A/N: I wrote this part once, but my computer lost it, and I had a really good Author's note, but I don't remember what it was, but that's okay, you guys still love me, right? I'm having trouble writing this chapter. I can't write this kind of stuff when I'm all sad, I have to be happy to write sad stuff, and sad to write happy stuff. Sorry about that. On with the chapter! Bonus points to anyone who knows who Erich Raeder is!! The one in real life. I didn't get any reviews and made a few mistakes, so I decided to re-post this chapter.
Chapter Four: Two Children are Worse Than One
"Yes, your godson's case. By the way, my name is Erich Raeder."
"Severus Snape," he barely managed to grumble. The man, Erich, took out a pad and a pen, Severus assumed to write his name down.
"How long has he been under your care?" Erich asked him.
"Since he was one."
"What happened to his parents?"
"They were murdered," Severus said angrily. "Wow, I'm almost telling the truth," Severus thought to himself.
"Very sorry about that. What did you say happened to him?"
"What could I change the story to?" Severus thought, and then decided to stay with the original story, bad as it sounded. "Harry got into a fight, and I did not know the emergency number," Severus decided to butter it up a bit, "but thankfully Brad came by and helped."
"How long ago did you move?" the agent asked.
"Just today actually. I couldn't believe that this had happened, I just brought him inside, and did what I could. I was actually just about to go to a neighbour when Brad knocked."
"I see. You say that it was a fight. With whom?"
"Neighbourhood boys, I assume. I only saw their retreating backs. Maybe a gang."
"Thank you, Mister Snape. I'll probably be in touch with you later." Erich and Severus shook hands, and Erich left. Severus looked back and Harry and decided to go back and try to patch up things with Severa.
He Apparated back to the mansion, and called Severa's name.
"What do you want?" Severa poked her head out of the room.
"To talk. Would you do that?" Severus asked, trying to keep a level tone.
"Fine. What do you want to talk about?" she said angrily.
"About what you said earlier. How am I not your father?" Severus was trying hard not to yell.
"You don't act like it. You get me two and a half months the entire year, and now you are practically choosing The-Boy-Who-Lived over your own flesh and blood."
"Potter is injured!"
"Maybe physically, but you don't even seem to care about my feelings," she said so quietly that Severus had to lean in to hear.
"I care, it's just Potter's injuries are more apparent. Look, I'm sorry if I've hurt your feelings. You are my daughter, and should be my first priority," Severus concluded, holding out the family wring.
"I'm sorry," Severa said, taking back the ring and putting it on.
"I have to go back to the hospital for a few minutes. But, when I come back, we can go out for a father/daughter dinner."
"All right."
"In the mean time, you can do whatever you want inside. Don't answer the door."
"I know. Bye."
"Goodbye."
Severus easily found Harry this time. He took his hand, "Harry?" he whispered, "Harry, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand." He felt a slight pressure on his hand. "Now, I want you to concentrate on what I say to you. I've told them I'm your godfather. You got into a fight with some neighbourhood boys. We're in Yankee land and we just moved from Britain. You have to tell them this."'
"So what really happened?" came Erich's voice.
"Er." Severus thought fast again. He hoped that Harry was still listening. "It was actually my daughter Severa. They got into a fight, and he lost. Badly. I said neighbourhood boys as not to injure his pride."
"Right. May I interview her?"
"We have plans tonight, but tomorrow?" Severus asked.
"That would work. You are not allowed to talk to her about this, understand?"
"I understand," he answered, knowing that he would talk to her anyway.
"Good evening," Erich said coldly.
"Good evening," Severus answered, trying to sound nice.
"What are you in the mood for?" Severus asked his daughter.
"Italian?" she asked with a mischievous grin. "You and I have never gone to Italian."
"That's because I hate it," he said to himself, "Italian it is. Shall we go to Spaghetti Warehouse?"
"Sure."
"I can find one in Derry. I used to go there when I was here," Severus said, urging the girl out of the front of the door. They walked for about thirty minutes and came in front of the restaurant when Severus realised that he didn't have any Muggle money.
"I'm sure there's some kind of Gringott's around here, somewhere. It is international," Severa answered after he had voiced the problem.
"Right. I remember exchanging money once." Severus let his senses guide him, and came upon a large bank, looking very much unlike Gringott's. He knew this was the right place, they entered the revolving doors, and Severus noticed a sign that only wizards could see entitle, 'Gringotts and Exchanges' they got four hundred dollars in American money.
"Don't we need Muggle clothes?" Severa asked as they passed a clothing store.
"Sure." They entered the store and tried on clothes together. Severus wore black slacks and a black button-up shirt, and Severa, a dark blue, elbow-length-sleeve dress.
They walked to Spaghetti warehouse. They were seated, Severus ordered the 15-Layer Lasagna and Severa the Chicken Parmigiana. For an appetiser they had cheese sticks with marinara sauce.
"Severa, there's something I need to tell you about Harry," Severus began.
"Hm?" Severa said, slightly disappointed that they were going to talk about Harry. Now that she really knew which side he was on, there were things she wanted to talk to him about.
"I said it was you that beat up Harry. They found out that the neighbourhood boys thing was a lie. So I said it was you."
"What?!" Severa tried not to yell.
"Keep your voice down," Severus hissed.
"Why me? Can't you just tell them the truth?" she whispered angrily.
"No, Severa, I can't. It would be too much of a mess. But, they are going to question you tomorrow, and that is what I want you to tell them. Please do it for me."
"Fine. But I have something I want you to do for me."
"Yes?"
"I want you to get full custody of me."
"What?" Severus voice rose almost to a surprised yell.
"Keep your voice down," she mimicked.
"All right, but why?" Severus asked suspiciously.
"I don't want to be a Death Eater. Mum wants me to be initiated once I get back. I keep telling her that I want to wait until I can prove myself better, but it's not working anymore."
"Okay. I'll see what I can do." Just then their food arrived. They ate for a while, not saying anything. Severus decided to break the silence, "Did your mother ever tell you why we got divorced?"
"Yeah, why?" Severa answered.
"I was just curious as to what she told you. Can you tell me, without her swearing, of course."
"She just said that you were a traitorous b—long string of swear words, and that she refused to be married to someone who is so unfaithful. I assumed later that you cheated on her."
"No. She wasn't the one who I was betraying…not exactly. After the fall of Voldemort, I told her that we should lay low, pretend to not care. At my trial I gave away some of the names of Death Eaters that they didn't know about. After that we got a divorce."
"Oh, and all this time I thought you were having an affair."
"Well, your mother has a way of twisting events and words to her satisfaction."
"Yeah, I guess. Did you notice that before you were married?"
"Yes, some. I had to marry her though. My step-father was pushing me into it. The girl I wanted to marry already had someone. And I found out later that my step-father and your grandfather had secretly decided to marry us. It made me angry, but I couldn't do anything about it."
"Wow. I thought pre-arranged marriage was outlawed."
"I'd like to be able to name one time that my step-father wasn't breaking the law, but I'm not too sure if I could." The two laughed briefly. They finished their meal catching up and telling stories, paid the waiter, and decided to call a Taxi to get home.
A/N: Here you go. Don't know when the next chapter will be. I probably won't have anything to do other than arguing with my sisters later in the summer. I've been out paintballing which officially rules the world and working towards getting my own gun. I'll shut up now and thank my reviewers.
Reviewer thanx—
Corgi—They aren't out of the hole yet. But they'll get there eventually. Thanx for being so patient.
Mikee—Yes. There is a reason for all of this family stuff. You'll see. Next chapter you will see more with the Social Workers and the doctors.
Jordan—You are a smart person. Very, very, very smart are you. And sorry about the American bashing. You yanks are just too much fun to play with…nevermind the fact I'm living in America now. But it's fun. Sorry, I still love you Americans, I do!!
Lei Dumbledore—I'm sorry this took so long. Thanx for reading! ANYONE WHO HASN'T READ LEI DUMBLEDORE'S STORIES REALLY SHOULD!! Sorry, had to say that. Here's the answer to your cliffie. Yeah, I'm not usually good at cliffie's, I usually have solid stopping points so I had to insert that little mean cliffie for my own satisfaction.
Emma—Thanx!
Jay—Here you go. Here you go, thankyou for reviewing.