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Autumn had arrived at Hogwarts. Sarah had been given a few months to take care of her daughter, for which she was greatly appreciative. Severus had been given special assignments from the Headmaster that could be done during the day, so that he could spend his nights with his family, giving Sarah a much needed break. He would come to their quarters, draw her a lovely and calm bath, and he would tend to Eileen's needs while Sarah relaxed for a precious few moments.

It was Halloween night. Severus and Sarah had planned on having a quiet evening together, watching their daughter sleep, maybe having dinner together in their quarters. Sarah came down to the dungeons earlier in the afternoon and got their dining room prepared for a feast. The House Elves had seen to it that they would have their dinner and be able to spend some quality time together as a family. The House Elves had ensured this on a weekly basis once Severus had gone back to teaching on orders from the Headmaster, and Sarah enjoyed spending a few hours with Severus, with no interruptions. They had planned on this occasion to have their dinner in their quarters, and then introduce Eileen to a Hogwarts Halloween celebration. They were certain that she would love the flashing lights in the pumpkins, the ghosts flying through the walls, and the excitement that was shared by the students during the event.

Severus came through the secure door and found Sarah sitting on the sofa with their daughter in her arms. He put his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Mrs. Snape."

"Yes?"

"How are my two favorite ladies doing?"

Sarah smiled.

"We're just fine. I think she's ready to go to the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast."

"We're going after we eat dinner, right?"

Sarah nodded.

"Yes. I want to try and keep some sort of normalcy in our daily routines. Besides, it gives us time to be together as a family."

Severus came around them and took Eileen from her arms.

"How's my little girl?"

She looked up at her Daddy with sparkly brown eyes. She smiled up at him and his face lit up.

"She's got a beautiful smile, Sarah."

"That she does. I'm going to go have a shower now that you're back. You'll be alright?"

He kept his focus on Eileen and nodded his head.

"Go ahead. We'll be just fine."

Sarah walked towards their bedroom and paused at the door to watch them. It warmed her heart to see how much Severus loved his daughter. He had never been one to express too much emotion, and she knew it, but the unconditional love he had for his daughter overwhelmed her at times. She smiled and headed to the room to have her shower. She came out about twenty minutes later and saw Severus standing in the Living Room, Eileen's head looking over his shoulder. He was swaying around the room, dancing with his daughter. She didn't want to disturb the moment, so she held back and watched them. She was smiling and making her normal gurgling baby noises, and though his eyes were closed he had a smile of contentment on his face. He stopped, as he sensed that someone was in the room.

"Sarah."

"Yes."

"How long have you been standing there?"

She smiled at him.

"Long enough. I didn't know you were such a dancer."

"Hardly. However, she seems to thoroughly enjoy it."

"She'd love anything you do with her. She adores you."

He smiled.

"Good. You ready to eat? The House Elves brought dinner while you were in the shower."

She nodded her head.

"I am, I'm actually quite hungry. What's on the menu?"

"Chicken, potatoes, green beans, carrots, salad and then there will be desert in the Great Hall after."

"Sounds delicious."

Severus held out the chair for her to sit down, and he sat across the table from her.

"You can put her in her cradle, you know."

"I know. I'm fine holding her though."

Sarah smiled.

"Alright."

They ate their dinner and talked about their days. Severus had a number of assignments to mark after the Halloween Feast, but he would wait until Eileen was asleep to do that. Sarah offered her assistance, and he told her he would be taking her up on the offer. After eating their meal, they bundled Eileen up in her Slytherin green outfit, and they headed towards the Great Hall. The doors opened for them and they were welcomed by enchanted pumpkins suspended in mid air. Nearly Headless Nick came over to them and stopped in front of them.

"Forgive me, Mr. and Mrs. Snape, however I have not had the pleasure of meeting your little one yet."

"Begging your pardon, Sir Nicholas. Please allow me to introduce you to our daughter, Eileen."

He looked at her and smiled.

"A beautiful young one. If I were not a spirit, I would be requesting to hold her, you know."

"Of course you would be most welcome to do so, Sir Nicholas."

He placed his ghostly hand on her stomach and Eileen looked at him with a smile on her face.

"She's a beautiful young lady. Congratulations."

He nodded his head as much as he was able without his head flopping to the side, and allowed them to walk past him to the front of the Great Hall.

"Professor!"

Severus looked to the table to his left and saw one of his best 6th year students standing up beside him.

"Angela. What may I do for you?"

"I'm wondering, Professor, if I would be able to see your daughter. She looks so lovely."

Severus got nervous. He didn't like his students getting too close to him or his family - he was very protective of his ladies. Sarah, however, thought it was lovely that people wanted to know them and get to know their daughter. She sat down on the Ravenclaw bench, and gently passed Eileen to Angela.

"She's really beautiful, Ma'am."

Sarah nodded.

"She is indeed. We may be in need of a sitter one night. Would you be up for the task?"

Angela smiled up at her.

"Absolutely! I'd love to watch her for you. I don't think that Professor Snape would enjoy it though."

They glanced over at him and he was standing with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face.

"He'll just have to like it, won't he?"

Angela nodded her head quickly, and she handed Eileen to Sarah.

"Thanks, Ma'am. Sir. She's lovely."

They walked to the front of the Great Hall.

"You don't have to be so unbelievably mean towards your students you know."

"I like to induce fear in them. They respect me that way."

"Either that or they hate you."

"I'd prefer the latter."

"Severus Snape!"

"What?"

She smirked at him and shook her head as she whispered.

"You can't honestly want your students to hate you."

"Perhaps not, but fearing the very ground I walk on for certain."

She rolled her eyes at him and could tell he was joking by the sparkle in his eye. They reached the head table and sat at their seats, Eileen resting comfortably in her mother's arms. Sarah looked over at Severus who was watching her with a careful eye. She smiled at him, and he nodded his head - he wasn't about to show affection in front of the student body, and she was fine with that. They were in positions of authority, and he wanted to make sure that the students respected him as well as her. Sarah started to eat the piece of pumpkin pie that was in front of her. As she took a bite, she noticed a warmth coming from her left arm. She looked over at Severus who was still watching her. She leaned into him and whispered.

"I have to go."

"Now?"

"Yes. Could you take her please?"

He leaned into her ear.

"You're being summoned?"

"Yes. You need to take her."

He took Eileen from her and she placed her hand gently on Severus' shoulder as she leaned in to whisper to him.

"I'll meet you in our quarters."

"Be careful, love. Block yourself."

"I will."

She left the Great Hall and headed to their quarters. She threw some floo powder into the floo.

"Diagon Alley."

She stepped into the green flames and within a moment she was at the Diagon Alley Floo Depot. She stepped outside and apparated into the presence of the Dark Lord. She bowed when she was in front of him.

"Sarah. You lingered to get to me. This displeases me."

"Sir, I came to you as quickly as I could. We were in the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast, and you know that no one can apparate into or from the Grounds. I came as swiftly as I could, Sir."

Voldemort curled his lips into a sly smile.

"You do not bring your daughter to see me?"

"Sir, it would not have looked proper to take her right out of the Hall amid everyone fawning over her. I promise, Sir, that I will bring her to you the next time you request my presence."

"I agree, Sarah. You are most cunning and intelligent. A true Slytherin."

She bowed and smiled as she rose from her bow.

"Your compliments overwhelm me, Sir."

He shifted in his chair and smiled at her.

"Sarah, I wish to inquire of what you have learned about the workings of Hogwarts. Have you been able to acquire any information for me?"

"Sir, I have only been able to attain small amounts as the last few months have been spent caring for my child. I fear that I have failed you in this regard, Sir, as I hoped to have more to be able to relay."

He stood up from his chair and walked toward her. He placed his hand on her cheek as he spoke to her. She tried not to shiver when he made contact with her, as his hand was ice cold.

"Sarah. The disappointment you display in yourself where my request is concerned pleases me. I am aware that you must keep a front to the Staff, and I am aware that you must tend to your child. While I am your Lord and Master, your child must be your priority. Devotion, Sarah, is a precious thing."

"It is, Sir."

"What have you learned?"

Sarah hadn't learned anything. She didn't intend to spy on Albus, but she had to come up with something. It's a good thing she was a true Slytherin and could make up a believable lie on the spot.

"I have not heard this directly from the Headmaster, but I have heard that he is concerned that you are, as it was phrased, 'on the move'. I believe that he is trying to gather forces to fight you."

She thought she was good at creating her lie, but she didn't know how exactly spot on she was.

"Interesting. What else have you heard?"

"I know that Severus is assisting the Headmaster in developing new potions for healing, as well as for the school Medi-Witch. Sir, that could just be for school purposes, however with the information that I just told you and putting the pieces together, I see a purpose behind these potion requests."

"I see."

He walked around her slowly, his eyes never leaving her. She felt his eyes on her and it made her feel awful. He stood behind her and she could her him stop. He leaned into her and whispered in an angry tone.

"You lie."

"I would not lie to you, Sir."

"I can sense that you are, Sarah. I do not tolerate dishonesty."

"I assure you, Sir, I am completely loyal to you."

"How can I be certain that you are?"

"Sir, I showed you the depth of my devotion. I could not give up my then fiancée and was prepared to face death at your own hand, showing you how strong my devotion is. You praised me for the depth of my devotion, and you are not one who would give a false compliment."

"True."

"What else could I do to prove my unending devotion to you, Sir?"

He placed his hand on her shoulder and leaned in to her.

"I have a plan."

"Sir?"

"The next time I request your presence, you are to bring your daughter and husband with you."

"Yes, Sir."

"You will bring your daughter to me, as I request to..."

She was getting afraid for Eileen's safety, and was desperately trying not to show it.

"...see her."

She nodded her head.

"I will, Sir."

"I may request your presence at any moment, Sarah, and you will all come to me the moment that I summon you."

"We will arrive as soon as we are able to get out of the grounds, Sir."

He looked directly into her eyes with his finger under her chin. He spoke with a cool tone in his voice.

"Leave my sight."

He turned away from her as she bowed, then disappeared to the lane beside the Floo Depot. She slid down the side of the wall, brought her knees up to her chest and sobbed. A witch passed by her and asked if she was alright. She nodded her head and smiled.

"I'm fine, thank you. I just need to get home; it's been a very long day."

"You have enough powder?"

"They have plenty inside. Thank you."

The lady helped her stand, and she brushed off her robes.

"Thank you."

"Get home, dear. There's a dark wind coming."

'You're not kidding, lady.'

Sarah nodded and headed into the Floo Depot. She took a handful of powder and threw it in.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Potions Master's Quarters."

She stepped into the flame and was instantly transported to their floo. She stepped out and she was almost tearing off her clothes as she ran towards the shower. She stepped in and turned the water on as hot as she possibly could tolerate. She leaned her head into the hot water and cried. He was going to do something to her child, and she could not allow it. She could not allow anything to harm her child, least of all, him. After thirty minutes or so in the hot water, scrubbing herself as clean as she could possibly make herself without her skin getting raw, she stepped out of the hot shower and wrapped herself in Severus' black robe. She left the bathroom with her hair dripping wet on her shoulders. She saw Severus standing in the Living Room holding Eileen who was sleeping soundly in her father's arms. He looked up at her and whispered.

"You alright?"

She held her arms out and he passed Eileen to her, and she held her as close to her as she possibly could. She looked into her daughter's eyes as she whispered to her.

"Mummy won't let anything happen to you. I'd rather die than let anything happen to you."

Severus put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't, Severus. I don't want to talk about it in front of her."

"She can't understand, Sarah."

She let her tears flow freely.

"Severus, just give me a few moments with my daughter, alright?"

"Alright. I'll make you tea."

She nodded as she walked her daughter to her room and placed her in her bassinette. She placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, little one."

Eileen moved a little in her sleep, but her eyes remained closed. She looked so peaceful, and Sarah could barely remove her eyes from her. Severus had come up to the room and he watched his wife staring at their daughter. It tugged at his heart, as he knew that something dreadful had happened while she was in the presence of the Dark Lord, but she did not want to discuss it in front of Eileen. It obviously had something to do with her. Sarah stood up and looked at Severus. He stood back from the door and allowed her to walk into his waiting arms. They closed the door to Eileen's room so it was almost shut; but it was open just a crack so they would be able to hear her when she woke.

"Come have tea with me, Sarah."

She nodded her head.

"Ok."

They sat on the sofa and Sarah rested her head on Severus' shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not right now, Severus. I just want to sit here with you and not think about it, or him."

"What can I do for you, Sarah?"

She looked into his eyes.

"Just hold me, Severus. Please. Let me cry if I have to, and don't ask me questions. I just need to feel safe."

His heart broke as he took her in his arms and let her cry on his shoulder. He leaned back on the sofa so he was lying down, and she followed him, never leaving the security of his arms. An hour later her tears started to subside, and her breathing started to calm. He wrapped his arms around her, and he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Go to sleep, my love."

She nodded her head, and sighed. This was truly her favorite place in the world; safe and secure in the arms of the man she loved. She closed her eyes, knowing that for now, he would be able to protect her, to protect their daughter and she welcomed sleep as it overtook her.