Fanfiction based in the world of Harry Potter, created by JKR. Her characters are hers. Original characters are mine. Please see first chapter for full disclaimers and description.

We have to address some more of the Remus/Rowena connection, and also Katrina.

Chapter 12: Family Issues

A knock on her door roused her from sleep. The sun was shining brightly through her window, and she realized she must have slept quite late. It had taken her body a long time to cool down enough for sleep after Severus's stirring kisses; her resultant dreams had been pleasant, but far from restful!

She was in royal-blue satin pajamas, full length and very, very modest, one might even say boring. At any rate, she didn't hesitate to go and open the door, thinking it was perhaps Minerva, who sometimes called if she missed a meal.

It was Remus. She frowned at him for a long moment before stepping aside to allow him in. She walked away from him and the door, and he didn't bother to shut it fully.

Remus looked tired and worried. He had deep lines on his face that shouldn't have been there at his age. For a moment she had a wistful longing and genuine concern for the brother he had been. But she squashed it at once.

"To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Brother?" she asked, with more than a hint of sarcasm.

He moved closer so that he could face her and tried to keep his voice light and friendly. "Just checking in on you, Rowena. I came to talk to Severus about my potion—I'll need it next week, and I thought I'd stop in and see how you were settling in. I've been here all morning, and was worried when I heard you missed breakfast."

She bristled visibly and said angrily, "Are you still expecting Severus to make that potion for you? Why don't you learn to make the bloody thing yourself? Hasn't he got enough on his plate without worrying about that potion?"

Remus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Rowena, please. I didn't come to argue with you about Severus Snape! I understand he took you out somewhere fancy last night. I hope you had a good time. I hope you're happy. I hope he can somehow manage to treat you right. To say that he's normally cold and unpleasant would be an understatement!"

"Remus! That's enough!" she said angrily, her voice rising, "It's none of your business, and if you're just here to be insulting, I want you to leave. He's had enough of that from your lot already. Don't bring it to me."

"Rowena, I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head... and he did look contrite! "Listen. I have a great deal of respect for Severus. He's smart and he's putting himself to great risk to help out the Order. There was a lot of stuff that we did when we were kids that I wish I could go back and change, but I can't.

"I just don't like you being involved in this. I'm worried about you. I trust him... I really do believe he's on our side, no matter what Moody says. That doesn't change the fact that what he's dealing with is incredibly dangerous. If you get involved with him, then you're in danger, too. You've waited this much of your life to get together with him. Can't you wait a bit more? Don't do this now, Rowena... it's too dangerous."

Rowena was fuming by the time he had done. "Are you quite finished? I don't want your opinions or advice on my relationships, Brother. I've waited this long, you're right. I'm not going to let it go now in the hopes of picking it up again later after you-know-who is gone.

"He is in danger—we're all in danger! I don't want to one of us to die tomorrow not knowing what could have been if I'd only been willing to try! Just because YOU show your love for people by pushing them away 'for their own good' doesn't mean that everyone does. Or that your way is even the best way."

"Wena, please, you've got to think about..." he tried to say, placatingly.

"NO!" she said vehemently, "I don't care, Remus. I am a grown adult. I want this, no matter what happens, and I don't want you interfering in my life. If you want to be my 'brother', then respect and support my decisions. Otherwise, stay out of my life!"

"That sounds rather decided, doesn't it Lupin?," said a very deep voice, dripping with sarcasm. "You heard her. I believe the lady asked you to leave."

Severus was standing in the open doorway. He had approached so silently that neither Lupin had noticed him, nor had any idea how long he had been standing there. He was leaning against the frame surveying them with a look of sardonic amusement on his face; his dark eyes fixed firmly on Remus.

"Hello, Severus. I wasn't aware that my personal conversations with my sister were any of your concern. Lupin family business, you know. I'm sure Rowena will come and find you when she wants to see you. I haven't finished talking with her."

"Yes, Remus, you have," said Rowena firmly, before Severus could respond. "I thank you for your concern. I'm sure you meant well. I won't discuss this with you again. Either support me in MY choices, or leave me alone. And either way, I would like you to leave now."

Severus stepped aside from the door and gave Remus a sarcastic flourish of his arm, towards the door, accompanied by an ironic bow. For Rowena's sake, he held back the snide comment that ought rightly to have accompanied the gesture.

Remus stopped face to face with Rowena. He was a bit taller than Severus, which made him considerably taller than Rowena. The two Lupins looked at each other with identical frowns of displeasure, though for different reasons. Severus was struck anew with how very alike they were in appearance, and wonder at how he had never suspected their relationship in school!

Remus broke eye contact first, and nodded. "All right, Rowena. You know you can always call me if you need anything. Ever."

"Yes, Remus. I know."

He bent and kissed her cheek, and then left, shutting the door.

Severus watched her for long moments, more than a little amused at her obvious anger. Once again she had been fighting with her own brother, in defense of him. He wasn't at all certain how he ought to feel about that, but rightfully or not, he felt a surge of something like warmth and pleasure at her determined loyalty to him over all else.

"I believe your brother thinks he is protecting you," he said at last, gauging her reaction.

She frowned up at him with her chin at a very defiant angle. "I don't care to be 'protected' by shutting myself off from the people I care about. That's my brother's idea of 'protection'. Don't ever try to protect me by pushing me away, Severus. I deserve more respect and credit for my own abilities and intelligence than that implies."

"Agreed and noted," he said. And then with a small smile that might almost have been called teasing, he asked, "Am I one of those people you 'care about' that your brother wants to keep away from you?"

She blushed pink but gave him an arch look, "I think you already know the answer to that."

With quick, silent grace he moved close to her. He reached out and wound his hand through the masses of flowing hair and pulled her to him, slowly bringing his mouth to hers and kissing her gently. His kiss was more confident than the night before, yet still held the trepidation of newness.

"I know the answer," he said softly as he pulled away from the kiss, "Perhaps I just wanted to hear you say it. On the other hand, maybe I just enjoy making you blush," he said, and then claimed her mouth again.

With the first touch of his lips on hers, she wound her arms about him. By the time the second kiss had ended, she felt breathless and her lips were pink and swollen from the kisses.

His dark hair hung in curtains around his face, and she reached up and brushed it gently off his cheek. She managed a shy smile and kissed his chin. "Of course you are one of the people I care about."

"So naturally that makes me one of the top candidates on your brother's list of 'People to keep away from Rowena', is that it?"

She rolled her eyes in disgust and nodded, stepping away from him. "You've got it. Listen, I slept through breakfast. Would you like to join me for lunch? I'll just fix something here."

"Yes, you layabout. You did sleep through breakfast. I am here to bring you to MY quarters for lunch. Go get dressed and come along. We'll be late to the hospital if you don't quit dawdling."

"Your quarters? Why?" She had never been to his quarters in the month and a half she had been coming to the castle, and the invitation startled her.

"Because I wish it," he said imperiously, "Enough questions, woman! Get dressed or dine in your pajamas, the choice is yours. Ten minutes." He then sat in the chair and pulled a book off her shelf and began skimming through it.

She gave him a haughty sniff and pretended to be affronted by his authoritative manner, but she left the room without argument. He could hear her fussing about in her room and bathroom... but there was something nudging at the hem of his robes. He fortunately recalled that she had a familiar of some sort that he had yet to see—otherwise he would have brought his heel down sharply and suggested she ward her quarters against mice.

The creature was a ferret, precisely the same honey-brown color as her hair. He looked at it in surprised amusement before lifting it gently next to him on the couch. It was not more than three pounds and barely longer than the full length of his hand and wrist.

"So, you are 'Vixen' I presume?" he drawled to the creature. She merely looked at him with beetle-black eyes and began snuffling her way through his pockets.

In short order Rowena came out of her room, dressed in deep green robes, her hair loose and brushed to a high sheen. He looked at her approvingly and stood fluidly. Reaching into his pocket he withdrew the ferret who had buried herself inside it. "I believe this belongs to you?"

Rowena smiled and took the creature warmly into her arms. "Yes, this is Vixen. I forgot you hadn't met her yet. She mostly hides under the furniture. She's wonderful to search the flat before I come in, though. I've started letting her into my lab and things as well. I haven't needed to do my ritual search of my quarters since I moved here. I suppose partially due to her, and partially due to the basic aura of safety of this old castle. Though I do sometimes have to scour under the furniture for missing quills and things. Ferrets like hoarding."

She looked up at him slightly defensively, as though she expected him to poke fun of her pet. "I know ferrets aren't used much as familiars, but she suited my needs perfectly. She's quite intelligent."

He gave her a wry smile. "Indeed. Are you ready to come for lunch?"

She put Vixen down on the couch and nodded. He took her hand and led the way. Instead of going through the halls, they went through the various connecting doors—her quarters to her office to her classroom to her lab, to his lab, his classroom, his office, and finally his quarters.

"I want you to be familiar with using this route once the students return so that we may visit each other discretely," he said by way of explanation. He was amused at her embarrassment, and also slightly embarrassed himself when she was forced to reveal her passwords through her doors. One was "Severus Bach", the other was "Snape Shakespeare". He had never been the object of a woman's infatuation before, and he was still not used to it by any means; though he was learning to find it pleasantly amusing.

He escorted her inside and then watched her reaction. It was very similar in lay-out to hers. But there was nothing here of decoration or warmth. Functional furniture. Drab colors, mostly varying degrees of grays and browns. Chess set on the table. Rows and rows of books around the fireplace. A wireless box for music. But there were no decorations, no photographs, not even windows, being in the dungeon. Nothing that showed anyone actually LIVED here. It was tidy to the point of fastidiousness.

She turned and smiled at him somewhat wistfully. "Its just what I expected of you, Severus. Immaculate and functional, but no comforts, hmm?"

He snorted in derision. "Comforts only make you soft. Come now, in the kitchen, and keep me company while I make lunch.... Oh, here."

He gave a low soft whistle and then bent to pick something up. He turned to her and deposited a pitch-black... ferret... into her arms. This ferret was obviously male, being twice as big as Vixen. He was so black that light seemed to be absorbed into his thick fur. His glittering black eyes were bright and intelligent, and he immediately began to snake his way through her pockets as Vixen had done to Severus.

She looked at him in shocked surprise. He was actually smiling. "Phantom. I acquired him shortly after that first day I met you at your Ministry lab. Peter Pettigrew is an animagus—he becomes a rat. The Dark Lord has set him to spend at least part of his time lurking around the school. Partially as another source of information, partially to keep tabs on ME. Phantom watches for him. That's how I knew he was on the grounds the day of the Memorial. He has proven himself quite useful."

She grinned back. "No wonder you didn't tease me about Vixen. The woman at the shop tried to dissuade me from getting her because of the hoarding thing. But really, it was quite ridiculous for her to try. I mean, when you're seeking a familiar, you don't really get to choose what is going to bond with you."

"But you must admit, they are an unusual creature for that purpose," he said dryly. She couldn't help but wonder if he also found it interesting that they had been bonded to similar creatures, possibly within a few days of each other.

He moved into the kitchen area and began preparing their meal. He wouldn't let her help, and was obviously as comfortable in the kitchen as in a potions lab. He quickly prepared a meal of a very savory vegetable stew, salad, and even a chocolate cheesecake for dessert, though that he had made earlier. He pretended to be affronted at her apparent surprise that he could cook.

"I was raised by my French mother, when my father could be forgotten. One does not get raised by a French Woman and not know how to cook. Though if you ever imply that there is any similarity between the mundane art of cooking and the very complex and subtle art of potions-making, or that potions-making is nothing more than 'following a recipe', I'm afraid I will have to hex you."

She laughed lightly and held up her hands in mock defense, "I wouldn't dream to imply any such thing... at least not where anyone might hear me."

"Indeed."

"Severus... why did you invite me here? It's my turn to try to figure out what YOU expect from me," she said with an air of trepidation.

He looked at her as though surprised with the question. He shrugged and ran a hand through his lank, black hair. "I wanted to be with you somewhere that we didn't have to feel on display. This is totally new territory for me, Rowena... the idea of "dating" or whatever this is. I wanted to be with you, nothing more."

She nodded and smiled shyly, "I wanted to be with you, too. And regardless of what you seem to think of my experiences, this is pretty new territory for me, too. I've dated, like I said, but you've already surpassed my personal record for number of dates, if we count the St. Mungos trips. Most men don't keep asking the 'frigid scientist' out again after they've been rejected a few times."

He looked at her in contemplative silence a few minutes, and then continued answering her previous question. "As far as what I expect from you... I don't even know. Just to give me time, I suppose, to decide what I'm capable of... with you. I am concerned for you, Rowena. Your brother had a good point. There is grave potential for you to be seriously hurt here. It is very dangerous to associate with me at all because of my work, in addition to the emotional aspect.

"I already know you care for me more than any other person ever has, with the possible exception of my mother. That is... flattering, I suppose would be a good word, and intriguing...

"But what happens to you when we find, as I'm afraid we will, that either it is not possible for me to return your affections, or at least not to the degree that you need; or that I am not at all the man you have imagined me to be?"

She frowned at him and sighed. "Severus, I need you to stop worrying about me here! You've got enough to do to figure out what you want, need, feel, whatever. I'm an adult. I'll be fine whatever happens. There is no possible way that I am going to change my mind about you. It's just going to take time for you to learn to trust that. Just don't pull a Remus and try to protect me by deciding things for me, or pushing me away."

He snorted at this and shook his head. "No indeed. I'm not that unselfish. If you're masochistic enough to want to be with me, I certainly am not going to be noble or honorable and insist that you not."

He was still silent and brooding though, and at last said, "Define 'a few dates'. You've used that term several times in regards to your experiences. Narcissa has implied that..."

Now it was her turn to snort in disgust. "That no one has managed to 'shag' the frigid scientist? She is correct. No one has. I'm not into casual..." Her voice trailed off a moment and she began to blush again. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "Casual sex. I just don't see the point. And to be honest, I've never really had any desire to ... experiment."

They both looked down at their now empty plates in discomfort and embarrassment. At last Severus stood and waved the dishes away, and pulled her with him to the couch.

"That seems to be an odd conversation to have sitting at a table," he said quietly once they were seated together.

She laughed nervously, "It seems to be an odd conversation to have, period."

He nodded in agreement, but pulled her close to him where he sat. "It may be. But I have told you before, I am a blunt man. Subtlety is useful in Potions making, not in building trust. I and appreciate honesty and clarity. Apparently, if we arrive at that...point... it will be a case of the blind leading the blind, will it not?"

She looked up at him jauntily, though her blush hadn't faded. "Well, I prefer to think of it as two intelligent people who both enjoy learning, research, and experimentation, simply finding a new venue in which to practice those talents."

His eyes had darkened impossibly as she had spoken, and were focused on her mouth. His deep voice could just be heard before he claimed her lips with his, "Indeed."

His kissed her gently at first. Soft, questioning kisses of lips and tongue, tasting and exploring the newness. Soon they became fiery and passionate, sometimes deep and probing, sometimes sweet and tasting. Hot, nipping kisses of her neck and throat. His hands pressed her to him, and eventually guided her down onto the couch so that he was lying along side her. He played with her long hair, reveling in the satiny feel and sweet fragrance of it.

She wound her fingers through his. It was not dirty nor greasy as people always accused him of... it was merely very, very fine so that it hung straight and lank, and ebony black so that the dark shine gave the illusion of moisture. It was soft and silky in her fingers. She nibbled at his neck and throat as well, delighting in the spicy male scent of him and the taste of his warm skin.

She was nearly wild beside him, her erratic breathing and sweet moans adding to his own fire, her hands kneading his back, his shoulders, twining desperately through his hair. Her body began instinctively to arch against him, pressing herself close to him, wanting some nameless thing.

Abruptly, he stopped. He laid his head on her chest and held her tightly, but motionless, listening to the wild pounding of her heart and breathing, his own no less erratic. Her soft whimper of frustration made him smile, and for a while he simply lay there, waiting for them both to regain some level of equilibrium.

She definitely struck a very primitive male chord within him. He couldn't deny that the idea that she was likewise a virgin excited him. A very possessive sense of pride filled him. She said she had never desired sex, and he had no reason to doubt her. If she had desired it, she certainly could have found it! Yet she plainly desired HIM. What more powerful aphrodisiac could there be than to be desired so ardently by a pretty woman?

At last he sat up, pulling her with him, and met her gaze. She was looking decidedly... rumpled, and also very disgruntled. "Are you deliberately trying to drive me mad, or was that little exercise in frustration done to prove a point?"

He grinned darkly, "Maybe a little of both. This is not the time to cross that particular bridge. But I must admit that I enjoy the journey. You forget that I never engaged in any of that nonsense in my youth. I'm now getting a taste of what I missed. I intend to savor it."

He stood then and pulled her up with him. "Now, I suppose you have a whole bag full of toys and goodies like Father Christmas waiting in your quarters. We should go or we will be late to St. Mungos."

She wrapped her arms around him and stood on her toes to kiss him once more, and then went quickly to gather her things for the children.

The flight to St. Mungos was... stimulating. One Thestral, and Severus seemed to be perversely determined to be as distracting as possible. Or perhaps he was merely learning the more sensitive places of her neck. Whichever the reason, he held her as tightly as he had ever done, and kissed, nibbled and nipped at the back of her neck and around her ears. When at last they landed, he gave her a satisfied smirk to see her flushed face and desire-darkened eyes.

"You are a cruel man, Snape."

"Indeed, Lupin. I believe I have warned you of such myself."

She grinned in spite of herself, and took his arm as they went to the ward.

There was almost entirely a new group of children than what had been there the first time he had visited with her. He paid little attention to the others, but looked immediately for Katrina. She saw him first, and ran to him, leaping up into his arms. He caught her easily, naturally, and with his usual subdued grace carried her to their secluded corner where she had already stacked books for him to read to her.

Rowena took her turn with all the children, glad to know that the missing ones had found good families. Only two babies today, and these were new—the babies never stayed long. When the time came to take the children outside, Rowena was surprised to find that several swings and some climbing equipment had been installed in a corner of the courtyard since their last visit.

Mandy, the nurse winked knowingly at Rowena and gave a nod towards Severus. She looked at him in open-mouthed shock, but he steadfastly avoided her gaze and instead placed Katrina on a swing and gently pushed her. Soon Katrina tired of the passivity of the swing and ran off to climb and slide with the other children, and Severus was left standing silently, watching.

Rowena approached him. "Severus, "she began.

"Not a word, Rowena," he said, flatly.

She merely grinned broadly at him, and he scowled back. "Do not read something into this," he warned.

"Of course not, Severus. All evil villains I know regularly buy expensive play equipment for hospitalized orphans," she said wryly.

"Indeed? And how many evil villains do you know? Enough cheek from you, Lupin. Since you seem to be enjoying your fun at my expense, you might as well know all. I have also filed papers to apply for Katrina's adoption myself."

She gasped in shock and mouthed wordlessly. Her eyes, though, were filled with sudden compassion and concern.

He glanced at her and frowned darkly, "Do not fret yourself, Rowena. I realize there is no way I will pass their various checks. My past is far too checkered, even with Albus's testimony on my behalf. And they do not let single men adopt little girls, as I was told in no uncertain terms when I filed.

"But, the process will take several months at the very least, and in the meantime, no one else can have her. If they find a likely family, they will let me know. If it's an appropriate one, I will drop my own suit so she can be adopted. Otherwise she is safe. The Malfoys have still been poking around and I'm not about to let her end up with their sort again."

He was still frowning as he watched her play with the other children and continued, "The Weasleys have agreed to foster her until then. I have to admit some trepidation with that choice. Several of their children have been first-rate troublemakers at school. But there is no doubt that Mrs. Weasley is a dedicated and involved parent and Mr. Weasley as well. It's the best choice available at present. When the hospital is ready to dismiss her medically, she will go there."

Rowena was nearly overcome with emotion, her eyes bright. Looking quickly around that the children and Mandy were otherwise occupied, she quickly stood on tip-toe and brushed his cheek with a kiss. She didn't have to be told to realize that Severus was NOT a man to appreciate 'public displays of affection'!

"You are an amazing man, Severus. Thank you."

"Stop it!" He hissed at her, suddenly rising to anger, "I am no such thing. I am giving one child some hope at a future, to make up for dozens like her who probably died in her same situation. Do not forget that it was because of me she was there to begin with."

"I'm not going to start that argument again, Severus. Not here at least."

"Good, because it's not one you will win. You cannot change what I was or what I am, Rowena. No matter how much you might wish it."

"I don't want to change anything about you, Severus," she said, looking at him earnestly.

He snorted and turned away.

Katrina was to be moved to the Weasley's home a week before term started. Severus and Rowena came to the hospital to help her pack what few things she had—though she had more than most of the other children there, and Rowena could only account for giving her half of the possessions she owned. She decided not to ask, but she was fairly certain she knew the source of the other belongings.

Rowena helped her dress—Katrina wanted to wear a "dressy-dress" to go there, and Rowena recognized the almost universal female need to feel that one looks one's best on the outside to help bolster courage on the inside. She helped her into a pretty "little-girl" dress of royal-blue satin that precisely matched her eyes. A questioning look at Severus, which he aggressively avoided, told her all she needed to know about the origin of the dress. Rowena brushed the child's golden curls and pulled it out of her face with matching blue barrettes.

Severus had decided there was no reason to make a secret of where she was going, since his application and the foster parent appointment were all part of public Ministry records. So he had brought his carriage to transport her, and Katrina was in raptures to see it. "Just like Cinderella's!" she had breathed, reverently.

She had gotten into the carriage with excited eagerness, but it quickly gave way to the quiet fearfulness that was her usual state. She climbed on Severus's lap and clung to him silently.

The Burrow was a hubbub of noise and activity from the moment the carriage landed. Several of the boys could be seen behind the house flying and practicing Quidditch, but they quickly spotted the carriage on the lawn and flew over. Molly came rushing out to meet them, smiling warmly.

"Professor Snape, Rowena. It's so good to see you again."

Rowena returned Molly's warm greeting with a hug, while Severus exchanged a polite handshake and adjusted Katrina on his hip so that she could look at Molly and the surroundings.

Molly then turned to the tiny child. "Hello, Katrina. Do you remember me? I've visited you with Rowena a few times. I'm so glad you're coming to live with us. Do you like cats? One of ours had kittens last week and they are just ready to open their eyes. Would you like to come see them?"

Ginny Weasley came out the same door Molly had exited a moment before, and let out a soft "Oh!" of admiration, not having seen the child before. "Mum, is this her? Oh, she's so adorable! Hi, Katrina. I'm Ginny. I guess I'm going to kind of be your sister while you live here."

She blushed then, feeling awkward at having addressed the child in his arms without speaking to her Professor, and so tried to remedy the situation. It was hard to reconcile the man that was such a mean teacher with the man who was rather tenderly holding the angelic looking child. "Um, Hi, Professor Snape. I.. um... hope that's okay... I mean, I am kind of going to be her sister, sort of... right?"

Severus was almost as uncomfortable as Ginny. He liked his students to believe him to be the rude, unpleasant bastard that he was; it saved him all sorts of irritation and inconvenience. No one ever tried to 'make friends' or come to him for 'advice', which suited him fine. And yet now he was going to be more informally connected to this family, at least temporarily.

"That is correct, Miss Weasley. I'm sure Katrina will appreciate your kindness," he said with stiff formality.

Just then the three redheaded Weasley boys landed and approached. Rowena had seen Ron at the Memorial, but didn't recall seeing the twins except in photos that Mr. Weasley occasionally brought by the office.

They stood slightly behind their mother and eyed Severus warily. Rowena watched their interaction with great interest. Her colleagues at the Ministry who had kids at Hogwarts had universally decried the 'mean' Potions Professor. Apparently there was something to that, as the boys were looking at him as though he were a poisonous snake prepared to strike. All three looked confused and disbelieving at the interaction between Severus and Katrina.

The twins were first to speak. Being done with Hogwarts, they really had little to fear in the way of ramifications from their former Professor.

"Hi, Professor! Is this our new little sister?" One of the twins addressed Katrina, taking her small hand in his and shaking it gently, "I'm Fred."

"And I'm George," also shaking her hand.

"We have all sorts of new toys we brought home just for you. We invented some of them ourselves."

"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley," Severus's deep voice broke in with chill firmness, "This is Katrina. I will be most seriously displeased if I find her hurt, injured, or altered in any way when I visit from your 'toys'. There is to be no purple hair, no ever-lasting tongue tattoos, and no kaleidoscopic eye color. I am certain that we understand each other?" Severus said, his voice calm but his eyes glittering dangerously at the boys. Molly frowned at them as well, and didn't look the least upset at Severus's apparent threatening of her sons.

"Gee, Professor, we wouldn't do a thing to hurt her, honest! Look at Ginny—we've looked out for her, her entire life. And we're fully-qualified wizards these days, so we can keep her safe," said George.

Ginny made a scoffing noise but said nothing.

"Yeah, Professor. She's safe with us. But I love the idea for the kaleidoscopic eyes.. and ever-lasting tattoos is a great idea, too. There's no point in putting them on the tongue, though... No one would ever see them..." said Fred with an excited look at his twin.

Ron was looking uncomfortably from one brother to the next. He was still in school, and a Prefect. Snape could make his life VERY difficult if he wanted to. He cleared his throat nervously but made himself meet the inscrutable eyes of his most intimidating Professor. "We'll do a real good job looking after her, Professor. Fred and George goof around a lot, but we're a family here, and we know how to look out for each other."

Ron then looked at Katrina and grinned, "I'm Ron, Katrina. I have to go to school in a few days, so I won't get to see you much. But I'll look out for you while I'm here."

Severus nodded at Ron, somewhat amused, beneath his discomfort, at the boy's formality. Ron was the younger Potter's equivalent to Lupin in Severus's mind. He was not really the instigator of the trouble Potter always got into, just as Remus had never really been the leader of his little pack. Yet both were also not willing to step forward and put a stop to it. However, none of the kids were truly objectionable, and there was no viable alternative as to where to foster Katrina; no one more trustworthy and well suited to care for her needs.

With a sigh, Severus looked at the little girl, "Katrina, would you like to see the kittens that Mrs. Weasley mentioned?"

"Oh, please... you must call me Molly, both of you. 'Mrs. Weasley' is so formal, and we're going to be family, at least for now. Ginny, boys, take her to see the kittens. She can have one if she wants, at least while she's here."

Katrina had wiggled around in Severus's arms to look about her with wide, fascinated blue eyes, and at last wriggled down. She was very timid, and her English was still heavily accented, but she answered in her sweet, childish voice, "Thank you, Molly."

Ginny grinned broadly and held out her hand, leading her to the garage, but in a moment George... or maybe it was Fred... had scooped her up and set her on his shoulders as she squealed and then giggled happily. Severus watched them go with a rigid mask of impassivity on his face.

"Professor Snape, please be assured that you are welcome here any time. You can visit her whenever you like. I'll send you owls on what she's doing. We're not rich and fancy around here, but I promise you she will be loved and cared for," Molly said, suspecting at once what was probably occurring beneath the surface of the calm exterior.

"Molly, please call me Severus," he said, but the tone or resignation was apparent, at least to Rowena. "I am sure she will have everything she truly needs. I am deeply appreciative to you for opening your home to her like this. She has been through enough, and needs the stability of a sound family. I do not know how long it will be before a suitable permanent family is found."

Molly reached out and took his hand in both of her own, and squeezed it warmly. She was normally a "hugger" in all sorts of situations, but she doubted the stern Professor would appreciate the gesture. As it was, she was glad he allowed her to offer the brief comfort of the handshake without objection.

"Severus, she's welcome here as long as it takes. She might turn into a bit of a tomboy if she gets too much exposure to the boys, but it will be just us two girls most of the time. I'm thrilled to have her be here. This old house is too quiet with no kids stomping around in it. Fred and George are living at home, but they spend the most of their time at their shop.

"Won't you have some tea after we unpack her things?"

An hour later, Katrina's belongings were neatly put away in a closet and chest of drawers that had been added to Ginny's room for her. Katrina had hit it off at once with the entire family, so that the little girl happily went from lap to lap without ever being set down. Molly again assured them that they could visit whenever they liked, and Severus thanked her very formally, and told her he would be stopping by often.

When she realized he would be leaving soon, Katrina became silently tearful and overwhelmed, but she was not a child to wail loudly. She merely clung to Severus like a second skin; her tiny face buried against his shoulder as Rowena and Molly finished saying their good-byes. He spoke to her in low, soothing tones, in German. His voice was so low that even had they known the language the others in the room would have been hard pressed to hear what was said.

It was incredibly strange for the Weasley kids to see the child hold onto this particular man so lovingly... but even stranger to see him holding her and stroking her hair gently. His face was its normal mask of cool impassivity, but the gesture could not be called anything less than tender. Snape was not a person they had ever associated with any 'gentle' feelings!

When he finally pulled Katrina off of him and handed her gently to Molly, his shoulder was dark from her crying, and a muscle twitched tightly in his jaw.

Thanks for reading this far. Next chapter will be up soon. I really, really appreciate all the kind feedback I've been getting. Please feel free to be specific with comments, criticisms, and suggestions. I was really afraid of "doing" a Snape story. He's a hard man to get "just right". I wouldn't like him mushy and agreeable... but I don't want him downright mean and nasty all the time, either. If you think he's going too far one way or the other, tell me, and I'll try to tweak him. I hope you're enjoying the story. I'm enjoying writing it. I can't wait to get Rowena into some interaction with the kids in school. Coming up very soon, though not quite yet. Next two chapters will have some more interaction with Severus and his darker past, Malfoys, and Remus and Tonks. ----Lisa