A/N: Wow, it has been a while since the last update. Feb was incredibly busy and this chapter took a while for me for me to finish- I was stuck...but hopefully the final product was worth the wait. A big thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter- I am so glad you are enjoying the story. Let me know what you think of this one. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own...Rowling does...
Chapter 26: Healing
"This is atrocious" Severus grunted, leaning over a piece of parchment on his desk. "It is not even coherent"
He spun around in his chair and passed it to Lupin, who frowned. The three adults were surrounded by an enormous pile of parchments that Dumbledore had owled over that morning. Severus was glad for Dumbledore's long standing policy of keeping a copy of all below acceptable work, which gave him easy access to what he needed. After some argument, Severus agreed to allow Lupin and Sirius to help him sort through Sarah's grades. Narcissa had gone home earlier that day, Lucius coming home unexpectedly. Sarah was responding well to the treatment, but Severus still made her stay in bed, as her temperature was not yet back to normal. She had made a disgruntled face, but wisely did not put up any argument.
Sirius looked up from the paper he was reading. "Which subject?" he asked.
"Transfiguration" Lupin responded for Snape. "Charms is not better, which is somewhat surprising because you would think if it comes naturally, she would at least be able to fake it better. How is defense?"
"Well, I'm no expert" Sirius responded, "But I think it is pretty much more of the same" He tossed the parchment in Snape's direction, who caught it and glanced over it.
"Deplorable" Severus threw the parchment on top of the others. "Every single one of them. Poorly researched, thrown together…" He rose and pulled down his sleeves that he had rolled up, snapping them back into place. "I have half a mind to go in there now and make her read to me every single one of these pieces of parchment aloud to me, critiquing them as she reads. This is unacceptable"
Sirius and Remus exchanged a quick glance. "Now, Snape" Sirius responded in a low voice. "You have to remember that Sarah was under an enormous amount of stress with Umbridge's detentions"
Sev glared at him. "Do not get me started on that account. You have not been lied to for the past several months. Do you even understand that this could affect her entire future? It is her O.W.L. year for Merlin's sake!"
"She will rebound. She is bright" Sirius argued.
"Still, Sirius" Lupin rose and sent his parchment flying to land on top of the rest. "Severus is right, it will be hard for her to end this year with Acceptables. She needs at least Exceeds Expectations to get into any advanced classes next year. That will take a considerable amount of work. Has she spoken to either one of you about her future ambitions?"
"I assumed she wanted to be an auror like Harry does" Sirius responded, but Severus shook his head swiftly.
"No, Black. She may be Potter's blasted sidekick, but she isn't cut out for being an auror. We haven't discussed it yet, but I am fairly certain that the Auror Academy is not in Sarah's future"
"Then, what?"
"I'm not sure. But one thing is for certain, when Sarah is feeling fully recovered, she and I are going to have a long discussion" Snape responded grimly as he sat back down at his desk. "In the meantime, I need to figure out her makeup work. With the exception of Umbridge, everyone is being very generous in allowing her leeway to complete the work as long as it is in their hands when she returns from winter break. That is our first step" Snape turned his head to look at Lupin. "I am assuming you will help me?"
"Of course, Severus, I'd be happy to" Lupin responded. "I want to see Sarah succeed as much as anyone."
"Well" Sirius muttered. "I hope you will be lenient with her. She has gone through quite the trauma"
Snape spun around to glare at Sirius. He opened his mouth to speak, but was distracted by a frantic Wiggles, who had knocked on the study door and was eagerly trying to get his attention. He beckoned her in. "What is it Wiggles?"
"Master Snape, Dobby has just given me this to give to you. It's from Headmaster Dumbledore" She practically thrust the parchment into his hands. Startled, Snape unraveled it and read through it quickly. If one was watching closely, they might have noticed a flicker of annoyance before his face set into a stony expression.
"Wiggles, go prepare the additional rooms. Then go check on Sarah and instruct her that she is not to leave her room for the night" He ordered sternly and the house elf quickly left.
"What is it, Snape?" Sirius rose to his feet.
"The Weasleys are coming. Arthur had guard duty tonight and he was attacked. Potter witnessed it in his dream and was able to alert him. The headmaster believes there is no time to waste. I must return to Hogwarts and start occlumency training. Lupin, I need you to strengthen the wards for the Weasleys" He turned to fix Sirius with a hard stare. "Black, I need you to make sure Sarah does not learn of this information. If she knew that Harry saw the attack in his dreams or even that Mr. Weasley's life is hanging in the balance, she will want to help. Keep the Weasleys away from Sarah"
"How am I supposed to do that?" Sirius protested. "There is no way that Fred Weasley will stay away from Sarah"
"I suppose you are right, but do not let her leave this house" Severus instructed.
"What do you think she would do? Follow you back to Hogwarts?" Sirius rolled his eyes. "She is more reasonable than that"
Severus's eyebrow shot up. "I never thought she would create such a weave of lies. I never thought she would be failing all her classes. She hasn't been employing rational behavior of late. Watch her closely, Black. I will keep you apprised of what I know" Snape picked up the floo powder and threw it down, "Hogwarts, Dumbledore's Office"
Sarah woke up, startled. She could have sworn she heard Fred and George, but how was that possible? She shivered a bit as she slid out of bed and grabbed her fuzzy pink robe. Tying it firmly around her, she backtracked to retrieve her wand from her nightstand. She knew she wasn't supposed to use magic outside of Hogwarts, but Severus always allowed her liberties for small charms and spells that wouldn't be picked up by the ministry's watchful eyes.
"Lumos" she commanded and a beam of light emerged from her wand. She hesitated for a moment, shining the light towards the mirror attached to her dresser. She was thankful she convinced Severus to allow her a shower that morning- she didn't look nearly as frightful as earlier. Still, she reached for her hairbrush and quickly brushed out her hair. Reaching for a headband scarf, she tied it securely around her head. Satisfied, she continued in her pursuit of her friends' voices. Opening the door to her room, she made her way down the dark hallway. "Nox" She extinguished her light and pushed open the door to Uncle Sev's office. She gasped as she saw all the Weasleys sitting around the room, hot cocoa in hand.
Sirius rose to his feet, a parental frown coming across his face. "You should still be in bed" He approached her. Surveying her wand in her hand, he reached for it and pocketed it. "Snape told you no magic unless supervised."
"It was just a light charm, dad" she protested. "I've done that since first year."
"But you have been sick" Lupin spoke up. "And even a simple charm might be taxing to your system, Sarah."
Sirius felt her forehead. "Remus is right. You are still warm. Do you want more fever reducer?"
Sarah squirmed away from Sirius's touch. "No, thank you. What is going on?" She glanced at her friends, whose faces were glum and heads down. "Ron?"
Ron met her eyes and she was surprised to see him blink back tears. Startled, Sarah inclined her head and inquired further. "Dad, what's going on?" she whispered.
Fred's head shot up before Sirius could respond. "It's Dad. He's been attacked."
"Attacked?" Sarah's heart sunk and her face whitened further. Her knees buckled and Sirius reached to steady her. "Is he OK?"
"The doctors say it is touch and go" Sirius responded. "If you are insisting on remaining awake, please come and sit down, you are looking pale" He led her to the couch and Fred and George separated to allow Sarah to sit in between them. They sat in silence and Fred's hand grazed against hers. She linked her pinky in his and he turned to give her a small smile at her way of discretely comforting him.
"Tell her about how Harry…" Ginny finally spoke up from Snape's chair.
"I don't think that is wise" Sirius responded firmly, attempting to cut her off, but Ginny persisted.
"Well, I do" she retorted hotly. "Where is Harry, anyway? He should be here with us"
"Being taken care of" Remus offered vaguely as he exchanged a cryptic glance with Sirius.
"Dad? Professor Lupin" Sarah stiffened and realization dawned. "Where is Uncle Sev? He didn't get called or anything, did he?" Her face creased with worry for her uncle's safety, but Sirius quickly reassured her.
"No, No, Snape is taking care of Harry" Sirius's voice was quiet as he looked around to all the children. "Listen to me. You need to focus on your father. Harry will be fine"
"Fine?" Ginny squeaked. "He has a bloody connection to You know who! It's how he knew about Dad's attack. Ron said he was in terrible pain during his dream and even sicked up afterwards"
Sarah jumped up. "What?"
"Ginny. Sarah" Remus soothed in his normal calming voice. "Professor Dumbledore has it in hand"
"Is Snape teaching him occlemency, now?" Sarah's eyes grew wide as she wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm as she began to shiver. "I need to be there. They need to be supervised, especially if Harry is already feeling vulnerable. He needs his friends" Sarah tugged on Sirius's arm. "Dad, please"
"The only place you will be going is back to bed" Sirius instructed, in firm tone of voice. "Now, Sarah Grace"
Sarah gave him a scathing look, but Sirius held up his hand. "Not up for debate. You are still unwell. Harry will be fine. You trust Snape, don't you?" He gently took her by the arm. "I'll help you back in bed"
"Dad, please" Sarah begged once again, but Sirius remained unrelenting. "No kiddo, we will take care of it in the morning. Snape said would keep us apprised of the situation. He should be back in the morning. Then, you can see him for yourself and question him about Harry. He might even be able to make arrangements for you to see him"
The atmosphere in the room was tense as father and daughter stared at each other, a rare battle of wills forming between the easy going Sirius and sometimes stubborn teenager, but Fred broke it as he stood and stretched. "Can I go with her, Sirius?" he asked quietly. At Fred's request, Sarah softened her stance, her need to comfort her friend in this hard time outweighing her desire to be kept in the loop about Harry.
"Um" Sirius hesitated before relenting, "Sure, Fred. Go on ahead. I'll be along in a bit"
He relinquished his hold on his daughter and Fred took her elbow and led her out the door. As they did so, they could hear Sirius mutter, "Best not tell Snape that we let your brother into Sarah's room" and in spite of the gravity of the situation, Sarah and Fred turned to each other and smirked.
When they got to her room, Sarah crawled back underneath her cover. Fred helped wrap them around her and then asked, "Do you mind if I lay next to you?"
Sarah shook her head and Fred stretched out on the bed next to her. Sarah turned onto her side so they were facing each other.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked. "We were worried about you"
"I still have a fever, but Uncle Sev says that I'm improving. It wasn't pleasant, but Snape's potions seemed to do the trick"
"Snape hasn't been too hard on you with everything, has he?"
"No not at all" Sarah frowned, before continuing. "we actually haven't talked about it yet. I think he wants to make sure I am completely healed before laying into me, but I am sure that is coming. He seems edgy around me, like there is something he would like to say, but he is just waiting his time. But I really do think it will be fine…well, eventually"
"That's good" Fred responded. They fell into a comfortable silence and Sarah's eyes grew heavy, but Fred's next statement jolted her fully awake again.
"Sarah?" Fred's voice shook and in spite of the dark, Sarah could tell that Fred was trying not to cry. "What if…" his voice trailed off and Sarah snaked her hand from under the covers and reached across to grip his hand tightly.
"Don't think about it" she commanded. "Not until we know more"
"I know I should be with the others, but looking at them…they are acting almost like Dad is already dead…if that happens…" Fred sat up abruptly, and covered his face with his hands.
Sarah managed to pull herself up and scooted herself over to wrap her arms around his neck. "If that happens…it will be the hardest thing ever. I won't lie to you. I still have trouble with Mum's death. But what I do know that does help is having friends to work through it. And you just happen to have a lot of those…me included"
Fred squeezed her tightly, as if gathering strength from her closeness. "I really do you love you" his face flamed in the dark as he added quickly, "In a completely innocent friend type of way. Kind of like you and Harry…"
Sarah giggled. " I understand what you meant. Right back at you" She dropped her head onto his shoulder, burying her face in it for a moment.
"Are you tired?" he asked, concerned. Sarah nodded, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted. Fred helped her lay back down and he rose off the bed. Kissing her head, he straightened. "I should get back"
"You don't have to leave, you know…" she mumbled.
"But you probably should" Sirius interrupted her as he stood in the open doorway to the bedroom. "Molly just floo-ed over. Arthur should be just fine" He put his arm around a joyful Fred. "Go find you brothers and sister. Then you should be off to bed yourself"
"Fred, that's amazing. I'm so glad" Sarah murmured and Fred laughed. "We will talk in the morning when you are more awake" He impulsively leaned down to kiss her head one more time and practically danced out of the room.
"Don't look so sad, Sarah" Sirius held her face in his hands. "We will be together for Christmas. And that is only a few days away"
Dumbledore had decided that it was best for Harry to return to Grimmauld Place since it was more protected than Snape Manor. The Weasleys had already left that morning, and with Molly being in the hospital with Arthur, it also meant Sirius needed to return home to supervise all the teenagers. It tore him apart to leave Sarah now, especially when it seemed that they were getting closer with every new day. And it also limited his ability to make sure Snape wasn't too harsh with Sarah's punishment now that she was feeling better.
"I know" Sarah sighed. "I just liked having you here, Dad. Are you sure you can't stay?" She looked at him hopefully, giving him her best "daddy's little girl" look.
"Arg" Sirius glanced at Snape, who rolled his eyes.
"Be firm, Black" he instructed, with a slightly amused look from his chair, watching the scene in front of him.
"How can you say no to her when she looks like this?" Sirius whined slightly.
"Far too easily" Severus retorted sarcastically. He rose from his seat. "Sarah, your father needs to go back to Grimmauld Place as he has guests staying with him. You will be able to see him, Lupin and the whole lot of them when you return for Christmas Day. Now say your goodbyes and stop trying to make him feel guilty about leaving" He studied her evenly before adding silkily, "Your father can't run interference between us forever, child. It's time you and I discussed the events of the past few months"
Sarah's eyes widened. "I hadn't thought of that." She shuddered at the thought of Snape finally speaking his mind in regards to the past several months. "Dad, please stay longer?"
"I wish I could, Paddy" Sirius reached and pulled her into a hug. "I'm glad you are feeling better, my sweet girl" He backed away to look her in the eyes. "But for the record, whatever you have coming to you is not entirely undeserved. You will pull those grades up, understand?"
"Yes, Dad" Sarah responded obediently. "Can we talk over Christmas?"
Sirius nodded, smoothing down her hair. "Yes, of course. I'd like that. Now be good for Snape. I will see you in a few days" He kissed her one more time and after saying goodbye to Snape, he grabbed the floo powder and was gone.
Sarah watched him go, her last reinforcement gone. Stomach dropping, she fully realized that there was nothing standing in between her and Snape. No bloody illness, no fever, no father who would all rather take her side than Snape's. All gone…She stared at the crackling fire, wishing with all her might that she could have followed. Was it too late to make a run for it? she wondered. But she knew that Snape was watching her steadily and would surely prevent her from running. She also knew she deserved whatever Snape chose to dish out, but at the moment, she didn't want to even look at him. She dropped to the couch, turning her back to him to watch the flames flicker, lost in her thoughts. Snape had fixed her illness, he fixed her hand, and did so in a way that not even her dad could argue with-but still, she felt completely unfixed. Her thoughts ran rampant- every pent up emotion from the past few months coming to the surface as she stared at the fire. Tears began to fall- first one, than another, then a whole slew of them. Then, she felt a steady pressure on her shoulder, squeezing it in a calming manner.
"Come" Snape took the crook of her elbow and gently guided her to sit at his desk. Placing a piece of parchment in front of her, he handed her a quill. "Write what you feel you can't say"
Sarah swiped her tears with the back of her hand. She nodded. "Any other requirements, sir?" she managed to get out as she stared at the blank parchment.
Snape looked at her hard. He forced his voice to take on a sterner quality. "Tell me what you have done. All of it. Then tell me what you should have done. And lastly, tell me what you think I should do about it"
Sarah gulped. She knew that tone well. But still, in spite of her general feeling of despair, she couldn't help but respond slyly, "And I suppose forgive and forget would not be an acceptable answer?"
"Only after followed by a long list of consequences" Snape replied dryly. He poked her side. "Don't be cheeky"
"Yes sir" Sarah mumbled. Grimacing, she absently twirled the quill in her hand as she tried to gather her thoughts. Finally, she began to write. For the next hour and a half she wrote everything she had done and everything she wished she had done differently. She wrote what she feared most: that her actions would erase the past four years and that Snape would see her differently, not trust her anymore, not love her anymore…that he would simply see her as another dunderhead he had to teach (especially with her poor grades- does he think her stupid now?). She laid out consequences including grounding over break (besides Christmas of course), taking away her owl, drilling her in her studies, making her brew extra potions…and the most painful- lack of Hogsmeade visits. She suggested Snape restrict her to his quarters upon their return to ensure that she stays out of trouble and that he personally request grades from her professors instead of having her show them to him. But she also respectfully requested that Snape would allow her to still lead DA meetings with Harry because it was her part in the war and that he not limit her time with Draco because he needs her too.
Laying down her quill again, she flexed her wrist that was sore from all that writing. Picking up her parchment, she walked over to place it in Snape's extended hand.
"Go sit on the couch and drink some tea. You are looking pale. I don't want you to have a relapse" He instructed as he sat down in his favorite chair to start reading. Sarah threw herself on the couch. Reaching behind her she grabbed the green and gold afghan from behind her to snuggle up with. Taking a sip of her tea, she watched Snape's expression as he read. He remained stoic, with a slight frown on his face during on part. She wanted which part he was reading to cause that. It seemed like an eternity as Snape read, but finally he banished the parchment to rest on top of his desk, folded his hands, and surveyed her evenly.
"I'm surmising that there are two places you feel you went astray- one with Umbridge and the other with your grades. Which do you think is the worse transgression?"
Sarah furrowed her brow as she mulled over his question. "Well….my reasons for lying to you about Umbridge were entirely less selfish than my reasons for lying to you about my grades. And my grades were more of a blatant lie, where Umbridge was more lying by withholding. But then again…" she paused and shrugged. "I really don't know Uncle Sev"
"Hum" Severus rose to cross the room to sit next to her on the couch. "I can't keep you safe if you lie to me. It is not your responsibility to protect me. You must give me your unfailing trust that I have your best interest always in the forefront of my mind. Do you understand the implications of that?"
Sarah frowned. "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself for me, Uncle Sev…I'm not entirely a child any more and…"
Severus held up a hand. "Wait a minute. You are very much still a child- my child. There may come a day when I tell you that I need you to save yourself and leave me…would you?"
Sarah groaned and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't see how this has anything to do with Umbridge"
"Sarah Grace!" Snape grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "It has EVERYTHING to do with Umbridge! If you can't trust me to deal with Umbridge, then how will you trust me when it comes time to deal with the Dark Lord? And there where will it leave us? Your actions showed me that you have such little faith in me as your father! What have I done to cause that? Tell me"
Sarah felt nauseous. "Nothing" she whispered. "You are a great father…but you have these two roles to play. I didn't want to cause more complications for you."
"Do you trust me?" Snape demanded, his voice firm, his hands still holding her face.
"I do" she said as tears sprang up. "Honest, I do. I knew I should have told you all along. I wanted to. I hate keeping things from you. I hate trying to deal with things on my own"
"And nor should you" Severus's tone gentled as he released her. "One day you may have to, but it is my job to teach you…to prepare you for that day. Come to me. Even if you think I may get mad. Even if you think you will be punished. Do you know how many mistakes I have made- many when I was not much older than you? Those mistakes have taught me things- things that I can teach you. But you must be willing to learn"
Sarah ducked her head, but remained silent, as she pulled the blanket more firmly around her.
"Sarah?" Severus prodded. "Look at me, please"
After a few moments, Sarah forced herself to look at her uncle's stern face and he continued firmly, "I need your assurances that you will never again try to protect me at your expense"
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to process his request when the traits that made her a Gryffindor rebelled against the very thought. Finally, she relented. "Okay" She opened her eyes again. "Until I am of age and then I can do what I want and if I want to save you even though it might hurt me, then I will…and don't try to stop me" She added fiercely.
Snape glared at her, but after a moment, he chuckled. "You are your mother's daughter…and even when you are of age, you can't do exactly what you want. I will still be your father and if you knew what was good for you, you would still listen even though technically, by ministry law, you do not have to"
Sarah gave him a smile. "Well, Uncle Sev, I'm so glad this is all resolved. I feel loads better" she hopped off the couch, dropping the blanket on the floor. "I think I will just go to my room now…" She began to move, but Snape's hand shot out and grabbed her, pulling her back down.
"Nice try" he smacked her leg. "We are not done"
She feigned surprise, but with a second, much harder smack, she became serious again, as she reached to rub the sting out of it.
"I had the opportunity to review your work from last semester" Snape flicked her hand away from her leg, "And it is dreadfully embarrassing. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Sarah's face reddened and she shifted uncomfortably. "Um, that I can do better?"
"Well, that is obvious" Snape retorted. "You couldn't do much worse- really have you read what you turned in? I'm so glad we are required to keep a copy of all failing assignments- it is certainly helpful" he flicked his wand and summoned a stack of parchments. Flipping through the stack and dropped one on her lap. "Transfiguration…read it"
"No" Sarah handed it back to him. "I don't have to read it. I know it is bad"
Snape shoved it back at her. "This is not an option. Read it now" His voice was deadly serious and she knew he left her no option, but to obey.
In a shaky voice, she read aloud the first essay, fully aware of its atrociousness. Snape handed her another parchment.
"Charms" He said seriously. "Your academic strength. Read it"
Sarah bit her lip, but with another glare from Snape, she complied. Essay after terrible essay, Snape handed to her to read aloud, until Sarah finally snapped.
"Do you enjoy making me feel stupid?" The embarrassment she felt transferred to anger. "I would rather go back to Umbridge for punishment, thank you very much"
Snape ignored the last part. "No, Sarah" he replied. "I do not enjoy this nor do I think you are anything but one of the brightest students in your class" He allowed his words to sink in, before adding, "However, the first time, I asked to review your work, you substituted your boyfriend's work instead. So I think I am fully justified in making you share with me your original work…in your own words" He stared her down. "Your behavior in that regards is incomprehensible to me."
As Sarah surveyed Snape's stern demeanor, the floodgates burst open. "I couldn't let you see this! Can't you understand that? I didn't want you to be ashamed of me" Sarah sobbed. "I didn't want to disappoint you!"
Severus closed his eyes and tried to gather his patience again. When he spoke, his voice was low, but full of emotion. "And yet, I have never been more disappointed in you. Umbridge, failing grades, stealing, lying…the list goes on"
"I'm sorry! It just got so out of control so quickly. One thing led to another until I was so over my head that I couldn't go to you…" Sarah buried her head in her hands. "Why don't you send me away so you don't have to deal with that disaster that I am?"
"Oh, stop being so dramatic" Snape rolled his eyes and put a hand on her back. "You know I will do no such thing, although I may want to by the end of your teenage years…However, you will take responsibility for this behavior" He summoned a handkerchief. "Blow your nose and wipe away the tears. They don't help"
"So, what are my consequences?" Sarah looked up to meet his eyes, resigned as she took the offered handkerchief from Snape and obeyed. "I deserve a lot, I think"
Severus nodded. "Indeed you do. I think your list will suffice…for starters"
"All of them?" Sarah's face fell again as she crumpled the handkerchief in her hand. "I thought you would pick and choose your favorite ones from my essay"
"Well" he responded matter of factly, "You had a lot to be punished for. Would you care to go through the list of transgressions again?"
"No!" Sarah shook her head adamantly. "What else?"
"Early bedtimes" Severus added. "And preparing and filing potions ingredients. And a strict study schedule that you will adhere to over break and when you return to school. And if you get more than one acceptable on your final grades, I will confine you to your room for the entire summer"
Sarah groaned. "But Uncle Sev…its going to really hard for me to do that as my grades stand this year"
He inclined his head. "You are in your O.W.L. year" he reminded her. "We have a lot of work to do. You best resign yourself to that fact now. And you soon you and I are going to have another conversation about what your goals should be for the future. But that is a topic for another day, but one we will have to have soon…"
"Yes sir" Sarah mumbled, but then looked at him hopefully. "But you do forgive me right? For being the world's worst child in the world?"
"Oh, I'm sure there are far worse" Snape responded reassuringly. "But of course I do. Although, if you do anything like this again, I won't be nearly as forgiving" While Sarah didn't think that he was going easy on her by any means, she was smart enough to hold her tongue.
She twisted her hands and that sat in silence for some time, before she asked shyly, "Can I have a hug?"
Snape grunted, but pulled her to him. "Of course. That's always how we end these little father-daughter bonding sessions"
Sarah sighed as she squeezed him and burying her head into his shoulder. "I'll make this up to you, Uncle Sev"
"No need" Severus stroked the back of her hair. "Your restrictions suffice. And I understand it wasn't about me"
She pulled back. "I just don't want things to be different"
Snape wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes. "Well, things will be somewhat different. You are going to have to earn my trust back. I'm not going to take your words at face value anymore. You are going to have to prove that you are to be trusted. I'm watching you carefully now"
Sarah sighed. "That's fair, but annoying"
Snape fought a smile. "Time for you to go rest. This morning was taxing, I think a nap is in order. When you wake up, we will go over your study schedule"
Sarah reached to hug him again. She kissed him on the cheek. "Yes sir"
As she rose, Snape gave her a forceful smack that immediately stung. Whipping around, Sarah looked at him quizzically. "What was that for?"
"For my potions ingredients" He clarified. "If you do that again, I don't care how old you are, you will be over my knee, understand?"
Sarah gulped, remembering the incident from her second year. "Sorry about that too, Uncle Sev" Snape waved her off. "I'm waking you up in an hour and a half. Use this time wisely. You will need all your strength for what is ahead. If you thought I was strict with your schoolwork for the past four years, you were sorely mistaken. It won't compare" Snape said ominously.
"I can take it" Sarah retorted. "My grades were just due to time management, nothing else"
Severus nodded briskly. "I know. Go on now"
He watched her left and Snape leaned back on the couch, sighing. Merlin help him, he loved that child more than anyone else in this world, and as exasperating as she was, she was equally as sweet and wonderful. He just never really knew that growing up a child was going to be so hard, especially in the face of insurmountable odds. He just hoped and prayed she would make it to adulthood unscathed, but he knew that with the Dark Lord on the rise, it was only a matter of time, before heartbreak ensued. And when that happened, he hoped that their relationship wouldn't be in ruins, especially if he was forced to do something that would cement him firmly in the Dark Lord's grasp.
A/n2: review please! :)