The Traitors Daughter (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Three

Severus sighed in content. He had missed the food at the Botanic Gardens. The last person he had been there with was actually his mother surprisingly. The last time he had been was probably when he was about eight or so. It was the one happy memory he had with her. Tobias had been away for the weekend so she had taken him out.

But he was glad he had been brought here. However, he still didn't know why exactly he was here.

'Why have you brought me here Lilliana?'

'I thought you deserved a treat' By now they were seated at the table. They had just ordered their food. Lily was glad Albus had gotten Severus to wear some more muggleish clothes as it meant they fit in a lot better.

'A treat?' He questioned. Nobody had ever said he deserved a treat before.

'Yes. You've been such a great father to me in such a short amount of time. You've helped me when I've needed it and even when I didn't. I know when I was in that state that you thought you were a bad father because you didn't know how to help. But you did, in more ways than you may think. Despite me not talking to you, you still came and tried to help the same with Minerva.

 I felt so guilty when I heard you pacing at night instead of sleeping and when I saw your face looking so vulnerable and defeated you have no idea what that did to me. I was annoyed at myself because I so wanted to reach out to you but I didn't know-how. I was so grateful that you got Ginny involved because she did exactly what I needed. She snapped me out of it. So this is my treat to say Thankyou for all that you have done. You have no idea how grateful I am that Dumbledore made you adopt me. I've been more me too, my anger has depleted to manageable levels as well!'

Severus had no idea what to say. He was so overwhelmed and the pair sat in silence for a while as he took her words in. She didn't know how comforted he felt by her words and he certainly didn't know how to tell her that. Feelings were not a thing he was used to. So he didn't what he did best and changed the subject.

'I've heard that you have blown up at Potter a few times? Not that I mind but can I at least know why?'

Lilliana knew he was deflecting his emotions and honestly, she was quite grateful for it. Her emotions were running quite high and she knew that if he said something relating to her little speech she would most likely cry.

'He just gets on my nerves,' Severus relaxed as she followed his line of questioning. 'He just thinks he so special as the chosen one. Like everything is about him and his little people who complete his trio. Don't get me wrong, I love Hermione but she made the wrong choice of friends.'

'Who's nerves doesn't he get on' Severus chuckled.

'Most of Gryffindor house. Albus, Minerva-' Severus cut her list off with a scoff.

'Thay was rhetorical.' Lilliana blushed. She was glad a waiter had come to take their order. After ordering there was silence for a while before Severus found something to talk about.

'I know this is quite unconventional as we have officially been father and daughter for almost 7 months now but I feel like we don't know each other that well. How about we take this time to finally do that?'

' I think that's a brilliant idea! How about 21 questions?' Lilliana suggested.

'What on earth is that?'

'You basically ask 21 questions each. It's a game children play but it's quite fun. It limits the number of questions you can ask which helps you make more detailed questions' she smiled at him.

'I guess we could play that' Severus inwardly smiled at her excitement at getting to know him. His heart did warm when seeing this as he was so starved from somebody else actually caring about him enough to get to know him. Only a few people knew the real him and yet they still didn't know much about him.