Chapter three: Sweet Prince no longer sweet.
"RON IF YOU SOLD IT AGAIN I WILL PERSONALLY KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!" the entire Gryffindor house shuddered. They all knew the boy who lived had a temper but no one had really seen it. "WHERE IS IT?"
"Where is what?" Ron looked up from a game of Wizards chess. The board was pulled to safety just in time; thanks to Hermione. "What are you playing at?" Ron knew there was something up. Harry never showed this side of himself to the younger children. "What's missing?"
"MY Journal." As soon as McGonagall walked in he went quiet. "I want it back by dinner understand me Ron?" Then he just stormed off. Hidden under am invisibility cloak Draco Malfoy followed the Gryffindor. He may not like the normal Potter, but Snape forced him to be a spy for the teacher. "Stupid ruddy Ron… Better not have sold my book again." Once in the confines of Harry's bedroom Draco watched the boy more. Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it half-arsed at the bookshelf. "Accio book." From the darkest corner of the shelf came a red leather book. Once Harry opened it Draco knew he had to steal it.
Inside the simple looking red leather book were at least a hundred wizard pictures. All of which were Harry's parents. Under one of a lovely red head in a fancy script which read (Not Hagrid's… Lupin's script.) Lily teaching Severus to fetch! Harry laughed as the picture of him mom made a picture of young Professor Snape running about trying to catch his school bag. Draco knew that if this book went missing there would be no way Harry would forgive his so-called friends.
Harry finally left and Draco snitched the book. He ran from the tower as fast as his legs would carry him. He got to the dungeons almost silently. There he banged on the door of Severus. "What do you want?" Came the snappy voice of Snape. The door was wrenched open from inside but when he saw the face of his young spy he lightened up. True he hated the boy, but he was the only sneaky suck up brave enough to face the Lion's den. "What have you brought me?"
"A photo-album. It has a picture of you in there. It seems you were fond of the same past time that I am. Torment the mudbloods? What fun." His smile became too cocky. James held out his had waiting for the book but when Draco made no intention to move, he ripped it from the student.
"Goodnight Mr. Malfoy. Oh and do tell your father you like older men… I shouldn't want to surprise him later on." It had been said in fun but when he saw the smile broaden he sighed. "Good night." The door was shut firmly into place. 'Now to look at Lily and Harry.' He flipped through the pictures of James, but when he saw the three of them together his eyes teared up. There sat James Potter in all his glory. A book of times past opened on his lab and a smile on his lips. He missed Lily, even if she did cheat on him, with himself.
It was midnight before he closed the book. The picture of his beloved family was too important. Finally sleep had to come, and Severus came out again. When the body was tired and weak James was forced to trudge off to his bed and try to forget the looks Lily sent him. There was a lot of room left in the book, where her friends just ran out of pictures to give. He made a mental note to open his picture box in the morning. There were plenty of Lily and Harry together. He had loved his family so much that every day he took a picture.
Even now as he watched his son from afar, he took pictures. No body saw these, but he was becoming very good with a camera. James was asleep before Severus could say "ten points from Gryffindor." Severus quickly fell asleep after counting how many empty spaces were left. He would find something for them.
The next morning the entire Gryffindor house stayed away from Harry Potter. It turned out Draco was right… he did go CRAZY. He spent all day looking for that book. Severus found this very funny. Draco had been wrong at one thing… Severus hated picking on the muggle born; it was the Gryffindors that he adored to tease. Harry didn't turn up for either Breakfast Lunch, or Dinner. He was too busy looking for his picture album. When it was not found in all of Gryffindor tower Harry had almost killed Ron. If it weren't for Hermione there would be more than bruises on Ron's face.
After the anger had subsided Harry was swept away by tears. Then he melted… Harry wouldn't do or say anything. He had gone catatonic. They ended up taking him to the Hospital wing, but here wasn't anything to be done. He would have to wake up on his own. Severus was forced into the dark corners as James sat watching their son. They were both afraid that what they had done, would leave permanent damage to Harry's young not fully developed mind. If he went this crazy from having his parents being taken away from him twice… what would he do if he ever found out about Severus? Neither wanted to find out.
'I am never to hurt him… I know better than that. He is my only offspring, the only one left to carry on my name… why did I tell Malfoy to swipe something special to Harry?' Severus was yelling at himself.
'I don't know.. BECAUSE YOU ARE A BLOODY IDIOT!!!!!! SEEMS RIGHT TO ME!!!' James really does get over sentimental about the boy.
'Just shut your stupid mouth James.' Severus sniped back… however this didn't end the bantering going on in his head.
'Oh sure… blame it all on me. No my fault that Voldemort killed me and not you!' James shot back.
"Oh how I wish….." Severus didn't realize he said that out loud until the soft mumbling from the bed changed in to real words.
"Professor? I'm scared." It was Harry. He had turned to face Severus. James wanted to pull the boy into his arms and hold him there for the rest of time but Harry would probably think Severus was trying to rape him.
"I thought Gryffindors are brave." He said instead. What Harry did was shocking; He actually crawled into James Lap and wept there. It was the strangest feeling he ever had the honor to feel.
"The sorting hat wanted to put me into Slytherin… maybe I should have gone there instead. Then at least I wouldn't have Ron selling my journal, and someone stealing my picture album."
"Ahh. Is your album red and leather?" Harry nodded. "I found this book in the potions room. Is it yours?" Harry opened it and gasped. There were his parents staring up at him, and waving. But it was thicker than normal.
He flipped to the back and saw that there were more pictures, and even notes from his mom to somebody else. The name was smeared. The letters were talking about homework and other things. One caught his eye, and he looked from it to his teacher.
'You know that if you bothered to at least look in the mirror you'd have a big surprise. Really you are a wonderful thing to look at. I mean all that dark hair that is just perfect to play with, and you dark black eyes. Oh how can those bitches in Slytherin not see what a wonderful guy you are, outside and in.'
Harry read it again and again. He knew where he was sitting; he just didn't have the strength to really move. "Professor did you put these pictures here?" Snape nodded. "Were you really friends with my mum?" He nodded again.
Harry threw his arms around Snape's neck and hugged him, however he was crying, tears of joy streaked down his face. Never before and James was sure never again would he feel this wonderful thing. It surprised him that Harry could be so violent at one second, scared the next and then turn around and be cheerful all over again.
"Mr. Potter I will only ask you this once… Would you please get off my lap, what will the others say." He faked being disgusted. Harry could not get too close to him not now, not ever. 'Don't notice me watching you, please don't…' However guilty men are almost always caught.
'You know you enjoyed that Severus… admit it you big softy. You enjoyed being hugged by our son, and what's even better, He knows you enjoyed it because you're smiling.' Severus noticed it too. He stood up and left before Harry could call him on it.
TBC A/N: So sorry about not posting for a long time, I got really caught up n everything… I however promised to upload before I left for a few weeks. So here it is. Review please.