Chapter 2

The First Antilegilimens in Two Centuries

The Daily Prophet

September 6, 1996

Deatheater attack,

Family murdered

A family of four murdered in a small town in Washington State, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter. Late last night the dark mark was reported to be seen over the home of Muggle Tiberius Snape, his witch wife Patricia and their two Daughters. Information has been withheld, but there is said to be no survivors.

The appearance of the dark mark caused the ministry to modify the memories of several muggle neighbors to the Snape family. We are unsure why this family was targeted but it might have to do with Alexandra Snape the only known Antilegilimens in two centuries.

October 3, 1996

I lay on my back on the uncomfortable bed, closing my eyes against the harsh afternoon sunlight. The room was oddly quiet; everyone was outside taking advantage of the last bit of decent weather. The faint sounds of laughter drifted up to me, making my ear drums sting.

Though the autumn air was warm, my entire body was cold and ached as if it was frostbitten. I curled into a cocoon of itchy bed sheets, cuddling my knees to my chest, desperately trying to create some form of warmth, but it was pointless. This coldness was far beyond skin deep.

I was so unaware of my being; it was like I was just floating inches above my body, barely holding on; as if a gentle wind could simply blow me away.

I listened to the sound of my breathing which was amplified as it rebounded off the fabric walls that surrounded me. Though it drowned out the sounds from below, I prayed for utter silence. Even my heart sent out piecing, hollow rings with every beat. I massage my temple, trying to find some peace inside myself.

It had been over a month since I started living at Enchanted Orchards Boarding School. It was stupid that they called it a boarding school because it was not. It really was an orphanage, but I suppose they decided boarding school just sound more pleasant. And it was in no means enchanted.

For the orchard part, well there was a half dead pear tree in the back lot that probably had not bore fruit for fifty years.

Whatever, you chose to call it, at the end of the day it would still be a place to dump unwanted and forgotten children, and after much denial, I finally began counting myself among them.

I knew I did not have to stay there; I was 17, an adult in the wizarding world. But I had no reason to leave, and nowhere to go.

There was a soft knock on the door. I did not respond, maybe whoever it was would just go away. The knocking came again. I still did not respond.

"She doesn't say much," said a voice in a carrying whisper. I recognized it to be the matron, Ms. O'Dell. "Actually, to be perfectly honest, she doesn't do much of anything." She paused then began again, "It was very curious; the people who dropped her off here did not give us any indication of what might have happened to her. And I could not bring myself to ask the poor dear in fear of further upsetting her." There was another paused. "Well, I know she is in here. Alexandra, I am coming in," she called to me.

I heard the door creek open. I did not bother uncovering myself and greet my guests. I just lay there waiting for her and whoever she was with to just go away.

"Alexandra," she sang sweetly in my ear, from beyond the sheets. She consolingly gripped my arm. Her touch burned. I shot up as fast as I could and yanked my arm away from her reach. I glared at her for daring to touch me; although, I knew that she was only trying to be kind.

Ms. O'Dell round face turned very pale and she looked uncomfortable. As she continued to speak, she did not look at me, but focused on a spot slightly above my head. "Alexandra, there is someone here to see you," her voice was full of forced sweetness. She turned to look at her companion, uncertainly.

The woman accompanying Ms. O'Dell looked down at me sternly over her square rimmed spectacles. She was tall, slender and wore her dark hair in a tight bun. Despite her old age, she gave me the instinct impression that she was not one to be messed with.

"I will just leave you to it, then," said Ms. O'Dell as she hurried from the room. The door closed softly behind her, leaving me alone with this strange woman.

"Hello," I said softly, eyeing the woman skeptically.

"Hello," she answered; her voice was bruise and serious, exactly as you would expect her to sound. "I am Professor McGonagall," she held out her hand and I shook it briefly.

"I'm Alex Snape." My voice cracked as I spoke. I was out of practice; I hadn't said this much in what felt like years and I was exhausted with the effort.

The Professor's eyes seemed to soften slightly as she looked at me. She pulled an envelope out of her handbag and gave it to me. "Go on and open it," she said, for I stared at her blankly.

My numb fingers fumbled slightly as I tore open the letter. Inside were two slips of heavy yellow parchment. Along the top of the first page it read: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in green ink.

I read the next few lines out loud to myself. "Dear Miss Snape, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." I looked at her curiously. "Why?"

"Why what," asked the Professor.

"Why have I been accepted?" I asked.

"Well you are a witch, are you not?" She asked a little impatiently.

I nodded.

"And Hogwarts is a school of witchcraft and wizardry," she pointed out sarcastically, "so, if you are a witch why wouldn't you go?"

"But in the letter it says, that term started September first, why haven't you come earlier?" I questioned.

Professor McGonagall face grew stern again. "There were some complications that had prevented us from contacting you sooner." She gave me a meaningful look. I had a pretty good idea of what those complications were and did not question her further on the matter.

"Hogwarts can offer you a very extensive magical education. At Hogwarts you will be under the tutelage of many highly accomplished Witches and Wizards, Not to mention the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore," she paused and looked at me furtively. "Professor Snape is also among the teachers at Hogwarts."

Her last few words had captured my full attention. I glanced up at her. "Professor Snape?"

"Yes, he is a teacher there," She told me. "Severus Snape," she added as I continued to stare at her with wide eyes.

"He's a wizard?" I voice shook violently. "Severus Snape."

"Yes," Professor McGonagall said simply, in her same firm tone.

"When did this happen?" I asked wildly.

"Since birth, I would imagine," she said dryly.

I was standing now. "And he teaches at Hogwarts, and I'm going to Hogwarts." I could hear the excitement in my voice and it surprised me.

"Yes," she said. "You are going to Hogwarts." She seemed slightly annoyed that it was taking me this long to grasp the idea.

A brief smile spread across my face; though it faded almost the moment it happened. I suddenly was sickened by myself. I felt guilty smiling when it had not even been a month since their murder. Though, I could not help but feel happy, if for only a moment; a bit of hope came over me, I was going to meet Severus at late.

"What are you waiting for?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Pack your things; we must leave at once."

My mind was so busy running over everything I had just learned; I was hardly aware of the many shops we were entering, buying my various school necessities. And then as if a blink of an eye I was at Hogwarts.

I followed behind Professor McGonagall as we walked quickly through the many halls. I wished I had about ten more eyes for all there was to see.

The people in the paintings jumped into neighboring frames to have conversations with each other. A suit of armor actually scratched its head. And a couple of ghosts gracefully glided passed. I turned around to get a better look, but then remembered that it was rude to stare and continued looking forward. As the Professor led me up a grand marble staircase, I noticed that the set of stairs above us was moving. I was going to get very lost here.

As we made our way up stairs a small group of students passed us. They looked so at home and seemed to know exactly where they were going. A few of them stole a quick glance at me as they walked by. I felt so embarrassed following closely behind a teacher, with my bags floating in front of me up the stairs; I knew my appearance just screamed new kid.

Professor McGonagall stopped in front of a statue of a giant eagle "Acid Pops," She said. I jumped, as a once stationary statue move aside as a staircase came up from the ground. The Professor stepped on as if it was an escalator, I followed suit.

Once we reached the top of the stairs, Professor McGonagall knocked on the door in front of us. "Enter," said a calm voice. We Entered. I was amazed as I looked around the circular room. The walls were covered with books and painting and glass instruments sat on little tables. And a beautiful phoenix was perched on one of the old bookcases.

The most impressive thing in the room, however, was the man sitting behind the desk, Albus Dumbledore. He had silver hair and beard that were long enough to tuck in to his belt. He wore half moon spectacles and had electric blue eyes. He surveyed his guests.

"Miss Snape for you, Headmaster," said McGonagall.

"Excellent," said Dumbledore as he stood and approached me. "Thank you Minerva, you may go." McGonagall gave a quick nod and left the room. I was alone with Dumbledore, well sort of; there were portraits of what I assumed were past headmasters and headmistresses. They all seemed to be sleeping; yet, I thought I saw some of them open their eyes and pier at me; or maybe it was just a trick of the light.

"Hello," said Dumbledore as he held out his right hand to me, I took it. I noticed that his left hand was burnt and blacked. I thought it would be rude to ask about it, so I tried to ignore it. "I am Professor Dumbledore." He smiled at me kindly and put his left hand casually behind his back.

My face felt hot. "I'm Alex Snape," I said shyly.

"We are happy that you could join us at Hogwarts," He said

"I'm happy too." I looked around the room again. Where was Severus?

"Excellent," He said again, smiling at me even warmer. "If you would just step over here, please." He led me across the room. He then picked up a worn, old hat off one of the selves. "This is the sorting hat." It sure didn't look like much. "Here at Hogwarts, there are four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." I wasn't quite sure what he meant, but I nodded anyway. "A house," he continued kindly as if he read my thoughts, which was impossible, "is a kind of family within the school. Different houses compete against each other to win the house cup at the end of term. Teachers award house points for your triumphs and take away points for any rule breaking."

I smiled. "I understand now, sir."

"Good," said Dumbledore smiling too. "Now if you would place this on your head." He handed me the hat. I put it on. I waited for something to happen. Nothing did. I looked at Dumbledore. He looked completely unsurprised by the lack of occurrence.

"No, I didn't think so," he said more to himself than me.

Of course it didn't work; I thought resentfully. My brain is broken.

"No matter," Dumbledore looked at me very closely I shuttered, it felt like he was looking right through me, like I was being x-rayed. "You shall be in Gryffindor, yes, that is the place for you, I think." And with a flick of his wand, the door opened and a girl stood in the entryway with her arm up in knocking position. "Thank you, Miss Granger, for coming. This," he gestured to me, "is Alex Snape." The girl's eyes showed that she recognized my name. "And this is Hermione Granger a Gryffindor prefect; she will show you to Gryffindor tower." Hermione smiled at me, though her eyes traced my face curiously.

Hermione and I were about to leave when I remembered something I wanted to ask. I turned "Professor Dumbledore?"

"Yes, Alex."

"What subject does Professor Snape Teach?" I know I could very well have asked Hermione this, but that was not all that I wanted to know about Professor Snape. For one thing I wanted to know why he wasn't here now, yet I would never ask that.

"He teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Dumbledore knowingly.

Good I'm taking that class. I thought.

"He is also head of Slytherin house." Dumbledore added.

I looked down at the floor. I wish I were in Slytherin.

"You are meant to be a Gryffindor," Dumbledore said.

"Thank you for everything Professor," I said as I walked out of the office with Hermione.

"You will really like it here," said Hermione smiling.

I looked around taking in everything I could. "I think I will," I said somewhat shyly, "it is like nothing I've ever seen before."

"Did you go to a wizarding school back where you use to live," Hermione asked curiously.

"No," I said not looking at her. "My mom home schooled my sister and me, on weekends and holidays, but I usually attended Muggle School." I felt my face get hot; students here probably would thing that is stupid. "You see, my dad was a muggle and he wanted us to get more than a magical education," I explained as my face grew even hotter.

"Both my parents are dentist," Hermione told me. I looked up and smiled, she did too.

Hermione lead me up many different paths. I tried to remember; left, right, up the stairs than another right, but I couldn't keep track. Finally we stopped in front of a portrait of a fat lady wearing a pink silk dress. "Password?" said the fat lady.

"Hippogriff," Hermione replied to the fat lady, and her portrait swung forward to reveal the Gryffindor common room. It was brightly decorated with red and gold. Hermione and I climbed though the opening in the wall to join our fellow Gryffindors.

"So what did Dumbledore want, then," called out a voice. I looked around; two boys were sitting in some armchairs by the fire, gesturing towards Hermione. The one that had spoken was tall with flaming red hair and freckles. With him was another boy, who was also tall with black hair and glasses.

"Come on," said Hermione kindly, "You can sit with us." I gave her a weak smile. I never thought I was shy before, but now… well a lot of things have changed.

We walked over to her friends. "Who are you?" said the red headed boy, eyeing me.

Hermione frowned at the boy and said "honestly Ronald," before I could answer. "Alex," she turned to me. "This," she pointed at the red head, "is Ron Weasley. And this," she gestured toward the other boy, "is Harry Potter." I looked at the black haired boy. I felt my eyes gravitate to his forehead and sure enough there it was a lightning bolt scar. I blushed, knowing that he must get that a lot. I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Ron, Harry," she continued. "This is Alex Snape."

"What?" spluttered Harry Potter and Ron at the same time. I saw Hermione give them both sharp looks.

"Um," I said softly. "That is my name."

"Alex, don't bother yourself with these two," said Hermione as she gave her friends another stern look. She took my wrist and pulled me into the chair next to hers.

"But, you were in the prophet," blurted Ron, utterly confused. I didn't blame him for being confused or curious; after all, I'm sure many people are wondering why it is that I'm not dead. I have asked myself the same question on numerous occasions. Why was it that I'm still here when they aren't?

"The prophet got it wrong," I said simply. He waited as if I was going to go into more detail, but when I didn't he rightly decided to drop the subject.

"Are you really related to Professor Snape?" He asked enthusiastically.

I smiled slightly in spite of myself. "Yes." I felt comforted knowing that I was so close to meeting Severus.

"How are you related," Harry Potter chimed in.

I smiled wider. "He is my cousin, well much older cousin, obviously. My dad's brother was Professor Snape's father." I explained.

"You poor kid, having Snape as a cousin, that git," Ron said.

I looked at him confusedly. "What do you mean?"

"Haven't you ever met Professor Snape?" Asked Hermione, with a note of hesitance in her voice.

"No, I haven't," I said looking at her. The three exchanged looks. "What is it?" I panicked looking to each of their faces. "What's wrong with him?"

"Well," said Hermione timidly.

"Well, what?" I asked nervously.

"Well, he is a prat," said Ron.

"Ron," protested Hermione.

"Is he really not nice?" I asked.

"That is one way of putting it," pointed out Harry, sniggering.

"Is he not a good teacher?" I needed to know why they dislike him.

"Um," said Hermione, "It's not that he is a bad teacher, I mean he is really knowledgeable, but…" she trailed off.

"What," I asked getting slightly annoyed at the lack of straight answers.

"He is a prat," Ron repeated.