A/N: I deeply apologize for the lengthy delay in writing this. College has begun and it has been incredibly hard to find time to write. But I PROMISE that I will finish this story, and will try to update every one or two weeks as I did before. There should be about two or three more chapters. Enjoy!

S.S

Ron looked down at Severus, sheepishness creeping into his formerly jubilant expression. "It wasn't like I was sleeping in here!" He protested defensively.

"Oh, Merlin," Severus muttered, shuddering at the thought. Harry unsuccessfully stifled laughter.

"I was sleeping with Harry!" Ron said brightly. "I mean, er, in Harry's room – "

He continued to mutter on incoherently. Severus rolled his eyes. Weasley.

"Hey, Ron," Harry interjected, once he had gotten control of himself. "Could you give me and Snape a moment? In private?"

"What?" Ron asked. "Oh, er, of course." He looked down at Severus and beamed again. "This is great news, really. I'm going to go Owl everyone!" He continued looking between Severus and Harry, smiling, and was so distracted that when walking out he promptly smashed into a wall. He picked himself up and trudged dazedly out of the room. Really, was the blasted boy blind?

Harry was laughing heartily and Severus felt himself biting back a small smile. The muscles on his face felt stiff, unused, after so long without movement. He felt stupendous relief flood his entire body, replacing all of the tension and stress.

Harry scooted further back, sitting cross-legged on Severus's bed. "I can't believe you're awake." He said softly.

Severus looked at him intensely. "Me neither."

Both were quiet for a little while, reveling in the moment, until Harry spoke tentatively. "So can you…can you tell me what the spell did? When you're ready." Severus pursed his lips as though tasting something unpleasant. "It is a very, very Dark spell, Potter." He peered at Harry, as though sizing him up to see if he could handle the truth. "It traps the victim in his or her own body, paralyzed, but able to hear and feel and think. The symptoms are usually mistaken for a coma – as they were with me – because people are unable to discern that the victim is actually fully conscious."

"So if you were trapped…how did you get out?" Harry asked, in awe.

Severus fidgeted slightly, looking pointedly away from Harry. "It requires extreme magical power and strength. Naturally, I tried several times." He paused and looked distinctly uncomfortable. "However, after you made a certain…comment, I was able to summon the enormous strength it took and…wake up."

Harry blushed. Severus looked at his hands.

"So you heard when I was, er, reading to you?" Harry said quickly. "And talking? And, oh, Merlin…when I was crying," He finished, his cheeks blushing again.

Severus shifted a bit, sitting up. His black eyes bored intensely into Harry's. "I heard it all." He said simply.

"You probably think I'm a moron," Harry said, wincing slightly, his cheeks red.

Severus shook his head quickly, feeling strangely annoyed. "I don't."

"Really?" Harry said incredulously. "I was reading newspaper articles to you…babbling about the mundane parts of my day…"

"Harry." Severus interrupted quietly. He opened his mouth and then closed it. "You don't…understand." He finished harshly.

"I don't understand what?"

Severus pursed his lips. Normally he was so eloquent and fluid when speaking, with swift comebacks and vituperative castigations, but now he was completely struggling for words. Damn Potter.

"Your behavior the past few weeks, while I've been…indisposed," Severus began, "it meant…"

"Meant what?" Harry pressed.

"I don't know." Severus said, annoyed. "It's…difficult to explain – "

"What do you mean?"

"You don't understand the feeling of being unloved, Potter!" Severus said angrily. He tried to regain composure. "It is not…an enjoyable feeling. People do not seek it out."

Harry's eyes suddenly filled with tears. Severus felt compelled to continue.

"You could have left me on Lestrange's basement floor – "

"I would never!" Harry interjected. "You were still alive!"

"Yet, you thought I was dead!" Severus responded testily. "The mere fact that you took me back, facilitated this arrangement so I could be in my own bed, came in everyday and covered me with these blankets – " He paused and tried again to gain some composure. "You didn't…you didn't need to do that."

"I didn't." Harry agreed. "But I wanted to."

Severus nodded, unsure how to respond.

"You aren't unloved, you know. You never were." Harry said softly.

Severus narrowed his eyes. "I beg to differ, Potter."

Harry shook his head. "My mother loved you." He said. "Even though she's gone, her love is still within you. It will always be a part of you, and it means you'll always be loved." He paused. "And now, as an added bonus, you have me, and the Weasleys. Not to mention, your enormous fan base of desperate witches."

Severus felt himself laugh slightly, and when Harry's face pathetically lit up at the sound, Severus felt a warmth in his chest that he couldn't really describe.

"Can I ask you something?" Harry said.

Severus rolled his eyes dramatically. Classic Potter question. "What?"

"Why did you choose to come back with me?"

Severus pursed his lips. He had hoped that this discussion could be delayed. "It would not be fair to leave you to face Lestrange alone." He said carefully.

Harry narrowed his eyes in a Severus-like fashion. Pushing down the returning feelings of warmth, Severus gave him what he hoped was a detached look. "What's the real reason?" Harry pressed.

"That's the real reason, Potter." Severus rolled his eyes.

"No, be honest." Harry said. "I want to know if it was for pity."

Severus had been planning on not responding and moving onto a different subject, but he was so affronted he spoke before he could stop himself. "Pity?" He asked incredulously. "Do you take me for a sentimental man, Potter?"

"No." Harry said. "But you have this unusual…loyalty. Sense of duty."

"Potter, it was not a decision I made lightly." Severus said. If only the boy could understand.

"I didn't mean that." Harry shook his head quickly. "I just wanted to make sure…that you wanted to come back with me."

Severus looked away. "I did. Trust me."

"With my life, I do." Harry said quietly.

Severus looked at Harry, the boy's expression kind and content, and felt a powerful rush of affection. He reached out and squeezed the boy's shoulder, softly adding, "Despite your occasional idiocy, I trust you too."

Suddenly, Severus felt his entire torso enveloped in a strong hug. Despite his weak condition, he squeezed Harry back.

H.P.

"So did you enjoy the party?" Harry asked, smiling slightly.

Harry, in a moment of questionable judgment, had decided to host a small party after Severus "came back" from his coma. Severus had begrudgingly agreed to it, mostly because it seemed to mean so much to Harry. But he had flatly refused to give a speech – or really speak at all, except in one-on-one conversations – so Harry had given a brief toast, at which Mrs. Weasley had started sobbing hysterically.

"It was fine." Severus said evasively. "However, the Weasley woman…" He rolled his eyes.

Harry smiled. "She can be a little overemotional."

"Excessively so." Severus said. "You'd have thought we were father and son and I was the only family you had left, the way she was acting." He rolled his eyes, then stilled as he realized what he had said.

Hurt shot through Harry like fire. "Don't insult her." He said angrily, his entire body stiff and cold.

Severus looked distinctly uncomfortable. Ignoring Harry's misdirected anger, he said, "You misunderstood me."

"I didn't know that that…idea…was so ludicrous and repulsive to you."
Harry said, feeling his hands shaking as his face got red. "I'll keep that in mind. I'm going to bed."

He got up from his chair and walked upstairs, cracking his knuckles and biting his lip.

He threw open his door and quickly shut it, sliding down the side until he was sitting on his hard wooden floor.

It wasn't that he wanted Snape to declare to the world that he thought of Harry as his son; but wasn't it kind of implied? Wasn't in obvious, in the way both of them acted and spoke to each other? Was Harry the only one who felt that way?

He heard a knock on the door. "Leave." Harry said.

"Grow up, Potter." Snape said impatiently.

"That's definitely the right way to get my forgiveness – insulting me." Harry said sarcastically.

"Forgiveness for what?" Snape's voice asked.

Aggravated, Harry stood up and yanked open the door to see Snape standing there, hands on his hips.

"For that comment!" Harry said hotly. "Does the idea of having that sort of…relationship with me disgust you?" He snorted derisively. "I guess the thought of being a father figure to me would repulse you. Some things don't change."

"Stop it." Snape said harshly. He strode into the room and sat on a chair, rubbing his temples with his long fingers. "Sit over there." He gestured at the bed.

"I'm not your student anymore. Don't order me around."

Snape raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms until Harry, muttering rudely and rolling his eyes, moved over and sat stiffly on the bed.

"Harry." Snape said quietly. "I implore you to listen to me without interruption." He paused. "I don't think you will ever fully appreciate the impact that you have had on me. You don't understand how much it takes for me to say the merest sentimental thing – to be anything but closed-off. You have changed me in ways I can't even explain. And that is why I made the decision to stay with you – not because I pitied you, or didn't love your mother, but because I genuinely wanted to stay with you." He paused. "Now, in reference to today, of course the thought of adoption has crossed – "

"I – what? Adoption?" Harry breathed.

Snape twitched like he was mentally slapping himself. "Forget I said that. I simply meant – "

"But – why – " Harry stuttered, trying to wrap his head around what Snape had said.

"Forget it!" Snape said, clearly trying to backtrack. "You misunderstood – "

"I would…I would love to be adopted by you." Harry said loudly and clearly, having composed himself.

Snape shook his head, looking uncharacteristically disoriented and confused. "Potter!" He barked, but without any venom. "I merely meant…our living situation…not totally ludicrous…but it was not an offer…" He looked up at Harry with narrowed eyes, clearly hoping his infamous stare would compensate for his stuttering words.

"I know it wasn't an explicit offer," Harry conceded, "but nevertheless, it was implied, and I accept."

Both men were quiet for a long time, Harry looking at Snape patiently, even serenely, and Snape staring back tensely. Finally, he broke the silence.

"You don't want me to adopt you, Potter."

"Yes, I do."

"No." Snape said harshly. "First, you're overage, so it wouldn't even matter. Second, the entire public would be in an outrage that a Death Eater is adopting the Boy Who Lived. And lastly, your father and godfather would roll over in their graves if they knew you were even considering it."

Now Harry felt himself getting angry again. "Stop it."

"I'm just being realistic." Snape said emotionlessly.

"No, stop it!" Harry said hotly. "Whenever we get to emotional topics you shut me out, and now you're being mean – "

"All those things I said are completely true." Snape said. "I was not saying them to be mean. Your father would literally have disowned you if he knew what you were doing – and the mutt probably would have never spoken to you again."

Harry felt random feelings of doubt begin to surface and tried to push them down. Clenching his jaw, he said, "Just leave." And with a swoosh of his cloak, his expression emotionless and unreadable, Snape swept out of the room.

Rubbing his temples, Harry lay down on the bed and within seconds, had fallen into a fitful sleep.

Harry woke in a small, strangely familiar room filled with white light. There was a plush sofa, large bookcase, mahogany coffee table, and a few toys scattered around on the floor.

With a small start, Harry realized he was in his old house – the one where he had lived with his parents, when he was a baby.

Aware that he was dreaming, but unsure how to get out, he took a seat on the sofa and peered around. To his confusion, the bookcase was filled with Potions textbooks.

"Harry?" an ethereal voice called.

Harry spun around and gasped at the sight he saw. Standing in the doorway were Lily and James, looking happy and youthful. Harry rushed over and let both of their strong arms envelop him; there really was no better feeling in the world, than being in his parents' arms.

After a few moments they all went over to the sofa. Harry sat in the middle and Lily beside him, still gripping his hand. James sat on the coffee table, facing them.

"Why are you here?" Harry breathed, scared they would disappear.

"We've seen what's been going on." Lily said.

"And we want you to know how we feel." James added.

"I know that Severus mentioned…adopting you today." Lily ventured. Harry cast a glance at James to gauge his reaction, but he remained contentedly smiling at Harry. "We want you to know…nothing would make us happier."

"I – what?" Harry asked. "Even…even you, Dad?"

James nodded firmly. "Snape turned out to be a good man, Harry." He said. "In fact, a great man. There is nobody who I would rather…take my place."

"He's not taking your place." Harry said quickly.

"I understand." James said. "But as a father figure, he is perfect for the job. Just don't start wearing all black." Harry laughed.

"Also, sweetheart," Lily said, "your father and I discussed it and…if you want to call Severus something else, he wouldn't mind. Not one bit."

"I think that would be too weird." Harry said honestly. "But I…I appreciate what you're saying. Thank you." He said earnestly. "I just…I just don't know if Snape is going to come around to the idea. Of adoption."

Lily and James, to Harry's surprise, both laughed. "Oh, Harry," Lily said, smiling, "I won't be surprised if he's come around to the idea at this very moment. Severus is really such a softie. Don't worry about him."

Harry nodded, then hesitated. "You both…you promise you don't mind?"

They both nodded firmly. "Harry, all any parent wants is to see their child happy and safe." James said. "With Snape, you are both. It's more than we could have hoped for – we only wish you'd had it sooner."

Harry nodded as Lily squeezed his hand. "One more thing, love." She said softly. "Tell Severus that I have always loved him, and always will. That will never change."

Harry, ignoring the spurt of wetness in his eyes, nodded. "I will."

"Good. Then there are a few other people who want to say hi." Lily said.

Harry's heart soared as he saw Remus, Tonks, Sirius, and Fred come into the room, all looking happier and healthier than he could remember them looking in life. After giving each of them long hugs, they all sat down, beaming.

"Good thing you've made Ron learn to cook, Harry," Fred said. "The boy needs to learn some life skills. Preferably he would have learned to interact with girls first, but I guess he and Hermione are doing okay."

Everyone laughed and Harry grinned widely, ecstatic to be laughing at Fred Weasley again. With Lily still holding his hand, and Sirius draping an arm over his shoulders, Harry spent the next few hours chatting with all of them – talking about Teddy, Ginny, and everyone in between.

"There's something I'd like you to tell Molly, Harry." Lily said. "Tell her that I've been looking after Fred, as she looked after you all these years."

Harry nodded firmly. "Of course."

Tonks, next to Lily, leaned her head on her shoulder. "Your mum is pretty awesome, Harry." She said. "It's not easy being up here sometimes – Remus and I left Teddy, Fred left George and his whole family, Sirius left you – but she always knows what to say."

Lily smiled, caressing Harry's cheek for a moment. "I've had a lot of practice being sad, and missing the ones I left behind." She said softly. "I know what to do now."

They all chatted, until Lily, with the air of having to do something unpleasant, said that it was time for Harry to return. After each having hugged Harry, they all moved toward the door and looked back at Harry, on the other side of the room.

"Talk to Severus, Harry." Lily said.

"And remember that we all love you." James added.

"I love all of you too." Harry said, and within moments their faces disappeared and he was back in his bed, jumping up to go talk to Snape.