See chapter 1 for notes, disclaimer, and everything…

IMPORTANT NOTE: I've almost finished writing this story (over 130 pages already!!), but I need to format scenes to post them here. Stay tuned.

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The Weasleys – except maybe Percy – warmed up to the Malfoy heir; they started thinking that the only son of Lucius Malfoy might not be the brat they'd thought he'd be.

While the Weasleys were warming up to Draco, Remus was sharing tales about James and Lily with Harry.

Harry absolutely loved his birthday party. After dinner, the Weasleys went back to their Burrow through the passage that connected the two houses. The Sciutos used sign-language to give a lot of instructions that Abby and Gibbs translated for them, and then Abby's biological parents and the Gibbses Apparated back to New Orleans.

'There's one thing you didn't translate,' Albus told Abby.

'Two, actually,' Abby admitted. She turned to Harry and Draco and said, 'It's late, boys, you should go to bed.'

'I'll come and tell you a story,' Ducky promised.

Harry grabbed Draco's hand and dragged him behind him as he exclaimed, 'Cool!'

Draco looked a bit stunned to share a bed with Harry, but the blond loved the extravagant tale that Ducky told them, starting unsurprisingly with, 'I remember the time…'

In the meantime, Abby was sharing two pieces of information with Albus and Remus over glasses of whiskey.

'My mother felt the curse that is running through your veins, but she also felt that there might be a way for us to help you find a steady job – until a treatment can be found, and you can go work at Hogwarts in a few years,' Abby said.

Remus shook his head.

'This is what's meant to happen,' Abby declared.

Remus was about to start protesting, but Albus placed one hand on the werewolf's arm and said, 'Trust her.'

'What job could I possibly find when, during a full moon, I turn into a monster?' Remus said sadly.

'You see, on our side of the pond, we tend to mix a bit more with the Muggle community. I'm the magical tutor for Harry and Kelly, and I work for the NIS, too. It's not in your traditions here, but we have an NIS office in London, and my mum knows at least one wizard there who could do with a bit of magical help. It'd be for a few months until you're cured,' Abby said.

Remus shook his head again.

'When your wife wants to find names for your first born, I'll be the one giving her ideas, and then you'll be really sorry you didn't believe me right now,' Abby said.

'Mistress Abby are a real seer,' Kitty whispered to Remus.

The werewolf looked pointedly at the floor and said, 'I can never have a child.'

'The day your future wife tells you that she's expecting, you'll have to tell her why I'm to be the godmother,' Abby declared.

'Right! And I guess Albus will be the godfather!' Remus spat, looking at Abby with fire in his eyes.

Remus froze when he noticed that her normally green eyes were now black – completely black.

'We warned you, boy. Abby is a real seer,' Mrs Mallard said.

'Actually, Harry will be your son's godfather,' Abby said.

Remus gaped.

Abby's eyes turned green again. 'Now, Mum felt that there was a secret about your Marauder friends,' she said.

Remus blinked and said honestly, 'The Marauders had many secrets.'

'We're bound to see a lot of each other then,' Abby declared.

The rest of the evening was spent in quiet chats.

The next day, Abby gave Harry a dose of potion and chanted a powerful spell that healed Harry's sight completely.

'Great! Thanks, Abby!' Harry said as he hugged her.

'You're welcome. You look a lot more like your Mum now. There's just the hair colour that's off,' Abby said. 'Now run to the kitchen and tell Dragon to be ready in five minutes. Remus invited us to lunch at his house.'

When Remus and Abby walked into the kitchen, they discovered that Harry's hair was the colour of his mother's.

Remus pointed one finger to the house-elf as he looked at Abby questioningly. Abby shook her head and whispered, 'Wishful magic.'

'You should have seen Draco's face when I did it,' Harry said with a giggle.

'Not funny, Harry!' Draco protested.

'C'mon, boys, let's get ready,' Abby said.

'My house is small and… well, not much,' Remus apologized.

'That's not important,' Draco and Harry said in synch.

'MEOW!' Severus meowed as he jumped on Draco's shoulder.

'Can he come, Mr Lupin?' Draco asked.

'Of course. Hold him tight,' Remus said. 'And for Merlin's sake, call me Remus!'

They went to Spinner's End while Kitty made lunch for Mrs Mallard and Albus – they'd discovered that they had cousins in common and wanted to chat quietly. Ducky and Minerva went out on a romantic date.

After a simple lunch that they all enjoyed, Abby called Kitty to watch the boys while she wizard-napped Remus to the London NIS office.

Abby's cat knew his part in all this, and he went outside, prompting the boys to run after him.

The black cat was about to cross a road when a spell wrapped the cat and the boys in a protective bubble.

'Thanks, Kitty!' Draco said.

'It weren't Kitty's magic,' the elf declared.

Draco picked up the cat, who started purring.

Harry turned around and saw a black-clad man who looked furious. Harry recognized the man and tears welled in his eyes.

'Severus,' Harry whispered.

Draco thought that Harry was referring to the cat, but the Hogwarts Potions master knew that the boy was calling him. Severus Snape knew that the boy had to be Harry Potter; he'd expected him to look like James. However with Lily's eye-and-hair colours, Harry reminded Severus of the girl he'd met years ago.

Harry crossed the road and ran away.

'Master Severus must run after Mistress Lily's son,' Kitty ordered the wizard. 'Kitty will can stay with Severus-the-cat and Draco Malfoy.'

Severus felt that he had to protect Lily's son and started running after the boy.

Kitty held out her hand to Draco, who took it.

'Shouldn't we help? Or call Abby?' Draco asked.

'Has no fear, Draco Malfoy. Mistress Abby have know what are going on. Master Harry and Master Severus needs to bond,' Kitty said.

'Bond?' Draco repeated.

Kitty nodded and explained, 'Master Harry have Master Ducky, Master Leroy, and he need Master Severus in his life, too.'

"Wish my parents were like that," Draco thought.

Kitty heard that thought; she relayed it to Abby thanks to her special magic.

Abby left Remus to sign his NIS contract and meet his future fellows for an hour, and she went to The Hague where Lucius Malfoy was making a deal with a local warlock. Abby located Narcissa and gave Draco's mother a few tips to change the dynamic in her marriage – Lucius would never know what hit him.

Severus had never imagined that such a young child could run so fast. The Potions master caught up with Harry only when the boy had reached the very place where Severus saw Lily Evans for the first time.

After casting a spell that told him that there was no one around, Severus was ready to immobilize Harry. He didn't have to do it, though, because Harry thought he'd run fast enough and far enough to stop, and he collapsed on a patch of dried lawn under a tree.

'What possessed you, boy?' Severus growled as he reached Harry's side, towering over the boy.

Harry looked up and whispered, 'I'm sorry.'

Severus couldn't begin to imagine why tears were rolling down Harry's cheeks – or why he'd apologized exactly.

Right then, Harry looked so much like Lily that Severus's heart painfully remembered how to beat. Instantly, Severus remembered the times he'd hurt Lily with harsh and stupid words, and it was so painful that he felt like crumbling next to her son and start crying, too.

Lily was dead, and there was nothing he could do to apologize to her again, but her son was right here with him.

Severus crouched down and with a very soft voice he said, 'There's no need to apologize. You're safe. It was stupid to run after your cat, but you're a little boy, and there were no Muggles around to see me cast the spell I used.'

Harry shook his head and repeated, 'I'm sorry.'

Severus was at sea as to what Harry really meant to say. 'It's all right, Mr…' Severus's voice trailed off. He discovered that it was painful to acknowledge that Lily's son was the son of James Potter as well.

'Y'see. That's what I meant. Kitty showed me what happened. I'm sorry my dad and his friends were so awful to you, and now you're going to hate me because everybody keeps telling me that I look like my dad,' Harry said, a few sobs punctuating his speech.

Severus was quite taken aback.

'You look so much like her,' Severus countered the boy.

'That's because Aunt Abby healed my eyes just this morning, and I no longer need my glasses. When she said my hair wasn't Mum's colour, I just wished it were like hers and I did magic,' Harry said.

'Wishful magic.'

'That what Aunt Abbs said,' Harry said. 'Everybody says I got my eyes from Mum, but I look like Dad. I have no memory of them, but they're my parents, and you've got to hate Dad.'

'I don't hate him,' Severus said.

'That's a lie,' Harry murmured sadly.

'I don't hate him. I despise him, and…' Severus couldn't bring himself to tell Harry that he still wanted to hex James for seducing Lily. Severus also considered that Lily was dead because of her association with James.

Harry felt a change. He knew, thanks to Kitty, that Severus was a powerful wizard, but Harry took a leap of faith and asked one of the questions that were torturing him, 'What happened between you and Mum? Kitty couldn't tell me much.'

Severus staggered, lost his balance, and sat down on the ground, thus ending up at eye level with the son of the only woman he'd ever loved.

'Please,' Harry begged. 'I'll never know Mum and Dad. I'll never fully understand what Dad did to you. You can tell me why you're not my dad. Kitty said she thought Mum would stay with you.'

What neither Voldemort nor Dumbledore could have got from the spy for the Order of the Phoenix, a seven-year-old boy got. Severus looked at Harry and gave him an honest answer, 'I was an arrogant idiot, and I was hurt. I insulted Lily in a way that she was right not to forgive. I started paying for what I did when your father married her. My school foe wed Lily.'

'I don't understand.'

'You are too young. Maybe one day you will understand. James was horrible to me, but he was a good husband for your mother. I'm convinced he would have been a good father, too. Lily would have seen to your education. She would never have allowed you to act the way your father did at Hogwarts,' Severus said.

'Really?' asked Harry, his eyes still shining.

Severus nodded.

'You still love my mum,' Harry stated.

Severus had never imagined that such simple words could hurt so much. Painfully, he gasped, 'Yes.'

'Aunt Abby says Fate can be really twisted,' Harry said.

Severus was about to answer something when Harry whimpered.

'What's wrong?' Severus asked worriedly.

'My eyes are tingling,' Harry complained.

'When did you take the potion?' Severus inquired.

'This morning after breakfast.'

'Who cast the two spells on you?' Severus asked.

'There was only one spell. The one that allowed me to see without my glasses,' Harry said.

'Normally, my potion needs two spells. I'll have to bring you back to whoever is raising you so that the healing is finalized,' Severus said.

'Aunt Abby went to the NIS with Remus. Can't you cast the spell? I don't want to have to wear my glasses again. Please!' Harry said.

'What would your aunt say?' Severus wondered.

'Oh.'

'You see. We have to find your guardian,' Severus declared.

'You've got me wrong, Professor Snape. Abby is my aunt and my adopted sister, and she's my tutor, and she's a seer – a real one. I bet she knew we'd meet, and I bet she wants you to cast the second spell because it's not like her to forget to cast a spell – ever,' Harry said.

'Who is that woman? I thought Lily was the only witch in her family,' Severus said.

'When Albus deposited me on the doorstep of my Muggle aunt, Aunt Minerva stayed around, and she was there when Uncle Ducky rescued me. I'm living with him and Nana Mallard in Washington, D. C. When Kelly – that's my first sister – and I showed signs of magic last year, a tutor came to teach us about magic. That was Abby; she became like another aunt to us, and now Aunt Minerva adopted her officially. Would you do something now, Professor Snape? My eyes really hurt,' Harry said.

Severus would have time later to analyze everything Harry had shared with him, but right now, the green eyes that looked like his Lily's were begging him to make the pain go away.

Severus realized that Harry was the only part of the woman he loved that was still alive, and he decided to help Harry for Lily's sake – and if James rolled in his grave, all the better. He cast again the spell that told him that there was no one around, and he secured the effect of the potion in Harry's eyes.

The next instant, Severus Snape found himself with Harry in his arms and hugging him.

'Thank you, Professor Snape! That's awesome!' Harry said.

Severus's tongue was faster than his brain and he said, 'Your mother called me Severus.'

'I thought she called you Sev,' Harry asked innocently.

'She was the only one who got away with it,' Severus answered honestly.

'Okay… Severus,' Harry said. He was still hugging the older wizard when he giggled.

Severus sighed and said, 'I know it's an unusual name.'

'Well, what's funny is that Abby's cat – the one you helped me save – is a Severus, too,' Harry explained.

'Your tutor, aunt, sister or whatever is certainly a very strange witch,' Severus said.

'She's great! And she loves potions. I'm sure you'll like her,' Harry said.

'I have enough challenges in my life,' Severus almost snorted.

Suddenly, Harry started looking more closely at the wizard he was still holding.

'Harry?' Severus said, as if he were testing the name on his tongue and as if it potentially were a powerful spell.

'Did you invent the potion Abby brewed to heal me?' Harry asked.

"So much like my Lily," Severus thought.

'Did you?' Harry insisted.

'Yes.'

'Why?' Harry asked.

'For you.'

'Uh?' Harry said.

Harry looked so surprised that Severus was forced to smile – a first since he'd lost Lily.

'The odds were against you. Potter had a magical infection in his eyes, and he passed that on to you. I wanted to make amends and give Lily something she'd like. However I don't know how your tutor got the idea to use it on you. My discovery wasn't advertised much,' Severus explained.

'Told you! She likes potions – and she's quite good – and she is a real seer,' Harry said.

The only seer Severus knew was Trelawney, and therefore had a hard time believing Harry.

'Anyway, I'm glad I could help you. I think I should escort you back. Where are you staying?' Severus asked.

'Abby Apparated us from our new house in Hogsmeade, but we've had lunch with…' Harry's voice trailed off and he paled significantly as he realized that Severus probably hated Remus Lupin.

'With?'

Harry was trapped. He mumbled Remus's name; Severus heard him loud and clear and froze.

Harry looked as if he were about to start crying again.

'Harry, you're not responsible for what your father did,' Severus said.

'You're not mad at me, then?' Harry asked with a small voice.

'Why would I be mad at you?' Severus asked. He had a hard time following the boy's logic.

'Remus can tell me things about Dad. You can tell me things about Mum. I don't want to have to choose between either of you. I want to get to know you both,' Harry explained.

"Can you stand the werewolf if it means that you get to see the boy?" Severus asked himself. He looked at Harry. "Why can't he be my son?" he thought. Instantly, his guilty conscience added, "If he were mine, the Dark Lord would have taken him and his mother from me for being tainted with Muggle blood – and I would have known the same fate. He's not mine, but I can protect Lily's child."

'I imagine I could send you letters when you go back to Washington,' Severus said neutrally.

'You'll have to come visit us there and in Hogsmeade before I go to Hogwarts,' Harry said.

'I thought you said you have an American tutor. Aren't you going to be schooled there?'

'Oh, no, I already know that I'll go to Hogwarts. Abby said it was planned that way,' Harry said.

'Then, I'm afraid I can't be too close,' Severus protested.

'Why? Aunt Minerva is going to be my teacher, too, and she said I only would have to remember not to call her "Aunt Minerva" in her classroom. Please! I need you. You're the only one who can tell me secrets about Mum,' Harry pleaded.

'I am not a respectable wizard, Harry,' Severus protested sadly. He allowed himself to be weak since he knew that Lily's son was the only witness to his weakness.

'I don't understand everything Kitty showed me, but I want you to tell me more,' Harry said.

Severus remained silent and got to his feet with Harry still in his arms. When Harry wrapped his arms around Severus's neck, the older wizard had no choice but to carry the boy.

Harry smelled like Lily, and Severus found out that it was somewhat easy to overlook the fact that Harry was James's son.

Harry and Severus were both lost in their respective daydreams.

They finally arrived at Remus's house, up Severus's street. Severus rang the bell, and Remus opened the door.

'Hello, Severus. Abby knew you'd be coming. She, Draco and the cat went back to the Burrow, but she left Kitty behind to lead you there,' Remus said.

'I am not a baby-sitter, Lupin. Harry will have to travel with his house-elf,' Severus said as he meant to put Harry down.

'Master Severus don't mean to disobey Mistress Abby,' Kitty protested. 'Bye, Remus Lupin.'

With a loud crack, Severus, Harry and Kitty Apparated into the Burrow in Hogsmeade.

'Good afternoon, Severus, you're right on time for tea,' Minerva said.

At the same time, Abby cast a spell by snapping her fingers. 'I see you finalized the healing,' she told Severus.

He turned towards her and growled, 'Harry could have been in a lot of pain!'

'But you were there. You had to be there,' Abby said.

'Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Abby,' Minerva said looking at Severus.

'This is not her name,' Severus stated.

'You must be invaluable to the Order of the Phoenix,' Abby praised him. 'I know that you're not a seer like me, and yet you felt that Minerva introduced me in an odd way. I'm Abigail Sciuto-McGonagall. I know you won't call me by my full name – only Ducky and Dragon do so.'

'Severus is invaluable, indeed,' Albus said as he walked into the kitchen with Mrs Mallard.

Severus froze. He did so not because he was surprised to see his employer here, but because he felt as if any of his aptitudes were irrelevant since he hadn't been able to save Lily.

Harry felt the difference in Severus and hugged his new friend even tighter. Much to his surprise, Severus hugged the child back.

"Knock, knock," Abby thought, projecting her words at Severus.

"More than a Legilimens," Severus answered in a thought, too.

"You had to be the one to help Harry and the one to finalize his healing. I'm a true seer, but I don't know everything. What I do know is that you will become one of Harry's protectors," she told him.

"I will stand between him and the Dark Lord because Harry is Lily's legacy," Severus thought.

"If things were different, if he'd stayed with his Muggle aunt, Harry would have known nothing about you, and he just might have ended up hating you," Abby thought.

"So what?" Severus thought bitterly.

Abby flinched a bit and thought, "He's the only child Lily had – the only child of hers you can love."

'Stop it, Abigail!' Ducky intervened. He didn't know that they were exchanging thoughts, but he could see that Severus was pale and looked distressed.

'Tea's ready,' Minerva announced.

'Stay, please,' Harry whispered in Severus's ear.

Severus nodded. He reluctantly put Harry down.

'Draco!' Mrs Mallard called the other boy.

Their blond guest arrived with Abby's cat in his arms; Draco was talking to Severus when he noticed their new guest.

'Whoa!' Draco said.

'We've got another Severus,' Harry told his friend.

Severus – the one walking on two legs – looked at the boys as if they'd each grown a second head right in front of him.

Ducky had taken an instant liking to his Harry's new protector; it was as if Ducky could feel how tortured, sad and lonely Severus Snape was. Ducky placed one hand on Severus's arm and whispered, 'You'll see, it's very easy to adapt and get used to such a charming child.'

Severus knew Albus and Minerva. He didn't really know how to deal with boys as young as Draco and Harry. He didn't know what to think about Mrs Mallard, and he was just a bit wary of Abby for the moment – however, there was something warm about Ducky that was encouraging Severus's heart to thaw. Severus could almost see or feel the connection between Ducky and Harry.

Severus knew first-hand how Petunia Dursley, Lily's sister, was bigoted when it came to magic. He couldn't begin to imagine what she would have done to Harry if Ducky hadn't rescued the boy – for that alone, Severus liked Ducky.

Tea was rather nice for Severus, who was understanding with each passing minute that he wanted to be a part of Harry's life – even though he didn't know where the feeling was coming from. He was even finding it ironic to see Lucius's son becoming friend with Harry Potter and being civil with a Muggle doctor and his Squib mother.

Severus was about to relax completely when Abby did something worse than her strange cat, who was playing with Severus's nerves because he wanted to be given cakes. 'You'll have to start working on a cure for lycanthropy,' she said.

'In Merlin's name, why?' Severus spat.

'Because you're going to become famous when you find that cure,' Abby said.

'I'm not going to waste time with such research,' Severus declared.

Abby hid behind her cup and mock whispered, 'So you're not good enough to do it.'

With the silkiest voice ever, Severus said, 'Do you think you can tease me that easily, little girl?'

'Nope,' Abby said with an impudent grin.

Severus glared at her.

'Children! You're not cats and dogs!' Mrs Mallard scolded them.

'More like brother and sister,' Draco told Harry.

They all turned to Draco as one, and the boy blushed deeply.

'If it ever comes to that, you'll be the one adopting,' Minerva told her companion.

'Ladies, quit teasing Severus,' Ducky ordered.

Involuntarily, Severus's feelings for Harry's protector grew again.

'I'm not teasing him!' Abby protested. 'I'm challenging him.'

That got Severus's attention. 'What do you mean?' he asked.

'I bet that I can find a cure before you, if I put my mind to it,' Abby declared.

'But you're not a Potions mistress!' Draco exclaimed, looking utterly lost.

'You are right, Dragon. I am many things, but potions aren't my field of expertise,' Abby admitted. 'However, I'm a stubborn gal, and someone has to invent that potion.'

'What are you exactly?' Severus asked her.

'Forensic expert, witch, Animagus, seer, Voodoo priestess, you name it,' Abby answered Severus.

The last element had completely escaped Severus's scrutiny, but then again there wasn't much Voodoo at Hogwarts – if at all.

'Are you going to do it, Professor Snape?' Draco asked.

Severus looked at Draco and was about to shake his head when Abby asked, 'Are you going to allow a mere potions aficionada to beat you at such a challenge and a discovery?'

'My dear Abigail,' Ducky said seriously, 'I think you are a mite unwise to tease our guest.'

'Ducky,' she answered as seriously, 'if he cannot stand a little competition with me, how is he going to be able to protect Harry on the battlefield?'

'I can protect Harry, and I will,' Severus snarled.

'Yes, but you could do so much more,' Abby declared with passion.

'And pray tell, how would helping flea-infested werewolves possibly allow me to protect Harry better?' Severus spat.

'If you invent a potion before I do, I'll give you a Voodoo charm to shield you from Riddle,' Abby said.

That was a very interesting and valuable wager.

'If you were to win, what would you expect from me?' Severus inquired.

Abby knew that she had to find something big enough to motivate Severus to work against her. She pretended to observe him and declared at last, 'There's another way to make you Minerva and Ducky's son. If I win, you'll marry me.'

Severus paled so much that Kitty was about to summon smelling-salts. The mere idea of marrying a woman who was not Lily Evans made Severus feel truly faint, which was something that not even Voldemort or any of his Death Eaters could ever do.

'Are you a chicken, Snape?' Abby kept teasing him.

'What proof do I have that you're powerful enough to do what you promised,' he inquired.

"Knock, knock," Abby said again in another thought.

"WHAT?!" barked Severus in answer.

"May I give you something?" she asked.

He sighed mentally, but agreed.

He would never have imagined that Abby knew a way to allow him to remember everything – each and every tiny little detail up to the smallest – about Lily. Suddenly, things he'd forgotten over the years were coming back to him.

That was an incredible, beautiful and moving gift.

'I'll do it,' Severus said.

'I'll share a few of my books with you,' Abby said.

'Why?' Draco wondered.

'We'll need the potion for Remus, and I want to help him against Riddle, but even though he's quite a challenging wizard, he's not the one for me. Therefore, I'll help him win,' Abby said.

'Pity. You look good together,' Draco declared.

'Kids!' Abby said fondly with a warm chuckle.

'Mr Malfoy, I hope our hosts made it clear that you must not tell your father that you saw me here today,' Severus told Draco somewhat coldly.

'I may be just seven, but I'm not stupid. I've been living with Father all my life. I've learnt what to do to avoid being punished,' Draco said sadly.

'Things will change when your parents come back from the continent,' Abby promised.

'Really?' Draco asked.

'Your mother loves you dearly, and she's making a few changes as we speak,' Abby said.

'Do you think I could have a cat?' Draco asked.

Such an innocent question reminded the adults how much they had to protect the new generation.

Abby grinned and said, 'I think I heard Severus's sister was having kittens, maybe I can get one for you. I'm sure I can convince your mother to let you have a cat,' Abby said.

'Fantastic!' Draco exclaimed.

'MEOW!' protested Severus.

Draco scratched the cat's ears and told him, 'I like you, but you're Abigail's cat, not mine. With a bit of luck, one of your nieces or nephews will become my cat.'

Ducky looked at Severus. The younger man looked positively puzzled with Draco and Harry, as if young children really were a complete mystery. Ducky decided to talk with Severus privately as soon as possible. There was not much magic in Ducky, but he was rather a good judge of characters, and he just knew that Harry was becoming attached to Severus right in front of them.

Ducky had unreservedly given all his paternal love to Harry, but he'd always known that a younger man would become a better father figure for his young ward. Gibbs had been the first to play that role – but Gibbs wasn't a wizard.

Now that Harry had shown signs of magic, Ducky thought it was his duty to find a wizard who was free to become a role-model for Harry. From what he'd gathered about the Potions master, Ducky felt that Severus would be perfect – he was young, powerful, gifted, stubborn, single, and Harry trusted him.

Of course, Ducky couldn't begin to imagine that his Harry would have one hell of a surprise for him years after the end of the war – it was too soon… and it was too farfetched even for a man like Ducky.

Ducky hoped to find the right words to convince the younger wizard to join their strange family. He was lost in thought when Kitty put one tiny hand over his and winked; he beamed at her.

After tea, Ducky took a few pictures that would be developed in a magical solution to become Wizarding pictures. He made sure to take one of Harry in Severus's arms.

When Mrs Mallard told Draco and Harry to go out and play in the garden, the boys knew better than not to obey.

Albus announced that he had to leave, and Severus was planning to say the same, but Abby tried to trap him.

'I have a De Potiones,' she said. 'The first edition.'

'Good for you, Miss McGonagall,' Severus said neutrally. He turned to the Mallards and said, 'Thank you for the tea. I have work to do. Goodbye.'

Without another word, he Disapparated.

'Very efficient, Abigail,' Ducky told the young woman with a tone that was sharper than he'd originally intended.

'If he hadn't gone back to his home, you wouldn't be able to bring him a magical copy made by Kitty as a peace offering,' Abby said.

Everybody else agreed with Abby's plan. Ducky didn't like the bad feeling he had, as if it were a terrible move to try to manipulate Severus Snape.

Kitty made a copy of the rare potions book Abby owned, and the house-elf took her chosen master inside Severus's house. However, Ducky added two things to the witches' plan: he went with Harry, and he had a gift for Severus.

'It's us,' Harry said with a small voice as Severus aimed his wand at his uninvited visitors.

'Give him the book, Harry, and go back home with Kitty,' Ducky said.

Harry handed Severus several scrolls of parchments onto which Kitty had magically copied the book. The parchments had all been spelled smaller.

'You can beat Abby with that book,' Harry told Severus.

The Potions master was mesmerized when he accepted the copy.

'Why do you want me to beat your tutor?' Severus asked the boy.

'Because she'll give you a protection against Riddle. I don't want him to hurt you, ever,' Harry explained.

Harry hugged Severus and then held out his hand to Kitty, who took it.

'I'll come back when you calls me, Master Ducky,' Kitty said before she dissolved into thin air and went back to Hogsmeade with Harry.

Severus looked stunned.

'There is one thing that Tom Riddle could do that would hurt you – even now,' Ducky declared.

Severus snorted and spat, 'Call your stupid elf back, Dr Mallard.'

'Of course, he killed Lily, but how would you feel if he were to hurt, torture and kill Harry? Harry's all that's left of Lily,' Ducky said.

'You have no right…' Severus began to say.

'It's my duty to protect Harry. I can love him with all my heart. I can kill for him or die for him,' Ducky said with passion. 'One spell from Voldemort, and I'll be with Harry's parents in an instant. You can help him defeat that lunatic for good.'

Severus shrugged.

'I brought you something,' Ducky said. 'I didn't have time to find a frame, and I didn't want to ask one of my witches to transfigure one, but, here…'

Severus took the Wizarding picture of Harry and him. He was smiling in the photo, and Harry was positively beaming as he hugged him.

Severus staggered and sat down heavily in an ancient chair.

'Even wishful magic won't allow Harry to keep that hair colour for very much longer, and I thought you'd like to have this,' Ducky said.

Severus was rendered speechless. He so much wanted Harry to be his son that it hurt and it was painful to even breathe.

Ducky took a few steps to be next to him and asked gently, 'What happened to you, my dear child?'

"My dear child" was one of Albus's expressions – one that grated on Severus's nerves usually – but from Ducky's mouth, it felt different.

The day had been emotionally exhausting. He didn't know why, but Severus told the story of his life to his uninvited guest, and he spared no details.

A few hours later, long after dinner, which they had skipped, and well into the night, Severus stopped. He had no more to say… or maybe just one thing. 'I don't even have a picture of Lily,' he whispered.

'I'll find you one,' Ducky promised.

'Why?' Severus asked.

The parlour was dark; the only light was coming from the Muggle lampposts outside. Ducky was convinced that his host wanted very much to be alone to be free to let his tears pour without restraint.

Ducky knew that Severus could hex him so hard that he'd land in the next millennium – and Severus knew that Ducky knew – but that didn't prevent Ducky from gathering Severus in his arms.

'I'll do it because you still love her, and you've suffered too much for too long. We're going to protect Harry together. You mustn't let Abigail bother you; she's a good girl, but she's special. You can come and see Harry at anytime, and you can do things with him if you want,' Ducky declared.

'Why would you trust me with Harry's wellbeing?' Severus inquired incredulously.

'I trust you, Severus,' Ducky answered seriously. 'Besides, Kitty can locate Harry anywhere. She's attuned her powers to Harry's magical signature.'

Severus was silent.

'This is not a joke,' Ducky added.

'I know.'

There was something in Severus's voice that bothered Ducky. 'What's wrong, my Dear?' he inquired.

'I… I read your mind without telling you,' Severus explained.

'Did you? I felt absolutely nothing. You are really gifted,' Ducky praised him.

'I…' Severus began. He paused and decided to ask the question he really wanted to ask because he was many things, but a coward wasn't one of them. 'Do you really wish I were your son?' he said.

'Yes.'

'Why?' Severus asked incredulously.

'You are not an angel. You've made a lot of mistakes, but you've paid a dear price for them. Albus doesn't see how much he's hurt you, and I truly wish I could have protected you,' Ducky admitted.

'You're a Muggle, but your love was strong enough to activate a spell that allowed you to rescue Harry. I wasn't able to stop the Dark Lord and save Lily. I deserve what's happened to me,' Severus declared sadly.

'I loved Harry even before I saw him in his basket I think, but I'm just an old Muggle. I'll protect him until the day I die, but let's face it, I'm his old uncle. I'm even old enough to be his grandfather. You're old enough to be his father, and I'm old enough to be yours,' Ducky said.

'Why did you never marry?' Severus asked.

'Before I met Minerva, I've only been in love once. We were both young, both in the army; I came back, but she didn't,' Ducky explained.

Severus could relate.

'If you'd been my son…' Ducky started to say sadly.

Severus had not broken his connection with Ducky, and he read in Ducky's mind that the doctor would have fought for his son. Suddenly, the mere idea of a life where he wouldn't have been neglected, abused, and betrayed made Severus feel like crying again.

If Donald Mallard had been his father, then maybe he'd never have taken the Dark Mark, and maybe he wouldn't have lost Lily to Potter. Maybe she'd be alive.

In silence, one single tear rolled down Severus's cheek. He was grateful for the darkness.

'But I wasn't,' Severus said neutrally. He was proud that his voice didn't quake.

'It doesn't mean that we can't be friends,' Ducky said as he wiped Severus's tear away.

Severus didn't know what to think of this atypical Muggle.

"He may be an adult, but he needs a protector nearly as much as my Harry," Ducky thought.

He wrapped his arms around Severus, who didn't protest. He was too tired of everything, and he decided to give Ducky a chance – the old Muggle was like a light, and Severus had been shut in in cold darkness for too long.

.

(Next scene as soon as possible. It's typed and edited… I "just" need to format it for here)