@~~]~~
Their trip to the eastern tower was quiet. Minerva's steps were fast and brisk, and growing faster as if she wanted to shake off the man following behind her. But Severus's step never faltered, remaining only several seconds behind. At one point, she stumbled in her haste, but was caught quickly by Severus. However, she brushed his hands away, not bearing to have him touch her. She kept her head straight forward, her features revealing nothing as was his. Each were wrapped up in their own thoughts.
As they grew nearer to her chambers, Minerva felt her heart beat faster. She didn't know how Severus knew, and frankly, she didn't really want to find out, the last thing she needed was a murder on her hands, for if she found out, she would strangle the person. She sighed inwardly, her calm face belying the storm raging inside her. How would he react to Athena? Would he hate her? And even worse than that, would he love her? Then what? Are they to bring up the child out of wedlock? And will Severus give Athena his name? So many questions, half of them she didn't want to know the answer to. However she knew she would die before she let him take Athena away from her. But Severus had the right to Athena also... assuming he wanted that right. Somehow, she couldn't imagine Severus holding the small baby in his arms, cooing at her like a doting father should. And yet, the image that had appeared in her mind looked right. Confusion, confusion. OMG!! Albus! What would he say? Maybe she could convince Severus to be reasonable and not tell Albus. Ugh, what is she saying? Severus, reasonable? She was in much trouble.
But all thoughts of Albus, and parental rights disappeared as the entrance to her room loomed in front of them. Softly, she muttered her password and watched the lioness move away to reveal a door.
* * *
He was going to see his daughter. He didn't know what to make of it. He never had a daughter before. Hell, he didn't even have a baby sister. He tried to imagine what she looked like. Maybe she had his hair...no, her mother's. He'd always liked Minerva's hair, especially now, short and flowing free instead of the silly bun she used to wear. His eyes then... no, his were too dark. Blue eyes would look better. His nose would look awful on a girl, so she would have Minerva's button nose. Maybe it'll wrinkle the same way Minerva's does, whenever she's dissatisfied by something. Since they both had pale skin, their daughter would've definitely inherited that. Would she have Minerva's wisdom or his cunningness? Maybe a little of both. Then another thought struck him. Slytherin or Gryffindor? Her mother would have a fit if she landed in Slytherin. But that was a long time from now. He tried to picture his daughter again, forming an image of how he thought she would look like. Instead, in his head was a picture of Minerva, her hair fanning out against the surface of water, her face contorted in pleasure and ecstasy. He shook his head violently to clear the picture and stole a gaze to the straight back woman walking in front of him. The last thing to cross his mind as they pulled up to the entrance of her chamber was... she can't deny my paternal rights but would she welcome me into her life?
@~~}~~
"Severus, please stay here," she said not looking at him. She disappeared into a room, closing the door behind her. Severus was left standing in the middle of her living room. This was his first time in another teacher's room. He didn't socialize very much outside school hours. He was suddenly curious at the type of environment his daughter had been growing up in the last two months. It wasn't very big, so he was able to take in the room with one glance. Bookshelves made up most of the walls, towering high till the ceiling and packed full with books of all shapes and sizes, each looking older than the next. In front of the fireplace was a worn out maroon armchair, not unlike the green one in his room. Next to it was a wooden coffee table also littered with old, hard cover books. Actually, the living room seemed a little... messy. He didn't know how he managed to chuckle under such pressure and anxiety, but her chuckled anyways. Who would have thought perfectionist Minerva McGonagall was a bit of a mess? Then his gaze fell upon the most beautiful craftsmanship. A baby's cradle made of shiny, thick wood engraved with enamel lions stood near the fire, the flames against its polished surface giving it an ethereal look. Surrounding it were toys and stuffed animals, many of them lions, but also beautiful dolls with yellow ringlets. Jealousy burned deep within him; who had given her such a gift that should have been from him? Inhaling deeply, he attempted to calm himself. He had lost control in the classroom, but he won't repeat it again. He was going to... but at that moment all thoughts disappeared. All that was left was a tall, brooding man staring wide eyed at a small little girl, eyes identical to his, looking small and fragile yet refined in her mother's arms.
His baby girl...