Neglect

Growing up, Madeline looked more and more like her late mother. One would assume Severus is her uncle, or godfather for example. Once an elderly muggle woman came up and asked- “Are her parents busy that you are with her?” Severus took it to heart and whisked Madeline in his arms, throwing an insult at the confused woman and swearing to himself, that never will he ever walk into the muggle world again. 

He can’t keep from the muggles too long – once in a while, he will have to go out and suffer in their ridiculous company. 

But despite that, Madeline was like her father in some way. What way? No clue. But soon enough, you, dear reader will see the similarities. 

On a rather cold November day, dear Madeline turned 1. As one may think that it’s a grand celebration, for a child to turn a whole year old, Severus thought otherwise. The only people he allowed to come were McGonagall and Dumbledore. Even as much as he hated Black’s guts, he was his daughter’s godfather. So, Sirius came, along with Remus. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were already married,” Snape grumbled in his head, as he looked at his daughter being pampered by her godfather. Was Severus absolutely delighted by having a Black, one as Sirius, and a werewolf in his house? Not entirely. But one thing he couldn’t deny was that Sirius was a good godfather. 

“So, Severus how have you been?” McGonagall asked, sipping her tea, her gaze locked on the giggling child playing with two of her former students. 

“Fantastic,” Severus replied, glancing out the window, where snow began piling up. 

“Severus, why the negativity? It’s a joyful day!” Albus Dumbledore replied, his wrinkled face displaying a soft smile. 

Severus’s response was a small grumble, that neither of the elders could decipher. He felt a pull at his robes. Looking down, he saw none other than Madeline, looking up at her father. His face softens, as he picks her up. He wasn’t the person to talk to kids, cooing at them, and especially in others' presence.  

Soon the small group of guests began leaving, a relief to Severus. Last to leave were Sirius and Remus. Sirius picked Madeline up, kissing her cheeks as a farewell. Remus was more reserved, only giving the child a soft smile.  

As Sirius handed Madeline back to Severus, Severus said, “Don’t think that I like you more now, Black.” To which the said Black just chuckled. “Never hoped on it, Snape.” And he gave a small wave to the child and exited the house. “Good afternoon, Snape,” Remus said, getting a nod, not so aggressive as the words to Sirius. “Although he is a werewolf, he’s not as a nuisance as Black.” 

Was Severus twenty with a one-year-old child? Yes, he was. Well, it seems not even the most stoic are careful.  

You may wonder, where does he live and how does he manage? After the death of his parents, he continued living in his childhood house. After Hogwarts, as he developed a relationship with the beloved Aubrey Black, he made a career as a Potions Master. What he did was brew potions, sell them, and make quite the fortune.  

The path of a Death Eater was continued behind the back of his beloved. He knew that Aubrey had a similar view of the Dark Lord, as did her brother, Sirius. Not wanting to ruin the relationship, he kept it hidden. 

Once he got a child, the Dark Lord allowed him to take a break but expected him to come back to duty after the child had grown. 

Neither thought of the Lord’s downfall, so Severus, not wanting to drag his child into his business as a Death Eater, he began trying to make some potion or spell to take the mark off. He thought of amputating his arm, but that cost a fortune he did not wish to give away.  

“I’m the Half-Blood Prince. I can do this.” He tried to encourage himself, but courage was a Gryffindor trait he did not think of too much. Deciding to turn away from spells and focus on potions, he spent far too much time on them and getting no success.  

While being so focused on an imagined potion, he forgot about one, small creature. Madeline. Though quite a smart child, she’s still a child, and one night, Severus awoke from his potions study to a cry. Rushing out, he saw that his daughter had fallen. From the stairs. 

“What fool am I? That’s a child! I could’ve put a railing or something.” He scolded himself, rushing down to the child. He picked her up in his arms, shushing her, trying to keep her calm. 

“It’s alright, it’s alright, I’m here.” However, it only seemed to work after five minutes of crying. He sat her down on a chair and looked over her. Small bruises had formed on her stomach, and her leg was at a weird enough angle. Touching it, he only received a painful cry from the kid. He wiped a tear and apparated to St. Mungo’s.  

The leg was checked, finding nerve damage, causing decreased flexibility in the left knee. Meaning that it could cause pain for her to walk or stand at times. 

First mistake of fatherhood that Snape made. And a lot more to come. 

“Dada.” A two-year-old tugged on her father’s robes. “Where’s Pady?” She asked, looking up at her father, wanting to see her godfather. The name “Padfoot” was too hard to pronounce, so she settled on “Pady”.  

How he wished that Madeline wouldn’t be so attached to her godfather.  

He pulled her into his lap, his hand stroking her soft hair. It had grown a little over her shoulders, the dark brown curling in small waves. “Sirius won’t come.” He said gently, not wanting to upset her.  

“But why?” Her grey eyes fill with sadness.  

He sighed, “Sirius... is in a little bit of trouble.” A little bit is an understatement. Even though it happened a little under a month ago, he couldn’t wrap his finger around the fact that Sirius fucking Black was assumed to sell his best friend and his wife to the Dark Lord, murder another of his best friends, leaving a finger behind and killing a dozen of muggles.  

“Okay...” Was the response of the kid. “Will Moony come?” She asked, a little hopeful. “Moony will come.” He replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She smiled a little, still sad about her godfather not coming. 

“Moony!” Madeline squealed, running into Remus's arms. He chuckled and picked her up. “Hello to you too.” He said, smiling at the kid.  

To Severus, Remus looked even more worn out than usual.  

“Probably the full moon.” Severus thought, making a cup of tea for himself and Remus.  

“Thank you.” Remus thanked him, accepting the cup as he talked to Madeline. The kid was quiet, but when you get her to talk, she never shuts up. 

But later, she’ll never open her mouth, without need.