Chapter 3- The Daily Prophet Exposé

'Okay Jenny Wren we will have a fine view here.' Severus said as he parked the carriage under the Slyltherin tree and set up his comfortable chair that he had requested a house Elf retrieve from his quarters.

Severus cast an Atmospheric Charm to modify the area around them so that neither he nor the baby would get sunburned. He leaned over the carriage to look at the child within and said, 'You are such a smart baby and cute, though I wouldn't admit that around Albus and Minerva. At least you don't yell and fuss like l thought a baby would." he reached in and loosened the cloak around her and then picked up the unicorn stuffy. "Here, play with your stuffy and mobile while l try to read my magazines and prepare next terms lessons for some real dunderheads l know.

Jenny squealed with laughter at the scowl he had on his face and raised her arms up, making it clear she would rather he hold her, which after a momentary flash of confusion he did. She wrapped her little arms around him the best she could and made sweet little joyful sounds in her throat while snuggling into his coat.

"You are such a little Puffskien you are. Cute, cuddly and easy to look after so far, makes me really wonder why you were left in that alley. Don't let on to Albus and Minerva that l am not just looking after you because its my duty, they may think I'm getting soft myself, got it Jenny?"

Jenny reached up, patted Severus on his rather large nose, and then looked around at the blurry shapes in new world around her. She wanted to play instead of sleeping in the carriage; it seemed like it wasn't going to be a peaceful afternoon, far from it.

"Silly little girl, I should tell you a little bit about your present surroundings eh?" he tickled her button nose. "Okay then, you are presently living in a large castle in Scotland."

Jenny giggled and Severus grinned, "Oh yes I suppose you could be a princess. It is a castle after all and you are not yet a student here. Anyway the castle is surrounded by mountains and perched upon a high cliff that overlooks the Black Lake where many creatures live. Mermaids, and a giant squid are two of the denizens of the deep water.: He looked at her sternly, "Don't even think of going there alone when you are able."

He felt her head snuggling under his chin and he smiled as he cuddled her. "You have only met a few people who reside here, especially during the school year. You will love Hagrid, he is large like a giant panda bear and yet very gentle and kind. He lives in a wooden hut not far form the forbidden forest..."

Jenny loved to hear his voice even if she couldn't quite understand what he was saying but she wanted to see this new world for herself and wriggled. Severus quit reciting the names of the people she would hopefully get to know and said, "Okay, Okay sweetheart, I will let you down."

With a chuckle he then laid the cloak out onto the grass so Jenny could lie down on it and play with her new toys in the open air. He conjured up a bonnet to place upon her head. It wasn't flowery or fancy like what Minerva or Poppy would have created but it did the job. The large tree nearby provided shade from the direct sun while a light breeze kept them from getting too warm.

Jenny giggled and cooed while batting her stuffed unicorn and chewing the horn till it was soggy. The mobile was floating in the air and turning gently with the slight warm summer breeze. Severus thought it was too boring and thought a moment before casting a series of spells that caused each of the magical animals change colours as they danced above her and sing a lullaby which he hoped would entertain Jenny and eventually lull her into taking a nap which Poppy had told him was necessary for her growth.

Severus also cast a protego charm around her and the cloak, and then opened up his lesson planner to plan out his strategy for next term. He always hated to wait till the last minute to organize his thoughts.

With one eye on Jenny and his mind on the lessons time went by swiftly, he was not aware how much time flew by till Minerva came out of the castle and strode over to let him know it was nearing time for supper.

"Honestly Severus you must be paranoid considering you have so many charms cast around you and Jenny that we could practically see them shimmering in the sunlight. "

Severus gave her a look of annoyance as he answered, "better to be safe than sorry, She might try to crawl away or..."

"She is three months old, it will take a little more time for her to start crawling."

"Well how would I know that?" Severus cocked his head to the side as his eyebrow rose slightly. "I'm not a parent nor do I intend to be one."

Minerva looked stern as she responded to his statement. " "Gang aheid an' keep tryin' tae convince yerself ay 'at but Ah dornt hink ye will succeed. yer protectife streak is showin' up tay strang."

The scowl on Severus' face as he tried once again to mentally translate what she said was quite amusing to Minerva who couldn't help but chuckle.

Jenny had fallen asleep and Severus himself was feeling a little dozy from the warmth. He closed his lesson planner and said in a slightly petulant mutter, "I guess we better take her back in."

To which Minerva agreed and proceeded to pick Jenny up as Severus picked up the cloak from which he scougified the grass and dirt clinging to the underside and Minerva placed Jenny down with the toys after he laid the cloak back in the carriage.

Severus got up and banished his comfortable chair back to his living quarters and then they both walked Jenny back to the castle where the Supper feast was being prepared.

Albus was hovering inside the door, watching them; he had to hide a smile while watching the two Professors progressing across the lawn carefully with the sleeping baby.

While they were eating, the Owls came with the Daily Prophet, which had somehow managed to get the story of the abandoned baby and a picture of Severus with the baby.

Severus was Stunned as he read the story and wondered how did they find out about the baby and his involvement.

ABANDONED BABY GIRL FOUND

by Rita Skeeter

It has come to our attention that on the night of July 4th this year at around one thirty A.M. A baby girl was found lying in a trash bin, in London by none other than well known potions master Severus Snape and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts Schoool of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It has been verified that Professor Snape and Head Master Albus Dumbledore were out for a stroll to pick up one of Albus's favourite treats known as the muggle candy called lemon sherbets, when Professor Snape heard a weak kitten like sound coming from a bin in the alley. He proceeded to investigate and upon finding said baby picked her out and placed her in his cloak with he wrapped securely around the said child.

The baby was taken to Hogwarts were she is residing for now. It is to be hoped that the perpetrator of this horrible crime will be found and punished.

Unable to continue reading the rest of the write-up due to his stunned amazement, Severus looked in silence at the picture above the article - of him carefully wrapping the baby up. He was extremely bewildered and his emotions were totally mixed as he handed the paper to Minerva and Albus who were also amazed as to how the story got into the paper. The two elders looked at the paper in silence, unable to believe either that the story could have gotten out so fast, and as for proof, there was the picture to go along with the article.

Albus cleared his throat and looked over at Severus, who looked thunderous and bewildered at the same time.

"I will send an owl to Martin and find out how this information could have leaked out to the Daily Prophet."

"Right, and in the meantime everyone will know we have the child here and we we will have to be extra careful about supplying any information beyond the Child's condition and her name." Minerva replied.

"Where was the photographer hidden when l found the baby, plus how did he or she know to be there at that particular time? Severus asked in bewilderment. "After all he got this photo of me wrapping up the infant. And how did Rita Skeeter go hold of these facts" Severus asked while checking on Jenny who was unconcerned and sleeping peacefully. "Could it be a fluke?"

Severus' eyes narrowed as he turned to Albus. "Or maybe we were seen as we entered the Muggle side of London and were followed."

"Those are interesting Questions you are asking Severus. And you are right, it is quite possible that we were seen as we left the Leakey Cauldron." answered Albus as he was formulating his letter to Martin. "Its the downside of being well known. The Paparazzi love to dig up anything and everything they can to write about especially if it is considered sensational."

The letter done, Albus got up and went off to the owlery to post it.

Meanwhile there were some owls starting to come into the Great Hall with some howlers that were eclipsed by letters and little parcels for the baby, toys and handmade baby clothes from people whose hearts were touched when they read the story. Minerva looked at Severus who told her, "You look after them, l don't think l could handle hearing the vitriol from those howlers." His shoulders sagged slightly, "They are probably sent by those who think I should be banned from Hogwarts while Jenny is here or something along that line due to the fact I was a Death- Eater."

" Severus, how many times must we remind you? You are an ex-Death Eater who risked life daily as a spy for the light." responded Minerva automatically "Don't worry yourself. It'll be all right, Those howlers and the rest of the deliveries will be dealt with, you go with Albus and find out what is what with Martin and his investigation. I'll keep an eye on the baby with Madame Pomfrey's help. And don't worry about any danger to Jenny as there are wards up that will aid in preventing any truly harmful items from coming through after all."

"Yes it will be all right, go Severus, Jenny Wren will be fine" Madame Pomfrey said as she opened and read one of the letters while Minerva proceeded to deal with the howlers that never had a chance to spew their venom.

Severus raced out and caught up with Albus who was very concerned also, and after sending off the owl they both went to Albus's office to wait for an answer from Martin.

Authors Notes

"Gang aheid an' keep tryin' tae convince yerself ay 'at but Ah dornt hink ye will succeed. yer protectife streak is showin' up tay strang."

"Go ahead and keep trying to convince yourself of that but I don't think you will succeed. Your protective streak is showing up too strong."

I wish to thank all those readers who took the time to comment upon my story and those who added it to their alerts. It is nice to know that it has its own appeal.