Everything around started to look hazy. The shuffling of feet and her own heartbeat was all Skyler's senses could handle. She progressively became worse, stopping when the pressure on her heart became too much.

"Professor," was all she could choke out before she crumbled to the floor, her chest heeving.

"Skyler," he yelled, rushing to her side. "Look at me,"

Holding her chest, Skyler looked up into his eyes. Much to her surprise, she saw a warmth there she'd never noticed before. Skyler knew in that moment that the man before her would protect her with his life. His eyes seemed to put her in a trance, and it was as if that was the only thing she could focus on. They pulled her away from the present, twirling her into their depths.

"Skyler, are you okay?"

Coming to, Skyler shook her head. "I'm scared, Severus. I talked to my father a few weeks ago in Hogsmeade. What if this Dolores woman is after me because of my power? What am I supposed to do, I haven't learned to completely control it yet! I'm not even sure how powerful I am. I can feel it surging through me, and I know if I lose control I could hurt someone. What could she do with this? How many people could she hurt? I don't want to be the reason innocent individuals die." she choked. "And Uncle Albus was gone from his bed last night, I know he's worried. That's not a good sign, it means i'm truly in danger right now. He's becoming old, and I fear he doesn't have the strength nor the power to withstand the same as he once could. What if he fails?"

"Skyler, that will not happen. Do you understand? I will die before someone lays a finger on you, I promise. The only way to completely control your powers is to grow into them, and you haven't quite done that yet. It's a lot for a body to handle, and it has to adapt. Your body is having a hard time doing that, seeing as you have more than the average witch " Severus said, ice lining his voice. "As for you Uncle, I wouldn't underestimate him just yet. He may be getting old, but he's got quite a few years left in him. I know for a fact he'd die before someone laid a finger on the next generation Dumbledore. You have nothing to fear, we are here to protect you." he gestured towards the charm on her bracelet. "If you feel to be in danger, I will be there in an instant."

Feeling slightly better, Skyler nodded, whipping her tears. "It just worries me, seeing him so fragile. I don't know what I would do if I lost him, and I don't like this strange woman threatening my family."

"Any threat to your family is a threat to me," Severus said, pulling the girl to her feet. "Your Uncle has become like a father to me."

Smiling, Skyler wrapped her arms around the man, burying her face in his chest. "Thank you, Severus. For everything."

"You're quite welcome." he said, slipping his arms around the girl to pull her close. "Come, we must speak with Albus."

Nodding, Skyler kept one arm around the professor while the continues walking. Feeling the cold air sink into her bones, she pulled his cloak to the side to cover her, leaning the left side of her face into the side of his chest.

"That is my cloak, you know." he smirked, looking down at the brown hair girl. Tenderly, he tucked a lock of curls behind her ear, pulling her closer.

"Mmmm," was all she said before rushing to the set of stairs leading to her Uncles office.

"Skyler, are you okay?" Albus said, rushing over at the sight of his niece. He waved his wand several times, checking her.

"I'm fine Uncle Albus." she whispered, clutching the old wizard in a tight hug. "There was an incident in the Great Hall."

"She was attacked," Severus said, appearing from the stairway. "It appears Dolores is becoming bolder in her attempts to get at Miss Dumbledore. She's careless, Albus."

"She's desperate, and will do anything to end the next line," Albus mumbled, holding the girl close to him. "She will fail, however. If there will be any Dumbledore dying in this, it'll be me."

"STOP SAYING THAT!" Skyler yelled, stepping back to glare at them both. "Stop saying you'll both risk your life's for me! You will do no such thing, I won't allow it."

Albus stopped to observe the objects floating around the room. He could almost taste the magic in the air, feeling it pulsing around him. "Skyler, dear... Calm down." reaching out, he pulled the girl back to him, and as he did so everything fell to the floor.

"I can't lose you," she mumbled in the wizards chest.

"You have no idea how important your life is, Rosie." Dumbledore sighed.

"Dumbledore, what are we to do about this situation? If Dolores is willing to attack in a room full of witnesses, she'll attack anywhere." Severus said, interrupting the moment.

"That's where you're wrong Severus. She knows we're on to her, and because of that, she's becoming careless. Careless individuals make mistakes, and I intend to use each one to my advantage. I have a plan."

"Operation Calce Asinum." Skyler smirked.

"Calce Asinum?" Severus asked, confusion lining his rough features.

"It's Latin for Kick Ass," Dumbledore answered, blue eyes twinkling at his niece. "She named the 'mission'."

"You know Latin?" Severus turned to her in surprise.

Nodding her head, Skyler responded. "Uncle Albus made me learn when I was young."

Severus was shocked, yet not at the same time. Leave it up to a Dumbledore to know a language that only a handful of people alive could speak fluently. Turning to the blue eye girl, he felt a fluttering sensation in his chest. She was remarkable in every way.

"Severus, would you mind if Skyler stayed with you in the Dungeons tonight?" Albus asked, turning to his desk. "I have an errand to run, and I am afraid I will be leaving Hogwarts for the remainder of the day and night. I'm sure she would be safe here, but I don't want to risk it. As you've said, Dolores is becoming careless, and I have a feeling she could find her way around my wards."

"Of course, headmaster." Severus answered, masking his surprise.

Skyler watched wide-eyed at the scene before her. She would be staying in his quarters tonight. It made sense, she had a private potions lesson tonight, and would likely be in his office late anyway. "Shall I pack my bag?"

"Yes, please." the old man answered.

Watching his niece retreat, he turned to the dark haired wizard before him. "Severus, I normally wouldn't ask this... But like I said, I can't risk this. Her. She's too important to me. You must keep her safe."

"With my life." he answered immediately, making eye contact with the blue eyes. Albus knew in that moment his words were true. "I will see her to her next class, and watch over her tonight."

"Thank you, my boy."

"Uncle Albus, please be safe." Skyler said, walking from her room with a bag now in her hand. She crushed the wizard in a hug, refusing to let go until he promised to do so. "I need someone to continue my lessons. I suppose Professor Snape would suffice, but his skills are mediocre at best."

Both set of blue eyes turned to twinkle at the potions master before them. Glaring at the girl, he stepped aside to let her pass. "I'll remember that when you get stuck on a complicated potion."

"When has that ever happened?" she asked, her voice fading as she walked down the staircase.

Smiling to himself, Albus turned to gather his things for his journey. That brown haired girl brought more joy into his life than he thought possible.

"Pssssst, Skyler!" a soft voice called, taking her attention away from the assignment in front of her. "I was asked to pass the on to you."

Reaching up to take the small box from the boy she recognized to be a third year Hufflepuff. "Who is it from?"

"Richard Hennigan." he answered, turning back to his own work.

Frowning, Skyler tried to put a name to a face. She remembered hearing that name before, but she felt it was a long time ago. Possibly at his sorting, knowing he had to have been a few years younger than her. She brushed her thumb against the rapping paper, trying to decide what to do with the box. Realizing that it could have come from anyone, she tucked it into her bag to show Severus later. Just to be safe.

"Professor?" Skyler called, walking into an empty Potions classroom. "Are you here?"

"Yes," he baritone voice answered, appearing from the closet.

Stopping in her tracts, Skyler gaped at the man before her. He was wearing a long sleeve white shirt, with blue jean muggle pants to match. "What in the devil are you wearing?"

Glancing down at his attire, he frowned. "We're going out for the potions lesson tonight. I need help gathering supplies that will be used in the first years' potions lesson next week."

Nodding her head, she watched him walk back into the closet, admiring the way he looked in the new attire. "You look nice, almost normal."

"Do I ever look not normal?" Severus called from the closet.

"Normal enough for Severus Snape, but this would petrify any first year."

Growling, he glared at the girl, closing the closet door behind him.

Remembering what was given to her, Skyler retrieved the object from her bag. "I was given this today in Herbology. I'm not sure what it is, and I didn't want to open it in case it was from someone else."

"Who gave it to you?"

"A second year delivered it, but he said it came from Richard Hennigan. could you look at it to make sure it's safe?"

Nodding, Severus took the box from her. Waving his wand, he did a few diagnosis to determine if there were any immediate dangers. Coming up with none, he started to open the package carefully. Inside was a key, with a note tied to the end.

Skyler,

I have admired you from afar for quite some time now.

I know you probably have no inkling to who I am, but I'm hoping to change that.

If you have any interest in meeting me, you need only touch the key and it will show you where to go.

My heart,

Richard

Scowling, Severus sat the offending box on the table. "There is no need for keys, you can use a simple spell to unlock a door."

Watching carefully, Skyler sucked in lung full of air as she watched her Professor disappear form view. "Severus? Severus!" Skyler called, alarmed.

Unsure of what to do, she ran into his private quarters, slamming the door and warding it with every protection spell she knew. Turning, she slid to the floor. This was all her fault.