Author's Note: All recognizable characters belong to J.K. Rowling, Ashley belongs to me, along with the plot.

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Ashley Snape's Secret

Chapter 7

The next day, Ashley woke up to find herself in the Hospital Wing. She didn't know how she got there or what happened. She blinked her eyes a few times to clear her head as she looked around the room.

To her surprise, she saw her uncle sitting next to her bed. She reached out a tentative hand on his knee and shook him gently. She didn't want to make him angry.

"Uncle Severus, wake up, please," she spoke softly to him.

"What? Oh, Ashley, you're awake. You gave us all quite a scare," Snape said as he motioned to someone out of her line of vision.

"What happened? All I remember is the beginning of the transformation, then all was black," she stated in confusion.

"We're not sure yet, Ashley, I came awake to find you unconscious. I grabbed you and carried you here," Lupin explained as he came over to her other side.

"I don't know what happened, but with all the stress you've been under, this might've been too much for you to handle. Miss Snape, you're to stay here for a few days," Madame Pomfrey stated firmly.

"Can't I stay in Gryffindor tower?"

"No, here or your uncle's rooms," the nurse said.

Ashley saw her uncle's expression and decided to stay in the infirmary. She asked that Hermione bring her homework so she could work on it. The nurse didn't like it, but approved her request.

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"Ashley, what happened?" Hermione asked as she bought in both her set of books and Ashley's books.

"While Professor Lupin and I wee working on a tutoring session for DADA, a creature attacked us and I was injured," Ashley told her the prepared story.

"Oh, are you okay? I was hoping we could work on our homework together," Hermione asked hesitantly.

They sat together, doing homework with Hermione explaining what Ashley didn't understand. They were getting along great when Harry and Ron came in. They were pushing and jostling each other.

"Hey, 'Mione, tell this prat that the Cannons are the best Quidditch team," Ron stated with a laugh.

"Nah, it's the England National Team that is the best!" Harry exclaimed.

"I like the Gryffindor team the best," Hermione said, winking at Ashley. "They have the best Seeker!"

"Oh, I don't know, but I am partial to the Ridgemont Ravenclaws." Ashley looked serious.

"You're all wrong," sneered a voice from behind them; "the best team is the Slytherin team."

"Hello, professor, we didn't see you there. We'll leave you to visit with Ashley," Hermione spoke up.

"Wait. I just...well, I just wanted to thank you three for supporting my niece, even though I have been rather nasty to you," Snape said rather uncomfortably.

"It's okay, professor, she is a nice person, no matter what," Harry said, giving Ashley a wink.

"There is something you guys should know," Ashley spoke up.

"You sure you want to, niece?" Snape questioned.

"Yes, they seem to like Professor Lupin, so they may not mind about me, sir," Ashley replied. "You see, guys, I'm a werewolf. My parents were killed by one in Central Park in America. My...my mom was pregnant at the time."

"Oh, Ash, I'm so sorry. No wonder you are so jumpy, we'll be friends no matter what," Hermione said.

"That's right," said Harry. "You're a Gryffindor; we won't turn on you."

"Well, at least, the three of you didn't while there are some who would like to see me in Slytherin," Ashley said.

"My brothers are stupid. They can't see past a name. Lee is a prat to side with them. You're more of a Gryffindor now than they are," Ron said. "We'll leave you to talk with your uncle."

The three left Ashley with her uncle, who took Hermione's seat. He looked at her and she couldn't read his expression. She lay there, waiting for him to ream her out.

"I'm proud of you, nie-no, Ashley. What you did took real courage," her uncle said. "You didn't know how they would react and you still opened up."

"Uncle, do you hate me because I'm a werewolf? I know you don't like Professor Lupin."

"No, Ashley, I'm mad at the facility that let that beast escape. You are an unfortunate victim. Lupin and I went to school together and we didn't like each other then," he explained. "We were enemies from before I found out he was a werewolf."

"Oh."

After talking with her for a few more minutes, he gave her an essay to write for class since she missed it that day. She told him the potions that she already did in her old school. He found out that she was a year ahead of the other fifth years in Potions.

"I'll speak to the Headmaster to see if you can't move up one year in Potions," he said as he left the Infirmary.