A/N- Again, I'm sorry for the delay…the last chapter of Afterglow is still in the works (it's not coming together all that well, actually…) but, as I've got this story in its entirety, I've decided to reward your patience with yet another chapter…

The days passed quickly for the new couple, as they spoke rationally about the issues and problems they were facing, and generally attempted to take small steps in their relationship. Severus felt himself growing more and more attached to Harry's daughter, and at times caught himself thinking how much he'd have liked to have been her father, instead of the late Malfoy boy. However, that was entirely impossible, as it was more or less her entrance into the world that had brought he and the Gryffindor together. Certainly, he and Potter -no, Harry- had become gradual friends over the past year or so, but a romantic relationship between them would have been completely absurd. Not that it wasn't now…Although-

"Sev?"

He turned to face the younger man, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Potter?"

Harry grinned at him as he approached, "Were you listening to a word I just said?"

Stoic as ever, Severus Snape arched an eyebrow, and folded his arms across his chest. "Honestly, boy, what do you take me for?" He taunted, his eyes sparkling with concealed mirth, "Some daydreaming teenager?" He leaned closer to the young man, so their faces were barely inches apart. "Because I assure you-"

"You're stalling, Professor." Harry teased, "In fact," he licked his lips in anticipation, "I'd say you were trying to switch the topic…" The space between them was rapidly decreasing, and the Gryffindor's voice dropped to a somewhat seductive whisper, "You weren't paying any attention to me, were you, Sir?"

Feigning offence, the head of Slytherin managed a weak scowl, although his eyes didn't hide his amusement. "I thought I'd made it more than obvious that your need for attention is not of my concern…."

"Ah, but it is." The Boy-Who-Lived countered, idly running his hand up the older man's arm, "Now, at any rate…" He glanced up at Severus from under his lashes, a devious smile playing on his face. He leant even closer, his head tilted slightly, brushing his lips against the Potions Master's. "I asked, Professor Snape, when we'll be heading back to Hogwarts…" He was deliberately avoiding kissing the older man, taunting him with the light contact, trying to force him into taking the first move. "You mentioned that you have to go back earlier…"

"Indeed, Potter…" Severus responded, determined not to be the first to give in, deciding to fight fire with fire. He lowered his own voice to a deep purr, knowing the effects it had had in the past, and pushed lightly against Harry's lips as he spoke. "We will return to the school via apparation no later than three o-clock this afternoon. I trust you will have your own, and your daughter's, belongings packed by then."

Swallowing, Harry nodded, pulling away from the contact. "Right, I'll just head upstairs and-"

"Harry?" Severus had lost the mirth in his eyes, and stared at him in unmasked concern.

Green eyes looked up at him sadly. "Sorry, Sev…I just…" The younger man tossed his hands in the air. "This is going to be so hard-"

A pained smile graced the elder's face, as he reached out to cup Harry's cheek with his hand, gently rubbing his thumb over the younger man's lips. "Yes, it will. We've covered this, Harry. I'll help you as much as I can-"

"But this is something I have to deal with myself. I know." He sighed, "Got myself into this…"

Severus rolled his eyes, "And you insist that I am the one with a flair for the dramatics…" That earned him a snort of laughter, and he lifted his lips in a half-smile. "You will be fine, Potter. You always have been, and you always will be. It's in your blood, unfortunately."

Harry smiled at the comment, "But you love it…" He snickered as Severus arched an eyebrow, then pouted, "So, where's my kiss?"

Rolling his eyes once more, Snape complied.

"SEVERUS SNAPE!"

The decidedly furious voice boomed throughout the mansion, causing the two men to separate. Harry looked up at Severus, his eyes widening further to find that the man in question had his eyes closed in annoyance as he took a deep, calming breath. "Sev?" He questioned quietly. The onyx eyes opened wearily.

"The honeymoon is over, Potter." He muttered sadly, before moving towards the door and down the stairs.

Harry watched after him for a few moments, before turning his attention to his now screaming daughter. He walked to her crib and lifted her into his arms, murmuring softly to her. "Dumbledore doesn't sound very happy…"

-?-

"Headmaster?" Severus spoke cautiously as he neared the elderly wizard currently standing in front of his fireplace.

Blue eyes glared at him, their usual sparkle having disappeared, only to be replaced by flashes of anger. "Severus," the reply came cold and harsh, as a newspaper was thrust towards him. "You'd best explain, and rather quickly. My patience is wearing thin in my old age."

Grasping the Prophet, Severus scanned over the article. Another of Skeeter's successors, Mitchell Anderson, had written a rather convincing, if not libellous, account of one Severus Snape's adventures in Diagon Alley with a 'screaming infant' that had occurred just before Christmas. The article insinuated numerous theories as to the child's parentage, most of which painted the Ex-Death Eater as a rapist or kidnapper. The final theory, though, was rather close to the truth. It came from a comment made in regards to his sexuality, and eventually led to the notion that Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had become pregnant and masked the entire ordeal.

Severus' eyes drifted towards the accompanying photograph taken of him entering the Leaky Cauldron, Callisto in arms. He folded the paper.

That was all he needed to see.

"Albus, I-"

"Don't even think about lying to me, Severus."

The younger wizard straightened in anger, clearly insulted, however, before he could open his mouth to respond, Dumbledore had continued. "Where is the child?" He asked, eyes darting towards the stairs, in the direction of Callisto's muffled wails. He looked back at the potions master. "I take it Harry is with her."

Severus nodded. "Shall I summon him, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore narrowed his gaze further, "I'm confused, Severus." He began, "I would have thought that young Mr. Potter would be the last person you'd have listen as you explain yourself in regards to the acquisition of that child."

A small smirk creeping onto his lips, Snape shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sir, but I never admitted to 'acquiring' any children." He turned back to the direction from whence he had arrived, and waved his wand casually, "Amplifico Tomus", lowering his hand, he spoke in his usual, frustrated manner, the effects of the spell magnifying the volume of his voice, causing it to echo along every corridor. "Potter, your presence is required in the formal living area. Bring the infant and do not dawdle." With that, he waved his wand once more, "Finite Incantatum."

Turning back to Dumbledore, he gestured towards the couch, "Please, Albus, take a seat." Next he called a house elf, instructing it to retrieve some tea and biscuits, before sitting down on the seat opposite the Headmaster.

Barely a minute later, Harry arrived, carrying Callisto in his arms. He glanced apologetically at his partner, "Sorry…I was changing her and-" He stopped himself at the pointed look on Severus' face, then realised that he had completely ignored Dumbledore. He closed his eyes, blushing in embarrassment and shame, before taking a deep breath to look at the old wizard. "Professor Dumbledore…" He began, subconsciously sitting beside Snape and handing him the baby.

The headmaster's eyebrows arched, "Harry," He replied, his tone much lighter than it had been with Severus. "I trust you had a rather…action packed…Christmas?" He leant back casually, intertwining his fingers and resting his hands on his lap. He peered down his nose, through his spectacles, pointedly staring the boy down.

Harry swallowed and squirmed a little under the older man's gaze. "Yes, Sir. Se…Professor Snape has been quite accommodating and-"

"I see." Dumbledore cut him off, eyes drifting towards Callisto. He offered a small smile at the sight of the infant drooling all over the oh-so-feared Potions Master. "I must say, Severus, she is adorable…"

Harry caught Snape's eye, suddenly realising that Dumbledore had not yet been informed of the truth behind his daughter's parentage. He stopped himself from thanking Dumbledore for the compliment, hoping that Severus would play along. Of course, he knew that was just a delusion; a fantasy, if you will. Severus had already made it more than clear that he wouldn't lie to get Harry out of trouble. Which was fair -he knew that- but he was afraid of the headmaster's (and everyone else's) reaction.

By now, Albus had leant forwards and extended his arms toward Callisto. "May I?"

Severus complied in silence, noting the way Harry tensed protectively beside him. It was rather pathetic to be anxious of any harm befalling the babe in Dumbledore's care… However, as a parent, logic never really came into play. It wasn't until a few moments later, when Harry nudged him gently, that he realised he too had become tense with anxiety. Internally he cursed himself for the weakness, realising that it meant that his feelings for Potter and the mini-Potter were becoming more serious by the minute.

He shook the thoughts from his head. There would be time to deal with that later. As for now, it was best to pay attention to conversation taking place.

The blue eyes of the Headmaster of Hogwarts bore into him. "Now, seeing as we are all settled, would you care to explain, Severus?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but found that Harry had already beaten him to it.

"This has nothing to do with Professor Snape."

In the awkward silence that followed his outburst, the Gryffindor felt the two sets of eyes bearing down on him, but he continued, his own emerald orbs staring determinedly at his daughter. "What I mean to say is that you're wrong to think she's Severus'." He forced himself to look up and across to the perplexed old wizard. "She's very much mine."

Albus' eyes widened somewhat. "Yours?" He looked at the gurgling baby currently tugging at his beard, then back at the dark haired youth. "And the mother-"

Harry closed his eyes, "Would also be me."

For the next moment, the only sounds to be heard came from Callisto as she played happily in Dumbledore's beard. Then all hell broke loose. Or at least came close to it.

"You." The old wizard repeated, recovering quickly. "You carried and bore this child." As he spoke, his expression became calculating, "And you told no-one." Harry merely nodded, glancing towards Snape for some sort of sign. It didn't matter whether it was reassurance, anger or fear. He just needed something from the potions master. Severus, however, remained completely impassive.

Dumbledore glowered at the Boy-Who-Lived. "The other father?" He shot a look at Severus as well, as if deducing the potions master to be the answer to his question.

"Draco." Harry muttered, sadly, sure that Albus Dumbledore might actually have a heart attack from the information overload.

"Mr Malfoy?"

"No, the other Draco." Harry spat sarcastically, without even thinking. "How many Dracos were there that I spent any time with, Sir?"

Severus scowled and nudged him. "Potter!" he admonished.

The Gryffindor had the grace to look ashamed. "Sorry, I just…" He shrugged and met the Headmaster's eyes again; "This is hard for me, is all. After everything I knew about what was expected of me…" He trailed off, knowing the Headmaster understood what he was saying about the final battle. "Draco and I…we were never together…we just…" He felt his face flush a little, "And then she came along and I didn't know what to do…On one hand, I really, really, wanted a family…but I was 16 when I worked it out…Too young, you know?...and then there was Voldemort and everything that came with that…"

"You should have told-"

"I've already gotten the 'stupid little boy' lecture from Professor Snape, thanks." Harry snapped again, this time not caring about the tone he used. "I knew the dangers. But, come on, if I had told anyone the entire wizarding world would have found out and I'd have been an even bigger, pardon the pun, target for Voldemort."

Slowly, Albus nodded, before staring at the potions master. "You should have informed us the second you discovered-"

"Again," Harry interrupted, "It would be my fault he didn't. I begged him not to…"

"Then the issue lies in disobeying school policy. Severus is obliged to inform us of such things-"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Not on the holidays, when we're not on school property, he isn't."

Severus watched as the other two glared at each other, Mexican Stand-Off style. He rolled his eyes, "Merlin's Beard!" He exclaimed after another tense moment passed, "Potter, if you would refrain from arguing with the Headmaster…"

The younger man turned to glower at him, and then stopped himself. Eyes downcast, and a slow flush creeping onto his cheeks, Harry sighed. "I'm sorry Professors…" He looked back at Dumbledore. "Am I going to be expelled? I mean, I couldn't find anything about students having kids at Hogwarts in 'Hogwarts: A History', nor was there anything in the general rules and restrictions…"

Albus smiled tiredly. "You looked well into this."

Harry grinned ruefully, "I had 9 months. I had to do something."

"Indeed," the Headmaster mused, readjusting the baby in his arms. "And no, Mr Potter, you will not be expelled. However, certain…modifications will have to be made in order to accommodate for…"

"Callisto," The Gryffindor supplied, the mood lightening already. "Callisto Orinda Potter."

"Ah, a fine name indeed."

Harry beamed, "Thankyou, Sir."

"And while this is extremely heart-warming," Severus drawled sarcastically, earning himself a pointed glare from his new-found partner, "there are still belongings to pack." He eyed Harry, before turning his gaze to Albus, "And I'm certain that preparation for the modifications must commence rather soon."

The Headmaster nodded and stood, "Quite right. We'll discuss this further once the three of you have returned to the castle." Allowing time for Snape to stand, he resignedly handed the baby back and moved to the fireplace. After bidding their farewells, Albus disappeared amongst the green flames, and Harry turned to Severus, grinning happily.

"Well, that went well." He stated, "Better than I'd expected, at any rate."

Snape rolled his eyes, "It's not always that simple, Potter. He will expect a more detailed explanation as to both our actions when we return. Not to mention the ramifications of this-" he held up the offending newspaper "-piece of drabble."

Harry's eyes widened and he grasped at the Prophet, eyes skimming through the article. "Oh, shit."

"Quite." Severus replied monotonously, before taking the paper back, tearing it in half (much to the disgust of photographic him) and tossing it into the flames. After watching the fire engulf the writing, and turn it to ash, he looked back at Harry. "Now, I do believe we, or rather, you have some packing to do."

The Gryffindor scowled, "And what are you going to do?"

"I," he clarified, allowing himself the tiniest smile, "am going to tend to your daughter." As if for emphasis, the child in his arms managed a few short whimpers, before clenching a tiny fist in Severus' shirt.

The Boy Who Lived 'hmmphed' in mock annoyance, and turned to walk up the stairs to begin packing his and Callisto's belongings.

-?-

"Done so soon?" Severus asked, peering over a giant stuffed snake, as Harry entered the kitchen an hour later.

"Yeah, I-" The Gryffindor stopped himself, taking in the site in front of him. He fought not to laugh.

Where the kitchen table had once stood, sat Severus Snape and Callisto, surrounded by an assortment of oversized, overstuffed, extremely fluffy looking toys; most of which were Dragons and Snakes. All in variations of Slytherin colours.

'No', Harry thought to himself dryly, 'Professor Snape isn't brainwashing my baby.'

That did it. He started to laugh. This naturally caused Severus to look most indignant. However, his scowl only caused Harry to laugh even harder. "You know, Sev…" He managed to gasp after a while, "You might be a little more intimidating if you let go of the neon-green Chimaera."

Snape made a move to argue, until a look of mock realisation dawned over his aristocratic features. "Sweet Merlin," He feigned surprise, "Potter, you actually learnt something at Hogwarts?"

"Oh so funny, Sev."

"Always, Potter."

A moment of comfortable silence passed as the two men watched each other. It was Harry who broke the mood. He sighed, "Anyway, I'm all packed. I shrank all the baby furniture as far as I could…But it could probably be minimised further…"

The older man nodded and pushed himself up from the ground, before picking the baby carrier up and passing it to the Gryffindor. Next he turned back and transfigured the toys back to their normal items of furniture. Once that was taken care of, he turned back to Harry and agreed to move upstairs and shrink the luggage even further. As he brushed past his young partner, a hand reached out and grabbed his own, causing him to stop and look into green eyes.

The Boy Who Lived gave the Slytherin a lopsided grin, before gently pressing their lips together. He pulled away just as slowly, gently tracing his hand up the older man's arm and cupped his handsome face. "Thankyou, Severus. For everything."

He was awarded a small, pained smile. This was it. The end of all romance between them, until after Harry graduated. "You're welcome."

They stared at each other in silence once more, their eyes saying more than words ever could. The next few months were going to be complicated and painful. They would have to resume a strained, if not completely neutral relationship as teacher and student, while Harry studied for his NEWTS and raised his daughter.

Severus frowned a little at that. He'd grown accustomed to taking care of the baby. She was, naturally, a pain at times. Extremely fussy and refused to sleep through the night peacefully. But, and it tortured him to admit it, he had started to love her as he would any child of his own. The mere thought that he wouldn't have the high level of contact with her for the next few months, and most likely even less after Harry's graduation, when the Gryffindor would move out of Hogwarts entirely, was rather down putting.

He forced himself to regard the situation logically.

He loved Harry. He loved Callisto. He was letting them go.

He had to be mad.

Incredibly Insane.

But there was no alternative to what had to pass. There was no-

Suddenly, something inside Severus Snape clicked. He shook himself out of his silent reverie, and stared determinedly at his young partner, pushing him aside gently, as he practically fled from the room and up the stairs, giving no explanation to his actions, and leaving Harry holding the baby, figuratively and literally.

A/N- Enjoy!