Severus watched as his 7th year Slytherin and Gryffindor class brewed a blood replenishing potion, to help restock the infirmary. His eyes fell on Graham Greyback, he noticed as soon as the boy walked in his lip was swollen and red.
"That's all for today, bottle your potions and get out", Severus said flatly. "Mr. Greyback I want a word with you."
As the class filed out Graham made his way to Severus' desk.
"Yes professor?"
"Tell me Mr. Greyback, what happened to your lip?"
"I fell off my broom, while playing quidditch."
"Interesting, seeing as you have teeth marks surrounding your lip."
"Yes, I bit my lip during the fall."
Severus starred at him for a moment, then got up and walked around his desk, coming face to face with Graham.
"If you ever go near my daughter, I will kill you myself."
"Sir, like I've said before, I haven't harmed Abby in anyway. I actually like Abby; she's a very smart person. But I am rather worried about Abby; I've heard some alarming things about her."
"SHUT UP!" Severus bellowed and grabbed Graham by the collar, "If I see you even looking at her you will wish you had never met me."
Severus tossed him out the door and stalked into his office and through the entrance to his personal chambers.
"What's the matter, love", Hermione said looking up from her book, that she was reading on the couch.
"Nothing, I just had a chat with Graham Greyback", he mumbled.
"Oh Severus, you didn't hurt him did you?"
"Unfortunately I didn't."
"Come sit, we need to discuss something."
"What is it", Severus said pouring himself a fire whiskey and sitting next to Hermione.
"Well, Abby skipped Astronomy today."
"I can handle that. Is Remus giving her detention?"
"Well hold on, that's not all. Draco found her out by the lake and he said she was a little off."
"What do you mean by off?"
"Draco said she didn't seem like she was all there. He was trying to talk to her and she would completely forget what they were talking about in the middle of the conversation. She just didn't seem right."
"Did you talk to her?"
"No, Draco took her back to her common room and came to speak with me. You were in the middle of teaching your lesson and he didn't want to bother you."
"I wonder if Graham's bruised lip has anything to do with this."
"What?"
"His lip was red and swollen with teeth marks."
"You think Abby bit him?"
"Possibly, if he advanced on her again."
"So you believe her, you don't think she's lying."
"I don't really know. But she's been acting odd, so something is going on."
Severus stood up and made his way to the door.
"Where are you going", Hermione asked standing.
"To find Abby and speak with her. Perhaps you should come mediate just in case things get heated."
"Alright, I can do that. I think all of Abby's classes are done for the day so she's probably in her common room."
Severus huffed, "I hate that damned women that guards Gryffindor tower, she will never let me through."
"Well Severus, you threatened to set her portrait on fire; she's still quite upset about that."
"I guess she should have let me through when I asked the first time and not called me a greasy git. Besides that was ages ago."
Hermione grinned, "We will find Harry and get him to grant us access to the Gryffindor common room."
Severus, Hermione, and Harry approached the portrait that led to Gryffindor tower.
"Have you noticed anything odd about Abby?" Severus asked Harry.
"No, but I haven't seen her today either. She was asleep last night when I did bed checks, so I haven't had a chance to talk to her." Harry responded before giving the fat lady the password.
The portrait mumbled something about a "greasy bat", before swinging open. Hermione grinned at Severus' scowling face.
"Can I have everyone disperse and find something to do for a little while", Harry said and then turned to Jordan, and Abby's friend Shelly, "Where's Abby?"
"Erm, she's up in her door. Napping I think", Jordan responded.
"Ms. McCloud, could you please go wake Abby and tell her to come down to the common room", Severus said turning to Shelly.
"Yes, Sir."
Shelly walked up the steps, until she was out of sight, then she started sprinting. She burst through the dorm door; Abby was propped up on her bed, clearly drugged up on something.
"Abby! Your dad, Professor Granger and Professor Potter are in the common room, waiting for you!"
"What?" Abby said not comprehending what Shelly had said.
"Have you been drinking too", Shelly said picking up an empty vodka bottle that lay on the floor.
"Yessss, I'm good now", Abby slurred.
Shelly dug through Abby's trunk and pulled out a sober up potion.
"Hurry up take this, before they come up here", Shelly said thrusting the potion into Abby's hand.
Abby eyed it, shrugged, and then downed the potion. She made a face at the taste.
"Damn it! Why did you give me a sober up potion", Abby said glaring.
"Because your dad is waiting for you in the common room!"
"WHAT!"
"Yes, along with Professor's Granger and Potter."
"Shit!" Abby said standing up and then started to sway. "I thought you gave me a sober up potion", Abby said in a giggly voice.
"I did, but it doesn't work on muggle drugs. You need a different potion for that."
"Check the trunk", Abby said trying to pull it together.
"I did Abby, you don't have one. You just have to let it wear off and do your best to hide it when you go down to talk to them. I will wait for you here; they already tossed everyone else out of the common room."
Abby cursed, of all the times she could have chosen to indulge on mixing the muggle drugs and alcohol, it was the time her father wanted to have a chat. Abby slowly made her way down the stairs, gathering herself together and making sure not to trip on anything.
"It's about damned time, Abby. What were you doing up there", Severus said watching her slightly stagger toward him, Hermione, and Harry.
"Erm, Studying?"
"I thought Jordan said you were sleeping", Harry stated.
"Right yes, I was sleeping, studying sleeping. Yeah, that's it."
"You were studying sleeping", Severus said slowly with a confused look on his face.
Abby didn't respond, she seemed to be preoccupied with looking at the fire.
"Abby!" Severus bellowed. "How in the hell were you studying sleeping."
"What, dad what are you talking about. You can't study sleeping", Abby said and then she became blank faced. Abby was trying to recall what her previous answer to his question was.
Hermione and Harry both looked at each other and then to Severus. He was studying Abby.
"Anyway, dad didn't you want to speak to me about something", Abby said regaining a little bit of control.
"Yes, why were you skipping classes today?"
"Um, I over slept."
"I thought you had astronomy after lunch", Hermione commented.
"Erm, I fell asleep after lunch in the common room."
"But you managed to wake up and had time to get out to the lake before the class was even over?"Severus said moving closer to Abby.
"Uh, yeah I didn't want to interrupt the class by showing up in the middle so I went to the lake to pass some time."
Severus was now about a foot from Abby's face. He could see her eyes were glassy and glazed over, and her clothes smelled like smoke and alcohol.
"You have a detention with Remus tonight." Severus said and then gestured to the others that it was time to go.
"Oh, alright. That's it", Abby said clearly surprised.
Severus nodded, kissed and caressed her check, and then turned and left.
"Severus, you were very calm about that. And you didn't even say anything to Abby about her odd behavior", Hermione stated baffled.
"I can't speak to her when she's in that state. Abby won't comprehend anything I'm saying. She smelt like smoke and vodka, although there has to be something more than just the alcohol."
"Drugs", Harry stated.
"Yes, muggle drugs would explain her actions", Hermione added.
"But where would she get them from", Severus asked
"Severus she did go and visit her friends at university over the weekend", Hermione said taking Severus' hand.
Severus sighed, "That would explain it. I just don't want to accuse her of doing drugs and then be way off. I've pissed her off enough in the past week."
"I can help keep an eye on her Severus. If she's doing drugs, she's bond to slip up somehow", Harry said.
The week had gone by, it was now Sunday and Severus and Hermione were cuddled on Severus' couch, waiting for Abby to return from her grandparents in the states.
"What else has the staff noticed about Abby's behavior", Hermione ask with her head laid on Severus' chest.
"The later in the week it got, the more her odd behavior stood out. Ron caught her falling asleep during his lesson and Harry said she was nearly hexed into oblivion during Defense. Harry also said her reflexes during quidditch practice are a lot slower than they normally are."
"It has to be drugs, Severus."
"I know I just need to catch her in the act so there is no denying it. Abby's grandparents owled me this morning, they were actually able to get Abby to open up some to them."
"Really, what did she say, if you don't mind me asking."
"Abby knows I have my doubts about what she claims is going on between her and Greyback, She overheard me telling you the night at the beach house. Apparently she's been keeping her distance from me because I think she's only seeking attention."
"Oh Severus, you have to make this right with her. You are the only parent Abby has left; this has to be crushing her."
The floo lit up green, and Abby stepped through. She had dark circles under her eyes, and seemed to be paler than normal.
"Hi Abby", Hermione said trying to be cheerful as she sat up.
"Hey", Abby responded quietly and started to walk toward the door.
"Wait", Severus said standing up quickly, "Hermione and I want you to have dinner down here with us tonight."
"No, I can't. I have to finish my homework and study for my Arithemacy test."
"I can help you with all of that."
"I have a lot to do", Abby said, then walked to the door and left.
Severus stood, starring at the chamber door. Hermione came up beside him and grabbed him hand, "It's going to be alright, she'll come around."
"Hermione this is my fault, she's self destructing and it's all my fault."
"No it's not Severus. Granted her over hearing our conversation at the beach house didn't help but this isn't all your fault. She's been through a lot with her mum and best friend dying, a new school and friends, her father in a relationship and having another child, Graham Greyback, and just being a teenager."
Severus nodded.
"Why don't we go to the Great Hall for dinner", Hermione suggested, "I'm sure Jordan and Shelly will talk Abby into going to dinner, so we can keep an eye on her."
Severus and Hermione sat at their usual place together at the high table, in the Great Hall. Severus had an excellent view of Abby and her friends.
"They all seem so, giddy", Severus said starring at the Gryffindor table.
"They're Gryffindor, they always act like that. Now eat Severus, I will not have you being grumpy later because you were too distracted to eat."
"Oh don't worry, I plan on eating later as well", he replied with a goofy grin. Hermione grinned back at him.
"Well, that was entirely too much information, that I didn't need to hear", Remus said with a smirk on his face. "So, how's everything with the baby?"
"Wonderful, Poppy said he's right where he should be at this stage of the pregnancy", Hermione replied.
"Wonderful, have you picked a name yet?"
"There are a few we are looking at. Abby came up with Addison Severus, I really like that one. I suggested Severus Tobias Snape II, but Severus refuses, he says we will only go along with Severus as a middle name."
Remus smiled, "How is everything else going?"
"Good, apart from Abby's odd behavior."
"Yes, the entire staff has noticed a change in her."
Hermione nodded and turned her head back to Severus, his eyebrows were raised as he watched something toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione turned her head and saw a 7th year Slytherin girl, Dorea Higgs, signaling for Abby to follow her into the hallway.
"Since when does Abby hang out with Slytherins?" Hermione asked.
"She doesn't", Severus said flatly and got up, making his way toward the Great Hall main entrance.
Abby followed Dorea out of the Great Hall, stopping right outside the door.
"What do you want", Abby said in a bored tone.
"I hear your sleeping with my boyfriend, Graham Greyback", Dorea sneered.
Abby snorted, "Are you serious? I wouldn't touch that disgusting idiot, even if the fate of the wizarding world depended on it."
"Watch what you say about my boyfriend, you filthy half-blood. I saw what you did to his lip, I will destroy you if you come near him again."
"Filthy half-blood?" Abby laughed, "Is that all you can come up with? As for Graham's lip, I did do that and the next time he makes an advance on me the consequences will be even worse." Abby edged as close as she could to Dorea without touching her, "As for destroying me, take your best shot. I can kill you without breathing a word of a curse, and I won't think twice about it."
Dorea froze for a second; many rumors had been flying around the castle about Abby, one being that she was more powerful than her father and grandfather combined.
"I didn't mean physically destroy. I meant leaking to your father about your drug and alcohol use, not to mention the potions I hear you and your stupid friends are brewing in moaning Myrtles bathroom."
"Are you done making idle threats, I have other things I could be doing."
Dorea smirked, "I heard you were all screwed up, watching your mother and best friend die and all."
"You know nothing about them, so shut your damn mouth", Abby seethed as her face turned red in anger.
"Ah, I see I struck a nerve. Your mother had to be one fucked up person, seeing as she slept with Severus Snape and then produced you."
Abby hurtled herself at Dorea, knocking them both through the doors and back into the Great Hall. Dorea was lying on the ground; Abby was on top of Dorea with her hand around Dorea's neck.
"Don't you ever speak about my mother!" Abby said drawing back her fist.
The next thing Abby knew an arm swooped around her waist and slammed her into the wall.
"What are your doing!" Severus bellowed at Abby who was trying to get out of his grip.
"Let me go!"
"Abigail", Severus said firmly and tightening his grip on her, causing her to wince in pain. "We are going to the headmaster's office."
Abby glared as Severus, and then whimpered when he tightened his grip even more and pulled her toward Albus' office. They were followed by Draco, who had pulled Dorea off the ground.
Severus mumbled the password to the gargoyle and pulled Abby up the spiraling staircase. If the altercation hadn't happened in the Great Hall, Severus probably wouldn't have resorted to bringing the girls to Albus. But he didn't want to favor his own child over the rest of the students and he also hopped this would bring Abby back to her senses.
"Enter", Albus said cheerfully.
Severus pulled Abby to a chair in front of Albus' desk and pushed her into it. Dorea took the seat beside Abby, Severus and Draco stood behind them.
"And what do I owe this pleasure?" Albus questioned.
"It appears these two girls took it upon their selves to entertain the Great Hall with a brawl."
"Ms. Higgs, Ms. Snape, would one of you like to explain what has happened", Albus said calmly.
Abby stared at the floor with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. She was still angry at Dorea's comments and at Severus' man handling her.
"It was just a misunderstanding, sir", Dorea said slowly, glancing at Abby.
"Abby, anything to say", Albus asked.
Abby didn't respond, and kept her glare to the floor.
Severus smacked Abby in the back of the head, "Answer him!"
Dorea snickered but stopped abruptly when Severus glared at her.
Abby stood up and spun around, "Don't touch me!"
"Don't you dare speak to me that way", Severus seethed.
"Draco, perhaps you should escort Ms. Higgs back to her common room. And Ms. Higgs, three day's detention with Filch."
Dorea nodded and followed Draco out of the room.
Severus and Abby were standing toe to toe, Severus obviously have the advantage, being he was a good foot or so taller than Abby.
"You will not speak to me in that manor or ignore your grandfather when he's talking to you!"
"Maybe I would speak to you in a proper way if you wouldn't man handle me", Abby said pointing to the bruise on her arm from Severus' hand.
"I wouldn't have to treat you in such a way if you weren't acting like an imbecile!"
"It's not like you believe anything I say anyway!"
"Severus, Abby, why don't you take a seat and have a lemon drop", Albus suggested.
Severus scowled at Albus and turned his attention back to Abby, "I didn't bring you to this school to act like an idiot and ruin your chances at having a decent life!"
"No, you brought me to this school because my mother is dead and you didn't have anywhere else to put me", Abby said in a dark tone Severus had never heard before.
"Abby", Severus said softly and reached his hand up to her shoulder. He could see the tears forming in her eyes and then after a moment her eyes were glinting with rage.
"No!" Abby yelled, pushing Severus to the floor and stalking out of the room.
--Sorry for the delay in update, I actually had most of the chapter written earlier this week but then my computer decided it was going to have problems. What happened to all my reviewers?! The last chapter didn't get very many, please review!! (likes, dislikes, constructive criticisms, whatever you like)