What Once Was Lost

By Miss Jo

The HP universe belongs to the brilliant Ms. Rowling. Ariana and Sofia are my creation. I am making no money at this.

Chapter One- Remembering Your Roots

Thank Merlin it was over. As the last carriage pulled away from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Severus Snape let his stiff posture droop ever so slightly. The school had just let out for summer term, and he was looking forward to spend it in solitude. Not long ago, he would have been dreading the end of term because of the inevitable summons that would come from Voldemort. During that meeting, he would have to stand silently and watch the new recruitment ceremony. One by one, some of the very same students that he had watched getting into carriages the day before would kneel at the feet of a madman and swear fidelity to darkness. The only thing Snape could do was keep a mental list and report back to Dumbledore in the morning. It was an impotent feeling, and never failed to put him in a foul disposition for the whole of the summer term.

But not anymore.

It had been seven years since Voldemort had fallen; seven years since a small group pf wizards had stood together and faced down one of the most maniacal and devious wizards of the age. The details of the final battle had faded into history, but many could never forget. Severus had been an integral part of the Dark Lord's downfall, the evidence visible on his body. As he pushed an errant lock of hair that had been magically streaked silver, he turned back and walked back into the castle. Had he turned around and looked back at the headmaster, he would have noticed the twinkle in his eyes as Dumbledore watched Snape's retreating back.

Sunday morning found the potions master in his private garden, digging out errant weeds and harvesting flowers and herbs that would be used later that evening in a salve to aid Headmaster Dumbledore's rheumatism. The potions garden was a riot of color; from the fat purple hydrangeas to the delicate red roses used in the Unrequited Love potion. A gazebo was covered with ivy and tendrils of fragrant jasmine. Old marble benches gleamed in the bright summer light, a combination of frequent scrubbing and years of use. Meandering stone paths led to smaller gardens and private alcoves. In the center of the garden, Snape was kneeling in a bed of herbs. Sweat dripped down the back of his white linen shirt as he dug into the fragrant soil, the release that comes with physical labor relaxing his mind with every movement of his trowel. Dislodging a garden gnome that had taken up residence in his plot of basil, he initially ignored the headmaster who had entered the garden and was sitting quietly on a bench. As he gnome ran away brandishing his fist, Severus sat back on the grass, and looked up at Dumbledore. The elderly man was dressed in lavender robes, and his gold spectacles twinkled in the light.

"Good morning, Severus", the man said in a gentle voice. "We missed you at the staff meeting."

Snape cursed under his breath as he looked at his timepiece. The staff meeting had been two hours ago. Although he loathed the tedious affairs and considered them a waste of his time, he always attended them. It had been years since he had missed one, when he had been unconscious after the final battle. Today he had been so engrossed in his task that he had lost track of time.

" Did I miss anything important?" his tone implying that he rather doubted it.

The headmaster smiled, and was so serene that Severus narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"Actually, I made the announcement of new staff for next term. I thought you would want to be informed of the changes."

Snape snorted.

"We will be taking two apprentices this next year, both in their last year of training. Miss Hermione Granger will be returning to finish her mediwitch clinicals, and Neville Longbottom will be returning to finish his herbology master requirements."

Severus felt a headache starting behind his eyes. Longbottom had played a critical role in the final battle, and Snape had a grudging respect for the boy. If nothing else, the variety of supplies at Gorgon's Exotic Herbs where Neville worked had improved dramatically since the boy had started working there years ago. As for Granger, he had long suspected she would be coming back to teach at Hogwarts eventually. He felt he could tolerate her presence, especially since he would spend little time in the infirmary now that the war was over.

"I fail to see how that concerns me, Headmaster. They will have little need to deal with me, and I daresay will stay out of my way."

The twinkle was back in Dumbledore's eyes. He rose as he spoke.

"Also, as Hagrid has moved to France with Madame Maxime, I needed to find a new gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures professor. I have offered Ariana the position, and I am delighted to say she has accepted". Snape was on his feet instantly, and began pacing.

"My sister, Ariana? Albus, you know she has never had formal schooling. How in the blazes do you expect her to maintain control of a classroom?" How long had it been since he had last seen his younger sister? Fifteen, twenty years? Their last meeting had not gone well, as he recalled. This could not be happening.

Dumbledore looked at the younger man with concern. He had never seen Severus this unnerved, not even at the height of the war. Yet, here he was; looking at the headmaster with an expression akin to fear..

"Severus, she has more experience from working with your grandfather than any other professor I could name. True, she was tutored at home and has never attended school, but I think that the change of scenery will do her good. You must admit, it has probably been very lonely on the farm since your parents died. You are the only family she has left."

"I have been trying to protect her…."

"Severus, the war is over. You can't hide her forever. I am aware that she presents herself very differently than you do, but she is a strong and powerful witch. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"I am not ashamed, Albus. I just think…"

"She is arriving tomorrow in the carriage with Miss Granger and Mr. Longbottom. I suggest you get used to the idea". Dumbledore turned to leave, then turned back slowly and looked at the troubled man.

"Severus, you have had opportunities that Ariana has only dreamed of. You have been to school, and then to University. You have had a chance to build a life for yourself. For Ariana's entire life, she has taken care of your grandparents and then your parents. When their health failed she ran their businesses, with no help from anyone. She needs a chance to build her own life now. You are the only family she has left." As the headmaster walked away, he turned and looked at the potions master. Severus was slumped on a bench with his head in his hands, lost in memories.

Fifteen years earlier…

Severus and Lucius Malfoy crawled along the fence separating Snape Farms from the neighboring field. The prickle of a warding charm could be felt as they crossed into the farm itself.

"Why are we hiding?" Lucius hissed. "Just tell your grandfather that you need the ashwinder eggs for some potion. He'll give them to you. This is undignified; skulking around like thieves".

"I told you", Snape whispered. "The Pegram girl, the one the Dark Lord had us kill last week worked here in the stables. If they find out I'm a Death Eater…". Lucius had stopped listening and was watching something in front of him with great interest.

A tall thin girl of about fifteen with dark hair and a slightly hooked nose was tending to the ashwinder nests, ignoring their hissing. As she approached a nest, Ariana raised her hand, and muttered something the boys couldn't hear. The three- headed serpents stopped hissing and fell docile immediately. Quickly, the girl gathered the silvery eggs, and slipped them into her basket. As she walked away, the enchantment wore off and the snakes began hissing again.

"Is that your sister?" Lucius demanded. Severus was speechless. He hadn't seen his sister in several years, since she stood next to his mother crying as young Severus got on the train for his first year. He had fought long and hard to be able to go to Hogwarts, and had been told by his father he was no longer welcome on the farm. Ariana had not attended Hogwarts, and for the past eight years he had never let slip that Ariana existed. Severus had been desperate to keep her away from the Death Eaters, knowing that her ability to do wandless magic and strong will would place her in great danger in any power play. He thought by now that Ariana would be married and away from the farm. It was the only reason that he had agreed to this scheme to steal the eggs in the first place.

"Severus!" Araian shrieked. Nearly dropping the eggs, she hurried over and embraced him. "I missed you so much!"

Lucius then took over, and after learning that she was indeed Snape's sister, turned on the charm. At Severus' nervous request she went to gather the eggs her brother need, all the while talking about poor Miss Pegram and the horrible green image over her house. "A great green skull over the house like smoke, it was awful, Severus…" .

They had almost gotten away with it. As Severus reached for the basket with the precious eggs, his sleeve fell back. Still shiny and new, the skull and serpent of the Death Eaters stood out on his skin like a burn. Her eyes widened and she moved backwards, taking the eggs with her and raising her hand. Before either could react, both men were blown back over the fence and into a puddle of manticore dung. Lucius had been knocked unconscious and Severus quickly cast an Obliviate before he could wake up.

Present Day

No one had found out about Ariana, at that time or any other. That night, Severus' fierce protectiveness for his sister, made him realize the danger his decision to join the Death Eaters had put her in. He had gone to Hogwarts and thrown himself at Dumbledore's feet, begging for mercy. That night he had become a spy.

Severus stood up and picked up his trowel as he headed back to the dungeons. He could remember the horror on her face all those years ago when she saw the tattoo. She hated him then, and likely still did. He remembered her eyes and her kindness to him, her love of all the animals on her grandfather's farm. He smiled slightly.

Then he remembered the potency of her power, her ability at wandless magic and hexes that far exceeded his own. He remembered her skill with ancient magic, the kind that had eventually destroyed Voldemort. He felt a trickle of fear work its way down his spine as he remembered that she likely still hated him.

Ariana Snape was coming to Hogwarts. Merlin help us all.

Coming up next, the carriage ride to Hogwarts. Reviews are welcome.