A/N: thank you to all my reviewers. Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 3: The Truth

"Are you sure you have everything honey?" Hermione asked Emma as she boarded the Hogwarts Express.

"Yes, I'm sure," Emma said for what felt like the thousandth time.

"You're not going to cry are you mum?" Hermione smiled and tried to hold back her tears.

"I'm sorry, but it seems like just yesterday you were in diapers." Emma rolled her eyes but hugged her mother. Hermione just laughed.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to write."

"I'll be fine mum." Hermione said goodbye to Hailey and Emma as they boarded the train.

Severus took his seat at the Head's table as the returning students filed into the Great Hall. It had been just over a week since he had found out about Emma. He was actually surprised at how nervous he was to see her. After what seemed like an eternity, McGonagall brought in the scared looking first years. Dumbledore silenced the hall and McGonagall placed the sorting hat on a stool in front of the students. She unrolled a piece of parchment and began to call the students forward one by one. Joe Aarons, Hufflepuff; Cynthia Bowen, Slytherin. After a few more names, Severus' head shot up when he heard…

"Emma Granger." Dumbledore leaned forward as if anxious to hear her house. The hat was silent for a few moments and then made its decision.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Dumbledore looked at Severus and smiled. Insane old man, Severus thought as he applauded despite his belief. Then Severus finally had a chance to look at her. She did look like him, but she had her mother's beautiful eyes. After the sorting, McGonagall took her seat next to Severus.

"Another Granger in Gryffindor. Can you believe it Severus? She must be just like her mother. That would be wonderful. And Harry's daughter also in Gryffindor. All we need is another Weasley and we'll have us another Golden Trio." Severus just scowled and stabbed at his food.

Hermione was sitting in the living room reading when she saw Emma's owl fly in the window with a letter in its mouth. Emma hadn't even been at Hogwarts a whole day. Hermione became worried and ran over to the owl. She grabbed the letter and tore it open.

Mum,

You can stop worrying now. I'm perfectly fine. I just got back from dinner and I'm lying in my new bed. Well I'm in Gryffindor. Aren't you happy? I just thought I should tell you about two strange things that have happened to me already. The first one is what the sorting hat said to me. It said that it wasn't sure where to put me because I took after both of my parents. My mother, who was in Gryffindor, which I knew, but also my father, who was in Slytherin. Then if that wasn't weird enough, some kid asked me if I was related to Professor Snape. When I asked why, he said because I look just like him. Mother, is there something you would like to tell me?

Love,

Emma

Hermione let out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding. She had to tell Emma now. She had no choice. But she couldn't do it in a letter. She had to do it in person.

My Darling Daughter,

There is something I wish to tell you. But I need to do it in person. Please give the other letter I have enclosed, to Professor Dumbledore immediately. If you get caught out of bed just tell the person that you need to talk to Dumbledore. Then meet me in his office tomorrow morning after breakfast.

Love,

Mum

Emma had done as her mother instructed and had given Dumbledore the letter. Now she sat at breakfast staring at her food. She was too nervous to eat. As soon as Dumbledore dismissed the students, she practically ran to his office. She waited outside to be called in.

Meanwhile Severus and Dumbledore were inside his office along with Hermione.

"Now Severus, Hermione has asked that you be here when we tell Emma." Hermione sat looking at the floor.

"Tell Emma what?"

"She doesn't know that you are her father," Dumbledore said calmly.

"How do you know about that?" Severus asked.

"I've known since before Emma was born." Severus was furious.

"You knew? You knew and you never told me?" He was shouting at Dumbledore.

"Severus I asked him not to tell you," Hermione said finally looking at him.

Outside Emma heard shouting but couldn't make out who it was or what they were saying.

Back inside Severus was still shouting only at Hermione this time.

"What did I ever do to you? What made you keep my daughter from me for eleven years?" Hermione was crying but didn't say anything.

"And the worst part is, you didn't even tell her."

"Severus, that's enough. Besides, our guest of honor is here." Dumbledore motioned to the door which opened to reveal Emma standing outside. She didn't really know what to do so she just stood there.

"You can come in honey," Hermione said wiping her tears away. Emma walked in and sat next to Hermione. She looked at Dumbledore who smiled and at Severus who was standing in the corner with his arms folded.

"Emma sweetie, I love you so much. You are my world, my soul and my life. But there is something you should know about Professor Snape." Hermione turned to Severus.

"Severus please come here." He scowled at her but wouldn't punish Emma for Hermione's ignorance so he went over in front of them.

"Emma, Professor Snape, Severus…is your father." Emma looked from Hermione, to Severus, to Dumbledore who didn't even seem to be paying attention.

"Why did you keep this from me?" Emma said quietly.

"Honey I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"For my whole life, I've asked about him and not once did you answer me. You could have at least told me about him. Do you know what its like to grow up without a father? To see all your friends spending time with their dads? To grow up thinking that you'd done something wrong? That there was some reason why every other girl had a daddy except you? No you don't because you have a father. I didn't even know he existed; if he even cared." Severus had to admit she was more like him than he thought. But he couldn't let her just attack Hermione like that.

"Emma I think your mother deserves a break."

"You're taking her side?"

"I'm not taking sides but she has been through a lot."

"I need to get some air," Emma said and turned to leave but Dumbledore finally spoke.

"Emma if you would like, you may be excused from all your classes today." Emma nodded and left. Severus realized how harsh he had been with Hermione.

"Hermione I'm sorry for what I said."

"But you were completely right. Both of you." Dumbledore smiled and quietly exited the room, but neither of them noticed.

"I should have told you. Then none of this would be happening," Hermione said and looked down at the ground. Severus sat down and reached his arm out and put it on her shoulder. He pulled her against him and she let out a sob into his jacket. She looked up at him and laughed.

"I'm sorry. I know you have classes and I shouldn't have laid all this on you at once. And look at me, I'm a mess."

"I think you look beautiful, just like you did eleven years ago." Hermione blushed and looked away. He cupped her face and made her look at him. He moved closer and was just inches away from her face. She could feel his breath. She closed her eyes and moved closer but suddenly the door burst open and he pulled away.

"Minerva! What do you want?" Severus said sternly to McGonagall. Hermione blushed at almost being caught.

"Oh Severus stop your bellyaching. I simply heard that Hermione was in the school and I just had to come say hello."

"Hello Professor," Hermione said.

"Please dear, call me Minerva. I am no longer your teacher. Was Severus here giving you a hard time?"

"No he was…" She looked at him and smiled. "…welcoming me back to the school after so long." Severus smirked.

"Oh all right. Well we must do some catching up before you leave. Duty calls. Oh and it is a pleasure to have your daughter in Gryffindor." Severus scowled. "If she is even half as bright as you, she will do amazing."

"Thank you Minerva." McGonagall hugged Hermione and left. Hermione turned back to Severus.

"I should go find Emma."

"All right but would you mind telling me what is that you've been gripping all morning?" Hermione looked down at the book in her hands.

"Oh this? It's a book of pictures of Emma when she was growing up. I thought you might like to see it." She handed it to him just as Dumbledore came in.

"Hermione you're not leaving are you?"

"Well I was going to go talk to Emma and then leave."

"Nonsense. You should stay here until this whole thing is resolved. You can stay in Severus' spare room."

"Oh no, I couldn't. I wouldn't want to be a burden."

"You won't be. I've already taken the liberty of having some of your things delivered there already."

"Well I suppose I could but only if Severus doesn't mind."

"Of course you can stay Hermione," Severus said.

"Wonderful. I expect you to sit at the Head's table with us for meals but we'll get to all that later. You should go explore your new room. Good day."

"Good day Professor." Hermione left but Dumbledore stopped Severus before he could escape.

"Oh and Severus, do go easy on the girl. She has been through a lot." Severus wasn't sure if he meant Emma or Hermione but didn't have a chance to ask as the doors shut in front of him.