The Girl with the Stone

Outfitting

Chapter three: Outfitting

They emerged somewhere completely different, in a sitting room kept tidy, but cold and impersonal. Severus stepped out and brushed himself off before doing the same to her.

"This is home," he said. "If you make a mess, clean it. Keep your room clean, be respectful, and if I tell you to do something I don't expect to have to argue with you about it. Am I understood?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, sir. Sir? What should I call you?"

This hadn't actually come to mind during the process of retrieving her from Surrey or talking to her in the infirmary. Though, he had had the traitorous thought that this could have been his daughter had Lily chosen him instead of Potter, but he would not acknowledge that. Draco called him 'Uncle', but he wasn't sure that suited. "I suppose, whatever you want to within reason. Though, at school you will have to address me as 'Professor.'"

"At school?"

"Yes, I teach Potions, so I shall know if you misbehave. I expect you to keep your grades up and act like a young lady. Not a hooligan. Yes?"

"Yes, sir. I'm glad you'll be there." Dove had been nervous, not wanting to be away from her new guardian.

"Well let's go see you to your room. Shall we?"

The room was simple, a queen size bed, a desk, a bookshelf, and a dresser with a mirror. She hugged Severus briefly before letting go and feeling embarrassed. He cleared his throat and gestured to the room. "You can change anything you want to. We'll go shopping tomorrow for clothes and toys and such. Your letter for Hogwarts should come in the morning and we can get your school things as well. I think it might be best if you get some sleep. It's been a long day and it will be another one tomorrow. Do you need anything?" She shook her head. "Well, my room is just down the hall. Don't hesitate to come get me if you need something." And awkwardly, unsure if he should say anything else, he left.

"Malfoy Manor!" Severus called into the fire. "Lucius? Lucius, I need you and Narcissa."

"What is it, Severus? We're busy."

"Put some clothes on and get over here. Now." Five minutes later the Malfoy couple stepped through the fireplace, clothed but disheveled. They were both anxious as their friend rarely called for them through Floo, and even rarer than that demanded their presence together. When they arrived he was pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

"Severus, what's wrong?" Narcissa asked, mothering him as always. He walked to right in front of Lucius, ignoring her.

"When the Dark Lord comes back, will you be loyal to him?" Lucius paled, not having thought of his old master for years outside of nightmares. He looked at his wife.

"No. I made a foolish mistake then, but now I have a family to think of. I will not put my son through what I was put through." Immediately, Severus calmed down and collapsed in his favorite armchair.

"I am so lost." He groaned. "I have, as of today, a new ward. I don't know how to take care of a child. I don't know what it is they need, how to handle them aside from scaring them into submission. I need help."

For a moment the two were shocked into silence. Lucius was the first to recover. "What do you mean you have a new ward? Are you in some kind of trouble? I always knew Dumbledore was a bad idea." Severus waved his wand to check on the wards he'd placed on Dove's room to alert him if she needed him or woke up. She was asleep. He motioned for them to follow him and he opened her door just a crack. Her dark hair was fanned out around her and her face was at peace, but with her scar visible there was no questioning who it was.