"Mum, Dad!" Maggie ran towards the fireplace, surprised that her parents had actually traveled by floo. "What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.

"Well," Delilah began, smiling down at her daughter, "Our meeting finished early so your father and I thought, why not come and fetch you ourselves?"

While this was true, the squib also wanted to see exactly the type of place she'd sent her Mags to. As a concerned parent, it was only natural to feel the need to meet the people watching over Maggie (or in this case, the unfamiliar witches and wizards surrounding her one and only child whilst she was nowhere in sight).

Maggie, who couldn't disagree with her mother's logic, had still gone to complain about having to leave too soon, when another man stepped out of the temporarily green flames.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Bill greeted his old headmaster, slightly taken aback by his presence. He shook the elder wizard's hand, "Is there something we can help you with?"

"Oh no, dear boy," he kindly reassured his past pupil, "I merely wanted to ensure Mr. and Mrs. William's safe arrival," Albus smiled warmly.

"Ah, so you must be Maggie's parents," Arthur exited the dining room with the other adults.

"Yes," Peter met the other man halfway and outstretched his right arm, "I'm Peter," he introduced himself once Mr. Weasley had accepted the handshake, "and this is my wife, Delilah."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the strawberry-haired woman informed him and Mrs. Weasley politely. "Thank you for looking after Maggie. We would've come along, only we had to complete our meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore," she felt the need to explain.

"It was no trouble," Molly assured the couple, "your daughter is quite well mannered for such a young age," she told them honestly, causing said girl to blush from her place beside her father.

Lovelle, who had giggled at her friend's predicament, caught the attention of Peter and Delilah almost immediately.

"So, this must me the infamous Miss black," Mr. Williams grinned widely at the raven-haired child.

"Maggie has told us much about you," Delilah put in at the look of confusion lovelle had been giving her partner.

"Oh," she shifted uncomfortably, really not sure of what to say in this awkward situation.

"Mum, could you be any more humiliating?" Maggie spoke up, probably saving lovelle from saying anything stupid.

"I am certain your parents did not mean to embarrass you, Miss Williams," Dumbledore intervened, his eyes ever-twinkling.

"It's okay Mags, really," lovelle calmed her down a bit before turning to face the set of adults once more, "It's nice to meet you," she smiled sweetly while inwardly holding back the part where she wanted to say 'but I'm not Miss black'.

Lily's firstborn now thought herself as an Evans, no longer wanting to be referred to by a pseudo surname that held no meaning in regards to her family ties. At this point, lovelle understood Maggie's disheartening upon having to surrender her given name: Porter. The latter of the two girls may have reluctantly agreed to her new parents' terms, but the former definitely would have thoroughly refused.

So, on the train, lovelle decided, she'd tell everybody of her new name. Now simply wasn't the right moment to share such news.

"The pleasure is ours, I'm sure," Delilah provided her with a mother's smile, thereafter turning to face the girl's guardian. "Lovelle; father, yes?" she checked despite the clear traits he'd passed on to his daughter. Anyone who looked between the two would be easily able to tell that they were related.

"I am," Severus nodded curtly, using nothing more than proper manners by introducing himself to Miss William's mum.

"We'd much like to speak with you sometime, Professor Snape," Delilah began, referring to both herself and Peter. Earlier, Headmaster Dumbledore had explained the current status between lovelle and Severus, leaving little confusion as to the separate surnames and other oddities, yet not stripping the urge for more details on the matter. "As I'm certain we shall be seeing more of one another in the future, what with lovelle and Maggie being such good friends," the woman went on, her words secretly distressing the man before her. The potion's master was hardly a social man by any means and had little to no desire when it came to speaking with other unnecessary people outside of his work environment. However, deep down, Severus recognized that Mr. and Mrs. Williams were to be important people in his daughter's life because of Maggie; therefore regretfully making them semi-such to him as well.

"Ah, I am glad to hear you say that, Mrs. Williams," Albus stepped forward from his spot next to Bill. Over to the redhead's left, lovelle could be found embracing Minerva as she'd clearly just noticed the elder lady. This action inevitably brought up loads of confusion amongst the younger Weasley's, having not known of the duo's relationship.

"You see," Dumbledore continued, ignoring the mixture of emotions flickering about the living room, "young lovelle has yet to purchase her required supplies for the upcoming term. So, I had thought, being that Maggie remains in a similar situation, why not have the children go together? You, along with your husband, would have the opportunity to speak with Severus and vice versa whilst the girls may bond with one another," the man attired in silver-tinted robes concluded, seeming pleased about his plan that held an obvious ulterior motive.

"Oh, that would be perfect!" Maggie exclaimed, wanting to spend more time with her best friend. Also, the blonde would be able to possibly speak with lovelle's dad about seeing Harry before school started (or she could have her parents do so in her place. Again, the girl wasn't scared of Snape or anything…she merely didn't feel comfortable speaking with her soon-to-be professor about personal affairs).

"It would be so much fun!" Lovelle  agreed in the midst of the moment, walking away from McGonagall and over to Maggie. Then, after turning to her father with pleading eyes, the eleven year olds smile faltered slightly upon seeing the look of sheer disgust sketched across his face.

Lovelle really and quite truly did not want another disagreement to take place between her and Severus… especially not when they'd just finally reconciled.

"Um," she looked down, no longer wanting to meet anybody's gazes, "You know, Mags, we could always hang out another time," lovelle tried, feeling utterly disappointed on the inside. "Besides, we'll be at Hogwarts together soon," she opted to look on the bright side, "so it wouldn't be such a big deal if we didn't-"

"If your father does not agree to take you, Miss black, than I shall accompany you there myself, along with the William's," Minerva came into play, speaking sternly, as per usual, "for I fail to see any problem with this arrangement," she defended, her inner lion coming out. Evidently, the professor cared a great deal for Severus' child, as it showed without any reservations.

Then again, having been watching over lovelle for the eleven years after helping Lily, it was bound to happen; these feelings displaying themselves, that is.

"That will not be necessary, Minerva," the potion's master rejected the very notion. Gryffindor's head of house was hardly on his good side as of late, for one thing.

"So, we'll go with them?" his child checked in a timid, yet hopeful tone.

Severus sighed, "So long as you conduct yourself accordingly, we shall," he hesitantly agreed, having little choice at this moment in time.

At that, both girls squealed in delight and began rapidly discussing how 'completely wonderful' it was going to be.

The potion's professor couldn't be on more of an opposite page.

Ten Minutes Later

Whilst Molly kept vying for her visitors to stay for dinner, lovelle, the twins, Maggie, and Percy stood talking at the far right side of the room. Ginny and her other brothers had retreated back into the garden to finish the chore they'd earlier started, much to the little girl's dismay.

"Why were you hugging," George started to say as his brother completed the sentence, "Professor McGonagall earlier?"

Lovelle laughed at their utter bewilderment, realizing how odd the whole scene must have seemed. "She was the first person I met in the wizarding world," she began explaining after regaining composure, "Without her, I'd have never set foot into Hogwarts, let alone into your home," this implied that the partially green-eyed girl wouldn't have ever known about either twin, silently bringing out the gravity in her and Minerva's relationship. "I wouldn't have learned of my real parents, magic, Harry, or anything," the girl admitted, scared by the very thought. "Professor McGonagall is like a mentor of sorts to me," she said slowly, barely coming to this conclusion. "Does that make sense?"

Taking a moment to absorb her words, all four of her friends nodded along in understanding.

"It really is nice that you have her to rely on," Maggie spoke first. "It's like you can go to her whenever you're having any problems," she smiled, "Kind of like an aunt or mother in a way."

"Aunt, maybe," lovelle quickly corrected, "Mum, not so much," she said in a manner of fact fashion. In her heart, there held only one mother figure…and she was dead. Miss Evangeline would forever be the only person she'd possibly perceive as a secondary option.

"Well, now that it's been settled," Percy jumped into the conversation, a question on the tip of his tongue and a rat on the inner palms of his hands, "Do you intend to live with your father now?" he wanted to know. So far, she'd been primarily living with him and his family.

"I do," lovelle beamed, all too happy to have such an opportunity. Only in her wildest dreams had this type of scenario occurred; where she had a family to go home to. "Tonight I'll probably go back to the school with him. Tomorrow we'll join Maggie and her parents at the Alley," she gestured towards the blonde, "After that, hopefully I'll get to meet my brother," wistfully, her small agenda was completed aloud.

"You will," Maggie determinedly assured, "I'll see to that," she grinned wickedly causing the twins to laugh. Strength just didn't look like it would be an attribute of the skinny girl's. And the professor most definitely was not easily persuaded.

"Just wait," she crossed her arms, "Both of you will be proven wrong and then we'll get to see exactly who will be laughing in the end."

Lovelle came to her best mate's aid, "Be nice, guys," she warned, "You don't know Mags like I do," the girl with a black side braid recalled the many memories of Maggie being able to talk her out of countless ignorant plans.

"If you say so," Fred raised his hands in a joking way, "I guess we'll simply have to see, won't we?" George teased.

Maggie merely glared, too angry for words, until she suddenly felt something creep up and onto her shoulder blade.

"Percy, get your filthy rat off of me!" she shrieked, wanting nothing more than to fling the creature onto the floorboards below, but too caring as she knew it'd probably hurt said rodent.

"Scabbers is not filthy," the teen protested, amusedly retrieving his pet.

"Says you!" Maggie huffed, pointlessly attempting to brush off any germs. "How am I supposed to know where he's been?" she argued.

"Relax, won't you? I wouldn't intentionally try to hurt you in any way," Percy swore, "Scabbers is entirely harmless."

"Seriously, Mags," lovelle took his side, standing between two identical boys whom were currently trying to catch a bit of air, "don't you think you kind of overreacted?"

"No, I do not," she firmly told them. "Quite honestly, I strongly dislike any sort of rodent, so I'd appreciate it if you could keep your 'pet' away from me in the future."

"Fine, I promise," Percy shook his head, "Are you alright now?" he fought the grin tugging at the corner of his lips, trying to be considerate.

"Peachy," Maggie rudely retorted, the muscles of her shoulders un-tensing to an extent, nevertheless.

Lovelle let out her last giggle for the time being as she looked over to where the three sets of parents stood by the fireplace. "We'd best be going," she told the blue-eyed female as they all looked ready for departure.

"You're right," Maggie agreed, noting the 'time to go' look her mum and dad were currently giving her. "I'll be seeing you, then," she said after turning to the three gingers, remaining displeased with the trio for making a mockery of her.

"Oh, don't fret," George joked, "You'll be seeing us in less than nine days," Fred smiled cheekily causing Maggie to roll her eyes, feeling annoyed. "Not too long at all."

"Lovely," she replied with much sarcasm, which lovelle chose to sidestep.

"Goodbye," the girl smiled sadly and gave each twin a hug before facing Percy. It was then that she gave Scabbers a gentle pat on the head after shortly embracing the animal's owner.

"You could always write," the future prefect suggested, knowing that eight and a half days would seem longer as they'd be missing one another.

"I don't have an owl, remember?" Lovelle  pointed out.

"We'll share Errol, then," Fred made up his mind, "That will work," George concluded, having had the same idea originally.

She agreed despite not knowing how to actually use a bird in place of a post-man. It'd be something for her to riddle out later. "Sounds like a plan," obsidian specked eyes shined slightly sadly. Lovelle decided to walk away with Maggie after having said that, not wanting to drag out or over dramatize their farewells'.

After holding onto one another for at least a full minute, the set of girls pulled away from each other with the knowledge that they'd reunite within the following day.

Miss Williams had barely uttered her final words to lovelle before watching the girl and then her father step into the fireplace.

"Good luck," she had whispered whilst witnessing her friend vanish into the green glowing flames, never wishing the phrase so strongly before.

Lovelle would surely need every last ounce of it.

Two Minutes Later

Former Miss black, now Evans, had barely entered the potions professor's private quarters when she noticed a tall aristocratic looking man standing but a few meters away from her person. To the man's left, stood a young girl who reminded her of Maggie, yet this blonde was much paler, causing said female to perfectly replicate an expensive porcelain doll. She also had grey eyes, straight silver-like hair that fell just past her chin, and was rather tall as well.

Having been lost in thought, focusing on the two purebloods as they eyed her with much curiosity, she failed to step aside from the fireplace after arriving, resulting in her father nearly knocking her over.

"Are you a complete dunderhead or do you merely lack common sense?" Severus had angrily scolded the girl. Instinctively, he had prevented her fall which held the reason for his hands currently gripping lovelle's arms so tightly.

"I'm sorry! I should have moved, I know, but-" she started apologizing, wanting her dad to see the bigger picture here: there were strangers in the room; possibly well-dressed burglars for all she knew.

"There are no exceptions," he practically hissed at her, "Do you have any idea how dangerous this could have been had I not noticed you in time?"

Although lovelle definitely believed he was being overdramatic about all of this, she knew now was not the time to voice that opinion. "Yes, I'd probably be a pancake right about now," she sarcastically began, about to direct the professor's attention towards his visitors until an interruption took place, preventing her from doing so: The dollish girl had giggled at lovelle's small joke.

"Ah, Severus, I do apologize for such an unexpected visit, but Amaryllis had wished to stop by," the rather poised man too made his presence known.

In that moment, the potion's master released his hold on the eleven year old before him and turned to appropriately greet the father-daughter duo.

"There is no need for an apology, Lucius" he began as lovelle attempted to roll away the discomfort in her shoulders. Her father was surprisingly strong in spite of his stature. "You and Amaryllis are welcome here at any time," Severus told them, his mask firmly back in position. Regardless of whatever he may have told the two, lovelle knew he was hardly overjoyed with their intrusion.

"I'd wanted to get a look around before the start of term," the grey-eyed girl explained, "so that I wouldn't be constantly getting lost throughout my first week here. Your quarters are simply the quickest way to come in."

"That makes sense," lovelle piped up. With the proper means, professor's rooms were most efficient when one wanted to enter Hogwarts, "but students still aren't supposed to be in the castle until school starts," she informed Miss Malfoy knowingly. The Baron had made sure she'd known of that rule…and it wasn't likely that she would ever be able to forget such an encounter.

"Oh, I know," Amaryllis smirked, "There's little harm in it, though," she stated semi-truthfully. If one honestly wanted to, they could wreak some serious havoc in the halls whilst nobody was there to see. "Besides," she carried on, "Father would be with me the entire time, so it's not like I'd be causing any trouble."

Lovelle couldn't exactly disagree with that logic so she moved on to another topic; one that had been bothering her since she'd stepped through the floo system. "Alright, now that I know what you're doing here, mind telling me who you are?" she asked a bit bluntly, causing Severus to eye her disapprovingly.

His daughter, however, refused to meet the gaze she knew would be a nasty one.

"I'm Amaryllis Malfoy," the girl that reminded lovelle of her doll, Sara, said with a smile in place of her previous smirk, "and this is my father," she looked up at the man to her right expectantly.

"Lucius Malfoy," he introduced himself, not offering up a handshake like Mr. Weasley often did, but instead held tight to his snake-shaped cane.

While lovelle had kindly smiled back at Amaryllis (she was getting used to the weird names at this point) she warily stared on into Lucius' scrutinizing gaze, not getting a good vibe from this guy at all.

"Severus, you did not tell me you had a child," he broke contact with the set of dark emerald eyes and looked to his old classmate. His words caught not only the professor uncharacteristically off guard, they shocked lovelle as well. Did they really look that much alike? Neither one had thought so despite what several others may have said.

"Father," Amaryllis broke the newfound silence as she'd come up with a solution to this predicament her younger brother's godfather was now in, "Why don't…sorry, but I didn't quite catch your name," she looked to the raven-haired girl.

"Lovelle," she replied calmly, though she was anything but on the inside, "lovelle Evans." She decided against introducing herself as a black for a first. While lovelle couldn't do so earlier in front of such a large crowd, now was a completely different story. She'd still tell her friends later, though. Eventually, all would know.

"Evans?" Malfoy senior interrupted only for his daughter to do the same.

"Lovelle, would you like to go explore the castle with me?" Amaryllis smartly suggested, knowing the conversation her father wanted to hold needed to be done in private.

"Um," she looked to Severus for approval. After receiving a tight nod in compliance, lovelle agreed and quickly followed the other girl out of the room.

She really didn't want to be around for that explanation.

Five Minutes Later

"So, Professor Snape is your father?" Amaryllis asked once they were out of the dungeons.

This seriously annoyed lovelle. Hadn't they left to avoid this type of discussion? "Yeah, why?" she partially snapped.

"Just curious," the taller female defended. "I've known him practically all my life and not once has he ever mentioned you," she elaborated, not sounding snippy, but rather simply honest.

She sighed, "Well, to be fair, he didn't exactly know about me until recently."

A gasp followed by a disbelieving, "Really?" was her reply.

"Really," lovelle repeated, "but I don't want to talk about that right now, alright?"

Amaryllis was disappointed, "Fine," she still agreed, "just promise to tell me about it sometime?"

Rolling her eyes at that, she still smiled, "Promise," lovelle made a deal with this person she'd only just met. "Now where would you like to go first?"

"You've been here before?"

Geez, this girl was super inquisitor-y. "Only twice," she admitted, "but I know my way around some," lovelle then stopped and looked to her companion, "Like you, I start next year so I'm not too familiar with this place. That being said, if we get lost, don't blame me," she smiled teasingly despite the bit of truth behind her words.

"Oh, never fret," Amaryllis grinned, "I will."

Lovelle simply laughed, thinking that she'd just possibly made a new ally; one with a very long name at that.