Title: After my Own Heart
Author: SlackAl
Summary: A response to Gelsey's Adoption Act Challenge. See end of chapter one for full details
Spoilers: If you've read the books none really Rating: This chapter PG. Later who knows. Pairing: Eventually HG/SS Codes: Maybe later :)
Disclaimer: If you really think these characters belong to me, get some serious therapy.
Distribution: Ask and ye shall receive.
Authors note: FIRST ATTEMPT AT WRITING FANFIC! Please be gentle but constructive feedback would be appreciated. Also if anyone is willing to beta it would be appreciated if this story continues. This chapter un-beta'd so all mistakes property of the author.
After my own Heart
Chapter One
Severus Snape was, to say the least, appalled. To say the most he felt like being violently ill. Sitting in the balcony of a semi darkened theatre he stared down at his future, and the future appeared bleak indeed. This, coming from a man who had lived most of his life under the shadow of Voldemort and the very real chance of sudden, violent and excruciating death, gave some indication of his dread for what lay before him.
Children...
Young children..
Noisy young children...
Running, jumping, yelling noisy young children....
Running, jumping, yelling noisy young -orphaned- children....
The last bit of course was the whole problem....
The war had been won, Voldemort was no more and the scattered remnants of his mad followers were in hiding and hunted throughout the wizarding world. Wizards and witches had peace but at a cost, a terrible cost. When the tide had gradually started to turn against Voldemort he had revealed his true madness and inhuman brutality. He ordered his death eaters to kill. Just that, kill, anyone, any wizard, witch, halfblood, pureblood, muggle, it didn't matter. And they did, everywhere, anywhere and without mercy.
The death toll had numbered in the thousands but even the death eaters couldn't massacre everyone and eventually had been defeated. When the carnage was over the wizarding world buried it's dead and tried to move on. It was then one consequence of Voldemort's mad reign was realised, the children. More specifically the orphaned children of murdered parents. When Voldemort's murderous insanity had become apparent wizarding parents throughout the country had made their plans, created their portkeys, enchanted hiding places and did everything they could so if the unthinkable happened at least their children would survive.
And by and large they did. By the hundreds, by the thousands. Which meant overflowing orphanages, care centres, schools, even Hogwarts had been turned into temporary accommodation for scores of distraught children. Then like a sleeping giant the Ministry of Magic had bestirred itself and taken swift, forthright and decisive action to solve the problem facing it....as only the Ministry of Magic can.
Severus shuddered as the magnitude of the Fudge's folly ran through his mind again. More brutal than Azkaban, more terrifying than a dementor's kiss and more irrational than a sugar rushed Albus Dumbledore after his third packet of Lemon Sherbet.
The Adoption Act.
"Or how to have a child without even trying" thought Snape bitterly.
"Or without a loving wife and happy home"
"Or a seductive lover and a failed contraceptus charm"
"Without even a total stranger and a drunken meaningless screw in the alley behind the pub in Hogsmeade"
The Adoption Act. Every Wizard and witch between twenty and eighty years of age must adopt a child. If you were married you and your partner only had to take one child between them, or if you already had two children you were exempt. Severus had searched the act for an exemption for bitter sarcastic ex-death eater war heroes but that particular category seemed to have slipped from Fudge's so called mind.
This isn't to say Severus hadn't tried to get this exact exemption, or any exemption at all for that matter. The ministry in it's wisdom had summarily rejected all his appeals, pleas, threats, lawsuits and an extremely embarrassing incident involving a rather large bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey and drunkenly begging for Percy Weasley for mercy.
All of which brought his back to his fate below. Snape shuddered again as his gaze again focused on the seething mass of humanity before him. From that lot he had to choose his own miniature version of hell itself.
Children of all ages sat at tables on the stage of the theatre with prospective parents sitting opposite. Family groups were placed together so there were a number of two's and three's sitting around the tables doing the things that siblings do. Namely talk, yell, fight and generally annoy each other. One enterprising young hellion of around six years had just stuck a finger up his nose, pulled out something Snape really didn't want to look at too closely and was now happily chasing his younger, shrieking sister around the stage pointing his very dubious finger at her as he ran. The third child in the family, a baby in a high chair at the table, twisted around happily in the chair trying to keep his eye on the entertainment.
Ministry minions carrying clipboards, fluttered around the stage moving the poor basta.., rather the prospective parents from table to table until a suitable match was found. A small magical notation on the clipboard and the new happy family was allowed to leave the theatre and enter purgatory. A new "lot" of children was then brought to the table and the whole process started again. Severus watched a group of seven, yes count 'em, seven children was brought out to one table.
"Gods help us" thought Snape. "Where's Molly Weasley when you need her. She could take that lot and start her own Quiditch league"
As Snape's eyes continued to wander over the various tables he again cursed Voldemort to the lowest pits of hell. While Snape himself had been known to occasionally have an adverse effect on his students some of these children were obviously seriously traumatised by what had happened to them and their real parents.
Snape observed one young girl, perhaps nine years old, knees pulled up to her chin, rocking slowly back and forth, totally ignoring the earnest young couple opposite trying to talk to her. Her black coat and scarf simply reinforced the blank look on her face as she stared fixedly at the door where the prospective parents entered the room. Female earnest young couple turned and spoke to male earnest young couple, obviously exhorting him to help the child. Male earnest young couple moved around the table and knelt in the girl's line of sight, extending a comforting hand towards her shoulder.
The first thing that came to Snape's mind was "Oh good shot.." as the girl's hand connected with male earnest young couple's face with an impressive crack. "Little or no telegraphing the swing beforehand, good use of the shoulder and excellent follow through". Snape couldn't resist a smirk as male earnest young couple sat on his arse, staring at the girl in shock, holding a hand to his face. "That'll teach you to stick your good intentions where they aren't wanted"
A agitated ministry official quickly hustled earnest young couple to another table and returned to stand next to girl, who was again concentrating on the entrance door. A brief, and apparently tense, conversation ensued at the end of which the girl glanced briefly at the official and then her boots thumped back on the floor as she sat up properly at the table. Ministry minion walked off to collect another set of prospective parents, wincing and now limping heavily Severus noted with interest.
Severus also noted that dubious finger boy had been captured and was being dragged back to his table, said dubious finger being carefully held far away from the official doing said dragging. Upon his return to the family table and obviously tiring of possessing the finest nasal extract in the country he looked for somewhere to deposit his wealth. His gaze alighted on his younger brother still happily chortling in the high chair. As Snape watched this sterling example of wizardkind stick his finger in his younger brother's mouth, wiggle it around and then extract it sans extract he made himself two promises.
"No families" he muttered "and definitely no boys"
"Which by a process of elimination" he thought "leaves a female only child". He looked back to find the budding pugilist and thought for a moment she had been selected and taken. At her table was a pretty, animated girl with shoulder length honey blond hair chatting to an older well dressed couple. It actually took Severus a couple of seconds to recognise the pretty blond as the same girl who had dealt so effectively with earnest young couple. She was now bright, cheerful and obviously trying to impress the couple before her. Severus saw the cape and scarf shoved under the chair the girl was sitting on.
"Interesting, why the change? he thought as he turned his attention to the couple. An older pair, late thirties or early forties, extremely well dressed but understated, without screaming "Look at me Look at me". The couple appeared confident but quiet, reserved even.
"Good try but probably wrong for this couple" Severus thought "They don't want bright and bubbly, they want quiet and studious, you really should be more Ravenclaw for them not a bloody Griffindor"
The couple listened politely for a couple of minutes and then moved on. The girl looked at them for a short while as they moved off, shrugged and returned her attention to the incoming "parents". The coat and scarf made a quick reappearance as a couple wearing truly hideous matching yellow robes was escorted to the table.
As he continued to watch the girl he began to identify her criteria for parent selection. A couple, mid thirties to mid forties, well off or at least comfortable, a sense of style - at least in clothing and apparently she also required at least a modicum of intelligence. One couple apparently perfect in every way was summarily dismissed after only a short conversation with the girl in her bright and bubbly persona.
By this stage Snape had no doubt that when the girl attended Hogwarts she would be sorted into Slytherin so fast the sorting hat wouldn't even muss her hair. She had assessed her situation, one child among thousands, an enforced adoption to people who would not want her but she was still trying to make the best of her lot and had created a plan to accomplish exactly that. This was the sort of girl Slytherin had been created for. Rather than wail and lament her fate or blindly grab the first chance that came her way she was clinically assessing her options and making considered decisions for her future. Ambitious and intelligent with a degree of cunning. This girl had....... potential.
If he was to be forced to accept a child then it would be one that would end up in his own house. He may barely be able to stand a Ravenclaw, at least eventually they would be able to hold an intelligent conversation, but he felt his gorge rise at the thought of being lumbered with a Hufflepuff or the seventh level of hell itself, a Gryffindor.
Rising he made his way to the stairs, considering the fact that he didn't actually meet her criteria either. He did make her age criteria, but he was single and his appearance certainly didn't reflect the size of the Snape family vault at Gringotts. Well he would deal with all that when he spoke to her.
As he walked through the entrance one of the ministry flunkies fluttered around him trying to escort him to a table where a pimpled teenage youth slouched in the chair, attempting to clean his fingernails with the narrow end of his wand.
"Not in this lifetime" Snape stated to the flunky. "I wish to speak to the blond girl three tables over."
"But she has some prospective adopters with her already." protested the flunky.
Casting an eye over the couple he saw cheap robes and evidence of bad patching. Snape snorted "Not for long" and began to walk to the table.
Sure enough as he approached the couple rose and shaking their heads moved off to another table. The girl returned her attention to the entrance and ignored Snape until he came to a stop next to her table. A flicker of a green eyes over him, registering his single state and less than salubrious working robes and he also was consigned to the reject pile.
Sitting down produced no reaction so Severus proceeded to announce himself.
"My name is Severus Augustus Snape"
Not a flicker of reaction or recognition. Which indicated that she didn't read the Daily Prophet. Since the end of the war barely an edition went by without his name being mentioned as a "brave war hero" or "courageous spy against Voldemort" or some such rubbish. Actually not reading the prophet raised his estimation of her intelligence. Time to move on.
"I am pleased you chose to retain your cloak and scarf on my arrival. I don't believe I needed or would have enjoyed your excellent Griffindor impersonation"
For a brief second she looked him full in the face, a slight look of surprise on her face. Then the surprise faded and she returned to looking at the door, ignoring him again. "Good girl" he thought "Just because someone discovered the plan doesn't mean you should abandon it." Time to get himself moved from the reject pile.
"I am the head and sole heir to the Snape family line which dates back over 700 years. As sole heir I own Snape Manor and associated estates, residences in both wizarding and muggle London and a small but productive vineyard in France. While circumstances dictated my career choice in teaching I can assure you that I am not required to survive on my salary as a professor."
The green eyes look him in the face then flickered down to his less than expensive robes and returned to the door.
"Yes I am aware of my appearance however as I stated I teach and for my sins I teach teenage wizards and witches at Hogwarts. While being by no means miserly I refuse to subject hand made tailored dress robes to the sort of punishment which arises from trying to pound knowledge into simpletons, especially with some of my students." he added thinking of Longbottom, Crabbe and Goyle in particular.
Noting her cheap and sturdy clothing he continued
"I can assure you that there would be funds available to keep you in the manner to which you would like to become accustomed. I would also point out that as heir to the Snape line you will be expected and required to maintain an exemplary dress and demeanour at all times because as my daughter you will always be under scrutiny. I.." Snape broke off as the girl's head whipped around and she stared him full in the face.
"What? Oh.. yes, you would be my daughter, in fact and deed. If those magical misfits at the ministry are going to force me to adopt a child then it will be done correctly. You will be my daughter, not a ward or stepchild or little orphan annie. I have neither the desire nor the capability to replace your late parents however be assured of one thing, you will be my first child and heir. Even in the unlikely event of me siring any other progeny you will remain my first child and heir."
Snape thought he detected a slight softening of her expression and she appeared to be considering his statement before she shrugged and returned her attention to the door.
"Ah yes, my single status. I could lie to you and say I simply haven't found the right woman but this is not the case. I am a solitary man, initially by circumstance and now by choice. If the ministry offered any option bar Azkaban for refusing to adopt I would not be here now. Be that as it may I admit I was initially puzzled that your requirements appeared to included the need for a couple. I refused to believe that you actually wish to replace your lost mother and father. Upon considering the matter I realised your actual requirement was for security. Perfectly understandable given what has occurred. And two replacement parents are indeed better security than one. If you had the misfortune to lose another parent there would still be one remaining to protect you from the ministry and this madness around us.
As Severus was speaking the girl had returned her attention to him and was considering him with a neutral expression on her face.
"Perhaps if I explain further it may set your fears at rest. If you choose to become my daughter you will become a member of the Snape line. While not as distinguished as some in the wizarding world this is still no small thing. Within a very short time of your leaving with me arrangements will have been put in place. You may rest assured that should anything occur to me before your eighteenth birthday you would be cared for and remain a Snape until your majority when you would assume control of your inheritance. You would never again have to fear falling into the hands of these cretins" he finished gesturing towards the ever present ministry officials.
Severus observed a small nod from the girl and continued
"If we have covered your requirements then I believe it is time to state what I require from this adoption. I am a busy man, demands on my time are considerable. I teach, when I do not teach I research and when I do not research I study other people's research. I would like this happy state of affairs to continue. You will note that this schedule does not include spending hours playing with dolls, plaiting hair or giggling while hiding my face behind my hand. You would be provided with clear guidelines of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour and there would be consequences for deviation from these guidelines. Is this clear?"
The girl gave a smaller and perhaps less sure nod.
"However if these guidelines are followed and interruptions to my time are kept to a minimum I see no reason for me to be looking over your shoulder every moment of the day."
Severus could almost see the wheels start turning in her head and coming up jackpot like a muggle slot machine. This girl was a Slytherin all right. Time to nip this in the bud.
"Be aware however that I have been the head of Slytherin house for almost twenty years and a student in Slytherin for a further seven. There is very little I have not seen and it is an exceptional student who can pull the wool over my eyes. I imagine this experience could quite easily be applied to my daughter as opposed to the student body."
The wheels slowed a little but continued spinning, oh well she would learn.
Snape regarded the girl steadily, she stared back just as steadily. The silence lengthened as she appeared to be considering her options. When she spoke her voice surprised Snape, it was soft, gentle, it was the voice of a little girl. After watching this child over the afternoon he expected her voice to louder, more grown up, more like her actions.
"Do you want me to live with you?" she asked
"No." replied Snape promptly. "Do you want to live with me?"
"No." came the reply just as promptly.
Snape gave a curt nod "Good. Then we understand one other." He gestured to a lurking ministry official who scurried over.
"This child will be coming with me."
"Of course sir, if she agrees. And your name sir?
"Severus Augustus Snape"
The enchanted quill attached to the clipboard continued to record Snape's name as the official stared at Severus, her mouth hanging open and goggle eyed.
"B.b.b..but..y.y..your a D..Death Eater!" she stammered.
Snape rose to his feet, towering over the woman. "Congratulations, you have obviously retained enough of your inadequate schooling to read the Daily Prophet. Tell me, was the small print to much of a challenge or did you continue reading to the part that identified me as a death eater spy? As in, working against the death eaters from within to help destroy them?"
"B.b.b..but..y.y..you c.can't adopt this girl!"
"Believe me madam, if that statement were true you and I would not be having this conversation. Now proceed if you please."
Tearing her stricken gaze from Snape the official turned to the girl who remained sitting quietly.
"D.D..Don't do it dear. You have a c..choice. You can say no. Look over there, there are still people waiting, I'm sure we can find a nice new mum and dad for you."
The girl looked at the door where half a dozen people gathered waiting to be escorted to tables. She then looked up a Snape towering over her, dark, intimidating, expressionless.
"I think I will go with Mr Snape" she announced softly.
"No dear, please reconsider!"
"No, I choose Mr Snape" came the firmer reply.
"The child has made her choice, please proceed madam" grated Severus "If this must be done at least let it be done quickly."
The woman continued to splutter but under Severus' intimidating gaze finally managed to ask the girl for her name
"Anna Marguerite Dixon"
As the magical quill recorded the name Severus look sharply at the girl who returned his look with an apologetic shrug and a small grin. "My little orphan annie indeed" thought Severus bemusedly as he realised he now had a daughter. He ignored the official nattering away until he heard her say
"Well Miss Dixon I think you will regret your decision today but you've made you bed and you have to lie in it."
Laying his hand upon Anna's shoulder Severus glared at the woman coldly and stated in a monotone "My daughter's name madam, is Snape!" and with a sharp crack he apparated them both from the building.
End Chapter One
Challenge Details
The war with Voldemort has been won but at a high cost. The loss of life in the wizarding world is staggering. Everyone has lost at least one person close to them, and a many people can now see the thestrals that pull the Hogwarts carriages.
The losses have affected more than just the hearts and minds of people. There are an alarming number of children that are now without parents, many more than the Ministry can take care of. Makeshift orphanages are overflowing. As a result, the Ministry has made the Adoption Act. It requires everyone above 20 years of age that is not attending University to take in at least one child (anyone below 17 years of age), unless they already have at least two children in their care. Married couples are only required to take in one child. Those who are over the age of 80 don't have to take in a child.
The Challenge: Severus Snape survived the war and is thought of by many to be a hero. However, this does not exempt him frm this new law. What happens when Severus has to take in a child?
Requirements: Takes place in or after Hermione's 7th year, so Hermione and the rest of her year are not put in homes. Girl or boy? How old? Did he know the child beforehand? How does the child feel about him? Show some interaction between him and his charge. Does he see him/her as a burden, or did he willingly take him/her in (perhaps as another form of redemption)? If it's the former, does he start to care for him/her? How do Hermione and Severus get together? Does she help him with his charge, "babysit" for the staff, or is she taking care of a child herself? Do she and Severus come to an arrangement of convenience? Someone challenges Severus's right to be a care-giver, and someone unexpected defends him. Deal with some of the emotional aftermath of the war and its affect on the children, as well as them having new parent figures that are not really their parents. It can be any length and any rating.
Bonuses: Percy gets saddled with a troublemaker. Minerva McGonagall takes in a child. Remus wants to be a care-giver, but there is controversy because of his "condition". Hermione teaching some man how to braid hair because their charge is a young girl. Severus's charge manipulates him and Hermione into being together. There is controversy over the fact that some of the "children" are the last of longstanding pure blood lineage, and people want to adopt them. Some problems pop up because of this.
Summary: A response to Gelsey's Adoption Act Challenge. See end of chapter one for full details
Spoilers: If you've read the books none really Rating: This chapter PG. Later who knows. Pairing: Eventually HG/SS Codes: Maybe later :)
Disclaimer: If you really think these characters belong to me, get some serious therapy.
Distribution: Ask and ye shall receive.
Authors note: FIRST ATTEMPT AT WRITING FANFIC! Please be gentle but constructive feedback would be appreciated. Also if anyone is willing to beta it would be appreciated if this story continues. This chapter un-beta'd so all mistakes property of the author.
After my own Heart
Chapter One
Severus Snape was, to say the least, appalled. To say the most he felt like being violently ill. Sitting in the balcony of a semi darkened theatre he stared down at his future, and the future appeared bleak indeed. This, coming from a man who had lived most of his life under the shadow of Voldemort and the very real chance of sudden, violent and excruciating death, gave some indication of his dread for what lay before him.
Children...
Young children..
Noisy young children...
Running, jumping, yelling noisy young children....
Running, jumping, yelling noisy young -orphaned- children....
The last bit of course was the whole problem....
The war had been won, Voldemort was no more and the scattered remnants of his mad followers were in hiding and hunted throughout the wizarding world. Wizards and witches had peace but at a cost, a terrible cost. When the tide had gradually started to turn against Voldemort he had revealed his true madness and inhuman brutality. He ordered his death eaters to kill. Just that, kill, anyone, any wizard, witch, halfblood, pureblood, muggle, it didn't matter. And they did, everywhere, anywhere and without mercy.
The death toll had numbered in the thousands but even the death eaters couldn't massacre everyone and eventually had been defeated. When the carnage was over the wizarding world buried it's dead and tried to move on. It was then one consequence of Voldemort's mad reign was realised, the children. More specifically the orphaned children of murdered parents. When Voldemort's murderous insanity had become apparent wizarding parents throughout the country had made their plans, created their portkeys, enchanted hiding places and did everything they could so if the unthinkable happened at least their children would survive.
And by and large they did. By the hundreds, by the thousands. Which meant overflowing orphanages, care centres, schools, even Hogwarts had been turned into temporary accommodation for scores of distraught children. Then like a sleeping giant the Ministry of Magic had bestirred itself and taken swift, forthright and decisive action to solve the problem facing it....as only the Ministry of Magic can.
Severus shuddered as the magnitude of the Fudge's folly ran through his mind again. More brutal than Azkaban, more terrifying than a dementor's kiss and more irrational than a sugar rushed Albus Dumbledore after his third packet of Lemon Sherbet.
The Adoption Act.
"Or how to have a child without even trying" thought Snape bitterly.
"Or without a loving wife and happy home"
"Or a seductive lover and a failed contraceptus charm"
"Without even a total stranger and a drunken meaningless screw in the alley behind the pub in Hogsmeade"
The Adoption Act. Every Wizard and witch between twenty and eighty years of age must adopt a child. If you were married you and your partner only had to take one child between them, or if you already had two children you were exempt. Severus had searched the act for an exemption for bitter sarcastic ex-death eater war heroes but that particular category seemed to have slipped from Fudge's so called mind.
This isn't to say Severus hadn't tried to get this exact exemption, or any exemption at all for that matter. The ministry in it's wisdom had summarily rejected all his appeals, pleas, threats, lawsuits and an extremely embarrassing incident involving a rather large bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey and drunkenly begging for Percy Weasley for mercy.
All of which brought his back to his fate below. Snape shuddered again as his gaze again focused on the seething mass of humanity before him. From that lot he had to choose his own miniature version of hell itself.
Children of all ages sat at tables on the stage of the theatre with prospective parents sitting opposite. Family groups were placed together so there were a number of two's and three's sitting around the tables doing the things that siblings do. Namely talk, yell, fight and generally annoy each other. One enterprising young hellion of around six years had just stuck a finger up his nose, pulled out something Snape really didn't want to look at too closely and was now happily chasing his younger, shrieking sister around the stage pointing his very dubious finger at her as he ran. The third child in the family, a baby in a high chair at the table, twisted around happily in the chair trying to keep his eye on the entertainment.
Ministry minions carrying clipboards, fluttered around the stage moving the poor basta.., rather the prospective parents from table to table until a suitable match was found. A small magical notation on the clipboard and the new happy family was allowed to leave the theatre and enter purgatory. A new "lot" of children was then brought to the table and the whole process started again. Severus watched a group of seven, yes count 'em, seven children was brought out to one table.
"Gods help us" thought Snape. "Where's Molly Weasley when you need her. She could take that lot and start her own Quiditch league"
As Snape's eyes continued to wander over the various tables he again cursed Voldemort to the lowest pits of hell. While Snape himself had been known to occasionally have an adverse effect on his students some of these children were obviously seriously traumatised by what had happened to them and their real parents.
Snape observed one young girl, perhaps nine years old, knees pulled up to her chin, rocking slowly back and forth, totally ignoring the earnest young couple opposite trying to talk to her. Her black coat and scarf simply reinforced the blank look on her face as she stared fixedly at the door where the prospective parents entered the room. Female earnest young couple turned and spoke to male earnest young couple, obviously exhorting him to help the child. Male earnest young couple moved around the table and knelt in the girl's line of sight, extending a comforting hand towards her shoulder.
The first thing that came to Snape's mind was "Oh good shot.." as the girl's hand connected with male earnest young couple's face with an impressive crack. "Little or no telegraphing the swing beforehand, good use of the shoulder and excellent follow through". Snape couldn't resist a smirk as male earnest young couple sat on his arse, staring at the girl in shock, holding a hand to his face. "That'll teach you to stick your good intentions where they aren't wanted"
A agitated ministry official quickly hustled earnest young couple to another table and returned to stand next to girl, who was again concentrating on the entrance door. A brief, and apparently tense, conversation ensued at the end of which the girl glanced briefly at the official and then her boots thumped back on the floor as she sat up properly at the table. Ministry minion walked off to collect another set of prospective parents, wincing and now limping heavily Severus noted with interest.
Severus also noted that dubious finger boy had been captured and was being dragged back to his table, said dubious finger being carefully held far away from the official doing said dragging. Upon his return to the family table and obviously tiring of possessing the finest nasal extract in the country he looked for somewhere to deposit his wealth. His gaze alighted on his younger brother still happily chortling in the high chair. As Snape watched this sterling example of wizardkind stick his finger in his younger brother's mouth, wiggle it around and then extract it sans extract he made himself two promises.
"No families" he muttered "and definitely no boys"
"Which by a process of elimination" he thought "leaves a female only child". He looked back to find the budding pugilist and thought for a moment she had been selected and taken. At her table was a pretty, animated girl with shoulder length honey blond hair chatting to an older well dressed couple. It actually took Severus a couple of seconds to recognise the pretty blond as the same girl who had dealt so effectively with earnest young couple. She was now bright, cheerful and obviously trying to impress the couple before her. Severus saw the cape and scarf shoved under the chair the girl was sitting on.
"Interesting, why the change? he thought as he turned his attention to the couple. An older pair, late thirties or early forties, extremely well dressed but understated, without screaming "Look at me Look at me". The couple appeared confident but quiet, reserved even.
"Good try but probably wrong for this couple" Severus thought "They don't want bright and bubbly, they want quiet and studious, you really should be more Ravenclaw for them not a bloody Griffindor"
The couple listened politely for a couple of minutes and then moved on. The girl looked at them for a short while as they moved off, shrugged and returned her attention to the incoming "parents". The coat and scarf made a quick reappearance as a couple wearing truly hideous matching yellow robes was escorted to the table.
As he continued to watch the girl he began to identify her criteria for parent selection. A couple, mid thirties to mid forties, well off or at least comfortable, a sense of style - at least in clothing and apparently she also required at least a modicum of intelligence. One couple apparently perfect in every way was summarily dismissed after only a short conversation with the girl in her bright and bubbly persona.
By this stage Snape had no doubt that when the girl attended Hogwarts she would be sorted into Slytherin so fast the sorting hat wouldn't even muss her hair. She had assessed her situation, one child among thousands, an enforced adoption to people who would not want her but she was still trying to make the best of her lot and had created a plan to accomplish exactly that. This was the sort of girl Slytherin had been created for. Rather than wail and lament her fate or blindly grab the first chance that came her way she was clinically assessing her options and making considered decisions for her future. Ambitious and intelligent with a degree of cunning. This girl had....... potential.
If he was to be forced to accept a child then it would be one that would end up in his own house. He may barely be able to stand a Ravenclaw, at least eventually they would be able to hold an intelligent conversation, but he felt his gorge rise at the thought of being lumbered with a Hufflepuff or the seventh level of hell itself, a Gryffindor.
Rising he made his way to the stairs, considering the fact that he didn't actually meet her criteria either. He did make her age criteria, but he was single and his appearance certainly didn't reflect the size of the Snape family vault at Gringotts. Well he would deal with all that when he spoke to her.
As he walked through the entrance one of the ministry flunkies fluttered around him trying to escort him to a table where a pimpled teenage youth slouched in the chair, attempting to clean his fingernails with the narrow end of his wand.
"Not in this lifetime" Snape stated to the flunky. "I wish to speak to the blond girl three tables over."
"But she has some prospective adopters with her already." protested the flunky.
Casting an eye over the couple he saw cheap robes and evidence of bad patching. Snape snorted "Not for long" and began to walk to the table.
Sure enough as he approached the couple rose and shaking their heads moved off to another table. The girl returned her attention to the entrance and ignored Snape until he came to a stop next to her table. A flicker of a green eyes over him, registering his single state and less than salubrious working robes and he also was consigned to the reject pile.
Sitting down produced no reaction so Severus proceeded to announce himself.
"My name is Severus Augustus Snape"
Not a flicker of reaction or recognition. Which indicated that she didn't read the Daily Prophet. Since the end of the war barely an edition went by without his name being mentioned as a "brave war hero" or "courageous spy against Voldemort" or some such rubbish. Actually not reading the prophet raised his estimation of her intelligence. Time to move on.
"I am pleased you chose to retain your cloak and scarf on my arrival. I don't believe I needed or would have enjoyed your excellent Griffindor impersonation"
For a brief second she looked him full in the face, a slight look of surprise on her face. Then the surprise faded and she returned to looking at the door, ignoring him again. "Good girl" he thought "Just because someone discovered the plan doesn't mean you should abandon it." Time to get himself moved from the reject pile.
"I am the head and sole heir to the Snape family line which dates back over 700 years. As sole heir I own Snape Manor and associated estates, residences in both wizarding and muggle London and a small but productive vineyard in France. While circumstances dictated my career choice in teaching I can assure you that I am not required to survive on my salary as a professor."
The green eyes look him in the face then flickered down to his less than expensive robes and returned to the door.
"Yes I am aware of my appearance however as I stated I teach and for my sins I teach teenage wizards and witches at Hogwarts. While being by no means miserly I refuse to subject hand made tailored dress robes to the sort of punishment which arises from trying to pound knowledge into simpletons, especially with some of my students." he added thinking of Longbottom, Crabbe and Goyle in particular.
Noting her cheap and sturdy clothing he continued
"I can assure you that there would be funds available to keep you in the manner to which you would like to become accustomed. I would also point out that as heir to the Snape line you will be expected and required to maintain an exemplary dress and demeanour at all times because as my daughter you will always be under scrutiny. I.." Snape broke off as the girl's head whipped around and she stared him full in the face.
"What? Oh.. yes, you would be my daughter, in fact and deed. If those magical misfits at the ministry are going to force me to adopt a child then it will be done correctly. You will be my daughter, not a ward or stepchild or little orphan annie. I have neither the desire nor the capability to replace your late parents however be assured of one thing, you will be my first child and heir. Even in the unlikely event of me siring any other progeny you will remain my first child and heir."
Snape thought he detected a slight softening of her expression and she appeared to be considering his statement before she shrugged and returned her attention to the door.
"Ah yes, my single status. I could lie to you and say I simply haven't found the right woman but this is not the case. I am a solitary man, initially by circumstance and now by choice. If the ministry offered any option bar Azkaban for refusing to adopt I would not be here now. Be that as it may I admit I was initially puzzled that your requirements appeared to included the need for a couple. I refused to believe that you actually wish to replace your lost mother and father. Upon considering the matter I realised your actual requirement was for security. Perfectly understandable given what has occurred. And two replacement parents are indeed better security than one. If you had the misfortune to lose another parent there would still be one remaining to protect you from the ministry and this madness around us.
As Severus was speaking the girl had returned her attention to him and was considering him with a neutral expression on her face.
"Perhaps if I explain further it may set your fears at rest. If you choose to become my daughter you will become a member of the Snape line. While not as distinguished as some in the wizarding world this is still no small thing. Within a very short time of your leaving with me arrangements will have been put in place. You may rest assured that should anything occur to me before your eighteenth birthday you would be cared for and remain a Snape until your majority when you would assume control of your inheritance. You would never again have to fear falling into the hands of these cretins" he finished gesturing towards the ever present ministry officials.
Severus observed a small nod from the girl and continued
"If we have covered your requirements then I believe it is time to state what I require from this adoption. I am a busy man, demands on my time are considerable. I teach, when I do not teach I research and when I do not research I study other people's research. I would like this happy state of affairs to continue. You will note that this schedule does not include spending hours playing with dolls, plaiting hair or giggling while hiding my face behind my hand. You would be provided with clear guidelines of what is and isn't acceptable behaviour and there would be consequences for deviation from these guidelines. Is this clear?"
The girl gave a smaller and perhaps less sure nod.
"However if these guidelines are followed and interruptions to my time are kept to a minimum I see no reason for me to be looking over your shoulder every moment of the day."
Severus could almost see the wheels start turning in her head and coming up jackpot like a muggle slot machine. This girl was a Slytherin all right. Time to nip this in the bud.
"Be aware however that I have been the head of Slytherin house for almost twenty years and a student in Slytherin for a further seven. There is very little I have not seen and it is an exceptional student who can pull the wool over my eyes. I imagine this experience could quite easily be applied to my daughter as opposed to the student body."
The wheels slowed a little but continued spinning, oh well she would learn.
Snape regarded the girl steadily, she stared back just as steadily. The silence lengthened as she appeared to be considering her options. When she spoke her voice surprised Snape, it was soft, gentle, it was the voice of a little girl. After watching this child over the afternoon he expected her voice to louder, more grown up, more like her actions.
"Do you want me to live with you?" she asked
"No." replied Snape promptly. "Do you want to live with me?"
"No." came the reply just as promptly.
Snape gave a curt nod "Good. Then we understand one other." He gestured to a lurking ministry official who scurried over.
"This child will be coming with me."
"Of course sir, if she agrees. And your name sir?
"Severus Augustus Snape"
The enchanted quill attached to the clipboard continued to record Snape's name as the official stared at Severus, her mouth hanging open and goggle eyed.
"B.b.b..but..y.y..your a D..Death Eater!" she stammered.
Snape rose to his feet, towering over the woman. "Congratulations, you have obviously retained enough of your inadequate schooling to read the Daily Prophet. Tell me, was the small print to much of a challenge or did you continue reading to the part that identified me as a death eater spy? As in, working against the death eaters from within to help destroy them?"
"B.b.b..but..y.y..you c.can't adopt this girl!"
"Believe me madam, if that statement were true you and I would not be having this conversation. Now proceed if you please."
Tearing her stricken gaze from Snape the official turned to the girl who remained sitting quietly.
"D.D..Don't do it dear. You have a c..choice. You can say no. Look over there, there are still people waiting, I'm sure we can find a nice new mum and dad for you."
The girl looked at the door where half a dozen people gathered waiting to be escorted to tables. She then looked up a Snape towering over her, dark, intimidating, expressionless.
"I think I will go with Mr Snape" she announced softly.
"No dear, please reconsider!"
"No, I choose Mr Snape" came the firmer reply.
"The child has made her choice, please proceed madam" grated Severus "If this must be done at least let it be done quickly."
The woman continued to splutter but under Severus' intimidating gaze finally managed to ask the girl for her name
"Anna Marguerite Dixon"
As the magical quill recorded the name Severus look sharply at the girl who returned his look with an apologetic shrug and a small grin. "My little orphan annie indeed" thought Severus bemusedly as he realised he now had a daughter. He ignored the official nattering away until he heard her say
"Well Miss Dixon I think you will regret your decision today but you've made you bed and you have to lie in it."
Laying his hand upon Anna's shoulder Severus glared at the woman coldly and stated in a monotone "My daughter's name madam, is Snape!" and with a sharp crack he apparated them both from the building.
End Chapter One
Challenge Details
The war with Voldemort has been won but at a high cost. The loss of life in the wizarding world is staggering. Everyone has lost at least one person close to them, and a many people can now see the thestrals that pull the Hogwarts carriages.
The losses have affected more than just the hearts and minds of people. There are an alarming number of children that are now without parents, many more than the Ministry can take care of. Makeshift orphanages are overflowing. As a result, the Ministry has made the Adoption Act. It requires everyone above 20 years of age that is not attending University to take in at least one child (anyone below 17 years of age), unless they already have at least two children in their care. Married couples are only required to take in one child. Those who are over the age of 80 don't have to take in a child.
The Challenge: Severus Snape survived the war and is thought of by many to be a hero. However, this does not exempt him frm this new law. What happens when Severus has to take in a child?
Requirements: Takes place in or after Hermione's 7th year, so Hermione and the rest of her year are not put in homes. Girl or boy? How old? Did he know the child beforehand? How does the child feel about him? Show some interaction between him and his charge. Does he see him/her as a burden, or did he willingly take him/her in (perhaps as another form of redemption)? If it's the former, does he start to care for him/her? How do Hermione and Severus get together? Does she help him with his charge, "babysit" for the staff, or is she taking care of a child herself? Do she and Severus come to an arrangement of convenience? Someone challenges Severus's right to be a care-giver, and someone unexpected defends him. Deal with some of the emotional aftermath of the war and its affect on the children, as well as them having new parent figures that are not really their parents. It can be any length and any rating.
Bonuses: Percy gets saddled with a troublemaker. Minerva McGonagall takes in a child. Remus wants to be a care-giver, but there is controversy because of his "condition". Hermione teaching some man how to braid hair because their charge is a young girl. Severus's charge manipulates him and Hermione into being together. There is controversy over the fact that some of the "children" are the last of longstanding pure blood lineage, and people want to adopt them. Some problems pop up because of this.