Dumbledore begrudgingly gave permission for Carina to have her 'coming out' party Friday night by the black lake. He was not happy at the turn of events to say the least. He knew logically that Carina couldn't help how her life turned out. Her birth was after all out of her hands. It was Severus he was angry at. 'I was too upset at losing her to bring it up. I didn't want to think about it.' What flimsy excuse that was. Albus did not like being ignorant of anything no matter if it was his business or not. The information could have been an advantage; a token of information packed away until useful. Even still, he couldn't help feeling some irritation at the girl. Things were changing and for once it wasn't his doing. He wasn't pulling these particular strings and this angered and confused him. His trust in Severus had been greatly lowered, and his trust in the Hermione he used to know was all but gone. Now he had to be on guard, always. He would attend Miss Snape's little party and let them both know that he would not be kept out of important events. They would know that he would not be so easily side-stepped.
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"Oh, what a lovely party, my dear!" Minerva grasped Severus in a tight hug with a tear in her eye. "Where is she?"
"Draco insisted on a special entrance." Severus rolled his eyes. "I swear, he has the same unhealthy obsession with public perfection as his mother."
"Oh let the kids have their fun. They won't be kids for long." Minerva smiled sadly. "He did a beautiful job with this though." She gestured to the small tent where tables of food and various drinks were set up. Pixie lights hung in the air giving the area a golden glow, and Luna Lovegood was sitting on a small stool just outside the tent expertly playing a massive harp. A few of the Slytherin house who were loyal to Pansy and did what ever she said were mingling. Aside from the few students, Pansy and Carina's uncle was standing nervously at the head of a party of men and women who Severus knew was the pack. They were anxious to meet their new Miss.
Pansy had explained a bit about the social structure of the pack and Carina was in awe of it. It amused her to no end that adults twice her age would bow to her and Pansy and call them by a formal title. Pansy told her what to expect when she took her place among them after the party. She was extremely nervous and Pansy did her best to convince her not to think about it until the party was over. This was her night after all.
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Pansy and Draco had set up a small changing tent just inside the tree line of the forbidden forest and after Carina had her dress on, Draco came in with the pearls she'd chosen from her vault. Carina sat on a chair in her flowing flower-like gown; her long black hair done up in braids and curls. She lifted her hair as Draco draped a strand of pink pearls around her neck and another around her wrist. She insisted on being barefoot. It was her party, she argued, and the only request she had for it.
"Ready?" Her sister asked. Carina nodded and Draco left the tent.
"I give you," They heard his muffled voice announce her. "Carina Snape!"
Pansy gave her a wink and took her hand as they made their way to the party. As they approached, soft gasps could be heard along with whispers of "there she is!" and "could it really be?" Severus stepped up and gave his daughter a hug, followed by Minerva.
"You look beautiful, darling!" Minerva whispered.
"Are you ready for this?" Severus asked.
Carina looked around nervously and answered with a nod. Pansy led her to the center of the room. All eyes were on her, waiting for her to speak.
"Thank you all for coming. You can not imagine the emotional roller coaster this year has been. I will never forget the parents who raised me, but I have to admit, I'd always felt I didn't belong even with them. It angers me to think that it was their senseless deaths that led to finding out who I really am. Still, even as I move forward into this new life, I will always love them and thank them for making me who I am. The person that was Hermione Granger is still here and always will be. But I am wholly grateful to be accepted and loved, where I expected to be completely alone. But this is not a funeral for my lost parents. It's a celebration of starting a new life; of finding lost things and knowing who we really are. I accept who I really am, and I love my new life. I wanted to take this opportunity to meet some of you as a new person, and some of you for the first time. I am so very grateful that I have a family, and a supportive one at that! Thank you all again, and please enjoy yourselves tonight."
There was clapping from every direction as Carina finished speaking. Pansy held Carina's hand tightly as their uncle approached with the entire pack in line behind him. He took her other hand in both of his and smiled widely.
"I have prayed for the day we would see you again, Carina. You're mother would have been so very very proud of you both." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. "I won't overwhelm you with everyone's name right now, but remember these faces. We will see you again later."
The group bowed their heads to her ever so slightly before they turned and left. Their uncle stayed for a few minutes longer. "May I have this dance?" He asked. She curtsied and they danced for a few minutes before there was a tap on his shoulder.
"May I cut in?" A tall dark and blond man stood at Carina's side. He looked far too much like a Malfoy for anyone to be truly comfortable standing so near to him. Carina's uncle looked to her and she assured him she'd be fine.
"Uncle, this is the man that facilitated my adoption."
"Oh, I see. Well thank you then, Sir for your part in keeping our little Carina safe all these years." Lucifer smirked knowing how big that part had in fact been. He bowed ever so slightly. "It was my pleasure." Pansy came and took her uncle's hand and they went off in their own dance before he left and joined the rest of the pack. Lucifer took Carina's hand and waste and masterfully led her around the small dance floor.
"Congratulations, Carina, on your big night." He said as they stepped in time with Luna's playing.
"Thank you, Lucifer."
"I understand you've come to a decision?"
"Yes." She nodded once.
"I'll accept your offer, after I take my place with my family in the pack. I suspect you know of the pack?"
"Of course, Carina. I know everything that concerns you. May I ask, why wait until after that?"
"Pansy is concerned that your plans for me will make it impossible to take my place with them."
"I see. Still. I know what deep magic is used and shared within the pack. What forces are used to create and maintain it. I am concerned that you could come to harm during the ritual. As you know I cannot allow that to happen. I have a gift for you, for those times when I can not come fast enough." They stopped their dance and Lucifer tapped his cane on the floor. A cloud of black smoke rose up from the ground inside Lucifer's long cloak so that it went unnoticed by the guests. He pulled his cloak to one side and a rather large black puppy sniffed and licked at Carina's feet. She melted instantly as she bent to pick up the wiggling creature. He had golden eyes and long, thick, fluffy fur.
"Aw, what a beauty!" She cooed. "And how exactly is this little beast going to protect me in your absence? Lick someone to death?"
Lucifer grinned. "Make no mistake, Carina, he is only a pup now, but he is a vicious and monstrous creature; loyal until his dying breath. This is a hell hound. While he is young, it's true he can not do much damage, aside from his deadly bite. His teeth will inject his victims with death itself and his howl will alert me if anything should threaten you. When he is full grown, he'll rip an entire crowd to shreds. He is a war dog, Carina. He instinctively knows if someone is a threat to you and he knows when you are in danger. He will not attack unless you command him to. He will obey no other. Not even your father. I hope he will serve you well, Carina. If those wolves harm you, or if there is a chance you may not survive the transformation, He will call to me, and I will turn you."
"Turn me into what?"
"I honestly don't know. I have never seen fit to turn anyone before you. I can only tell you what gifts I can give. I can not say for certain what those gifts will make of you."
She nodded slowly as the hell pup licked her chin. "Thank you for the gift." She bowed. "He is quite charming for a killer."
"Be safe, Carina." She nodded again and went off to find her father. Lucifer watched from the edge of the crowd as Carina showed Severus the pup. He looked up and found his master's face in the crowd and bowed his head graciously. Lucifer returned the gesture like an old friend and disappeared into the darkness."
Pansy, Draco, Severus and Minerva were all charmed by the little black monster. The hound never left Carina's side. Apparently, being born in hell meant never having to use the little puppy's room. Carina felt instantly protective over the creature as he was over her.
"What are you going to name him?" Severus asked as he put a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
She thought for a moment. "Dante." She answered. She knelt to the floor and Dante bound into her arms. "That's you then. Dante. Do you like it?"
"Carina, love," Severus whispered. "Do keep in mind as you fuss over this thing like he's a baby, that one bite from him will kill a grown man."
"That is a sobering thought." She admitted. "Still though, don't expect me to act like he isn't the cutest thing ever."
Severus grinned and shook his head. 'Girls', he thought.
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The rest of the night passed in a blur of twirling and dancing and eating, and guests unwisely feeding the Dante bits of cake. It wasn't long before the guests were gone, the food was gone, and Carina's anxiety was back at full force. Dante pawed at her dress and whimpered.
"I'm alright, little guy. Just nervous."
"You're really going to have to watch your emotions with that one." Severus pointed out.
"Yes, I don't want him to go attacking people because of a little anxiety attack."
"No that wouldn't be good at all. Are you ready?"
"You are a part of the pack, right?"
"Membership is a lifetime thing, so yes. But I haven't shifted since you were born. It's a big night for all of us."
"You're coming?" She smiled hopefully.
"Of course, I wouldn't send you the wolves alone." He grinned.
"Hey, it's not like we're going to eat her!" Pansy protested. Severus raised an eyebrow at her, then it clicked. "Oh..well.. you know what I mean."
"Wait, what?" Carina shrieked. "You're going to eat me?!"
a.n. I know I said this chapter would get a little bit icky but I decided to save it for next chapter. It should be pretty long so I decided to split it up.
