Part 10 : Severus Snape

Severus' POV

I can't believe I told her that.

When Albus first told us he was accepting a transfer student from America, I had absolutly no opinion. If he wanted an american in his school, that's his deal. He's too stuborn anyway and I knew I'd do what he wanted. This is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts we are talking about here.

That was before he told us she was muggle-born. I admitt it : I'm biased when it comes to a witch or wizard's origins. It is a bit hard to ignore old habits. After all, I grew up in a pureblood family that taught me to hate muggle-borns. And I was a Death Eater. Good job, Severus. That's it! Bring up the bad memories!

Anyway, I suddenly was vehemently against Albus' idea. What interest could I possibly have for someone who could not be sorted into my house. But remember when I said we were talking about Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts? He did exactly what I thought he'd do : he owled the american.

So the owl departed from school, letter in his beck. Willow Rosenberg was accepted as a transfer student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

When I first saw her, in the great hall, I took her for a Weasley. I imediatly thought that we were under an invasion of redheads. Weren't there enough at Hogwarts already? But then, I saw her talk with Minerva and I knew who she was.

That's when our eyes met. Never I had feel something like that. except when I first saw Morganna. Both have green eyes. But the biggest surprise wasn't over yet. She walked to the stool and put the hat on her head. I've never seen it took that much time except when it sorted Potter. Only this time, it didn't yell Gryffindor. but Slytherin.

I don't think it is possible to have bigger shocked look than the one my house wore. A muggle-born had been sorted in Slytherin. My shock was entirely different. I was more thinking along the line 'the first time a muggle-born has been sorted in Slytherin since Tom Riddle'.

I was quite surprised when she started yelling some nonsense after Sibyll's trance. if it was even a real one. I quickly moved to her and held her up, leading her toward the table. I warned the other students to leave her alone only with a look. They knew when not to cross me.

Everything went as normal as it could at Hogwarts. She made friend with Granger. I'm a bit disapointed by that, but they are so much alike it's disturbing. Willow Rosenberg is a brillant mind and she won't waste it when hanging out with the know-it-all Gryffindor.

Then one day, Albus called me to his office. My student was in the infirmary and I learned that she had tempered in the Black Arts. There was no mistake about that. No goodie goodie two shoes could have black eyes. But I still can't understand why she felt it when I was summoned. That really stumped me.

But the biggest shock came when we talked in the infirmary. I still can't believe I told her I was a spy. And I still have trouble believing the dreams she had. She saw my past. Well, one memory in particular. The night Morganna died. The night Voldemort sent my daughter away. The night I turned my back on the dark side and went to Albus. And she had her ring, Morganna's ring. She told me she was supposed to help find my daughter. I hope she can. How I want to hold her in my arms.

* * *

"Ah, Severus! Miss Rosenberg is doing well, I hope?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling merrily.

"As well as she can be," he grumbled. He sat down heavily in an armchair and sighed. "The chit had dreams... disturbing one, since the beginning of school year. I just found out she was dreaming my past."

The Headmaster looked at him seriously. "Which part?"

"The night he killed Morganna and took my daughter." He closed his eyes for a moment. "She has her ring, Albus," he whispered. "Somehow, Morganna gave it to her and she now has it in the physical realm."

"Maybe it's a sign."

Severus looked strangely at Dumbledore. "Something tells me you know more than you let it seems."

The Headmaster laughed. "Maybe you're right. Lemon drop?"

* * *

"He has a tougher past than I thought. No wonder he's so bitter."

"Draco, you can't tell anyone what I just told you. Nobody knows except Snape and probably Dumbledore."

"Don't worry, Willow. The secret is safe with me."

"Yeah," she said hesitantly. "And you're a Hufflepuff."

"Hey!"

"Sorry."

He sighed and passed a hand through his hair. "Listen, I know everyone thinks I'm a git, but you have to understand that most of the time, I act like that for my own protection. You can't just walz in Slytherin claiming to like the Gryffindors and helping Albus Dumbledore think ways of destroying Voldemort."

"I think it's clear where I stand," she replied.

"You're lucky to be still alive."

"That warmed my heart," she grumbled.

"Look. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and if I learn anything that might help find the location of Snape's daughter, you'll be the first to know."

"Thanks."

"No problem." He looked at her and he bit his lips. She could tell by his look that he wanted to say something else. She waited. "Willow, what did the hat tell you?"

"Another day, Draco. Another day."