Severus was writing a letter to his parents when they showed up. Tobias Snape entered first, followed by his wife Eileen. Tobias greeted Severus warmly, "Son, it's good to see you." Severus replied," Dad I was writing to you." Eileen cut in, "When are you going to give us a grandchild, son you're twenty-nine years old?" Tobias added, "I want to be here for my grandchild."
Severus held up his hands, very used to these questions. "Dad, Mum please, I told you when I find a girl who loves me." Tobias and his wife sighed. They had had this conversation before. Then Hagrid came in, Hagrid holding a pink blanket. Everyone was surprised, and Severus asked warily,"Hagrid, what are you doing here with a pink blanket?" The big man replied,"It's a baby, Severus." Everyone stared, as Tobias stated the obvious, "I guess by the color it's a girl."
Hagrid nodded and explained. Professor Dumbledore had hoped Severus would watch the baby until Albus was able to find the child a loving family. The poor child's mother was murdered by her husband, and he'd been about to kill the little one as well. Everyone was stunned by Hagrid's story. Eileen spoke quietly, "That's horrible! Who would kill their own child?
Hagrid handed the baby girl to Severus, as he had other errands to run. Lucius and Narcissa showed up, hoping Severus would help them baby-sit their infant son, Draco. After nearly colliding with Hagrid in the doorway, they both stared stunned for a moment. There was a short silence before Lucius asked,"What was that all about?"
At the same time, Narcissa asked,"Severus, can you watch Draco for us?" She looked down at her baby, sound asleep in his blue blanket. Snape heard both of them, and glanced at the small pink bundle in his arms. "I can't really watch Draco now. I think I'll have my hands full here." He awkwardly moved the baby girl so he could reach his wand. He gently moved it over the baby, who was still sound asleep, "Salutem."
The results shocked him, and his face lost what little color it had. It took him a few minutes, before he was able to speak."She's a Snape. And she's mine. My daughter with Scarlett." Scarlett Marie Black had been his best friend and for a short time, they'd been more than friends. She'd been forced into an arranged marriage with Scar Lion, a man he'd hated more than James Potter. He remembered that last meeting, that final talk before her wedding. She'd told Severus how much she hated Scar, would never let him touch her willingly. She would be faithful to Severus and their love.
Narcissa had turned pale as well, she hadn't heard from her sister since shortly after they were both married. She was sure it was that awful man's fault. She'd never liked her brother-in-law."What on earth?" Lucius exclaimed, looking stunned. He'd never met Scarlett, but Narcissa had mentioned her sister a few times. Narcissa turned to her husband, "My sister, Scarlett. But why is she with you? Has something. . ." Narcissa's voice trailed off as she realized her fears were true.
Severus couldn't say what had happened, he just shook his head. Narcissa's eyes filled with tears and there was a slight quiver in her voice, "I have a niece."Lucius wrapped one arm around his wife, comforting her as she cried.
Then the baby started crying. Severus started to gently rock her in his arms, murmuring soothing sounds,"Shhhh, Shhh, there, there, Daddy's here. I'm a dad" The last three words came out softly and surprised. This was a totally new feeling for him.
His parents smiled and the baby opened her eyes. She had her mother's eyes, his and her mother's lips. Severus smiled and sat down on the couch with her and she grabbed a lock of his hair and started pulling it. Severus winced; she had one heck of a grip. Severus gently removed his hair from her grasp, a task that was much harder than he'd thought it would be. "No, no sweetheart that's daddy's hair." His mother chuckled, "Already, you sound like a father." There was a quiet knock on the door as Albus Dumbledore came in. He greeted everyone in the room politely. When he was finished, Albus smiled, "Severus, I'm sure you'll be relieved to hear I found a family for this little one." Severus held his daughter a little tighter, before replying,"Albus, she's my daughter. Please, let me keep her." Dumbledore's smile grew wider,"Oh, I knew that the moment I saw her nose." He handed Severus papers. Lucius spoke up, "You mean you knew before you brought her over?" Dumbledore smiled and nodded as Severus signed the papers quickly and held his daughter close to his chest.
Dumbledore told Severus he expected to see Sev's daughter at Hogwarts. Then Dumbledore left and so did the Malfoys. Severus sat down, while his father looked at his granddaughter. He had a huge smile as he said,"Now that we have a grandchild, let us help you raise her." Severus shook his head, and his mother spoke up,"Tobias, darling he wants to raise the child his own way. We need to let him. This is Severus's baby girl, we are her grandparents. Tobias sighed, knowing that his wife was right. Plus, he was a grandpa! Severus nodded his thanks.
Eileen reminded him to take a lot of pictures, a notion his father echoed. Severus agreed, with no reluctance. Pictures were much easier to take in the wizarding world. Severus fed his Daughter a baby bottle and rocked her in a rocking chair his father had kindly transfigured from one of Severus's office chairs. While he was occupied with feeding g his daughter for the first time, Tobias fixed up a nursery next to Severus's room. He made sure the colors of the room were Slytherin's. The crib was a beautiful black wood, but the baby covers were silver and green. His mother transfigured a second rocker so his quarters had two. He was as ready as he'd ever be. Severus finished feeding Starfire, and looked down into those eyes.
He spoke gently to his daughter; no one from Hogwarts would have ever guessed the dreaded Professor Snape could speak so kindly, "Well, little one, Daddy is going to give you a bath and a fresh diaper. Then I'm going to put you in your crib and sing you to sleep". And he did it all, in that order, the bath was the hardest part for him. But they made it through just fine. It didn't take long at all for Severus to diaper Starfire and get her ready for bed. She had a little nightgown, one last finishing touch from Grandma, along with a pink headband. He started to sing in a mostly on key baritone, a lullaby he remembered from his childhood. He watched as Starfire's eyes closed slowly. She fell asleep, and Severus went to his own bed to rest up for the restless nights ahead.