A/N: Sorry this took so long. This scene used to be so short, I decided something had to be done! And to those who are asking about romance: It would be grudging, wouldn't it? Snape royally screwed up with Hermione, and it will take some time to repair that wound. So, yes, but you have to wait. And mellie, if I write an award winning book, I'll send you an autographed copy.
Severus rubbed at his temples. Those curious Gryffindors had given him a headache. Still, he had just endured an entire hour with Hermione, and found it to be pleasant. At first, everything had been awkward, even offering her a cup of tea before he went to fetch dinner for them. Slowly, ever so slowly, they had both relaxed. He counted his blessings.
Glancing over at the other chair, he saw the reason for their relaxation. Millicent had fallen asleep in the middle of dinner. They both quietly talked about her, watching her sleep. After an hour, he snapped to it and realized the time. He had personally escorted Hermione back up to Gryffindor tower, and was back before Millicent even had a chance to notice.
Sighing, he walked over and collected Millicent. He would have to take her to bed. She blinked her eyes open. He smiled sympathetically. Millicent's face fell and she looked devastated.
"Oh no, did I fall asleep?"
"Yes. Hermione had to go back to the tower, to sleep. Which you need to do as well."
"Not alone, please Daddy." Millicent sounded so tiny and frightened, he held her protectively close.
"Not alone, I promise. But I have a few more papers to do. Can you be alone for a few minutes?" Millicent looked uncertain, and Severus decided that he was asking too much. After all that she had been through recently, it was the least he could do to be close to her for a short while.
Wordlessly he carried her into his office, and set her in a chair he moved next to his. With a smile for her, he returned to his papers. When he finished, Millicent was sleeping again. Severus bent down and lifted her from the chair. She turned her body against his, and he pulled her closer.
"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again. I will not abandon you." Severus gently laid her on his bed. He changed into a pair of pyjama pants, which was perhaps the only thing muggle influenced in his life.
Spooning himself against his daughter, Severus watched her stir slightly in her sleep. Maybe he had been being a bit too harsh with Millicent. After all, even with him gone in classes, she managed to keep up with his strict regimen of study. There were certain things he would not back down on, and her education was one of them.
At least Millicent seemed to be more intelligent and obedient than most. That Potter boy for one. However, Severus still gave him credit, as the boy was forced into a role he obviously wanted none of. Just like Millicent. Severus watched Millicent breathing, wondering how she had come by all these new powers.
Some young witches and wizards, when not in full control of their powers, could do such things. Millicent, on the other hand, seemed to have been given these powers. They had not been merely a one-time manifestation. She had some control, he grudgingly admitted. When she got upset, however, Severus knew she would not yet be able to control those powers.
Abruptly Severus realized what time of the year it was. Gods, it would be Christmas soon. There was a very good reason Severus hated Christmas. All those very cheerful people recieving gifts, and never once thinking about other people who could recieve none. For example, though he had often been the unwilling recipient of Millicent's handamde gifts(macaroni had more uses than dragon's blood), Severus had never sent her a gift. Lucius would have found her if he had.
Looking down at Millicent once again, Severus decided that he would have to make up for that. She was a Snape, whether her mother had wanted to admit it or not, and he was going to treat her like one. Even if she was cuter.
Severus rubbed at his temples. Those curious Gryffindors had given him a headache. Still, he had just endured an entire hour with Hermione, and found it to be pleasant. At first, everything had been awkward, even offering her a cup of tea before he went to fetch dinner for them. Slowly, ever so slowly, they had both relaxed. He counted his blessings.
Glancing over at the other chair, he saw the reason for their relaxation. Millicent had fallen asleep in the middle of dinner. They both quietly talked about her, watching her sleep. After an hour, he snapped to it and realized the time. He had personally escorted Hermione back up to Gryffindor tower, and was back before Millicent even had a chance to notice.
Sighing, he walked over and collected Millicent. He would have to take her to bed. She blinked her eyes open. He smiled sympathetically. Millicent's face fell and she looked devastated.
"Oh no, did I fall asleep?"
"Yes. Hermione had to go back to the tower, to sleep. Which you need to do as well."
"Not alone, please Daddy." Millicent sounded so tiny and frightened, he held her protectively close.
"Not alone, I promise. But I have a few more papers to do. Can you be alone for a few minutes?" Millicent looked uncertain, and Severus decided that he was asking too much. After all that she had been through recently, it was the least he could do to be close to her for a short while.
Wordlessly he carried her into his office, and set her in a chair he moved next to his. With a smile for her, he returned to his papers. When he finished, Millicent was sleeping again. Severus bent down and lifted her from the chair. She turned her body against his, and he pulled her closer.
"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you again. I will not abandon you." Severus gently laid her on his bed. He changed into a pair of pyjama pants, which was perhaps the only thing muggle influenced in his life.
Spooning himself against his daughter, Severus watched her stir slightly in her sleep. Maybe he had been being a bit too harsh with Millicent. After all, even with him gone in classes, she managed to keep up with his strict regimen of study. There were certain things he would not back down on, and her education was one of them.
At least Millicent seemed to be more intelligent and obedient than most. That Potter boy for one. However, Severus still gave him credit, as the boy was forced into a role he obviously wanted none of. Just like Millicent. Severus watched Millicent breathing, wondering how she had come by all these new powers.
Some young witches and wizards, when not in full control of their powers, could do such things. Millicent, on the other hand, seemed to have been given these powers. They had not been merely a one-time manifestation. She had some control, he grudgingly admitted. When she got upset, however, Severus knew she would not yet be able to control those powers.
Abruptly Severus realized what time of the year it was. Gods, it would be Christmas soon. There was a very good reason Severus hated Christmas. All those very cheerful people recieving gifts, and never once thinking about other people who could recieve none. For example, though he had often been the unwilling recipient of Millicent's handamde gifts(macaroni had more uses than dragon's blood), Severus had never sent her a gift. Lucius would have found her if he had.
Looking down at Millicent once again, Severus decided that he would have to make up for that. She was a Snape, whether her mother had wanted to admit it or not, and he was going to treat her like one. Even if she was cuter.