Chapter Four- The Letter

Previously: "Your last name," Harry said in shock. I swiveled around. He looked at me, emerald eyes piercing my own black ones. "Your last name's on it, isn't it?"

I looked up at the Weasleys. "I-I-excuse me," I said shakily, turned around, and went to the living room.

Why did a letter know my name? Why didn't I know? Why had I been left to wonder for twelve, agonizing years?

"Well, what does it say?" Harry asked, behind me. He was leaning against the doorway.

I held the letter close to me. "Why would I tell you?"

Harry stared at me, shocked. "Why are you so mad at me?"

"Because obviously you need to assume that I only wanted to meet the famous Harry Potter and get some attention by making up some fake werewolf attack," I spat. "Well let me tell you something, Harry Potter, I bet people say great things about you, but I don't see it yet!"

"Fine," Harry snapped. "I was just trying to make conversation."

"Seems like you had more than enough of conversations yesterday night with the Weasleys, talking about me!"

"Well, what do you expect?"

"I expect friends to stand up for each other!"

"Then maybe we aren't friends!"

"Of course we aren't!" I yelled back. "D'you think you should get special treatment because you're Harry Potter?! Well then, why did your parents-"

I stopped myself before I said something that I would regret. Harry's face was already a stunned hurt at my last word.

I took a deep breath. "It's Snape. My name is Rowan Snape. Are you done prying?"

"Wait-" Harry frowned. "Snape-you're-"

"Get out, Potter." I didn't know what made him back off and leave; me calling him by his last name, or the menacing tone I used. Either way, he looked at me, helplessly, and left. Frankly, I didn't care what he had to say. He didn't like me, so why would he even like my last name?

I sat down on the couch, and opened the letter.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Snape,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva Mcgonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts. I'd been accepted. Ecstatic, I stood and whirled around, grinning.

"Harry, I got-"

Oh.

I clutched my letter, the grin on my face faltering. I looked around at the empty room, suddenly wishing Mr. Mason was here. He'd smile and take me out for ice cream, and when we got back he'd promise a reward if I got good grades. I missed his hugs, as rare as they were.

Swiping at my eyes, I went to the dining room. The Weasleys were cleaning up.

"-sure it said Snape, Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked. "This is extremely serious. I'm sure Severus would know if he had a twelve year old relative, especially if she was attending the school he taught in this year."

Harry nodded. "I'm sure of it."

"Snape sure sounds like the type of person to be related to her," Ron sniggered. "Bet she's a Slytherin, hands down."

He said Slytherin in such a distasteful way that I swore to prove him wrong.

Mrs. Weasley wiped a rag on her wet hands worriedly. "Arthur, dear, why would Rowan be accepted late? There must be an explanation."

"Perhaps tomorrow you can pay a visit to Dumbledore with Rowan, Molly," Mr. Weasley suggested. "I'll take the day off and watch over the kids."

I leaned against the doorframe. "Talking about me?"

Mr. Weasley jumped and dropped the plate he'd been holding. He turned around and smiled guiltily at me. "Ah, Rowan, we were just discussing how we could figure things out. After all, Severus is your guardian..."

It was strange; I'd spent my entire life wanting to meet someone related to me, and now I wanted nothing to do with this Severus Snape. He'd ignored me for twelve years...why should I pay attention to him now?

"Rowan, why don't you go rest today?" Mrs. Weasley suggested gently. "We can pay a visit to the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, tomorrow."

"Or she could actually do some work here, Mum," George piped up. I looked at him, undecided if I hated the twins. They hadn't been rude or mean to me like Ron; I had no reason to dislike them.

"Yeah," Fred chimed in. He grinned. "Maybe we could show her how to de-gnome..."

"Again?" Ron asked incredulously. "We did that yesterday!"

"Ah, Ronnie, if you look outside, you'd see the gnomes staggering back and forth, coming back-" I noticed that Fred held Ron a little tighter than necessary as he showed him the window.

"Oh," Ron said lamely. "Yeah-yeah, I see 'em."

"I'd love to help," I added.

Mrs. Weasley shrugged. "Very well then. Fred, George, go help Rowan."

O-O

As soon I stepped outside, I knew something was off.

"There aren't any gnomes," I said suspiciously, looking around for jolly little faces walking about.

We stepped under the shade of a tree, and I glanced around.

"We know," Fred said cheerfully. "But we reckon you'd want a break from Ron."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't pretend you two didn't listen in on the conversation Harry and Ron had last night about me."

"Well," George shrugged. "We make our own decisions." He plucked an acorn from the tree and tossed it in the air, catching it.

I looked at George. "So you don't think I'm an attention-seeking fan of Harry Potter?"

"Well, by the way you yelled at him in the living room, no."

I frowned. "You heard that?"

George laughed. "The entire house heard you two."

"Sorry." I blinked, realizing too late that-"Where's Fre-"

The tree under me shook suddenly. And dirt began raining down. I closed my eyes, raising my hands and yelling in protest.

"Hey!" When the brown mounds of dirt had stopped falling, I wiped the dirt from my face and glared accusingly at Fred, who'd appeared again and was roaring with laughter next to George.

"Oh, Mum would kill us if she knew what just happened," George wiped tears of mirth from his eyes.

I raised my eyebrows, a sly smirk forming. "Would she?"

"No," Fred stood, eyes wide. "Don't."

"You wouldn't," George added.

I grinned and dusted off my hair. "Trust me, I would..."

"It was a joke," Fred exclaimed nervously. "A fun, welcoming prank on our kind...completely opposite of a tattletale friend..."

"Mum's going to kill us," George added. "We'll be grounded for-"

I threw the dirt I'd clumped up in my hand as hard as I could, and it splattered all over Fred's hair, brown specks decorating his orange hair.

"Now that," Fred spit out dirt from his mouth. "Was not nice." He scooped up dirt, but I'd already started running, so he flung it on George.

We spent the rest of the day trying to get back at each other, and when the three of us finally came back inside, we were tired, dirty, and happy.

I decided that I liked them, even though their brother was annoyingly rude to no end. I also decided that I was going to pour water over their heads as soon as nobody was looking, because he'd gotten in a last dirtball and soiled my shoes.

O-O

Though living under the same roof as Ron and Harry put a damper on my mood, I discovered that the rest of the Weasleys were incredibly nice (Well, Fred put a spider on my face while I was sleeping, but still.)

I padded downstairs, tired. Yawning, I turned to the dining room, where Mrs. Weasley was bustling about in her apron, cooking. Nobody else had woken up besides Mrs. and Mr. Weasley.

"Rowan," Mr. Weasley smiled, surprised. "Up so early?"

"It's eight," I pointed out.

Mrs. Weasley laughed warmly. "The kids normally sleep until nine."

I shrugged. "Want some help, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Of course, dear. I always need an extra pair of hands."

I helped her crack eggs, with her explaining how hand-made food always tasted better than magicked ones. Mr. Weasley sat at the dining table, reading a newspaper. It seemed like such a mugglish home sometimes.

Hesitating, I cracked an egg. "Mrs. Weasley?"

"Hm?" There was a sizzle, pop, fizz as bacon was lowered gently onto the pan. "What is it, dear?"

"Do you think...that person...Sev'rus Snape...would he take me in? Where would I go?"

Mrs. Weasley pressed down on a piece of bacon too hard. It hissed. "He better take you in," she said fiercely. "Severus Snape is many things, but he will not be a child neglecter."

"Oh," I protested, beating the eggs. "He doesn't have to take me in. I don't even know what relation we are. It doesn't need to be father, I think. But...if he doesn't want me, then I have no reason to want him."

A hand was on my shoulder, as if I needed support. Mrs. Weasley cupped hand under my chin and turned my face to hers, gently. I stared up at the warm, opening eyes.

"We'll take you in for as long as you need, dear," Mrs. Weasley pulled me into a hug. "And if Severus Snape doesn't want to take you in, I'll beat him senseless and take you home, here." She rubbed the back of my head supportively, and I hugged her back. She smelled of home, and I felt the pang of homesickness for the Masons again.

I didn't need support. If he didn't want me, who cared?

I could handle myself.

I'd sort of been doing it for a while.

I could take care of myself.

O-O

It was a funny feeling, Portkeying. Mr. Weasley had explained it before I left with Mrs. Weasley. It was supposed to take me somewhere when I touched it, or touched it and said a key word. Here, the key word was Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore," I said, hearing Mrs. Weasley's voice overlap with mine. A hook grasped my stomach and gave a sharp tug that sent me flying, and I tumbled across the ground ungracefully until I landed and tried to control my whirling stomach.

Gasping, I took Mrs. Weasley's hand gratefully. Standing, I dusted myself up. "So where's Hogw-"

My breath caught. I stared at the school in front of me.

The castle stretched upwards, four graceful towers that pointed at the tips. The entrance door was large and wooden, the stone walls standing strong. I swallowed, overwhelmed by everything. This was actually happening. Only a few days ago I'd been sitting at home, frustrated and confused about who exactly I was. And now here I stood, my boots planted firmly against the grassy ground, looking up at the building where another Snape was.

"Ready?" Mrs. Weasley smiled at me, and I closed my jaw, which had fallen in my awe, nodding slightly.

O-O

"Molly," The bearded man greeted calmly, almost as if he had expected us. I stepped into the room. "And a guest."

Almost instantly I was filled with the feeling of power revolving around the room. It seemed to be coming from the old man, who sat behind his desk with his aged, wrinkled fingers laced together and twinkled his blue eyes at me. I smiled back, slightly nervous and intimidated by the interest he held in his eyes for me.

"Albus," Mrs. Weasley nodded, smiling. She pushed back a wave of curly red hair and looked him in the eye. "We need to talk. Rowan," She wrapped an arm around my shoulders protectively. "received her Hogwarts letter late, which will be discussed later. But her Hogwarts letter says, well...Snape."

"He's in this building," I blurted out quickly. "And I'd like to know what relation he has to me, and why he hasn't contacted me."

"Ah," The man said apologetically, suddenly. "Where are my manners? Please, sit. Rowan, my name is Albus Dumbledore. Lemon Drop?" He offered us a bowl with yellow-colored sweets, to which Mrs. Weasley declined and I took as we sat.

Mr. Dumbledore smiled at me. "Now, concerning your question to Professor Snape. I am sure he would be willing to take you in now that you are here. I've contacted him, and he should be coming soon."

"How?" I asked curiously.

Mr. Dumbledore smiled knowingly and popped a lemon drop in his mouth. "I had a feeling I'd need Severus in the office this morning, so I informed him to come." I cocked my head slightly at his mysterious tone, but didn't push it further.

"Albus, what is it that you must call me over so urgently?" And impatient, silky voice rose out of the air, and I twisted in my seat, reluctantly eager.

The first thing I saw was a tall figure in black robes that furled around the figure's feet. I raised my eyes from the black shoes barely visible under the wisps of robes that seemed to billow dangerously, my sight trailing upwards.

He had a curtain of black, greasy hair that shaded the sides of his face, and a crookedly hooked nose that poked out. I stared right back at the impatient, tunnel-like black eyes, and tried hard not to shiver.

Severus Snape. This was the person I'd been wishing for my entire life. This heap of oily black who sounded as if he'd like nothing more but to leave and ignore everyone. I felt my teeth grit together as anger unfurled in the tight knot sewn in my chest.

"Severus," Mr. Dumbledore greeted pleasantly. "Rowan, this is Severus Snape."

The eyes that were locked on mine widened a fraction of an inch, before they narrowed. "Albus. What are you implying." The words were said icily, in disgust.

"Are you the child's godfather, Severus?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her cold tone almost equally as icy.

"No," Snape snarled. "This is unimportant. Albus, what have you called me down for?"

"It seems as if Rowan has found her only living relative, Severus." Mr. Dumbledore said calmly. "You will have to take her in. You are, of course, the legal guardian."

I should have stopped them right then and there. I should have stood, my shoulders set, and said no thank you Mr. Dumbledore, I'm sure Mr. Snape has better things to do than take me in. I will return to the Masons and live as a muggle. But I'll admit, there was a small part of me, a small hopeful part, that looked to Snape and hoped he'd take me in.

Snape looked as if he had tasted something sour. He glared at Mr. Dumbledore harshly. "Albus, this is ridiculous. I will not be taking anyone in."

The small part that had hoped shriveled up and curled into a black lump. I bit my lip, hard, and tried to keep my breathing even. Furious, I turned to the Snape man. "So what are you?"

"Excuse me?" Snape said bitingly. "You will address me in the proper way, a respectful way."

"I'm sorry if a bit of respect's been lost for abandoning me," I snapped, unable to control myself. "So what are you? My uncle? My godfather?"

"No, you idiot child," Snape snapped back, eyes sharp. "I'm your father."

O-O

The world stopped. I felt my breath hitch, my pulse freeze, and I felt as if someone were squeezing the air out of me.

"You're my what," I said, my voice dropped to a whisper. My voice rippled into a deadly tone. "You're my father?"

I felt Mrs. Weasley wrap an arm around my shoulder and squeeze gently. "Rowan, why don't you go explore? We'll be staying here for a while today; I'll call Arthur and tell him to drop the kids off here for the day."

I swallowed, hard. There was a lump in my throat I couldn't get out, and watching Snape stare at the pair of us, uninterested, sparked something.

"He doesn't have to take me in, Mr. Dumbledore." I stood, pushing my chair back. I turned to Snape, shaking. "And if you thought for a second I even wanted you to be my father and take me in, you thought wrong. I never want to see you outside of school circumstances again."

There was a slight moment where Snape stood, seething, and I felt a tiny bit of triumph revolving around my lies. But then he narrowed his eyes, curled his lip, and said smoothly," Oh, believe me, the feeling is mutual."

I wanted to scream. Mrs. Weasley stood, furious. "How dare you, Severus Snape? Rowan-"

I never heard the rest, because by then, I'd fled the room and was running through the stone corridors, my breath heavy and loud in the echoing halls. The portraits on the walls passed by in a blur, and I was pretty sure one had been talking, but I couldn't bother to care. I ran until my breath caught and I slammed my palms against the stone wall, my breath coming in hitches.

I couldn't see. There was a hazy blur in front of me, and I couldn't figure it out until I swiped at my eyes and discovered wetness. I cursed myself for crying, and walked through the walls, pinching the bridge of my nose and trying to stop the flow of tears.

It took a while for me to find the exit, but I was soon on a field that looked more like a stadium. It had three hoops on each side, all high into the sky, and I looked up, squinting from the sun.

How did they play this sport with the hoops so high?

I wiped my eyes again, already feeling their puffiness. Stop, I told myself uselessly. I am not going to cry about that filthy excuse of a dad.

The stadium was completely empty, and I wandered around trying to get rid of my tears. After a moment, my feet kicked against something under one of the stadium benches. I bent down, and pulled out a rickety old broom.

Slowly, I rose, and stared at the broom in my hand. Contemplating, I gave the broom a good look, and slowly lifted my head up at the high hoops in the stadium…

...wait.

Could the broom-?

Like in storybooks-?

I turned my head slightly, and stared at the part of the castle where I knew Snape, Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Dumbledore stood. Anger tinted at the ends of my eyes again, and I swiped at them angrily. Before I could think about it, I grasped the broom, swung a leg over it, and took a deep breath.

O-O

It did take a little longer than I thought, and I was sporting a bruise somewhere on my right hip, but after a while of wrestling with the broom, I was sitting on one of the hoops, staring moodily at the forest in my view.

My broom was tucked under my arm, and i leaned against the hoop, tired of the day. I just wanted it to be over, but it wasn't even afternoon yet. Closing my eyes, I sighed, the heat beating down on me. Shade was just what I needed. I sat down on my broom and flew unsteadily down to a tree, where I could properly enjoy its shade.

"Oi, where'd you get the broom?"

My eyes flew open, recognizing Ron. I narrowed my eyes. "Magic."

Fred and George were nowhere in sight, and neither was Harry. Ron shrugged. "Well, are you using it?"

"Nope."

Ron looked at me like I was dense. "Well...can I have it?"

"No." I know I shouldn't have been rude, but I was tired and moody and thoroughly exhausted.

Rolling his eyes in annoyance, Ron grumbled something. "Are there more?"

I closed my eyes. Arguing with Ron was refreshing, especially if I had an advantage. "Maybe, maybe not."

Ron let out a little groan of frustration. "Fine. Keep your stupid broom; Harry has a Nimbus 2000 anyway."

I had no idea what it was, but it sounded cool, and I turned away from Ron. After a while Ron clambered away on his gigantic feet.

There was silence for a while.

The grass rustled next to me, and I knew someone had sat down.

"...Rowan?"

Harry. Of course, it had to be him. I contemplated being rude, but when I turned around and opened my eyes, the green eyes startled me.

There was such a lack of anger that I couldn't bring myself to be mad. I took a deep breath. "Harry?"

"Um," Harry stumbled, obviously surprised I hadn't punched him in the face and ordered him to leave yet. "I-just-you-How was visiting Snape?"

I shrugged, trying to pretend to be uninterested. "Terrible. Turns out he hates me."

"Oh," Harry said, flustered. He nervously reached a hand up to flatten his black fringe that covered a lightning shaped scar. "Well-why?"

"I don't know, because he doesn't want to be bothered with a daughter?" I played with a green leaf on the ground.

There was no sound. I turned my head to see his shocked eyes and slightly parted mouth. "What?"

Harry tried to pull himself together. "You-ah, he-Snape's your father?"

"Unfortunately." I sat up. "Do I even LOOK like him?"

"Erm," Harry hesitated and looked closer. "Well, you have his eyes. And his hair color, though not the greasiness." I pulled my ponytail close to my face and sniffed it. Harry smiled slightly.

I muttered under my breath, released my ponytail, and sat back in the shade. There was no hostility in this conversation, and I couldn't quite figure out why I wasn't furious at him.

Harry shifted in the grass. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "For blaming you."

I was quiet for a moment, staring up into the branches that swayed in the breeze. I sighed. "It's alright. I shouldn't have gotten so mad, then."

There was a few minutes of awkward silence.

"I brought all your stuff with me to the Weasleys," Harry said softly. I turned my head, and the corner of his lips quirked up. "I rummaged through your brown backpack when I got mad at you for taking my invisibility cloak-don't get mad at me again," Slight panic flared in his pupils.

I laughed lightly. "I'm not, but don't look at my things next time. Did you make sure everything was put back?"

Harry nodded. "I, er, couldn't help but notice the receipt. I was wondering why you had it."

My hand flew to my neck, where the locket was. "Oh. My mum gave it to me. Well, rather, it came in the mail and Mrs. Mason gave it to me. It came with the receipt, and on the back, it said Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus." Over time, I'd memorized those four unfamiliar words.

"What?" Harry jerked his eyes open wide. "What did it say?"

Puzzled, I repeated the words slowly.

"That-that can't be possible." Harry frowned.

I blinked. "What? Do you know what it means?"

"Yeah." Harry said, frazzled. "It's the Hogwarts motto."

My lips parted. "Oh my god." I whispered.

"Why would your mum write that?" Harry said.

I shrugged helplessly. "I mean, I don't think she's in Hogwarts. But-Harry, look." Grappling for the locket, I unclasped it and brought it closer to him. My fingers fumbled at the locket, but it wouldn't open. "I thought it was a broken locket. I thought it wasn't supposed to open."

Harry inspected the locket. "It doesn't open..?"

I shook my head, excited. "I think I know why. Because-well, I'm supposed to open it in Hogwarts."

"Are you going to try?" Harry said.

"I-"I hesitated. "Wh-when I get to Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. He smiled a little. "I saw your picture frame with the Masons."

"Oh," I felt a grin pull at my lips. "That one."

"The Masons-you care about them, don't you?"

Mrs. Mason's smile appeared, crinkles appearing on the sides of her eyes. Mr. Mason stood behind her, eyes laughing. I looked down at the grass tickling my ankles, and slung my arms around my knees. "Yeah," I said softly. "They're almost family."

Hwee! Another chapter done! Yay! So, a lot happened in this one...Rowan's found her dream dad-though nightmare is more like it-and Harry's back on tentatively good terms with her. And the mysterious locket has another clue!

WildLilys-Well, I mean, I wouldn't blame Ron. I just don't see him as the sort who would accept Rowan instantly, and even Harry's not really close with Rowan. But I can see where you're coming from. And as if you don't already know everything ;)

Guest-Yeah….if I was some super wise and thoughtful writer I'd reply in something along the lines of well you see this goes against this intricate plotline that blah bleh blah, but since I'm not that...I just didn't really think of it. I can't see Mr. Weasley slicing his throat, and I guess I just intended for him to tend to the victim first. But thanks for pointing that out ;)

saroura92-everyone makes mistakes; I don't want to make this a Mary Sue, so I'm trying to make everyone as realistic as possible. Harry's been cooped up at the Dursleys for the entire summer, and the one person who kept him company left with his stuff and Dudley's...eh. I'm not trying do do any bashing, though. Thanks for the review!

Son of Whitebeard-He hurt Remus Lupin, and for that, I'm making people hate him more so they can destroy him to bits when the time comes :)

Whew! Thanks for the reviews, guys, I love ya'll! :) Please review, it helps!