Chapter 2

Meeting Bronwyn

All characters except for my own and the plot belong to JK Rowling.

Severus Snape stepped gracefully out of the Floo of the Department of Wizarding Child Services. He walked over to the secretary's desk and said, "I am Professor Severus Snape and I am here to see Amaryllis Halfgood."

The secretary being young and inexperienced remembered him from her days at Hogwarts. The same trembling took over that occurred during Potions class. "Ah… of course Prof. Snape. I'll just see if she's in. If you'll just wait a moment…"

Severus remembered her as well. She was a Ravenclaw and while she had not been as bad as Neville Longbottom was, she came close. It was nice to know he could still instill terror in his old students as well as his current ones.

"Of course Miss Silvergood" he said smoothly. "But please inform her that I do not have all morning to wait." She got up and literally ran into the inner office. Coming back she said, "Please go in Professor. She's waiting for you."

Severus swept by, his robes billowing behind him. He entered the richly paneled office, and sat down in the offered chair in front of the desk.

Amaryllis Halfgood was a thin, tense woman wearing dark blue robes and garish red lipstick. She looked at Snape over her spectacles and frowned. She had heard about Snape and while Albus Dumbledore had constantly vouched for him as working for the Light, his time a Death Eater was still held against him. However, his niece was proving troublesome and all she wanted to do was get rid of the child.

"Miss Silvergood," she snapped. "Bring Bronwyn Griffiths in please." She glared at Snape, hoping to intimidate him, but years of teaching and spying had made him immune to such tactics.

A soft knock on the door announced the arrival of Miss Silvergood. She came in holding a tiny child with dark curly hair and violet eyes. She was slender and seemed to have trouble moving her arms and legs. She glared at Miss Halfgood with a look that seemed to say, "Now what do you want?" She then looked at Severus, not with fear but a challenge.

Miss Halfgood picked up a folder from her desk and began to read it.

"Bronwyn Griffiths age 5, unable to walk, speak or use her hands. The Healers believe it is a condition known as Cerebral Palsy. This is a condition commonly known in the Muggle world and seems to be lifelong and permanent. They also think she is mentally deficient and shows very little, if any, magic."

Severus was half listening to the recitation but looking at the child, he cast a silent Legilimens. He was shocked to find that he was being blocked. Was the child a natural Occlumens?

Suddenly, he heard a soft, lilting voice in his head. 'Papa always said it was impolite to read someone's thoughts without permission. It is rude. I thought you would know that. You are my Uncle Severus aren't you?'

Severus was stunned. A child that young a natural Occlumens and Legilimens? Keeping his face neutral, he replied mentally, 'You are right, it was very rude. I am sorry. I am your Uncle Severus. Would you like to come home with me?'

Bronwyn smiled and clapped her hands. Taking that as a yes, Severus turned to Miss Halfgood and said, "Do you have the paperwork ready? I want to finish this and get my niece home as soon as possible."

Miss. Halfgood sighed impatiently. Gathering up a stack of parchment, she indicated where Severus was to sign. As he was doing so, she said, "Well as far as I'm concerned, good riddance to bad rubbish. She is obstinate and disobedient. I wish you luck with her."

Her tone indicated that luck was the last thing she wished on them. As he finished signing all the paperwork, Severus stood saying, "Madame, perhaps you should find another position. Since it seems that you obviously know nothing about children."

He turned to Miss Silvergood and said, "If you don't mind, would you please gather all of Bronwyn's belongings and bring them here."

She smiled, "Of course Professor. You may wait in the outer office if you like." She handed Bronwyn to Severus and they both went into the outer office. "If you just wait here Professor, I'll get her things and be right back."

Severus sat in an armchair holding Bronwyn on his lap. She was wearing a white dress with a violet sash and patent leather white shoes and socks. He looked at her and said, 'how long have you been able to mind-speak?' She shrugged, 'As long as I can remember I guess.'

Severus smiled at her and said, "We'll talk about that more when we get home all right?" Bronwyn nodded and snuggled comfortably into his robes. Miss Silvergood returned with a small suitcase and a stuffed purple unicorn. She smiled at Bronwyn and Severus and said, "This is Shimmer. She is Bronwyn's best friend. She won't go to sleep without her."

Severus took the suitcase and unicorn and shrunk them to fit in his pockets. He picked up Bronwyn and said, "Hold on tight and close your eyes."

He picked up some Floo powder and said, "Prince Manor." He stepped into the green flames and they whirled away.

Authors note: Next chapter Bronwyn learns more about Severus and he learns about her rather unusual talents. Please let me know what you think about this chapter and the rest since this is my first story and feedback is greatly appreciated!