The original character of Ashley Snape belongs to me. The others belong to JK Rowling.

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Ashley Snape's Secret

Chapter 9

They all ended up in the Great Hall, where the other teachers were gathering the student body. Ashley looked around for her uncle and didn't see him. She figured that he was with the Hogsmede contingement.

"Students, please sit down at your house tables for attendance!" Madame Hooch instructed.

The students all sat down and looked around as more kids poured in form the huge fireplace. Harry was placed in plain view of the Headmaster at the Gryffindor table. Ron, Hermione, and Ashley were seated with him and talking to each other and speculating on what was happening.

"I knew something was wrong, I felt it," Ashley said. "I get these feelings and they are usually right. That is what I went to speak to Professor McGonagall about in Hogsmede."

"It seemed to work as all the others have returned," Ron said as the teachers who were in Hogsmede came in. "See they are all here."

"No, they aren't," Ashley stated. "My uncle hasn't come in."

"I don't know, Ash, maybe he is patrolling the grounds or the corridors," Harry said.

"You three okay?" Lupin asked, coming up behind them with a smoking goblet. "This is for you, Ashley; Professor McGonagall said that you sensed the attack and may be a little jumpy."

"Thank you, Professor. Professor, do you know where my uncle is? I don't see him in the Hall," Ashley asked, before draining the goblet.

"Professor Snape is outside, patrolling the grounds, Miss Snape;" Professor McGonagall's voice spoke up from behind them. "Remus, could you and Miss Snape follow me for moment?"

"Sure, Minerva," Lupin answered as Ashley got up and followed the teachers.

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At the Headmaster's office, they all went upstairs with Professor Dumbledore. He looked tired and gray. He had Sirius Black in the office with him. They all settled in with cup of tea, before the Headmaster spoke.

"Remus, Ashley, the Shrieking Shack was destroyed in the attack, so we are preparing an empty dungeon for your transformations tomorrow night," Dumbledore said. "There will also be special protection charms put up, Flitwick is working on those now. Also, Sirius will be with you."

"Sir, do you know where my uncle is? I haven't seen him since I came back," Ashley asked.

"He's out patrolling the grounds. He left an entire cauldron full of the Wolfsbane Potion for you and Professor Lupin," Dumbledore answered. "Sirius, can you take Miss Snape beck to the Great Hall. You'll have to go as Snuffles."

"Fine, Headmaster," Sirius replied, then transformed into his animagus form.

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Ashley arrived back at the Great Hall with Snuffles and sat with the trio. The three were happy to see her and Snuffles. Snuffles sat at Harry's feet as Dumbledore and the other teachers took their seats. The only vacant seat was Snape's chair.

"Everybody, I'm sorry to say that all future trips to the village will be cancelled. Quidditch matches and practices are also cancelled until further notice. For any class that is to be held outside the castle, a teacher will escort each class to the appropriate area," Dumbledore announced. "This attack shows that Voldemort is getting stronger and braver. i want every one of you to be on their guard. Remember, Professor Moody's saying, 'Constant Vigilance!'"

Dumbledore paused and looked over the student body. The students were all quiet as they listened to their beloved headmaster. "I want every student in the castle by 6 p.m. and noone is allowed out of the castle without a professor. Now, go to your dorms to get ready for an impromptu dance the professors have organized for your entertainment."

The girls all screeched in delight and rushed out of the hall. They all were in a mad rush because they needed to get ready and their dress robes pressed. The boys were all grumbling because they had to get dressed up. The headmaster had said that dress robes were appropriate. The Great Hall was emptied except for the teacher and Ashley, who wanted to know where her uncle was.

"Miss Snape, we will inform you when your uncle returns from his patrols," Professor McGonagall told her, shooing her from the hall, with Snuffles following her.