Nameless
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"I can't remember it! I can't remember anything! Please, don't hurt me, I'm sorry!"
Finally looking away from Severus - and breaking the trance she had him in - the girl lifted her hands up and buried her face in them, sobbing quite loudly. Instantly, Severus tried to back away, but before he could even take a step, Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it slightly as he silently asked him to stay. He almost snapped at him to let him go, but glared instead. But the Headmaster simply tightened his grip. He wasn't giving him a choice.
"Out!" Whipping out her wand, Pomfrey shooed all the professors and Hagrid away. "I want everyone except the Headmaster and McGonagall out this instant!"
Everyone complied instantly, giving the sobbing girl an occasional glance as they left the room. Pomfrey turned on Severus, but before she could say anything, Dumbledore spoke up. "I think it would be best it Severus stayed with us, don't you, Poppy?"
Severus sincerely hoped that Pomfrey would disagree, argue with the Headmaster and force him to leave, even if it was at wand point. But to his disbelief, Pomfrey paused for a mere moment, and then nodded. "I suppose you're right, Albus. Just please leave for a few minutes while I try and calm her down a bit."
"Of course." With his hand still on Severus, Dumbledore lead him out of the curtains. Strangely, it was only once Pomfrey closed the curtains behind them, so that she could hide the still sobbing girl from them, was Severus able to breath normally again.
He almost snarled at himself at that thought. How was this one little girl getting to him? 'Snap out of it, Severus. They're not Lily's eyes. Lily is dead."
"Do you really think that's she's really lost all her memories, Albus?" McGonagall asked, a small frown on her face.
"Do you think she's lying, Minerva?" asked Dumbledore calmly.
It wasn't a surprise that McGonagall went a little red in the face. "Of course not! I'm just saying that its a little strange that she lost them. I mean, what could have caused that?"
"Quite a number of things, actually," Dumbledore stated. "Injuries to the head. Traumatic experience's that cause the mind to hide any memories that involve it."
"But she's a child, Albus. What kind of traumatic injures could she had endured?" McGonagall said as she shook her head as different thoughts ran through her head, as if not wanting to think about it. Even though she was old and experience, not many of her Gryffindor's were abuse, mentally or physically. Not like his Slytherins were. She wasn't use to the idea that adults could hurt children in such a way, or at least, it was hard for her to believe.
"Oh, Minerva, you know just as much as I do what sort of things children can go through at the hands of their parents."
All the professors went silent at that.
"What are we going to do, Headmaster?" asked Severus after a long pause of silence. "If her memory truly is gone, then she will not be able to tell us where she came from or what happened to her."
"As you said, Severus, if her memory is truly gone," said Dumbledore. "I'm sure with some gentle prodding, we can see if it is not simply hidden."
Raising an eyebrow briefly, Severus nodded. Yes, gentle Legimency would be the best option at the moment, to see if there was any 'walls' blocking her memories, and if there were, they would have to be dealt with properly. And both he and Dumbledore were experts at the art of entering the mind.
The curtain opened part way, and Pomfrey poked her head out. "She's calm now."
"Will she be able to answer any of our questions?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes. But be careful what you say to her," instructed Pomfrey. "She's still very frightened."
"Of course."
Again, Severus made a move to leave, but Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder and gently guided him back through the open curtains. He couldn't help but scowl at the older man. Damn it all, why wouldn't Dumbledore let him leave?
The girl glanced up at them briefly when the three professors entered - her bright green eyes watching them warily - before looking to her hands, which were resting in her lap. She was sitting up now, leaning against the head of the bed with a pillow behind her back. She still looked too pale, and in the short-sleeve hospital gown, Severus could see her bruises, which had just begun to fade. She looked better, but still looked bad.
'What kind of person would do something like this to a child?'
"Are you alright now, child?" asked Dumbledore with a smile and a twinkle of his eyes as he sat in the abandoned chair.
"Yes, sir," the girl said, not looking up.
"I'm sorry we gave you such a fright, my dear. It certainly wasn't our intention," Dumbledore said calmly, and Severus could see the girl relax just a little bit.
"S'alright," she muttered.
"I was wondering if we could ask you a few things," Dumbledore went on.
The girl finally looked up, confusion in her bright green eyes. Severus resisted the urge to step back. "But I can't 'member anything."
"And we understand that," Dumbledore answered. "But with your permission, we'd like to ask about trying something else."
Suspicion returned, and the girl shifted slightly. To anyone else, it was just her getting comfortable. To Severus, it was her getting ready to run if she needed to. "What's that?" she asked warily.
"Its called Legilimency," explained Dumbledore. "Its the act of entering the mind with magic and then navigating through the many mental barriers and layers inside it to find information or, in your case, memories that are hidden."
"But magic isn't real!" the girl insisted again.
"And what fool told you that?" sneered Severus before he could stop himself.
"Severus!" said McGonagall, shocked, and the silent Pomfrey glared at him.
The girl didn't seem to react to his tone at his voice. She instead look directly at Severus, her green eyes - her eyes - meeting his. It was only because of his many years of spying that helped Severus keep his sneering mask in place. 'Damn it all, how does this child affect me more then the bloody Dark Lord! And why does she keep looking to me, of all people?'
"I - I don't know," the girl finally admitted.
"Well, my dear, let me show you that magic is indeed real." Reaching into the sleeve of his brightly colored robes, Dumbledore pulled out his wand. "I'm sure you know what this is."
Staring at it, the girl wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "A - a stick?" she said hesitantly.
Dumbledore chuckled. "It's actually a wand. We wizards and witches channel our magic through it so we can do things like this." He gave a simple wave, and a pillow from the next bed over floated to him. The girl watched with wide eyes as it landed in his lap before Dumbledore gave another wave, and it was turned into a stuffed toy - a black dragon with bright purple eyes. It looked quite lifelike.
"Wow," the girl breathed, her amazement clear as day. Severus could see her uninjured hand inching to touch the toy. Dumbledore must have seen it too, because the dragon floated into her lap. Startled, she glanced at the older wizard, as if waiting for permission.
"Its yours, young one," said Dumbledore.
"R-Really?" Slowly, the girl touched the dragon with her uninjured hand, stroking it as if it were real. "Wow," she said again, smiling for the first time. It was an innocent, truly happy smile - one that Severus was sure the girl hadn't used in a long time. "Magic is wicked!" she declared.
"Language," snapped out Severus before he could stop himself. If there was one thing that he was harsh about - besides potions - it was language. He would not tolerate slang.
Beside him, McGonagall chuckled - bloody chuckled - and Pomfrey was giving the girl a warm smile. The girl effected everyone!
Her cheeks now a light pink in embarrassment, the girl bowed her head and said her apology, but it wasn't as sincere as Severus would have liked, since she was still infatuated by the black dragon. "So magic is real," she finally said as she stared at the toy, still smiling. "I wonder who told me that it wasn't?" she muttered.
"So, you believe us then?" said Dumbledore with a grandfather-like smile.
Nodding, the girl hugged the toy to her chest. "Its great!" she declared. "What else can magic do?" she asked, a bright look on her face. It was a look that Severus often saw on Ravenclaws who couldn't wait to learn all that he had to teach them.
'Or Lily.'
"Oh, it can do many, many wonderful things. But I'm afraid that lesson is for another time. Now that you know that magic is real, will you let us try out our test?" Dumbledore asked, keeping the smile.
Slowly, the girl seemed to remember what was going on, where she was, and her barriers quickly came back up. She clutched to the doll like it was a lifeline, hunched slightly, and she narrowed her eyes again. "I don' know," she mumbled. She shifted again. "Will it hurt?" she asked timidly.
"It will only hurt if you try keep us out, or force us out once we're inside," said Dumbledore. "And it should seem more like a headache then anything."
"And - And maybe you can find my memories?" said the girl.
"We certainly hope so," answered Dumbledore.
Biting her lip, the girl took a long minute to think before she finally nod. "Okay," she said, but it sounded more like a whimper.
"Excellent! Now, I want you to simply relax - no, please keep your eyes open," the Headmaster said when she attempted to close them. "We can't enter your mind unless we are looking into your eyes."
"M'kay." Blinking once, the girl simply stared - with ridiculously wide eyes - at Dumbledore. "Like this?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "That will do." He raised his wand, pointing it at the unflinching girl, and whispered the spell needed as he looked into her green eyes. "Legilimen!"
The next minute went by in silence. The girl was still as her mind was entered, and Dumbledore was the same. McGonagall shifted impatiently, Pomfrey was watching carefully and Severus simply tapped his arm with a long finger to an unknown rhythm. The quiet was soon interrupted though as the girl gave a small cry of pain, her arms twitching before wrapping themselves tighter around the dragon, her eyes still wide. All the adults watched her carefully.
A moment later, the girl cried out again, and screwed her eyes shut just as her magic flared, creating a multicolored barrier around her briefly. She fell to her side, curled into a ball instantly, and shook as Dumbledore came out of her mind a second later.
"Albus, what happened?" asked McGonagall as Pomfrey moved to the girls side, muttering nonsense words of comfort and rubbing her back gently.
Shaking his head , Dumbledore turned to the Potions Master. "Severus, would you?"
Understand the question, Severus gave a short nod. "If she opens her eyes again."
"Albus, you aren't going to try again, are you ?" said Pomfrey, astonished even as she continued to calm the girl. "It obvious causes her pain."
"Yes, and I'm sorry for that, Poppy, but I think it would be best if Severus saw what I did first hand," explained Dumbledore. "So if you would?"
Glaring at her Headmaster slightly, Pomfrey looked like she wanted to say no, but she did as she was told. "Child, you have to open your eyes again," she said gently.
Whimpering, the girl cracked them open, just enough to see, but not enough for Severus to enter her mind. "Do I have to?"
Pomfrey nodded, so the girl uncurled herself slowly, but didn't sit up. She opened her eyes again, and looked directly at Severus.
Not giving her a chance to change her mind, or giving himself a chance to back away, Severus lifted his wand and pointed at the girl. "Legilimen!" he whispered. A rush of magic, and Severus felt himself being thrust into the girls mind, rushing through darkness before he found himself landing on something 'solid'.
Glancing around, Snape frowned. Usually, when he entered someone's mind, memories would be floating around, sorted according to the person's mind, though usually the most recent ones would be the closest. But never had he been in a mind that was so... empty. There were a few memories floating around, but he could tell at a glance that they were new - the girl being picked up by him, waking in the infirmary, being questioned by Dumbledore. There was nothing beyond that. So it seemed that she truly had lost her memories. Or at least, she had hidden them away.
His dark eyes taking in the area around him, it was then that Severus noticed the brick wall that took over a large area of the 'room'. Made of black bricks, it shimmered, even though there was no light anywhere, and was immense - there was no other way to describe it. Taller then even the half-giant Hagrid, and Severus could see no end to it. But what interested him was what wrapped around it.
Stepping forward, Severus reached out to 'touch' it. It was like thorny vines, dark green, that dug into the bricks. When he touched it, warmth seeped off them and sparks ran up his fingers. He wasn't sure what they were, whether they were protecting the wall, or holding something back. But he was going to find out.
Mentally, Severus pushed at the wall, looking for any weak spots that would allow him to bring down the wall and pass. But he didn't get very far before a loud shriek filled the room. It was like the girls banshee shriek from before, and this time, Severus gave himself the luxury of throwing his hands over his ears and wincing.
Then he gasped as he felt something push back against his mind. It was just like the vines, warm and giving off simmering sparks of many different colors, but now he could feel the thorns, as they were wrapped around him and digging into his skin. Her mind was fighting back. It didn't want him to go any farther.
Before he could even think about retreating though, the push got stronger, and the connection between Severus and the girl broke he was pushed out of her mind. It was unpleasant, and Severus felt the mind briefly attack his, clawing at his mind like a frightened animal before it retreated back into in sanctuary.
Blinking as he found himself back in his own body, he instantly turned to the Headmaster, ignoring the cries of the girl and the nurse as she comforted her. "That was - a wall?"
Dumbledore nodded. "A wall is holding back her older memories. It seems she created it with her magic, to hide and protect more... unpleasant memories."
"But they're all gone."
A look of sadness crossed Dumbledore's old face, and Severus was reminded just how old the wizard was. "Yes, they are, aren't they? I must say, it seems that this young lady's entire childhood was unpleasant in some way or another."
"And the wall forced us out - without even a metal command from her," muttered Severus lowly. "It acted on its own." THe young man shook his head. "I've never heard of anything like that before."
"I must say, even at my old age, I haven't either," agreed Dumbledore. "This certainly is an unusual child."
Crying caught Severus' attention, and he spared a glance at the girl. Tears were pouring down her face, and her grip on the dragon was so tight he was surprised it hadn't burst at the seam. "It hurts," she moaned, shaking badly. "Please, not 'gain."
Shaking her head, Pomfrey glared at the wizards. "She's having a bad reaction to having someone rummage around her mind." she said briskly before standing. "I'll get her a headache potion," the nurse stated before bustling off.
Again, the girl looked vulnerable, and for a short moment, Severus felt sorry for her. She looked smaller then usual, and more fragile. He shifted uncomfortably as another loud sob escaped her, he didn't know how to deal with such a young child, Severus himself barely remembered his own childhood, though he had a good reason behind it. What was he suppose to do - hold her? Comfort her? The very thought made him sneer. Even the youngest children of Slytherin didn't want hugs, they usually just talked, and if things got more out of hand, Calming Potions, which were always kept nearby.
He didn't have to worry about that though, as Pomfrey came rushing back, a potion in hand. "Ssh, its alright," she said comfortingly, while holding out the small vial. "Here, something for your headache, dear." When the girl didn't move, she sighed. "You'll have to sit up to take it."
"I don't wanna move," the girl mumbled. "Make my head hurt 'gain. They make it hurt 'gain."
"Its alright now, dear, they won't do it again."
The girl looked up briefly. "Promise?" she asked with a sniffle.
At this, Pomfrey paused and glanced at the two Legilimens. "Well? Will you do it again?"
"No," said Dumbledore. "I don't think we will. There's is no way to retrieve any of her memories at this point."
Nodding, Pomfrey smiled at the girl. "See? They won't do again, I promise." She held out the vial again. "So will you take this, please?"
"... Kay," the girl said quietly. Sitting up slowly, and clutching to the dragon awkwardly with her bad arm the entire time, she took the potion with a shaky hand. She sniffed it when it was near her mouth. "Smells bad," she said with a wrinkle of her nose. She looked to Severus, and he stiffened. "Do I have ta take it?" she asked him.
Why was she asking him? He barely talked to her before, why would she even trust his judgment? But then he saw the quick and wary glance at Pomfrey. She was frightened of the nurse now, probably because she forced her to let Severus enter her mind. "Yes," he finally answered. "You do. It will make you feel better."
Grimacing, the girl drank the potion, and her face suggested she wanted to spit it out. "Yucky!" she said after she finished it, Madam Pomfrey taking the vial out of her hands.
"Most potions, unfortunately, are yucky," said Dumbledore with a chuckle.
Blinking, the girl nodded slowly. "Yah. Taste like somethin' rot - " she paused to yawn, "rotten. But pain's gone now." Rubbing her drooping eyes, the girl yawned again. If Severus were a normal wizard, he would have raised an eyebrow at the girl's sudden sleepiness.
"Why don't you lie down," suggested Pomfrey gently. "Get some sleep."
"M'not sleepy though," the girl murmured, even as her head began to nod.
Shaking her head in a motherly way, the nurse gently pushed the girl back onto the bed, who barely resisted, though she still held onto the stuffed toy. She sighed as she snuggled against the fluffy pillow, Madam Pomfrey pulling the blanket up to her chin. "Is nice," she muttered. "Soft. Warm." Her eyes falling shut, the girl was in a deep sleep within a matter of seconds, looking strangely relaxed.
"Some Dreamless Sleep in the pain potion, Pomfrey?" drawled Severus. "How Slytherin of you."
"Oh, shush, Severus." said Pomfrey, though she didn't try and hide the small smile. "She'll wake up in an hour or so, anyway."
"So, what do we do, Albus?" asked McGonagall, who had been silent for awhile. "She doesn't even remember her own name, and you can't find any memories in her mind."
"We'll do the best we can," answered Albus. "I will call the Aurors in the morning, and maybe they can help us. But for now, I suggest we all go to bed since its getting late." He stood. "I'm sure I don't have to remind you to check on your your holiday students?"
Both Severus and McGonagall nodded.
"Then I will see you both in the morning."
~o0o~
"I'm here to tell you that we have a guest in the castle," said Severus.
As expected, his Slytherins didn't start whispering, or asking him various questions. They each gave their nods, and waited for him to finish, though they did look curious.
"This guest is currently staying in the hospital ward, and I shouldn't have to tell you not to act like Gryffindor's and go try find out who it is," sneered Severus, the House of Lions spat out like a curse. He glanced over his snakes with firm glare, and all his students raised their heads, meeting his stares. "Our guest was injured, and need rest. But if I find out that any one of you went snooping around, or telling anyone else, you'll be scrubbing halls for a month with Filch. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor Snape!" said the Slytherins in unison.
With a brisk nod, Severus turned on his heel, ready to head for his personal chambers down the hall. It wasn't until he had left the common room, the portrait of a woman holding a inky black cat as its guardian, did he allow himself to sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his ink-stained fingers. He need a drink - a finger of some good fire whiskey sounded perfect at the moment.
As he made his own way to the portrait which hide his private rooms, his thoughts went - unwilling - to the girl in the infirmary. Now that they were certain that she had no memories, what could they do for her? Find her family? While they still had to do that, there was no question that she would not be returning to them. But then were would the girl go? If she was anything less then pure-blood, there was more of a chance that she would go to a Muggle orphanage. And how could they even know that if she couldn't even remember her own name?
"Troubles, Severus?"
Glancing up, Severus gave a polite nod to the portrait that guarded his rooms. "Nothing that Dumbledore can't handle on his own, Salazar."
Salazar Slytherin, one of the four Founders and the Founder of his House, raised a black eyebrow. He had been young and handsome when his portrait was made, inky black hair that was pulled back with a dark green ribbon, dark green eyes that were almost black, and a slender face. He was dressed in black robes, but silver, one of his two favorite colors, accented the edges. A hint of silver could be seen at his neck, revealing a chain. "Oh? Has this to do with the child brought in earlier?"
When the Head of House raised his own eyebrow, the Founder chuckled. "The walls have ears, Severus. Portraits will gossip about anything like there is no tomorrow. And the latest gossip is about the girl. So, tell me, why is she in the infirmary? Where did she come from?"
"I didn't know you were such a gossip," sneered Severus. "And really, its none of your business. Dittany."
Frowning at the password and obvious dismissal, Salazar swung his portrait open, letting Severus into his quarters. "It wouldn't be kept a secret for long, Severus," said the Founder, even as the Head of his House ignored him. "I warn you."
The rooms that Severus had been given weren't large, or even decorated, as he was rarely in them during the school year, save to sleep or 'relax' during the weekend. The winter and summer holidays were the only times he spent a large amount of time in them. But despise the fact that they weren't huge, the rooms were comfortable. The living room had little furniture, only two armchairs that sat near the fireplace, which he lit with a mutter spell and a flick of his wrist, and bookshelves. One wall that was lined with books on potions, spells, and a number of other things, including the books he had kept from his years at Hogwarts.
His other rooms were like that too - only the bare necessity's. He didn't even use the kitchen, since he ate all of his meals in the Great Hall, and if ever wanted anything, the house-elves would be more then happy to get it for him. The only things he kept in there was a set of glasses and a few bottles of fire whiskey. Which was what he was headed for at that very moment.
Pouring himself a finger, Severus wasted no time throwing it back, wincing as the burning liquid hit the back of his throat before making its way down to his stomach, leaving a trail fire behind in it wake. He didn't usually drink, but after the events that had just happened within the last few hours, he needed it.
Another finger, and another toss back. Severus grimaced. Damn that girl and her green eyes. They were bringing back memories that he thought he'd buried away. Of Lily, of the relationship they once had, and the promise he made to her long ago. For her bloody child, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Somehow-Lived, and her husband, James Potter. The boy who helped make his years at Hogwarts a hell.
He snorted. Well, at least he didn't have to worry about the promise he made for quite a long time. Potter lived with his relatives at the moment, and wouldn't be coming to Hogwarts for years.
Pouring himself a much full glass of fire whiskey, Severus went back into the living room, sinking into the closest chair before he slowly sipped at his drink, letting the warmth of the fire washing over him. Despite what his students thought, he didn't like the cold - he enjoyed the warmth, just like the snake that was the symbol for his house enjoyed the sun. Severus only kept his classroom at a low temperature because it was safer for his potion ingredients.
Closing his eyes, Severus tried to relax and basked in the silence and warmth. He rarely got a chance to do anything like this, so he was going to enjoy it -
That thought was interrupted by the whoosh of fire as someone Floo called him. "Severus!"
Oh, for the love of Merlin's blue balls...
His eyes snapping open, Severus was greeted by the fiery-green head of Madam Pomfrey. "What?" he growled.
"I don't know what happened, I just went into the other room for a minute!" The usually calm nurse looked frantic and she rambled on. "To get another potion, for the pain she was complaining about since I'd just given her the Skele-Gro, and when I came back - I don't know what to do, Severus! I've looked everywhere, and Dumbledore says I should call you and McGonagall, but she's not in her room yet!"
"Pomfrey, calm yourself," Severus snapped. "Now tell me what happened."
"Severus, the girl is gone! She's run off!"