Thanks for all my lovely reviewers. You gave me the strength to update
faster. Yes, there will be a fight in the story....... but not right now. I
know, and I'm sorry. Though, you will find out who Siobhan chooses. Lupin
or Snape? Read and see. Don't forget to review though. ^_^
Disclaimer: I own no characters and stuff you may have seen in the books written by J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Siobhan.
Harry woke up and let out a small groan. He'd rather have been anywhere but where he was now. Every morning was the same. He hated being at 12 Grimmauld Place but had to be there for his own safety. Even being at 4 Privet Drive had been better than being here. Sure they still looked at him as if he was dirt but they fed him, clothed him and left him alone to swim in his deep thoughts. Here he didn't have the same privacy. Everyday, they made him do something to take his mind of Sirius but it never worked. Today, they were going shopping for book supplies.
The letters had arrived and they had been informed of their OWL results. Hermione's were all Outstanding, not that it had been a surprise. Ron's and Harry's had been identical- they had failed Divination (of course), got Exceeding Excellent in History of Magic and Astronomy ( this was a surprise considering the events that had happened on those days) and the rest Outstanding- including Potions. Along with those letters was the usual shopping list for that year, and a letter giving you career choices. Harry's and Ron's had been to become Aurors, whilst Hermione's had been to work in the Department of Magical Creatures, which she had been really pleased about.
Ron's snores and Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Ginny bound into the room, wide awake, even though it was 9 am according to his new watch.
"Mum says you've got to all wake up and get ready to go to Diagon Alley," Ginny said shaking each one in turn. "Harry you've got to give Mum your key so that she can get the money in advance."
Harry got up grudgingly and went to his trunk. He rummaged through it for awhile and when he found the key he handed it to Ginny, who bound back out of the room, slamming the door behind her, though it seemed as she had done it accidentally. Although he had been awake, he didn't really want to get out of bed, but then again, going to Diagon Alley would take his mind off Sirius. As Harry put on any clothes that seemed remotely clean and ironed, he wondered how Sirius could have died if he only fell through a veil, but since it had been the Veil of Death, that might be the reason why.
He sighed and went downstairs where he could hear hushed voices coming from the hallway. There stood Mrs. Weasley and Remus Lupin, who Harry hadn't been able to look in the eye since Lupin's breakdown. Lupin looked obviously pissed and Mrs. Weasley was trying to calm him down. Harry stood at the door and hoped they wouldn't notice him before he caught a bit of the conversation.
"No, Molly I still refuse to believe it. Him? As her father? I swear Gwen had more sense than that. No. I'm the girl's godfather and I should know. No," Lupin said shaking his head.
"Remus, don't be so stubborn. I know she's the closest thing you have to a daughter and you can't bear to let her go but he doesn't exactly like you does he? I thought he'd made that clear," Mrs. Weasley said. Harry had always seen her as a reassuring person but right now she seemed spiteful.
"Gwen made me godfather be He was busy kissing that Voldemort's feet, and then I was shut out of her life long enough by that guy." Molly flinched, but Lupin ignored it.
"You know very well that he has been loyal to Dumbledore all these years. If she wants you in her life, he'll let you, but if she doesn't, tough luck."
"But Molly-"
"No, no, Remus. Discuss this with Dumbledore." She turned and noticed Harry for the first time. "Good morning, Harry. How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to know that Professor Lupin is a godfather, nothing more," he answered holding up his hands in innocence. If Harry had been smart enough, he would have been able to work out that there was a connection between Lupin's goddaughter and Snape, but since he wasn't, he didn't.
"Right, I'd best be off. I've got some, eh, business to take care off." He could be heard muttering and cursing as he walked out of the front door slamming it behind him. Mrs. Weasley went down to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
One by one Hermione, Neville, Ron, Luna and Ginny came down to the dining room and they began to eat. Once Mrs. Weasley was gone, Harry told them about the conversation he had heard that morning.
"It's weird, isn't it? I never thought of Remus as a godfather. I do pity her though, having to sit through one of his lectures," Ron said before stuffing a whole piece of toast in his mouth, as it was the last toast one earth.
"Well you don't know everything about him, do you? I mean he could be married for all we know," Hermione said in a know-it-all voice.
"Yeah, Hermione's right. We don't really know people that well," Harry said, thinking that it was best if everyone didn't know that Lupin had been married before. It seemed sort of personal.
Then a voice spoke, making everybody jump. "You lot meddling in things that don't concern you," came the rough voice of Alastor Moody, his wooden leg clicking with every step.
"So you know what's going on?" Ginny asked, hoping that she might get something out of him.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do know what's going on, but I ain't gonna tell you nothing. If you want answers ask Professor Lupin yourselves."
"But he hasn't told us in the first place in the first place so what tells you he's gonna tell us now?"
"Nothing kiddo. All I'm saying is keep your nose out of thing that don't concern you." And that was the end of that uninformative conversation. None of them dared say anything more about it and ate in silence until Mrs. Weasley came and told them to hurry up.
***
"Dad! Where are the painkillers?" came Siobhan's voice from the kitchen. There was no reply. "Oi! DAD!" Finally Severus' head appeared from the bathroom door, his hair dripping wet (which means he does wash his hair), and a dark green towel wrapped around his waist.
"I don't know. What do you need it for?" he asked looking slightly concerned.
"Um, I slightly, only slightly, knocked my scar on the door and it's agitated it, slightly."
"Do you never look where you are going? That's the fifth time this week. Are you sure you aren't blind?"
"Yes, I know, I know. You said that yesterday. So, are you absolutely definitely sure you don't know where it is?"
"It's in the second drawer to the left in the kitchen. Be careful, I'm not made of painkillers if you hadn't noticed."
"K thanks. What on earth would I do without you? Actually, don't answer that question." She turned and disappeared through the kitchen door leaving Severus standing in the hallway, dripping water onto the dark blue carpet.
"You'd do fine, Siobhan. You've done fine until now," he whispered to himself before going into his room to get changed.
Five minutes later, Severus was ready, dressed again in black muggle clothes, though it was around five hundred degrees outside. He found Siobhan on her favourite seat on the sofa, with her feet on the glass coffee table, flicking through a copy of Young Witch Weekly. On the front cover was Harry Potter who had become quite a sensation. On the cover of every magazine was his face or some other celebrity who had done something worth the media's attention, like the Weird Sisters.
"Feet off the table, Siobhan," he said whacking her feet with a copy of the Daily Prophet, the popular wizard newspaper. They weren't any better than Young Witch Weekly, praising Harry even though they had been slating for the past two years. The whole newspaper was also full of rubbish from people claiming that they had seen Voldemort walking past their back yard whilst they were sunbathing.
"Very well, O Boring One," she replied putting down her feet. "This Harry Potter, he's quite famous. Wouldn't want to be in his shoes though. He looks kinda sad. Though he is cute, isn't he?"
"Harry Potter is nothing but cute. He is a dunderhead who passed his exams through luck. If I were you I'd be careful who you hang out with at Hogwarts, depending on what house you're in." Severus didn't like the idea of Siobhan falling in love with Harry.
"Ooh, someone's holding a grudge. No wonder you act like you've got a wand stuck up your rear end." The last comment was said as she continued to read the magazine, a small grin on her face.
"I beg your pardon? That tongue of yours will get you in trouble one of these days. Can you not hold it?"
"No, I will always express my mind freely, and no-one can stop me. By the way who uses the word dunderhead anymore? It's so outdated."
"Oh yeah?" He took out his wand and put a Tickling Charm on her. She giggled wildly as the effects became stronger.
"Stop it. Come on, be a gentleman."
"Not until you say the magic phrases."
"Ok, OK. You don't act like a prik who has his wand stuck up his ass."
"And?"
"And, you're the greatest father in the world." This comment was only said in hope to get him to take off the charm but he didn't let up.
"And?"
"And... um... Harry Potter is a complete dunderhead. Now get OFF!" Severus, finally satisfied, took the charm off, and let her catch her breath.
"That was for your comment earlier and for saying my language is outdated. Think wisely next time. It could be your life on the line."
"Gee, your cheerful. Can we go now? I need to renovate my tan. Two weeks in this house has definitely made me paler." She took her sunglasses and bag from the mantelpiece and waited as Severus put on sun lotion. She watched him, wondering why on earth he needed sunscreen. He was like one of those people who never burnt or got a tan.
Once Severus was properly protected from the 'harmful' rays of the sun, they were ready to go, finally. They each grabbed a bit of Floo Powder in turn, threw in the fireplace and shouted, "Diagon Alley!"
***
"Harry, I still can't believe we aced Potions. I mean Outstanding? I thought I'd failed completely," Ron told Harry as they looked for their potion textbooks, in Flourish & Blotts.
"Hmm, though it would have been great to finally get away from Snape," Harry replied rolling his finger across several books, resting his finger on the right book. Harry had seriously hoped that he would be saying goodbye to Snape, but he had no such luck. The tension between the two of them was just too intense. Harry blamed Snape as much as he blamed Dumbledore, and Snape held a grudge that had been held against Harry's father once but had gotten passed down to him.
Once all the shopping had been done and all of them had been to visit the twin's in their new shop, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, they settled down to have some ice-cream sundaes at Florean Fortescue's Ice-cream parlour. Ron who was busy shovelling ice-cream into his mouth, when he dropped the spoon into his bowl so abruptly ice-cream went flying everywhere.
"Ron, what is the matter with you? If I need ice-cream on my face I'll use my own," Hermione said agitated, wiping ice-cream of her face.
"Sorry, 'Mione. It's just that there is a beautiful babe walking towards Fred and George's shop," he explained. All the boys turned to look where Ron was looking and their mouths dropped. Hermione and Ginny tutted and went about cleaning up the ice-cream from their hair whilst Luna just stared into space.
They were all staring at Siobhan who was wearing a pleated mini skirt, revealing her toned slim legs, a spaghetti strap top which hugged her figure perfectly, and just normal trainers to give it a down-to-earth look. Her hair bounced and glistened in the summer sun, as it came down in waves. Her eyes were shielded by pink sunglasses, or otherwise they would have been marvelled at their intense colour. Harry, Ron and Neville weren't the only one's interested in her, since a group of boys about their age hooted as she walked past. She entered Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and the boys came back from Cloud Nine, the minute the door shut behind her.
"Hey, Neville wasn't that your cousin, what you call it, Siobhan?" Harry asked turning to Neville.
"It might have been. She looks different though. When I last saw her she was dressed in black and crying her eyes out," Neville replied shrugging his shoulders.
"Neville, if you have a cousin that fit, you've got to introduce us. I mean, she can't go to waste," Ron told Neville obviously still dazzled by Siobhan. The conversation was changed by the girl's who were tired of listening to them talk about a girl. Harry tuned out and continued to stare at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.
Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had been as big a success as Zonko's in Hogsmeade, and it was popular amongst the Hogwarts students since they gave discounts to anyone who swore they were going to use the products to cause mischief. Mrs. Weasley certainly hadn't been happy about it, since she spent the whole first week of the summer holidays asking him why on earth he had given them the money in the first place but was obviously relieved that they weren't making any dodgy deals like Mundungus Fletcher.
Harry could hear explosions coming from the shop and could have sworn he had seen the roof lift to let smoke out, but it might have been a figment of his imagination. He turned back to the ice-cream sundae and the conversation, soon forgetting about the girl who had caught his eye minutes before.
***
Siobhan arms caught the case of goose bumps as she entered the joke shop, for it was much cooler inside than outside. She loved this shop, and she was happy to be surrounded once more by so many items of mischief, which she loved to create. She had been a regular customer since the shop had opened and was acquainted with Fred and George, slightly more with Fred. As she approached to ask from advice she was greeted with a friendly hello from George and a huge grin from Fred.
"Well, hullo, and what do we owe this honour?" Fred asked. She lent forward and gave George a quick peck one the cheek, but when it was Fred's turn he planted a huge kiss on her lips.
"Oi, cheeky! May I remind you that it's over," Siobhan said slapping Fred on the cheek playfully.
"What a shame. We made a great couple."
"The usual, I suppose. Dungbombs are in the back, I'll go get them," George said, turning to go to the store room in the back.
"No, not this year boys. This year, I'm at Hogwarts and I want to show them that boys aren't the only pranksters," Siobhan explained. Fred gave her a puzzled. "You see, I can't attend Fin Connelly any more because my mum died this summer, and my dad can't afford it."
"I'm really sorry Siobhan. We didn't know. Though, I thought you said your mum wasn't married."
"She wasn't. He left her before I was born. He's my only living blood relative, so I've got no choice."
"That's harsh. Your mum was the best. I never got the chance to thank her properly for the many antidotes she provided." Siobhan shifted slightly as if she didn't feel to comfortable about the subject and decided to change it.
"Anyway, I've heard nobody has pulled a practical joke on the Slytherin's in ages, so this year I've got something up my sleeve."
"Ah, a Slytherin challenge. I'd better handle this one George." George walked away and went to serve a waiting customer. " This is going to be very interesting. Let's hope there are no Slytherins in this shop." Siobhan highly doubted there would be any Slytherins in the shop, but said nothing.
It was awhile before Siobhan emerged from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, her arms full with shopping bags. The sun stunned her after being in a somewhat dark place for such a long time. She put all her bags in one hand and shielded her eyes with one hand. Siobhan made her way to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream parlour where she was supposed to be meeting her father, but he wasn't there. She sat down and ordered an ice-tea. Ice-cream was out of the question since she was lactose intolerant and would break out in hives, which was not pretty.
She took out a book she had bought and found herself engrossed just after a few minutes. It was a muggle book written by Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility to be precise. She loved muggle books, though she wouldn't really like to be a muggle. A shadow came over her and she looked up to find her father staring at her.
"Finally. I've been waiting for ages. You are like half an hour late," she said annoyed although she had enjoyed being out in the sun reading her favourite book.
"I got held back." He examined her and a scowl appeared on his face. "I do wish you hadn't worn such a short skirt. You might as well be wearing nothing. It'll attract the wrong sort of boys."
"Oh quit your worrying and let's go home. I'm tired out. I haven't walked so much in days, and I need to put my feet up."
"You can go home. I need to sort some business out first. There's food in the fridge if you get hungry but other from that I won't be too long."
"Can I come with you? Please? Pretty, pretty please?"
"Siobhan. Go home now. You need your rest. You've gone through a lot, physically."
"Your making it sound like I was in hospital for weeks on end. I'm fine, honestly. So I please can I come with you. It's boring at home."
"No, no and...... no. You're going home and that's final, understood?"
"Yes, O Boring One. You should really try to lighten up. Would it kill you to stop playing the bossy overprotective father, and become the nice sweet guy I saw a week ago?"
"Yes, I would die instantly. Anyway who tells you I'm playing? How do you know it's not the real me?"
"Because if it's the real you then I have no idea whatsoever what my mother saw in you." She gathered up her shopping and left towards the Leaky Cauldron, where she could use the fireplace to get home. Severus didn't reply because there was nothing he could say. He waited awhile then he too made his way to the Leaky Cauldron.
***
"Remus, you're late," Severus said as Remus Lupin sat down opposite him at a table. The Leaky Cauldron was half full, and those who were left were mainly drunkards, hags who preferred to come at a later time, and people like them who wanted to meet when there were less people.
"Sorry, I had business to sort out and I got held up," Remus explained. Severus merely rolled his eyes.
"I haven't got much time so, spit it out. I have to get home to my daughter." Severus smirked as he saw his last comment had a large impact on Remus.
"Alright then. I want to see Siobhan again. I mean, before she goes to Hogwarts. Unless the public can know I'm her godfather."
"Absolutely not. No-one must know that Siobhan is related to any of us. While she keeps a low profile she'll be able to stay alive. The person who tried to kill her obviously did a bad job."
"Sure but all I want to do is see her. Is that too much to ask? It's been three years since I've last seen her."
"She is well settled at the moment. Bringing you in will just stir her about. Behind that sharp tongue of hers she's actually quite fragile. It's better if you wait until Hogwarts."
"It won't be the same. Please, Severus. That way I'll be in your debt and you'll have something over me." Severus considered the offer. It was true. If Remus was in his debt, this could come in very useful.
"Very well. You owe me though, and I shall never sees to remind you of that, understood? The minute you see her it will be too late to turn back."
"Fine. I know I'll live to regret it but fine." The men stood up and walked to the fireplace. Severus watched Remus carefully and saw that there was a twinkle in his eye.
***
Severus slid out of the fireplace in his living room to find that it was empty. Magazines were littered on the coffee table, and he made a mental note to remind Siobhan to clean up after herself. Remus followed, wiping dust of his shabby robes, and looked around.
"I'm warning you that she's very moody at the moment. She's on medication," Severus explained. It wasn't true, she was just sort of cranky when she wanted to be and he was never sure if she was or if she wasn't.
"Ok. It's not like she's going to shut the door on me. I've been with her for thirteen years, I think she knows me," Remus replied, determined not to let Severus bring him down. Severus rolled his eyes and lead the way to her room.
"Siobhan? Open the door. I've got something for you," Severus said lightly knocking on the door. He heard the shuffling off footsteps, and then the cursing as Siobhan bumped into something. The door opened to reveal a bloodshot, pale looking Siobhan, already in her PJ's although it was barely seven.
"Hey, Dad. What do you want? I don't really feel that well so I want to go to sleep," she said slowly her voice quit and hoarse.
"There's someone who wants to see you." He steeped aside, and Remus came forward. What Siobhan did next both of them weren't expecting. First her face became paler than pale, but colour quickly came to her cheeks.
"Fuck off, Remus J Lupin! You are the last person on this earth I want to see right now, and I never want to see you again anyway!" she shouted, her voice now strong and very loud. She stepped back and slammed the door squarely in his face.
A/N: Wasn't that a brilliant ending? Remember to review or I won't give you the next chapter. Trust me, It will get better.
Disclaimer: I own no characters and stuff you may have seen in the books written by J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Siobhan.
Harry woke up and let out a small groan. He'd rather have been anywhere but where he was now. Every morning was the same. He hated being at 12 Grimmauld Place but had to be there for his own safety. Even being at 4 Privet Drive had been better than being here. Sure they still looked at him as if he was dirt but they fed him, clothed him and left him alone to swim in his deep thoughts. Here he didn't have the same privacy. Everyday, they made him do something to take his mind of Sirius but it never worked. Today, they were going shopping for book supplies.
The letters had arrived and they had been informed of their OWL results. Hermione's were all Outstanding, not that it had been a surprise. Ron's and Harry's had been identical- they had failed Divination (of course), got Exceeding Excellent in History of Magic and Astronomy ( this was a surprise considering the events that had happened on those days) and the rest Outstanding- including Potions. Along with those letters was the usual shopping list for that year, and a letter giving you career choices. Harry's and Ron's had been to become Aurors, whilst Hermione's had been to work in the Department of Magical Creatures, which she had been really pleased about.
Ron's snores and Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Ginny bound into the room, wide awake, even though it was 9 am according to his new watch.
"Mum says you've got to all wake up and get ready to go to Diagon Alley," Ginny said shaking each one in turn. "Harry you've got to give Mum your key so that she can get the money in advance."
Harry got up grudgingly and went to his trunk. He rummaged through it for awhile and when he found the key he handed it to Ginny, who bound back out of the room, slamming the door behind her, though it seemed as she had done it accidentally. Although he had been awake, he didn't really want to get out of bed, but then again, going to Diagon Alley would take his mind off Sirius. As Harry put on any clothes that seemed remotely clean and ironed, he wondered how Sirius could have died if he only fell through a veil, but since it had been the Veil of Death, that might be the reason why.
He sighed and went downstairs where he could hear hushed voices coming from the hallway. There stood Mrs. Weasley and Remus Lupin, who Harry hadn't been able to look in the eye since Lupin's breakdown. Lupin looked obviously pissed and Mrs. Weasley was trying to calm him down. Harry stood at the door and hoped they wouldn't notice him before he caught a bit of the conversation.
"No, Molly I still refuse to believe it. Him? As her father? I swear Gwen had more sense than that. No. I'm the girl's godfather and I should know. No," Lupin said shaking his head.
"Remus, don't be so stubborn. I know she's the closest thing you have to a daughter and you can't bear to let her go but he doesn't exactly like you does he? I thought he'd made that clear," Mrs. Weasley said. Harry had always seen her as a reassuring person but right now she seemed spiteful.
"Gwen made me godfather be He was busy kissing that Voldemort's feet, and then I was shut out of her life long enough by that guy." Molly flinched, but Lupin ignored it.
"You know very well that he has been loyal to Dumbledore all these years. If she wants you in her life, he'll let you, but if she doesn't, tough luck."
"But Molly-"
"No, no, Remus. Discuss this with Dumbledore." She turned and noticed Harry for the first time. "Good morning, Harry. How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to know that Professor Lupin is a godfather, nothing more," he answered holding up his hands in innocence. If Harry had been smart enough, he would have been able to work out that there was a connection between Lupin's goddaughter and Snape, but since he wasn't, he didn't.
"Right, I'd best be off. I've got some, eh, business to take care off." He could be heard muttering and cursing as he walked out of the front door slamming it behind him. Mrs. Weasley went down to the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
One by one Hermione, Neville, Ron, Luna and Ginny came down to the dining room and they began to eat. Once Mrs. Weasley was gone, Harry told them about the conversation he had heard that morning.
"It's weird, isn't it? I never thought of Remus as a godfather. I do pity her though, having to sit through one of his lectures," Ron said before stuffing a whole piece of toast in his mouth, as it was the last toast one earth.
"Well you don't know everything about him, do you? I mean he could be married for all we know," Hermione said in a know-it-all voice.
"Yeah, Hermione's right. We don't really know people that well," Harry said, thinking that it was best if everyone didn't know that Lupin had been married before. It seemed sort of personal.
Then a voice spoke, making everybody jump. "You lot meddling in things that don't concern you," came the rough voice of Alastor Moody, his wooden leg clicking with every step.
"So you know what's going on?" Ginny asked, hoping that she might get something out of him.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do know what's going on, but I ain't gonna tell you nothing. If you want answers ask Professor Lupin yourselves."
"But he hasn't told us in the first place in the first place so what tells you he's gonna tell us now?"
"Nothing kiddo. All I'm saying is keep your nose out of thing that don't concern you." And that was the end of that uninformative conversation. None of them dared say anything more about it and ate in silence until Mrs. Weasley came and told them to hurry up.
***
"Dad! Where are the painkillers?" came Siobhan's voice from the kitchen. There was no reply. "Oi! DAD!" Finally Severus' head appeared from the bathroom door, his hair dripping wet (which means he does wash his hair), and a dark green towel wrapped around his waist.
"I don't know. What do you need it for?" he asked looking slightly concerned.
"Um, I slightly, only slightly, knocked my scar on the door and it's agitated it, slightly."
"Do you never look where you are going? That's the fifth time this week. Are you sure you aren't blind?"
"Yes, I know, I know. You said that yesterday. So, are you absolutely definitely sure you don't know where it is?"
"It's in the second drawer to the left in the kitchen. Be careful, I'm not made of painkillers if you hadn't noticed."
"K thanks. What on earth would I do without you? Actually, don't answer that question." She turned and disappeared through the kitchen door leaving Severus standing in the hallway, dripping water onto the dark blue carpet.
"You'd do fine, Siobhan. You've done fine until now," he whispered to himself before going into his room to get changed.
Five minutes later, Severus was ready, dressed again in black muggle clothes, though it was around five hundred degrees outside. He found Siobhan on her favourite seat on the sofa, with her feet on the glass coffee table, flicking through a copy of Young Witch Weekly. On the front cover was Harry Potter who had become quite a sensation. On the cover of every magazine was his face or some other celebrity who had done something worth the media's attention, like the Weird Sisters.
"Feet off the table, Siobhan," he said whacking her feet with a copy of the Daily Prophet, the popular wizard newspaper. They weren't any better than Young Witch Weekly, praising Harry even though they had been slating for the past two years. The whole newspaper was also full of rubbish from people claiming that they had seen Voldemort walking past their back yard whilst they were sunbathing.
"Very well, O Boring One," she replied putting down her feet. "This Harry Potter, he's quite famous. Wouldn't want to be in his shoes though. He looks kinda sad. Though he is cute, isn't he?"
"Harry Potter is nothing but cute. He is a dunderhead who passed his exams through luck. If I were you I'd be careful who you hang out with at Hogwarts, depending on what house you're in." Severus didn't like the idea of Siobhan falling in love with Harry.
"Ooh, someone's holding a grudge. No wonder you act like you've got a wand stuck up your rear end." The last comment was said as she continued to read the magazine, a small grin on her face.
"I beg your pardon? That tongue of yours will get you in trouble one of these days. Can you not hold it?"
"No, I will always express my mind freely, and no-one can stop me. By the way who uses the word dunderhead anymore? It's so outdated."
"Oh yeah?" He took out his wand and put a Tickling Charm on her. She giggled wildly as the effects became stronger.
"Stop it. Come on, be a gentleman."
"Not until you say the magic phrases."
"Ok, OK. You don't act like a prik who has his wand stuck up his ass."
"And?"
"And, you're the greatest father in the world." This comment was only said in hope to get him to take off the charm but he didn't let up.
"And?"
"And... um... Harry Potter is a complete dunderhead. Now get OFF!" Severus, finally satisfied, took the charm off, and let her catch her breath.
"That was for your comment earlier and for saying my language is outdated. Think wisely next time. It could be your life on the line."
"Gee, your cheerful. Can we go now? I need to renovate my tan. Two weeks in this house has definitely made me paler." She took her sunglasses and bag from the mantelpiece and waited as Severus put on sun lotion. She watched him, wondering why on earth he needed sunscreen. He was like one of those people who never burnt or got a tan.
Once Severus was properly protected from the 'harmful' rays of the sun, they were ready to go, finally. They each grabbed a bit of Floo Powder in turn, threw in the fireplace and shouted, "Diagon Alley!"
***
"Harry, I still can't believe we aced Potions. I mean Outstanding? I thought I'd failed completely," Ron told Harry as they looked for their potion textbooks, in Flourish & Blotts.
"Hmm, though it would have been great to finally get away from Snape," Harry replied rolling his finger across several books, resting his finger on the right book. Harry had seriously hoped that he would be saying goodbye to Snape, but he had no such luck. The tension between the two of them was just too intense. Harry blamed Snape as much as he blamed Dumbledore, and Snape held a grudge that had been held against Harry's father once but had gotten passed down to him.
Once all the shopping had been done and all of them had been to visit the twin's in their new shop, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, they settled down to have some ice-cream sundaes at Florean Fortescue's Ice-cream parlour. Ron who was busy shovelling ice-cream into his mouth, when he dropped the spoon into his bowl so abruptly ice-cream went flying everywhere.
"Ron, what is the matter with you? If I need ice-cream on my face I'll use my own," Hermione said agitated, wiping ice-cream of her face.
"Sorry, 'Mione. It's just that there is a beautiful babe walking towards Fred and George's shop," he explained. All the boys turned to look where Ron was looking and their mouths dropped. Hermione and Ginny tutted and went about cleaning up the ice-cream from their hair whilst Luna just stared into space.
They were all staring at Siobhan who was wearing a pleated mini skirt, revealing her toned slim legs, a spaghetti strap top which hugged her figure perfectly, and just normal trainers to give it a down-to-earth look. Her hair bounced and glistened in the summer sun, as it came down in waves. Her eyes were shielded by pink sunglasses, or otherwise they would have been marvelled at their intense colour. Harry, Ron and Neville weren't the only one's interested in her, since a group of boys about their age hooted as she walked past. She entered Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and the boys came back from Cloud Nine, the minute the door shut behind her.
"Hey, Neville wasn't that your cousin, what you call it, Siobhan?" Harry asked turning to Neville.
"It might have been. She looks different though. When I last saw her she was dressed in black and crying her eyes out," Neville replied shrugging his shoulders.
"Neville, if you have a cousin that fit, you've got to introduce us. I mean, she can't go to waste," Ron told Neville obviously still dazzled by Siobhan. The conversation was changed by the girl's who were tired of listening to them talk about a girl. Harry tuned out and continued to stare at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.
Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had been as big a success as Zonko's in Hogsmeade, and it was popular amongst the Hogwarts students since they gave discounts to anyone who swore they were going to use the products to cause mischief. Mrs. Weasley certainly hadn't been happy about it, since she spent the whole first week of the summer holidays asking him why on earth he had given them the money in the first place but was obviously relieved that they weren't making any dodgy deals like Mundungus Fletcher.
Harry could hear explosions coming from the shop and could have sworn he had seen the roof lift to let smoke out, but it might have been a figment of his imagination. He turned back to the ice-cream sundae and the conversation, soon forgetting about the girl who had caught his eye minutes before.
***
Siobhan arms caught the case of goose bumps as she entered the joke shop, for it was much cooler inside than outside. She loved this shop, and she was happy to be surrounded once more by so many items of mischief, which she loved to create. She had been a regular customer since the shop had opened and was acquainted with Fred and George, slightly more with Fred. As she approached to ask from advice she was greeted with a friendly hello from George and a huge grin from Fred.
"Well, hullo, and what do we owe this honour?" Fred asked. She lent forward and gave George a quick peck one the cheek, but when it was Fred's turn he planted a huge kiss on her lips.
"Oi, cheeky! May I remind you that it's over," Siobhan said slapping Fred on the cheek playfully.
"What a shame. We made a great couple."
"The usual, I suppose. Dungbombs are in the back, I'll go get them," George said, turning to go to the store room in the back.
"No, not this year boys. This year, I'm at Hogwarts and I want to show them that boys aren't the only pranksters," Siobhan explained. Fred gave her a puzzled. "You see, I can't attend Fin Connelly any more because my mum died this summer, and my dad can't afford it."
"I'm really sorry Siobhan. We didn't know. Though, I thought you said your mum wasn't married."
"She wasn't. He left her before I was born. He's my only living blood relative, so I've got no choice."
"That's harsh. Your mum was the best. I never got the chance to thank her properly for the many antidotes she provided." Siobhan shifted slightly as if she didn't feel to comfortable about the subject and decided to change it.
"Anyway, I've heard nobody has pulled a practical joke on the Slytherin's in ages, so this year I've got something up my sleeve."
"Ah, a Slytherin challenge. I'd better handle this one George." George walked away and went to serve a waiting customer. " This is going to be very interesting. Let's hope there are no Slytherins in this shop." Siobhan highly doubted there would be any Slytherins in the shop, but said nothing.
It was awhile before Siobhan emerged from Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, her arms full with shopping bags. The sun stunned her after being in a somewhat dark place for such a long time. She put all her bags in one hand and shielded her eyes with one hand. Siobhan made her way to Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream parlour where she was supposed to be meeting her father, but he wasn't there. She sat down and ordered an ice-tea. Ice-cream was out of the question since she was lactose intolerant and would break out in hives, which was not pretty.
She took out a book she had bought and found herself engrossed just after a few minutes. It was a muggle book written by Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility to be precise. She loved muggle books, though she wouldn't really like to be a muggle. A shadow came over her and she looked up to find her father staring at her.
"Finally. I've been waiting for ages. You are like half an hour late," she said annoyed although she had enjoyed being out in the sun reading her favourite book.
"I got held back." He examined her and a scowl appeared on his face. "I do wish you hadn't worn such a short skirt. You might as well be wearing nothing. It'll attract the wrong sort of boys."
"Oh quit your worrying and let's go home. I'm tired out. I haven't walked so much in days, and I need to put my feet up."
"You can go home. I need to sort some business out first. There's food in the fridge if you get hungry but other from that I won't be too long."
"Can I come with you? Please? Pretty, pretty please?"
"Siobhan. Go home now. You need your rest. You've gone through a lot, physically."
"Your making it sound like I was in hospital for weeks on end. I'm fine, honestly. So I please can I come with you. It's boring at home."
"No, no and...... no. You're going home and that's final, understood?"
"Yes, O Boring One. You should really try to lighten up. Would it kill you to stop playing the bossy overprotective father, and become the nice sweet guy I saw a week ago?"
"Yes, I would die instantly. Anyway who tells you I'm playing? How do you know it's not the real me?"
"Because if it's the real you then I have no idea whatsoever what my mother saw in you." She gathered up her shopping and left towards the Leaky Cauldron, where she could use the fireplace to get home. Severus didn't reply because there was nothing he could say. He waited awhile then he too made his way to the Leaky Cauldron.
***
"Remus, you're late," Severus said as Remus Lupin sat down opposite him at a table. The Leaky Cauldron was half full, and those who were left were mainly drunkards, hags who preferred to come at a later time, and people like them who wanted to meet when there were less people.
"Sorry, I had business to sort out and I got held up," Remus explained. Severus merely rolled his eyes.
"I haven't got much time so, spit it out. I have to get home to my daughter." Severus smirked as he saw his last comment had a large impact on Remus.
"Alright then. I want to see Siobhan again. I mean, before she goes to Hogwarts. Unless the public can know I'm her godfather."
"Absolutely not. No-one must know that Siobhan is related to any of us. While she keeps a low profile she'll be able to stay alive. The person who tried to kill her obviously did a bad job."
"Sure but all I want to do is see her. Is that too much to ask? It's been three years since I've last seen her."
"She is well settled at the moment. Bringing you in will just stir her about. Behind that sharp tongue of hers she's actually quite fragile. It's better if you wait until Hogwarts."
"It won't be the same. Please, Severus. That way I'll be in your debt and you'll have something over me." Severus considered the offer. It was true. If Remus was in his debt, this could come in very useful.
"Very well. You owe me though, and I shall never sees to remind you of that, understood? The minute you see her it will be too late to turn back."
"Fine. I know I'll live to regret it but fine." The men stood up and walked to the fireplace. Severus watched Remus carefully and saw that there was a twinkle in his eye.
***
Severus slid out of the fireplace in his living room to find that it was empty. Magazines were littered on the coffee table, and he made a mental note to remind Siobhan to clean up after herself. Remus followed, wiping dust of his shabby robes, and looked around.
"I'm warning you that she's very moody at the moment. She's on medication," Severus explained. It wasn't true, she was just sort of cranky when she wanted to be and he was never sure if she was or if she wasn't.
"Ok. It's not like she's going to shut the door on me. I've been with her for thirteen years, I think she knows me," Remus replied, determined not to let Severus bring him down. Severus rolled his eyes and lead the way to her room.
"Siobhan? Open the door. I've got something for you," Severus said lightly knocking on the door. He heard the shuffling off footsteps, and then the cursing as Siobhan bumped into something. The door opened to reveal a bloodshot, pale looking Siobhan, already in her PJ's although it was barely seven.
"Hey, Dad. What do you want? I don't really feel that well so I want to go to sleep," she said slowly her voice quit and hoarse.
"There's someone who wants to see you." He steeped aside, and Remus came forward. What Siobhan did next both of them weren't expecting. First her face became paler than pale, but colour quickly came to her cheeks.
"Fuck off, Remus J Lupin! You are the last person on this earth I want to see right now, and I never want to see you again anyway!" she shouted, her voice now strong and very loud. She stepped back and slammed the door squarely in his face.
A/N: Wasn't that a brilliant ending? Remember to review or I won't give you the next chapter. Trust me, It will get better.