Ashley ran through the castle to the Entrance Hall, then fled outside. She didn't care that it was pouring rain or that she didn't have a cloak. She had to get away from Hogwarts and everyone who hated her. She ran haphazardly towards the front gates.
She finally slowed down as it became too painful to breathe. She bent over, clutching at the stitch in her side as she tried to catch her breath. She didn't want to go back. There seemed to be very few people who wanted her around.
She looked up as she heard voices calling her name. She looked around for someplace to hide. She ran towards the forest and hid behind some trees. She didn't want to be found so she stayed there while Harry, Ron, and Hermione, along with her uncle and Professors McGonagall and Lupin, were looking for her.
All of a sudden, a large black dog ran towards her from a different direction. He came up to her and grabbed the hem of her robes in its teeth and pulled her out of hiding. She tried to push it away, but it wouldn't let go. So, she gave up as the others caught sight of her being dragged from the woods.
"Miss Snape, we have to get you inside. You're soaked to the skin and you'll catch cold," McGonagall ordered. "We'll talk about your foolish behavior when you get warmed up."
"Ashley, we don't care that your Snape's niece, the others can rot for all we care," Harry spoke up as they led her back to the castle.
"Com'on, Ash, don't let it get to you," Ron said as he held the door open for everyone. "My brothers can be unfeeling."
"You three head back up to the tower and change for your first class. Thank you for all your help. 15 points to Gryffindor," Lupin said with a smile. "That's for missing breakfast. Get your schedules from the other fifth years."
The three went upstairs while the teachers led Ashley to the Hospital Wing. The dog had stayed outside, walking around the grounds. She was starting to shiver with cold when a warm cloak was placed around her shoulders. She turned and was surprised to see that her uncle had given her his cloak.
"What's wrong, Minerva?" Madame Pomfrey asked as the group entered.
"Well, Miss Snape went out into this storm without a cloak and she is soaked thru to the skin. She needs something to warm her up," McGonagall answered.
While the nurse bustled around, McGonagall pulled the curtains around a bed and helped the shivering girl into a set of dry pajamas. She helped Ashley onto the bed, propping her back on some pillows. Madame Pomfrey came over and handed her a goblet filled with a steaming potion.
"Now, drink all of it. It will warm you up," the nurse told the girl. "You gentlemen can come in now."
"Girl, why did you run like that?" Snape snapped.
"No one seems to want me around, uncle. You don't or my fellow housemates. It would've been better if I had died with my parents," she started to cry again, "and only three people want my company while everyone else treats me with contempt."
"Miss Snape, don't take that attitude." McGonagall was shocked. "Others may not see past a name, while others can't understand others troubles. If you need someone to talk to, see Potter, Weasley, or Granger, if they aren't around, come to a teacher, we'll listen."
"Niece, come to me with any problems. I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't want you," Snape said gruffly.
"Miss Snape, I want you to stay here until lunch time. Get some rest, you probably haven't a good rest since this ordeal has started," Pomfrey ordered.
The three professors left, leaving Ashley to her thoughts. She was surprised to find out that her uncle wanted her to stay. She laid there thinking that if she could make to the Christmas holidays; she may tell her three new friends about her problem.
At lunchtime, Hermione came in with a dry set of clothes for Ashley. She gave them to Ashley and waited for her. She felt as if Ashley was like a sister to her already, she wanted her for a friend. She knew that Ron and Harry felt the same.
"What do we have after lunch, Hermione?" Ashley inquired when she joined her new friend.
"Double Potions with the Slytherins. Not a fun class," Hermione answered as she took Ashley to the Great Hall. "Professor Snape is not very nice, short on patience. Just don't paired up with Neville."
"Sure. I'm hungry, I missed breakfast."
They sat across from Ron and Harry and Ashley immediately filled her plate. She ate with gusto. She was on her second helping when Professor Lupin placed a hand on her shoulder.
"How are you doing, Miss Snape?"
"Fine sir, thank you for your help," she answered.
"You're welcome. Can you come with me to the Headmaster's Office? Yu three are invited, also," he said to the trio.
They gathered their books together and followed the teacher out of the hall. They made their way to the gargoyle. Ashley was still getting looks and glares from other students, but she tried to ignore them.
They arrived at the gargoyle and it moved when Lupin gave the password. They all trooped up the stairs and waited while Lupin knocked on the door. He opened it when Dumbledore's voice answered the summons.