Taryn and Jordan: I actually had the name before the review. And what exactly is a grun? ;)
Fanfiction fanatic: I just didn't want to use the ever so popular Alexander.
Snape coolgirl: Tankie tankie!
Nicole Christine Potter: You're right...that is very weird.
Sparrow: It's not a person...not really anyway...
Esperanza: For a loyal fan? Sure...it's not a bird.
Lei Dumbledore: LOL, the cat is next chapter, with Christmas.
Black Rose: I hate Gatorade.
Pineapplehead: Who said he was playing?
Charma1219: So is Harry...when are you updating your story?
Athenakitty: Animagus training takes time...it took the Marauders three years, unsupervised. So I'm thinking a couple years. We probably won't see it, but you will know their animals.
Chaser: You'll just have to wait and see.
Lee Lee Potter: Thank you...yes, that is bloody annoying at times. Besides...Elijah sounds so much cooler than Alexander.
Kateri: Spawn of Snape...I love it. Flitwick seems a lot like my friend MK, and as we have no real character from the books to base our fics off of, I'm using my friend as a template.
Lady Lightning: So do I...just kidding!
Tantz: I deliver!
Liliana-Suger: LOL...no...couldn't tell at all
Mistri: Since the mother is Lily, I'm assuming he already knows...sorry, it's late, I couldn't help a bit of sarcasm.
Phoenix Flight: Think of who you're talking about...Trelawney, who really doesn't care, as long as she can foresee death (which she did), Flitwick, who, since we have no character really to base reactions off of, I am basing off of my friend (much like the miniscule wizard really), Hooch, who is probably in the same boat with McGonagall, and Binns, who's a ghost. Not really climactic people. Now, when they tell Fudge...that's a different story. I didn't think it warranted a giant hullabaloo, but I could have misjudged that one. Sorry.
Luna699: What was that all about? That review made no sense whatsoever? Did I miss something? LOL, it could just be me. Could you please clarify?
Takari4ever7: He did, I just didn't show it. I couldn't think of anything for either of them, so it wasn't featured, though I do mention it in this chapter. Sorry for the confusion.
Dragona: Thanks!
Saavik: LOL, I'm a dog-person, and I still don't like Sirius for some reason. Hmm...must examine this.
Jenwaa1981: Hippo ballerinas haunt my dreams...wow, I need to sleep.
Gryffindor-girl2002: Welcome to the story!
Wolfie Jr: LOL, there's a lot of that. Why did I pick a cat that everyone already has? Hehe...your items get weirder and weirder. My luck, you'll hit a lucky number, and I'm going to be screwed.
Alarun: Well I am updating now...hehe...it's now now, so there. And yes, pay your dues. There are many more to come though, so beware.
Shadow4284: Christmas is next chapter. First, a little Harry/Severus bonding.
Sela: You'll see!
Alecatq: Yes, I did, for forgetting. It's like my penance. It's midnight here, so I also need sleep.
This is for Mikee, who's item I finally included. Enjoy. This is mucho Harry/Severus bonding. Christmas is tomorrow.
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As they entered, Snape gestured for Harry to take a seat on the couch. He retreated back into his chambers, emerging with a small package. He sat down next to Harry on the couch, which piqued Harry's curiosity further.
"This package was delivered to me this morning, with explicit instructions to open it Christmas Eve with you."
"Who's it from?" Harry asked, peering at the package. "It could be a trick." Snape nodded.
"Yes, it could very well be a trick, but for this," he pulled out the note and handed it to the boy. "That is Lily's handwriting. No one else writes quite like that." Harry looked at the parchment, as if it could offer him comfort from his mother from many years ago.
"But, how could she –?"
"Your mother was somewhat of a seer, Harry. She must have 'felt' that something terrible was to happen, and planned for the future." Harry nodded, turning his gaze to the package.
"Well?" he gestured softly to the package, almost afraid of what it contained. What if he really was James' son, and Lily made up the entire story? No, he told himself, you look too much like a Snape for that to be true.
Yeah, but before, you looked too much like a Potter for anyone to question otherwise. What if this is the real you, and the other is a charm?
Before he could answer himself, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Nodding softly, Snape began to carefully unwrap the paper. Inside lay a box and a letter, addressed to both. Snape picked up the box and handed it to Harry, while he opened the letter.
My darling,
I say this to whichever is reading, for you are both very dear to me. I am sorry I could not be there to share this night with you, but James and I must be dead. It is my fondest wish that you two know each other, and are not sitting in the room with a complete stranger. But if my orb did not go through, then I must divulge my secret. Harry, you are this man, Severus', son. Please, speak to Dumbledore. He will find my orb, which will explain it all to you.
Inside, you will find my last gift to you.
Severus looked up at Harry, who was staring into the box. Slowly, he reached a hand in and pulled out a small locket. It was oval, and pure gold, with an onyx panther on the front. When it hit the light just right, Severus saw the emeralds that shone as the panther's eyes. A coral inlay with three inset rubies, triangulated in the coral, bordered the oval locket, twirling softly in Harry's hand. Severus looked back down at the letter.
Severus, my panther, I had this locket made in Hogsmeade, and they placed emeralds in the eyes for Harry, my child, my emerald-eyed boy. Each of the rubies symbolizes one of us, as each of our birthdays is, oddly enough, in July.
Severus took the locket from Harry, examining it closely, then handing it back to the boy, who now had tears in his eyes.
I am enclosing instructions for a potion; one I found in an ancient text book in the library. I won't tell you what it does, so not to spoil the surprise. Please take care, both of yourselves and each other. I love you both dearly.
Your wife and darling mother,
Lily
Severus chuckled a little at the closing, and handed the letter to Harry to read. He took the second piece of parchment and began perusing the ingredients. He swiftly rose from his seat and swept into his potions store room, grabbing the necessary items. At the last, he stopped.
A lock of my hair
Where on earth would he get a lock of her hair. Then it hit him...the locket. He walked back out just as Harry finished the letter and opened the locket carefully. He extracted the thin lock, placing it in a vial and sealing it. He turned back to the boy, and draped the locket over his head and around his neck. As Harry looked up to ask a question, Severus turned to his potions lab, clearly indicating for Harry to follow. He stood, stretching, and followed the man. As he entered, the door shut and Severus began to meticulously work, each movement sure and purposeful, chopping and dicing. Harry looked at the parchment, grabbed a bit of wormwood, and began to shred it carefully.
They worked wordlessly for hours, preparing the ingredients and brewing the potion. At long last, they came to the last step.
Add the hair and sit down. Harry laughed and pulled up two chairs, not having any clue as to what to expect. Severus added the lock and took a seat next to Harry. The lights in the room dimmed, and a faint blue light glowed from the cauldron. A form rose out of the cauldron, and soon took the form of a young woman. Both wizards gasped as they recognized the figure, one from a memory, one from a mirror.
"Mum?" Harry whispered.
"Lily," Severus affirmed, just as quietly.
Hello
They both started at the voice in their heads, though the apparition had not moved her "lips," but merely smiled.
"How?" Severus asked.
Magic, Severus, magic
Harry let a tear escape finally, absently clutching the locket to his heart. The figure turned to him.
My boy, my precious, emerald-eyed boy. I am so very proud of you, she turned to Severus, both of you. I do not have long, as this spell pulls my soul from the Astral Plane. But know this, I love you both. I have seen your actions over the past months, and though it was rough at first, the love you have found in each other will last forever, just as my love remains with each of you. Severus, you are a wonderful father, despite what my brother may say. And Harry, the figure turned to him as she faded, please don't irritate your father too much. Gray does not suit Severus.
Harry smiled through his tears. "I love you, Mum, please don't leave," he stood from his chair and moved towards the figure. Severus did the same, coming up behind the boy.
I love you too, son, but I must leave. I will see you both again. Please don't make it soon. I wish you two long and happy lives, with the other at your side. Never forget my love, and the love held within each of you. Severus, my love, never forget your promise to me, and take care of Harry. Harry, look out for your father. He needs help from time to time, though he is loathe to admit it. Lily smiled at both of them before fading out completely, leaving the lab in silence. Harry's face was streaked with tears, and as he felt Severus' hand on his shoulder, he turned and buried his face in the man's robes. Unbeknownst to Harry, Severus face was wet with tears as well, and the two stood in the middle of the lab, clinging to each other. Harry reached up and wiped his face clear before pulling back and cleaning his face completely, mildly surprised to see his father doing the same. As they walked back into the main area, Severus looked at Harry.
"Now, you're not going to pounce on my bed at five a.m. to open presents, are you?" Harry laughed slightly and shook his head.
"No, I sent the Weasleys and Blaise's gifts to the Burrow earlier using a few school owls, and Hedwig is delivering Sirius' gift. How's six?" he asked smirking. Severus glared mirthfully at him and ruffled his hair.
"Go to bed, it's getting late. I'll see you tomorrow, sleep well."
"You too, goodnight." Harry treaded softly into his room, changing quickly into night clothes and climbing under the covers. Not even Voldemort could spoil this night, and with that thought, he drifted off into a dreamless slumber.
Severus stayed up a little longer, pondering the recent events, clutching Lily's letter in his grasp. Her soul had strengthened his and Harry's relationship, cementing it with love. Lily's words repeated over and over in his head as he sat by the fire.
...the love you have found in each other will last forever...
An odd feeling rose in his chest as he realized he did, truly, love the boy, his son, asleep down the hall. He rose and quietly padded down the hall, slipping into the boy's room. He moved over to the bed, gazing upon the sleeping boy. Carefully, he pulled the covers to the boy's chin and placed a hand on his forehead. This boy, this remarkable young man, was his son, and no force could ever change that. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating his next move. Then, slowly, he bent over and kissed the warm forehead, noting with pleasure the small smile that graced the boy's mouth. Severus stood up and slipped out of the room, but not before hearing a mumble from the unconscious boy.
"Night Dad."
With that, the door shut, and Severus moved to his own chambers, tears rolling freely down his face.