Thirteen years later
"If you are ready.if you are prepared." said Dumbledore.
"I am," said Severus.
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.
"Then good luck," said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Severus swept wordlessly after Sirius.
Severus walked quickly down the stairs, ignoring the huddled, frightened students. He had known that this time would come, ever since he had finally opened Angelina's locket two months ago. Inside had been a little piece of crumpled paper. Her will.
As my last will and testament, I leave my daughter, Erin Kristoff, now in the care of the Coopers, to my friend and true love Severus Snape. The Coopers can be found in Cleveland, Ohio, USA at 757 Brown Street. May God smile on my baby.
Angelina Kristoff
Robert Bowlin - Witness Jessica Smith - Witness
Severus had recognized the witnesses as two of the Muggles the Death Eaters had captured. Angelina must have helped them escape in return for their signatures.
It being the middle of the school year when Severus had found the locket, he couldn't go in search of Erin at once. In truth, he still wasn't sure if he was ready. Not only was he suddenly a father, he was the father of Voldemort's daughter.
For that was who Erin was. The Death Eaters had known, of course, that there had been a child, but supposedly it had been a miscarriage. Angelina must have faked her child's death and then hidden her in America, possibly even placing charm on Erin and the Coopers so that no magic would show in the household, making them that much harder for Voldemort to find.
By Flamel's Stone, thought Severus suddenly, Erin must be fifteen now. His daughter was fifteen and he hadn't even met her.
Seveus was so lost in his thoughts that he hardly noticed that he had walked all the way to Hogsmead. Catching himself, he pulled his wand from his black robes and thrust it forward. The Knight Bus appeared with a loud bang.
"757 Brown Street, Cleveland, Ohio," snapped Severus at the driver, tossing him a mixed handful of coins. With another loud bang the bus started off again, throwing Severus off of his balance. He cursed, flung himself onto a bed, and stared moodily out the window.
"If you are ready.if you are prepared." said Dumbledore.
"I am," said Severus.
He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely.
"Then good luck," said Dumbledore, and he watched, with a trace of apprehension on his face, as Severus swept wordlessly after Sirius.
Severus walked quickly down the stairs, ignoring the huddled, frightened students. He had known that this time would come, ever since he had finally opened Angelina's locket two months ago. Inside had been a little piece of crumpled paper. Her will.
As my last will and testament, I leave my daughter, Erin Kristoff, now in the care of the Coopers, to my friend and true love Severus Snape. The Coopers can be found in Cleveland, Ohio, USA at 757 Brown Street. May God smile on my baby.
Angelina Kristoff
Robert Bowlin - Witness Jessica Smith - Witness
Severus had recognized the witnesses as two of the Muggles the Death Eaters had captured. Angelina must have helped them escape in return for their signatures.
It being the middle of the school year when Severus had found the locket, he couldn't go in search of Erin at once. In truth, he still wasn't sure if he was ready. Not only was he suddenly a father, he was the father of Voldemort's daughter.
For that was who Erin was. The Death Eaters had known, of course, that there had been a child, but supposedly it had been a miscarriage. Angelina must have faked her child's death and then hidden her in America, possibly even placing charm on Erin and the Coopers so that no magic would show in the household, making them that much harder for Voldemort to find.
By Flamel's Stone, thought Severus suddenly, Erin must be fifteen now. His daughter was fifteen and he hadn't even met her.
Seveus was so lost in his thoughts that he hardly noticed that he had walked all the way to Hogsmead. Catching himself, he pulled his wand from his black robes and thrust it forward. The Knight Bus appeared with a loud bang.
"757 Brown Street, Cleveland, Ohio," snapped Severus at the driver, tossing him a mixed handful of coins. With another loud bang the bus started off again, throwing Severus off of his balance. He cursed, flung himself onto a bed, and stared moodily out the window.