Disclaimer: The usually technical stuff, such as I do not own Harry Potter or anything pertaining to it that is already copyrighted and owned by J.K. Rowling. I do however own any and all characters that are not apparent of the original Harry Potter Books and I also own the plot of this story, so nah!

Full Summary: Snape is truly now completely alone in the world, with the news of the mysterious death of his wife, he has very little to live for except perhaps the love and care of his daughter, whom up until this point he has had little to no contact with. Can his daughter become the last bit of sunshine to wash away his rainy days, or will his heart completely turn to ice. As if their family issues wasn't enough, we can forget the Boy-Who-Lived and Voldemort. While the former may actually prove of use to the Sinai in getting to know her new father, Voldemort has something brewing up his sleeve. After all, not even Sinai is quite sure how or why her mother died...

July 22, 1996
Hogwarts - Snape's Room

Snape sat staring down at the half-empty glass of Fire Whiskey he had been drinking for the pass hour or so. He had managed to empty more than half of the contents of the bottle that now sat on the small table beside him. The soft light from the fire, which offered him no warmth despite how close he sat to it, reflected through the clear glass of the Fire-Whiskey bottle casting a beautiful strained glass look upon the dark stone walls of his room.

He didn't seem to notice it though, he didn't appear to notice anything at all except for the crystal glass in his hands and the contents therein. The normally proud and confident, intimidating man that was known as Severus Snape looked absolutely haggard, and felt just as bad if not worse.

He was paler than ever, his hair fell in a tumble around his face, hiding the dark rings under his bloodshot eyes. If anyone had dared into his quarter then, they would have found a worn down defeated man. They would have seen the tears that roll down his face as he sought to drown his pains in the liquor before him.

His eyes were glazed over, his gaze piercing through the glass in his hands and rather he saw the events that led him to this particular pitiful point in his life.

Flashback

Severus had been in the having lunch with the rest of the staff in the Great Hall. Since it was still summer vacation, it was thankfully vacant of the usually noisy chatter of the students. There was only the light quiet conversation of his colleagues, but they were nothing like the students, something he was eternally grateful for.

It was nearing the start of term, so these quiet meals would soon come to an end, and lord knew he would miss the quietness of them. But all things come to an end, as he was more than aware of, that though did not stop him from his sometimes wishful thinking.

As he had been drawn into a conversation over a particular herb he had asked Sprout to grow for him, a black bird flew in through on of the open windows. Severus didn't pay it any mind, as it was about time for mail to be coming through anyways. It wasn't until said bird landed in front of him on the table did it gain his attention.

Severus was never one to receive idle mail, and since he wasn't expecting a letter from anyone he was more than a little suspicious of the bird. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the creature, which in turned stared right back at him. Their little staring contest lasted all but a few minutes before someone cleared their throat.

"I don't think he'll bite you Severus," The aged voice carried amusement in it, but then again Albus always found humor in just about any situation. Why would this one be any different?

Severus rolled his eyes slightly and relieved the bird of its burden and dismissing it. The bird seemed just has happy to leave he noted before he turned its gaze down to the envelope in his hand. There was nothing written on the front of it aside from his name and address, not even a return address. That particular bit did nothing to alleviate some of his suspicion.

It was then it turned the envelope over on its back did he find anything that might help him figure out whom it was from. Written across the back, was a single line written in ; a single phase that would completely shatter his world forever.

Das Leben und die Liebe sind flüchtige Sachen, aber gleichmäßig im Tod, leben sie auf... Sie benötigt Sie

The minute he saw those words, their translation immediate in his trained mind, he felt like he would fall to pieces right where he sat. It was perhaps with the last bit of energy he could muster that he rose up from the table in silences, and left without a word to anyone.

End of Flashback

That had been about 4 hours ago, and he stilled hadn't actually opened the letter, the letters written on the back were all he needed to know. She was dead. His wife, his beautiful, loving Rosalind was dead...

Translation: Life and love are fleeting, but even in death they live on...she needs you.

A/N: This is my first Fanfiction, so I do apologize for any spelling errors and the like, since I don't have a beta to catch what I miss it may be a little harsh on the eyes. Again I apologize.

Also seeing as this is my first FF, I appreciate any and all constructive feedback, even ideas of maybe something you'd like to see in the story. I just came up with the idea at 6am so not everything is worked out, but I hope it goes smoothly enough.

Update: 9/26/05

The only change made was the date.