Chapter 13

With the start of the new term, they had to be very careful. Hermione had to sleep in Gryffindor tower though on her prefect patrol nights, before curfew, she would meet Severus under the invisibility cloak in the Room of Requirement. It was their only time to be together without needing to brew. Even though they were only available to be together like that once a week, they were able to make much of their time together.

When their patrols happened to coincide with one another, they could be found discussing potions theory with one another, though Hermione was a step behind. Severus would always slow his pace so that she could keep up easily and that they could hold their conversation. No one questioned Hermione's status as an apprentice since he treated her no differently in class than he did anyone else. By the time Halloween had arrived, they had settled into a comfortable routine.

The Halloween ball was a scheme put together by the Headmaster and carried out by all of the head students and prefects. Hermione had bought a Slytherin green dress that was sure to turn her dear husband's head. She desperately wanted just one dance with him. They had been ignoring one another and Hermione had danced with all of her fellow classmates and Severus patrolled the perimeter of the great hall till Madame Hooch cornered him for a dance at the end of the dance, Severus was aggravated and tried to stalk off. It seemed as if she would get her wish as the Headmaster called for the next dance to be a student teacher partnered. None of her friends were shocked that Hermione had danced with him. They knew that she had called him friend and master and they overlooked the dance. The only one paying them any attention was the Headmaster but they had held their professional distance and there was nothing out of the ordinary looking with their dance. Each however secretly enjoyed the dance and public display they had shared even though it was a secret display.

November 1st, should have been an ordinary day but the post delivery that day was anything but ordinary. Severus had sat down to his usual breakfast and was gingerly sipping on his tea when he noticed the barn owl heading in his direction. He pulled the envelope from it's beak and checked it for any trace that there was something wrong with the post. When he was sure that it was safe finding only the time release spell on it, he read the letter.

"Dearest Severus,

I know you are probably wondering why I have placed the time release on this letter but I have some news for you. I set this letter to deliver itself on October 31st of the first year of your marriage. I told you to move on and I am happy to see that you did follow that instruction.

Do you remember the day I came to you just before my wedding? I received more than comfort that night from you. I did not know it then but that night I had become pregnant. I waited till my last trimester and went to Poppy Pomphrey to have a paternity test done. When we discovered it was yours, we took some of James's blood and did a blood adoption spell on the fetus. I feared for his life because of your status. The spell can be reversed and if you would like some proof, go to Poppy she will tell you this very same news. I ask that you continue to look after Harry for me and protect him as you vowed to do. I saw the look in your eyes that night you met your son. The look of longing was undeniable.



I wish things were different but I cannot change the past.

Yours,

Lily Evans Potter.

P.S. Harry will receive a similar note the first week in December. I hope you will talk to your son and explain some things before he receives his letter so that he can confirm everything for himself."

Severus summoned Miss Granger from the Gryffindor table moments after finishing his letter. He really did not know what to do or how she would react to the information but he knew that she needed to know this information before he told his son. She deserved that much from him. He led her into his office and erected the most powerful wards he could before blocking the floo. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her as if it would be his last then said, "Hermione, the letter I received today came as a shock. You already know of my rocky relationship with Lily Potter," he said her last name with disgust, "She and her infinite wisdom decided this letter needed to come now after I married when now it is too late for me to change anything." He was nearly to the point of tears as he realized how very badly he had treated his only son. He handed her the letter silently. He waited for her to up and leave and not come back but she just sat there reading. She stood slowly and went to his side and held him close allowing him to seek the comfort he needed from her. They had class in a few minutes and when he had composed himself enough that he was ready to teach, he told her of his plan to tell his son.

Potions class

Hermione was paired with Harry for the potions assignment and they were placed at a table that the Slytherin's would easily be able to sabotage. Sure enough they were just beginning the last phase of the brewing and Severus had his back to the classroom when Harry's cauldron exploded.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, you will serve detention with me this evening to clean this mess up. I thought that 6th years should be capable of brewing potions without causing them to explode. 8:00 o'clock. Everyone else turn in a sample of your potions then get out."
Harry was fuming by the time their detention was set.

"Mr. Potter, sit down. You will not be doing any of your regular detention activities tonight. Instead, we shall be discussing this letter your mother sent me this morning. Please try to refrain from asking any questions till you have finished the letter. I will try and answer the questions that you have at that time." Severus said as Hermione began to work on some of the potions the infirmary were beginning to run low on. Severus helped her brew as his son read.

Harry read the letter carefully and looked up to see his best friend and his father working quietly together without any of the usual sarcasm.

"Sir, I understand this letter and I understand the reasons you have treated me the way you have. I do not like the treatment but I understand it. But what I do not understand is why Hermione is here and why you received this letter when you are not married." Harry said.



"Mr. Potter, we shall discuss my marriage in a minute. The question is what do you want to do with the information that you just learned? I know that I have not treated you in the past the way a father should treat his son, but I would very much like to try and have that sort of relationship with you now, if you will allow it." Severus said.

"Why did the mirror show James to be my dad?" Harry asked.

"Your mum used a potion to bind James to you as your father. The potion is reversible and if it is removed, I fear that your appearance will change to look more like me than you do now. Those changes could be very dangerous considering my position and yours. If you keep your appearance you can protect your paternity from being know and protect us both. Miss Granger has found a potion to protect the information that you have learned. Albus and the dark lord have yet to be able to break the potions barriers and they will not be able to unless I disclose any of this information to them freely. The same will apply to you."

"Professor, all of my life, I have wanted a family and I know that it will not be easy but I would like to at least try." Harry said. Severus handed each of them a vial of the potion and charmed it.

"Drink this then I will answer the rest of your questions." Severus said downing the vial of liquid and the others followed suit. Hermione brings out a vial of invisibility potion remover and dips her hand in the bottle showing her rings off. Severus then does the same and shows Harry his.

Harry looked at them both with a shocked expression, then said, "that explains a lot. But why did you not tell me this before?"

"It was for your own protection and ours. Only three people know of our marriage. You and the two witnesses. Everyone would try and manipulate our relationship if it was found out and we would all be in danger. It was safer this way." Hermione said.

"Now, you must drink the other vial so our secrets are safe." Severus said and harry complied. Together they spent till curfew in Severus classroom talking freely and getting to know one another truly.