Chapter 1: Snape's Awakening
Severus Snape was having a horrible day. He had barely slept the night before and had an early faculty meeting, then he spilled his coffee all over his newly pressed robes, and now, to top it all off, he had to go check on the Potter brat. Of course he vanished the spilled liquid and the faculty meeting hadn't been as horrible as it usually is, but the idea of facing the Potter child would have spoiled even the best of days. How hard is it to give a child their letter? Petunia had one job.
He apparated to their disgustingly muggle neighborhood, located house number four, and was now forced to speak to the last person on Earth he ever wanted to see again. When Petunia opened the door, her face immediately dropped before she slammed said door right in his face.
"VERNON!" she screamed from the other side of the door. A few seconds passed before a very large and very angry man appeared at the door. His face was beet red before he'd even started screaming.
"Go away! We don't want any of that nonsense," Vernon spat before attempting to slam the door, once again, right in his face. He stopped this action with a barely noticeable flick of his wand. Entering the house, he could see that Petunia was cowering in the kitchen. A very fat child was standing behind her, and her even fatter husband went to their side.
"I have come to give Potter her letter," he addressed Petunia. "Where is she?"
"She's not here! Go away!" Vernon said.
"I know you're lying, Dursley. I will not ask again," Severus made sure his tone showed them exactly how serious he was. Petunia gulped instinctively before her chin jerked forward, indicating the area behind Severus. He turned around to find a small door with three locks on it. How had he not noticed that upon entry? He stared at the door for a moment before unlocking it. For the first time in ten years, Severus Snape was afraid.
At first, nothing happened.
"Get out here, freak!" Vernon spat at the cupboard. She came out very slowly, with wide eyes and a blank face. Flora Potter. The spitting image of her mother. Her dark red hair was wild like James' had been, but she had Lily's features, eyes, and freckles. She pushed up her glasses and stared into Snapes eyes. She was small. Too small. And she wore only an oversized t-shirt, with an old belt at the waist to make it look like a dress.
"I have come to give you your letter," he told her, holding it out within her reach. She looked nervously at her uncle before taking the letter. She opened it very carefully, and began to read. When she was finished reading, she looked up at Severus with intense confusion.
"It can't be that surprising," he huffed, "I expect you've been waiting for this?"
She shook her head. Snape turned to Petunia.
"What exactly have you told the child about her abilities?" He demanded.
"Nothing!" Vernon yelled. "She just needs a good beating! I'll not have one in the house!"
"Nothing?!" Snape spat back at the man. "You've told her nothing?" He was fuming now, and while he'd responded to Vernon, his eyes had never left Petunia. She didn't even have to say anything, he could see the guilt and shame on her face.
"Young Potter," he began, turning back to Flora, "You are a witch. You will attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in September." She remained silent, her confusion was replaced with suspicion. "Your mother was a witch." Her eyes lit up at the mention of her mother, and she looked towards her Aunt for confirmation. Petunia sneered at the child and turned away, clutching her overgrown son close to her.
"I will be taking her to buy her school supplies now," he said, turning back to the terrified Dursleys. He put a hand on her shoulder, and her flinch at being touched was painfully obvious. He began guiding her to the door when Petunia called out.
"Don't bring her back," she said. Severus met Petunia's eyes while rage boiled inside of him. "Don't bring her back," Petunia repeated, "She isn't welcome." Severus could only manage a slight nod before ushering Flora out of the house.
Once outside, Severus took three deep breaths before addressing the child now in his care.
"Is there anything in the house you would like to take with us? You won't be coming back," he told her.
She shook her head.
"We will be apparating to London. It might feel uncomfortable. Just hold on to my arm," he said. She nodded, and held on tight.
They arrived in the alley behind The Leaky Cauldron. Flora let go of his arm immediately, and took a small step back before looking up at Severus. Her face was blank again, so similar to the face Severus had worn during the war.
"Follow me," he said, turning away from her and leading her inside the pub. They went straight to the back wall, and opened the door to Diagon Alley. At least this got a reaction out of the girl. Her features relaxed and her eyes widened. He even noticed a small smile.
"This is Diagon Alley. We will be going to the bank first," he told her. The wonder faded from her eyes and her head fell slightly, but she nodded and followed him quickly. Severus strode through the doors of the bank and made it ten feet before noticing that she was no longer behind him. She was still at the doors, bowing to the goblin guards. When she noticed him waiting, she caught up quickly.
"Don't dally," he said firmly. She nodded in response, and followed him to the teller.
"Good day, sir," the goblin greeted. "How may I assist you today?"
"I would like to make a withdraw from Flora Potter's vault. I have a letter from Albus Dumbledore, and her vault key," he said, passing both objects to the goblin, who examined them before leaving his desk, and gestured for them to follow. Flora had still said nothing, which was beginning to worry Severus. A terrible cart ride and about a hundred stairs later, they arrived at their first stop. Severus wasted no time in pocketing the small object from the vault, then they were off to the Potter vault.
When opened, Flora's eyes widened at the sight of the large pile of gold. Severus grabbed an adequate amount of gold, and quickly escorted Flora towards the exit. Before leaving, she turned to the goblin who had helped them, and gave him a deep bow. The goblin stepped back in shock, before returning the bow.
"You are welcome back at any time, Miss Potter," he told her. She simply nodded in response. That was curious; he'd never heard a goblin say anything that wasn't strictly necessary. She bowed again to the guards at the door, but did so more quickly than last time, not wanting to be reprimanded again. Severus led her to a cafe and ordered some tea and biscuits for them. This was going to be a long day, and an even longer school year.