Chapter 3
The next morning, after breakfast in their rooms and meeting Winky the house elf, Severus Snape took his daughter on a brief tour of the castle and grounds. Her favorite part was going to the Great Hall. Severus specifically planned that visit for a time period when the room would be empty. The plan worked because she practically begged him to take her to dinner in that room. He took her out to the lake, the Quidditch pitch, and the greenhouses. They visited her new friend Uncle Albus in his office and the empty Slytherin dormitory so she would know where the students would live. He took her to his office and his classroom as well. By that evening he felt like Zo was ready to meet some more of the staff. He made sure that she got a nap in the afternoon so that she would be happy at dinnertime.
That evening dressed a little extra casually, in dark wash jeans and a black button-up shirt. He let Zo pick out her own outfit. She wanted to wear a little pink jogging suit. They were off to the Great Hall at just about the right time. He didn't want to be the first or last one into the room. As it was, they were the last ones to arrive. Albus had spread the word that Severus would be bringing the girl to dinner tonight, and everyone had arrived early to meet her.
Severus sighed as he opened the door and all chatter in the room stopped. Before she had even stepped in the room, Zo had taken a position hiding behind his leg, gripping his pant leg tightly. Severus hobbled along as best he could with Zoraida shuffling along behind him. Halfway across the room he stopped, whirling around and kneeling down to Zo's height.
"What's wrong, Zo?" he whispered.
"Daddy, we have to sit with strangers." she whispered back urgently. Severus turned his head and sighed with relief that they had attempted to make it easy for him. The two open seats were between Albus and Minerva.
"Do you like Uncle Albus?" he asked.
"Yes. He's very nice and he has candy." she replied.
"Do you think you could eat dinner sitting between me and Uncle Albus?" he asked.
"What about the others?"
"They won't hurt you. I won't let anybody hurt you." he whispered.
"If you stay with me the whole time, Daddy." she replied. She then allowed herself to be picked up, carried the rest of the way, and deposited in the chair next to Albus. Severus slid into the chair next to Minerva.
"Good evening, Zo. I'm glad you could join us all for dinner." Albus said kindly. Zo looked at her new Daddy briefly before replying.
"I like this room. It has a pretty roof." Albus chuckled a little. Every other professor smiled, except for Snape. They made it through the meal relatively calmly. Albus made a mental note to find a booster seat for Zo; she could only reach the table and her dinner by kneeling on the chair. After dinner Zo made friends with Minerva and George Weasley, the new Charms professor before she asked to go back downstairs.
Because of the presence of Zoraida, Albus excused Severus from the staff meeting he was holding after dinner that evening. They said goodbye to everyone and headed back to the dungeons.
"Well everyone, we had just one item of business to discuss the evening before you are all free to go on with your evenings." he said.
"Isn't Severus' daughter just delightful?" Minerva piped in.
"Oh yes, she's a jewel. It's so good to have a child at Hogwarts again." Rolanda Hooch added.
"I think she'll be good for him as well." Minerva replied.
"Ladies please." George said, nodding to the Headmaster.
"Thank you George. This morning I received notice our Defense teacher hopefuls that none of them would be willing to take the job." Albus said gravely. "We need to find someone to take the position before the beginning of term. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
"Well, I happen to know someone who once wanted to be a Hogwarts professor. And I believe that, as of yesterday, she was out of a job if you catch my drift." George said.
"Oh yes, I think I know who you're talking about. She's definitely qualified for the position." Minerva added. "And that gives us the possibility of two children at Hogwarts."
"Then it's settled, I'll sent Miss Granger a letter first thing in the morning. Did she end up with a child?" Albus asked.
"Oh yes, she has a 6-year-old daughter. Lilura, I believe, but everyone calls her Lil. She's an awesome kid. Hermione has had her over at my Mum's house a couple of times." George replied.
"Well then, unless someone has something else to add, I would say that this meeting is adjourned." Albus replied. He waited for just a moment before pushing his chair back from the table.
