Disclaimer: The only things I own are any characters that aren't recognizable from the Harry Potter franchise. All else belongs to JK Rowling.

Back Into Hell

Nicole's POV

"That'll take some getting used to," I moaned as I started walking forward on shaky feet. Severus and I had just apparated back from Diagon Alley, and I was still feeling a little queasy from the travel. I looked over to Severus to see him smirking at me, shaking his head.

"It's hard for all witches and wizards the first few times. You'll get used to it," he told me as he led the way up the path to Hogwarts. We moved at a slower pace this time as I carried Artemis' cage. He looked at me, glancing at the owl before stopping. "You can let her out so she can join the other school owls in the owlery." I did as he said, releasing Artemis before handing him the cage to shrink down. With that, we set off once more towards the castle, which had already started feeling more and more like home to me.

"So… to Professor Dumbledore's office, then?" I asked him as I followed him up the path to the entrance hall.

"Yes. He should have had enough time to draw up the necessary papers," Severus replied, glancing at me slightly.

"So… what's included in an adoption process? Even though I've been through it once, I wouldn't know," I told him, thinking back to the time I was adopted at age three. I didn't even remember my time in the orphanage, so I couldn't say one way or another if it was good or bad.

"Well, an adoption for the magical world will be a little more complicated than for the muggle world, considering we need to file for two separate worlds. The muggle adoption papers will be simple enough. I'll sign all the necessary papers and, when we return to collect your things, we'll have your… guardians sign as well. The magical adoption will be even simpler."

"What will happen with the magical adoption?"

"Essentially the same thing. The only differences would be that we don't need your guardians' signatures, considering the circumstances, and blood magic is required to make it official. It's simple enough- only a drop of blood on the papers would be required." I nodded, taking it all in as we entered the hallway containing Dumbledore's office.

"Acidpops," I muttered, beating Severus to the punch. He simply looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "What? You were taking too long," I added as we stepped onto the staircase, waiting patiently as it brought us to the top. Like the last time we had been here, Severus stepped forward to knock on the door, and we waited until we heard Dumbledore say, "Enter."

"You're back," he stated, looking up at us over the papers he was holding. "I trust your errands are finished, without any problems."

"Yes sir," I replied with a smile, taking a seat when he offered. Severus sat down next to me, crossing his legs as we waited for Dumbledore to start.

"I have here," he said, indicating the papers he held, "the necessary paperwork to make this adoption official. First, the simplest, we shall complete will be the magical adoption paperwork." With that, he placed the papers in front of us. I glanced at the page briefly to see it was convoluted, reminding me of a contract I would see my… father signing occasionally. "If you need to take a look over-"

"Of course," Severus said, taking the papers. I tried reading over his shoulder, but a lot of it was in small print. I skimmed through as much as I could, but it appeared to be normal. Or as I would think an adoption form would look like. "It appears to be in order," Severus said after several minutes. He extended his hand to Dumbledore as he placed the papers flat on the desk. Dumbledore opened his draw, removing a dagger, and handed it to Severus.

"So you are aware, Nicole, a drop of blood will be required by both of you to make it official," Dumbledore explained as Severus made a small incision on his pointer finger, allowing a drop of blood to fall to the paper. The paper started to glow in the spots that was required Severus sign and, to my amazement, blood-red ink began to appear, signing his name for him. Severus quickly flicked his wand, healing his finger before he turned to me, taking my hand.

"I'll make the incision. No need for any slip ups," he told me as he carefully pricked my finger. I hardly noticed the pain as the dagger nicked me. He moved my hand above the paper, and I watched as the paper glowed before disappearing altogether.

"Where did it go?" I asked as Severus quickly healed my fingers. I glanced between him and Professor Dumbledore in shock.

"It has been filed with the necessary departments in the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry is our form of government," Dumbledore explained quickly as Severus took the muggle adoption papers, looking them over.

"The Ministry of Magic-"

"Is the governing body of the wizarding world. Many countries have their own ministries. Ours is led by the current Minister, Cornelius Fudge. The paperwork has been filed in the separate departments whose jurisdiction this falls under," Dumbledore explained further. I nodded, considering this new information. I had a lot to learn about this world- especially the politics.

"I have so much to learn before school starts," I told him, pulling on my lip slightly. Dumbledore smiled, bowing his head.

"Well, seeing as Severus will now be your guardian, it stands to reason that you'll be spending this next month here, at Hogwarts. You'll have plenty of time to explore the library. The staff will also be more than happy to answer any and all questions you have," he replied. I nodded, smiling slightly as Severus looked up then, finished signing.

"All that is required are the signatures of those wretched people," Severus spoke quietly, trying to mask his anger. It didn't quite work so well, consider that I, and I'm sure Dumbledore as well, could clearly see it.

"Splendid," Dumbledore spoke, clapping as he did so. "Well, I'll leave you to take Nicole to pack her belongings and then show her to her new home. Be sure to be on time to dinner tonight. I'm sure the staff would love to meet her." With that, we nodded, saying our goodbyes before making a swift exit. We walked in silence back down to the gates, the path becoming familiar to me. My stomach began to twist as the nerves returned. I wasn't sure I wanted to face my parents yet. How would they react to the news that they would be rid of me? Would they be glad or would they react in anger?

"Dwelling on what is to come won't make it any easier," Severus spoke, cutting through my thoughts. I looked up at him to see him holding out his arm for me to take. I hadn't even realized we had made it through the gates. I was not ready to face them.

"I know. Sometimes, you can't help but to dwell," I told him, taking his arm all the while resisting the urge to bite my lip. He studied me for a moment.

"I understand. You will not have to face them alone. I'll be there the entire time," he said right before spinning. I shut my eyes, feeling a little more used to apparition this time around, and before I knew it, I was opening my eyes to view my house. I took in the house, narrowing my eyes at the boring outside of the little better than decrepit house. The house number over the door, 13, was peeling. I looked around at the other Grimmauld Place houses, taking note that my old house was by far the worst looking one on the block. I had never really taken notice of it, considering that I had far more stressful and important things to worry about. It made it ten times easier to walk up to the door and unlock it, knowing I was leaving.

"You have some nerve, coming back 'ere," I heard a drunken voice slur slightly. I looked up to see my father enter the room with a bottle of beer in his hand. I narrowed my eyes at him, heading to the basement stairs.

"Yeah, well, I'll be gone soon enough. I'm just collecting my things," I told him. His hand darted forward then, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to him. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, my fight instinct slowly kicking in.

"You'll take nothing," he replied, squeezing my wrist. I winced, ready to react when a hand roughly grabbed his own wrist.

"Release her," came a low growl. I looked at Severus, slightly shocked. My father looked up at him, flinching back when he made eye contact. He immediately released my wrist, though Severus kept a firm grip on his own. "Nicole, go and pack your things." I nodded and quickly obeyed Severus, moving down the staircase towards my bedroom. I hadn't quite gotten out of earshot before I heard another menacing threat from Severus. "If there's one thing I hate more than anything else in this world, it's people that harm children." I repressed the shiver that went down my spine at the tone in his voice. I could tell he was seriously pissed off, considering that the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, screaming of danger. I knew it wasn't directed towards me, and I sincerely hoped that it never would be.

"-listen here-," I heard my father say before there was a loud smack. I winced, wondering who hit who, before continuing to my bed, removing a duffel bag from beneath the bed. Severus could most certainly handle himself. Even if he was the one who was punched, it wouldn't matter, considering he could do far worse with his wand. Comforted by this fact, I continued to pack my bag with the small amount of clothes I had as well as my bath necessities. I then proceeded to bring the bag into the laundry room, carefully removing the wooden door to enter my secret room. Odd. I didn't think Severus repaired the wall earlier. Oh well. Guess I didn't notice with everything on my mind.

I looked around with a sad smile on my face, taking in the room for what would surely be the last time. It was dusty, being hard to clean without my parents becoming suspicious as to why I was nicking cleaning supplies. It was also a little dank and musty, but I found that I liked it. It had always been comforting, suiting me with its rustic appeal. The mismatched wooden table and chair set that I had taken from my neighbor gave it a uniqueness that was all its own. And I had created it.

I looked over at the wall, taking in my many drawings from over the years. I was a decent artist, and I prided myself in my ability to both sketch and paint scenes from memory. Many of my art teachers over the years had praised my alarmingly accurate recollection and recreation of scenes. I moved to the wall, taking down a few of my favorites- mainly of animals seen at the zoo on one class trip- and neatly placing them in the bag. I looked at the others that I knew I wouldn't keep and decided to give them a proper send off. I quickly pointed my finger at each individual drawing, setting a single corner aflame. Picking up my art supplies and packing them, I watched the pictures burn until only ashes and soot remained on the floor.

I then turned my attention to the bookshelf in the corner of the room. I had a surprising number of books to take, despite having to buy them on my own, or having received them as gifts from school mates. I ran my finger over some of the titles, reminiscing some of my favorite works from literary geniuses such as Shakespeare and Poe. Packing the books away, I looked around the room, which now looked disturbingly empty, as if someone had decided to store pieces of furniture and then promptly forgot about them.

I stepped back, taking in the room. My foot stepped on something hard then, causing me to look down in surprise. Lying there was the knife nicked from the kitchen. I gingerly picked it up, eyeing it carefully as I sat down in one of the chairs. I debated whether to take it with me or leave it behind. For the past two years, it had been my weapon. It was my protection. It symbolized the time in my life when I needed to be strong and I needed to be my own warrior. When I needed to fight for survival. It represented everything I had been the past few years, and everything I was right now.

To take it, or not. That is the question, I thought as I studied the knife. It was a good kitchen knife, though in no way extraordinary. In a way, it was much like me. Sturdy, though nothing exceptional. It stood in the background, out of sight and out of mind until it was needed. And for some reason, I felt very much like that in this house over the years. Out of sight and out of mind until I was used and abused, forced to do their menial tasks.

"Not anymore," I whispered, watching the knife as it glinted in the dim lighting. "That's not going to happen anymore. I'm leaving and I'm not looking back. Severus is kind enough to take me in. My life won't be that way. I won't be that way. I won't let it." With that, I stood up, gripping the handle tightly. Looking down at the table in front of me, I pulled the knife back before driving it as far into the wood as I could muster. The knife, kept sharp by my due diligence, bit in the wood, sinking to the handle. I felt a surge of relief then, having decided to let go of the knife. I was letting go that part of my life, letting go of the protection. I didn't need it anymore. I no longer had to remind myself of the trial I faced, and I no longer needed physical protection from such horrors. Now I had Severus. I wasn't sure how I knew exactly, but I was sure that I wouldn't need to worry about things like that anymore. I knew that, while not the most emotional person ever, he wouldn't do what my parents did. He wouldn't abuse me. If anything, he would be my shield now. My new protection. I had no need for a knife if I had an impenetrable shield.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye," I told the room, feeling rather sentimental as I stepped back. I silently looked at the table, admiring my handiwork. It no longer looked disused. In fact, the knife and disrupted dust seemed to give it character. I felt it to be a fitting departure. With that, I turned my back on the room, sliding the wooden entryway back into place as I left. I walked through the laundry room and into the basement, giving the room a quick once over. Deciding that I had everything, I walked upstairs, struggling slightly under the weight of the duffel bag. "Severus- I'm done!" I called when I reached the landing, realizing that Severus and my parents were nowhere in sight.

"The living room, Nicole." I followed Severus' voice into the living room. The sight I saw made me pull up short as I took it in, only to burst into laughter seconds later.

Severus stood in the center of the living room, adoption papers held in hand. I could see that he had acquired the necessary signatures, if his victorious smirk was anything to go by. Even better was the sight of my now ex-guardians sitting tied up to wooden chairs dragged in her from the kitchen. My mother was unconscious, head lolled to the side. My father on the other hand was wide awake, one eye extremely swollen as he glared at Severus. His face was red, where I'm sure Severus had punched him several times if his eye was anything to go by.

"Well, I see you were busy," I commented to him, discreetly looking him over. He was fine, meaning I could only assume that the smacks of flesh on flesh had been him punching my father and not the other way around.

"Busy indeed. Have you finished packing?"

"Yeah," I told him, handing him the duffel bag when he gestured. He quickly shrank it and pocketed it as he had our purchases in Diagon Alley.

"Our business here is finished. Come, Nicole," he said as he turned, crossing the living room and exiting into the hall.

"What about them?" I called out to him, looking over my shoulder.

"Leave them. They'll find a way out eventually," his voice called back. I smiled in return, pausing to admire the damage he had done to my father's face. I wasn't quite sure what would await me in this new life, but I knew it would be worth it. I knew it would be one hell of an adventure, and I knew that no matter the trials ahead, I would come to be very happy indeed that Severus decided to adopt me. I looked at my father, smiling wickedly at him.

"Well, I'm leaving. This is goodbye," I told him, to which he glared. His bindings held him back as he resisted, and he mouthed obscenities, though no sound came forth. I could only assume Severus used magic to keep him from talking. "I'm going on a journey now. I'll have a new life. A better life. I suppose I should thank you for that. If you weren't such a prick, I wouldn't have been adopted by Severus. Who knows what may have changed then. So thanks, and see you around," I told him, turning to walk out the door. I paused at the entrance though, turning back to see him struggling. "One more thing…"

Exiting the house, I smiled upon seeing Severus standing at the base of the steps. He looked up at me, one eyebrow raised. "What did you do?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning innocence, though a malicious smirk started to spread across my face.

"I heard a rather loud noise, followed right after my a loud groan of pain," Severus replied, giving me a look that I knew meant to spill the beans.

"Let's just say that I hit him where it hurt," I told him, wickedly smiling. Severus gave a small shake of his head, lips curling upwards ever so slightly.

"While I don't condone violence…" he started, trailing off slightly, "... I can agree that it was well deserved." He offered his arm then, and I took it gratefully, smiling.

"Yeah… well, off we go. Here's to one door closing and another opening." Severus smiled, tilting his head in agreement before spinning on his heel, whisking us far away from 13 Grimmauld Place.

A/N: Updated on 2/23/16 for minor spelling and grammatical changes.