to her. He had be agonizing over the best way to introduce himself all week. William had tried running into her, but that hadn't worked the way he wanted it to. His plan had revolved around knocking both of their books to the ground and giving her one of his. However, she had noticed that it wasn't hers and promptly given it right back to him. Then her annoying friend, Hermione Granger, had kept calling her so Desiree had practically ran off to join those other Gryfindors.
William hadn't even gotten the chance to tell Desiree his name. Although he had enjoyed those short seconds with her. She had taken all the blame, even though he had intentionally bumped into her, and she kept smiling at him. A smile that made his stomach turn over.
Well, he had another plan, and this time it should work.
Desiree was walking towards Potions alone, all of her friends already in the classroom, but she had had to go to the ladies room. Down in the dungeon, Des wasn't paying attention to where she was going. She only needed a second to realize that she had run into the wrong crowd. Four Slytherins surrounded her. It didn't make sense; the Slytherins were always so nice to her. Why were they trying to scare her now?
She spun around, recognizing the four, telling them that she had to get to class. However, they didn't seem to care. Instead, they all laughed, like they were in on a joke. A joke at her expense.
"Hey guys, leave her alone," William said as he moved through the circle to stand next to Desiree. On cue, the four burst out laughing as they moved away, slapping William on the back.
Once William was alone with Desiree, he smiled, "Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Thank you," Des looked down the hall towards her Potions class, "I'm Desiree, but you can Des."
"William. It's nice to finally meet you."
Glancing back at her rescuer, "It's nice to meet you too. Didn't we bump into each other in the hall a few days ago?"
His cheeks flushing, he answered, "Oh yeah, that was you. I had forgotten." William certainly hoped that sounded believable to her, because it certainly didn't sound believable to him.
Des laughed, "Yes, that was me. I have to get to my class now, but thank you again. Perhaps we can run into each other on purpose next time."
"Sounds nice."
"Goodbye." With that, Desiree was already down the hall and turning into the Potions classroom.
That plan worked quite well, quite well indeed. He finally got to introduce himself and she said she'd like to meet him later. Excellent!
Desiree opened the Potions classroom door right as Professor Snape was beginning his lecture. Usually she would sit in the back so he couldn't see her, but today, since she was late, she had to sit in the front row. Once Snape saw where she was sitting, even his usual frigid countenance couldn't begin to cover up his nervousness.
She took her seat and stared up at him. Snape couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her. It was the first time that he had seen her since she was an infant. He had always tried to ignore her walking through the halls, during meals, and luckily she had always sat in the back so she was buried in the crowd. Now she was on open display, and Snape didn't think he could handle it.
"A bit late, are we, Miss Foster?" Snape somehow managed.
She continued to watch him, "Forgive me, Professor, I was detained."
One quick huff and he began his lesson, all the while, watching Desiree. He couldn't get over how much she looked like her father. Although not enough like him that people would automatically assume that she was his daughter. No, she had just enough of her mother in her to hide her paternal lineage.
The class flew by but also seemed to go on forever. Either way, when the lesson was over, Snape thankfully dismissed the class. However, Desiree Foster didn't move a muscle, but glared from her seat.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all noticed and waited for Desiree to get up and leave the class with them.
Snape glanced up and saw the three Gryfindors waiting for their companion, but Snape knew what Desiree wanted. "I said get out! Miss Granger, I know it will be difficult to fit your head through the door, but still try! Out, all of you!" the professor snapped.
Hermione rubbed her eyes as she walked away with her two friends in tow. With another order from Professor Snape, Ron closed the door behind them.
Desiree and Snape were alone together. They just stared at each other until Snape asked, "What is it that you want?"
"You can't do that anymore. I'm sure everyone in the class noticed the way you acted around me. Dumbledore said that no one is to know who I am. You're not helping," was the only answer he got. After a moment, she continued, "I remember you. I'm not sure how, but I do. I remember everything."
Snape's eyes narrowed, "How? You were an infant."
"I have my suspicions, but as I said, I can't be certain without a most disagreeable confrontation. Does the fact that I know frighten you?"
"Should it?"
Shrugging, Desiree looked away.
"Does Dumbledore know that you remember?"
"I think he does. If not, he definitely suspects it. I recognized him when we first met. The ones who raised me told him that I was completely open and friendly with everyone, even strangers. But when I met him, I cowered away in fear. I think he knew then."
"How much to do you remember? How far back?" Snape asked, once again, focusing his cold gaze on the young girl.
"I'm sure more than you would like, and certainly further back than you would be comfortable with. My friends are no doubt waiting for me, so I should be going. Goodbye Professor."
One of the three pursuers kicked the woman over, only to find a sleeping baby cradled in the dead woman's arms.
"What shall we do with the child?" one asked.
Another answered, "Kill it. Their blood runs through its veins."
Luckily, an older man interjected, "No. The child has done nothing."
"Then what should we do Dumbledore?"
"Take her somewhere she'll be safe. Where no one will know who she is."
The first asked, "And where would that be?"
"That's what we have to find out."
Dumbledore sat at his desk, with Snape and McGonagall across from him. So much had happened the past few days that he needed to speak with these two professors for counsel. He already had his opinions on what to do, but the other two deserved to have a say, no matter if he refused to follow their guidance.
"I don't think that we should bring her back. It's too dangerous. Besides, how do we know we can trust her?" Snape asked.
"How do we know we can't? Have you ever met her?" Dumbledore took a moment to think of the young, sweet girl that he had just recently visited, to tell her the horrible news, "She knows what she is, and she has openly denounced that life. Those that raised her have guided her well. She has already begun training, and could easily be transferred here. I think that it would be better that way. We all know she's now in danger, and it would be harder for her to be taken if she was here at Hogwarts."
"It might be safer for her, but what about the other students? And what if they found out who she was?" McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore easily answered, "Then we must see that the students never discover her identity."
Accepting that the girl was coming, Snape asked, "When is she arriving?"
"Actually, she should arrive tonight. I've already arranged for a place for her to sleep with the other fifth years. I have her staying in Gryfindor. When she arrives, I'll introduce her to Miss Granger, to help her begin to assimilate."
Snape didn't like that at all. "Why will she be automatically put in Gryfindor? She has a Slytherin heritage."
"She also has Gryfindor heritage. Despite the lineage of her parents, I know the girl, and I believe that she is a Gryfindor at heart. Therefore, she will join Gryfindor."
Desiree slowly turned so she could examine the large entrance hall of Hogwarts. She had just arrived, and was more than a little tired. Her green eyes roved over the moving portraits. They all seemed surprised to see her, but they had a look of fear, and knowing. Obviously, each painting knew who she was. No doubt, they had all known her parents ages ago.
Her hand subconsciously tossed back the black braid that had been lying on her right shoulder, leaving the braid on her left shoulder where it was.
Ahead of her she saw an older man with a long white beard walking towards her.
Smiling, Desiree opened her arms for a hug, "Dumbledore."
"My little Des. How was your journey?" the professor asked, releasing the young girl.
"It was tiring. I'm definitely ready for bed."
Dumbledore extended a hand and Des took it without question, then he led her up the stairs to Gryfindor tower. On the way, the elderly man explained a few things, "No one here can know who you are. As you noticed in the great hall, the portraits know your heritage, but they have been instructed to say nothing. You should go by the name Desiree Foster. Tell no one your real name. There are those who might recognize it, and we can't have that, now can we."
Desiree nodded, stifling a yawn. Up ahead there was a portrait of a rather large lady, who seemed to be whispering to someone in a nearby picture. No doubt, gossip about her. Des should be accustomed to it by now, but it always hurt when people acted that way around her.
The Fat Lady eyed Des up and down, then asked, "Then it's true? I know who you are. We all know."
"We are well aware," Dumbledore stated, then took a moment before reciting the password.
The Fat Lady didn't seem pleased at all to allow Desiree into the tower, but she had no choice. Swinging aside to reveal the door, the Fat Lady huffed and puffed. However, she soon fell silent when she heard Dumbledore's companion sniffle, as if trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
Dumbledore led Desiree to the fifth year girls' dormitory, where Hermione Granger was sitting up waiting for them.
"Miss Granger, this is Miss Foster. I would like you to show her the ropes here at Hogwarts. She knows her schedule and where her classes will take place."
Hermione glanced over at the new girl, whose eyes had glazed over with tears. The fifth year Gryfindor reassuringly smiled, "Hello, I'm Hermione. A bed has been put beside mine. If you're tired, we can go ahead and go to sleep."
Dumbledore chimed in, "I think that would be a good idea. Good night." The old professor silently retreated from the dormitory and eventually the tower, leaving the two girls.
Hermione sat down her own bed and said, "Your things have already been brought up. Would you like to unpack first?"
Desiree looked around a moment before answering, "I'll unpack in the morning, I'm really tired. And my name is Desiree, but my friends call me Des."
At breakfast the next morning Harry and Ron were surprised to see Hermione walk in with a girl that neither of them had ever seen before. Apparently they weren't the only ones who noticed, for the entire hall looked at the new girl who had arrived in the middle of the night. Hermione led the black haired girl over to the Gryfindor table and sat her down across from Ron and Harry. The two boys stared at each other, then at the new girl, neither one seemed able to ask who she was.
"Oh, before you die of curiosity, her name is Desiree Foster. She transferred here last night," Hermione stated, after one look at her two best friends.
Extending a friendly hand, "Hi, I'm Harry Potter."
Desiree looked in shock. She barely managed, "You're Harry Potter?"
Harry didn't think he would ever get used to the greeting he usually got. "Yes, that's me," Harry sheepishly grinned.
"Excuse me," Des jumped up and practically ran from the table and straight out of the hall.
Dumbledore saw this and instantly knew why. One look at whom she had been sitting with, and anyone, at least anyone who knew Des, would know what had spooked her. It wasn't quite customary, but Dumbledore managed to make his way out of the banquet hall. Searching for Desiree took a few moments, but he eventually found her wandering down hallways that her parents had wandered down years before. The portraits whispered amongst themselves as she walked by. Some even fled their paintings in terror of the new student.
"You left rather hastily," Dumbledore began.
Des turned to the white haired man, "I'm sorry. I know that I'm supposed to blend in, but meeting Harry Potter right off.I just wasn't prepared for it."
"One seldom is prepared for such things. You must remember that Mr. Potter doesn't know who you are. None of the students do. With that in mind, you can't keep making a spectacle of yourself like that, continually running from a member of your own house. It would bring unwanted attention to you. These are perilous times for all of us, but especially for you. You must take care."
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Desiree nodded. "I know it's ridiculous. I didn't even know him, but I still cry. Seems so silly."
"It's not silly. Your feelings are what separates you from him. Never be ashamed of the love that you give him, it's natural. Just don't let family love become something greater. The others are already looking for reasons not to trust you. Don't give them any excuses."
Her jaw gaping open, "They still don't trust me? What more can I possibly do?"
"I don't know what else they could ask of you, except one thing, and I swear I won't allow that to happen."
Des knew what he meant. All throughout her life, she had wondered if she could do it. Honestly, she didn't know, but if things didn't get better, she'd soon find out.
"I've never seen anyone react to meeting you like that before." Ron mentioned as he jobbed another bite of egg into his mouth.
Harry was more reflective, "Me either."
"She was probably just intimidated by you. Most people don't think they would ever meet you, so it just startled her. I'm sure of it," Hermione stated.
"Of course that's it," Des answered as she sat down across from Harry. She kept her eyes on him as she began to eat her breakfast.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked.
Des forced herself to take her eyes off of Harry, "I'm fine now."
"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley," Ron managed with a mouth full of food.
Smiling, Des responded, "It's nice to meet you." However, one glance back over at Harry wiped the smile from her face.
Harry couldn't stand it. Desiree was wonderful with everyone but him. And she treated him like a leper. Everyone in all of the houses, including Slytherin, loved her, and her first week at Hogwarts hadn't even ended yet. No Gryfindor had been so universally accepted. And the Slytherin! Harry understood that the Slytherins were nice to her because a sixth year supposedly liked her. It also didn't hurt that he was the captain of their Quidditch team, so he commanded the respect of his entire house.
Desiree was walking in front of him with Hermione, as Harry leaned over to whisper in Ron's ear, "I just don't understand why she doesn't like me. I've been trying so hard to get her to even look at me without terror on her face."
Ron chuckled, "Maybe you're trying too hard. Have you ever thought about that?"
Harry sighed as they all stepped into their class, Charms. Des took her usual spot between Ron and Hermione, and Harry felt like he was alone, even with Ron sitting right beside him.
Draco Malfoy watched Desiree from across the banquet hall. There was something about her, but he couldn't place his finger on it. Something that his father had told him long ago. Ever since he had first seen her, he had suspected she was not what she seemed. He just needed to find out what her story was.
Another Slytherin wouldn't take his eyes off of her, the captain of the Quidditch team, William Montague. After lunch he was planning on making his move to talk to her. He had be agonizing over the best way to introduce himself all week. William had tried running into her, but that hadn't worked the way he wanted it to. His plan had revolved around knocking both of their books to the ground and giving her one of his. However, she had noticed that it wasn't hers and promptly given it right back to him. Then her annoying friend, Hermione Granger, had kept calling her so Desiree had practically ran off to join those other Gryfindors.
William hadn't even gotten the chance to tell Desiree his name. Although he had enjoyed those short seconds with her. She had taken all the blame, even though he had intentionally bumped into her, and she kept smiling at him. A smile that made his stomach turn over.
Well, he had another plan, and this time it should work.
Desiree was walking towards Potions alone, all of her friends already in the classroom, but she had had to go to the ladies room. Down in the dungeon, Des wasn't paying attention to where she was going. She only needed a second to realize that she had run into the wrong crowd. Four Slytherins surrounded her. It didn't make sense; the Slytherins were always so nice to her. Why were they trying to scare her now?
She spun around, recognizing the four, telling them that she had to get to class. However, they didn't seem to care. Instead, they all laughed, like they were in on a joke. A joke at her expense.
"Hey guys, leave her alone," William said as he moved through the circle to stand next to Desiree. On cue, the four burst out laughing as they moved away, slapping William on the back.
Once William was alone with Desiree, he smiled, "Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Thank you," Des looked down the hall towards her Potions class, "I'm Desiree, but you can Des."
"William. It's nice to finally meet you."
Glancing back at her rescuer, "It's nice to meet you too. Didn't we bump into each other in the hall a few days ago?"
His cheeks flushing, he answered, "Oh yeah, that was you. I had forgotten." William certainly hoped that sounded believable to her, because it certainly didn't sound believable to him.
Des laughed, "Yes, that was me. I have to get to my class now, but thank you again. Perhaps we can run into each other on purpose next time."
"Sounds nice."
"Goodbye." With that, Desiree was already down the hall and turning into the Potions classroom.
That plan worked quite well, quite well indeed. He finally got to introduce himself and she said she'd like to meet him later. Excellent!
Desiree opened the Potions classroom door right as Professor Snape was beginning his lecture. Usually she would sit in the back so he couldn't see her, but today, since she was late, she had to sit in the front row. Once Snape saw where she was sitting, even his usual frigid countenance couldn't begin to cover up his nervousness.
She took her seat and stared up at him. Snape couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her. It was the first time that he had seen her since she was an infant. He had always tried to ignore her walking through the halls, during meals, and luckily she had always sat in the back so she was buried in the crowd. Now she was on open display, and Snape didn't think he could handle it.
"A bit late, are we, Miss Foster?" Snape somehow managed.
She continued to watch him, "Forgive me, Professor, I was detained."
One quick huff and he began his lesson, all the while, watching Desiree. He couldn't get over how much she looked like her father. Although not enough like him that people would automatically assume that she was his daughter. No, she had just enough of her mother in her to hide her paternal lineage.
The class flew by but also seemed to go on forever. Either way, when the lesson was over, Snape thankfully dismissed the class. However, Desiree Foster didn't move a muscle, but glared from her seat.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all noticed and waited for Desiree to get up and leave the class with them.
Snape glanced up and saw the three Gryfindors waiting for their companion, but Snape knew what Desiree wanted. "I said get out! Miss Granger, I know it will be difficult to fit your head through the door, but still try! Out, all of you!" the professor snapped.
Hermione rubbed her eyes as she walked away with her two friends in tow. With another order from Professor Snape, Ron closed the door behind them.
Desiree and Snape were alone together. They just stared at each other until Snape asked, "What is it that you want?"
"You can't do that anymore. I'm sure everyone in the class noticed the way you acted around me. Dumbledore said that no one is to know who I am. You're not helping," was the only answer he got. After a moment, she continued, "I remember you. I'm not sure how, but I do. I remember everything."
Snape's eyes narrowed, "How? You were an infant."
"I have my suspicions, but as I said, I can't be certain without a most disagreeable confrontation. Does the fact that I know frighten you?"
"Should it?"
Shrugging, Desiree looked away.
"Does Dumbledore know that you remember?"
"I think he does. If not, he definitely suspects it. I recognized him when we first met. The ones who raised me told him that I was completely open and friendly with everyone, even strangers. But when I met him, I cowered away in fear. I think he knew then."
"How much to do you remember? How far back?" Snape asked, once again, focusing his cold gaze on the young girl.
"I'm sure more than you would like, and certainly further back than you would be comfortable with. My friends are no doubt waiting for me, so I should be going. Goodbye Professor."