Acknowledgement

Harry awoke to sunlight poking at his eyelids. With a groan, he rolled over and pulled a pillow over his head. He lay there a few minutes, savoring the warmth of his blankets. 'I could stay buried under here all day.' He thought, a small smile on his lips.

"Good morning, Harry." Dr. A's soft voice murmured close to his ear.

'Damn, that's not going to happen!' He thought as he answered her. "Good morning, Dr. A." He said as she pulled the pillow off his head and swatted him with it.

"Hey! No fair beating on the bedridden!" He yelped, laughing at her.

"You won't be there much longer, Harry." She assured him. "How are you feeling this morning after your first therapy session yesterday?"

"My legs are a little sore and my chest burns, but other than that, I feel great." He reported.

"Good." She smiled at him. "I want you out of this bed for a bit every day from now on." She told him.

"I think I'm ready." He said enthusiastically. "Could I sit in the chair for breakfast?" He asked eagerly.

"I think so, but we'll need to take things slowly for a while." She warned as he tossed his blankets aside. She put her left arm around his waist and took his right hand in hers as his feet touched the floor. He perched there on the edge of the bed, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead from the exertion.

"Are you ready?" She asked after he rested for a moment and he nodded. "Remember, use your legs." She cautioned.

Harry edged forward and shakily stood up. Juno had a firm grip on his hand and her arm around his waist steadied him as he stepped forward. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he inched his way the few feet to the chair next to his bedside table. He reached his destination after several minutes, a triumphant smile on his face.

"Fantastic, Harry!" Juno praised him. "How do you feel?" She asked, noting his flushed and sweating face.

"Shaky, but I'm okay." He reported as he wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve. She did a quick check of his vitals and nodded.

"Will you be all right here for a minute?" She asked.

"Sure." He nodded.

She rushed away to grab breakfast for the two of them. When she returned, he was settled comfortably in the chair and she pulled a table over and they enjoyed their breakfast. They discussed his therapy for the afternoon. She brought a basin of warm water and all he needed to prepare for the day and drew the curtains around him for privacy. When he finished, she could see it was too much. She called two orderlies and they quickly and carefully returned him to his freshly re-made bed. The cool sheets felt wonderful and he closed his eyes. Juno performed another quick examination and noted that he did indeed over-do it.

"I'm sorry, Harry." She told him. "That was just a bit too much all at once."

"No kidding." He agreed, weariness evident in his voice.

"Why don't you rest until Severus comes for your lessons?" She suggested.

His face hardened a bit, but then relaxed. "I think I will." He said, closing his eyes. He fell into a light sleep and Juno headed off in search of Severus.

She found him in his classroom, grading papers between classes.

"Good morning, Severus." She greeted him.

"Juno." He nodded sharply and returned to his work.

"I am here to give you an update on Harry." She said. "I thought it might help you judge his frame of mind a bit."

"Yes?" He said, indicating a chair for her to sit in. "How is he doing this morning?"

"He walked to his bedside chair, assisted, and ate breakfast there." She told him. "He then took care of his own toilet after breakfast."

"That is quite a lot considering his condition, isn't It?" He asked, somewhat alarmed.

"To be honest, it was a test." She told him. "I wanted to see if my suspicions were correct." She smiled.

"Your suspicions?" Severus questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Juno explained, "I was curious to see how determined he is with his recovery."

"I see." Severus commented. "And what did you learn?" He asked, a knowing smile on his face.

"He's a very stubborn, very determined young man." She told him. "And he has a nasty penchant for not admitting weakness." She added.

"I've known that for years." He told her. "And believe me, he doesn't get the traits from any strangers." He grinned at her.

"Well, he overextended himself." she told him. "He had to have help back to bed, he had to be carried actually and he's resting now." She said quietly.

"Is he all right?" Severus asked, concern in his voice.

"Yes, Severus, I think he'll be okay." She reassured him. Relief was evident on his face immediately and he relaxed.

"Should I cancel his lesson for today?" He queried.

"Is your lesson really complicated or involved?" She asked.

He smiled. "No, actually I decided last night to go easy on him today. I only planned on quizzing him over the chapter we just covered the other day." He told her.

She nodded. "How long do you feel it will take him?" She asked.

"Well, I would guess less than an hour." He said thoughtfully. "It is only fifty questions."

"Okay." She nodded, "Can you give him another hour to sleep before you come up?"

"Certainly." He replied. "His recovery is first and foremost for me as well, Juno."

"Thank you, Severus." She smiled. "I'll see you in an hour."

"Good-bye, Juno." He said, turning back to grading papers.

An hour later, the first thing he noticed as he entered the room, was his son and what he was doing. He had two physical therapists at his bedside. One was working with his legs, the other with his arms and upper body. Harry's face was strained. Sweat was pouring down his face, neck and torso. His hair was plastered to his head.

He looked up as Severus entered the room. "Okay guys." He said. "I've had it for now. Um…how about a short session at seven tonight?" He asked. They nod and start to pack away their equipment. One of them tossed him a towel. "Thanks!" He said as they left.

Father and son eyed each other warily.

"Good afternoon, Harry." Severus said tentatively.

"Professor." Harry said curtly.

Severus' mask slipped into place. 'So, this is how he wants to play it. Fine.' He thought to himself somewhat sadly.

"This afternoon I will quiz you." He announced, his sneer in place. He dropped the list of questions in Harry's lap and added, "You have forty-five minutes to answer all fifty questions; starting now." He said as he turned away with a smirk.

Harry scrambled for his ink, quill and parchment. He set to work, his own smirk firmly in place. 'I sure am glad I memorized this chapter!' He thought to himself. 'The bloody git!' In less than half an hour, he put down his quill and announced, "Finished, professor."

Severus picked up his parchment and scanned his answers. His eyes widened at how thorough the answers were. Every question had been answered so well that there was no doubt that Harry knew what he was talking about. He picked up Harry's quill, dipped it and wrote *100%* at the top of the page, as well as *10 points to Gryffindor* ~ as was practice, in his vow to treat Harry like any other student. He handed the paper to Harry and said, "Well done, Harry."

"Thank you, sir." Harry answered, secretly pleased with the praise. 'Not that I'd ever admit it to this sod!' He thought.

"Tomorrow, Harry, I will have you prepare one of the potions from this chapter. Your choice as to which one." Severus announced. After standing there for several moments with no comment from Harry, he said. "Well?"

"Well what?" Harry snapped.

"Which potion do you want to prepare?" Severus said slowly and sarcastically.

"Oh." Harry replied shortly, beginning to flip through the chapter. His eyes lit on one that would change your eye color and he asked, "Who is going to test it?"

"You will test your own potion, Mr.…Harry." He declared, angry at the slip-up when he saw the flash of hatred in Harry's eyes. "I'm sorry, Harry." He started to apologize, but Harry cut him off.

"Not a problem, it's the familiar, isn't it professor?" He sneered. "Old habits and all that."

"Harry…"

"Cut it! It doesn't matter!" Harry shouted. "I'll prepare this 'Siri Rolocerus Potion." He told him.

"Okay. What color?" Severus asked.

"Surprise me." Harry snapped, not looking at him.

"Very well." Severus acknowledged. "I'll see you at one o' clock tomorrow. I'll have your cauldron, ingredients and equipment brought here for you." Harry curtly nodded and laid his head back in exhaustion. Severus watched him for several moments before entering the office and settling in a chair across from Juno.

"Well, survived that one without getting hexed or cursed." He smiled grimly. "Things are looking up."

"Give him time, Severus." She said gently, a smile on her face.

"He was getting quite a workout when I arrived." He commented.

"Yes, he is trying to regain some of his strength in his muscles." She explained. "I want him out of bed every day now, so he needs to work on that."

"Just so long as he doesn't over-do it." He told her sharply. "He was pretty drained after that session just before."

"Severus, he is extremely weak." She explained. "That strain you saw was brought on after only a fifteen minute therapy session!"

"Fifteen minutes!" He said, dumbfounded. "Are you sure he should even be attempting this yet?" He asked.

"He'll be fine." She assured him. "He has to start somewhere, Severus. It looks like it's too much at the moment, but give him a week and you'll see a marked improvement."

He nodded and told her, "Did you know he told those two therapists to return this evening at seven?"

"No, I didn't." She said, looking up sharply. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea." She added.

"I'm not either, judging by the way he looks at the moment." He said, nodding in Harry's direction. She stood and looked out on the boy lying there. Harry was asleep again, a faint purple hue colored the tender flesh around his eyes. He looked drained, she had to admit.

"I'll cancel his 'date.'" She told Severus. "He'll take things too far if I don't step in."

"I'd appreciate that very much, thank you." He said, gratefully.

"Not a problem, Sev." She acknowledged. He raised an eyebrow at the pet name she used, one he hadn't heard in nearly twenty years.

"Well, I have to get going. I have a class in fifteen minutes." He announced. "This evening I need to gather up everything Harry will need for his lessons tomorrow. When I've finished, would you care to join me for a cup of tea?" He asked unexpectedly.

"I'd like that very much." She smiled at him.

"Will you be done here by eight o' clock?" He asked.

"Yes, I should be finished for the evening by then." She agreed.

"Very well. I'll see you then." He said as he closed the door on his way out. He paused near Harry and a sly grin formed on his face. He turned and left the ward, an almost happy spring in his step.

Harry awakened just before lunch, feeling much better, and decidedly hungry. Juno spent her time with him, happy to note that he had a proper teen-aged boy's appetite for once. He put his fork down, sighing contentedly and smiled at her. "I'm stuffed." He declared.

She smiled and said, "It's nice to see you with a decent appetite, Harry." Her face grew a bit more serious as she caught him eyeing the box that Severus had left by his bed. "Do you want to look in there, Harry?" She asked tentatively. "Are you ready?"

His face hardened and his eyes grew cold as he snarled, "What makes you think I want to see what's in there? I couldn't care less!"

"Harry, those are pieces of your past, just as much as they are Severus'." She admonished. "Your father…"

"My father is DEAD!" Harry shouted at her, his green eyes flashing dangerously.

"Harry…"

"Leave me alone!" He yelled at her, laying down, his back to her.

She rose from her seat and placed her hand on his shoulder. He jerked away from her, breaking contact. She didn't try to touch him again. After several minutes she said softly, "Okay, Harry, have it your way. When I join Severus later for tea, I'll return the box to him." She returned to her office.

Harry laid with his back turned, every line of his body was held rigidly in check. He was fuming again and a boiling rage was building in his chest. His eyes were squeezed shut and his teeth were ground together fighting with himself over whether he really wanted to give up that box yet. He hated to admit that he was rabidly curious about its contents, while at the same time dead-set against doing anything to give those around him hope that he was leaning toward accepting Snape as his father. He wasn't aware of how long he lay there seething about the box, but he was startled out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. His eyes flew open to settle on the smiling face of Hermione.

"Hi, Harry." She said happily. "Are you ready for today's lesson?"

"Sure." He said. "What is my torture for today?"

She scowled at him over her Arithmancy textbook and he shot her a cheeky grin.

"Well, you're certainly in a good mood!" She grinned back at him.

"Yeah, I feel pretty good today." He lied with false cheerfulness. "Check this out." He added, handing her his potion's quiz.

"Harry! 100% and ten points to our house!" She squeaked. "From Professor Snape?"

"Cool, huh?" He said smiling widely.

"Did he hit his head?" She asked, half seriously.

"No." Harry said, growing suddenly quiet.

"What's wrong?" She said, alarmed by this abrupt mood swing.

"Could you go and fetch Ron?" He asked. "I have something important to tell both of you." He explained.

"Sure, I'll be back as quick as I can." She said as she rushed from the ward. Harry reached over and pulled the box onto the bed and then lifted it onto his lap. He studied it intently, running his fingers over the carved surface. As he carefully opened it, Ron and Hermione appear and hurry over to see what he has.

"What's that, mate?" Ron asked, curiously.

Harry slammed the lid down and looked at his friends. "You both better sit down." He told them. "What I have to tell you is going to blow your minds." They pull chairs closer to the bed, expectant looks on their faces.

"I had a rather interesting encounter with Professor Snape last night." He told them. "I awoke to him sitting on my left, holding my hand."

"Holding your hand!" Ron blurted out.

"Yes." Harry said, and continued. "Dr. A. was sitting on my other side and also holding my hand.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"I'm getting to it." Harry said exasperated. "Sooner if you'd shush!"

"Sorry." Ron muttered and Harry continued.

"Anyway, he was talking as I woke up and he was saying something about he and I being cheated. So, of course, I asked him what he meant. He started to talk referring to me as 'Harry', not 'Potter' and alarm bells started to go off in my head." His friends just nodded, not wanting to interfere.

"He started by mentioning how I am aware, my being who I am, that sacrifices sometimes had to be made to keep those we love safe." He paused, reaching for his glass of water on the table. After taking a drink, he continued. "When he started to talk that way, I thought he was going to tell me that I had to go back to the Dursley's. So I felt panic washing over me, but Dr. A. reassured me that I was safe." He told them. Hermione nodded and put her hand on his.

"He started talking to me about his being a Death Eater and why. I was thoroughly confused, but he was obviously leading somewhere, so I followed. He told me that, well, basically, my whole life, as I knew it, was a lie."

"What?" Ron blurted out. "What do you mean a lie?"

"Ron, shush!" Hermione scolded.

Harry put a hand up to quiet them. "He told me that the only truth to the whole story other than the attacks and the deaths, was that Lily Evans was my mother. He told me that James Potter wasn't my father. He was actually my real father's best friend and was trying to protect my real father, mum and me from Voldemort." Harry said in a rush, trying to get through what he must.

"Who is or was your father, then, Harry?" Hermione asked cautiously, sensing that Harry was extremely upset.

His answer was one word…"Snape."

Ron jumped to his feet. "Bloody hell!" He shouted. Hermione's hand flew to her face.

"How did he explain it? Does he have proof, Harry?" She asked in a near whisper. With that, Harry lifted the lid on the box. The legal papers rested on top of the contents of the box. He took them out. He handed over the Marriage Certificate to Hermione and Ron looked over her shoulder. Shock was evident on both their faces.

"Witnesses, Sirius Black and James Potter? Oh, Harry!" Hermione cried.

"Oh that's not all! Take a look at this!" He said, handing over his Birth Certificate.

"Sirius James Snape?" Ron read aloud, incredulously. "Your name isn't even 'Harry'?" He asked dumbstruck.

"Nope. My whole identity is a lie. My father has forced me into hating him. My family thinks I'm a freak. My uncle tried to kill me. Voldemort wants me dead! Anyone want to trade lives with me?" He nearly shouted.

"Harry." Hermione said quietly, immediately getting his attention and calming him. "We'll help you sort this all out. We're here for you." She vowed, rising to her feet. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him. "I will always be here for you, Harry." She promised.

Ron had hurried around to the other side of the bed. Wrapping his arms around Harry and Hermione, he vowed as well. "Yes, Harry, you'll always have 'Mione and me, mate. We love you and we'll help you get through it."

The three friends held their pose for several long moments, not realizing that they had an audience. Dr. Juno Aesculapius, stood in the doorway of her office, tears streaming down her face at the display of love and devotion before her.

Harry was the first to break contact. His friends immediately stood and smiled at each other. Hermione's gaze fell to the box.

"What's this?" She asked reaching in and pulling out the baby robes and booties.

"Snape said this box held his few remaining precious mementos." Harry explained.

Hermione drew her breath in sharply, "You don't suppose these are your booties and robes, do you?" She asked, somewhat thrilled.

"I don't know." Harry whispered. "I was so angry and upset, he left without telling me any more about it."

Hermione nodded, distractedly. She was rummaging around in the box, curiosity getting the better of her. "Harry, have you looked at what's in here?" She asked, suddenly.

"No." He answered shortly. "I wasn't ready yet."

"Oh." She said, removing her hands from the box and biting her lip. "I'm sorry, I'm being a bit nosy, aren't I?" She apologized.

"It's okay." He told her. With a huge sigh, he added, "I suppose I should look at it all. He was trusting enough to leave it for me."

"If you aren't ready, Harry, don't do it." She rushed to caution him.

"As long as you two are here, I can handle it just fine." He said, smiling faintly. Juno's hand flew to her mouth and she quickly and quietly returned to her office to leave them in peace.

Hermione and Ron returned to their seats as Harry laid aside the baby outfit and reached into the box. He removed the locket and opened it. His mother, he recognized immediately. The smiling young man must be Snape, but Harry couldn't remember ever seeing him look remotely that happy. The tiny baby in the other half he could only assume was himself. After studying it for a few moments, he passed it to his friends. Next out of the box was the tiny envelope with his hair. He was puzzled by it, but when he held it up, Hermione said, "First haircut." At his raised eyebrow, she explained further. "It's tradition, Harry, just a sentimental thing, really, for fathers to take their sons for their first haircut and save a lock of the hair."

"Oh, I see." He commented. He passed it over to her. She plucked it out of the envelope and stroked it softly. She then reached up and touched Harry's hair. He looked at her funny and she said, "Just comparing."

"Why?" He asked.

"I don't know." She laughed. "It's just something you do, I guess."

Ron reached over and rubbed a lock of Harry's hair between his fingers and then did the same with the clipping and shrugged. Harry followed suit. "Kinda feels the same, doesn't it?" He remarked.

"Yes, I thought so too." Hermione agreed and Ron nodded his head.

The next few items out of the box were typical baby things; a Nuk (pacifier), a rattle, a small teddy bear with a pointed wizard hat on it's head and a wand in it's paw. Harry lay all these things aside. He reached in and took a small velvet box out. His heart pounded rapidly as he recognized what it was. He opened it slowly. Nestled inside was a beautiful diamond and emerald ring and two ornately etched wedding bands. He took the larger band out and held it up to the light. Inside he saw the date and their initials. He was a bit rattled at this additional evidence to the claim that Professor Snape was making. 'If he's lying to me for some sick reason, he sure is going to great lengths to do it.' Harry thought to himself. He started to try the ring on, realized what he was doing and stopped. He put it in the box and passed it to his friends as he reached into the box for more.

Next out was the photo album. Harry sat straighter in the bed, folded his legs 'Indian-style' and propped the book in his lap. He patted the bed inviting his friends to join him. After they were settled, they studied every picture. Harry recognized everyone. He felt his life took place in an alternate universe. These pictures were nearly identical to the ones Hagrid had assembled for him that first year. Harry wondered if everyone had been lying to him all these years. It made him rather uneasy. There were wedding pictures, baby pictures, pictures of the Marauders. Everyone looked so happy. Harry felt a new surge of hatred toward Voldemort. It seemed he had destroyed Sirius Snape's life just as he had Harry Potter's. 'For that he will pay!' Harry thought savagely.

All that was left in the box now appeared to be a bundle of letters tied with a Slytherin green ribbon. Harry slowly lifted them from the box. They all were addressed to Professor Snape in an elegant hand. Curiosity building, Harry untied the ribbon and took the first letter from the stack. His hands shook as he opened it and pulled out the single sheet of parchment.

'My darling Sev,

I hate this forced exile. I miss you terribly. Siri does too, I can tell. His

cries are different when he is looking for his 'Da'. James is being so wonderful

to us both, a better friend you couldn't ask for. I wish you were here. You are

missing so many of Siri's 'firsts'. He's walking now, did I tell you?

Can you come home? Even just for a short while? We need you so

much, Sev. Could we even meet at the school? Professor Dumbledore might

be able to arrange that, if you could manage to slip away. Please try!

Miss you, Love you, Need you, Want you,

Yours, Lils

Harry stared at the words. He studied the watery-looking blurbs where his mother's tears had fallen. "Oh God!" was all he could say as tears welled up in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.