Chapter Two

The Headmaster's office was unlike anything Paige had before witnessed. The walls were lined with books in this circular room. Fawkes however, Professor Dumbledore's phoenix, was what caught her attention. Paige stepped closer the bird as she gazed at it with amazement and curiosity. "His name is Fawkes," a calm voice stated. When Paige turned around she stared straight into the face of Hogwarts' Headmaster. "Please, take a seat."

Severus and Paige sat in two wooden chairs which faced the desk that Dumbledore now sat behind. "I know that this is going to be a hard time…for both of you. A loss such as the one you have suffered is never easy to overcome. However, I must ask that both of you make an effort to move forward, especially this year," he said eyeing the potions master in front of him who only gave a slight nod in return. "Paige, you are free to start the year here if you so wish. We may take time now to have you sorted and your schedule created based on what you so wish to take. This way you may start tomorrow with your peers."

Glancing over at her father she saw his expression and then nodded. As she did so Dumbledore stood up and reached for the sorting to be placed on her head. "Excellent Although I'm quite sure it's obvious which house you will be sorted into as rules state we must do this." Without warning the worn hat was placed on her head which seemed to be half way covered as it was very large on her.

A small wave of panic went through her. Although her parents as well as grandparents and so on were in Slytherin she always feared that if ever she attended Hogwarts she would not follow in their footsteps. . To her dismay as the hat spoke she found that her fears were becoming true. "Yes…Slytherin blood flows through your veins, yet somehow you are not the same. Where am I to put you…," the hat's voice mused.

Paige closed her eyes trying to block out any kind of emotion or worry she had. 'Please, please put me in Slytherin,' she thought to herself. 'I can't go anywhere else…I simply can't.'

Sensing her thoughts the hat thought only a moment longer. "Well…is that is what you do so wish, Slytherin it is." As these words were spoken the girl let out a sigh of relief and then removed the hat from her head. After setting up her schedule Paige and her father headed back towards the dormitories.

Once they reached the Slytherin common room entrance Severus took hold of his daughter's hand and looked into her emerald green eyes.. "This is the entrance to Slytherin's common room and the dormitories," he informed her. "You can stare here tonight if you really want to or you could come with me to my room so we can better settle you in tomorrow. It's your decision."

Paige frowned as she thought of entering the unknown Slytherin room and waking up where no one knew her. Without a second thought she told her father she would stay with him that night. Not having any clothes to wear to bed her father lent her an old t-shirt which was large enough to be a nightgown on her. Paige walked into the green wallpapered bathroom and lightly shut the door behind her. Looking into the mirror she felt the tears begin to form in her eyes once more as the bitter memories of what had happened flooded into her head. Her mother's screams were so shrill and painful. The image her writhing on the ground were still fresh in her memory. "She didn't deserve it…," she whispered. "I swear I'll get him for what he did, I will, even if it takes all my strength,."

The cool fabric of the t-shirt her father had given her left her slightly refreshed. It was a positive transfer from the pale pink sweater she had been wearing earlier. Picking up a tissue and dabbing her eyes she opened the door and walked out to find her father sitting on the couch that was across the room from the bed. Knowing that they both needed each other Paige curled up on the couch next to him and embraced him.

Severus hadn't been expecting this but welcomed it immediately knowing that both were deeply hurt. He began to stroke her hair and tried to hold back tears of his own, knowing that he had to be strong for both of them. However, a few did slip and noticing this Paige lifted her hand to brush them away. Severus smiled slightly and hugged his girl closer to him. Only in front of her could he let his guard down, only she and his wife had witnessed his true self. Had any of his students seen this scene their eyes would have long since left their heads.

A few hours later Severus felt himself begin to doze and glanced down at Paige who had fallen asleep in his arms. As carefully as possible he slowly got up bringing her up as well in his arms. Gently he placed her on the bed in which he usually sleeps, but for now he would enjoy the nice comfort of the couch. After a soft kiss on her forehead Severus walked back over and collapsed onto the couch, both physically and mentally exhausted. Not bothering to change his robes he sighed and stared at the ceiling. "If only I had been there…" he said quietly, with sadness and guilt dripping from his voice. "I should have been there. I should have known somehow…"

Around 7:30 Paige was tossing and turning in her sleep, mumbling to herself as she did so. She was having a nightmare about the attack on her mother. The dark cloaked figure stared with his black eyes and it felt as though they were burning right through to her soul. Her mother's screaming in the background The tears streaming down her cheeks in the dream were reflected in real life as well. Suddenly she shot up in her bed and realized her father was there holding her. It was he who had woken her from the terrible dream. After a minute or so Paige backed away feeling slightly embarrassed. Not being completely clueless Severus picked up on this and cleared his throat. "Well…breakfast will be starting shortly. You don't have to come if you don't feel up to it…it's not like life is simple right now. I'm sure the other professors would understand completely."

Paige lowered her gaze to her lap where her hands clutched the silk green sheets tightly. Then after taking a deep breathe she looked up at her father. "No…I'll be fine I think. But…I don't have a uniform, or books," she stated softly. To her surprise her father pulled out a uniform skirt and sweater from behind him, and a set of books sat on the dresser in front of them. Her father simply gave her a weak smile and then walked towards the door.

"I'll expect to see you there shortly then," he said. "And don't worry, I'm sure people will like you just fine." With that he shut the door leaving Paige alone in the only slightly lit room.

Yawning softly she got up and looked in the full length mirror hanging on the wall next to the bed. Paige slipped the t-shirt over her head and pulled on a white long sleeve shirt as well as a gray skirt. Her fingers played with her green and silver tie until it was straight and then pulled her sweater over her head. Then for the final touch she put on a cloak which had the Slytherin emblem embroidered on it. After glancing at her reflection one final time she grabbed her books and wand, and left the room.