Chapter 7

What Family

Authors Note: Somethings are being revealed in this chapter about the mystery behind Alex's family's death and why she survived. More about this subject will be uncovered in later chapters I promise (just in case you thought I was being rather ambiguous). Please keep reading and I hope you enjoy chapter 7.

-Thora Jane

December 10, 1996

It is so quiet. I could hear the snowflakes landing on the ledge of my dormitory window. I was so bored. I started for the door. I wish I could have gone too. I was not allowed to go to Hogsmead with the other students, even though I was 17.I walked slowly down the spiral staircase. Professor McGonagall informed me two days ago that I was to stay behind and not leave the school grounds under any circumstance. She did not give me a reason why I could not go, but she didn't have to. I knew very well why; so I didn't even bother arguing. But really what would I have done in Hogsmead anyway? I left through the portrait hall. I mean people are probably just working on their Christmas shopping. I made my way aimlessly through the corridors. And who would I have to shop for? A rush of pain ran through my body. I use to love shopping for Christmas. But seeing that I have no family,Professor Snape's face flashed to the front of my mind, I have no family.

And no friends, sure Hermione and I do homework together sometimes, but we are not closes.I thought of my best friend Kristina from back home. I wondered how she would react to getting a Christmas present from a friend she believed to be died. Maybe, it would have been better if I really had died that night.

I often wondered what they put in the coffin; because obviously they were one body short. All I was told was that everything had been taken care of for my safety; taken care of, so that everyone thought that I die along with them, as I should have done.

I also wondered what it was like at the funeral. Did a pastor declare that we had all gone to a better place? I wanted to go to the funeral, but if I did people might have started singing hallelujah for I had just risen from the dead. I saw the grave stones though.

They were all bright and new, in a neat little row, one right next to the other. They all stated our names and dates of birth and death. When people saw them, they might wonder what had happened to make four people die on the same day.

On my tomb stone it read 'beloved friend, daughter and sister.' I personally thought I had failed at all of those things. I had not spoken to my friends in ages and how beloved could a daughter be if she was responsible for the deaths of both her parents. And I was supposed to look after my little sister and I didn't do it.

And now I was failing Dumbledore too. I had stopped attempting to be nice to Professor Snape, it was not getting me anywhere; he hated it and I hated it more. I felt a bit like a quitter, but I was fighting a losing battle. Professor Snape was just as mean and coldhearted as ever; he was still completely incapable of love or compassion and there was nothing I could do to change that. Who was I trying to kid anyway; he would never want to be my family.

I walked down to the entrance hall; the emptiness of the school seemed to be mocking me. The first and second years, who were too young to go to Hogsmead, were not even in the castle; they were outside playing in the snow. I began walking back to the common room.

Maybe I'll just go to sleep or something, I thought dryly as I stepped through the portrait hall again. But as soon as I entered the common room I found it to no longer be deserted.

A house elf or I assumed that's what it was, was cleaning vigorously. The little creature was so concentrated on its work that it didn't even notice I was there.

"Oh, hello," I said unsurely. It gave a little jump of surprise. "Sorry," I told it, "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Oh no Miss," said the house-elf. "I was not knowing anyone was there." Its voice was high pitched and squeaky. I looked at the house elf curiously. I wasn't entirely sure but I think it was a he. It was hard to tell. The creature had huge tennis ball shaped eyes, bat like ears and long pointed nose. Not only was his general appearance an odd one, but he was also wearing an unusual assortment of clothing.

He wore a pair of patched overalls that were just short enough to reveal his colorful mismatch socks. On his head he wore, what appeared to be a tea cozy. I suddenly snapped out of it, realizing that I had been gawking at the poor elf.

"Sorry," I said kindly. I crouched a bit so that we could be at eye level. "I'm Alex, Alex Snape." I held out my hand for him. The house-elf looked from my face to my out stretched hand several times before actually taking it.

"I is Dobby, Miss. Dobby the house-elf," said the house-elf.

"Nice to meet you," I said sweetly. Dobby stared fixedly at me for a moment before bursting into hysterical tears. What have I done? "Dobby," I said hastily. "I'm really sorry. Did I do something to offend you?"

Dobby continued to wail, unable to speak. "I'm sorry, Dobby," I said again, guilt filling me. I waited as he slowly started to calm himself down.

Finally his breathing slowed and he said, "Dobby, is not offended, Miss."

"Then why were you crying?" I asked perplexedly

"Dobby is crying because not many people is nice to Dobby, Miss," the house-elf explained. Hermione had told me about this. How witches and wizards enslave house-elves. I suddenly felt more sympathy towards her SPEW organization.

"Dobby," I start timidly, "are you alright."

"Dobby is alright now, Miss." He assured me.

I was silent, I didn't know what to say to a house-elf.

"Is you a relation to Professor Snape, Miss," Dobby asked me.

"Technically," I said with a little eye roll. "I'm his cousin, but don't let that turn you against me."

Dobby's abnormally enormous eyes widened as he gaped at me, making me feel a little uncomfortable. "But Dobby likes Professor Snape."

"Really?" I asked. I wondered if house-elves usually liked to play practical jokes on people.

"Yes, Miss. Professor Snape is very nice to Dobby."

I stare blankly at a spot right above Dobby's head. "Are we talking about the same Professor Snape?"

I think that I gave Dobby the impression that I was a bit slow. "Yes, Dobby thinks so, Miss. Professor Snape who is teaching here at Hogwarts."

"That's the one," I said.

"Is you not liking your Professor, Miss?" Dobby asked.

"I is- I mean," I paused for a moment. "I like him fine, but it is him who has a problem with me."

"Dobby likes Professor Snape very much, Miss."

"So when you say he's nice to you…" I trailed off.

"He is talking to Dobby about things, Miss, when Dobby brings fire wood into his office." Dobby told me.

"What kinds of things do you talk about, Dobby?" I asked him.

"Professor Snape always asks Dobby how Dobby's day is."

"Really?" I asked again. This seemed so out of character for Professor Snape. Is there a side to him that I don't know about? I thought.

"Yes, Miss," Dobby said slowly, "always."

"Is that all?"

"No," said Dobby, "Dobby is asking Professor Snape about his day too."

"And what does he say?" I asked.

Dobby thought about this for a moment. "He is telling Dobby that it is almost tolerable, Miss." Now that sounds more like the Professor Snape I'm familiar with.

"Does he ever mention me?" I asked feeling foolish.

"No, Miss," Dobby said. "We is only talking about our days."

"Oh," I said disappointment heavy in my tone.

"Miss," said Dobby. "I is happy to hear that Professor Snape has a family."

I look at Dobby with a loss for words.