A Bedtime Story

The little girl climbed up the leather chair between its over-stuffed arm and her father's leg. Her unruly mane of black hair hid the determination on her face but he knew it was there. He had seen the look many times on the face of the child's mother, his wife. As she climbed she demanded,

"Daddy, Daddy, I wanna hear the Princess story."

The girl's black licorice eyes beamed with accomplishment as she snuggled into her place wedged firmly beside her father. He put aside his book and wrapped an arm around the child.

"Again? Didn't we do that story last night?"

The self-assured girl was considered intelligent far beyond her 4 years and her tenacity was unflinching. But there was also a quiet steadfast resolve about the child that always brought a smile to her mother's face. That bit of the offspring's character spoke of her father, down to the furrowed brow when in fixed concentration.

"Yes. Again, please, Daddy. It's my favourite."

Hearing busy work upstairs, likely his wife cleaning up after bathing their little girl, his signature eyebrow rose.

"Did you help Mommy clean up after your bath? You know, too much bending isn't good for her."

Madeliene Anaïs Snape did not suffer fools gladly. Mouth pursed to one side, brow crinkled, the diminutive creature admonished the man foolish enough to question her sense of duty, even if he was her father.

"Course I did, Daddy. You already told me we have to help Mommy 'cause she's got a baby in her tummy. I helped clean the tub and brushed my teeth and put on my 'jamas."

As his chest swelled with pride Severus tried hard to hide the laughter that threatened to break from his mouth. Luckily, he was an expert at impassive expressions.

"Very well, my little warrior princess. Get comfortable and we shall begin."

The child wriggled around slightly before leaning her head against her father's side, her feet crossed at the ankles and her tiny hands in repose on his thigh. Closing her eyes she announced,

"Ok, Daddy, I'm ready."

Severus heard footsteps behind him just as a kiss landed on the side of his face. He smiled at Hermione as she waddled over to ease onto the sofa across from them. Lying down she closed her eyes.

He leant his head back against his leather chair, closed his own eyes and began to recite the story that had gained such favour in his daughter's imagination.

"Once upon a time, there was a magical young girl with amber eyes, big teeth and a great mass of honey brown hair.

She was very, very smart and was never without a book in her hands.

Other children teased her because of her bookish ways, often refusing to play with her.

As it is with most people, such treatment hurt her feelings. She was lonely and just wanted a friend.

When it came time for her to go off to a magical school the girl was very happy to be going to a new place full of children just like her.

On the magical train heading towards the magical school, the girl was excited and full of hope.

As she sat in her seat two boys plopped down beside her. The boys were not very bright, particularly the red-headed one.

(Hermione stilled a laugh so as not to interrupt the story.)