Like a Father to Me

Disclaimer: Do not own Liberty's Kids, James Hiller, or that passerbyer. DIC owns Liberty's Kids and James Hiller. The name 'Severus' belongs to Prof. Snape, who belongs to J.K. Rowling. Historical characters belong to themselves and God.

Nathan Hale's execution from James Hiller's POV.

James Hiller's POV Rated: T Warnings: some bad words Angst/ Tragedy

September 22, 1776 A.D.

I don't believe it; they are going to hang him, Capt. Nathan Hale from Connecticut. I only knew him for a brief period and the night before. Basically, it is my fault that they are going to hang him. If I had not run out to warn him of the impending British man-of-war ship, he would have still be alive taking the information to Gen. Washington –

I don't know why I beat myself up like that; maybe it is because the spy is like a father to me. My brain racks with memories.

Severus Gullywumps

I barely remember the time when Severus Gullywumps was passing by, but he rescued me when I was but a babe when my house caught on fire. Gullywumps was a broad shouldered, thin man, and had the lightest blond hair you've ever seen. His skin was a chalky white akin to Bisque window shop dolls. While I was growing up he was like a father to me. When I think of the word 'father' I think of Severus, who loved me like a son. Sadly, I do not know nor remember my real father or what he even looks like. "You look like your mother, James Hector Hiller," Ol' Severus tells me.

One evening he went to the local tavern, and I never saw him again. There was no news of him or of a tavern brawl that night.

I was too little to understand, but the rumors around spells that he was shanghaied on a British warship. Then, I knew when I grew older.

Nathan Hale

Why did you rescue me from that redcoat major? You never knew me. When the redcoat major began to steal food from me, you stood up. "Just leave him alone… bullying a defenseless unarmed civilian?" There was no missing anger in your voice, Nathan Hale.

"Who do you think you are… his father, you bastard?!"

I could feel Hale's fists clench at his sides at the dim light. With a deep voice, he said, "Yes, I am his father." Some impulse inside of me made me go to his side.

That explains why I was included in the greenhouse; the British were "merciful" not to separate father and son.

"Prepare your last goodbyes to Daddy, you good for naught street urchin!" The major sneered unmercifully. The door closed and then Nathan and I were left in the dark.

The captain of the Continental army embraced me as I wept. He was going to die the next morning, and here he was seeing me cry like a baby and not saying a word, save "It is all right, my boy." His face that I could barely make out in the dark seemed to change to my Severus, my foster father. "Son, promise me you won't hate them."

I fell asleep on the moist dirt. Nathan draped a blanket on me. That did little to prevent the coldness from touching me.

Waking up when morning arrived, I saw Nathan asleep. Those filthy lobsters entered through the greenhouse doors, and they rudely awakened Capt. Hale, who reached out to help me to my feet. The regulars did not allow him that. That was the last time I saw Nathan.

--

A single tear dripped on my face. Nathan's final words echoed in my ears. He transformed into Severus once more, a father I will never see again. Sarah and Henri were also at my side listening.

The British were unkind to me; they robbed me of two fathers. One of them was pressed ganged into their fancy man-of-war, and the other one was condemned to the gallows, which was the penalty for spying.

The End

First story be nice, please. R & R.