Ayleen loved the winter at Hogwarts. When everything was covered in snow and looked as if it had been sprinkled with powdered sugar. But this year the fourteen old couldn't really enjoy it. She sat at the black lake and looked at the reflecting surface and even though she had cast a warming spell she was cold. But it didn't have anything to do with the temperature. She felt like this since the last school year had ended. The letter from her mother, which she had gotten from Dumbledore, had changed a lot for her. The return from Voldemort hadn't made the situation easier either. Instead of spending the summer at Severus' house in Spinners End as in previous years, her father had taken her to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. However, he was only rarely there, doing some sort of job for Dumbledore, so the girl didn't really have the chance to talk to him and clarify the matter. Her mother as well as her father had assured her that she wasn't a mistake but she still felt shabby. She had barely spoken with anybody at Grimmauld Place and tough Harry was worried about her despite his own problems she couldn't tell him what was wrong. She was scared that everything would change if she did. Now, together with Hermione and Ron, he had decided to start a club where the students could learn how to defend themselves, since Umbridge didn't want to teach them that. But Ayleen wanted nothing to do with it, she just wanted everyone to leave her alone. She sighed as she heard steps in the snow since her peace would come to an end. "Aren't you cold?" she was asked and a coat was wrapped around her shoulders. "Warming Spell", the black-haired mumbled and looked at Draco who took a seat beside her. "I see", he said smiling at her. Ayleen tried to return the smile but it felt wrong on her lips. She sighed and looked back at the lake. "Ayleen what's wrong?" Draco asked but Ayleen ignored him. Draco laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed softly. Expressionless Ayleen looked at him again. There was a wistful smile on Draco's lips. "Hey, I can see that something is bothering you," he said and Ayleen lowered her eyes. Draco laid his free hand under her chin and raised it softly so that Ayleen had to look at him. "What ever it is you can tell me. We're friends after all." Ayleen bit her lips and wanted to cry, because Draco was really cute right now. "Do you promise not to think bad of me?" she asked in a whisper and Dracos smile became a little happier. "I could never think badly of you", he promised and Ayleen believed him. She knew that he wouldn't judge her for who she really was and he would understand her after all she knew that his father was a death eater. Ayleen rummaged in her school bag and took out the letter from her mother. She didn't knew herself why she carried it around with her, maybe she hopped that she would loose it and so someone would figure out her secret. She had taken it out and read it again and again, but the words on the parchment had always remained the same. With shaking hands Ayleen handed the parchment to Draco. He raised an eyebrow, opened the folded paper and started reading.
"Merlin", Draco whispered when he dropped the parchment again and starred at Ayleen. "Did you know about this?" he wanted to know. Ayleen shook her head. "Is that why you were so upset?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow. "Wouldn't you be if it turned out that your whole life was a lie? I don't even know who I am anymore." Draco tilted his head and grinned at her. "Why are you grinning so stupidly Malfoy, that's not funny", called Ayleen and wanted to slap Draco's chest. Before she could hit him, however, Draco intercepted her hand and Ayleen cursed his seeker reflexes. "You're still Ayleen", he said softly. "Huh?" the girl said confused and looked at him perplexed. "Honestly Ayleen, this", said Draco and waved his hand with the letter in it. "It doesn't change anything. James Potter may not be your father so what, Sev has always been like a father to you. He may never have told you, but he always loved you for who you are, his daughter. That he's your biological father doesn't change a thing about who you are he raised you and was your father figure either way." Ayleen blinked stunned. She had to agree with Draco. This letter didn't change her past, it only explained why she had grown up with Severus and Harry had not. She sighed. "Since when are you so wise?" she asked, looking at Draco. The blond laughed. "I've always been this way, you just didn't notice. Besides it comes with age." Ayleen rolled her eyes. "You're only a year older than me", she said and wanted to punch him with her free hand, but Draco caught it as well, so that they were now facing each other. "You should talk to Professor Snape, I'm sure he's blaming himself," Draco said softly. Ayleen sighed again. "You're probably right", she agreed with Draco. "Probably? Of course I'm right", the boy insisted. Ayleen just smiled and leaned forward, but instead of kissing him on the cheek as Draco had expected, Ayleen breathed a light kiss on his lips. He was so baffled that he let go of the girl. She broke away from him, smiled again and thanked him before taking her things and disappearing in the direction of the castle.
Ayleen didn't knew herself why she had kissed Draco, it had just felt right at this moment. But she didn't have time to think about it or talk about it with the blond she had more important stuff to do. As fast as her feet could carry her, she ran to her father's office and hoped fervently that he was there and not on another mission somewhere. As she walked through the dungeons, Ayleen realized that she hadn't been here besides class since she had received her mother's letter and resolved to change that. Finally she reached Severus' office and knocked. She didn't know why she was so nervous after all it was only Severus. Slowly the door opened and Severus look at her like at every other student. Not a spark of love or affection that he normally had for her was in his dark eyes. "Can I help you Miss Potter?" he asked sneering and a shiver ran down Ayleen's back. She hated it when Severus treated her so coldly but she deserved it somehow. She collected herself and looked straight into Severus' eyes. "I wanted to speak with you Professor, could I come in?" she asked as cool as possible. Severus raised an eyebrow before he stepped aside and let Ayleen enter. Ayleen entered the dark office and waited until she heard the door closing. She knew that Severus always casted a silencing charm over the door when they were alone, so she waited until she felt the familiar feeling of the magic before she turned around and almost lunged at Severus. Somewhat caught off guard by Ayleen's violent reaction, Severus stumbled back a little before wrapping his arms around the girl. He had missed her so much and knew that he had left her alone with her sorrow. "I'm sorry", he heard her mumbling at his chest. "Ayleen you don't need to apologize", Severus comforted her and stroked her back. Ayleen let go of him a little bit. Severus saw tears swimming in her green eyes. "I do, you have always been there for me and I just let you go," she sniffled. Severus smiled and whipped away the first tears that streamed down her cheeks. "Ayleen I'm not mad at you, you had to process all this first." Ayleen shook her head and took a deep breath. "But it doesn't change anything Sev. You're my Dad blood related or not." Severus smiled at the statement of his daughter. "I'm glad to hear that, but how did you get to this realization?" Severus asked, brushing a strand of hair behind Ayleen's ear. Ayleen blushed a little. "Somebody opened my eyes", she mumbled. Severus laughed. "Let me guess that somebody has light blond hair and is a Slytherin." Ayleen starred at Severus wide eyed. "How…" The words caught in Ayleen's throat. "How do I know?" Severus finished her sentence. "Well I'm your father and the head of house Slytherin and even if you're not in the same year, I see how you look at each other when you meet", he explained. Ayleen's blush intensified. "Dad!" she said desperately and buried her head in her hands. Severus laughed again and pulled Ayleen's hands from her face. "Even though I like it when you call me that you shouldn't do it. You're already in danger and I don't want to put you at greater risk do you understand?" Ayleen nodded and snuggled closer to her father again. She knew that he only wanted to protect her and knew that she was save with him. Never would One of o them abandon the other - after all, they were a family.