Dreaming through Hogwarts
by Healer Pomfrey
Please refer to the disclaimer and warnings in chapter 1!
To Harry's surprise, the conversation with his friends went better than expected. Even if Ron made a grimace as realisation set in about the bat of the dungeons being his best friend's father, both of his friends reassured him that they were happy for him.
"I hope you'll come back to Gryffindor soon though," Ron said, when they returned to the castle, and Harry gave him a reassuring nod.
'Thank Merlin,' he thought, as he happily sat between his friends in the Transfiguration classroom. 'Hopefully everyone else doesn't mind either, considering that I'm going to look like the 'me' in my vision.'
Later the same day, the professors cancelled Lily's charms, causing Harry to become significantly taller. Apart from that, merely the condition of his hair changed, making Harry look very much like his real father.
"Oh my, you're a very handsome young man," McGonagall said, appraisingly, causing Harry to blush profusely.
"Thank Merlin you kept your mother's green eyes. They're beautiful," Severus told him, looking proudly at his son.
"Now Harry," Dumbledore suddenly addressed the boy, his eyes twinkling happily, "are you going to change your surname?"
Harry stared at the Headmaster, before he slowly let his eyes wander to his father. 'I didn't even think of that, but maybe I should,' he thought. 'Perhaps Dad would be glad if I did.' He cleared his throat to gain some more time, before he replied in a quiet voice, "If my father doesn't mind, I'd like to change it."
"Of course I don't mind... son," Severus replied, showing a rare smile on his face.
"Well, I've already taken some preparations," Dumbledore stated cheerfully, handing Severus a parchment, which was almost completely filled out already. "These are the guardian parchments," he explained. You only have to put in the new name and sign it," he added, pointing out that he had taken the liberty to receive the Dursleys' signature.
"Thank you so much, Professor," Harry said gratefully, feeling extremely happy at the thought of never having to return to his relatives ever again. 'Dumbledore really is a meddling old coot,' he thought, inwardly grinning.
The Potions Master gratefully inclined his head, before he cast Harry a questioning look. "Harry Tobias Snape?" he queried, quirking an eyebrow.
"I'd like that, sir," Harry replied, smiling.
"Very well," Severus said, writing the name on the parchment. "There is one more point, which I'd like to change," he then added, thoughtfully. "Since both his godparents are indisposed, I'd like to make Minerva and Poppy his new godparents. Would that be all right with you, Harry? And Minerva?"
"I have godparents?" Harry enquired in confusion.
"Yes, but one is in Azkaban for giving out your parents to the Dark Lord, and one is in the long-time ward of St. Mungo's," Severus informed his son.
"Oh ok, Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey would be awesome then, provided that they don't mind," Harry agreed in a small voice, hesitantly turning his eyes to his Head of House.
"Oh Harry, of course Madam Pomfrey and I will both be happy to become your godparents," McGonagall said warmly. "As I've told you before, you were like a grandson to me when you were a baby."
The Potions Master completed the parchment, and Harry observed in amazement how it automatically rolled up and vanished into thin air.
"The Ministry will send us a copy later on," Severus told his son and took his leave, motioning Harry to follow him.
HP
"Harry, I've done some more research and also contacted the Potions Masters at St. Mungo's; however, at the moment, there is no potion, which I can give you to suppress your visions," the Potions Master began to speak, when they were back in their quarters, comfortably sitting in the living room. "As you know, the dreamless sleep potion is addictive, so we'll leave it for special cases like before important exams."
"Yes sir," Harry replied, sighing. "Sir, my friends want me to return to Gryffindor though. Do you think I'll ever manage to block the connection to Hogwarts?"
Severus smirked. "Of course you will," he said soothingly. "Apart from that, you can come to me before curfew every night, so that I can close the connection for you like I did the last few nights. By the way, when we're alone or just together with my colleagues, you may call me by my given name or also father or dad if that's what you wish; however, in front of other students, you still have to address me as professor or sir. Do you understand me?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Yes... Dad," Harry gave back, laughing happily. "I'm so glad to have a father. I must be the happiest boy at Hogwarts."
Father and son agreed that Harry should spend every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at home, so that the two wizards could get to know each other.
"Dad?" Harry asked, hesitantly. "Could we sometimes brew potions together? Please?"
Severus chuckled, clearly amused. "Of course we can do that, and I'll be glad if you're willing to help brewing potions for the hospital wing." He glanced at his wrist watch, before he continued, "Now seeing that it is almost curfew, I'll quickly cast Legilimency to close your mind, and then you should return to Gryffindor, before your friends make themselves very upset thinking the bat of the dungeons had somehow harmed their fellow lion."
HP
The following weeks passed fairly uneventful, and almost too soon the winter holidays began. On the one hand, Harry was sad to see his friends leave the castle. At first, Ron had intended to remain at Hogwarts; however, when Harry told him that his father wanted him to come home in order to intensely study Occlumency, his friend had decided to accompany his parents, who were going to visit his brother in Romania. On the other hand, though, Harry was happy to be able to spend two weeks with his father. 'We're not only going to study Occlumency,' he mused, as he waited for the Leaving Feast to commence. 'We'll have a lot of time to brew potions together, and maybe Dad can even teach me to play Wizard's chess, so that I'll have a chance to win against Ron.'
However, when the Headmaster made an announcement a few minutes later, all thoughts about holidays vanished from Harry's mind.
tbc...
Yes, I am evil... he he... Thank you so much for your kind reviews, my awesome readers. My muse appreciates them greatly! More tomorrow.