A Potter Secret

Care

Severus returns soon, transporting two chests of things for the girl to his rooms. He's taken up the position of Potions Professor from Slughorn. He moves quickly to the hospital wing and finds she's still holding the little girl. She hands the girl back to Severus and shows him the scroll. "Her name is Isabella Angela Potter, born on September thirtieth of this year. She's small for her age. As you know, you are her Godfather and Minerva is her Godmother. As you were not asked of this, you do have the ability to turn down the responsibility if you so wish."

Severus shakes his head. "I'll keep her. Perhaps we should contact Minerva now and Dumbledore. I heard that Harry has been sent to his aunt's home."

Poppy nods. "His aunt was the only blood relatives he had left. He has no godmother. I'm afraid I must insist Isabella here must stay in the wizarding world for her own protection. It is not safe for her to leave because of the stasis she is in."

Severus nods and walks over to the floo with Poppy. After a moment, Minerva and Dumbledore are standing in the office. "Professor Snape, good to know you've made it alright. I am sorry for your loss tonight."

"We have more pressing matters to attend to," Severus brushes off. He uncovers Isabella's face and the two professors look at him.

"Severus, what are you doing with such a small child?" Minerva asks.

"I am Isabella's godfather. I have accepted the role and will care for her as I hope her godmother will as well," Severus replies.

Poppy steps forward and shows Dumbledore her findings before turning to Minerva. "Minerva, you are this young girl's godmother, should you accept."

Minerva pauses for a moment. "I'd like to know who asked me to be godmother before I accept anything. I didn't even know I was to be a godmother."

"Lily and James Potter," Severus states. "I was there when Hagrid took Harry and I found this young girl there. For now, she has been placed in a medical stasis due to injuries from being exposed to such dark magic. She's barely a month old."

"Lily and James had a daughter?" Minerva asks. Severus nods and holds out the little girl for Minerva to take. She does and looks her over. "Of- Of course I'll accept the role of godmother of her."

"She must be placed with her brother," Dumbledore starts. "She'll have a normal life with Harry."

Poppy interrupts. "Albus, I must insist that Isabella stays either at Hogwarts or St. Mungo's where I may care for her. As it is, when Severus brought her here, I did not think she would last the night. Being exposed to so much dark magic at her age can be detrimental to a child. That, along with being separated from her parents before she's six months old can permanently damage her magical core. It is necessary for her to stay with her godparents. It's not as strong as with biological parents but being near her godparents will help her. For now, we hope she wakes up from stasis soon. Until then, she can stay either here with me or in either Minerva's or Severus' rooms so long as I can check on her at any time."

Severus looks to Minerva. "I'd be fine with Isabella staying here, given that we'd be allowed to see her and we'd revisit this point when she awakes."

Minerva nods. "I agree. It's the best place for her until she is better."

Dumbledore raises his wand towards a wall, creating a doorway. Everyone follows him through to see that he's made a clinical nursery. "She will be safe in here. Only those present can see the room and access it," Dumbledore begins. "She will be safe. As she will not age until she awakens, there is no need for it to change. There are enchantments to tell all of us the very second that she awakes. Poppy, I assume you will give her the care she needs?"

Poppy nods. "I will give her the care I can but I believe Severus and Minerva must also care for her. She not only needs what I can give her but also the love and connection that you two can as well. There's no proof but many believe talking to and connecting to people in stasis helps them come out sooner. We can only hope that she awakens soon."

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Days turn into weeks. Poppy tells them that she's getting better. The dark magic caused a lot of damage to her magical core and it's trying to repair itself. Severus goes there any night that he is free, holding her and talking to her. She doesn't move.

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Weeks turn into months. Minerva only visits once a week, scared to become attached to the young girl. Poppy says it's looking less like she'll ever wake up.

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Months turn into years. Minerva has given up hope of Isabella ever awakening. She rarely visits. Today would've marked three years since she was born. She's still only a month old. Her brother would be four. Severus heads towards the hospital wing. Poppy has tears in her eyes as she walks in. "Poppy, what's wrong?"

She sobs quietly before looking up. "Severus, I- I didn't tell you this before but the stasis spell- it only lasts for three years. If she doesn't wake up in the next month, she will die."

Severus sits beside her and takes her hands in one of his. "Calm down, Poppy. We still have a month with her. We'll figure this out."

"I don't know how, Severus," Poppy cries. "How do you still hold such hope?"

Severus looks down at the baby he holds. "Lily trusted me to protect and raise her daughter, even after all that I did against her and her family. I will not betray that trust and love again. She knew that I was a death eater and yet had the faith that I would care for her daughter if the time came that she could not. I turned spy after they went into hiding. She didn't know what I was."