The Return

3| Charlie Arthur Weasley Is The Name

Claudia POV.

The steam engine pulls to a stop in front of Hogwarts and my breath catches in my throat. Though the damage had been done to the large castle it seemed to be returned to it's former glory. It was beautiful, and it caused so much pain to look at.

The thestral's are pulling the carriage's like every year, though I'm sure I'm not the only one to see them this year.

I look around at all of the colors, which are new to Hogwarts. Because of the beast handlers returning this year no one has to wear robes. There are men, and women in jeans, and some like myself in a dress. My own outfit mirrors my mood, a black halter dress slightly longer in the back, with a pair of black heels. My grieving period is yet to end.

I feel as though something is missing, then is hits me, where are the first years? Come to think of it, there are no younger wizards, and witches at all.

People around me are pointing up at the sky, and talking about something, but I can't see what. The sun is blinding as I try and look, and I finally see something flying closer to the ground. "No, it can't be." I mumble, and catch glances coming my way.

I walk into an open patch of earth, and look up to the sky, once more, confirming my thoughts. A phoenix darts from the sky, finding it's target, and lands on my outstretched arm. "Why, hello there, Fawkes." I say making sure it's loud enough for the bird to hear, turning as I do so.

I see that everyone has come to a stop behind me, staring. The bird has chosen it's new partner, Fawkes will be loyal to me until death.

I see the golden trio, standing in front, with the red-headed boy, the soon to be potter, and Draco. "Well, Claudia. I guess it was only a matter of time. He was your god-father, after all. The phoenix trusts you." His face holds a sympathetic smile. He knows I don't want the attention. Draco's words are comforting as I start to find my carriage, but I can't get the look Potter gave me, out of my head. He looked confused, then frustrated, then confused again.

To be completely honest, I am confused myself.

______________________________

The great hall is just how I remember it. Though, this year two important people are missing. All of the professors are missing, except for Minerva Mcgonagall. Students start filing to their tables. I alone stay standing at the back of the room.

The chatter and excitement in the room, dies down and I feel all eyes on me, as I stand in the back. I look to Minerva and she has a small smile playing on her face.

"Welcome, students." Mcgonagall says taking the headmistress post at the front of the room, and making heads turn to her. "I'm sure all of you are wondering, why most of you were forced to return. Many of whom, have had a full education already. Though don't worry. While, we were forced to make you all return, we have done our best to make this year a most memorable one yet."

"I want to start by introducing you to your professors. I Minerva Mcgonagall am your headmistress, and transfiguration professor. Now, lets do this in alphabetical order shall we?"

"Professor Binns, History of Magic." A ghost floats out onto the platform.

"Professor Flitwick, Charms...Professor Hagrid, Care of Magical Creatures...Professor Sinstra, Astronomy... Professor Slughorn, Potions...Professor Sprout, Herbology...Professor Tawney, Divination." Each teacher walks out when their name is called. "Professor Author Weasley, Muggle Studies... Madam Hooch, Flying...And Professor William Weasley, Defense Against the Dark Arts."

I see the golden trio talking excitedly to each other at the Gryffindor table. "We have a special announcement. But first, we have a sorting to take care of. A student here, has never been sorted. This is because, she was always housed with her father, who was a professor here at Hogwarts, so, today we are going to sort her.  Claudia Snape, please come forward."

I feel my feet pulling my forward, and eyes on me from every direction. I hear whispers and gasps. Nobody knew Severus Snape had a daughter. As I walk to the front, Minerva uses her wand to move the stool to the center of the room, and a professor who was introduced as Arthur Weasley, walks to the stool with the sorting hat. "Please sit." my god-mother says when I reach the front.

I turn my body to face the room, and sit on the stool, as the hat is placed on my head. Immediately it starts talking. "Hmmm...I recognize you. Your brave like your mother, but willing to do anything like your father, though I will admit, he was rather brave for a slytherin."

The red-headed professor looks at me attentively, he is the only one close enough to hear the hat. "Gryffindor, or Slytherin, that is the question. I say GRYFFINDOR." the hat yells making me jump in the stool, and the entire left side of the hall erupts in cheers, along with a single blond from Slytherin. "Your mother would be proud." The professor says as he lends me a hand getting off the stool. "You knew my mother." He nods.

"At least one of us did." I say and walk off. I don't mean to be rude, but my mother left long before she died.

 I walk to the Gryffindor table, not knowing where to sit. I spot the red-head from earlier and sit next to him. Deciding that I have already attracted attention, nothing will hurt me by sitting next to this boy. Harry Potter gives me a weird look as I sit next to the Weasley.

"So, you buy me a drink. But you never tell me your name. I would prefer not to just call you Weasley."

He looks at me, and I catch surprised looks from two-thirds of the golden trio, and the soon to be potter, sitting opposite from us. "To be fair, I didn't know your name either." The Weasley boy says looking at me, and I smile. "Well, now you do. My full name actually. Claudia Lilith Snape. First and only heir to the Snape fortune. Now, Weasley. I would like to know your name. Or, like my god-brother, I could call you weasel, though that one looks more like one, than yourself." I say nodding my head to Ronald.

I hear a snort, and an offended gasp.

"Charlie Arthur Weasley, is the name. I am Ginny Weasley. This is Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you Claudia." The red-headed girl says, with a mischievous glint in her eye.