I'm currently posting my first fic, McGonagall's Daughter on this site. I had so much fun writing that one, that I decided to write another. This one is about Snape, but because I simply can't help myself, McGonagall will have a large role as well. There will be some characters of my own creation, but don't worry, they're fun. This is set during Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts. (For all you Lupin fans, I'm afraid his role in the story will be minimal if at all.)

Disclaimer: I do not own JKR's characters, however, the characters you do not recognize from her books are mine.

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A soft breeze drifted across the yard, blowing a few dark strands of hair across the face of the sleeping man. Severus Snape stirred slowly and opened his eyes. It would be very nice to stay out in the garden for a few hours more, but he knew he had been out long enough. Severus knew he needed to get some work done, after all, it was less than a week before term started and he would have to begin teaching at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Severus had been Potions Master at Hogwarts for the past fifteen years and as much as he would like to deny it, he truly enjoyed teaching. True, he hated the majority of his students, but there was something about presenting others with the delicate art of potion making that made his time as Professor worthwhile.

Severus was looking forward to the start of term, not because of teaching, however, but because Hogwarts was the only place he felt he could call home. He was extremely eager to be getting back now, Severus didn't think he could handle another week at the small cottage he had been left in his fathers will. It reminded him too much of, well, his father. Severus only lived there during the summer holidays, as a teacher he was free to stay at Hogwarts year round, but the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, insisted he leave the castle at least during the summers.

Taking a last calming breath of the summer air, Severus stood up and made his way inside. He was almost ready for the year, but one thing he hadn't done was check to see how last year's fifth years had done on their O.W.L. exams. Only those who had achieved an 'outstanding' on their Potions exam would be eligible to take his N.E.W.T. level potions class. Severus felt it would be a good idea to find out who these students were before school started, he would do that today.

There were a few names he knew would be on the list, Hermione Granger, though a highly irritating muggle-born, Granger was also his best student. A few Ravenclaws would be on the list as well. Severus was quite eager to say goodbye to some of the other students, the hapless Neville Longbottom, the dull witted Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, and he was reasonably certain that he would no longer have to teach Ronald Weasley, or his least favorite student, Harry Potter. Severus doubted that even if Potter had miraculously managed to scrape an 'O' on the exam that he would want to take Severus' N.E.W.T. classes, their hatred was mutual.

Another task Severus had put aside was to look over the list of first years that would be attending Hogwarts this year. Severus didn't see much purpose in this because he didn't know any wizarding families with young children, but the Headmaster liked the all the Professors to be familiar with the names.

Severus went through the side door of the cottage and into his study. The post owls had flown through the study window while Severus slept and had left their letters on his desk. There were two, one, a note asking him to renew his subscription to The Daily Prophet, the other, addressed in handwriting Severus recognized as belonging to Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts. There wasn't a Hogwarts crest on the back so he knew it must be personal. Severus slit open the envelope of her letter and began to read.

Dear Severus,

I wanted to be the first to tell you that-

WHAM!

Something small had lunged off of the top of a bookcase and slammed into Severus, latching itself onto his back. Severus clung to the desk to keep himself upright and reached behind him to grab the creature. Without even looking he yelled, "Nikki!"

Detaching the child from his back he dangled her upside down before him by her ankles.

"Nicolina Pallas Wolf," he said, in a voice both angry and amused. "What are you doing in my house?"

The small girl giggled. "Put me down silly, before the blood rushes to my head and I pass out."

Severus snorted and let go, a moment before she hit the ground he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her high into the air. He ticked her mercilessly; she screamed and laughed until she was gasping for breath. When Severus had finished tickling his niece, he set her down on the floor to let her catch her breath. Nicolina was five, her short black hair stuck up all over her head and there was an impish glint in her dark eyes.

"But really, Nikki," said Severus, all sternness gone, "why are you here?"

Nicolina shook her head, grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the kitchen. Severus allowed himself to be led, when they reached the kitchen door a marvelous smell assaulted his senses, a warm, sticky, cinnamon smell. Someone was making cinnamon rolls and Severus knew exactly who it was.

He was right, as Nicolina led him into the kitchen Severus saw his sister, Jizania Wolf, standing at the stove with a large tray of cinnamon rolls before her. Jizania was very tall, almost as tall as Severus, with a rather curvy figure. Her thick black hair was tied up into a knot, but Severus knew that if she let it loose it would reach far down her back. Severus cleared his throat; Jizania spun around and smiled at him mischievously.

"Well, well. Look who decided to wake up," she said, her black eyes twinkling. Jizania was four years older than Severus; they had both inherited their father's slightly crooked nose and sallow skin, yet somehow, Jizania made them look good.

Nicolina tugged on Severus' hand. "I wanted to wake you up when we got here," she told him, "but mommy said 'no'."

"Just why are you here, Jizi?" asked Severus.

Jizania raised a dark eyebrow in surprise. "Didn't Minerva tell you? She said she would."

Severus shook his head, then suddenly remembered the letter he had received that morning. It had been tucked away during his tussle with Nicolina. He fumbled through his pockets a moment, then pulled it out and read it quickly.

Dear Severus,

I wanted to be the first to tell you that Vladimir has been accepted at Hogwarts. Jizania and Viktor are surprised of course, but they have agreed to let him come. Jizania will be by your house today to drop off the kids. I will meet you in Diagon Alley tomorrow at one o'clock to buy Vladimir's things.

Until then-Minerva.

Severus finished reading and looked at his sister in surprise. "Vladimir," said Severus slowly, "is going to Hogwarts?"

Jizania nodded and turned back to the stove, where she began to place the sweet rolls onto plates.

Nicolina tugged on Severus' hand again and said excitedly, "Vlad and I are going to spend the night here and tomorrow you and Minerva are going to take us shopping for wizard stuff!"

Severus nodded absently and detached his hand from hers. Walking over to stand next to Jizania, he studied her face carefully.

"Jizania," he said in a low voice, "are you all right with this?"

"Of course I am!" she snapped, thrusting a plate into his chest. Her dark eyes were no longer twinkling. "Viktor and I are very proud of Vlad."

Severus sighed. "Jizania, don't act like this. I know how you feel about magic, are you truly all right with Vlad going to Hogwarts?"

Jizania slammed a plate onto the counter and turned to face her brother. Nicolina left the kitchen quickly; she knew her mother's moods well enough to know when it was time to run away.

"How do you think I feel, Severus?" she shrieked, her eyes flashing. "My whole life I've tried to avoid magic as much as possible and now my son is a wizard. I'm not so sure Nicolina isn't magical as well, I've seen her out in the garden, talking to snakes..."

Severus' eyes widened slightly. "Well she wouldn't be the first parseltounge the Snapes have ever produced," he said after a pause, "it used to be quite a common gift in our family."

"Your family Severus," said Jizania harshly, "not mine."

Severus was about to respond when the kitchen door opened to reveal his nephew, Vladimir.

"Hello, Uncle Severus," he said brightly, crossing the kitchen to give his uncle a hug. "Nikki said you were awake, we've been waiting for about two hours now. I guess you've heard I'm going to Hogwarts?"

Severus ignored the pained expression on his sister's face and looked down at Vladimir's face, which was glowing with excitement.

"I did," answered Severus. "You'll be a welcome addition to Slytherin."

"Oh. I don't know," said Vladimir slyly, "Minerva said I'd do well as a Gryffindor."

"A Gryffindor!" said Severus with mock sternness. "Insubordination!"

They both laughed. Jizania turned away, Vladimir was so happy, she didn't want to ruin it for him. Vladimir Wolf was a good-looking boy, his tanned complexion, dark brown hair and handsome features came from his father, but like his sister, he had his mother's eyes.

"It'll be so cool to be at Hogwarts with you and Minerva,' said Vladimir, almost jumping with excitement.

"Well, I wouldn't tell anyone we're related," said Severus warningly, "I'm not very popular."

Jizania snorted. Nicolina returned then, judging it safe. With her came Jizania's youngest child, Joseph. The three-year-old gave Severus a shy smile and hurried towards his mother. Jizania gathered him into her arms and handed him a roll. He ate it silently; large brown eyes fixed upon Severus, heedless of the icing that soon covered his face. Severus studied Jizania's face a few moments more, then joined his nephew.