My Darling Boy~

I hoped I would never have to write this letter, but at this time I feel I must. I wish that I could be with you when the truth is revealed, but I fear I will be long gone. Know, my son, that I loved you always. I never wanted anything to happen you, and I never meant for you to be without your father. Do not place the blame on him. You cannot possibly know how things were, and I did this to protect you as much as him. I only hope I am not too late. I wish nothing but the best for you and I hope that you two can find each other. If you were placed with my sister, love, I am so very sorry. I know absolutely what she can be like, and that is something no one deserves, especially not my heart. I hope that if that was the case, this letter will free you, in more ways than one. Your father is a proud man, and he may not say as much, but he needs you. Do not let his sarcastic wit and malicious demeanor fool you. He is a great man. He will make a wonderful father, if only you allow him the chance. Know that I will always be proud of you and that we will see each other again someday. I love you more than anything, my phoenix.

Forever Love,

Mum

Tears were streaming down his face, but he didn't seem to notice, or care. He was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his head lowered. It took him some moments to realize there was an arm draped across his back and a hand was rubbing slow circles across it. He shut his eyes as tight as he could to shed the tears that had yet to fall. He turned his head to the right and noticed his father's eyes were glistening, but no tears fell or came forward. He gave the man a small smile, but didn't move. The comfort was something foreign to him, especially coming from the normally withdrawn man, and he wanted to accept it as long as it was offered. He spoke softly so as to not ruin the moment.

"Did you read it, sir?" He wanted to look the man in the eyes, but didn't dare move. He didn't know when he would get such treatment again. Even being side by side, Harry had to strain to hear the broken yet soft voice.

"No. I only know what she wrote to me." Whether it was his spy skills or some sort of intuition he would never have thought he possessed, Severus pulled Harry back to a more comfortable position and turned him so they were facing each other. He kept his arm across the back of the sofa and held on to Harry's shoulder. He would never admit he needed the comfort as much as the boy seemed to. He saw the heartbreaking look in the boy's eyes and it killed him to no end. It made him think of the loss he, himself, felt and the despair of the boy having never known the love of his own wonderful mother. He remembered the words the boy had wrote about never having known his parents and how he wasn't sure he could really miss something he never truly had in the first place. It destroyed him reading those words. He felt the boy's shoulders shake and he knew that after twelve years, the boy could finally mourn. He couldn't figure out when it happened, but the next thing he knew he had a lapful of distraught teenager. The boy had wrapped his arms around Severus' neck and was crying silently.

It was thirty minutes later that Severus felt the actual weight of the boy, though it wasn't much. Harry had cried himself to sleep in the arms of his father. Severus stood up and carried the too light boy back to the bedroom and tucked him in. He cast a warming charm over the bed and carded his hand through the long, slightly wavy hair. He left the room after seeing a small smile play on the boy's lips. Once in the living room, he threw a small amount of floo powder in the fireplace and called Remus over and then sat in his usual chair in front of the fire. Moments later Remus came through and took up his own chair and summoned a tea set for the two.

"Is he feeling any better?" Remus began to drink his tea. The man had a few bruises from the boy falling on him, but nothing he wasn't used to.

"He seems much better, physically. I gave him the letter." Severus kept his voice low. He didn't want to wake the exhausted boy.

"How did he take it?" Remus didn't chance the smile that wanted to come forth. He was happy things were finally going right for his dear friend and the boy he loved like his own.

"I think after all this time the boy is finally able to grieve the loss of his parents. I do not think it was real for him until he saw Lily's words in writing. Knowing the way Petunia was when we were kids, I assume she never spoke well of her sister, if at all. It was easier for him to pretend it never happened because there were no reminders. He didn't really know what he had, so he couldn't feel truly upset by it being gone. Why don't you invite Miss Granger down after lunch? I do believe you still need to 'punish' her for her spell work. Everyone will simply believe they are both in respective detentions." Remus couldn't hide his smile that time. For Severus to allow someone else into his quarters was one thing, but the fact he was doing it for his own son was something else altogether.

"I think that is a great idea. I will bring her down just after lunch. I suppose I shall go and make appearances so our story holds." Remus gave his friend a smile and walked out the door. As he walked out, Harry walked into the room. Severus heard the shuffling of his feet and turned around.

"Feeling better?" Harry rubbed his eyes a little and nodded, making for the left arm of the sofa. His eyes burned and he was slightly embarrassed. The haze of the early morning was clearing and he remembered being curled in the man's lap crying harder than he had ever cried before. When he finally made eye contact with Severus, Harry saw kindness and understanding in the man's eyes. Harry gave a small smile.

"Would you like something to eat? It's after breakfast, but before lunch, so you can choose what you would like." Severus made to sit on the sofa, but kept distance from the boy; for both of their sakes. The emotions were still raw for both of them.

"Just some fruit and some juice I guess." His voice was soft as his throat was hoarse from crying. He watched as Snape threw some floo powder into the fireplace and called down to a house elf for brunch. Within seconds the food appeared on the table. Harry ate in silence while Severus drank his coffee and watched Harry. It didn't seem Harry noticed he was being watched; and if he did, he didn't seem to mind. Snape waited until Harry was finished eating before he spoke.

"Since the school believes you are in detention, I need for you to go to your dorm and get your books. They cannot possibly be daft enough that I should have you cleaning for two days straight. That and I am quite sure Mr. Weasley has been trying to sneak into the Hospital Wing to see you. Let him know you are in detention until curfew, and then you will be in the Hospital Wing so you can be observed to ensure you are healing properly." Harry frowned at the thought of going back to the hospital wing, but he quickly schooled his expression. He didn't want to seem ungrateful for the time he was already away from it. Snape had no intention of allowing the boy out of his sight longer than it took for him to get his things from Gryffindor Tower. That would give him plenty of time to accomplish what needed to be done.

"You do know that this is going to make things harder with Ron. He already hates you, and giving me 'detention' for an accident during Quiddtich isn't going to help the matter." He gave a small smile to soften the blow of his words, but they apparently weren't needed. Severus was already giving a smile of his own.

"I am well aware of Mr. Weasley's feelings toward me. They do not bother me in the slightest. It is important he of all people believe that my actions are as harsh as ever. It will be easier for everyone else to believe it if those closest to you do."

"What about-" Snape held a hand up.

"I do not doubt Miss Granger's acting abilities. If they become an issue, we shall address it then." Snape leaned forward slightly and made Harry look him in the eye. "Do not worry." He sat back again. "Now, run along." Harry stood and made for the door but stopped just in front of it.

"Sir, how do I get back here?"

"When you walk out the door, turn right and take the second corridor on the right. That will take you directly to the staircase. And kindly keep that information to yourself. I have a hard enough time keeping up with you scoundrels without you all figuring out my secrets." He gave a smirk and closed the space between them. He waved his wand over the door and held his hand out. Harry hesitated, but put his hand in Snape's. Severus then placed Harry's hand over the wooden door and spoke a few words in what Harry assumed was not Latin. The door glowed a bright blue and the light carried down Harry's hand and up his arm until he was engulfed in it. The light then faded and Harry shook his head.

"What was that?" He felt slight tingling all the way through his toes, but it wasn't a bad feeling.

"That gives you access whether I am here or not. Most use a password. I, however, use something much more secure. You place your palm anywhere on the door. Make sure it is flat. The door will read your magical signature as well as your emotional and mental state. Off you go." Severus opened the door and lightly pushed Harry out of it. He had work to do and not a lot of time to do it in.