Severus rubbed his temples. It hard been a long night. He poured himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen and made his way towards the table where the Monday edition of the Daily Prophet lay folded – courtesy of the house elves. He slowly took a seat and unfolded the paper with one hand while he took a sip with other. In the next moment there was a crash as the cup hit the floor and the brown liquid spilled.

A reparo, a scorgify and speedy clothes-change later Severus strode through the doors to the great hall. Breakfast had been over for a little while but several professors where still present although Severus took note of the silence. He quickly surveyed the table. Minerva and Victoria weren't there. Good. Had Minerva seen? He knew they couldn't keep it from her but he didn't want it sprung on her this early in the morning either. He sneered in disgust as several copies of the offending front page were hiding the faces of his colleagues.

THE GIRL-WHO-LIVED? - HARRY POTTER EXPOSED!

Severus hadn't read much of that Skeeter woman's excuse for journalism but he knew the gist of it. The scandal of the century! He could think of several darker issues. True, it had to be a shock but no one was at fault – well, no one living. A demand for answers! The Ministry involved! The girl's whereabouts kept secret! Albus Dumbledore unavailable for comment! Those were the main points anyway. They made Victoria sound like a criminal. He knew it would only be a matter of time before they came to Hogwarts demanding answers.

”Severus, sit down, will you?” huffed Septima Vector.

Severus slowly took a seat while examining his colleagues. Only Minerva, the Headmaster, Hagrid and Binns were not present. Trelawney sat at the other end, sipping tea behind a copy of the Quibbler where Snigglefrigs spotted in Manchester! covered the front page.

”Have you seen Bart Whiphat's column on page 8?” said Flitwick as he dropped the Prophet. ”I'm afraid he's gone quite mad and believes Harry Potter has been murdered and replaced.”

”The sooner she leaves the castle the better,” nodded Severus.

”We cannot shield her from all of this. She must make an appearance,” replied Flitwick.

”She doesn't have to be here through the worst of it. This shouldn't have happened yet. The Headmaster told me he would be sending in the information today,” Severus replied in a low sneer. ”She will be leaving to visit with a friend later this day.”

”Ah,” nodded Flitwick. ”So that is what she was speaking with the Headmaster about then?”

”Excuse me?” Severus raised an eyebrow.

”I was walking down the hallway yesterday evening and I saw her enter his office,” confirmed Flitwick.

”What?!”

---

Harry stared blankly at the biscuit crumbs floating around in the cold cup of tea. Last night had been terrible – no, she didn't want to think about it. She tried unsuccessfully to empty her mind. She was hurt and she was confused. McGonagall had transfigured her a bed like last time she was here but when the professor went to set out a toothbrush for her, Harry quickly crawled into bed, not even bothering to change to her pajamas and pretended to be sleeping. She wasn't quite sure McGonagall really fell for it but she left her alone and that was what she wanted. She just couldn't bear talking about it.

”Let me get that for you,” said a voice behind her as the teacup vanished.

Harry turned and spotted McGonagall in the doorway. They hadn't really spoken since McGonagall got her the breakfast which had been abandoned within minutes.

”I'm sorry, professor. How long were you there?”

”Long enough,” McGonagall replied, smiling weakly. ”You need to talk to him, you know that.”

”I don't!” Harry protested and then she instantly covered her mouth with her hand when she realized how loudly she had spoken. ”I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell.”

”I know,” McGonagall nodded. She moved to take the seat opposite Harry. ”But Harry, you need to see... I cannot let this go. I cannot make you speak to professor Snape but at least speak to me. Let me know what is going on.” Harry quickly located her knees and studied them intently. ”Harry,” McGonagall sighed. ”I worry about you. I understand how upsetting all this must be for you. I really do.”

”You don't understand anything!” hissed Harry as she pulled her legs up and hid her head in her knees.

”Then explain it to me,” McGonagall patiently urged.

”I can't,” whispered Harry. She could hear her own voice was broken and she mentally repeated 'Don't cry! Don't cry!' over and over in her head. It seemed that was all she'd been doing for the past weeks and honestly she didn't like being weak. She had been when she arrived at Hogwarts. She had felt broken and empty and always afraid but with Hermione and Ron she had slowly overcome that and the castle had become home. Now all her insecurities had come with her to the castle – the one place where she was supposed to forget her own worries and could focus on her friends or school – or mysteries.

”Why can't you explain it?”

”Because...” Harry sniffed in reply. ”Because I don't understand it either! So there!”

Silence followed. Then suddenly:

”Severus told me you have been sneaking off. Is there any truth to that?” McGonagall's voice didn't sound accusatory in the least. Just curious.

”Maybe,” Harry mumbled. Then she looked up to see McGonagall open her mouth – most likely to ask a follow-up question when suddenly Harry found herself asking:

”Why do you call me 'Harry'?”

McGonagall looked taken aback by this and seemed to consider the question for a moment.

”Would you prefer I didn't?”

”But... You never did before. At school. You always said 'Mr Potter'. But you did when you came to my aunt and uncle's house. Why?”

”Because we weren't at school. I knew your parents well, you see. Well, James and Lily. To me you were always Harry but that isn't how we address a student at school.”

”We are at school now,” Harry argued.

”Yes, but you are here as a guest not as a student and the semester hasn't begun yet.”

”He calls me Miss Evans,” Harry said quietly.

”Indeed? Have you any regrets in your choice?” said McGonagall.

”No... I like it just fine... It's just... Ugh! I don't know!” huffed Harry looked away.

”You don't like it when professor Snape says it?”

”I don't know. It doesn't make sense!” replied Harry. ”It's just...” she continued after a pause. ”He's like he always were. I mean like, he acts like nothing happened and then he doesn't and I can't explain it.”

”Would you like things to stay the same?”

Harry froze. Then she looked up at the woman. McGonagall regarded her calmly. She couldn't know could she? Those most confusing thoughts. The ones Harry was still scared of speaking of aloud. Well, did she? Did she want to pretend that nothing had happened or not? Not a week ago she would have said yes but the words of Dudley and his gang crawled to the front of her mind.

'You can't have that! Go away! Nobody wants you!'

'What are you going to do? Go cry to your mummy? Oh, wait! She's dead!'

'Hah! I knew they would fail you! You're just a stupid orphan!'

”Things aren't the same,” she shrugged, opting for not revealing anything. ”And he always talks about how I'll get a new family.”

”We're working on that but we have the entire school year. Are you not looking forward to that? You will never return to your aunt and uncle. You will have a new home.”

”Hogwarts is home,” Harry muttered. ”And...” Could she even say this? Harry let the relief of speaking about it to someone overcome her and continued: ”They wouldn't want me anyway. No one ever does.” With that she got up from the chair and made to grab her things.

”Harry...” McGonagall said softly. ”That's not true.” Then she added: ”I think you should talk to professor Snape about this.”

Harry looked up at the elder witch. She knows. Me and my big mouth. Why couldn't you just shut up? She couldn't tell McGonagall so how exactly was she supposed to tell Snape? How do you go about asking someone why they don't care about you? How do you tell someone that it matters to you whether they do? How do you survive hearing them actually confirm it? Harry had listened to Petunia, Vernon and Dudley all her life – telling her that she was good for nothing, that she was forced upon them and unwanted and lastly she should be grateful for their kindness because no one would ever want her and they wouldn't be so kind as to actually raise her despite that fact.

The orphanage. That's where people like me are supposed to go. That's what they always said. Well, I wish they had sent me there. I wish I had run away properly so I'd be there. Then I would not know about this. It isn't fair! Why does it have to be him? My mum would have liked me! Why couldn't she have survived?

”Professor? I need... Some air. Can I go out?”

”Harry...”

---

Would he be in his quarters? Could she get in without him knowing? It didn't matter. She didn't have her clothes or things but Harry didn't care. It turned out McGonagall wasn't keen on letting her outside either – just bloody great. Well, she'd finally talked her into letting her go to the library on the condition that McGonagall would be picking her up shortly and escorting her to the dungeons so she might speak with Snape. Well, just the thought of it had Harry panicking. She was pretty sure McGonagall knew what she felt. Her fears of being abandoned. There had been something in the way she spoke, the way she looked at her. The thought of Snape knowing was terrifying. That she wanted him to like her. That she wanted him to want her. Harry felt pathetic.

She stopped dead in her tracks and changed course. As she saw it, she only had one option and that was betting Dumbledore would let her go to Hermione's house early. She needed her friend right now. She reached the gargoyle and stormed right at it.

”Move!” she said but it only looked at her. ”I need to speak to him! Now!” Then the gargoyle froze as if someone had cast a spell but then suddenly jumped aside. She ran up the stairs and opened the door.

”Harry,” Dumbledore greeted her. There was no surprise in his voice. Perhaps it was he who let her in? ”What brings you here this fine morning?”

The old man was in a dark red dressing gown and had a long white nightcap on his head.

”Professor! I... I was wondering if I could go to Hermione's house now?”

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at her. ”But child, they are not expecting you until this evening.”

”I really want to go now,” Harry shrugged. ”Can't we ask them?”

”I suppose,” nodded Dumbledore. ”Why don't you have a Sherbet lemon? I'll just get dressed and then I shall contact the Grangers. I suspect you will need time to pack?”

”I've already done that,” Harry lied. Dumbledore nodded with a contented 'hmm' and disappeared through the other door. About ten minutes later the door flew open and Harry quickly got out of her seat to see a flustered McGonagall enter.

”Victoria Evans!” she screeched and Harry immediately winced at the tone. ”What on earth are you doing? Do you realize I've been looking high and low for you?”

”Minerva,” said a jolly voice as Dumbledore casually entered through the back door now in his robes. Harry subconsciously backed up until she stood beside the Headmaster.

”Albus! What on earth is going on here?” huffed McGonagall.

”Minerva, why don't you sit down? We were merely discussing...” But Dumbledore didn't get to finish his sentence for in the next moment the door flew open with much greater force than when McGonagall entered and Harry was shocked to see Snape marching through it with Professor Flitwick hot on his heels. She felt as though her heart stood still. Snape looked positively murderous. But wait, it wasn't her he was looking at. No, he was clearly looking at Dumbledore. ”Headmaster,” he sneered. Perhaps, he hadn't noticed her yet. Oh, wait, now he has! Harry gulped slowly as Snape's eyes fell upon her. For a moment he looked stunned then... Then his expression briefly changed into... disappointment? She begged for the floor to open up a swallow her. This wasn't fair. Her cheeks reddened as she attempted a weak smile.

”So...” Snape said ominously as his eyes bore into her. ”This is where you've been sneaking off to.”

”It's not like that,” Harry begun.

”Severus, calm down,” urged Dumbledore. ”As I was just informing Minerva...”

McGonagall stepped closer to Snape. ”We were simply discussing sending Harry off to the Grangers a little early,” continued Dumbledore.

”She is not going anywhere!” hissed Snape.

”Now, Severus! What on earth is this about?” cried Flitwick who clearly had yet to be briefed on the true nature of the situation.

”Come here, Harry,” said McGonagall sternly as she held out her hand but Harry couldn't move. She imagined this was what it must have been like for Neville when they left him in the common room the night they went after the stone. She felt someone place a hand on her shoulder and realized to her discomfort that it was Dumbledore.

”There's no reason to carry on so,” said the old man.

”Do not touch her!” hissed Snape but Dumbledore only gave Harry's shoulder a comforting squeeze. ”I mean it, you manipulative old coot! Step away from my daughter!” Snape furiously spat. Dumbledore removed his hand.

”Severus, it's not what you think,” he said calmly but Snape had turned his attention to Harry.

”Come here!” he demanded. He's going to bloody murder me!

”Young lady!” said McGonagall sharply. Well, if she doesn't get me first!

”Come here, Victoria!” Snape thundered. Harry gasped. He didn't... He didn't just...?

”This instant!” Snape added, narrowing his eyes when she didn't move. Harry didn't need to think about it. Her feet moved on their own accord and she nearly ran to him. As soon as she was near him he grabbed her wrist before glaring back at Dumbledore. ”Don't you dare approach her without my permission again!” he snarled and then he turned and dragged Harry with him down the stairs – leaving a furious yet startled McGonagall and a dreadfully confused Flitwick behind.

---

He closed the door to his office slowly behind them and took a deep breath. He looked at the child he had been dragging to the dungeons. He hadn't spoken a word to her since they left. He couldn't risk it. He'd already blurted out her first name and if he didn't calm down he'd likely say something he'd regret. Hopefully she hadn't noticed. She stared at him with big, green eyes. She looked rather disheveled. Her hair was untidy, her clothes were terribly wrinkled and she looked rather confused. What was he going to say? He had to say something. He released her wrist and her hand instantly went to it. Had he been grabbing her too tightly? She looked so tiny when she hunched her shoulders like that.

”I trust you've had breakfast?” Severus began as he pulled out a vial and handed it to her. She stared at the nutrient potion in her hand for a moment before she pulled the cork and swallowed it in one go. ”Thanks,” she replied as she placed the vial on his desk. Severus took the chair by the smaller desk and pulled it out in front of his own and gestured for the girl to take a seat. He himself then took a seat behind the desk. Victoria looked every bit as uncomfortable as Severus felt. He was still furious. He could feel it and it was partly with her! Of course he knew how persuasive Dumbledore could be but she should have come to him! Or Minerva at least! Now that he looked at her more closely she looked....Was that a small smile on her lips?

”Pleased with yourself?” he snarled.

”N-no, sir,” She stammered as the smile vanished. There! That was more appropriate.

”Have you got anything to say to me?” he continued.

Then girl remained silent.

”Miss Evans?”

Her eyes snapped up and she stared at him. ”I don't see you telling me stuff so why do I have to tell you anything?” she replied.

Severus halted. ”I'm curious to know what you are referring to. What haven't I told you?”

”What,” the girl snapped. ”Did you do to my mother?”

”Excuse me?” Severus' dark eyes grew wide. She couldn't know about that.

”Why did she have to forgive you? What did you do?”

That old man is lucky if I don't curse his ears off!

”What on earth are you talking about?” he said nonchalantly.

”She forgave you! And if she hadn't she wouldn't have had me!” Victoria got up from the chair. When Severus didn't deny it instantly she cried: ”I knew it!”

”Sit down,” he said in a strained voice. ”You do not understand.”

”You're bloody right I don't!”

Severus huffed but he didn't consider it a good idea to correct her language considering what he was about to admit to. Was he really going to do this? Well, it was Minerva's idea that he be honest and if this sent the girl through the roof, Minerva could pay the damages.

”When we discussed the founding of Kitty's Creek, you didn't seem unaware of prejudice against muggleborns?”

”So? Malfoy is always picking on her because her parents are muggles.”

”Well,” Severus continued. ”Your mother and I... Were friends. We went to Hogwarts together. Your... Stepfather” Severus spat that last word. ”...And I... We were not on friendly terms. One day after an altercation with him and his gang I accidentally lashed out at your mother. I called her a derogatory term for muggleborns and I have regretted it ever since.”

There! He had said it! He had to take a moment before he could look at her. Hopefully she didn't know the word. The students had better not have said it in front of her! He silently cursed his godson for coming to mind. She just looked at him.

”What word?” Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Severus sighed with relief.

”I will not repeat it to you, but rest assured it is a despicable word – one that is never acceptable.”

”I knew it... You're one of those people! That's why you're always mean to Hermione even though she knows all the answers!”

”I...” he began. What had he been thinking? Damn, Minerva and her honesty! How was he supposed to explain this to a child?

”I know what it's like! I know what it's like to be hated for what your parents are! You're just like them!”

That had to be one of the worst accusations ever made against him. To suggest that Severus Snape was anything like Vernon and Petunia Dursley! Her face had darkened into a scowl.

”I didn't mean it and I suffered the consequences of it. Your mother didn't speak to me for years – and I cannot blame her but I never thought less of her for being muggleborn. I was young and angry and I took it out on her. She was the brightest witch I ever knew. She was a radiant woman. And if your relatives despise her it is because they are bigoted fools!” he replied in desperation.

”Takes one to know one!” the girl huffed.

Severus narrowed his eyes, his patience wearing thin. ”I will not stand here and be compared to the likes of Petunia! Petunia was ghastly as a girl. I was your mother's friend – her best friend. You cannot compare the two!”

She glared at him. Severus felt the fury radiating off of her. This was clearly not simply about the use of that word.

”They didn't want me either,” she hissed before heading for the door, covering her face partially with her hands.

Severus blinked. It took a moment for him to fully register what she has said and exactly what comparison she had made. Was that what she thought? No, she had it all wrong! She shouldn't want to be near him! He was an awful person! Was it too late to scare her away with the mention of blood purity? It was as he had feared and if he didn't do something he'd be just as bad as Tobias had been. He'd told him often that he wasn't wanted, that things would have been better if he hadn't been born and he was no son of his. If he remained silent he might as well have said that for he would have confirmed it.

”Miss Evans!” he called but the girl reached for the door handle and opened the door.

The question of whether he wanted Victoria was in the end left unanswered by his mind as his body reacted and Severus for the first time in many years opted for simply doing as his feelings dictated. In a second his wand was out and the girl shrieked as the door slammed shut.

”Come here! Sit down!”

Severus strode towards her as she simply shook her head. When he reached her, her hand flew out – open palmed and undoubtedly with the intention of simply holding him at bay. He instinctively grabbed her hand.

”Victoria!” Damn it!

”Let go of me!” she cried and Severus barely managed to dodge a badly aimed kick that was intended to hit his shin. Shocked, he stumbled backwards as she was dragged along. There were tears running down her cheeks now and he was surprised seeing as he hadn't noticed so much as a sniffle earlier. But he could not let her go. Not now. Not after what she said. What she thought.

”Don't fight me!” he snapped at the girl but it didn't help at all as she continued to struggle. She pulled away from him with surprising force and before he could think his actions through he had reached out and grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap as he sat down on the chair she had previously occupied. With her legs to the side she could no longer kick him. He wrapped an arm around her to prevent her from getting away and grabbed her hands with the other to hold them still. To some it might look as though he was partly hugging her but Severus knew better – this was purely for safety measures.

”You bastard!” she hissed and Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes. There was fire in her. There had been in Lily too. It seemed like time stood still. Victoria finally gave in to the tears and no longer tensed. Instead she fell almost limply against him as her sobs grew louder. He loosened his grip on her. It was strange to think he had had a daughter for almost 12 years and this was the first time he was holding her.

---

For several long moments Harry sensed nothing but the magnitude of her own distress and the scent of spices that lingered in the black fabric into which she was crying. There was a bottomless pit in her stomach and it bloody well hurt! After a while she became gradually aware of where she was and who was holding her. It didn't make it any better.

”You are the most foolish girl I have ever met,” said a low voice. ”I do want you but if you had any sense you wouldn't want anything to do with me.”

Harry didn't want to reply. She was afraid that if she did the moment would stop. The truth of the matter was that no adult had ever held her before or told her that they wanted her. It didn't matter that it was Snape and it didn't matter that it wasn't real – it couldn't have been, she likely just misheard but she needed this moment. Then suddenly she felt Snape moving and slowly releasing her. In response she flung her arms around his neck. She wasn't ready to face reality just yet.

”Don't go,” she mumbled into his robes.

”I have no intention of doing so,” he replied above her. It was strange. She could feel his heartbeat as she pressed her head against his chest. Somehow it seemed alien. She'd never really thought about Snape having one. He'd always just been the evil teacher. It was the same feeling she'd had the first time she was in Snape's bathroom or whenever they'd managed to simply talk to one another. She'd never seen Snape as anything but a dungeon bat, a demon, the evil git. It was so odd to see him as a human. To think he had a home and didn't just sleep hanging from the ceiling in some crypt. To think that he could be someone's best friend. To think that he might actually care about her.

”You're just going to leave,” she sniffed. She was pretty sure Snape's clothes were covered in tears and snot at this point but he hadn't mentioned it yet. For a moment there was silence.

”I won't leave. I have sworn to protect you and I always will.” So he understood what she was saying. He sounded a bit strange as though this was much weirder for him than it was for her. He sounded uncomfortable and that in turn made her uncomfortable. She squirmed to get down and he let her slide onto the floor. He handed her a handkerchief from somewhere within his robes. Harry gratefully took it and began cleaning her face. As she blew her nose she felt Snape's hand awkwardly patting her shoulder. She looked up at him. His face was expressionless.

”I am not a nice man,” he began slowly.

”Oh, really? Gee, I hadn't noticed!” replied Harry rolling her eyes.

Snape gave her a pointed look. ”Well, it's good to see there's some spirit still in you.”

”Thank you,” Harry said.

”It's only a handkerchief,” Snape replied matter-of-factly as he vanished said object.

”No, I mean... You know what I mean,” said Harry.

”You called me Victoria,” she mused after a moment.

”You wouldn't react until I did,” he replied.

”But you said it before then,” Harry argued.

”An indiscretion on my part.”

Snape seemed to pause for a moment. He then got up from the chair and removed his robes. He paced back and forth two times before coming to a halt.

”I...” He closed his eyes momentarily and seemed to be muttering something under his breath. ”I want you to consider this carefully. It would mean a lot of secrecy.Your friends can never know.. You might be happy with a new family...”

Harry gulped. This was it. This was the part where he apologized for hugging her and told her he'd changed his mind. Who would want a crying mess anyway?

”I do not want to hurt your chances of happiness. It would never be...”

Snape paused as Harry took a step backwards, shaking her head. She knew it. Snape wasn't like that. Snape didn't care. He'd likely just gone insane for a moment and now he'd realized. It would never be what? Normal? Convenient? Of course it wasn't! Harry didn't care for model-families. She didn't care for green lawns and blooming daisies. She didn't care for lavish family meals and mountains of toys. She'd seen all of that at the Dursleys' and she couldn't care less for it. All she wanted was to be wanted. Not to be a burden again and while she'd have never thought it would be Snape she'd be asking for that – there is was. She looked up at the tall man. He seemed to be deep in thought. Then he met her gaze and stepped close to her. He placed his left hand lightly on her shoulder as he spoke:

”You are mine and believe it or not I do want you. I want you to think carefully about what you want. I am not the ideal person to...”

”Did you love her?” Harry asked. Snape blinked, the question catching him off guard.

”More than anything,” he replied.

---

”Really?” said Harry excitedly.

The rest of the day had been strange indeed. She had felt exhausted and Snape had allowed her to take a nap. She woke later to find she had slept through lunch but a plate was waiting for her in the kitchen. McGonagall had been there while she slept. Snape hadn't said much but in the afternoon he had gone to speak McGonagall, Flitwick and Pomfrey. Harry suspected he had locked the doors but she didn't dare test it since she didn't know if he'd know. Not that she was going to run of anyway. She still wondered if she was very much in trouble but Snape hadn't mentioned it. Now it was late afternoon and Harry was sitting in an armchair in the living room.

”I can really go?”

”Yes,” said Snape and pointed a bony finger at her. ”But you will be going tomorrow and I will be taking you myself! Three days! And you will be on your best behavior while you are there! If I hear from the Dr Grangers that you've been...”

”You won't!” Harry smiled. She'd abandoned all hope of seeing Hermione.

”And furthermore... Don't think I've forgotten. There will be no more sneaking around. No more lying. I mean it. You're lucky I didn't confine you to these quarters until September!” he threatened. ”If the Headmaster contacts you again you will come to me or professor McGonagall in the future. Is that understood?”

”Yes, sir!” she replied.

”Good,” nodded Snape. ”I suggest you pack a suitcase. I've taken the liberty of laying one out for you. Your trunk is much too large for a short trip.”

Harry barely contained a squeal.

”Shoes off the furniture,” Snape reminded her before he left for the kitchen. Harry put her feet back on the floor and stood.

An hour later she had stuffed the black leather suitcase on her bed to the point of bursting. She didn't really need that much clothes but she wanted to show it to Hermione now that she had it – also she could really decide on what to leave behind. She left the sports-jacket on her chair so she could wear it the next day. Afterwards she spent some time thinking about all the things she and Hermione could do together – although she had to admit herself they'd likely only do half of them and only if she could talk Hermione out of studying. What were her parents like? She'd never met them before. She knew they were dentists and that many people were afraid of dentists. Harry wasn't. She hadn't often had the opportunity of going to one. Then she thought that people also thought that about her father. Well, Snape was actually very scary. And mean. But he wasn't all bad. Because he said he wanted her and he let her go to see Hermione even though she lied about Dumbledore. Harry was overjoyed. She loved every gift she had gotten last Christmas but these were in her mind the best things she had ever gotten.

At dinner she ate more than her usual portion. She was giddy for most of the evening and couldn't be bothered to read. Instead she studied the titles on the bookshelves, lay on the couch or made the occasional drawing. Once in a while whenever Snape passed by she would ask him questions about how they'd get there or what they'd said and if Hermione lived far away and anything else she could think of. Snape looked rather exhausted when he finally ordered her to bed at nine. Harry protested once but she didn't harbor the necessary annoyance to keep it up and so she went to after only one threat of being turned into a flobberworm.

”I see you managed to follow directions,” Snape said as he entered her room to find her already in bed with slightly damp hair from her shower.

”Thank you for letting me go,” Harry mumbled. Snape's lips tightened.

”If it means I get three days without your nonsense,” he replied but Harry couldn't help but feel he lacked his usual bite. ”Now, be quiet!”

”Goodnight,” She smiled as Snape turned of the lights.

”Goodnight, Victoria,” he replied. ”Go to sleep now.”

And Victoria did.