Disclaimer: Again, only Sparkie and Thorn are mine. Maken Wood belongs to Maken-Wood here on fanfiction. As I said, I have permission to use him!

Author's Note: Okay, I've had people telling my about some flaws in my story, but it will all get explained in later parts of the story, okay? Don't leave me just cause of that! As I said, it WILL get better! When she's in school (Which is really close after this chapter) It will get more interesting! PLEASE BARE WITH ME!!!!!

Chapter three

Growing up with the Woods

Not even a week later, Severus and Thorn found themselves standing in front of the Wood's house. Next to them stood Dumbledore, who was twiddling his thumbs calmly.

Jamie Wood answered the door and smiled kindly to the group of them. "Hello! Professor Dumbledore! Nice to see you again, come in, come in." She stood aside for the others to enter.

Thorn gripped her uncle's hand tight in hers. She felt no fear; she just didn't want him to leave her. He was the only person that she loved anymore, with her mother and father gone.

They followed Jamie into the kitchen where she bid them to sit. "Gary, Oliver, and Maken will be out soon." She said as she offered them some cookies

Dumbledore took one without hesitation, "Ah, thank you, Jamie." He bit into the chocolate chip and licked his lips in satisfaction, "Delicious."

Severus shook his head, "No thank you, I'm fine."

She held one out to Thorn, who wasn't sure what to do, she wasn't hungry, but she didn't want to be rude, and the cookies smelled so good! She finally decided to take one. She silently ate it, all the while keeping her eyes downcast.

Jamie watched her with curiosity, and then two young boys and a taller man entered the room. "Ah! Dumbledore!" The man said, "Wonderful to see you again!" He quickly came to the Headmaster's side and shook his hand.

"Nice to see you too, Gary!" Albus said, and then he turned to his coworker and said, "Gary, this is Severus Snape."

Gary smiled to Severus, who gave a weak smile back. They shook hands and Gary said, "Ah, the one in the paper, that prat Skeeter, always making crap up about other wizards for her own sick pleasure."

Severus nodded, "Yes, and she's made it awfully hard for Thorn and me to go anywhere without whispers and such."

Gary nodded, "I bet. Dumbledore's told us the real story, and we don't hate the child for it." He turned back to the doorway where his sons were just standing stupidly. "C'mon, boys! Be polite!"

Severus glanced at the two boys. They seemed nice enough. He was happy with the family Dumbledore had chosen. They were in fact nice people. Thorn was still holding onto his hand tightly.

The two young boys came up, looking rather nervous. "Come on, don't be shy," their mother said, she took the younger ones hand and said, "Maken, this is Thorn. I told you that she was going to come live with us while her uncle went to work, didn't I?"

Young Maken nodded and watched Thorn curiously. She silently wondered if he knew about what she had done.

"Why don't you and Oliver take her into the den and play?" Jamie asked him and she pushed him forwards a bit.

At first he seemed shy, but at the word 'play' he perked right up. "Okay!" He grabbed Thorn's wrist and tugged her towards the door. She fought back, but only for a little while, then she regretfully let go of Severus's hand and went into the other room with Maken and Oliver.

Once the children were out of sight, Dumbledore turned to Jamie and Gary Wood. "Thank you, again, for watching Thorn."

Jamie smiled. "Of course, Headmaster, it's no problem."

Severus watched after his niece, then turned to the Woods and said, "Please don't tell your sons what she's done. I don't want them to shun her away."

Jamie smiled pitifully. Severus sighed; he was tired of getting pity from everyone. "We won't, Professor Snape. I swear."

Thorn followed Maken and Oliver into the den nervously. She had never actually played before. She watched as Oliver walked into the corner and began to play with little Quidditch figures. They flew in circles and he told them what to do. Maken lead her over to his corner, where there were figures of animals. They didn't move like Oliver's.

He sat cross legged on the floor and picked up a unicorn. Thorn awkwardly sat across from him, unsure on what to do. Maken made the unicorn fly in circles, all the time making the noises that a fighter jet would make.

Thorn watched in confusion then said, "Maken, unicorns can't fly."

He glanced up to her, then continued his playing. "This one can!" Maken said, he had no speech problems; he just spoke a bit fast. "He's special!" The unicorn dive bombed a red dragon.

She watched, confused still. "Maken..." She said again, he stopped and looked at her, "There's no way that a unicorn could kill a dragon."

Maken stared at her. Did she not get it? He placed the unicorn back onto the carpet and said, "Thorn, just play, it doesn't have to make sense." He picked up the unicorn again and continued to dive bomb other creatures.

Thorn thought about what he said, "Just play..." she repeated. She felt Sparkie wedge himself out of her robes pocket and climb onto her shoulder. She smiled at him and picked up the dragon.

She felt a little foolish, holding an inanimate object, trying to pretend that it was alive. Maken noticed her predicament and laughed.

"What?" She scoffed. If she hadn't been hiding her stronger emotions, her cheeks would have reddened.

Maken smiled and said, "It's almost as if you've never played before!" He laughed again.

Thorn looked down at the dragon, then back up to Maken, "I haven't." She said in a low voice.

Maken froze. Someone who hasn't played!? Ever!? How was it possible? "You've never... played? How can that be? All kids play! We don't have work or anything!"

Thorn still looked down at the carpet. She didn't want to tell Maken why she'd never played. She didn't want to tell him that she had had to work, that she still did.

Maken was still amazed. He shook his head, to rid himself of the feeling and said, "Well, how about I teach you how to play?"

Thorn watched him. Somehow, the idea of acting like unmoving object were alive seemed unappealing to her. She stared at Maken, as he watched her. Then, without warning, he took her hand, which still had the red dragon, and moved it in a flying motion.

This made Thorn feel even more foolish. She pulled her hand away and placed the dragon back down. Maken watched her like she was crazy. "What? You don't wanna play?"

Thorn shook her head. "It doesn't make sense to me. I don't see what's so fun about it."

Maken sighed. He had a new goal for the year. Okay, maybe month, hey, he was only three, he didn't look that far into the future! He was going to help Thorn understand what it meant to play.

He took her hand again and placed the dragon back into it. He moved it on the ground, trying to make it look like it was walking. He growled and attempted a roar.

Thorn let him move her hand. She watched, trying to understand. She felt a bit better to know that Maken was trying to help her regain childhood, though he didn't know that's what he was doing.

He released her hand and the dragon instantly stopped "moving." He looked to Thorn, who was staring at the dragon stupidly. "C'mon! You take over!"

She glanced up at him then moved the dragon in the same manner he had been. "Make it roar!" Maken exclaimed, happy that Thorn was somewhat getting it.

She smiled slyly. She had an idea, but she well knew that Maken wouldn't understand what she'd say. She opened her mouth and said, "Roar!" But the words that came from her lips was not English, they were uttered in a harsh hissing sound. The gift of Parsletounge! she thought to herself.

Maken gaped at her. "That was so cool! You were like hiss! And I was like, cool! How did you do that!? Do it again!"

Thorn smiled, yet suddenly the feeling of foolishness returned. She set the dragon back down and said, "I don't know, I just did." That was a lie, of course, but she wasn't going to tell someone who might actually be her friend that she held the gift that the Dark Lord cherished.

Maken was about to say something more when they heard Thorn's name being called from the kitchen. She rushed in, Sparkie perched on her shoulder.

Severus and Dumbledore were standing near the door. Thorn's heart froze. Though she had known that he would have to leave her, she still dreaded it. All of her clothes and such were packed for her and her suitcase was sitting by the wall. Jamie and Gary Wood stood side by side next to the table.

Maken came up behind Thorn and watched the adults. He walked right by his new friend and to his mother, who took him into her arms.

Thorn fought back the stream of tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. She strode to her uncle, who had kneeled on the floor to be even with her, and ran into his arms. She hadn't been away from his since her mother had died... "Good-bye, Severus," she whispered.

He held her close and kissed her temple. "Don't worry, Thorn, I'll come visit when ever I can." He really hated leaving her. In fact, he had considered taking a month's leave to be with her more and get her used to the idea of him being gone, but he didn't want to do that to Dumbledore, to make him find a fill in. He had done so much for their broken family already.

She nodded and tried to be strong about it. She hiccupped slightly and said, "I love you Severus."

"I love you, too." Severus stood up and ran his hand over his niece's smooth black hair. The he and Dumbledore turned, and with one last glance at his beloved niece, they apparated away.

Thorn stared at the spot where her uncle had been only seconds before. She fought back the urge to cry and locked her sorrow in her heart. She felt the sadness, but no one else, not even Harry or Voldemort could tell.

Maken came and stood next to her. "Who was that, Thorn?" he asked eagerly.

Thorn sighed, "That was my uncle, Severus."

"Ah," Maken nodded, but she could see the confusion in his young eyes. Then he added, "Where's your mum and dad?"

Thorn glanced to him, then said, in a quiet voice, "They're dead." She didn't continue on to tell him how exactly they died.

Maken's jaw dropped, but he quickly recovered from his shock. He may be hyper most of the time, okay, constantly, but his mother had taught him manners. "Oh... I'm sorry."

Thorn shook her head, "No, it's okay. You didn't know."

Jamie came to her son and the young girl that would be staying with them for the school year. "C'mon, Thorn, let me show you to your room." She took Thorn's bag and led her to a small room with a bed, dresser, and small trunk.

Jamie set Thorn's bag on the bed and said, "This is where you'll be sleeping." She began to unpack for Thorn. When the bag was empty, Mrs. Wood was startled to find that she only had one personal belonging; a picture of her mother and Severus.

Thorn nodded and set the picture on the dresser. In it, her mother and Severus were younger. It was right after Severa's last year at Hogwarts, before she was married to Romulus Rose. The last picture with the two Snape children.

After about two weeks of staying at the Wood's, Thorn had learned two very important things. One: don't touch Oliver's stuff, two: never say the word "play" around Maken. He went into an even more hyperactive state then he was usually in.

It seemed that Maken had created a new goal for his young mind to work on. Thorn noticed that he seemed intent on making her play. She never subducted fully to his attempts, but she made sure to "roar" a few times for his liking.

She kept in touch with Severus. He wrote her letters and she, being unable to read or write, had either Gary or Jamie read them to her. He visited her as often as he could as well.

As the months passed by, Thorn became more comfortable with the Woods, as did Sparkie. The lizard hadn't grown a lot since they had arrived, and now he could fly. The older he got, the more they learned about him. He could become invisible, and his teeth were extraordinarily strong. They learned that when he chewed through a diamond vile made for strong potions.

Yet, as comfortable as she felt with them, the Woods did not give her one thing. A real family. She missed Severus dearly, and she couldn't wait for the Christmas break, but soon, even that hope was shattered.

"Thorn!" Jamie called and Thorn ran into the kitchen, Sparkie gliding silently behind her, "You have another letter from Severus."

Thorn smiled weakly and said, "Will you read it to me?"

Jamie smiled, then unfolded the parchment, and read aloud,

Dear Thorn,

I'm terribly sorry that I haven't written in so long, I've been surrounded in work. You wouldn't believe what dunderheads I have to attempt to teach this year. I don't have much time to write, I have a class in five minuets, but I have to relay some bad news. Dumbledore has a lack of teachers who are willing to stay for the Christmas holiday, and he has asked me to stay. He's done so much for us, and I would hate to let him down, so, I'm not going to be able to visit you over the break, as much as I regret to admit it. I have to go, the over achievers are pouring in early.

Love,

Severus Snape

Thorn's heart sank. "Severus isn't coming?" she asked, not wanting to believe it.

Jamie's eyes had not left the parchment. She knew how much the professor wanted to spend Christmas with his niece. She was like his daughter. "No, it seems not, Thorn. I'm sorry."

Sparkie mewed and nuzzled Thorn's leg. She nodded and said, "It's okay," then she silently walked into the den, where Oliver was going over Quidditch with his father and Maken was playing with his unicorn again.

She smiled her small and quiet smile and sat down. She kept her emotions well hidden, even her best, and only, friend couldn't see her deep sorrow.

Thorn was in her room on Christmas morning, sleeping away until the sun rose. Or, that's what she'd wanted to do. Yet Maken, at three in the morning, ran into her room and leapt onto her bed.

"Thorn! It's Christmas! It's Christmas!"

She groaned in annoyance and turned over, her back facing her hyperactive friend, and pulled her covers over her head.

"Come on, Thorn! It's Christmas!" Maken said excitedly, then he leapt up, startled to feel something moving under the covers where he was sitting.

Sparkie emerged, looking quite perturbed. He muttered something in his high-pitched language as he glided over to the dresser and glared at Maken.

Maken ignored the lizard and continued to try to pry Thorn from her bed. "Thorn!" he wined, "Come on! It's Christmas!"

Thorn burrowed even deeper into her bed. "I don't care."

Maken gaped at her. "But... It's Christmas! How can you not care!?"

Thorn watched him from under her covers. "Cause Severus isn't here."

"Well, still, come on!" He grabbed her ankles and pulled her out of the bed. "It's Christmas!"

She kicked him away and stood up. Sparkie flew to her shoulder. "I'm coming, I'm coming." She followed him out half heartedly, her long sleeved black nightshirt slightly dragging on the floor.

She wasn't at all amazed to find the rest of the Wood family in the den. No doubt Maken had woken them early, too.

The previous week Gary had bought a Christmas tree and he and his sons had decorated it. Thorn hadn't wanted to help, for her Christmas spirit was limited.

Now there were many gifts under the glowing bit of birch. Thorn only expected to get one, maybe two, and she was surprised to receive three.

Maken sat on the floor, only some meters away, yet his entire body was hidden behind a mountain of wrapped presents. Oliver sat not far of from his brother, a similar pile of gifts next to him.

Thorn opened the gift from the Wood family first. They'd gotten her a small, harmless potions set. She set it aside, with a thanks, and moved on to the gift that Maken had given her. She laughed quietly when she saw what it was. A unicorn, identical to the one he had, but in a bright purple color. It had been wrapped in violent violet paper.

"Thanks, Maken," She said as she put the unicorn with her potions set. He beamed at her.

"You're welcome, Thorn!" he exclaimed as he tore the wrapping off of his fifth gift containing moving animal toys.

She smiled her small smile and picked up her last gift. A small black box that Severus had sent her.

She opened it and quickly recognized it. She pulled the silver medallion out by it'd chain and examined it. It was perfectly round, a bit bigger then a quarter by diameter and a bit thinner. Etched into the metal was a serpent, its body twisted into an "S." Above it said the word "Slytherin" and under it read, "And Proud." Although she couldn't read it, she knew the words were there, just as she knew that there was a poem on the back.

Maken leaned over her shoulder, grinning. Then he said, "What's that say, Thorn?"

She closed her eyes and recited it by heart.

"You May think Slytherins are evil,

or maybe we're just mad,

but please do not forget,

that you are just as bad.

You kill and steal and cheat,

it isn't only us.

It's our reputation,

that's made this such a fuss.

But understand this about me,

before your mind is made,

I'm Slytherin and proud,

and that will never fade."

She glanced at Maken, who looked confused. She turned the silver piece over and said, "This was my mothers."

Suddenly she felt a twang of longing in her heart. She missed her mother and her father, but what she missed the most was the person who had sent her mother's necklace. Severus had been the closest thing to her since her parents' deaths, and the fact that she wouldn't see him until the end of the school year now, since Dumbledore asked him to stay, made her miss him more.

She shook head and emptied herself of the emotion and felt Sparkie, who had been playing with her purple unicorn and Maken, leap onto her shoulder.

She and Sparkie had grown really close, not just as friends, but mind wise, too. They felt each others thoughts, some what. They were still far too young for the connection to be that strong, but within a couple of years, they would almost seem one being.

Another reason that she was growing closer to him was because she could talk with him. Parstletounge was the gift of talking to snakes, and Sparkie had the ability to talk in any reptile tongue that he wanted, despite the fact that he was a lizard. They could speak through serpent means. Sparkie was also teaching her how to talk in any reptile language by showing her how to convert the sounds. She was getting better at this by the day.

He whimpered and nuzzled her neck. She stroked the length of his body and lowly hissed, "I'm okay."

He gave her a skeptical look, but she ignored him. Because she was small, Thorn didn't have to unclasp the silver chain to put the medallion on. She slipped it over her head and pulled her black hair from under the chain. It felt to the bottom of her sternum. From then on she rarely took it off.

Thorn stayed at the Wood's house every school year until she was eleven, but that didn't make her life dull. During the summer, when she was six, She learned to read, and she immuned herself to pain.

Severus walked into Thorn's room. She had just turned six, and he had been teaching her how to read and write, but he was worried. She seemed preoccupied with something else.

He gasped, making his niece jump. She had her wand pointed at herself, and Severus had heard her mutter the word, "Crucio!"

She looked to him, her eyes wider then normal, and stuffed her wand away. Severus noticed that she had not lifted the curse. "Thorn!" he said, amazed. She had not acknowledged the fact that she had used the pain curse upon herself.

Thorn stared at her uncle, still feeling the pain that he wand was inflicting upon her. She had been doing this to herself for quite some time now. Not because she liked the pain, but because she knew that she needed to get used to it. She needed to be unhurtable.

Taking it step by step, she cursed herself for as long as she could stand it without screaming. At first she hadn't been able to bear it for more than a few seconds, then minuets, hours, and, finally, days.

She had gone two weeks with the curse on her. She no longer was hurt by its pain, she had become so used to it that it seemed like nothing.

Severus was now regretting that the ministry had given her permission to use magic. If they hadn't, this wouldn't have happened. "Thorn," he said again, striding to her side. He took her wand out of her robes and lifted the spell. "What are you doing?"

She glanced up to him and felt the curse lift. "I'm making it so the curse won't hurt me." Her voice was a bit deeper than it had been three years previous, but her "R's" still slurred.

Severus sighed and ran his hand through his shoulder length black hair, "Why?"

She watched him, knowing how surprised and afraid he was. He didn't want her to hurt herself. "Severus, I'm going to need this immunity, I know I am."

Severus looked into her eyes. The dark eyes that once showed emotion, when she was an infant, now seemed an empty void. "Thorn," he sighed, "You have to stop this, please."

Thorn looked up to him. He was masking his feelings, but she was probably the only one that could see past this wall. She felt a twinge of guilt surge through her. She knew that she was the only one that he cared so deeply about. "Okay," she nodded, "I promise."

Later in the years Thorn had spent all of her free time, whether at the Wood's or in her own home, reading. She had an extensive vocabulary by the age of eight, and acted much more mature then she actually was. She read many books, most of them about Potions, The Dark Arts, and even about the Magical Creatures. In fact, she became so interested in the animals she snuck off to the ministry and got herself a license to own such animals, with a little persuading, of course. It probably also helped that Maken's father worked at the ministry.

With her license and the huge fortune that her parents had left her, seeing as they had been famous aurors, she was able to buy a few pets.

In the summer before she started school she bought them. Much to Severus's annoyance, she had a unicorn, Shooter, a Hippogriff, Talon, and a rare Pegasus, Feather.

The three of them lived in the forest around their house, and they knew not to leave it. If the muggles in the city saw them, nothing good could come of it.