Chapter 4

Lucius' POV

The Owl from Severus requested I meet them at his childhood home in Cokeworth. Severus would pick a place where he has the advantage. I'm blown away by the idea I have a daughter! She is stunning, to say the least.

I stood at the door of his place to meet. It's in a shabby, dirty little town, but I know that Snape hasn't been living here the whole time. When I knocked, Severus greeted me. "Welcome, Lucius. Please come in." The house has changed a great deal. I'm guessing that the improvements were Ginevra's doing. I never had her do any decor at the Manor. Perhaps it was a great mistake on my part.

"Thank you Severus," I replied.

"The sitting room is this way." He directs me to the left.

The room is done in dark grey with purple and blue accents. There's a tray with what I'm guessing is lemonade on the table between two small chesterfields. "Please Lucius, have a seat," Ginevra requested. The other day, her shape was hidden under a cloak. Today, she wore a little yellow sundress. As she smoothed the dress to sit down, I could tell her hips have rounded, but that's to be expected and is a welcome addition to her body. Her hair seemed deeper in colour. There were a few ultra fine facial lines, but her body seemed toned.

I could feel the anger that had been building for the last two days. She never told me, and I had the right to know! But I have been schooled in remaining in control. I sat down. Severus wandered over and leaned against a bookcase. "Would you like something to drink?" Ginevra offered.

"Please," I nodded. I found my mouth quite dry. "The child you spoke of was already on her way."

She nodded. "She was."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Perhaps it had something to do with you saying you had your heir and didn't want to be like her father," Severus suggested.

Clearly, she told him everything. I turned and looked at the man I once called my best friend. "How did you two end up together?"

"I have only ever been with three men, Lucius," Ginevra said. I recalled the night that we spoke about her partners and realised that Severus was her first; the one who awakened her sexually. It made sense, for he and I have very similar tastes.

"Neither of you ever said anything," I stated.

"I left the Manor and spent a few days at Mum and Dad's, but they had too many negative things to say about the father of my child. I knew that Severus would be neutral, so I came here and realised that this was where I belonged."

"You should have told me! I missed so much!" I stressed. I was angry, but I did my best to remain in control.

"You had your heir. You didn't want any more children." She tossed my words back at me. "Look, we could talk about the past for years. What matters is now and the future. Or are you here only about the past?"

She was right, but she always was right. However, if I played my cards right, I could end up on top. I could still have her. "Tell me about my daughter."

"She knew you were her father," Severus declared.

"She has always known Severus wasn't her father, but she never cared to know a name. She came to us the night before last and wanted confirmation," Ginevra explained.

"How did she know?"

"She's like you in that she notices everything and reads people. She saw you didn't take notice of her the same way other people we run into do. I always believed that was a skill you learned, Lucius," Severus stated.

"I would like to get to know her. It's all I've been thinking about," I admitted.

"Lucius, she's not sure what she wants yet," Ginevra said cautiously.

"Does your family know?" I asked Ginevra.

"I think they do, but they don't want to admit it," Severus stated.

"When is her birthday?"

"July first," Ginevra said.

"What house is she in?" I'm trying to gather information about my daughter.

"She was a hat stall," Severus related. "She says it finally settled on Slytherin because she pointed out how odd it would be for the daughter of a former head of Slytherin to be placed elsewhere else."

"Did she ever say what the other house was?" I asked.

"Ravenclaw," Ginevra answered.

"I know you aren't living here full time," I commented, looking around the room.

"We have a home over in Canada."

I didn't know what to say, or ask, next.

Ginevra's face softened a bit. "I know it's a lot to take in. You don't have to have it all correct. As we said, she doesn't know what she wants. Maybe you should take some time to figure out what you want."

I stood up. "She's my child and I want to know her. I want her to be a part of my life."

"Then become a part of her life," Severus suggested.

He's right, and I knew that. I made mistakes with Draco. I was so obsessed with Voldemort and power that I never took an active interest in the things that interested him. I expected him to do that for me. Now Evangelina was my second chance. Perhaps I could even learn from her and become a larger part of my grandson's life.

"Does she like Quidditch?" I asked.

"She does, but soccer is her sport," Ginevra said.

"Soccer?" I questioned.

"Sorry, Muggle football," Ginny explained as she looked between myself and Severus.

"Muggle football?" I repeated and looked at my fellow Death Eater.

"We live in a Muggle community, she has Muggle friends, and she does Muggle things," Severus pointed out matter-of-factly.

"And you are okay with this?" I asked before thinking.

"Lucius," Severus started. "I didn't want to be a part of the wizarding world, and you know this. I could have happily been a hermit. Ginny and the children, on the other hand, are social beings. They aren't that bad." A ringing sound suddenly came from Severus' pocket. He reached in and pulled out a small, flat box that's lit up. "Excuse me, I have to take this."

Ginevra nodded at him with a smile and he left the room.

"Ginevra," I began, "The years have been very kind to you."

She smiled and laughed. "I think it's more the beauty products Severus makes for me, but thank you."

"I did plan on marrying you. I just didn't want to be told when it was time," I confessed to her.

"Lucius, that does mean a lot, if it's true. Had you come to me while I was at the Burrow, it would have changed everything, but the minute I was here with Severus, my path was certain."

"Were you with him when we were together?" I accused. She did sleep with me while with Potter.

She shook her head. "No Lucius, you were the only man I was ever unfaithful with."

My mind was going all over the place. "How do I start with Evangelina?"

"I'm not sure. She isn't jumping to get to know you, but she isn't refusing to. Perhaps write a letter to her from you, but I will write to her first and let her know you want to get to know her." She paused, "Did you tell Draco yet?" she asked.

"No, but only because I have nothing to tell him yet."

She smiled at me again. "Lucius, I will see where Eva is at and what she wants."

"Does she have a middle name?"

"Evangelina Scarlett." I was pleased; it was a very classy sounding name.

"Lucius, I'm sorry that I came between you and Severus," she offered.

"He's a smart man, and you clearly mean more to him than I meant to him."

Severus returned. He and Ginevra exchanged looks and he walked over so he was standing behind her chair. He rested his hand on her shoulder, and she reached up with one hand to touch his as he gave her a gentle squeeze. It's clearly not even an action they are conscious of, but it's meant to remind me that they are together.

"I should be going, but I assume I will hear from you?"

"Of course, Lucius. I will keep you posted," she stated.