"I see that despite your strict teachings in school, an exception is made for this boy. He must be punished for this behaviour, you have no right to stand in my way." Albus spoke firmly, hand raised to strike once more.
Faster than the blink of an eye, the tip of Severus' wand levelled itself between the man's eyes. "I have every right."
"You do not. Only his guardians are able to make that choice, you have no legal right to him." Albus reminded Snape reproachfully.
"I do have that right, he is MY son." Snape snapped forcefully, ready to fight for what was his.
"Harry is James and Lily's son, not yours." Albus insisted.
Severus smirked, "Lily lied, he's mine. I can get a DNA test to prove it."
"Regardless, you're not competent as a parent. You don't know how to be a father." Albus' eyes lost their usual twinkle, turning cold.
"I've been doing it all this time, I've done nothing but care for him! He's healing with me, his other family abused him, they beat him whenever they felt like it. I've never hurt him myself, I refuse to allow someone to take MY son from me." He snarled, taking a protective stance.
Meanwhile, Harry was staring at Severus with a strange expression which went unnoticed by both men. His quiet voice rang out however, breaking the staring match between them.
"I wan Daddy, don't wanna go back."
"They're your family, why not?" Albus questioned.
"No, Daddy's my family, He don't hurt me I'm happier here," Harry responded stubbornly.
Albus wasn't listening. In response, he readied his wand.
"I'm afraid you leave me with no choice, I'll have to restrain you both," Albus spoke, a false apology lacing his tone. "Petrificus Totalus."
But Snape was ready, as he silently deflected the spell.
Severus was furious as they continued to trade spells. "Give up old man. I will protect my son with my last dying breath."
"Confringo!" Severus snapped, sending a blast at Dumbledore but Albus knocked it aside.
"Locomotor Mortis," Albus spoke calmly.
A wall of flames erupted, swallowing Albus's spell, continuing on its path and close to touching Albus, However a quick "Aguamenti" put it out.
The battle continued, each trying to outwit the other.
But then, it happened. Albus pointed his wand at Harry. "Crucio."
A flash of light leapt toward the small oblivious boy, but Severus sprang between Harry and the Spell, falling to the floor and writhing. Fully incapacitated, unable to fight back and yet gritting his teeth so the screams wouldn't escape him. He had to be strong for his son.
"Petrificus Totalus." Albus tried again, this time managing to subdue him.
Severus's eyes were glassy, grief clouding them.
He had failed.
He had failed to protect his son.
Just as Albus had lifted the boy into his arms, a fist connected with Albus's face, the crunch of wizened bone echoed loudly, as blood flowed freely from his nose.
When he staggered back, Severus felt hope surge in his heart, three people stood glaring at Albus, his sister leading the throng.
It had been Gilda that had hit him. Beside her stood both Lucius and Narcissa.
"Stand down! You are not taking this child!" Gilda locked eyes with Severus. "Lucius found paperwork at the Ministry about Harry. He's not taking him to his family, he's planning to sell him to Fenrir Greyback!" Gilda accused, producing the papers with proof.
Albus through his pain, was still not ready to give in "Avada Kedavra."
Gilda side stepped and the house suddenly went dark as she grew angry, her hair lifting in a breeze which suddenly picked up. Despite his frozen position, Severus could taste the sheer potency of her magic.
"Locals Vorcalis!"
The spell shot forward and hit Albus in the stomach, making him drop to his knees. Clutching his stomach, his bowels expelled, staining his robes and the floor. He blushed with embarrassment, humiliated.
"You are under arrest for selling a child." Gilda declared, wand still pointed at Albus.
Glaring at Gilda, he smirked, disappearing before their eyes.
Gilda cursed. Realising he was gone, she turned to check on Harry who lay on the floor staring, wide eyes, shaking in fear at what had just happened.
He moved slowly to where Lucius had just been removing the full body bind from him. Looking Severus in the face, he latched on and hugged him tight, tears streaming down his face.
Severus wasted no time, he hugged Harry, rubbing his back.
"It's alright, I will never allow anyone to take you from here," Severus promised him.
The three-year-old looked up at Severus and thinking carefully, he said only two words.
"I know."
Exhausted, Harry lay in his Daddy's arms.
Holding him close, if a bit shakily, he turned to his sister and friends.
"I appreciate your assistance, Albus turned to underhanded tactics and instead attacked Harry with the cruciatus curse. I couldn't allow him to be hurt."
"Nobody messes with my brother, or my nephew," Gilda responded.
"What was that spell you did?" Severus asked.
Gilda grinned evilly. "It causes explosive diarrhea and severe stomach pain for several hours."
Severus shook his head. "Useful, I might have to remember that one." He mumbled.
Harry yawned. "I better get him to bed." he looked at him fondly.
Everyone nodded, leaving the pair alone again.
Severus carried Harry back to the room and lay him on his bed. He turned off the light and was about to leave when a small voice called out hesitantly.
"Daddy? Will you stay here? I'm scared to sleep by myself." He pushed out, afraid he'd be ridiculed.
Instead of saying a word, Severus lay full length on the bed, holding Harry close. He watched as the boy now feeling safer, fell asleep in his arms. As he drifted off himself, he wondered what this new behaviour meant for his relationship with Harry.
