Disclaimer: I own nothing, just borrowing the world and characters thought up by J.K. Rowling and using some creative license to make some adjustments. Lorelei and Seraphina are mine.

Warnings: None

Italics are character's internal thoughts and/or flashbacks.

Anything written "{Inside braced quotes}" is the character speaking in Parseltongue.

A/N: Many apologies for the ridiculous delay in getting the next chapter up, but it's finally here. I know it might leave some unanswered questions, but all will be revealed in time. ;-) I am also working heavily on this story as well as my other HP fic, Hunters, so updates should not be MONTHS between again.

Many thanks for reading, following and of course to the reviews. :-)

*knock, knock, knock*

Severus groaned loudly, staring at the door to his quarters as if the very wood had offended him. He knew exactly who was on the other side of the door and he had zero desire to speak with him. Draco had, unfortunately, taken after his father when it came to overreactions and theatrics. While Lucius Malfoy may appear to be someone who handles everything with poise and grace, in the privacy of his own home and surrounded by those he trusted he was known to begin throwing things, yelling and the occasional stomping. Something that had passed down to his own son.

"Professor, please!"

Severus carefully lay his book down on the side table and strode to the door with one goal in mind – getting the youngest Malfoy to go back to his room. It had not even been 24 hours since he left Krum Manor after a rather taxing meeting with his former best friend's daughter and he still hadn't processed everything. Nor come up with the best plan for approaching Potter about his sister. He had deliberately locked himself inside his quarters and missed all meals, except dinner as the Headmistress required all Professors to attend dinner on Sunday nights, and he still hadn't processed it.

Severus opened the door with a heavy sigh, prepared to send the blonde boy away, but found himself thrown back as Draco stormed into his quarters.

"What is the meaning of this?" Severus seethed as he slammed his door shut, turning to face the bold teen. Draco stood in the sitting room with his arms crossed and lips pursed petulantly.

"Where were you?" Draco's accusatory tone raised Severus' brows.

"I do not need to answer to you, Mr. Malfoy. Remember you are in my quarters and you are speaking to a professor."

Draco didn't even flinch at the deep baritone that was shot in his direction. Having grown up with the surly man as his Godfather had practically made him immune to the tone.

"I really needed to speak with you last night and you were not here. I asked the Headmistress where you were and she refused to tell me. You promised, Severus, that you would be there for Mother!" Draco's desperate voice was a stark contrast to his aggressive posture.

"I had business to tend to outside the castle. I will not explain myself to you, Draco." Severus sat down in his favorite arm chair and clasped his hands in his lap, elbows resting on the arms of his chair. "What exactly was so important?"

All anger left Draco immediately. His shoulders slumped and his arms dropped at his side. Taking a deep breath, he sat down on the small tan sofa to Severus' right. His elbows rested on his knees, hands fidgeting with his blue-gray gaze locked on them.

"He's hitting her." Draco's voice was barely above a whisper.

Severus tensed briefly, but otherwise made no other outward reaction. He had feared Lucius would turn physical with Narcissa. Once upon a time the refined aristocrat would never had laid a hand on his wife, but times had definitely changed. One too many "punishments" had left the elder Malfoy a deranged version of himself.

"Has Cissy confirmed it?" Severus finally spoke after a few tense moments. Draco snorted and shook his head.

"No, of course not. Mother always smiles and says everything is fine, but she didn't cover up the last bruise well enough. I saw it when I met with her."

Severus closed his eyes, taking several deep calming breaths. Having grown up in an abusive household where his father beat both his mother and himself regularly, Severus was all too familiar with the fake smiles and charms to hide the bruises as his own mother has mastered them. It was not a life he would wish on his worst enemy, let alone his Godson and good friend.

"We can't leave her there with him. We have to get Mother away." Draco's voice was pleading, drawing Severus' gaze. The intensity within the boy's eyes was a punch to the stomach. He looked every bit the frightened child.

"I will think of something, Draco. You have my word." Severus calmly informed him.

Draco opened his mouth to reply, but stopped when a misty snake patronus slithered into the room. The unfamiliar serpent coiled in front of Severus and hissed at him. Draco could not make out the words, but it was obvious Severus could. Severus waved the snake away and turned back to Draco, putting his hand up when Draco opened his mouth.

"You must go back to your room immediately, Draco. I will speak with Cissy, I swear it." Severus snapped, standing and quickly moving towards the door. Draco did not hesitate, he knew a dismissal when he saw one and based on Severus' quick mood change he surmised it had something to do with Voldemort.

"Thank you, Severus." Draco whispered with a small smile before exiting the opened door.

The door had barely closed behind Draco when Severus felt the hot burn on his left forearm indicating he was being called. Severus swiftly cast his patronus, the doe waiting patiently for his message, as he grabbed his Death Eater robes.

"Tell the Headmistress I've been summoned." Severus flatly told the doe before turning and leaving his quarters, Death Eater mask hidden in his pocket.

The walk to the apparition point felt abnormally tense to Severus. Lorelei's message had been curt, but loud and clear. He had to hide any memory of meeting her or knowing about her which could only mean she was finally going to step out of the shadows with the Death Eaters. The idea churned his stomach. It made every hair on his body stand on end and made the familiar twitch in his wand hand flare up.

Severus took a calming breath as he reached the point, checking his pockets once more to ensure he had his necessary supplies. Mask in his left pocket and a shrunken emergency potions kit it his right. Content with his quick scan, Severus mentally refocused and set his walls up, pushing all memories of Lorelei and their meeting to a little chest in the back of his mind, hidden behind walls of false memories and memories of torture.

As Severus entered the ballroom at Malfoy Manor his eyes immediately sought out the Malfoys. Standing near the empty throne chair Lucius stood with his hands resting on his walking stick, his sullen face and eyes hidden behind his mask. Narcissa stood just behind him, head bowed and hands clasped before her. Moving towards the chair and donning his mask, Severus took the opportunity to observe Narcissa carefully and sure enough upon her left cheek was the slight shimmer of a glamour charm.

Severus stopped to the right of the empty throne, hands clasped before him and posture rigid. One by one the room filled with what appeared to be Voldemort's most trusted inner circle – Lucius Malfoy, the Lestranges, MacNair, the Carrows, Dolohov, Nott Sr., Rowle and Yaxley. Severus noted none of his lower level Death Eaters were present, nor were any of his half-breed servants like Greyback.

The room was quiet with the exception of few hushed whispers. They knew better than to need to be silenced by their impatient dark master. Severus was unsure how much time had passed before an eerie silence befell the room and telltale slight scratching sound of Nagini's body moving against the hard stone floors could be heard.

"My loyal followers." Voldemort greeted the room in his normal overly theatrical fashion, hands raised and arms outstretched in a false welcoming. His red eyes slowly shifted around the room as one by one his Death Eaters fell to their knee with heads bowed in respect. He was slightly disappointed that none of them stuttered. His wand was ready for cursing.

Severus and the other Death Eaters remained in their submissive position as Voldemort moved towards his garish throne with Nagini hissing in warning to them. Severus remained stoic and calm in the face of danger as he always did.

"Rise and unmask." Voldemort commanded as he sat himself upon his throne, wrinkled scaled looking hands landing on the arms. The Death Eaters followed the command and removed their masks and faced their dark leader. "Now, tell me your updates."

The meeting was long, arduous and completely pointless in Severus' mind. Voldemort was merely demanding updates from his inner circle. He dismissed those who had pleased him with a mere flick of his hand and cursed those who displeased him. Severus would admit it was rather pleasing to see both Lucius and Bellatrix be on the receiving end of Voldemort's irate wand. Lucius for failing to have gained more leverage inside the Ministry and Bellatrix for botching the last Muggle raid with her heavy wand hand. She killed the entire family before obtaining the information Voldemort was seeking.

What felt like an eternity later Voldemort finally released all his followers, but one. "Severus, stay."

Severus bowed his head and kneeled before Voldemort as the other Death Eaters fled the room until the two men were left alone.

"Rise." Voldemort ordered and Severus was quick to comply. "You were at school with Potter's father were you not?"

Severus sneered at the mention to James Potter. "Indeed, my Lord."

"What do you know of his other child?" Severus remained calm at Voldemort's question and the subtle push at his mind. He opened his mind to the memories he wished Voldemort to see about James Potter in their Hogwarts days. How cruel and immature he had been, ensuring he kept his memories of Lorelei and her mother tucked safely away.

"Other child, my Lord?"

"Yes, his daughter. Were you not friends with Seraphina Serpens?" Voldemort left Severus' mind more roughly than he had entered, irritated to not have found what he was looking for.

"I was housemates with Seraphina and we were considered friends, but she left Hogwarts during the winter break in 1976. I did not see her again, my Lord." Severus kept his tone flat and emotionless.

Voldemort narrowed his red eyes slightly at Severus. "And what of James Potter's assault on her? You were the one who caught them."

"And the end of the act, my Lord. I took Seraphina immediately to the infirmary and turned Potter into the Headmaster." Severus clenched his teeth against the unexpected anger he felt at the memory of finding Potter quickly doing up his trousers and Seraphina sobbing on the ground with her robes pushed up her body. "Potter was given detention and Seraphina left a short while later."

"She was pregnant." Voldemort spoke as if revealing an exciting piece of information. Severus schooled his features to show a calm surprise. He had to play this right.

"Indeed, my Lord?" Severus smoothly drawled. "What of the child?"

Voldemort smiled a cruel smile that resembled more of a forced grimace and reached inside his long robes, withdrawing what looked like a serpent charm on a silver necklace and hissed softly at it. Seconds later a small pop of apparition was heard behind Severus. With experienced restraint, Severus remained looking at his dark master.

The soft click of heels approached the two men along with a similar shifting of a scaled body against the stone. Severus could tell by the way Nagini coiled up and hissed threateningly at the approaching steps it had to be Lorelei and Titan.

"You called?" The soft voice mused as the steps stopped to Severus' right. Severus shifted his head slightly to look at Lorelei in what he hoped was perceived as neutral interest. Lorelei's eyes remained glued on Voldemort.

"Lorelei, meet Severus Snape. My trusted spy." Voldemort gestured towards the stoic man. "Severus, Lorelei Serpens. Harry Potter's sister and my cousin."

Severus raised a brow at Voldemort's reference to his relation to Lorelei before turning to face the woman. Lorelei smiled and looked at Severus in interest, her light gray eyes scanning his form before resting on his own dark eyes. Her bold interest was perplexing to him.

"A pleasure, Professor." Lorelei smiled and offered her hand. Severus gently grasped it and brought her knuckles to his lips, kissing them gently.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Serpens." He drawled feeling a small flash of heat in his stomach at the slight blush that crept up her pale face.

"{Your interest is wasted.}" Voldemort hissed to Lorelei in an amused tone. Lorelei turned to look at him with a mischievous expression.

"{Perhaps, but he is indeed only a man and from what I've heard, a rather powerful one.}" Lorelei calmly responded, dusting the leg of her deep purple velvet robes distractedly.

"{Indeed, he will be most useful for your task.}" Voldemort smirked slightly when he caught Lorelei's posture stiffen slightly.

"{Oh? What task might that be?}" Lorelei worked to keep her tone neutral, not allowing her annoyance to show through.

"{Your brother of course. You must reunite with him immediately.}" Voldemort's tone took on a slightly manic twinge to it. It was all too perfect. He knew the blasted boy-who-lived longed for a family and had every intention of using that to his advantage.

"I have a task for you, Severus."

Severus inclined his head with his usual impassive expression. "You honor me, my Lord."

"Lorelei is to reunite with her brother immediately. She will gain his trust and become his confidant. You will present her to the boy under the guise that you located her." Voldemort's red eyes shined with excitement.

"Of course, my Lord. It is indeed a good plan. It will also gain me favor with the Order for having found Potter's only surviving relative." Severus smirked as though the idea were brilliant. Lorelei had no outward reaction. It was not the first time she had been told to meet Harry, though now it was an order which meant it had to be done soon lest she wished to be on the receiving end of her psychotic cousin's heavy wand hand.

"I expect the reunion to take place before the week is out, go." Voldemort waved his hand dismissing them, but Lorelei did not move, instead cocking her head at the snake-like man.

"If I may," Lorelei started neutrally, smirking when she noticed Voldemort's eyes narrow in annoyance. "Perhaps it would be wise to secure the old fool in his painting at Hogwarts. It has come to my attention Dumbledore has another painting in which he uses to communicate with the Order. If left unattended he may compromise my position."

Severus thanked his heavy Occlumency skills for keeping his face impassive at the shocking news about Dumbledore's second painting. He was unaware the light wizard had one or that he was capable of moving between them.

Voldemort nodded in thought, petting Nagini's head slowly. "Yes, secure the old fool immediately. Tonight."

"As you wish." Lorelei responded with a slight bow and turned on her heel, walking towards the exit of the room without glancing back at the dark wizard. Severus, knowing his place as a servant waited once more until his dark master waved him off with an annoyed huff. Severus bowed in respect and followed the same path Lorelei had taken with Titan.

"You do enjoy a challenge." Severus noted flatly as he caught up to Lorelei, who was leaning against the fence of Malfoy Manor with a smirk.

"As I have stated, I'm not a Death Eater nor is he my master. Shall I meet you at you quarters at Hogwarts?" Lorelei raised her eyebrow as Titan shrunk in size and slithered up his human's form, coming to rest around her neck.

"How do you gain access to Hogwarts?" Severus asked in confusion. Lorelei shrugged with a playful smile before disapparating away leaving the surly man behind.

Severus paced impatiently in his dungeon quarters awaiting the arrival of Lorelei. She had not revealed how she gained access to the castle and that concerned him more than he would care to admit. If she was able to gain access at her whim then what would stop a Death Eater or Voldemort himself from sneaking in? There were far too many unanswered questions for Severus' liking.

Nearly 20 minutes after watching Lorelei disapparate from Malfoy Manor a small knock roused Severus from his thoughts.

Severus quickly opened his door though his harsh comments for the other Potter spawn died on his lips when he was met with empty space. A quiet clearing of a throat drew Severus' eyes downward and he was surprised to see Professor Flitwick standing there with an amused smile.

"Filius." Severus drawled with a raised brow. "May I help you?"

"Indeed, Severus. May I enter?" The small charms professor indicated towards the vacant living room. Severus looked over his shoulder and pondered quickly. He did not know when Lorelei would arrive and certainly did not want to explain her presence inside his quarters. Severus opened his mouth to decline and make his excuse, but was cut off by the older wizard. "My presence is required for your visitor."

Occlumency be damned, Severus could not keep his features schooled and nodded dumbly, allowing the smaller wizard to pass. Severus took a deep breath and closed his door turning to see Filius staring at him impassively with his small hands clasped before him.

"How long?" Severus' voice was uncharacteristically soft.

"How long have I known of Lorelei's existence? Or how long have I been helping her gain access to Hogwarts?" Filius questioned in return, a slight nip in his voice indicating he was on edge.

"Both." Severus ran a hand through his lanky hair. "Why?"

Filius sighed and reached into his pocket, removing a small box from his pocket and placing it on the floor. With a flick of his wand, the box grew in size to a large chest. Moments later the door cracked open and two serpents slithered out. The larger one Severus immediately recognized as Titan, the smaller one was Severus assumed Lorelei in her animagus form. Filius watched Severus closely as Lorelei coiled on the floor and slowly morphed into her human form. Almost immediately after resuming her human form Titan coiled around her legs protectively, his yellow eyes focused on Severus as if waiting for the man to strike.

"The box is charmed." Filius answered Severus' unspoken question. "If scanned no one will note the lifeforms inside."

"How do you get inside the walls? There are protective spells all around Hogwarts." Severus looked to Lorelei, eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm a descendent to Salazar Slytherin. If I enter in my animagus form, Hogwarts recognizes my signature and allows me to pass undetected." Lorelei numbly replied.

Severus pushed off his door suddenly incensed at the pair who were standing near one another. Sensing Severus' anger, Filius shifted and placed himself between Lorelei and Severus, his lips pursed in anger.

"You've known the whole time about her? You knew and never thought to tell myself or Minerva? Even after you knew I was looking for her?" Severus seethed to the smaller man.

"Seraphina wanted to protect her daughter. Albus never suspected that I knew about Lorelei or Seraphina and I was determined to keep it that way until it was necessary for my involvement to be known."

"You've been letting her into the castle! How do you know her motives were noble?"

Lorelei narrowed her eyes at Severus while Titan hissed angrily, clenching around his master's legs tighter. Filius shook his head at Severus.

"You mean due to the mark she wears on her arm?"

Severus gaped at Filius, nodding silently.

"Who do you suspect helped her after the torture session that lead to her being marked? Who do you think assisted with the intricate charms used to hide her appearance?" Filius shot back furiously. "Seraphina came to me shortly before she left and asked for my help. I knew her to be an honest young woman and I agreed. I've helped the Krums with Lorelei since her mother's death."

Severus unceremoniously dropped down into his arm chair, burying his hands in his hair and shaking his head in disbelief. The entire time his co-worker knew about Seraphina's daughter. The entire time he had been helping her.

"Don't be mad at him." Lorelei softly spoke, a slight quiver in her voice. "Filius has been a wonderful friend and Mentor since my mother's death. I asked him to help me gain access to Hogwarts so I could enter the Chamber of Secrets. All of this has been my idea, not his."

Severus looked up, his anger fading at the look of sadness on the young witch's face. Filius, ever the kind man, reached up and carefully took Lorelei's slender hand in his, squeezing it in support.

"How long have you been entering Hogwarts?" Severus all but whispered.

"Since I became an animagus at 14." Lorelei shrugged, her eyes still downcast.

"You became an animagus that young?"

Lorelei's eyes finally raised to meet his, annoyance present in them. "Is it really that shocking? James learned his form on his own and my mother became one even younger. Not to mention the Kiss amplifies a lot of my magic, hence making the transition easier."

Severus leaned back in his chair as he looked to Lorelei in interest. The more he learned about the young woman the more obvious it was she was quite the blend of both her parents. He opened his mouth to question further, but was stopped by a small hand being raised.

"No, Severus, now is not the time for questions." Filius scolded gently. "My understanding is Lorelei has been given a task and she must fulfill it."

Lorelei looked down at Filius with a gentle smile while Severus merely raised a dark brow at the man. The two wizards stared at one another for tense moments until Severus finally looked away with a sigh.

"Yes, something about securing Albus in his painting." Severus conceded.

Filius nodded and pulled away from Lorelei, indicating for her to proceed. Lorelei wiggled her legs gently, shaking her protective familiar off and strode towards the empty painting on Severus' wall much a woman on a mission. Severus and Filius both watched in interest.

"{Salazar}" The young woman hissed to the painting, impatiently tapping her foot. It was frustrating how her ancestor constantly made her wait as though he had much more important things to do.

Moments later the late wizard appeared inside the painting, face stoic and dark eyes watching his descendant closely. Severus' eyes widened almost comically as a snake he had never seen before slithered into the painting, wrapping itself around Salazar much as Titan did to Lorelei. The snake hissed threateningly to the witch, drawing pursed lips and narrowed eyes from the woman.

"{Calm, Enki.}" Salazar soothed his familiar softly before once again looking at his descendant. "{Is it time?}"

"{Yes, he ordered me to secure Dumbledore tonight.}" Lorelei casually glanced over her shoulder to Severus, nearly snorting in amusement at the rapt fascination the surly man showed to the Parseltongue conversation occurring.

"{Very well, you will have the blessing from Helga, Rowena and myself. Hogwarts should accept the magic and secure him provided you have either the Headmaster or Deputy Headmaster to assist with the cast.}" Salazar hissed, still continuing to pet the head of his snake lovingly.

"{I do. Filius Flitwick is the Deputy Headmaster and has agreed to assist me with this.}" Lorelei turned her attention towards Filius, gesturing for him to join her before the founder.

Filius moved without question, standing beside Lorelei and staring up at Salazar neutrally.

"You will assist with the binding cast?" Salazar questioned with a raised brow.

"Yes, sir, I will." Filius nodded.

"Very well, you must move quickly then. He is to return from his outside painting in a few moments and only stays in his painting for brief windows." Salazar informed his descendant before nodding once and exiting the painting to no doubt return to his other painting inside the Headmistress's office.

"I will accompany you." Filius informed the witch when she seemed to hesitate briefly. Lorelei nodded and reached into her robes, withdrawing two familiar pieces of jewelry. Severus watched in awe as Seraphina's likeness disappeared behind the likeness of James Potter and then finally slipping into her Krum appearance. Now that he observed her it was clear to see that the Charms Professor had assisted her with the pieces. The magic being very intricate and difficult without a Master to assist.

Lorelei hissed gently to Titan, smiling when the serpent slithered over and shrunk in size, slithering up to hide beneath her robes. Filius reached up and squeezed the witch's hand once more before the trio left the dungeons.

Many thoughts passed through Severus' mind as he followed behind Filius and Lorelei through the halls. He was still angered that Filius had known about Seraphina and Lorelei and yet had not told himself or Minerva about her. He was questioning why Salazar appeared to be so interested in assisting his descendant when the man had always been less than helpful to even Slytherins. He pondered what it meant for Lorelei's safety if Voldemort was willing to publically acknowledge her as his blood relative. The most common thought of all, how awful it was going to be once the youngest Potter discovered his sister still lived and the witch would be forced to be around not only him, but the mutt and wolf. The idea of either Remus or Sirius, especially Sirius, trying to form any type of bond with her put his anger on edge.

The trio moved in silence with impressive speed, finally reaching the gargoyle at the entrance to the office.

"Tartan." Filius quietly spoke to the gargoyle, carefully stepping back as the heavy stone figure shifted and the staircase appeared. Filius lead the trio, Lorelei behind him and Severus bringing up the rear.

"When we get inside, we will need to cast swiftly as soon as Albus returns to his painting." Filius whispered to the pair behind him.

"What of the Headmistress?" Lorelei questioned. Her mother had spoken about the Scottish Gryffindor fondly, but did stress that the woman was not a witch to be crossed.

"Severus, I will need you to intervene if necessary." Filius looked up to the taller man as they reached the door. "I will not be able to break the cast once we start."

Severus inclined his head, accepting his role silently. Lorelei shifted slightly, her wand slipping from it's holster into her hand. Severus noted Filius did the same thing, both equally prepared to do what needed to be done.

*knock, knock, knock*

"Enter!" The Scottish voice ordered. Filius stepped inside the office first, smiling kindly at Minerva who was staring not at Filius, but the unknown woman behind him in interest.

Filius and Lorelei both stopped before the Headmistress' desk, their hands carefully held behind their bodies to keep their wands hidden from sight. Severus stood slightly behind the pair, arms crossed across his broad chest as always which offered the Scottish witch some comfort.

"Yes, Filius?" Minerva spoke, leaning back in her chair, hands clasped calmly before her.

"My apologies, Headmistress, for barging in unexpected." Filius smiled and distracted the Headmistress while Lorelei's eyes carefully darted about the room, searching for Dumbledore's painting. Her heart skipped a beat and her posture tensed to see the wizard standing inside his painting, staring down at them in interest.

"That is no problem, Filius, my office door is always open." Minerva smiled kindly.

Filius nodded with a grateful smile and turned to his right to look at Severus, nodding his head to the surly man.

Severus took a deep breath and moved around the group to stand beside Minerva, his large hand on her shoulder.

"What is the meaning of this?" Minerva barked, moving to grab her wand, but found her wrist secured firmly in Severus' other hand.

"Please, Minerva, we must protect Hogwarts." Filius cryptically spoke before he and Lorelei moved with shocking speed towards Dumbledore's painting. As if sensing the danger, Albus turned to escape his painting, but found himself bound. His light eyes looked up to the Founders paintings. Three of which were chanting softly.

"What is this?" Albus yelled, dropping his beloved candies and pushing against his painting in desperation.

Lorelei, still shrouded as a Krum, stared at him unblinking as she moved closer towards the painting. Her wand hand shaking slightly in anger and her voice rising in volume. Filius held his place a few feet away, wand raised firmly and voice soft as he cast.

Minerva struggled against Severus' strong hold, but the man did not relent. He may not yet thoroughly trust Lorelei himself, but he did trust Filius. The half-goblin had proved himself many times over the years and if he trusted Lorelei, then Severus would as well.

The office filled with heavy tension. A slight buzzing echoing as the air seemed to almost be palpable around the group. The magic was growing steadily and Severus noted that Lorelei began to sway slightly.

"{Now!}" Salazar yelled down to his descendant.

Lorelei turned her wand towards her own left hand, casting a cutting spell and gritting her teeth against the sharp burn. Before blood could drip upon the floor, the witch pressed her hand firmly against the stone wall.

The room filled with a bright light that almost seemed to come from the point in which Lorelei's hand met the wall. The light was blinding, forcing Severus, Minerva and Filius to look away as the buzzing grew into a loud banging that was growing even louder. Severus shifted his body to protect Minerva, pulling the witch closer to his body and curling over her.

The walls began to shake violently, the ground feeling as though it was about to fall out from beneath them. Severus began to question his sanity for assisting with this when the room finally seemed to calm with a blood curdling scream.

Minerva breathed heavily, her body slightly trembling in the firm grasp of Severus. Slowly the surly man pulled away from the elder witch and both turned towards the frantic calls from the floor.

Lorelei lay on the floor unconscious, Filius casting spells on her and frantically spoke, trying to awaken the witch.

"What did it do?" Severus asked, looking up at Salazar's picture. The founder sneered at being questioned, but did not remove his eyes from his descendant.

"It is great magic to perform that spell." Salazar responded flatly.

"What did it do to her?" Severus snapped, once again looking over at the unmoving woman.

"She will awaken." Rowena Ravenclaw cut in before Salazar could. "It has merely rendered her unconscious briefly due to the spell pulling from her magical core."

Further discussion was stopped with a loud gasp as Lorelei's eyes shot open. Her charmed brown eyes darted around quickly before finally resting on Filius.

"Did it work?" She whispered.

Filius looked up at Dumbledore's painting and nodded with a smile. The former Headmaster was glaring down at the group, obviously unable to escape the painting.

"Thank Merlin." Lorelei sighed with a smile.

"Well, that is all very well and good, but would someone please explain to me why you have barged into my office and cast obviously very heavy magic without consulting me?" Minerva clipped as she finally escaped Severus' grip and rose from her chair, approaching Filius and Lorelei with haste.

"I apologize, Headmistress, but it had to be done." Filius quickly provided, moving away as Lorelei carefully sat up and got to her feet.

"Why?" Minerva's hands gripped her hips and her lips pursed critically.

"Because of me, Headmistress." Lorelei tonelessly provided. Before the witch could question further, Lorelei removed her charmed bracelet and then her necklace. The charms dissolving away and revealing her true appearance. Minerva gasped with wide eyes, hand covering her mouth as she backed up a few steps.

"No! You're dead!" Albus yelled to the Seraphina Serpens look alike.

Lorelei's head snapped towards his painting, her eyes shifting to an unsettling yellow snake eye appearance.

"No, you killed my mother!" Lorelei yelled, her hands clenching into fists at her side.

"Lorelei Serpens?" Minerva whispered in shock.

"Yes, Headmistress." Lorelei nodded, her eyes still focused angrily on the wizard who pushed her mother to her death.

Albus looked between Filius and Severus in shock, shaking his head in disgust. "You have no idea what you have done."

"You're wrong!" Filius yelled. "I know exactly what I have done and for whom."

"You do not know how dangerous this woman is. The danger she poses to not only Harry, but the wizarding world." Albus grit out between clenched teeth, obvious he had lost all semblance of patience.

"What danger could she possibly pose, Albus?" Minerva looked at Albus' painting in confusion.

Albus sighed heavily and slumped back into his chair, his elbows resting on the arms and his fingers rubbing at his temples. This was all getting out of hand. Lorelei should be dead along with her mother so Harry would never know of her existence. Or the link she shared with a madman.

"What danger, Albus?" Minerva questioned again in a frustrated tone.

Lorelei looked to Filius, her eyes questioning. With a frustrated sigh the smaller wizard nodded. There was no way to get around telling Minerva about the link.

"My familial links." Lorelei softly spoke as she clenched her hands tighter at her side willing them to stop shaking.

"To Mr. Potter?" Minerva raised a dark brow.

"No," Lorelei shook her head with an unamused chuckle. "To Tom Riddle."

Minerva backed up with a shocked gasp, her wand slipping into her hand on instinct. Lorelei made no moves to grab hers though Filius did.

"Morfin Gaunt was my mother's father. Nero, my great-grandfather was a pure-blood supremacist as was Marvolo Gaunt. When Tom Riddle began showing great skill with dark magic Marvolo became enraged because Tom is merely a half-blood. So he arranged with Nero to combine the two bloodlines to create a more powerful wizard." Lorelei took a deep breath and looked away, her eyes noticeably moist. "Through spellwork my grandmother, Servilia, became pregnant by Morfin Gaunt. Nero was elated until he learned that by combining the Serpens and Gaunt bloodlines he reactivated the Serpent's Kiss. The Kiss is designed so that it acts as the dominant gene. As such my mother was born with a near identical look to my grandmother, who carried more of the Serpent's Kiss in her blood than Morfin."

Minerva stared at the young woman in front of her in equal parts shock, horror and sadness.

"You look just like your mother because you inherited the Kiss as well." Minerva stated linking the facts together.

Lorelei nodded as a tear slipped from her eye. "As much as I hate him, James Potter came from a strong pure-blood line. When I was conceived the Kiss accepted the union between the two pure-blood lines and passed the Kiss on to me as well."

Severus stood impassive, but inside he felt an unfamiliar sensation in his stomach – pity. Lorelei and her mother had been hunted down like animals due to decisions made by their family. Seraphina had never once shown to be a dark witch and was exceptionally kind for a Slytherin. It was what Severus admired about her.

"You share blood with both Harry and Voldemort." Minerva sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as though a weight had been dropped on them. "Is he aware of the genetic link?"

Lorelei closed her eyes against the burn of tears that were threatening to fall at an alarming pace. It would do her no good to lose her composure, but she was tired of hiding everything. With Titan gently stroking her back with his tail, Lorelei slowly used her right hand to raise her sleeve of her left arm. By the disgusted gasp that came from Minerva, she knew the witch had seen the mark she was forced to take. A mark that tied her to a homicidal maniac that wished to use her in his plans.

"You're a Death Eater!" Albus hissed before turning his angered and disgusted glare to Filius. "You have helped a servant to Voldemort!"

Lorelei's eyes finally opened allowing the tears to fall.

"I was a child! He used incredibly dark magic to summon me to his side where he tortured me until I lost consciousness. When I awoke I had this thing," Lorelei looked down at her arm in disgust, "branded on me."

Sensing Lorelei's rising emotional distress, Filius took a step forward and grabbed her hand in an attempt to distract her. He realized it was too late when Titan slowly slipped out from underneath her robes and slithered around her feet impatiently.

"Lorelei, please." Filius whispered urgently, but the witch shook his hand off, facing Dumbledore head on. Her voice was no longer calm and patient, but loud and manic.

"He had me for weeks, torturing me relentlessly. He separated me from my bonded familiar. I tried to kill myself 7 times to escape him, but he wouldn't let go of his control. I've lost everything. My mother, my family, my freedom all because of YOU!" Lorelei screamed.

Severus stepped back when he saw her pale skin begin to morph into scales and noted the two small fangs that had slipped from their normal spot and were now hanging down threateningly in her mouth. Her morph was slow and uncontrolled, but slowly the witch lost control and found herself curled into a small ball in her animagus form, Titan's larger form curled around her and hissing in anger at the other occupants in the room.

"What happened?" Minerva whispered into the painfully quiet room.

"She lost control." Salazar tonelessly supplied. He would not deny the witch was indeed very powerful and a worthy descendant, but he was rather disgusted by her emotional outburst. No doubt her inability to control them coming from her father's side.

Filius sadly sat down next to the curled serpents, whispering soothingly in a tone so low neither Minerva nor Severus could make out what he was saying. After a few tense moments Titan nodded once in response to Filius before silently disappearing with Lorelei leaving Minerva and Severus to gawk.

"How did they disapparate? Hogwarts has wards against it!" Minerva continued to stare at the empty spot in shock.

"Titan can. He can only disapparate to his homeland, which is where he took Lorelei. Until she calms down she will be unable to shift back and will be dangerous." Filius stood once again and looked around the room neutrally.

Minerva shook her head in confusion and furrowed her brows as she looked to the Charms Professor.

"I do not understand the purpose to the spell you cast."

"Lorelei is committed to killing him and getting out from under his control, but it cannot be done while others are attempting to hunt her down." The small man's eyes shifted to the former Headmaster, whose eyes were still glued to the spot Lorelei and Titan had been.

Severus cleared his throat and stepped forward, his dark eyes chancing a glance at the former Headmaster. "Minerva, Lorelei's link to the Dark Lord must remain quiet. If Potter or the other Order members were to discover her relation, they would react irrationally."

Minerva nodded her head in understanding. Though the idea made her incredibly uncomfortable, she could not deny that Sirius Black would kill the witch on sight if he were to discover her link to the crazed madman, if only to protect Harry.

"You trust her?" Minerva asked Filius calmly.

"With my life, Headmistress."

A/N #2: I decided to make Flitwick Lorelei's helping hand because I rarely see him used in stories in any real capacity and I wanted to be different. Not to mention who doesn't love him?