A/N: I told you they wouldn't be up all too soon. So, as I have nothing else to do, here is chapter three! Please review!

Hermione awoke slowly following day in the mind that it had all been a dream, a horrible dream. She was not Hermione Riddle, the beautiful raven vixen, but rather plain and unbecoming Hermione Granger. There was nothing extraordinary about her minus the fact that she was a witch. She was the daughter of dentists, had a younger brother who was in awed adoration of her and her powers, and was the best friend of the famous Harry Potter, defender of the wizarding world and hero to all. Of course, as with all wishes of this kind, once she had rose from her bed and cast a glance at the mirror above her vanity, the truth made itself known. Starring back at her from across the room was a beautiful girl with long ebony hair. Loving onyx eyes ran over her new form which was now blossoming and lithe. The skin, which had once been tan and uneven, was now snow-like and delicate to the touch. She was practically perfect, she was radiant and she was everything that she had previously thought she would never be. Hermione really was her mothers' daughter.

"Mia, love, you must hurry or we'll be late for shopping," called Annelise from downstairs, breakfast lying in wait on the kitchen table.

"Coming mum," Hermione called back.

Despite of all she had been told, of her mother's classical upbringing and of her family life, Hermione had still to adjust to the formality and elegance in which her mother spoke. Before the previous day Annelise Granger had spoken with the air of a person of little importance. She had been a simple, non-magical person who had a rather dull life, despite her children's comings and goings. As of present, Annelise had slipped back into her old way of speech and whenever her husband had left the house, even for a moment or two, her almost regal air resurfaced.

Hermione dressed quickly and walked down stairs to find her mother and brother already waiting for her. Tom had finished his second helping of buttermilk pancakes and was eyeing Hermione's own full plate. Annelise sipped tea out of a china mug quietly at one corner of the table. She was merely playing the observer, as she had taken to doing since the revelation of her past, so as to check the stability of her children. After all, she did not want to cause her children any mental harm, as the news had come as both a shock and an adjustment.

"Mynee, eat faster! I want to go shopping!" whined Tom impatiently.

"Hold on a second. I'll only be a moment," said Hermione, chewing her pancakes slowly so as to annoy her brother further.

"Mynee!" cried Tom, not amused by her antics.

"Tom, be patient with your sister. Unlike you she did not rise at the crack of dawn," said Annelise calmly.

Tom frowned at his mother before rising from the table to go and put his shoes on in the hallway. Hermione finished eating minutes later, and once ten minutes had passed the trio were in the small Honda civic and on their way to London. It was but an hour before they had arrived at the correct location, and situated beside a used bookshop and a café, squished between the two, was the Leaky Cauldron, their destination. Hermione, Annelise and Tom walked into the building, glamour's firmly in place for the pair formerly mentioned, and made their way to the back of the pub. Situated behind a door sat a lowly dustbin and a large brick wall that was in dire need of repair. What may not look like much to the muggle eye was actually the gateway to the wizarding world, to the place named Diagon Alley, which held everything a wizard or witch in training might desire.

"Now, I want no mention of anything that has been spoken over the past day to anyone. Hermione, neither Harry nor Ron are to even have the slightest inkling of who you truly are. Tom, nothing shall be told to any friends you will make at school. Understood?" instructed Annelise, looking at bother her children.

"Yes mum," said Tom.

"Yes mum," said Hermione.

"Good. Shall we?" said Annelise, motioning to the wall.

"Oh, yes," said Hermione, blushing as she pulled out her wand.

Hermione made the necessary taps and at once the bricks began to form an archway, the gateway to the aforementioned alley. Once each brick was set in it's proper place, the bustling streets of Diagon Alley were reviled and the trio carefully pushed and pulled their way through the crowed to Ollivanders Wand Shop. Mr Ollivander, handed down to him through the generations, owned the shop. Annelise's own wand had been purchased here when she had been a child, when she had been too young and innocent to know of the dark. Her elder brother's had watched with curiosity as their sister picked up her first wand, destroying several items in the store upon doing so. It had taken possibly two hours before the right wand had been chosen, and in doing so she had begun her journey in the world of educational magic.

"Ah, Miss Granger, willow, ten and a half inches, unicorn hair if I'm not mistaken," said Ollivander upon their entering.

Hermione nodded, blushing a little, "Um, yes. We're here for my brother. He got his owl just yesterday," she said.

"Ah yes, another muggleborn. Hogwarts could use another Granger," said Ollivander, smiling to the group before walking to the back of the shop.

The elderly man came back moments later with a long olive box with him. He opened it, took out the oak wand and handed it to Tom.

"Oak, nine inches, dragon heart string," said Ollivander.

Tom waved the wand, immediately destroying a glass vase, which held a bundle of dying orchids in its dry cavity. At once Ollivander plucked the wand from his shaking hand and deposited it back in the box. The man disappeared for a minute or two before returning with a plum box, this time with a chestnut wand within it.

"Chestnut, eleven and a half inches, hippogriff feather," said Ollivander. "Give it a wave, that's it,"

Tom once again waved the wand, sending out a small sputter of pitiful sparks before it knocked Mr Ollivander's ledger off his desk. As before, the wand was taken out of his grasp. For a third time, Ollivander disappeared into the caverns of his shop and returned ten minutes later with a dusty and worn looking blue box, the colour which had once-upon-a-time resembled navy.

"Now, try this one. Beech, nine and a half inches, phoenix tail feather," said Ollivander.

Tom waved the wand, a little hesitant at the notion of what this action could do, but instead of further destruction, there was a calm and soothing light. The light circled Tom and his family and filled the entire shop before fading into the dust-filled air. As nothing had blown up, Tom had a large grin on his face, and faced his mother and sister with a look of glee on his lips.

"Nothing broke!" he cried.

"No, love, nothing did brake. That's your wand now," said Annelise, taking it from him and placing it back in the box. "However you mustn't play with it. A wand is not a toy."

Annelise paid for the wand and the trio left the shop bag in hand. From there they journeyed to Flourish and Blotts to purchase schoolbooks, however upon entering, they caught the eye of a rather plump redhead whom Annelise had only met on four previous occasions. The woman, who had been picking out a rather large amount of books, waved to them and walked over to them.

"Hermione, how good to see you dear," said the redhead.

"Hello Mrs Weasley," said Hermione, always the polite child.

"Don't be silly dear, call me Molly. How are you?" said Mrs Weasley.

"I'm fine. We're just getting my school things. Are you getting Harry and Ron's?" said Hermione, making no mention of Tom. After all, she was not supposed to have a brother, especially one who was to be introduced as a Snape. Luckily, the boy had wandered off to look at transfiguration books and paid no heed to the conversation.

"Yes I am. You know the boys can't leave the house, what with, everything. I'm getting Ginny's things as well. Oh, I'm sorry, hello, Annelise is it?" said Mrs Weasley in a rush.

"Yes, hello Molly," said Annelise quietly. She had nothing against the woman, it was just the fact that for so many years she had been on the side Molly Weasley and her group were trying to destroy.

"Well, I should leave you to your shopping. I have everything I need now, what with Fred and George out of school. I'll see you in a few days Hermione," said Mrs Weasley, walking off to the register.

Annelise smiled and then ushered Hermione over to Tom, who had already chosen many of the books on his list. The rest of the shopping in that particular shop went by quite smoothly, only a few extra bits of reading material sneaking into the rather large stacks that had accumulated during the time spent in Flourish and Blotts. Once they had exited the shop, the trio made their way over to Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions, and then to many other shops, which contained the items, needed for the school year.

All went rather swimmingly, all except a brief encounter with the Malfoy males. Brief as it was it left a lasting imprint of worry in Annelise's mind and not long after would she wonder if Lucius Malfoy knew exactly who she was. It occurred on their way back to the Leakey Cauldron, when they were pushing their way through the crowd that had formed since their entrance to the magical shopping centre. Annelise, Hermione and Tom were elbowing their way through the stifling crowd of people when Hermione, rather violently, knocked into someone. That someone was Draco Malfoy, and as soon as their eyes met, grey on brown, the customary glares were set in place and they stopped.

"Watch where you're going Granger. You just about soiled my robes with your Mudblood filth," said Draco, sneering at her with utter hatred.

"I wouldn't worry Malfoy, I have no intention of touching your robes again in future," said Hermione, returning the searing look.

"Draco, why on earth are you conversing with this muggleborn? Come, we have things to do," said Lucius, placing the top of his walking stick on his sons shoulder.

"Hermione, darling, it's getting late, we must return home before your father arrives," said Annelise, standing behind her daughter.

It was almost eerie in the way they stood, the two adults behind their children who bore equal hatred for all on the opposing side. However whilst Hermione and Draco glared and sneered, Annelise and Lucius studied each other. Annelise saw that the elder Malfoy was exactly the same as he had been since she had last seen him, five years prior. He had a few more wrinkles, to be sure, but he held the same long blonde hair and pale features that he had past onto his son, as well as his contempt for the muggle world. Lucius, on the other hand, saw something in Annelise that he had never had the chance to see before. Their first encounter in Flourish and Blotts during their children's second year had been short and had been only a glance. This time, however, he had a chance to look at the mother of the girl who outstripped his son in every study. Before they moved, being pulled along by they children who did not want to be in the others presence for much longer, he saw a power, elegance in Annelise that reminded him of the one his lord had lost so long ago. The woman who held with her the heir to the dark throne.

"Tom dear, let's go," said Annelise, and as they fled the alley, they left a rather puzzled Lucius and a curious Ollivander behind.

*

"Has everything been arraigned Albus?" asked Severus, sitting across from the headmaster.

"Yes Severus. The needed adjustment to the sorting scroll and the attendance sheets has been made. There is no need to worry," said Albus Dumbledore, hands clasped firmly in front of him.

"I understand but I do worry. This is the safety of my family that we are meddling with. I do not want any fault found, Albus," said Severus firmly, eyes hard.

"Severus, I take great care in everything I do. The safety of your sister and her children is no exception. Please, have faith," Albus assured.

"Faith is something that means very little to me," said Severus, his eyes moving away from the caring old man.

"That is a very cynical view of things Severus. Everyone has faith in something, be it a religion or a single person. For example, most of the wizarding world has faith in Harry Potter and his ability to escape the Dark Lord," said Albus.

"Please, do not drag Potter into this conversation," Severus breathed in annoyance.

"Mr Potter is only an example. What I am asking is for you to place the little faith you have in me. I will not fail you Severus. You have never failed me before," said Albus with a smile and a twinkle of his wise blue eyes.

Severus nodded and sighed heavily, "Albus, I have faith in you. It's just,"

"You do not want anything else to separate yourself and your sister. If an occurrence similar to that of previous years happened you would lose your sister for a second time. Severus, I will do everything in my power to make sure that that never happens again." Albus said, always the wise and knowledgeable one.

Severus nodded once again and slumped back in his chair. Albus was right. He did not want to be separated from Annelise like he had years before. When he had sent her away, he would have assumed she would have gone to their parents or to some other relative, instead she was found wandering aimlessly along a muggle road. He had lost complete contact with her until he saw Hermione in her first year. Of course, a glamour had carefully hid any features akin to his own, but her name was defiantly not at all common. It had taken many owls to finally locate her, and at that moment he had never felt so joyous in his entire life. Since then he had been in contact with her, had only just been able to hold her in his arms the previous day, and to have that stripped away from him once more would be utter hell.

"I'll be in my office if you need me again Albus. Good day," bid Severus, rising and leaving the office.

"Good day Severus," Albus said, just as the potions master closed the door behind him.

Severus walked down to the cold and desolate regions that were the dungeons and down to his office. It wasn't the most comforting of places, certainly there were much more enjoyable ones located somewhat farther above ground, but this was his home. During his time at Hogwarts this was where he graded papers and made out lesson plans. Where students came for detention assignments and were frightened out of where wits by the many fermented objects in jars around the office walls. His was possibly the most gruesome office in all of Hogwarts and the least pleasant to be in, but it was his none the less, and it was home.

Severus slowly made his way to the back of the room and in doing so removed his wand from his pocket. Carefully he taped the highest drawer on the left of his desk and whispered a few words under his breath, so faint that not even the wind would pick it up. With a small click that drawer opened and Severus reached inside. Within it's dusty and decaying depths lied a leather bound photo album. Contained in this album were all of the memories of his childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Every photo had been carefully place in a specific order and labelled with extreme care. However, the album had not been opened and gazed on for many a year and so the pages were yellowing and the binding cracked. In a moment of nostalgia Severus had decided to relive his memories.

Opening the album to the first page, he laid eyes on four infant photos. The first was of a boy, gazing at a Christmas bulb with wide-eyed wonder; scrawled underneath in perfect lettering were the words 'Salazar Archimedes Snape'. The second was also of a boy, one who was sitting in his mothers lap, head resting on her tender arm. As with the first, underneath the photo were the words 'Severus Demetrius Snape'. The next was of a girl, the first daughter of the Snape family. She was lying in her cradle in blissful slumber, arms resting above her head, the words 'Annelise Elizabeth Snape' written beneath the fading photo. The final picture on this particular page was of the youngest child of the Snapes, a girl who was resting in the arms of Salazar, holding her elder brothers hand. 'Lenore Helena Snape' written below.

Even at this somewhat simple page Severus began to feel a stinging in his eyes. Small, almost miniscule tears had begun to form in the corners of his dark eyes, soon falling along his pale cheeks. The four of them, there in the most innocent stages of life were unmarred by darkness, by hurt or death. They had no worries except the simple ones common to infancy, and they had each other most of all. Severus remembered, in not at all clear detail, what those times had been like, so carefree and innocent. As of now the innocence was gone, replaced by dark decisions and painful memories. If he could go back and change it all, his becoming and Death Eater and the pain he had caused others. If he could recapture the time spent with his sister, reclaim the time they had lost together, he would treasure it as if it was the most precious of jewels.

"I will never lose you again Anna, not now, not ever," he whispered, whipping away the tears and closing the album.

Instead of flipping through the many aging pages Severus placed the album in the drawer, closed and locked it once again. Hopefully, in the not to distant future, when all horror and been eliminated and all was safe and peace reigned supreme, he would open it again and be able to look at his memories with happiness rather than tears.

A/N: I know, rather sappy ending, but hey, I like it and it ties in with the story. I doesn't hurt to have a little bit of Severus angst does it? Didn't think so. Anyway, please review!!!

Thank you's:

chalkolatte- thank you! Well, many people use glamours in their stories and I thought, what the hell, might as well use the concept once. Anyway, I'm glad you like it.

Haldirs-Wife- thank you!

DanishGirl- thank you! I know it took awhile to update, but I've been super busy, trust me.

paprika90- thank you!

daggairune- thank you! I'm glad you said that because I was wondering if any of the characters were acting OOC.