Alyssa was unsure of how to act in her new surroundings and because of this held tightly to Harry's trouser leg, even as her eyes swept the alley in wonder. Her actions greatly amused Severus though he didn't let it show on his face and, after watching Alyssa accidentally trip Harry for the fourth time, he took pity on the teen and scooped the smiling child into his arms. Harry looked up at Severus with thankful eyes even though his head was tilted in confusion.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked him and to the professors surprise there was no animosity, no demand in his voice, simply curiosity.

"I figured while you grab your school things Alyssa and I could go and get some ice cream," Severus drawled and Alyssa began bouncing on his hip in excitement, "and afterwards I can take her to the Magical Menagerie, after all, if she is going to be attending Hogwarts she will need a pet." Harry pondered his options but he knew his friends would demand more of an explanation about Alyssa, and it would be much easier to get it over with now than to wait until they got to the school.

"Ok, thanks." Harry nodded but held his hands out for Alyssa. Severus raised an eyebrow at the behaviour but still handed the excited child to her father.

"Now you behave, alright?" Harry commanded and continued to speak after Alyssa nodded, "Mind Professor Snape, we don't want him thinking I raised you to be a hooligan, do we?"

Alyssa rapidly shook her head in a way only children do and Severus was handed back the young blonde. Severus was once again confused by Harry's behaviour, believing that James Potter would have never given the same warning to his child had he been given the chance.

"We can meet you at Madam Malkin in an hour, she will need robes for Hogwarts. Plus they make some children's self-cleaning play clothes." He said as he shifted the girl more comfortably on his hip. Harry nodded his consent and after giving one last look to Alyssa allowed himself to be dragged along with his the others. Alyssa looked at Severus with wide, excited eyes which pulled at his heart-strings, how could she look so innocent after all she had been through? Though Severus didn't know the extent of the abuse her height and weight, as well as Harry's, made it painfully obvious that something sinister had gone on at Number Four Privet Drive.

Severus continued his thoughts as he walked towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour while Alyssa sat contently on his hip playing with his slight greasy hair and humming some random happy tune. It was only when they reached the Parlour that Alyssa began to squirm in Severus's arms excited at the prospect of a sweet treat that she had only received once before.

"What kind do you want sweetheart?" Severus asked as he set the child down, knowing that if the thought of ice cream didn't keep her at his side, then the charm he had cast on her would.

"Chocolate!" she squealed in delight as Severus tickled her sides lightly.

"Then chocolate you shall have," He stood up and placed his order one chocolate kids tub for Alyssa and one mint chocolate chip milkshake for himself. After receiving their orders Severus settled on the patio at a small table content to watch the small girl devour her ice cream.

-With Harry-

Harry slowly began to search for his books at Flourish and Blotts, knowing that Hermione would soon explode with her inquisition. He sighed discreetly, rolling his eyes, "Go ahead, Hermione."

"How did you end up with a child…and why didn't you tell us!" Hermione asked, looking and feeling bothered by Harry's lack of trust and rule-breaking even if, technically, Harry hadn't done anything wrong. Ron nodded behind her, a similar expression on his face.

Harry ran a hand through his hair as he thought of how to answer her question. He didn't really think about it as lying to them, but he knew they'd react badly and they had! The Dursley's and he himself had always drilled it into his head to never let anyone know that Alyssa existed, to never let the neighbours see him buy diapers or to see the two of them playing at the park. Her whole life Alyssa was kept secret and Harry just hadn't told them out of force of habit and knowing Hermione would be angry at the supposed rule-breaking and Ron would just follow her lead, while also being angry and jealous about it. Harry also knew that the Dursleys weren't the only reason he kept Alyssa a secret.

A small part of him feared if someone had found out about him raising a child they would take her away, and then they would both be alone. "I didn't tell you because I knew how you would react and according to last night I had a reason to worry!" Harry ended in a near shout, turning a few heads.

"Now that's not fair! We were confused and you've lied to us the whole time we've known each other! " Ron tried to reason.

"When we first met we were children ourselves! Children shouldn't be raising babies! I knew the pair of you would try to make me get rid of her! That's why I didn't tell you!" Harry said all his emotions coming forward for the first time, "I love that little girl and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but I didn't know what I was doing half the time! There's still a lot I don't know and the pair of you know even less then I do!"

Hermione and Ron stared at him and all Harry could do was sigh. "Look, you guys are my best friends. Alyssa is a whole other part of my life and I would do anything for her. I don't want to fight...so can you please just drop it?"

The other members of the golden trio shared a look and nodded, "Ok mate, we'll drop it..." Hermione paused for a second then said, "Fine."

And that was that, while all three were still unsure of what would happen when they got to Hogwarts Harry knew in his heart that things would never be the same, he just wasn't sure if that was a good thing or bad thing.

-Back with Alyssa-

Severus was puzzled as he stared in slightly fearful awe at Alyssa, slowly taking in her full appearance. How could something so small make such a huge mess? Alyssa was covered almost head to toe in chocolate ice cream, so much in fact that Severus wasn't sure how much had actually gotten into her mouth, but by her bouncing and squirming as Severus tried to clean her up, it was obvious the small girl was on a sugar high, possibly the first in her life.

"Sit still sweet girl, I have to clean you up if you want to go see the kitties." Severus felt his lips slip into a slight smirk as all of Alyssa's movements ceased, he had learned as Alyssa ate her ice cream that the girl had a soft spot for cats and would constantly care for Ms Figgs felines that wandered out of the house.

"Good girl," Severus praised as he lifted Alyssa onto his shoulders and began to walk to the pet store, careful not to bounce Alyssa around too much.

"Uncle Sev!" a voice yelled from behind the duo. Severus spun around towards the voice and prepared for the onslaught of questions his godson would throw his way. However, what came out of Draco Malfoys mouth was nothing that Severus could have imagined.

"Uncle Sev…" Draco started cautiously, "why is there ice cream in your hair?"