Author's Notes: Mr. duh (nice name by the way), if you take a look at the first chapter, right before the disclaimer is this line, "This story is set about three years before the Harry Potter series begins." Now, my numerical skills are awful (I'm nought but a humble statistician), but since Ellie is about to turn thirteen (in this chapter!), that puts Harry at about nine, going on ten very shortly (about two weeks in fact). I think we can safely assume Snape is still at Hogwarts and Dumbledore is safe for a while. ;-)

This isn't a hint (merely a factual statement), but I tend to update quicker when I feel people like the story. Obviously, I'm supposed to be doing other things besides writing this, but I just can't say no when people ask me to update. :-D

Chapter Thirty-One: Ellie's Birthday

"Now, the Dark Arts are fascinating study…"

Snape was droning on and on and on. Ellie could feel her eyelids getting heavier and heavier, and she struggled to look alert. Snape had spent most of yesterday coaching her on some Charms and Transfiguration work. Clearly yesterday had just been a build up to Snape's favourite subject – the Dark Arts. Snape's eyes were positively glowing as he explained about Unforgivable Curses. When Ellie asked if he had ever used one against another person (the Death Eater stuff in the back of her mind), he merely glared at her and continued with his speech. For the first time, Snape mentioned his family, or rather his mother's family, the Princes, who were, according to him, very proficient in the Dark Arts.

That's just wonderful that is, Ellie thought gloomily to herself. Her mother really knew how to pick 'em.

Most of the day was spent practicing hexes. Ellie supposed they could come in handy if Devin Farley started bothering her again. Snape seemed pleased at her progress. More than once a, "Very good Ellie," escaped his lips.

"With some more work you'll be up to OWL standard," Snape told her.

Snape apparently didn't believe in lunch, as they didn't stop until it was getting late. Ellie felt as if she would faint, and Snape seemed to realise he was probably supposed to keep her fed, as well as training her up. He handed her a book and told her to read the first chapter while he made dinner. Ellie sat down with the book but ignored it. She was too hungry to start reading about vampires. She also half-wondered if giving her a book on vampires was a hint of some sort…

Snape summoned her to the kitchen a while later and what he put down in front of her looked like something a dog might have thrown up. Ellie didn't even want to try it. Again, Snape folded out a newspaper and began to read it. Ellie looked around furtively, seeing if there was somewhere she could hide some of this muck so it looked like she'd eaten it. She knew Snape had sharp eyes (like a vampire?) so it would have to be somewhere right beside her. Her eyes fell on an old dishcloth that was on the floor near her chair. That might do.

She tried putting her foot out to pull it towards her but she couldn't reach. She didn't want to lean down and grab it herself, as that would attract Snape's attention. A brilliant idea struck her however and she "accidentally" dropped her knife on the ground, very close to the dishcloth.

"Oops," she said, as Snape stared at her briefly, but he then went back to his paper. She leaned down, and scooped up the knife and dishcloth together and sat back up quickly. Snape did not seem to notice anything. Gently, she scrapped some food off the plate and into the dishcloth that was resting on her lap. When she was satisfied that it looked like she had made a decent attempt at eating the food, and when it was also apparent that the cloth would not hold much more, she fold the cloth up and dropped it down on the corner on her left side, between her chair and the wall. Snape was not likely to notice it unless he pulled the table out. Ellie could get rid of it tomorrow morning.

Snape didn't want her for the rest of the evening so she escaped up to her room. Tomorrow was her thirteenth birthday but Ellie had a feeling it wouldn't be a good day. If she heard from Jamie and Amelia though, it might be more bearable.

Ellie got up very early the next morning. She had to get rid of last night's dinner before Snape found it rotting away in the corner. Ellie felt sure she would weigh considerably less by the time her stay with Snape was over at this rate.

She crept downstairs as best she could on the noisy stairs, eventually hopping over the banister halfway down to save on the noise. Luckily, Snape was not in the kitchen. She grabbed the rolled up dishcloth and threw it in the bin. Next, she scrimmaged around for some food. She had been relying on apples for the last couple of days but they were starting to look a bit mouldy to her and she wasn't quite hungry enough to chance one.

"This is ridiculous!" she muttered. She would have to talk to Snape about going down to the shops and buying some proper food. The train station had been on a high street and it couldn't be too far away. The drive to the house had only taken a few minutes. For a wild moment, she considered sneaking out before Snape got up. She had plenty of Muggle money with her from her time in London with Amelia. She could ask anyone about for directions to the shops, and she was sure she could find her way. Snape may be angry, but she could just say she was out for a walk. She could get some small things and smuggle them into the house in her bag.

She decided to go for it. The worst that would happen is that she may get lost, so she would just have to make a note of the way she came so she could find her way back to the house. If Snape wanted to punish her later then he could – the last few days had been like having all day detentions with Snape anyway so things couldn't get much worse.

Ellie climbed up over the banister again to avoid half the steps, and trod as lightly as she could up the rest. She fetched her bag and some money, and tucked her wand into her pocket – just in case. Then it was down some steps, over the banister (she was getting to be a dab hand at that) and into the sitting room. She crept towards the door and had her hand on the latch when a hand on her shoulder pulled her back and swung her around.

"Where do you think you're going?" Snape asked, not looking happy.

"Oh! Um, for a walk," Ellie said, knowing it sounded feeble.

"No walks," he said loudly and slowly. "Now sit down," he snapped.

Ellie didn't like the tone Snape was using. Why the hell shouldn't she be able to get some fresh air at least?

"I've been cooped up in here for three days," Ellie said, ignoring Snape's gesturing to the sofa.

"Do as I tell you," he said, sounding annoyed and took a seat in an armchair. A paper had been rolled up under his arm and he shook it out.

Ellie stood at the door for a minute, seriously contemplating just going out anyway, and slamming the door behind her. Snape looked up from his paper to her.

"Sit," he spat.

Ellie rolled her eyes but did as she was told. He might turn her into a frog or something if she did storm out.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, save for the rustling of Snape's paper and the rumbling of Ellie's stomach. Ellie was beginning to feel very bored when she heard a tapping noise from somewhere in the room. It got louder, and even Snape looked up from his paper.

"Are you doing that?" he asked, in an accusing tone.

"No," Ellie said, standing up. She began to move about the room. The noise seemed to be coming from the window. She moved closer, and pulled the curtain back. On the other side, she saw a big brown owl pecking at the windowpane. Her face broke into a smile. She recognised the owl – it was Jamie's, and he was carrying a package.

"It's an owl," she said to Snape, and ran to the door before Snape could stop her to let the owl in. He flew in and circled the room, swooping past Snape's shoulder, before dropping the package in Ellie's arms.

"Thanks!" she said to the owl, which then flew out the door. Snape had jumped up and he slammed the door shut. Ellie had rushed to the sofa with her package and was tearing it open. Snape went back to his paper, but kept a curious eye on Ellie's package.

Ellie undid the paper and pulled it open. Inside were a box of chocolate frogs and another box of American sweets. There were also photos of Jamie and a letter.

"Couldn't that wait until you got back to school?" Snape said.

"No."

"Why not?"

Ellie wondered if other kids had to explain to their dads that it was their birthday when they got presents in the post.

"Because… today is…" Ellie began, feeling slightly annoyed, but Snape cut her off.

"I know what day it is," he stated, turning back to his paper.

"Well then why did you ask," Ellie muttered to herself.

Without looking up from his paper, Snape pulled something out of his robes and tossed it at her. She had to jump up to catch it. It was a book. The pages were dog-eared and the cover was almost coming off. It had obviously been read many times. Why was Snape giving this to her? She looked at him, but he was buried in the newspaper.

She opened the book, and written on the first page was a small inscription:

Give it a try, for me.

C.

xxx

Ellie recognised her mother's small handwriting immediately. She was more curious than ever. She turned over the first few pages, and the name Eleanora jumped out at her. She flipped through the entire book, and it became obvious to her that the main character in the book was called Eleanora – just like she was. Had she been named after this character then?

She gazed up at Snape, waiting for an explanation. Without looking at her Snape stated that, "It was your mother's favourite book."

So that's why she was called Eleanora! Her mother must have developed a fondness for the name because she loved the book. Ellie smiled to herself. Suddenly she didn't hate her name anymore.

Ellie looked up at Snape with a newfound respect. When she had been complaining about her name a few days ago, he must have thought of this book and known it would make her feel better about it. Was it his? Had her mum giving it to him? "Give it a try for me. C." That certainly sounded like she had. She didn't like to ask Snape, who was still apparently lost in his paper, but she did give him a big smile, even though he couldn't see it.

She turned back to the first chapter of the book, curled up on the sofa and began to read. She had gotten through about a quarter of the book before she realised that Snape hadn't hassled her about lessons today. He was still in the room, and when Ellie had first looked up, she could have sworn he had been looking at her, but he stood up immediately and began moving around. Ellie also became aware that her stomach was not happy with her. She would have to find someone edible in the house, or convince Snape to let her go out to the shops. Both seemed hopeless.

She already knew what was, or perhaps more appropriately what wasn't, in the kitchen, so it would have to be option B if she didn't want to starve to death.

"Professor Snape, I couldn't help noticing you're running a bit low on food," Ellie began.

"Been nosing about, have you?" he replied.

Ellie ignored this.

"I could go to the shops if you want," she offered.

"That won't be necessary."

"I'm not a bad cook you know. I just need a few basic ingredients…"

"Why are you so intent on leaving this house?" he asked suddenly. He sounded suspicious. Ellie felt at a loss. Did he think she was trying to run away or something? What was the big deal about her going out?

It wasn't unreasonable, Ellie thought, that she'd want to stretch her legs a bit. Plus, a change of scenery would be nice. Ellie had a feeling Snape would not understand these sentiments, but a sudden idea flashed into her head, something she had seen on a TV show, that might just get her out for the afternoon.

"Well you see," Ellie began in a low voice, "I need to pick up some… feminine products," she finished with a wicked glint in her eye, although she feigned embarrassment as much as could by avoiding eye contact with Snape.

Snape reacted immediately. The sneering expression vanished from his face and he recoiled with a mixture of terror, horror and acute embarrassment. It took every ounce of self-restraint Ellie had to keep a straight face and not immediately burst into laughter. Flustered, Snape began to babble incoherently, but finally he made enough sense for Ellie to understand that he would take her out. He tapped a bookcase behind him and it swung open silently to reveal a passageway. Ellie raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn't know about that! Snape disappeared through and the opening shut after him. Ellie immediately collapsed on the floor, rolling around with laughter, tears coming to her eyes. She wished she could have taken a picture of Snape's face when she mentioned "feminine products". She would never be afraid of him again after this!

Snape appeared out of the strange opening a few minutes later, dressed in Muggle clothes. Ellie thought he looked very strange without his robes. He was wearing a pair of dark trousers and he had a dark shirt on. A dark blazer completed his outfit. Without a word to Ellie, he went straight to the door and opened it. Ellie grabbed her bag and followed him out, feeling triumphant.

She walked beside him in silence. They walked down several streets that looked virtually the same to the one Snape lived on, until they came to a busy looking road. There was a bus stop halfway down on the pavement, with a bench beside it. Snape walked up to it and sat down on the bench. Ellie took a seat beside him. It didn't seem as if Snape was going to break the silence, so Ellie began to talk.

"Why do you live here?"

Ellie hoped it didn't sound too cheeky, but it was something she was very curious about. She would never in a million years have suspected that Snape lived here if she passed by it in a car.

"It was my parents' house," was Snape's explanation.

"So are your parents…"

"Dead? Yes."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Don't be."

Okaaay, Ellie thought to herself.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No."

"What about aunts, uncles, cousins…?"

"No."

"Any relatives at all?"

"No!" Snape snapped.

"Okay," Ellie muttered to herself, and began to look up and down the road.

After a pause, Snape spoke again.

"Why are you so interested in my family?"

Ellie laughed, and he glared at her. She looked away for a moment, until she could maintain a straight face.

"What's so funny?" he demanded.

"Well, it's just that's a weird question to ask me," Ellie explained.

"Why?"

"Because, I thought it would be obvious why I'm interested in your family."

Snape's turned his gaze to the path in front of them. Ellie felt he was considering her answer. She decided to continue with her point.

"Wouldn't you be, if you were me?" she asked. Snape glance sideways at her.

"I mean, if you were raised without any parents, and nobody would tell you anything about them, and then suddenly you meet one of them, wouldn't you want to know as much about them as you could?"

Snape allowed this question to sink in before answering.

"I suppose so," he finally said, turning his face away from her again.

"Is this where you grew up?" Ellie asked. She could see the corner of Snape's mouth curl up. He turned back to face her.

"So now that I've sympathised with you, I'm to be subjected to more questions, is that it?"

Ellie thought he seemed amused, so she decided to follow his lead.

"Pretty much, yeah," she said playfully, giving him a wicked grin.

The small smile remained on Snape's face.

"To answer your question, yes, this is where I grew up – when I wasn't at Hogwarts that is."

"Which one of your parents was a Muggle?"

Snape turned and gave her an irritated look.

"Who told you about that?" he asked quickly.

"I didn't hear it from anyone in school if that's what you're worried about."

"I suppose I have Amelia to thank for it then?"

Ellie remained silent. She would let him think that for a while if it would get him to answer the question. Snape took Ellie's silence as a yes.

"My father," he said curtly.

"Did you get along with your parents?" Ellie asked, recalling her mother's comment in her diary about Snape not coming from a happy home.

"Does it matter?" Snape replied.

"I suppose not," Ellie said, taking the hint that he didn't want to discuss it.

They lapsed into silence until a bus turned into the street. Snape stood up and Ellie did the same.

The bus stopped for them and Snape paid for both of them. He looked about the bus with an air of mild disgust, and took a seat. Ellie sat beside him.

"Do you get the bus often?" Ellie asked with interest.

"Of course not!" he cried in a low voice.

"Oh. I like the bus, you often see the most interesting people…"

"Do you always talk so much?" he interjected.

"No, I don't think so…"

"Then don't," he snapped, not waiting for to finish.

"Fine," she mumbled.

Ellie looked around at the other passengers. There were three old women and a teenage girl. Ellie wondered what each of them would think if they knew that there was a witch and a wizard sitting on the bus with them. Of course, on the other hand, they could all be witches themselves! Ellie wondered if there was some way of distinguishing between Muggles and magical people just based on how they looked. She must ask Snape when they got home…

When the bus got to the High Street, they got off.

"Where do you want to go?" Snape asked Ellie.

Ellie looked about, and spotted a corner shop on the end of the street.

"In there will do," she said, pointing.

Once inside the shop Ellie grabbed a basket. The shop was larger inside that she had anticipated. She went up and down the aisles, throwing food into her basket. She had not been lying to Snape when she told him she wasn't a bad cook – she had done a lot of the cooking with Mrs. Manning so she knew exactly what she should buy. She had already decided to volunteer to make dinner everyday. Snape may be an excellent Potions Master but he couldn't make a decent stew to save his life.

Snape did not have that much Muggle money on him so Ellie paid for everything. When they walked back out onto the street Ellie was wondering if she should dare suggesting getting something to eat in a burger bar across the street (she was starting to feel a bit light-headed), when a very old woman stopped by Snape and peered up at him.

"You look familiar," she said in a croaked voice. Snape looked at the woman with distain.

"You're not Tobias Snape's son are you?" the woman said. Snape gave a heavy sigh.

"Yes," he said.

"Oh I thought so, you are the image of your father," the woman said. Snape glowered at her, but the woman didn't seem to notice.

"You have a funny name don't you? Let me see… Serbius…?"

"Severus."

"Ah yes, Severus!"

Snape looked thoroughly annoyed. Ellie snickered a little, covering her mouth and turning it into a cough.

The woman turned to Ellie.

"And who is this young lady?"

Ellie had a lot of experience dealing with old women, thanks to Mrs. Manning and her committees. Good manners and a polite smile got you everywhere.

"My name is Ellie," she said with a smile.

"What a pretty name, and what a pretty girl!"

"Thank you!"

The woman turned back to Snape.

"Is this lovely girl your daughter Severus?"

Snape looked like he wasn't sure whether to answer the question or not. Ellie felt like hitting Snape over the head. "Say yes, say yes you idiot!" she thought furiously. Didn't Snape realise how odd it would look for someone like him to be out with a young girl like this if she wasn't a relative? The old woman would probably call the police in a second!

Impatient, Ellie answered for him.

"Yes," she said, with a sweet smile.

Snape poked her arm, but she swatted him away while continuing to smile sweetly at the old woman.

"How old are you dear?"

"Actually, today is my thirteenth birthday," Ellie said. The woman clapped her hands together.

"How lovely!" She opened her purse and fished about.

"Here you go dear. Happy Birthday!" she said, handing Ellie a fifty pence piece.

"Thanks!" Ellie said, grinning.

"We have to go now," Snape said suddenly, grabbing hold of Ellie's arm and pulling her away.

"It was lovely meeting you!" Ellie called back.

"And you dear!" the old woman cried.

Snape frogmarched Ellie down the street, looking very cross. He stopped at the corner and pulled her closer to him.

"What were you doing?" he hissed at her.

"Saving you from being arrested, most likely," Ellie said, pulling her arm free.

"What?"

"Have you looked in a mirror lately? A man like you out and about with a young girl like me? If I'd said no, the situation would have looked very pervy," Ellie told him.

"I beg your pardon?" he snarled.

"Trust me; I know what I'm talking about. Now, you hungry? I'm starving!" Ellie said, tired of this conversation, and walked back out onto the street. Snape pulled her back.

"Don't ever tell anyone anything about… about us again," he whispered hoarsely, and then let her go.

Ellie couldn't convince Snape to have a burger, but he did sit down, looking very glum, while she got herself something to eat. While Ellie was eating, she remembered her excuse to get them here in the first place, and though wickedly to herself that it would be a fun way to end the afternoon by getting Snape all hot and bothered again. She waited until they were out in the street again

"I'm just going to go and pop into the pharmacy," Ellie said in a knowing voice, and Snape looked flustered immediately. Ellie walked into the pharmacy, chuckling. She bought some bubble bath and shampoo for the bathroom and left the pharmacy, clutching her bag to her in case Snape got a look at what was really inside. She need not have worried as Snape wanted to stay as far away from that bag as possible.

They got the bus home, this time weighed down with their shopping. When they got back to the house Ellie volunteered to put the shopping away and cook dinner. Snape had no objection. For the first time since she had been there Ellie ate a decent meal. When she got up to her room Amelia's owl was parked on the windowsill. Overall, it wasn't a bad birthday, Ellie thought to herself as she settled down on her bed. Taking up the book Snape had given her she chuckled to herself. Snape had even given her a present!