Authors Note:: Things are starting to heat up. I've gotten my direction for this story back. Enjoy 3

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter.

Unanswered Questions

All eyes were on her. Everyone from the excited first years to the seasoned veterans in their final year were all staring at her. Some were looking at her with apprehension, some with defiance; others were looking at her with curiosity, while others smiled supportively. They were strange in comparison to the icy, cool, indifferent manner of the Slytherin House. She looked around nervously, waiting for some kind of cue to speak. George gave it to her.

"Everybody simmer down! Fresh Meat has something to say."

Tempus wasn't sure what to make of his joke, but she attempted a grin.

"Hello, everyone. I wanted to introduce myself," she cleared her throat in an attempt to make her voice stronger; "I wanted to properly introduce myself. My name is Tempus Snape and I am a sixth year here at Hogwarts. I was originally sorted into Slytherin, but after a series of unfortunate events, I was taken to the Hat for a resorting. The first ever in the history of Hogwarts…anyway, I called you all here so that you can ask any question you want. Nothing is off limits. I want to set the record straight and clear any rumors about me. For instance, I have never used drugs recreationally except for that one time and it was a mistake. I have never had sexual relations with anyone, and I don't really know where that rumor got started so I can't specifically debunk it…anything else?"

The part of Severus that was in was shinning through. She spoke with ease, never really letting herself shine through, but you could see her behind the cool mask. She was letting them know her without letting them get to know her. There was a beat or two of silence. Shocked that she was so blunt and well-spoken and wondering if it would really be okay to ask her questions.

"Did Smith really try to kill you?"

Tempus searched for the speaker. It was Ginny.

Tempus took a deep breath and knitted her eyebrows. "I can't be sure. I mean, she most definitely convinced me to drink la Fée Verte that had been cocktailed extensively. I think she meant to humiliate me, ruin me and hurt me but I can't be sure if she really meant to kill me…."

The room was basically shocked into silence.

"Adrienne's no fool," Ginny said tersely, "She knew what could happen…"

Tempus nodded. She knew that there was no denying it, but until she could be completely positive about Adrienne's motive she didn't want to assume anything.

"So you've never had sex?"

"George!" Hermione cried, elbowing him in the side.

"Ow, Blimey Hermione, you aren't my mum…and she said we could ask anything. She even brought it up herself."

Hermione gave him a rueful look and looked away. Tempus just looked on, wondering if she was going to be given the opportunity to answer. When George looked at her again she took that as a yes.

"I hadn't really been around anyone my age until now, so no." No body really knew how to react this. Most of older kids were sexually promiscuous so they weren't judgmental about it and it younger kids were embarrassed by the thought of it so they weren't going to say anything. The rest didn't really know why the question had been asked, so they decided to just pretend like it hadn't. George wasn't really sure why he asked either, except for the trouble maker that was in him.

"Anymore questions?" Tempus said, hoping it was over.

"Snape's your father?" All eyes left Tempus to see who had asked. It was none other than Harry Potter.

"Y-yes, yes he is."

His green eyes studied her carefully. She could tell he was apprehensive and very skeptical.

"So you're his daughter and not is niece or something?" Ron inquired. She only nodded in reply.

"So… do you, like, have a mother?" It was one of the Middle Eastern twins.

Tempus's eyes flashed hatefully. She didn't want to talk about this. Anything but this. But if I didn't want to talk about it I shouldn't have bloody said that nothing was off limits

Tempus was wringing her hands in her lap.

"No…well I mean I do have a mother, everybody does, but she's not around anymore."

"She dead? A rude girl asked bluntly. Hermione gave the girl a nasty look and Herrenia looked away embarrassment painting her face.

"I don't know. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but I don't know. I know her name was Annaleise and that my father called her Anne and that he loved her very much, so much that he can't stand to talk about her. I don't know what happened. I don't know if she died or if she left. Hell, for all I know, it was Father and I who left, but I don't know anything…"

"Hard to imagine Snape shagging anyone."

Tempus's obsidian eyes flinted angrily as she discovered that it was the very same rude girl who had started this conversation earlier.

Tempus decisively ignored her. The faces that were looking at her were obviously very uncomfortable with this girl's behavior. With George, it was to be expected and it was a very different thing to speak of one's own love life than to speak of their parents.

Tempus dismissed the meeting and let everyone know that she hoped that she was very appreciative of their warm welcome. As they dispersed, Ginny, Herrenia and Hermione tried to apologize but Tempus asked them to wait. She wanted to confront that girl on her own. She spotted her and approached.

"Excuse me, I didn't catch your name," Tempus said coolly.

Looking up as if completely innocent, the girl replied, "Lavender. Lavender Brown."

"Well, Lavender Brown. You'd be better off to hold your tongue and not to ever let me hear you speak of my father that way ever again. I can tolerate just about anything, but talk of my father and his private matters are not to be discussed in my presence. How would you like for me to talk of your mother's extra marital affairs? It is a hot topic in the Slytherin commonroom and I am certain that you wouldn't like it to make it to the Gryffindor commonroom, now would you?"

It was clear to Lavender that Tempus was channeling her father. Her eyes were cold, and vacant, but one could be absolutely positive that she meant every word she said. Lavender narrowed her eyes slightly, but nodded. Tempus hated to have to threaten the stupid girl like that, but she wasn't going to be walked all over any more.

***

"I hate to say it, Tempus, but red and gold suit you very well," Severus Snape commented dryly. It was a weekend and she was spending it in her father's quarters. She had set up a cot in his living area and stayed there some weekends. It might seem strange, considering that they weren't very affectionate, but Tempus craved his attention and considered her time with him very valuable.

The father and daughter were seated in his living area having tea. She was wearing a red sweater with a lion embroidered on it. She smirked at him.

"My roommate made it for me, Herrenia Sinclair…you know, the quiet one." Severus suppress a cynical grin and nodded, drinking more tea.

"I take it that they are treating you well?" he asked, trying to appear uninterested.

"Actually," she replied, setting her cup on the table, "they are. Especially my roommates. They are very nice. They gave me the most favorable bunk, Herrenia gave me this sweater has a house warming gift…I like them…besides, my grades are back where they should be. We do our homework every night, instead of partying…."

Severus sat his cup down and studied his daughter's face. There was a look of pride in his eyes but Tempus knew he would never say it to her. He had never told her that he was proud of her. He had giving her approving looks or praised her good works but had never actually said those words to her. She knew he was and that was enough, for now.

"You know, Father…." Tempus began, searching for words and courage. "I was wondering if we could talk."

Like an animal sensing danger, Severus sensed the direction in which this was heading. He quickly stood up and took their cups and plates into the kitchen.

"Not now, Tempus. I have someplace I have to go. For Dumbledore…"

Tempus bit her lip and looked at him worriedly.

"Where? Why right now?"

"I can't tell you, its secret Hogwarts business…I'll be back before dinner. We can dine together if you wish." He threw his cloak on and headed for the door.

"Only if we can talk," she retorted, standing up, staring him in the eye. Severus gave his daughter a commanding look.

"Goodbye, Tempus. I'll see you when I return."

Tempus knew she had been defeated. She sighed and shoved her hands in her pocket.

"Goodbye…be safe, will you?"

Severus stared in his daughter's dark eyes acknowledging before leaving without another word. Tempus closed her eyes as the door slammed and slumped down onto the couch, burying her face in her hands.