Chapter 10 - Severus

Severus saw that the student jogged a bit to catch up with his long strides, so he slowed. They walked at a comfortable pace, until he stopped in front the gargoyle.

"Curly wurly." he muttered not wanting Candice to overhear.

His blank face did go slightly rosy and the stupid name of a muggle sweet. Severus inwardly sighed at Albus' immaturity, while the gargoyle moved aside revealing the familiar staircase. The professor stepped on and gestured thr girl to copy him. When she was fully on, the staircase started to move upwards like an escalator. It eventually stopped in front of the Headmaster's door. Of course, it opened with neither of them touching it.

Severus glanced behind him to make sure Candice followed. She did, and looked awed. For a moment he got inside her mind:

'I doubt this is his office. Too bright and positive looking for that.'

He couldn't help but smirk at her thoughts; even so he made no comment. There was a large desk with a huge empty chair one side and two smaller chairs on the opposite side. The professor took a seat on a smaller chair, and Candice followed his lead sitting down in the seat next to him.

"This is the Headmaster's office." Severus began, "As you are starting late, Dumbledore suggested that you don't go through the embarrassment of getting sorted with first years, but instead in here."

Relief washed over the girl's face, though quickly her expression turned conflicted.

"I can always take you down now. If you wish." the Potions Master added, not wanting to see her troubled.

Their eyes met and he waited for a reply.

"I w-wouldn't want the a-attention." she shook her head.

"Really? Now that's a surprise." he drawled, "I thought the Black family was very pride of being purebloods and glad to show off."

Severus regretted his words as hurt flashed in the student's eyes. However her small outbreak gave him a surprise.

"N-not that you care to know, b-but I'm not a pureblood, and h-having pride is not the same a-as attention-seeking." she snapped back at him.

"Sorry." Severus said, and having read her mind continued "You are right. I don't know you. I didn't mean to let my anger, that I have for your father, out of hand."

"For m-my father?" she asked astonished, "You k-knew him?"

They both looked at each other confused.

Surely, Sirius would have mentioned his name to his daughter, Severus thought. On the other hand, through legilimency, Candice talked of her uncle. That made him even more confused. Then at the mention of deatheaters...

"Wait, who is your father?" Snape looked at the girl shocked.

"Regulus Arcturus Black" Candice stated with pride and without a single stutter.

"Oh." was the professor's only reply, then he looked away in deep thought.

"Who d-did you think my f-father was?"

"Sirius. Sirius Black." he sighed, "Dumbledore has told us that you were coming, and said Sirius was your guardian. I think all the professors assumed he was your father."

"Sirius is my u-uncle." Candice confirmed, her tone still a bit snippy, "I only met him recently."

After a bit of silence, Snape spoke again.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen. W-why?"

"Do you know magic?"

"N-not much. Why?"

"And you're going into fifth year?"

"Y-yes!" she exclaimed feeling anxiety bubble through her bloodstream as he interrogated her.

Silence again.

The professor went into a twirl of deep thoughts. Regulus had a child? It wasn't hard to believe, as he was a father material. It's just the fact he did have a child before his death. Poor girl likely grew up without a father. She hardly knows magic for Merlin's sake! Severus looked up at Candice who calmly observed her surroundings. Each painting of past Headmasters and Headmistress smiled and waved at her. Even the most grumpy ones. The girl seemed to have that happy vibe, despite her clear distressful life.

"Oh my god!" she jumped up, her gaze fixed at something behind Severus.

The wizard jumped up too and had his wand out in alert, ready to shoot a spell at the threat. Although nothing seemed out of order and noone was there.

"What is it?" he looked over at the girl scoldingly, as he saw no danger.

She pointed over to the orange yet colourful bird that was perching on a stand. Fawkes.

"Is t-that... A phoenix?" she breathed in awe.

"Seriously? That's why you jumped and squealed like there was no tomorrow?" Snape responded annoyed, as he sank back down into his seat.

"S-sorry." she whispered.

"Yeah. That's Fawkes. Dumbledore's bird."

"B-beautiful!" the girl looked at Fawkes, "In the muggle w-world, phoenixes are c-classed as mythical creatures."

"Mythical doesn't mean non-existent." Severus pointed out.

Candice nodded in what he assumed was agreement, then he fell back into his thoughts.

After a while, the office door finally opened and Albus stepped in. His twinkling blue eyes Severus was used to met his. He passed a brief message on of what he learned of Candice then the father gave a nod before looking away.

Candice noted how the old man's attire was completely the opposite of Snape's, with bright white coloured robes and the long white beard and hair.

"Good day. You must be Candice." he smiled and strolled in, taking the seat opposite her and Severus, "I'm Headmaster Dumbledore. Pleasure to meet you."

"Y-you too, sir."

Dumbledore's glance moved back to his son. Severus shook his head in an 'I'll explain later' manner, which received another nod.

"Thank you for bringing Candice here. Would you like to wait for her sorting?" he questioned the Potions Master.

Severus - though curious - was going to refuse, but his words were interrupted by a woman that barged in, elegantly may we add, holding an old looking hat.

"Ah there you are Minerva." Dumbledore stood, walked around and leaned against his desk, before introducing the newcomer "Candice, this is Professor McGonagall. She is Head of Gryffindor house, as well as being a Transfiguration professor."

"H-hello." the girl said shyly, not sure whether to shake hands or even stand.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Black." the strict professor nodded at her and walked behind Severus.

The dark man saw Candice nervously fiddle with her hanfs in her lap, and knew she felt a bit intimidated by the presence of so many new people - nonetheless professors - at once.

"Right Candice! Shall we let your Sorting begin?" Dumbledore exclaimed.

She looked around then nodded, before Minerva placed the antique hat on her head.