My muses have finally hit once more and I'm ready to polish this story.

Preface: It is nearly five years after Voldemort's first downfall and the summer before Severus begins his third year teaching at Hogwarts. The year before, Severus discovered that Lily had named him Harry's second godfather, and he has now had custody of Harry for nearly a year. They are adjusting well, and wouldn't change a thing.

Author's Note: Some of you may notice many of the same characters in this story are also in my story, Severus Snape and the Potion Master's Daughter. That is because that story was inspired by a single line from this one and is basically an AU of this AU.

As the story unfolds, the circumstances of how Harry and Severus became a family will come to light.

All Recognisable characters and scenarios are the property J.K. Rowling. Lucy, Kenneth, and the O'Conners are mine.

Harry's Crush

***15 June 1986***

"Daaadyyy…Wake up!"

"Huh! Wha…?"

Severus was being violently shaken out of a sound sleep by his five-year old godson. Severus let out a heavy sigh. He could understand the boy's excitement, but it was entirely too early.

His godson, Harry, was small for his age. Years of neglect at the hands of his Aunt Petunia and her grotesquely obese husband made the nearly six-year old child seem closer to four. It must have taken quite an effort for the child to crawl up on Severus' huge four poster bed.

"Daddy, wake up. It's almost time."

Severus reluctantly opened when the boy continued his incessant whining. Severus managed to focus one eye on his alarm clock. Merlin! It's not even six, he groaned to himself. He turned over to see the normally tiny face of his godson looming large before him. "Harry…go back to bed," said Severus wearily as he buried his face back into his pillow. "We don't need to be up this early."

"But Daddy, I can't wait."

"You are going to have to, Harry," Severus said into his pillow. "Your appointment isn't until eleven. We have plenty of time."

During the past few months, Molly Weasley had been taking care of Harry during the day whilst Severus taught school. He was entering his third year as Potions Master at Europe's elite school for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts. Even more daunting, he was just appointed Head of Slytherin House, now that old Slugghorn was finally retiring.

Molly had noticed that Harry's vision was becoming increasingly myopic. A cursed affliction passed down by that cursed James Potter, no doubt. Severus was taking Harry to be fitted for glasses today. Harry was excited because now he would be able to 'see good', as the child so aptly put it, and be rid of the headaches that had plagued him over the last few months.

Severus turned his head back and opened his eyes to look at is godson. It was obvious that the child was too excited to go back to bed now. Severus had planned to wake Harry around eight o'clock, but by the time he would manage to get the child settled down again, it would be time to wake him right back up. Severus consigned himself to an early start.

"Would you fetch my dressing gown please, Harry," Severus managed to say through his yawn.

"Okay, Daddy," grinned the jubilant child as he climbed down from Severus' high bed.

After a year, Severus was finally getting used to being called 'Daddy'. Harry had called him by that title ever since the day Severus had swept him away from Lily's horrible Muggle relatives. Severus had tried to explain that he was only Harry's godfather, not his father, but never having a father he could remember, Harry's mind could not discern the difference. So much to Severus' chagrin at the time he remained Daddy.

Severus swung his legs around the side of bed and stretched out another yawn as ran his fingers through his ebony hair. He rubbed his hand across his chin, contemplating the morning growth on his face as Harry's little legs ran to bring him his indigo dressing gown.

"Thank you, Harry," said Severus as he slipped on his housecoat. He bent down and picked up his little boy. Severus was heading down to the kitchen to make breakfast. As the child had a tendency to dawdle, Severus usually found it quicker and easier to pick the boy up. At least that was the excuse Severus had convinced himself of.

"What do you think, Harry," Severus said as he held Harry to his left hip and simultaneously rubbed his chin with his free hand. "Should Daddy grow a beard?"

"Like Uncle Albus?" Harry asked dubiously. Severus suppressed an amused snort at the sight of Harry's wrinkled, sceptical face.

"I should say not." Severus answered with scandalised tone at being compared to the headmaster. He also wished that Albus Dumbledore had not insisted that Harry call him by the fictitious moniker. "I should think quite a bit shorter and considerably more trim."

Harry's tiny hand reached out and rubbed Severus' face up and down against the growth of Severus' beard. Harry's little face was fixed in serious contemplation. He surprised Severus by pressing his small cheek against Severus'. "Nope…too scratchy," Harry then proclaimed as he shook his head.

"Honestly?" So much for that idea. Severus asked about a beard for its aesthetic merits. Being considerably younger than his colleagues and less than a decade older than some of his students, he thought that a beard might make him appear older and garner a little more respect from his peers. It could be quite irksome working alongside one's former teachers. Severus was not considering his 'hug-ability'. Apparently, Harry had different priorities.

Severus put Harry down as they approached the kitchen and the boy scrambled into his chair at the table. "We're still going to get ice cream after I get my glasses, aren't we, Daddy?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Only if you behave," Severus said sternly as he began to boil the water for porridge, "Rudely awakening your godfather at 5:45 in the morning does not bode well for your chances."

"I'll be good—I promise," Harry said in all seriousness. Severus knew the child was sincere as he did not wish to risk his chance of receiving a new broom for his birthday. He kept giving Severus 'subtle' hints about how urgently he needed one.

After breakfast, Severus helped Harry brush his teeth and dress for the day. He decided that getting an early start was not such a bad idea after all. He had planned to visit Flourish and Blott's after Harry's appointment with the optiwizard. Severus had more than a few orders to place before the new term. But starting early meant Severus could get his tasks done first, not to mention his pick of fresher ingredients from the apothecary. That also meant time for that promised visit to the ice cream shop. The fact that they would be back home to Spinner's End by two made an early start that more appealing.

Who knows? Perhaps Severus could trick Harry into a nap this afternoon whilst he worked on his latest potion's project.

Severus stood at the counter waiting impatiently to pay for Harry's new glasses. He supposed he could have saved his Galleons and gotten Harry is glasses through the NHS. After all, Severus and Harry were both listed in the Muggle government records. But magically made glasses were more durable and the prescription was more accurate than any Muggle-made glasses could ever hope to be, and anything less than the best would never do for Lily Evans' son.

Harry was the son of Severus' best friend and the only girl he had ever loved, Lily Evans. Severus could still not think of her by her married name, Lily Potter. Her husband, James Potter, Harry's biological father, had been Severus' nemesis throughout their years of schooling at Hogwarts. The story of how Severus managed to gain custody of Harry after the death of Lily and her husband was a long and strange one. One he did not care to ponder at the time.

Severus made a point to get Harry a rectangular frame for his glasses rather than the ridiculous circular lenses that made James Potter's face appear rather like a raccoon. As far as Severus was concerned, the less Harry looked like his biological father, the better.

Harry was so happy. His Daddy had kept his promise. Daddy had promised Harry that glasses would make his headaches go away and that he would see better. Daddy was right. Harry's world had been hazy for as long as he could remember and he always had to strain if he wanted a good look at something. Now, for the first time in his life, Harry knew what it meant to see clearly. Everything just looked more…real.

Harry wanted to go outside and look up at the clouds. He liked clouds. He always did. Harry would often look up at them and imagine what it would be like to fly through them. Maybe if he stayed good, his daddy might get him that broom that Harry kept hinting at. Then he could really fly in the clouds like a real wizard.

Harry knew he was supposed to stay close to his daddy. But through the shop window the bright blue sky and puffy white clouds beckoned to him. Harry looked up to his daddy. Daddy was busy talking to the man behind the counter. The open door was only a couple of feet away and Daddy would be able to see him with no problem. But Harry knew better than to go outside without permission.

Harry let go of his daddy's hand. "Daddy, can I go stand outside?"

His daddy looked down at Harry. He didn't seem too annoyed that Harry had interrupted his conversation with another grown up. His daddy's dark eyes then glanced to the door. "Stay where I can see you and don't wander off the pavement," his daddy said.

Harry could barely contain his excitement. He nearly skipped out the door. Eager to look at the clouds, his head tilted skyward as he wandered out of the shop. It never occurred to Harry to actually watch where he was going. No sooner had he stepped onto the pavement, Harry collided into a passing couple and fell smack on his bum.

"Watch where you are going, boy!" A stern man with short, silvery blond hair and a moustache barked.

Harry wanted to cry, but he wouldn't, even if his bum did hurt. Crying only made mean people meaner. He almost couldn't remember how he knew that, but he did. He didn't like to think of those people and there was something in the man's eyes that reminded Harry of a past nearly forgotten.

"Kenneth!"

Somebody had barked at the mean man. It was a woman's voice.

Harry looked up to see who had come to his defence. When he did see her, he nearly forgot how to breathe. Harry thought he was looking at an angel—an angel with straw coloured hair.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" the pretty lady asked Harry with a strange accent.

She knelt down beside Harry, righted him to his feet and dusted him off. "Where's your mama, darlin'?" she asked as she looked around.

The tall man towered over them, looking at Harry as if he had done something really bad. But Harry couldn't stop staring at the pretty lady. She had long hair and deep blue-green eyes. Harry thought they looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen them before.

Harry suddenly lost the ability to speak and couldn't answer the lady. Besides, his mum wasn't there. He didn't have a mum anymore. A bad wizard had killed her and Harry's first daddy a long, long time ago.

Without answering the lady, Harry ran back into the shop and grabbed onto his daddy's leg. His daddy patted his head, but never looked down as he continued to speak to the clerk.

Harry peeked out from behind his daddy's robes. He saw the lady outside standing next to the man. She smiled at Harry. She must have realized that had found his daddy. She turned to her stern-looking escort. Harry thought she looked very upset with him and that made Harry glad. "Really, Kenneth, was there any call speak to him that way? He's a little boy, not a dung beetle."

Harry watched as the pretty lady and the mean man walked into the bookstore across the street.

Severus finally finished his haggling with the sales clerk behind the counter. Yes, the anti-breakage charm was worth the extra cost, but the growth charm cost almost as much as a new pair of glasses. Besides, with a little manipulation and one look from Harry's green eyes, Severus was sure he could convince Minerva to perform the same charm free of charge.

Severus looked down at his godson, who, for some inexplicable reason, was clinging to his leg like a Niffler to a Galleon. Severus glanced outside to see what might have frightened the boy. Harry hadn't been so clingy in quite some months. Severus saw nothing out of the ordinary, just the normal comings and goings of Diagon Alley.

Severus sighed. He knew one way to get the boy back out of his shell. "Well, Harry, are you ready for some ice cream?"

Severus followed the boy's gaze. Harry was fixated on something across the street.

"Can we go back to the bookstore instead, Daddy?"

That request had certainly caught Severus off guard. The boy was choosing books over treats? It wasn't as if Severus hadn't already bought Harry a new book whilst in the store earlier that morning. But Severus had to admit he would prefer to give another book as a treat for Harry than the sugary ice cream. Perhaps his influence was rubbing off on the boy, after all.

Picking Harry up so they would not be separated as they crossed the crowded street, Severus said, "Who are you and what have you done with my godson?"

Harry giggled as if Severus really didn't know who he was. "It's me, Daddy—I'm Harry," he said insistently.

Severus 'harrumphed' and made way to Flourish and Blott's.

Severus entered the store and held tight to Harry as he navigated his way through the shop. He couldn't understand why the shop was so busy until he realised that it was the first day of book buy-backs for Hogwarts' students. For the life of him, Severus could not understand why anyone would want to sell back their old textbooks. Why would anyone ever want to rid themselves of knowledge?

Severus was making his way to the children's section with his arms full of Harry, when he heard someone call his name.

"Professor Snape—Professor Snape—this is one of your new colleagues now, darling,"

Severus turned to see the sales wizard addressing a petite, dark blonde witch. At least Severus hoped the clerk was addressing the witch. It could turn into an awkward situation if the clerk was addressing him as 'darling.'

Standing next to the witch was a tall, roguish looking wizard. He was every bit as blond as his old colleague, Lucius Malfoy, but unlike Malfoy, this wizard's jaw was squared rather than angular. He had a moustache, steel blue eyes and his robes were tailored within an inch of their lives which did not really seem to suit him. He looked rather like an Old Mississippi riverboat gambler. The fact that his eyes seemed to look at every man around him with suspicion reinforced the image.

Severus tempered his annoyance before acknowledging the shop keeper. He didn't have all day. As Severus drew closer to the group awaiting him, he couldn't help but notice that Harry seemed enraptured with the witch. He would have to talk to Harry later about staring at people, though he could hardly blame the boy. She was rather easy on the eyes. But still, staring was rude and Severus would have to have a word with Harry about politeness.

"Professor Snape, I'd like to introduce Professor O'Conner. She'll be taking the History position at Hogwarts' this term," Jack, the sales wizard, said.

"Professor O'Conner," Severus nodded his head formally. It was about time they replaced Old Binns. One would think the only history that had taken place over the last three hundred years were goblin rebellions.

"Professor Snape—and it's Dr O'Conner, actually," she said as she extended her hand to Severus.

Severus put Harry down and the boy immediately cowered behind his robes. Thinking he would address Harry's odd behaviour latter, Severus gave a customary bow he shook Dr O'Conner's hand. She said with an easy smile, "I look forward to working with you, and please, call me Lucy."

"You're American." Severus cringed because he had stated the obvious. Her regional American accent was impossible to miss.

"Right you are the first time." There was a twinkle in her eyes that Severus recognised straight away. Although they were an entirely different shade of blue, Severus could swear her smiling eyes mimicked those of the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

Before he could ask if there was some sort of relationship, Dr O'Conner turned to her companion almost as if she had forgotten her manners. "Oh—Professor Snape, this is my fiancé, Kenneth Musgrave."

Severus was about to turn to Harry so he could introduce the boy, when Musgrave rudely thrust his hand to Severus. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Professor," Musgrave said with a smile that did not meet his eyes. "Snape…I swear I've heard that name before."

"Are you a Potions Master?" Severus doubted the man was. Musgrave was most obviously British and Severus was acquainted with any British Potions Master of note. But he couldn't deny, he had heard the name Musgrave himself. He just couldn't recall where. Although Musgrave wasn't much older than Severus, Severus was quite certain the wizard never attended Hogwarts.

Severus shook the offered hand. Musgrave's grip was so hard, Severus wondered if the wizard were trying to break his hand. "Magical Attaché to the United States, actually" Musgrave said pompously.

Refusing to be intimidated by either his grip or his title, Severus returned Musgrave's steel handshake in kind.

"The pleasure is mine," he said to Dr O'Conner more than her fiancé. Musgrave broke the handshake first. "You may call me Severus. And this…Harry, remember your manners," Severus said as he coaxed his godson out from behind him. Severus hid his embarrassment well as he turned to Dr O'Conner and her fiancé. "This shy little man is my godson, Harry. Say hello."

Dr O'Conner's face lit up when she saw Harry whilst Musgrave seemed to look annoyed. Severus knew right then that he would never have a liking for the wizard.

"Harry," Dr O'Conner said as she extended her hand to the young boy, "I'm so happy to finally meet you properly. I'm sure we'll become great friends."

Severus wondered where Harry had met this new witch. Perhaps she just recognised Harry by the famous scar. How many children had a lightning-shaped scar on their foreheads? She was a history professor, after all.

"Harry— Say hello to Dr O'Conner and Mr Musgrave," Severus prompted once again.

Harry turned his head just enough to peak out from Severus' robes and squeak, "Hullo," before he buried his face again.

Severus spoke up for him. "I must apologise…the child isn't normally this shy."

"That's quite alright," Dr O'Conner assured. "I'm sure he'll be quite the charmer once the cat gives him back his tongue."

Severus looked at his blushing godson in bewilderment. He could feel the grin form across the child's face as it pressed against his outer thigh.

What had gotten into the boy?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To be Continued~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, folks, another re-write. I'm finally going to repost this entire story on FFNet. Another story you might want to check out is Hogwarts: 1940 by King in Yellow. With my permission, he used my backstory for Aberforth Dumbledore in his story. I must say, I was extremely flattered when he asked.

I'm off to bed. Let me know what you think. I'm hoping to get the next chapters for ACaF and PMD done in the next week. Wish me luck. I'll need it. :D

TTFN

Missyann