The Return

6| Hello Princess

Claudia POV.

The three of us walk into the room of requirement arm in arm, behind Harry. "Look what I found." He yells when we have entered the room. Every head turns our way at the loud voice. Well, I guess Ginny didn't need to make us late to catch attention, her boyfriend can do that well enough on his own. The girls un-link their arms from mine, and walk toward their boyfriends. Ginny with Harry, and Hermione with Draco.

Instead of standing by the door looking like a fool, I head over to the bar, and grab a firewhiskey. I down it in one, like on the train.

Turning my body to survey the room, I grab another firewhiskey to nurse.

The music is loud enough that many people are screaming over it, and some have just given up on talking. I spot the red-head looking uncomfortable next to a girl who looks drunk, and make my way toward him.

"Hey, Charlie." I say to the Weasley, standing next to him. The girl turns her nose up at me. "And you are?" she says. I turn to face her, and fake surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry. Hi, my name is Claudia. What's your name?" I plaster a fake smile across my face. She rolls her eyes. "Whatever." she says turning away. "Bye, whatever." I call after her.

I turn back to Charlie, and he has a grin on his face. "That was great." he says, and I laugh. "Thanks."

"Want to get out of here?" He asks, and I look at him. "What did you have in mind?" I ask. "I need some air. I was thinking a walk." I nod. "Sure. We will need to stop by the common room though, I am not dressed for a walk." He nods, and we walk toward the door.

"Charlie." Bill says, making us stop at the entrance. "Where are you going?" he asks. "We are going for a walk." he tells his brother. "But she just got here."

I look at him. "I'm right here. Hi. And this" I say gesturing to the room of requirement, "is not really my thing. I came because Ginny wanted Hermione and I here." I start walk toward the common room not looking back. "I'm going to the common room to change. I will meet you at the doors to the great hall." I call over my shoulder.

Coming back from the common room, I take a wrong turn and end up in front of a wall of portraits. My eyes trail along the names, until I find myself staring up at Dumbledore and my father.

My breath catches in my throat. "Daddy." I breath out. He looks down at me with sad eyes, and says, "Hello, princess."

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Charlie POV.

"Well, she's pretty." Bill says as Claudia turns the corner. "Yeah." I admit. "Well? Do you like her?" He asks. I roll my eyes. "I have only just met her today, Bill. And besides, do you know who that is?" I ask my brother.

"Yes, I am very aware of who she is, the question is, do you know who she is?" I nod. "Draco's god-sister. Snape's Daughter." Bill laughs, and I look at him with narrowed eyes. "She is also, Mcgonagall's god-daughter, and Dumbledore's god-daughter. She is the true witch of Fawkes, and not to mention, Snape isn't her only parent." I roll my eyes.

Bill and I stand there for a long time before either of us speaks. "You might want to go, before she thinks you went back to the party." I nod, and make my way to the front of the castle.

I hear crying before I even turn the corner, and when I do, I see a girl leaning against the wall. I look at her for a second, and see that her entire body is shaking. Even though she has changed, I know who it is.

My feet move at their own accord and I find myself embracing Claudia. "It's okay." I say running my hand across her hair. She continues to cry into my shoulder for a good five minutes, and I realize something. I want to know this girl.

She may be the daughter of Snape, and she may be the god sister of Malfoy, but she is a good, kind, girl, and I want to know everything about her. She is beautiful when she cry's, and even more so when she laughs.

Her eyes get a glint in them when she gets cocky, and a smirk when she knows she's right. I want to know her more, and make her laugh. I want to know her.

She sits up. "I'm sorry." she says. "I got your shirt all wet." I shrug, "It's no big deal. Do you mind if I ask? What happened?" She looks up and past me, and I hear a voice. It's all to familiar. "I am what happened Weasley. I am a dead father, who can't hold his own daughter, when she is crying."

I look at the man, and realize for the first time, that we are in the hall of the previous Headmasters. "Hello professor." I say to be polite, and he nods. "Has she seen Harry Potter yet Weasley?" All I can do is nod. I don't know why that would be the first question he asks, but I feel a need to answer it. "Be careful Weasley, this family holds secrets." He says, as we walk away. Me, doing my best to let Claudia lean on me.