The man's mouth twisted into a cruel smile. His day's work was done. That would send Severus Snape a message that he wouldn't soon forget. When he had heard that his former Death Eater friend had married a Mudblood, he couldn't believe it. And not even just any Mudblood. He had married the Mudblood that had bothered him for so many years. He had married the Mudblood that had been a part of the battle in the Ministry so many years ago. He had apparently forgotten the Dark Lord's teachings. Well, he would soon remember.

He had wanted to do the job as soon as he'd found out about the nuptials, but he'd had decided to wait. He knew that Snape would be keeping an eye on his wife. So he had been biding his time for years, waiting for exactly the right moment, for the right sign. And he had come up with the brilliant plan that put everything in motion. He had killed that idiot Slughorn and sent the owl to McGonagall himself. He had taken a chance that Snape would accept the invitation, but he had figured that it was a safe bet that he would come to the rescue. After all, look at all the times he'd helped to save the Potter boy even though the Dark Lord had wanted him dead.

He sat down with a sigh of satisfaction, thinking about the look of terror on her face and her screams as she went down, begging for mercy. He highly doubted that the woman was still alive. There had been too much blood for that...

***

Nicoletta sat on the stool, nervously waiting for the Sorting Hat's decision.

"You have some of each of the qualities of the Houses in you, Miss Snape. You are loyal, you are brave, you have a sense of cunning, and you are smart. Let's see."

Nicoletta looked at her father waiting and then looked at her friends. She knew where she wanted to be...

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat shouted for all to hear.

Nicoletta looked over at her father, wondering what he thought of her being in Gryffindor and hoping that he wasn't too disappointed. There were murmurs around the room as she stepped down off of the stool and joined the Gryffindor table.

Emily and Molly smiled at her as they made room for her at the table. "I'm so glad you got into Gryffindor, Nicoletta," Emily said with a smile.

Molly nodded. "Me too! Now we will all be in the same room together."

"Oh, great, we have Snape's daughter in here with us," one of the older Gryffindors said. "Why isn't she in Slytherin like she belongs?"

"Shut it, Brian!" James said, looking down the table and frowning at the boy who had spoken out, then turned back to Nicoletta. "Don't pay him any mind. The Sorting Hat must have thought you belonged in here, and we're glad you are."

The Sorting was soon over and Headmistress McGonagall stood up.

"Good evening and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we start our meal, I have a few announcements to make. We would like to welcome back Professor Snape, who has graciously agreed to take on the job of Potions professor and Head of Slytherin while Professor Slughorn has personal business to tend to. Students should remember that the Forbidden Forest is off limits, and Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of the school year. If you would like to try out for your House team, please speak with Madam Hooch. Now, let the feast begin!" Headmistress McGonagall took her seat.

The tables were then covered with food, and the chatter resumed. Nicoletta could feel the curious looks of her fellow Housemates and felt her face turning red, but she paid attention to her food and tried not to let it bother her.

***

Severus looked at his daughter and could tell how uncomfortable she was. He had mixed feelings about her being in Gryffindor. He knew that even if she had been in Slytherin, chances were good that she would have still been teased. At least in Gryffindor, it looked as if she had friends.

"Are you disappointed that she was placed in Gryffindor, Severus?" Minerva asked him.

Severus thought for a moment. "She is better off in Gryffindor. It looks as if she has friends there. I'm not so sure that would be the case in Slytherin."

Minerva nodded sympathetically and opened her mouth to say something, but then a large owl swooped into the Great Hall and landed before Severus. The owl impatiently held out its leg so he could take the parchment, nipping at his fingers until he took it.

Taking the parchment and opening it, he turned to Minerva. "I knew that it could happen, so I wasn't surprised." He turned his attention to the parchment and read it, his face growing even paler by the minute.

"What is it, Severus?" Minerva asked, seeing the expression on his face.

"It's Hermione. She's been injured. I must go to her." Severus stood up from his seat.

"Of course, Severus. Do you want Nicoletta to come with you?" Minerva asked, looking at the Gryffindor table.

Severus thought for a moment. "Yes, she should come." The letter had said that Hermione had been injured badly and that things were still touch and go, though she was stable for the moment.

He stepped out from behind the head table and went to where his daughter sat. "Nicoletta, I need to talk to you. Come with me."

Once they were out of the Great Hall, he put his arm around her.

"Father, I know that you are upset that I'm in Gryffindor..."

"That's not the reason. Your mother has been injured and we need to go to St. Mungo's."

"Mum? What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. Right now we shouldn't waste any time. Let's go to my office and we will use the Floo."

A few minutes later, they stepped through one of the Floos at St. Mungo's. One of the Healers came over to them at once.

"I'm so glad that you are here. I would like to talk to you, Mr. Snape. Perhaps your daughter could wait in the waiting area."

A nurse came over to them. "I'll stay with her. Come with me, dear."

Once Nicoletta and the nurse were out of sight, Severus turned to the Healer.

"What is wrong with my wife?"