Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I only own a few characters from this story and one particular character is owned by a friend of mine. The story line is owned by both my friend and I so enjoy.
It would've been quiet or eerily so in the headmistress' office if it weren't for the headmistress herself fighting with what appeared to be a portrait of a man. "No Minerva and I absolutely mean it. You have no right to bring that many transfers into this school. Even more so when it is..., "the man in the portrait yelled louder with each sentence. "You mean when it pertains to…," McGonagall questioned harshly. "You have no choice in the matter. I am the headmistress of this school and you may be a war hero, but you are also just a portrait Severus."
The former professor clenched his teeth in fury and for once wished he was able to strangle the woman before him. "Now that everything is out of the way, I have work to do," the headmistress said matter-of-factly before sitting at her desk. Tapping her quill against the blank parchment, Minerva sighed, "So much work to be done and only a month left until the reopening of the school." Since the fall of the Dark Lord many of the survivors were striving to rebuild Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly. Families of all kind struggled to pull back together what was left of them and determined more than ever to move on with their lives.
"Albus," Minerva started softly glancing now towards his portrait, "what do you think of the young man who applied for the DADA position?" The wizened old man in the portrait seemed to think for a moment and then his blue eyes seemed to sparkle, "Well Minerva, I believe he would make a fine addition to the staff." Minerva McGonagall nodded and proceeded to dip her quill into her ink before beginning her first letter of the day.
It was peaceful and a little too quiet for the young woman's taste. Rolling into a more comfortable position and curling into her comforter she yawned and tried to fall back to sleep, however it seemed she would not win this morning as a screeching sixteen-year-old girl ran in and flung herself on top of the older cocooned girl. "Alex…Alex wake up! We all have mail and Cris wants to tell us something over breakfast." Alex groaned loudly and tried to push the younger female off, "Alright Caryn, but breakfast better be made already."
After being dragged into the kitchen, Alex slumped into a chair across from the eldest who was reading a daily prophet and sipping some coffee. Caryn was bustling about the kitchen happily, which was rare in itself and making breakfast for everyone. "So what is this big news then, " Alex grumbled while staring at the twenty-five-year-old man sitting there. Cris smiled and refolded the paper before leaning back in his chair, "Alex, Caryn," he paused for his own additional amusement, "I got the job!" Caryn squealed happily, but Alex remained impassive causing Cris to frown.
"So that's it then? You'll be leaving us for good." Alex frowned slightly before replacing her best calm mask. Caryn jumped in quickly and placed a letter in front of Alex before going back to breakfast, "Don't forget you've gotten a letter Alex." The older girl looked at the letter and sighed opening it up:
Dear Miss Prince,
I would like to congratulate you on being selected as one of three students
to transfer to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I would expect you to arrive for
your sorting at noon tomorrow and I also wish to speak to you of a rather important matter
after your sorting. Be fully prepared.
Sincerely,
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
"Caryn, when did this arrive," Alex asked looking up from her letter to a now nervous looking younger girl. "Well you went to bed right after dinner last night and I didn't want to bother..," Caryn said looking at the plate of food now sitting on the table. "So that leaves less than an hour for you two to eat and get ready, so dig in," Cris said while laughing and did a rather extraordinary impression of a vacuum while eating his eggs.
Exactly one hour later Caryn and Alex found themselves in the headmistress' office with another transfer whom they haven't met before. The three students squirmed at the silence even more so of Alex who could swear two of the paintings were staring at her in particular. "Ah Miss Giovanni, Miss Prince, and Mister Reynolds; welcome," came a strict feminine voice which made Caryn cringe and try to hide behind Alex. "Well you all need to be sorted. After our sorting hat proclaims your house please step out and wait until I call you back in," Minerva said picking up the old hat and moving to Caryn first. A few moments after Caryn was placed in Gryffindor and the boy was placed in Slytherin, it was Alex's turn to have the old hat pushed onto her head.
"My, my young lady who do we have here? Daughter of a Slytherin and a Gryffindor," the hat spoke to her in her mind. "You know who my parents where," she asked hoping for more information from it. "You young lady hold greatness within you. The question is which house to place you in. You are very loyal to those you grow close to, exceedingly bright, brave when it matters most, and very cunning when needed as well. " Alex frowned slightly contemplating these things before it continued, "However, one thing that you strive for is the approval of your father whom you don't really know much about…so it would have to be…"
Alex closed her eyes and held her breath before the hall yelled out, "Slytherin!" Minerva McGonagall seemed slightly shocked as she pulled the hat off and returned it to its shelf. "Very well Miss Prince, I must take some time to speak with you about a few things." The younger woman looked up at the headmistress expectantly before she crossed one knee over the other. Suddenly, the office door burst open and a young man came racing in cool and collected in contrast to his entrance. "What is it," asked McGonagall staring at the young man with long black hair and red eyes. "There's been an explosion in the potions classroom, we need help," the young man said glancing up at the portraits casually.
The headmistress turned and looked at Alex with a small frown, "I will be back in a moment Miss Prince, then we will discuss what needs to be discussed." Alex sighed and glanced up at the portraits that seemed to be staring at her as the older woman walked out the door. The young man stood off to the side sneaking into a darkened corner watching the girl curiously as the older man's portrait smiled and the other man's scowled further. "Miss Prince, it's lovely to finally meet you," the man called Dumbledore grinned at the young woman. "Uh…," started Alex, "nice to meet you too?"
The old man laughed, "My name is Albus Dumbledore, I was your godfather and it's nice to finally see you all grown up." Alex sat up a little straighter, "My what?" The old man laughed again, "Your godfather or possibly more like your godgrandfather. I knew your father well, he was a good man if not slightly cranky. I'm sorry to say he recently passed during the war. He died a hero." Alex stared at the painting in disbelief, "He's….dead?" Dumbledore nodded solemnly and made the other painting scowl more. "Severus, do you not have something to say to Miss Prince here," asked Dumbledore looking to his side at the other man.
"I believe you have said too much already old man," Severus grumbled crossing his arms and looking away from Dumbledore. "Do not be so childish, I am sure you have something to say to her," The old man said back. "I am not being childish, I just have no wish to divulge any secrets at any given time whatsoever. Now if you will leave me out of this nonsense, I would greatly appreciate it," Severus retorted. "Well aren't you rude," Alex said standing up and looking at the portrait of Snape, "If there is something I should know, I would greatly appreciate being told and not looked down upon like I do not matter. I have gone way too long with secrets being kept from me and it is about time I have answers. You do not have to be so rude about it and just cast me aside like my father has done for so many years."
Snape visibly grimaced and for a moment his eyes showed sadness and regret before moving back to their usually stony selves as Dumbledore began laughing heartily at the scene, "My, my you have a bit of both your parents in you. More importantly so, the fact that you happened to give him a dose of his own medicine so to say. You see what he won't tell you is…" Snape interrupted quickly not giving Dumbledore a chance to finish, "I swear if you tell her….fine." Severus sighed and looked straight at Alex, "Alexiian Storm Prince, your real name is Alexiian Storm Snape and I…I am your….father." Alex paled slightly before plopping back on the chair and placing her fingers on her temples, "Ok wasn't expecting the Darth Vader moment." "The who," both men asked as Alex just shook her head. "Well then, now that you know when Minerva gets back we can finish setting everything up," Dumbledore said smiling.
"What exactly are we setting up," Alex asked not sure she truly wanted to know. "Well, you would obviously need your father's last name and everything needs to be transferred to you being his only true heiress. Do not worry dear girl, everything will be taken care of," Dumbledore said with glee as Severus just shook his head, "Quit scaring my daughter." Alex took a few deep breaths and sat back watching the two bicker in silence she was so out of it she hadn't even noticed the door click closed as the boy snuck out of the room. A few minutes of more aggrivation and yelling later the door once more came open as the headmistress returned to her office, "I suppose all the yelling means they've told you."
Alex nodded as Minerva McGonagall continued, "Well then Miss Snape, I suppose I will begin to explain a few things to you now. Since you are the oldest student now attending our school for your seventh year and you have such high marks in all of your classes we will be awarding you with the Head Girl title. Mostly because we wish to give you some privacy to get used to everything that will be changing. I am also about to give you the key to your vault at Gringotts and I will be taking you to your true home. I have one favor to ask of you though." Alex tilted her head slightly waiting for the favor to be asked. "Because of the war a few of our students as well as the other transfers are to be quite frankly, homeless. I was wondering if you would mind a few people living in your home with you. You do not have to answer right away and we do not wish to make it a burden to you, but we would greatly appreciate it."
Alex thought for a moment, "I suppose I won't mind having company, but how many people are we speaking of?" "Well four others, five if you include your friend Mr. Hoight over holidays if he wishes to leave the school." "Absolutely not," yelled Severus, "you are not planning on putting four boys in that house with my daughter and one other girl!" "Severus," Minerva turned to glare at him, "One of those boys was under your care, while a nother of those boys was your god-son. She was already living with Mr. Hoight and I'm sure one other boy will not hurt. She's an adult and according to her old school she was mostly friends with males anyway." "Yes, that I already knew Minerva," Snape muttered, "I just don't feel comfortable having her in a house with a bunch of teenage boys."
"Enough! I can handle myself and I'll be fine, I'm more comfortable around guys and Caryn was my only female friend anyways. I can handle it. Headmistress McGonagall, I accept your request," Alex stated cooly while returning her father's own glare "All of your things have already been packed up and transported to your new home as well as everyone elses. When we arrive I will give you your vault key and leave you to get aquainted with your new house mates," McGonagall said with a smile before leading Alex out of the office to where the other two were waiting accompanied by one more boy who didn't look so happy. "Two of your housemates will not be coming with you today, one is busy working and Professor Hoight will not be joining you until the holidays," McGonagall explained happily before pulling a book out of her pocket, "If you each would put one hand on this book, we will be on our way."
A few moments later, the four students and headmistress stood before a small old house in Spinners End. "Uhm…Headmistress, are you sure we are all going to fit into the house," asked Alex in disbelief. "Yes Miss Snape, you all will fit we are witches and wizards for a reason," McGonagall replied before leading them into the house."Hmm, it could use some work, but you are right. I does look much bigger on the inside," Alex stated looking around to see a lot of darkness and dust before sneezing. Caryn giggled, "Aww Alex's sneezes are soooo cute, she sounds like a mouse." Alex smacked her forehead as the boys began laughing. "Alright Miss Snape, here is your keys and I'm sure one of your new house mates can show you all how to get to Diagon Alley. For now I must go, there is a lot of work to be done," McGonagall said as she left the house and disapperated.
Suddenly a sharp voice was crying across the house, "Girvin! Girvin! Little Miss is home! Come on Girvin, Nona can feel little miss!" Everyone turned to stare at Alex who just shrugged her shoulders when suddenly two small creatures stood before her. "Little Miss is all grown ups, " said the obviously male house elf how bowed his head politely. The female stared wide eyed at Alex and smiled, "Little Miss we is Girvin and Nona, we is pleased to be service you." Alex smiled down at them, "Hello, uhm..it's nice to meet you both." "Nona remembers when little miss was this small," Nona cradled her arms to show how she knew Alex as a baby. Girvin patted Nona's back for a moment before continuing, "Dinners will be done in an hour little miss and guests." Girvin and Nona disappeared back into the kitchen as they all made their way into what seemed like It could've been a living room.
"Well it definitely is empty in here," Alex began as they all sat in a circle on the floor, " I propose that we introduce ourselves and plan on coming up with an idea to clean this place up and make it more…liveable. Then tomorrow we can go shopping for the house. We only have a month before school starts, so I'm sure we all need to go get our school supplies anyway. We can kill two birds with one stone." The rest of the group thought a moment before agreeing. "I guess I'll go first because this is my home, " Alex began, "My name is Alexiian Snape, but I prefer to be called Alex. I just found out today that my last name is Snape and I just found out who my father was. I am older than the rest of you being twenty-two because I started school late due to various history issues." Everyone nodded and next went Caryn. "My name is Caryn Giovanni, I am sixteen years old and Alex is my best friend. Her and our friend Crispin took me in when my parents had an accident."
Next came the transfer boy with dark hair and even darker green eyes, "My name is Thomas Reynolds, just call me Tom. I am eighteen years old and I don't remember much else other than I like my privacy." Everyone just nodded and looked to the last boy with platinum blond hair and dark grey eyes, " My name is Draco Malfoy, I am eighteen as well. My father was insane and killed my mother before trying to kill me and now he is in Azkaban prison. Severus Snape was my godfather, which I assume makes you Alex, my godsister." Alex frowned wondering how many people died in this awful war that she had absolutely no part in. All of them sat silently in contemplation of each others lives as each of them had horrible pasts and as Caryn began crying Alex wrapped an arm around her and sighed. "So," began Draco slightly uncomfortable, "what do we plan on doing about this house?"