A/N: Hello! Thanks for reading and please review!
Cupotrevor- Thanks! YAY! I'm on your favs! Thanks!
Breanna Senese- Bwahaha, you like the house! YAY! Yes, Severus will have to tolerate the house of lions, at least until Bella graduates… nyahahaha. Thanks a bunch for reviewing!
Okay, my very, very good friend is BETA-ing this story, but she is taking a really, really long time to do so. So I plan on just updating ahead and change the chapters as I go along. This chapter is not yet BETA-ed, so please excuse the mistakes!
Summary: End Sixth year to Seventh year. Severus Snape's sister dies and he inherits something he never wanted, but slowly and surly will grow on him. With the war starting, is it possible for him to keep the things he cares for safe?
Disclaimer: I'm not married, I have no kids, I'm not British, and I am so not a genius. So in conclusion, I do not own Harry Potter. And if anything seems familiar to you, then I don't own it! I do own the plot and any OC characters!
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The moment that I step outside
So many reasons
For me to run and hide
I can't do the little things
I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things
That I fear
-Just a Girl, No Doubt
OoOoOoO
Thicker Than Water
By LalathePanda
Chapter Four: The Happiest Place in The World!
Harry Potter entered the Great Hall with both of his best friends by his side. Hermione Granger, Head Girl, was to his left, and Ron Weasley, seventh year prefect, was to his right. Harry thoughtlessly ran his hand through his hair, making it a bit messier. The trio took their seat at the end of the Gryffindor table. Soon, fellow housemates, such as Ron's little sister, Ginny, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Colin Creevey Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown, entered the Great Hall and took their seats.
The Great Hall was filled with students, each going about their business. Talking to friends they haven't seen over the holidays, gossiping, complaining about their hunger, or doing other various activities they could do at their seat. Harry Potter sat quietly between his two best friends, occasionally saying something.
"Harry, you're the team captain, right?" said Neville.
Everyone on the table turned to Harry and congratulated him. This sudden attention caused Harry's face to turn a shade of red that could almost rival Ron's hair. Even after six years of getting attention like this, Harry was still pretty shy.
"Aww… Harry!" Ginny teased Harry of his embarrassment. "Don't worry, we'll kick Slytherin's arse this year for sure!"
Hermione stared quietly at her friend, silently questioning his silence. Harry began acting like this ever since the summer before their sixth year. It started with the death of his godfather, Sirius Black, an accused murderer, who has still not been declared innocent. In the middle of their sixth year, Harry and Ron somehow slipped out of the castle and went into the Forbidden Forest. There they found Hogwarts graduates that became Death Eaters, and also Bellatrix Lestrange. Most of the Death Eaters got away, but Harry got his revenge for Sirius. He killed Bellatrix.
Well, it was more like she killed herself. She cast the killing curse on him, but it bounced right of Harry, and right back at her, killing the only female Death Eater. The curse bounced off Harry, probably because of what the prophecy said. Only one can die in the hands of the other. Hermione was so furious at them, when she visited them at the hospital wing the very next day. It was then when Harry told his friends the contents of the prophecy.
At the moment, the topic was the D.A, also known as Dumbledore's Army; some sort of club that they started back in their fifth year, to teach other students various charms and spells that would be useful during the war.
"Are we going to allow some first years into D.A?" asked Dean. In sixth year, they allowed new members to join.
"Sure, but… isn't most of the things we're learning above their level?" questioned Hermione. She looked at the group of first years that stood up front, waiting to get sorted.
"Maybe, but it will come handy if Hogwarts ever gets attacked," Harry said softly. Everyone nodded. Most of the upper years kept in mind that the school could get attacked. There was always that chance.
OoOoO
With most people chatting to their friends, Bella believed that it would be easy for her to slip in and sit down. Sadly, this did not go as she had in mind. When she got to the table, some person from another house had their foot out. Bella, whose mind has focused on not being noticed, didn't notice this foot.
CRASH!
Everyone from both Gryffindor and HufflePuff looked down on Bella, who had fell right on her face. Great first impression, Bella, she thought as she got up, totally humiliated. She muttered a sorry, dusted off her robe, and quickly sat down at the table. A moment later, her uncle took a seat at the head table. She turned her head and gave him a weak smile. He looked at her before turning his head away. Bella gave a frustrated sigh and watched the first years get sorted the same way she was.
"Have we seen you before?"
Bella looked up to see an Indian girl with long wavy black hair and another girl with short brown hair and blue eyes. Bella shook her head. "No, I've just transferred," she explained.
Both girls nodded and sat down, one girl on each side. "Lavender Brown," the shorthaired girl said.
"Parvati Patil," introduced the Indian girl. "My twin is over there, in RavenClaw." She pointed to a girl on the table that was decorated with the colors blue and bronze. The girl looked like Parvati but with straight hair. Bella gave a nod.
"Nice entrance by the way," said Lavender.
"Thanks," laughed Bella. She turned her head down the table, and a face, or forehead, caught her eye. "Is that Harry Potter?"
"The one and only," replied both girls.
"Hey, you're American!" exclaimed Parvati. "What are you doing in a school in Scotland?"
"Oh, my uncle works nearby, I moved in with him during the summer," explained Bella.
"I see…" nodded Lavender. "Oh, hey, Ginny!" she waved at a red-headed girl with freckles that moved from her spot down the table, to where the three sat.
"I'm Ginny Weasley," greeted Ginny. Bella noticed the prefect badge pinned to her robes.
"Hey, I saw you on the train!" said Bella.
Ginny stared at Bella for a moment. "Oh yeah, I remember now." The sorting finished and Dumbledore Stood up for the opening speech.
"Greetings, and welcome to Hogwarts." This earned a round of applause. "For some of you, this is your last year here, for others, this is only the beginning. Keep in mind about the school rules, and keep in mind that our world is in war. Stay on your toes," he warned. Dumbledore glanced at each table before continuing.
"Let this be a good year. Now, we have a transfer from America. Please treat her like you would treat your own housemates. I would also like to introduce, or should I say, reintroduce, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody." Another round of applause erupted the school. A man with long grey, unkempt hair and an odd looking eye stood up and then sat back down. "Now, tuck in." Said Dumbledore and various types of food appeared right in front of Bella.
"Holy crap…" she muttered at the large amounts of food.
"The House Elves have really outdone themselves this time," replied Ginny as she poured herself some pumpkin juice. A girl all the way on the end of the table heard this.
"The poor House Elves! I wonder if Dumbledore is paying them already? That reminds me! I have to start on my knitting!" cried out a girl who sat next to Harry Potter.
"That's Hermione Granger, Head Girl and my brother's girlfriend," said Ginny lazily as she sipped her drink.
"She seems… err…" Bella looked at the head girl who was now ranting to some students.
"Set on freeing the House Elves?" Parvati butted in. "Of course. Don't worry, if she starts to rant about that, just nod your head and smile. Say anything to her, it will make her rant even more…"
"Thanks for the heads up," laughed Bella as she filled her plate with roast chicken, beef casserole, and boiled potatoes. When she saw the fries, or chips as they are called there, she laughed. She had no idea why, but just laughed, causing her new friends to give her blank stares. The fries reminded her of America, and she found it amusing to see an American side dish here.
"So, why did you have to move in with your uncle?" asked Lavender as she nibbled on a carrot stick.
"Oh, my parents were killed in a muggle accident," answered Bella. "So my mom's brother took me in."
"Oh, sorry…" said Ginny, feeling sorry for bring up her parent's deaths.
"Nah, I'm okay. It's fine," replied Bella. "Man, this food is great!"
"Yeah, the only thing my brother looks forward to on September first is the feast," joked Ginny. The feast went on without a hitch. When deserts appeared, the girls help themselves to large servings, except Lavender who explained she was trying a new diet.
"Professor Snape keeps looking this way," said Ginny as she ate her rice pudding. "But then he would stop, eat, and then look again!"
"Probably wondering how to make Harry's life miserably this year. It is his last chance!" kid Parvati.
Bella looked up from her desert and saw her uncle looking at her direction, not at Harry Potter. Snape caught her looking at him before looking back down at his own food. As the feast came to a close, Ginny offered to show Bella to the Gryffindor house, and to their dorms since they were in the same year. The two girls began to stand up to leave the Great Hall, Lavender and Partavi left to go talk to Padma, Partavi's twin.
"This is the entrance to the common room," stated Ginny, as they stood in front of a portrait of a fat lady in a fluffy pink dress. "You will have to use a password to get in. It changes every week," she explained.
Ginny turned around and said the password, "Löwe." The Portrait swung opened and Ginny stepped through. "C'mon, Bella." She motioned Bella to follow her in. Bella stepped through the opening and was greeted by the warmth of the common room.
There were red sofas and armchairs in the room, all near the fireplace, already lit with a warm glow. The common room was decorated with beautiful medieval designs. But, unlike the Snape castle, it was warm, comforting, and cozy. Bella automatically felt at home.
Ginny led her to a trio of seventh years sitting by the fire. "Hey," she greeted. The trio turned around and greeted her back.
"Ah, new, right?" the girl asked. Bella gave a nod as she and Ginny sat opposite of them. "Hermione Granger." Bella immediately noticed the name, Ginny mentioned her as the head girl and girlfriend of her older brother.
"Ron Weasley," said the red head.
"Ginny's brother?" asked Bella. He gave a nodded.
"Harry Potter," said the other boy. Bella could see the scar on his forehead. She gave a small smile.
She said her first name, "Bella, nice to meet you."
"We were about to play a game of wizard chess, want to play?" offered Hermione.
Bella turned a bit red. "Well, I don't know how to play…"
"Oh, would you like to watch?" suggested Ginny.
"Okay," replied Bella as Ron took out a wooden box the held the board and the chess pieces.
The first to play was Ron and Harry. "I think Ron's going to win," a boy with an Irish accent said, whom Bella learned was named Seamus.
"Yeah, I bet Ron's going win. He'll kick your arse, Harry." Colin grinned as he plopped himself on one of the chairs.
"Oh, thanks for the support," replied Harry sarcastically causing some girls to giggle.
"Just make you move!" said Ron with a smirk. "It shall be your last!" he said in a low voice, and cackled. "Bwahaha!"
"Shut it, Ron," Hermione warned. Ron immediately went quiet as Harry was making is move.
"Whipped," Ginny coughed. Ron glared at his sister. Bella went into a fit a giggles at the scene unfolding before her. The game continued and just as everyone suspected, Ron won. After the chess game, most people went back to their dorms to get some sleep. The trio decided to stay up, while Ginny and Bella went up to their dorms. Ginny fell right into her bed and went to sleep, mumbling she'll unpack tomorrow. Bella stayed up to unpack and write a letter to Phoebe.
OoOoO
Bella woke late the next morning and was only able to eat half a piece of toast before jamming the rest into her mouth as she got up to follow Ginny to their first last of the day, N.E.W.T Transfigurations. She took a seat between Colin and Ginny. That class went without a problem, except for the time during note taking when Bella's mind wandered off and she stopped taking notes and just sat at her desk making lines and dots on her parchment. Ginny noticed this and offered to let Bella copy her notes that night.
The next class was Herbology. The only thing that went wrong in that class was that Bella gave the plant too much water, making it angry. The 'flower' attacked Colin, her partner, and slapped him with its leaves. Luckily, Madam Pomfrey was able to take out the poison from the leaves, but Colin had to walk around school for the rest of the day with a leaf like print on his right cheek. Bella apologized to Colin every chance she got and offered to do his Herbology essay. Colin, being the great guy he was, said that he didn't need her to do the essay for him. He replied that he'd get his little brother to help him.
Fortunately, for the rest of they day, their classes went well. Currently they sat in the dungeons, in Potion class. Both had five points taken because they were late. The three took their time to get to the class; also they had a chat with Hermione, Ron and Harry when they bumped into to them in the halls.
Ginny was stirring the cauldron while Bella chopped the ingredients. When Snape was walking around the class, looking into each pot, Bella kept her eyes down, avoiding her uncle. As Bella placed some of the items into the boiling cauldron, she remembered when she was sorted, and how much she disappointed her uncle. The walk to the Great Hall after she was sorted was silent just like most of the time they spent together, but unlike those times, that walk was slowly killing her. She could feel her uncle's eyes burn though her back as she walked ahead of him.
The girls finished their potion and had just bottled it up and placed it on the shelf to get graded. Ginny cleaned their workspace while Bella took the cauldron to dump out the extra potion. On her way to the sink, she slipped and spilled the remaining contents. The potion fell on her uncle's feet, burning his shoes and leaving him barefooted. He was furious.
"Class dismissed!" he roared as he walked back to his desk. Everyone fled the classroom, not wanting to experience the potion master's rage. As Bella packed her bag her uncle walked up to her. "Stay after class," he said in a low menacing tone.
Bella gave a slow nod and threw a glance at Ginny who was about to leave. Ginny gave her a smile and a thumbs up, thinking that she was going to get in trouble. She and Colin left, worried that their new friend will get a detention on her first day of school. Bella sat at her desk, while he went to his private quarters, which was linked to the classroom. He reappeared, with shoes, and he sat behind his desk. He took out a red quill and began to correct papers, as if Bella wasn't there.
"Um… Uncle?" Bella reluctantly asked, getting her uncle's attention. She sifted in her seat.
"What?" he asked, not looking up from his work.
"Are you angry?"
"Twenty five points from Gryffindor," he replied as he graded the summer homework.
That's it? Nothing else? I burnt his stupid shoes!
"Are you expecting something more dramatic?" Severus asked, finally looking up from his work. Before Bella could answer, he gave her drama. "First you are dumped onto me by that sister of mine! Then you get your self into Gryffindor, and become buddies with that bloody Potter and his friends! Then I hear you got another student hurt in one of your classes! And now you spill this bloody potion on my feet because of your clumsiness, MAKING A FOOL OUT OF YOU AND ME!" he bellowed out the last words. He lost control.
"I'm a burden…?" whispered Bella, she heard everything right, but it was the first part that burned her mind the most.
"Of course!" he snarled at her. "And you're suppose to be my heir! MY BLOODY HEIR! A stupid half-blood girl!" He sounded as if he had held it in for a long time.
Bella clenched the strap of her bag so tight her knuckles went white. She stood up and opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came. She bit her lip and glared at her uncle before running out of the classroom.
OoOoO
Bella wandered around the halls of Hogwarts for what seemed like eternity, dragging her school bag on the ground. When Dumbledore found Bella, on his way to dinner, her face was tear stained, she looked disheveled, and she was lost, maybe because she randomly walked around the castle. She was sitting on the floor, lying against the wall. Dumbledore stood next to her and leaned against the wall.
"Is something wrong?" Dumbledore asked kindly. He offered a lemon drop, which she took and popped it into her mouth. Bella gave a nodded as she held her knees against her chest. "Your uncle?"
"Yeah…"
Dumbledore nodded understandingly. "What did he say?"
"That I was a burden… a stupid half-blood…" she mumbled. She laid her chin on her knees. "He meant it too…"
"Severus doesn't mean it," replied Dumbledore. "He's been… through a lot… and lot of things are going on in his life right now. The poor lad is frustrated, he is under a great deal of pressure lately."
Bella lifted her head. "Pressure? What kind?"
"That's for me to know, and you to find out," the headmaster said cheekily. Bella looked up at the aged headmaster. His eyes shined with a dull twinkle and he looked exhausted. Was it the war? Bella gave him a soft smile.
"Why don't you go to dinner? I'm pretty sure you're hungry," suggested Dumbledore. "I hear that the food is absolutely outstanding tonight! Then again… it's always superb…
"Nah, I'll go back to the tower," said Bella. She stood up and straightened out her skirt. "I'll remember, what you said about my uncle. He's human; he has flaws. I hope notices that I am human too." Bella sighed and began to walk.
"Miss Snape," Dumbledore called.
Bella turned around. "Yes?"
Dumbledore smiled at her. "The Gryffindor Tower is the other way."
OoOoO
"You missed dinner!" exclaimed Ginny as she entered the dorm. She found Bella sitting at her desk writing a letter to her best friend in America.
"I wasn't hungry," said Bella. She signed her name at the bottom of the parchment and rolled it up. She tied a string around it and placed the letter next to her books so she'll remember to bring it to the Owlery.
"You barely ate breakfast! And you skipped lunch to go to the Owlery! You must be dying of hunger right now!" Ginny then gasped mockingly, "You're not human…"
Bella rolled her eyes. "Fine! I lost my appetite."
"Why?" questioned the red head. She sat on her bed and opened up one of her books.
"Just… things…" sighed Bella.
Ginny pressed on. "Was it Snape?" Bella gave a shrug. "Well, if you're feeling bad… eat! Food is good!"
"Dinner passed already," replied Bella.
Ginny smirked. "My twin brothers, when they were here, they showed me where the kitchen was and how to get in."
Bella looked at Ginny. "For real?"
"Yup! The House Elves will fix you up what ever you want."
"… I am craving for a deep dish pizza…"
"A what?" Ginny threw her friend a confused look.
"You'll see." Bella stood up. "Are you going to show me the way to the kitchens or work on that Herbology worksheet?"
Ginny sarcastically rolled her eyes. She stuffed the worksheet into the textbook and followed Bella out of the dorm. "Down this hall," stated Ginny as they walked down some stairs.
"Where are we?" Bella looked around the hall.
"Under the Great Hall," replied Ginny. "And stay quiet," she added. The two stopped right in front of a painting of a bowl of fruit. Ginny reached and tickled the pear. To Bella's surprise, it giggled and turned into a door handle. Ginny turned the handle and pushed it, revealing Hogwarts' kitchen.
"What did you say you want?" asked Ginny as they took a seat at the counter.
"A deep dish pizza…" replied Bella as she looked at her surroundings. A House Elf appeared and enthusiastically took Bella's request. Moments later a deep-dish pizza, fresh out of the oven, appeared.
"Want a piece?" offered Bella as she began to cut a piece. "It's really, really good," tempted the American.
"I guess," Ginny took a napkin and Bella placed a small piece on it; Ginny took a bite. "Merlin! This is so good!"
"Want a slice?" suggested Bella.
"Of course!" Ginny greedily ate the slice. "Man, I can't believe I've been missing out in this almost my whole life!" Bella laughed as she cut herself a slice. "So, why did you skip dinner?"
Bella stated simply, "I wasn't hungry."
Ginny rolled her eyes, giving up on her search of the reason why Bella skipped dinner. "So, what school did you go to in America?" she asked, changing the subject,
"Salem Witches' Institute."
"An all witch school?" gasped Ginny.
"Yeah, it's the nearest school to my state," replied Bella. "I didn't want to go to Western Wizardry School. That's all the way on the west coast."
Ginny nodded as she ate a pepperoni. "What's life like there?" That one question started off a very long conversation. When they finished their second pizza, Ginny looked up and saw the clock. "Merlin's beard! We have ten minutes before curfew! We have to leave!"
The two rushed out of the kitchens. Ginny dashed out of the door and was quickly followed by Bella. They reached the stairs that lead to the tower; they were almost there. That's when they bumped, literally for Bella, into the Hogwarts' Head Boy. Draco Malfoy stared down at Bella, who had fell on her bottom when she crashed into the blond Slytherin.
"Well, well, well…." He smirked. "A weasel and the American, sneaking around and breaking rules."
"Bugger off Malfoy. We still have time before curfew," growled Ginny. She helped Bella up and glared at Draco.
"Language, Red, language." Draco waved his index finger Ginny. "According to the clock right over there, it is ten seconds passed curfew."
"Because you're holding us up," hissed Ginny. "Move."
"I'm afraid I'll have to write you up, for breaking a rule," replied Draco, ignoring Ginny. "My, my, first day here, and already a detention." He looked directly at Bella.
"Shut it." Bella stared angrily at Draco.
Draco ignored her as he pulled out two-pieces of parchment and began to write on them. "This would have been your second detention if Professor Snape didn't let you off so easily." He looked up and saw the look of panic in Bella's face. "Yes, I over heard the whole conversation you had after class, when I went down to the dungeon to grab a book I left." Draco had a look of triumph as he began to reveal her secret. "The professor is very, very disappointed with you, Miss Snape." He looked at Bella from head to toe. "I cannot blame him, you are rather disappointing."
Ginny let out a silent gasp and looked at Bella. "Snape is your uncle?"
Bella gave a nod. Her face of terror slowly turned into a smirk, when she realized something. Draco saw this and demanded, "What are you smirking at?"
"My dear ol' uncle will not be pleased if you gave his only heir a detention," she replied. "I already seemed to ruin my first day here, and a detention will be a cherry on top of very big sundae, that'll make him very furious, on me mostly, but since it was administered by you, you will receive the blow too."
"Are you trying to blackmail me?" he sneered.
"Are you trying to blackmail him?" piped Ginny, quite surprised that Bella stood up to him, and using blackmail too! Ginny was quite convinced at her newly acquainted friend would not stoop down to something like blackmailing!
"No, but from what I've heard, if you want to stay on my uncle's good side, you better stay on mine," replied Bella, her voice uneven. It sounded as if she was making this up as she went along. Clearing her throat she said, "Blood is thicker than water."
Draco glared at Bella, his eyes shifted to Ginny who gave him a satisfied grin. He didn't show it, but it was taken by surprise by Bella's treat. He was expecting her to try to do anything. "This won't last forever. I'll make sure of that," he hissed before he turned around and walked away with a quick pace. When he left, Bella turned to Ginny.
"Don't tell anyone!" she begged, the cold stare she had on disappeared and she looked pitiful. "Everyone seems to hate my uncle! If they find out, they might hate me too!"
"I won't!" replied Ginny. "But knowing Malfoy, this will be all over the school before dinner tomorrow."
Bella moaned. "Great!" she said sarcastically. The two stood on the moving staircase before it came to a complete stop, right in front of Gryffindor entrance.
"Get some sleep," advised Ginny. "Tomorrow is going to be one hectic day."
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A/N: YAY! Okay, people, review! I want to thank my friend Mistress Chocolate, for being my BETA! Your suggestions are really, really, really, helpful! She is the spice in this story! BWAHAHA! Check out either her or account! (YAY marketing!- Mistress Chocolate)
I would like to mention Pope John Paul II who passed away over the weekend, who was a great spiritual and human rights leader. I would also like to mention my Uncle Buddy who passed away two weeks ago in the Philippines.
Hey, does anyone find Bella a Mary Sue? I'm trying to make her not a Sue… but if she does seem like it, any advice to tone her down? Okay, thanks! Review people!
-LalathePanda
PS: Been having a bad day (failed math test, forgot my French project, and a bunch of crap!) a review would make me feel better. A flame would make me feel very, upset! Love you all!