Chapter 6

A/N: Once again, I come to you with my tail between my legs. It has taken me a few weeks to get this chapter finished. I have been busy. I've posted a couple of one-shots: 'Twas the Night Before Deadline and Voldemort the Red-eyed Serpent. If you haven't already, you should check them out, so you can see that I'm not always so dramatic. Thanks again to RobisonRocket!

Chapter 6

TWO YEARS LATER

Grace stared unblinking at her reflection in the large, ornate mirror which was nestled in the corner of the Head Girl's dormitory. If one were to ask her if she was nervous, she would probably laugh in their face. Nerves she could deal with – nerves could come and go with little worry. But, Grace wasn't nervous: she was terrified.

The Potter twins, Lily and Anna, were sitting on her bed, looking through the latest edition of Witch Weekly and waiting for Grace so they could go to breakfast together. Anna, looking at her watch, jumped to her feet in a panic.

"Gracie, we're going to be late for breakfast. Come on, Lils, you know I don't like to be late," Anna whined on her way to the door.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Anna, we've got the Head Girl with us. We're not going to get into trouble. Besides, it's just breakfast. We can grab a slice of toast and still make it to our first lesson. And, in case you haven't noticed, today is N.E.W.T. day, so our teachers are too busy running around to be concerned about a little tardiness especially from you," Lily said, and Grace groaned.

Anna crossed her arms over her chest. "Why wouldn't they care if I'm tardy?"

"Because," Lily said, "You're you. They love you – the teachers. You're never in trouble, and you make about a thousand points on all your exams. They would never be angry with the perfect little Gryffindor Prefect. Anyway, it isn't as if we have any exams or anything. We already finished our O.W.L.s, and we're only still going to lessons so that the teachers have an excuse to drive us mad."

Trying not to be too offended by her sister's comment about the teachers, Anna allowed some of her panic to subside. Lily was right after all. She took a moment to study her twin as she was reminded once again of how different the two of them were. As a matter of fact, their little sister, Jasmine, was probably more like Lily than she was. Granted, when they were at home during the holidays, Lily could persuade her to get into a little mischief. But, at school, she was all about books and learning. Lily was always the one getting detention and having points taken off, but Anna would always work extra hard in classes to get the points back. Lily was a chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, while Anna could be found in the spectator's stands with her nose in a book. Yes, on the outside, they were identical down to the last freckle. But, on the inside, they were as different as night and day.

Anna smiled lovingly at her sister. They may be completely different, but Anna and her sister were as thick as thieves, and she counted Lily as one of her best friends. Even though they were identical, Anna always felt that Lily was the prettier of the two. She thought Lily's green eyes sparkled a little more; that her red hair was a little shinier; and that her smile seemed to always be a little brighter.

As soon as Lily saw the smile on Anna's face, she knew she'd gotten through to her. "See, sister dear, you agree. Now that that's settled, what are we going to do with our friend here?"

Grace gave Lily a petulant stare. "What's that supposed to mean? What did I do?"

"Gracie, we've known you since we were born. We know when you're scared to death. Now, come on, tell us what's eating you," Lily said.

Grace looked from Lily to Anna then back to Lily. "I'm fine, honestly, you two, you're making such a fuss."

Anna smiled knowingly. "Are you worried about your exams?"

Grace grimaced.

"Aha! You are worried about your exams. My baby sister has it right, doesn't she?" Lily asked. "I can't believe it."

Anna rolled her eyes. Now was not the time to argue that she was not her baby sister. Lily was only older by five minutes, but she always seemed to make such a big deal about it. When Anna did argue that it wasn't a big deal, Lily always reminded her that her Hogwarts letter arrived a whole thirty seconds before hers...Anna's...did.

"Gracie, what my eldest sister is so tactlessly trying to say is that we know you will do great on the exams because you have been studying like a mad woman, and you know this stuff. Your dad has been teaching you potions from the time you were born, and you are excellent with all the other subjects. And, you've been learning defense with our dad for the past two years. If I must say so, he's the best there is."

"Yes, that's what I meant to say," added Lily. "Look, Gracie, you'll do fine. You completely aced your O.W.L.s, and to be perfectly honest with you, I don't have a clue how you did that. We sat for our O.W.L.s earlier this week, and they were horrible. I'm sure I got a big, fat T for History of Magic – that class is dreadful."

Grace smiled at the twins. They might be younger than her, but they were her closest friends. Having grown up together, they were more like cousins, and she trusted them completely. Aside from Devon, they understood her more than anyone else could. However, they didn't know what was going through Grace's head today. Today, she would be making a life changing decision, and she hoped beyond all hope that she was making the right one.

Grace sighed heavily. "I love you guys. Thank you so much for trying to cheer me up. Well, let's get down to breakfast and get today over with."

She took one more look at herself in the mirror, sighed, and then followed her friends out of the dormitory.

When they reached the Great Hall, the buzz of excited chatter reached their ears. She smiled warmly at Devon, who was making his way over to her from the Ravenclaw table. Lily and Anna grinned at Grace and excused themselves.

By the time Devon reached her, some of the butterflies flitting around in her stomach had died away. "Hey," she said.

"How're you feeling this morning? You look a little pale. Come on, we'll get you some breakfast." Devon grabbed her hand and led her back to the Ravenclaw table.

"Is this alright, or would you rather sit with the Gryffindors?" he asked.

"This is fine, Dev. I don't care where I sit, honestly. I don't think I can eat anything, though," Grace said.

"Maybe you should at least eat a piece of toast. Come on, your dad is watching you. The man hates me enough as it is, Gracie. Next thing you know he's going to accuse me of making you starve yourself."

Grace stole a glance at the Head table and, sure enough, her father was staring right back at her. She gave him a small wave and, in true Snape fashion, he acknowledged her with the slightest of smiles that only Grace could detect – the one he saved just for his wife and children.

"Alright, I'll eat some toast," Grace said with a defeated smile. "Besides, old mother hen with the wicked sixth sense has just looked my way. I don't know how she does it, but I swear my mother knows exactly how many calories I eat every day."

"You're right. She's watching you pretty closely. Merlin, she's as bad as Mrs. Weasley," Devon added. "Here, have some bacon. You're looking a little thin," he deadpanned with a perfect impression of Molly Weasley, causing Grace to nearly choke on her pumpkin juice.

Their laughter earned them a curious glare from Severus and a wink from Hermione who hid her grin with a sip from her teacup.

"So," Devon began. "Have you told either one of them what you're planning to do?"

Grace's grinned faltered, and she shook her head soberly.

"You haven't changed your mind, have you?" Devon asked cautiously.

"No," Grace answered. "I haven't changed my mind. I want this, Dev, more than anything. It means more to me than being an Auror. It means more to me than being a witch. You understand, don't you?"

Devon softened immediately at the desperate look in Grace's eyes. "You know, I think I do understand."

Before either of them could continue their conversation, Severus stood and approached the podium.

"Silence, students, I need your full attention." In true Snape form, he displayed his formidable power by silencing the students with barely a rise in his voice – a voice that still sent pleasant shivers down Hermione's spine.

"With the exception of seventh-years, when you are finished with your breakfast, you need to go to your regularly scheduled classes so that your teachers can try to fill your heads with some last minute education before you retire for the holiday. I believe this to be a waste of time, but alas, I have been out-voted." Severus finished with a contemptuous glance at Hermione, who smiled innocently back.

Twenty minutes later the students from sixth year and below had finished their breakfast and cleared the Great Hall. Severus stood once again so that he could address the seventh-year students.

"Now," he began with a sinister sneer. "You will soon begin your Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. There is no need to be nervous...," he drawled. "Just remember that you have all had the very best education possible, and some of you might be able to receive decent marks. Of course," Snape's eyes fell on Devon, "some of you will only scrape by."

Grace smiled at Devon. She knew her dad was aware of Devon's brilliance; he just enjoyed baiting him. She rolled her eyes – he could be so childish.

"Listen closely now; I don't care to speak to you like you are toddlers, but some of you need special care. Before you begin your exams, you will need to fill out your personal information, which is located at the top of each exam. This information asks for your full name, birth date, where you live, and the names of your legal guardians. Please endeavor to fill this section out completely and without errors as it is legal and binding. Your entire professional career could be ruined if you misspell your name." Once again, his eyes rested briefly on his daughter's companion.

"Now that I have provided you with the information that is necessary to fulfill the requirements of my employment, you have exactly twenty minutes to get to your first exam. That is all."

Severus gave Grace a furtive look before leaving the podium. She understood this as a "come see me" look and nodded.

"I will catch you up, Dev; my dad wants to see me." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and excused herself.

Grace walked slowly so that the rest of the students had time to clear the Great Hall. She knew that her dad, being the private man that he was, would appreciate this.

As soon as she reached his side, she waited as the last student finally exited the Great Hall. She then turned to him and was taken by surprise with the concern she saw in his beetle-black eyes.

"What's the matter, Dad?"

"I actually wanted to ask you the same question. You seem distracted this morning, and your mother and I noticed that you didn't eat much breakfast. That really isn't a good way to start your exams, Grace."

"I'm alright, honestly. I guess I'm a little nervous about the test," Grace said without meeting his eyes.

Severus noticed her odd behavior, but didn't comment. "You have studied very hard; I don't see any reason why you should be nervous. Listen to me, child; if there is something bothering you, try to put it off until the exams are finished. Then, you can come and speak to me or your mother about it afterward. You need to be concentrating on your exams right now, and nothing else."

"Okay, Dad. I'd better go now, though. I don't want to be late," Grace said. Before she left him, she gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. He gifted her with a smile, rarely seen outside a private setting.

Grace left the Great Hall, and Severus stared at the empty space that she'd vacated. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear his wife enter through the staff-room door.

"Severus, is everything alright?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Hmm," he responded.

"Snap out of it, Headmaster," Hermione scolded.

"My apologies, my dear; did you need something?"

Hermione frowned. "What has gotten into you? You are a million kilometers away."

Severus reached down and gave her hand a squeeze. Finally taking his eyes off of the empty space, he focused on her.

"Everything is fine, Professor Snape," he said cheekily. "Would you care to have lunch with me in our chambers this afternoon?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. She knew he was hiding something, but he was a much better Occlumens than she was a Legilimens. She sighed. "I'd love to have a private lunch with you, darling. Maybe you will be ready to tell me what's on your mind by then."

Before he could respond, she had vanished.

*********

In previous years, the exams were held in the Great Hall. This year, however, the exams were to be held in Hogwarts' vast library. This decision was based on the amount of time it took students to clear the Great Hall after breakfast and the Headmaster's impatience with them.

Grace found her seat and waited for the exams to be handed out. She felt a prickling on the back of her neck and turned around to find Devon watching her. He gave her an encouraging smile, which she returned in kind.

Once all of the tests were handed out, the Ministry examiner cleared his throat. "Now, students, I assume you are privy to the rules of this examination. There will be no talking until you exit this room for your lunch break. You have also been given instructions on filling out the top half of your exam for each lesson. You have exactly one hour to complete each exam. You will have three exams before lunch. Good luck."

Grace looked at the top of her exam paper, took a deep breath, and dipped her quill into her ink bottle.

She began to write:

GRACE GINEVRA WEASLEY

Smiling to herself, she took another deep breath and added... SNAPE.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wonder what Snape will think about Grace changing her name on her exams. I have been pretty vague on her name, but I will go into more detail in the next chapter.