Chapter 4
When she had been young she had always dreading going back to school and Annabelle found that even though she was getting older, nothing had changed.
She preferred to be at home with her mother to now her father because it just felt safer to her. Not that he was even going further away. All that was changing was her going to a dorm room in stead of sleeping in her father's chamber.
"Nervous my little one," Severus had asked as he tucked her in to bed that night.
"A little," she lied. She was in fact very nervous.
"You've nothing to fear, I'll never be that far away from you," he said to her, kissing her fore head.
"I know dad," she said. "Best get some sleep." she said.
"Indeed," he nodded and left her to her peace.
She didn't get any peace though for the thought she had let him down early on that day when she had got sorted.
Flashback
She had never been in such a great room, or place, thought Annabelle as she stood in the middle of her new head masters office, her father by her side. Severus studied her face smiling as she looked around in her wonder. Dumbledore office was very impressive first time round.
The phoenix that sorted on his perch seemed to be one of the things that Annabelle was most fascinated by.
Even though her dear mother had been a witch she had always compared to the way her father lived had a very muggle life, she was beginning to see that now.
That had been how Jane had been happy though and Annabelle at the time had known know better except the way she was treated when she saw her father at the holidays.
Dumbledore at that moment had come down the stairs that lead to his private chambers
Annabelle was fascinated by the majestic lord among wizards.
"This is take to be your child Severus, hello Annabelle," he said to the two as her father gave him a nod.
"It's good to met you sir," he said to him politely.
"And you, I trust your father has told you why you are here child," he asked her his eyes twinkling as always.
"Yes sir," she said to him. Looking to Severus it was clear to him how nervous the child was. Dumbledore was a huge present for the child. She had heard of his greatness.
"Your sorting," he smiled, "Shall we get going?" he asked her.
Nodding she walked up to him.
Dumbledore, to her amazement, for her mother had seldom showed her magic, drew a chair in the ear and then she watched as it dropped to the floor and was real. Sitting down on the chair, she gave her father a small smile.
When she looked back to thee head master he had the sorting hat in his hands. Her father had told her the way that she was going to be sorting and it didn't sound so bad. But she was, well not scared , she didn't know how she felt, uncomfortable seemed to be as good as she was get in describing.
Smiling Dumbledore placed the hat on her head.
The sorting was weird... She didn't like the feeling that the hat could see inside her head, it made her on edge.
She heard along debate go on. She heard the hat tell her that she had quality's from both her mother and her father which pleased her, so when they conclusion that it had reached came out she didn't understand it
"GRYFFINDOR!"
End flashback
Late that night Severus went back just to check she was ok before going to bed himself. Tonight was the last night he was going to have her all to him self for a while.
She was going to her dorm tomorrow.
He wasn't sure how he felt about her not getting in to his house. He had wanted her to be there so he could mentor her progress himself and the fact she was in the same house as Potter of all people house made him feel on edge, just as the sorting had his daughter.
Kissing her brow one last time he went to his room.
No matter house she was in, the girl was still his child. Nothing would ever change that.
"I love you child," he muttered as he left the room.
"Love you too dad," he heard in reply.
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"Very nice Miss Snape," a voice was heard in Annabelle's ear.
"Thanks dad."
"You do look smart in your uniform," he said as he straightened the gold and red tie that hang round her neck. "Your mother would be so proud," he told her solemnly.
"Thank you," she said and embraced him.
"Let's get going then," he said to her.
They were heading off to the staff room were she was going to met her head of house, Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Heading down there Severus squeezed her shoulder.
"You'll be fine," he said soothing.
"I know," she nodded. He was always going to be close by after all.
He went in to the room and when he emerged no longer was he alone.
There was her new head of house.
She looked a strict woman, with her hair tied tightly back and sharp features.
"Miss Snape, it is a pleasure to met you."
"You to professor," she smiled.
"Right if we get going to the dorms then, say good bye to your father, your see him at the feast later tonight."
"Bye dad," said Annabelle to him.
"I'll see you later on child," he said and went in to the staff room.
"Right," said the professor straining her robes. "Let's get going to the common room, child. While you are here," she said as they begun walking side by side, "your house will be like your family. Any triumphs you shall earn points, and you any rule breaking, you shall lose points, but I expect your father has told you all of this." she said.
"Yes miss," she said.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" asked the professor trying to make conversation.
"Yes, thank you professor, did you?"
"Yes very pleasant, miss Snape." she said stiffly as they came to the painting of the fat lady.
Muttering the pass word the head of house took the new student in to her dorm.
As she passed thought the common room she saw several red headed boys with a brown aired one.
Giving them a polite nod, she passed on by.
As they got to the dorm the teacher nodded to her.
"I'll let you settle down, the rest of the girls get back to night and then classes begin in the morning," she said to the girl.
"Thank you professor," s he said as she sat on her new bed.
"Have a good afternoon child," said the women and left the room.
Wow, she thought to her self. So this was a dorm room. She couldn't wait for the other girls to arrive. It was going to be a bit like having sisters she hoped. She hated being an only child at times but then again at others it was quite a good thing.
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"Is she ok?"
"She is settling in fine Severus." Minerva told him. "You shouldn't worry so much."
"I'm her father," he said. "It's my job to worry."
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