Short chapter but its something. I didn't plan on writing this chapter, it just kinda happen. Oh well, as always reviews are welcome and Harry Potter doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 3

As they made their way out of the wandshop and started walking down the alley, Nequam felt a strange peace flow though her and it seemed to be coming from the wand in her hand. A small smile appeared on her face as she gentle ran her thumb over the cool bark.

Snape looked down at the small child by his side. She looked at the wand in her hand with awe and wonder. "Its just a wand" he told her as her blue eyes meet his onyx ones. "Its not the greatest thing in the world"

"Tis the first real gift I've ever been givin', 'cept when Mr. Dumbledore told me my name." she told him softly.

"Really?" he asked her surprised.

"Sir, yes" she said in that soft, meek voice of hers; almost as if she was afraid of him and his questions.

"Never. Not even on Christmas or your birthday?" he asked her.

"No, sir. I wasn't allowed to have Christmas presents and I don't know when me birthday is." she told him.

He stopped and turned to look at her, asking in a quiet voice "You don't know when your birthday is?"

She slowly shook her head, looking up at the dark-haired man in front of her. The expression on his face was similar to the one on Mr. Dumbledore's when she told him that she didn't know her name. Pity mixed with anger, but the anger wasn't directed at her. Even so, she took a slight step back away from him; anger could be redirected.

Snape noticed her small retreat and when he looked at her face he could see a hint of fear in her bright blue eyes. So he took a deep breath forcing himself to calm down. As angry as it made him to realize how much this child had been deprived of, it was none of his business. This was not his child and he was only here as a babysitter. Plus he want as little to do with her as possible.

'Still' he thought 'she's been given so little in her life and I can give her this.'

He then smiled at her gently and the fear in her eyes faded. Snape knelt down so that his eyes were level with hers.

"You were born on All Hallows Day or as the muggles call it Halloween. It is a very lucky day to be born on if you are a witch or wizard. Children born on All Hallows Day tended to have a strong connection to the magical world. More so than most" he told Nequam.

"Halloween?" she said quietly almost as if she were asking a question.

"Yes" answered her temporary guardian "October 31, 1979; which makes you eleven."

"Eleven…" she said to herself looking away.

Her eyes returned to his, she lifted her chin and standing tall with what could almost be called pride she stated "I am Nequam Riddle, I was born on Halloween and I am eleven years old."

Snape smirked at her sudden confidence. "Yes you are" he said softly, then continued in a no nonsense tone "but you still need books and we have wasted enough time, so lets go." He stood and turned to continue down the alley.

"Yes, sir" Nequam said as she followed him down the alleyway. Suddenly filled with a self-assurance that she had never felt before.