The next morning, lovelle woke up in a room unknown to her. Of only two things she was certain: she wasn't at the Weasley's and this was most definitely not Wool's. The bedroom she was currently in was all too nice to be a part of either place.

Sitting up from the full-sized bed and removing the blankets restraining her, lovelle tried recalling last night's events.

Where was she at? Why was she here? And how did she get there?

'Oh,' the girl remembered those answers with shame. 'I'm in so much trouble,' she told herself. Lovelle didn't know how long it had been since, but at some point she had gone completely mental on her father. 'Stupid,' lovelle inwardly cursed. Ever since she was born, the orphan had wanted nothing more than a family. And now that she finally got one, lovelle had been nothing short of disrespectful and ungrateful. Sure, Snape had acted like a right git to her, but she still knew it had to be because the man didn't know who she actually was at the time. The eleven year-old had completely overreacted. 'Maybe,' she thought, 'it's not too late. Maybe if I start behaving better, things will be okay,' lovelle tried convincing herself.

Gathering her thoughts and coming to that conclusion, she started looking around the room. She knew that it was probably located within the dungeons. Snape would not have left her with Professor McGonagall, lovelle knew, because of how angry he seemed with the woman. 'Besides,' she thought, 'if he didn't want me here with him then I would still be at the Burrow.'

Lovelle made her way out of the bedroom, her feet instantly turning ice cold upon touching the stone floor. She gasped in surprise, not realizing that she was no longer wearing any shoes, and then sought the pair out.

To her dismay, however, the black trainers Wool's had provided were gone. 'Great,' she huffed before shivering slightly. Lovelle then walked over to the doorway, leaving the simple room behind (all it contained was a bed, dresser, and a small lamp).

Reaching her destination, she slowly poked her head out of the frame. To the right, she noticed, was a restroom and another bedroom, she presumed, because the door was closed. On the left side of the narrow hallway, were some stairs that led down into a basement of sorts (she guessed) and a corner which led into the sitting room lovelle was dragged in Sunday evening after getting caught by her father (she figured out upon turning it).

"Finally awake, I see," a deep voice startled her. Honestly, she was all too easy to frighten.

Snape lowered the text he'd been reading, revealing his previously hidden face.

"Gosh, you scared me," lovelle placed a hand over her rapidly beating heart. "Have you seen my shoes?" she then asked, hoping he'd forgotten yesterday's events.

"Indeed," he replied, standing from a green-colored armchair much nicer than the orange one the Weasley's owned.

"Um," she began carefully, not wanting to fight once more, "then where are they?"

"Incinerated," Snape informed her, drawing his wand out.

Lovelle blanched, "What?" she asked in disbelief. Just then a pair of newer looking shoes flew out of one of the rooms (lovelle couldn't be sure which as they rounded the hallway) and floated over in her direction. She then watched as the trainers grew smaller in size and landed at her feet.

"Wear these," he instructed, "We shall be leaving shortly."

The girl almost started complaining about how these were boy's shoes and that she wanted hers back despite how ratty and ruined they may've been, but quickly decided against it upon remembering the rest of Severus' words. They were leaving? 'Surely not to Wool's,' lovelle reassured herself.

"Where are we going?" she asked, sitting down on the (again, sage-colored) sofa opposite of the armchair in order to lace 'her' shoes.

"Diagon Alley," Severus impatiently enlightened her. "Not only do you require the necessary supplies for schooling this term, it also appears that you are in dire need of proper clothing."

Prior to the man's last statement, lovelle was looking forward to visiting the wizarding venue. Presently, however, she felt nothing more or less than insulted. 'Even when I try being nice, he still finds a way to make me mad,' she thought before responding aloud.

"They're Ginny's," lovelle revealed. Having finished putting on her shoes, she now stood before him, "And there's nothing wrong with them," she firmly stated. It had been very kind of the youngest Weasley to pass over several outfits for her, lovelle knew. Used or not, they were still in perfectly good condition.

Always willing to prove others wrong, Snape went forward and took the sleeve of her yellow blouse, signifying the faded discoloration and torn seams. "The garments are not only unsatisfactory, but unacceptable, as well. I will not have my ward clothed in rags," he declared, "We are leaving, the matter is not up for debate," Severus added, disallowing the child from protesting furthermore.

But lovelle wasn't about to argue as her mind was elsewhere. 'Ward?' she thought, 'is that all I am?' the girl was disheartened. She had thought the two could start over and try to be more of a family like the Weasley's. After spending time with the red-heads, lovelle became jealous. Not that it mattered. Evidently, the man didn't share her wishes, therefore nothing would change. She'd just have to wait until December. Then, lovelle could meet her brother and finally have a relative to confide in. 'I've waited this long,' she reminded herself, 'I can make it another four months.'

"Can I at least use the bathroom first?" Lovelle asked, pulling out of the depressing reverie, realizing that she had to go.

"Can you?" the aggravating man pressed.

She bit her tongue, "May I?" Lovelle rephrased the question, knowing that is what Snape had been getting at.

"Very well," he approved. "Do not dawdle," Severus advised, not keen on having to wait.

Choosing not to comment, he watched as the girl silently fled from the room. He then spent the remainder of his time attempting to gather his thoughts. While the child had been sleeping, he'd gone through several old letters and photos between him and Lily, trying to figure out the reasons behind, along with the question as to why, this had all transpired. At the very least, Severus should have been notified of the girl's existence at an earlier date. As much as he loved, and still loves, Lily, the decision regarding their daughter was not hers alone to make; circumstances be damned. This was exceedingly more important than any allegiances, wars, or sides of light and dark. He still should have known. And while Severus could not hold any of this against the child's late mother, Minerva was still at fault for having been aware all these years. Now, all he could do was attempt to raise this eleven year-old girl to the best of his abilities. Having absolutely no experience and very little patience, however, it would be not only a long process, but a painful one as well.

Fifteen Minutes Later

Stepping through the floo and into the Leaky Cauldron (another name lovelle couldn't help but to laugh at) the raven-haired duo had been greeted by Tom, the innkeeper.

"I don't have any money," lovelle blurted out after Severus had declined the other man's offer of a room or table.

Approaching the Alley's entrance, the man stopped short to gaze sternly at the child, "Do you not think that I am not already well aware?" he inquired rudely, as if his intelligence had been undermined.

Lovelle looked up and eyed him questioningly, "But I can't buy anything without-" she began explaining.

Severus returned the stare, yet with a darker-obsidian shade over a pair of gem-colored eyes, "As a child, it is not your responsibility when it comes to purchasing necessities," he informed her.

Understanding this, lovelle still had a hard time believing that the man was willing to spend his hard earned money on her. 'The bat hardly likes me,' she then concluded, 'There must be some sort of catch.'

But before lovelle could ask just what it was, the brick wall standing previously at her left side started shifting, unveiling what could only be Diagon Alley.

Two Hours Later

After a mortifying visit into Madame Malkin's, (for somebody who absolutely hated shopping, along with the prospect of being 'fitted') lovelle found herself walking quickly towards a creepy looking place with a name she couldn't quite pronounce.

"Could you slow down?" she asked Snape, peeved at this point. After two hours worth of Malkin's insults, her patience was running thin.

"Are you injured?" the man asked, still not slowing his pace.

Confused, lovelle slowly replied, "No, but-"

"Are you feeling ill?" he went on, again not slacking the fast strides he persisted on taking.

"No-"

"Evidently, there are no excuses as to why you are not fully capable-"

"That's not the point!" Lovelle gave up attempting to jog alongside him, not caring if Snape deserted her. "Ever since we met you've been nothing but mean!" she started, slightly shocked when her father actually stayed behind. "And I'm sick of it!" she let him know, "I even apologized and everything!" Lovelle waved her arms about, exasperated. "Unlike you," she added offhandedly.

"Miss black-" Severus began, clearly having decided on a name.

"I'm not a black!" she screamed, causing nearly every witch and wizard in the alley to stop and stare. She didn't care though. Lovelle (having inherited her mother's temper) was determined and went on before her father could cut in or walk away. "Even though I'd rather be after getting to know you!" she regretfully admitted. "You're still supposed to be my dad," lovelle took a step back when he tried reaching out for her in an attempt to get away from the crowd she'd drawn. "But that doesn't matter, does it? You don't care!" Her tone was bitter and tight while her eyes brimmed with tears, despite the efforts to keep them at bay. Then, not wanting for everybody to see how weak she was, lovelle did the one thing she was best at: She ran.

…

Lovelle heard the gasps and sounds of disbelief from the other parents at Diagon Alley as she took off. What she didn't hear, however, were the shouts from her father, demanding that she return.

That was probably because they were non-existent. The pleading never came.

Making a hasty entrance into the Leaky Cauldron, she ran for the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder, ignoring the fact that it was probably meant to be paid for.

"The Burrow!" Lovelle frantically thought of the one place where she could turn to without being immediately sent back.

Within moments she found herself flung through the ashes, smacking hard upon the wooden floor. She was clearly too upset to prepare for a better landing and her head instantly paid for it.

"Lovelle?" she heard somebody call out.

Whoever it was, the girl couldn't be sure of, for just moments after banging her head; she was welcomed into the world of unconsciousness.

…

"I can't be sure," Tom told the potion's master. "The kid was crying so hard…I couldn't make out where she went." The keeper just shook his head shamefully, "I'd be surprised if she actually made it there, to be honest."

Severus sighed tiredly. How had he let this happen? The professor had dealt with many tantrums from various students over the years, and not once did he allow them to get so carried away.

Maybe it was because the girl in question was his daughter…Lily's as well. Those damned eyes shown with so much hurt and pain swayed him. The words spewing from lovelle's mouth, ignoring the way in which she went about saying them, were still true. So, why had he been crude? Unprepared and unfit as Severus may be, the man was a parent now, whether he liked it or not, and had been expected to act like one.

Unknowing where else to go, Snape retreated back to Hogwarts and into Minerva's office once again, anticipating the selected words that were to come if lovelle was not there.

…

"I think she's waking up," somebody said, unsuccessfully trying to be quiet.

"Her hand moved," a girl agreed, leading the opposite to believe that she was the one holding her palm in a death grip.

"Do you think she can hear us?" another person asked; this tone deeper than the other's.

"I dunno," a younger boy responded.

"Well, she's been out long enough," someone noted concernedly. "If she doesn't open her eyes soon-"

"Don't say it," identical voices demanded together.

"It's true though," the teen pressed on. "It's been over an hour now-"

"That's all?" Lovelle croaked out, finally managing to snap out of her unconscious state.

"Lovelle!" Ginny shouted excitedly, "You're awake!" she didn't release the older female's hand, despite her relief.

"I'll go get mum," said Percy, who had been standing the furthest away from the bed within Ginny's room.

"Wait," lovelle requested, struggling to sit up as the walls were still spinning. "I'm sorry for leaving on your birthday," she apologized, not sure as to why this was her first thought upon waking up.

Percy cracked a smile, "It's alright," he reassured her, "Although I didn't expect to see you again until the first."

She couldn't help the blush that crept upon her face. 'Me neither,' she thought, not realizing it had been aloud.

"What happened?" Charlie asked as his younger brother sought out Mrs. Weasley.

Lovelle tried hiding her face beneath her hands, yet was prevented from doing so as Ginny still held firmly onto the left one. "It's a long story," she mumbled. Just then she heard the pattering of speedy footsteps making their way up the stairs.

Entering the crowded room moments later, Molly ushered her children away from the girl's bed, "How is your head?" she asked worriedly, "Are you in any pain?"

"I'm fine," she lied, making sure to keep her head still. Shaking it would've only made matters worse.

Molly wouldn't have it. Looking after seven kids practically turned her into a living, breathing lie-detector. "Bill, dear, would you fetch me a cold cloth?"

Without saying a word, the redhead quickly left the cramped room, knowing better than to keep his mother waiting.

"I'm okay, honest," lovelle tried again.

"No you aren't," Fred spoke up for the first time since she'd barged in. It made her uncomfortable though, to see her two best friends anything other than cheerful. "You look like you're about to pass out again," George told her.

"You do seem a bit peaky," Mrs. Weasley agreed before lovelle could deny them of the truth once more. The woman then placed a gentle hand upon her now-healed forehead. All that remained was a small scar and an aching sensation that made her extremely dizzy. "Hmm," Molly removed her hand, "You are a bit warm," she informed lovelle.

As if on cue, Bill returned with a wet rag, which Molly quickly snatched up and placed gingerly on lovelle's temple.

"Why don't I make you some soup?" she offered as lovelle sighed in relief. The coolness was truly working wonders for the pain.

"You don't have to-" was all she managed to say.

"Nonsense," Mrs. Weasley waved it off, "I'll be back shortly," she added, leaving the room without interrogating her. Lovelle was certain that the two adults would've been pressing her for answers by now; not that she had anything against Molly and Arthur not doing so. It was a great weight off her back for the time being. Besides, lovelle was starved. The last meal she had was this morning: an apple, toast and some milk (her father was a stickler for a proper diet) before she and Severus departed for Diagon Alley.

Her heart clenched at the memory. Surely that had to have been over three hours from now. Why hadn't he found her? Was he even looking? Lovelle couldn't help but doubt that. Once Mrs. Weasley returned with the soup, Wool's would surely be her next destination. Her eyes began to water at the thought.

"Hey," Fred took a seat beside lovelle on the small bed while George did the same on the left side. Ginny had been forced to leave that spot when her mum came in. "What's wrong?"

Lovelle remained quiet. She was too upset to respond and too queasy to shake or nod her head. The tears began to fall against her wishes, so she took the small towel and pushed it over her eyes in a pathetic attempt to hide from the world.

"We can still see you, you know," Ron tried joking from across the room.

She tried disagreeing, but the words that came out were muffled by the material shielding her mouth.

The twins laughed and one of them stripped the rag away. "Sorry?" George asked, "We didn't quite catch that."

"Just go away," lovelle tried taking the cloth back unsuccessfully.

"Not until you tell us," Fred started, "What happened," George finished.

"Does the Professor know where you are?" Charlie asked when she didn't speak up.

"No," lovelle avoided making eye contact, "Not really."

"You ran away?" Ginny gasped. She looked shocked. Never had the seven year old remotely dreamt of abandoning her home.

"That wasn't very wise," Percy said, knowingly.

"I'm sure the Professor must be worried," Bill went to say.

"Trust me," lovelle finally spoke up, "He isn't."

"Look," he retorted, "I know you don't like him-"

"That's an understatement," she cut in.

"But he's still you're father," Bill went on, "Whether you like it or not."

"Only by blood," lovelle rudely responded back. "I don't think he minded when I took off."

The twins looked at her questioningly. "But does he even know," George said, "that you left?" Fred asked.

"Oh, yes," she started, her voice dripping in sarcasm. "He was right in front of me when I did."

"And he just let you go?" Charlie inquired, disbelievingly.

"Yup," lovelle told him, "He didn't even try to stop me," The twins eyed one another warily from across the bed.

"So, he knows you're here, then?" Bill faked his curious expression, having already known the answer deep down.

"Well, not exactly," lovelle squirmed under the older wizard's gaze. Her headache had finally vanished along with the motion sickness she'd been experiencing previously.

"Why did you leave?" Charlie asked, looking towards his older brother, silently saying for him to back off a bit.

"We sort of got into an argument," she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

"And you're still alive?" George teased as Fred pretended to check that all her limbs were still intact.

"Quit it," lovelle still smiled at their antics.

"What was it about?" Percy asked, bringing in the tension again.

She sighed, realizing that they deserved to know the whole story. The girl had invaded their home, afterall. "Well, we were walking through Diagon Alley after a trip to Madame Malkin's," lovelle began, "and I asked him to slow down because he walks really fast," she explained. "But instead of listening, he just asked me a bunch of stupid questions," she huffed angrily, reminiscing.

"Then what?" Charlie pushed.

"I got angry," lovelle stated as if it were completely obvious. Yes, she definitely inherited her father's patience.

"I meant, what did you say next," the redhead elaborated, careful not to sound too annoyed with the girl's snarky tone.

"Oh," she looked down and began fiddling with her thumbs. "Well, I started yelling, and that kinda drew a crowd," lovelle shook her head, recalling the shocked expressions upon everybody's faces. She then looked up to see matching ones on every Weasley in the room. "What?"

"It's just-" Percy began.

"Nobody's really yelled at the Professor before," Charlie went on.

"And lived," George joked, "to tell the tale," Fred prodded her with a smile.

Lovelle smiled back, ignoring the other two. "I guess there's a first time for everything," she teased.

"You know," the twins kept on with their mission to lighten the mood, "I bet you look even more like your brother," Fred told her. "What with being a scar-head, now and all," George explained.

Ginny giggled at that, "Yeah, but hers isn't a lightning bolt!" she exclaimed.

"No, it's more like a backwards 'C'," Ron decided, stepping closer to get a better look.

"It could be a crescent moon," Percy added, looking in further as well.

Lovelle covered the scar with her bangs, "I don't care what it is," the girl let them know, "Just get your faces out of mine, you weirdo's!" she kidded, laughing all too hard.

Ron jumped back in surprise, colliding with Percy, causing them both to topple over. And instead of doing the mature thing by helping them up, everyone just laughed hysterically.

…

After sobering up, lovelle finished her story. "So, then, after I said some things," she refused to go further with that, "I stalked off. He didn't come after me or anything," she finished, slightly sadder than before.

"Maybe if he knows where you went-" Bill tried telling her.

"If you say anything, I'll leave," she quickly put in.

Before Bill, or anybody else for that matter, could protest, Mrs. Weasley returned with a fresh bowl of hot soup. She then conjured up a tray and set it, along with a spoon, on lovelle's lap.

"Now," Molly brushed her hands off onto her apron and, afterwards, placed them on her hips, "Why don't you go de-gnome the garden?" she looked at the other gingers in the room, sternly. It was clearly more of an order than a suggestion.

"Do we have to?" Ginny whined, terrified of the creatures.

"I'll be with you the whole time," Charlie comforted her. "It'll be fun," he smiled, taking her hand and leading her from the room.

Bill, Percy, and, surprisingly, Ron followed without complaints. The twins, however, refused to leave.

"Can't we stay?" George asked, "She's our best mate," Fred told their mum, "And she's hurt," the previous twin put in.

Lovelle went to object, but Mrs. Weasley interrupted the trio. "Yes, alright," she agreed, calming the boys down, "But I expect you to sit there quietly," the woman raised a finger in warning, "Not a word, understand?"

Fred and George faked zipping their lips, remaining on either side of lovelle's bed. Content with her sons' response, Molly sat on the edge and informed the girl of her earlier actions.

"I sent Arthur to the Headmaster's office," she said, "Your father should be here soon."