Disclaimers: I do NOT own most of these characters. I DO, however, own Rebecca Robinson and any other character you DO NOT recognize. I would also like to thank you in advance to reading and reviewing. Please let me know how this story is working out.

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RWH

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SIX ~~~

Severus strode purposefully towards his chambers from his classroom. He was eager to get out of his robes and into something a bit more comfortable. The traditional school robes were nice and flowing but they did tend to get bulky after a time. It was always a welcomed relief after a long day, to shed the constant irritation of these robes. He grew tired of the daily fight to keep his long sleeves from dipping into the many potions and the nearly constant worry of catching fire if he reached across the cauldron to far.

He longed to shed the heavy garment and just lounge in his favorite pair of black sweat pants. Rebecca had given him a couple of pairs a few months ago, something she called a gag gift, but he found that the garments were very comfortable and easy to move around in. He secretly prized the odd muggle clothing, however he rarely let anyone, including Rebecca, see him while he was wearing them. It wouldn't be right to let her see him while dressed so casually. Besides, they didn't leave much to the imagination and he really didn't want to shock her.

He tried to protect her against a lot of things that would remotely remind her of her past.

He moved quickly on towards his chambers, tired and a bit cranky. This particular day had been one of the longest days in history, he concluded, and he was extremely relieved that it was finally over. The day had to have been charmed or cursed, depending on how you looked at it. He could have sworn that it contained an extra hour or two in there somewhere. All he knew was that he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than a nice glass of brandy and to indulge in a good book.

His thoughts were idly going over the various tomes in his rooms, trying to decide on which one he was going to start on that evening when he walked past Becca's door. He paused and tilted his head in curiosity as an interesting sound reached his ears. A sound he hadn't heard in quite some time.

'What."

The odd sounds drew Severus back to Becca's door where he stopped to listen. It wasn't a moment later when he heard it again coming from inside her bedroom. A soft hiccuping sound that made him raise his eyebrows in surprise.

She was crying.

He raised a hand and knocked softly.

"Becca? Are you all right?" He heard a loud sniffle and knocked harder when there wasn't an immediate answer from within. "Rebecca?"

His mind churned in turmoil as he pondered whether to enter her domain uninvited or go ahead and storm in. Being a young woman, she deserved her privacy but to stand out here while she was in obvious distress wasn't something that he could abide by. He knocked again and waited a moment, when there was no answer except for her soft crying he reached out and touched the knob. The thought of what could have happened to her twisted his insides and he had to make sure that she was all right.

"Becca.I'm coming in."

His heart made up his mind for him and he flung the door open casting a furtive glance around to make sure there wasn't any unexpected company in her room. If there were, he would kill whoever it was that was causing her pain. His eyes searched the near darkness and finally located her hunched over next to her bed, sitting on the floor. Her shoulders shook heavily as she cried, but she did appear to be alone.

"Becca?" He repeated her name and glided over to kneel next to her. "What is it? Why are you crying?"

She wiped a tear away and looked up at him with the saddest eyes he had seen her use in years.

"Am I a freak?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke that one question. Her watery eyes searching his face for confirmation or denial. Severus felt his face pale and he gazed at her in surprise. He had never expected something like that from her.

"Certainly not! Why in Merlin's staff would you say that? You are a very beautiful and caring young lady, hardly a.freak."

"Then why don't people like me?" She sniffed sadly and leaned into his arms as he wrapped one around her in comfort pulling her into his lap as he cradled her. She lowered her head to lay on his chest. She had always loved the way he smelled and took solace in his embrace. He always seemed to know what to do or say to make her feel better.

"Who doesn't like you?" He asked quietly as he stroked her long black hair.

"Everyone!"

"Everyone? I doubt that. That's a lot of people. Anyone in particular?"

She sniffed against his chest but said nothing causing him to frown slightly.

"This have anything to do with Eastland?" He was going to kill him if it had.

She sighed and brushed her hands across her wet nose. Immediately he retrieved a handkerchief from inside his robe and handed it to her.

"Thank you," She whispered taking the handkerchief. "Not.not just him.he." She blew her nose hard and continued to sniff sinking back into the comfort of his chest wanting to forget all about it.

"But he is a main part." Severus pressed.

She nodded and played with the linen handkerchief nervously wrapping it tight around her fingers. After a few moments of thought she sighed and pushed against his chest to sit more upright. It would be best to come out and say it rather than force him to continue to persist. That would only make him madder when the truth came out. She couldn't look into his eyes when she spoke next.

"He.dumped me. Said that I wasn't. woman. enough for him. Just because I wouldn't." She paused before looking up at him sideways afraid to tell him the complete truth.

"I believe the term is.. Put out?"

She sniffed and nodded which caused Severus to burn in anger. How dare Eastland try anything with her? He'd dunk his balls in bronze and hang them over the dungeon doors in warning to any other male that dared hurt her in any way.

"Don't worry about him, my Dear, I will tend to him." His voice shook with rage as he forced the words past his clenched teeth.

She sniffed loudly but shook her head, reaching her arms around his waist and hugging him to her.

"No, please, Sir.I don't want him hurt. He.He can't help how he is. He.he's a." she searched for a proper term but failed. "He's a. male." She held onto him tighter hoping she didn't insult him with that word.

He reached a finger out and touched her chin to turn her gaze up to meet his eyes. "No, he's an impatient child trying to be a man. He has a long way to go before he can claim that title. And you, my dear, you have so much more maturity than any young lady of your age."

She sniffed and shook her head slightly her bright green eyes searching his.

"I don't feel mature. Right now, I feel like I was eleven again with no friends or anyone who wants to be seen with me."

"You have friends, Honey, You have Melisa.Cathryne."

She shook her head at that. "They don't hang out with me anymore. Not since.not since my birthday. They have their own boyfriends to dote on. They don't have time for me anymore." She sniffed again feeling like a lost cause. "No one wants go be seen with me or to go out with me."

"Out?"

"Yes, out!"

"What do you mean by.Out?"

"Out. I mean, like to Hogsmeade. No one wants to be seen with me. "

"And why not?" He was not liking this conversation at all.

"I don't know." She turned her face into his chest and again he reached out a hand to force her to look back at him.

"Is it because of me?"

"Sometimes." She admitted softly, reluctantly.

"Because of who I am." A statement in fact..

"Yes.." She turned and curled back into his arms seeking refuge. "But I don't care! Not really! I love you Sir, No matter what others say about you. I know who you are and what you are capable of. 'THEY' don't have a clue as to what I have."

He couldn't stop the smile from forming on his lips.

"I love you too." He whispered placing a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, child, you are to beautiful to be ignored for much longer." He pulled back and gazed into her vivid green eyes. "Trust me on this one."

She smiled through another sniffle and returned the linen handkerchief back to him. He took it and stuffed it back into his robe without question.

"If you say so."

"I do." He slowly stood, lifting her from the floor and sat her gently onto her bed. "Now, its getting late and I don't want you to worry about this any more. You have to get some proper sleep." He pulled down her dark blue comforter and indicated for her to get underneath. "You have a long day with all your exams tomorrow and you will need a clear head. Do you want any sleep potions?"

She shook her head, tucked her feet under the heavy covers, and smiled as he pulled it up and over her. "No, Sir. I'll be fine now."

He smiled down at her and once more leaned over and kissed her forehead tenderly.

"As you wish, but if you need one later, do not hesitate to come and let me know."

"I wont."

"Goodnight Child."

"Goodnight, Sir."

He paused at the door and looked back at her. At nearly seventeen, she was beginning to look more and more beautiful. One more year and she would be gone. One more year and he would be alone, again. His one stint at playing 'dad' will be over. He had mixed feelings over that. Of course, she had to grow up, but.did it have to happen so fast?

"Nox."

He whispered, wrapping her room in darkness as he left.

A/Ns and Acknowledgements

Fancy: I think he would be a wonderful dad too. He just needed the chance to prove it. Least this time you get so see him at work.LOL Thanks Hon, for reviewing.

Cat: Well, as you can see.first love is not necessarily a good love and our favorite dad is NOT happy with him. Keep reading.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW.. I'M BEGGIN YA'