Author Note: I own nothing recognizable in this story. Other than things you don't recognize everything belongs to the great J.K Rowling. Well this is still just a little more stuff about them.

"She is so quiet sir." Granger said turning to me as I came out of my room. Emerence was still looking her over carefully but from the look of it offered over her wolf, which didn't look like much but it was a lot. Shaking my head I leaned down to Emerence

"Not normally she just doesn't know you yet. Don't worry she will babble your ear off soon enough. She seems to like you." I said picking her up and magicking her diaper bag to me, normally I wouldn't use one but this evening could range from very short and quiet to long and drawn out, all depending on how chatty Albus wanted to be. "Can you hand her that wolf and then we can be off?" I asked as I started towards the door.

Granger grabbed the toy and handed it toward Emerence who made a grab at it snuggling it close to her chest. Causing us both to chuckle. I smiled softly down at Emerence as I started out of the room, the sound of scurrying feet informed me that Granger was not far behind me.

"For this meal at least you have to sit beside me. After this you may sit with your friends amongst the table. "I said over my shoulder as we both started up the stairs from the dungeons. I kept my pace up one because I knew we would only have a few moments to get into the dining hall before the new students flooded in.

"Severus, is it normal to feel nervous?" Granger asked placing her hand on my arm as we came up in front of the huge doors for the great hall. I turned towards her and shrugged the hand off my arm. Her deep chocolaty eyes were boring holes into my own onyx eyes. For once I didn't see the annoying know-it-all, but a scared apprentice.

"Miss Granger are you the brains of the fall of the Dark Lord really nervous about helping me teach students who only wish they could be you. You must not be as much of a genius as I thought you would be," I started coldly but her eyes continued to bore into me, "take a deep breath. You will be fine." I finished warmer than I had intend to.

Granger looked as if she was about to say something but I heard the doors in the hall open and I grabbed her arm and tugged her as fast as I could move with small baby in my arms. Upon entering I was amazed as usual at the transformation. The ceiling was as usual the sky outside except this time it was lined with candles giving it the eerie look it always had. Glancing at the table the new members sticking out like sore thumbs. Not only because of their apprentice robes but because of their uncertain looks on their faces, obviously nerves were not for Miss Granger alone.

I settled into my seat and placed Emerence into my lap placing a few of her toys in front of her, I could only hope they would keep her entertained for a while. Granger was at least happy to notice that my seat was on the same end as Flitwick, which meant that we were also close to Miss Weasley, so the two of them talked quietly for a moment before Granger took her seat next to me.

A few moments later the doors were burst open as the returning students entered the newly renovated great hall and took their seats at the tables. It was always interesting to see how loud the once quiet room could get as the students returned.

"How many students do you think your house will get this year?" Flitwick said turning to face me as the last of the older students sat and the hat was brought out by Filch.

"Hopefully a few. I don't know how many kids would allow the hat to place them in Slytherin." I said with a shrug.

"Well maybe your houses loss will be Ravenclaw's blessing."

"You wish old man."

A startled sound came from the two girls sitting on either side of us as our playful banter continued. "Is there something wrong you two?" I asked after they both seemed to catch their breath.

Both girls just looked from Flitwick to myself as Minerva entered the room followed by the small frightened students that made up the first years. I grinned to myself as I saw how many students stood before us. Everyone's fear that the war would put an end to Hogwarts was wrong.

Minerva unrolled the parchment that held the names of all the students and started reading off names. As we have done every year Flitwick and I would playfully announce what house we thought the student would be in before the hat gave the final say.

"Do you always do this?" Granger whispered to me as another student was sorted into Slytherin, making the count ten so far. She had startled me which caused me to jump, which in turn startled Emerence- who by this point had started to doze on my lap- who let out a startled cry that I hoped was covered by the hat shouting out Hufflepuff.

I was amazed that I had made it this long with her on my lap and the students not notice. But then again their eyes were all on the center of the stage not the sides where I was sitting. But even as I was contemplating this I saw that Minerva was nearing the end of her list.

"Yes, it is what makes sitting through this year after year bearable. Most of the teachers do it." I said addressing Granger finally as Minerva called out the final student's name. We both watched as the hat contemplated for a moment before adding another Cub to Minerva's house.

The students eyes all turned slowly as they finished their food and even from where I was sitting I could hear the murmurs. The students were all wondering about the young child who was gleefully drinking from the bottle I was holding. I knew this moment was going to happen but I couldn't help but feel the want to snuggled Emerence closer to me and disappear taking her back to my rooms.

"Ah it seems you have noticed a few large additions and one not so big addition to the staff table. We have four former students that will be apprenticing with a few of our teachers, as you know them I will allow themselves to speak later during your classes. Our other addition is that of Professor Snape's young daughter. She will be around the school and should you see her please remain courteous of our smallest member." Albus said as my eyes bore into him, a smell was once more coming from my daughter but with all the students eyes on me I dare not move.

"Are you coming Granger?" I murmmered into her ear as I grabbed the bag next to me. Albus had finished his speech and the students were all preparing to leave. Granger jumped and looked at me her eyes had a gloss to them, obviously she hadn't been with us mentally for a moment or two. Taking ahold of my now offered arm she stood.

I lead her to the door behind my own. She remained quiet as we walked down the stairs and towards the rooms. "This is the door entrance you used earlier today. There is a second portrait entrance in the hallway near the Slytherin common room as well as our classroom. The password for the moment is Dragon's blood." I said as I waved my hand over the door causing it to open.

Once inside I pulled off my robes and deposited the bag on the floor taking Emerence into her room for a quick change. The young child's gray eyes were on mine which caused me to smile, despite the memories they brought back.

"So what do you think of Hermione, Em?" I asked cheerfully as I carried her to her bathtub so I could wash her before bed. A small gurgle followed by one of those cheerful laughs only babies could do. "I agree she is much easier to work with when not around her childish friends." I smirked as I covered a wash rag with baby soap and warmed it with wandless magic.

I cleaned Emerence and then made sure to dry her completely, like my own mother did with me I use magic as rarely as possible on her. Quickly placing her in a muggle diaper, this one with Winnie the Pooh on it, and bounced her lightly in my arms earning me more giggles. As I wandered back into her room I snuggled her closer. The days where it was just me and her all day were over, starting the following Monday I would be dealing with Dunderhead students for part or most of the day. I was already dreading it.

I grabbed a black onesie and carefully pulled it over her head and clasped the clasps on the bottom. Moving to the rocking chair I settled into it and begun rocking. This was a nightly ritual for the two of us. Sometimes it would include a bottle other times it was just the two of us. I rocked her back and forth a small song on my lips as I watched Emerence's eyes begin to droop and then finally close all together. I continued to rock for a few minutes longer and then move over to place her in the crib placing her stuffed animal next to her head. Leaning down I placed a kiss on her head and then turned and strolled out of the room turning the lights off as I went.

Upon exiting I noticed that Granger was sitting in one of my armchairs book in hand. With a glance at the clock I was amazed to notice that she was up still.

"Late night Miss. Granger?" I asked as I walked over to grab my robes before going to my own room for the night.

"No well yes. I just wanted to say a few things. One thank you for taking me on and letting me meet your daughter. Second if I can call you Severus perhaps you should call me Hermione." She said turning from her Potions book she held in her hand.

"Perhaps that can be arranged Miss Granger. But anything else you would like to discuss can wait until the morning. It is rather late and this is one of the few nights Em laid down without a fuss." I said as I begun to unbutton the sleeves of my shirt as I pushed open my door. "There is no need to thank me either. Remember to turn the light out when you go to bed." I added shutting my door snuggly behind me.

Once on the other side I slid down the wall my head leaning against it for a moment. Pushing my white sleeves I looked down. Though faded the dark mark was still on my wrist, no amount of magic or alterations had done anything to it. This was one of the last things reminding me why I was the least capable person of not only raising a child but having one of the Golden Trio in my home.

What had Andi and Albus been thinking? Andi by writing all her parental rights off and Albus for putting someone so respected into my hand. However was I going to make this all work out?

Author Note: I love more than anything to write the scenes between Severus and Emerence. They warm all of my heart. Also I know I know Severus appears much nicer remember this is after the war, and also AU, he can be a little nicer. It was so much fun working on this chapter which is why it came out fast.