Lucy Snape and the Final Battle (Book Seven)

He's Your Father

Chapter 18: He's Your Father

After the speech, Snape joined the other teachers at the table. McGonagall stood up from the headmasters seat to offer it up to him but Snape shook his head. McGonagall raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I no longer have time to fulfil the headmasters role," Snape admitted, taking a seat next to her at the table. "I'm afraid I along with my daughter and McGuire have a war to win."

McGonagall gave him a knowing look. "But being headmaster will show that Zuc — " she spat his name. "Who's really in charge. So even if you must go away again for your efforts I will be more than happy to lead but it'll look far better to him if you're the face of this school. So I insist..." she sidestepped out of the way and Snape reluctantly took up the place offered to him. McGonagall took the place next to him and picked up her knife and fork and was about to begin her meal when she paused and turned to Snape again. "That little girl you found all those years ago has changed your life in more ways than you could possibly imagine, hasn't she?"

Snape glanced over to the Hufflepuff table where Lucy was knelt down, talking to a frightened first year. She signed him an autograph and seemed to be promising that all would be well. Snape smiled to himself. "Minerva, before I met Lucy I had no desire to ever have children. I shunned those in the corridors and couldn't wait to get back to my quarters after every day of teaching, I suppose that's what being a teacher does to you. But from the moment I began caring for Lucy I knew that deep down whatever my lips said were a lie. I did want to be a father, I just didn't think I had the guts for it. I've made mistakes over the years with her but who hasn't with their children? But all in all being a parent has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had...she-she saved me." Snape dropped his fork and swore, providing a distraction. He'd said too much and certainly hadn't voiced what he'd been thinking so long before to anyone else.

McGonagall squeezed his wrist comfortingly. "Well she has turned out to be a fine young lady, she wouldn't be who she was today without you."

Snape was taken a back for a minute before rambling on. "I regret not knowing about her sooner. I would have loved to of raised her from day one. I could have given her so much more as Lily couldn't keep her."

"I don't think you would have been ready for her then. You would have had to give up your job to care for her properly, in my opinion she came when you needed her most."

Snape glanced back at Lucy now laughing with Shona. "I think you could be right."

"Can you believe we're some of the most powerful people in the world?" Shona chortled as she picked up the bowl of fruit she'd spilled.

"Oh I can very much believe that I am," Lucy nodded, she then waved her wand causing Shona to drop the fruit again. "You, however, I have my doubts."

"You've got some nerve, Snape," Shona threw a pear at Lucy which she dodged easily.

"Well you know who I get that from."

"Capeman." Shona popped a small apricot in her mouth and glanced over to the Slytherin table where she noticed Matt, practically hanging on the edge of his seat as he gazed longingly at Lucy. "You better get over to lover boy, he's itching to see you."

Lucy followed where Shona was looking and sure enough Matt was there staring at her. When he noticed she was looking he waved and then pointed to the great hall doors. Lucy raised her palm with spread fingers, indicating five more minutes.

"Playing hard to get are we?" Shona wiggled her eyebrows comically.

"No, I just really think its best if I try to keep up morale. If I make a speech and then run off straight away what would that look like?"