Snape's Daughter

"Noooo! Where's my toothbrush?" yelled Luke in a panic, rummaging through his own bottomless suitcase.

"Here," said Serena, holding up something that didn't look anything like a toothbrush. There were bite-marks all down the side, and there weren't many bristles left. Luke's eyes widened.

"What happened to it?" he asked in shock.

"Who knows what you did when you were asleep?" responded Cyndi, innocently putting her own - clean - toothbrush into her case. On top of this she placed three pairs of pyjamas and a stack of parchment that she had almost forgotten.

Luke looked in alarm at the girls, then saw the laughter in Serena's eyes. "Repair it, now, or I swear I'll hex you!"

"You're not thirty-six any more, Luke. Do you really think that you have the magical power to do that? I seem to remember in first year you tried the most basic jinx in the book and blew your eyebrows off." Luke growled with mock anger and tossed his wand to one side, raising both fists.

"So, how did that happen then?" asked Serena. Both looked at her, then burst out laughing. They continued to pack as soon as Serena, being the most skilful, had repaired the brush. In fact she had only used a simple concealment charm to hide the reality beneath - a normal blue toothbrush.

After breakfast at nine, they went back upstairs to say goodbye to Beaky, then dragged their trunks down the many stairs to the hallway. Beaky would be leaving at about midday, and would arrive at Hogwarts tomorrow. They would be leaving at ten, in order to arrive at the station on time. The tube could be very unreliable, and they might need to take a taxi.

However, from nine-thirty until ten, the three became jumpy and bored. They kept jumping up, walking to the door, and then sitting down again impatiently at random moments. Time dragged by, second by second by second... suddenly, Tonks entered the drawing room. She announced to the relieved room that it was time to leave. Luke and Serena shot up, and Cyndi sped for the door.

One minute later, they were walking down the street towards Tufnell Park station. The gang knew their way about the area almost like the back of their hands now, and it did not take them long to reach their destination. While they travelled, they talked about the Royal Princess of Magic, Skeren Garnet, who would be going to Hogwarts.

"Well, I don't really know much about her," said Luke. "I was in Azkaban when she was born, and I've been on the run since then. It's nice to walk about without being noticed," he added. Cyndi, stuck in the wheelchair space next to him, laughed and nodded.

"I'd almost forgotten that she was my age when I got home," she said. "I wonder what house she'll be in?"

"Hufflepuff," said Serena and Luke together. Luke explained that the royal family were all descendants via the female line from Helga Hufflepuff herself, which meant that Hufflepuff was no longer their name. Skeren, as the oldest of the Queen's children, would one day be queen herself. The Queen was named Lumenta, and it was when Serena had first told him the name of the Queen that Luke had recalled his magical past.

Cyndi, who was comforting her kitten Dwyer through the door of the cat basket, listened intently. 'Dwyer' meant 'Black' in Irish, which was part of the reason why Cyndi had called him that. Serena then looked at Luke, who had been Cyndi's boyfriend for three years. Then, Cyndi had sadly used her time turner to go back to her own time, given it to Dumbledore, and realised that Sirius Black was dead. She had written a letter to him anyway, sure that it would never reach him (especially over the Atlantic Ocean) yet it had done. Luke had become an eleven-year-old when he had fallen through the Veil of True Love, mistakenly called the Veil of Death by the misunderstanding Unspeakables at the Department of Mysteries.

Suddenly a voice interrupted their conversation. It was an old voice, with an American accent, and one familiar to Serena.

"Serena! Heading to school now?"

It was Henry Blake, who lived near the Snape mansion. The dog, Radar, was by his feet as they sat on the train.

"Henry, good to see you! This is Luke Tabina, who lives near Number Twelve, and Cyndi Brock. She's American as well. Oh, and this is Tonks, who's taking us to Kings Cross. How are you?"

The others stared at Serena. Blurting out stuff about the magical world haphazardly so that anyone could hear it! She, however, was grinning.

"Hi, I'm Henry Blake. I know about magic," he continued, lowering his voice, "even though I'm a Muggle. That's 'cos I almost died in a helicopter crash, but some Korean wizards rescued me. I've been living in England for over forty years now."

The train stopped, and the party of four plus Henry and Radar got off. They were at the Kings Cross station, since that was also on the Northern Line. Then they hauled their suitcases to the top. Henry remained with the group since he needed to catch a surface train as well.

It was ten forty-five when they arrived at platforms nine and ten. Henry stepped onto his train from platform ten with Radar, and was lost to sight. Meanwhile, the three tried to spot different magical people that they knew. They would enter the hidden platform in five minutes, meanwhile doing not much.

"There's Harry!" hissed Luke, suddenly. Serena looked up. A boy of average height, with round glasses and distinctive black hair was walking through the crowd with a tall red-haired boy she recognised as Ron Weasley and his girlfriend, Hermione. Luke had ducked behind Cyndi, trying not to be seen, afraid of recognition. The famous trio soon vanished beyond the barrier.

"Okay, time to go," said Tonks. Serena grinned, and they walked through the stone wall.

It felt just like walking through air, as though the wall was not there. Turning around, she saw that instead of a wall on this side there was a gate. It was very crowded, and she stuck close to Cyndi and Luke. They had been here before, and knew their way about. However, a tap on the shoulder disturbed her.

"Serena! What're you doing here?" It was Jessica, Serena's best Muggle friend. Or at least, she wasn't Muggle, but Muggle-born.

"I'm a witch," she explained with a grin. Quickly, she performed the necessary introductions, then spoke quietly to her friend.

"Look, round here you have to pretend my surname's Lupin, okay?"

"Why?" demanded Jessica.

"Because," replied the young girl shortly. "I'm Serena Lupin from now on. Not Jones, not the other one, Lupin."

Jessica looked curiously at her friend, but then shrugged. They piled onto the train and found a carriage. Then, they looked out of the window.

"I wonder when the princess will come?" asked Luke in a hushed voice.

"She's already here," said an angry voice from the door. The four spun around. Luke, Cyndi and Serena stood up immediately, but Jessica remained seated, looking curiously at the strawberry-blonde with the pale blue robes.

"God, I effin' hate ceremony. Bloody sit down an' stop actin' like I'm blinkin' royalty."

Skeren Garnet had a harsh voice, and appeared to swear a lot. She grabbed a seat next to Jessica, and stared accusingly at the other three. Meanwhile, Cyndi let Dwyer out of his cage, and the kitten curled up on her lap and fell asleep.

"So, who's you lot then?"

Introductions were made for the third time that day, but before they could talk any more, the door swung open and two people entered. The girl Serena had seen in Diagon Alley, with the brown hair patched with white, stood nervously in the doorway. Her face was white and her eyes wide. Remus Lupin stood behind her, a smile on his tired and ill-looking face.

"Serena, this is Viktoria Miklos. Please can you look after her for this journey? She does not speak much English, as she's from Hungary, but please make her welcome."

Viktoria's eyes roved about the room, flickering over every face. Serena, after wondering for a moment why her uncle was there, shrugged. She patted the seat next to her, and the girl sat there.

"Hello, I am Viktoria. What is your name?"

"I am Serena. How are you?" she asked slowly.

"I am well. I am from Budapest, in Hungary. I am in first year."

Luke frowned as he looked at Viktoria. He seemed to be thinking about something. Then Skeren began to speak in a language none of them understood. Viktoria replied in the same language, her eyes lighting up. The train began to move when the whistle blew, and they were on their way to Hogwarts.

"So, what effin' house d'you think you'll be in?" asked Skeren.

"Ravenclaw," said the voices of Luke, Cyndi and Serena at once.

"How're you so bloody sure?" asked Skeren.

Serena glanced at Luke and Cyndi nervously. As she did so, she was reminded of when Luke and Cyndi had been doing this to her, and burst out laughing. Jessica looked at her best friend in puzzlement.

"What are the houses?"

"Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin," said Serena, launching into a description of the houses. This was going to be a long journey, she thought. Jessica listened intently, and Skeren translated into Hungarian for Viktoria. After the talk, Jessica could not make up her mind about her house, and decided to forget about it. The trolley lady arrived, and they introduced her to chocolate frogs.

"Stop blinkin' callin' me Skeren, I hate it!" exclaimed Skeren, after they had been on the train for about three hours. "Call me Kezza, ev'ryone does."

"Yeah, okay," said Serena. "So... Kezza... how come you know so many swear words if you're a princess?"

*~*~*

Time passed quickly on that journey. The six friends, both new and old, began to get to know each other well. It grew dark outside, and the moon shone through the windows of the train. It had been full moon recently, remembered Serena, wondering if her uncle was still on the Express. She munched her way through a Chocolate Frog, meanwhile reading the card of Agrippa that she had collected.

"Cool! I haven't got her!" said Luke.

"Well you only started collecting today," reminded Cyndi, looking at her own of Dumbledore. She grinned and handed it to Luke, who somehow had not got him yet.

"Oh yeah," said Luke, vaguely. "Listen, should we recruit this lot for the team?" he asked them quietly.

Serena nodded along with Cyndi.

"We'll have to tell them, though," reminded the American girl.

"Fine," said Luke. "Listen, you guys. I have to tell you something. I'm not who you think I am. You know Sirius Black...? That's me!"

Kezza, who had been translating for Viktoria, froze at her gasp. Victoria babbled something quickly in Hungarian, which the princess related to the others.

"She says... 'Sirius Black killed her mother and brother. He deserves to go back to Azkaban where he belongs.' You're not really him, are you? That was me asking, not Viktoria, by the way."

"I plead innocence," responded Luke. He related the tale of how he had come to be where he was today, and finished as the train began to slow down. Serena and Cyndi, who had not been listening to the tale, watched the signs for Hogsmeade station cross their view out of the window. The train stopped, and Cyndi wheeled herself in front of the other five, out of the train.

"Firs' years over here! Firs' years this way! 'Ungarian studen's too! All studen's from 'ungary, an' firs' years!" It was Hagrid, looming over the crowd. Serena began to walk towards him behind the others, squeezing through the ever-expanding mass. She noticed that the older students walked down a path away from the station, whereas the first years headed for a spot next to a large and gnarled old tree.

"Righ', we all 'ere? Okay, follow me." There were several older students amongst the first years. They appeared to keep to themselves, talking in the same language as Viktoria had done. Viktoria, however, kept away from them. She had become very friendly with them, and tried to pick up a few words of English as they travelled. She hoped, like Kezza, to be in Hufflepuff, so that she could understand people better.

They walked up a smooth hill, and once over the top they saw the full expanse of Hogwarts and the lake beneath it. It was, as Jessica so aptly put it, 'B-e-a-utiful!" The other myriad of first years murmured their agreements, although a snooty-looking boy was heard to mutter something else. "It's not as good as the mansion back home."

Cyndi whispered the word 'Slytherin' to Serena, who grinned and nodded. At the bottom of the hill, they climbed into the boats. Cyndi shared one with Luke, and the other four also went into one of their own.

The lake was calm and still as they passed across it towards the lights of the huge castle above. Serena wondered how her parents were, and where her uncle was, as she had done before. She trailed a hand in the cold water, and watched the trail formed for a while. It was not long before they passed under the ivy curtain, and landed by a stone jetty.

As soon as she placed her foot on the stone, Serena found her brain filled with a strange and startling image. A tunnel from the dark places, leading into the castle. Two boats tied up, one well used and the other filled with cobwebs. A woman dressed in yellow and another in blue. Serena shivered as the image vanished and she stepped fully onto the dock. She and her friends found Cyndi and Luke again, and they walked towards a flight of stone steps. Serena could not help but drift her gaze over at where the tunnel had been in her short vision, not too far away.

Cyndi waited until everyone was up the stairs, and then shot after them in her wheelchair. It did not take her long to get there, being adjusted as it had been. Then, after a three-minute walk, they arrived at the castle doors. Hagrid knocked, and a woman Serena recognised as Professor McGonagall opened them. She led them straight into the Great Hall, where they were lined up before the professors.

"When I call your name, you will come forward, try on the hat, and be sorted into your house. Abery, Peter!"

The snooty boy that had commented on Hogwarts before walked up to sit on the stool. He had sleek brown hair, and his eyes were a dull green. The hat was placed on his head, and for a moment nothing happened. Then it yelled out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Serena glanced at Cyndi, who also looked surprised. Then Cyndi's name was called out. Professor McGonagall moved the stool out of the way and placed the hat on her head. She was completely calm, and it did not take long to sort her into Ravenclaw.

After a few more names, Professor McGonagall called out the name of another of her companions. "Garnet, Skeren!"

A murmur of excitement ran through the hall. The princess of magic herself was being sorted, a momentous occasion for the world. Kezza would have to tell her mother about it later, even though her house was pretty obvious. And indeed, the hat had barely settled over her head when it called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Kezza sat down opposite Peter Abery, ignoring the cheers of her house. She shrugged as she looked back at Professor McGonagall, who was calling out one of the Hungarian students to be sorted. They soon found their way into Slytherin.

"Lupin, Serena!" Serena looked up at her name, and winked at her mother after she had turned to face the staff. Her mind blocked out the noise of the people in the room, and she tried on the hat.

Very interesting. Where shall I put you?

"Hello," thought Serena. "Ravenclaw or Slytherin, I guess."

Yes, but which one? Replied what she thought was the hat. You have ambitions to find your destiny and prank with your friends, but you are also intelligent.

"Being known as Lupin, Ravenclaw would be best," she replied.

Very well, have it your way. "RAVENCLAW!" yelled the hat.

Serena grinned and stood up. She walked off the stage to sit next to Cyndi, whose wheelchair had folded itself under the table. They looked up at the table to watch as Viktoria's name was called. She was sorted into the same house as Kezza and Peter Abery, Hufflepuff, and looked delighted. The Hufflepuff table was just behind them, so the girls turned and grinned at their friend.

"The hat speaks Hungarian," translated Kezza, as Viktoria spoke rapidly. Serena gave her the thumbs up.

The Sorting continued, and soon Luke was sitting on the Ravenclaw table. Jessica had joined Gryffindor, but was going to be outside the Room of Requirement that night. Dumbledore stood up to talk.

"Students and staff, before we eat, a few notices. The Defence Against the Dark Arts professor this year will be Professor Lupin, who is a relation of the one who taught here three years ago, as some may remember." Katherine nodded her head as people cheered. Maybe they thought that she would be like her brother.

"Secondly, since Professor Snape suffered a nasty accident during the holidays, Professor Flaherty will be taking over until he gets well again." The cheers for Professor Flaherty were much louder than those for Serena's mum. She looked at Hagrid, and noticed his red face and wildly clapping hands. A grin crossed her mouth, as a good idea for a prank filled her brain.

After eating and singing the school song, they were led up to their dormitories by the Ravenclaw prefect. There were two older Hungarian students amongst the new Ravenclaws, who both spoke perfect English. They were to be in third year, and were talking to their classmates.

"It was no fault of theirs that their school was closed due to poor practices," said Cyndi, smiling. She grinned at Luke before they separated at the dorms. Girls went up, then down to their left; boys were the same on the right. She commented quietly to Serena, as they changed as though to sleep, that it looked very similar to the Gryffindor common room, even to the dorm locations.

Serena yawned tiredly, but remained awake. It was ten past eleven, and in twenty minutes they would meet in the common room. Meanwhile, she got out her copy of Fellowship of the Ring and read by the light of her wand. It would be an exciting night.