July 20th, 1981
     
Severus sat by the fireplace watching for the flames dance, as his wife, Adeline, came out with his hot Chamomile tea. "Thank you, my dear," he said, taking a hold of the flower-printed tea cup. He took a sip of it and sighed. Adeline rubbed his shoulder.

"What's wrong? You're awfully tense, Sev."

"I've just been thinking..." said Severus. "I... I think it is best if you take Anastasia and leave the country."

"What?" Adeline questioned, she sat down next to him on the couch.
"Severus, that is out of the question."

"I think it would be safer. We're lucky that the Dark Lord doesn't know about your Muggle status yet. If he did, you'd be dead in a heart-beat. I'm not letting that happen."

"Severus, I don't want to leave you. And what about Anastasia, I don't want her to grow up without you."

"She won't," he said. "I'd make frequent visits, whenever I have a moment."

"And where do you expect us to go?" Adeline asked, her eyebrow raised.

Severus took another sip of his hot tea. "Paris, France. Go live with your mother."

"You know my mother and I have a strained relationship. What makes you think she'll take us in? After... everything?"

"There's a bloody war going on! Goddmanit! That is why!" Severus yelled, smashing his tea cup to the ground. Adeline flinched. Severus hardly ever yelled, and that is what worried her.

Once Severus saw how pale Addie's face grew, he frowned and became calm once again. "I'm sorry for yelling and smashing the tea cup. I'm so sorry." He tried to touch her arm but she backed away from him.

"I don't care about the tea-cup, Severus," Adeline grumbled. "I care about you. And the future of our daughter." Severus sighed and ran his fingers through his shoulder length greasy black hair. "You really think things have gotten bad? I thought we were winning."

He shook his head. "Every time I get called for a meeting, he tells the success stories. Muggles are dying. Muggleborns are dying too. I can't have you caught up in this love. Please promise me, you will at least ask your mother? You and Ana would be safer with her."

"Fine, I'll ask. But what happens if she says no?"

"Then we'll figure out another arrangement. I want you and Ana as far away from this war as possible. It's dangerous being a double-agent you know. Being a real death eater is one thing, but reporting information back to the Order of the Phoenix?" He shook his head.

"I know. So, how do you think it's going to be for me and Ana in France? I'll be worried sick about you. And even though Ana is only one, she's a smart girl, she'll want to know where her daddy is."

"I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be for now," he said.

"Okay. I understand. I'll do it for you."

"Thank you, Addie," he said, kissing her on the cheek. Adeline blushed.

"I'll go owl her now," Adeline said, sitting up from the couch and heading to the study.

A few days later, Adeline had received an owl from her mother. It was in French of course.

Ma chère Adeline,

Oui. Bien sûr, vous pouvez venir rester avec moi pendant un petit moment.
Je sais qu'au cours des dernières années, nous nous sommes entendus
mais je voudrais que cela change. Venez dès que vous le pouvez.

                 Severus peered over Adeline's shoulder as she read the letter. "See, what did I tell you?" he questioned.

"I know. You were right. You can brag about it all you want."

Severus smirked from behind her, and kissed the top of her head.

"Mommy, Daddy," said a small voice. The two parents turned around to see their little Anastasia running up to them. Severus picked her up and twirled her around. Anastasia giggled.

"I'm going to miss this," said Severus. "Miss her. You. Us." Adeline sadly smiled at him. "But I'm going to do anything and everything in my power to protect you two. I swear by it."

"I know, Severus, I know."