Regel and Betel Johnson lived in 3, South Sherman Street, New York City. They lived in a 2-bedroom apartment, just the two of them. Ever since they were 15 months old, they had been orphans, bounced around the system for years until they settled in St. Mary's Orphanage in Long Island New York, when they were nine years old. This wasn't enough for the twins. They didn't get along with the children very much. Regel was a too smart, had a genius I.Q. and was always messing around with the electronic appliances and building things that exploded. Betel on the other hand was just plain weird.

She was the creepy little girl who brought a dead cat and cut its stomach open right in front of the other little children in the orphanage. Betel had an interest for the morbid things in life she was also quite the cheeky little brat with green eyes that seem to know your secrets as well as a smirk that told you that she was superior to everyone else. Regel sided with her sister. And even though none of the other kids really liked them, Regel's smarts were intimidating and Betel was really, really scary, the twins survived. They were fine with each other's company. That was enough for them.

They always knew they were different. Strange things happened when they were around. Books floated, tables shook, Betel's hair would grow back in less than an hour after getting a haircut and T.V. would always malfunction whenever Regel was around. The kids and Mrs. Ophelia, were starting to think that they were possessed that she called a priest on them. Needless to say, the two were not amused with being sprayed holy water on their faces. Life went on for them and they were fine. Then a letter came on their eleventh birthday. Regel and Betel were wizards and they had just been invited to Ilvermorny.

An epidemic had hit the wizarding world of the United States of America. A magical virus that caused severe fever, convulsions, boils, difficulty of breathing and magical blood loss was out. They called it Pater fever because for the fever to pass, the blood of the father is needed to be mixed with the potion medicine. This was a problem, because Regel had caught the fever and he was an orphan. He had been bedridden for a week and his symptons were getting worse. Betel sat beside him in the hospital bed with a concern expression. She held his hand tightly.

"Found…. Anything… yet?" Regel said, he had trouble speaking—trouble breathing and then a chorus of coughs came next after the question, "I'm…alright," it pained him to speak and it pained Betel even more that his brother wasn't getting any better. Regel's face sweated, he was paler than usual and his lips were nearly blue. Most of the patients in the ward had been discharged, cured from the Paters fever. A man who got his internal organs reversed, a teenager about Regel's age whom had the Dragonpox remained.

"Don't speak," said Betel, "I think I found a lead. Our mom's brother, Sean, you known the alcoholic no-maj who wanted nothing to do with us, well it turns out, all mom's stuff was left to him after her death and after a little bit off blackmail, found some letters, all addressed to Severus Snape", "Her previous partner, Joe..Jack..I don't know, I didn't really care what his name was, had told me that she was in England on the attending a seminar on and stayed there till August 2000. It fits the date of our conception. By the way, we were born on May 7, guess we just turned 16, little bro," She told him. He attempted to laugh but instead coughed hard again until blood splattered onto his palm.

In a raspy voice, he assured Betel, "I'm alright. I can still live for a 3 days. You're allowed to show a little bit of concern for your bro-bro though. I know you want to cry," Regel said, giving betel a reassuring smile.

She frowned and smack him lightly on the shoulder, "Don't be sap. I'll find our dad. Wherever he is, I'm going to be gone for a few days. Don't worry, I've already told Annie this and she's going to visit you. Plus she needs help with her Calculus homework which I'm sure you can handle given that you can move your hands,"

"I'll manage…"Regel replied, his voice still wheezing, "Some calculations would lift my spirits," Betel raise a suspicious brow at him, "Sure it's the calculations?" she said teasingly.

"Shut….up—You like Annie, just..asmuch..as…I do," Regel said then he groaned, clutching the white bedsheets as if they were his haven, "I…cant…let her..see..me..like this,"

Betel smirked, "I'm sure you'd seduce her with your red eyes, drool and coughing fits…And Oh, there she is,"

A pretty blonde wearing a grey sweater and a wash-out jeans came inside the hospital ward's doors. Her face flushed, she was running and on her hands she was carrying a basket of blueberries, Regel's favorite. the sides of her blue eyes crinkled when she saw the twins. Alice Silvers was Regel and Betel's best friend and she was a no-maj. She approached Betel and gave her a short hug and chuckled at Regel who had covered his face with the bedsheet. "Quit it, Reg. You're sister made me look at mangled faces from serial killer victims, I think I could handle your face right now,"

Regel groaned, "You'll laugh,"

"Of course she will, She's our best friend," Betel said. She eyed the blueberry basket and attempted to pick one, "Oh yummy," Annie swatted her hand away, "These are for Regel. Hands off," she chided.

Betel stuck out her tongue at the blonde like a child, "No fair." By this time, Regel had revealed himself from under the covers showing off his swollen face riddled with red boils that just seem to ooze out pus. Annie's expression was a mix of concern and amusement, "Damn, he's starting to look like Deadpool,"

"Except Ryan Reynolds has a cuter nose," Betel quipped. Cue muffled sounds from Regel. He was too weak to say anything. Annie and Betel seem to have understood something along the lines of, 'Well, your nose is just as big as mine.'

"I've got to go, my flight leaves in an hour," Betel told them.

Annie looked at her questioningly, "You're not teleporting there?" Betel shook her head. Her face in mild annoyance, "No. Too much of a hassle. They ask too many questions and they'd make me register my wand," Annie nodded, "take care of him alright," she said to her. The blonde smiled warmly making Betel's heart flutter, "Sure, He's in good hands,"

"Don't cause too much attention. They still don't know you're a no-maj,"

Annie smirked, "I'm sure I can handle a few spells in my way." And with those last words, Betel said goodbye to Annie and her brother. By 10 p.m. on a cold evening, Betel had reached London.

It was a well-known fact that Severus Snape never ate at the Grimmauld Place after Order meetings. He simply couldn't stand dining with the Weasleys'. Molly was too overbearing and Arthur was a muggle loving fool and don't even get started on the twins, those annoying troublemakers. He especially was anxious to get away since Sirius Black and Lupin were there and now that Harry Potter, that foolish boy, had been in trouble again with dementors and the Ministry, his life wasn't going to go smoothly for now, not that it ever has. As he apparated home and turned the doorknob, Severus Snape had already noticed that something was odd. Not only were the lights on, Someone had messed with his wards. Whoever they were, they surely did a good job on making it trigger only when he arrived, Snape thought. He slowly entered inside, careful not to make a sound, he readied his wand in case of an attack. In the living room, stood a girl. She didn't see her face because she was looking at the trinkets on the fireplace mantle. She shifted her head a bit as if to acknowledge that she knew he was behind her.

"Who are you girl and what is your business here?" He said darkly.

"Are you Severus Snape?" she said, her back still facing him. Her voice smooth like his—but American.

"Depends on who is asking. A friend or a foe?" Severus noticed that her tone was not someone who was hostile. She finally turned to face him. Her face expressionless, "On August 2000, did you or did you not have sexual relations with American Auror, Sabrina Johnson," she said as if she was interrogating him.

Snape didn't like where this was going. The name, Sabrina, of course he remembered her. She was the muggleborn witch he had indulged in a short relationship after Lily had married his archenemy, "That is none of your business, girl," He said, wand still raised yet the girl didn't seem to mind. She continued to maintain eye contact, her green eyes bored into him as if she was reading his mind but that was impossible given that he was an expert Occulumens.

"I think that it is. Because, Severus Snape…I am your daughter," She said smiling. Snape was utterly speechless. He was sure to be careful with his little…exploits while he was with Sabrina…this couldn't have been happening, "name is Betel Johnson, and boy do we have a lot of catching up to do,"

There was little time for explanations. Betel had already packed his luggage because they were leaving for America, "We don't have a lot of time," she said, "My brother, Sabrina bore twins by the way, has got the Paters fever and an important ingredient for the potion medicine is the blood of the father," She talked fast, leaving him no room to explain. She gave him two choices, to let her take some of his blood right here right now and leave without ever seeing his son or he could come with her to America and have his blood taken there. Snape wanted to stay. But he still didn't fully trust the girl, and he couldn't tell whether she was lying or telling the truth. The girl…his daughter…Betel Johnson was apparently a very good Occulumens. If she was telling the truth, he would have been very proud for the accomplishment.

So Severus chose to go with her. She responded with a smile "Great,"

"However, I need to contact someone of my whereabouts. If you could just wait for 5 minutes. Stay here and do not touch anything," He reprimanded. She smiled innocently and watched him write a letter to Albus Dumbledore that he was going to be in America for some family business. He didn't give the full details. Betel was in a hurry. Severus gave the letter to the owl and it flew to its destination. They apparated to the Ministry of International Transport, and she had explained that Sabrina Johnson had died on an assignment. Killing Curse. Betel looked at him as if she was expecting some sadness or remorse from his face. There was none. He merely asked, "And how old were you and your brother?"

"We were one," she said, pushing past other people who were coming and going to and from the International Floo, "Regel and I were sent to an orphanage and were bounced around the system for a while till we settled in St. Mary's. We ran away when were 12," They waited in line to get a ticket to New York, and as they waited, Betel continued talking, "I know this is a shock, but I am telling the truth,"
"You could be wrong. True that I had a relationship with Sabrina Johnson on August 2000 but it was purely…physical. She was… heartbroken after she found out that her fiancée had cheated on her with an English witch. We indulged ourselves," He felt a bit odd talking about this to his possible daughter but seeing the expression on Betel's face she didn't look squeamish about hearing all that, "It is possible that I couldn't be the father,"

"No. I'm sure. She mentioned you in her letters. Well, we'll find out after anyway. St. Asclepias hospital for Magical Injuries has a Blood test ready," Betel said firmly. She was determined. They were now lining up to enter the floo network.

"Thanks for not freaking out by the way," she said to him and then took a step forward.

"Freaking out is simply not in my nature, Ms. Johnson." He said, stepping forward as well. Betel was the first to enter the tall fireplace.

"Call me Betel," and then the fires engulfed her. It was Severus' turn. Feeling the cold green flames surround him, he landed with a thud into the Grand Central Floo Station.

He was the father. The blood test was positive and even though he said earlier that it was not in his nature to freak out, Severus Snape, was in fact freaking out. Of course, he didn't show it outwardly, he had a brooding bat reputation to keep. For now, he was currently inside the hospital ward standing beside the bed of his…son. Simply the thought of it caused shivers down his spine. Regel was his spitting image except his hair was shorter and less greasy, his nose as well as less prominent than his something that Regel had shared with Betel. The boy slept peacefully after drinking the potion.

"Alright. Now that he has drunk the Paters cure potion, Mr. Johnson would be fine in 3 days. We are going to administer the potion to him every 6 hours and after that, he will be good as new," said a perky young mediwizard. She smiled at Severus and then walked away muttering something about groceries. Severus continued to stare at the face of his…son. Betel sat on a chair on the bedside. She was smiling with relief at Regel. He inhaled sharply.

"Do you need some fresh air. There is a balcony near here. Take a right then a left and you'll see a fire escape," Betel had offered him. But she didn't look at him her attention was on Regel.

"I am quite alright," Snape said coolly.

She smirked and scoffed, "Oh please, you're probably screaming in the inside right now,"

"Odd, shouldn't you be…how did you phrase it, Freaking out," he responded.

"I'll do it later," she deadpanned, "You can stay at our place for a while or are you planning on going back to London?"

Severus was silent. He didn't want to stay per say, yet he also didn't want to leave. He had children. CHILDREN! Today was not Severus' best moments. He conjured a chair for him to sit, knowing that of he stands any longer he was going to embarrass himself in front of his daughter by falling like some damsel in distress, "Took you long enough," Betel said.

"I am still very overwhelmed…This has all been quite sudden…Tell me how long have you known I was your father?"

"Two days ago. To tell you the truth, we wouldn't have known if Regel hadn't gotten sick. He and I were not very interested in finding our parents nor knowing their pasts. It's all a big hassle really." Betel admitted. Good to know his daughter had inherited his no nonsense view in life.

"What exactly are you expecting out from this? Please tell me you're not fantasizing about some father-child reunion where we hug and suddenly I play catch with you both," Snape said cynically.

Betel chuckled. She finally looked at him, her green eyes filled with amusement, "Haha…No. Not really. I can tell you're not exactly the fatherly type," He scoffed in agreement, "So far, you have two choices, You could go home and continue being a brooding old potions teacher in a boarding school, which you hate by the way, or you could stay for a bit, get to know us before we become disappointment in your eyes," She jokingly said.

"Professor," he corrected, "And how did you know I was one?"

She rolled her eyes, "You're not exactly being discreet about it. You have several potions textbooks in your personal library back at Spinners End and as well as a Hogwarts stationary on your lampside table. Your hair is all greasy probably from all the potions fumes you have to endure and plus I noticed a potions cabinet while I was sneaking around in your house. Simple Deduction really,"

Somehow, Severus' lips curved. It was comforting to know that his daughter wasn't a dunderhead, "What's it going to be, pops. You staying?"
"Do not ever call me that," he scolded lightly. Snape thought about it for a short moment. He had duties to the Order and there was the fact that he was currently working as a double agent. With Voldemort alive and on the loose, it would all be very suspicious. He wasn't going to let these children get involved in the a war they were not involved in. So he made the logical decision. "I should be leaving. I cannot stay,"

Betel looked a little dejected she was careful not to show but Snape was good with reading emotions, "It simply is for the best," Snape, knowing that he had come to his senses arose from his seat. He noticed Betel had fished something out from her jeans pocket. A black rectangle screen. "OH and before you go—smile," He heard a click that came from the black rectangle, he assume was a camera phone, "I thought that Regel needed to see what you look like before you leave…..For-ever" She breathed the last word in exaggeration.

"Don't be daft. You know where to find me. Although I strongly disagree visits without reminding me beforehand," He said.

"I'm not sure our carrier pigeons could travel 4000 miles to deliver a letter," Betel reminded him. A groan then escape from his son's mouth as he stirred in his sleep, "you could at least tell us why though,"

"London is not safe for the moment," He simply said. Betel seemed to have accepted this and shrugged.

"I'll be in touch," Severus nodded to her—a gesture of goodbye and goodwill. He couldn't say he had cared for her and Regel just yet. He had only met them 24 hours ago but he was overall serious of making sure they stayed away from him and London…away from all the chaos. And so Severus walked away, thinking if he should visit them after all this was over. After the war. Whoever wins that is. His footsteps sounded lightly against the floorboards still he was able to hear the soft goodbye of his daughter, "Bye Dad," It simply made his heart clench. An emotion he hadn't felt in a long time was there.

AN: Not sure when the second chapter will be published. Reviews are appreciated. Warning: Regel and Betel may be a bit Mary Sue in terms of power. Hope you like it. I could also use some ideas on how I flow this story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. I only own Regel, Betel, Annie and Sabrina.