Severus Snape followed Veronica into the dungeon, watching with pride as the young witch levitated the huge mound of parcels bought in Diagon Alley. He'd thought perhaps she might tire easily at first, having spent so many years confined to a frame. Instead, it appeared her new three-dimensional form had the normal share of teenage exuberance. They reached a blank section of dungeon wall and the girl paused. "Oh. I don't know the password, Professor."

"Nobility," he supplied, and the stones slid back to reveal the torch-lit common room. Snape's stomach upset returned full force. More than half of the Slytherins were in the room, chatting idly or studying in front of the fire. Thirty pairs of eyes turned toward the newcomers curiously. Cursing inwardly, Snape collected himself. He had no reason to be nervous; after all, he was Head of Slytherin House. But the girl... they could make life hell for the girl if they chose not to accept her. "Webb, Theakston, assemble the students for a house meeting," he snapped at two of his prefects. He felt Veronica shift nervously, sidling back as though wanting to hide behind him. Snape grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and shoved her forward as the remaining Slytherins filed up the stairs from their dormitories. He could feel Veronica's back stiffen under his hands. She squared her shoulders and stepped out of his grasp, a step closer to her peers. Good. At least she wasn't going to shame herself – or her creator - by letting her fear show.

Snape waited a moment for everyone to find a place. "This is Miss Veronica Stuart," he introduced the girl. "No doubt some of you recognize her from her portrait in the potions lab," he added. There was a stir as they absorbed that information. "Silence," Snape ordered casually. "Miss Stuart has returned to Slytherin House with the intention of sitting for her exams. Of course, I expect her to do well." His eyes sought out the fifth-years and seventh-years in the room. "Just as I expect all of you to do well." He stared at each in turn until they squirmed. "In Miss Stuart's case, not only is the House honor at stake, but also her personal wizarding debt to me for having returned her to life," he went on. The potions master couldn't hide a satisfied smirk as that sank in. He saw respect, and from those with enough exposure to the Dark Arts to have some understanding, a certain amount of fear. He let his smile fade. "I shall be most disappointed in Miss Stuart if she fails," Snape said softly, dangerously, "even more disappointed if I find that anyone has hindered her in her efforts to repay her debt in full." There was complete silence in the room at that pronouncement. Well, he'd done what he could. The girl was on her own now. Snape stepped out of the flickering green torchlight. "You are dismissed."

He watched, forgotten for the moment, as the Slytherins crowded around their newest member. A babble of questions filled the air. "How did Professor Snape bring you back to life ?"

"When did you attend Hogwarts ?"

"How long has Snape been planning to bring you back ?"

"What happens if you fail your O.W.L.s – do you have to go back to being a painting ?"

"How did you end up as a painting in the first place ?"

Fifth-year Gemma Gaunt pushed her way to the front of the group. "Hey, calm down ! Veronica will answer your questions after she's had a chance to settle in." Even the older students obeyed; pretty and popular, Gemma was the undisputed princess of Slytherin. "You'll be in our dormitory, Veronica," the girl went on, taking her hand confidently and leading her toward the stairs. "I'll bet you're wicked awesome at Potions."

Snape's attention turned to Harita Shah. The shy, dark-haired girl had been Gemma's constant companion since their first year. Now her face was twisted with jealousy as she was left behind, spurned in favor of the newcomer. The professor shook his head; this would not end well. Harita was an excellent student – which was exactly why Gemma had chosen her – but a social outcast. All that had ended in the middle of their first year, though, when Gemma Gaunt had favored her with her friendship and protection. Now that friendship was being withdrawn in typical Slytherin fashion. Harita Shah would make sure Veronica paid dearly...

But Veronica was turning back from the head of the stairs. Her eyes swept the room until she located Miss Shah. "You're Harita, right ? I'm so glad we could finally meet. You are absolutely brilliant when it comes to Potions," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. The dark-haired student blushed at the unexpected praise. Smiling, she let Veronica take her hand and draw her back into the circle of girlish camaraderie. Snape blinked in surprise, then berated himself for not having seen it coming. Of course ! Veronica knew these students. She'd watched them – all of them – since their first days at Hogwarts. Her voice floated back up the stairs as the three girls descended to their dormitory together. "Transfiguration is where I fall short, Gemma. But I'm not bad at History." Snape heard her giggle at Gemma's response. "Yes, well, I lived through a lot of it. I hope we can all study together-" the voices faded away. The potions master slipped back to his laboratory unnoticed. It seemed Miss Stuart would manage just fine on her own.