Author's Note: All Harry Potter characters belong to J. K. Rowling. But I own all original characters.

Chapter One

The Request

There was a knock on the door. Snape was busy sorting out the last of his paperwork before he was to leave the office and the school for the summer.

"Come in," he said, absentmindedly.

The door opened and Snape turned to see Dumbledore standing before him.

"Headmaster," he said. "What is it? I am quite busy."

"I am aware of that, Severus," said the Headmaster, with a sort of smile on his face. "Have you any plans for the summer?"

"Not that I am aware off, sir," Snape replied, turning away to place the papers he had in his hand in a briefcase. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I am to ask of you to do me a favour," said Dumbledore, his voice kind of hinted that it was more of a request than a favour.

Snape lifted his head up at this. "What sort of favour?" he asked.

"I want you to watch over someone for me," said Dumbledore. Snape turned to face the Headmaster, as the elderly wizard continued; "A little girl…I was asked to pay a visit, but I had to decline. But I couldn't allow a little girl like her to not have an ear to talk to."

"I'm not incline to baby-sit," said Snape, frowning. "Can't you get some other staff member to do it?"

"I would if I could, Severus," said Dumbledore. "But everyone else has plans and you're the only one left to ask."

Snape made a half growl and sighed. "All right," he said. "I'll do it. Where is this kid?"

"Her name is Emily Gordon and this is where you will find her," said Dumbledore, pulling out a slip of parchment and gave it to Snape.

Snape took it and looked at it. He looked up at the Headmaster.

"St Mary's Children's Hospital?" he asked.

Dumbledore looked back at Severus. "I have been going to this hospital for years, Severus. Children who want nothing more than to have an ear who will listen to them…it might do you some good, Severus. Especially young Emily, she's a brave child, as all the little children in there…I want you to meet her."

"But, why me?" Snape asked.

"No more questions, Severus," said Dumbledore. "Just please to this?"

Snape sighed in defeat. He looked at the place name.

What was so serious to place a child in a hospital?

It appears he just had to find out.