Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Changing some of Harry's O.W.L. results, having his dad and no Voldemort, he would be able to study more. =)
Merry Christmas!
Bellatrix, screaming and crying, began casting curses at the two teens. Both had their wands up and began deflecting them. Neville blocked a nasty one that almost hit him and Ginny, his face pale yet his eyes filled with intent.
"I want my master!" Bellatrix shouted, looking completely unhinged.
Ginny began to say the stunning spell but Neville, staring at Bellatrix with determination, was quicker to take advantage of her distraction. "Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Incarcerous!" He shouted, effectively binding Bellatrix, who was still crying and yelling for her master. The shield she had cast dropped.
"Wow, Neville," Ginny whispered, turning to stare at him, her eyes wide with admiration.
Neville slowly lowered his arm. Dumbledore approached him and put his arm around the boy. "Good job, Neville. You have always shown bravery."
Neville managed a shaky thanks. He was staring at Bellatrix while Ginny put her arm around him. "She seems like nothing now," He murmured.
"She is nothing," Dumbledore agreed. "Her purpose in life, the only thing she valued and lived for, was Voldemort. With him gone she has nothing."
The door opened and Sirius, Remus and the rest of the Order rushed in. "Merlin's beard!" Sirius exclaimed when he saw a dead Voldemort and a bound Bellatrix.
"Are you all alright?" Arthur demanded, hugging his son and then his daughter.
"Yeah Dad, we're all fine." Ron answered.
Sirius and Remus crowded around Harry. "You all right, pup?" Sirius asked anxiously.
Harry laughed and nodded. "I'm good." Voldemort was gone!
"Who killed him?" Kingsley asked with interest.
"Harry and Severus both defeated him," Dumbledore said brightly.
Harry shook his head. "No, it was dad who defeated him."
"I would not have been able to kill him if you had not made him drop his wand," Snape pointed out.
"How did you do that?" Remus asked incredulously.
"I made him feel everything he isn't capable of feeling," Harry said with a shrug. "Love. How I feel about all of you," He flushed a little from embarrassment. "What I felt after seeing mum and -"
"You saw your mother?" Snape asked hoarsely.
"Ho-how?" Sirius asked, his eyes wide.
"After Voldemort killed me, I -"
"He killed you?!" Sirius and Remus shouted together.
"Not for long. I saw Mum at the park where you and she first met," Harry told his dad with a smile. "She said she loves you, and she's sorry she never told you about me. She wants us to be happy. She said you were always the one for her and that we were the best things in her life."
Snape pulled his son into another hug, his eyes tearing up once more. Oh Lily, thank you, he thought. "I love you, Harry," He said softly.
"I love you too, Dad,"
Sirius watched this, almost like he was seeing them for the first time.
"What of the other Death Eater's?" Dumbledore asked.
"Most all have been caught and headed for Azkaban, except for Lestrange and Avery who were both killed dueling Moody." Arthur said, each arm around one of his kids.
"We should get the kids out of here before this room is flooded with reporters," Dumbledore announced.
Severus nodded. He wanted to have Harry checked out by Pomfrey, just to be sure his son was really okay. He couldn't believe how close he had come to losing him. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder to gently lead him out of the room.
HP
Harry shuffled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He had been given a calming draught the night before, despite the fact that he had insisted he was fine to both Pomfrey and his dad.
Snape immediately stood and held out a chair for him to sit on. "How are you feeling? Any shakes from the Cruciatus Curse?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I feel fine. You?"
"I'm good, better than good," Snape said as he started a pot of tea. "My dark mark has faded to a very faint scar."
"Like my scar?" Harry asked, his hand going to his forehead. He had checked in the mirror, a faint lightening bolt was there, barely noticeable.
"Yes," Snape said.
"I can't believe it's over," Harry said, almost feeling giddy at the thought. "When I went there, I thought he had you. He even said you were dead at first..." Harry fiddled with his cup of tea. "I don't think I would have survived losing you." he admitted.
Snape leaned forward. "And you think I would have survived losing you?" he asked, his voice rather harsh. "You should not have been there, Harry!" All the worry and fear came out and he struggled to control his emotions.
"I thought he had you!"
"I know you were tricked, we were all tricked," Snape took a deep breath. He hadn't gotten much sleep, when he did all he dreamed of was walking in to find his son dead. "But you knew that with the connection you and Voldemort had, he could feed you fake images."
"You said his name," Harry said in surprise.
"Don't change the subject," Snape said impatiently. "You have improved in Occluding but you have not mastered it completely yet. So you knew he -"
"Yes, I knew it could be a trick," Harry interrupted. "But I couldn't get a hold of anyone to help, to check that you were all right. And I knew that even if it was a trick, I would go anyway. You're my dad. You would have done the same for me."
"Harry -"
"I know, I was reckless, foolish, impulsive -"
"Don't finish my sentence for me," Snape lightly admonished. "Your days of running off into danger is over, Harry. No excuses."
"Voldemort is gone," Harry shrugged. "Nothing to worry about now."
"Not completely true," Snape said seriously. "First, you seem to find trouble even if it is not Voldemort related. Be rest assured I will be keeping a very close eye on you and your activities. Second, although most of the death eaters were caught, there are a few still loose. Granted, they weren't the ones that were considered the most dangerous but you will still need to keep a careful eye. There are also those who did support Voldemort although they didn't become a death eater."
"Oh," Harry said, slightly alarmed.
"But overall, the main danger is finally over," Snape conceded. "But I mean what I say Harry, no more running off into risky situations, despite any good intentions. I will not lose you, do you understand me? Seeing you dead," He stopped, having to take a moment. His heart pounded at the memory and he shut his eyes for a moment. "I couldn't bear it, son."
"I'm sorry," Harry said honestly. "But see, I was trying to save you from dying. I couldn't bear it either." He sighed in frustration. "No adult left here was available to talk to...and I couldn't just sit and wait. I couldn't lose you after just finding you," He finished.
Snape pulled him into a one armed hug. "Do not get me wrong. I think you were immensely brave to face Voldemort, and to let him cast the killing curse at you," Snape broke off for a moment before clearing his throat. "You realized you were a Horcrux." He still couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, it just suddenly made sense," Harry said with a shrug.
"I don't know if I can forgive Albus..." Snape said, frustration and anger in his voice.
"Is that the only reason he acted like he cared about me?" Harry asked sadly. "Because he knew I needed to let Voldemort kill me?"
"No," Snape pulled Harry into a hug, resting his chin on Harry's head. "Albus does care about you, that I do believe. He just has his own way of going about things."
"At least it's over," Harry said happily. "We're both free from him now."
"Yes," Snape dropped a kiss on Harry's head and then stepped back. "Now you can focus on important things."
"Yeah," Harry said excitedly. "Like Hogsmeade visits and Quidditch and Hermione and my friends -"
"I was thinking of things like your homework, studying, getting ready for your O.W.L.S." Snape raised an eyebrow. "So, you and Miss Granger hmm?"
Harry felt himself blushing. "Well, um, maybe. I don't know."
"Typical teenage romance," Snape rolled his eyes as he walked into the sitting room.
Harry stuck his tongue out at his back.
"I have a jar in my lab that would be perfect for your tongue, Harry."
How does he always know? Harry wondered.
HP
"We get to go to Hogsmeade this Saturday," Ron said gleefully at dinner. "We're getting more weekend trips as part of the celebration."
"And Christmas break is coming soon and I heard they may give us an extra week of holiday!" Neville said happily.
"I hope that is true, that would be brilliant," Ginny said.
"Christmas," Harry said slowly.
Hermione watched him and leaned closer. "Your first with your dad," She said warmly. "It will be wonderful, Harry."
"Yeah," Harry said in wonder. His first Christmas with a family of his own. With someone who actually wanted him. He grinned. It would be wonderful.
HP
"This place is amazing," Harry said as he looked around the manor. It was huge and spacious.
"It is," Snape agreed as he set their luggage down. Immediately two house elves popped into the room.
"Master Snape, yous has returned!"
Snape sighed. "You knew I was, I messaged you that I would be here with my son for the Christmas holiday."
"Young Master Snape," Both house elves bowed.
"You can just call me Harry," Harry grinned. They both wore nice tea cozy's and one had little bows all over it.
"Harry, this is Tru and Zippy," Snape said. "They came with the manor." He said dryly.
"It's nice to meet you," Harry said.
"I trust our rooms are ready?" Snape said.
"Yes, exactly as you specified Master Snape," Tru nodded and beamed.
"And the object I asked you to attain?"
"In the parlor room, Master," Zippy said.
"What object?" Harry asked curiously.
Snape lead him to the parlor room where a huge, dark green tree waited to be decorated.
Harry's mouth dropped open. "Wow." He breathed.
"There is a box of ornaments, Young Master," Zippy beamed. "And garland for the mantel, stockings and lights -"
"We's weren't sure how much yous and Master Snape wanted to do," Tru finished.
"This is brilliant," Harry said happily.
"If we need assistance, we will let you know," Snape said dismissively to the house-elves, his eyes on his son. Harry's eyes were shining with excitement and he realized that Harry would never have gotten to help decorate at his pathetic relatives home. He wanted this to be an idyllic holiday for Harry, he deserved it. They both did.
HP
Harry was humming along with the old radio playing Christmas music as he put up ornaments. They ranged from different colored balls to brooms, little cauldrons and little hand knit stockings. He paused as he pulled one out, a clear round ball with a picture inside. A picture of his dad and mum, their arms around each other and smiling as light snowflakes flew around them.
"I forgot about that," Snape said, his eyes focused on the ornament. "Your mother made it...that picture was our first Christmas together after graduating Hogwarts."
"It's really nice," Harry said, looking up at his dad. "It should be the first one on the tree. Here, you hang it."
Severus hung it at the top and then stepped back to admire it. "There. Right where it belongs."
Harry smiled, feeling he was finally right where he belonged as well.
HP
It was the best Christmas Harry had ever had. Christmas Eve was spent sitting by the fully decorated tree and looking through photos of parents that his dad had kept all these years. There weren't many but enough and hearing his dad talk about his mum made him feel even closer to her, as if she was there sitting with them. They had had a delicious dinner and Harry had gone to bed feeling full, warm and happy.
Christmas morning, Zippy and Tru outdid themselves by making a full English breakfast which Harry eagerly devoured, despite the amazing dinner he had had the night before.
"Do try not to make yourself sick," Snape said dryly as he took a sip of his coffee.
"It's so good," Harry shrugged as he munched on a piece of bacon. "And I'm a growing boy."
"You'll be growing outward if you keep it up," Snape grumbled, though his eyes held amusement. He was happy to see Harry eat, to see him looking so relaxed and content. Knowing that his son had suffered many Christmas mornings where he had been locked away while his so called relatives enjoyed their holiday morning still filled him with grief and anger and was determined to make happy memories for his boy.
After Lily, Snape had never celebrated holidays or birthdays, never took part of gift giving even though his colleagues had many a time sent him gifts. It had irritated him, then. Now seeing Harry sitting under the tree, opening his presents filled Snape with... joy, he had to admit. Especially when Harry opened the gifts from him and expressed how much he liked and appreciated them.
Harry ran his hand over the expensive looking cloak his dad had bought him, in a deep blue. As someone who had once only had hand me downs that were hardly more than rags, Harry appreciated getting clothes. Also from his dad he had been given a ink color changing quill, the newest book on Quidditch, a gold and maroon watch that featured a golden snitch on the face and finally, a pensive. Harry looked at his dad curiously. "What's in this one?"
"A few different memories," Snape said. "When your mother and I met, studying together at school, pranks we played on Petunia during the summers," He smirked slightly. "Or the accidents that happened around your aunt, as your mum would say."
Harry eagerly entered the pensive and indeed, saw his parents meet as children. Saw his mum's fascination as his dad told her about Hogwarts. Saw when a teenager Petunia screamed as she saw a pig snout every time she looked in the mirror, saw his parents studying and laughing together by the Great Lake, saw his dad propose to his mum, saw them exchange vows...
"Thank you," Harry said hoarsely after he came back out of the pensive. He stood and walked over to where his dad sat and leaned down to hug him. "Thank you for those. Thank you for everything."
"You are very welcome," Snape said softly, hugging him back. "And thank you for my new potions book, I didn't know it had been released yet."
"Um, well, it hasn't," Harry said sheepishly. "I sort of wrote to the author and..."
"And since you're Harry Potter," Snape said teasingly.
"Harry Snape," Harry said firmly. "But yeah, I was sent an advanced copy."
"Thank you, son. And I also very much appreciate my new vials, I was needing more."
"As long as I don't have to clean them..." Harry joked.
"Hmm," Snape lips quirked as he tried not to laugh. "We'll see."
"You haven't opened this one," Harry said brightly, handing him a green wrapped package. "It's also from me."
Snape carefully opened it to find a beautiful leather potions journal. It had space inside for ingredient lists, ideas and experiments, potions completed... it was the nicest journal he had ever seen. "Thank you very much, Harry. This is perfect."
"I'm glad you like it," Harry said, relieved. Hermione had helped him pick it out during one of their Hogsmeade trips.
"Well, we certainly have time before we go to the Weasley's for dinner," Snape said as he waved his wand and cleared the room of crumpled wrapping paper. "What would you like to do?"
"We could go door to door and sing Christmas songs for people," Harry suggested with a straight face."I've always wanted to do that." He widened his eyes pleadingly.
Snape's eyes widened in horror.
Harry burst into laughter. "Just kidding!"
"Thank Merlin," Snape muttered.
Harry glanced outside. "We could go play in the snow."
"Play in the snow," Snape said slowly.
"Yeah, make a snowman, throw snowballs," Harry shrugged. He bit his lip. "Unless... well, we could stay in and read or something." He said with less enthusiasm.
Snape pursed his lips together to keep from grinning and nodded. "That would be quite nice."
"Oh," Harry said, his face falling. "Sure, okay."
Snape snorted. "Put on your new cloak, brat. And don't forget your scarf and gloves."
HP
Dinner at the Weasley's was loud, crowded, and perfect. Hermione had arrived that afternoon and even Remus and Sirius had been invited. Harry knew he had had a stupid grin on his face most of the night, but he was so happy. Surrounded by so many who he loved, and who loved him was a dream come true.
"My family and I celebrated last night and had a really nice brunch today," Hermione said as she and Harry sat by the Weasley's tree.
"I'm really happy you could be here today," Harry said. "Your parents really didn't mind?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, not at all. I'm only staying a few days and they knew how much it meant for me to come here."
"Because it's the first Christmas truly Voldemort free?"
"Well, that," Hermione tilted her head to the side and smiled. "And the first with my boyfriend."
"Yeah? Who is that?" Harry teased.
"A boy who gave me a beautiful gift," Hermione's tone softened as she tugged at her necklace, a silver pendent shaped like a book that was also a locket, when you opened it, you could put two pictures inside. "Did I tell you that I love it?"
"Yeah, but you can tell me again," Harry grinned.
Hermione leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love it."
Harry kissed her back, sweet and tender. "I love my snitch." She had given him a practice snitch with his initials on it. "I thought you would be giving study guides as gifts." He said teasingly.
Hermione's eyes brightened. "Now that you mention it," She went behind the couch and handed him a gift bag.
With amused resignation, Harry unwrapped the present that revealed several notebooks of each subject he was taking. Inside were outlines, highlighted ideas, practice questions and room for him to make notes. "Wow, this is incredible! It must have taken you forever to make!"
"Not really and I got really into it so it didn't take me that long," Hermione said. "I made one for Ron too and Neville. Ginny had mentioned he was nervous about taking his O.W.L.'s. And Ron asked if I could make one for Lavender."
"Lavender Brown?"
Hermione nodded. "He likes her."
"Yeah?" Harry glanced over at Ron, who was laughing at whatever Fred and George were showing him. Ron caught his glance and waved them over.
"Come see the new joke products they came up with!"
HP
"He looks really happy," Sirius said as he watched Harry, whose arm was around Hermione, laughing with his friends. He looked back to Snape and sighed. "I was wrong about you. I'm sorry."
"You are actually apologizing to me?"
"Yes. Consider it my gift to you. Merry Christmas." Sirius smirked before his face became more solemn. "I didn't believe you were capable of being a good father to Harry. I thought he was better off without you and now that I know how the Dursley's treated him and now that I've seen how much you love him, I will forever regret keeping the truth a secret."
Snape stared at him in surprise and then inclined his head. "I appreciate your apology."
Sirius shrugged. "We may never exactly like each other Snape, but we both love Harry. That's common ground, at least."
"Indeed," Snape agreed. "And I have no problem with you spending time with Harry. As long as you don't encourage him to get into trouble."
"Would I do that?"
"I'd say yes," Remus teased as he entered their conversation. "Don't worry, Severus. I think Harry is mature enough to resist Sirius's propensity to mischief."
"Are you saying my godson is more responsible than I am?"
"Yes," Snape and Remus both responded.
Sirius scowled.
HP
"Albus, I didn't know you were coming by," Snape said when Dumbledore joined them for pudding.
"I can never resist the delicious desserts Molly makes," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "I also have a gift for you."
Snape frowned slightly as he took the envelope Dumbledore handed him. Curious, he opened it and stared in shock.
"I did some digging and found that Lily had had two birth certificates made," Dumbledore said softly. "A fake one with James listed as the father and this one, the real one, with you listed. As you can see, on the real one Harry's name is Harry James Snape."
Harry eagerly tugged the certificate from his dad. "So it's official? My last name is Snape?"
"It is," Dumbledore beamed.
Snape put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You are really happy about this? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm really happy about this," Harry said honestly. He glanced over at Sirius. "I'll never forget that James did everything he could to protect me, and I'm honored that my middle name is after him." The name Potter would never be forgotten and he was sure some people would still think of him as one. His Mum and James would always be remembered.
Sirius's eyes were shiny and he nodded.
"James would be very proud of you," Remus said.
"Thank you for this, Albus," Snape said quietly.
"You are welcome, my dear boy," Dumbledore said.
HP
Snape stood in the doorway, watching his son sleep. So much had changed for him in just a matter of months. He couldn't imagine his life without his son now and looked forward to watching him become the amazing man he was already on his way to becoming. The future was open now, free from Voldemort, and Snape would support Harry in whatever he chose to do in life. Even being a Auror, he thought with a slight sneer.
HP
"Is that my O.W.L. results?" Harry asked anxiously.
Fifth year had ended and it was summer, which Harry had been enjoying immensely. He had spent it with his friends, seeing Hermione, going to Quidditch games with Sirius, and flying. He'd been helping his dad make the potions Pomfrey had requested for the coming school year and they had also done some traveling.
"Yes," Snape said as he studied the envelope. "This will determine if your sixth year has Hogsmeade visits in your future or not."
Harry made a face and held a hand out. "Thanks. As if I'm not worried enough."
Snape handed over the envelope. "All joking aside, I know you did your best. You certainly studied hard enough."
"I'll say," Harry grumbled as he opened his results. "Between you and Hermione hounding me about studying -"
"I did not hound you," Snape protested.
Harry's face brightened. "Hey, I didn't do that bad!"
"Of course not," Snape snagged the paper from his son's hands. "Hmm."
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: E
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: A
Herbology: E
History of Magic: A
Potions: O
Transfiguration: E
"Uh, History of Magic..." Harry said sheepishly.
"You will bring that up to at least an E," Snape raised an eyebrow.
"It's so boring," Harry sighed.
"Nonetheless, I will expect better," Snape said. "And I will be keeping an eye on your grades in that class," He warned.
Harry sighed. "Okay, I'll do better. About Divination -"
"That is the one class I couldn't care less about," Snape interrupted. "In fact, if I had known I was your father before you chose your electives, you would have never taken it."
"It's not that bad..." Harry trailed off and shrugged. "Okay, yes it is. I hate it but Ron and I figured it would be easy."
"Minerva should have discouraged you," Snape muttered as he helped himself to a cup of tea.
"She wasn't enthusiastic about it but said it was our decision."
"All in all, I am very proud of your grades," Snape offered him a smile. "You worked hard and I am very pleased."
Harry grinned as he dug into his scrambled eggs. "I wonder if the others got their results. Hermione's been anxious."
"I highly doubt she need be."
"Oh, I know but you know Hermione," Harry said fondly. "She expects a lot of herself and she loves learning. She's like a sponge, soaking up as much knowledge as she can."
"I suppose you will find out when you get your books today," Snape said, casting a Tempus. "You need to be at the Weasley's soon. When you go, make sure all of you stay together and do not go into Knockturn Alley."
Harry sighed. Things had been quiet since Voldemort's demise, though there were a few death eaters still on the loose. There had been no threats or attempts on Harry's life for many months now. "I'm safe now. I feel safe now."
"And yet -"
"Always stay aware of your surroundings and follow the rules," Harry rolled his eyes.
"I saw that," Snape said mildly. "Perhaps I should accompany you, hold your hand to make sure you do not find trouble."
"Merlin, don't even joke about that," Harry said in alarm. "Besides, I haven't found trouble in months!"
"Really? Does going flying after curfew at Hogwarts ring a bell?"
"We just needed to let off a little steam from all the studying," Harry protested.
"And while performing your usual stunts you fell and fractured your leg."
"Pomfrey healed it in minutes," Harry muttered.
"You are just lucky Minerva took points before I got to the infirmary because I would have doubled the loss."
"What a shock," Harry said sarcastically but with a laugh. He pushed his plate away. "I'll be careful, I promise. I won't go anywhere alone and I won't even look in the direction of Knockturn Ally." He promised.
"Good," Snape said, relaxing.
Harry gave a wave to his dad before flooing to the Weasley's, ready to finish the best summer he had ever had and looking forward to everything that was to come. He had more than he could have ever wished for, the best of friends, a girlfriend he was falling in love with, people who he considered family, and a dad who loved him no matter what. And he knew that his mum was watching over them, smiling and happy that the secret she had kept had finally been revealed.
TBC: Epilogue next! Possible sequel if you like the next chapter. I'll post it soon and you can let me know if there is interest =)