A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Well, hear it is: Bill's entrance. And I'm sorry to disappoint, but Severus will not be getting a girl in story, at least most likely, Merlin knows, my characters have foiled my plans more often than not….but I wouldn't bet on it. Enjoy! And Review!
Chapter 9: A New Day and a New Friend
Some one was knocking, very loudly on her head. Or…on her door? "Alathea Veritas Snape get up NOW!"
Bleary emerald eyes glanced outside. The sun was rising, slowly… "Alathea, GET UP!"
"S'to early." She muttered into her pillow.
The door flung open and standing in the doorway, his arms crossed in front of him, was her father. "Get up now girl."
"Why?" She asked bitterly as she sat up. She brushed the ebony hair off her face and glared at him.
"I'm expecting you to be in all my classes today. You need practice with practical application."
"It's barely five. Classes don't start until nine." She pointed out.
"You will be spending the first year's lesson in transfiguration with Harry. Which means you have to start early. Also, the headmaster wishes to speak to you this morning."
"And again, it's only five."
"Alathea, I had a mother, a girlfriend, and I've clocked how long it takes the female professor's at the school to get ready in the morning. If you are ready in less than an hour, I will buy you a phoenix."
"Fine!" She snarled before storming out of the room and into the bathroom.
It was six forty-five when Alathea finally came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of jeans and tight white tee-shirt that had Aerosmith written on it in scrawling red letters. Her hair was pulled back into a French braid. She was scowling, clearly irritated with proving him right. That was not on Snape's mind, however when she stepped out, steam billowing behind her. Rather it was her outfit, which he raised his eyebrow at. "I don't have robes." She reminded him irritably. "As a matter of fact, this is the only other outfit I had with me, except for my dress I wore yesterday, and at dinner the night before."
"Then it is a good thing today is Friday. Tomorrow perhaps Minerva will take you into Hogsmeade to buy some robes."
"Why can't you take me?" She asked, her voice softening to sounding slightly hurt.
"I have to spend the day slaving over a big pot of veritaserum for Albus. Otherwise I would take you. Besides, don't you think Minerva will have a better idea of what is stylish for a woman than I would?" Alathea nodded, but she still looked a little sad. With a sigh he got up from his chair and pulled her close. "When you get home, I promise you can show me everything you bought. And we'll read two chapters together tomorrow night, alright?"
He felt her nod against his chest and released her. "Good. Now we need to go up to the headmaster's office."
Minerva McGonagall was sitting on one of the chairs in the headmaster's office. They were discussing Alathea over a pot of tea. Albus laughed as she told him about the transfiguration lesson from the day before. "She blew up the match?"
McGonagall's lips twitched, holding back a smile as she nodded. "Indeed. I was beginning to fear that she had no talent for transfiguration, which I must confess boggled my mind."
"Never in my long years teaching, has a student ever exploded the match. But I wouldn't fear, after all, Severus was never exceptional at transfiguration, nor is Harry."
"That's true. But a talent in potions runs in Severus's family as well. And Harry's talent lies in the defense against the dark arts. Like some other members of his family." She reminded the headmaster with a rather meaningful glance. Dumbledore inclined his head in acknowledgement of the truth behind her words. McGonagall sighed. "I don't know. I suppose I was worried more from vanity than anything else. I mean, transfiguration should run in their blood, and she seemed so inclined to be gifted with it when she was young."
"Because of whom she reminded you of?" He asked softly.
"It was you who pointed out the resemblance to me, Albus. But yes. And as it turns out I needn't have worried. She is exceptionally gifted." This time the deputy headmistress didn't hide her smile. "She wants to become an animagus."
"Oh? What animal did she have in mind?"
"A cat."
He began chuckling again. "A cat indeed." He muttered as the door opened to admit Snape and Alathea. He gave them leave to sit, which Alathea did, her father standing behind her. McGonagall moved to stand beside the Headmaster, leaving the other chair open. "We are just waiting for one more person to join us. It is time for us to do something about the your young friend my dear." He told Thea. She nodded and steeled herself against the tears he saw threatening to overtake her.
As they waited, he studied the young woman. She did indeed remind him so much of another young woman he'd once known. Her eyes may not have been the same color as the young woman he remembered, but the strength and gentle grace he saw within their depths was the same. They were built the same. Indeed, they even had the same nose. Alathea had been lucky, she had not inherited her father's nose; the one he had inherited from his father. Even the long ebony locks were like hers.
His musing was interrupted by the door to his office opening once more and the last member of their party entering. Alathea looked up to the door and felt her mouth go dry. She couldn't help but stare. The man that came in had flaming red hair that fell to the bottom of his shoulder blades. It was pulled back in a pony tail. He had a dragon's fang for an earring. The tight black shirt he wore clearly outlined his muscles, as did the black leather pants. There was a dangerous glint in his brown eyes, but it didn't scare her, it intrigued her.
"Ah, Bill, welcome." Dumbledore greeted the man. Bill grinned and sat in the other empty chair. "Bill Weasley, this is Alathea Snape." He introduced them as Bill noticed her. "Bill is Ron's older brother. Alathea is Harry's older sister."
"Alathea Snape? Is Harry's sister?"
"It's a long story." The potions master growled, from his position behind the girl. He was distinctly unhappy with the way Thea was looking at Weasley, and he didn't like the hungry, predatory look in the young man's eyes either.
McGonagall shared a rather amused look with Dumbledore before moving with all the stealth of her animal form over to Severus. "Would you rather have her attracted to one of Malfoy's nephews? I think Draco has a cousin about her age."
Snape glared at her. "Of course not, but why not Charlie Weasley? He, at least was fairly responsible."
"Bill was Head boy."
"Heavens knows how."
While McGonagall tried to convince Snape of the eldest Weasley's good points, Dumbledore explained about Alathea, and gave him the task of helping with the rescue of her best friend. McGonagall finally gave up as Bill agreed. "You can count on me Professor."
Alathea happened to glance at the clock. "Oh Merlin!" She jumped to her feet and picked up her bag that was holding seven years of potion texts and a transfiguration text as well as her quills and parchment. "It's Eight thirty; I was supposed to meet Harry for breakfast. He's going to have kittens!"
Every one chuckled at her expense, but she didn't care, she just turned pleading emerald eyes to the man she called her uncle. "Go on Alathea. Bill, why don't you go with her? I'm sure you're anxious to see Ron and Harry." Dumbledore told them.
"Thanks Uncle Albus." She kissed his cheek. "I'll see you first class Daddy." She told Snape. He was still glaring at Bill. But one kiss from her turned his gaze soft and a rare smile found its way to her face. "If you're late, you'll spend dinner writing an essay."
She rolled her eyes in response. After saying goodbye to Minerva she bolted out the door taking the stairs two at a time. Bill followed, a smile on his face, at a slower pace.
