Severus Snape was one of Hogwarts' most feared professors. A fact that he was particularly proud of. But like all people, Mr. Snape had an Achilles' heel. Not too many people knew what they were, not even his family.
His wife, Molly Weasley (who kept the name of her first husband both out convenience and in memory), would say that Mr. Snape's weakness was their grandchildren (his step, however, he does not use that additional word). Her children and their respective spouses would be inclined to agree until one points out that not even the grandchildren could get away with everything.
No one knew what Mr. Snape's weakness was until one mid-April day. He was in North Texas with granddaughter Lily Luna Potter Malfoy (yes, yes, the daughter of The Harry Potter) who had invited him to the Wilcox Potion Mastery competition. A competition that Mr. Snape had once applied to - and consequently was admitted - but never followed through due to the first wizardry world.
But, enough of the introductory. Our story begins with Severus Snape, Lily Malfoy, and her husband Scorpius Malfoy in North Texas about to walk into an old pink opera house refurbished as a secondhand bookstore.
"This is a mistake," Lily grumbled, stopping short as cars whizzed by. "I can't do it!"
"Lils," Scorpius said, positioning himself in front of his wife and taking both hands in his own. "You can do this. You've been earning top marks in potions since your first year. Gotten an OWL and a NEWT in potions. You've been practicing and studying for months."
"Exactly," she exclaimed, her eyes wide, "All I have under my belt is seven years of schooling and a year of studying! My competitors are much more advanced and qualified."
"Lily -"
"You're right," Severus said, cutting off the younger man. "The people inside this... building are more qualified. If you think you aren't ready, Lily, then we should just go."
"Grandpa!"
"You know yourself best," Severus said.
"What, no," Lily said. "I can do this! Really, Grandpa, I thought you will faith in me!" She re-shouldered her book bag, then hurried into the building. "Come on! Let's go!"
Scorpius mouthed 'thank you' to Severus, before following his wife into the bookstore with the hidden potion competition. Severus chuckled wryly, then proceeded to follow his granddaughter and her husband when a pigtailed little girl, with dimpled cheeks and rosy cheeks, stopped him.
"Excuse me, sir," the girl said a small voice, holding a cardboard box that nearly dwarfs her. She wore a uniform and Severus did wonder what school she attended. She glanced back over her shoulder, where a man gave her a thumbs up, Severus made the assumption the man was the girl's father.
"Yes?"
"Will you like to buy some cookies," the girl asked, tilting the box towards Severus. He peered in, seeing a wide variety of colorful boxes with pictures of smiley girls. "I'm with the Girls' Scout, last year I was a Brownie, and we're raising money for our project." She glanced back at her father, who motioned for her to continue. Severus listened as the little girl rattled on about the project, as Lily and Scorpius watched from afar preparing themselves to save Severus. Severus was never one for talking to children, who were not one of his grandchildren.
But to Lily and Scorpius' surprise and to the little girl and her father's delight, Severus reached into his wallet (that his grandson Arthur had gifted him for his birthday) and pulled out a crisp American muggle twenty-dollar bill.
"I will take five."
"Really, thanks," the little girl flashed an adorable smile, even the feared Professor Severus Snape melted - ahem, almost - at the sight of her. The little girl pulled out five different flavors, describing each flavor to Severus, and told him to enjoy it.
"Wish you well," the little girl said, now joined by her father.
"Wish you well," Severus chuckled, bowing his head. Then the little girl and her father were off to sell some more cookies.
"That's your weakness," Lily said, pouncing on Severus. "All these years and it took a cute little girl selling cookies!"
"If either one of you tell a soul," Severus said, his expression darkening. "I will deny it."
"Never, what story," Lily said, looking at Scorpius.
"Story, I know nothing," Scorpius said.
The three looked at each other in silence.
"Come on, let's go," Lily said. "I have a place to be."