Chapter Eight: A Secret and School:
Harry was trying to read, the key word was trying as Sirius was bound and determined to get him back for getting him back for his prank earlier that week. Marge was seated by Dudley who was playing with Crookshanks and settling into the magical house with ease. Sirius entered the room, sat down and found himself stuck to the chair, he looked at a very innocent Harry eyes wide with surprise. He was sure he had put the sticking charm on the couch where Harry was resting, how had Harry found it and transferred it to his favorite chair here? Harry smirked, got up and called Kreacher and asked politely for three Butterbeers and some biscuits. The elf bow cheerfully to him, smirked at his master then sulkily let him free when asked and went and got the requested items.
"Why is he so mean to you?" Dudley asked after getting his Butterbeer from the little elf.
"Because he is an annoying little nuisance that made me eat my vegetables growing up!" Sirius snapped. "That and I deserve it, when I came back and saw him I just took my anger out on him about my family. He did not deserve that, I learned how noble and good he is and remembered all he did for me as a child. I want him to speak his mind, he will always be my house elf and has a right to say what he wishes."
"Master is still a wicked boy, master cruel to Kreacher, and unmannered, master Harry much nicer." Kreacher said glaring up at Sirius.
"Yea, guess I am." Sirius said, "you can go work on the library okay Kreacher? Get any mold and such out of the books."
"Yes master Kreacher will take care of books, remove chew marks from master." Kreacher said popping out.
Dudley found the little creature interesting, unlike many muggles house elves did not faze him much. He was not happy that in some households they were treated like slaves but here it looked like Sirius was allowing his to be more servant and part of the house. House elves loved to work and they loved being part of a wizard or witches family, they gained much in magic by being part of a magical family. They loved to work and in the proper home, like Sirius's they flourished and both the human and elf became stronger in their magic due to the love shared by both. Harry had Dobby who loved and worked very hard for him and it was clear that the elves here were happy creatures to be sure.
"You don't really chew the books do you Sirius?" Dudley asked.
"It was one time, first time in dog form." Sirius said, "why do everyone still bring that up?"
"Maybe because you chew on them more in human form mutt?" Severus said walking in and taking a seat noticing a pot of tea were and cups was next to the biscuits. "Can't you stay in dog form?"
"James used to ask the same thing." Lily said coming in the room, "hello Harry, Dudley, I know you two are behaving, Sirius, Severus behave."
"I have done nothing wrong." Severus said, "I am headmaster of Hogwarts, had to go and make sure the wards are nice and strong, all of them, even the ones against hormonal little teens."
"I would love to thank whoever came up with that." Sirius said, "first time I tried to shag a lovely witch and well…"
"There are spells to keep you from having sex at your school Harry?" Dudley said, "how medieval."
"Well it was done to protect the witches and younger wizards from randy older wizards." Remus said taking pouring a cup of tea for Lily then pouring one for himself and dipping a biscuit in it. "Sex was more a weapon when Hogwarts was founded, not for love or enjoyment like it should be."
"I know what you mean, it's strictly not allowed at my school, you can get expelled for it even." Dudley said, "you can beat a student to a pulp but if two boys take a liking to each other and carry it further, well it's not the school being against homosexuals, it's about protecting those who don't want it. Still wish my school had the magic to ward off this sort of thing."
"So Lily how did the meeting with Scrimgeour go?" Remus asked.
Lily looked a bit upset and almost hopeful too, she looked over at Severus and took a seat next to him. Severus knew this had something to do with him, the old feeling he had for Lily was coming back. He loved her, oh how he loved her but he had never been in love with her. His love was family, something had drawn him to her all those years ago, and it was completely magic that did it. He looked into her green eyes and saw something there, and a faint smile came over her face that got him to relax. It was strange, he could read her better than any, without going using Legilimens, this was not due to his years reading hormonal teens (using Legilimens on students was not allowed at Hogwarts, or any magical school for that matter unless the student allowed it for training in Occulumency), rather it was something else.
"How?" Severus asked.
"My father, the one I grew up with was sterile and so, well my parents wanted children and they used donors with my mother's eggs, different donors you see, and mum and dad knew the men, to make sure we would not marry, well you could see."
"I could, so my father is your father then to make a long story short." Severus said, "who hid this?"
"There was a letter, my mum tried to get it to me before she died, then James and I went into hiding with Harry, and Voldemort attacked. It was Barty Crouch who found and hid the letter."
"So I should have had visitation with Severus at the least?" Harry said.
"I would have made sure you ended up in Hufflepuff Harry." Severus said smirking, "I cannot stay man, I am a bit shocked but not mad, I cannot stay mad at the dead after all."
Severus was a bit out of character, but then he was still so much in shock. He had gone from believing he had killed Dumbledore, being captured, rescued to find he had not killed Dumbledore to finding Lily was alive. This latest news was not as much as a shock though he did not snarl at Sirius as he handed him a double shot of Firewhisky and watched as Severus downed it at once. He was not screaming, shouting or really doing much but sitting there accepting what Lily said. She handed him a calming potion, unlike most muggle sedatives that do not mix with alcohol, many magical draughts could compensate for the alcohol in the system. Severus relaxed and put his head in his hands and sighed and Lily rubbed his back.
"Are there going to be any more surprises?" Severus asked, "say Black getting pregnant?"
"Oi, only girls get pregnant!" Sirius said, "I am not a witch!"
"No, no you are a mutt, what else is going to change?" Severus asked.
"I am not sure sir, but I will stand by you no matter what." Harry said coming to sit by him, "it will take all the demons and hounds of hell to even try to move me."
"Thank you Harry." Severus said.
"So I was wondering, with this news, can I, I mean if you don't want me to I won't but can I call you uncle Severus?" Harry asked his eyes hopeful.
"Of course you can, but only among family and here." Severus said then looking at Dudley he made the other teen feel like he belonged, "guess that means you too Dudley."
Dudley was shocked and pleased, he was sure that this dark man would not want anything to do with a bully like him. Yet he had decided that Dudley was family as much as Harry and both boys could not help but go and hug Severus making him realize that this was real. He looked over at Lily who smiled at him and realized that for the moment he was happy, he might have a breakdown later but for now he was happy and loved with family, a wolf and a mutt around him, accepting him and wanting him here. Even Black had been nice and very apologetic to him and allowed him not only stay but stay as a wanted guest in his home.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Harry yawned and walked into the study and saw his mother seated by the fireplace softly crying. He walked up and put an arm around her, he knew this was hard for her, his father was dead and she had just got her mind back after all. He saw Sirius seated tears streaming down his face at the same time he saw the portrait. It was of his father and he could see he had the same messy hair and some facial features as the man though James had hazel eyes and was a bit stocker than his son. He was clad in robes of deep red and had square gold rimmed glasses perched on his nose, Harry knew this was not his father, but the avatar in the painting had all his memories and thoughts. All thoughts of this went out the window as his father's eyes turned and looked on his son.
"Dad?" Harry said, "dad is that you?"
"Harry?" James said taking in his son, "yes it is you, sorry about the hair, at least you look more like your mother, should have an easier time to get a fine lady than I did."
"Well there is Ginny, lovely perfect, smart and far better than me." Harry said.
"Smart, good thing that, you are not a git are you?" James asked, "you don't let your fame get to you?"
"No, I hate it, I'm just Harry, mum saved me, I just lived." Harry said, "I would rather not have the fame."
"He is far more down to earth than either of us Prongs." Sirius said, "always has been, though he does like a good prank…"
"Mostly on you then, I am sorry Harry for how Petunia treated you, Lily and I well, we trusted her to take good care of you, thought Vernon would have a reasonable influence on her, he never hit you did he?"
"What? Merlin no, if not for him I am sure I would have starved, he would always threaten no meals, only to look stern, meals take place at the dining room table or kitchen table, I don't really like peanut butter sandwiches but it is better than getting nothing."
"So she did geld him." James said, "bloody hag."
"Oh so it's you." Came the cold voice of Severus Snape, "you had to come back did you?"
"Hello Severus." James said softly, "I am sorry, I was an ass, cruel and wicked to you, I treated you unfairly and was really a little shit in school. I am sorry for how I treated you and I give Harry full permission to hex Sirius if he dares try anything to you, I know you probably don't believe me but it's the truth."
"Well at least you never used me as a weapon." Severus said, "I forgive you, you made Lily happy, took good care of my sister and I am grateful for that."
"Sister?" James asked.
He was filled in on what had been learned and was surprised at what muggles could do, he looked over at Sirius and grinned and Sirius replied by sending a rude sign to him. Severus sat down before the portrait, his anger towards James lessoned, if he had programmed his portrait to apologize to him of all people then he really had turned out decent. That and of course he did take good care of Lily, had he given his life to save Lily and Harry? If that were the case then he really was a good man and wanted his family to survive, even if he did not. Severus could not fault him and a gleam came to his eyes, one that got James to narrow his eyes.
"Pity really, I was thinking of marrying Lily." Severus said smirking.
"You Prat!" James said when he found he was being had.
"Yes, but if you had realized growing up I never thought of her that way maybe you would not have been such a git." Severus replied, "or a f…."
"Don't you dare finish that Severus." Lily warned him.
"I was going to say fool Lily." Severus said looking innocent, it was not working, "frog spawn?"
"Chocolate?" He said summoning the box Remus was trying to select chocolate from and handing it to her, "they are Honeydukes finest."
"Very well, one."
"Take a few more, you could stand to gain a bit of weight." Severus said.
"Look who is painting the kettle black." Lily shot back, "I know about your metabolism and you do need to gain a few pounds."
"I will line my pockets with them then." Severus shot back.
Lily shot him a look and took a couple pieces of chocolate and ate them. Severus managed to get a few and hexed Sirius when he tried to get some, handing the box back to Remus. Harry just grinned at him and took a few chocolates that Remus offered him before he headed to the basement to get ready for another training session with Severus. He hoped he would do well and not, like so many times in the past end up flat on his rear sore from the many hexes and curses he had to face.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Harry nearly had to trot to keep up with Severus, he was honored to be here as his uncle took over Hogwarts as headmaster. After finding Lily still alive and that Harry was his nephew he had wanted to be around the boy more, that was why he had Harry come with him. He made it up to his godson by allowing him free reign to the room of requirement (as soon as he got an oath he would not use it for anything evil or harmful to the school or others) and so Draco was up their enjoying his time here. Severus came to a stop at the iron banded wooden doors to the courtyard and after a moment stepped through. His eyes fell at once the bottom of the astronomy tower and Harry put a hand on his shoulder, no words were needed, Harry understood the pain his uncle was in.
They saw Hagrid here first, he was standing with what would, after Voldemort was gone, or the end of the year if he was gone by then his replacement. He was in love, Severus knew this and madam Maxime had offered him a post at Beauxbatons. Severus nearly shuttered at the thought of mini Hagrids running around but pushed that aside as he took in the creature by Hagrid. He was tall and lean, he stood just over seven feet tall, he had long brown hair he kept in tight small braids banded with bits of metal and glass, his bear was scarce and his face was more ape-like than a human's. He was clad in a woolen tunic of deep green, over this a waistcoat of brown buckskin and matching trousers. He had a long duster of gray dragonskin and his feet were bare and gave his race their other name "bigfoot", for this creature was Sash quash, a magical race related to their pale cousins in Nepal and the surrounding areas.
"Good afternoon headmaster Snape." The creature said, "I am Jonathan Bryon Plenty-Deer-on-the-Wood, I am called Joey."
"So Hagrid is teaching you the ways of Hogwarts is he?" Severus asked.
"Oh yea, he is sir, lovely place, never thought I would come here, but heard you folks would need a gamekeeper and well I am well trained, my mom says I am really good with the natural world, she should know, she is the best woods keeper there is." Joey said in a deep gravelly voice.
"I am glad you are here, I was not sure who Hagrid had got." Severus said.
"Hagrid is really smart, he has taught me much sir, you will not regret having me here." Joey said.
They came to the school and walked in seeing the aged caretaker there with his cat, and he led the wizards into the great hall. Severus was not fully looking forward to this part, he was about to become the head of Hogwarts, in the ancient traditions and he had no idea what that entailed fully. All that Lily told him is that Hogwarts had accepted the new heads of houses and would accept him as headmaster if they all agreed. He saw all four at the head of the great hall on the dais where a chair sat, they were clad in robes that represented their houses. Narcissa was clad in green robes trimmed in sliver, Sprout in robes of yellow trimmed in black, short brown haired, brown eyed Bertha Diggory was clad in robes of blue trimmed with bronze and Lily was clad in robes of crimson trimmed with gold. McGonagall was here clad in black as she was want to do.
"Severus Tobias Snape please be seated." McGonagall said.
"Right, why is this necessary?" Severus asked.
"We are here today to install the headmaster of Hogwarts in the ancient manner, the heads of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin have all been accepted as heads of houses and will now show support to the headmaster."
"House Gryffindor headed by Lily Evans Potter accepts Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts, so mote it be." Lily said.
"House Ravenclaw headed by Bertha Diggory accepts Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts, so mote it be." Bertha said.
"House Hufflepuff headed by Pomona Sprout accepts Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts, so mote it be." Sprout said.
"House Slytherin headed by Narcissa Malfoy-Black accepts Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts, so mot it be." Narcissa said.
"As all heads of houses accept Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster, as Deputy headmistress I, Minerva McGonagall speak now for Hogwarts as Hogwarts accepts Severus Tobias Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts, so mot it be."
With that Severus had to do everything in his power to not gasp as he felt magic wash over him. He felt something like a hug and information exchange enter him and his mind. He lowered his mental shields as gently instructed and allowed the knowledge in. He found Hogwarts could now communicate with him and had not done this with a headmaster for two centuries. Severus was not only the headmaster of Hogwarts, he was her spokesperson and he found he controlled the more ancient wards in the castle proper and any attack on them was an attack on him. He knew now why Harry was here and he rose and knelt before the teen who protested and tried to get him to stand.
"As headmaster of Hogwarts I pledge my loyalty to the cause of ridding this piece of our world of evil and offer the assistance of Hogwarts to help as well." Severus said, "Hogwarts wishes to stop the wicked dark lord and bring back happiness and joy to this school."
"Please stand sir." Harry said, "I don't want any to kneel before me, I am not the queen and I am not your master, I do not fight to replace one master for another, I fight for freedom."
"Thank you Harry." Severus said standing.
"Are you able to communicate with the castle?" Harry asked.
"Yes, she is, childlike in her innocence, even after all this time, she sleeps when she cannot bond with her headmaster." Severus said, "only a few have bonded as was intended by the founders. I am honored to be one of the few."
"You will do very well sir, I believe in you." Harry said meaning it, "let Voldemort try and mess with us, I will personally kick his arse."
"Let me have a few words first." Lily said, "I have a spell I really want to try on him."
Severus paled and stepped a little bit away from her closer to Harry who had paled as well. Both wizards knew what a witch could do with her magic and were not willing to anger them. There was a very good reason Hogwarts full name was "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" after all and he did not want to find out just what witches learned in their personal, private classes. Then again if they used that magic on Voldemort he was sure he might be able to bare watching him get taken apart witches style.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
So yea a bit of a twist there, I did not want Severus and Lily getting together, well not in the married way. I think this works a bit better, and makes Severus a relative of Harry's just not his dad. I don't see Lily cheating that way or Severus adopting Harry, not that he needs to as he is his uncle here!
Though Hogwarts is sentient here she is more like a child as she has not been fully "awake" all that long, like the basilisk she was in hibernation until a headmaster properly bonded with her. Like I had Severus do, she will learn from him and he from her and you can bet this has made him really powerful as well.
