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Six Feet and Falling

by Saerry Snape

Chapter 5 :: August 3, 1995 :: Somewhere in the Welsh Highlands

"Repeat the Houses to me."

"Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"Good.  And the Hogwarts Founders?"

"Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin."

"Excellent."

Over the last three days, Severus had been teaching Sheyne all there was to know about the wizarding world.  She was a quick learner (Like her mother, thought Severus) and kept facts in her head, which was a talent he had but used for potions ingredients.

"Sir?" asked Sheyne suddenly.

"Yes, child?"  He continually called her 'child' and Sheyne had not made any objections to it.

"Is my brother a wizard?"

Severus frowned.

"No, I am afraid not."

"How do you know?"

"He is fourteen, correct?  Yes, well, children who have the – ah – gift receive a letter of acceptance from Hogwarts at age eleven.  The Headmaster's phoenix Fawkes is also a good judge of whether a child has the gift or not.  Twice Fawkes judged your brother, twice he deemed him unable to perform magic.  Young Stephen is a Muggle."

"Non-wizard folk."

"Yes."

"So – he'll have to go to an orphanage?"

Severus paled slightly.

"By no means!  No, no, child, he will not.  I assure you of that.  Especially as those men."

"Lucius, Wormtail, and Macnair."

"Yes…those three – are not after him as well as you."

"Why were they after me?"

Oh hell, thought Severus.  Now comes the time where I must tell her.

"Ah – well…"

"There you are Severus!"

The two of them looked up from where they'd been seat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall to see Minerva McGonagall striding towards them.  Despite the general rivalry between their Houses, Severus and the Gryffindor Head of House had always gotten along.

"Good morning, Minerva.  What might you be looking for me for?"

"Poppy wanted to know if you happened to have any Cheering Potion brewed.  She seems to have run out."

"Tell her she had only to tap the shelf that is empty and call out the potion she needs and it will refill itself."  Severus smirked slightly and continued, "Tell her I charmed that cabinet to take whatever she asks for from my cabinet in my lab.  Except for the dangerous things."

McGonagall smiled.  "Poppy will be please."  She then smiled at Sheyne and said, "Good morning, my dear.  Having fun talking to our grumpy Potions Master?"

"I am not grumpy," defended Severus at the same time Sheyne spoke.

"I find the professor quite good company, Professor McGonagall."

"Very good child.  Very few find our Professor Snape good company."  McGonagall did not notice as Severus paled and Sheyne stared hard at him.  "Ta ta."

As soon as she left the hall, Severus turned to face Sheyne.  The girl was eyeing him oddly.  It was a while before either of them spoke.  And when they did, Sheyne spoke first.

"Professor Snape?"

"That is indeed my name."

Sheyne frowned slightly then whispered, "So – so, you're my father."

Severus looked into her eyes and nodded.

"Yes, child."

There was a moment of silence then Sheyne flung herself out of her seat beside him and onto him, throwing her arms about his neck and burying her face in his chest.

"Papa…"

Severus felt tears in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his child, eyes turning towards the ceiling, the illusion upon it showing clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds highlighted in gold from the sun.

I have finally found our daughter, my Rowena.  How I wish you could see her.