Quick Info:

This is my very first one-shot, and my very first Harry Potter story. But, I am really really really happy with how it came out, and I hope you all will like it! And if you're a Snape fan, I think you will.

You will see where this takes place in the Harry Potter timeline as you read…and it will make sense fully at the end.

FYI: This story takes place at the beginning of Harry's 6th year.

When you see a … in Snape's dialogue, that's just a classic Snapeish pause). ;-)

I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Everything (except my OCs) is property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I own nothing. I am not profiting from anything…just having fun with my imagination.

He Smiled

by

FaithfulWarrior

Chapter 1

Severus Snape paced quickly down the halls of Hogwarts. His greasy black hair was strewn about his face in its usual disorder; and if it weren't for the echo of his footsteps and the sound of his robes flapping behind him, his shadowlike presence would render him unseen in the dim walkway.

Any students that still happened to be wandering the castle at the late hour moved out of the way as soon as his presence became known to them. No one wanted the embarrassment and shear terror of getting in the way of their most feared professor; especially when he seemed unhappy…well, unhappier than usual.

No matter what the circumstance however, the man kept up his usual façade: poise, precision, punctuality, and—of course—intimidation with his icy stare. But Snape was particularly aggravated at this time, because normally he would be enjoying solitude after a long day with bumbling idiots, stuck-up arrogance, or obnoxious know-it-alls; but instead, he had been sent by headmaster Dumbledore to watch over the youngest grade of Slytherin students in the absents of their usual guardian.

Snape had never done this before, but he already loathed it entirely. He was a professor, not a nanny!

While absentmindedly straitening out his cuffs in irritation, Snape rounded the corner that led to the Slytherin common rooms. Awaiting him was the students' guardian, shifting from one foot to the other in obvious impatience. Snape rolled his eyes, he thought she would be gone by now. When Dumbledore had told him that she would possibly be reluctant to leave the children, Snape thought it a ridiculous notion. Who, in their right mind, would actually enjoy watching over children constantly? But, in seeing this woman's fretful expression, Snape deduced that the man had been right after all.

The woman noticed him approaching and sighed in relief, although her eyes still exposed her reluctance. "Ah, Severus, you're here," she said. "You'll be watching over the children tonight I see."

Snape barely refrained from an eye roll. "As much as I…adore listening to you state the obvious, professor…" he drawled. "I believe you have somewhere important to be. If that is incorrect however, I shall gladly return to my quarters." Snape raised his eyebrows, awaiting her response.

The woman was slightly taken aback. Even if you were familiar with Severus Snape's ways—as familiar as you can be anyway—he could still surprise you with his blunt and downright rude behavior.

"Oh, of course; forgive me. But before I go, I just wanted to let you know a few things," she said.

Snape internally groaned. Instructions…wonderful.

"They're already in bed, or at least they should be," she continued. "You probably won't have to do anything, Severus; and your room is down that hall." She pointed to the indicated area. "They're a fairly good lot. Except, one of the girls…the youngest, she sometimes has ni—"

"That is quite alright, professor," Snape interrupted. "I believe I am capable of handling a little girl. Will that be all?"

The woman sighed and forced a smile. "Yes, Professor Snape. Good luck." With that, she walked by him and out of the common room.

Snape sighed and surveyed the area, even though he knew quite well what he would see. It was very large…but then, it had to be to accommodate the many occupants of Slytherin house. There were couches almost everywhere you turned, and Snape chose the closest one and sat down. He withdrew from his attire a black, medium sized leather-bound book. Gently removing the strap, he opened it and began to go over his lesson plans for the following day.

Although he had been quite engrossed in reading, Snape was always aware…but even his keen hearing did not detect the faintest padding of bear feet on carpet. They did, however, distinguish the sharp gasp that came from the entrance to the student's sleeping quarters. He looked up to see who it was…but what he saw, he did not expect in the least.

Standing at the entrance, was a girl. She had bright red, curly hair, and hazel eyes. She was quite small, and Snape assumed that she was probably just barely eleven; as that was the youngest admission age to Hogwarts. The expression on her face was that of fear; which Snape was very much used to by now. He even prided himself on his incredible ability to intimidate. But, for some reason, with this one…he felt guilty. And he softened his expression ever so slightly.

"Y-y-you're P-P-P-Prof-Professor Snape!" the girl stuttered.

Snape arched an eyebrow. "Are you always this…articulate?"

The girl looked down. "I-I'm sorry but, you startled me. I was expecting Professor—"

"She is not here," Snape interrupted. "I am your guardian in her absence. Now…what do you need?" He never missed a beat, and his deep tone was enough to send this little girl into permanent hiding under the covers.

"I—" she swallowed. "I just wanted to talk to our…normal guardian. That's all."

The girl turned to leave, but Snape wasn't about to let her without first telling him what she needed. He had his job to do after all. "Not so fast," he pointed to the couch across from him. "Sit."

Even from her very few encounters with this particular professor, the girl knew that when Snape told you to sit, you sat. She drooped her shoulders and trudged flatfooted over to the couch. Then she plopped onto it, and slowly lifted her eyes to look at him.

She couldn't understand how someone could have a frown on their face all the time, and assumed maybe his face was stuck that way; for she had never seen Professor Severus Snape smile…ever.

"Now," he began, probing her expression for whereabouts on her intentions. "I would like to know…why you left your bed." Snape raised his brow, waiting for an answer.

The girl was fidgeting, and ringing her fingers nervously.

"Well?" Snape was starting to get impatient. "It can't be that complicated, child. Spit it out!" He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

The girl had been purposefully avoiding eye contact. Snape didn't like that; but in her defense, he couldn't remember a child that had the audacity to meet his scrupulous gaze for longer than five seconds...except Potter, but he didn't count.

She did look up eventually however, and opened her mouth to answer him. But as soon as she met his cold stare, her eyes started to well up with tears. She looked away again and hugged her knees to her chest in fear and embarrassment.

Snape rolled his eyes and groaned; this was not his day. "Quit your infernal blubbering child and tell me what is wrong!" he demanded.

"If—if I tell you—you'll—yell at me and-and think I'm—silly!" she replied between sobs.

Severus' expression was condensed to nothing. He dropped his façade, and truly felt horrible for making this girl cry. She reminded him of someone he used to know, and he hated being reduced to this weak state!

He sighed. "I won't…yell at you, child. I—" Snape rolled his eyes, not believing what he was about to say. "Apologize…for frightening you."

In shock by what she had just witnessed, the girl stopped crying. She wiped her eyes, and her weeping was now reduced to small sniffles.

"And I will not think that you're…silly. You have my word," he finished. "Will you tell me now?"

The girl nodded with a sniff, and Snape almost huffed with relief. "Well, I just—I miss my mum and dad," she admitted.

Snape barely refrained from rolling his eyes. This was what he wasted one of his rare apologies on? This was what he let an old memory resurface for?

Before he could retort however, the girl continued. "It's—it's very lonely in my room. I—don't have any roommates, and it's—well it's kind of scary in there," she said in between sniffs.

"Is that—" Snape hesitated; he thought she might take that the wrong way. And, though he really didn't care, he also didn't want another meltdown. "Is there more?" he corrected.

The girl nodded. "I don't have many friends and…well, most of the girls are really mean. They tease me a lot."

Severus was at a loss for words. His younger memories and wounds had been reopened, and he was angry. He didn't like bullies. He remembered his many experiences with them in his past. But he also remembered how afraid the girl looked earlier, and wondered if he had somehow become the very thing he had loathed in his youth.

His expression was soft now…soft enough that he looked to his left and right to make sure they were alone.

"Child," he said gently. "I…am sorry that you miss your parents. But, if you do well in your studies, you will have…so much to tell them when you return. I think they're going to be very…proud of you," he encouraged her in the best way he knew how; pausing sometimes as Snape usually does.

The youth was beginning to lighten, and a small grin could be found tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"And," Snape continued. "The school year is still young. I'm sure you will have…many friends by the time it's over."

The girl beamed. "You really think so?"

"I…know so," he responded. Snape hoped that she wouldn't ask about the bullies. He was tired, and didn't want to talk about anything that had any similarity to his own past.

"And…what about the mean kids?" she questioned.

Snape sighed. The mean kids.

"Sometimes," he began. "There is nothing you can do about them; but you must stand up for yourself. And, if I am ever around when the…mean kids are teasing you, I will stand by you."

The girl's smile grew even larger. If you're a child, and Severus Snape says he's on your side, you're a pretty lucky kid. Not even bullies have the temerity or stupidity to stand up to Snape…and if they did at one time, they definitely don't anymore.

But then the girl noticed his expression shift, and his eyes grew unfocused. "I know what it's like to be bullied," he said somberly.

The girl tilted her head in curiosity. "Is that why you're so sad?" she asked.

Snape's eyes refocused. "What?"

"Is that why you're so sad," she repeated. "Most of the other kids don't like you—"

Snape shook his head. "No one likes me," he corrected; enunciating every word as only he could.

"Well," the girl ignored Snape's previous comment, for the time being, and continued. "I admit that I was afraid of you."

Snape rolled his eyes. Ob-viously.

"But, I didn't hate you," she finished.

Snape raised his eyebrows in surprise. Although no one ever said so to his face, he knew that most everyone disliked him; he knew people hated him. And, until now, Snape thought he didn't care…but hearing this girl say that she didn't hate him—even though she never even said that she liked him—made Severus Snape feel like he belonged at this school a little bit more than he had thought before. He had led a double life...practically his whole life…and he wanted to be free. He wanted to be liked and needed, valued…even loved. And this girl had given him something no one had in a long time—he knew he never gave anyone the chance or reason to—but she had still given it anyway…a compliment.

"And why, pray tell, did you not hate me child? I had probably given you every reason to," he questioned, genuinely curious.

The girl squinted in thought. "Well, most of the others say that you're angry all the time. But, although you can be angry, you just do it to hide something," she said matter-of-factly.

Snape frowned, extremely interested now in hearing what this little girl was going to say about him.

"You're angry, to hide the fact that you're sad. I don't presume to know what you're sad about, but I can tell you are. So, is it because you've been bullied?"

Snape was shocked. Was he that bad at hiding his true colors? At hiding the fact that underneath all of his scowls, anger, and down right meanness…he was a regretful, sad, broken man? A man that had once loved, although he would probably deny it, he had once loved another much more than he ever thought he was capable of. How could his life be broken down by this eleven-year-old girl?

"Professor?" she questioned, for he had been silent for a long while.

He blinked and refocused his eyes. "I…suppose that's part of it. But, most of my…sorrow is—" Snape reestablished his front. "My life…is none of your concern. If that is all, then off to bed with you."

The child frowned, disappointed and curious at the same time. "Yes, that's all." She rose and paced over to the threshold of the hall, but halted suddenly. "Sir?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "What."

The girl bit her lip, and seemed to be embarrassed to ask what was on her mind.

He scoffed. "Spit it out, child."

"Will you—tuck me in?" she asked, smiling as cute as she possibly could.

Snape frowned. "No."

She sighed. "Goodnight then, sir." And, without another word, she disappeared into the hall.

Snape sighed, and laid his head back against the couch. I'm glad I don't have children. I'd never get any bloody sleep. Some part of him however, wondered if he would've ever been a good father.

But his thoughts were soon interrupted by a certain redheaded girl poking her head into back into the common room. "Professor Snape?"

Snape groaned. "What," he drawled, not moving from his current position and not bothering to look at her.

"Thank you." And she was gone.

Snape opened his eyes, and looked after the hall by which she had exited. No. Don't even think about it…Snape. You wouldn't be caught dead tucking in a little girl.

He settled back into the couch and closed his eyes. And, not soon after, opened them again and glanced back at the hall. He rolled his eyes and released a breathy groan. I must be going mad.

Arising from the couch, Snape strode down the hall to the place where the girl disappeared into her room.

He halted at the door and pursed his lips in irritation at his ridiculous behavior. Then he rolled his eyes again, and knocked.

A small voice sounded from within, "Enter."

Snape scoffed; she said 'enter.' What child says enter instead of 'come in?' Maybe she knew that that was what he always said and was trying to mock him. Or maybe, he was just over thinking this.

Then the voice sounded again. "Hello?"

Snape shook himself out of his mental prattle and slowly opened the door.

The girl was sitting up in bed with the covers at her ankles; and the instant he poked his head in, a wide grin spread across her face.

"You changed your mind!" she exclaimed.

Snape entered her room fully and cracked the door behind him. "Yes well…don't act so excited. I'm simply…making sure you got safely to bed…and that is all," he responded, staring at a fixed point on the wall in mock boredom. But in actuality, he was beginning to like this child.

The girl laughed. "Whatever you say, sir," she said, obviously not believing him; to which, Snape scowled. She chuckled again.

"What on Earth are you giggling about?" he asked with sheer disdain for the word.

"Well, since I've seen you nice," Snape scowled again, which made her laugh even harder. "Your mean face looks kinda funny!"

Snape rolled his eyes. Children.

"Oh does it," he drawled, sounding completely uninterested. "Now, let's get this blasted…thing over with so I can go to sleep. And I had better not catch you falling asleep in class tomorrow, young lady. I will not hesitate to dock points," he finished, trying to resort to intimidation.

The girl was clearly having none of it, as she was visibly constraining more laughter. Then a moment of silence passed; she had stopped laughing and was simply sitting there.

Snape rolled his eyes in impatience. "Well?"

She raised an eyebrow, almost as if she was trying to mimic him. "Well…what?"

She was trying to mimic him!

Snape scoffed. "A very…flattering impersonation."

She smirked. "Thanks! Now are you going to tuck me in or what?"

Snape was beginning to lose patience; he was tired. "I would…if you would simply tell me how!"

The girl tilted her head. "You don't know how?"

Snape huffed. "Alright…you know what? It was ridiculous for me to come all the way in here in the first place." He turned to leave.

"Wait!" He stopped. "It's not that hard, sir. You really just come in to the room with me, say goodnight, and pull up the covers for me!" she explained with a grin.

Snape gave an exasperated huff. "Fine." He strode over to the bed. His expression was that of a child not wanting to clean their room, and the girl thought it quite funny.

Snape grasped the covers, "Well, aren't you going to lie down?" The girl did so, and he pulled them to her chin. "There. Is everything to your satisfaction?" Snape drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Quite," she stated with a smile.

Snape's ornery and downright crabby behavior seemed to have no effect on this girl's good mood…and it was starting to bother him.

"Goodnight then," he said, and then turned to go.

Snape was almost to the door when a sharp whisper came from the bed. "Professor Snape!"

His head dropped back and he groaned. "What! Are you set on keeping me up all night?"

The girl shook her head. And, without uttering a word, she beckoned for him to come and sit on her bed.

Snape rolled his eyes, but complied anyway. He strutted over to her. And, after glancing coldly from the girl to the bed, and back to the girl…he sat.

"Well?" he uttered.

"There's one little problem, sir," she said with an embarrassed smirk.

Snape sulked. "And what is that?"

"Well, in the morning, I might not believe all this," she admitted.

"And why not?" he questioned impatiently.

"Well you're not usually this nice, Professor."

Snape rolled his eyes. "Such insight," he drawled. "Shall I exit now?"

She shook her head. "You have to do something for me so that tomorrow, I'll know this is real and that I wasn't dreaming."

Snape scoffed. "And what is that?"

"You have to smile," she finished.

The cold, calloused professor lost all expression. "I'm…horribly out of practice, child," he stated somberly.

"That's alright! I'll help you! See? Like this," she exclaimed, showing him an exuberant grin of her own.

Snape's eyes refocused, he wasn't about to do anything for this girl. "You don't need me to do anything for you to…remember." he uttered with distain; then mumbled, "You simply want me to."

"Is that so wrong, sir?" the girl questioned in her childish innocents.

Snape glared. "Yes." Then he rose. "Now goodnight, ch—" Stopping, the professor frowned. He had been calling this girl 'child' the entire time. "I…don't recall your name," he stated, raising an eyebrow.

The girl smiled. "It's Lillian, but you can call me Lily."

Snape staggered back a step. Hearing that name was like running into a brick wall. Of course her name was Lily; it was irony in the worst way for Snape. Tears started to form in his eyes, but he willed them away.

"Professor?" the girl questioned.

Snape glanced at her, but his thoughts were far from there.

"Professor Snape?" she asked again, this time nervously.

"Your name is…Lily," he stated quietly.

"Yes sir, is that…bad?" she inquired, confused at her stern professor's sudden odd behavior.

Snape didn't answer, his eyes still glazed over from long memories of the past. "I—I knew a girl named Lily…long ago," he admitted absentmindedly.

The girl looked down, contemplating if she dared ask the question on her mind. But after a moment, she decided to speak up. "Did you—did you love her, sir?" she questioned knowingly.

Snape visibly shook out of his trance. "That is none of your concern," he spat, scowling coldly.

The girl was undeterred however, and was no longer intimidated by his indifferent charade. She knew that he was hurting inside, and thought that maybe he just needed someone to tell his sorrows to. "I won't tell anyone, sir…I promise," she said kindly.

In that moment, a single tear rolled down the cheek of the harsh, rude, condescending professor. He didn't understand why this was striking him so hard. Perhaps this was an overdue breakdown; from Potter, from Dumbledore, from the Dark Lord…from everything.

"Yes," Severus admitted. "I loved her…very much."

"So that's why you're sad," the girl said quietly.

He looked up. There was, of course, much more to his sorrow than just that…but the girl didn't need to know all of it. So he answered gently, "Yes…Lily. That's why."

Snape remembered how he originally thought this girl childish and weak, but this small girl showed wisdom beyond her years. And Snape thought that if he ever received comfort from anyone about anything in the future, it would be nothing compared to this girl's…innocent love. She showed genuine kindness, to him of all people.

And as he looked at the comforting expression that this small, redheaded girl offered, he couldn't help but be reminded of his wonderful Lily. This child reminded him so much of the woman he had once loved. This girl was so kind, and he thought that maybe…just maybe, he might be able to have a friend once again. And while gazing at her lovely hazel eyes, with that little bit of green that resided there…Severus did something that he hadn't done in a long, long time.

He smiled.

It may not have been the happiest smile…but it was a smile nonetheless.

The girl gave a joyful gasp, and exclaimed, "You did it! See, it wasn't that hard. You have a very nice smile, sir."

Once Snape realized what he had absentmindedly done, he doused the smile immediately, and resorted to his usual indifferent front; trying to ignore the new compliment he had received from this girl. "I wasn't smiling…I was…goodnight." He spun on his heel to go.

"Wait!"

Snape had been half expecting that by the…what, sixth time? And he turned back to the girl. He watched as she pushed back her covers and stood up on her bed.

Snape huffed, irritated. "What are you doing? You do realize that I am not tucking you back—"

Snape was interrupted by something he never would've expected from any child. And by now, he had deduced that this girl was much braver than all the children at Hogwarts…put together.

Why? She had hugged Severus Snape. She had simply walked forward, and rapped her arms tightly around his waste before he could protest. She had surprised him, and his arms had flown out to the side, not knowing what to do.

"Thank you," the girl began gently. "And I promise that I'll try not to tell anyone that you're actually a big teddy bear on the inside," she finished with a small chuckle.

Snape scowled. Teddy bear is taking it a little too far.

He didn't retort however, but instead slowly lowered his arms to return the girl's embrace. He gently stroked her soft locks and found that a hug was actually quite…nice. He let out a shaky breath, and released all the stress that the recent memories had created. And, although he would never admit it, he would've hugged this girl for as long as she wanted.

But, before too long, she pulled back and smiled at him. "That was all, goodnight," she said cheerfully.

"Goodnight," he responded gently; the smile still tugging at his lips.

The girl turned to get back into bed, but then hesitated. Without another thought, she spun back around and stood face to face with Snape once again. She had a very serious expression, and she slowly lifted her index finger while narrowing her eyes at him.

Snape tilted his head, confused at her sudden behavior. But before he could say anything, she quickly brought her finger to the tip of his nose and exclaimed, "Boop!" Then she burst out in a fit of giggles.

She apparently found Snape's expression hilarious, which anyone probably would have. He had frowned in surprise, and blinked multiple times in utter confusion.

After recovering, he shook his head and laughed under his breath at how ridiculous this child—and himself for that matter—were acting. The girl suppressed her laughter as best she could, and redirected her attention to Snape. With her hands behind her back and an adorable smile on her face, she leaned forward…sticking out here nose for him to return the act.

He raised an eyebrow. Is she serious?

Then, with much reluctance and an eye roll, Snape raised his arm. Then he extended his index finger and slowly brought it to the tip of her nose.

"Boop," he drawled. I can't believe this. I've lost my mind.

The girl tilted her head and frowned. "You can do better than that," she stated.

"Perhaps," he drawled. "But I'd rather not," Snape was back to his normal crabby self now. He turned without another word, and strode toward the door. Before he exited however, he turned back and looked at the girl. "Goodnight…Lily," Severus said softly.

He left her room and gently closed the door, and then proceeded to walk back to the common room.

He stopped at the threshold to the large area. Snape thought about what just happened, and wondered if he would ever believe it himself. Then he recalled young Lily's way of remembering, and he smiled to himself.

"Severus?" came an astonished voice.

Snape was startled and looked up into the face of the woman that was the children's normal guardian. He couldn't recall her name; if he had…he would've spat it out at her for catching him in such a weak state.

"What," he demanded coldly.

A small smirk was showing at the corners of the woman's lips. "I see you've met Lily," she stated knowingly.

Snape rolled his eyes. "And what makes you think that? I happen to have no idea what you're talking about," he lied.

The woman chuckled. "Nonsense, Professor. Only Lily could make Severus Snape smile."

Snape scowled. "Is that what you thought I was doing? Rubbish!"

She scoffed. "Oh don't deny it Severus! My appointment was canceled because of the foul weather. I'll take it from here. You can go get some sleep, and get rid of those bags under your eyes…if that's possible," she mumbled.

"What was that?" he questioned, though knowing full well what she had said.

"You heard me. But, now that Lily's taught you how to smile, I suppose pretty much anything is possible where you're concerned," the woman retorted with a chuckle.

Snape was fuming. "I…was not…smi—"

"Give it a rest, Severus," she said, waving him off.

Snape scowled; he was done here. "Good night," he enunciated. "At least a hell of a lot better, now that I don't have to spend it with these children," he mumbled.

The woman smiled. "Oh, neither of us really believe that do we, Severus? In fact, I'm sure you'll be back eventually, even if it's only to see Lillian again."

Snape rolled his eyes. And without another word, he strode from the room; his long, black cape billowing behind him as usual.

Author's Note:

Okay, I was doing nothing but writing this for two days straight. I literally just halted all writing for When You Say You Love Me the minute I got this idea! I just thought the idea of a little girl touching Snape's heart was an interesting thing to explore. And I was right; it was a blast to do!

I'm glad I finished it though…because when you're starting to try and talk like Alan Rickman throughout the day, you've been writing a little too much! XD

Hopefully I made you all laugh (or maybe even cry) in this one…I'm sure you laughed though. I mean, just picturing Snape saying "boop" should make you laugh! XD

Please review and tell me what you thought of this story! I'd really love to know what was going through another writer and/or reader's mind while reading this! And if you have any questions, stick it in your review and I will gladly answer them all!

If you're a Harry Potter fan, stick with me! I've got some more exciting stuff coming your way with lots of different characters, especially Snape! I absolutely LOVE working with his character!

So anyway, please review, follow, and favorite! Thank you for reading! Love you all!

FaithfulWarrior out!

P.S. When You Say You Love Me people: I will have a new chapter out soon! Busy month is over for me now so I'll be posting more often.