Chapter Nine-Love or Fear
Severus stood over the changing table (that's what Emily
had called it) and looked down at his daughter, who was
wiggling, but otherwise seemed fairly calm about the fact
her (her what? – I'll gunna say 'dress') was flapping in the breeze.
Emily was in the shower and Harry was sleeping, leaving
Severus by himself with his daughter and a clean diaper.
"There has to be a point to this," he said looking at
his daughter, she giggled slightly.
"What do you find so funny? Think it's cute that daddy
doesn't know how to get you dressed huh?" he said
snickering.
"All right, well, let's try this."
"Dad, have you used all these?" Emily asked, her hair
soaked as she walked into the room and saw the pile of
thirty diapers.
"Help me," he said desperately. Emily rolled her eyes and walked
over to her sister.
"Well Demi, it's fairly obvious that we need to teach
our boys a few things," the baby smiled slightly. (Can babies smile or giggle at that
age? Well I suppose she is a witch…)
"Daddy watch," Emily said gently as she began to put the diaper on
her baby sister.
"How did you do that?"
"Dad, it's not that complicated. Now why don't you
put her to sleep? Demi, I'll see you after your nap,"
she said kissing her baby sister's forehead.
"Night daddy," Emily said slipping out of the room,
leaving Severus with a defenceless infant that was enjoying
staring at him.
"Tell me something Demi, how do women do it?" He asked.
The baby continued to stare at him. Severus gently picked
her up, and cradled her against his chest. She was so
little, but yet seemed to snuggle into his warm embrace
instantly.
"What did I ever do to deserve this?" He asked as he
carried her over to her bassinet. Placing her in the small
crib he looked at her, as her face slowly began to redden
and scrunch up.
"No…" and instantly the impending scream was emitted. Severus
groaned and lifted her back up. She stopped.
"Cute," he whispered. He placed the baby back down, he
did this for three minutes until finally he carried the baby
over to his bed and lay down besides her, falling asleep
with her clutched in his arms.
~~~~~~
The woman stood in the corner, unseen by her former
husband. Smiling she walked over to his prone form watching him as he
slept soundly, his daughter asleep upon his chest. She
reached over and touched the infant's forehead.
"Worry not Demi, you shall not be the only one from this duo.
Take care of your father. Harry won't be able to do it
forever." She smiled and looked at her husband.
"I know you can't hear me Severus, but if you can take
care of my Wolfie. I miss you," she leaned over and
touched her lips to his pale forehead. She then floated out
of the room and across the hall towards Emily's room.
Emily slept soundly on her bed. A book open on her stomach,
proving she had fallen asleep while studying. Leaning over
the ghost touched Emily's cheek.
"You've grown up into such a beautiful woman. You're
a good young girl, and I'm so proud of you. Don't
forget to take care of yourself while you care for everyone
else my child. Take care my beautiful Emily." She kissed
Emily's temple and then walked through the wall into
Harry's room. Where he slept on his stomach, his head
turned towards her.
"Harry," she breathed. Bending down by his head she
brushed his bushy bangs from his closed eyes.
"Don't think about the bad times, only the good, and
please know my baby boy that you didn't kill me, it was
never your fault. I love you Harry, so does James. Don't
be too hard on Sirius, he always was protective," with a
soft kiss she placed a note on his dresser and then she
disappeared.
Harry awoke suddenly; opening his eyes he looked around and
saw a note sitting next him on his dresser. Sitting up in
bed he pulled it close so he could read it.
My Beloved Harold Jamieson Snape,
You will be sixteen in one month. By now you know the
truth, for I have been watching you. I know there is fear in
your heart for many things, but at the same time there is
a tremendous amount of guilt. This letter is to ask you to
let go of what happened sixteen years ago on Hollow's eve.
You were a mere infant and had no control over it. However I
do feel it important that you know exactly what happened so
I'm going to tell you.
First off Severus had refused to visit you, and I knew why,
he had told me earlier that I was in danger and I should
leave for our safety. I did not listen and thus cost you a
mother. Peter was supposed to be our protector, however he
lied through his teeth. He betrayed us to0 Voldemort. James was
the first to go. He died with little pain, if any, his last
moment was spent worrying about you. He did love you Harry,
very much like a father would a son, or an uncle a nephew.
Sirius then showed up to help defend us, as well as Remus
and eventually Severus.
We fought for you Harry; we fought to keep you alive
that night. Until I was cornered in your room and murdered.
I wrote this letter a day after my death, as a ghost. I am
now at peace and will no longer be returning. However,
please know that I am happy. Harry watching you and your
sister meet and be with your father thrilled me, but to see
you are finally happy, alas, much has changed since that
evening. Your father cried for an hour on the floor before
Voldemort nearly killed him sending him into a coma.
Your father has suffered greatly like you for most of his
life, including the hard times he went through with his
sister. She was a witch, and she was a good one. At eight we
knew she would be in Hogwarts if she lived. Your father was
broken hearted when his sister died in his second year. He
made a vow not to lose anyone he loved ever again. He did.
He lost you two and then me. He needs you Harry, now and
forever. I know you want to be your own person, but make
sure being his son is part of that person. He's not a bad
man.
As for Voldemort, I don't believe you can ever truly kill
him, so sadly I beg you to not allow your guard down. I
trust that Albus is still as genius as ever and has your
home; the hospital and Remus' house guarded and bewitched
like Gringotts.
Take care my child, for life is just upon you and it would
delight me to know that you are finally at peace with
yourself and my death. You must be at peace to really defeat
Voldemort. I love you my son.
Love forever~
Lily Amelia Evens-Snape
Harry felt the tears run down his face as he read the note
from his mother, part of him was still dealing with this,
looking around he covered his face and began to cry. Never
feeling or seeing the arms of his dead mother wrap around
him and hold him one last time.
(Oh my Goodness – that was really good. A nice, different approach. Well done – my
friend!)
~~~~~~~~
Severus woke up slowly, looking around he jumped slightly
when he saw a ghostly figure standing before him, she placed
her finger to her lips and smiled at him. He looked at her
for a moment and it hit him.
"Lil?"
"It's time my love, time to let it go. I know you're
still hurting. You've grieved, now let it go. Get past it.
You cannot raise a daughter with hate and anger in your warm
heart."
"I don't know how."
"I was there that night, even though I died, I saw it."
"You saw me?"
"Yes," she whispered. His mind wandered back nearly
sixteen years ago.
FLASHBACK
Severus collapsed beside the dead form of his beloved wife.
"NO!" He cried out in anger, beside her body sat the
innocent form of his son, on the child's head was a
lightening bolt scar, tears were running down his chubby
cheeks.
"I killed her, dear God, I did this," he whispered as
he lifted the baby into his arms. Suddenly Rebeus Hagrid
showed up and sighed.
"I need 'a boy Severus," Hagrid said.
"Please, give me a moment," Severus cried, holding his
wife and son in his arms.
"We don't 'ave a moment Severs, an' ya know it."
"I'm going to lose him too," Severus cried as he
watched Hagrid take the infant into his arms.
"I'm sorry 'bout this Severus but it aint' really
goodbye," the giant said. Severus watched his son
disappear with the giant and he knew deep down it really was
goodbye.
END OF FLASHBACK
Severus looked at the tiny form of his daughter and looked
back at the ghost of his ex-wife Lily.
"You have your chance, you hold Harry's, Emily's, Demi's and your childhood within
your grasp. You must get past
the hurt and pain of that night and prepare for living your
life with this little bundle of joy."
"What about Lea?" He asked.
"She will not die. She will live for a long time, long
enough to give you one more child and watch them both grow and
flourish."
"Another child? How long?"
"Ahh, not that I cannot tell you, nor the sex that the child will be. You will
be pleased. Let them grow up. I love you Severus."
"I love you too Lilly." She touched his cheek and then
was gone.
Thanks for all the reviews sorry this is soooo late, I couldn't sign in and I've been busy. Chapters will not be up this week so please don't beg me, because I'm very busy until next Sunday. Thanks for your patience