Authors Note: I'm sad that the story is nearly over but I'm happy about every person that is still reading my story. Thanks for the support.
Chapter 21
A few weeks have passed since Harry talked to Madam Bones and so far he hasn't heard anything from it. Since then it was decided that Harry is going to Grimmault place for Christmas, since he is with his dad most of the year and misses Remus as well as Sirius and would like to see Molly again and let her see for herself that he's less melancholy as he was during the summer. He's sure that she'll worry herself sick if he doesn't show up. It's only a few more days until then when Harry receives a letter from Sirius on a Thursday morning.
Harry is happy when he recognizes the handwriting but that quickly changes when he reads the note.
'Hello Harry,
I don't have much time to go into details but Moody heard about Madam Bones trying to give Snape custody of you. Dumbledore and Moody are going to fight it and get it either do Dumbledore or to me. I told them that I want to be kept out, since according to Madam Bones you want to go and live with Snape but Dumbledore is trying to talk me into fighting for your custody. If you want to go and live with Snape, because of what you told me, then I understand. If not, let me know and I would try to get you in a heartbeat, you know that. But I won't go against your wishes and if you want to live with Snape, I'm afraid you might need to fight for that.'
As a signature there is a paw print at the bottom and Harry looks up towards the head-table noticing the absence of a certain headmaster as well as his dad and wonders if Snape has heard this too and if they are already fighting with each other? Either way, he has to make sure that Dumbledore will not get custody of him. He could deal with Siri but not him. "Dobby." Harry says passing the letter he got to Hermione to ensure they don't wonder what he's up to. The elf shows up right away asking what he can do for Mister Harry Potter, Sir. "Can you apparent me to the Ministry? I need to talk to Madam Bones as soon as possible. It's an emergency."
"Of course Master Harry Potter, Sir. I can take you right now." Dobby replies.
"Then let's go." Harry says assuming that they have to walk out first but Dobby just takes his hand and a second after Harry is feeling slightly sick and standing in the office of Madam Bones right between Dumbledore and Snape. Moody is on the other side of Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy on Severus Snape's other side.
"Since he managed to somehow apparete into a protected area." Lucius drawls, "Why, Professor Dumbledore, don't you ask the child in question yourself?"
"I didn't." Harry says still feeling slightly sick, "Dobby did."
"Mister Potter." Madam Bones asks, "Why are you not in school?"
"Because I was informed that I might need to fight for my wish to live with Professor Snape." Harry replies.
"But Harry, my boy." Dumbledore says in his grandfatherly manner, "We all know that you and Professor Snape don't get along and I don't know what he threatened you with to say that but you shouldn't listen to it and tell us so we can help you."
"Like you helped James Potter kidnap me?" Harry grumbles.
"Excuse me?" Madam Bones asks, "What do you mean by that?"
"I happen to know for a fact that James and Lily Potter are not my biological parents. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black can confirm it. James Potter's son died and in his grief he kidnapped me, assuming in his grief crazed mind that his son was switched with another and that I'm possibly that son. I can hardly believe that anyone can get that crazy just because of his son dying but still, that's what I heard was the reason and Dumbledore was there. I don't know why he would go with that since Voldemort wanted that boy dead and that for would then come after me but that's what he did."
"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore replies, "What makes you believe such a ridiculous thing?"
"Would you say under Veritaserum that I'm really James' biological son?" Harry replies sarcastically.
"You know I can't do that." Dumbledore smiles indulgently, "I have too many secrets that I can't risk being found out."
"Moody could silence you right after you answer that question until it stops working." Harry suggests, "But we both know that it's not really the only reason. You killed a woman that was watching me. You killed her and James took me together with Moody and two others, isn't that right? But don't worry. Professor Snape can prove with a potion who my parents are."
"Your parents used a potion to make that impossible." Dumbledore claims.
"Oh, that's nearly correct." Harry says, "Just that my dad left one option to prove my identity. And he was the only one to know that."
"And what would that option be?" Madam Bones asks to get to the bottom of this.
"I don't know." Harry replies, "You'd have to ask my dad."
"And who would that be?" She questions.
"Severus Snape." Harry replies, "Which by the way is the reason I want to live with him. He's my real dad and I want a chance to get to know him."
"Harry, my dear boy." Dumbledore still talks like a caring grandfather to a little child. "I really don't know how he made you believe that. Don't you see how ridiculous this is? You're Harry Potter, there is no doubt, you look so much like James and you have your mothers eyes."
"That's because Lily gave me a potion to change my appearance." Harry claims.
"Professor Snape," Madam Bones asks, "Would you mind telling me the name of the potion you can still use to identify his parents?"
Severus gives her the name of the potion and tells her that he can get the hair of Harry's other father if she get's the potions, since he assumes that she'd rather have someone else brew it to ensure that he won't mess with it to get a wrong result. She agrees and Harry just asks, "Do we really need to wait that long? The fact that he's willing to go through with it shows that he's telling the truth and I'd really like to not miss too many classes and to know where I'll live from now on and I really don't want that do be Dumbledore, not after everything he did."
"But Harry." Dumbledore tries again, "I never did anything but what I thought was the best for you."
"You left me with the Dursleys, knowing they hated me." Harry grumbles, "You left other children to their abuse, never helping any of them and you helped kidnap me when I was a baby. I would count that as something, so stop your acting. I don't believe any thing you say, not after the lies you told Colin."
"Don't worry, Mister Potter." Madam Bones replies, "I never considered letting your custody go to Professor Dumbledore, since he's most likely losing his position as headmaster and might even go to prison for a while for assisting in child abuse. We're finding more and more old cases where he covered up and got the children to stay quiet. He won't get custody of any child because of that. I was however considering Sirius Black but if Professor Snape really is your father you will obviously go there. Professor Dumbledore will also get a hearing for illegal use of the Obliviate spell on Muggles. He changed the memories of everyone you talked to about your problems in that Muggle school."
"Oh, that explains a lot. Well at least I won't have to deal with him." Harry smiles while Snape whispers to Lucius who moves between Dumbledore and Harry while Snape leaves to get that hair. "Are you overprotective too or did dad make you move?" Harry asks Lucius after he sits down in a chair he summons between Dumbledore and Harry. In the mean time Madam Bones is sending for a brewer that works for the Ministry to get the potion to them.
"He made me." Lucius replies, "But I also want to keep you safe. Draco would never forgive me if I didn't."
It takes a little while during which Dumbledore continues to try and talk his way back into Madam Bones good graces and tries to excuse his past actions with the war efforts. Apparently it's okay to him if children are abused, as long as no wizard thinks that all Muggles are bad. That would be the easiest way for Voldemort to gain more Death Eaters.
It doesn't help his case that Harry points out that at least his dad joined them at the start because of the abuse he had suffered and that he only turned into a spy to protect his son, whom he assumed to be on their side now, which is why he decided to protect as many kids on their side of the war as he can.
When Severus returns he's in a very grumpy mood, since apparently Harry's father refused to give his hair anonymous and enters the room right after Severus to hand over the hair himself. As usual he's his charming self and Madam Bones even asks why they aren't together anymore and Professor Naga explains that he failed to protect their son the day he was taken and that caused a rift between them but that he hopes to fix it.
Harry just watches them interact and can see that his father might actually have a chance but that his dad is still trying not to show it. A little latter a man knocks and walks in with a potion in his hand. Severus just rises an eyebrow and mumbles, "At least there is a slight chance of it being passable."
"Professor Snape." The clearly younger man mumbles and pales, looking worried.
"I guess he's one of your old students?" Harry mumbles with a slight grin.
"Correct." Severus just drawls and looks at the potion while the man prepares it to be used. "Barely passable." Severus mumbles after a moment.
"You know." Harry grins, "I'm starting to think that barely passable is the highest remark you are able to give about anyone's potions and that coming from you it translates to very good."
"I would say very good if it was very good. It is not my fault that they are too incompetent to produce anything better then barely passable though." Severus drawls.
After that all three of them put a hair into the bowl that is filled with the potion. Once again with the same result as last time and Harry just grins when the brewer present mumbles, "Snape is his father?"
Harry can't resist and replies, "Oh now. He's just my dad, the other one's my father and trust me, he seems nicer but can be way more scary."
Madam Bones just looks at Dumbledore but asks clearly meaning Harry, "How did you find out who kidnapped you?"
"Hercules was there when it happened. That's why he's so close to me now, he was always with me at first as well as already partly bound to me and due to that missed me. He was happy to find me again and he recognized me by scent alone and has a good memory for those. He recognized all of theirs and another snake that had been at the scene afterwards knew about James being there." Harry replies. "That's how Hercules knew who that was. Dumbledore, Moody and James Potter were three of the five that took me. I learned quickly to trust Hercules' sense of smell."
"Harry, my boy." Dumbledore chides, "That snake lived with Voldemort and you trust him more than me?"
"I do." Harry replies, "I did because Sirius and Remus have confirmed it by now, just like the potion did. On top of that, it doesn't help me to trust you when you lie to Colin to make him shut up about the abuse he and his brother suffered."
"I only wanted to make sure that Voldemort won't use that fact to get more Death Eaters." Dumbledore repeats his reason.
"And he gets the abused kids to become Death Eaters." Harry grumbles. "You can't stop him with lies. Tell the truth. Help those kids and show the world that yes there are bad Muggles but not all of them are the same, just like not all wizards are Death Eaters." After that Harry looks at Madam Bones, "Now that it's proven that I'm his son, can I live with him?"
"Of course." She replies. "But what about Professor Naga? Since he's your parent too?"
"I'm mad at him about something and he knows what that something is." Harry tells her, "He's trying to make up for it, it seems, but so far he hasn't succeeded."
"I'm not giving up though." The man in question insists.
"I feared you'd say that." Harry replies with a sigh, "But I'd still rather be with my dad."
"I think that can be arranged and I hope that Dobby can return you as easily and safely as he brought you here." Madam Bones replies before looking towards Professor Dumbledore, "We seem to have some more things to talk about and I think it's good that Alistor Moody is present."
Harry just looks at Dobby. "Would you please bring me back to Hogwarts?"
"Of course Mister Harry Potter, Sir." Dobby replies, "Where in Hogwarts would you like to go?"
"Wherever is fine." Harry tells him, "I don't know where Hermione and Ron are, so I'll have to look for them anyway."
"They are in the library." Dobby tells him. "I'll take you there now." After that Dobby takes his hand and they disappear.
Later that day during dinner it is announced that Minerva is the new headmistress of Hogwarts because Dumbledore is currently in Azkaban under suspicion of kidnapping and assisting in child abuse and neglect. Harry sees his father grinning when he hears that and frowns a little, praying that the dark Lord won't return now that his rival is gone. Harry can't wait for the next evening. He's starting to really look forward to Friday and Saturday nights since he by now always spends those in Draco's arms and feels more relaxed there than anywhere else and he really needs that right now.
The same is the case the next night and Harry enjoys it to wake up in Draco's arms again on Saturday morning and talks to him about everything that has happened and that he doesn't know what Remus will do when he hears about Professor Naga and Professor Snape being his parents. After all Remus was told that the dark Lord is Harry's father and that for might figure out that their new defense Professor is the dark Lord.
Draco tries to calm him and that he can always claim that it just turned out to be a misunderstanding and that Professor Naga simply also can speak parsel and that for you misunderstood it when Hercules said that he could talk to Harry's father. Harry doubts that Remus would fall for it but just hopes that everything will work out somehow, even if he has to tell him the truth. He is glad to be able to talk to Draco about his problems though and wonders if maybe he's already in love with the blond, since he misses him so much during the week whenever he can't see him.
In the end Harry knows that only time will be able to answer that for sure. Just like with most of the other problems he has about his father and his dad. But deep down he hopes that his father won't start killing people again now that Dumbledore is gone. Harry just hopes that there is some chance that his family will be complete and happy some day and that won't happen if the man is a killer. And it would be great to know that the man loved him enough to change everything about himself that drastically, just to get his son's approval. So he decides to wait and see how things develop.
It does take some time to get used to McGonagall sitting in Dumbledore's chair during meals and apparently even more time to not think of it as Dumbledore's chair. With time Harry is sure he can manage, at Christmas he is officially Snape's son though his name hasn't changed because that would require to fill out different papers and Snape refuses to do it since the Potter name entitles Harry to certain advantages and the public is already worried abut his influence on their savior, now that Harry is actually back in the public's good graces. Harry is also spending part of his Christmas with his friends at Grimmault Place where Dumbledore is no longer welcome since Sirius knows a little more about Harry's life with the Dursleys.
Snape on the other hand is invited and appears on Christmas day for lunch but he refuses to stay long and Harry has a feeling it's because he worries about a fight between Sirius and Severus ruining the day for Harry. Later during the holidays Harry is with his dad in the home close to little winging for a few days. McGonagall having given him part of the holidays to go home, assuming that Harry and Severus might need some time alone to get to know each other better. Harry is happy about it but does miss Draco a lot and starts to wonder if it might really be love he feels for the blond? He also still wonders about his other father. The man seems to have gotten that he can't push Harry to accept him faster and that Severus also doesn't seem likely to forgive him anytime soon.
Still the man has so far kept his promise and not hurt anyone. There were a few Death Eater activities shortly after Christmas but since the man himself helped catch the culprits, Harry is tempted to believe that he might not have ordered it and the Death Eaters in question have simply gotten impatient and acted on their own accord. It might have been the man's plan but Harry still hopes that he can have a real family and is pleased with the man's recent attempt to get his family back. That's why Harry talks to Severus the night before they have to return to Hogwarts and asks, "You said that you still love my father, so why are you making it so hard for him?"
"It has two reasons really." The man replies, "Firstly it is always nice to have someone chasing you. I'm sure you know what I mean, since you seemd to enjoy Draco's attempts to get you."
"Some of them." Harry admits blushing. "What's the other reason?"
"The other reason is that I'm sort of afraid. What if he does turn dark again?I know you'll never accept it but to be frank, it was quite hard enough to cope the first time around, right after leaving him. I love him very much and the more you love someone, the harder it is to be separated from them. Even if only by your own choice. I don't want to have to chose between you two and I don't want to lose him again."
"I think I know what you mean." Harry mumbles, "But you know, it might be the Gryffindor in me, but as I told you before, I think some things are worth a risk. And I mean it that I'd be fine if you'd date him, even if he does start evil things, I'd be mad at him of course. but as long as you don't help him, I think can accept if you don't want to stay way from him. Anyway, it's late, I should go to bed, dad." And with that Harry leaves a stunned Severus behind.
Authors Note: I think you all agree that the story is mostly at it's end apart from Severus and Harry getting over their stubbornness and just accept Harry's father back into their lives and for Harry to tell Draco that he is head over heals for him. Anyway, I still have a little surprise for you in the next chapter which will be the last.