One Last Shot

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling, not me. Savvy?

Chapter 3

'Nice to meet you both. I'm Jane Summers, and you can call me Jane,' Jane said easily, but inside, she was shaken; Jane didn't know that Snape lived in an orphanage.

She knew she'd see Professor Snape at school (once she had sherbet lemons with Dumbledore and was accepted), as well as Remus Lupin and Lily and James Potter, to name a few, and she could prepare herself for those meetings, but seeing her old potions professor without warning threw her off. Jane got up from her bed and paced around the room, trying to calm herself down before she let anything slip.

Jane Summers never had a Professor Severus Snape, she told herself firmly. Jane Summers didn't know this child. Jane Summers wouldn't hate this child.

'Hey, are you OK?' Meghan's kind voice drifted into her mind.

'Just a little... shocked, I guess,' Jane answered, sitting back down on the neatly made covers. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. Jane was shocked. She crossed her legs and leaned against the headboard, spotting something sticking out from Alison's pillow.

Dear Merlin, a wand. Well, this place certainly had it's surprises.

So, Alison was a witch and Snape was a wizard. Quite possibly, Meghan was one, too. Jane started discreetly looking over at Meghan's bed and belongings, trying to find evidence of magic.

'That's understandable. Anyway, I'll see you all later; I'm going swimming.' Meghan got up. 'It was nice meeting you Jane. If you ever need to talk, I'm willing to lend an ear,' she added before disappearing through the door.

'That girl is too bloody polite,' Snape muttered.

'Sod off, Severus; she's a good friend,' Alison argued.

'Of course she is. It's in her nature. Bloody Hufflepuffs.'

Alison shot him a look. 'Anyway, my job's done, so I'm going.'

'Where?' Snape asked.

'Meeting Lily for shopping. I'll tell her you said hello.'

'Indeed,' the teen said. Alison rolled her eyes and left.

'So... It's just you and me now,' Jane said lamely.

'Astute observation.'

'What's Alison?' Jane suddenly asked, before mentally cursing herself. Stupid Gryffindor in her couldn't keep its bloody mouth shut, could it?

'What?' Snape asked, clearly confused for a second, then his face changed back into its perfect expression of absolute boredom.

'What house is she?' the girl clarified., deciding to plunge right in. 'Meghan's Hufflepuff, and those robes by your bed say Slytherin, so what's Alison?'

'She's a Gryffindor... How do you know about Hogwarts?'

Jane rolled her eyes. 'Everyone in the wizarding world knows about Hogwarts,' she said. 'I'll bet Alison's going to be happy that I'm not a muggle.'

'Have you started school yet?'

'No, I'm starting this year. Hopefully I can get into Hogwarts.'

'What house?' Snape asked, trying to sound uninterested but not quite reaching it.

Jane shrugged. 'Do you have an owl?'

'Yes. She's delivering a letter right now, but she'll be back tomorrow. I'll see you later, Summers.'

'Wait! What am I supposed to do?'

Snape shrugged. 'I don't care.'

Professor Dumbledore,

My name is Jane Summers and I will be twelve years old this September. I am interested in having a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year to continue my education. Perhaps we could schedule a meeting sometime in the near future to discuss my options? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance,
Jane Summers

Miss Summers,

I am not certain that you qualify for a spot at Hogwarts. All children that are admitted must show prior skills involving magic, and this is the first I've ever heard of you. However, you do seem to posses knowledge of the magical world, and I am willing to arrange a meeting to assess your magical ability. I am free in two days' time, any time after noon, but if this doesn't suit you, feel free to suggest other details.

Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore

Professor Dumbledore,

I am available in two days; shall we say at one o'clock PM? Would it be possible to meet at the Leaky Cauldron? I have no means of transportation, except for walking, and this is the only place I can reach on foot.

If you have any problems with this arrangement, please send an owl. If it's satisfactory, I feel there is no reason to waste any more of your time, and no reply will be necessary.

See you in two days' time,
Jane Summers

'Hello Professor Dumbledore,' Jane greeted the older wizard. 'I'm Jane Summers.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Summers. How have you been?'

'A little bit nervous, actually,' Jane confessed. 'I've been worrying about this meeting. But let's get started, shall we?'

They were led by the barkeep to a sitting room in the back of the building, where Dumbledore ordered tea, sherbet lemons (Jane fought back a laugh, but allowed herself a discreet eye-roll), and a glass of water before they began Jane's interview.

'Alright then Jane, I need you to state your full name and date of birth, for the record,' Dumbledore told the girl, pulling out a quill and ink.

'Sure. I'm Jane Amelia Summers, born September 19, 1965.'

'Good. And your parentage?'

Jane frowned at the question, but replied, 'I'm muggleborn.'

'Do you know how old you were when you began to show signs of magic?'

'A very young age, I imagine,' she answered. 'I had lived with strange occurrences as a part of my life until I learnt what they were.'

'It's a wonder we didn't detect you sooner,' Dumbledore said. 'How did you learn what the occurrences were?'

'Our neighbour was magic as well; she recognized those events for what they were and slowly introduced me to magic. This must have been when I was seven. I miss her.'

'What was her name, Miss Summers?'

'I always called her Carol.'

The questions continued, each asking Jane about her life, her family, and her magical experiences, until thirty minutes later, Dumbledore said 'Well, Miss Summers, while I can't officially say this yet, welcome to Hogwarts. You'll be getting your letter within the week, I believe. Do you have any questions?'

'Thank you sir, and yes, I have a question. I was wondering, how am I going to pay for my supplies?'

'The ministry sets up an account at Gringott's and provide you with enough money for books, supplies and clothing. Once you've finished your education, you begin paying them back. They don't charge interest on the money you borrow, either. The program's been around for a good twenty years now, and it seems to work just fine. Anything else, Miss Summers?'

'No, thank you. See you in September.'

'Have a good summer.'

'Hey Jane,' Meghan greeted her newest roommate. 'Where were you this afternoon?'

'I was at the Leaky Cauldron,' Jane answered, sitting on her bed. Looking from Meghan to Alison, she asked, 'What have you two been doing?'

Meghan and Alison sat in stunned silence for a moment while Jane tried not to laugh at their expressions, before Alison found her voice and asked, 'You mean, you're a witch?'

'Well, I'm certainly not a dementor.' More silence followed.

'Wow!' Meghan suddenly shouted. 'Merlin, this is great! I'm so happy for you, and now we don't have to hide our things! Alison, isn't this wonderful?' Hey, Jane, do you know where you're going to school yet?'

'Meggie, calm down, OK? Remember to breathe. In and out. In and out,' Alison instructed.

'Hogwarts. I met with Dumbledore today so I could get a place,' Jane answered.

'Great! That's where we go. What house do you want?'

'Gryffindor. I'll definitely be put into Gryffindor.'

'Alison's in Gryffindor,' Meghan replied. 'I'm in Hufflepuff, and Severus is in Slytherin. So unless you get sorted into Ravenclaw, you'll have one of us to help you out. No worries.'

Jane paled at the thought of being in Slytherin with Snape and Malfoy- wasn't Lucius just a year younger than Severus? And there was Belatrix as well, though she couldn't be much older than herself. How many problems could those three cause her if she was forced into the snake-pit?

'Because I've got a few friends in that house, and they're pretty friendly. Not as much as my house, but they're not bad. But they're really smart, and incredibly driven. Not that I'm saying you're not, Jane,' Meghan was saying. 'I'm sure you'd fit right in.'

'That is, if you get put there,' Alison added, more to silence Meghan than anything else. 'Why didn't you tell us sooner?'

'What?' Jane asked. She hadn't been listening to a word the two girls had said.

'Why didn't you tell us you were a witch? I wouldn't have been so mad at you.'

'I didn't know you were mad at me for that. You said it was because I'm a lot younger than you. But since we've got this cleared up, do you want to take me shopping? Not for muggle things, though.'

'Sure. My friend Lily and I are going as soon as we get our letters. Should be any day now.

'Thanks Alison. I'm going to go swimming; I'll see you both at dinner.'

'So gentlemen, any questions so far?' Hermione asked.

'That man in my house,' Ron said, 'was he my grandfather? Mum's dad, the one with Alzheimer's?'

'I think so. I only met him that one time though, Ron, so I can't really be sure.'

'i never got to meet him,' Ron replied sadly, 'but Bill and Charlie loved him.' He grabbed a cookie. 'Sorry.'

After a moment, Harry laughed and asked, 'You didn't actually break out of jail, did you?'

'Yeah, I did, though in my defense, I shouldn't have been arrested in the first place.'

'Either way, I hear they're still looking for you. Raised the bounty and everything,' Remus said. 'Last I checked, it was up to two knuts.'

James snorted. 'They must be getting impatient. You should turn yourself in; they might go easy on you.'

'Maybe in another twenty years,' Hermione answered. 'Price isn't high enough, although four knuts should be plenty. But let's take a break guys, alright? I need to see my husband anyway. Shouldn't take more than twenty minutes.' Hermione stood and, after enjoying the looks on Ron's and Harry's faces perhaps just a bit too much, disapparated.

'She's married?'

OK, I apologize right now for mot updating in over a month. Please don't attack me. I'll try to get the next bit up much sooner, I swear. Also, I couldn't think of a song/show title to go with this chapter. If you know any, please tell me.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review. It'll make me happy.

I'm a fermata; hold me.
Jibs