Angie Camden sat across from her old friend, Severus Snape, at her sunny kitchen table in her modest Pacific Grove, California home. They drank weak coffee from mismatched cups. Snape held his cup in his hands, but after the first few sips, he stopped drinking the vile brew.

"You're really going to take her back to your world, aren't you, Sev?" the older woman asked sadly.

"Elydree needs to be with her brother, Angie, and it's time for her to attend Hogwarts. Her tutors here have been fine, but they've been limited by what they could teach her since she could have been traced by her father."

"But, there are schools in the States and with her parents both dead, maybe I could..." she stopped herself and took a sip of the coffee to help steady herself. She'd known that one day she'd lose Elydree. Angie just didn't expect it to be so soon. As much as she wanted the child she'd raised for the last seven years, Snape was right.

"Angie," said Snape gently, "you know I wouldn't cut you from Elydree's life, don't you?"

"I hate to be blunt," she said shrugging her shoulders as she glanced out the window at the brother and sister talking animatedly as they took turns swinging on the swing her husband had put up for Elydree. "but, yes, I did think that, Sev. I've never been to your world except for the one day Elly's first tutor took her to Nereid Gardens to get her wand. As amazing as it was, I could see as we went from shop to shop and Elly chatted with her tutor, that I'd never have a place in it."

Snape shook his head. "Angie, Elydree would be allowed to visit you and I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to come to my home when the children are free during the summer."

Angie smiled, "You surprise me, Severus," she nodded her head for him to look out the window. "You never struck as the family man type."

"Oh?" he asked, a pleasant, half-smile upon his face. "What sort of type did you take me for?"

"In those wizard robes of yours? A Disney villain," she laughed at his confused expression. "You're just a very precise man, Severus. A 'place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place' sort of fellow. Children don't fit into that mold very well."

"I am used to teenagers and they can be trained to my exacting standards. As for babies, toddlers..." he shrugged. "I expect I'm doomed to be stepping on toys, tripping over crayons, and dutifully crowing over my child's incomprehensible artwork."

Angie laughed for several seconds until she had to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Your first diaper is going to have you resurrecting that ridiculous dark wizard of yours."

Snape's sneer was one of distaste. "That's what house elfs are for."

Angie shook her head. "Runny noses, tears, scraped knees, temper tantrums, colic..." he merely scowled. "Oh, Sev, you know I'm just teasing. I've no doubt you're close to Harry and Draco, and you'll be there for Elly, too, but you'll have a different tolerance for your little ones. Don't be surprised if you wind up spoiling your littlest one."

Snape watched as Angie's eyes drifted to a medium-sized photograph of a little boy being squeezed by his father as they both held up a large fish. The child had sandy blonde-hair and a tooth missing in front. Father and son looked a great deal alike and the photo showed their joy of life and love.

Angie had lost her son to Leukemia not long after that photo was taken. A few years later, her husband was gone from a massive heart attack. Snape suddenly couldn't help thinking about his family, including the affection he now held for Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He had been a very fortunate man that injuries during the final battle had been few and that he'd lost no one. After having taken the risk to open his heart to these children and to Lyrica, it frightened him to even think any one of them could so easily be taken from him.

He had known such grief. The night Lily had been killed had torn something inside him so terribly that he'd placed his heart where he thought no one could ever find it. His heart had remained hidden for many years, but it was not as obscured as he had thought. One by one, Harry, Draco, Hermione, Ron, and most importantly, Lyrica, had broken apart the walls hiding his heart. It would destroy him to lose Lyrica, or any of his children.

Angie had gotten up at some point while Snape was lost in his grim thoughts. Her hand rested firmly upon his shoulder, taking him away from his fears. "I miss them every single day, Sev, but never do I regret having let them into my heart and loving them."

Taking his half empty cup from his hands, Snape turned to watch as Draco pushed his sister in the swing. He'd been too young, really, to appreciate the affection he'd had for Lily Evans. He'd been possessive, too easy to incite to jealousy, and when Lily had been killed, her death had felt like a personal attack. Which, in a way, Voldemort had meant it to be. The Dark Lord had known of his worship for the Gryffindor and had set out to teach him that no one was worthy of being worshipped except himself.

He did worship Lyrica, but as a husband should. He loved her, without smothering her. He knew, in no way, that he possessed her. He was no longer such a fool. He also loved his children. He admired their strengths and forgave them their faults. He knew he would stop at nothing to make certain their lives were safe and happy.

Snape leaned back in his chair and sighed. "You know, back when you found me on the road, practically bleeding to death, I never thought I'd be where I am today. Two teenage sons, which I might add," he quipped with a devilish smirk, "I want to dissect into my Potions at least once a day, and now a teenage daughter."

"And soon a baby," chuckled Angie.

"Ah yes, my daughter." He shook his head. "If only you knew how I am in my class, Angie..."

"Of how terrifying you're supposed to be? How in control? On top of everything? Oh forget it, Sev! The moment you've lost your heart to a child you're changed forever. You might put the fear of god into your students in class, but they'll know. You're a cream puff."

A look of chagrined insult cascaded over the Potions Master's face and then with a huff, he rose to his feet and placed his coffee cup in the sink. "Keep that assessment to yourself, Angie. I'd hate for that to get around Hogwarts. Especially not since I've done so well lately in keeping my reputation intact."

The weekend passed quickly for Elydree and Draco, but not for Snape. He could not believe how much he missed Lyrica, and dare he admit it to himself, he also missed his son, Harry. Every hour seemed to take forever to tick by, except for those times when he was part of the discussions that kept the children occupied.

Elydree had been fascinated by the stories of Hogwarts, the magic, the terrifying final battle, and especially the story of them going back in time. To Draco's horror, Elydree loved hearing how her brother and Hermione met and fell in love. The story was made worse as Elydree demanded to know about their first kiss.

"Forget it, Elly," Draco groused. "I am not telling you about our first kiss!" Considering the fact he'd vomited minutes before hand, it wasn't all that memorable a kiss. He was actually astonished Hermione still wanted to kiss him after that. Bleh!

"I'll just have to ask Hermione when I meet her," Elydree threatened.

The embarrassment aside, Draco was overjoyed to be reunited with his little sister. He was amazed at her own stories of living in the Muggle world. She went to an American school where she was taught such subjects as art, history, literature, science, and math. Elydree loved art and had happily shown her paintings (which decorated much of the Camden house) and her sketches to Draco and Severus. Elydree also loved acting and singing and because she looked older, she had managed a few times during that summer to audition for the local theatres.

"There's no drama, music, or art at Hogwarts?" Elydree asked Snape as they were eating dinner that first night.

Snape shook his head. "Hogwarts is devoted to magic. Hogsmeade does have a local theatre group and they perform plays by both Muggle and Wizarding playwrights."

"I didn't know that," interjected Draco as he reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes. "Lucius and Narcissa only went to theatre in London."

"Many of the London theatres are liberally populated by wizards and witches who are directors, producers, actors, and even managers or owners," Snape enlightened the two teenagers. "London is also home to the prestigious Guild of Artists. They accept apprentices at sixteen." He glanced over at Elydree and saw her eyes glitter with interest.

"The living portraits and moving paintings?" she asked, putting down her fork. Snape nodded. "I'd truly love to learn how to make my artwork move. None of my tutors knew how to do that." Her elbows on the table, she leaned her chin on her clasped hands and looked at some vision beyond Snape. "And portraits... I've been told that the magic behind making a portrait come to life is only passed on to very select students."

"If that is what you wish to work towards, Elydree," began Snape, "you are going to have to excel in Charms and Potions. I've reviewed your grades from your tutors and you have done well, but you will need to work much harder. An Outstanding in each discipline is required on your NEWTs in order to be accepted."

"What about her skill in her art, Sev?" asked Angie. "Doesn't that count for anything in this guild?"

"Of course it does, Angie." He turned to Elydree. "I am certain I can find an artist to tutor you until you're ready for an apprenticesh..." Snape was suddenly interrupted by a tight hug around his neck and a kiss to his cheek from Elydree.

"I promise, Uncle Severus, I will work hard. There's no way I'd disappoint you."

Snape smirked good-naturedly. "Sit down and finish your dinner, child.

Very late Saturday evening, Draco woke muzzily to the sound of a soft knock upon his bedroom door. He yawned, stirred from the heavy down covers, and fumbled for his wand.

"Lumos." The soft glow of light at the tip of his wand was a bit blinding, but he blinked it away. "Who is it?"

"Me." came Elydree's whispered voice.

"Come in."

Elydree slipped through the door and then sat on the end of her brother's bed. In the pale glow from his wand tip, Draco thought he caught a slight glimmer around his sister's eyes.

"Have you been crying, Elly?" he asked, scooting closer.

She nodded, sniffled, and then used a handkerchief to blow her nose. "I keep thinking about mummy. Do you remember when she used to hide from Lucius in the nursery? There was that big, white piano?"

Draco nodded and smiled gently. "Mother used to play it. Mozart was her favorite."

"Mozart made her smile." Tears started flowing profusely and she sobbed, "Why couldn't she have waited, Dragon? Why did she have to be... such a coward?"

He pulled his sister into an embrace and closed his eyes tightly. There had been so very little that Elydree had seen of their parents together when they were little. Draco had been a very good protector in keeping his little sister from the seamier side of living with Lucius Malfoy. It had only gotten worse after Elydree was gone.

"Mother hurt so much, Elly. It wasn't cowardice. She just wasn't able to heal from the wounds Lucius caused her. They were much deeper than just physical."

"I just wish she'd known about me, Dragon. Maybe..."

Draco pulled away and smiled at Elydree, and brushed aside her black hair. He marveled at its beauty. Narcissa had been blonde, but she was a Black family member and raven hair went back almost nine generations. It wasn't unusual for her to have inherited the hair, but it had been the source of one of Narcissa Malfoy's first, serious, beatings from Lucius. Elydree never knew, but Draco had discovered much later that Lucius had been certain his wife had cheated on him with Severus Snape. Narcissa had called to Severus to brew a potion that would prove Elydree was the daughter of Lucius. That potion had quite likely prevented the deaths of mother and daughter back then.

"Mother would be so proud of you, Elly. You're pretty and talented beyond words. Lucius brought such ugliness to our world, but you, with your art and your music, you can erase all of that," he consoled his sister.

"Thank you," she sighed as she leaned her head upon Draco's shoulder. "Tell me, what's Lyrica like as a mother."

"She's the best. She can be as strict as father, but she's more susceptible to 'puppy dog eyes' than he is. Mother's very..."

"You call her mother?" asked Elydree.

Draco nodded. "Our mother approved of her, so it's only right, Elly. I forget every once in awhile because I called her mum for a long while, but what matters is that she's my mother," he put his hand over his heart, "here."

"So she'll be mine, too?"

"She will. Are you ready for 'Uncle Severus' to be 'father'?" he smirked.

"I can't wait! I've always wanted to call him father, but Angie wouldn't allow it." Draco frowned darkly. "Don't get mad at her, Dragon. Angie didn't want me to get my hopes up or anything. She worried that Uncle Severus might get... hurt someday. She knew he was a spy."

"Draco, Elydree," Snape's voice came from the doorway as he held the door open. He stood in his dressing gown and slippers with a scowl on his face. "We have a lot to do tomorrow. I'm not going to have two sleepy teenagers on my hands. Go back to bed."

Elydree scrambled off Draco's bed, gave him a quick hug, and sprinted past Snape. In the hallway, at the door of her bedroom, she skidded to a halt. Snape had just closed Draco's door. He turned and looked down at the young girl.

"Uncle Severus? Could I call you father, now?" she clasped her hands together in front of herself and gave him a well rehearsed gaze of 'puppy dog eyes'.

He gazed upward for a brief moment. Father to two Malfoys. He'd be lucky if he lived to his 40th birthday. "It will be a couple of months for all the paperwork to go through, but I do not mind if you wish to change what you call me, now."

Elydree bridged the short distance between her and Snape and threw her arms around his waist. She hugged tightly for a moment, then looked up into his indulgent expression. A small smile ghosted at the corner of his mouth as he ran one hand down her long, black hair. "Father." She grinned. "I like it. Father, thank you so much for rescuing me when you did. Angie and Marcus have been the best aunt and uncle. Angie will be able to visit me, won't she?" The girl was practically babbling her thoughts like a running brook.

Snape nodded. "Lyrica has a home, as do I, and they both have plenty of rooms for guests. Tomorrow, I will be speaking to someone who will make it possible for Angie to stay with us during the summers." He kissed the crown of the girl's head. "Now, no more talking. Go to bed, child, and get some rest."

Standing on tippy-toes, Elydree kissed her father's cheek, and then darted into her bedroom. He closed the door, and with a yawn, retreated to his own bed.

Sunday morning was an early breakfast with Angie's special pecan pancakes, sausage, orange slices, cranberry juice, and coffee for the adults. Once breakfast was out of the way, Snape made certain that all the packing was completed and that nothing was left behind that shouldn't be. He shrank the trunks and suitcases, and then they walked out to the backyard where they Apparated to the entrance of Nereid Gardens. Angie wavered slightly.

"I've done that at least a dozen times now," Angie said as she took in a deep breath of fresh air. "and I'm still not used to it."

Elydree slipped her arm around her aunt's. Snape handed the older woman a small phial. "It will ease the dizziness," he explained.

Angie nodded her thanks and drank the potion. "Oh my! That is foul!" She grimaced.

Snape smirked knowingly. "That's how you know it's working."

Angie sneered at him and then followed the wizard and the two teenagers into Nereid Gardens.

Snape indulged the teenagers in an hour of wandering and shopping before he led them to the reason for the detour to the Gardens. A bakery.

Angie was jealous the moment they stepped into the sugary sweet smelling bakery. The shelves were filled with a delightful array of both Muggle and Wizarding pastries. A pretty witch in her late twenties, with light brown hair, and soft, amber eyes, was busy adding petit-fours to a tray in a refrigerated display case. She looked up and smiled at Snape.

"Professor! How are you?" She walked around the counter, handed a petit-four to everyone and then levitated the tray back to her kitchen. Wiping her hands upon her cheery yellow apron, she nodded politely to him.

"I am doing well, as it appears you are, Miss Bateau."

"I am doing much better in pastry than I ever did in Potions, sir," she chuckled at his scowl.

"Indeed. And may I say, the wizarding world is fortunate in your career choice." He then began introductions. "My son and daughter, Draco and Elydree, and my good friend, Angie Camden. This is Aditi Bateau, whose performance in Potions nearly made me quit before my first year of teaching began."

"Oh really, Professor, I wasn't that bad."

"She couldn't be worse than Longbottom," interjected Draco.

"True," remarked Snape. "Miss Bateau, I have come to ask a favor of you today."

"Really? I'm intrigued, sir. What can I do for you?" She leaned back against a display case and listened as Snape explained the favor. Angie became very interested, too, as soon as she realised what he was up to.

Snape was proposing that Aditi take over Angie's bakery on Cannery Row in the summer. Angie was a bit puzzled. "Won't her own business suffer, Severus?"

It was Aditi who answered the question. "Not at all. With a little bit of wand-waving, I can connect my kitchen to yours and easily run both shops. Of course, my sons, Grayson and Wayne, will be only too willing to assist."

"This would allow you to stay with my family during the summer, Angie," said Snape. "Would this work for you?"

"I like the idea, but I would like to amend the favor if you don't mind?" She paused and then continued, "I would like to help out in Aditi's shop, now and then, and learn a bit more about the wizarding world beyond what I know."

"I think that's a deal!" clapped Aditi happily. "Oh, we must seal this with my newest creation!" She waved her wand and a tray sailed out from the kitchen. "Sugar quills, but these have ink... of sweet syrups. Blueberry, orange, raspberry, lime, lemon, and butterbeer." She held out the tray and everyone had a sample, even Snape who was not inclined towards sweets.

They left the bakery and Nereid Gardens with far too many pastries, and more packages to add to their luggage. Snape Apparated them all back to Angie's house where he and Draco endured at least fifteen minutes of a tearful farewell.

Angie finally stepped onto her back porch and watched as Elydree, Draco, and their father disappeared with a resounding pop. The Muggle woman wiped at her tears with a piece of kleenex, sighed sadly, and then went into her house.