Hello and welcome back. Are you ready for a bitter sweet [mostly bitter] chapter? No? Well too bad this is what you get. I'll try not to spoil it up here in the A/N so you can get to reading. I'm excited to hear what everyone thinks. Real quick there are some characters that pop up from way back in chapter 15, and I took some liberties with one of the common rooms, deal with it. Now onward!

"Julia..." Severus drawled quietly so that only she would wake and not her little brother who was still sound asleep across from her. He nudged her and when she stirred slightly he rolled her over onto her side.

"What time is it?"

"Nearly five. Come now, breakfast so we can get you ready to go."

"But dad... can't we just apparate to Diagon alley?" She grumbled and attempted to turn away from her father to return to sleep. Not that it worked since he could see her thoughts from a mile away and simply pulled off her sheets to let the freezing air in. She shivered and reached for her comforter with no luck.

"You've apparated once and that was with your dear uncle Lucius, until you're a sixth year I don't see a repeat performance. Up." He snapped and with such cruelty flicked on the light that flooded her half open eyes. With one last groan Julia kicked her mattress and slid out of bed.

Severus whisked into the kitchen where Hermione was prepping eggs and sausage for the whole family. She yawned and leaned in for his peck on the cheek. "Morning, again. How was waking our little lioness?"

Severus grumbled and took a seat with some coffee and the daily prophet. "As well as predicted."

"Alex!" Hermione called upstairs. "Better come and get something to eat." A few minutes later his sleepy red eyes came into the kitchen barely mumbling a good morning before sitting to the table. Julia wasn't too far behind, her hair was a bit untidy but Hermione set herself to fix before they left.

"Are you nervous?" Severus asked about half way through breakfast.

"Nope!" Julia said with a beaming smile, much more awake now that she had food in her stomach. "When do I get sorted into Gryffindor?"

"At the ceremony of course. At dinner."

"Now hold on Julia don't get too excited." Hermione was already running a brush through her hair and deciding on leaving it down or tying it up. "You may not get Gryffindor, could be any of the houses."

"But you and dad said I'm bound for gold and red!" She was almost bouncing in place.

"Well yes thats our guess but the sorting hat may see something else. I'm only saying don't be too disappointed if its another house." Although Hermione knew that this was falling on deaf ears as Julia went right back to asking about the dormitory.

Since they'd gotten there so early, the alley wasn't as crowded as Severus was dreading. Already they'd gotten Julia her robes, most of her books, cauldron and a cat that Hermione insisted she have. Which of course Julia was receptive to. A gray little fur ball who now went by Freya rested in her cauldron that Severus lugged around as they entered the wand shop. Olivander slid out from behind the counter with a twinkling smile until his eyes came up to Severus who did his best not to sneer and simply keep his face blank.

"Ah, headmaster Snape, and darling girl-"

"Julia!" She announced and dropped her books on the counter. "I'm here for my-"

"Wand, yes I know. Now let me see..ah yes." He whirled around and plucked two slender boxes from the shelf and placed them in front of her. Timidly Julia reached for the first one and gripped it tightly.

"It feels...shaky." She looked up to her father who shook his head.

"Ah no then. Perhaps not. Try the other one then." Carefully she placed the wand back in its box and took the other. "Well? Try waving it now."

"Yeah okay." Julia swallowed and flicked her wrist. There was a slight vibration from the wood but otherwise nothing happened. She shrugged and placed it back. "Is there something wrong, with me?"

"Oh not at all dear child, it sometimes takes a while before a witch finds the right wand. Here give these ones a try." Two wands later and still nothing while Julia was losing hope Severus placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Headmaster." The wand maker called from the back corner of his shop.

"What is it?"

"Perhaps you could remind me, your wand core is-"

"Thestral hair." Severus finished. "Blackthorn." He gave a small smile to Julia whose lips only twitched in response.

"Ah yes, here lets try this. 12 and ¾ inches good length."

"What is it?" Julia held it with just her fingertips.

"Just as his." He nodded to Severus whose smirk grew wider. "Thestral hair is a bit unpredictable but I think you'll find it will suit you."

Julia gripped it proper this time and felt a soothing warmth fill her. She smiled and tried to contain her excitement. "This is the one." She gave a subtle wave and from her wand a light floated off the tip and hovered in the air. "Ah! Dad! Thats lumos! I didn't even say the incantation! Oh please can I have this one!? Its perfect!"

"Settle down Julia, yes. We'll get that one."

"Thank you thank you thank you!" She held herself tight and kissed her wand before displaying it proudly once more to her father who could do nothing but try and hide his prideful grin. Bursting from the shop, she collided into her mother with a shrilling cry of joy. Ecstatic to have her very own wand and was now finally going to be able to learn magic beyond theory which she'd been learning her whole life.

"Goodness, well I'm glad you've found the right one darling." Hermione hugged her from the side as they made their way to the platform.

Damned if she'd admit it, but Julia was terrified seeing the red behemoth exhale its massive breath with a wailing cry from the brass whistle. She looked at the crowd before her and felt herself immobile. Everyone was bustling to get on the train, kids almost as tall as her father were weaving in and out of the cars to find seats and waving to old friends to join them. Julia had no one. Alex wouldn't be there for another two years, being that he was born in November he'd end up being one of the oldest kids in his year. But for now, Julia had to step onto that train alone.

She'd lived in and out of Hogwarts her whole life and yet there were many parts of the castle she'd never even seen. Her and her brother were safe in their tower, only peaking out onto the grounds on occasion and with strict supervision. Sure she'd been able to convince them to have some of their meals in the great hall, but that was the extent Severus was willing to expose them to until it was their time to pass through the corridors as students.

"Harry!" Her mother called to her uncle and soon she had her arms wrapped around him. "Ah I'm sorry we missed you and Ginny in the alley."

"Ah its alright, we had to get James ready to go anyway. Ron is around here somewhere." Harry's eyes narrowed until he spotted the red mop making its way over to them. The trio shared a tight hug.

"Glad to see you two alright." Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Where are your darling twins?" Harry laughed.

"Over with their mum. She's getting all teary eyed over them. Fussing and what not. I suppose you're not too much eh Hermione?"

"Of course I'm fussing! Its her first year."

"Yeah but, you'll be living in the same place. It's not like she'll be too far away." Ron nudged her and winked at Julia who only gave a weak smile in return.

"I know but Severus and I have made a promise not to interfere with her studies. Although," She looked around to see if he was within ear shot and after seeing him preoccupied with making sure Julia's suitcase was shut all the way she continued. "I think he'll have a harder time with it than me. Being he's headmaster. But we've already made arrangements if things get too hard for them."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Nothing to worry about now. Alright Ron go on and say goodbye to your sons." At that Hermione knelt down to Julia who had just realized she was about to get on-board. "Alright darling, now, I don't want you to worry about anything. Just be yourself and everything will be fine."

"But mum," She looked sideways for a moment. "I don't know anyone-"

"Thats not true, you know James, and the twins, Tim and Dan. You used to play when you were younger."

"Yeah but I haven't seen them in a long time." Julia scuffed the ground with her sneaker and grit her teeth so that the tears in her eyes held back.

"I promise it'll just be like old times. Go on you'll see." Hermione kissed her daughter's forehead and briskly removed the lone tear off her cheek. Severus tugged on her collar as she was about to step on.

"You remember what we talked about?" He was standing tall as ever but not looming over her.

"Yeah. I know." Julia nodded.

"You'll be fine." He gave a gentle pat on her shoulder and nudged her forward. "First year is always the roughest." She nodded in agreement and slid the door shut behind her. At one past eleven, the station was empty.

The ride was a lot smoother than she thought it would be. And her fears were shattered when James pulled her inside their car. She'd nearly fallen over and the boys laughed but so did she. Julia was just happy she didn't have to sit by herself and that her mother was right about it being old times. The twins talked about the different secret passages their uncle George had told them about.

"Wouldn't that get us in trouble?" James asked as he chewed on a licorice rope half hanging out of his mouth.

"Only if you get caught. Honestly the only one who really has to worry is this one." Tim pointed to Julia.

"Me?" She asked indignantly.

"Yeah!" Dan finished. "Your the headmaster's daughter. You can't be getting into trouble he'll destroy you."

"Oh yes I can!" Julia declared. "That is, if I wanted to! It just so happens that my dad promised he'd treat me like any other student. No harsher or lighter punishments and that when possible he'd let my head of house decide that."

Dan waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah right, he says that now." Julia was about to continue arguing when James cut in.

"So we're all going to be in Gryffindor right?"

"Of course." The twins said together and then looked to Julia. "Unless you'd rather be in Slytherin?"

"What? No. Both my parents said I'll be Gryffindor for sure! Why would I want to anyway?"

"Cause its in your blood same as Gryffindor."

"Maybe so but I'm a lioness through and through!" At that the car erupted with laughter. The rest of the ride was spent gorging on sweets and high hopes for the year ahead of them.

Never before had a stool looked so intimidating. Alone before the entire student body and behind it was the staff table. Julia stood so that she didn't have to look at her father. She set herself behind a tall boy and tried desperately not to put her hands in her pockets. A habit her mother insisted she break even though when her hands had to be idle it brought comfort. Professor McGonagall unrolled the parchment and began calling names off the list. One by one each first year was placed into a house. Eyes darting around like rabbits hoping that their house welcomed them eagerly as they were to be placed.

"James Potter." She said with a sigh although a small smile was there as he sat in front of everyone. Almost instantly the room went silent and everyone paid close attention. As predicted the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" and the entire left side of the hall screamed in delight. James gave a small wave to Julia as he hopped off to join the rest of his classmates.

"Julia Snape." Again the hall hushed. After a deep breath Julia moved forward. At the last second before sitting down she looked to her father who sat imposingly in the tallest chair at the center of the table. His expression did not move nor did his eyes off of her. She swallowed and plopped down onto the stool. It was a bit strange to have the hat wiggle on her head. He grumbled and mumbled and she asked him to repeat himself.

"Ah no no, I've got it. Yes here we are, Slytherin!" Julia was certain that her heartbeat could be heard echoing off the walls.

"Wait, what?" She stammered out, her trembling voice rattling in between the whispers of her protest. "No. I'm supposed to be in Gryffindor. I can't go to Slytherin. I don't belong!" She looked over at the Slytherin table and felt nauseous at their glares and whispers. Her eyes darted back to Mcgonagall and then to her father whose eyebrows were fixed in confusion just as she.

"I don't have time to argue with every student! Eh who do you think you are anyway? I say Slytherin so that is where you belong whether you like it or not, now off the stool!"

Julia's legs felt like water. It was a challenge to keep herself up and forward as she moved to the Slytherin table. All of their eyes held disgust at her immediate betrayal of their house, of her father's house. No, this couldn't be... the hat was wrong. Why had it placed her here? Making matters worse the hall was humming with whispers and as she sat down with her fellow first years, the upperclassmen did not hide their discontent for her. No one was too impressed with her dispute with the hat and her clear desire to be in their rival house. Both the Weasley twins had also been placed in Gryffindor and once more Julia was alone.

As everyone was dismissed, Julia sulked and walked slowly while the other first years rushed to keep up with the prefects. Still trapped in her mind she felt awful about not only being sorted into another house, but systematically making everyone in her house hate her now that she insulted them. She hadn't meant for it to come out like that. It wasn't that she hated Slytherin but that she had her heart set on Gryffindor for as long as she could remember. She had studied their traits and virtues and strived to exemplify and embody all that it meant to be in that house. All to be told that she and her parents had been wrong and she was to be in the opposing house. Not to mention all of her friends she'd just been reintroduced to were now in another house too.

A hand was placed on her shoulder although she didn't have to guess who it was. "Disappointed?" Her father asked with a smirk he must have found amusing but for the time she did not.

"Are you?" she mumbled, eyes still at the floor.

"Why in Merlin's name would I be disappointed?"

"I didn't exactly make a good impression up there da- headmaster." She shut herself up and winced at almost letting it slip.

"You were surprised, thats all. Trust me you're not the first student to argue with the hat." Severus rolled his eyes.

"Yeah but now all of Slytherin hates me."

"Don't be ridiculous Julia. And even if they do they'll forget by next week." Severus nodded to someone in the crowd of students that Julia didn't quite see. After a moment of some gentle pushing a seventh year girl stood before her. The girl's robes were immaculate and on her lapel a silver badge with the words 'head girl' inscribed over its face. "Julia, this is Miss Angela Flythe. She's head girl of Slytherin house." Angela gave a small bow and smiled. "Miss Flythe, if you could please ensure she is welcomed in Slytherin house. I mention this only due to her unique sorting experience."

"I'm on it headmaster!" The head girl beamed at Julia and gave a nod for her to follow. She turned back for a moment to have one last look at her father, for he wouldn't be for some time. Severus gave a subtle nod and the faintest of smiles.

Julia had to admit, that the dungeons had a misplaced aversion. The common area was circular in structure with impressive pillars making its boarder into semi-private sitting areas and the dorm rooms. The sofas and lounge chairs were all dark brown leather with black and green fleeces strewn about for any to use. In the center of the common area, a fire pit with a fantastic emerald flame breathed a comforting warmth throughout the dungeons.

But by far her awe came to the south wall which was entirely made of glass. They were underwater after-all and part of their dormitory was an aquarium. Brilliant plant life swaying at the bottom where smooth rock lay around them. The full moon speared light into the evening water so that the vibrant fish, eels, and even mermaids could be seen darting about the water, only stopping for a moment to stare curiously at the first years who stood slack jawed at the massive window before them.

"Incredible..." Julia with her jaw about unhinged managed one word out of her mouth. Angela nudged her and smiled.

"Its nothing to those of us who've lived here seven years so sometimes I forget how imposing it is at first." Angela pulled her along across the floor and upstairs to the girls dormitory. Julia was greeted by three occupied beds and one empty one, one of the middle beds that made the half circle upon entering their room. Angela cleared her throat and at once all three girls snapped to attention. "Right then, this is your last roommate."

"No fair, putting us with the one who doesn't belong!" One girl with long blonde hair cried out.

"Upt! I don't want to hear it. Travoy knock it off, this is Julia Snape. She's your roommate now for the next seven years so you all better get used to one another." The blonde girl, presumably Travoy, closed her mouth but not without a huff to move the string of hair in her face. "So," She pointed to the first girl to their left. "This is Marion Ryuta." Marion gave a slight bow.

"Samantha Blackthorn is the bed right next to you, and this lovely lady is my cousin Lucille although as she'll frequently remind you its just Lucy. Alright girls, you have time for a bit of chit chat and then its lights out in half an hour. Prefects will escort you to your classes for the first two days, after that you're on your own." The scowl Lucy left her cousin with was not missed by Julia. Who felt uneasy in this minor family rivalry she'd incited.

The girl named Samantha approached her with an open hand. "I'm not wild about being in Slytherin either. My family is a bit of a mixed bag with sorting so it wasn't what I was hoping for but I'm going to make the best of it."

Julia took her hand, relieved that she wasn't the only one who felt that way. "I feel awful. I don't hate Slytherin, in fact I'm sure my little brother will be joining us in two years, and my dad is Slytherin-"

"Oh we're aware." Lucy gave a loud snort and threw herself onto the bed.

"Come on Lucy." Marion who hadn't said a word until now moved over to greet Julia in the same manner. "You heard what your cousin said. We might as well and try to get along. I'm Marion by the way, I hope my heritage doesn't offend you. I've been forward with the other girls."

"Huh?" Julia cocked an eyebrow.

"She's muggle-born." Samantha finished with a slight grin. "Not that it matters none of us are pure. I'm half and Merlin knows how much witch Lucy actually is." At that Samantha caught a pillow that was predictably being hurled at her.

"Oh not at all. My mum's muggle-born and my dad's half! So I don't know what that makes me!" Julia said loudly and with excitement that there was to be no blood prejudice between them.

"Wonderful!" Marion did a little hop of joy. "I'm also half Japanese but I'm not sure ol Salazar cares too much about that." All the girls laughed and then Julia looked to them.

"So, you all know each other?"

"Hardly." Samantha said and inclined her head to Lucy. "We met only two days ago. Both our families were staying in London to get school supplies. Then we met Marion on the train this morning. We were sitting with some other girls but I think they got sorted into Hufflepuff." She looked to Lucy who nodded to confirm her statement. "Were you on the train too? Or did your- I mean, did you...were you already here?" Samantha clamped her mouth shut and burned a shade brighter.

"No I went on the train same as everyone else. I was sitting with some other friends." Julia's face softened slightly.

"The ones who got sorted into Gryffindor?" Marion asked in almost a whisper.

"Yeah. I guess we can't hang out so much now." Her heart sank, she'd lost one group of friends but at this rate she'd gained another.

"Listen up." Lucy jumped off the bed and entered their small circle, hands on her hips and eyeing Julia. "Maybe we're not too upset about your performance up there with the hat, but the rest of Slytherin isn't gonna warm up to you anytime soon. So watch your back."

Samantha shook her head. "Yeah we're not trying to get hexed, know what I mean?"

"Uh yeah, I guess." Julia nodded. There was a shout from one of the prefects that lights were going out and everyone needed to be in bed. That night Julia slept in hollow victory.

"You won't believe it." Severus moved the curtain to shut tight after seeing Alexander to bed. Hermione sat upright, as always reading with the dimmest of light. Which annoyed Severus beyond measure since he'd told her a thousand times that it will destroy her eyesight. He had no choice to brew certain potions in near darkness for their desired effect. "Hermione how many times have I told you that it is unwise to-"

"To read in such poor lighting yes yes, now what is it that I won't believe?" She sighed putting her book on the end table dismissing his warning for the umpteenth time.

"Julia."

"What about her?"

"She was sorted into Slytherin." He said it slowly and in his words pride and self satisfaction poured through. Hermione leaned forward slightly and breathed out.

"What? Slytherin?"

"Not impressed?" He mocked and ripped open his collar as it was stifling in the waning summer air.

"That is not what I meant and you know very well Severus Snape! Its only that well, you and I both thought for sure-"

"I know." He finished and sat on her side of the bed his head swaying in confusion. "Needless to say she had a similar reaction and with that gained her housemates discontent."

"Oh no." Hermione placed her arms around his shoulders and leaned into his back. "How long do you think that will last?"

"That hat says she is Slytherin, then she will find a way to make it work to her advantage soon enough. Or some other avenue around it."

"Did you speak to her?"

"Briefly. She is worried of course but I asked the head girl to keep an eye on her until things settle down."

Hermione sighed out and squeezed his shoulders, inviting him to lay back with her. "She'll be alright then?"

"Of course, she is equal parts Granger, and Snape."

"Then I dare say she shall do better than alright."

Julia had to stop herself from sitting with James, Tim and Dan. She waved to them across the great hall and watched their smiles falter with a heavy heart, when her upperclassmen sneered at her familiarity with the rival house. She sighed deeply and slumped onto the bench next to her roommates. To her gratitude outside of that there were no incidents during breakfast. She stayed quiet and kept to herself despite her roommates being welcoming to her the night before they were wary of being socially forward with her in front of their house. Not that she could blame them.

Potions with professor Pirimus did not go as expected. He leered at her and out of everyone in the class insisted that she come to the front row while the other half of Slytherin sat in the rear of the class. Why had he singled her out? In her heart she knew. Everyone knew who she was even before she stepped off the train. And if they hadn't they sure did now. What was she thinking making a huge fuss up with the hat?

Under normal circumstances she didn't mind being the center of attention. She enjoyed entertaining others and had no fear being in a crowd of strangers. She could always find something to talk about, and genuinely loved to learn. Her curiosity was insatiable. She wanted to know everything from people, to spells, potions, creatures and history of both muggles and wizards. But now, as she walked the halls and sat next to classmates, she felt utterly alone. Isolated by her natural place in the world. Julia even began to become paranoid that every whisper brushing past her was aimed at her ego.

"We'll be covering three basic potions this term. A simple antidote, shrinking solution and bottled heat. Which believe you me can save you in quite the pinch when you've misplaced your wand in a blizzard." Pirimus dragged his wand over the board as each potion was listed. "Potions is a dangerous subject with dangerous ingredients, I will not tolerate any foolishness. Depending on the infraction you may even have a visit with the headmaster." His eyes instantly went to her and Julia scoffed and turned to her book instead of his glaring eyes.

"Now then," He continued. "Some of you may think yourselves better and need not pay attention to my instructions or the books."

Julia gripped the end of the table and kept her eyes down at her book. For she knew if her stare wandered elsewhere, her burning rage would set her professor on fire. Still he went on.

"I assure you that any arrogance displayed in my classroom without the proper respect of the craft will be dealt with swiftly and justly." Pirimus was standing right in front of her table his hands placed flatly on the surface. "Do I make myself clear?" The rest of the class answered while Julia bit her lip to keep unkind words from pouring out. To her small luck he did not draw attention to it and moved on with the lesson.

The first couple of weeks went on in this manner. Julia stayed quiet in every class and only answered when spoken to. Other than potions her attitude was nonchalant. For one reason or another Pirimus seemed to enjoy prodding at her clear insecurity of her knowledge in the subject. When any other student got a question wrong he'd roll his eyes and if no one volunteered themselves he'd spit out the answer and move on. But with her, he always made a scene about it.

"Whats this? Miss Snape doesn't know the final stage of our antidote potion? How could this be? I was certain that due to your heritage you'd have mastered this brew by age of four. No? Alright then I'll give you a hint. It starts with a B."

"Oh right a bezoar." She responded meekly.

"Thank you for joining us Miss. Snape. Now we can press forward."

The truth was usually she did know the answer but chose to display herself ignorant if only to seem struggling like everyone else. To keep attention away from her. Although it seemed too quickly that her professor caught on, and in front of everyone he declared her scheme.

"It seems Miss. Snape is not as stupid as she would have the rest of the class believe. The essay she turned in about other antidotes is either a remarkable improvement to her studies due to my teaching abilities, or done with the help of someone who has a much higher expertise in this matter. Hm?"

Julia dipped her head and grit her teeth as hard as she could. He couldn't put her in detention or take points away if she didn't say anything. And by Merlin she would not let herself become rabid because this man liked to pick on her for one reason or another.

"Or perhaps she enjoys playing dumb to fit in with the rest of you. So which is it Miss. Snape? Because this essay does not reflect your class performance."

Her cheeks grew hot and braced her tears from rolling off her face. She glared up at him like a wounded animal and before she could open her mouth the bell for lunch rang. Pirimus turned to his desk and announced that another foot of parchment was to be assigned regarding academic integrity. As everyone left Julia felt their sharp glares on her.

She did not go to the great hall, as it was her appetite had vanished and she didn't feel much like dodging more glares and whispers thrown her way. There was a bench in the courtyard that faced the lake. She plopped down and after a few moments decided to lay back and watch the gray sky. Julia felt herself dozing off until something was hurled at her from afar. It nearly knocked her off the bench. She regained balance and looked up. Three boys wearing Slytherin robes approached her. They were obviously older than her. She couldn't tell exactly what year but if she had to guess maybe third years. For the first time in weeks she spoke outside of class.

"What do you want?" She spat and gathered her things ready to leave.

"Oh so she can talk. I thought it was only to argue with manky old hats." The middle one looked to the boys flanking him and laughed in unison. "So you're Snape huh? Well because of you my sister can't go to Hogwarts. So I thought I'd bring her some justice while she's at Bauxbatons."

"What?" Julia stepped forward but not without her wand tight in her grasp. "What are you talking about?"

"My sister! You blockhead! Niki Whitestone. You ravaged her like a monster some years ago and since then your father fancied him a dictator and decided not to admit her."

Julia rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for this! Get out of my way." She stomped towards them but before she could brush passed them all three at their wands out at her. Lightening fast she was on the ground.

"Filthy half-breed." He snarled at her from above.

"I'm not a-"

"You might as well be! You and anyone else whose part muggle. You're all practically animals." Julia struggled to move but all three wands kept her flat and prone. "Here why don't you have a snack you cow." Jammed into her mouth by the work of his wand, hay bulged out of her cheeks until all she could do was spit out the dry grass.

"Hey you!" Suddenly they all turned and once they saw who was coming they scattered like roaches. "Connor! Whitestone! You get back here now! You too Brooks!" She sighed and shook her head as none had turned to heed her scolding. "Here, let me help you." The head girl Angela held out her hand but it was smacked away from Julia who rolled over and stood on her own. "You're welcome." She mumbled.

Another headboy, from Gryffindor came running to them with ragged breath. "Sorry I couldn't catch them. Fast buggers."

"Its alright. I'll get them later, I'd rather not deduct house points but their bullying has to stop."

"Don't!" Julia snapped.

"Whats her deal?" The headboy whispered to Angela.

"I donno. Why shouldn't we punish them? Its only going to get worse. In fact we may even let our head of house know whats going on."

"NO!" Julia stood shaking and shook her head in frustration. "Don't tell anyone what you saw."

"Miss Snape, as headgirl and Grant being a headboy we have to report this behavior."

"No you don't! Please. If you tell anyone, my father will hear about it. They'll all think I'm some whiny tattle tell. Then I'll never have friends and they'll still hex me with hay or snails or whatever they want. You two won't be here next year...so what do you care? Mind your own business!"

Angela moved to place a hand on Julia's shoulder but again she jerked away and held her wand tight. "Snape please let us help you."

"You can't help me. I made a fool of myself at the sorting ceremony. Now everyone in our house hates me. Professor Pirimus hates me too so no...please. Don't tell anyone I'll figure this out on my own." The bell for afternoon classes chimed and Julia moved back into the castle briskly.

Things didn't improve much since then. The boy Whitestone, whose first name was Mason, had many friends in Slytherin and each was as willing to pick on Julia as the last in his name. Outside of dinner she walked the corridors by herself which gave them ample opportunities to shove her into walls or knock her books out of her hand. The girls in her house were worse however. They would snicker at her and make fun of her brown greasy hair. Stringy Snape, is what the called her in the halls. They also never left a chance to poke fun of her very skinny frame during showers or dressing. Julia would look to her roommates for solace but like the other girls in their year, they kept their heads down and were thankful the older girls weren't picking on them instead.

As of now, they hadn't ambushed her again three to one. Julia was hopeful that it would stay that way. She could handle the name calling, and the assaults in the hall were just annoying. But the prospect of dueling frightened her. The wand who chose her was extremely sensitive and almost...protective? And when she unsheathed it even for the simplest of spells it responded with cruelty and accuracy. Though she loathed her fellow Slytherins, either for tormenting her or ignoring her plight for their own hides, she did not wish to kill any of them.

There was a time where she wanted to sit with her Gryffindor friends but thought better of herself. It wouldn't make her house love her anymore and she was uncertain she'd be welcomed there in the first place.

Something was very wrong. Severus leaned back in the headmaster's chair and as he peered over the sea of bobbing heads gobbling up food at dinner. He did his best to remain impartial and spend equal time observing all the students but for the past two days he couldn't help but focus on his own flesh and blood. Julia hardly looked up from her plate during the entire meal. She'd take a bite and then form her mashed potatoes into a mountain and then flattened it once more. Occasionally she'd eat a spoonful of peas and go right back to tapping her cutlery on the edge of her plate. More startling is that no one next or across from her deemed this irregular behavior. Not once at dinner did anyone nudge her or ask if she was okay. She did have a tendency to stare off into space but this was different.

How long had she been like this? He couldn't remember. Although he did seem to recall her once in a while look back at the Gryffindor table with a longing expression. But even that had stopped some time ago. He'd read her academic reports, they were of course what he expected. "Exceptional student. Diligent during class." Came from Mcgonagall. "Always early to class and turns in every assignment." Was what Filius wrote. She couldn't be troubled by an assignment could she? Her head of house hadn't said anything peculiar. Only that "Receives high marks on almost every assignment, no concerns."

When dinner was over he'd summoned Julia to his office along with her head of house to try and get to the bottom of this matter that was clearly taking up her thoughts.

"Snape!" The female prefect, one who conveniently never noticed when Whitestone was throwing a lob of seaweed at her in the courtyard, called from the main room. Which saddest of all Julia had spent little time near the massive aquarium, her favorite thing about their dormitory, to save herself from being hexed or teased. "Headmaster wants you." Julia merely nodded and scurried out of the dorm but not before hearing one of the boys calling out, 'I bet he wants to see if her sheets are still dry'.

Although she wanted to stall and take her time getting up to the headmaster's tower, she opted instead to rip the band-aid off and get this over with. Professor Pirimus and her father were in the middle of conversation when he stopped everything and gave her a faint smile. Julia had to fight back to throw herself at him in that moment and sob into his chest with his arms tight around her. Just like when she was little, if there was something wrong father always had the answer. He always knew what to do. But she couldn't go to him now. It would only make things worse.

"Come in Miss. Snape." He said with a slight removal she wasn't comfortable with. But perhaps it was better this way than him calling her by name. She stood before his desk and for the first time realized that she had never been on the other side of it. Many times when she was younger she sat in his lap and he'd teach her how to read. Or she'd play next to the legs of his chair when he was trying to work. But now she was in school uniforms and standing before him as some stranger.

"Headmaster." She nodded to him and then to her head of house but did not verbally acknowledge him.

"I've summoned professor Pirimus in hopes that whatever is bothering you can be resolved in a timely manner."

Without looking directly at him she answered with a false smile. "I don't know what you mean sir. Everything is fine. Unless I'm in trouble?"

Severus sighed. "No, you're not in trouble. Although you may be now since its very clear you're lying." There was a heavy silence and for a while it seemed only she and her father existed in the world. His eyes burned into her and before she knew it he was searching in her mind. Julia threw any thought she could think of in his way. Locking doors and pushing decoy memories and thoughts for him to focus on. She wasn't well practiced in occlumency and knew she wouldn't be able to keep him out for long. Still he pushed on and it became a sharp pain in her head until she lost her composure.

"HEY KNOCK IT OFF!" She held her head and broke their eye contact.

"Miss Snape!" Pirimus shouted. "Don't you dare take that tone with the headmaster!"

"That isn't fair!" She hurled back, ignoring her head of house. "You can't invade my mind! I know mum told you not to!"

"Thats enough! Twenty points from Slytherin. Miss Snape you will serve detention for your clear disrespect for the headmaster." Severus held up a hand to silence the potions professor.

"No no, she's right. That was incredibly rude of me. I only hoped I'd find an answer. Very well then, Miss Snape, is there something you wish to tell me and the head of your house?"

"I'm fine! Da-" she stumbled and closed her mouth quickly before replacing it with the right word. "Headmaster. I just don't appreciate people wandering into my thoughts."

Severus looked to Pirimus who sighed and straightened himself up. "Julia, I hope you know that you can come to me if you have any problems. I'm hard on you in class because I know how capable you are." Julia held back a laugh. How was it now he was offering her sanctuary when every other encounter they had he was reprimanding her for anything and everything he could think of? It has to be because her father was there. Who knows if Pirimus would turn around later and embarrass her in class later.

"I understand sir." It was like poison on her tongue. "I'm sorry if I worried anyone. I really am fine. Do either of you find my grades unacceptable?"

"All of your teachers say you're doing well, Miss Snape." Severus flicked a crooked smile, although not convinced of her performance.

"Great! So, since its Saturday, can I go now?" There was a small delight in hearing Pirimus' pending scathing remark be silenced by her father's hand.

"You may. I'll see you the day before winter break starts. Unless you have any other problems."

"Aye aye sir!" She turned on her heel and Julia bolted out of his office.

Julia didn't stop running even after she'd reached the bottom of the stairs. As she was leaving it hit her all at once that she was inches away from home, behind her father's desk and through the bookcase was the leather couches, fireplace and the smell of burning wood and parchment. Things she had known all her life just a breath away but no longer hers, not during the school year. Not since she became a student. Her father's office was a foreign place and just now didn't even feel like home. Even Hogwarts, which she'd wandered around since she could remember had turned into such an unfriendly place. And it hurt so much to realize all of this most of all because she had such high hopes for when it was her turn to put on school robes.

How had things turned bad so quickly? Was she forever to be without friend or ally? Normally she'd ask her father how to handle this or that problem but as it were, he was part of the problem. Or would be if she involved him. Pirimus spewed nonsense about being able to talk to him about her issues but she knew it was an empty gesture. So who was she to go to now?

Julia's heart pounded hard in her chest with such a sting that it forced her to stop running. She leaned into an outer wall that faced the lake. The moon was low this night and though there were clouds she was able to see a few diamond flakes through their silver mist. For now she laid into the stone and tried to calm her breathing. When all was quiet once more she could hear the water moving over the rocky shoreline. A pleasant cadence to go along with the crickets stretching their legs out in the grass. How deceptively fitting, a beautiful scene before her, when Julia knew full well underneath that lake lay many dangerous creatures, for she had seen it through the glass window in her dorm.

"Nice night huh?" A voice from nowhere came and then a boy jumped into her view from seemingly, above?

"James? How did you-" She looked up and saw that he'd been perched on a low edge above the columns she had been under.

"Climbed of course. What are you doing out here?" He gave a haughty smile and began walking towards the lake.

She blinked a few times before gathering herself and charged off to follow him. "I can go wherever I want!"

"Oh ho, look at the headmaster's daughter strutting about like she owns the castle."

Instantly she had her wand out and at the back of his neck. "You take that back! That isn't what I meant! Only that I have just as much right to be here as you do!"

James put up his hands and turned slowly to her. "Wow, I was only joking. No need to hex me." With a deep sigh, Julia dropped her wand. "Whats gotten into you? So uh defensive."

"No reason, just-" She contemplated for a moment on telling him but disregarded the idea. "Forget it. Anyway, do you normally come out here at night?"

"Sometimes." He presented a piece of parchment with strange ink across it. "Shows you where everyone is, in the castle."

"Oh. Where did you get that?"

"Dad gave it to me. Guess it belonged to his father. Anyway its really useful for sneaking around. 'Er uh exploring." He grinned sheepishly and thankfully the darkness did not show her cheeks blushing.

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell my dad?"

"Nah. I can't see you doing something like that. I know everyone teases you about it but I don't have you pegged for a rat."

The rest of the way to the shoreline was in silence. James found himself a split log arching half way into the water. While Julia perched herself on a rock near by. "It's amazing isn't it?" James finally said.

"The lake?"

"The school, then again I guess you've been here most your life. So its not too glamorous huh?"

"Kinda. I mean, I only saw parts of the castle and even still my parents were careful not to have us wandering by ourselves."

"So I guess its a lot different than you pictured huh?"

"Yeah..."

"So you don't like it? Being here?"

Julia bit her lip and was again thankful for their distance and the darkness that he couldn't see the tears building in her eyes. "Its just-"

"I know, everyone treats you different because of who you are." James tossed a dead piece of bark into the water.

"What?"

"We're the same. My father is the great Harry Potter. And yours is the headmaster. That can't be any easier. Its always 'James you should go for quidditch your father played quidditch. He was the best so you will be too!' or 'Mr. Potter you should know this spell already, your father learned it when he was thirteen!' 'Mr. Potter your father was such a great man, we have a monument commemorating his and everyone's sacrifice to the second war, here stand next to it so the daily prophet can get a picture.' 'Oh your Harry Potter's son? Whats it like?' I could go on. Its awful."

While Julia was feeling emphatic for him, there was also a wave of relief washing over her. She wasn't the only one having trouble. Even James Potter was being ostracized and observed for greatness simply by who is father was. She supposed even positive attention, if given for the wrong reason was still a bad thing.

"Tim and Dan don't have it much better. Can't imagine how it'll turn out once a Malfoy shows up. Its not fair huh? All of us being expected to do so much just because of who are parents are."

"Actually I haven't heard anyone say a word about my mother, except this one kid who said she was no better than an animal." Her blood inflamed at the thought. If nothing else she'd have to get back at that git for insulting one of the most brilliant witches in the world, her mother.

"Thats horrible." James leaped off the log and stood next to where she was sitting.

"I didn't mean to insult Slytherin by wanting to be in Gryffindor. I just couldn't believe it, shocked ya know?" James nodded. "But ever since then everyone keeps at an arms length, except, well-"

"Those prats shoving you into walls?"

"Yeah..."

"You could tell someone." James suggested but knew by her stiffness how futile that was.

"I don't care, in a couple of years most of them will be gone and it won't matter."

"Do nothing? Come on Julia you could at least fight back-"

"Three to one? Or in the showers where all the girls make fun of me? If I stay quiet they'll get bored eventually."

"And if they don't?"

"They will." They have to she thought. Or I'll end up killing one of them

Alex's chest felt heavy. He placed his hand over his sternum and realized his body was burning up and covered in sweat. He tried taking a deep breath and found it difficult to put any air in his lungs. He sat up and pulled off his night shirt, wincing as it was damp along with the sheets underneath him. He thought about going to his parents and asking for a cooling charm but decided he didn't want to wake them. He knew both of them had been staying up late recently and aspired to get a drink of water and go back to sleep on his own.

This had happened before. Usually he had Julia to wake up and talk to. She would get him water or stay up with him until they both fell back asleep. But now it was just him in their room. The first few nights without his big sister had been awful. He was certain that boggarts and dementors slithered about their wardrobe, waiting for him to sleep so they could attack him. The silver snitch his grandmother gave him had then been charmed to hold a lumos spell when he tapped it. Generally it was enough to keep him calm through the night. If he heard the slightest noise he'd activate its light and once his fears were alleviated he found sleep.

It hovered near his shoulder as he stumbled in the near darkness. His eyes adjusted and then he was able to move into the bathroom. The cold water down his throat felt almost like it was poured over his chest. It sat in his stomach and there it churned into nausea. He winced and forced more into his body until finally his stomach rejected it and his toilet was a mess of his vomit. Now his whole body felt hot and it seemed he would have to wake one of them. The trip up the stairs was more taxing than he realized. When he reached the top, his chest was heavy and the slightest effort he made felt like he was trying to move cement. He nearly stumbled through the curtain to their bedroom and after trying to keep his balance, Alex fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Instantly his father stirred and sat up with his wand pointing to the floor. "Alexander?" Severus bolted out of bed and pulled Alex to his feet. "Whats the matter?"

"I threw up. I'm sorry dad." Suddenly he felt like crying but instead the sensation of vomit climbing his throat dominated his body. He turned away and knelt to the floor and coughed up what his stomach was holding. Which wasn't much, he hadn't eaten in a few hours so it was mostly water, acid and now that Severus lit up the room, blood. "Hermione." She was already half up while Alex had threw up on their floor.

"Blood. Severus there's blood."

"I know." He said flatly, trying to stay calm. "He's burning up, put him in a cold bath I'm going to get a potion and then I'll bring Poppy here."

"Mum..." Alex mumbled as she held him on the side of the tub while it filled with water.

"Relax darling. Your father has gone to get you a potion to feel better."

"Mum, my chest...it hurts." Alex clutched at his rapidly falling chest and began to turn pale.

"Lay in the bath love." She set him in gently and moved to the edge of the door way and called for Severus. In that moment she heard a large splash and turned to see Alex had fallen unconscious and into the water. "Alex!" She reached for him and pulled him out onto the floor with her. Hermione shook him and shouted for him to wake. From what she felt his heart was still rattling around but he would not move. For what seemed like hours, she lay on the floor holding him, begging for him to respond.

Finally Severus, along with Poppy came into the bathroom to find a frantic Hermione. "Lay his head back." Severus pinched his jaw open and forced a white liquid inside his mouth. Gently he massaged Alex's throat so that the potion would follow into his body. They both looked to Poppy who shook her head.

"This is out of my hands, he needs to go to St Mungos, or a muggle institution. Somewhere." Her head swayed in horror her face grim as the prognosis.

Severus put his ear to Alex's chest and waited. A heart beat for sure but for how long he could not say. "Alright. This has happened before. He needs the muggle medicine atropine. That will calm his heart down, then we'll figure out what to do."

Hermione nodded and stood with Severus to get their son dressed. "I can't believe it, the doctor said he was fine, why is this happening?"

Alex was alive but hardly conscious. His eyes would open heavily from time to time but otherwise stayed shut. The only thing that did move with haste was his chest, falling and rising to suck in air but more disturbing was that they could see his heart beating against his ribs. His body continued to heat and then break into sweat only to heat up again. Hermione held him tight to her as though he were a baby, arms wrapped around him, holding his limp legs and heavy head. Severus left instructions to Poppy and in a flash the both of them were in the hearth to the London hospital where baby Snape almost died nine years ago.

As I said dark times. Reviews are always a fun way to show you care! Do it for our baby Snapes! They need you. Next up more hard times for our siblings. Til then.