A Light In The Dark

A Severus Love Story

Part Twelve

11 Years Later

A/N: Ok yes I am very aware of the fact that Sev died like a year later, I cried for an hour when I read the book! But this is what would have happened if he hadn't died because Voldemort wasn't an idiot about the whole wand thing so he got to raise Aurora Lilly Snape ok thanks for understanding!

"Daddy I know going to Hogwarts is really great for me and I am so excited to be learning all these new things but … isn't that where my mom died?" Aurora asked as she clung onto my hand while we walked through Daigon Alley collecting her school supplies. I looked down at her and even with her eyes alight with fear I still couldn't get over how much she looked like her mother. The same silver blonde curls bobbing along as she walked, perfect pale skin with just a few freckles scattered across her nose and of course those large almond shaped green eyes.

I pulled her over to the side and knelt down on one knee beside her placing one hand on her shoulder and lifting her chin up lightly with the other. "Yes your mother did die there but she also gave birth to you there as well. After I started working there again it was hard at first to see the spot where she died but every time I had to go there I remembered that even though something horrible happened there a miracle happened too. Your mother was an amazing women and I know that she would be just as proud of you as I am if she could see you right now." I said and pulled her into a tight hug as memories of that night came flooding back into my mind.

I finally pulled away to see the happy light flooding back into her eyes yet again. "Do you really think so Daddy?" she asked her eyes growing wide and I nodded smoothing out her hair. She clapped her hands together excitedly "Great then I am going to try my best to get into Ravenclaw just like her and do well in all of my classes! Of course I already know I am going to pass Defense Against the Dark Arts." she said with a laugh as she marched down the alley.

"Just because you are my daughter does not mean you are just going to pass my class. In the classroom you are my student and I will be expecting even more from you. Do we have an understanding Aurora?" I said sternly though I couldn't hide the smile that was starting to form on my face. She laughed and nodded, knowing that she had me completely tied around her finger.

An hour later my arms were stuffed with bags of school supplies and in her arms was a brand new tabby kitten she had conned me out of. Even though I had spent a lot more money then I had attended to I don't think I could have been any happier. I had made a promise the day she was born that I would protect her and as long as I saw that smile on her face I knew I was doing my job. As we were about to make our way home she stopped and blushed looking into window of a book shop. Wondering what had made her stop in her tracks I looked in and that's when I saw Teddy Lupin, her best friend and recently developed crush.

As he walked out of the store she tried her best to smooth out her hair and put on a giant smile as he came closer to her. "Hey Aurora! I was kind of hoping I might run into you here, I mean I knew you were starting school this year so yeah … anyway I was just about to go get some ice cream with Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny do you maybe want to come with us?" he asked with a blush forming on his cheeks.

Aurora looked up at me with pleading eyes and even though I felt a boiling hot anger rising up in me at the though of her with her crush, I actually trusted Teddy. He was a good student even though he had a habit of changing his hair color every other day that annoyed me like nothing else, he was a good kid. I nodded reluctantly and she squealed with happiness as she put her kitten, Rose, back in its cage. "You know what I actually wanted to go see George again before we left so why don't you take the money Teddy and you two have a good time." Ginny said nudging Harry to get him to go along with the idea.

I was about to speak against the idea of the two of them going alone together but then I saw that same twinkle in Aurora's eyes that I remember her own mother having whenever she looked at me. I bit back my argument and instead said "Yes have a good time Aurora dear and Teddy … just remember how my detentions were last year." Aurora beamed at me and Teddy gulped but they were gone around the corner and out of my sight before I knew it.

"You know you raised her well Severus, her mother would be proud of you both." Harry said placing a hand on my shoulder. Our relationship had come along way from the days when I was teacher. In fact I can say in a way we were almost friends. "You know you cant always be by her side, she is growing up and she is going to want to go out on her own." he added when I didn't say anything.

I let out a sigh and said "I know an I fear that day is coming a bit to close for my liking. When Aurora died I though that I was back in the dark but I am thankful everyday that I fond another light in our daughter." Harry and Ginny gave each other a loving look before they both nodded and I knew they knew exactly how I was feeling because they were the same way with each other.

We walked down the street towards the ice cream shop I couldn't help but sneak a peek at Aurora and Teddy together. As afraid as I was of her going of on her own when I saw the way her eyes lit up around him and the way he smiled at her, I knew that one day they would be together. I also knew that when that day came I was going to have to let her go but I couldn't help but smile at the thought too. Somewhere deep down I knew that if the time ever came when she needed protecting and I wasn't there Teddy would take care of her.

I stopped a few feet from the shop and smiled saying out loud to myself "Aurora I have tried so hard to protect our baby girl and I hope I am doing you proud but I have a favor to ask. I promised I would protect her but I think I need to start letting go of her, little by little. So I want you to look after the two of them and guide them to each other. I love you Aurora and I still miss you every day." Then I felt a soft gust of wind brush pass my cheek softly as if caressing it and I knew that I wasn't the only one watching over my little girl. Even though Aurora wasn't with us any more she too was protecting the precious thing we had created together.