September arrived, and Alexi's new group of friends were now fourth-years. She was elated to see them, especially Hermione, who was a kindred soul when it came to books and studying. The first day of classes, though, her good mood was quickly turned to sorrow. After breakfast, she received bad news from Dumbledore. Voldemort had learned about her arrival at Hogwarts through Pettigrew, and as a way of punishing her for entering the magical realm and to remind the Good Forces he was all-powerful, he had an American Death Eater murder her family, who lived in Ohio. Dumbledore notified her of this, and gave her the option of refraining from attending lessons. However, for her safety, she must remain at Hogwarts. Alexi chose to keep her normal schedule as a way of coping. He would, of course, inform the faculty at lunch. Her morning went normally, but she opted to eat lunch in her room. At lunch, Dumbledore told the faculty; unfortunately (and unknown to the other instructors), Snape was called away early by one of the Slytherin prefects and did not hear the news.
In Potions, the Slytherins continued to berate her, choosing this day of all days to comment on her parentage. Snape did nothing to stop them, and the harassment was torture for her. Interrupting the lesson, she angrily stood in class and threw potion ingredients at the instigators, to the giggles of the Gryffindors in class. Sneering, Snape coldly told her to remain after class and then took ten points away from Gryffindor for laughing.
Class finally ended and the other students filed out, Draco giving Alexi a smirk as he left. Snape rounded on her, furious at her interruption and her disrespect towards his students. At this she accused him of blatant discrimination and demanded to know why he hated her. She told him his students should not have been treating her so, and that as one of the faculty, he should have stopped it. Yelling through tears, she cried "Don't you know what those remarks do to me? Can't you see the pain? Even after learning of his act, you still allow me to be insulted! You must be the most insensitive, uncaring, cold-hearted person, in your world or the Muggle one! I hate you!" Furious, he reminded her of his vow and told her she was no longer in his class, and that he never wanted to see her in the room again. Alexi felt the surge of emotions she had felt weeks before, and then felt something new – raw power seeming to emanate from her insides. It combined with the emotional surge until she felt it would split her in two.
Snape did not notice what was happening. "You are beginning to irritate me, I told you to leave."
Her lip quivered. "Please, Professor, let me st . . ."
"Damn it, get out!"
At this, her eyes grew cold. "Go to hell," she spit. She suddenly wished that his desk would blow up, and stared intently at it, not expecting anything to happen. As she focused, she felt the tendril of power burst from her, shooting towards the desk. The resulting explosion was astounding. Bottles and pots of ingredients smashed apart, their contents leaking and skittering on the floor; the flame in the lamp turned white as it disintegrated the glass and enflamed pieces of parchment; books slammed onto the floor, pages becoming torn and stained. Snape whirled around to view the damage as Alexi stared in utter shock. "What just . . .?" she whispered.
Snape spun back around to face her, furious. "Get out!" he screamed, moving to strike her. She stared at him, terrified, then turned and flew out of the room like a scared deer.
He stopped his strike in mid-air, realizing what he was about to do. He stared at the empty space where she had just stood. A secondary explosion behind him knocked him out of his reverie. Surveying the damage once again, his eyes narrowed as he pondered over what she had mentioned: what act had been done by whom and what had just occurred?
After fleeing the dungeons, she ran aimlessly through the castle, pushing past students on their way to their last class of the day, too shocked over what had happened to Snape's desk to pay attention to anything. She was confused and very scared, although a little satisfied, too. She didn't stop her flight until reaching the fifth floor landing, and only then to catch her breath.
"Oh no, what just happened?" she panted. "Wait, where shall I go?" She looked around wildly; there was no one around except a sleeping fat friar in the large painting behind her. "My room – no, they'll expect that." She came to a decision. "Rowena's Refuge!" Glancing at the sleeping friar as she raced to the library, she didn't notice him open his eyes.
She raced up the stairs, only stopping when she reached the window. Gasping for breath, she dropped her pack and braced herself against the bench, trying to understand what had just occurred. "What was that? What happened? I don't understand," she mumbled, in shock. "It can't be what I think it is – no, it just can't . . ." Her chin trembled as she wished for nothing else but to be comforted. Like a little child, alone and afraid, she cried, "Mommy?" Then it finally hit her; her parents, her entire family, was gone – she would never see or talk to them again.
She began to sob, then pushed the emotion back down into the pit of her stomach. Angry with herself for crying and feeling sorry for herself, she snatched her journal and tried to work on a potion recipe. However, this simply made her more upset, as it reminded her that she had just been kicked out of the class by Snape. This in turn reminded her of what had prompted the argument. Rubbing her nose, she tried to work out her emotions logically, by writing down her feelings for rational study later. Tears welled up in her eyes as she worked, remembering vacations, conversations, and hugs. Finally, she was overwhelmed and broke down, weeping uncontrollably. Lost in her grief, she cried herself to sleep.
After Alexi didn't show at dinner, Dumbledore asked the faculty if any had seen her lately. Flitwick said she was fine at Charms, but McGonagall said Alexi had not shown up to Transfiguration, which was odd since that was one of her favorite classes. Attention turned to Snape, since they knew she had Potions in between. "She was present, Headmaster," he said in a level tone, but Dumbledore sensed that there was more that Snape needed to say. He excused himself from the table and motioned for Snape to follow.
They entered the small room off the Great Hall. Dumbledore ordered out the few portraits lounging around, Violet looking very peeved at missing an opportunity for gossip. "What happened, Severus?" Snape told him about Alexi's burst of temper, his confrontation with her, and the mysterious explosion. Dumbledore listened thoughtfully. "Hmm, our guest seems to have a talent for bringing up new questions before we have answers for the old," he murmured.
"I am confused, Headmaster, about what prompted this outburst on her part. She mentioned something about a "him" and "his act" and she seemed to think I should know all about it." Snape wondered.
Dumbledore looked at him sharply. "Were you not at the meeting at lunch? I distinctly remember seeing you there before we started."
"I was called away by one of my students. I had meant to learn what was discussed at dinner, but the circumstances pushed it to the back of my mind, sir," Snape said, shrugging.
Dumbledore sighed. "Oh, if only I had known you were not there at lunch – this could have been avoided." He then told him how her family had been murdered. Snape stood in place, speechless. The pieces were beginning to fall into place. Dumbledore finished, "It is imperative we find her; I hope she has not done anything drastic."
Snape thought for a moment. "Perhaps, Headmaster, I may redeem myself in looking for her."
Dumbledore looked at Snape over the top of his half-moon glasses. "That would be wise, Severus;" he said simply. He watched Snape nod curtly and stride from the room. "Alexi, what questions are you bringing to us now?" he thought. Silently, he left the room and headed for his office, in search of some answers.
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Snape began his investigation of Alexi's whereabouts with the paintings, for he knew they would have witnessed her escape from the dungeons. Through them, he quickly learned of her direction of travel; the portraits had thought it strange to see her running pell-mell through the halls, and had already compared notes amongst themselves. With their information, he approached the fifth floor landing, and drew even with the sleeping fat friar. Tapping on the canvas, he ordered him to wake up. Snorting, the friar blinked and slowly stretched, gazing out at a scowling Snape.
"Well, hello, my fine fellow!" he said jovially. "What can I do for you on such a fine evening?"
Snape sneered at him. "I have been told by the other portraits that a young woman by the name of Alexi stopped right in front of your canvas this afternoon. I need to know where she went from here."
"Ah yes, that girl! Very pretty, isn't she?" Snape remained quiet, still sneering. The friar paid no attention, still cheerful. "Yes, she paused for a moment. I know where she may be, yes I do. I have it memorized." He tapped the side of his head, and then stood up. "The name is Friar Thomas, and it is a pleasure to meet you!"
Snape glared at him. "So, where is she?" he said impatiently.
"I know where she is. I heard her say it, right out there. She thought I was asleep." He chuckled merrily. "Fooled her, I did! I heard her; I can quote it. I am good at memorizing things – very helpful in copying religious tomes." He smiled, crooked ivory teeth showing through chapped lips.
"Well?" Snape said through gritted teeth.
"Oh yes!" Friar Thomas cleared his throat and recited what Alexi had said. "Heehee, I heard her, and she thought I was asleep!"
"Rowena's Refuge?" Snape was confused. He had never heard of this place. Thomas shrugged, waved, and then waddled off, leaving Snape alone on the landing. "Portraits," he spit.
He asked several other paintings about the Refuge, but none of them had any ideas on where to find it. Even the annoying Sir Cadogan, who prided himself on knowing every area of the castle, was speechless. Frustrated, Snape was about to return to Dumbledore when he was stopped by a commanding female voice.
"There is talk amongst the portraits of Rowena's Refuge."
Snape slowly turned around; this powerful voice seemed to demand the utmost respect and honor. He looked up to see an imposing female wizard in the canvas of a skinny little nun, the latter having vacated the premises. Glancing around, he noticed that all of the other portraits had abandoned their canvases as well, leaving him alone with the new arrival. This female had a strong chin and piercing sapphire-blue eyes, and her painted form shimmered with powerful magic. Snape felt intimidated by this woman; he secretly felt that even McGonagall would be apprehensive around her.
He stood tall in defiance. "That is true, my lady. I am seeking this location."
"Why?" she said with a cold and demanding voice. "Why seek what was hidden? Has it not occurred to you it was concealed for a reason, Mr. Snape?" she mocked.
He folded his arms, momentarily caught off-guard. "How do you know my name? We have never been introduced."
"I know all of the people and events involving Hogwarts. It is part of my duty." She sniffed regally. "You don't know who I am, do you? Really, for a professor, you are not very literate on the history of my castle."
"Your castle?"
"Well, not completely mine. In any case, I did my fair share in the construction and hallowing of these halls." Her eyes danced, mocking him.
Snape finally understood. "You're Rowena – Rowena Ravenclaw."
She waved a fine hand daintily at him. "Well, now we are making progress, Mr. Snape. You should feel honored; I don't present myself before just anybody these days."
Snape ignored her taunts. "Am I correct in surmising Rowena's Refuge is your little secret?" Her eyes sparkled in amusement. He murmured to himself in disgust, "Must all of the Founders have their individual little secrets?"
Rowena overheard him, and surprised him with a merry laugh. "Of course, Mr. Snape! We had to ensure we would remain enigmas long after we had passed from this level of existence!"
He glared, eyes cold. "You will not distract me from my task. What is Rowena's Refuge and where can it be found? It is of importance."
She regarded him, completely serious. "And once again I ask, why seek what was hidden? It was named a refuge for a reason." She sniffed high-handedly once more. "And how did you hear about it – it has been a secret well-kept for generations. Even my current heirs do not know of its existence."
"I received the information from a certain character by the name of Friar Thomas," he said, distaste in his mouth.
"Him?! What does he know? He is a fool!" she yelled, eyes blazing. A tremor shook the hallway; Snape nervously glanced around. She quieted, her voice no less intense. "All he does is sleep."
Snape cautiously ventured, "He said he overheard Alexi speak of it. She was on the run from – well, me. We had a . . . confrontation, and she took flight." He repeated what Thomas had quoted.
Rowena looked at him coldly. "Yes, I heard about her rampant run through the castle this afternoon." She gave a noble snort of derision. "Most unladylike." She turned her full attention back to Snape. "So you are concerned Alexi may harm herself. Worried about the impact that would have on your piddling career – frightening a student so badly she killed herself? Tsk, tsk."
Snape was becoming impatient again. "Of course I want no harm to come to her. I feel obliged to set things right. Is she there, in the Refuge?"
"What does she mean to you?" Rowena asked simply, no emotion visible on her face.
"What?! What kind of question is that?"
She glared down at him, power flowing all around her. Snape went quiet as she scrutinized him, her eyes seeming to pierce into his very soul. After several minutes, she released him and spoke.
"You cannot answer that question because you honestly do not know your feelings towards the girl," Rowena said, thoughtfully. "But you will have an answer, in time."
"You have a good heart." Snape curled his lip in disgust. Rowena continued, "Deny it all you want. But underneath your nasty appearance and foul demeanor, I see the core is good. It has been corrupted, abused, and beaten, but it remains nonetheless." She locked his black eyes with her blue ones, her next words feeling as of they were being imprinted directly onto his brain. "I do not understand why yet, but I feel I can trust you." She considered. "I will release to you part of my greatest secret – one of the entrances to the Refuge. This morsel is not given lightly, and should never be shared, not even with other faculty or people in power. They will learn of it on my time, not on yours or theirs. You may never speak of the Refuge's location, unless it is with me or Alexi. And you must never use it without the complete and voluntary consent of the current user." She quickly scanned the corridor to verify they were alone. "I will only give these directions once. If you forget, do not come whimpering back to me."
She then gave him the directions for the North Tower entrance, the same directions she had given Nearly Headless Nick. Finally, she released him from her power, Snape almost stumbling as she let him go. Rowena continued, "She may know of your coming, if she has activated the alarm system. Be prepared for that."
He felt compelled to bow, and said, "Thank you my lady." Turning, he started to take his leave.
"Stop." He turned to face her again. "I have not bid you farewell yet," she reproached. Snape glared at her, but she chose to ignore his sour look. "The current headmaster is very wise. Alexi is certainly an enigma. How did he put it? Oh yes . . . 'Our guest seems to have a talent for bringing up new questions before we have answers for the old.' Most apt." She smiled slightly, eyes dancing in amusement. "If it is answers you seek, I suggest you look into my background. You may discover some interesting similarities."
He was confused. "How could you know what Professor Dumbledore said? There were no portraits in the room; he made sure of that."
She slyly smiled. "I do not need to be visible to know what is going on; I am as capable of subterfuge as you." Snape blinked, then resumed his scowl.
Rowena grew serious again. "One more thing, Mr. Snape." Her eyes coldly stared at him. "Don't you ever threaten that girl again – you were lucky to get away with just a few damaged scrolls and broken flasks. I would hate to see what would happen to you if she really lost control. You must watch that temper, and you must never move to strike her again."
Snape remained silent. After a moment, Rowena slowly faded from the canvas in a blue shimmer, leaving Snape alone in the hallway. "Bah, why must paintings be so testy?" Hearing a cold laugh in the distance, he glanced around warily, then sneered and stalked off to the North Tower.
As he wandered the corridors, he thought of the months since Alexi had arrived. He knew she was one of the few people he had met that appreciated the subtlety and exactness of potion-making. He realized, even though she was a Muggle, she was akin to him – they shared the same passion.
Making his way up the marble staircase, he prepared himself for whatever he might find at the top. Entering the room, he too was taken aback by the huge window wrapping around the tower. The fire was burning brightly, and he cautiously eyed the empty canvas. Alexi was asleep by the window, her journal; and pack lying a small distance away. Snape moved to pick up her pack when he was distracted by disturbing noises. Alexi was whimpering, in the midst of a nightmare. Suddenly, she let out a bloodthirsty scream that chilled Snape and even sent the fire to flicker. He pulled out his wand and cast a Dreamless Sleep Charm on her. She quieted, her muscles relaxing as she finally truly slept.
Returning to the journal, his curiosity overcame his common sense and he began to read. Inside, she had detailed her anguish at not fitting in, her desire to learn everything, her love of potion-making, her disbelief and sadness over her family's murders, and her sorrow and pain at Snape's hatred of her. As he finished, it finally occurred to him how much the teasing and ridicule had hurt her, for she had put on a strong face in the classroom. He felt a slight pang of sorrow and regret, but his Occlumency training kicked in and automatically shoved back the emotions.
Closing the book and placing it back in her pack, he picked it up and slung it over his shoulder. He momentarily thought about using Mobilicorpus on her, but decided he didn't need any of the professors seeing him mistreating a student. Scowling, he bent down and picked her up. Her head fell on his shoulder, completely asleep. The firelight reflected off the tearstains on her face, and Snape again felt a small surge of emotions form in his brain. He set his jaw, easily pushing them back behind his mental walls; no female Muggle would make him weak. Curling his lip, he strode out of the Refuge and to Alexi's room.
He gave the password "horsefeathers" to the stone unicorn guarding the entrance (he had received it from Dumbledore). The unicorn seemed to wink at him as it reared up, revealing a large circular room decorated in blues and purples. Walking inside, he laid her on the bed and placed her pack on the floor. Still feeling curious about Alexi's life, he looked around. Books were everywhere, several issues of a potion-experts magazine lay on the table, and equations and ingredient lists were scattered about. He also noticed a very thick book detailing every aspect of potion-making. He saw that she had scribbled comments in the margins, starting with "I can't wait until Snape can show me this!!" which progressed to "I wonder if I should approach Snape about which is the best breed of goat for a bezoar", and ending on "Why does Snape hate me? Maybe I do need to just shut up." Remembering what Rowena had said about her background and finding answers, he headed to Dumbledore's office to report what had happened, thoughts tumbling in his head.
