Snape needed to think. He sat in his sitting room, drinking fire whiskey, looking into the fire, and thinking about Roxanna.

She was a strange girl, but that was to be expected when one grew up the way she did. She had this power in her that seemed to come from nowhere, yet it scared her to use it. She's smart like a Ravenclaw, brave like a Gryffindor, kind like a Hufflepuff, and as sneaky and manipulative as any Slytherin. Not to mention the fact that she is extremely attractive.

"Damn girl," Snape said shaking those thoughts from his head. How could he think things like that about a girl that had to be at least twenty years his junior? She isn't even 18 for Merlin's sake. Snape groaned and took another swig of fire whiskey. It was going to be a long night.

Roxanna was really enjoying herself with the large oaf known as Hagrid. The guy can't cook worth a damn, but at least his heart is in the right place.

Hagrid told Roxanna all sorts of stories about Harry Potter and his few years at Hogwarts, his many creatures he has taken care of, his job as groundskeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor, and Dumbledore before Roxanna finally broached the subject of Professor Snape.

"Professor Snape? Why ya interested in 'im?"

Roxanna shrugged. "I don't know. He seems to be out of place. He doesn't like physical contact unless he initiates it, which I highly doubt he ever does. He probably claims to be terrible with children, but I've witnessed first-hand the falseness of that statement. He is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma. I just want to know more about this man who seems to not care, but does in his own way."

Hagrid smiled. "I understand now. Well, ya didn't hear this from me…"

Roxanna left Hagrid's hut a few hours later with a bunch of stories about Snape's past and present at Hogwarts to last her a lifetime. The one thing that bothered her was just how sad his past really was.

No wonder he doesn't like to be touched. He doesn't trust people.

Roxanna returned to the castle only to be called to Dumbledore's office. Once she found it, she saw that someone had already said the password, so she just climbed up the steps. Once at his door, she knocked.

"Come in dear child," the kind-hearted wizard said. Roxanna rolled her eyes. She hated being called a child. She opened the door and was surprised to find Professor Snape there as well.

Snape was his usual intimidating self. He was leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed defensively across his chest. Roxanna fought the urge to laugh while taking a seat across from Dumbledore.

"I think we may have a way to keep you and the other children here until such a time as they can be placed in a safer orphanage," Dumbledore said smiling.

Roxanna smiled brightly. "That's wonderful news. What do we have to do?"

"I want you to help Severus out in potions. I understand that you are well adapted in making potions and would be of great help to him."

Snape took a few steps forward. "I don't think that it is wise to burden the poor child with…"

"I am not a child," Roxanna said in a defiant tone interrupting Snape. He looked down at her and she looked up at him.

Snape couldn't understand what was wrong with this girl. He was trying his most menacing sneers at her and she wasn't flinching or turning away. She was just staring back with her own menacing sneer. Snape had to admit to himself that it was pretty damn good.

"If you insist on it, you may assist me," Snape said before turning back to Dumbledore. "I must go, NEWT level potions." Dumbledore nodded and Snape took his leave.

Roxanna smiled at the kind Headmaster. "So, you just snap your fingers and he does what you say?"

"Not exactly, but he usually relents understanding that I have a reason for all this."

"Ah," Roxanna said, "and what is your reasoning for making me help him out?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "That, my dear, if for me to know and you to find out."

Roxanna smiled at the older gentleman, but something about his twinkling eyes made her a little wary of working with the professor from hell.

"Anything else?" she asked with a smile, even though her mind was jumping around in a million different directions.

"Yes, I believe I have figured out why you can do wandless magic," Dumbledore said. "Because you were never properly trained, your magic hasn't been put to good use, therefore you are able to use it without the use of a wand."

"At least now you know why I can do what I can do, and it is a lot less interesting the Professor Snape's way," Roxanna said.

"What is Professor Snape's way?"

Roxanna smiled. "That, my dear Headmaster, is a story for another day."