Chapter 7

Allison awoke early the next morning, and as she stretched she gave a small moan of pain as she remembered last night's ordeal.

She looked to her bedside table, and sure enough there was another piece of parchment in the exact place that the other one had been the morning before.

Good morning, girls!

Hope you had a good first day, and hope you have an even better second.

Here's your schedule:

9:00 AM Breakfast

10:15 AM Charms - room 204

12:45 AM Lunch break!

1:45 PM Potions - dungeon 4

3:45 PM Break for snack

4:15 PM Transfiguration

Well, I believe you know the rest, girls, have a nice day.

Albus Dumbledore

She put the letter aside and sighed. She was going to see her uncle again today - twice, she thought as she remembered that she had another detention tonight.

Allison looked at her watch. 7:15. A sudden thought occurred to her. Her uncle was up already, no doubt. Maybe she could do the detention now and get it over with.

The young girl stretched and quickly put her robes on and headed out, pleading that none of the other girls were awake yet.

Thankfully, her plea was answered and she left the room without anyone knowing. She crept down to her uncle's office, and knocked.

She waited a few minutes, then turned to walk away when she heard the creak of the door opening.

"Ah, Miss Snape, I thought you would be down soon. Come in."

Allison didn't like the tone of his voice but obeyed.

"I suppose you want to do your detention early."

The girl nodded mutely.

"Very well. I want you to write a letter to your mother explaining what you did and why you were in detention last night. Also tell her to contact me if she feels any other punishment is merited."

Allison went pale, and stuttered

"You know my mom, sir, you know what she'll do to me, please, sir, not that."

She said this without much hope.

Severus knelt down and cupped the girls chin in his cold hand, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Yes, child, I do know. I will not make you - however, if you don't, I will. I think you know which one she would prefer. It's your decision."

Allison trembled slightly.

"Sir -" she broke off, shuddering at the thought of the consequences she would face after saying this

"Sir, I - I want you to write it. I can't, just, can't. I know what will happen to me but I can't do what you ask of me."

She said this quickly, wanting to get it over with.

Professor Snape looked at her thoughtfully.

"Very well. You will remain here until she replies. I daresay she won't take long to reply."

With this he swept by the terrified girl (though she didn't show it) and threw some Floo powder, calling,

"Ms. Snape, mother of Allison Snape."

Moments later Allison's mother's head appeared in the fireplace.

"Severus," she said in way of greeting.

"How may I help you?"

"I have something to tell you. Your daughter, Allison, was rude to me and insulted me last potions class. I have punished her myself, but I daresay you'll want to take matters into your own hands."

Ms. Snape's eyes were cold with fury and she turned to Allison.

"Floo to our house immediately, young lady. I expected better of you. Severus, anything else?"

"No. I merely insist that she be back in the castle and able to attend classes by 10:00. Will that be enough time?"

"Of course. I'll see you in a few moments, miss."

And her head disappeared.

Allison was trembling horribly as she turned to her Uncle.

He touched her shoulder gently.

"Be strong. I'll help you when you return."

Allison nodded and reached into the bag of Floo powder and turned to the fire, and threw it in the fire. She stepped in and said,

"Snape's sister manor," and disappeared.

Snape went back to his desk.

By golly, he hoped the girl wouldn't be too badly hurt. He almost regretted having done it. But no, Severus Snape never changed his mind.

But still….

Two hours later, the girl returned, and collapsed into Severus' arms.

"Oh my gosh, shit." The stern potions professor scooped up the young girl into his arms and carried her to the infirmary. He could only be thankful she was still conscious.

Before he entered the infirmary he said to Allison,

"Which one was it? Light or dark?"

The little girl lifted her head softly and said,

"Both," before collapsing into unconsciousness.

"Poppy!" he called desperately.

The medi-witch hurried over to Severus after seeing that he was carrying a student.

"Severus, what happened?"

"Her mother… torture curses… both kinds." was all he could say.

Poppy gasped in horror as she led the professor deeper into the infirmary and placed her in a private ward.

"Severus, you know what she needs better than I do. I will not ask questions. She is your niece, I know you will do what is best for her."

Professor Snape nodded and swept out of the infirmary, a sneer hiding all the emotions inside of him.

Allison slept long, not awakening until around 3:30 PM.

Upon seeing her awake, Poppy immediately rushed to her bedside with a goblet of potion that Severus had ordered her administer as soon as she awoke.

"Allison?"

"Where am I?" the startled girl said.

"You are in the infirmary after what your mother…" she broke off, she could not complete the sentence.

The young girl nodded.

"You know we will have to report this to Dumbledore."

"Yes. She's been doing it to me for I don't know how long. But it was worse after Severus' punishment."

Poppy took a deep breath.

"And what did he do?"

"Light side curse, but only for half a minute or so. Not nearly as bad as my mom.." her voice trailed off.

"I am going to fetch Albus. Stay here, and drink your potion. It will help."

The girl nodded.