Thanks: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter: SeparatriX, starangel2106, Adrienne Drusilla Daae, Athenakitty, Kateri1, xikum, HecateDemort, Pure Black, Starr Light1, Jedi Buttercup, Thirteen Ravens, Nimohtar

Adrienne Drusilla Daae-Glad you liked the Remus/Tonks stuff. It wasn't planned, but it will be coming back into the plot later on. Rosemary will be in the next chapter and a lot of the info involving how she knows this, how she got involved in this, etc will come out. Will Harry be changing his name? Yes, if the plot I'm planning stays as is. How will I handle that? I think how you said in your review. I'll try to not make it that confusing. Any advice (from you or anyone else who has an opinion) would be appreciated of course.

xikum- Yup. Backstory will be coming up (not this chapter though) and hopefully Harry and the reader ;) will understand things better.

Snape's gaze was fixed on the boy that was curled up in a chair sleeping, a side effect of being so emotionally distraught and the calming potion he had taken a few moments earlier. He looked young for 16; like a small child that had cried himself to sleep. Severus still had a hard time believing Harry was his son. It was more than just his resemblance to James that made it so difficult to swallow. There was also his impulsive Gryffindor behavior, his absolute ineptitude in potions, plus the boy had made it no secret that he hated the Potions Master with a passion. Snape found he was both relieved and a little embarrassed that Potter would act so negatively to the idea that he could be his father.

"You seemed a little detached in there," Dumbledore said softly.

"And you weren't?"

"Yes, but in a different way." Dumbledore paused and studied him through his half moon spectacles. "Perhaps talking about it would be helpful?"

"As fond as you are of these heart to hearts don't you think even you have had enough today? Or would you enjoy seeing more pain?" Snape muttered.

"It's the people I have the 'heart to hearts' with I'm fond of, Severus, not seeing those people in pain. And don't look so surprised. Surely, by now you understand I-"

Snape waved him to stop and pursed his lips tightly. "Always the champion for the lost and emotional damaged."

"They're the ones that need the most care."

"I'm not your charity," Snape snapped.

"No, you're not, but over the years, you've become like a son to me," Dumbledore said sincerely.

Snape looked away quickly.

"Seems somehow fitting," Dumbledore continued, "that the other child I felt that for would be your flesh and blood. What I said to Harry goes for you as well, give it a try."

Snape huffed. "I'm not the fathering sort. Potter would have been better off if it had been Crabbe or Goyle with whom Lily had a tryst with. Maybe even both," he smirked.

Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You've never spoken so lightly of what you and Lily shared before."

"It's time I put that in the past."

"You?" he said, somewhat incredulously. "Putting something in the past? I'm amazed." Dumbledore's eyes sparkled. "And very convenient too, that it would happen at such a time."

Snape glared. "Any word when we'll be able to speak to the woman?"

"Rosemary will be facing a panel at the Ministry of Magic in the next day or so. They want to discuss her unwillingness to disclose things to them." He smiled. "It will be a perfect opportunity for us to meet with her."

"Good, I want this done with." Snape pinched the bridge of his nose nervously.

"Severus, responsibility of having a child doesn't end in a day."

Snape frowned. "And what would you have me do? Neither of us care for the other in any manner. You saw the fit he threw."

"Harry has a lot of anger in him," Dumbledore said sadly. "I must admit a large part of that is my fault. His resentment would not nearly had been as consuming had it not been for his years with the Dursley's. Those years alone scarred him and since then his fury has only grown."

This did not shock Snape. The glimpses he'd of Potter's past through Occlumency indicated an unhappy youth. It hadn't been what he had pictured when Potter walked into his class his first year. Snape had just assumed that Potter's past was just like his father's, pampered with doting parents, or in Harry's case, relatives at his beck and call. Now he realized that Potter's youth was indeed like his father's… he had just gotten the identity of the father wrong.

"As I can tell," Snape replied. "I seem to be the focus of much of that anger."

"Are you surprised?"

Snape paused briefly before answering. "No, though I never believed the consequences of alienating the boy would be what they are."

"Do you regret it?"

The side of Snape's mouth twitched. Wouldn't be the first thing I regretted, he thought. "He'd be better off without my presence in his life, without a parent who can't stand the sight of him. I will not add to his anger issues more than I already have."

"Is that what this is about? Are you afraid of being like your father?"

"I said nothing of my father," Snape spat, "and I could never be like him anyway. Potter has no expectations of me and it will remain that way."

Snape realized that now, in a small way, he was just like his father and he loathed the fact. He had spent the last seventeen years trying to be as little like his father as he could manage. True, they were both considered unpleasant, but at least he was so in a totally different respect than his father was. He almost had a perverse urge to start being nice to Potter because it was something his father would never do.

Almost.

Harry was startled awake by a sound across the room. He must have dozed off for a minute because Dumbledore and Snape were talking rather heatedly. Dumbledore was saying something about the responsibility of being a father. Harry almost laughed at the absurdity of Snape trying to be a father to him. That was until they began discussing a subject far more personal to him, his feelings or as they phrased it, his anger issues.

Oh is that so?" he fumed. If only they knew the anger I was feeling right now.

Harry ground his teeth and resisted the urge to jump up and yell at them for daring to speak about him 'behind his back'. He stilled his body and stifled his breath as if any move may uncover the dishonesty of his eavesdropping. He wanted to know, not assume like Snape and Dumbledore were doing, what they truly felt about this subject. Snape had no desire to have anything to do with him, it seemed. Harry wasn't shocked, but he found himself surprisingly bitter.

Typical, he thought. Why would someone actually related to me, want to have anything to do with me?

"Are you sure that is what you want, Severus?" Dumbledore asked him referring to the idea that Snape would not allow Harry to have any expectations of him. "I regret little of my personal life. It has been pleasant enough, but one thing I do look back upon with regret is never taking time to marry and have children; to have a normal life." Dumbledore sighed. "I'm 152 years old. You'd figure I would manage to fit that in there somewhere, but I never did. Maybe that is why I'm pushing for this so much. I'd hate for you do the same. Especially now that you have an opportunity that I would have loved to have had for myself."

Harry felt a dull ache in his heart. It was odd thinking of Dumbledore on that level. Harry had always wanted a normal life, but Dumbledore? He always seemed so beyond all that. The man had lived a long life in which he had done many great things. He had touched so many lives and was thought to be the greatest wizard of his time; he had done all that and yet he still wanted something so simple.

"I don't know what I want," Snape said. "And if I did, I don't know if it would actually matter."

"What is it?" Dumbledore asked gently.

Snape laughed oddly. "What I want, I suppose, was what I saw in the mirror…" His voice sounded so vulnerable, Harry had a hard time believing it was even the horrible potions master he had grown to loathe. "But it's not like I could ever have that. It's why I despised those visions so much, just as I despised James. He always had what I wanted. In those visions, I had everything I ever wanted, at least what I wanted when I was younger."

Harry remembered his vision clearly. Snape had almost seemed human then. Harry sort of felt like that about him now too. He felt bad for Snape somewhat and that left him confused.

"It's not entirely too late," Dumbledore whispered.

"Isn't it? I'm used to coveting; never having. If I ever achieved something I wanted, I'd likely not know what to do with myself. All that is dead now anyway, it all died with Lily."

"Harry isn't dead."

"He might as well be."

Harry felt his face redden with rage at the statement.

"If you continue thinking like that, then yes."

"What the hell is that supposed mean?" Harry shouted before he realized he had done so.

Both men appeared startled and looked at him with wide eyes.

Dumbledore recovered first and took a few steps towards Harry, who was now sitting up.

"It means if the two of you don't try to work things out then you finding out that you're related will mean nothing. Everything happens for a reason and nothing positive can come from this is you don't try. I believe, I told you both that earlier." Dumbledore let his troubled gaze shift between Harry and Severus, finally letting it come to rest on Harry.

"Oh," Harry said, though he still felt suspicious and wondered if Dumbledore was telling the truth.

Snape wore a smug annoyed look on his face. "You might wish to inform people you've awaken instead of listening in on private conversations."

"Couldn't be that private if you had it with me in the room." Harry's face took on an expression that rivaled Snape's for smugness.

Snape scowled. Harry bet Snape wished it was during the school year so he could take a hundred points away from Gryffindor for his rudeness.

Harry couldn't help himself. He gave a small cheeky smile.

Harry strolled slowly through the halls of Hogwarts. He needed time by himself and knew this was the only way he'd get it even though Lupin would be expecting him soon. If Lupin asked Harry why it took so long for him to get back from Dumbledore's office he'd simply say he lost his way. It wasn't that unbelievable given their current residence in an unfamiliar part of the castle.

Physically, Harry felt worn and tired, but emotionally he felt wide awake. He was awash in emotions, each drastically different than the last. This all was a bit too much to handle even for Harry who had suffered so much in his short life.

Dumbledore had asked where Harry wanted to spend the night. Snape had tensed, but didn't seem otherwise put off by the question.

Harry had told them with Lupin and did his best to ignore the disappointment in Dumbledore's eyes. He'd do what he wanted and in his own time. He was disturbed enough at the fact that the conversation between Dumbledore and Snape had made him consider the possibly that he and Snape may be able to be on semi friendly terms someday. It seemed even more wrong than him turning out to be Snape's son.

They had agreed to talk further on the subject tomorrow or at least Dumbledore and Snape had. Harry had just shrugged in a 'whatever you want' fashion. He knew whatever they wanted was exactly what would end up happening and he didn't feel like pretending otherwise.

Reaching the set of rooms at last, Harry sighed and knocked on the door. Lupin answered with a confused look on his face, until he saw it was Harry.

"You don't have to knock you know."

"I didn't know if you and Tonks were… err… busy."

Lupin laughed, gave Harry an astonished look, and moved out of the way so he could enter.

"Hey, Harry," Tonks said from across the room.

Harry waved unenthusiastically and laid down onto the sofa. Cuddling into the cushion, he closed his eyes, hoping they'd leave him alone.

Harry heard rustling and whispering across the room for a few seconds before Tonks said, "I better go. Tomorrow is double shift between the Order and the Ministry."

"Bye," Harry said, without opening his eyes.

Harry heard the door close and Lupin walk back over to him.

"What's wrong Harry?" Lupin asked worried.

"Nothing," Harry lied. Harry opened his eyes, which still stung a little from crying. He was sure they were red.

Lupin was seated in a chair beside him. His head was tilted to show he wasn't buying it.

"I can't tell you, all right?" Harry wanted to yet he didn't. He was confused about that like everything else. Lupin had always been so understanding, but would he be this time? Plus he had been told not to. What could Dumbledore and Snape really do to me if I did? He wondered. They needed him far more than he needed them.

Lupin nodded yet still appeared worried. "Come on," he said encouragingly. "We'll settle down for the evening. I'm sure we could find something for us to do. I found an old chess board laying around. Would you like to play?"

Harry really didn't, but nodded anyway not wanting to worry Lupin more then he already had.

The evening was filled with plenty of tea and numerous games of chess. Lupin won them all, but spent his time patiently explaining the game to Harry in a way that Ron had never bothered. He found Lupin was a great teacher no matter the subject and Harry couldn't wait to try out all the tips he had been given next time he and Ron played.

Finally, Lupin got up and stretched. "Time for bed. It was awful of me to keep you up this late. Half the night is already gone."

"Doesn't matter," Harry said. And it really didn't. If left to his own devices, Harry wouldn't have been sleeping anyway.

Harry watched as Lupin began straightening up their mess and smiled, wishing the evening didn't have to end. "Why couldn't it have been him?" Harry muttered under his breath and sighed sadly. He would have made a great father.

Suddenly, Lupin wildly whirled back around and stared at him in shock. The pain in his eyes was so intense, Harry couldn't help noticing. Without saying anything he went back to cleaning up after the two, though now his movements were stiff.

In took a minute before Harry realized. "Oh no! I didn't mean…" Harry's eyes pleaded with Lupin, hoping he'd understand.

"Goodnight, Harry" Lupin said softly.

"You don't believe me?"

"I understand. It's getting late."

Harry stomach dropped. He prayed Lupin really did believe him. He missed Sirius and the dreams of being cared for that came with him, but Harry wouldn't have sacrificed Lupin in Sirius' place.

As he closed the door, he heard Lupin whisper, "Sometimes I wish it had been me too."

Last night had hurt, Lupin couldn't deny that, but he didn't blame Harry. As much as Lupin wanted to, he knew he could never take Sirius' place. Harry had lost so much. All he wanted Harry to know was that someone was there for him to take care of him whenever needed. The boy deserved that much even if it came from a werewolf. He also had to admit there was that ever present selfish desire of his to be liked that followed him everywhere he went. To be everyone's favorite whether it be teacher, friend, mentor; it was his failing and he would not punish Harry for it.

Lupin had thought the two had started to bond. Maybe that is what made this all the worse. Last night had gone so well and it was his own fault really. He had no right to expect a close relationship with the boy so he would remain silent on the subject. Harry had enough to deal with these days and adding guilt over his own incomprehensible wishes was the last thing Lupin was about to do.

It was a rapid knock at the door that finally dragged Lupin out of his brooding. It was too early for Harry to leave, he figured, it had to be something else.

"Minerva," he greeted.

"Hello, Remus," she said stepping into the room. She spotted Harry who was groggily shuffling out of the bedroom and suffering from a bad case of bed hair. "Hello, Potter. It's a little late in the afternoon to just being waking up, don't you think?"

"Err, yeah," Harry muttered, slipping sleepily onto the sofa.

"What can I do for you?" Lupin asked McGonagall, taking the focus off of Harry.

"I've come by to drop this off."

She handed him a bag, which upon opening, Lupin found was filled to the brim with notebooks and files. Pulling a few out he placed them on the table. Hearing a sudden thump of paper, he looked back to the bag. It appeared as none had been taken out. He repeated the act several times. Each time the results were the same.

"They're notes from Umbridge's classes." She gave a rare smile. "I was afraid they'd kill any owl that tried to carry it. I'm sure Potter's file alone could accomplish as much."

Lupin was still placing books on a table. His eyes had gone wide at the amount.

"I'm doubtful as to how useful they are, but Albus felt you should have them."

"Yes, thank you. I'll look them over."

"Mind you, I'd only take them with a grain of salt. Her comments have little to do with ability. Why she gave Potter the lowest marks of his class…" Lupin glanced over to Harry who was cringing. "…but he received top marks on his OWL. Speaking of which," she said taking an envelope from her robes, "here you are, Potter."

Harry got up and took the envelope from his head of house. He turned it over nervously in his hands before placing it aside.

"Aren't you going to open it?" McGonagall asked Harry.

"Err, no. Not now."

"Than I'd just like to say that you did well where it mattered." She frowned. "Though you came a bit short in achieving your goal to be an Auror."

Harry made no comment and was now helping Lupin lay the books out on the table.

Minerva sniffed at being ignored. "If you decide you'd wish to talk about it over the summer break, just let me know."

"All right." Harry replied, never looking up from his task.

She gave an inquiring look towards Lupin, who gave a sad smile. She nodded with understanding. "I should be going. I have things to do before the gathering. Will you be there?"

"Yes, I'm going to headquarters once Harry leaves." Lupin noticed Harry was now paying close attention to what they were saying, but trying to not make it that obvious. Lupin didn't blame him for caring about what was happening with the Order more than his OWLs. His life and the life's of others depended on it, but Lupin wished Harry would realize that what happened with his life after the war depended on what was on that piece of paper.

"Return it this evening," McGonagall said gesturing towards the bag as she left.

"What was that about?" Harry asked innocently once they were alone.

"Order business. I don't think there would be harm in saying that we're looking at possible recruits. It takes time. Spies at even lower levels can do harm so you'll be spending tonight with someone else." Lupin gazed at the massive pile of books and files now occupying the table. "This is ridiculous," he sighed. "We should have kept the books in the bag until I looked some of them over."

"Want me to stop taking them out?"

"Yeah, I'll finish. You need to go get ready. The headmaster wants you ready in an hour."

"Oh," is all Harry said before putting a book down and heading off to the bathroom.

Lupin found there hadn't been many books left when he went to finish emptying the bag out. Picking a random file he slumped into a chair and began reading what Umbridge had to say about 'her' students.

"This is an outrage!" Lupin roared as Harry emerged from the bathroom, hair still wet.

"What?" Harry walked over, wiping his glasses on his shirt and putting them back on.

"These files, they have little to do with school work. I have no idea how they even got that woman to hand these over."

"Maybe someone snuck up on her, did click-clocking noises and she dropped them and ran." Harry demonstrated the scene with a smirk.

Lupin smiled. He had heard of that awful Umbridge's run in with the Centaurs. "Maybe. I'll have to ask Professor McGonagall when I see her this evening. I'll let you know."

"So if they're not about school work, what are they about?"

"Lets see. According to Umbridge this girl is a half blood, possible half breed, vampire. It says she is pale, has never been seen outside and was once seen sucking the blood off her finger from a cut."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Real proof."

"Her parents claim to be neutral, but she suspects them of being in league with Dumbledore as if that were a crime."

"Why would she think that?" Harry broke in.

"Their daughter was overheard saying and I quote 'Fudge is a nutter.'"

"Sounds like Ron."

"You laugh, but it's not as funny as one might think. I'd bet you anything that this information is being used to create a blacklist. They are spying on people through their kids, making lists of those they deem dangerous."

"Isn't that what we're doing to the Death Eaters kids? Ron said-"

"That's different."

"How?"

"They are known dark wizards. These are just common people minding their own business and hoping for the best education for their daughter." Lupin sighed, much like his parents wanted for him. "I wonder how much of this made it's way to the Ministry. We knew they were keeping records on the teachers, but not this."

In the distance, a tolling bell could be heard. "It's time for you to be going. I'll see you in a day or two."

"All right," Harry said grabbing his stuff. "Bye."

"Don't forget your letter!"

Harry snatched his letter off the table, waved and exited the room.

Harry never got any further than the living room of Snape's house. It was decent in size and had a dark, lackluster quality to it. The room was basically bare except for a few pieces of well worn furniture. Harry was surprised to find there were no books present in the room. Somehow he figured that every room of Snape's home would contain shelves filled with books, just like his Hogwarts rooms did. A small table was set up for dinner, which Harry found odd, but Snape said he rarely entertained guests. From what Harry gathered Snape stuck to a few rooms and left most of the house untouched, the room they were in included.

Harry kept to himself during dinner giving short comments whenever spoken to. Snape and Dumbledore talked about the current state of affairs mostly, something Harry realized he knew little of, and from time to time Harry picked up vague statements he knew were Order related.

It was after dinner, when the table had been taken away and they were all seated for the after dinner conversation that Dumbledore had really brought him into their discussions. "So what do you think of our Potion Master's home, Harry?"

"Never thought I'd be in this house," he said flippantly. That reminded Harry of something Snape had only said a few days prior. He turned to Snape. "You said no Potter would ever step foot into it."

Snape gave him a peculiar expression. "What I said then still stands now."

"Yeah, since there aren't any 'true' Potters left," Harry spoke bitterly and glared. "But what does that matter? You meant me when you said that."

"All the old families are dying out. Soon, perhaps with in two or three generations, there will be none left. They don't have enough people left to marry. One would think they'd realize that when they preach their ideals." Dumbledore's voice betrayed the fatigue that he did not allow to show on his face.

Harry knew that Dumbledore meant the purebloods, the Death Eaters. It didn't take a genius to realize why Dumbledore had changed the subject. He and Snape most likely thought Harry was picking for a fight, maybe he was. Dumbledore's talk had diffused the situation somewhat, but had left Snape appearing very uncomfortable and the three of them in an agonizing silence.

"Have you gotten your OWL results yet, Harry?" Dumbledore inquired, breaking the silence.

"Yeah."

Both men's eyes were on him. Harry knew they were waiting for him to say more. "I haven't actually looked at them yet," he said sheepishly.

"Why don't you open them now than? Do you mind, Severus?"

"Why would I?"

The question remained unanswered as Harry took the envelope from his robes and nervously turned it over in his hands, studying the Hogwarts seal. Slowly, he ran his finger along the edge, breaking it and unfolding the sheets within.

"About what I expected," he muttered at last.

Glancing up, Harry knew his remark didn't satisfy the man so rather than explaining, he handed the letter over to him. Dumbledore's eyes gazed leisurely over the parchment, leaving Harry with an anxious feeling inside. Snape, in the meantime, was quietly sipping his tea and seemingly minding his own business. Although Harry noticed that he was looking at the letter from the corner of his eye the entire time. He suspected that Snape was dying to know it's contents. Finally, Dumbledore folded the letter up and moved as if he was going to hand it back when he stopped.

"I think that the Professor here would like to know how you did as well." Dumbledore eyes twinkled while Snape's face remained neutral. "It wouldn't be fair to leave him out of the conversation now would it?" Dumbledore smiled cheerfully.

"Fine," Harry said resentfully, resisting the urge to snatch the letter back. He had worried about Dumbledore's opinion, one which he had yet to get, but Snape's impression somehow bothered him more on so many different levels. First, the man was bound to be critical of anything he saw there, it was in his very nature. Second, Dumbledore wouldn't have dreamt of asking Harry if Snape could see the letter had it not been for a certain revelation that had been made a few days beforehand. Third, looking at the letter seemed to be Snape embracing what it meant to be a parent, even in a small way. That scared Harry a bit. Maybe, he told himself, Snape is just using his new position to his advantage and doesn't care about his results for any reason other than to make a few snide remarks. That would be a relief, he told himself.

Upon being handed the letter, Snape's eyes drifted down towards the middle of the page. Harry figured he wanted to know his potion's grade first. He would if he were in Snape's place. The anxiety of that moment was far worse than Harry could have ever imaged it would be and he cursed himself for caring. And of course Snape's face remained motionless. He had no idea what the man was thinking.

With what resembled a grunt, Snape handed the letter back to him.

It was Dumbledore again who was first to speak. "You did well, Harry."

"I suppose, though I failed three subjects." Astronomy, Divination and History of Magic were a wash. At least, he repeated to himself for what must have been the millionth time, he'd not have to take them any longer.

"Yes, but you did well enough in the rest of the subjects and now we have a basis for any plans we may form."

Harry didn't have a clue what Dumbledore meant by that, but Snape flinched.

"What?" He asked confused.

"The headmaster believes we may be able to use our… relationship to our advantage." There was a long drawn out pause before Snape continued, "We believe that the spell that was placed on you won't last."

Harry yanked subconsciously at his hair, which hadn't felt the same since the night of the attack. "How long?"

"It's hard to tell."

"So you don't know?"

"No," Snape stated simply.

"By this time tomorrow, I hope we will have all the answers we need," Dumbledore interjected.

Tomorrow they would be seeing Rosemary.

End of chapter 6

Don't worry. You'll find out how Harry did on all his OWLs in a chapter or two (more likely two). Anyway, hope you liked it. Thanks for reading.