Prologue

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all things Harry Potter. Alex, Dani, and Jacqueline are my creations.

November 5, 1981

Severus Snape found he did not know quite what to think about the present circumstances. The war was over: the Dark Lord had been vanquished, the Potters murdered and their son orphaned. However, Snape was not among those celebrating. Instead he was mourning for the death of Lily Evans, his childhood friend and love. He moods varied between sadness and guilt; he never thought he would be happy again. Currently, he was in the library in house at Spinner's End staring blankly at the old man sitting across from him.

"You recognize these two, do you not?" Dumbledore asked, gesturing to the sleeping toddlers beside him.

"Yes, I was present at both their births," Snape said, wondering why the children where here, but not really caring at the same time. "How did they fall into your hands?"

"They were found on the Hogwarts' steps on November first. There was an anonymous note that explained that this unknown person was to bring them to me as quickly as possible. Enclosed were letters to me, you, a will, and a diary that is to be given to the children when they are old enough. All of this is from their mother Jacqueline, she left the instructions that the children were to be raised by you," Dumbledore explained calmly. For the first time in days Severus Snape felt something besides grief.

"WHAT?" he shouted, utterly confused and bewildered. How was he expected to raise two children? And his children at that? "Professor Dumbledore surely you're joking. I cannot possibly take care of them. I-I…I don't know the first thing about kids!"

"Well, Ms. Jacqueline seemed to think it was a very good idea. In her letter to me she said she always thought you were better than the others and never understand why you joined in the first place. Also, she said that in the event he returns, it would look very suspicious if someone other than a trusted follower had his children. She believed they would be safest with you," Dumbledore said, smiling slightly at the horror-struck expression on Severus' face. "I suppose you did not fool her as well as you fooled her husband."

"Really, that is what you focus on? I wouldn't trust her judgment on much Dumbledore, she married the FUCKING DARK LORD!" Severus exclaimed.

"In her defense, she fell in love with him long before that. Actually, I think her very wise. After all those years with him, she knew what evil looked like better than anyone else. By the time you came around I'm sure she could recognize real from pretended evil. She also knew him better than anyone else, which explains her foresight in requesting her children be placed under your care."

"You think he will come back then? That he's not dead?"

"Yes, and so did she."

Silence fell between them. Snape pondering the just learned information and expectation, while Dumbledore stared serenely at the sleeping children. Among his other jobs for the Dark Lord, Snape had been assigned to the care of his offspring. He had provided numerous potions during the pregnancies for both the mother and fetuses' health, and had continued to look after their health after their births. He had been present for both births, and had found each to be the most trying things he done. The second more so than the first, for it had been kept a secret.

Mrs. Jacqueline Riddle's health had been slowly declining. Though with the use of certain potions, she had been able to hide it from her husband. However, her first pregnancy had severely weakened her. At her age and in her condition, she should never have become pregnant in the first place. And while she had loved being a mother, she constantly worried about what would happen to her child if she died. Her husband was no longer the man she had loved, and she did not want him to raise their child. When she found out she was pregnant again, she decided she had to do something to save her children. Narcissa Malfoy was also pregnant at the time. Jacqueline offered to go with her away from all the fighting for the remainder of Mrs. Malfoy's pregnancy. Her husband had no problem with the plan. He himself would be away for indefinite period, and thought it a good idea to have his wife and child safely hidden.

And so Jacqueline had taken both Snape and Narcissa into her confidence. Narcissa, sharing her motherly instincts, agreed immediately. Snape had been hesitant at first, but eventually gave in. After all, he would be providing the same service to her as last time and he had been instructed to do her bidding by the Dark Lord. Though he never thought it would come to this. For the first time since they had entered his house, he actually looked at the children before him.

The oldest, a boy, was around two now. He recalled his name to be Alexander. He had his mother's strawberry-blond hair and sun-kissed complexion. The youngest, a girl, was named Danielle. She was just over a year old. She shared her brother's complexion, but had dark black hair. They both slept peacefully, the boy curled up on the couch next to Dumbledore and the girl in a carrier on the floor.

"When did she die?" Severus asked, breaking the long silence.

"A few hours after he disappeared, though I do not know of what," Dumbledore answered solemnly. "Do you?"

"No, not exactly," he sighed. "The potions I gave only worked temporarily. Usually only a few weeks and then she would get sick again. I saw signs of Dark magic being used on her, to prolong her youth, life and such. I think he did it without her consent."

"Whatever ailed her was, perhaps, not of the body only."

Snape nodded his head in agreement. "Alright," he sighed. "I'll take them."

"Splendid," Dumbledore said, handing him a bag. "In there are all the baby supplies you will need. And don't worry, accommodations will be made for you at Hogwarts." With that Dumbledore let himself out, leaving a clueless Snape with two sleeping toddlers.

X X X

The first few months were the most difficult. They were pure chaos. On top taking care of two toddlers, he was also teaching potions at Hogwarts and had plenty of work from that. Thankfully, Dumbledore had a couple house elves that watched the children while he was in class. He became accustomed to toys scattered around his quarters. In fact, he found he quite enjoyed being a parent.

Alex and Dani were quiet, well-behaved children. They had their fun, and could be a bit mischievous, but rarely ever crossed the line. They spent most of their time in his quarters or in an old classroom that had been transformed into a type of playroom for them. As soon as they were old enough he began tutoring them in both the general muggle studies and basic magical ones. They were bright and quick when it came to their studies. Snape was very proud of them.

"Daddy?" Dani said one evening. She was five and it was Christmas. Alex was building something with the muggle toys called Legos, Dani was coloring and he was reading the Daily Prophet.

"Yes Dani, what is it?"

"Can we build a snowman tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Can we build a fort too?" Alex asked, momentarily distracted from his latest creation.

"Daddy?" Dani asked again, standing up and abandoning her coloring.

"Yes?" he sighed, giving up on reading the paper. She walked over to him and crawled into his lap.

"Will you read a story?" He smiled and summoned a book—The Tales of Beedle the Bard—in reply. It had been his when he was young; he had made sure to bring it with them this year as Dani had become quite obsessed with them.

X X X

As they got older, they grew in intelligence, kindness, and attractiveness. Eventually, Snape could no longer teach them. After consulting Dumbledore, he decided to send them to a muggle boarding school during the school year and would home school them in their magical studies during the summer, thinking it too risky to teach them at Hogwarts. And so, when Alex was ten and Dani was nine, they went off to school. In their absence Snape realized how lonely he was without them. He found himself looking forward to their letters. Well, the letters were really from Dani. Snape knew boys were not very good at correspondence, and appreciated the effort she went through to get anything from her brother to him. He could not help but harbor a hope that one day they would be able to attend Hogwarts.