He had never thought of the black-haired, obnoxious child as legally his. That could be because he had never known. Casting a sarcastic glare at Lily's picture he paced his chambers angrily. What had he been doing digging around Harry's legal papers anyway? Really it had been a spur of the moment decision-something to connect him to her. He looked at her signature on all the papers and smiled. It was still the beautiful scrolling script she had taught herself in their 3rd year. Suddenly, he saw a scribble-like signature that was barely legible. Severus Snape. What the fuck was this supposed to be? He grabbed the paper and sat down stormily.
The Legal Guardian of Harry James Potter, if any blood relatives are unable or unwilling to care for him, shall be Severus Snape.
A scrolling, Lily Evans, a very obviously forged James Potter, and finally his own scribbly name. Lily had really done a marvelous job at his signature and he smiled wondering how often she had practiced it. Writing his name over and over again. He looked down at the paper to snap out of this crazy fantasy. Why on earth would his ex-best friend have given her beloved son to a death eater? For in her mind, he was still a follower of the Dark Lord. It was obvious why she had forged his and James signatures, but why do it in the first place? Why even assume he would survive the battle? Because she knows you, whispered his soft side. He checked the paper again to see if it was truly real.
The boy lived with Tuney (he shuddered at the thought of Lily's horrible sister). Surely he was fine there. Severus had no need to stir up trouble. No need to mess with an already annoying situation. Why should it excite his very soul that Potter could be his own child? Why should he want to hold the boys hand and look into his green eyes? He shouldn't. He would ignore this paper, which would be the sensible thing to do. But when was love ever sensible?
"Take your food, boy! And don't you dare make a mess!" Vernon Dursley was screaming through a cat flap in Dudley's second bedroom. Of course Dudley never went in there anymore, not since the freak had been transferred out of the closet. A hand reached for the plate on which there was a mere piece of bread and a glass of water. Hedwig flew over to inspect the bread. She stared at it, then at her master before flying back to the desk where her cage was kept. Harry grabbed the bread and shoved it in his mouth. The water was more slowly consumed in an order to keep from dehydration. He pushed the plate back under the cat flap and walked over to his window. Bars on the window created a prison for the young wizard.
It was July 31st. Harry was 12 and about to start his 2nd year at Hogwarts, that is if the Dursley's let him leave. It was almost dark and Harry could hear the loud goodnights of his aunt to his cousin—a lullaby and a story for her precious boy. Harry listened quietly to the loving kisses that he had never been subject to. He stood by the window and fixed his glasses with more masking tape. The first thing he would do when he got to Hogwarts or anywhere near Hermoine would be the 'Reparo' spell.