Disclaimer: I own nothing; I make no money from it, etc…

"Harry!" Hermione and Ron screamed at the same time while rushing over to meet their friend. "Why is he following you around, Harry, can't we even have privacy?" Hermione whispered in Harry's ear as they hugged. "Well, I'll explain that, but first tell me how everything is going at Headquarters? Has Voldemort surfaced? What's happening?"

"How about over lunch? I'm starving!" Ron whined.

As they sat in the great hall eating the lunch that the house elves had prepared, Hermione updated Harry on what she knew about the situation. "Of course, they don't tell us much since we aren't members of the order," she said mockingly "but we do know that Voldemort has kept fairly quiet lately." Harry thought, 'Well, that would explain why I haven't been having dreams. I know I'm not that good at Occlumency.' "I think that it's because he's trying to figure out why you weren't killed at the Ministry." 'Wouldn't we both like to know' said Harry. "There is talk at the Headquarters about rounding up some house-elves for our side. I think it's partly because of my S.P.E.W. They are beginning to take me seriously." Hermione said proudly.

"I think it has nothing to do with your spew, Hermione." Ron said.

"Ron, it's not spew it's S.. P.. E.. W.. for the thousandth time." Hermione proclaimed.

As Harry listened to them banter back and forth, he was glad for at least this little bit of normalcy in his unbelievably upside-down life.

"So tell me what's going on this summer with you? Why have you been so conspicuously silent?" Hermione said eagerly. At this Snape excused himself from the table. "Well, now that I am done eating, I think that I will leave you children to talk, excuse me."

As Harry started from the beginning with the prophecy and moved on to the more recent news he received, he saw that their eyes got rounder and rounder. 'If this weren't so serious, it would almost be hilarious' thought Harry sadly.

"Oh Harry," Hermione exclaimed at the end of his news. "You know that we are behind you 100 percent. We'll help you train to defeat Voldemort. And about Professor Snape, you know he's not all-bad Harry. I'm sure it will turn out for the best."

"Yeah, mate, we'll get you-know-who if it's the last thing we do." Said Ron adding his sentiments.

"Thanks guys, it makes me feel better just knowing that you know." Harry said. "I almost forgot, Professor Snape put a charm on me so that you don't see me like I really am. It's for our protection. 'You may now see me as I truly am – Severus Snape's Son.'"

At that Ron and Hermione let out a collective gasp at just how much he had changed. "No wonder he had to hide you, Harry. You look just like him! I wonder… oh never mind!" Hermione said. Ron on the other hand was just too speechless to talk. Harry knowing how much he hated Professor Snape knew it would take some time to adjust. "Now, let me show you what Professor Snape gave me for my birthday!"

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Over the next few days, Harry played wizarding chess with Hermione and Ron and had long talks about Voldemort, Professor Snape, and the deatheaters. When they departed Harry was almost glad that he could have some time to himself. The first thing Harry did was find a mirror to examine exactly how much he had changed. 'The changes should be complete by now.' Harry thought to himself. As he looked in the mirror he saw the same hair as Professor Snape although it was not quite as greasy. His eyes, he noticed had turned a dark shade of gray – exactly the same as Professor Snape's. His nose he seemed to have inherited from his mother; for which he was thankful. His cheekbones were quite a bit higher than before and he had grown several inches. All in all he seemed to be a perfect mix between mother and father. 'Well, I guess this isn't too bad.' He thought. 'I just still can't get over that James Potter is my father.' Harry decided that he needed to go and talk to Professor Snape as he had some more questions.

"Professor Snape, I had a few questions that I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering," Harry asked timidly.

"First things First Harry, if you are my son you need to start acting like it. Confidence! Approach everything with confidence! If you don't know what you are talking about, act with confidence and no one will know. Now what is it you wanted to ask me?"

"Well, I guess the first thing I want to know is what should I call you?" Harry asked a little more boldly this time.

"Well, during classes of course, you must still call me Professor Snape. As to any times that we are alone, I don't think that it would be appropriate for you to call me father yet. How about if you just call me sir? Yes, yes, I think that sounds about right."

"Yes, sir. The other thing was this… I know Dumbledore mentioned that I might have some changes in my powers. Is there any way that I can find out exactly what my strengths and weakness lie?"

"As a matter of fact, I was going to suggest that very thing to you. There is a potion, however, I think the best way to go about that we be for me to test you on some things in each of your subjects. I will give you a few transfigurations, some charms, we can try and brew a difficult potion, and we will test you in some defense spells."

As the day wore on and Professor Snape tested Harry, he found out that not much had changed. He did notice however that he seemed to have improved in all of the subject areas. Potions of course, he was greatly improved at, but that seemed to make sense, as Professor Snape was his father.

"Very good, Harry! All in all, I believe that you have improved in everything. It seems that the charm actually diminished your magical powers. There are a few obscure things that I would like to test you for Harry. There are a few things that have been in my family in generations past. First, I want you to try a simple spell, but instead of saying the words aloud, speak them only in your mind. Wave your wand as you typically would. For example, let's try 'Accio pillow'" said the Professor as he pulled out a pillow in of course the colors green and silver.

'Okay,' Harry thought. 'This is a little weird, but I suppose it's worth a try. Accio Pillow.' Said Harry with great concentration. Amazing enough the pillow flew straight into his out-stretched hand. Harry just looked at in shock.

"I sort of figured that, Harry. This is a very useful form of magic. It may be very helpful in defeating the dark side. Very well, I believe that shows us everything we need to know. You know Harry, I know you are confused by the changes taking place, but I believe that you are the same person that you have always been. I see much of Lily in you. She was extremely brave and was the only one I know who could have stood up to Voldemort in the way that she did. Looking at you makes me think so much of her." Professor Snape said on a surprisingly emotional note. "Well, the day draws to a close. Come let's eat some dinner and then it's time for bed. I believe that your owl results arrive tomorrow and then we must make our way to Diagon Alley to buy your books. There's only one more week before the start of the term."

Harry thought about how quickly the summer had passed for him. It turned out to be more amazing then he thought possible. Harry now had a new look, new powers, stronger magic, and a new father who was actually being surprisingly nice to him. Harry wondered if he might be able to rival Hermione's position in the class now. He grinned at this thought.