A/N: Thank you to my reviewers and thank you for 2,000 hits! I apologize for the long hiatus. I cannot begin to describe the lack of free time. I started a legit full-time job and am earning a steady income. However, I also am going back to school so my studies must come first. Secondly, after 6 years, I dumped my boyfriend. A week later I saw him with another woman. I was a little bit upset but am trying to go on about my life and I needed a Severus fix badly!

I know it is short but I wanted to let you all know that I was still alive and I'm already working on the next installment.

Chapter 7- Control and Variable

November 1990

Millie awoke early the next morning. Looking towards her single window, expecting to see grey gloom through the pane, she was confused at the brightness that illuminated her room.

"What light through yonder window breaks?" she recited as she threw the covers off and walked towards the window. Though the forecast was rain, if the sun was shining brightly it would not be the first time people were wrong about the weather. Mother Nature was something that could not be controlled or predicted no matter how much magic one had.

Millie gasped as she reached her window. She looked out onto the grounds to see them covered in snow. Each flake seemed to individually reflect the light of the rising sun, casting off a ghostly glow upon the castle. Millie opened her window gently, afraid that any noise or sudden movement might wake her from a dream or scare the snow away. She leaned forward and inhaled the freezing air with great pleasure. It was the first time she had ever seen snow.

Granted, there was the occassional flurry at home but they were rare and the ground was always too warm for the snow to stick. Millie could hardly contain her excitement at the chance to get her feet wet- literally. She threw on some jeans, shoes and her thickest sweater before running down Ravenclaw Tower and making her way outside the castle. At just past 7 a.m. on a Sunday, most of the castle was still asleep. While part of her was glad that she would get to see the snow before it was trampled upon by a bunch of teenagers, she hated to be the first to mess it up.

Once she reached the castle's main entrance, she paused on the front steps at the edge of the snow. For a moment she stood there just to take in the view. The cold air hit her like a brick and though she could not stop herself from shivering or her teeth from chattering, she pressed onwards, relishing in the beautiful scene that she was now a part of. Gingerly, she took her first steps and listened to the crunch beneath her feet. Reaching out to touch it, she realized it was the heavy version of snow- wet snow- as opposed to its dry, powdery counterpoint so often seen in the more mountainous or northern parts of the mid-west.

Leaving the warmth of the castle behind her, she knew that she was underdressed for the weather but continued to explore the snow-covered grounds. She made her way towards the familiar tree by the Black Lake and rested her hand upon its bark.

She was startled from her reverie by the sound of a young man's voice. The first time she heard him, she stepped back from the tree and looked around but there was no one to be seen. She shook her head and tried to regain her composure, leaning back up against a tree. What had the voice said? I don't need help?

She closed her eyes and tried to remember the voice but they shot open as she heard him again- clear as day- as though he were standing right in front of her.

"I don't need help from a filthy little mudblood like you!"

Mudblood? What the hell is that?

"What? Hello?" She stuck her arms out and dashed around the tree hoping to find some invisible body. I bet I look dumb.

She rested her bare palm against the lone tree and heard it once more. Millie looked up at the tree in awe. It was not a vision but a sound memory. This had never happened before. How am I supposed to ever tame this so-called gift if it is ever-changing? Ever since I came here things are inconsistent and spiraling out of control.

Leaning forward into the tree, she pressed both palms hard against the bark. She held her breath and closed her eyes, listening for something more. Nothing came. My mind is not open. I'm trying too hard.

She backed away from the tree and tried to clear her head. Opening her eyes to observe the peaceful surroundings once more, she tried to relax and take in the aching cold. After a few slow, deep breaths she tried again by leaning forward into the tree, both palms pressed flat against the trunk. She could hardly believe that it worked. However, this time there was another voice in the mix.

"Leave him alone!" a young girl hollered.

"I don't need help from a filthy little mudblood like you!"

Millie had tried for another ten minutes to get more of the conversation but never heard another word. Her energies felt drained and the biting cold had finally gotten to her so she retreated back into the castle for the day. As she roamed the warmed halls of the castle throughout the day, she would cast glances out of the window and stare down with slight envy at the other students who had the proper attire to play in the snow. She was not good enough at Transifguration to turn her clothes and was too proud to ask anyone else to do it for her. Catching sight of that lone tree some hours later, her thoughts still remained on that brief conversation.

If only I could have heard more. What had happened at that tree? Note to self: Must ask someone what a 'mudblood' is...someone knowledgable.

She also made it a point to venture back out to that tree when she felt she was up to it. Clearing her mind and relaxing had worked. The tree would be her control. She would be the variable.