Severus had to admit, that the first few months with his daughter hadn't been easy. He had to get used to get up in the middle of the night and feed her a bottle or change her diapers. But it was all worth it when she gave him a smile or reached for him with her chubby little hands. It didn't get any easier as she got older. As soon as she started crawling he had to store his potion ingredients higher up or better look them. When she had called him Daddy for the first time, his heart had almost burst with pride, but since no one except Dumbledore was supposed to know that he was her biological father, he taught her to call him by his first name. It didn't really work at first because it was too complicated for the little girl, but Severus could never stay angry with her for long. When she started walking it only got worse. Severus had to make sure that Ayleen didn't run away from him and on the great stairs in Hogwarts he mostly carried her, because he didn't want her to sink into on of the trap steps or fell if the stairs suddenly moved. Ayleen was now five years old and a very smart girl but Severus was worried about her because she had no friends. But it was also hard for her to make friends the most part of the year they spend in Hogwarts where the girl spend the time during lessons in Dumbledore's office or with Hagrid playing with Fang and the holidays they spend in Spinners End where there were no children of Ayleen's age. Severus didn't want his daughter to become a strange loner so he decided to do something about it. "Ayleen come here please", Severus called for his daughter. The little girl came running in her flowered dress. Severus had braided her hair into two plaits, another thing he had to learn as she grew older, which now fell over her shoulders. "Yes Sevvus", she said looking at him with big green eyes. She still hadn't quite figured out how to pronounce his name correctly. Severus smiled and kneeled in front of her. "Say are you happy here with me?" Severus asked. "Why do you want to send me away? But I don't want to go, I love you far too much for that." Already Severus could see the tears in Ayleen's eyes. Quickly he pulled her into his arms and stroked her back, so she wouldn't start crying. "That's not what I meant Ayleen I would never send you away. I love you too", he said, pushed her away slightly and kissed her forehead. "Why are you asking such weird things then?" Ayleen asked wiping her face and looking at him tilting her head. "Well you're alone here and have no one to play with", Severus explained. "I'm not alone, I've got you and Hagid and grandpa Albus." Severus pulled a face, he didn't like it at all that Ayleen called Dumbledore her grandfather. "That's right but you don't have anyone the same age as you", Severus said. "Do I need that?" Ayleen wanted to know. "It surely wouldn't hurt", Severus replied. Ayleen furrowed her little brow and Severus had to stop himself from laughing because it looked so cute when she did that. "Where can I find someone like that?" Ayleen finally asked, looking at Severus expectantly. Severus smiled, brushing her plaits behind her shoulders. "I maybe know somebody", he said. Ayleen's eyes widened. "From where?" she asked amazed. "I know the parents", Severus explained. Ayleen nodded. "Can I go now?" she wanted to know and ran off when Severus nodded. He had to write a letter know.
Some days later he had received an answer. Lucius was very curious to meet Ayleen and although Severus knew that it could be dangerous to bring his daughter into the house of a former death eater, he had no other idea how Ayleen would find a friend of her age and after all they were friends and the boy was even his godson. So Severus apparated with Ayleen to the gates of Malfoy Manor at the weekend, which immediately opened for them. "What kind of birds are those?" Ayleen asked, pointing at the animals running around. "Those are peacocks", Severus explained. "Aren't those colorful?" Ayleen wanted to know looking up at Severus confused. Severus snorted and smiled down at Ayleen. "That's right, but Mr. Malfoy has an extraordinary taste." With this words Severus took Ayleen's hand and led her over the grounds. He knocked at the door, which was opened by a house elf. "Master Lucius is already expecting you," said the elf and led them into the drawing room. Ayleen clung to Severus as they walked through the Manor, which was understandable, the girl didn't know much, if anything, other than Hogwarts. Lucius stood in front the fireplace and turned around as the elf announced his visitors. "Good, Dobby please get Draco and Narzissa", Lucius said coolly and shooed the elf away. Smiling he turned to Severus. "Severus my old friend", he said reaching out his hand. "Good to see you Lucius", Severus replied shaking Lucius' hand. "Nice of you to bring your daughter along for once," said the blond, looking at the girl hiding behind Severus' legs. Severus snorted. "Lucius she isn't my daughter I'm only taking care of her." Lucius waved it off. "The dark lord will appreciate your efforts." Severus rolled his eyes and looked at Ayleen. Carefully he laid his hand on her head and she looked up at him scared. "Ayleen be nice", Severus said nodding forwards Lucius. The girl leaned a little forward and looked at Lucius. "Hallo Mr. Malfoy", she said before she hid again behind Severus' legs. "Quite shy the girl", Lucius said. "That's why we're here", explained Severus. The men heard the drawing room door open behind them. Narzissa entered the drawing room followed by Draco. She smiled at Severus and kissed his cheek in greeting. "Severus it's good to see you and you brought someone with you", she said and looked at Ayleen, who now ventured a little further forward. She looked at the blond boy who stood beside his mother and only hid again behind Severus' legs as he returned her gaze. Severus grinned, it seemed like his daughter had already took a liking at the boy. Draco now looked up at the black-haired men. "Uncle Sev, did you bring me something?" the boy wanted to know. Severus pushed Ayleen in front of him, so that Draco could look at the girl again. "That's Ayleen I would you to take care of her today." Draco pulled a face and examined the girl. "Alright", he snorted, grabbed Ayleen's hand and pulled her with him. Ayleen looked to Severus again for help, but he only smiled at her.
Draco led Ayleen straight to his room, which was rather plainly furnished. Fascinated Ayleen went to one of the bookshelf that stood at the walls. "Did you read them all?" she wanted to know. "No, they're to complicated. Can you read?" Draco asked. Ayleen snorted. "I'm not a baby," she said, glaring angrily at Draco. "And why did you hide behind Uncle Sev then?" Draco wanted to know looking at her skeptically. Ayleen blushed slightly and mumbled something about not liking unknown grownups. Draco laughed about this and only told her that she was weird, to which Ayleen stuck her tongue out at him. "Do you want to play something?" Draco asked, looking at Ayleen challengingly. "What do you want to play?" Ayleen wanted to know looking at Draco tilting her head. "What do you play with your other friends?" Ayleen blushed again and looked at the ground. When she told him that she had no friends the boy felt sorry for the girl. He mentioned for her to sit down and got a pile of cards from his desk. "What are does for?" Ayleen wanted to know and looked how Draco shuffled the cards. "Exploding Snap" Draco simply said, handed out the cards and explained Ayleen how the game worked.
While the children made friends, Severus spent the afternoon with Narcissa and Lucius in the drawing room, drinking tea and firewhisky. From time to time he could hear Ayleen laughing and was relieved that his daughter enjoyed herself. What made him worry although was that he hadn't heard a thing from the two children for about half an hour, which was never a good sign. Then there was a bang and something smashed. The three adults exchanged confused gazes before they jumped on their feet and went upstairs. Lucius pulled open the door to his son's room and they could see that the window had been broken. In the middle of the room stood a smoking toy caldron and the children were covered in soot. "What happened here?" Lucius asked upset. "Ayleen wanted to mix a potion but it went wrong", Draco explained wiping his face with his sleeve. Slowly Severus went to Ayleen and knelt down before her. "Is that true Ayleen?" he asked in a calm voice. The girl nodded and looked scared at him. "I did everything as you've told me", she said sniffing. "That's no real caldron Ayleen it doesn't get warm enough", Severus explained. Ayleen mumbled an apology. Sighing Severus wrapped his arms around the girl and lifted her up. "It's probably better when we leave now", Severus said and turned to Lucius. "Thanks for your hospitality." "Sevvus am I not allowed to play with Draco anymore?" Ayleen asked, looking at him sadly. Severus looked at Lucius who smirked slightly. "It was a mistake, you are welcome here if you don't blow anything up again," Lucius said. Ayleen grinned and looked over Severus shoulder at Draco. "See you Dray", she said laughing and waved at him. Draco grinned waving back at her. Severus smiled as he carried Ayleen out the manor, who would have thought that the girl would find a friend so quickly.