A Second Chance

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Chapter One: The Dream

~*~*~*~*~

A woman was sitting calmly by a kitchen table. Unnoticed, a baby girl slept on, in a room a few doors down. The woman seemed to be expecting something, but she didn't seem to care. Wind swept through the old house, but all was sitting silently, as though watching and waiting. A few creaks were heard, nothing more and nothing less.

Suddenly, the woman heard gravel crunching. Footsteps echoed across the dark, cool night. Still, the woman did not move.

A low voice was suddenly heard, muttering strange words in a different language. The woman finally sat up when a lock clicked and a door creaked open. She moved swiftly out of the room, and towards the door.

“So,” she began, in a scary voice, “You have found me.” It was not a question, merely a statement.

A man came into view, a man who was feared by all. If the man's appearance frightened the woman, she did not show it. She acted as though she expected him. “Yes, I have, my dear Sorceress. You know, you could have joined me. Our powers together could have taken over the world in months. But you took the coward's choice. And now you will pay,” the man spoke, although it sounded more like a hiss.

The woman did not look scared at all, she only laughed. “Oh, Tom, I did not take the coward's choice. You know I have powers equal to yours. I chose to use them in a different way. But I am aware you did not only come here to see me.”

The man nodded, smiling a hideous smile that matched his blood red-eyes, glittering insanely. “Clever, are you. I know you and Severus are married. I know you have a child. And I am quite positive the child has inherited your gift. Might as well get rid of both of you,” he hissed.

The woman glared at him, though she smiled triumphantly. “You will never harm her. I have made it impossible. Kill me right now, I won't even put up a fight, but you cannot harm her,” she said.

Voldemort smiled, and quick as a flash, he lifted up his wand, shouting, “Avada Kedavra!” Alyssa Snape was dead before she hit the ground. Voldemort turned away from her, not noticing she was lying there with a smile on her face.

His robes billowing, Voldemort quickly searched every room, finally coming across a nursery, with a baby girl sleeping in it. Upon inspecting the girl, he was astonished. Every inch of her was covered with protective spells, ten times stronger than normal ones.

“So. She was right. I really can't harm her,” Voldemort muttered angrily. He lifted his wand. “Wingardium Leviosa!” he shouted, watching the girl rise. Voldemort took that spell off and realized she could have spells placed on her, but could not be killed or tortured. This made him extremely angry. He took the girl and Disapparated into the night.

~*~*~*~*~

I'm not a girl, not yet a woman! All I need is time...

Rachel Green groaned, reaching for her alarm clock. She had been having a very interesting dream, she knew. The problem was she couldn't remember it. Rachel had a feeling she'd had the exact same dream before. Sighing, she got up and got dressed.

Walking downstairs, her older brother Jason rushed passed her. “Move, I have to shower!” he said angrily, running up. Rachel couldn't think of a good comeback so just muttered to herself and went into the kitchen. Her mother, Lucy, was making breakfast.

Rachel lived in Moonbrook, New Jersey, with her father, mother, and brother. Her family was what you might call overachieving. Her father Mark was an extremely successful lawyer. Her mother worked on various charities and committees, and was very well known around town. Her brother was an amazing runner and used to be the star on her high school's track team. He was now going into his sophomore year of college, at UCLA, where he was again the star of the track team. He had won many competitions and awards for as long as Rachel could remember.

She, Rachel, was neither successful nor a star athlete. She considered herself the outsider of the family. The one thing she thought she was good at was dancing. But she never seemed to be the best at it. Secretly, when she danced alone, Rachel did the most beautiful things. But at her studio she wasn't one of the favorites, and was never picked for anything special.

Summer had just started and school was out, and Rachel's goal was to take a lot of classes and become a better dancer. Meanwhile, her mother was talking to her. “What do you plan on doing today? You better call someone, because people might have plans. Why don't you call Becky? Or Jessica?”

Lucy Green was kind of pushy and persuasive, and Rachel didn't like that. “Alright, alright. But Jessica just left for camp, remember?” she said impatiently. Jessica Tempit was Rachel's best friend. But two days before she had left for sleepaway camp. Both girls had cried and cried. Rachel already missed her.

Concentrating on remembering the dream, Rachel quickly ate her breakfast. After finishing, she decided to call her friend Becky, and the two decided to get together. Becky was one who really understood Rachel, though the two had little in common. The girls decided to see a movie, and spent the rest of the day together. Although Rachel was having a great time, what she really wanted to do was go home and dance.

After arriving home, she went up to her room and put on the music. Instantly she was transported to a whole new world. Time was stopped and Rachel took no notice to anything else. She just danced and danced, turning beautiful pirouettes and leaping gorgeous tour jetes.

She was suddenly transported out of her world when she was called for dinner. She claimed she had just had pizza with Becky, and was full. Her family didn't question her. They never did. Rachel kept dancing, and when she finally grew tired, she lay down and fell asleep.

~*~*~*~*~

Three hours before Rachel fell asleep...

Severus Snape ran blindly through the halls of Hogwarts, all thoughts of his dignity and reputation forgotten. He wasn't aware of where he was going, but just knew he had to get to the Headmaster's office. He took the stairs two at a time, and ran some more. Finally, panting, he reached the stone gargoyle.

“Ber...Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!” he exclaimed, out of breath. The passage opened, and he once again ran, this time up the moving staircase. Not even bothering to knock, he pushed open the door.

Albus Dumbledore sat there, currently writing a letter. After hearing his door open, he looked up, startled, to find a red-in-the-face and out of breath Severus Snape. “Severus! What's happened? Is something wrong? Why are you out of breath?” he inquired.

Snape gasped and whispered, “I've found her!”

Albus looked confused. “Who, Severus?”

“My...my daughter! I found my daughter! Alive! Well! SHE'S ALIVE!”

Albus looked shocked. “Now, Severus, I know you've been looking for years. It may be hard to accept that she really is gone,” he said softly, looking concerned for the young man.

Snape suddenly turned back to his old self, smirking at Albus. “I am not joking, Albus. My daughter is currently alive and is residing in a Muggle family by the name of Green. Somehow, she has been disguised and the family actually thinks she is their real daughter. I am assuming Voldemort put up illusion charms, stole the couple's real baby, and replaced it with Samantha, after putting powerful, dark, disguising charms on her. Do you want to know how I found her?” He said this very fast, in an un-Snape like way. The Headmaster, still not look convinced, nodded slowly, his blue eyes piercing into Snape's black ones.

Snape continued, “Last week I went to America for my assignment, you remember, to see if Voldemort had started to round up supporters in Salem, the all-wizard village? Well, I went to what Muggles call a mall. I'm not sure why, even now, but as I looked at a map of the area, this mall just... appealed to me. My instincts just told me to go there. They told me I would find her there. After some convincing, I decided to check it out. Almost immediately upon entering I came across a girl, about 15 years old. Now, she didn't even look like me or Alyssa, but then I saw her eyes. Blueish-Greenish, exactly the same shape and size as Alyssa's.

“I have heard of some pretty powerful disguising spells, but I know of one that actually alters your DNA. It can be permanent, but years later, very powerful wizards might be able to remove it. This curse, known as Alto Aprance, changes almost everything, except for one small detail. Your eyes. Taking a huge risk, I approached the girl. I took a sample of her hair, I saw a piece on her jacket, and left, unnoticed. I rushed home and immediately made a paternity test potion. Today, I got the results. I am her father.” Severus looked up, almost fearfully, towards his colleague and friend.

Albus looked, if possible, even more shocked. “Severus, are you absolutely positive? Is it possible that the potion was wrong?” he said carefully.

Severus shook his head, eyes blazing. “Of course not, Albus. In my entire life I have never “messed up” a potion. I thought you were aware of that,” he said, glaring ever so slightly.

Albus was beginning to look convinced. “Of course! That's where she's been all these years... Voldemort kidnapped her! But why didn't he...kill her?” he exclaimed, though saying the last part with caution.

Severus rolled his eyes, and gave an almost half-smile. “I'm sure you are aware that my wife was a Sorceress. She must have known he was coming. I'm sure she put protective charms all over the baby. You know, she died with a smile on her face. She must have known nothing was going to happen to Samantha. I guess she didn't anticipate that kidnapping was a possibility,” he said softly, remembering Alyssa Snape.

Throughout his whole life, Alyssa was one of the few that understood him. She saw past the hateful remarks and sarcastic satire. She saw Severus for what he really was. These past fourteen years he blamed himself for Alyssa's death and Samantha's disappearance. He became bitter and cruel, and angry at the world. The one other person besides Alyssa who understood him was Albus.

The two men continued talking, and decided to go get Samantha. “I don't think this will be easy. Her Muggle family and friends will not understand. I think we will have to perform the Persano Forgeta charm. I know this will be a cruel thing to do, and she might not understand, but it really is for own safety. Once Voldemort learns of her return, and I know he will, she will be in danger,” Albus said, sighing.

Severus nodded. “Yes, I think we must. It is currently 12:00 AM in New Jersey. You, Minerva, and I can Apparate over there, put some Illusion charms on, and give her a sleep potion without her noticing. You and Minerva can perform the charm, while I Portkey back here with her,” Severus answered.

“Yes, I do think that's wise. I have an emergency Portkey back to Hogwarts, you take it. Let me go get Minerva,” he said as he left his office.

Severus sat and thought to himself. Well, I am definitely not father material. What am I supposed to do with her? She's going to hate me! And how will we ever explain to her about us? She won't know anything! About her mother, about this world, about... my past. This will be so hard. I can't get through with it.

As Minerva was informed about the situation, Severus grew more and more nervous. When everything was prepared and they were finally ready to go, he grew pale. As all three Apparated away, he thought of one last thing. Oh god...

Chapter Two: Realizations

Rachel was sleeping. She felt as if she was flying, soaring through the clouds. Suddenly, a man came into view. Who was he? Rachel itched to find out, but the man only smiled, and waved. A wind quickly blew a strong gust, startling Rachel. She found herself being pulled, pulled away from the man, when all of sudden...

Umph! Rachel slowly drifted back into reality, and found herself out of bed and on the floor. She blinked, the images were getting fuzzy... “Wait! There's a couch in here... it's red... where's my stereo? Where am I? Oh, my god.” Once Rachel was able to see right, she got a good look and realized this was not her room. She did the thing a sensible person would do; she opened her mouth and screamed.

*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile...

Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall were discussing the “Samantha Sitaution”, as they liked to call it, when they suddenly heard a loud and high-pitched scream. All three shot up like rockets, each paler than the other. Running over to the next room, Severus reached the girl, no his daughter first. Rachel was sitting on top of the bed looking extremely frightened and not at all like her usual self.

“Wh-Who are you? Where am I? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!?” she screamed, almost hysterical. Severus stopped, not quite sure how to explain. How do you tell a girl that her whole life has been nothing but a lie? How do you explain to her that she's never going back to the place she calls home? He turned to look at Albus, mouthing the words, “You explain.”

Albus nodded to Severus, turned to his daughter, and sighed. “Dear, we are going to explain ourselves, not to worry. What I'm asking you to do might be hard. I want you to calm down, and trust me. You may not want to, but it is essential. Just try to listen to what we have to say. As I said, we do not want to hurt you,” he said eying the girl in front of him. She seemed to be thoughtfully considering this. “I don't know why, but you seem like a trustworthy person. I'll listen to what you have to say, because I'm just a tad bit curious about where I am. Just a bit. Not to worry,” she said, smirking. Severus looked at the girl in front of him, his daughter, and smiled to himself, seeing himself very much a part of her. Albus looked amused. “Yes, I do seem like a person to trust, don't I? Might I suggest we move into my office? All your questions will be answered,” he said, chuckling to himself.

The three moved on to the office and settled down. Samantha looked around, hazel eyes as wide as they could go, shocked at what she was seeing. Where those pictures moving? Was that a real bird? Albus must have noticed this, and began to speak.

“Allow me to introduce my self. My name is Albus Dumbledore, current headmaster of this school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry-“ he started to continue, but Samantha cut him off.

“Whoa- did I hear you right? Did you just say Witchcraft and Wizardry?” Albus waved this off, as if nothing. “Yes, my dear. Witchcraft and Wizardry. Tell me, do you believe in magic?” he asked, once again penetrating her with those oh-so-blue eyes. “Magic? You mean, like, spells and stuff? Are you telling me that's real?” Samantha leaned in, eager for an answer.

“To answer your question, yes, magic is real. As real as you and I. This school teaches magic to young witches and wizards. There is currently a magical community, and a thriving one at that. You have currently been living with what we call Muggles-“ he was once again interrupted. “Muggles? Witches and wizards? Wow... I mean, I've heard some theories about that, but I never imagined it to be real...” she said, sounding truly amazed.

“So you believe me? Thank Merlin. It must be difficult to comprehend... So where was I? Yes. You used to live with Muggles, non-magical people. Under the circumstances, you would get a letter from Salem Academy for Witches and Wizards when you were eleven, like all other young magical people do. But you, Rachel, you are special,” he continued.

“Me? Special? Sorry, you must have the wrong kid. My brother Jason is a track superstar. My parents are both over-achieving fanatics. Me? I'm just Rachel. I'm nothing special,” she said, almost sadly. At this, Severus, cut in. “What do you mean you're nothing special?” he snapped, “You're a Sorceress for Merlin's sake! And a powerful one, too, once I train you up a bit...” Samantha looked even more shocked at this, and Albus turned sharply to Severus.

“Severus, calm down. I'm getting to that. Yes, dear, you are special. You are what we call a Sorceress. A Sorceress is a witch with a powerful, inherited ability. A Sorceress has powers up to ten times more powerful than a regular witch. A Sorceress learns fast and efficiently. She could observe a spell only once and can have it learned within seconds. You are a Sorceress, dear,” he said carefully, not wanting her to be too shocked.

Rachel seemed to be deep in thought, for it was at least a minute later before she exclaimed, “So I'm not only a witch, I'm an extra-powerful witch? I can live with that...” she said, smiling. “Albus looked nervously at the others. “I'm sorry to say, but there's more. You said you're parents are, as you so delicately put it, overachieving fanatics?” Rachel looked at him strangely, and answered, “Of course. And it's true.” Again, Albus looked at the two, but let his eyes linger on Severus even longer.

“You said you trusted me, correct? I need you trust me right now. Not all wizards in our world are good. Years and years ago, a dark wizard by the name of Voldemort came to power. Severus, here,” he said gesturing towards Severus “was a spy for this wizard. At this time, he was married and had a baby girl called Samantha Snape. Voldemort was horrible. He went around, killing as he pleased, Muggles and wizards alike. He terrorized our world, torturing and killing for fun. Horrible person, if you could call him that. He suspected Severus of not being completely loyal to him, and wanted to punish him,” Albus paused and look at Severus, who looked as he if were trying not to cry. “Voldemort went to his house. Severus had a wife Alyssa, who was a Sorceress. Her and Voldemort, but he was extremely powerful. Voldemort- Voldemort killed her,” at this point a single tear ran down Severus' face, but Albus continued. “He then turned to his daughter, but because of the powerful protection charms placed on the girl, Voldemort could not kill nor torture her. Confused at what to do, Voldemort took the girl and came to America, to a hospital in New Jersey. We have learned that a couple was giving birth here. He came upon this couple, placed illusion charms on himself, and switched the baby. Samantha Snape wasn't who she was. She grew up with Muggles, not even her real parents, not knowing that it was all a lie...until-“ he stopped and Samantha answered softly, “until now. Oh. My. God. It's me, isn't it? All those times I wondered why I wasn't like the rest of them...All those times I was just the outsider... Wow. That's about all I can say I guess... WAIT! You're my father?” Rachel exclaimed breathlessly.

Severus first looked shocked at being addressed with that name, but then answered. “Yes, Samantha, I am your father. Don't seem the type, do I?” he said, sounding both annoyed and kind of hurt. Samantha quickly responded, “No, of course not! That's not what I meant! I mean, I just... didn't think. This all getting a little too much to handle...” Samantha touched her hand to her head and started to breath deeply. Severus looked concerned. “Yes, it might be. Why don't we...take a walk! I'll show you around,” he said. Samantha looked a little better. “OK...dad,” she exclaimed jumping and reaching for the door. Severus started, astounded, but slowly followed after.