Hey everyone I just want to thank all of you who sent me suggestions! You guys rock! I kinda combined all of your ideas together and I am sorry to say that we are not in Halloween yet but we will be by chapter 22! That is my goal!Well thanks for your kind reviews, I hope you keep them coming and continue to read!

Chapter 21

Dinner was interesting; there was no other way to put it. Aurora sat between both Draco and Ashley to keep them from strangling each other but that didn't stop them from firing insults at one another. If Ashley said something Draco would scoff into his pumpkin juice, if Draco said something Ashley would reward the comment by rolling his eyes. Aurora wasn't sure how to make them get along, she was actually happy that they both agreed to sit next to her, but she would find a way. Everyone had some type of common ground; the only matter was to find out what that common ground was.

"So Malfoy," Ashley snarled from over his treacle pudding, "have you been on the third floor corridor?"

"No, have you?"

"Not yet…wonder what's up there."

Aurora wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "I have…I know what's up there."

"What?!" they both screeched.

"Shh." Aurora spat making both their mouths snap shut. "Do you want me to get into trouble?"

"How did you get up there without getting caught?" Ashley gasped.

"Is it dangerous?" Draco asked.

"I didn't mean to go there," Aurora sighed, "and yes it is very dangerous…there is a huge three headed dog up there and it tried to eat me!"

"Are you serious?!" Ashley asked in shock. "Wow…what do you think it's guarding…and where in the world would they get something like that?!"

"I bet you that groundskeeper gave it to Dumbledore." Draco said pushing a bite of his pie around. "He seems to like weird creatures like that."

"We can ask him tomorrow." Aurora said stealing Ashley's last bite of pudding. "I'm sure he could tell us!"

Ashley stared at his bare fork which now held nothing but air. Smirking he turned to Aurora and cocked his one eyebrow.

"That is unmarked territory Snape," he purred, "You never touch a man's dessert."

Aurora swallowed and said, "Yeah that would be the case but you're not a man."

"Ouch…" Draco laughed.

"That hurts Rory," Ashley said pushing his plate back, "that hurts real bad."

"Awe…" Aurora said giving him a hug. "You'll get over it."

Ashley sighed, "my girlfriend is abusive."

Aurora froze…Severus had forbid her from dating until she was older. But Aurora loved the way Ashley said that she was his girlfriend. It made her feel so wanted and cared for. She looked to Draco who had that sour expression on his face and she turned to the Head Table. Severus was looking at her and he motioned his head in the direction he wanted her to go. Clearly it was time for them to go and meet Dumbledore.

"Hey I guys…I have to go." She said standing. "I'll talk to you later right?"

"Yeah!" they both smiled.

"Bye Rory."

Aurora met Severus outside the Great Hall and they both began heading up to the Headmaster's office. Severus didn't say anything the whole way up there. Not a word of kindness as they headed up the spiral, stone, staircase… nor a comforting smile that she wasn't in trouble. They just continued onward and upward until they came to a large wooden door and stepped over the threshold into the Headmaster's office.

Albus was sitting in his chair but Aurora could see that he didn't have his usual cheery look about him. To her he always resembled Santa Clause without the belly, Father Time without the huge clock.

"Come in Aurora," Dumbledore said softly, "please take a seat."

Aurora nodded and did as Dumbledore had requested.

"Now, I am sure Severus assured you that you were in no shape or for in trouble…there are just things we need to talk about?"

"Like what sir?" Aurora asked taping her feet on the legs of the chair.

"There are many things child," Dumbledore said sadly, "unfortunately it mostly consists of your treatment while you were living with your Aunt and Uncle."

Aurora didn't say anything, and she actually kept her face as expressionless as possible.

"I don't want to talk about them sir," she whispered, "why do we have to talk about them?"

"Because you are hurting child," the Headmaster explained, "and we are concerned."

"Why?" Aurora spat. "Who cares what they did?! Does this have to do with the doctor thing?! I can change…I'll stop acting like a baby…we don't have to talk about…about them!"

"Child…do you hear yourself?" Dumbledore said stermly. "You are justifying what they did!"

"No I'm not!" Aurora yelled. "I don't justify what they did…but I don't condemn them for it either! They didn't want me…I understand that…but…but it wasn't there fault…I mean…I was left on their doorstep. They didn't have a choice!"

"Aurora!" Severus spat. "Bloody hell…that is not the point! You are a little girl…and your uncle had no right to touch you sexually whatsoever!"

Aurora covered her ears with her hands and pulled her legs up to her chest.

"He hurt you Aurora! Took away something that did not belong to him and you want to ignore it as if it did not happen!" Severus roared taking her hands within his own.

"Maybe it didn't happen!" the broken girl cried.

"Aurora…it did happen…admit it and tell me what he did! Tell me what that PIG did!"

Aurora shook her head and bit her lip.

"Tell me Aurora!"

"HE RAPED ME OKAY! OVER AND OVER AGAIN! HE USED TO WAKE ME UP IN THE EARLY MORNING AND RAPE ME!" Aurora screamed. "HE WOULD BEAT ME WITH A BELT AND MAKE ME TAKE OFF MY CLOTHES IN FRONT OF HIM! THEY WOULDN'T LET ME EAT…I HAD TO DIG THROUGH TRASHCANS FOR LEFTOVERS!"

Severus felt tears come to his eyes and blinked harshly to keep them from falling.

"IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR?! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO REMEMBER!? REMEMBER THAT MY UNCLE WAS AN ABUSIVE ASS THAT DID NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ME?! WELL I HOPE YOUR HAPPY…I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY!"

Oh, if only Aurora knew. Severus pulled her into his arms, but she struggled and fought against him. Her fists made contact with his shoulder's and she screamed many things at the top of her lungs.

"Shh…" Severus cooed. "Love…I'm…I'm sorry he hurt you…but you were hurting yourself by not letting it out. You are afraid of people…I can see it…"

"No-o…" she sobbed. "No…no…no."

"I know it hurts…and I know you don't want to talk about it because you are upset…but it helps…"

Aurora wrapped her arms around Severus' neck and buried her face in his collarbone.

"Why…how does it…it help?"

"It helps you let go, dear child." Dumbledore breathed. "It helps you let go of your fear."

"How long…does that take?"

"However long you need baby-girl" Severus whispered.

Aurora pulled away and looked up at Severus with large hopeful eyes. She wanted to get better, she wanted to be able to accept a hug from her friends and not feel the need to take a shower right after. But she didn't want to relive the pain and angst…she wanted to just let the memories die.

"Okay…okay…" she sniffled. "I want help…I want you to help me…"

Severus nodded.

"Will you talk to a real professional Aurora?" Dumbledore asked.

Aurora's head snapped up to face him and her lip began to quiver. She knew that meant she would have to talk with a stranger, but she wanted to prove that she could overcome this fear. That she could be as brave as any other person at this school.

"Do…do I absolutely have to?" she whispered.

"No, I can try and help you child…but I just feel it would be better if Christian helped you."

A stray tear fell down Aurora's cheek but she wiped it away.

"I…I'll go to Christian…if you think it would be best…if you think he will be able to help me faster."

Dumbledore nodded and turned to Severus whose eyes were still glittering with tears. His eyes were firmly planted at his boots and ever so subtly a few stray tears slid down his hooked nose. It was clear that he felt great empathy at the present moment and he was desperate to hide it from Aurora.

"Daddy?" she said gaining his attention.

Aurora's eyes narrowed for a moment and then widened extremely. She threw herself into his chest and very gently she whispered, "please…please don't cry daddy…I can't see you cry…please…I still love you daddy."

Severus' eyes closed as more tears spilled down his cheeks and onto the top of his daughter's head. Gently he pressed his lips to her forehead and inhaled. If he could only explain to her why he was crying, how much he loved and needed her. It would make his life so much easier, but words could not describe what he felt. And this is exactly why he had lost Lily to James. James could verbalize his love…where as Severus had never been able to.

Why?

Because he spent is life in hate and resentment, brought on by the abuse of his guardians. No he could not let Aurora fall the way he did! He loved her too much to let her lose her heart. The world was cold and cruel…he could not let her fall pray to its, disgusting clutches.

"I…I love you daddy."

Severus' voice was caught in her throat, but with a very shaky voice he managed to utter and audible, "I love you too…baby-girl."

"Now…I think we should change this depressing mood…don't you?" Dumbledore said dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief. "Who wants some tea, and maybe a Lemon Drop."

"What's a Lemon Drop?" Aurora sniffled.

Dumbledore's eyes got as big as galleons and he conjured a bright yellow candy. Smiling he handed it to Aurora.

"You will love it!" he said grinning.

"Great," Severus chuckled, "all she needs is more sugar."

Aurora rolled her eyes and popped the yellow candy into her mouth. Sighing she giggled, this candy made her feel so warm and tingly! No wonder the Headmaster always ate them, they were stinking awesome!

"Now, I must warn you," Dumbledore said, "those aren't the normal ones I purchase…I usual get the muggle ones, but I have not been able to go into London for the longest of time!"

"Albus, I could have bought you some…I had been in London not too long ago!"

Aurora looked up to Severus in question.

"Why were you in London daddy?"

Severus smiled.

"Well, I suppose today is as good a time as any to tell you."

Taking out his wand Severus waved it once and a small manila folder appeared before them. He opened it and handed it to Aurora.

"Your signature is the last I need…and Albus' here."

Aurora held it in her hands which began to shake as she read.

This document signifies that the following Severus Tobias Snape has legally adopted Aurora Evans Potter. He has promised to care and protect her to the best of his ability and has proven that he is fully capable of caring for the said child.

Name of Child: Aurora Evans Potter. Name of Past Guardians: Vernon/Petunia Dursley.

Name of Future Guardian: Severus Tobias Snape. Name of Witness: Albus Dumbledore

Child's Date of Birth: July 31, 1992 Original Home Address: Number 4 Privet Drive

Current Home Address: 325 Spinner's End

We congratulate you on the success of the adoption! We must remind you that now that the adoption is finalized you may, if you wish, go farther and resort to blood adoption.

"What's blood adoption?" Aurora breathed.

"That was another thing I wanted to ask you child." Severus said turning one of the pages in the folder for her. "If you wish we can make you mine…by blood…you will still have James' DNA in your system as well, but mine will accompany it as well."

"Will it hurt?" Aurora asked.

Severus pursed his lips in thought.

"It can feel slightly uncomfortable…but I cannot say for certain…I have not experienced it."

Aurora looked at the form for the blood adoption.

"I want to do it."

Well there's the 21st chapter everyone! Please keep reading and sending me reviews! I also would like to apologize for the amateur adoption form...but for a sixteen year old I like to think that I did a pretty damn good job haha...that and I looked up several UK forms on the net...!

READ AND REVIEW!!!!