A/N: I don't own anything other than Aliza Potter and the plot!
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. So it was to no surprise that Mrs. Dursley was screeching at the top of her lungs that morning when she found her freak of a sister's son and daughter lying on her front door step.
"Get them out of this house! I demand it!" Petunia Dursley screamed, "I will not have- have you-know-whats living here."
Vernon Dursley paled as his eyes roamed over the letter that came with the bundles. "Are- Are you sure about that, sweetie dear?" he asked timidly. "This dumblydore says they're only safe here because of- of- of blood wards."
Petunia turned, aghast at the thought of blood wards in her home. "I don't care, Vernon! Haven't you seen the freaks my sister and her good for nothing husband are?"
"Were," Vernon corrected gently.
"Well- yes, were- but that's not the point. They'll grow up to be just like them and they'll corrupt our sweet little diddykins! You can't possibly be alright with them staying!" She was staring intently at her husband, silently daring him to object.
"There's an orphanage on the other side of the town," he replied after a long silence. "I'll go get changed."
Satisfied, Petunia sat down on the couch as Vernon disappeared upstairs. As if taking away the affection that should've rightfully been hers wasn't enough, her sickening sister went and gotten herself killed! And left her twins to be cared for by her! Yes, sending them away was the best decision. Better than having to waste her precious money and attention on little rats.
Vernon came padding down the stairs at that moment and off they went to Wiland's Orphanage.
"But Albus-"
"No, Minerva. I presented an offer to the Dursleys and they have declined it," Dumbledore said calmly, fingers pressed together. "We should be thankful for their assistance in sending them to an orphanage in favour of abandoning them altogether."
"They're not safe there!" Minerva exclaimed, expression wild with panic and anger. Strands of hair had fallen out of her tight bun and her lips were pressed together in a thin line.
"I will see to it that wards are put in place around the orphanage. They will not be in any danger." Minerva searched Dumbledore's gaze, trying to remind herself that this was Dumbledore, the man who induced fear in He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Her trust would not be misplaced. "I will not let any harm come their way, Minerva. You know that better than anyone."
The door to Dumbledore's office burst open very suddenly and a swish of black robes entered the room. Severus Snape stood at the door, a grave expression marring his features. He gave a significant glance at Mcgonagall and then at Dumbledore.
"I'm sorry, Minerva. I would like some privacy with Severus, if you will."
Minerva nodded and stood from the table. She stopped at the door and gave Severus an apologetic look. It would not have boded well with him that the decision to bring the Potter children to the Dursleys was made without his consent. He was, after all, the godfather of the girl. When Severus lifted his chin and shifted his stare elsewhere, Minerva knew that she had to give more than just a look to seek his forgiveness.
"Severus, please, sit," Dumbledore said when the door to his office had shut once more.
"Sit, Albus?" Severus was fixing a nasty glare at Dumbledore, his shoulders stiff and hands shaking. The next words he spoke were strained. "You said that you'd keep her safe."
"I did what I could to the best of my abilities. It was the misplaced trust we had all placed in Black that caused this tragedy."
"And what will you say of the Potter children? I brought her to you, trusting that you'll do what's best. But you give her to that nasty girl and let her throw her into an orphanage without first seeking my opinion on the matter? I am her godfather, Albus! Her godfather!"
"I was afraid you would say that."
"I beg your pardon? Albus, I could have taken care of them. They don't have to grow up without a proper family!" In his rage, Severus had walked to Dumbledore's desk and was now nose to nose with him, palms on the table.
"Severus," Dumbledore warned. "Please, sit."
Severus regarded Dumbledore with a long look before setting himself down in the chair opposite Dumbledore.
"Keeping them in the wizarding world would only endanger them more. There will not be a child who does not know the name Harry Potter. Growing up with the fame would eventually get into his head, Severus. And so, it is with his best interest in mind that I made the decision to leave them with their only living relatives. But it seems that even they have abandoned them."
"I could still take in Aliza. She has nothing to do with the fame and attention Harry will get."
"And you would also strip Harry of the only living family he would grow up with."
Silence ensued for what felt like hours before Severus finally spoke again. "Has Black been apprehended yet?"
"The Aurors are searching the country as we speak."
Severus nodded. "I would like to offer my assistance in the search."
"It is perfectly normal to grieve, Severus. But it is not wise to nurture anger to drive your actions."
They stared at one another for a few more moments and Severus stood up to leave. "The Dark Lord," Severus said. "He's not dead like everyone says, is he?"
"I'm afraid not. He is gone, yes, but not for eternity," Dumbledore said, his expression grave.
Severus left the office and stalked off to the dungeons, his mind still set on Aliza Potter and her mother, Lily Evans. She had only just forgiven him two months ago and even managed to convince Potter to let him be Aliza's godfather. Of course, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew were not happy with the idea, to say the least. Black, especially, had refused to acknowledge Severus' presence for weeks whenever he came around to see Aliza and Lily. But no one dared argue with Lily for long. Two months of knowing Aliza and reconciling his broken friendship with Lily. Two months that were too short. He longed to see her again. To see the life in her striking green eyes.
But all that flashed through his mind was her body, lying on the ground like a rag doll. The wails of Harry pierced the silence behind him as he pulled her close to his chest and refused to let go for the longest time. He shouldn't have listened when Lily insisted she was exhausted and suggested he take Aliza home for the night. In the short time he was gone, everything went to hell. Everything fell apart.
And now Aliza was being taken away from him. No, he wouldn't let it happen again. No matter what it took, he will be there for his goddaughter. Always.