Chapter Two:

Disclaimer: I do not own the splendiferous Harry Potter series, wish I did, I don't but there it is.

Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry, was busy drinking himself into oblivion. When Albus Dumbledore had found him, he thought Severus was just trying to drown out memories of the war. When he saw the letter on Severus' lap, he knew it was something much more serious. Without asking for permission and knowing he wouldn't even register on Severus' radar for several hours, thanks to the four empty Fire whiskey bottles next to Severus' chair, and the half empty one in his hand. Albus had to read the letter twice before he comprehended what the words actually meant in regards to Severus' current condition

Severus,

It has been 15 years since the last time we saw each other. You may not remember me, I was the nurse who told you that your daughter died on that fateful. night I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of difficult news but what I need to say, you need to know. On that cold night so many years ago, your child, your daughter, did not die. She lives even now, however her mother, Tena, does not. Tena was seriously injured in a car accident 3 weeks ago. She laid in a coma until 2 days ago, when she finally passed. I wouldn't have written you if I could avoid it, however Gracelyn's step-father was also killed in the accident, and her sisters Annalismel and Bettena are too young to care for her. I know we were wrong to lie to you and to keep your child from you, but Tena knew then that the Dark Lord was not dead. She could not risk her children, or you with such a great threat. She had always said that when Voldemort died she would let the truth come to light. Unfortunately Voldemort was vanquished 3 days after Tena's accident. I know you must hate me, and Tena, but you can not hate your daughter. She will be joining you in England. I have made arrangements to apparate with her to Hogsmeade on July 11. We will wait for you at the local inn.

Sincerely,

Lisa Lovine

Albus knew now why his young friend had taken to drinking. He remembered quite clearly that December night, when Severus had sobbed into his arms, mourning the death of his child. Over the next 15 years Albus watched closely as Severus locked away his heart, and let his anger rule him. How he almost let himself be killed in the final battle with Voldemort, just to be rid of the pain he could not hide from.

Now Severus learned that his child was not dead, but had been kept from him, which Albus knew must hurt just as much. Rummaging through Severus' possessions Albus found what he needed, in fact something he'd been needing far too much lately, a sobering potion. As Severus made to take another drink from his bottle, Albus deftly poured the potion into his mouth, then held his hand over the younger man's mouth as he made to spit it out. Severus seeing he had no choice but to swallow did so while giving Albus a baleful glare. Albus took a seat across from his glaring Potions Master and waited until the potion had worked fully.

"That was a dirty trick unbecoming of a Gryffindor." Severus snarled.

"Yes indeed it was, now on to more pressing matters, like your daughter." Albus pressed his hands into a steeple, mindful of the still healing right one.

"I don't want to talk about it Albus, I don't want to think about it."

"Ah, but if you don't think and don't talk, how ever will you be ready to receive your daughter, she will be here in just two short days." Severus groaned, and Albus smiled.

"Damnation! I can't take care of a child Albus, I am incapable of discussions with children and I'm foul to them in my best of moods, terrifying and horrible in my worst." Albus didn't need to read Severus' mind to know what he was really thinking, what he was admitting with his statement.

"Severus, she is not just any child she is your child, and therefore likely to possess personality traits much like you, and similar interests. My best advice is to find something you have in common and then build from there. Her mother was also a formidable potion brewer, as my memory serves me, and thusly your daughter should be as well, or at least have an interest in them. Lacking that, you could always simply let her find her own way to you. I've found children will always find their own way, if given opportunity and support." Albus' eyes had begun to twinkle.

"I can't do this Albus. I don't know how to be a father."

"I beg to differ Severus, you have been fathering children for 15 years now."

"Old man I believe you've finally lost it, and that twinkle in your eye is merely insanity."

"Think Severus, you've watched over, taught and guided your students. Unknowingly you've learned the skills most parents eventually develop. You know how to teach children, you have learned to keep them from hurting themselves and each other… and if I'm much mistaken, you've protected and guided a certain Gryffindor for almost 8 years now."

"I have done nothing of the sort. Potter is simply just too arrogant to have taken guidance from me."

"None the less Severus he lives because of you. In many ways he lives because of your actions, and through him those who have passed on also live. His father, his Godfather, Remus and Tonks, even Lily." Severus flinched.

"Severus, you still love Lily? I had thought what you had with Tena…"

"What I had with Tena wasn't love, at least not in the way I loved Lily. What I had with Tena… it's not the same."

"And yet she gave you a child, who coincidently will arrive here in two days. Now Severus, you will not like what I have to say next, but bare in mind it's for your own good." He waited until he got Severus' nodding consent. "You are going to have to grow up." Albus' voice was no longer gentle, but a firm commanding voice that Severus remembered from his school days. "You can no longer hide behind a bottle, or childishly pout when you don't get your way. You must remember your daughter has just lost her mother and the man who raised her, she will be in more pain than you can imagine, and she will need your love and support, especially because she's coming to a new country and a new school, unlike any she's ever attended before. If I find that you are not doing a proper job in parenting I will do something which you will regret." Severus was startled for a moment, but he noticed Albus' eyes were sparkling again.

"And what would that be old man? I don't scare easy."

"I will simply tell Professor Sprout that you have changed your mind and would absolutely love to take her on a date." Albus roared with laughter at the look of sheer terror playing across the younger man's face.

"That's… that's… evil" Severus managed, sighed and then smiled. "Well uncle Albus, time for you to get cracking."

"Beg pardon?" The purely evil look on Severus' face slightly unnerved him.

"You can start by charming my chambers to make room for a teenage girl, then you get to tell Minerva, Pomona, and all those other women my good news." Albus finally figured out the torture Severus was imposing upon him. He shook his head, soon he'd be besieged by over excited hyper active women who when Severus had first learned of his impending joy had dragged Severus to every baby shop they could find. Severus grinned to himself, that should teach the old man to threaten him with dates with the Herbology Professor.