Scarlet took a deep breath, willing her racing heartbeat to steady. She wasn’t afraid of the Potions Master; rather, her concern lay with Madame Brown. If the Muggle director learned too much about the wizarding world, it could strain her mental state if the wizards were to magically alter her memories. Worse still, it might jeopardise Scarlet’s connection to the orphanage – her safe haven and family - or lead to consequences she dared not imagine.
On her view, dealing with Professor Snape as far easier.
Scarlet briefly rubbed her face with her hands, allowing herself a fleeting moment of vulnerability before straightening and meeting her professor’s gaze. “Professor Snape, I lived here before I was adopted.”
Professor Snape’s brow furrowed slightly, though his expression remained otherwise unreadable.
“They are my family,” Scarlet continued sincerely. “Even after my adoption, this place and the people here are still my family. The children are like my siblings. I know it’s my responsibility to keep the existence of Hogwarts and the wizarding world a secret. But it’s impossible to share parts of my life with them without revealing something about Hogwarts. I had to be creative and come up with a solution.”
“And that solution is this farcical ‘Hogwarts School of Forest and Animal Conservation’?” Professor Snape raised an eyebrow, his tone laden with scepticism.
“What other solution did I have?” Scarlet shot back, frustration creeping into her voice. “How else was I supposed to explain why I suddenly abandoned my plan to skip secondary education in favour of attending a private school that isn’t even registered with the Department of Education, Government of the United Kingdom!”
Scarlet took a steadying breath, but her frustration with the Ministry burst forth, unbidden, as she recalled the countless moments she had to come up with solutions for friends and relatives who weren’t supposed to know about the wizarding world. “The Ministry of Magic is utterly useless when it comes to Muggle-borns. They expect us to keep the wizarding world a secret but provide no guidance – no manuals, no standard procedures, nothing! How do they think we’re supposed to manage this secrecy? Their only solution is to threaten us with memory-wiping charms for Muggles? It’s both ignorant and arrogant!”
Realising she was teetering on the edge of a rant, Scarlet inhaled deeply to calm herself. “I had to improvise,” she explained. “I told Mama Susan – I mean, Madame Brown, that I found a private institute dedicated to nature conservation. It’s a prestigious school that’s been operating for centuries, with the best researchers in the field. It’s remote, deep in a forest – to better study nature, of course – which explains its remoteness and why it’s not widely known. That’s also why I can only come back to London during school breaks.”
“She already knew about my interest in charity work, conserving nature, and supporting local communities. She knew I enjoyed writing novels and that my dad is capable in protecting me if the school were dangerous. So, me attending a peculiar institute actually made sense to her.”
Professor Snape studied her silently, his dark eyes assessing the young girl standing before him.
“And that explanation covers everything,” Scarlet went on. “Why I can’t call them on the telephone – the gadget I just used to speak with you – and why I’m so disconnected from the news outside school. I told her students there are under strict, enclosed management to focus on their studies. The school’s age explains it’s quirky traditions, and I said the professors, being brilliant experts, all have their own eccentricities. Geniuses are like that, aren’t they?”
She sighed, her shoulder relaxing slightly as she finished recounting the elaborated cover story she had woven to protect the secrecy of Hogwarts.
“So, I am a chemistry professor who prefers black robes over all else,” Professor Snape remarked with a smirk. “I must say, Ms. Hong, you are a rather remarkable storyteller - your intelligence far surpasses that of your hare-brained peers. However, your narrative does not explain the magic trick you performed on your beloved director.”
“That’s a small enchantment to...well, ‘hypnotise’ them,” Scarlet explained. “Whenever they see certain words related to the wizarding word – like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – their perception shifts. They either ignore it or interpret it as Hogwarts School of Forest and Animal Conservation. It’s also tied to a subtle suggestion I’ve implanted in their minds. If they ever encounter anything magical or out of ordinary, they’re compelled to contact me immediately so I can come and handle it – like today.”
Professor Snape made a mental note of the term “hypnotise” for later research. He gave a curt node. “Very well, Ms. Hong. Your explanation suffices for now. I shall report this to Dumbledore upon my return to Hogwarts.”
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“That’s fine,” Scarlet replied with a nod. Her tone shifted to one of curiosity. “Professor Snape, I assume you didn’t come here just to interrogate me. Are you perhaps here for a first-year student?”
Professor Snape’s lips curled slightly. “Your intelligence makes me question the mental faculties of your peers, leaving me to wonder if you are indeed of the same species.” He let out a small huff before producing a letter and handing it to Scarlet.
It was a Hogwarts the acceptance letter, identical to the one she had received the previous year. This time, however, the name on it belonged to Jessica White – a younger girl from the orphanage.
“Jessica?” Scarlet echoed, her brow furrowing as she thought of the girl. “As far as I’m aware, she hasn’t shown any signs of magical ability.”
“Hogwarts’s list never errs,” Professor Snape said dismissively with a wave of his hand. “Summon her. She is undoubtedly a witch.”
Scarlet signed. “Which means I’ll need to fabricate another story to explain this...And she’ll probably have to stay with me.” She cast a pointed look at the slightly bewildered professor. “Professor, surely you don’t expect an ordinary eleven-year-old to do what I’ve done – to perfectly conceal the wizarding world’s secrets in an orphanage with over forty children? None of them would be as quick to react or as resourceful. I need to come up with a plan that convinces Mama Susan to let Jessica attend Hogwarts.”
The Potions Master remained silent, observing as Scarlet mulled over her thoughts, occasionally scratching her head and jotting notes for yet another fabricated setting. After a few minutes, she finally stepped out to ask the head housekeeper to fetch Jessica.
It wasn’t long before the younger girl appeared, bounding into the room and throwing her arms around Scarlet in an enthusiastic hug. “Scarlet! I missed you!”
“I miss you too,” Scarlet said gently, patting Jessica’s head. “How have you been? Are the nightmares still troubling you?”
“Not anymore! Your dreamcatcher really helped,” Jessica replied with a sheepish smile. “How long will you stay this time? Everyone’s been missing you.”
“I’m not sure yet,” Scarlet said, stepping aside to reveal the stern man seated in the corner. “I have something important to take care of.”
Jessica’s wide eyes turned toward the professor, who straightened in his chair. For a moment, his usual stoicism faltered as he studied the girl intently, his sharp gaze flicking over her from head to toe. His mouth parted ever so slightly, betraying his surprise.
“Professor Snape, this is Jessica White, one of my sisters from the orphan homes--” Scarlet said cautiously, her voice trailed off as her eyes darted between the Potions Master and the young girl.
The resemblance was undeniable.
But...this couldn’t be possible! Alexis had sworn that Snape’s love was devoted to Lily Potter. How could this be...
Jessica tilted her head slightly, confusion evident on her face. “Scarlet, is this your chemistry professor you mentioned in your letters? Mama Susan said he’s here to check the materials you’ve been using...Do you need me to bring mine for comparison?”
“No...yes, I mean, he’s here for something else, but bring your homework along as well,” Scarlet replied, snapping out of her unsettled thoughts. She turned her gaze to visibly stunned man in the black robes. “Professor Snape, I suggest we take a moment before revealing your purpose here.”
Professor Snape didn’t respond immediately, still caught in an uncharacteristic daze. Scarlet called his name several times before he finally stirred. “Yes...yes, Ms. Hong. Do whatever you deem suitable.”
Jessica looked between the two, her confusion deepening, but she nodded and left to fetch her homework as Scarlet instructed. Once Jessica was out of earshot, Scarlet leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Professor, do you know any charms or spells to test if you two are blood related?”
Professor Snape’s response was slower than usual. “And you propose?”
“Either you test it now with magic, or I’ll have to find a Muggle method to confirm it,” Scarlet said quickly, her mind racing. She tried to recall the status of DNA testing technology and its accessibility in 1992. “That could take weeks to process – and it’ll probably involve a lot of blood samples. Plus, I’m not even sure where to find a lab that offers that kind of service.”
“I know a potion that can determine it,” Professor Snape replied, his tone regaining some sharpness. “But I’ll need a sample of her blood.”
“How much do you need?” Scarlet asked. “I can get a syringe from the clinic nearby to draw some her blood.”
“...Syringe?” Professor Snape echoed.
Scarlet quickly clarified, “It’s a tool Muggles use to collect blood. Never mind that – how much do you actually need? In Muggle terms, it’s measured in millilitres or CC, but for potions...it’s drops right?” She made a small gap with her thumb and forefinger for emphasis.
“One drop will suffice,” Professor Snape replied, furrowing his brows.
Scarlet pause, considering. “Asking her outright for a drop of blood might seem odd. I’ll have Meiko get the syringe, so we can tell everyone it’s for a lab examination to check her health. Now the question is – do you want to acknowledge your relationship with Jessica? Or would you prefer to confirm it quietly, without letting Jessica or Mama Susan know anything for now?”
Professor Snape remained silent, and his expression darkened.
Scarlet pressed on. “If you want Jessica by your side, I’ll need your blood too – for the lab test – so I can provide something tangible, like a report, to convince Mama Susan that you’re trustworthy...I know you don’t care about convincing her, but Jessica does. She loves Mama Susan, and this will matter to her. Even with your potion, it’ll still take time to get the answers. So, do you have any ideas or clues to confirm if she’s...related to you?”
Professor Snape hesitated, his gaze flickering with reluctance, Finally, he admitted, “Yes. I know her mother’s name. If Jessica is indeed...my daughter.”