"So what's going on," she asked eyeing both her parents. A look of fear instantly came over both their faces. She didn't flinch, but her grimace became even more pronounced and her new black hair swirled in front of and around her face as a breeze from outside came in the windows.
A knock echoed from the door and her mother raced out of the kitchen to get it. Her father made to follow, but Serena stepped in front of him.
"You are staying until I get some answers," she whispered menacingly.
"Serena, this isn't the time," started her father.
"So when will it be the time? Am I supposed to go about my life never knowing I was adopted? Or knowing that who I thought my parents are are supposed to be dead? I want answers."
"And answers you shall get," said a soft, patient voice from behind her.
She turned to see a tall old man with silver and a silver beard. He had twinkling blue eyes that peered curiously from behind half-moon spectacles. He had a soft smile and a wise look to his aging face.
"I wonder if I might talk to Serena alone," he said addressing both her "parents"
"Of course," said her father and he glanced at her mother before they both left the room.
She turned to face the old man, staring into him, waiting for the answers he promised. He simply smiled back at her as his eyes twinkled mysteriously. They stood there for a while, just staring, waiting for the other to start the inevitable conversation.
"Well," said Dumbledore," how has your thirteenth birthday gone?" He acted as though she were an old friend he could engage in friendly conversation with.
"It doesn't matter," she said defiantly," now give me answers."
"You are so alike your father," he chuckled happily," but you definitely have your mother in you."
Her eyes relaxed a little at this, but her body did not relax.
"Please explain what is going on," she said still whispering venomously.
"Of course," he said and leaned against the counter," It is a long story. Your mother and father were friends as children. They grew up together. When they were eleven, they went to a school of Magic, Hogwarts. There there friendship blossomed and they grew up and had you. An evil wizard, by the name of Voldemort, went after your mother and killed her. You were sent here with a trusted married couple and friends of your mother. They were being hunted by Voldemort as well, so this was a protection for them and you. Currently Voldemort is not a threat and since your form of protection, a glamour charm, has lifted, making you look like you should, you are being given the oppurtunity to come to that same school your parents went to. There you will learn how to control and use your magic." he finished staring at her waiting for a reaction.
"You must be crazy. Wizards and Witches don't exist. Whatever kind of cruel trick this is, I want out of it."
"This isn't a trick, Serena."
"Well, can you prove it."
Instantly, the toaster on the counter started to float toward the ceiling and then burst into flames.
"What the heck," said Serena ducking behind her hands as the toaster fell back in its original spot with no harm done to it.
"Will you accept the invitation to come to Hogwarts?" he asked most politely.
"I want to know more about my parents," she said but gave up when he shook his head and told her now was not the time.
"If I do, accept your invitation, then what happens?" she asked.
"Well, you will learn more about your parents and you will get a chance to learn about your history and your unique magic."
"Unique magic? What does that mean?"
"It is for a different time. For now all you need to do is be ready with all your clothes and personal items you wish to take to the school and wait for a professor to come and take you to buy books and supplies later on in the month."
"Wait, I didn't say I accepted."
"Well, now would be a good time to," he said eyes sparkling.
"Alright, I accept," she said relenting to his clever, but annoying manners.
"I shall see you soon and don't blame your parents for this. They didn't know this would happen. They are very nice caring people."
"I won't blame them, but I will be mad at them," she said and folded her arms accross her chest.
"You are so very like your father," he said before turning and disappearing.
Serena turned to look for her parents. She still wasn't satisfied with the answers she had recieved.
Two Weeks Later
Severus P.O.V
Severus Snape apparated behind a grocery store and started walking to the address Dumbledore had scribbled on the parchment. He looked around and instantly felt out of wack. Everyone was either wearing really tight jeans or shorts. Did everyone in America dress like this? Apparently not, because a couple of teenagers walked by with their pants pulled up to their knees, no higher. He was wearing a pair of muggle jeans and a button down shirt with his hair brushed into a neat pony at the nape of his neck. He definitely did not fit in. Not to mention the fact that he barely ever wore his hair in a pony tail and it made him feel weird wherever he was.
He only had a two block walk and he was 20 minutes early, so he took a detour, passing street after street and looking in store windows until he found a book store. It was little and lonely on the corner next to the bustling Pizza Hut. He entered and a bell rang alerting the manager and the only other living thing in the store to his presence.
" May I help you, sir?" asked the bookshop owner in a heavy American accent which Severus was not used to. He looked up at the manager. He was an old balding man. To Severus, he looked like a cross between Mr. Ollivander and Siybil Trelaweny.
"No, I'm fine," he replied, moving his way away from the door and into the less traveled, even less traveled than the other dusty bookshelves, side of the shop.
"Oh, are you from England? May I ask which part of England?" asked the shop keeper after noticing his accent and angering and even more irate Snape.
"London," he replied and grabbed three books of the nearest shelf, "I'll take these three."
"Aww, let's see which ones you picked," started the old man, looking at each book and reading of the title, " Les Miserables, a very interesting and inspiring novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, an interesting choice giving insight into the minds of men and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a classic. Very interesting choice Mr. umm."
"Snape," provided the Professor whose patience was running thin.
"Snape. Wonderful. That will be $45.75, " said the man, looking at Snape expectantly. Severus pulled out a $100 bill Dumbledore had given him and handed it to the man. His eyes grew wide and his chin hit the floor.
"Uh, we don't..." he started, but was cut off when Snape said, "Keep the change," and walked out of the store without another word.
By now, it was 5 minutes until he had to be at the girls house so he started backtracking till he found the street.
The house was a small two story house with a flower bed nest to the door. It reminded him of Lily's house. No, he couldn't think of her. She was gone and she was not coming back. Thinking of her would only bring him pain.
He knocked on the door and it was immediately answered by a teary eyed woman and her husband.
"Oh, you must be Professor Snape," said the woman trying to wipe her tears away without him noticing too much, "Professor Dumbledore said you would be here to pick up Serena and take her to a place to buy her supplies and then off to school." She looked like she was trying to smile, but he could tell this was tearing her apart. At that moment, he wished he had had a mother who cared that much, but she was too busy being afraid of Tobias to think about him.
Just then, a girl came through the door, stared hatefully at the couple in front of them, and began walking down the street away from the house.
Severus was as surprised as ever to see this girl have a look of pure hatred on her face. He followed her and instantly her gaze softened and she began asking questions that annoyed the crap out of him. The mood change, however, puzzled him. He knew it must have to do with something her parents did, but something incredibly horrible for that look to cross her features. He knew the level of hatred those eyes could produce and that, right there, was the worst.
" Professor, what do you teach?"
"Potions."
"Wow, what kinds of potions?"
"Many kinds."
"Which one is you favorite?"
After five minutes of unstoppable questions, they reached the portkey. It was an old tin can and immediately Severus reached down and grabbed it.
"Grab it," he said shortly to Serena.
"Um, grab the can?" she asked confused.
"Yes, grab it and hold on."
"O.K" she said and bent down to grab it, but hesitated. Severus let out an exasperated sigh and then saw the can begin to glow.
"Serena, grab it now!" he shouted at her. She reached out and they disappeared.
So? What do you think? Please Review and tell me what you did or didn't like. I want to know. I hope that you like it. If you don't, please tell me what I could change or make better! Please!