Third Chapter

A/N: First of all, I'm sorry this has taken so long to get up. I've been so busy lately that I've hardly had time to breathe... But I hope you will like this chapter. I must admit, I'm not to good at the subtle thing, but I hope you'll enjoy anyway.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of J K Rowling. Juliana and her story are, however, mine.

It was dusk by the time the train drew up at Hogsmeade Station. Severus had sent a message ahead to Dumbledore asking him to have a carriage pick them up in the village instead of having to walk all the way up to the castle in the quickly approaching darkness. Sure enough, a Thestral-drawn carriage was waiting for them, the skeletal, horse-like creature pawing the ground impatiently as he and his young companion approached. Severus stopped in front of the carriage to stroke its nose, for he respected the creatures. They were a reminder of the countless deaths he had seen in his time as a Death Eater and as a spy. The countless deaths where he had stood there and watched, watched without intervening. The countless deaths he had brought about.

Juliana came up and stood next to him. Hesitantly she reached out her hand, and when it touched the leathery skin of the Thestral it exhaled appreciatively. Continuing to run her hand along its neck, she looked up at Severus.

"What are they?" she asked quietly.

"Thestrals," came his curt reply. "Carnivorous horses who can only be seen by those who have seen death." He silently wondered whether she had watched her parents die.

He turned and climbed into the carriage, beckoning her to follow. The Thestral moved off without any further prompting; they had, after all, been pulling students' carriages for a very long time. The ride up to Hogwarts Castle passed quickly. Juliana said nothing as they passed through the huge wrought-iron gates and into the grounds. The carriage drew to a halt in the courtyard outside the entrance hall, where Severus was greeted by Hagrid.

"Severus, good ter see yer. Who's that with yer? New student, eh? Bit early, don't yer think?" Hagrid greeted him, unhitching the Thestral and stroking its back.

Severus scowled. "This is my adoptive daughter, Juliana Snape. Juliana, Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts gamekeeper."

"Nice ter meet yer, Juliana. Welcome to 'Ogwarts."

Juliana nodded solemnly in his direction. "Thank you."

Severus cleared his throat. "If you will excuse us, Hagrid, we have to see the headmaster now. Good evening." He turned and beckoned Juliana to follow, which she did. As he led her through the corridors and up staircases, she took in every detail of the castle and its passages and intricacies she possibly could retain in such a short amount of time. The castle was huge, and she could not help admiring Severus for the self-assured and powerful way in which he strode through its halls. By the time he stopped and muttered something at a door which swung open, she was completely disoriented. At the top of a spiral staircase was another door, on which he knocked before entering.

"Come in," a wizened but strong voice called.

Severus opened the door and held it open for Juliana. She entered the room and looked around her in amazement. The room was filled with portraits, and they were moving. On shelves were cluttered assortments of odd-looking instruments, and behind a huge oak desk at the end of the room, mounted on the wall, hung a heavy sword, its hilt encrusted with rubies.

From a side door, an old wizard emerged, smiling at her with twinkling eyes. He sat down behind the desk.

"Severus, my friend, please, draw up a chair." Severus did so, and Juliana followed suit, still gazing around at the walls of the office. "And who have we here? I would never have thought you to adopt a girl, Severus. But then, even an old man like me can be mistaken," he said, his eyes twinkling a bright blue.

"I do doubt you did not know exactly whom I was going to adopt, Headmaster – "

"Albus, please. No reason for unnecessary formality, is there?"

"Albus, then. This is Juliana Snape. Juliana, this is Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Severus looked over at her. "I'm sure you will get to know each other quite well over time."

"Juliana, what a pleasant surprise. It's about time Severus found someone to look after him." Seeing Severus' scowl, he chuckled lightly.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Headmaster." Juliana answered.

Albus smiled at her. The girl felt vaguely uncomfortable as he looked her up and down, as if he could see into her mind. A slight frown flickered across his face for a second before he smiled again, and Severus had a suspicion that Albus knew something he did not.

"Well, Severus, I'm sure Juliana has had quite a long day. Why not show her to her room? I have arranged one in the west tower for her, quite near your own chambers. I'm sure she will find it to her liking."

"There was one thing, Headmaster, about her schooling..." Severus began.

Dumbledore cut him off. "Nonsense, it can be nothing we can't discuss tomorrow morning. The girl is tired. I will see you tomorrow at eleven. Goodnight to both of you."

"Goodnight, then," Severus replied.

"Goodnight, Professor." Juliana echoed. She and Severus got up to leave, but as soon as he had gone out of the door, Juliana heard Dumbledore speak softly behind her.

"You will be good for him. And he will, no doubt, be good for you, my dear. Now have a good night."

She stared for a moment before silently leaving the room to catch up with Severus.

"Come this way," Severus called to her as she hurried after him. "My quarters are in the dungeons, but Albus has seen it fit to give you a room on the upper floors. There is a staircase leading down to my quarters which you are free to use at any time."

He walked up to a painting of a rather beautiful lake and tapped his wand against the wall twice. The painting swung aside to reveal a large room, a four-poster bed on one wall, a wardrobe and a dresser lining the other. A large window was opposite the door, probably looking out onto the grounds, Juliana guessed. It was roomy but comfortable with dark wooden furniture, and to the side was a small bathroom tiled in dark green and blue and a small study with a desk and bookshelves. She thought it perfect, and Severus was happy to see her smile.

"The door will set itself to whatever password you wish. Just tap it twice and say your password, it will set automatically," he told her. Pointing to the door in the corner, he continued, "You can access my rooms through that door. There is a staircase and a short passage you will need to follow, but you can't get lost. I'll leave you to settle in. Come down in an hour and we will eat." When she did not reply, he turned and walked out, closing the door quietly behind him. It would be best to leave her for a while.

* * *

Dinner was a subdued affair, and neither Juliana nor Severus felt much like talking. Severus had chosen to eat in his own chambers, where it would, he figured, be quieter than at the staff table. Even though the students had yet to come back from their summer holidays, the Great Hall had an air of openness, the memories of many a food fight and the echoes of laughter and chatter. He preferred to dine with the girl where they could have some peace.

Juliana did not at all seem surprised at his chambers. They were suited to him, with their mahogany furniture and comfortable armchairs in a shade of dark blue, shelves upon shelves of books and magazines on every topic imaginable, but they were not the chambers of a bat of the dungeons. Quite the contrary to a bat, Severus liked natural light and had several tall, charmed windows inserted in the walls to show the lake and the Hogwarts grounds.

They ate quietly, and Juliana savored the rich taste of the Hogwarts food. At the first pop and Apparition of a house elf to take their dishes back into the kitchen, she jumped, but quickly got used to its comings and goings. When they had finished their dessert, she yawned, and Severus decided to send her to bed. She stood up and bade him goodnight before making her way up the stairs. Severus watched her until he heard the click of the door being pulled shut, and then pulled the book he was currently reading towards him. Before he could notice his eyes grew heavy and the pages slipped from his fingers, and he fell asleep in his armchair. He briefly remembered debating whether or not to go to his bedroom, but decided against it. If something happened to Juliana he wanted to be as close to her as possible.

* * *

He was awoken by a terrified whimpering coming from above. Grabbing his wand from the floor to which it had fallen in his sleep, he bolted to the staircase that lead up to Juliana's room. He flung open the door with his wand held out at arms length to find the girl writhing under her sheets, still asleep, but terrified and shaking. Severus leapt over to her and shook her, calling her name. As soon as his hands touched her, he saw images in his head, darkness, lights, and then a cruel flash of polished steel. She let out a scream that chilled Severus to the bone as here eyes opened, terrified. The pitcher of water on the dressing table shattered, spilling water and glass everywhere.

Juliana gasped, trying to control her breathing, and her body shook uncontrollably. Severus cradled her in his arms as he sat on the edge of the bed, and she held on to him as if for dear life. He didn't know what to say, so he said nothing, only stroking her back reassuringly with one hand. Very slowly, her breathing went back to normal and she ceased to shake. He sat there holding her for a few minutes more and then gently extricated himself from her grip. She looked up at him, her eyes no longer glassy but still fearful. A whisper.

"Don't go."

Severus sighed imperceptibly, but whispered back.

"I won't. Trust me. Just sleep now, Juliana. Sleep."

Her eyes closed and she drifted back into sleep, still holding his hand. Severus didn't go, but sat up next to her for a good part of the night, watching her like a silent guardian. When the sun began to peek through the curtains, he stood up to catch an hour of sleep himself. Before closing the door to her room, he paused and turned to look at her sleeping form one more time.

"Trust me, Juliana," he spoke quietly into the room. "Trust me."