HP: Bad Intentions

Seeing Snape frozen in place, Blake knew his request had left the old bachelor at a loss.

"Wait here a moment," Blake said, then vanished into a dimensional door, disappearing down the alley.

Snape remained where he was, frowning. Raising a newborn… where was he even supposed to begin? He'd never touched a baby, let alone cared for one. Should he look for a wet nurse? A nanny? But could he trust anyone with something this delicate?

Before he could get too deep in thought, sparks lit the air and Blake reappeared, arms stacked high with books. Without a word, he shoved the pile into Snape's arms.

"You've got work to do," Blake said briskly. "Go back, explain the situation to Professor Dumbledore, and request time off. Then read these books."

Snape blinked, eyes falling to the topmost title: Parenting Handbook.

"Also," Blake continued, "when you talk to Dumbledore, tell him the situation is critical—too late to stop without risking a life. That'll ensure he won't interfere."

Snape flipped to the next title: Weekly Meal Plans for Infants.

"Muggles might not have magic, but their parenting experience is meticulous. These will help," Blake explained. "Start reading as soon as you're done with Dumbledore. You only have one day and one night."

He turned to go but added, "Oh—and the cost of these books comes out of your dividends."

With that, Blake vanished into Flourish and Blotts, leaving Snape alone with the stack. His lip curled. Muggle books? But as much as he wanted to scoff… Blake had a point. Even if he hired a nanny, he didn't want to stand aside uselessly.

To hold a child with your own hands... Snape clutched the books and Disapparated.

Potter can protect whoever he wants! Snape thought bitterly. I'm done playing backup.

Besides, with Blake around, Harry would be fine. If Sirius had been capable of beating that boy, Blake would've been thrashed back in school.

Back inside the bookstore, Blake wiped his brow and took the book Nagini handed him.

"Where'd you disappear to?" she asked in a low voice. "I told them you were picking out magic books. I almost couldn't keep the story up—Mr. Worley had to stop Cassandra from going to look for you."

"Thanks," Blake said with a smile. "Though it's fine if they know—I just went to see Professor Snape."

He lowered his voice. "Actually, I have something to tell you. I'll be out tonight. Might not be back."

"Need help?" Nagini asked, her voice tense. She clearly assumed it was another fight.

Blake started to shake his head, then paused. "Can you take care of children?"

Nagini flushed. "I… I don't have any."

"Ahem—sorry," Blake said, equally embarrassed. "I meant, do you know someone who can?"

He needed someone trustworthy and discreet. Snape reading parenting manuals wouldn't be enough. Hiring a random nanny was out of the question—too many eyes, too many risks. Lily's identity had to remain secret, or she'd grow up under constant scrutiny.

Blake ran through options. Mrs. Weasley? Too busy with her brood. Mrs. Worley? Probably wouldn't be interested unless she was desperate for money.

As he fretted, Nagini offered, "What about Mrs. Marianne?"

Blake's eyes lit up. "Yes!"

Mrs. Marianne, director of the Marian Orphanage, had raised Blake herself. He'd even stayed there during holidays. Thanks to his funding, the orphanage had improved drastically. She no longer worked as hard, and Blake had never considered asking her for help—perhaps subconsciously not wanting to burden her.

But there was no one he trusted more.

"Thanks, Nagini. You've really helped me again."

Nagini smiled, a bit shyly. "I'm happy to help… but, why do you need someone to take care of a child?"

She gave him a curious look, eyes drifting downward as if scanning for signs.

Blake coughed. "It's not what you think. There is a child about to be born, but… it's not—well, it's complicated."

Nagini grinned. "You sound just like Mr. Scamander when he tries to explain things."

"I do?" Blake blinked. Could Grindelwald have slipped in Newt's bloodline too? No way, he thought. The old man hated Newt. He'd never—

"Well, at least when you start scratching your head like that."

Blake quickly lowered his hand, flustered. Definitely not.

After shopping, they had dinner at the Leaky Cauldron, then everyone headed home. The girls had enjoyed a month of freedom, but now their parents watched them like hawks. They left without protest—though only because they'd learned to use the Weikang Gate. With it, they believed they could visit Blake anytime.

But Blake, with a subtle flick, shielded himself from becoming a dimensional target. Now, they'd need his permission to open a gate to him. This was only possible because of Blake's status as the "Wi-Fi hotspot" of supreme magical power—a feat nearly impossible in a normal magical realm.

Of course, if someone truly needed help, Blake would sense it.

After bidding farewell, he leaned over to whisper something to Nagini, then melted into the shadows of Diagon Alley.

Hogwarts – Headmaster's Office

A heated discussion was underway.

"Severus, I understand your feelings. But creating life… is that really appropriate?" Dumbledore asked solemnly.

Snape's voice was sharp. "What's inappropriate? I'm not hurting anyone."

"Even so… Artificial life goes against nature. And you want to create another Lily. That's not just unnatural—it's disrespectful to her memory."

Snape's expression darkened. "You really disagree?"

"I do," Dumbledore said. "It's not right."

"Then go ahead," Snape sneered. "Stop the experiment. Kill the life that's already forming."

Dumbledore froze. "You mean…"

"It's not about to start—it's about to end. You'd snuff out a life about to be born?"

With a heavy sigh, Dumbledore removed his glasses. It was too late to stop it now—not without blood on his hands.

Blake had known this. That's why he told Snape to emphasize the timing. He understood Dumbledore's heart too well.

Deceive a gentleman with logic, Blake believed. And a true gentleman won't mind.

Dumbledore asked quietly, "Where is the experiment taking place?"

"I don't know. Blake is in charge of everything," Snape replied.

"And what did he tell you today?"

"He gave me parenting books. Told me to read them."

The image of Snape sitting hunched over a baby guidebook was… bizarre. He could master the darkest potions, but a diaper-changing manual? That threw him.

Dumbledore noticed something in Snape's expression—nervousness, anticipation, maybe even hope. For the first time, he looked truly human.

"You should read them," Dumbledore said softly. "Children are no joke."

Though he'd never had his own, Dumbledore remembered caring for his sister. It had never been easy.

"I will," Snape muttered. "Tonight."

"I'll send a message to Blake," Dumbledore said, reaching for parchment. If children are raised right, they won't become like Voldemort, he thought. Blake was born in a lab, and yet...

If Snape knew what Dumbledore was thinking, he'd scoff. You call the guy who roasted dozens of Dark Wizards "well-raised"?

Dumbledore finished writing and gave the letter to Fawkes, who soared from the window, flaming wings lighting the dusk.

Blake was already at Hogwarts—hidden in the Room of Requirement.

He stood over a biological petri dish, eyes fixed on what was once a jellyfish-like creature. Now, it had transformed into a golden egg.

Blake checked the nutrient solution—untouched for days. Whatever process was happening had paused. Using his True Eyes, he peered inside the egg.

Nothing but a pool of blood.

Still, subtle signs told him the life inside was still active—dormant, but growing.

Without hesitation, Blake removed the egg from the dish and stored it in his system warehouse for further study.

As he prepared to clean the lab and start again, a familiar song filled the room.

Phoenix.

Though his concealment spells blocked Fawkes from entering, Blake recognized the melody immediately.

"Fox?" he murmured. "Looks like Severus followed through."

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