Title: The Great Mystery

Rating: T

Summary: When Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts everyone is shocked to see that he looks just like Severus when he was in school. Severus is shocked as well and he finds himself on a road to uncover the great mystery.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Rowling's characters and I'm making no money.

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To Everyone: Thanks for your reviews and sorry about not updating like I wanted to. I'm still taking care of my mother who is still not well due to her fall.

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Chapter 12: Caught in the Act

Dumbledore's POV

"So how did Harry like visiting Remus," Dumbledore asked.

"He liked it," Snape answered.

"I'm glad to hear that," Dumbledore said, smiling, "It's good for a child to meet other people."

"We told Harry about what Sirius did," Snape said, "I'm still finding it hard to believe that he would betray his friends. He was never at Death Eater meetings and the Dark Lord never mentioned him."

Dumbledore sighed and said, "I'm hoping to find out the truth this summer. If it comes out that Sirius is innocent then I will make sure that he's let go. Of course Sirius might not be happy that Harry is living with you but I think I can make him see sense. So what are you going to do this holiday?"

"I'm taking Harry to Spinner End this winter," Snape answered, "It will be nice for him to get away from Quirrell."

"What about the- enter."

The door opened and in walked Professor Flitwick with Sprout behind him.

"Albus, I believe I discovered why we can't change Minerva back," Flitwick told him.

"Okay, what's the reason?"

"Mr. Snape has added his signature to the spell," Flitwick answered and Sprout nodded.

"What, but that's impossible," Snape said, "Only people that have been doing magic for years can do that."

"Then your son is very talented," Flitwick said, getting excited, "I was thinking about having him learn how to remove his signature from his spells and then add his own so that only he can reverse them. Might be a good skill for the future."

Dumbledore said, "Very well, you can train him."

"Thanks," Flitwick said and then left.

"Do you need anything," Dumbledore asked Sprout.

"Well I overheard the Gryffindor's wanting to get back at the child," Sprout said, "I don't know how it got out but someone found out that Mr. Snape had cast the spell on Minerva. I think their going to try and beat him up."

"Oh great," Dumbledore heard Snape said.

"I'll take care of this personally," Dumbledore promised, "If anything happens let me know."

"I will, I promise," Sprout said and then left.

"This isn't good," Snape told him.

"I agree," Dumbledore said, "I'm going to have Fawkes watch over Harry so that he can be healed and protected. It's not the child's fault that he's talented."

"I agree," Snape repeated, "Let me know if anything happens."

Dumbledore nodded and then watched Snape leave.

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Harry's POV

Harry headed for the Library to check out a book for his Potions essay. He had finally finished all his back work and now the only thing that he was looking forward to was the rest from the work and the upcoming match against Slytherin. He had been training a couple of days since he had returned from visiting Remus and he felt ready for the match. Suddenly a spell shot at him and he ducked.

"Attack our Head of House, Snape, time for little snake to pay."

The memories of being bullied by Dudley and his gang hit him and he suddenly balled up on the floor. He waited for Dudley to start kicking him, as he was called a freak. Suddenly something hit him and he blacked out.

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Snape's POV

Snape had a bad feeling. It had suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks and he had no idea why he had never felt this feeling before. He ran as fast as he could, the feeling getting stronger. He turned the corner, leading to his son's favorite place, and he found three Gryffindor's and one Hufflepuff hitting his son with anything they could. He pulled out his wand and shot a spell at them, causing them to be blasted off their feet.

"What did you do to my son," Snape snarled, as Harry started to shake as the result of the spells.

Snape pulled Harry into his arms and hurried him to the wing.

When they arrived Madam Pomfrey put Harry on a bed and started to work her magic. She hurried to get potions while Snape continued what she had been doing. She poured some of the potions down his throat and Snape was relieved to see the swallowing reflex still working.

"I'm going to have to work on him tomorrow," she told him, "But he should be well enough in a couple of days."

"Thanks," Snape said to her.

Madam Pomfrey placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know that you were worried about him.

"I don't like this feeling," Snape told her.

"I know that you don't but it's called parental instinct," she said, "Every father and mother has it. It's the need to protect your child."

"Why haven't I felt it before," Snape asked her.

"You didn't know that you had a son," she answered, "Come back tomorrow and help me out."

Snape nodded and left the wing.

After reporting what had happened, telling Dumbledore where he could find his son's tormentors, he tried to grade papers but he couldn't. He pushed them away from him and thought over what Madam Pomfrey had said. He hated this emotion and with the fact that the Dark Lord wanted the stone that emotion could kill him. Of course he couldn't hate Harry, he had done nothing wrong. He would find a way to love his son while protecting him.

He just hoped that Harry coming to Hogwarts hadn't caused both their deaths.

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Hermione's POV

Hermione had heard from Lavender Brown that Snape had hexed a couple of their house mates. She ranted about how mean it was and about how this proved that Snape was a greasy git. However Hermione had a feeling that there was something more to this than anyone was saying. She left the common room and headed for Snape's office. She was just about to go down the stairs when she heard Dumbledore and Snape talking.

"They confessed to beating Harry up," Dumbledore said, making Hermione cover her mouth.

"I can't believe that they would do this to my son," Snape told him, "Beating on a child that has been abused all his life."

"I've told Remus," Dumbledore said, "I'm not going to allow what happened to you happen here. This is completely barbaric and puts Hogwarts in a bad light."

"I agree," Snape said, "Any news about Ronald Weasley?"

"I'm going to St. Mungo and find out what the mind healer reported," Dumbledore said, "If Ron Weasley is mentally insane then he'll be spending his days at the hospital."

"But that doesn't stop the others," Snape said.

"I know, which is why he's going to need you, Remus, and anyone else that supports him," Dumbledore said, "And with Quirrell wanting the stone for Voldemort (Hermione flinched at the name) then things are only going to get a lot more dangerous around here."

Hermione backed away and then hurried down the corridor.

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Note: I really hate doing these three page chapters.