Author's Note: I do not own any characters you happen to recognise. If I did I wouldn't be posting on this site. This is my attempt at a fic. Please review and all reviews welcome. :)

Prologue: Severus' Secret

Severus Snape looked away in disgust. Currently two masked Death Eaters were torturing a wizard and his wife. He felt cold fury rush through him. He hated these "missions" that the Dark Lord sent him on. Snape half figured that Voldemort sent him with the other Death Eaters when they tortured and murdered because he knew deep down that Severus hated it.

Looking back at the horrific scene before him. Snarling to himself his fingers twitched as he longed to pull his wand out and dole out some pain to these fools, that recklessly followed Voldemort. Apparently the Death Eaters had grown tired of the torturing.

Taking a step back the Death Eater stepped aside. Looking down at the terrified man in front of him.

"Avada Kedavra." Severus closed his eyes, he couldn't bring himself to watch the rest. He swore to himself, he'd seen so many people die this way. He heard a scream and the incantation again. Feeling sick he moved away from the body in front of him. He walked to the door connecting the living room with the kitchen, trying to get away from it all from it all for a moment.

"Where do you think you're going?" A cold voice drawled from behind the mask. Snape swore to himself again.

" I am getting myself a drink of water, then I plan on using the bathroom." And throwing up everything I've eaten in the last two weeks. He added to himself.

" Alright. Avery and I will go back and report, you can take care of the loose ends."

"And what loose ends am I supposedly taking care of?" Snape half snarled.

" These disgusting mudbloods have a child, take care of it." Malfoy spat, his cold grey eyes gleaming with a sick light.

" You can't take care of a mere child?" Snape asked, enjoying the way Malfoy flinched.

" I am perfectly capable of dealing with a child. However you if you don't think you can, we can leave it to die of stavation." Malfoy said liking the way Snape flinched.

"I'll take care of it." Scurry back to your master you rat bastard. Snape thought as he went into the hallway and up the stairs to look for the nursery. He found it easily. He stepped into the room and pulled out his wand. He crossed the room and looked into the cradle.

An infant girl looked back at him. There was something in her eyes that disturbed him. It felt like the child was saying "It's okay I understand, you have to do this to survive, to help others to survive." Snape stood looking at the child.{1}He had a decision to make here. He knew that Malfoy and Avery were outside using a tricky charm to tell if he used the killing curse or not. Snape looked at the child again, what he saw moved him. The child did not cry, did not fuss, just kept those calm eyes on his. Making his decision he raised his wand.

"Gods forgive me."

Malfoy smiled as the spell inside triggered the charm he had set, red sparks flared up and he knew that Snape had done what he was ordered to do.

Snape apparated to the Dark Lord. He automatically occlumended his mind. He was sweating and his robe was torn.

"What took you so long Severus?" A cold cruel voice asked. Snape knew his life depended on his answer, as it so very often did.

" Aurors, they attacked right after I disposed of the child, I barely got away. " Snape waited for Voldemort to think this over.

" Did you manage to kill any of them?" His voice sounded eager, like a child waiting to hear the best part of the story.

"Yes, I killed three and wounded two others." Snape added reinforcement of his occlumency.

" Very well since you at least managed to do that, I won't punish you for taking so long." Snape prepared his body for the pain he knew would be coming very soon. He knew Voldemort to well. " However I will have to punish you for not killing more of them. Crucio." Snape felt unbearable amount of pain. It felt like it went on for hours. Soon Voldemort released him from the curse. Shaking Snape stood up, he didn't remember falling to his knees.

"You can all go now, let that be a reminder to finish what you start." With that Voldemort strode out of the room. Severus stood up and disapparated.

Walking into a small house Severus quickly made his way through his house and up the stairs, he came into a room where his house elf was waiting. Looking down at the elf, he noted house small and fragile the infant in the elf's arms looked.

" Master Severus?" The elf inquired, clearly shocked to see his master looking at the baby like that.

"It's alright Notus, I'll take her now..." He held out his arms to the elf, and Notus placed the baby in his arms.

"Master Severus who is this?" The elf inquired timidly.

"This, Notus, is the daughter of my soul, this is Aaliyah." Gift from God, this tiny baby, my salvation is in her hands{2}

{1} Listen to " This used to be my play ground" By Madonna while you read this part... it enhances my poor writing abilities greatly

{2} Listening to "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" by Mandy Moore makes this part feel the way it should... please read and review!