Author's Corner: Okay thank you to everyone that reviewed the last chapter. I do have a few things that were brought up that I would like to address for everyone to know… And they are…

Anpan writes: "Snape seems to be acting to friendly to Gwen. I think that he would treat her like any other student so that people wouldn't start getting suspicious. …"

We must remember that the war against Voldemort is over and his death has brought change to many people. Severus has transformed from the cold unloving bat of the dungeons to a man with emotions who does not want to see his baby girl hurt, even if he and the mother gave the child up. Having his daughter there some paternal instincts kick in.

Brenda-wood-sheil, thank you for your review it literally made me laugh out loud when I read it my mother turned and looked at me like I had five heads when I burst out in laughter.

Smileymrd writes: "Does he always do the speech??!!..."

I think that Snape is a man who doesn't change easily… not that he doesn't change mind you. The speech I believe is just something that he does to wheedle out the true potion makers from the "wanna be"s. So to answer your question… Yes, Severus Tobias Snape always gives that speech.

I love the reviews KEEP THEM COMING!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own the world in which the characters are in. I RENT it just as I RENT some characters…

Chapter 7

Parental Instincts

The great oak doors that shielded the Potions Master from the rest of the castle flew open and banged loudly against the stone walls of the office. As the Charms professor burst in a cold chill passed through the Potions Master. What that woman could still do to him eleven years later.

"HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO HER, SEVERUS" Hermione demanded as she flew to the desk that Severus quaked behind. "How could you let our baby girl get hurt like that?"

"Hermione, be reasonable. The students behind her… how could I know that I had two future Neville Longbottoms paired up? I'M NOT SYBIL!" Snape snapped back at her.

"Well, I am assuming you paired two Huffelpuffs."

"Yes, but for Merlin's sake one of them was Justin Foli. Both of his parents are bright and were always decent potion makers."

"I don't give a damn who the two dunderheads parents were who blew up that cauldron. You should have paired each of them with a Ravenclaw." Hermione was fuming and pacing in front of the desk.

Both were at a loss of words.

"The two Huffelpuffs received week's detentions with Filch and are serving detention with me for the next two weekends."

"Have you actually seen her? She is white as a sheet. Poppy said her arm was broken as well as a couple of ribs. The force of the impact knocked Gwyneth out cold. Minerva told me we could… miss dinner in the Great Hall if Gwyneth is still out at that point," Hermione said in almost a whisper.

"What are we waiting for then?" Snape asked as he swept out of the room snatching Hermione's hand and pulling her behind him as he left the room.

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Gwen slept peacefully. Her skin was a lot paler than usual. Her long black hair was spilling out over the white pillow contrasting dramatically with both her skin and the pillow beneath her head.

Hermione reached out and held her daughter's hand in hers.

"Hermione, what is she wakes up? We'll have to explain our presence here," Severus whispered as he gazed at Hermione holding their daughter's frail hand.

"I want to keep her." Hermione whispered back.

"You're eleven years too late."

"I can adopt her. I can raise her and-"

"She needs a true family, Hermione. That's why we gave her up in the first place, isn't it?"

Hermione sighed. He was right… as usual.

"I know. Its just… I don't know… the parental instincts in me are telling me that I need to protect her, to hold her, to make sure everything will be all right," Hermione said as a tear ran down her cheek.

Severus whipped the tear from her cheek as it fell. "Hermione, Gwyneth will be fine, just as you and her blasted godfather always were after one of his trips to save the Wizarding World from The Dark Lord." Severus's hand was now resting on Hermione's shoulder

"I hope you're right, Severus, I truly hope you're right," Hermione whispered as her free hand moved and she laced her fingers with his long ones.

For the first time in just over eleven years mother and father where reunited with their daughter.