It had been five years since he had since his daughter, Danielle. How he missed her smile. He hadn't seen that sparkling smile in five years either. Drinking away his pain memories began to flood into Severus's mind
Lily and Severus sat on the sofa in their living room at Spinner's End, baby Danielle in Lily's arms, chewing on Severus' finger with her gums. Albus sat in the armchair near the fireplace.
"It isn't safe anymore," the bearded wizard said softly, as if he didn't want the baby to hear. "Voldemort is more powerful everyday," he ignored the visible wince of the other two adults at the name. "He will come to force Severus into service. He sees someone that would be useful, and he will force their allegiance, no matter the consequences. "James is willing to take Lily and Elizabeth into hiding in Godric's Hollow."
"Never!" Lily said sharply, causing the baby on her lap to look up, her lip trembling in a threatened cry.
Severus took Danielle from his wife's lap and cuddled her to his chest. "It's okay, baby. Don't cry." He put a hand on Lily's shoulder. "This will be over soon, love. You and Danielle can go and be safe, and I'll come for you the moment he's defeated."
"Not a chance!" Lily glared at her husband. "You listen to me, Severus Snape—
"No, you listen to me, Lily." His voice was even. The temper flare-ups were his wife's talent, not his. "You are going to take our child and go to safety. The Order will continue its work. When we are successful, I will retrieve you."
"This is ridiculous-"
"Lily. You've served the Order well for years, but now you have to protect our child. The only reason you are going and not me is that I have a larger target on my back." He returned her glare until he sensed her starting to break. "Father, take Danielle for a moment." He handed the child off to Albus just before Lily dissolved. He caught her as she leaned into his chest.
Dumbledore watched, turning Danielle towards him when she became agitated at her mother's sobs. "It's okay, my little one." The baby struggled against him, kicking her legs as hard as she could, trying to escape.
"I'm never going to see you again," Lily whispered, once her sobs had eased enough to speak.
Severus shook his head. "Don't you dare say it. We've always known that this day would come. It's the reason Danielle has no name ties to me. It's the reason why we have a plan in place. It's time to follow that plan." He tilted her head up. "Lily, I love you and our daughter more than anything. I can't explain to you how much I want to be with you. But I want your safety more. We will be together again." He kissed her gently
Setting his empty glass down, Severus moved across his private quarters in the dungeons of Hogwarts. He went to reach for his night robes, for he was done tormenting himself tonight, but his hand touched his cloak and then something stirred inside Severus Snape. An emotion of longing he couldn't ignore any longer.
Snatching his cloak, Severus covered himself and left his dungeons. Quickly, he moved up the stairs to the entrance hall. It was slightly after curfew so no students were out of bed (that he could see anyway).
Within minutes Severus stood at the castle door, opening it he stepped out into the cold winter night. His robes and dark hair swirled in the bitter wind around him. Soon he was at the edge of the grounds, and in a swirl of snow Severus apparated; he instantly landed on the doorstep of Number Four Privet Drive.