A/N: Hey, guys! So sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Work has been crazy as usual since it's the beginning of the year. Hopefully now I'll start updating a bit more regularly. I have NOT abandoned this story! I have been hoping to start delving more into some of Olivia's internal struggles. Also, Fred and George are cool. That is all.

WHAM! The sudden slam of his mind into hers caused her to falter, stumbling into the wall to brace herself. He swept through the wave of memories as he searched for something of meaning. She kept him busy by continuing to throw unimportant ones his way.

It was just moments more when he withdrew, quickly making his way to her with a vial in hand. She drank it while keeping her eyes shut, the light stinging her eyes, making her head feel as if it would split. He gave the potion a moment to take affect.

"That was better," he said softly. "Next time, I want you to be discrete and send a couple carefully selected memories towards me. Don't pick anything too important, but maybe something that you wouldn't mind him knowing. It should be something to make him think it's important, but, in reality, it isn't too much."

She could only nod a little in reply. He helped her over to the couch to sit, but as she settled into the cushion, he jerked his arm away, hand clenched. Olivia noticed the movement and grimaced. She hated being left alone in their quarters with only her thoughts to keep her, none of them good.

"Hello, Professor," she said smiling, closing her book that she'd been reading. Dumbledore had just come through the portrait and into the sitting room.

"Good evening, Olivia." Dumbledore smiled at her before addressing Severus. "There's an Order meeting tonight. You should be there, Severus." Olivia sat straight. Usually they never spoke about stuff like that with her around.

"Should I really, Albus? I don't see how my presence will be appreciated," her dad said, still writing at his desk.

"I can't be there, Severus. They're bringing Harry in tonight. After the attack, especially with the Ministry being as they are, I need to get all the information I can."

"And who all, pray tell, will be in attendance?"

"The usual, Severus. Most of the Weasley's are there, Remus and Sirius, Kingsley, Miss Tonks, and Alastor are bringing Harry."

Olivia noticed how her dad repressed the annoyed grimace. "Fine."

"Can I go?" she asked suddenly. For a moment, she regretted it, the way he looked up at her. She knew he was getting tired of her asking, but she was restless. "Please, Daddy, I haven't left the castle at all."

"I think it might be good, Severus, for Olivia to get out, a change in scenery," Dumbledore spoke up, giving her a knowing look; his eyes sparkled in their usual way.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing there was no arguing, now.

She walked into a darkened hallway, dusty carpet scratching beneath her shoes. She thought to herself that the place could certainly use a good cleaning. Olivia could smell the age of the house and she guessed that no one had lived in it for quite some time, until now, that is.

Her dad guided her further inside with a gentle hand on her shoulder. A door opened and she saw a red-haired woman greeted them with a broad smile as she wiped her hands on the tea towel. "Severus, you're just in time, dinner's just about ready."

"We won't be staying long," he said apologetically.

The woman's eyes fell to her. "You must be Olivia," she said cheerily, holding her hand out. "Molly Weasley." Olivia shook her hand and gave a tight smile. "Well, come on in, have a seat, dear." She moved aside, allowing them to move into the dining room, the long table nearly taking up the space.

Olivia noticed a familiar face at the table as he stood. "Severus," Remus nodded at the man. "Miss Snape," he smiled at her. "Good to see you."

"Sir," she smiled and nodded as she found a seat near the end. Her dad moved to the very next chair.

Another person sat at the table, hidden behind an unfolded Daily Prophet. He folded it down as he heard the names, staring at them both over his reading glasses. Olivia immediately recognized him from the Prophet photos, though, he looked much cleaner and better kept. The man's eyes narrowed in her father's direction. "Snape," he grumbled, seemingly irritated.

"Black," Severus said in return, just at irritated by his presence.

Black's eyes moved to her, widening slightly in surprise. "Miss Snape?" Olivia gave him a quick nod. "Never in my wildest..." he muttered, flipping the paper back up.

"Sirius," said Remus, almost frustrated with his friend. "Please."

"What?" he returned, feigning innocence.

"Severus, Olivia, can I get you some tea?" asked Mrs. Weasley in an attempt to create some civility.

"Nothing for me, Molly," Severus said.

"Tea would be nice, thank you," Olivia answered politely.

"And she's polite, Remus," Sirius whispered loudly in no attempt to keep them from hearing. Remus sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Are you absolutely sure this is Snape's kid?"

"Of course not, Mr. Black," Olivia said sarcastically, put off by his rudeness. All three men turned to her. Her eyebrow rose as she spoke dryly. "Perhaps I was raised by wolves." She nearly wanted to smile when Black frowned. Remus covered his mouth to keep from laughing.

"There it is..." Black muttered. "Why are you laughing?" he asked Remus, shocked. Remus could only shake his head. Olivia couldn't help, but smile at their exchange.

"Here you are, dear." A cup of tea was settled in front of her. "Milk or sugar?"

"Just milk, thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

Olivia drank her tea while they waited. Mr. Weasley came in, introducing himself in the same way as his wife had. She had to say that they seemed nice, but she still remembered vividly what had happened at Malfoy Manor with the raid.

When she'd finished, Mrs. Weasley took her cup. "It's about time for the meeting to start," she said to the men in the room. "Olivia, dear, would you like to go upstairs? The children are there. You know my Ginny, don't you? I know Hermione mentioned you two have met when I said you'd be coming." Olivia bristled at 'children.' She glanced at her dad who only nodded his acquiescence. Standing, she moved to the doorway. "Just upstairs; Hermione is in the first room on the left."

She took the stairs quietly. As she neared the room, she heard a muffled conversation that stopped as soon as she'd knocked. The door opened and the girl visibly relaxed. "Oh, Olivia, I thought you might've been Harry. Come on in."

"They butt you out, too?" asked Weasley from across the room. He looked a bit put off by your presence, but you'd expected no warm welcoming by the house full of Gryffindors. She simply nodded in answer.

"How've you been?" Granger asked out of politeness.

"Bored," she replied, mostly honest. "This is the first time I've left Hogwarts all summer."

"Really?" Weasley asked, almost sounding as if he didn't believe her.

"Father won't let me stay home since he's been gone so much and I'm certainly not aloud to go with him. I guess he didn't mind here since it's protected."

"At least you've been at Hogwarts...food's better," he said. She huffed a slight laugh.

"Oh, Ronald, your mother's cooking is just as good," Granger said, annoyed.

"You haven't lived with it for your whole life; there's no variety, same thing every week," he moaned.

The door started to open slowly. Hermione turned and launched herself at Potter as soon as she saw it was him coming into the room. "Oh, Harry! Are you alright?" He only nodded to them both, her presence, so far, going unnoticed. "We heard them talking about the dementor attack. You must tell us everything."

"Let a man breathe, Hermione," Ron said as he approached the two.

Olivia thought Potter looked very tired. He had darkness under his eyes and a look in his eyes that she'd seen many times before in her father's. She knew that look.

"And this hearing at the ministry. It's just outrageous. I've looked it up; they simply can't expel you. It's completely unfair."

"Yeah, there's a lot of that going 'round at the moment," he said moving further into the room. Olivia thought that statement sounded very passive aggressive and she wondered what was going through his mind. That's when he noticed her. "What are you doing here?"

She opened her mouth to reply, but Hermione spoke up, "Professor Snape is downstairs in the meeting. We all got put up here until it's over."

Potter's jaw clenched as he changed the topic. "So, what is this place?"

"It's Headquarters," Weasley said simply.

"For the Order of the Phoenix. It's a secret society. Dumbledore founded it back when they first fought You-Know-Who," Hermione explained.

"I couldn't have gotten any of this in a letter, I suppose," Potter said, again filled with slight aggression. "I've gone all summer without a scrap of news."

Weasley and Granger looked nervously at each other. "We wanted to write, mate. Really, we did. Only-"

"Only what?"

"Only Dumbledore made us swear not to tell you anything."

"Dumbledore said that?" Potter's voice wavered. "B-but why would he want to keep me in the dark? Maybe I could help. After all, I'm the one who saw Voldemort return. I'm the one who fought him. I'm the one who saw Cedric Diggory get killed." Olivia flinched a little as he said the Dark Lord's name aloud, but the hurt that she recognized in his words seemed to strike a chord in her.

"Perhaps he's trying to protect you," she said softly.

"What?" he asked, turning towards you. A look of almost cruel disbelief on his face.

"I said, perhaps he is trying to protect you, Potter." Olivia stepped forward a bit. "You've been through so much already. Maybe, in his mind, he's lessening your burden by keeping it all from you." She looked down, unsure of the conversation. "Father does the same to me, never telling me anything that's going on."

"Harry," came two voices after a pair of Weasley's popped into the room. "Thought we heard your dulcet tones."

"Don't bottle it up, though, mate. Let it out."

"Anyway, if you're all done shouting..."

"Wanna hear something a little more interesting?" The both moved to push everyone into the hall. "You, too, Snape, come on."

She walked after them as they all moved down the stairs to gather on the landing. "What's that?" she whispered, noticing the set of ears one of the twins pulled from his pocket.

"These, my dear, Slytherin, are Extendable Ears," he grinned.

"Our very own invention," the other continued.

"It's the only way we've been able to hear everything that's been going on around here."

"Mum's pretty strict about keeping us all out of the loop."

Olivia was impressed. Though, she had to admit, it was more of a trick than a real way to overhear conversations discretely. She supposed that had to come up with something to get any information, however.

They lowered one ear down to the ground floor, just outside of the dining room. "If anyone has a right to know it's Harry," came a voice she recognized as Black's. "If it wasn't for Harry we wouldn't even know Voldemort was back. He's not a child, Molly."

"He's not an adult either! He's not James, Sirius."

"He's not your son."

"As good as. Who else has he got."

"Well, he's got me."

"How touchingly paternal, Black, perhaps Potter will grow up to be a felon, just like his godfather," lulled her father's voice, annoyed at Black's insistence. She noticed Potter look at her.

"Oh, you stay out of this, Snivellus." Olivia clenched her jaw at the insult. "I don't care what Dumbledore says about your proposed reformation. I know better."

Meow. Purr. Meow. "No, Crookshanks." Hermione sounded distressed that the fuzzy kneazle below had found the ear hanging and thought to make it a toy. "Crookshanks, leave it alone." The cat finally got the ear loose and ran off with it dangling in it's mouth.

"Hermione, I hate your cat," Ron said.

"Bad, Crookshanks." A few of them just laughed.

Olivia couldn't help but look up, feeling Potter's eyes still on her. She met emerald eyes, the mixture of curiosity, accusation, and pain intermixed in them as his gaze bore into her. Then, there was a flicker of something in his stare that made her straighten, stepping back.

The door downstairs opened and she took the chance and began the decent down to the floor below before her father could even call for her. He waited until she was at the last step before starting towards the door.

As they made their way back into her dad's quarters at the castle, she thought on everything she'd heard, but most of all, everything she'd noticed about Potter. Olivia continued to roll it all around in her mind as she went to her room to get comfortable, returning to the sitting room in a pair of leggings and a soft green tunic. She must have looked quite bothered because her father interrupted her train of thought.

"What is it?"

She turned, seeing him at his desk, gazing at her from across the room. Olivia sighed, thinking about how to phrase what she felt. "Potter isn't sleeping, nightmares I'm guessing," she said at first.

"Is that all?" he asked, knowing that wasn't what was truly wrong.

"We...we were listening in to the meeting." She looked at him. He didn't seem phased, probably having guessed as much. "There was a moment when he looked at me. I don't know how to explain it, but...something sparked in his eyes that..." Olivia thought for a moment as she stared into the fireplace. "It wasn't him. Nothing changed visually, but it was just this feeling I got. It was like what I was looking at wasn't a boy, but something else. It really unnerved me."

It was nearly time for the school term to begin. Letters were mailed, books were bought, and Olivia had all the time at hand to start studying. In fact, it was all she'd done since her books and supplies order had been delivered via owl.

She'd been reading through a chapter on counter-jinxes when the portrait opened, her father stepping into the room. He hesitated for a moment, watching her deep focus. "Olivia," he said, quietly getting her attention, "get changed."

Olivia sat up in her spot on the couch, setting her book aside. "Daddy?"

"Be comfortable, but make sure it's something appropriate for the Manor." His face looked drawn and she tensed. Sensing her question, "He has not asked, but...there have been discussions about the younger generations. I'm afraid it cannot be avoided any longer. It is entirely possible you will not see anything or anyone, but...just to be safe." She nodded and stood, unsure of what to think.

Her wardrobe stood open and she perused the clothes within. She pulled out a pair of black tights and a loosely fitting black tunic with a lace edging and intricate stitching along the collar and sleeves. Unclasping her hair, she let it fall into it's perfectly straight length down to her hip. Olivia thought to herself that it was about time she cut her hair a bit shorter. She added a long tassel necklace and slipped on her nice short-heeled boots. Stepping out of her room, she found her dad in the sitting room. He nodded his approval and she followed him out of the quarters.

"When we arrive, if Narcissa or Lucius is at the door, you may greet them, but go immediately upstairs. Go to Draco's room; do not stay anywhere alone. Cast a muffling spell around the room so that you don't hear anything downstairs. I'll come and get you when it's time to leave. Do not leave the room for any reason unless I, Narcissa, or Lucius say so." Her dad was making her slightly nervous and she was sure he noticed because once they were outside of the Hogwarts border, he stopped, turned, and gave her a few last warnings. "Do not be afraid. Keep your mind guarded." He grasped her hand tightly and apparated.

The Manor was almost as she remembered it, but the air around it was stained with darkness she could nearly taste, bitter and fearful. She walked alongside her father confident in her steps. Olivia checked her expression, putting on a mask of indifference. Instead of knocking as usual, he simply opened it and walked through, holding it open for her.

"Who the-Oh...it's you," came a cracked shrill of a voice from just beyond the entryway. Olivia turned to see the crazed witch, her curls cascading wildly around her face. She wore a hateful grimace as she looked at Severus. "And this must be your bastard daughter."

"Bella," came a familiar voice, thought sounding more tired than usual. "We talked about this." Lucius came out of his study, dressed in his elegant best. "Olivia," he smiled slightly, his arm extended out to her.

Olivia walked to him, wanting so badly to hug him. She'd missed them dearly. "Mr. Malfoy," she said tightly, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

"Draco is upstairs."

She took the unspoken command and began her ascent, calmly, one step at a time. The whole place was as tight as a bowstring. When she reached Draco's door, she knocked thrice and waited a moment before opening it. As she entered, she heard the distant noise of the shower. After casting her dual Muffliato, both keeping the room quiet from the outside and their conversations private.

Walking to the cracked bathroom door, she knocked. "Yes?" she heard Draco's voice, a bit strained, but it was good to hear it again.

"Draco, it's me."

"Olivia?! Wha-"

She huffed a laugh. "Hurry up, will you?"

"Give me a moment. How long are you here for?"

"I'm not sure."

Olivia waited just outside the bathroom door. The water turned off just moments after and she could hear him scrambling for something before the door swung open, startling her. He pulled her against him and held her there.

"Draco," she whispered, blushing. He wore nothing besides a towel wrapped quickly around his waist. His hair still dripping wet and his skin pink from the heat. However, Olivia soon relaxed into him, letting her arms wrap around him. "I missed you," she said a little louder.

"I missed you, too."

A few moments passed and Olivia started to blush again, realized his lack of clothing. "Draco," she laughed, "get dressed. I'm not going anywhere right now." He reluctantly released her and went back into the bathroom. She pulled the door shut and went to sit on his bed to wait.

When he came out, his hair was dry and he wore a simple black shirt and pants. He wrapped her into a tight hug again. "How are you?" she whispered into his chest.

"I'd like to not talk about anything...like that. Can we just, I don't know, talk about school or something?"

"Of course."

They sat on his bed for a long while, going through the various texts for his fifth year. A house elf brought them dinner, a simple steak with mushroom gravy and potatoes. It was nearing midnight when they laid down on top of the covers, books strewn about.

Facing each other, Draco had began to drift off. Olivia could tell that he wasn't getting much sleep, but she supposed not being alone in his room was helping him feel more comfortable. She brushed the fringe from his face and closed her eyes.

She awoke to a gentle hand on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she found that she'd been wrapped in Draco's arms, face buried into his chest. Olivia turned her head to see her aunt giving her an apologetic look. It must be time to leave.

Narcissa waved her hand and the books put themselves away while she helped Olivia pull out from under his arm without waking him. She stood, rubbing her eyes, as she watched her summon a blanket over him.

When she came to stand in front of Olivia, she smoothed her hair, pinched her cheeks a bit, and waited while she woke herself up a bit more before leading her from the room. Olivia took the steps slowly, trying not to make it seem like she was desperate to get out of the Manor as quickly as she could. Her dad was already waiting at the bottom. Bella could still be heard laughing in a room beyond, but the sound had began to near.

They had only gotten a few feet from the door when the voice came, sending a chill down her spine.

"Ssseverus." She turned to see his sweeping black robes enter the entryway.

"Yes, my Lord," he answered respectfully.

His lithe and menacing form stood before them, Bella hovering close behind. "I don't believe you've yet introduced your daughter."

"My apologies, my Lord." Severus put a hand on her shoulder, guiding her forward a bit, but keeping his hand firmly attached to her. "My daughter, Olivia."

She nodded deeply and curtsied the slightest. "My Lord."

His hand reached out a bit, fingers curling in. "Come here, child."

Steeling herself, she took the few steps towards him all the while keeping her eyes trained onto the front of his robes, never daring to look up.

"Let'ss Ssee," he whispered, taking a finger beneath her chin, tipping her head back. His fingers were cold and nearly made her shiver, but she controlled the urge to shove off the chill. "Look at me." Olivia let her eyes wander up to his. His eyes were nearly a white sort of blue, slitted like a snake, but flashed the slightest red for a moment. She felt the slightest probing of her mind, likely a test. "Ah, Sseverus, when I learned you had a child, I didn't expect her to be sso pretty, and quite talented from what I hear...for a half-blood." She dropped her eyes again. "Yess, you've done well with her."

"Thank you, my Lord," her father said as the Dark Lord stepped away from her.