The next morning, Ashley awoke in her uncle's rooms. She got dressed then tried to find her way to breakfast. She was so tired last night that she didn't take notice of any special landmarks to find her way back to the Great Hall.
She was quite lost when a hand reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around in surprise to find Professor Lupin standing there, looking quite chagrinned at startling her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss Snape, I didn't mean to startle you. You just seemed to be a little lost," he said.
"I'm trying to find my way to breakfast, but I got hopelessly lost. Can you help me, sir?"
"Sure, I'm headed that way myself. Where is your uncle?"
"He was gone when I woke up," she answered, quietly.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Ashley made mental notes of various artworks and statues. Once in a while, Lupin would point out a classroom or a particular spot that she should know to steer clear of.
"Professor, can I ask you something?"
"I'll answer, if I can or want to," he replied.
"My uncle doesn't seem to like you, is there any particular reason?" she asked softly.
"Well, it started when we were here in school together, but we tolerate each other now," he chuckled. "I taught here two years ago and I forgot to take the potion, which put some students here in jeopardy. But, the students wanted me back, so here I am."
"I never had the Defense Against the Dark Arts in my old school. What do you do in those classes?" she asked.
"Well, we teach you about the dark creatures and curses and how to protect yourself against dark wizards," he answered.
"We learned about the creatures in our Care for Otherworld Creatures class and the rest in Charms," she told him.
They finally made it to the Great Hall. They went in and went to separate tables. She ate then left to explore her new home. She went out to the grounds and met Hagrid and the giant squid. She looked over the Quidditch pitch and the gardens.
She ended up in the Library with a copy of Hogwarts: A History. She wanted to learn more about her new school. She got so engrossed in the text that her uncle had to come and get her for the evening celebration.
"It is time for the sorting and the feast. I'm taking you to the Entrance Hall to come in with the first years," he snarled at her. "I hope you end up in my house, Slytherin."
They met up with Professor McGonagall in the Entrance Hall. She was leading a large group of frightened looking first years. He left her there and swept menacingly into the Great Hall.
She followed the teacher into the Great Hall and stood with the younger students. She looked at all the faces of her new classmates and started to get a little nervous. She looked up at her uncle for support and was greeted with a sneer. She saw a stool, with a tattered hat sitting on top of it, in front of the Head Table.
"Now, students, we have a special transfer student from America, and she is a fifth year, so we will sort her first," McGonagall announced. "Snape, Ashley!"
Ashley walked shakily up to the stool and sat down with the hat on her head. She heard a small voice in her head, "Now, I see cunning in you, but there is a huge amount of bravery, you are also smart and loyal, now where to put you. Let me think, well, you're in GRYFFINDOR!!"
There was applause as she took the hat off and walked to the Gryffindor table. She averted her gaze from her uncle's glare. She noted the stunned looks on some of the kids' faces as she sat down next to a redheaded boy of her age. She gave a small smile of greeting before returning her gaze to the sorting.
After it was finished, Professor Dumbledore stood up and announced, "All students should not that the Forbidden Forest and the Whomping Willow are off limits to students. Mr. Filch wants everyone to know that there is to be no magic used in the corridors. Now, we shall eat."
The food magically appeared and everyone started to eat. They were halfway through when everyone started to talk about their vacations. She tried to stay out of the conversations, but the redheaded boy directed a question at her.
"Ashley, are you related to Professor Snape?" he asked after introducing himself as Ronald Weasley.
"Yes, he is my uncle."
"Why are you starting in fifth year?" a girl with curly brown hair asked. "By the way, I'm Hermione Granger and this is Harry Potter."
"Hi. Well, my parents died over the summer and I was sent here to live with my uncle. I think he maybe angry with me that I'm in Gryffindor."
"Well, he is the Head of Slytherin and he hates Gryffindor," Harry said quietly.
Ashley saw a sadness in his green eyes that belied the carefree attitude he displayed for his friends. She, of course, knew of his story, but didn't make a big deal about it or embarrass him. She continued to eat in silence as the conversation flowed around her.
"Miss Snape, may I speak to you in my office?" a voice growled in her ear.
"Yes, sir," she mumbled as the other Gryffindors watched with a mixture of sorrow and horror.
She followed him out of the Great Hall and down to the dungeons. She was nervous as she followed him into his office. She sat down in the chair that he pointed to, then continued to stand over her as he spoke.
"So, think you're too good for Slytherin, niece of mine. You know, you are the first Snape to be sorted into a house not Slytherin," he said. "Why did that happen?"
"I don't know, uncle, I didn't think of anything. It just told me that Gryffindor suited my personality," she answered softly.
"Well, my brother went soft after school, so that must be it. Now, go, get out of my sight!"
She left the office and ran blindly away from the dungeons. She found herself in the Entrance Hall, not completely sure of how she arrived there. She didn't know where to find Gryffindor tower, so she sat down on the steps and cried.