Merope Gaunt. The woman of the hour, as it would seem. The only indication Severus gave at recognizing the name, of course, was little more than a slight twitch in his jaw. His expression remained as it was, his gaze never faltering, eyes never growing wide. His mind, however, was already taking this newest piece of information and trying to determine what, exactly, would be the best course of action.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gaunt," he replied as his mind whirled, his tone as even as before. "I'm Severus Snape, and I'm to assume you're also... new, to this place?"
Conversation. Basic, nonthreatening, conversation that he hoped would neither frighten her away nor give her reason to take pause. After all, he wasn't certain what this girl did, and did not, know about the events that took place in their world in his time. Had the Dark Lord managed to reach her, first? If so, how was it she was standing before him now?
Really, very little of it made sense and so he waited, for her to answer, and for an idea on what to do next.