Chapter Text
“Isabelle, we must go!” my father called from downstairs. I fumbled with my shoes, snatched my green jumper, and ran.
“Where exactly did you say we are going again?” I threw my jumper over my head as I sped down the stairs, completely ruining the ponytail I had just put my long, dark brown hair into. “I’m still going to the Malfoys’ tonight, right?”
Father didn’t even bother to respond as he grabbed my hand. In what felt like a blink, I had gone from our living room to standing in front of a long row of brick townhomes. While distracted by the nausea that apparition never failed to give me, my father had whipped out his wand and pointed it at the homes. The row of townhomes slid apart, grinding softly, revealing a slightly more weathered home, hidden in plain sight.
12 Grimmauld Place.
When we had finally gotten inside, we walked down the long, narrow entryway. The hallway smelled of dust and old spells. At the end of the hallway, I was greeted by the trunk I had packed for school. I could hear some unfamiliar adult voices coming from what I assumed to be a dining room. As I attempted to listen while also grabbing my belongings to move them, I felt my father’s cold hand find my shoulder.
“As I told you the other day, I have a quick meeting to attend. Try your best to entertain yourself while I’m in the other room, will you? I’ll be out shortly.”
The dining room door suddenly slammed open, making me jump.
“Ah, Severus! I’m glad to see you made it.” A tall old man with long grey hair and what seemed to be an even longer beard stepped out of the room and met my father with a firm handshake. He turned to face me with a friendly grin and shook my hand as well, just with a much lighter touch. “Isabelle, my dear, I’m happy to hear you will finally be joining us at Hogwarts this year.”
I had turned fifteen a few months ago. Despite my father teaching at Hogwarts, he insisted, up until the end of the last school year, that I be homeschooled. Though I had always craved the idea of going to school, taking classes, and making friends on my own, I didn’t mind being homeschooled. My father and I lived in his childhood home in Cokeworth with his mother. Just like any other witch and wizard, I got my first wand at Ollivanders when I was eleven years old. During any of the breaks in the school year, my father would spend almost every minute of his time teaching me useful charms, defensive spells, and potion-making. My grandmother handled the book-heavy subjects like the history of magic and Arihamancy.
Narcissa Malfoy, my father’s dear friend, was also one of my teachers. For as long as I can remember, she would make sure we saw each other at least once a week, even before she had insisted she would help homeschool me. Narcissa was a brilliant witch and taught me everything I know about astronomy and transfiguration. My favorite lessons have always been astronomy. Every Wednesday night during the school year, she would invite me over to the manor for dinner and our weekly lesson. We would go out into the Malfoys' beautiful, ginormous gardens and stargaze while reading through my textbook under the bright moonlight.
“I hear you are one brilliant witch. Way ahead of your class,” the old man spoke again, bringing me back into the moment as I finally began to recognize him. Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts Headmaster.
“I’m afraid I must cut this greeting short. Severus, why don’t we head into the kitchen? We are just waiting on Molly and Aruther. It was lovely to meet you, my dear girl.” He said.
He let go of my hand so he could usher my father into the other room. Right before Albus closed the door, he turned around to give me a warm grin.
“It was lovely to meet you, too, professor,” I quickly responded and returned a warm, kind smile.
I fumbled through my trunk to find the book I was currently reading. Trying to avoid disturbing the meeting, I chose to walk around the unfamiliar home as I looked for a good place to sit while I read. I traveled up the stairs and poked my head into a few dark bedrooms. When I made it up to the third floor, I opened the first door to my right, and it was exactly what I had been looking for. I stepped into the beautiful yet messy black and dark red colored office that had bookshelves lining the wall behind the desk. There were papers and books sprawled across the floor. Dust covered every surface. I closed the door behind me and chose to sit on the black leather couch in front of the grand fireplace.
I didn’t even try to keep track of the time as I read. I started to slightly hear shuffling going on below me as I flipped to the next page. I figured it was my father until I realized the faint voices that were getting louder were ones I did not recognize. The doorknob to the office began to rattle. I looked up from my book and whipped my head towards the door.
“Which room do you want, Ginny?” a tall red-headed boy said as he opened the door to the office. His eyes met mine as I noticed he wasn’t alone. Three more redheads stood closely behind him, one being identical to him, along with another girl with big, brown, curly hair.
“Hello,” I replied in shock, not knowing what more to say. My heart was beating rapidly- not from the sudden appearance of the group, but from the realization that this was my first encounter with more than one other person my age.
“Sorry– I had no idea someone was in here.” He said, his eyes locking on mine.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone either,” I replied with a small smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
The red-headed girl who had been standing next to the curly-haired girl pushed her way through the doorway and into the room. “Merlin Fred, would you stop ogling at her? You look like a creep,” the girl laughed as she playfully swatted him on the arm. His face went beet red as he tried to find any words to defend himself. I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Don’t mind him. I’m Ginny Weasley,” she said, smiling warmly. “These are my brothers, Fred, George, and Ron. Back there is Hermione Granger.”
The curly-haired girl I now know as Hermione gave me a quick wave. I shyly waved back before introducing myself.
“I’m Isabelle Snape.”
Their expressions all shifted at once. It had become uncomfortably quiet. Ginny opened her mouth to say something, but quickly changed her mind as she continued to look at me with pure confusion.
Ron finally spoke up from behind his brother and sister. “Snape has a daughter? You— your father is Professor Snape? There’s just no way. How come we haven’t seen you at Hogwarts?”
“I’ve been homeschooled,” I answered quietly. “But I will be starting there next week–as a fifth-year.” I tried my best to make eye contact as I spoke, but struggled due to the awkwardness of their reactions to my name.
“Ron and I are going into our fifth year as well.” Hermione beamed. She almost looked proud to make the announcement. “Are you up to date on all of your studies? I would be glad to go over everything with you if you need.”
She was sweet to ask, and I wanted to express my gratitude, but I didn't get the chance before Ron asked more questions.
“Wait, is Father here? Is Snape in the Order of the Phoenix?” Ron asked. While the first question was intended for me, his second seemed to be a question for the others.
“Sorry, the what?” I blinked, unfamiliar with the term.
“The Order of the Phoenix. They're having a meeting right downstairs in the kitchen. Our parents are a part of it.” He stated, gesturing to his siblings.
Before I could respond, Ron and the rest of the group were instantly refocused on a brown haired boy with glasses who had just come up the stairs. They all went to greet him as a beautiful white owl flew up from the bottom floor and calmly perched on his shoulder. I looked back down at my book, flipping to the next page. While focused on my book, I heard their voices start to muffle and heard a door of another room close shortly after, making me believe I was alone again. I only got about halfway down the page when I felt the shadow of one of the tall, redheaded looming behind me.
“What are you reading?” He asked with curiosity in his voice.
“It’s just an astronomy textbook,” I replied, turning my body so I could see him better as he leaned over, placing his hands on the back of the couch right next to my shoulders.
He reached down from behind me to close the book so he could see the cover. ‘Advanced Astronomy: The Study of Jupiter’s Moons’.
He smirked. “Skipping ahead a few years, I see. Does this mean I’ll see you in seventh-year classes?”
I gave him a small smirk back. “I believe I’m stuck with the fifth years, unfortunately.”
“What a shame.” He suddenly used his hands to push himself over the back of the couch to plop down right next to me. While you could still fit a whole other person in between us, his left hand stayed resting on the back of the coach as it had before, only centimeters away from my shoulder.
“I’m Fred, by the way, in case you were wondering which twin I am.”
“I figured,” I said, my lips curling up.
“Oh? How could you tell other than the fact that I am definitely the more attractive twin?” He was incredibly handsome, which I couldn’t help but notice.
I laughed softly. “I just figured that the twin who was staring, sorry, ogling me earlier, would be the same one to start a conversation.”
“I guess that was just as embarrassing as I remember it,” he admitted. “I reckon I should’ve said I was George.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I moved my book off my lap and fully turned my body to face him, crossing my legs on the couch. “Don’t you want to go see the boy that your siblings are with in the other room?”
“Who, Harry? He practically lives at my house. He won’t be offended if I don’t say hi right away. Were you just curious, or was that a smooth way to tell me you want to be alone?” He grinned charmingly, but I caught the genuine question beneath the teasing.
“Don’t worry, I’m not kicking you out. I enjoy the company.” I said in an attempt to reassure him.
The cushion below me suddenly puffed up as George appeared right in between us on the couch. I jumped up from my seat in surprise, knocking my book to the ground.
“Bloody hell, mate! Were you trying to scare her to death?” Fred shouted as his eyes flickered from his brother back to me. I frantically tried to catch my breath from the scare.
“Not at all, Freddy, I’m only checking in,” George said. “Sorry about that, little Snape didn’t mean to frighten you.”
George swung his arm around his twin's shoulders and gave me a big, cheeky grin.
“I really hope I never have to get used to that,” I sighed when I finally calmed down.
“We’ll see about that, won’t we?” George teased, raising his eyebrows at me. “Mum said the meeting is wrapping up and dinner's nearly ready. You two planning on joining?”
They both looked at me eagerly as they waited for an answer. I bent down to grab my book. When I popped back up, their eyes were still on me.
“I would love to stay, but I believe my father planned on us leaving right away after the meeting. I should probably find him.” I said, standing.
They both rose as I headed towards the door. I turned around to face them again.
“Well, you are going to have to experience one of Mum's dinners eventually, Is,” Fred said, and I felt my face grow warm at the nickname.
“I’ll hold you to that.” I smiled. “It was a pleasure to meet you both. I suppose I’ll see you at school.”
I could hear my father’s voice yelling my name from downstairs as I backed up more into the hallway, implying that I truly needed to leave.
“Don’t worry. Freddy will save you a seat on the train, won’t you, mate?” George gave his brother a firm pat on the shoulder and shot me a quick, friendly wink right before disappearing into thin air.
Fred’s confident smirk faded for a moment when he thought I wasn’t looking, replaced by something softer, almost nervous. When our eyes met, he snapped back to his charming self.
“Try to enjoy the rest of your summer without missing me too much,” Fred teased.
“I’ll try my best,” I replied with a smile. “See you on the train, Fred.”
I turned to leave but hesitated at the doorway, glancing back at him. My green eyes locked with his warm brown eyes one last time before I hurried into the hallway.
I ran down the two flights, watching my feet to ensure I wouldn’t trip. My father was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs with my trunk. I tried to wipe the gittiness off my face as I followed my father down the long hallway and out the front door. I looked back at the house one last time and grabbed his arm. A gust of wind hit me as my surroundings disappeared. My father insisted on always using apparition even after the many times I had expressed how much I dislike it. The wind came to a sudden stop when we appeared in front of the grand front door of Malfoy Manor. Before I could reach the door, my father grabbed my arm, forcing me to look at him.
“Isabelle, my dear, I need you to understand that no one can know I attended that meeting. If asked where we were earlier this evening, I need you to say we were at home.” My father spoke in a forceful yet clear tone.
“I’m not understanding, Dad.”
“I’m not asking you to understand Isabelle, I’m asking you to do as I say.” His voice dropped. “Do I make myself clear?” He asked without breaking eye contact for even a second.
“Of course. I’ll do anything you need.”
His expression softened as he gently dropped my arm. The warm summer night air blew on us as we still stood outside the manor.
“Write me if you need anything at all, but I trust Narcissa will take care of everything you need. Remember, we have a meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore to get you sorted as soon as you arrive at the castle. I will see you then.” He spoke softly and pulled me in for a hug. I tightly wrapped my arms around his torso as he put one hand on my upper back and rested his other hand on the back of my head.
“Try not to worry about me too much,” I said as I slowly removed myself from the hug so my eyes could meet his. A rare small smile crept onto his face as he looked at me. I smiled back at him, moving my hand to his arm. I went up on my tiptoes to give him a quick peck on the cheek before picking up my trunk and grabbing the door handle. I turned back to my father right before stepping inside.
“I’ll see you soon, Dad. Safe travels”