Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 27

Lucy came back down the staircase with her trunk in her arms.

"Someone will be along shortly," McGonagall addressed Lucy, "just wait here."

Lucy nodded. She gave both the twins a quick hug before they were ushered out of the portrait hole.

She sank down into an armchair, watching the crackling fire. Matchi jumped into her lap and Lucy ran her fingers through her soft fur.

"Ms. Evans?"

Lucy jumped as Severus Snape suddenly appeared in the middle of the common room.

"Sorry," Lucy had a hand over her heart, "you startled me."

"My apologies," Snape said, picking her trunk up.

"It's alright," Lucy stood, scooping Matchi into her arms, "are you taking me to Hogsmeade?"

Snape nodded curtly.

"Ok," Lucy smiled, "I'm ready."

She followed the Potions Master through the portrait hole and down seven flights of stairs.

"It's cold outside, Ms. Evans," Snape said as they approached the grand entrance, "do you have a cloak."

Lucy laughed, "I'm fine, Professor, I'm no stranger to Hogwart's winters."

Snape raised his eyebrow at the young girl, "very well, then, let's go."

They walked in silence through the fallen, white snow.

"How long have you been staying with your uncle, Ms. Evans?" Snape spoke after a while.

"Ever since I can remember," Lucy shrugged.

"And your parents?" Snape inquired.

"Never knew them," Lucy scrunched her nose, "like I said, I've been with Abe for as long as I can remember."

Snape took in a sharp breath.

"Professor?" Lucy looked at him curiously.

"My apologies," Snape said, "you remind me of an old friend."

"Harry's mum?" Lucy assumed, "Lily Evans?"

"Yes," Snape looked surprised.

"That's all anyone's been telling me since I came to Hogwarts," Lucy said, "I can't blame them, I found some old photos of her, I'm a spitting image."

"That you are," Snape breathed heavily.

When they reached the Hogs Head, Lucy dug her key out of her jumper.

"Have a good Christmas, Professor Snape," Lucy said as she walked into the bar.

"You as well, Ms. Evans," Snape said, giving her an awkward smile before walking back into the night.

Lucy shut the door behind her and locked it with a click. Matchi immediately jumped out of her hold and scampered towards the apartment.

With a flick of her wand, she levitated her trunk behind her, following her cat into the apartment.

"Uncle Abe?" Lucy whisper-yelled, leaving her trunk by the staircase. She walked towards the old-man's room and knocked, "Uncle Abe?"

She cracked the door open and let herself in.

"Lu?" Aberforth sat up in his bed.

"Yeah, it's me," Lucy sat on the foot of his bed.

Aberforth grunted and sat up, "Lucille Rose, what did you do now?"