Chapter 25: Protected Personality

"Dad, where are you going?" Lucy asked as the people in the great hall began to pile out. Matt was immediately behind her and looked quite proud of himself after the little speech he made.

"I've got to leave the school for a bit, nothing major," Snape shook his head as he looked around desperately in the entrance hall, people shoving past him to get to their dormitories. He frowned in their direction and the shoving ceased.

"But why?" Lucy's look was pure concern, as soon as Zuc had stopped speaking to the people in the great hall he had been acting extremely odd as if Zuc was still talking to him and only him. As though Zuc had another message that was intended solely for him.

"Because I need to go somewhere."

"But where?"

"Please stop asking me questions, this really isn't the time," Snape sighed. He looked around and then saw Dean approaching Lucy. "Mr Cousins," he whispered so no one could hear him. He cleared his throat. "Mr Cousins!" He said, louder this time. A bit too loud for Dean's liking because he recoiled at the sound of his name being called by Snape himself.

"Y-Yes, Sir?" Dean squeaked.

"I need you to come with me, you're a member of the resistance and I need your help."

"No, Severus, Mr Cousins needs to stay here," Jessica placed a hand on his shoulder warmly. "It is vital that he stays here for Lucy's protection, regarding the current circumstances. There's plenty more members of the Resistance about to help with this."

"OH MY GOD ZUC SPOKE TO ME I FEEL SO PRIVILEGED!" Johnny screamed at the top of his voice as he exited the Great Hall with Alex, Chris and Tyler.

"ZUC'S, LIKE, MY BEST FRIEND!" Alex fanned his face with his hand dramatically.

"ZUC IS TOTALLY GOING TO GO OUT WITH ME NOW!" Tyler swooned.

"SHUT UP! HE'S MINE!" Chris roared and hit Tyler on the arm.

"Idiots..." Snape muttered just before they approached Matt.

"Boys!" Jessica clasped her hands together. "I have a very important job for you four..."

"What's that?" Johnny asked, looking curious but at the same time mischievous. "You want us to phone Zuc up? Because I know Tyler wants that."

"It was a joke!" Tyler groaned.

"I was joking too, stupid," Johnny rolled his eyes and then turned to Jessica and bowed. "What can I do to help you, my lady?"

"While Professor Snape is gone with the Resistance I'd like you to look after Lucy. I know this is something big to ask but it's vital that she stays protected because she could be in danger right now."

"So you want us to look after our best friend's girlfriend?" Johnny put a hand on his chin as if in deep thought. "I don't know if we could do that..." he added sarcastically.

"We might strain ourselves," Alex joined in. But Chris seemed to have other ideas.

"I VOLUNTEER!" He screamed causing everyone to laugh.

"What about me? Do I suck at the job or something?" Matt joked.

"You seriously suck at it, Matt, I mean look at you; you're a mess," Tyler snorted.

"What about me?" Dean squeaked looking as though he'd just been told the world was going to end.

"And both of you as well, it's just now that all the resistance are leaving it's vital that we make sure Lucy is safe and I know that you all could do a great job."

"You're entrusting my daughter's safety with a bunch of idiots?" Snape muttered in Jessica's ear as they walked away.

"I'm sure Matt loves her too much to let her get harmed," Jessica winked.

Snape growled. "We both know they're not really going out."

"Oh of course!" Jessica nodded but then hid a smile with her hand.

*      *      *

"So how can we serve you, Madam?" Johnny asked as he linked arms with Lucy while Matt held onto her other arm. They walked down the corridor, Johnny, Alex, Chris, Tyler, Dean and Matt with Lucy like a pack of animals ready to fend of anyone who dare touch her.

"I'm fine, thank you," Lucy admitted. "In fact I'm more than fine, why don't the four of you entertain yourselves while Dean, Matt and I spend some time to - I mean, Dean and Matt can take care of me just fine."

"But what if Zuc comes along?" Tyler shoved past Alex with urgency. "He won't be able to get past us!"

"I mean - " Alex flexed his arm. "You can't deny how strong we are!"

Matt pinched Alex's arm and he squeaked. "Real tough, Alex, come back to me when you get some real muscles." Matt stopped walking and showed off his muscle, Lucy honestly didn't know why a boy like that wanted to be with her when he could be walking around with a much prettier girl than her. Instead he chose the skinny girl who wasn't pretty and didn't really have much going for her.

Lucy pushed her glasses up her nose and suddenly felt as though the world was judging her and there was some other reason Matt was going out with her. She shivered under her cardigan and watched as Matt fought with his friends in a playful manner.

" — We'll call you if we need you!" Matt protested, taking Lucy's arm. She shivered again, this time at his force. He could crush her in an instant. If Lucy couldn't fight Matt, how could she even attempt to fight Zuc?

"But, Matt — !" Chris began but Matt held up his hand to stop him.

"Don't worry, guys, I can look after her." The group of boys trotted off, genuinely upset. Matt then turned to Dean. "Make sure they don't come after us, Dean, come straight back when you know they're off of our case."

Dean nodded then, as subtly as he could, chased after the group of boys. Lucy once again pushed her frames up her nose, she wondered if she hadn't gotten enough sleep that was making her sight worse or Zuc was at it again.

"You alright?" Matt wondered. Usually Lucy would just lie and say she was 'okay' but today Lucy felt like pouring out her feelings and admitting the truth.

"Why did you choose me, Matt?" She wondered, tearing off her glasses in frustration. She couldn't deal with them falling down her nose anymore. "Out of all the tall, pretty, curvy girls you could have chosen you chose me. Why is that?"

Matt stared at her as if shocked. He really didn't know what to say so Lucy continued.

"I see all these girls staring at you with envy and instead you just choose the nerd who couldn't scare anything when she's meant to be saving the world. Tell me why, Matt, I need to know." Lucy folded her arms in a defensive manner.

Matt continued to stare at her in shock when he finally regained the use of his mouth. He placed his hands on her cheeks and looked at her dead in the eye. "Why wouldn't I choose you?"

"Because I'm not pretty," Lucy huffed.

"Sure you are! You're beautiful to me. To be honest, Lucy, I don't care what you look like. You could be absolutely anything and I'd still love you."

Lucy purposely changed her hair colour blond and her eyes grey. "What about now?"

"Of course! You're still the same person! I fell in love with your personality since day one, and in the papers. I also think you're beautiful no matter what anyone else says. I doesn't matter about them, they're just liars and they don't know what a wonderful person you are. That's why I love you."

Lucy believed Matt but some tiny voice at the back of her head told her otherwise. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small glass vial labelled 'Veritiserum' should she use it? Could this be the key to finding out if looks mattered?

"What's that?" Matt wondered peering at the vial. "Veritiserum..." he read slowly then realised what it was. "You want to know if I'm telling the truth? Give me that, I promise I am." He swiped the bottle from her hand, not feeling disappointed in her at all for doubting him. He threw back the contents in the small bottle into his open mouth and swallowed it. They waited a few seconds for the potion to kick in, then Lucy began.

"Why did you choose me, Matt?" Lucy asked again. Matt repeated the exact words he had spoken a minute ago. Lucy felt tears form in her eyes, they threatened to spill and she didn't know if she could prevent them from doing so the more Matt spoke.

His words gave her the sensation that she mattered. She mattered to someone truthfully. Matt was so certain of his words he even promised to take Veritiserum for her without arguing. Lucy honestly couldn't express how she felt.

As soon as Matt had finished he looked at her innocently. "You believe me now?"

Lucy didn't say anything and flung her arms around him and put her glasses back on. She wasn't the prettiest girl but Matt seemed to think so. He was genuinely a good looking guy but he chose someone who nobody would have guessed would be his type.

"Oh, Matt, why did anyone think you were a bad person?" Lucy wondered as she sobbed into his shirt. "What you've said is the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me and I know it's the truth!"

"What about your dad? I'm sure he doesn't lie."

"He has a few times but I don't think about me..." Lucy's voice trailed off. She looked up at Matt teary eyed. "I can't believe you think that about me, it's honestly one of the most wonderful things I've ever heard! And you're telling the truth! It's simply amazing!"

"Don't thank me! Thank yourself for being such a nice girl!" He nudged her. "I didn't make your personality, although you can take all the credit for mine because you've definitely changed me."

Lucy laughed and he wiped a tear from her eye. "Well, maybe I did change you a bit but you're the one who decided to change."

Matt shrugged. "Couldn't have done it without you." He took her hand. "Fancy finding out what your old man's up to?"

The two raced down to the area near Hagrid's hut and hid behind it. They looked around for any sign of Snape. Lucy saw his black silhouette almost immediately. "There!" She gasped. "He's heading in the direction of where we camped!"

Matt suddenly remembered his and Lucy's first kiss there. "Y-Yeah."

Lucy took Matt's hand and dragged him almost forcefully in the direction of where Snape was heading, hiding behind trees every so often to distance themselves from him but staying close so they could follow him.

Eventually Snape made it to the place where they camped, Lucy and Matt hid behind a rock and watched closely as Snape joined a group of all the Resistance excluding Jessica. The twosome listened intensely as Snape began to speak.

"Thank you for all turning up, I appreciate your input in this operation — " Snape began.

"Sweet, my girlfriend's dad is a part of the FBI!" Matt laughed to himself, Lucy stared at him.

"The what?"

Matt shook his head. "Never mind, muggle reference..."

"It is important," Snape continued. "That we save this member as a part of the idea that we keep all he gifted safe. Although she may not be part of the gifted she is important to the gifted. Keeping that in mind, I am honoured that you've all turned up to save Sally McGuire."

"Shona's mum!" Lucy whispered harshly. Were her ears betraying her? She looked at Matt for back up. By the look on his face, she had heard it right.

Snape cleared his throat, he didn't want to tear up now. Not in front of everyone, he rarely teared up and today would not be one of those rare days. Lucy gazed sadly at her father, she wondered what on Earth was wrong. But little did Lucy know, there was a strong friendship between her father and Shona's mother.

Oddly enough, as Lily and Snape's friendship ended, Snape and Sally's began. Snape had begged her to pass on a note to Lily in class once but it soon became a regular job. It was Sally's job to pass the notes between the arguing two, and the Fat Lady would always swing open for her and say 'Another note, Sally? Go on then...'

Because of all this note passing, by the end of 6th year, Snape and Sally were close friends particularly after she punched James potter in the mouth for him. Rather than be left alone and shunned by everyone, Snape had someone to talk to who wouldn't judge him. However, if it wasn't for all of the note passing Lily may not have visited Snape one night.

Sally's Dad had even let Snape stay over one day after a horrible fight erupted at his house between his parents, and Sally made sure he felt like he belonged somewhere. It was the first Christmas he had ever received a present from someone excluding his mother, which was a game of truth yard. Snape played over and over again with Sally who didn't mind the slightest.

But when the two had left Hogwarts, Sally was shocked to hear of her friend's choice to become a Death Eater. She hated herself for trusting a man like that; Snape was soon blocked out of her head. Her father was not pleased either when the man turned unsuspectingly up on his doorstep, broken down. Against all advice Sally took him in only because Snape carried one last note he wanted delivered. This time it wasn't for Lily, it was merely about her. Before Sally could give it away, she realised it was for her.

'I always loved Lily.'

That was when Sally realised that Lily had died before the Daily Prophet started chanting about it the next day. That was the last time Snape and Sally had seen each other and they hadn't intended to meet again. It was Snape who was arranging this unexpected reunion, just for her safety.

"You all know where to go," Snape managed to say, forcing his tears back before they were visible. "I'll be right behind you all."

The Resistance used the fake magic they had learnt and cast themselves away to some distant place in England which Lucy did not know the location off. The faint crack of them apparating could be heard from where Lucy and Matt were kneeling but it didn't sound quite right which made them both understand the Resistance's magic.

"I want to speak to him," Lucy whispered, getting up but as soon as she had Matt dragged her back down. She turned to him, frowning. "What?"

"I think it's best to leave it right now, don't you?"

"Why?"

"He's upset already he doesn't need to be reminded he's leaving his daughter by herself when she could be protected by the Resistance." Matt shrugged. "I mean, he's close to tears anyway."

"I guess you're — " the faint crack of apparating sounded correct, when Lucy turned her head she saw Snape was gone. "Right..."

"Come on," Matt took her hand. "Lets head back up to the castle, Zuc's not getting you on my watch."

Lucy gazed desperately at where Snape had just apparated from. "Okay..." She murmured before looking up at Matt, she tried her best to smile at him. "Lets go."

The two of them walked back up to the castle together, Lucy feeling extremely worried about her father while Matt tried to take her mind off of it. But nothing seemed to shift the weight from her shoulders. She could almost see her father running down a lone street with the houses packed tightly together with pure determination in his eyes.

And that was exactly what he was doing. The houses on either side of the road were a complete blur to him while he searched for what he needed to find. Unless his memory proved him wrong this would be like finding a needle in a haystack. All he could do was hope.

"42, 42, 42..." He whispered to himself as he ran. This was the door number he was after and he feared that because he was going so fast he might miss it. But the Resistance might have better eyes than him in case he missed it.

"Are we almost there, sir?" One bold Resistance member asked. "For we haven't much time."

"Yes we're almost there," Snape hissed back as though talking to a small, impatient child.

Suddenly Snape skidded to a halt. He had found Sally's house. He just saw it as the number 42 was so old that it had rusted over and was hard to see against the dark colour of the door. He jumped up three small steps and avoided the overgrown plants down the pathway that led to Sally's house.

He reached the door and raised his hand to knock but he froze. Behind him at the end of the pathway the Resistance were stationary, eagerly awaiting his return. He didn't have the heart to tell them he couldn't do this. He hadn't seen Sally in years and he had no idea how she'd react to him. She might even slam the door in his face for all he knew.

Despite himself he hammered a little too hard on the door, causing the already crooked '42' to shiver on the nails that loosely held them there. It didn't take Sally long to appear at the door but it felt like an eternity to Snape. When she did open the door she almost gasped.

"Severus?" She wondered, her aged face did not fool Snape. She still looked like the girl who passed notes for him. But Snape now realised one of the reasons why he hated Shona, she looked a lot like her father and hardly anything like her mother. "Is that you?"

Snape's hard expression softened at the sound of her voice he hadn't heard in so long."Yes and we don't have much time, it's mandatory we get out of here immediately."

"You can't just tell me to leave my own home without an explanation," she sighed, detaching his hand from her sleeve. "What's going on?"

He held her wrist again, this time with a lot more force. "I'll explain on the way but we simply must go immediately."

"I want an explanation now I don't care what the circumstances are," she yanked her wrist free again and placed it on her hip. Snape looked like a beaten puppy. "What's going on?"

"Zuc's coming for you," Snape whispered, Sally just about heard. "We need to get you to Hogwarts, it's the only place he can't get you."

She suddenly looked worried. "How do you know?"

"Zuc himself told everyone at Hogwarts, he mentioned other names too but everyone else is at Hogwarts. I refuse to let you — "

Suddenly the wind picked up and the road turned misty. It cleared soon enough but what it left behind was terrifying. A group of five knights stood on the road with their swords out in front of them ready to attack. They looked much more advanced compared to the one Lucy had encountered just before her fifth year started. But they were motionless. The resistance pulled out their wands and readied themselves for a fight.

"Come on, we've got to go!" Now Snape was panicking and Sally saw it. "Have you got your wand?"

"Of course," Sally assured, about to reach into her back pocket for it but Snape dragged her away from her front door.

"Take my hand!" He called urgently. Their hands found each other and interlocked to form a bond. They ran down the pathway and onto the road where the knights stood.

"We can't apparate!" Sally warned as she saw Snape getting ready to leave. "This is a muggle street!"

"We'll have to find an alleyway!" Snape cried as the knights behind them began to advance on the Resistance.

The clash of swords seemed to echo for miles and sting Snape's ears. He wasn't afraid of a fight but the noises just seemed to make his head hurt.

"Are you alright?" Matt's voice asked Lucy as they neared the castle. Her hands were over her ears and all she could hear were clashing swords.

"No...my ears hurt..." She groaned.

"Why? What have you done to them?" He held her close, just in case she fell.

"Nothing, I think it's because of dad. The gifted are all connected and we can sometimes hear what's going on in each others lives — " Lucy froze. "Oh god! He's in danger! I have to help him!"

Lucy freed herself from Matt's arms and made a wild run toward the castle. Matt chased after her, calling her name in desperation. But it was no use, she had to see Dumbledore.

Just as she made it to the centre of the viaduct, he grabbed hold of her and kept her there with the strength of his arms.

"No! Let go of me, Matt! You don't understand! You have to let me go!" She cried, her voice was strained as she thrashed about and tried to break free.

"Shh, it's alright," he whispered despite her yelling.

"LET ME GO!" She screamed. "PLEASE!"

"No, you've got to stay here," he whispered calmly. "He'll be fine and he'll come back safely, you don't need to worry."

"But..." Her voice now hurt and she had no idea if Matt heard her. They walked slowly off of the viaduct and Matt sat her down. He then knelt in front of her.

"I promise you he'll be alright, nothing will hurt him. He's smart you know, I know he can find his own way back," he caressed her cheek with his thumb. Lucy nodded, believing his words.

"I'm sure he will," she agreed before Matt pulled her into a hug. She blocked everything out including the distant sounds of the wind and the thundering of footsteps and the distant yell telling someone to run —

"No!" Sally hissed. "Someone will spot us!"

"I don't care! If we're quick no one will ever know!" Snape growled. "Now lets go!"

Suddenly four knights appeared and Snape swore loudly. Sally pulled out her wand as it was the only option, Snape took his out after a moments hesitation then readied himself.

"You take those two and I'll take the other two!" Sally ordered and positioned herself behind Snape so they were back to back. "COME AT US YOU MEDIEVAL SCUM!" She yelled and the knights advanced towards them.

Sally immediately cast up a dozen spells that Snape surprised she remembered despite her many years of not using magic, Shona's dad had forbidden it. Snape tried desperately to attack the knights in front of him but their armour was very hard to penetrate, Zuc had obviously worked very hard in designing these knights. The knights hadn't even attacked once and Snape and Sally were already worn out. They had no idea what to do but tire themselves out.

"What do we do?" Sally panted.

"I don't know..." Snape admitted as the knights began to advance. They pulled their swords out and Snape knew anything they did was futile. Their magic was useless and that was obviously why Zuc knew these knights were effective.

The two knights in front of Snape held their swords above their heads in the slaughter position, Snape was paralyzed in shock. He'd tried knocking them out of the way with his fists but it was useless. These knights were too powerful. He closed his eyes and knew Sally had too.

She took his hand and they held onto each other in their final moments of life. Snape heard the sword come down but remained still throughout the whole process. But he found he was still breathing and he remained intact. That's when he realised the knight had disappeared. Instead it was fighting someone else and it wasn't Sally.

Snape watched in shock as a black figure swung it's sword at the knight. The clash of the swords was almost deafening. There was a hood over the persons head, obscuring their face, and a cape covered it's body except for when it moved and Snape could see the person wore jeans and a black turtle neck jumper. They also wear black leather gloves for protection. Whoever they were, they looked fierce and resembled the look of an assassin. 

The person kicked the knight to it's knees like a tin can and with one swift motion chopped off it's head with the sword they held. The person then moved onto the next knight and did exactly the same thing, they did it over and over until all the knights were gone. The figure didn't even bat an eyelid at the scene that surrounded them with knight parts astray. 

Somehow Snape knew that they knew something that he didn't. He found out soon enough what that was. The knights repaired themselves and were ready to fight again. The person attacked the one nearest it first with their fist. Their knuckles making contact with the knights armour made a dull thud but the person continued to do it. Snape thought the phrase 'chink in the armour' was appropriate for the moment. 

Eventually there were many dents in the knights armour but the other knights were approaching fast. Snape was about to yell out to let the person know but they already knew. They swung their sword behind them and sliced the knight down the middle. Behind that there was another knight further away so the person threw their sword behind them, pinning the knight to the lamppost. 

They then finished the knight they had started with, off. They jumped up and kicked the knight in the head, causing it to fall to the ground. The person then turned around and faced the knight that was just about ready to kill the person. With one swift motion the person headbutted the knight so it fell to the ground. 

This time, all the knights were defeated. 

The person's lip curled in disgust. "Medieval scum."

They walked slowly over to the lamppost and yanked the sword free from the knight and held it in their hands, weighing it for a moment. That was when Snape spoke up. 

"Excuse me?" Snape asked. "Who are you?" Snape was almost offended that someone else had come to their rescue even though they had saved his and Sally's lives. 

The person looked up at him and stared. Their cape fluttered in the wind but that was the only thing that moved near them. 

"I would like to know your identity," Snape frowned, folding his arms, he felt like pouting. "It would be very rude of you not to say." 

The person slowly moved the sword behind them and put it into it's cover so it sat there. Snape's idea of the person being an assassin was only enhanced. They slowly took off their hood to reveal their face, Snape and Sally watched intensely. 

"Hi, dad," the person whispered. 

Snape looked around for his daughter but she was no where to be seen. Instead she had been replaced by this hooded figure dressed all in back that had taken out four advanced knights extremely quickly and on her own. The sword on her back, Snape could now see, was Merlin's sword. 

"No..." Snape shook his head, his bottom lip was quivering. "This cannot be true! How did you — " 

"How did I what? Escape from the castle? It only takes a short sentence to persuade Dumbledore to free you," she smiled innocently, but her outfit told otherwise. 

"Yes but, no. No, how did you do that fighting? Where did you learn? I've been with you since you knew your destiny and I have never seen you fight this way! What's got into you?" 

Lucy's smile dropped. "I thought this was who I was meant to be? Who I was meant to become?" 

"Of course!" Snape's eyes widened. "Yes, it is! But wouldn't you be shocked if someone you'd known for so long didn't know how to defend themselves suddenly came out as some sort of...warrior?" 

"Yes but don't you see it was going to happen someday? I guess I finally realised that I didn't need help anymore. Someday this was going to happen and today was that day. I knew you were in trouble and I couldn't do anything else but come to protect you. It's important to protect those you love especially when they've done so much for you." 

Sally punched Snape in the arm. "Nice daughter you've got there." 

Snape was gobsmaked. He didn't know what to say. "I put Mr Jarvin and the others under strict orders to protect you! How did you — " 

"Me and Matt ditched the others before you'd even left the premises. As for Matt it was easy to convince him I was tired and needed to go to bed, he didn't think for one minute I'd go looking for you. That's what people think of me, you see? They don't think I can do things on my own but today will be the end of that. Today is the day I stand up for myself and prove that my destiny is right." 

"But I don't think the outfit is working for you though..." Snape shuddered. 

"Really? After all I've done? That's all you've got to say? The outfit isn't working? Well I like it, it doesn't show who I am...yet." 

The only thing Snape could do was say. "Come on, lets go." 

Snape took Lucy's hand and Sally's arm and apparated them back while Dumbledore held off the spell. They arrived outside the entrance hall and Lucy pushed the doors open. There were only a few people lingering in the entrance hall and they were very shocked to see the three walk in. 

"Is that Lucy Snape?" Lucy heard someone whisper, Lucy couldn't help but smile. 

They then entered the great hall where some people had decided to stay after all that had happened. Matt too was sitting there, talking to some first years in Slytherin who were pretty shaken up after the incident. Shona was sat at the Gryffindor table, a steaming mug of hot chocolate in her hands while she spoke to Ron and Harry about how stupid Zuc really was. 

"I promise it's okay," Matt reassured the first years. "I mean, Zuc's only some tall guy. I'm just some tall guy! How bad can it be?" 

They nodded in agreement, a few wiping away their tears as the hall fell silent. Someone wolf whistled at Lucy and Matt turned around. His eyes widened at the sight of his girlfriend running her fingers through her hair. 

"HEY! NICE GETUP, LUCKY!" Johnny yelled, near where Matt was sitting and Alex, Chris and Tyler all cheered. 

Lucy walked over to Matt and sat on the table next to him. "Hey," she smiled, casually. 

"What the hell are you wearing?" Matt frowned, the first years watched in awe. 

"I'm wearing my new look, do you like it? I just defeated four advanced knights in it," she grinned. "Level up!" 

"You've what!" He almost jumped up in surprise. "I thought you went to bed?!" 

"No I went out fighting, I couldn't let dad fight alone. It was just as well I went because one of the knights was just about to kill him!" 

"Who are you and what have you done with Lucy?" Matt sighed but he found himself smiling. He gave her a quick hug. 

"And that's the one who's going to save us from Zuc?" One of the first years asked. There was an awkward silence and Lucy felt like she was being accused. "Because I think we'll be safe now." 

"Me too," Matt agreed, making the group of first years laugh. 

However, over on the Gryffindor table it was a different story. Shona looked up from her hot chocolate and gasped. She saw her mother before her eyes and she almost spilt her drink. Snape began to walk Sally out of the great hall but Shona had other ideas. She lept out of her seat and followed the two out of the hall and into the entrance hall. 

"Mum!" She called, Sally immediately turned around at the sound of her daughter's voice and she gasped. 

"Shona!" She opened her arms and Shona ran into them. She hadn't seen her mother since third year, she had been stuck with her dad for so long and now she could finally see her mother. 

"I've missed you so much!" Shona admitted as Sally let go. 

"I've missed you too, how's your father?" 

"He's left," Shona shrugged, not bothering to think about what had happened when her father left. 

"Oh, well, I knew he was going to do it sometime but I didn't think it was going to be with you," Sally looked awkward. "What about Martyn? Is he okay?" 

Shona put a hand on her mothers shoulder and pulled a sad face, she didn't know how to break the news to her mother without hurting her. Snape realised this and decided to step in to save Shona of the hurt. 

"Martyn joined Zuc's side," Snape whispered. 

"He what?" Sally looked offended but then the hurt kicked in. "Why would he do that?! I didn't raise — " 

"No, it was his decision, mum. Nobody told him to do it," Shona looked at the ground sadly. "I guess he got jealous of the fact that I'm Sebastian's descendant. Well, he is too it's just that the eldest child gets the powers." 

Suddenly Lucy and Matt walked out of the great hall, hand in hand laughing about something. They headed for the stairs but realised Snape, Shona and Sally were standing there. They both stopped laughing and their smiles dropped. 

"Oh, we're sorry," Lucy cringed. "We didn't mean to — " 

"It's alright," Sally smiled. "You can join us if you like." 

Lucy and Matt walked over to join the conversation. Shona explained about the situation with Martyn and Lucy's eyes lit up. 

"I read about this!" Lucy gasped.

"Read about what?" Snape asked. 

"The descendants!" She looked at him as if it were obvious. "The book you gave me for my Birthday once told me a lot about it. It said that the descendant powers are passed onto the eldest child, as you know, but the other younger descendants will turn jealous and may do something which could result in joining the enemies side. This is terrible..." 

"It is but it's true," Sally sighed. "And to think Martyn is mine makes it even worse." 

"Don't dwell upon it," Matt said wisely. "You know you've done a good job as a parent and that's all that matters, unfortunately the situation had to follow fate and it was in no way your fault." 

"I think I'll have to agree with Mr Jarvin on that one," Snape admitted. "It is fate and destiny and there's nothing we can do to change it in our case. The rules have been written out for too long and they cannot be undone." 

"Severus!" Jessica called, she ran down the last flight of stairs and ran towards Snape. 

"Jessica!" Snape's eyes lit up at the sight of of her. 

"Are you alright? How was it?" She began to fuss over him and Sally watched as the two spoke about what had happened. 

Matt, Shona, Lucy and Sally moved away from the happy couple. Sally looked at Lucy. "Is that your mum?" 

"No," Lucy shook her head. "Jessica is a vampire and my mum is Lily Evans, you might have heard of her." 

"Oh, yes, I have. I was in the same year as your father at school and when he and Lily had a fight we became close friends. I guess that's why your old man wanted to save me." 

Suddenly the entrance hall doors burst open and in walked the gifted, some were fine and others were injured but they were all undoubtedly tired. Lucy ran over to the first injured person she could find and slowly began healing his wounds. The magic that the Resistance had learnt wasn't capable of healing wounds. Matt too helped healing the Resistance while Snape joined Sally's side and Jessica went to lead the gifted who were well into the great hall. 

"That's one hell of a daughter you've got there," Sally admitted. 

"Could say the same for yours even though her main goal is to make my life a misery," Snape shrugged. 

Sally laughed. "I guess I raised her well then." Snape produced a small smile of his own. "But the way you acted when you found out she could fight, why were you shocked?" 

"Because she's never acted that way before, she usually gets scared at the idea of even picking up a sword. But to see her actually take out four knights with one was terrifying." 

"They grow up too fast, right?" 

"Indeed...and I've only known her since she was eleven which makes it even worse." 

"Really? Well that sucks..." Sally admitted, Snape nodded. "Have faith in her though, don't belittle her. She has a lot of potential and I think we both know that. That's her destiny." 

Snape watched as his daughter held one of the Resistance's hand and listened to their experience of how they fought the knights. Her knowing eyes and her kindness said nothing about the fighting she'd endured. 

"Yes and I promise that she will become the fighter that's she's meant to be, even if I don't have any input I know now she can do it on her own."