For Disclaimer info, please see chapter 1 or 2. Thanks to all my reviewers so far for your encouraging words. This is my first attempt at this kind of thing. I'll do my best to update in a timely manner. :)

Chapter 4: A New Beginning

Severus Snape sat in the darkened infirmary, next to the only occupied bed in the place. A bed that shouldn't have been occupied this time of year, and certainly shouldn't have been occupied by one injured such as his son was. His son. Snape still couldn't get his mind around those words. He could maybe accept that the poor broken child laying in front of him was his son, due to revelations of the night, but he definitely couldn't reconcile that this abused child was Harry Potter. That Harry Potter was—no, is his son. He was glad that the child was asleep, and that Minerva, Albus, and Poppy had left them. He needed time to think this through. This changed everything.

Just a few short hours ago, he had been content in his 'knowledge' that Harry Potter was the son of the man who betrayed him with his wife, and that he enjoyed a pampered life as a celebrity with his aunt, and her family. He had felt secure in believing that Potter was just like his father, and was just as carefree, reckless, and arrogant. He had been confident that he and Harry Potter would have little to no contact in the next couple years, sure that the boy would never have received the required Potions score on his OWL to be admitted to his NEWT Potions class. But yet, here he was, at the bedside of the child, having rescued him from the clutches of his relatives. Relatives that most definitely did not pamper him, in fact, the complete opposite was their treatment of him. He had also discovered that his beloved Lily did not betray him, as he had so long believed. Her child was in fact, his child as well. And for this news to come out at a time such as this, when the boy was going to need someone to lean on. Severus didn't know if he could handle this. Sixteen years of being a snarky bastard were going to be difficult to leave behind. Especially in regards to Harry Potter. He couldn't change his treatment of the boy, especially not in front of his Slytherins, the majority of whom would go running off to their parents to report what they would see as his treason. How could he possibly construct any kind of relationship with a child who was the sworn enemy of the Dark Lord, who only knew him as a loyal servant, not as the spy he truly is. Indeed, his entire world just came crashing down around him. How on earth was he supposed to go about his life, and reconcile all the different aspects of it? For now though, he would sit at the bedside of the child that Lily and he had created, the one she gave her life for, and the one that he knew somewhere deep down, in a place he didn't often visit, that he would die for as well. Later, he would talk with Albus and Minerva. Tomorrow he would talk with Harry. But at this point, he didn't see how a relationship, correction, a pleasant relationship with his son was possible.

After exiting the Hospital wing, Minerva and Albus made their way to the Headmaster's office to discuss the recent turn of events.

"Albus, I can't believe you kept that information from Severus, not to mention Harry! And even after I told you not to leave the boy with those people. Did I, or did I not express my concerns when you left him there? You told me it was the only option. Lily's promise aside, I would think you would know better. You heard Lily and James mention her family, and how her sister detested magic. You knew Lily would have never wanted her son brought up there, even if it meant you had to break some silly promise to her!"

"Peace, Minerva! I am well aware of the mistakes that I have made! I feel Harry's suffering most acutely. I have loved that child since he was born. Do you not think that I feel guilty? The most I can do is ask forgiveness from Harry, and from Severus. Errare humanus est."

"Yes, to err is human, but to forgive is divine, and I'm not sure if either Severus or Harry will be much in touch with their inner deity anytime soon."

"I know, I have sorely tried Harry's trust and faith in me. First with the prophecy, and now this."

"Well, Albus, I won't beat a dead horse about this. What's done is done, and cannot be changed. We must now work towards helping those two. You do realize the predicament this puts them into now?"

"Yes, if it were to come out, Harry will be more of a target than ever, and Severus' position as a spy will terminate, and his life forfeit in the eyes of Voldemort."

Just then, a tiny, hyperactive owl came flying into the office, and landed in front of the headmaster.

Dear Headmaster,

Did somebody go check on Harry? Hermione owled me, when Hedwig came back an hour ago without any news. Please, sir, if nobody has gone yet, its important that you know. I, and my brothers Fred and George, think that his family abuses him. They lock him in his room, and only occasionally pass a can of soup to him through the door. The only reason I know, is, sometimes Harry has nightmares and cries out in his sleep. I have never confronted him, because he gets angry and closed off whenever Hermione or me bring up the subject of his family. Mum and Dad have said that Harry can come stay here at The Burrow with us, if its okay with you. Harry is my best friend and I worry about him, and so do they. Please, sir, let us know about Harry. We're all going out of our minds with worry.

Ron Weasley

"Well, Minerva, it seems we forgot to notify Miss Granger of the situation, and now it seems she and the entire Weasley clan are up in arms."

"Molly and Arthur see Harry as another one of their own. We have to at least let them know what the situation is. I do believe that we include Miss Granger and the youngest Mr. Weasley in this discussion, at the very least so they don't stress Harry with questions."

"I agree, but how much do we tell them? After all, its not really our story to tell. Its Harry's and to a lesser extent Severus'."

"Well, I suggest we go speak to Severus, goodness knows he won't leave the infirmary to speak to us. Let Severus decide what, and how much information is revealed, and to whom. But in the meantime, I suggest we send off messages to both Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley before we have the entire Order on our backs. Its a minor miracle this hasn't gotten to Remus yet."

"I agree. Let me send Fawkes with these messages."

Dear Miss Granger,

Rest assured that we got your message in a timely manner, and acted upon it immediately. Harry is currently safe from harm. You will understand that I cannot reveal anymore to you at this time. I will endeavor to keep you updated on any news that may come my way in regards to this matter. Perhaps, it might be best if you were to go to Headquarters, and stay, if agreeable to your parents. The Weasley family would join you shortly, and Remus Lupin is already there. A word of caution, Professor Lupin is not aware of the information you have imparted to us, and I must ask that you do not reveal anything to him about Harry. If he asks why you're there, simply tell him that I believe it to be the safest place for you at this time.

Albus Dumbledore

Dear Molly, Arthur, and Ronald,

I received Ronald's owl regarding a situation involving Harry, that Miss Granger had written him about. We have acted upon the information and I can tell you only that Harry is currently safe from harm. I must ask that none of you try to contact him at this time. Additionally, Molly and Arthur, I ask that you and your family take up residence (temporarily) at Headquarters, so that as further information becomes available, it may be imparted to as many people who need to know, in the most secure manner. I have sent Miss Granger a letter, requesting that she present herself at Headquarters as well, providing that it is agreeable with her parents. As I told Miss Granger, I must ask that do not reveal anything of the current situation, or your concerns regarding Harry to Remus Lupin. All will be revealed in due time.

Albus Dumbledore

"Now, Fawkes, deliver these messages to Miss Hermione Granger, and to the Weasley family."

With that, the scarlet and gold phoenix disappeared in a flash of flame.

"Now, Minerva, let us go speak with Severus, and see if somehow we can't work something out. I truly feel that this could be a new beginning for both Severus and Harry."

Coming up:

A discussion with Severus

A discussion with Harry

Scenes at Grimmauld Place with the Weasleys, Hermione, and Remus