Professor and Miss Snape

Summer came to a crashing halt as it did every year. Just when one's slug – like routine was set term would begin. Evelyn pouted at her reflection, she had grown accustom to her informal summer clothes and bare feet. She was now wearing her "Teacher clothes." Her hair was tied back in a bun and she looked almost as old as she felt. The start of term always brought excitement. In her youth Evelyn looked forward to getting to eat and catching up with her friends that she didn't see on the train. Only her first year did she ever feel scared in the great hall. She now felt terror knife through her in just thinking about it. Squaring her shoulders she pointed a finger in the mirror and said with more confidence than she felt.

"She's going to be just fine, damnit." Even to her, her voice sounded falsely strong, but it would have to do.

The teacher's table had always been 'the other side.' Rarely did she as a student even look at the high table in front of the room, now she couldn't take her eyes off of it. Albus and Minerva were always seated and in idol conversation. Severus was also there; he was giving her a pointed look and patting the seat beside him. Severus looked much the same as he did when she and first arrived at the school twelve years ago. His hair was just as dark, with out a trace of grey, he was still far taller than she was and very much the willow he ever was. The only true betrayal of time was the light dusting of wrinkles on his face. Most of the student body would not expect these lines on their potion's master's face, and if he wasn't married he probably would have not gotten the laughter educed crow's feet. But he was married. And at the moment he was giving his wife a look as she took her seat beside him.

"How much time did you spend in her room after I left?" Severus asked her.

"Not much, the time killer was reapplying my make up." She replied. Severus took this for truth; eleven years of marriage had taught him how to read his wife like a fine piece of rare literature.

"She's going to be just fine Evie. Hell, she's lived here longer than the seventh years." Severus said taking his wife's hand in his. Evelyn Dove Ophelia Blair – Snape had changed in twelve years, yet some how she had gotten more attractive with age. Her hair wasn't quite as long as it use to be, nor was it as brown, but it was still beautiful. The years had brought many changes in the Snape family life. The most noticeable was the fact that husband and wife were seated next to each other. There was not longer a chair in-between them. This was what induced the river of tears and long hours sitting in the lavender bedroom.

Rosalind Ema Snape had grown from a miracle baby to a beautiful young lady. Now age eleven it was time for her to attend school. Severus was still in aw every time his looked at his family.

Severus and Evelyn sat hand – in – hand for a while. Each thinking about their daughter. Evelyn worried; she was a mother after all. The anxiety wasn't about her getting lost or having a bad teacher, she knew that wasn't going to happen. But Evelyn did worry about the kids. Rosalind may have a Slytherin/ Hufflepuff support system but what if the other kids made fun of her. Evelyn yet again wondered if they were right in not sending her away. Sever s wasn't worried at all. She was a Snape that was first off, second, he was there to protect her. Both parental units say in contemplation until the first years lead by McGonagall arrived. Sorting took forever. It was times like this that Evelyn wished they had given Rosalind a different last name. They had offered, but she refused, saying, "You didn't hide your marriage, or your pregnancy, or me in my youth, so why should I hide now? My name is Rosalind Snape." Evelyn was very proud of her daughter's response. But Rosa's pride did not quash her parent's fears.

"Snape, Rosalind." Minerva read. The hall went dead silent, DEAD silent. Rosalind stepped out of the line of first years and walked to the stool under full scrutiny of the room. She was a beautiful girl. With her mother's looks and her father's coloring Rosalind was the perfect representation of her parents. She stood tall as she walked and sat with good posture on the three legged stool. Minerva loving put the hat on her "grad-baby's" head. She had not retired until she got to do that. The room waited. Evelyn clutched her husband's hand like a vice, nails digging into his flesh. Severus didn't feel it; he was too absorbed in his daughter's sorting, eventually,

"RAVENCLAW!" the hat exclaimed, the third table to the right erupted. They had Snape's daughter.

Severus looked at his wife and found her teary eyed.

"That's our baby. She's all grown up." She said. Sever was too choked up at the thought to reply.

Dear Diary,

Today was my first day of school. Sort of. I was sorted about two hours ago. In to Ravenclaw. I don't want to be here. I'm the Slythpuff Princess. I should be in Slyth or Puff. It's not that this place is bad, I just don't belong. All the years I was not in school I made friends wit Slyth or Puff students. My only Raven friends graduated. But I'll be strong, Surrender only in death.

I have to write Lucius and Cissa, I promised to when I stayed with them so I could take the train. I love Cissa. She's so cool. Lucius isn't too bad, but Cissa is the best. I don't know if I like Draco. He wasn't pleased when Papà married Mamma. Oh well. Tomorrow I got to class and I pray that all will be okay. It'll be so weird calling Papà Professor Snape and Mamma Madam Snape. We tried it over the summer it didn't work well.

Severus swept into the classroom to fund his pupils already seated, ready for their first day. Several were looking frightened. With a severe grin he gave his opening speech and surveyed the room. First year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws. His eyes found his daughters instantly causing her to blush slightly. Rosalind had taken a seat on the right end of the center table, next to her was a sandy haired boy that Severus critically examined. He began roll, this years class was slightly smaller. He had not problem with the names until, "Snape, Rosalind." It was hard not to put more emphasis on her name. The class giggled. They must've figured out the connection. Rosalind didn't falter as she raised her hand and said, "Here."

It was the hardest thing teaching his daughter. It took all he had to remain "Professor" and not to become "Father". He had taught her before, when she was younger, math. But he was Papà then. He couldn't be that now. That saddened him because it was the greatest thing in the world.