Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations. I have borrowed the characters of J K Rowling and made my own little alternate universe.

Author's Note: I only have this chapter to explain how Lucas Tobias Malfoy becomes Lucas Tobias Snape, but if you are looking for a more detailed history, check out my other story 'Checkmate'.

Just under two years later, Severus Snape sat back on his chair deep in thought. As his third year Ravenclaw and Gryffindor class laboured over the pop quiz he had sprung on them, his mind was elsewhere.

Any student that perchance looked up at their professor would have seen the same scowl adorning his face as always. But behind that scowl, Snape was concerned.

The short letter he had received from Prudence Adassi – now Malfoy – had been to the point. It's time. A covert visit to Malfoy Manor had not relieved his fears: Lucas Tobias Malfoy was a squib, and was going to 'disappear' on the eve of his second birthday because Malfoys didn't tolerate non magical beings in their pureblood family line.

He was drawn from his dark thoughts to the realisation that he was twirling his platinum wedding band. He had noticed more and more over the years that when he was stressed or in turmoil, he twisted his ring.

Noting the time, he stood suddenly, startling some of the students. He didn't get his usual satisfaction from seeing their stricken faces, quills scribbling as fast as possible to get those last few words down. 'Papers up here now and a foot on the use of nala bettalus for homework – make that two feet for your Mister Hoffman. You know why.'

As the students obediently scurried up to his desk, dumped their papers, gathered up their things and left the room as fast as they could, Snape remained standing until the last one had left before he sunk into his chair.

Bracing his hand up on a hand, he was thankful he now had a student-free period. He usually used this time to get through the piles of marking that seemingly never ended, so that he only took work home when necessary. But he couldn't bring himself to get into it at this point in time and he closed his eyes.

He didn't need his eyes to know who slipped into his classroom next though. 'Hello Mia,' he said tiredly, slowly opening his eyes. She was seated on a student desk before him decked out in a blouse and skirt. She was sans children and he wondered why she here on her study day.

He said exactly that.

His wife shrugged, leaning back on her arms, making herself comfortable on the desk. 'Seems to me that I'm better off being here than at the library today.'

Severus sighed, leaning forward on his desk, his hands clasped as he eyed his love. 'This is a mess,' he said softly. 'How do I know we're doing the right thing here?'

'It's like you said last night Severus,' she said gently. 'It's the only thing we can do.'

He sighed. 'It wasn't supposed to happen this way.'

They were interrupted when the potions classroom door opened and the tall Transfiguration Professor marched across the floor, head in her paper. 'Severus, do you have a ... I do apologise Professor,' said Minerva, her head finally up. 'I didn't realise you were with a student.'

It took the Scottish woman a moment to realise that no student she knew would ever sit on the desk in front of the Potions Master, let alone so comfortably. 'Hermione!' exclaimed the tall woman, recognising the face now turned toward her over her shoulder.

'Hello Minerva.'

Small talk aside, Hermione sensed that the teachers had something to speak about. Rising from her temporary chair she rounded the desk to where her husband still sat. 'We'll talk more later,' she said softly, pressing a kiss to his lips.

She didn't care about Minerva's presence or public displays of affection, and judging from his reaction, she got the feeling that he didn't either this time.

When Hermione arrived home after the school and child care pick up, the five of them were surprised to find Severus home from work early. He was seated in the lounge room, his head resting in his hands.

Tor slipped away from her mother and siblings, crossing the room. She climbed up into her father's lap, resting against his chest as she sucked her thumb. Snape pulled his two and half year old's thumb free, wrapped an arm around her and looked up into the concerned eyes of his wife holding school bags in her hand.

'What's wrong with Daddy?' asked Ali loudly of her mother.

'He has a headache stupid,' said Del as it if were the most obvious thing.

'But why does he have a headache?' pressed Ali, shoving her brother. 'And don't call me stupid.'

Severus sat up in his chair then, keeping Tor in his arms as he faced his family. 'Kids, there is something we need to tell you.'

As if expecting a story, his three other children lined up on the couch like three peas in a pod – Del retaliating against his sister's old push before he settled – and Hermione slipped from the room with the bags momentarily.

'You all remember Lucas, don't you?' Snape began.

Ali and Del nodded their heads, and seeing their action, two and half year old Kaylee nodded her head exuberantly too. 'I dunno Daddy,' said the soft voice of his not-to-be-the-youngest-for-much-longer child.

'He's Daddy godson,' he explained to the little girl in his arm. Tor nodded her head, burrowing further into her father's chest in complete understanding. 'He's going to come and stay with us for a while,' continued Snape, looking to his three oldest children again.

'Why is Luca coming to stay with us?' questioned Del, a nickname already granted to the absent boy.

'He can't say with his parents anymore,' explained Severus.

'Why not?' asked Ali, her nose crinkled.

'He just can't,' he replied somewhat sharply. He softened his tone quickly. 'His Mummy can't look after him anymore, that's all.'

Del was shrewd and picked up immediately on the lack of a mention of the father. 'What about his Daddy?'

'His Daddy can't either,' said Severus tightly. There would be a time and place to discuss the reason in the future with his children. He mentally shook himself. 'So that's why Daddy – and Mummy – are going to look after him.'

'Baby?' questioned Tor, removing her thumb for a moment, her twin nodding her head excitedly. With the Potters expecting baby number two, the two year olds were entranced.

'No Tor,' said Severus softly, brushing her hair. 'It's not a baby. He's the same age as you.'

'Two?' asked Kaylee in awe, holding up two fingers to denote the age.

'Almost,' said Snape and his heart clenched in sudden remembrance.

'When is he coming?'

'How long is he staying?'

'Where is he sleeping?'

His head was still tender as he raised his hand and silence reigned. 'Lucas will be arriving this week some time and he'll be with us well, forever.'

'Foreber and eber?' asked Kaylee, wide-eyed.

'Yes sweetheart,' said the newly arrived Hermione, slipping onto the arm of the couch. 'He'll be staying for a long time.'

'He's going to be part of the family,' added Severus.

'Cool, a brother,' said Del as Ali rubbed her hands together. 'Wait til Genie hears about this. She's never going to believe that I'm getting another brother.'

Kaylee looked uncertain about what these changes meant and reached for her mother. Hermione cradled her in her arms as Tor also clutched her father's frock coat a little tighter. Severus was looking at his eldest daughter. 'How about we keep it a secret until he arrives, hmm?'

'Why?' Blast their decision to encourage questioning and independent thought in their children.

'It's a secret,' he said mysteriously with emotion he didn't feel. It seemed to work though.

The general feel was excitement at the coming arrival. All four wanted to snap into action and prepare their new arrival's room and toys and the like, but Hermione managed to convince them that perhaps just looking at their toys today, and leaving the room until tomorrow, would be better.

Later that night, the kids were not yet asleep, but at least in their own rooms, when Hermione entered the lounge room where her husband was cradling his head once again. 'Do you want me to fetch you a potion?' she offered.

'No,' he said. 'I want to feel the pain.'

She took a seat opposite him, curling her knees under her body as she leaned against the chair side. Making Severus talk was about as useful as sending a snowman to the desert. He'd talk when he was ready, and tonight, that was actually sooner rather than later.

'How could they do it?' he asked, his eyes full of pain as he found hers.

'I don't know Sev,' she said softly. When he wasn't forthcoming with more, she turned slightly off topic. 'When are you going?'

'Two nights,' he said shortly. 'We'll have to move quick you know?' he added. 'The adoption will be finalised Monday.'

She stood up then, coming to stand in front of him. She gently rested her hands on either side of his head and tilted him to look up at her. 'I'm so sorry Hermione.'

She brushed off his concern. 'No child should have to suffer this way,' she said seriously. She slid her hand to his temples then, tugging his face up to hers. She pulled him into a hug that he fiercely reciprocated.

Over his shoulder, she saw their four children standing in the doorway. Maintaining her grip, she shook her head. Thankfully Ali turned and ushered her siblings quietly from the room. She knew that Severus would hate to be seen as anything less than the man he was.

She drew back. 'Come to bed.'

They met in the Forbidden Forrest.

Prudence Adassi – now Malfoy – had tears running down her face as she cradled her sleeping son to her chest for the last time.

When Severus Snape first stepped into the clearing, Prudence gasped, turning her son away from fear that it was someone – or something – sinister. It's only when her son's godfather stepped into the dull moonlight that she breathed once again.

He could see that the woman was in distress, but there was very little that he could do to alleviate the situation, so he stretched out his arms for the child then.

Prudence sniffled as she pressed a kiss to her son's bright blonde hair before she handed him into the arms of the tall man. Lucas tensed before he settled into his godfather's sure grip. 'Look after him,' she begged. 'Raise him as your own.'

With his godson's breath soft at his neck. Snape nodded. 'I will.'

The distraught woman dug into her bag then. 'Here's the paperwork,' she said in a moment of clarity. 'I couldn't get the Malfoy signature, but it should be enough.'

As he accepted the scroll, Snape nodded again. 'I'll make it enough.'

When a werewolf howled, Prudence wrapped her cloak around her firmly, looking around in fear. 'I have to go.'

He clasped her shoulder. 'I can take you away from this. Protect you.'

She shook her head. 'I can't,' she whispered, resting her hand on her son's back, wanting one last touch.

'Be safe.'

With that, they were gone. Prudence Adassi fell to her knees as she cried openly. Ten minutes later she composed herself, stood upright on shaky knees moved away.

It was only the knowledge that her son was going to be safe – to live – that got her home.

Early Monday morning found Albus Dumbledore, eyes twinkling merrily, handing each of the Snape children – and the one Snape-to-be – a bag of lollies.

As Ali, Del, Kaylee and Tor opened up their bag and immediately began to trade, Lucas remained in Severus' arms, clutching his bag tight. He was sitting on his godfather's lap when Kaylee made her way over to make her desire known for his green ones.

'I give you red. You gimme green,' coaxed Kaylee, holding her sticky fingers out to Lucas. The little boy shook his head, clutching his little bag closer.

'C'mon Luca,' complained Kaylee. 'We gotta trade!'

'No!' shouted Lucas, his chin jutting out stubbornly.

Severus exchanged a glance with his wife. Far from being angry at the outburst – in fact, it was completely opposite – Hermione and Severus were pleasantly surprised to find the boy expressing an opinion.

He had been very quiet over the weekend, clinging to Severus constantly. He shared a bedroom with Del, was in awe of Ali and found two new playmates in Kaylee and Tor, but he still had that hollow look in his eye, as if all this might be snatched from him at any moment.

Hermione and Severus left their four sugar-gorging children at Albus' office as they floo-ed to the Ministry of Magic. Arriving, they dusted themselves off and immediately made their way to the reception.

Standing at the desk as they waited to be escorted into the waiting room, Hermione's hand slipped into her husband's. When the door was opened by a nervous young man, the form of Lucius Malfoy filled the frame. Lucas – recognising the man – reached out for his grandfather, but was ignored.

Snape turned to his wife. 'Take him Hermione.' She obeyed immediately and took the crying boy, who couldn't understand why he was being ignored by his grandfather and removed from his godfather's arms.

Snape stood in front of them both as Hermione rocked the distraught boy in her arms, whispering soothing nothings.

'That child is mine to do what I want with,' said Lucius, malice dripping from his every word.

Snape raised his wand in warning. 'I have a paper that says otherwise.'

'Your paper isn't worth the quill that scribbled on it,' spat out the former Death Eater.

The two men eyed each other.

It was Malfoy who spoke next. 'He's a Malfoy no longer,' warned Lucius, and it was with a disparaging glance that he looked at the whimpering boy who was his biological grandson. 'He's a Muggle bastard through and through and I wash my hands of him.'

Snape never said a word.

'Don't you ever expect me to recognise him or support him,' he warned further.

'Wouldn't think of it,' replied Severus evenly, tightly. 'Sign the papers and I'll never speak with you again. Is that satisfactory?'

'Much.'

As Malfoy gestured the nervous man, and said man hurried to do his bidding, Snape took a step back next to his wife. He rubbed soothing circles on her back as he kept his eye on the events before him.

His own signature was added before he relieved Hermione of her charge and she signed the parchment as well. The contract disappeared into thin air and the nervous man scurried away. With Lucas now officially a Snape, Severus guided his wife and child from the room.

He never looked back.

Epilogue: The Marriage Law is repealed.