Author Note: I own nothing recognizable in this story. Though the creation of Andi and Emerence are my own. Other than that everything belongs to the great J.K Rowling.
A few things before I begin this tale. I am a single father of a child I would give my life for. My ex-girlfriend, and mother of my child, has run away after the war. I can be the father I never had and I am about to show the world my daughter. Oh and one final thing; my name is Severus Tobias Snape and I am the Potion Master at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
A light cry caused my eyes to spring open and I glanced at the clock on the table beside my bed and sighed. It was 4 in the morning only two hours after I had went to bed. Rubbing at my onyx eyes I slid my legs out from under the warm blankets and covers of my bed and rested my feet on the cold stone floor. For a moment I just imagined I had dreamed the first cry that my mind was finally starting to break when a slightly louder and angrier cry sounded through my rooms.
"Oh Emma daddy needed a little bit more sleep honey." I cooed softly as I approached the open door between my room and another. Wobbling against the bars of a crib stood a small pale baby with thick dark hair and light gray eyes- the only thing from her mother- stood crying her face scrunched up as she cried. Moving slowly and a little sluggishly I picked her up, she was light for a seven month old. "Well let's get you something to eat shall we then you can lay in my bed for a bit." I purred in her ear as she pulled lightly on my dark gray T-shirt.
I bounced Emerence softly as we moved to the kitchen. Turning the light on I deposited Emerence in her high chair and dropped some of her baby cereal onto her counter, she would probably just play with them but it gave me time to pull out her bottle. Turning to my cabinet I pulled out a clean bottle and formula and started the motions of making a bottle.
It was hard to believe that in it was only six months ago that I had been doing anything but this. Six months ago I didn't even know I had a daughter. Hell I had only just gotten out of the hospital and was barely able to make it from one side of my rooms to the other without getting tired. I thought I would be coming home and proposing to Andi instead I came home to a note saying she had left and that I had a daughter named Emerence Ciel- who knew Andi had a way with names, and French none the less. But now I would have it no other way. But starting tomorrow my small secret was going to be out. Because tomorrow a new semester was going to start.
Turning around I smiled down at the young girl who looked up and giggled and stretched her chubby little hands out towards me. I grinned and picked her up, even when I was tired beyond imagine seeing Emerence smile and just be herself made me feel better. "How about we take this bottle in bed till I have to get up to start the day."
Rubbing Emerence's back I watched as her slowly started to slide shut as she drifted back off to sleep little snores coming from her. I smiled and placed a pillow on the other side of her so that she didn't roll anywhere if I was able to fall back to sleep.
It felt like I had only been asleep a few minutes when I heard a sharp noise and groaned. I was tired but there were things that had to be done. But first thing was to place Emerence in her crib so that I could take a shower and get ready for the day. Slowly I slid my arm under my daughter and brought her to my chest and wrinkled my nose; change of plans change a dirty diaper and then shower.
As I moved towards the changing table I felt Emma stir against me as I carefully placed her down. "Now you sit still and I am going to change your diaper and put you in the outfit grandma bought for you." I muttered, I could tell her was going a little crazy. It was hard not to go a little stir crazy when the one person you are around constantly can't talk. Pulling out a new diaper and some wipes I unbuttoned the black onesie with the large orange lion on the front, a present from Dumbledore, and pulled it carefully off. With a very practice motion I cleaned Emerence and put a new diaper on her.
Moving to the large dresser I looked around looking for the new outfit that my mother had bought for Emerence. Finding the black and gray striped onesie with the a white skull on the front and the matching white pants I moved back over to the table and quickly dressed her before she begun to grow fussy. After giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head I gently placed her in her crib and tapped her toy wolf so that it would keep her entertained as I went to shower.
"Good morning Severus, ah and My Em." Minerva said as I entered the Great Hall about a half an hour later. Emerence grumbled for a moment until she realized where she was and then she clapped her hands and looked around. "She is growing way to much like you Severus. She is starting to sound like you." Minerva said as she held out her hands to me.
I gratefully handed her over and rubbed at the back of my neck and then my eyes. "I would hate to ask this but can you watch Emerence while I go pick up the last few things I need for my classes. I would take her but I have to go down Knockturn Alley for a few things and I don't think that is a good place for a baby." I asked already knowing the answer I was going to receive. Minerva and Albus were like a second set of grandparents to my daughter and they were always ready to jump at the chance to have her around.
"Oh Severus you know we would love to. Your mother was going to come have tea with me later so you can even take a nap. Because we both know Eileen would love to see her." Minerva added as she smiled as she watched Emerence play with her necklace. "Oh and Albus said that he can watch Em whenever your mother can't make during the day." She added after a moment.
I smiled and looked to Emerence who had gotten bored with the necklace and was holding her hand back towards me. Minerva handed her over and the three of them headed up to the large table. The other teachers all either reached out and ruffled Emma's hair or said hello to her as I passed. As they all started to come back they all started to grow attached to the baby. I quickly glanced down the table to make sure Sylibus wasn't here and plopped into my seat. Since she heard of my break up she has left her own relationship and had begun to pursue me again.
Pulling out a small jar of pureed chicken and spoon I placed them beside me and grabbed a small plate of breakfast for myself. Emerence realizing she was about to eat again happily pounded her tiny hands on the smooth oak table and made a small babbling noise causing Sprout and Poppy to chuckle.
"She sure does like her food? She is a mini you Severus. I remember you at that age always wanting more food and Babbling. I honestly think you talked yourself out as a baby." Poppy commented as I opened the top to the chicken and took a spoonful out and offered it to Emerence who opened her mouth wide and tried to lean towards it. Chuckling I move the spoon closer and watched as she moved her tongue over the food making a face towards me.
I had long learned how to feed myself in between spoonful's of the brown mushy things that smell alone was enough to turn me off. Once I was satisfied that she had enough of the baby food I offered her a bottle that I held with one had as I finished my own food with a gusto. As I started to get up Minerva stood up as well. She had also gotten a routine that she would occasionally follow me down and grab a day bag for Emerence and take her out so I could get things done.
Though I loved my daughter there were sometimes I needed to be able to without a child, let alone a small baby around. Shopping at the Apothecary was one of them, to many things for her to get her hands on and that could possibly hurt her. Besides sometimes a nap couldn't hurt. Both of those things were going to happen today, since tomorrow my secret would be out.
Note: I know this is a little boring and bounces around a bit. I just needed to introduce the characters. More will come soon I promise. Let's see how our lovely students take to finding out about Severus new charge? I enjoy reviews and it may cause me to update sooner. Thanks for reading.