Disclaimer: I haven't had one of these in a while, or ever in this story if I think about it and remember correctly which I probably don't, but anyway I don't own Harry Potter. The only thing I do own is the idea of a law forbidding children from gay couples.

AN: Ok so the Patriots lost the Superbowl but it was close… And sorry for not updating in a while but I had a road block… and my plot bunnies were totally running in the opposite direction. But again I would like to say that I love reviews… and they really do guilt me into writing faster cause I feel bad that I haven't updated… but my reviews are getting few and far between… ok enough of the pity party and onto the story..

oh and thank you to my few reviewers for the last chapter, especially Anna for her helpful suggestion… lol

text

"talking"

thinking

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Severus sits at his desk staring at the two letters he has written. One was to Harry the other was to Hermoine, and he was attempting to decide which to send.Should I just send this to Harry or should I ask Hermoine what to say? Normally the thought of asking anyone, especially the know-it-all Gryffindor as should would always be known, would be repulsive, but she did know Harry better than anyone else. Deciding against Hermoine, as Harry deserved his honest response, he seals his letter to Harry, and prepares to write another to Hermoine detailing what Harry said and how he was going to respond.

Tired after the emotions of the day, Severus heads to bed but not without a nightcap of scotch, all the while still hoping that he is doing the right thing.

The next morning Severus is still asleep, after his nightcap turned into a night of getting yourself drunk so you don't have to think, when Hedwig appears to get the letter. The snowy owl taps at the window impatiently, until finally the window swings open on its own. Hedwig fly's to the desk and seeing two letters grabs the one for Harry, being a magical owl she is able to read the titles and deliver the correct letter.

Several hours later Severus awakes to a raging headache. Not wanting to move but remembering that a hangover potion is merely a room away, he grumbles his way to a standing position, and slowly makes his way to his bathroom, and subsequent potions cabinet.

After returning to somewhat normalcy, Severus remembers the letters and that Hedwig was supposed to return. Entering his study and seeing only one letter, and an open window he realizes that the owl must have came while he was sleeping. Glad that at least something went to plan Severus called for Elvis to begin breakfast and to deliver the letter to Malfoy Manor.

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Meanwhile halfway around the world Hedwig appears in Harry's back yard via special portkeys made for international owl delivery. Harry has been watching for the owl and is sitting in his backyard simply waiting. As Hedwig flies towards him, he quickly stands to get the letter, and when she lands on his shoulder, he caresses her and tells her what a good job she did. Holding the letter in his hand, Harry can simply stand there staring at his name in that familiar script as Hedwig flies into the house and upstairs to her cage.

Deciding that enough time has been wasted, wasted over the years; Harry carries the letter into his study, grabbing his cup of tea as he walks past his chair. Sitting at his desk Harry is especially glad that Olivia is at school, and then spending the afternoon at a friend's house.

Sighing Harry opens the letter hoping the message is positive, but at the same time knowing that anything is possible.

Harry,

You have no idea as to the emotions that I felt upon receiving your letter. Anger and betrayal that you chose now to contact me and you kept so much from me for so long. But also there was hope and love for a daughter that I have never known. But as a wise woman once said, "We have a chance to turn the pages over, we can write what we want to write, but we have to make ends meet before we get much older." In other words what's done is done, but nothing says we can't make the future what we want it to be.

First I would like to express my disappointment that you did not share your issues with me sooner, for after speaking with Hermoine I realized that I could have saved you a lot of trouble as I am currently friends with a member of the World Council. We have already put into action a plan to get the council to meet and hopefully revoke the law.

After reading the last line, Harry has to stop reading at the pure joy and astonishment that Severus was going to help him. Then he becomes sad and angry that if had just shared everything sooner, then Severus would know his daughter, and Harry would not be alone in another country. Slowly tears start to form in his eyes, and he quickly wipes them on the edge of his shirt so he can continue to read the letter.

The only issue that we have come across is the records locked within the Chamber of Secrets.

We were attempting to discern a way into the chamber when your letter arrived. And now I believe it is time to write about the rest of your letter. Of course I would wish to meet with you, and not just to get into the chamber, there was much left unresolved when you left. And above all else I would love to meet my daughter. As for my personal feelings towards you, if you honestly thought I was going to express them in a letter, you are sadly mistaken. But as for meeting I leave the time and place up to you, for this matter, and this matter only I am at your beck and call.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

Finally finishing the letter Harry is both laughing and crying. He suddenly stands and jumps for joy holding the letter in his right hand. "Yes, Severus wants to meet with me! But holy Merlin's knickers what am I going to say? What am I going to wear? This is the man I love we're talking about, what am I going to do?" Finished with his ranting, Harry sits back in his chair bewildered at what is going to happen.

Looking at the clock, Harry realizes how much time has passed and that he must begin dinner before Olivia is dropped off. Quickly deciding upon a simple casserole that leaves him time to think. I must contact Severus soon, but what am I going to do this close to Christmas. At the end of this thought Harry smacks himself in the forehead, and immediately feels the splash of liquid on his face. He then realizes that he still has the spoon in his hand that he was stirring the casserole ingredients with. Ok I am a double dork. Christmas, why didn't I think of it before? Olivia would love to have Severus here for Christmas and I am sure that he would agree to it if it would make her happy. Quickly popping the, now ready, casserole in the oven, Harry strides out of the kitchen to his study and begins writing the letter.

After many revisions he finishes the letter and sends off a disgruntled Hedwig with the letter and another set of portkeys, when Harry hears the doorbell. Walking to the door, Harry can already see Olivia and her friend Julie, playing in the front yard, through the main window. Answering the door he greets Julies mother Angela with an, "I hope she wasn't too much of a hassle today. She's so excited about Christmas this year." He then turns and gestures for her to enter the house, the girls can play in the yard for a while longer.

Smiling at the handsome man Angela responds while entering the house, "Of course not, they were complete dears as always. Julie loves having her over, in fact I'm surprised they're still outside, that's all they did at our house, skating on the back pond and making snowmen." She then begins to take off her hat and unzips her coat at the warmth in the room.

Harry smiles at the thought of his girl skating. He had never quite been able to pick up the skill, but of course he never mastered the landing of a portkey either. He was still unable to fathom how Hedwig could still fly after being transported. Shrugging off the thought as irrelevant, Harry asks his guest if she would like something to drink.

Shaking her head, Angela replies, "I'm sorry we can't stay very long. Since tomorrow is Christmas Eve we have an appointment to get our holiday photos taken. We were lucky and found a wonderful photographer that will do outside photos instead of just in a studio. Julia is so excited that her new snowman will get to be in the photo, we decided that our snow-covered backyard and pond would be a perfect backdrop this year."

Nodding in agreement, "That does sound lovely; perhaps Olivia and I should attempt something like that. We usually just get her photo taken with Santa and be done with it." Harry then sits in a chair by the window where he is able to watch the girls.

Angela meanwhile is putting back on her winter gear, "Oh you should, my mother did it every year, and it is always so amusing to look back at the photos and see how everyone changed from year to year. And I'm sorry to say this but we must be going, I'll just grab Julie, and send Oli in alright?" She says using Olivia's nickname.

Harry just nods as he thinks of what a family photo of Olivia, Severus and himself would look like. Would he smile? Would we have our arms around each other like a happy family? Snapping himself out of it at the entrance of his daughter, he helps her remover her winter gear, and tells her to go wash up as dinner is almost done. Seeing her skip to the downstairs bathroom, Harry smiles to himself at what her response is going to be at finally meeting her Daddy.

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AN: ok the wise word are actually from the song You're the Voice, by Heart, and I'm actually thinking of writing a songfic to it as a side note…