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Summery-Dumbledore is more involved in Snapes past then anyone ever imagined. Can decisions made 24 years ago be reversed to give three adults the family they desperately crave? (contains original characters)

Sighing deeply Dumbledore relaxed back into his chair, he'd never been so unsure on what was the right plan of action. Usually he never had a problem, he'd had years of experience reading people knowing what people we going to do, it was second nature to him now. It was his gift; no one had ever fooled him, or made a façade he couldn't see right though in mere seconds. There was one person though that always managed to surprise him though, one person as soon as he thought he knew what was best it turned out to be the worst.

When he'd met the small weedy pale boy at 11, he was quiet, bookish, and untrusting, but filled with huge potential. Albus's first response was to draw him out of his shell and encourage him to make friends, which had promptly failed when the boy seemed to lack the talent of talking to his peers, preferring to sneer and tease. Disheartened with this and his mentor's failure to make anything better, the boy had started to trust his father's words believing he was worthless, pushing everyone away.

Resigning himself to having to watch another student with so much potential going down the path of self destruction. Albus had hoped that they could sway him away from the dark arts, and encourage his love of potions. In his final year they made a huge break through so they thought as the staff organized it so the teen could help tutor the first and second years in potions. The teen had been in his element, so much so he even accepted an assistants post for the following year with the view to go onto university to get a degree.

The first half year had done him the world of good, the young man proving his worth and talent, turning away from the dark arts and the self destructive path he was taking. It wasn't to be though as he'd slipped off the cart again after an heated argument with the potions master. Determined though not to let him follow that downward spiral again, Albus persuaded the adolescent to travel, convincing him to travel the world for 6 months then start the following year in university.

This was to have the worst outcome Albus could have ever imagined in a million years, the repercussions of it were far reaching they nearly ruined 3 lives. Traveling at first had seemed perfect for the teen, the sights broadening his mind, slowly undoing the years of abuse and bullying he started to find himself. The sure disaster that waited had been disguised as a blessing at first, true love it had seemed to the most unlikely pair; a lonely withdrawn wizard and a happy-go-lucky, save the world muggle. Not exactly a match made in the stars but it had worked for a while, for 5 months to be exact. Albus wouldn't of recognized the man he'd become around her, the happy, loving man, no longer that lost child.

The happy protective bubble burst though when their carefully constructed fantasy went hurtling headlong into painful reality. Another life entered the equation not only the tow of them anymore a child too, and for the two who weren't even into adulthood themselves yet, it proved too much. The arguments started, truths came out, and things that shouldn't have been said were said with little to no thought. Running seemed the only option at the time so he did, straight into the past they'd tried so hard to get him out of. Dark arts would have consumed him without a trace, but the memory of the happiness of those though months kept him going.

Albus Dumbledore sighed again rubbing his beard in frustration, the lost boy had become more than he could of ever hoped, the schools finest potions master, even a trusted friend. Yet with all the years he'd known, trusted and helped Severus Snape, Albus still couldn't even hazard a guess how the professor might react to the news he was about to give. He hoped against hope though it would be better than he had 24 years ago.

Turning towards the stone gargoyle at the end of the office he saw the tell tale dust and grinding that signaled his guest had arrived.

"Severus, please take a seat" Albus said pointing at the over stuffed chair in front of his desk. The look on Severus face told him that if he didn't get on and tell him something within the next 5 seconds he'd be cleaning up bonbons for days.

Stroking his beard he gazed off into space as he though of the best way to explain his resent news. The dim office however offered him no clues, except to toy with the idea of maybe removing a few breakables just incase it didn't go as expected.

"Professor Dumbledore, I'm sure what you wanted to discuss was of up most importance but contrary to the students popular belief I can't read minds. So maybe you want to tell me?" The greasy haired pale professor snapped him out of his trance.

"Well Severus what I'm about to say you might not like, but I want you to remember how far you've come and what it was like then. 25 years ago I sat in this very office wondering just how to save you from yourself, and I made the decision that traveling the world would open your eyes a bit. It did, but it also had unforeseen consequences."

Tension mounted 10 fold in the office as long forgotten memories surfaced and buried truths were unearthed. Snape drew in a sharp breath as he realized exactly what his mentor and friend was referring too. Running a nervous hand though his greasy black locks he cast his eyes downward ashamed.

"Don't worry Severus, I'm not judging your actions then you were young and confused it wasn't unexpected. I've called you here about something I should have told you long ago, you have a daughter"

Shock, anger, disappointment, all flitted across the potion masters face till it finally settled on a cross between anger and sadness. The inner war he was fighting was clear; the man he'd respected and trusted for years had lied to him. Thoughts of striking him or storming out had repeatedly crossed his mind but he'd hastily pushed them away again, he owed Albus a chance to explain after all the second chances he himself had been given.

"Severus, I know this is a huge shock but right now we don't have the luxury of time. I need you to listen, Mia was wonderful mother too your daughter, but she never grew out of her save the world ways, raising Esen in various aid camps. I can't say I agreed with her, but I respected the woman, she thought the world of her daughter. When Esen was 14 her Mia was shot and killed in the Congo and Esen was put into muggle care, I debated brining her here then but Mia was so intent when she was alive of raising Esen as a muggle, I couldn't bring myself to disrespect her wishes." Leaning on his elbows he pushed his half moon spectacles up his long nose.

"But why didn't you stop it, she could of come to me" Severus interrupted.

"I had to do what I thought was best at the time Severus, you'd only just got onto your feet I thought it was best with the pressure you were under that I'd not tell you." Albus rose out of his chair over to Falks's perch, stroking the bird lovingly he continued.

"She did well in care, excelled in her muggle school, went on and did her nurse training and went back to the Congo to continue her mother's work. Until 5 months ago everything was fine then she was captured by rebel forces in the area. Now while the physical scars in time will heal the mental scars I'm afraid might never." He sighed for the umpteenth time that evening.

"I'm going to bring her here Severus; I fear I made a mistake keeping her from her family. She'll need your support to heal"