Severus whirled around on his heel when he saw the girl, Severa, run after her mother's form which was becoming smaller by the second. Completely forgetting his intended walk around the grounds, he made haste to the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. He was pounding on the door in no time at all.

The Headmaster himself answered the door. "Ah, Severus, did you forget something?"

He did not wait for an invitation; he strode right into the room and whirled upon the old man. "What just happened in here? What did you talk about? Why was Sage here? Who is the young girl?"

Dumbledore smiled a little and then looked at Severus over the rim of his glasses. "I think you might want to sit down, Professor."

Severus took a seat, a petulant look on his face, and waited for the Headmaster to begin.

"I will be having a meeting with the rest of the faculty this evening about the situation that has presented itself, but I believe a conversation - explanation, would be a better way to put it - would be in order." Albus Dumbledore took his time to get comfortable behind his desk and then scanned the folder, which seemed to have appeared on his desk since the time Severus had last been in the room. "I believe you may like to see this." He handed the folder to Severus.

"I am sure that you remember Miss Saveage Nocturino well," Dumbledore had placed a slight emphasis on Sage's proper name, as if reminding Severus that he had used her nickname.

Severus pretended that he did not hear anything out of the ordinary and continued to peruse the folder that had been handed to him. He was quite impressed at the knowledge this young lady possessed; quite like his own at her age, even down to the knowledge of Dark Arts.

"Saveage was here because her parents were murdered not seven hours ago. She and her daughter flew here as soon as it happened. Apparently the girl witnessed both murders." Dumbledore waited until Severus was looking at him in the eye. "It was a pair of Death Eaters and Saveage had the feeling they would be searching the castle for them both, so she decided the safest place for Eva would be here."

Severus held the folder loosely in his hand; the murders would explain the vacant expression in the girl's face: she was obviously still in shock. He could only stare at Dumbledore. He had no knowledge of this; not one of the Death Eaters had told him about this action. His thoughts must have been written on his face because Dumbledore responded with a nod.

"We had no knowledge of this and so the Order could not protect them. Since it does involve the Order, I have sent for Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. I want to speak to them separately from the rest of the staff. We have the responsibility of keeping young Miss Nocturino safe."

"But why her? She's but a child! Shouldn't we be keeping Saveage safe?" asked Severus.

Dumbledore was about to respond when there was a knock on the door. The door opened, seemingly of its own accord, and Professor McGonagall entered followed by Hagrid. "Ah, you came just in time. I was just explaining to Severus the situation that has been presented to us." He waited for Minerva to conjure two chairs for Hagrid and herself. "Saveage Nocturino has just left to go into hiding. As I have already told Professor Snape, her parents were murdered by Death Eaters not seven hours ago. If what she has told me is true, they more than likely knew this day would come. The Death Eaters, however, are probably still at their Manor house searching every nook and cranny for Saveage and her daughter."

"What has this to do with the Order, Albus? We have had no knowledge of a plan to kidnap Miss Nocturino," asked Professor McGonagall.

"No, we have no knowledge of intended harm to Miss Saveage Nocturino. It is her daughter that Voldemort wants." Dumbledore saw the quickly concealed look of panic that crossed Severus' face and coughed to cover the smile that crossed his own. "From the story that Saveage gave me, Voldemort has been planning to take Eva for quite some time now. Her parents had already told his servants that they had no intention of handing over their granddaughter to him. Needless to say, he did not like that."

"So Saveage has brought her here to keep her safe?" asked Minerva.

"Yes, she also asked that I help her go into hiding. I am her Secret-Keeper and she has also asked that none of this be told to Eva until it is absolutely necessary."

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to tell the girl, for her own safety, what is going on? She may be more capable of defending herself than we know," said Severus.

"Indeed, Severus, she is very capable of taking care of herself. If you would be so kind as to allow Professor McGonagall and Hagrid to see her folder, so they may also be aware of her capabilities." He waited until Severus handed the folder to Professor McGonagall. "She has been trained in the same subjects that we teach here, but her training in Occlumency and Healing place her in a far better position to defend herself in case of attack. But you must remember, if Voldemort wants to take her, he will spare no time or energy to find her; leaving her to her own defense would be disastrous."

Hagrid cleared his throat for the headmaster's attention. "May I ask wha' House she's in?"

"Slytherin," answered Dumbledore.

Severus, trying to keep his composure, asked, "With whom shall she be rooming?"

"No one," said Dumbledore. "She will be given a room in the east tower." The silence that fell was almost palpable; the east wing was where Dumbledore's own quarters were located. "Young Miss Nocturino is in very real danger. Voldemort does not want her as a mere follower. He wants her as his wife."

"But - but, she's just a girl," said Professor McGonagall.

"Eva has an amazing grasp on wandless magic. Her ability as a Legilimens is also quite advanced; I've never seen such powers in a person her age. However, she does not know the extent of her own powers, at least not yet. Her mind, if trained properly, could hold such knowledge, wield such a power beyond that I have ever seen in any student."

"He wants her mind? Then why not just take her as a follower?"

"If you will look closely at her profile, she is highly accomplished in healing. She has been trained, but her mother told me that she has always shown a skill at it, even as a child. She is an Energy Healer."

"That's not possible!" said Professor Snape, standing and pacing the room. He turned and crossed his arms over his chest. "There has not been an Energy Healer born in over a century."

"You're quite right Severus. You would know, of course, given that the last was born to the Snape family line." He gave Severus a little smile that told him he knew what was going through his mind, knew the doubt that was plaguing him. He hated to continue with the bad news, but the Professors needed to know all that he had been told. "Her children will most definitely be witches and wizards, but more importantly, they will be extremely talented. Their minds will most likely be just as advanced as that of their mother. Voldemort wants an heir that he can train to be just as powerful or even more powerful than himself."

"Then why did Saveage go into hiding? Why not wait until the Death Eaters leave and then go back to the Manor?" asked Minerva.

"Saveage, justifiably, does not think it is safe for either her or Eva to return to the Manor in the near future. She believes that the Death Eaters are looking for her in hopes that she will not allow Eva out of her sight. So, she has gone into hiding and entrusted her daughter's life to us."

"Well, you've go' my help Professor Dumbledore," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

"I will help as much as I can, as well," said Minerva.

Dumbledore nodded and looked to Severus.

"May I have a word in private, Headmaster?" he asked.

"Of course, Severus."

The other two professors exited and Severus resumed his seat in front of the Headmaster's desk.

"What is on your mind, Severus?"

"Did Sage mention where the girl's father was?"

"No, she did not mention anything of the sort. Although, I think it is safe to say we both know who he is."

Severus cradled his head in his hands. "How am I to be sure? I haven't seen her in sixteen years. She could have married and had that girl shortly after . . ." He trailed off, not wanting to finish his thought. It sickened him to think that Saveage could have been with another man.

"What does your heart tell you, Severus?"

"That she's mine," he sighed. He hadn't wanted to believe it, but saying the words out loud seemed to alleviate the doubt that had been plaguing him. He felt as if there was no uncertainty at all; that he had known she was his daughter all along. A thought occurred to him at that moment. "Does she know . . .?" he trailed the question, knowing that Dumbledore would catch his meaning.

"Eva does not have any knowledge of her father, as far as I know. I do not know what her mother has told her about her parentage. From what we know about your previous situation, we can assume her grandparents did not tell her anything about you."

"That's true enough." Severus sighed and stood from his chair. "Thank you, Albus."

Dumbledore nodded and watched Severus move towards the door, when a thought occurred to him. "Severus, I just remembered; Eva's mother did not sign her permission slip for the Hogsmeade weekends. Since the slip needs the signature of a parent or guardian you would be within your rights to sign. It might even be a nice treat for Eva since I know she would rather not be here."

Severus smiled. He found it odd that the first thing he did for his daughter was behind her mother's back and, more than likely, against her wishes. He signed the form and handed it to Dumbledore. "Could I ask you not to mention this to anyone. If Eva does not know who her father is, I think it would be appropriate for no one else to know either."

"Of course."

Eva leaned against the door to her dormitory. She was so glad that she had been given her own room. She was surprised to learn that the other rooms were full and so she was to have her own. It was a great refuge to come to at the end of her first week. It had not been the best seven days of her life, but there had been some good points.

It had started out fine at breakfast on Monday. She sat next to Draco as she had the first night back for the rest of the students. She should have known the rest of the week was headed the wrong way when everyone at the table wanted to know all about her parents and the rest of her family. They seemed more interested in her family history than anything else.

Her first class was no better. Potions turned out to be a nightmare. Since it was their sixth year, only the students who would be needing the subject for their careers were allowed to enter. Professor Snape also chose only those students who had achieved Outstandings in their O.W.L.s. She had a quick dunk in reality when he asked her in rapid succession questions that were really above the level they would be studying. She was lucky enough to have known the answers, but all she got in return for her knowledge was a glare and some House points.

The redemption for the class was that they were to be doing all their work in pairs, all the way through the term. Professor Snape had allowed them to choose their partners and Eva had planned to pair with Draco, since he was the only person she knew and all the girls in Slytherin seemed to dislike her, but he was quickly snatched up by one Pansy Parkinson. She looked around the room and found Ron Weasley and Harry Potter looking around the room, she moved towards them, but was cut off by Hermione Granger. She gave Eva a warning glare and told the two boys to pair up together. Eva was at quite a loss as to why the girl did not like her. She looked around the room again and saw Neville Longbottom sitting alone. He seemed like a nice enough boy and no one seemed keen to pair up with him; they were probably the last ones to not have a partner.

Eva moved towards him and she heard Hermione hiss at him to come and pair with her. He shook his head and headed towards Eva.

"Would you like to be my partner?" he asked.

Eva nodded and took the empty seat next to him. Professor Snape had probably been watching the whole scene and walked over to the desk. "I would suggest another partner, Miss Nocturino, if you would like to keep your current level of proficiency. Mr. Longbottom seems to have miraculously been able to squeak an 'O' in his O.W.L., but his ineptness is legendary."

Eva did not like the way this man was putting down one of his students with no problem at all. And on the first day of class, no less! "No, I think I will be just fine, thank you, Professor." She smiled innocently at him.

Her remaining classes were all right, but there were always constant whispers in the halls directed around her. She knew the others were gossiping about her because many of them would suddenly stop talking when she appeared. She didn't know what it was they were talking about until a third year came up to her and asked if it were true that she had gotten all her O.W.L.s.

She'd had a quick lunch at her House table and went about her Friday in silence. She had a pounding headache by the time dinner came around and said nothing to her housemates throughout the entire meal. She excused herself as soon as she thought it was polite to do so and that was how she found herself in her room now.

Eva collapsed onto her bed and looked up at the ceiling. There was so much to adjust to and so many people to get along with; so many who did not really think the way that she did. The whole of Slytherin House seemed to be obsessed with their family line and how much money and power they had. Eva could actually smell the Dark Magic in the air.

She did not like the Dark Arts, even though her knowledge of it probably surpassed that of all the students in the school. They reminded her too much of the stories her mother told her of the Dark Lord. Her grandparents had been in agreement with him about his ideas for the wizarding race; keeping pureblood family lines clean and whatnot. Eva was a little consoled by the fact that her grandparents did not hold with the killing that the Dark Lord was doing, but the knowledge that they thought their family was superior because of their money and power left a sick taste in Eva's mouth. The thought of her grandparents and their ideas had motivated Eva do her utmost best in her training against the Dark Arts. Even so, she loved her Grandparents and now she swore to train harder; she knew that the men that had killed them had to be Dark Wizards; no one else would have killed such fine people.

She had met someone in her Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, though, that had made her week a little brighter. Harry Potter; The Boy Who Lived. She felt ashamed at the fact that her eyes had strayed to his forehead when she first saw him. It was a bit like people asking her about her family when there was so much more to her than that. She had watched him through the class and was impressed at how much he knew about defense. Her housemates had unwittingly volunteered information about him without her asking. Of course most of the information was negative, but Eva knew from watching him that he was an okay guy, and one who had seen a lot more than anyone should. A bit like her actually; she had even sensed something in him, some powerful magic hidden inside.

She had not been able to talk to him very much until their Care of Magical Creatures class. She loved Professor Hagrid, he seemed so nice and genuinely concerned for the creatures they were learning about. He had planned for the first few weeks to be review of what the students had covered so far and then they would head into the study of more important creatures. Eva was completely ecstatic when he showed them a young unicorn that he had tied so they could study it. The boys were allowed to pet it one at a time and the girls were hovering around it when they had been given the assignment of writing out the properties of the unicorn, as well as where they could be found in the world.

Eva set to task writing down all that she knew about unicorns. Professor Hagrid had said they had until the next lesson to turn in the 12-inch parchment, but she wanted to finish it as soon as possible so she wouldn't fall behind in her work for other classes. She was nearly finished when she heard the unicorn whinny. She looked up and saw that Draco was backing away from the animal as it reared and tried to escape the rope that bound it to the tree. Eva sighed; trust Draco to worm his way into trouble where there was no need. She quickly stood and moved towards the unicorn quietly and begun to talk to it in soothing tones.

The animal heard her and lessened its struggle against the rope. She did not notice that everyone had stopped what they were doing, even Professor Hagrid, to watch her. She reached the unicorn and stretched out her hand to show that she was not going to hurt it. The animal eyed her for a while before nudging her hand with its nose. She placed her hand on its nose and began to smooth her fingers along its face; still whispering quiet words to soothe its nerves.

Professor Hagrid had taken over from there and given her twenty House points for knowing how to handle the animal. It was quite strange to see her housemates turn a cold shoulder to her; she figured they would appreciate her stepping in to cover Draco's behind. The rest of her classmates, however, were quite awed at how she had handled the unicorn and said so. Harry had come over and expressed how nice it was to have a Slytherin in a class that knew what they were doing. He said it loud enough for the rest of the class to hear, and Eva wasn't sure if it was a compliment or not, so she just smiled and nodded, then returned to her essay.

The memory of Harry talking to her made Eva sigh. He was quite handsome and he had a wonderful voice. She had noticed that he hung around with Hermione and Ron all the time. She wondered if the girl was his steady. Eva knew that Ron Weasley and Harry were best mates, but she didn't know much about Hermione Granger, besides the fact that she did not like Eva very much. She hoped that there was nothing between Harry and Hermione. She smiled in the dark at her thoughts. She had never thought about a boy so much in her life, then again, she had never had a chance to think about a boy like this.

Eva stood from her bed and reached for her bag. She would light a few candles and try and reduce the small pile of homework she had.