Author's Note: 2nd update! Not sure when 3rd will be. Hope you don't mind the irregularity! Just published my first Avengers fic, Smudged! Please check it out, review, recommend, etc. Thanks to everyone who follows this story, you guys are great! (Even if none of you tend to review...) and thanks to all who DO review! ~Jazzy

Chapter 1: Father

"We're here…" Lily said, approaching the tall and intimidating building on Spinner Road. It was dismal and grey, one of the most depressing buildings around. The grass was needing care, and the bushes in the front went unwatered. She hesitantly knocked on the door with one hand, the other hand clutching Harry. Harry was only a few months old, but already he was attentive and active. He burbled a few words, Lily hushed him.

"Who is it?" A voice yelled from inside. It was him.

"I-It's m-me, Lily." She stuttered, nervously biting her lip. Harry remained mercifully silent for now.

The deathly black door opened a crack, a brown eye staring at her. "I didn't expect you to show up." The voice said coldly. "Not after…" He glanced at the baby, he stopped his train of thought. "Come in, it's cold." He shut the door, unlatching it to let her in. Lily walked inside, some heat escaping out into the cold.

He was right, it was freezing outside. A large snowstorm had happened earlier this week. Though it was just beginning to be November, it was the weather of deep winter. She was thankful that he had the fireplace roaring.

"Hey Sev…"

"What happened, Lily?" He spoke softly and soothingly. He hadn't changed a bit. He was still tall, pale, and as skinny as a post, with straight black hair and a slightly crooked nose. She noticed his black hair was messy but not greasy like in high school. He was looking better than before. Probably because I wasn't bothering him…She erased the thought from her mind. She had to think positively. Maybe he would help her.

"He found out, Severus. He found out about Harry..." She looked at the baby. "James…"

"Found out what?" Snape grabbed a nearby tea pot and filled two cups. A set of four lay on the nearby table. She hoped he wasn't expecting company. He took a tea bag from the box, setting it gently in her glass and stirring. The scent of peppermint invaded the house. He still remembered her favorite flavor… "What am I supposed to do? He's your son." Harry looked around curiously.

Lily frowned, taking a tentative sip of the tea. It was piping hot and delicious. "James wasn't Harry's father." She took a deep breath, waiting to tell inevitable news. "Sev, he's yours."

Severus paused.

"You said you didn't want to continue this relationship. You said you wanted to be true to James. And you did. You got what you wanted. You left me behind. Why bring me back into this?" He asked, suddenly interested in his tea cup. "Maybe I have a life now."

"He left me, Sev. He's gone. He's not coming back. I received divorce papers in the mail yesterday. Please, Sev, help me." She asked, eyes wide. "You've always been my closest friend. I don't want to invade on you, but I need help…"

Harry gave a small squeak and reached for Snape's large nose. "Look, he likes you!" She smiled, handing her son over to his father. He reluctantly took the child.

Snape looked down at the baby in his hands curiously. Harry giggled slightly, waving his hands in the air. He accidentally whacked Severus in the eye. But the man didn't seem to care. Was this child really his? Then he noticed Harry's eyes. The exact same eyes as his mother.

"Hmph. I really didn't get a new life. So, fine. I'll help." He reluctantly agreed, holding Harry a little bit longer. "Do you need a place to stay, then?" Lily nodded.

"He took the house."

Sev sighed. "I always told you James was a bad idea." He reveled for a moment in his victory, but it was a bittersweet one. "Anything else you need?"

"No. Well, actually… have you heard from the Longbottoms lately? I've been trying to contact them…" Snape shook his head, handing Harry back to his mother. She gave him a quick thank you, then went to retrieve her bags, which she had left in the car. She didn't want to apperate with Harry, it'd only scare him.

Snape ran his hand through his hair, sighing. What would he do? At least Lily was safe now. Voldemort wouldn't be after her or Harry. Harry was his son, not that idiot James'. Safe. Lily was safe.

The Longbottoms?

Snape's eyes widened as he realized that he did know what had happened to them. But he kept quiet. He couldn't tell Lily. Not so soon after he got his second chance with her.

All would be revealed in time. But for now, he would just have to keep Lily safe. Now that she was here, he could start his life. Starting with getting a job.

I wonder if Hogwarts is hiring?