Chapter One – A Dying flower, A Ghostly visit.

A/N: I decided that since I was so young when this was started and so much of my writing style has changed that it is time to rewrite the story. Add a few things, make it a bit longer and bit more understanding.

Thanks always for your support

Sparks

The Dark Lord had been defeated by nothing more than a baby. A one year old child that was both the baby of a beautiful, delicate flower and the spawn of the man he hated. Severus was extremely relieved when he had found out that the Dark Lord had been defeated however his soul mate, his Lily, had been killed in the process to make that happen. For the first two days after he had found out Severus had been a wreck. He would simply lay on his bed and sob, or sit in an arm chair and stare blankly out the window of his dingy house.

On the third day he had a drink – followed by five or six days of drunken debauchery where he would drink Firewhiskey from the moment he woke until he passed out drunkenly wherever he had his last sip for the day. He often had bouts of anger – screaming insanely or throwing and breaking things. He thought about how unfair the world was. He had done everything he could to protect her and the last thing taken away before that monster was killed was her.

People visited him but none understood. Malfoy came by one week and tried to soothe him. Severus couldn't tell him the reason for his behaviour but Malfoy simply believed it to be the act of a man who had realised he would have gained so much if the act had never happened. McGonagall saw it fit to pass through and enquire about his behaviour – she didn't understand why he was upset either but she had a better idea than Malfoy. She had spent hours discussing him and trying to get him to talk back but eventually just left when he hadn't said a word. She tried only two more times after that before leaving it.

One morning on August 15th there was a knock at his door. Severus was just pouring his first 8am drink and sighed. It was either Malfoy again trying his luck or perhaps McGonagall seeing it fit to try one last time. Severus pretended not to be home. He sipped his Firewhiskey silently and stared at the wall until another knock interrupted his thoughts. With an angry sigh he walked towards the door and yanked it open, "Listen here okay..." he started but stopped when he saw neither Malfoy nor McGonagall but the only person who truly understood his pain – Albus Dumbledore. Severus clenched his fists, "What do you want?" he hissed. Albus did nothing but smile, he had something in his arms that was partially hidden by his cloak, "Well for starters Severus I'd like to come in if it's not too much bother" He said. Severus considered slamming the door before he simply turned and walked back into his house.

Albus followed Severus in and shut the door, "McGonagall told me what you were doing." He said airily. Severus sipped his Firewhiskey and avoided the headmasters eyes, "Did the dilly bat tell you to come here?" he ask sarcastically. Albus didn't comment but instead shifted his arms and said, "It's not your fault she died. You did everything in your power to stop it Severus." He said quietly. Severus snorted, "Did I?" he asked quietly, "I was the reason she died because I told the Dark Lord about the prophecy… If I hadn't been so…" he slammed his hand into a wall and sank to his knees and sobbed.

Albus watched him sadly and said, "Yes Severus, you did tell the Dark Lord about the prophecy but let's be honest Severus. There was a lot more to it than that. The events that led up to you becoming a Death Eater affected you greatly. The things that the Dark Lord put you through before that affected you greatly and you did what you were trained to do – you reported back to him" he said and as he spoke Severus' sobs just grew but Albus raised his voice above them. The tone he took next caused Severus to stop sobbing in shock and looked up at the man with wide eyes, "And despite all of this" he said in a strict, commanding voice, "You still came to me. You still begged me for help. You went against everything you were taught, everything that had hurt you, to risk your life because above everything you loved and you have done everything, despite that risk, to save her. It wasn't enough Severus' he said, his voice becoming gentle, "It was simply meant to be."

Severus swallowed and stood shakily. The hand that reached for his glass was shaking uncontrollably but was grabbed by an old, firm but loving hand, "This is not over Severus and there is still much to do and the good you contribute to it, if you're willing, may be enough to ease your soul… it may not." He said quietly, "But that is up to you." He finished, releasing the younger man's hand. Severus did not look at Dumbledore but stared numbly at the glass before picking it up and carrying it to the sink to empty it, "What must I do Albus?" he asked quietly.

Albus gave the man a small smile, Severus didn't see as his back was turned, but he felt it and grimaced. Albus approached him slowly, "Harry's life will be complicated and I doubt the Dark Lord is gone forever but that we will deal with later – for now I have a very important task for you." He said quietly. Severus turned to him and crossed his arms, looking at the old man impatiently. Albus was not perturbed in the slightest, "Do you remember Elizabeth Patricia Wordsworth Severus?" Severus looked confused for a while before glancing out the window, "She was in my year at Hogwarts and was seeing that bastard Sirius Black" he said calmly, "I remember her but what has she got to do with anything?" he asked curiously. Albus smiled, "Well she continued to see Sirius after they finished school…" he started to say, ignoring Severus' impatient sigh, "And fell pregnant with his child." His voice steadily grew sad, "They had a daughter last year that Sirius' wanted no one to know about, what with what was happening, and the only people that knew were his closest friends. Two nights ago Death Eater sympathisers, who believed that Sirius' had in reality not betrayed his friends but his Lord, went looking for her and killed her" he said solemnly, "And now." He shifted his robe off of his arm and on his hip, in a rather comical way, was a small sleeping girl. She was very small for her age and was clinging to Albus' clothes, her head resting against his shoulder.

Severus stared at her and shrugged, "Well I guess that Black can suffer in Prison knowing that he has ruined not just his life for being a traitor but his child's as well" he said coldly. This made Albus frown, "You of all people should know that a child should never be judged or treated according to the actions of their parents" he said angrily, "And might I remind you Severus' that although you may not have heard the rest of the prophecy I did and there was not one child involved but two" he said, his tone angry but at the same time completely unfeeling.

Severus flinched as though he had been struck hard and he looked at the little child again, "She…" Albus cut him off quickly, "She needs to be taken care of, she needs to be trained and she needs to be guided correctly. She will need much love but she will need a firm hand because the Dark Lord will return Severus and if you truly want him to be defeated forever for what he did then she and Harry both need to be safe." He explained. Severus sighed and said, "So? What would you like me to do Albus? Why not put her with the Weasley's? Or give her to that dog to look after?" he asked Albus sighed and shook his head, "No. The first reason Severus is because they will not be firm with her and give her the knowledge she will need, they will spoil her and when the time comes she will be extremely ill prepared. Secondly, they do not know of the prophecies and they do not know what will be required and lastly… it will do you some good and heal you at the same time." He said

Severus spluttered, "What? Me? Have you lost your mind?" he demanded, "I am in no position to raise a…" He started to raise his voice but Albus cut him off, "Severus…" He looked down and Severus looked as well. The small child moaned and stirred against Albus. She yawned and opened her eyes sleepily. Albus shifted her up and she raised small fists to her eyes to rub them. She looked around confusedly and then straight at Severus and he bit his lip as his dark eyes met brilliant blue ones. The small girl gave him a small smile and yawned again, resting her head against Albus' chest once more, "Mama?" she asked, looking up at Albus. Albus stroked her back and said ,"No Lizzie, Mama isn't here" he said quietly. Lizzie sniffed and her eyes filled with tears. All of a sudden, giving Severus a fright, she started to sob, "Mama." She sobbed out, hitting Dumbledore. Without hesitated, and before Albus could say anything, Severus took the little girl from his arms, "There there…" he said, rocking her in his arms and holding her tightly, "It's ok" he whispered, kissing her head.

Albus smiled brightly, "Severus…" he started to say but Severus shook his head, "You'd best leave Albus I have many things to do." Albus nodded and walked to the door, "Her name is…" he said, turning back, "Jessica Elizabeth Black." Severus said clearly. Albus looked confused but then understood, Severus had decided to keep her and this was his way of making her his.

A/N: So what do you all think of the new beginning? I hope you all enjoyed it thoroughly I will be editing as we go along but this is the start