Severus barely made it out of the office before he slammed his fists into the wall. After everything he had done for that man, he was doing to leave him high and dry. Rage surged through his tall frame as he was overcome by anger. he should have known he wasn't going to get the backing of the headmaster, but it was worth a try and a waste of his breath. After a hand full of deep breaths he slowly drug his fists down the stone wall and slumped down the stairs heading back to the safety of his dungeons.

Albus would be sorry, Severus thought as he walked through the corridors, would make sure of that. but that would have to wait, first he needed to talk to an old friend, one that had more connections than he had potions, one that would have no issues with overriding the headmaster's judgement, one that owed him a favor, the one who just happened to have the Minister of Magic in his pocket.

*X*X*X*X*X*X*

it took a few days for Severus to find the time to contact Lucius. He had been busy with Weasley's detention, Constant summons, and the usual duties that came with being a father. In one fluid motion, he lit the fire with the the tip of his wand and grabbed a handful of the floo powder that sat in the dish next to Elizabeth's portrait. With the same fluid movement the used to light the fire, he tossed in the green powder before clearly stating " Malfoy Manner".

"Identify yourself" Lucius's voice sounded through the flames. His formal tone in place as if he was expecting someone important to contact him through the floo this time of day.

"Must I?" Severus inquired. he enjoyed playing mind games with the eldest Malfoy.

"Severus!" Lucius's tone changed from the firm business tone to the casual tone they usual exchanged words in. " What a pleasant surprise, i would have thought you would be preoccupied this afternoon."

"No, no today Lucius." Severus stated as he leaned against the fire, getting a better look at the platinum blonde he had in his fireplace. " I have a favor to ask of you my dear friend."

"Is that So?" Lucius asked, as one of his elegant eyebrows rose.

"Yes, and it's very important." Severus stated, his tone turning serious. Lucius was silent for a moment before he nodded his head for the cold man to continue. "I need adoption papers from child services, the thing is, Albus refuses to aid me. It's important that i get these papers Lucius. i am afraid if i don't the child won't stand a chance."

a pensive look fell over Lucius's face as he processed the information before he spoke.

"Does Elizabeth know what you are up to?" Lucius tone was that of concern.

"Of course, it was almost her idea." Severus replied as he looked at his friend. "Do you actually think i would do something this major before bringing it up to my daughters attention?"

"No of course not" Lucius replied the pensive look still upon his face. "So what do you need?"

"I need my name cleared." Severus stated" they won't even consider me because of whatever Albus told them,. . "

"I'll see what I can do" Lucius stated "It will take a few weeks to get everything straightened out, but by the time I am done, 'you will have what you need."

"Thank you"

HP

Harry silently stalked his way to the Library. It had been awhile since he had willingly been there with out Hermione and Ron flanking his sides, but he still wasn't talking to them, and besides he doubted they would have left him alone so he could complete his own personal mission. Quietly he stepped over the threshold of the library, weary of Madam Pince's stare as he made his way to the potion's section. He needed to find Elizabeth; he needed to talk to her. His doubt was starting to consume him again, and as annoying as it may have seemed to everyone else, he just wanted to make sure that Snape really wanted him before he invested anymore of his emotions into this.

Harry knew Elizabeth had to be in there, even thought she was not in the first five rows of Potion's textbooks, it was apart of her schedule. He knew she spent Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's tutoring the younger members of her house in various subjects reigning from Potions to Arithmacy and everything in between. After a few more moments of Searching, Harry found her tucked in unnoticeably at the table wedged in-between the herbs and herbicides. Even with her long black hair falling in her face, he was positive it was her; after all who other than the potions' Master's daughter would be doing research on herbs.

"Elizabeth?" Harry asked in an uncertain whisper, he really didn't want to make a fool of himself if he was wrong, but he doubted he was.

As soon as her name rolled off his lips, her head snapped up in his direction, the mask she wore faltered before a small crept on her face.

"Harry. Isn't this a pleasant surprise?" Elizabeth stated as she placed her parchment in to the book she was reading before shoving it into the corner with the other books.

"Are you busy?" Harry asked, trying to sound calmer than he was.

"No not really, Just waiting for the girl I am suppose to help with charms." Elizabeth sighed as she motioned for him to join her. He knew it was risky. They had never really associated together in such a close proximity to other people.

"Do you mind if we talk" Harry asked after as he examined the stack of books to his left.

"No not at all." Elizabeth replied. "I doubt she will show up on time, she never does."

"Are you sure he wants me?" Harry asked, he was sure it was not the best question to start out with, but it just came out like that.

"Of course I am sure he wants you Harry." Elizabeth stated as she covered his hand with hers. "If he didn't want you he would have never have talked to you like he did after that lesson."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked

"Harry, I would never set you up to hurt you. Dad wouldn't do that either, Harry He loves you. I know he does. He just doesn't invest himself into anything or anyone that he doesn't think deserves it." Elizabeth explained." And trust me; he thinks you're worth everything he's got"

EB

There was a glimmer in Harry's eyes as those words came across her lips. It was heart breaking to see Harry be so insecure, so unsure that anyone would want him because that was how he was raised.

"I'll tell you what." Elizabeth smiled as she squeezed his hand " Meet me outside of your common room fifteen minutes before curfew tonight." Uncertainty danced across his face as he looked at her

"May I ask why?" Harry's voice trembled for a moment.

"It's a surprise." Elizabeth genuinely smiled. " I promise I am not going to hand you over to the Dark Lord or anything. Just me waiting for me alright?"

Harry nodded, the uncertain look still married his face, but he seemed to be pleased by the slight humor she had incorporated. For a moment, she wondered what the boy infront of her would be like once everything was figured out. She knew underneath all of his pain ad suffering, there was the Harry that she had seen roaming the halls for the last four years, but she doubted that was who he really was. After all her father acted one way in class, one way during his summons and one way while they were alone, did that mean Harry was the same way? Or did he just play the hero persona because that was what everone expeted from him?

XXXXX

Elizabeth leaned against the door frame, watching her father neatly clearing his classroom with quick, percise, yet fluid motions his wrist. Even after watching him all these years, his magic and the way he could control it still amazed her. How many other wizards in their mid-thirties be so elegant with their magic? She had no idea. Sure her Godfather could do some impressive magic, but she doubted he could nonverbally undo a days damage to a potion's classroom.

"You would never know Gryffindor- Slytherin First Years have been here." Elizabeth stated quietly as the last of the cauldrons floated to it's place in the corner.

"If only it could stay that way."Severus retorted, a smile could be heard in his voice. Which was always a good sign, especailly for what she was going to ask.

"May I ask you a question?" Elizabeth asked as Severus turned around.

"Yes you may"

"I was wondering if you were up to spending some time with Harry." Elizabeth started slowly. " I know you have been under an immense amount of stress as of late, but he beginning to doubt if you want him." The good natured look upon the Potion Master's face fell as he processed his daughters words.

"When did he tell you this?" Severus asked after a few moments of silence

"In the Library today after lessons." Elizabeth stated. "He asked me if I was surfe you wanted him." The head of Slytherin sighed, his shoulders hunching as he brouht his and up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"What time did you tell him to be here." Severus asked quietly, half of his face was hidden by his hand,

" I told him I would get him a few minutes before curfew." Elizabeth said as she watched her parent remove his hand and look at the clock in one of the darkest corners of the room.

"That's. . . . " Severus began as he studied the round white face framed by the black circle. " That will be fine. Today is Weasley's last detention so it should be rather short. Does he know what you are up to?"

"No. I didn't want to give him false hope." Elizabeth explained as she watched Severus slowly make his way to his desk.

" That's important." Severus stated as he pulled a stack of essays his way. "Now get before Weasley Comes in and begins to complain.

SS

Severud watched Elizabeth leave his door way. After a few seconds of observing for intruders, he sighed deeply. He should have known that Harry would have begun to feel that way. It had been a long while since he had actually talked to the boy, in fact that last time he had talked to the boy outside of class was when Elizabeth accidently blew up his potion so He, Severus, could tell him how he felt.

"You have to do this Severus," The Potions' Master told himself as he began to murder the essay infont of him. "How can you be a parent to a child if you don't talk to them?"You can't

Severus sighed as he stopped grading and rested his head in his hands. The situation was getting out of control. Albus was interferring with his life like he always had, The Dark Lord seemed more and more determined to run him ragged (not that he inteneded on telling Elizabeth), His son was the boy who lived and he couldn't for the life of him get the papers to officate that, and to top it all off, Weasley was becoming more determined to tear away at his daughter for being who she was. He couldn't think of a time that was just as complex as this one.

Sure during the first war, life was hectic, he had so much going on/ From being a deatheater doing the Dark Lord's bidding, to getting is mastery, to preparing for the future with Mikayla who was pregnant with Elizabeth, to becoming a double agent because he discovered Mikayla was in danger for being with him, and Lily was in danger because of her son. Even then he was sure he still had a few moments to catch his breath. At that time he only had one master, and he didn't have to worry about dying because Elizabeth had some one else to depend on and. . . .

Severus had to stop there. He could have gone on all night if he didn't stop while he was ahead, and letting the past catch up with him was dangerous, especailly when he could be summoned at any time. After a few seconds of re-establishing his occulmency shields, he went back to his task at hand. And besides he had a persona to uphold, especailly if he was going to spend the next few hours of his life with a Weasley.

XXXXXX

Time seemed to stand still as he watched Weasley chisel the last of the cement off of the desk. The Head of Slytherin wished that time was moving faster than it was. His mind had been on Harry since Elizabeth had left a few hours ago, and no matter how hard he tried, the messy black haired boy always popped to the forefront of his mind.

"You can go Mr. Weasley" Severus stated curtly as the last of the stone crumbled to the ground. " I hope this has taught you a lesson that maybe you don't know everything, even if you are a Gryffindor. Paying attention is the best thing you can do, especailly in a class as dangerous as this."

Weasley nodded as he he placed the tools he had used away in the box he had provided.

"Now get out of my sight."

Weasley disappeared from his sight faster than he had ever seen him, it was almost as if he understood that his words didn't just apply to school work. But he doubted it, rocks seemed to be smarter than that boy.

Sighing, he vanished the mess that was left by the disinagration of the stone before glancing at the clock, it was fifteen minutes before curfew. His children would be there soon.

EB

Elizabeth leaned against the railing as she waited for the portrait to swing open and reveal Harry. She was nervous that he wouldn't show up, but she still had to put her best foot forward and make an attempt right? She wanted the two most important men in her life to be comfortable with each other, especially since they would be hopefully living together if Severus had his way. The portrait swung open as she glanced quickly at her watch. He was right on time. For a moment he looked lost as he scanned the hall before his eyes finally fell upon her.

"Didn't think I would be here?" Elizabeth asked as Harry walked towards her.

"I didn't think you would be on time." Harry replied. "Not with Ron just coming back from his detention."

"I waited until he went in to stand here." Elizabeth smiled as they began to descend the stairs. She wasn't up for a repeat of her last encounter with Harry's best friend, she used that term lightly, and she was sure that he wasn't up to spending another two weeks with her dad anyway.

"Is he going to be in a good mood?" Harry asked as they where half way down the stairs.

"He was when I saw him, but I don't think that changed." Elizabeth replied. "He tends to be in a good mood when I tell him there is a small chance I will spend time with him."

Harry nodded and remained silent as they continued down into the Dungeons. By the time they made it down, no one was out and the candles that lit the cold hallways slowly dimmed as they began to die away.

Elizabeth led the way to the potion's classroom; it seemed that Harry was a little more hesitant to take charge in snake territory, which was understandable. Half of her house opening despised and hated him for well, being him.

She wasted no time on knocking on the door; no sane person would come seeking the Potions' Master at this hour anyway. Breathing in slightly, she shoved the door open, allowing Harry to enter first. It seemed to be the best option anyway. She set this up so Harry could see their father, there was no need for her to be first.

"I see the two of you weren't caught." Severus stated as he looked up from him work, his hair falling , framing his face. Harry was tense, but she figured that he would be, at least until Severus let down his shields. After a few moments, Severus's face and eyes softened making him look his age causing the tension in Harry's shoulders leave.

SS

Severus could see the tension in his son's body as he stood by the door, but that didn'r surprise him. Every student he had come into contact with that had the same background was always aprehensive when they met late. But this should be different, he shouldn't be afraid of you. Slowly Severus allowed his mask to fall, revealing his trueself. If he wanted his son to trust him, he would have to be less professor Snape and more Father. Severus waited for a few moments before placing his grading quill on the desk and pushed himself up. For a moment he shuffled his papers into a neat pile to be finished later before moving.

He closed the gap between Harry and himself in a few strides. He was so close to the boy, he could see doubt in his eyes, and the uncertainty that was just under the surface of his facial expression. With a small smile upon his face, Severus spoke softly.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to hug me?"

A flicker of Emotions played across Harry's eyes before the young boy threw himself upon Severus's middle, arms enclosing around his waist holding him tight. Severus's smile widened as he wrapped his arms around Harry holding him close. Normally he wouldn't have started off an incounter with that particular question, but that was the only way he could think to get Harry to reach. It was his way of showing the boy he loved him.

Severus tilted his head until his chin was resting ontop of his sons. He could feel Harry shaking in his arms as they stood there. With a quick flicker of his eyes, he could see Elizabeth and the smile on her face.

"Harry?" Severus whispered into the mess of black hair, receving a nod in response.

"Harry, you know I love you don't you?" Severus began quietly as he felt a sob shutter through the body in his arms. "And I am doing everything I can to get you and keep you."

AUTHORS NOTES:

this is the longest chapter I have every written for any of my stories, and it just makes me so Happy :D