A/N: I have been listening to Deathly Hallows recently, and have gotten a new wave of sympathy for Snape. So I thought he deserved a little happiness. This is not a Severus/Lily pairing, but I am bringing in my own characters. The time is set in Half Blood Prince, and I am hoping that this will eventually go into Deathly Hallows. And please be patient while I update. I am not going to make promises of when, but I will update when I have time and inspiration. Thank you and I hope you enjoy. =)
It was cold in the castle that night. The frigid Scottish winter blew against the stonewalls and made the castle's inhabitants huddle against their fireplaces.
However, not everyone was huddled in his or her common room that night. A surly man walked through the halls, without seeming to have any purpose or destination.
Severus Snape stalked the corridors with large steps and the swish of his billowing black robes. He was deep in thought and did not hear the footsteps behind him.
"Severus," said a voice.
Severus stopped and turned around to see Minerva McGonagall.
He nodded and asked, "What is it Minerva?"
"Albus wants to see you in his office," she answered somberly.
"What is it now?" he drawled.
"He needs you to see something. This is important Severus," Minerva insisted.
"Fine," said Severus and followed her down the corridor.
What did that old man want know? Severus thought to himself. If this has to do with the Malfoy or Potter boy one more time, he would lose his mind.
His mind kept racing as he and Minerva stood in front of the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.
"Pumpkin juice," said Minerva and Severus in unison. The gargoyle sprung to life and stood aside so the two could pass. Severus continued to follow until they reached the door that led into Albus' office.
Minerva knocked and opened the door when she heard a voice say, "Come in."
Severus stepped inside after the witch and was shocked to see a teenage girl sitting in the chair opposite the Headmaster's desk.
However, he recollected himself and rationalized that they had come too early.
"Headmaster," he said, "would like us to wait outside until you are finished?"
"No Severus," said Albus Dumbledore with a smile, "you are exactly who I want to see right now."
Severus starred at him blankly and then shifted his gaze to the girl sitting in the chair. He first noticed the shabby suitcase by her feet and the muggle clothes that she wore. Although it was common for Hogwarts students to wear muggle clothes on weekends, it was odd to see her wearing a white tank top and shorts when it was so cold. She was obviously shivering under his gaze.
"I don't understand Sir," he replied.
Albus sighed and looked at the witch beside Severus, "Minerva, would you please wait outside?"
She nodded and closed the door after her.
Albus looked, not at Severus, but at the shivering girl in front of his desk. "My dear, are you cold?"
"No," she lied, as she shivered harder.
Albus frowned and with a wave of his wand, the fire behind him grew larger and a woolen cloak materialized out of nowhere, and landed on the girl's lap.
"There," said Albus, "better?"
"Thank you," she said, as she wrapped the giant cloak around herself.
It was then that Severus noticed that the girl in question had an American accent. He then racked his brain trying to remember if an international transfer student had been announced at any of the staff meetings. He couldn't remember; things had been so unstable in his life lately.
"Now Severus," Albus continued, "I am sure that you are wondering why I called you here."
"Yes Sir," replied Severus, still racking his brain for information he must have missed.
"Well," continued Albus, "I called you here because this young lady has come to see you." He motioned to the girl sitting down.
"Why?" asked Severus, looking back and forth between the two.
Albus continued to smile, and the girl continued to stubbornly stare at the floor, even though a slight blush crept into her cheeks. Severus noticed that she was very tan, with an olive hue to her skin. Her hair was dark, just as dark a Severus', except thick and shiny, where his was greasy and thin. And when she finally looked up at him, he noticed her eyes were a dazzling violet.
Severus' breath caught in his throat. He remembered those eyes from so long ago.
Albus smiled in understanding and nodded slowly. "Severus, may I introduce Jenny Gray, your daughter."
Jenny gave him a small smile before his mind raced back in time and memory, to where the answers to all his questions lay waiting for him.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this. The next chapter will be going back in time and seeing how Jenny came to be. I am also toying with the idea of having some modern day romance in this to. Who knows? So keep updated. =)