Sunsets on Spinners End weren't beautiful. They just signalled the end of a day. Severus Snape knew that well and that's why he thought nothing of going for a mere walk down into the park. Not many kids would be foolish enough to be out at sundown. Not in Spinners End anyways. The village wasn't very safe. So he grabbed his Muggle trench coat and began his walk. He knew the park was practically lifeless. There was a swingset and playground but nobody usually was there at the hour he was heading out.
As he walked through he noticed on the swingset a girl that barely looked 5. He walked over and knew as much as he was a cold man, he couldn't be cold to her. He knew this girl. "Emily, why are you out in the cold? You should have a jacket on if you are going to be taking a stroll." She shrugged and nodded while Severus merely looked confused. Most times the girl had the common sense. "Where is your jacket?"
"Burned. Accident," she answered. Severus instantly knew where Emily was staying. Emily's mother was a gifted witch in the art of Divination and didn't treat it like a wooly subject. She knew about the arts and how to use them. But Emily lost her mother to murder. So Dumbledore sent her to live with her abusive father. Severus never liked the man and it was clear why. The Auror had gone mental but Albus said he was fine. Severus knew better.
"What was an accident? The coat?" She nodded and Severus pulled out his wand. Emily looked at it and Severus chuckled. "I take it your mother had one as well." She nodded and Severus transfigured a chain into a coat and made her put it on. "Better?" She had to nod and he chuckled. "Your mother was a witch. It's clear you are too. You live with your half blood father right?" She nodded and he gently took her hand. "Let's take care of that little detail. I have a home in Spinners End as well. Give me a little time when we get back to clean it and it'll be your room," he promised. As they arrived at the home that belonged to Emily, he noted how run down it look. Emily looked nervous and quickly open the door. Severus walked in and as he saw the home he could understand why Emily hung around the park.
"Emily! That you?!"
Emily winced and Severus nodded holding a finger to his lips. "Yes dad," she answered. She yelped as she ducked from a flying curse. "You dumb little kid. I told you," he began before locking eyes with Severus Snape. "Severus Snape. The Slytherin Golden Boy. Why are you here?"
Severus knew to pick his words carefully since Emily was there but then he threw caution out the door. "You know that I'm aware how you treat Emily. I was surprised I couldn't convince Professor Dumbledore to let her stay with someone else. Someone who loves her as if she were their own. Someone that doesn't hit her. That doesn't curse her," he spat. Emily looked at him shocked. "She's stiffly walking. How many times did you use the Cruciatus Curse knowing Emily couldn't run for help? She didn't know I was a wizard until I exposed myself in front of her. She was defensless and vulnerable," he reponded. Her father lunged at Severus but he was too fast. "Stupefy!" As Emily's father landed, he was unconcious.
"Thanks. You didn't have to save me though," she began and Severus put his wand away before approaching her slowly and then kneeling to her level. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized but Severus quickly hugged her and held her head against his chest so all she could hear was his voice and his heart.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Let's take you home," he whispered.