Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters just the stupid law that they are trying to get changed.

text

"talking"

thinking

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Severus awoke the next morning, still tired and slightly anxious as to what plan Harry had concocted. Rising from bed and performing his morning absolutions, Severus summons Elvis, "I would like breakfast in my study, and special treats prepared for an owl." That stupid boy needs to learn to take care of his pets, I have no idea how he raised a daughter by himself. His owl should be starved after performing several trans-Atlantic flights in the past few days, even if it is mostly by portkey.

Eating his simple breakfast of bangers, toast, and scrambled eggs, the Potions Master is surprised by Hedwigs arrival. Opening the window, Severus takes the letter from the exhausted owl, and quickly leads her to a perch with the provided owl treats. "I was not expecting you so soon, your master must have waited no time before replying." he says to the white owl.

Anxious to read his letter, Severus ignores the rest of his breakfast as he opens the envelope, slightly curious/frightened as to what plan Harry has come up with. After the drop of blood and the answer to the security question, Severus opens the letter and reads.

Dear Severus,

I was very pleased after receiving your letter, and I believe that I have come up with a plan that will assist in both of our endeavors. I will meet you at 10 pm, at the Shrieking Shack, and we will have one hour until my connecting portkey activates. An hour should be enough time to get in and out of the Chamber of Secrets, with all of the documents you require. Then when my portkey activates, I would like you to come with me, and spend Christmas at my home. It would be the ultimate Christmas present for Olivia.

I want to reassure you that I would not expect anything in return, simply that you meet and spend time with your daughter. A daughter that should have a chance to know both of her parents. She's very smart and I'm sure you would have much in common. Well as much in common as a child and a grown man can have.

Love,

A Dear Friend

Severus leaned back in his chair, and reread the letter to memorize the time and place of the meeting. Then he put his head in his hands as he contemplated the thought of not only spending the night in Harry Potters house, but meeting his daughter for the first time, and on Christmas at that. What does one get a six year old for Christmas? Especially one who has been raised as a muggle? Even though Harry said a gift was not required I will still feel delinquent in my fatherly duties if I do not arrive with a gift.

Suddenly Severus stands, and quickly striding to the fire he calls for his house elf Elvis as he burns the letter and envelope, so that no evidence remains.

As the elf appears, he says, "Elvis I need you to go to Malfoy Manor, and ask Mrs…. Malfoy if she is available to speak with me this morning. Make sure you say it is important and it regards the matter we spoke of yesterday, and that I have already received a response letter. And make sure that she is alone, her husband must not know." Elvis bows as he disappears to do his masters bidding.

As the house elf is gone Severus begins packing for his trip. Packing only takes a small amount of time, as he has a limited amount of muggle clothing. As he closes the bag he makes sure to leave room for a gift. Severus then shrinks the bag to place in his pocket, and prepare for his trip, writing detailed instructions for Elvis. He was not certain how long he would be gone, as he was sure once Olivia met him, she would either hate him, as was his secret fear, or she would cling to her long lost father and try to never let him go.

Elvis soon returns and relays Hermoine's message word for word, "The only time available for us to meet, on such short notice is at 12:30, Draco has a last minute lunch meeting, and as such will be out of the house. We will only have an hour or so, so that will have to do. Don't respond back, either you will arrive or you won't."

Elvis just waits after finishing his message, knowing that his master will have instructions. He was not disappointed as Severus handed him a sheet of instructions. "I will be leaving tonight for an undetermined amount of time, here is a list of instructions, I will send Hedwig for my mail. Since I will gone I would like you to spend Christmas, and help out at the Malfoy's." Elvis just nods, happy that he will be of some service at this busy time of year.

A normal person would struggle to find something to occupy his time, but not Severus, he was content to sit and read his latest potions journal. And finally when the time arrived, Severus gathered his things, his notes from Hermoine, made sure he had his shrunken bag, some muggle money, and apparated to the Malfoy foyer.

The Malfoy's house elf Leeloo, was waiting to lead him to Hermoine in the library. "This way Master Severus, Mrs. Hermoine has prepared lunch in the library." She says while leading the way, even though Severus has the entire mansion memorized, she always insists on being his guide.

Upon entering the library, Severus entertains the thought, of whether Hermoine is still upset. He then quickly disregards that thought, as she never would have arranged the visit is she was too upset.

The sight of the mistress of the house, quietly sitting in her customary chair, sipping tea and waiting for him to sit before eating, slightly disturbed him, he had been fully prepared for a shouting match with the former Gryffindor. Settling himself in his chair Severus waits for her to speak, he doesn't have to wait long.

"Before we begin may I read the letter." She asks with a slight plead in her eyes.

He hands over the letter without presentation, he had been prepared for such a request. The dark haired man, sat quietly sipping his tea, waiting for her to finish.

When done she hands back the letter and simply asks, "Well what do you plan to do?" She then begins eating a sandwich while waiting for his response.

He stares at her for a moment, before responding. "I would have thought it would be obvious, I will meet Harry at 10pm, enter the Chamber of Secrets, retrieve the documents, and then I shall accompany him back to his house, and meet my daughter. That is not the issue, I came here for two reasons, I need to know which documents to remove from the chamber and…" here he paused uncertain of how to continue, when he finally decided to just ask. "and I would ask your assistance in selecting and purchasing a gift for a muggleborn 6 year old girl." Severus just glared daring her to say something about him needing help.

A slow smile spread upon her face as she realized almost how adorable her ex-professor could be. He was ashamed of asking for her help, and as such had put up his defenses so she couldn't hurt him. Forcing herself to stop smiling, since she didn't want to alienate him, she still couldn't forgive herself for thinking so badly of him all of those years. "I just wanted to be certain you would go forward with the plan, and as for the documents it is probably best if you just take everything pertinent. Harry will know what documents we used before, and as for a gift I'm certain I don't know what to choose."

He tensed at the last part of her speech, but slowly relaxed as she continued. "My suggestion would be for you to go to a muggle toy store, and ask a clerk there. Most of them are quite helpful and knowledgeable. And I suggest you bring quite a bit of pounds, as toys can be expensive." She then glanced at the clock and realized that he had already, been there for half and hour, and he had yet to eat anything. I must try to make him eat before he goes, Draco will arrive soon, and I am sure he will forget to eat on his own, with everything that is going to happen today.

As thought he is privy to her thoughts, Severus takes a sandwich and begins slowly eating, as he contemplates what to get a 6 year old girl. When done he stands, and brushes off his robes, as he says, "If that is all then I will leave you, your husband will be home soon and it appears as though I have some shopping to do."

Hermoine stands to tell him goodbye and wish him good luck, when he waves her off, not wanting her sentiments. He then quickly strides to the foyer, attempting to avoid the house elf Leeloo, he did not want to be ushered around. Quickly apparating to Diagon Alley, Severus removes his robe, and shrinks it to put in his pocket, revealing his muggle clothes of black slacks, and a white button up. The ex-professor then exits Diagon Alley through the Leaky Caldron, and walks around the corner to a small toy shop he remembered from once upon a time.

Relieved upon seeing the shop was still there, and he did not have to wander the city looking for another, he hears a bell sound above the door, as he enters. Not knowing where to start, he glances around the room, before walking up to the counter, and the elderly gentleman behind the counter. "Sir if you would be so kind as to help me, I am looking for a gift for a 6 year old girl." Severus says in one of his nicest tones, hoping to entreat the man to help him.

The man looks up from the book he was writing in, "Of course I will help you young man, that's what I'm here for." He then puts a mark in the book, and comes around the counter, while giving Severus an appraising look. Satisfied with what he found, a nervous man, possibly an uncle who was completely clueless.

"Does the young lady have any preferences that you know of, favorite color, animal, or does she like to read perhaps? The white haired man in a tan sweater, asked while pointing around the store to stuffed animals and then the book section.

Severus frowned to himself, he had no knowledge of his daughter, "Yes she does like to read and be read to, but as to anything else I haven't the faintest clue."

Smiling as he responds, "Its alright most people have no idea what to give children, stuffed animals are old standards, and so are books, but if you don't know what ones she already owns, you may want to choose something different. I would suggest a game you could play together, or if she likes to be physical perhaps a bike, or a football. If you don't like any of those ideas, you could look in our doll section, or perhaps a building block set, or something else fun like a Mr. Potato Head."

Leaning towards this so called Mr Potato Head, Severus replies, "What on Earth is a potato head?"

Laughing, while he picks up the box, "A Mr. Potato Head, is a toy shaped like a potato, where you can choose what he or she looks like, either by changing the facial features, shoes or hair. I'm not certain why it is shaped like a potato, but it is and has been for a number of years."

Hmming to himself, Severus looks at the selection of toys, and finally decides upon a…

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AN: Sorry about the cliffhanger but did you really think I would tell you what he bought Olivia for Christmas?

On a separate note I will be home for the holidays and away from the computer so don't expect an update for a few weeks. I will still be working on the next chapter I just won't have internet.

But at least you have the reunion to look forward to…