Misadventure One: The First Time

June, 1971.

It was after graduation for 18-year-old Severus Snape. He was on the train heading to the station that his older friends, Kthalas Magi and Angelina Owen, were waiting for him at. At graduation, Angelina was home, sick as Kthalas told him. However, Kthalas said they had a surprise for him. Whatever it could be fully eluded the Slytherin. He watched the scenery pass him by.

Suddenly, he felt excitement pulse through his veins. His friend had a surprise. What could it be? He felt a jab on his shoulder and he turned to look to see who it was. The person who violated his space was another fellow Slytherin who was smirking at him. He returned the expression.

"What?" he asked.

"You look awfully excited about something for someone who just graduated Hogwarts," the Slytherin sneered.

"Well, I get to see my friend again," Severus shrugged. "And he promised to let me stay with him and his girlfriend for awhile."

"Nah, sounds like something else," the Slytherin prodded.

"Well, he's got a surprise for me but otherwise that's really all there is to it," Severus grumbled.

"Man, leave Severus alone," another Slytherin groaned. "Let him relax. We all wanna relax. We're going to need it for the next few years. Things are going to be so interesting figuring out where we wanna go with our lives."

"Ah, fine," the first Slytherin shrugged. "Tell Four-eyes I said hey."

"You still call him 'four-eyes'?" Severus asked. "He'll be happy to know that."

"Yeah, yeah," the Slytherin waved him off and stalked off with his arms behind his head.

Severus crossed his arms and looked out the window again. It was going to drive him nuts about what Kthalas had in store for him until he got finally arrived home.

—

Kthalas shifted in his feet for the fifth time waiting on his friend's train to arrive. His wife stood by his side, feeding their daughter with a bottle. Angelina rested her head against her husband and he rubbed her back.

"Are you sure this isn't a mean thing to do?" Angelina asked with a frown. "I mean, if he did this to you would you be okay with it?"

"Babe, this is me we're talking about here," Kthalas pointed out. "I would be pretty happy. But I'm positive I would never have this same issue because I know him all too well. It's fine. I think Severus would be delighted with his surprise."

"If you're certain, Alas..."

"I'm certain," Kthalas grinned.

Angelina perked her head up when she heard the faint sound of the train approaching. Quietly, she glanced to the side and saw the train approaching.

"Ah, here it comes," she commented, taking the bottle from the baby and began patting her back.

"Can I hold her now?" Kthalas asked. "I would like to be the one to surprise him."

"As long as you burp her first," Angelina pointed out, handing their daughter off to him.

"I know, I know," Kthalas took the baby gingerly and began patting her back. "We'll probably be done by the time your uncle Severus comes, right?" He looked at his daughter with a beaming smile. She made a soft cooing sound and Kthalas took it as a 'yes'.

"Well," Angelina rose to her feet. "Let's wait on Severus, shall we?"

"Of course," Kthalas nodded in agreement.

—

Severus felt the train skid to a halt. He opened his eyes and looked out the window, noticing it was already evening time. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stood up with his things. No eye contact was made as he walked towards the exit and waited for the doors to open. When they did, he stepped out and began his search for Kthalas and Angelina Magi. It did not take more than five minutes for him to discover their location. As soon as he found them, he rushed up to them.

Kthalas was holding something, though. From where Severus had been standing, it was hard to tell what it was. As he drew closer, it became clear that Kthalas was holding a bundle of something. Blankets? What was in the blankets?

"Good evening, Severus," Kthalas greeted. "I would like to present to you a very special gift."

"The hell did you get me?" Severus asked, coming to a stop as Kthalas handed the bundle over. He looked at his friend, confused.

"Did not get, I made," Kthalas gestured for Severus to look.

"What?" Severus raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "I never understood your euphemisms."

Severus took the bundle. It was rather light, at least 15 pounds. Nervously, he pulled back the blankets and suddenly, he had baby blue eyes staring back at him. There was a soft cooing sound from what Severus finally realized was a baby. He gasped and looked back up at his friend.

"No..."

"Congratulations on graduating Hogwarts, by the way you are my daughter's uncle," Kthalas grinned.

"I tried to make him tell you earlier," Angelina added quietly.

"D-Daughter?"

"Mhm," Angelina smiled.

"Angelina, I do not remember seeing you..." Severus trailed off awkwardly. "On winter break..."

"I cast a spell to hide it," Angelina placed her hands on her hips. "Kthalas has had this idea for awhile."

"I'm..." Severus blinked in disbelief as he held the child. "Congratulations. What's her name?"

"Kristina. Kristina Astrid-Leigh Magi," Angelina answered. "Born January 31."

"Well?" Kthalas asked. "Do you accept?"

"Why...Why yes, Kthalas," Severus smiled. "I accept your proposal. I will be her uncle."

A large grin cracked Kthalas's face, "I'm glad, young'un."

"Young'un?!" Severus bristled, then sighed, "I hate being younger than everyone..."

"Well, hey, you have someone to pick on now," Kthalas grinned.

"True," Severus glanced down at the baby he was caressing. She was cooing quietly and trying to reach her hand up to grab ahold of his Slytherin-green tie. She made an odd squeal, as if she was happy. He blushed and smiled back, "Oh uhm, hey there little one. You seem pretty happy with being in my presence."

"Aw, looks like she likes you, Severus," Angelina smiled softly. "I think you two may get along rather well."

"I mean, if you really suppose so," Severus chuckled wryly. "God, she's so small and fragile! I'm afraid I'll hurt her."

"Don't worry, Severus," Kthalas assured. "You won't hurt her."

"Well...if you are certain."

Kthalas put a hand on his back and smiled, "Shall we head home?"

"Indeed," Severus agreed. "Thanks, by the way, for allowing me to stay with you guys."

"It's not a problem," Angelina assured him. "You're our friend. Just, Severus, promise us you won't do anything stupid."

"I doubt I will do anything of the nature," Severus assured, still holding Kristina.

"Excellent," Kthalas nodded.

—

Before bed that evening, Severus walked towards the baby's room, wanting to see her again. The room was lit with faerie lights of different shades of blue and vanilla incense lingered in the air. Severus approached her cradle and saw her wrapped up in a blanket, fast asleep. To his dismay, it had the Ravenclaw crest on it instead of the Slytherin crest, although it did have green and silver on it. Maybe it was a 'Slyther-claw' blanket. Slytherin and Ravenclaw.

He stood there, watching quietly. So he was going to be responsible for this infant on occasion. Well, she looked rather charismatic. He bet she would end up charming him with her personality some day. Or, if fate decides to screw around, she may just resemble her father personality-wise. Wouldn't that be something...

He smiled as he shook off that thought, "Welcome to the world, future Slytherin."

He turned and swiftly exited the room to get a good night's rest.