Hyacinth Snape hated Harry Potter. If she had inherited anything at all from her father, it was that. The young girl had waited in anticipation her entire life for her chance to finally step foot into the glorious castle that was Hogwarts. And when she finally did, that boy and his stupid glasses had to ruin everything.

Just thinking about him filled her with anger. How he ran around pointing fingers at people who don't worship him, accusing them of monstrous things. Oh, I see, Hyacinth thought to herself, my father didn't pamper you from the moment you met him, and therefore he is actively plotting the downfall of the Wizarding World as we know it. Makes perfect sense.

Her childhood best friend too, the whiny yet oddly charming, Draco Malfoy. They grew up together and know each other better than anyone. That being said, the auburn haired girl got down on her knees in apology after her friend said some unforgivable things to a certain muggle-born Gryffindor. And after all of that, the boy who lived still thinks the worst of her family.

Huffing, Hyacinth shaking her head, not wanting to waste another thought on him. She walked around her bedroom, gathering clothes, supplies, whatever, as she packed for her third year at Hogwarts. She just wanted a normal year for once. Not one where every Gryffindor walks around like some sort of hero all because one of their own saved the day. As she continued silently sorting through her clothes, she heard a sound from downstairs. A sort of whoosh followed by a thud. She knew exactly what that sound was—the floo network—but who would be showing up unannounced the night before the father and daughter were to leave for school?

Curious, she made her way downstairs and into the living room where she found her father talking to their guest. Stopping in her tracks, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Professor Dumbledore?" She asked.

The bearded wizard smiled kindly. "Hello, Hyacinth," he greeted before turning his attention back to his employee. "Like I was saying, Severus, I have a request for you going into the new term," he explained.

"And what would that be," the younger man asked in his usual monotone voice.

Dumbledore hesitated, he looked at the thirteen year old who stood beside her father curiously. He sighed, "Miss Snape, unfortunately this is a matter I must insist on consulting with your father alone."

"Albus, I promise you can count on Hyacinth's discretion," Severus said.

"I must insist," stated the older wizard.

Hyacinth looked at him alarmed, she glanced up at her father to see him holding a similar expression. Turning back to Dumbledore, she nodded. "Alright," she said before leaving the room.

As she made her way back upstairs, she only heard one thing from Dumbledore's mouth, "What I'm about to ask of you is not a request. You will not like it..."

Hyacinth wanted to stay put and listen in, but her self discipline was too strong. She did what she was told, and sometimes she hated herself for it. So, she made her way up the rest of the stairs and back into her bedroom to finish packing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later, the father and daughter sat quietly at their small kitchen table. The girl slouched with her head propped in her hand while she stirred her cold stew.

"If you would have come down when I first called, it would still have been hot," Severus stated across from her as he read an issue of the Daily Prophet.

"I wanted to have all my packing finished first!" Hyacinth defended herself. Her father only hummed in amusement. She looked at him sadly. "You really can't reheat it for me?" She asked.

Sighing, the older man reached for her bowl and stood up with a groan. He dumped the stew back into the pot and relit the stove. Could he have used magic? Of course, but this small family found something comfortable about the muggle lifestyle that they couldn't put their finger on.

The girl smiled proudly as her father sat back down. "Thank you, sir," she said. Severus rolled his eyes playfully. Once her food was warm, she contently ate her entire bowl. As she did, she looked at the man across from her. "So tomorrow morning, I was hoping to walk down the street to Paula's bakery and get some of her croissants since I won't be home until Christmas and they have been so good this year," she proposed excitedly, "Does that sound okay?"

Her smile faltered when she saw the lack of enthusiasm on her father's face. And her heart sank when he spoke, "Actually, I need to to go to the Malfoy's first thing in the morning, you're going with them to King's Cross."

"Wait, what?" Hyacinth asked confused, "Am I allowed to know why?"

"None of your concern, there's just something I have to take care of before term starts."

"And I'm not allowed to stay here for it?"

"Please, do not argue."

"I'm not. I'm just confused, you're never unprepared for term. You finish all your lesson plans in June!"

"Young lady, I already told you it is none of your concern." Severus slightly raised his voice.

"This is about Dumbledore's impromptu visit, isn't it?"

"Hyacinth-" the older man tried to cut her off, but she kept prying.

"Does it have to do with that escaped prisoner from Azkaban?"

"Enough! This is final!" Snape lashed out, fed up with his daughter's baggering.

Hyacinth looked at him with a stunned expression. Not that this was out of the ordinary, she's always known her father had a short temper. But, for the most part, he tended to allow some grace for his sweet girl. 

It must be serious, then. "Malfoy Manor, first thing. I understand," was all she said before she stood from the chair and went upstairs. As she got ready for bed, she tried to ignore the lump in her throat that began to ache.

Arguing with her father never ended well. Always, it caused an thick tension to fall over the Spinner's End home, which lasted for several days. Mainly because Severus would feel guilty for snapping at the girl yet still too proud to apologize.

Not a fault to him though, since his daughter was growing up to be the same way. In fact, Hyacinth did not speak to or go near her father the rest of the night before she fell asleep in her cold, dull bedroom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning she did exactly as she was told, merely exchanging pleasantries with her father before stepping into the fireplace and flooing to the familiar Manor. Severus had promised her he would get her luggage to the train, so she'd left it at home.

Stepping out into the large parlor, the room was empty except for approaching heel clicks coming from the hallway. Before long, the sweet face of Narcissa Malfoy appeared before the girl, causing a warmth to grow in her chest. 

"Aunt Cissa," Hyacinth greeted as she met the woman with an embrace. Her friend's mother had always been a calming, comforting presence for her. The voice of reason in her head, and the motherly tenderness she often felt the lack of.

"Oh, it's so good to see you my darling girl," Narcissa said as she pulled back from the hug and cupped her cheeks gently. "You look older and more beautiful every time I see you," she cooed. 

Hyacinth blushed at the compliment and followed the woman out of the room. "Come, Draco has been anxious to see you since he awoke this morning, before the sun even rose! Oh, that boy," Narcissa explained as they made their way toward the family room. 

"I'm sure he's surviving just fine," Hyacinth teased as they walked.

"Oh, you'd be surprised. He would not cease his talk of his dear friend." Narcissa had been making jokes like this for as long as she could remember, so the young Snape did not take her quite seriously.

She couldn't help, however, the slight raise of her brow when the blond boy stood up almost immediately upon her enter of the room.

"Hy!" Draco cheered and ran to hug her. After they broke apart, Hyacinth flicked him in the forehead. "Owwuh," the boy rubbed his forehead.

"It makes me uncomfortable when you're all happy go lucky, where'd the attitude go?" She joked.

"Forgive me for being excited to see my closest friend."

Hyacinth only laughed before she turned back towards Narcissa. "Actually, I haven't had breakfast yet, do you have anything I can eat real fast?"

"Oh yes, of course dear, let me just have Dobby whip you up--" She paused and Draco flinched, "Ah... three months gone by and I'm still not quite used to that. I  will go see what I can find for you." And she left for the kitchen.

The next few hours went swiftly. Hyacinth and Draco caught up on their summers and what they were looking forward to. The blonde boy had a lot to say in regards to Sirius Black. Always the conspirator, he was. Hyacinth couldn't help but be amused by his theories. Before long, the Malfoy's and Hyacinth were en route to King's Cross Station. Every year, it looked and felt the same to the auburn haired girl. The faint smell of iron and smoke, every platform brimming with muggles and magic-folk alike. That is, until they reach their own train.

Hyacinth looked out at the sea of people. First years stood out like sore thumbs, with their plain robes and their overwhelmed expressions. The girl and her friend hugged the two adults goodbye, both receiving a soft kiss on the head from Narcissa and only a curt nod from Lucius.

As a third year, students agree it's about time they finally start fitting in. Enough being babied by the older students. Hyacinth and Draco found their friends on board: Pansy, Blaise, Theo. The train finally began to move after what felt like forever, and they were off to school. This year, Hyacinth prayed, would be nothing but ordinary. Nothing like her first two. Rumors of the dark lord returning, accusations and pointed fingers at her loved ones. She was tired of it, but she was optimistic this year would be different. Even with a killer on the loose.

How disappointed she would be. 

(word count: 1722)

hello! ya'll know i'm slow as all hell so i'm not even gonna address my inactivity anymore lmao.

i'm so hype for this book! the harry potter universe has been a fandom and a story that means so so much to me my entire life, and i could not be more excited to tell hyacinth's story (which i've had in the back of my mind for literal yearssssss)

please stay tuned for more updates (slow ones) and please know unless it says discontinued, I have not given up on the book. i'm trying my best.

much much love,

chloe.