A/N: Wow, so I haven't updated this in a while and I'm sorry, but thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with this (I hope you're not too bored). I'd like to thank my new Beta Reader: McGonagall's Bola, for doing an AMAZING editing job. I hope that everyone is still somewhat interested in this story, and I'd love to hear from everyone. Please read and review.

He loved to watch her, loved to watch the way she concentrated, the way she smiled when she measured something to perfection, and the way she demonstrated so many of his own characteristics. It was a strange feeling to Severus, to stare at someone whom you have no intent on pursuing romantically as he did Minerva. Nevertheless, Severus found that while the little girl was in his classroom, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She worked with great patience, a trait that most don't learn to demonstrate until they are quite mature, and sometimes one never learns it. This child had learned the patience that Potion-making required, and he felt proud. He didn't know what he was proud of exactly; he felt ridiculous for being proud, but he was, and there was no use in drowning himself in his own denial.

As the weeks passed, Severus met weekly with Grace, assigning her a new Potion to brew each time. As she progressed, so did the level of the Potions, and in doing this her mistakes became more frequent than ever. It wasn't that they were actually frequent, but considering that when they had begun to see each other she had been doing perfect, an explosion every two meetings was a lot for her. Each time that something did blow up, Grace would, without a sound, clean it up magically and start over completely. It was those times that he felt sorry for her, wanted to tell her it was alright, but she was a strong girl, much like Minerva, and didn't fuss or complain. That was why, he concluded, he liked her so much.

Severus had never liked children; teaching certainly hadn't been his first choice of a career. After multiple years of teaching he still didn't care for them. He'd watched many students graduate, and while many of the staff members grew emotional watching students move on, it hadn't tugged on even his smallest emotional string. But Grace was different. In so many ways she was like the other children; she was energetic, fun-loving, and curious. On the other hand she was so much like an adult: mature, brilliant, patient, and unselfish. Grace was the only child he had ever come to care for, the only child he had come to love.

As he made an attempt to finish grading third year essays, he heard an explosion and a small squeal come from across the room. Grace's curly hair was falling out its ponytail, her face darkened from the explosion and liquid pouring all over the desk. She threw her hands up, covering her face. "Oh Professor Snape, I'm so sorry! I did this last week, too!"

Severus stood from his desk and made his way to where her cauldron was. Without saying a word, he examined it closely, whipping away the smoke with his hands. She had been attempting to brew a Bulgeye Potion, one that was not usually learned until seventh year, if even learned at all. He had given it to her to see how she did with it, for highest level Potion that she had brewed so far had been a fifth year one but he had decided to risk it. As he looked closely into the cauldron, everything seemed to be done perfectly-except her beetle eyes had not been cut in cubes, but in large chunks. It surprised him that someone as careful as Grace had missed such an important step. "Miss Price," he said at last, clearing his throat. "Everything you did was correct; however, you neglected to carefully cut your beetle eyes. These are supposed to be cut in cubes."

The Slytherin sighed, sinking down into her chair once more, resting her head in her hands, not speaking for a moment. "I can't believe I'm so stupid."

Severus snorted. "You, stupid? You just almost perfectly brewed a potion at least six years ahead of what your dunderhead classmates could even aspire to do. I'd hardly call you dumb. You merely misread the directions." He turned away, heading back to his desk when she spoke again.

"I'm going to do this one more time, and I will get it right." She muttered the spell he had taught her to clean up the station, but as she began to get out the ingredients again, he found himself stopping her.

"Miss Price, I think that you should take a break for today."

"But Professor—"

He walked towards her again, noticing vague black lines beneath her little blue eyes. "You're tired."

With her hands full of bottles, Grace hurriedly replied, "Well, a little, but I have to get this right."

She set the ingredients back down on the desk, preparing to start again when he took a seat across from her, growing increasingly worried about her. As she undid the lid for the beetles' eyes, Severus hesitantly put a hand on hers to stop her quick motions. Her hand was hot. "And what will happen, Miss Price, if you do not brew this properly tonight?"

"I, I'll—"

"Will you die?"

"I won't die, but—"

"Will you be expelled from this school?"

"No, but—"

"Then I suggest you stop working for one night. There will be plenty of opportunities next week to make up what you did not complete this session." He removed his hand from hers, taking the jar from her hand and resealing the lid. "I think it would be best for you to get back to your common room and get some rest."

He could tell Grace wanted to argue, but she didn't, and he was thankful for that. Had it been Minerva, then it would have turned into a fight, involving her winning. His Gryffindor was stubborn and infuriating, and she was just lucky that he found it to be a turn-on. "Thank you, Professor Snape." He simply nodded, moving things back into his stores.

Although he had expected her to leave, Grace, books in hand, followed behind him. "Professor Snape, can I ask you something?"

"You may," he replied as he sorted things back into their place.

"Do you know if you'll be able to um, adopt me?"

Severus turned back to face her, watching her eyes widen with want for an answer. He and Albus had discussed the adoption arrangements, and Albus had sent a request to the Ministry for the paperwork, which still hadn't come in. That was as far as they had gotten since he and Minerva had talked to Grace. "Headmaster Dumbledore and I have talked to the Ministry about it, and we've been getting a few papers to fill out at a time, and we're almost done all the work that we can do. After we have filled out all of the papers, then we will need to confront her parents."

Grace nodded, gave a small smile, and began out the classroom. "Miss Price?" At the call of her name, Grace turned to face him once more. "Would you still like me to go through with it?"

This time when she smiled, she smiled much larger. "I would love it, Professor Snape!"

He nodded. "I'm glad."

"You are?"

"Yes, yes, I am," he replied, without making an attempt to cover anything up. Grace looked satisfied at his answer, but made no attempt to pry anything else from him. With that, she left.

"Hello, Miss Price," a familiar voice rang from behind his classroom door. Severus ignored the presence of the other person and simply turned back to putting back the ingredients. "I know you're ignoring me, Severus."

As he placed the last jar in place, Severus turned around and watched as Dumbledore sat in the seat previously occupied by Grace. The old man looked quite absurd sitting in a stool made for a child, and it was hard to stifle a laugh. "And why would I be ignoring you, Albus?"

Albus simply smiled and motioned for Severus to sit across from him as he pulled out a stack of papers. "I'm happy to say that I heard back from the Ministry and they have sent over the last papers we need to fill out. These are the ones that her parents must sign to give their consent for the adoption."

Severus felt his heart skip a beat as he sat in a chair the same size as Albus's. The papers were lying before him, and they were the ones which would ensure that Grace wouldn't have to return to the Muggles who tortured her so. "Is this all we need?"

"Well, you will need her parents to sign, but otherwise this is all that you need." Albus pushed the papers towards Severus, who took them into his hands, avoiding eye contact with his boss. "I just want to thank you for doing this, Severus. It means a lot to Minerva."

"Minerva," Severus breathed, lost in his own thoughts. For once in his life he thought that he might have the chance to do something right, to save someone instead of making them miserable. He had the chance to start a family, a family which he had never had or had thought he would ever have. Minerva and Grace, they were all he had, and at the same time they were all he needed.

"I'm going to go tell her the great news," Albus announced standing, bringing Severus back in his right mind. Severus stood as well, dropping the papers back onto the desk.

"I'll tell her," he insisted, hoping Albus hadn't caught the emotion in his voice. Instead, the old man picked up the papers and handed them back to him.

"I suppose that would be for the best, wouldn't it? After all, I was just talking to her after classes ended this afternoon." Dumbledore smiled slightly and clamped a hand on Severus's shoulder. "I think you need to learn to communicate better with Minerva anyways, especially if you're going to be working together." With that, the Headmaster walked out of the Potions Classroom, leaving Severus dumbstruck in his place.

For so long Minerva and Severus had been teamed up against Albus so they could keep their relationship a secret. He had done everything he could to make sure the two of them hadn't had any contact. He had threatened Severus after all! When he had just talked with Albus, the old man had seemed to support them getting to know each other, and he wondered why. Something didn't seem right, but he threw his worries aside for a bit and began to Minerva's rooms.

Severus, gripping tightly to the papers in his hands, knocked once on Minerva's doors and immediately they had opened. She opened the door, eyes sunken back a little, looking as if she were close to tears. Nevertheless, she smiled and looked curiously at him. "What are those?" she asked, motioning for him to enter.

"The last papers we need for the adoption. The only thing we need is for her parents to sign, and she's ours." Severus was surprised by the energy in his own voice, glad Minerva was the only one who was hearing him completely out of character. "Albus just gave them to me."

While he had been talking, Minerva had been pouring two cups of tea and upon the mention of Albus, she dropped one of the cups, it shattering on the floor. "Minerva, are you alright?" As she bent down to retrieve the glass, Severus placed a hand on her back, steadying her as she seemed to shake as she did so. "Minerva?"

When she was standing again Minerva looked up at him, color suddenly appearing in her cheeks once more. "I'm fine, I'm fine."

He grasped her wrist, wishing she wasn't so stubborn. "What's going on?"

"It's Albus," she replied, turning back to pouring the tea in a now repaired tea cup.

"What about him?" Severus persisted, walking around to face her.

Minerva looked up at him and looked him straight in the eye, her green eyes looking so helpless despite how strong she stood. "He told me he loves me."

Severus felt everything around him stop as Minerva immediately dropped her eyes and began tending to the tea cups once more. He hated Albus; he hated the man for getting in the way of everything.

But then it all came together, why he was being so nice to Severus moments before. Albus had told Minerva so now he didn't see Severus as a threat to getting to her. "Stop pouring that damn tea!" Severus exclaimed, pulling the pot from her hands. "What did you say to him when he told you?"

Minerva looked a little taken aback, but he knew that she was used to his sometimes sharp temper by that time. "Albus has been my best friend for a long time, you have to remember this. And, I always thought, well, I thought he was gay. So when he told me, it was, well, it was quite a shock. I wasn't really sure how to respond. I said, 'Albus, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I do not have romantic feelings for you the way you do for me. I don't have an interest in anyone at the moment. But, you're one of my best friends, and I don't want to lose you over this.' To that he asked if I was still interested in you. I told him that I had gotten over that mishap and I realized I never did care for you romantically; I just was convinced I did." Minerva fell quiet for a moment, allowing Severus to take time to process it all. He was glad, of course, that she hadn't gone along with Albus's confession, but he felt sorry that she had had to lie to her best friend. The only thing that Severus wanted was to be able to have a relationship with Minerva in public. He wanted to be able to hold her hand or kiss her occasionally, but both knew that this was far from possible, especially now that Albus had feelings for her. "He left after that, he hugged me, but he seemed relieved I didn't have feelings for you- so relieved that my denial didn't seem to bother him. It was odd really."

Severus put down the tea pot and took her hand. "Look at me, Minerva." Slowly, the witch looked up at him. "I don't want to ruin your life-long friendship over this relationship. I love you enough to ride out all the storms that are thrown at us, but I also love you enough to end this if it's going to only upset you in the long run."

She gave him a half smile, squeezing his hand with her own small one. "I love you as well, don't you ever doubt that."

"I know but—"

"But nothing! I want to be with you, and I don't care about anyone else's feelings or what they do to get in our way. I want you and you alone." Her words were true; she wouldn't have spoken them if they weren't. Slowly she slid her hand out from his, placing the tea cups on her coffee table and motioning for him to sit beside her on her couch. "Enough of this talk about Albus. What are those papers you had when you came in?"

Severus looked down at his hands and then the floor, realizing that he had dropped them when he had grabbed the pot from Minerva. He quickly gathered them back and returned to his seat, placing them before her. "This is all that is left. We just need to see her parents, and with a month left in the term I'd say we'd better get to them fast." She smiled at this, but when she opened her mouth to speak, broke into a fit of coughing. Concerned about her, Severus placed a hand on her lower back, rubbing slightly as she let out hard and painful coughs. He himself cringed at the sound. Once she had recovered, she leaned back against the couch, sweat on her forehead. "Are you alright, Min?"

Wiping the perspiration from her head, she nodded. "Fine, I'm sorry, it's a bit dusty in here, that's all."

Helping her to sit back up, he didn't remove his hand from her back. With his other hand he took hers to find they trembled terribly. "Minerva, please tell me what's wrong with you!" He had never seen her so weak, and it was painful and unbearable to continue watching.

"There is nothing wrong with me!" she exclaimed, standing from the couch in a haste, but stumbling slightly on her feet. She had her back towards him with her arms around herself. "Please let me be," she pleaded, her voice strained, almost as if she were going to cry.

Severus stood as well, but calmer than she had, and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, pulling her close to him. Surprisingly she didn't argue, but leaned back against him as well and sighed. "Why won't you let me help you if you need help?"

Minerva was quiet for a moment, until she finally replied, "I just want to sort things out with Grace right now."

He kissed her head and allowed his lips to linger amongst the soft locks wrapped tightly in her characteristic bun. Closing his eyes, he added, "I do, too, but I'm worried about you. Can't you see that?"

"I can, but you haven't the need to."

"Do you promise?" he sighed, aware that arguing with her would only spark a fight between the two, who were some of the most temperamental staff members at the school.

Slowly, she turned to face him, snuggled in his embrace. "I promise." He hugged her feeling her wrap her arms around him and held on tightly, as if she would never let go.

After a few blissful moments, he broke the silence by asking, "This weekend?"

She pulled away to look at him, a lock of hair having come loose from her bun. "What about it?"

"I think it's time to meet with her parents."

Minerva's eyes widened, but not with fear, rather with a determination that was all McGonagall. "This weekend," she agreed.

Severus and Minerva had debated that night over who would tell Grace that they wished to meet with her parents that weekend. It wasn't an argument per say, but indeed Minerva had had the upper hand and convinced Severus that she wanted to tell her. However, she did suggest that he be there so the young Slytherin would have two adults there to reassure her that it would all work out. Deep down, Severus was, as was Minerva, worried about the events that would come with the visit. Neither had ever met her parents, but by Grace's description, they were the worst sort of Muggles out there, especially the father.

They felt that there were two outcomes. The first would be that the father and mother hated Grace enough that they would sign off their daughter right away and allow the two wizards to adopt her. After all, they didn't show any love towards her so what would be the difference if she were gone? The only joy that the child seemed to bring them was being a toy to manipulate and torture. The other outcome was that they would put up a fight in allowing their daughter to be taken. Severus had a gut feeling that this would be the reality, for her father had been furious when she had run away to go to Hogwarts. Having Grace permanently away would be a whole other situation.

The night that they planned to tell Grace, Minerva had asked her to meet them in her own private quarters. Severus had been surprised by this gesture, for Minerva was a very private witch and rarely allowed people in her rooms, let alone a student. Nevertheless, she had insisted that if they were to become Grace's parents then she would have to learn to open up eventually, and why not start then. And so, before the little girl came in, Severus and Minerva were seated on her couch, sitting very close to one another. He held her hand in his, and as hers trembled, he squeezed it reassuringly. "Don't be so nervous, Minerva. She wants to go through with this."

Nodding, Minerva smiled. "I know, Severus, I'm not nervous."

"So then why are your hands shaking so badly?"

Before she could reply, a knock came at the door, and both stood right away, forgetting the previous conversation and bracing themselves for the arrival of Grace. Opening the door, they came face to face with the blonde girl. "I almost didn't find your rooms, Professor McGonagall," she said, wringing her hands. "No matter how long I've been here, the moving staircases still confuse me."

Minerva smiled softly, her facial features beaming much to Severus's notice. "Well, I'm certainly glad that you found it," Minerva replied, leading the girl slowly in.

Grace didn't say anything else because she stood in the center of the living room and looked around the chambers of her Transfigurations Professor. Her blue eyes were wide, and her body seemed to relax from the heat of the fireplace. Coming from the cold dungeons, Severus always felt warm in Minerva's rooms. They were warm and welcoming, as was the witch who occupied them. "Miss Price, we have something to tell you," Severus said, breaking the trance the girl was in.

Minerva slapped him on the arm, glaring at him from the corner of her eye. He shrugged his shoulders innocently back, glad Grace hadn't seen the interaction between them. He mouthed 'what', and she only rolled her eyes. "Let her get comfortably Sever-, Professor Snape," Minerva stated, leading Grace towards the couch. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" Minerva asked the girl as she sat down. Grace smiled and nodded. "Alright, I'll get a House-Elf to bring it to you." She moved towards her fireplace, summoned a Housel-Elf, and soon Winky was standing before them in the room.

"Missy Minervas called Winky," she squeaked excitedly. "What can Winky do for her?"

Severus glanced at Grace on the couch, who seemed to be leaning over to get a better look at the creature in the room. "House-Elf," Severus clarified, drawing the child's attention. "They are creatures who work for masters, in this case Winky works here."

Grace nodded. "But, why is she wearing a tea towel?"

"That shows the signs of their enslavement," Minerva explained, walking towards them, having given Winky her orders to fulfill.

"Enslavement?"

"Technically, yes, they are slaves. But most of them are happy doing what they do. Many consider being freed a terrible thing."

"They're adorable," Grace replied, smiling slightly. "Her voice was so funny!"

Taking a seat in an arm chair, Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, but try hearing that constantly," he mumbled. Severus had never been a fan of the House-Elves, for he preferred to do things himself. While they were useful, they were quite annoying, and their voices and personalities aggravated him. Most of them were far too cheerful and peppy for his liking. On the other hand, they all feared him, which had its benefits, so when he did need something, they didn't argue.

Minerva glared at him once more, but said nothing. "Miss Price, as Professor Snape mentioned earlier, there was something that we wish to tell you." Grace looked from one teacher to another, eyes curious. "The Ministry sent over the last of the papers that we will need for the adoption, but they are the ones which involve your parents signing them."

This having been said, Grace lowered her gaze. "My parents?"

"Yes, your parents. Professor Snape and I have discussed this, and we wished to meet with them this weekend, if that would be alright with you." Minerva cocked her head slightly, as if to get a better look at the child's reaction.

"That's two days away."

Grace still hadn't looked up, and Minerva looked over at Severus, who was waiting for the Slytherin to reply as well. Once their eyes had met, neither looked away, but the silence was broken by the entrance of Winky. "Winky brought Grace her hot chocolate. Winky made it special, (";") she put a lot of marshmallows into it like Missy Minerva said." The little Elf looked quite pleased with herself as she bustled over to where Grace sat. Grace looked up when the House-Elf placed the mug on the table.

"Thank you, Winky," she said and smiled sadly.

The little House-Elf grinned as well. "No need to thank Winky. Winky here to serve Hogwarts." She turned now to Minerva and Severus. "Does Missy Minerva want anything else?"

"No, thank you, that will be all," Minerva replied. With that, the Elf was gone.

By now, Grace had taken the steaming mug into her hands, sipping it slowly. "This weekend?" she finally asked.

Minerva nodded, reaching out and rubbing Grace's arm. "I think it would be for the best."

Grace slowly began to nod as well, looking more than uncomfortable. "They're not nice people," she said. "It's not going to be easy."

"We know it's not, dear," Minerva said soothingly. "But, it's going to work out, we're sure."

"You are?"

"We are," Severus assured her, cutting into the conversation that he had kept out of for the most part.

"Saturday morning," Grace asked. "Should we go then?"

"That'll be fine," Minerva replied. "You're being very brave, Miss Price, very brave."

Grace smiled. "I'd better be going." She stood from the couch and wrapped her arms around Minerva, who embraced her back. "Thank you, Professor." After she had drawn away from Minerva, Grace looked at Severus, and much to his surprise, he felt the child wrap her arms around his neck and bury her face there. "And thank you, Professor." Severus, loving the touch of the child, rubbed her back gently. He gave her a small squeeze and slowly let her out of the embrace. When she looked back at him, he didn't smile, but he looked her straight in the eye, hoping she knew that he did care. Grace, however, did smile, and he knew she understood. Soon, the young Slytherin had gathered herself and left them alone.

The next two days went by fast, so fast that when the morning came neither he nor Minerva was prepared for the events that would follow. They had all agreed to meet on the Astronomy Tower late Saturday morning, as Dumbledore had temporarily taken off the Anti-Disapparition jinx from the Tower for the day. On the weekends, students rarely ventured to do school work, and even so they all knew Apparition was not accepted in Hogwarts. Also, both Minerva and Severus had done their best to dress in Muggle clothes. Minerva wore what would be considered a woman's suit, containing a jacket and skirt, a skirt which was very unlike herself for it ended at her knees, revealing pantyhose covered legs quite fit for their age. He wore black pants and a black dress shirt, unwilling to make himself look any more like a Muggle than he had to. When Grace had arrived, he had her take his arm while Minerva Apparated on her own. In a matter of seconds, they were standing in the middle of a Muggle neighborhood.

Once they were safely on their feet, Minerva had turned deathly pale and turned away from them both, looking as if she were going to be sick. He ran to her, holding her waist, not caring if Grace saw. Her shoulders were trembling. "I'm fine, I just haven't Apparated in a while, that's all."

Severus looked at her face, now restored with its usual color. "Are you sure that you're alright?"

"Professor McGonagall?" Grace asked softly, peeking around the other side of Minerva.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she insisted, waving them off. "Let's go do what we came here for."

Grace led the way down the street towards her home, which was a pleasant and quite large house. The outside garden was trimmed in various, bright flowers, and all of the windows and shutters were painted neatly, and nothing looked dirty or out of place. It was ironic considering what went on inside. "Shall I go first?" she asked timidly, looking up at her house.

"No, we'll go with you," Minerva assured her, giving her a small push towards the door. "We're right here. He can't hurt you."

The little girl balled her hands into fists and breathed deeply, knocking hard on the door. Severus took Minerva's hand as they stood behind the brave little girl, and squeezed it hard. She looked at him from the corner of her eye and gave him a weak smile which he meekly returned. But then the door finally opened.

The man that opened the door was a stout man, built as if he had never exercised once in his life. He had curly brown hair which looked matted and unkempt on the top of his head. His eyes were small, black, and beady, making his stare quite threatening. His lips, which were thin, curled at the sides even when he had no expression, therefore always making him appear miserable. The small face contrasted with the rest of his large, bulging body. It was almost comical. When he spoke, his voice was low and raspy, sounding as if he was a heavy drinker and smoker, and had been for quite some time. The man grabbed Grace's arm and pulled her roughly towards him, angering Severus beyond belief. "Where the hell have you been, you little bitch?" he shouted in her face.

Without a thought, Severus wrapped his arms around Grace and gently pried her from the man's violent grip. He pulled the small girl against his body, glaring angrily at the father. "Is this how men of the church treat their children?" he asked sarcastically.

"Who the hell are you?" Mr. Price demanded, still glaring at his daughter.

"We would appreciate it if you allowed your daughter and us into your home," Minerva calmly, but sternly, told the man before them.

"I'm going to ask again, who the hell are you?"

"They're from school," Grace piped up from beneath Severus's hold.

"I'm going to tell you something about that school of yours, because there is no way you are going back to the damned place! Now get in here!" The stout man reached out and made an attempt to take his daughter back, but Severus shoved him away with all his strength, sending the man stumbling back into the front door.

"If you do not allow us into your home, this is not going to end well for either of us," Severus stated.

Irritated, Mr. Price stepped aside and showed them into his home. Severus, still holding tight to Grace, entered first, followed by Minerva. Once they were in, Mr. Price shut the door behind them and once more asked what they wanted. "Is your wife home?" Minerva asked.

"Sharon!" he shouted in a blood-curdling voice. "Get in here right this minute!"

In a matter of seconds, Sharon Price, Grace's mother, stepped into the small sitting room. In contrast to her husband, Sharon was a very petite woman, tall and skinny, but very small. She looked so small in fact, that it appeared that she could break in a matter of seconds. Her hair was blonde, much like Grace's, but had large sections of gray coming through. The woman approached her husband, and when she saw Grace, gasped. "Grace!" she exclaimed. "Where the hell have you been?"

Grace backed up against Severus a little more, and he rubbed her shoulders to assure her. "Mr. and Mrs. Price, there are some things we wish to discuss with you about your daughter, so if you would please allow us to sit down and explain ourselves," Minerva explained, the bitterness towards the couple finally seeping through her Scottish tone.

The mom sniffed haughtily and told them to sit in the living room. Minerva, Severus, and Grace took to a large sectional while the two parents sat in arm chairs across from them, a coffee table between them. The home was not at all warm, but furnished so that it looked as if it were on display. There were no pictures or any sign that a child lived there. It was very unwelcoming. "My name is Minerva McGonagall, and this is Severus Snape," Minerva began, placing the papers on the table. "We are two of your daughter's teachers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…"

"What a crock of-" Mr. Price began.

"It would be much appreciated if you would allow me to speak, sir," Minerva snapped, giving him the McGonagall glare she saved only for her worst students. This shut the stout man up. "And due to recent events, it has been brought to our attention that your daughter is not happy living here at all."

"If you're teachers, it should not be any business of yours what goes on in our home," Sharon replied, her voice not only raspy, but all nasal. It was far worse than the House-Elves, thought Severus. Her comment angered both Severus and Minerva, but he beat the Gryffindor before she could reply.

"Are you aware that your daughter attempted to commit suicide upon receiving your threatening letter?" Severus sneered coldly. Both sets of eyes widened. "I'd hardly call that none of our business."

"Oh my Grace," Mr. Price exclaimed, opening his arms and making his way towards his daughter, who leaned all of her weight against Severus. As her father reached out, Minerva pulled her wand out from her robes and stood, poking it into his fat neck.

"Get away from her, you bastard," she spat.

Mr. Price chuckled evilly at Minerva. "Do you believe that a piece of wood is going to scare me, my dear?"

"If you have some brain in that ugly head of yours!" Grace shouted, pulling from Severus and standing beside Minerva.

Her father glared down at her and backed away as Minerva lowered her wand. "You watch your mouth. I am your father; do not disrespect me."

Grace grabbed the papers off of the table and shoved them towards him. "Sign these and you won't be my father anymore."

Severus coughed to hide a gasp at the girl's bold action. He had never expected her to stand up to her father as she was. He was proud of her, beyond proud of the little blonde haired girl, but a little worried as well. "What is she saying, professors, what the hell is she saying?" squealed Sharon from her armchair.

"She is saying, that we wish to adopt Grace as our own so she no longer has to come to a rotten excuse for a home," Minerva stated flatly.

"You think that I'm going to allow my baby to be taken away by a bunch of freaks?"

"Your baby," sneered Grace, waving the papers around. "You don't even like me. Father, you torture me, and mother, you're too scared to stand up for me. Professors McGonagall and Snape take care of me; they care about me."

"Care about you," chuckled her father. "They're going to use you for one of their magic tricks."

"I'll show you a magic trick," Minerva shouted, pulling out her wand once more.

Severus reached out and pulled her hand back, not going to allow her Scottish temper to fully come out. Minerva was a calm witch, but when she did get angry, which was rare, she was hell. "Sign the damn adoption papers," Severus said. "She'll be out of your life for good."

Beside him, Minerva broke into a coughing fit, and having been startled by her hard coughing, Severus turned to face her. Sweat poured down her forehead, and her face suddenly went pale. "That woman is old enough to be my mother," Mr. Price sneered. Minerva's eyes widened at this, but she couldn't seem to shake off the coughing. Severus pulled her towards him, letting her bury her face into his shoulder. Her thin frame shook each time she coughed, and her hands were trembling worse than he had ever felt. "You think I'm going to let my daughter live with you?"

Grace, who looked distraught as she watched Minerva, shouted, "Sign the damn papers, dad!"

"You really want this?" he asked, obviously surprised at the outburst of his daughter.

"Anything is better than being here."

"Fine, Sharon, we're going to get this brat out of here once and for all," he muttered, pulling a pen out of his pocket. At this, Minerva pulled away from Severus, having recovered from her coughing spell. She looked up at him.

Severus was nearly sick when he met Minerva's eyes. Her entire face was sheet white, her eyes sunken back with dark black lines flowing from beneath them. It looked as if she hadn't slept in months. He stroked her cheek with one hand, finding that she was burning hot. "Minerva?" The elder witch felt around her robes and then pulled out her wand, casting a Glamour Charm over herself. "Minerva McGonagall, take that damn Charm off of yourself!" When he let his eyes wander from Minerva's for a moment, he found the Price family staring with widened eyes at them, and then Minerva went weak in his arms.

If it hadn't been for his quick reflexes, she would have fallen straight to the floor. Her eyes were closed, and she was barely breathing. Severus began to panic, unsure of what to do. A hurricane of thoughts circled around his head, coming up with ways to get her to Poppy. "Professor Snape, what are we going to do?" Grace asked, her voice hitching.

"She needs to get to Madame Pomfrey," he replied, scooping her up so he carried her. Minerva was light- far, far too light. "We need to leave now."

Grace gathered the now signed papers off of the table and Severus heard her follow him as he practically ran out of the house, clutching desperately to the woman he loved.