The noise made Snape literally fall out of bed. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and cursed whoever was at his door. He stumbled through the darkness, pulling his sheet around his body and looking in the dark for the light switch. He leaned against the door. "Who is he?"

"Sev, it's me, Dahlia." Whimpered the voice from beyond his door. "Open up…I need help." Perhaps there was something in her plea that appealed to his gentleman nature, or perhaps he was just her friend and that caused him to open the door at 3 am in the morning and thereby sealing the path that his life would take for the next few years. In any case, her scared voice awoke Severus immediately and he opened the door. He had never heard Dahlia so scared and was even more concerned when she threw herself into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her uncomfortable and tried to sooth her. "Come now, Dahlia…what's the matter huh?" He tried to laugh. "Did you lose your earring again? Contact?"

"Severus that's not funny."

"Yes it is…and you know it." Dahlia giggled softly and he, somewhat assured that she wouldn't commit suicide, leaned over. He reached over and pushed her blond hair from her back behind her ear. He smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to make some tea, alright? Just wait here." He smiled at her gently the rose and walked towards his kitchen. He threw the rest of his bed sheet over his body like a toga. He called back at her. "Orange or Mint…I think I have a bag of Earl Gray somewhere."

"I'm pregnant, Severus." Dahlia said suddenly.

He dropped the cup he was holding and stared at her. "Does Billy know?"

"I haven't told him yet."

"I'm assuming you are going to tell him…or do you plan to keep it."

"I don't know what to do, Severus…I had to come to you." She hid her head in her hands. "I'm scared."

"And you came to me?"

"You always know what to do." She said sheepishly but with conviction. She was too busy ringing her hands together to give much care to his amused expression. She kept muttering to herself asking herself what she should she do. He sat next to her and put his arm around her. Dahlia leaned against his shoulder and buried her head in his. She squirmed in his arms. "What am I going to do?"
Severus rested his chin on her head and thought about the situation. He chewed on his lip. "Marry me, Dahlia Wyvern."

"What?" Dahlia deadpanned. She was staring at him strangely but her whole body was shaking slightly. Her hands were trembling in his. Her eyes were wide and fearful and totally glued on him. "What are you asking of me?"

"I'm asking for your name." He said simply. "And your family allied to mine. Face it, Moore, however nice a human being won't bode well with the families. He's a Mudblood and a Yankee to boot. Besides, did you ever have intentions of marrying him?"

"I don't love you."

"Marriages aren't always about love."

"But what about Billy?"

"Keep him, love him, grow old with him." He smiled at her. "Just do it with my name." She was shaking her head and searching his eyes for some form of reassurance. He was right, of course, not all marriages were for love. But she had always thought that Severus was above all the dramas of the rich, beyond it. She told him so and to that he just replied. "Our futures aren't ours, Dahlia, never were. You and I are defined by our names."

"You know you aren't Jesse and you don't have to be. You never did."

His face darkened. "I am what people want me to be, the Illuminatti wanted me to be a playboy and I am. My family wanted me to be an Auror and I am. I'm the best Auror and within five years everyone will know my name. But I'll need someone to share it with." He smirked. "If only for the cameras." He slapped her knees and brought her the tea. "Agreed?"

"Of course, Severus."

"Now get some rest."

One morning, around two years later, Severus awoke to a small weight on his chest. He chuckled lightly and kept his eyes closed. It took a few moments before he felt a light finger tap on his nose.

"Daddy," Pandora Snape whispered. "Daddy up."

"Not Daddy." Severus whispered back. "Daddy's Billy, go bug Billy, Monkey."

The two-year old laughed shrilly. "No Monkey! Dora! Daddy Alex up!"

"Not Daddy Alex!"

"Yes Daddy Alex!"

"Alexander Rouge, you stop giving my child issues!" He heard Billy Moore shout from the kitchen.

"Your kid already has issues!" Alex shouted back. "She thinks she has two dads!"

"I still think it's a clever ploy to get more presents at Christmas!" Billy rebutted sharply. "Now get over here for breakfast before Dahlia hurts you."

But he wasn't listening. Alexander, as Severus had been known since he entered the Auror Academy, was too busy teaching Dora a new sentence. He emerged into the kitchen a few minutes later with Dora perched on his shoulders proudly proclaiming, "I have issues! I have issues!"

In response, Dahlia threw a spatula at Alex that hit squarely between the eyes. Dora had fun playing the butter that remained after he had wiped it off. Depositing Dora into her chair and taking his seat, Alexander sat and studied the breath of his domain. Content.

It was an odd family arrangement to say the least and one that was not easy to describe. Simply put, Billy Moore and Dahlia had found themselves expecting a child. Dahlia, content to love a Mudblood, er, Muggle born was not strong enough to marry one in open defiance of the unspoken rules of the highborn Wizarding families. Enter Severus Alexander, the successful aristocrat that Dahlia was supposed to have been intimate with. He married her in a private ceremony (yet not private enough for the gossip to get back to England) and thus saving her repute and the child's future. In a very odd turn of events, he, who was still a bachelor in everything but name, found himself living in a spare bedroom and godfather to the child who bore his last name. It was a very odd family living arrangement or as Sydney and Jude liked to call it, an Englishman's version of ménage a troi.

"And today on Galaxy Quest, can Commander Taggert and his crew save themselves from the evil Tenaha Empire?" The television blared as Dahlia put it on her favorite show.

Severus repeated the lines he knew by heart from so many babysitting sessions. "By Garbathar's Hammer…by the suns of Warven, you shall be avenged."

"Poor man." Dahlia muttered staring at the TV. "You know he's typed cast for life now."

"Naw. I saw him in Richard the Third." Severus said. "Excellent performance, he'll find work."

He began to read the paper, stopping ever few moments to throw potatoes at Dora. The little raven haired, brown eyed princess giggled and threw milk at him. He was saved (after a change in robes) by an owl from Hecate telling him he was already three days behind in paperwork and to get his quote, Brit arse over there, end quote. Billy was still half way through breakfast but promised to meet him later.

"Just don't be late again." He warned. "Malachi will have your head for his trophy case." He tugged on his cloak and turned around to see Dahlia and Billy kissing over the coffee. Dora was more then content watching her television show. Picture perfect family…

They should be mine…

He smiled mournfully and walked out of the house, never once looking back to the life he didn't own. He began his daily walk to "the office." The Southern sun was hot on his back and all around him the city was getting ready for another day. He stopped to pick up the Muggle daily news and read about the most recent news. Anything to keep his mind off the world he had left behind in that house.

He couldn't stand days like this. It was these times that made life move along at a grueling pace. If he were honest with he would have to admit that he wasn't happy. But then he thought when had he ever been truly happy?

With Melanie…

He shook his head, trying to overrule those melancholy thoughts. He didn't believe in happiness after all. Happiness was what came in short bursts of five seconds and disappeared just as quickly. Let people of an innocent fate enjoy illusions of happiness. He had worked to do.

"Severus?"

He turned, wondering and exploded into laughter. "Silas?"

Silas Malfoy nodded and shrugged. He looked totally different then the aristocratic playboy Severus had spent so many evenings with, breaking hearts and bucking the odds. He was dressed in faded jeans, a wife beater and flip flops; looking more like that subspecies of Muggle: the beach boy. "I've been looking over all America for you."

"I told you I was becoming an Auror."

Something strange crossed Silas' face, a look akin to disgust and pure hatred. It was then Severus noticed the bandaged on Silas' left forearm. Silas recovered quickly. "I'm staying here for a couple weeks, my employer is scouting for new talent."

"Who are you working for now?"

A coy smile crossed his lips. "It's a private employer but I'll tell you what, I'm throwing a party tonight and all the gang will be there: Avery, Wilkes, Rosier, and Byron. Why don't you come?"

"Ah, I don't know…"

"Bring Dahlia if you're afraid of the hungry women."

"We're separated."

"Then let me help you out." Silas laughed. "Come on Severus, like old times."

Severus shrugged. "Sure, why not?" He chuckled. "Fuck it."

"Good. I'll have my man send over the directions and if you don't come…I'll send the Dark Lord after you. What are they called now?"

"Death Eaters."

"Yeah, them. They'll come after you if you aren't at this party."

Silas' grin was infectious. Severus smiled back and saluted, "Aye sir."

"Dismissed, then." The Wizard nodded and disappeared back into the bustle. Severus was still smiling.

"Why not." He mused to himself. "This party could change my life."

"You're tried Alex, admit it."

Severus rubbed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'm tired but so is he."

Van Ness shook his head. "Don't take him, let him go."

"No!" Billy shouted. "Lex can get him if any man can."

Van Ness didn't look as assured, "Positive I.D came in while you were in there. His name is Isaac Iverson. Has he confessed?"

"Give me ten minutes." He demanded before entering in the small room again.

Van Ness slammed four Galleons on the table. "Four says he doesn't get the confession."

"Ten says he does." Billy countered.

"Ten."

"Deal."

Isaac Iverson looked up coyly at Severus as he entered. "Howdy Navy robe…want to try again."

"I got your name Iverson and more importantly I got my witness placing you at the murder scene of that Brazilian family. So either give me what I'll want…or I'll see you in that nice shiny new prison they built for you. "

"You're lying."

Severus smiled cruelly. "Am I?"

"No one was there, not that survived that night anyways."

"Her name's Missy. She's seven and hid under the bed when you came."

Iverson turned an unnatural shade of gray. "But Jack said no one was there…the Ripper said…"

"The Ripper lied, didn't he?"

Malachi Smith entered in outer room where Van Ness and Moore were sitting. It was the main part of the holding chamber with a smaller room accessible only through a small door that melted into the wall where Severus was questioning the Death Eater. Malachi had Jude on his heels. The elder Auror looked grim.

"Call Severus out." Malachi said. "He needs to hear this."

It was the stillness of the room that concerned Severus when he entered. He was use to Malachi's visits and briefings but this was different. Somehow, this time things were different. Severus leaned against the table and waited for his superior to speak.

"There was an attack half an hour ago." Malachi's voice, which had always been strong and deep, broke. "It was an ambush. They entered and killed everyone."

"Who?" Van Ness whispered.

"The British Minister of Magic. They killed him, his family and the entourage traveling with him. As you know, he was traveling to gain support for his war against the Dark Lord Voldemort. Fourteen dead. Five of them were Aurors."

"We have reason to believe that it's the work of Jack the Ripper." Jude continued. "There's more: more then likely they received information from inside."

"Severus where are you going?"

"Get him!" Malachi ordered.

Severus had entered the questioning room and had slammed Iverson against the wall. He punched the Death Eater in the stomach and as Iverson swooned, he kneed him and forced him back to a standing position. "Who's the spy, Iverson?"

"Why navy…you're tense. Somebody die?"

Nobody knew that he had the kind of strength he exhibited when he threw Iverson through the window. He was going to kill him if Jude hadn't pulled him off. Jude forced him outside.

"Why did you stop me?" Severus demanded.

"Not that way, Alexander. We can't do things that way."

"How many Jude? How many have to die before we can do something about it? This isn't the first time they've done something like this. Two years ago, we were certain this Voldemort was nothing more then a child bidding for power and we did nothing. Then Muggles started dying and we played clean up. Then Wizards died and we've been playing the defense ever since. Now Aurors and Ministers have died. So when are we going to do something about it? The next time? Or the time after that, when?"

"When the battle lines are drawn."

"They've already been drawn, Jude! Drawn in blood over two years ago- we've been blind to them on purpose. There is a war going on we didn't even know existed." Severus laughed as a thought occurred to him. "And took fourteen dead today to wake us up. Voldemort has already allied himself to the vampires, the giants and an ever-growing number of Wizards. He's ready for war. When do we start?"

"You want to do something Alex? Fine, find the spy. Find that son of a bitch who betrayed us to Voldemort, find him and kill him." Jude ordered. "But first, just mourn Severus. Just feel your pain."

"Don't you Jude? I'm the Morning Star." Severus whispered. "I don't feel pain."

"Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die!" Silas shouted over the din of the music. He saw Severus and smiled. "Good, I don't have to kill you."

"It's not funny anymore." Severus interjected. He told Silas about the attack, which would not officially make it into papers till tomorrow evening.

Silas listened sympathetically. "I'm sorry about that, Sev. But I'm a little bit more then thankful, I have someone like you protecting from the big bad villain." He smiled gently and poured him a drink. "Follow me. I want you to meet someone."

The woman was tall, graceful and barely dressed. She was talking to Avery when Silas and Severus approached. It was like she sensed them coming because as they neared, she turned. Severus was floored by her beauty: pale skin, full lips and dangerous eyes the color of wine.

"Severus Snape." Silas introduced. "I want you to meet Miss Jacqueline Eames."

Author's Note: because of the lack of reviews with the last few chapters...I'm thinking of pulling this story. If you guys could give me an idea of whether of not to complete this story, I'd be so thankful. Yours, Erised.