"Albus," said Severus the next morning. He had waited until he and Albus were the only ones in the staff room. He's had an unusual week. He had been receiving hostile looks from Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley, well more so than usual and curious looks from Mr. Potter. He was tempted to check himself in the mirror often, just in case he had sprouted devil's horns or maybe another head. Albus looked up from his Daily Prophet, his twinkling eyes focusing on the Potions Master.

"Albus," he began again.

"I realize this may seem like an unusual request... maybe because it is unusual... but," he stopped, unsure of how to continue.

"I promise Severus, I will try my best to refrain form jumping in surprise at your 'unusual' request," said the headmaster, smiling a little. Albus's light humor encouraged him to continue even if it did irk him at the same time.

"I would like to have a look at The Book," Severus said rushed. Although he didn't show it, Albus was surprised at the younger man's request. He knew that the book mentioned the same one that recorded names of newborn children who would be joining Hogwarts one day.

"There, that wasn't so hard was it?" he said good-naturedly. "But I must ask why?"

Severus looked a little uncomfortable. He didn't know if personal matters were sufficient enough an answer.

"Well, Kat would like to know if Mark is registered. I guess she doesn't want to be disappointed 11 years from now," he said. Albus knew that Kat was his muggle cousin who was also married to a muggle. Her brother had received a letter from Hogwarts but she didn't which had resulted in much disappointment. Albus stroked his beard. This was delicate area. He didn't want a certain teacher animagi to accuse him of threading onto her territory.

"That is usually Minerva's area," he began. Severus could feel a little queer stirring inside him at the mention of the deputy headmistress. His questions still remained unanswered.

"Yes, I realize that. But if I had approached her, she would've asked me to ask you, so I'm trying to cut short the trip," he answered quickly. Albus looked like he didn't believe Severus. He still noticed that his Potions Master and Transfiguration mistress were dancing circles around each other. But he didn't pursue that matter. They will approach him in their own time.

"I suppose you are right. I think it should be alright for you to have a look," said Albus finally. Severus thanked the headmaster and quickly left the staff room.

@~~}~~

Dusting the brown, frayed book with his fingers, Severus stopped to trace the Hogwarts emblem on its cover, before opening the big book. The pages immediately began to flutter randomly and finally stopped on the page that held the most recent births.

There were at least 50 names recorded for that year. The names of the future students were on the far left and the parents on the furthest right.

"Pingeston, Dev," he read the last name on the page, and his eyes flicked upwards. Five names later, he saw what he wanted to see.

"White, Marcus; father: John White; mother: Katherine White," Severus smiled. Kat would be very pleased. He was just about to close when curiosity rode over him. He wanted to see whose children he would be teaching 11 years from now. Assuming of course, the present batch don't drive him to an early death. His fingers scrolled upwards, his eyes reading the names. Some names were familiar; Weasley (oh hell,), Wood, Flint, Abbott, and some were unfamiliar. Muggle born, he thought. His chest did a little relief dance, knowing that these children will never have to fear of losing their home and family. He would never admit it, but his heart sang knowing he had helped the future generation of the wizarding world. His fingers continued scrolling upwards, until they stopped suddenly. His brow furrowed in confusion.

"Athena," he read out loud. No surname. How weird. Who were her parents? His eyes moved sideways till it reached the far right. His eyes widen, bigger than saucers and his jaw dropped.

FATHER: Severus Snape;

"What sick joke is this?" he cried out loud. His eyes reread the column. That was his name.  The mother! He quickly looked at the name next to him. His jaw dropped.

MOTHER: Minerva McGonagall

Severus was dumfounded. How could it be? They had never... she would never let him... OMG! The memories came rushing back to him. He remembered. After he, Minerva, Albus, and the remaining order of the Phoenix had returned from the battle, he had persuaded Minerva to take him to his room, instead of Madam Pomfrey. He remembered vaguely her undressing him and putting him a tub of warm water. He also remembered opening his eyes and seeing her in the same tub, naked, rubbing his feet. He remembered reaching out for her and oh Sweet Merlin!! He had used their vulnerable state to coax her to have sex with him. No wonder she won't speak to him. He remembered she had been willing... more than willing, but the bottom line was, he had initiated it, he was the one to corner her like that!

He had taken advantage of her compassion. The forbidden visions evoked a poignant mixture of longing and shame. But surely, that couldn't have resulted in a child. He felt a sudden anger at the thought of another man touching Minerva. Severus did a quick mental arithmetic. It had happened more than nine months ago. The child was his, and besides the book can not lie. He was a father, his heart leapt in elation. He had a baby girl. And how typical of Minerva to name it after the goddess of wisdom. His sudden elation dropped at the thought of his child's mother. She had deliberately kept this news away from him. She had denied him his right towards his daughter. Anger filled his head, his chest, and his rational thoughts. She had kept his daughter a secret... from him! Slamming the book shut he went in search for the mother of his child.