It was the 2nd of November 1981 and Severus couldn't hear the news any longer. Everywhere in the magical world people talked about the disappearance of the dark lord and therefore about the death of the Potters. Lily and James Potter had been killed in the night of the 31st October by Lord Voldemort. He had also tried to kill their 15-month-old son, but somehow he had been destroyed in his place. Those circumstances left the boy and his little sister as orphans. Severus was glad, that nothing happened to Ayleen in the whole affair, but his goal now was to find his daughter first. That was the reason he had made his way to Hogwarts to Dumbledore. The gargoyle immediately jumped to the side when he saw Severus coming, apparently Dumbledore had informed him that he was coming. With quick steps, he went up the spiral staircase and knocked. On Dumbledore's demand he entered the office. "Ah Severus good to see you", Dumbledore said looking up from his desk. "Professor is it true?" Severus asked and hoped without really believing it that the headmaster would tell him something different than what stood in the daily prophet. Dumbledore smiled thin lipped. "Severus I'm sorry but it's true." Severus tilted his head back and expelled his breath, he had expected that. He crossed the office and sat down on the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. A glass appeared in front of Severus and he looked at the old wizard with a raised eyebrow. Dumbledore gestured for him to have a drink. Severus raised his glass and drained it in one go. Severus pulled a face as the whisky burned in his throat. With a dull thud, Severus put the glass back on the table. "What about the children?" Severus wanted to know and looked at Dumbledore. "Why do you care, Severus?" he wanted to know, looking at Severus over his half-moon spectacles. "Just tell me Professor", Severus asked a little desperate. "Well Harry was handed over to his aunt's care by me last night." Severus looked bewildered at Dumbledore. "Do you think that's a good idea Sir?" he asked. "Well it's safer for him, if he grows up at a place where he's no celebrity", Dumbledore explained. "I see", Severus said nodding. When Dumbledore didn't continue to speak for a while Severus asked. "What about the girl?" "She was brought to a foster family." Severus bit his lips, he knew it could be dangerous if he kept looking for Ayleen, but he couldn't help it, he owed it to Lily. "And who would that be?" Severus finally wanted to know. "I can't tell you that Severus", Dumbledore said compassionate. Severus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Professor I get that you try to protect her, but I need to know where Ayleen is", Severus said. "And why's that?" Dumbledore wanted to know. Severus looked at him and his bright blue eyes sparkled as if he knew what Severus was hiding. ""Because I think she would be better off with me than with some strangers," Severus explained. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "And why do you think this Severus?" Severus sighed, actually he didn't want to explain everything to the old wizard but if he wanted to see his daughter he had no other choice. "Well, children are always best off with their parents, aren't they?" said Severus. "Definitely, but her parents were killed", Dumbledore replied. Now there was no turning back for Severus. "Her mother got killed but her father is still alive." Dumbledore looked dumfounded at the younger wizard. "Severus do you mean…" Severus simply nodded. Dumbledore had no choice but to ask Severus for proof. Severus then conjured up the photo album he had made for Ayleen, which contained some pictures Lily had sent him. Furthermore he showed him the memories from the leaky cauldron. "Will you now tell me where my daughter is?" Severus asked as Dumbledore handed him back the photo album. "And what do want to do then Severus. The Death Eaters are being hunted, you are not in a position to take care of her." "I will find a way", Severus said determined. Dumbledore smiled softly. "Well I could help you with that. The post of potions professor just got free and as far as I know you're quite talented in this subject." Severus looked at Dumbledore, overwhelmed. "Do you offer me a job?" he asked to make sure he had heard right. "Yes, so what do you say Professor?" Severus grinned, shook Dumbledore's hand and grabbed the parchment on which Dumbledore had previously written the address of the foster family. "Thank you Professor." With this words Severus left the headmasters office.
Two days later Severus apparated to the address Dumbledore had given him. He had prepared some things before he came here. He didn't know what to expect and his nerves were on edge. After taking a deep breath Severus rang the doorbell. It took a moment before a blond boy about six or seven years old opened the door. "Hello", he said shyly. "Hi is your mother there?" Severus wanted to know. The boy turned around and called for his mother before disappearing from the door. A moment later a darkhaired woman appeared in the hallway. "How can I help you?" she asked drying her hands with a towel. "Good afternoon. My name is Severus Snape and Professor Dumbledore sends me." The woman raised an eyebrow. "Albus and why does he send you Mr. Snape?" she wanted to know looking at him skeptically. "I'd rather not discuss this out here, could I come in?" Severus wanted to know. The woman looked at him for a while before she finally sighed and motioned for him to come inside. "So why does Albus send you here?" she asked again as she closed the door. "Well Miss…" Severus looked at her expectantly. "Warren. Melinda Warren." "Well Miss Warren, Professor Dumbledore sends me to pick up little Miss Potter." Melinda's eyes widened. "What why? Albus said we should take care of her because the poor thing has no family left." Severus' lips curled into a slight smile as he answered her. "Unfortunately that was a mistake Miss Warren. There are still blood relatives of the girl who want to take care of her." "If you're talking about this horrible Muggle relatives they took the girl's brother to, forget it," Melinda said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I can't tell you who those relatives are it would endanger Miss Potters safety. But I can assure you of one thing, it's not the Muggles." Again Melinda looked for a long time at Severus as if she was trying to decide whether he was lying to her or not. "Well if Albus trust you Mr. Snape I will have to as well, follow me", she finally said dropping her arms. Melinda led Severus up a flight of stairs to the second floor of the house and then down the corridor. "You must be quiet, she's sleeping", Melinda whispered before she opened the door. Behind it was a simply furnished room with a cradle against one wall. Severus stepped closer to the bed looking inside. The little girl really was lying in it, asleep. She pulled a face and Severus wondered if such small children were already dreaming. "Will she have a good time with her relatives?" Melinda, who had stepped up next to Severus, wanted to know. "Surely. Does she have anything else?" Severus wanted to know and took his eyes off the baby. Melinda shook her head. Severus nodded taking a deep breath. Then he reached out his arms and carefully took the girl into his arms. He had never held a baby before. After a brief farewell and a word of thanks, Severus left the house and apparated to Spinners End.
When he arrived at his house, Severus took Ayleen to the room he had prepared for her. Just as Severus entered the room Ayleen started to move in his arms. He looked down at her and then she opened her eyes. Severus was speechless; the girl had inherited her mother's eyes. Curiously the girl looked up at the back haired man and started smiling. Severus' heart started melting and he returned the smile unsurely. Suddenly the girl pulled a face and started to cry. It was then that Severus realized the flaw in his plan, he had no idea how to take care of children, especially those as young as she was. "Shh relax Ayleen I'm here, nothing's going to happen to you", he whispered, cradling the girl in his arms. It was true he would make sure that nothing would happen to his daughter. The girl continued to scream and Severus lifted her onto his shoulder and patted her back to calm her down. Merlin what had he gotten himself into?