Chapter 32: For One's Consideration

{A/N: Here's Another Long awaited Update}

My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.

(Someone finds salvation in everyone...Another only pain...Someone tries to hide themself...Down inside himself he prays...Someone swears their true love...Until the end of time
Another runs away...separate or united?...Healthy or insane?...And be yourself is all that you can do (all that you can do)...To be yourself is all that you can do (all that you can do)...To be yourself is all that you can do (all that you can do)...Be yourself is all that you can do...) Be Yourself, Audioslave

Hermione Granger's Residence, Unknown Location, Muggle World...

Making his way down the stairs, Severus Snape found himself unsure of what to do next. He knew that he couldn't go back to the life he had before, a life without Hermione or his daughter. The mistakes of the past had been evident as reached the bottom of the stairs noting the mistrust the young witch, whom he had a history, greeted him with. He could hardly blame her after years of attempting to forget her and the night he walked out on her. Still, his experiances as Sidney Sinclair had been fresh in his mind and he had no intention of walking away. Ellie had been the first to notice him, she zipped past her mother and uncle just to redirect him toward the kitchen. Snape had caught part of the discussion between a now adult Harry Potter and Hermione Granger about their upcoming case as Aurors at the Ministry Of Magic. It was apparent that they were set to leave town and Harry's wife and children were visiting family along with the rest of the Weasley clan. It had not escaped the dour wizard's notice that Ellie had been encouraging her mother to allow her to stay with her father while she and Harry were away.

Harry seemed to regard Snape with a combination of bewilderment and contempt for the treatment he had given his best friend.

The dour former Professor rolled his eyes not interested in the moral stance of his former student.

He had been altogether a different bloke when the unfortunate encounter with Miss Granger had taken place and even so, he had been of the mind to make things right should she choose to allow it.

Hermione seemed not to know what to make of him, as she had seen him in a worse off state than he had been at that moment. Her heartbreak had been evident but she did her best to bury it with a number of things from the past, focusing on her daughter in the wake of it all.

"Ellie..." she began knowing just how manipulative the little one could be.

Snape had not been opposed to watching his daughter while Hermione and Harry went on assignment. She was after all his own flesh and blood, not to mention his vast experiance with children due to his former profession.

"If you need someone to look after Ellie while you are away, I do not mind it." he said before Hermione could bring herself to object on his behalf. "She is after all my daughter and it's high time I lended you some assistance in that regard."

Hermione had been about to say something when Harry interjected.

"And why should she let you anywhere near Ellie after what you've done?" he asked narrowing his emerald green eyes at Snape in much the manner his mother use to.

Snape met Harry's gaze full on despite being uncomfortable with the level of contempt the younger man had for him mirroring that of his late mother's in the past.

"Listen Potter, the ramifications of that night are what they are, I have no doubt that if Hermione wishes to punish me for it that she would...all I am asking is for a chance to get to know my daughter, not for my sake mind you, but for hers." replied the dour wizard. "Ellie shouldn't have to suffer for my mistakes, this would be a temporary state of affairs as neither one of you can afford to miss this assignment and given that I am her only relative available at the moment, I don't see the harm in it."

Hermione took a few moments to study the evidently weary former Potions Professor for a few moments. She found it rather strange that he'd want to be involved in Ellie's life after ensuring to put as much distance between them as possible. The anger from the apparent rejection on his part still burned deep down and trust in terms of anything pertaining to that man had been hard to come by. She had heard the stories, his drunken escapades and late night brawls. She had always hoped that he'd see reason and find his way back to them, even if it meant having to face him again after everything that had transpired between them. At the time, she had held out hope only for Ellie's sake and possibly for his own lest he end up dead in some ditch and she'd have to explain it to their child.

Snape had lacked a good deal of confidence, the weariness had taken it's toll as well as the after effects of the second wizarding war. When she had brought him to her home that night, the rage she felt at his rejection all but disappeared in the wake of genuine fear that he would die and Ellie would never have gotten to know her father.

It was at this moment, that she thought of Ellie and the chance she'd never get if Severus Snape had walked out that door and back into the harsh world that had nearly did him in the previous night as well as the many questions she'd have to answer for from both herself and their daughter.

"Alright." said Hermione taking a moment to compose herself.

Snape seemed shocked that she'd even consider his request given how she felt about him.

"For Ellie's sake..." Hermione made it clear. "You should get to spend some time with her, and quite frankly...Harry and I can't afford to miss this collar...so Severus...you will be looking after Ellie this weekend, provided you adhere to some ground rules."

Snape nodded in agreement pleased to get to spend more time with his little girl but he'd been non too fond of being told what to do.

Harry had been in a state of shock himself, not trusting Snape in the least with his niece as it were.

"You can't be serious Mione!?" he said turning his attention to his best friend. "How do we know Snape isn't going to walk out the first chance he gets and leave Ellie behind?"

Snape did his best to stifle his rage at the implication that he'd abandon his child in any situation.

"Do not speak of things to which you have no valiant understanding Potter." he growled bitterly.

Hermione sighed. She'd long suspected there would be complications if Snape ever returned, but she had not been above hoping for it.

"Harry, Severus is watching Ellie for the weekend." she insisted. "As I've said there are some ground rules that he must adhere to or the deal is off."

Snape met Hermione's gaze. Once more he had been unable to voice what he felt for her despite her showing no interest in hearing it.

"I will adhere to whatever you see fit to demand, Miss Granger." he said resigning himself to what she had instore for him.

Harry had been caught off guard by the exchange. He had not expected Snape to comply in the least. What had been worse was that he didn't even attempt a counter argument.

Snape's focus had been as Hermione's had been, on Ellie and her wellbeing.

If she had felt safe with her father than that's whom was going to be looking after her.

"Yay!" shouted Ellie rushing over to Snape whom had scooped her up into his arms.

She seemed quite pleased with the turn of events and that she'd have her father in her home for a little while longer.

Ellie moved to hug him tightly smiling all the while.

"Don't worry Daddy, I'll help you with Mommy." she said in a near whisper before he put her back on her feet again as she clung to his hand.

She'd make a Slytherin yet. thought Snape as he looked down at his daughter and back at Hermione again.

Words could not express his gratitude for her gesture of mercy even if it had only been for Ellie's sake. While it was clear she had not been too keen on trusting him with much of anything, she had wanted Ellie to get to know him...or rather the man she use to know before he had taken his leave. Somewhere deep down, she had still admired him, his bravery during the second wizarding war not withstanding. It's all Ellie had ever known about her Potions Professor war hero father in Hermione's various tales about him. It was also all she ever wanted her daughter to know.