Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters belong to JKR!

Harry had been snooping in the dungeons late at night, wanting to see what was in Snape's Pensieve. That is, until he saw an odd little snuff box on the shelf near all of Snape's potions.

Harry had never noticed this box before, and so, curious, took it off the shelf and looked inside. And gasped. Letters!? From his mother to Snape?

Curious now, and a little frightened, Harry took the letters from the box. And started to read.

September 1, 1971

Severus,

It's our first day as Hogwarts students! Can you believe it? I know I can't. I have goosebumps, even though the Sorting is over and it's almost time for bed.

I am so upset we're in seperate houses. But that doesn't mean we can't be friends, right? No, in fact, I will remain your friend, until the dawn of the end. I give you my word.

Lily

Harry turned to the next letter in the pile. For some reason Snape's replies were missing.

September 7, 1971

Severus,

I am writing this by the light of my wand. I miss you so, so much. I have no one to talk to here, no one to share my fears with.

Do you have anyone like that over in Slytherin?

I'm sorry about the Boys teasing you. They are such twits! I honestly have no idea why I even bother with them. They're all bonkers! Especially those two James and Sirius. Ugh.

See you in Potions tomorrow!

Lily

There were a lot of letters like this, so Harry skipped them. Then the letters stopped completely. Until June of 1979.

My dearest Sev,

I am sorry for the way our friendship ended, all those years ago. Can you ever forgive me? If you can't, disreguard this letter. If you can, I would love to see you again.

Lily

It seemed as if Severus warned her in his letter, because her next letter was written thus:

Sev,

I know, I know. I just want to see you again. Listen, James will be gone on Order buiness from October 20 to November 25. If you aren't doing anything then, I love your company.

Lily

The next and last letter in the pile was urgent, almost frantic.

December 2, 1979

I'm pregnant! And it's not James'! What do I do?

There were no names on this note, but Harry stumbled from shock, bumping the bookcase behind him. This caused the items on the shelves to rattle, and suddenly Severus Snape was before him, silent.

"Are you my father?" he strained, unbelieving.

His professor simply led him to sit by the fire. Harry sat woddenly.

"I loved your mother. I still do. Those five weeks alone with her were the happiest in my life. The night we shared was Heaven to me. But it was also a grievous mistake."

"I- You- you see me as a mistake?" Harry's voice was thick with tears.

"No, I-" Harry jumped from his seat, angry now.

"Is that all I am to everybody? A mistake, a burden to be pitied? A piece of bone and skin to be stuffed under some stairs? I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" as he threw up his hands and screamed wordlessly, objects flew from their resting places and crashed around the room with the help of wandless magic.

"Harry!" before Severus was aware of it, he had wrapped the boy, his son, in his arms and held him tightly.

Once the chaos had stopped, Severus guided Harry to the floor as he sobbed, clutching at his professor's arms.

"Nobody wants me... I'm just a burden..."

"You are not a burden, shh."

"My own mother didn't want me, you don't want me..."

"That's not true. Your mother loved you very much. She was just frightened when she wrote that note. And trust me, I would have been there for your mother and you if the circumstances had allowed it."

"You hate me..."

"I never hated you. I was trying to protect you. I was trying to keep you safe because I love you. I love you, Harry. I always have and I always will. Never doubt that. My son."