[a/n0]Bragging rights passed 500 reviews! Miriam gets the credit.

[a/n]More than once I've read a summary 'Severus is really Harry's father' and everyone in the story falls in love with the concept.

Harry Does Different CCXCI

Snape's My Dad

"I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions." —Professor Snape regarding the Potions OWL. He marched menacingly through the aisles of students, looking forward to attrition that would rid him of some of the dunderheads. "Potter! Ingredients for an Ageing Potion?"

Harry grinned and easily fired back "Newt spleens and Bananas."

"Almost remarkable." The Slytherin grumbled "Reading ahead?"

The teen wizard quipped "I owe it to Ron's brothers. Remember? They wore long grey beards for two weeks."

"Five points from Gryffindor." This brought amusement from the Slytherin side of the room "This year we will follow an alphabetical sequence. So we start with Befuddlement Draught. The ingredients Miss Parkinson?"

The girl might be one of the least attractive, but no one questioned her competence in the subject "Scurvy grass, Lovage and Sneezewort.

"Correct." The professor didn't smile of course, but "Five points to Slytherin, each answer. This potion must brew for six hours, but class is only two. How do we resolve this conundrum?" Hermione's hand flew up "No you silly girl! Time tuners are NOT applicable."

Neville spoke up "I bet she was going to say a stasis charm between classes."

"Ten points for your cheek Longbottom!" Snape sneered "Mr. Malfoy?"

With a grin Draco answered "I would use a stasis charm."

"Five points to Slytherin." Snape gave a nod of acknowledgement "A rudimentary charm, EACH of you must perform your own." The class was barely at the halfway point, the Professor was stalking about "POTTER YOU FOOL! SHRIVELFIG CAUSES SNEEZEWORT TO EXPLODE!"

It was too late the incoming missile bounced off the lip of Harry's cauldron and slid in. Ron's attempt to prevent disaster only worsened it as his push toppled the burner causing a bigger fireball. Harry took it full in the face. He was spared any pain due to instant unconsciousness. A solid week passed before he was allowed to waken.

"Do not panic Potter." Madam Pomfrey was alerted and on the scene before Harry could react to apparent blindness "Nothing is wrong with your eyes, you are merely bandaged. And will come off tomorrow without the slightest scarring."

His first thought was for his friends "Is Hermione alright? What about Ron?"

"You were the only one injured, Mr. Potter." She assured him "And as class ended about ten minutes ago, I expect their arrival momently. You should also be aware the accident burned off some of your hair. Treatments do exist for that, but are not deemed medically necessary."

This, Harry shrugged off "Hah, Petunia would like that. Can't see it anyway, it can wait. Is that Ron or Hermione? Everything's just shapes."

"Oh Harry! We have been so worried!"

He grunted a bit from the impact "Right. The hugger is Hermione."

"We know it was Malfoy, mate." Ron growled "All that's happened is I lost 25 points for making a false accusation."

She sighed "And unfortunately, we cannot PROVE it, Ronald. You KNOW I wish we could."

"I'm sorry guys." Harry yawned weakly "Not gonna be much company, real tired."

Madam Pomfrey hustled them out "Quite enough you two. I did warn you not too much excitement."

Abcij

"Right Potter here we go." The Mediwitch spoke soothingly "All your friends are here. One layer at a time. Look a bit to your left so it's not at the window. Sun's kind of bright. Very good. Two more layers to go. Keep your eyes open. You can shade with a hand if the light is too bright. That's fine. Herrrrrreeee we commmmmmmme."

Hermione gasped at the sight, bit down on her fist. Ron wasn't as restrained "Merlin's bloody nutsack!"

"Ronald!" she slapped his stomach "Well, there are no scars. That's a good thing."

Harry snapped "But what?"

"You look …well… different." Said Hermione in a hesitant tone.

Quirking an eyebrow that hadn't grown back yet, Harry demanded of his male friend "Different how, Ron?"

"You look like Snape, mate." Was out the redhead's mouth before he was jabbed in the ribs "Bloody! Mione!"

She could only sigh "I cannot deny the similarity."

"What is this absurdity!" the Potions Master stormed into the Hospital "What did you do now Potter!?"

Only a stride behind was the Headmaster "This is something that was never to be known. Some apparent interaction I did not foresee. Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger if you would excuse us?"

"No." Harry contradicted instantly "They stay."

Snape sneered "Obey the Headmaster, arrogant brat."

"Stuff yourself." Harry shot coldly.

Snape paled "Just like that toerag father of yours."

"I'll tell them whatever you tell me anyway." The teen wizard upped the clash of wills "And, just maybe, Hermione would keep quiet, but we all know Ron couldn't keep a secret. Right Ron?"

At first the redhead looked offended, but then "Oh yeah diarrhea of the mouth. Straight to Parvati and Lavender to tell all."

"Ronald!" the teen witch complained "Image we did NOT need."

Dumbledore sighed and sat "May as well be comfortable. Harry to begin, you …that is… the man you have known as your father all your life simply is not. Evidence does exist if one knew where to look. James Potter was riding a hippogriff as a young boy."

"Need I listen to the arrogant twit's childhood?" the Potion Master complained.

Harry angrily shot back "Leave greaseball!"

"Enough!" and a sharp blast of light and sound emphasized the Headmaster's command "7-year old James fell and suffered a groin injury, leaving him incapable of fathering children, though that would not be confirmed until he experienced puberty."

Hermione had to cut in "But sir, Harry looks…well looked… like Mr. Potter. Everyone says so."

"Do not jump ahead, Miss Granger." Dumbledore chastised her with a faint smile "However, in mid-1979, James was away on a task related to fighting Voldemort. Lily was working in The Department of Mysteries. A group of Voldemort's followers seized it one night. Among the Death Eaters was Severus Snape."

The Potion Master frowned "I have no such memory."

"No I personally obliviated you." Said the Headmaster "It was not a memory a redeemable man should have. All of you should understand it was the only thing that prevented Lily's death. Severus had to –"

Snape looked sick, Harry tried to lunge out of bed, but was forced back.

"I remind you, my boy, Professor Snape is a teacher." There was an edge in the Headmaster's tone "And yes, young Mrs. Potter was pregnant as a result. Informed of this, upon his return, James agreed to help hide the matter. After all, his family needed an heir. One he could not provide. There was little doubt of your paternity, Harry, when you were born. However, with the help of a potioneer of my acquaintance, there is a brief period where a baby may be blood adopted."

If anything, Snape looked even sicker, he covered it with an observation "I know that particular regimen. It cannot be reversed."

"The potion must be taken weekly for a period of two years." Explained Dumbledore "By BOTH the child and the adoptive parent for the magic to be locked."

Harry still wore a hateful expression, but his brain was working "Mum and Dad were killed when I was fifteen months old. But I guess that fire burned through the disguise."

"It is much more than a disguise, Harry." Dumbledore assured him "What was done was much more than a polyjuice or metamorph transfiguration. It is as near to being conceived twice as is possible. And it must be a true act of love. James had to, and did, truly love you. At first, perhaps, because you were certainly Lily's…but ultimately as his own son."

Harry smiled and blushed. His pleasure was shortlived.

Dumbledore seemed to emerge from a trance "Harry, now that this has come out… and we cannot deny it, because your assumed appearance cannot possibly be restored… it can be of enormous use. Not least of which, a positive relationship with your true biological father will heal some old wounds."

"It's a lot" mumbled Harry, lost in thought "I need to think about things."

Albus had to haze Severus away from the Hospital. Hermione embraced him rather awkwardly because of how his was laying in bed "Your friends love you, Harry. No matter what your name or what you look like."

"What she said." Ron asserted, though somewhat less surely and he seemed rather eager to depart.

Abcij

Harry had fallen silent. With his hair starting to grow back, his appearance began, ever more, to become blatantly Snapeish. Just as much as he had formerly been Potterish. Never one to be verbose with his feelings, he spoke to his friends about anything BUT his situation, and no other student was permitted near. During the next week, Dumbledore visited several times evolving his plan to explain it to the school. Severus never once appeared. Hedwig arrived with the most important letter to him.

Harry

I so wish I could actually be there. First, no Lily and James never told a soul. Me included. None of them gave even the slightest hint that you were not both their son. I'd take that as how much they loved you. What that olde man proposes is a complete perversion of the truth.

That you look like Snivilus is a matter of complete indifference to me. There is Black magic that can address that IF YOU WANT and we can see to that over the summer. Regardless of who fathered you, James was your Dad. NEVER doubt that. More to the point, I AM your Godfather and will ALWAYS support you.

Love

Sirius

Ps. Here is what I would do to yank the rug out from under them - - - -

Seriously

Harry gave the pun much more of a laugh than it really deserved, but agreed in full with the idea. Two very clearly related men stood on the stage beside the Headmaster's podium as he wove a tale vastly more convoluted than the truth had been. And most importantly, avoiding the negative role of the Potion teacher.

He sent out a pair of letters. One through Susan Bones to her aunt, the other to an Animagus of his acquaintance.

"I have something to add, sir? About my Dad?" was his polite, almost plaintive request and on receiving permission began a contemptuous speech "He may be my biological father. Nothing I can do about that. My appearance obviously proves it. But the bearded idiot is a complete liar. Snivilus here raped my mother. Had some sick obsession with her in school. I never have been, am not now, and NEVER will be Harry Snape. I'll hex anyone calling me that. James Potter was my Dad by choice and love of me and my mother. Oh! And while I clearly look like him, I'll be shampooing enough to not turn into a greaseball."

The entire Great Hall echoed with silence that only the Headmaster disrupted "That, Harry, will make going forward VERY difficult.

"That will be more or less true than you think, Albus." Amelia Bones tossed off her invisibility cloak, as did two Aurors.

Additionally, an insect suddenly grew to human size simultaneously transforming. Sound changing from a clicking to cackling "OH! You can count on it!"

"Surely we can handle this quietly." Said Dumbledore.

Magical Britain's top cop ordered "Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape you are both under arrest. The charges are rape and conspiracy to commit rape. Professor McGonagall, as Deputy you are in charge until The Board takes up the matter."

Abcij

"Take Mr. Snape to a holding cell." Amelia ordered of a Auror who seemed rather eager for the duty "Albus, join me in my office…Take a seat, please? Tea? Jellybaby?"

Dumbledore relaxed some "Can I assume Severus will join us as soon as the petty ritual is completed?"

"To be blunt, I am more inclined to have you join him." She sat at behind her desk and drank some tea before speaking "Your status and positions unfortunately preclude that. Long term, I suspect, whether you maintain your posts will depend on your choices with regard to Mr. Snape."

Albus frowned "I have complete trust in Professor Snape."

"I can guarantee that title is only good until trial." Amelia promised "Your choices boil down to how far down you go with him. A full confession MAY keep him on this side of The Veil."

Albus sighed, stroked his beard for a time, a relatively long time, and finally nodded.

With a smirk she concluded "And I strongly suggest bowing and scraping before particular student. You and EX Professor both. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a busy schedule, including a meeting with Mr. Potter."