Lana
"Harry, I know how difficult this must be for you, but believe me, it's just as difficult for me." Severus started, sitting down in the empty chair next to Harry.
"I can imagine." Harry said quietly.
"For fifteen years, I tortured myself, thinking you were that bastard's son." Harry started to object, but then remembered what James was like. "Your mother was far too perfect for him. No one deserved her, especially James and I."
Harry shook his head, "You seemed… really sad when she died."
"I wanted to die afterwards." Severus admitted quietly. "Unfortunately, it never happened."
Harry was silent for a moment. "What was she like?"
Severus smiled, "Your mother? She was perfect. Her only flaw, perhaps, was that she loved me too much. She married James for the sake of us… She went through hell because of my association with the Death Eaters."
Harry smiled a bit, "I'm sure it wasn't your fault."
Severus shook his head, "Harry, I wish I could show you, but I believe your grandfather wouldn't want me to."
"But… he wouldn't have to know?" Harry suggested cautiously. "I really want to know the whole story."
"I promise I'll show you one day." Severus agreed, "But right now, you might not understand everything. I'm sure you'd get the gist of it all, but to truly understand the feelings, the way she acted, you'd have to fall in love yourself."
Coming from Professor Snape, this was total sap to Harry. However, coming from his father, it almost felt natural.
"I'm still getting used to the fact… You…" Harry paused. "Is that why you saved me all those times?"
Severus nodded, "I promised your mother I'd protect you. Even when I seemed as if I was doing it for pleasure, I assure you, I was terrified you would hurt yourself."
Harry nodded. "I can understand that. I don't know whether I should hate you or accept it."
Severus shook his head, "I don't want you to hate me. I also know you can't absorb this kind of information in a day – it takes time. I'm still getting used to it, even though I knew it could have been a possibility all this time."
Harry sighed, "I guess I know why the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin."
Severus looked surprised, "The Sorting Hat wanted to put you in Slytherin?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, but I insisted it didn't."
"So it picked your mother's house." Severus nodded, "I am the cliché of the Slytherin House. My name – Snape – is even known for being in the house of Slytherin."
Harry shrugged, "I really don't follow wizarding families, so…"
"It's a nice pastime." Severus commented, "Although there are black sheep, usually a child of a certain descent follows the footsteps of his surname."
"Such as Malfoy?" Harry commented with slight disgust. Severus laughed.
"Draco Malfoy. Promising student, although a bit on the egotistical side. Much like his father, yes, although not nearly as dark. I'm sure he'll learn in time, unfortunately."
"I have a question." Harry said.
"Yes?" Severus asked.
"Does this mean I won't have to go back to the Dursley's?"
Severus smiled, "If you want to stay with me over the summer, you're welcome to."
Harry nodded, "Thank you."
"I wanted to take you when your mother died. However, I was only twenty, much too young to take care of a baby by myself." Severus sighed. "Believe me, if I had one wish, it would be to have been able to get to know you better."
"Even though I look like James?"
"There's a downside to everything." Severus smiled once more, "Although I could cast the counter spell, if you would like."
Harry's eyes widened. "I didn't even think of that."
"I might just do it in the middle of the night while you're asleep anyway. I'll turn you back, of course, but I've always wondered what my daughter would have looked like. Most likely, you'd be a male version of her."
Harry thought for a moment, "I'd still have my scar though, right?"
Severus nodded, "Unfortunately."
Harry sat perfectly still for a moment, then looked up at Severus. "Do it."
Severus looked surprised, "Right now? Are you sure?"
Harry nodded, "If James was truly as bad as he seems, I don't want anything to do with him."
"I will show you what you would have looked like; however, I will not keep you that way until I get permission from your Papa." Severus said absent-minded.
"My Papa?" Harry asked.
Severus shook his head, "I'm sorry. The nickname your mother gave Dumbledore."
Harry nodded, "Why not though?"
"Because no one would know what to make of it. All of the sudden, Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, looking completely different."
Harry nodded, "Ok, good point. So can you?"
Severus nodded and quickly conjured up a mirror. "I'm not sure if this will be painful or not… Just bear with me."
A moment later, Harry saw a flash of gold light leave Severus' wand and hit him, full force. He felt his cheekbones stretch out and his spine lengthen. A moment later, the transformation was done.
Severus was speechless. Standing in front of him was himself, twenty years ago, with few exceptions; Harry still had Lily's eyes and his hair was still black, but a bit longer. He was at least five inches taller, nearing 6 feet. He stood up next to Harry and saw that he was only a few inches shorter than himself.
"So, how do I look?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Like my son." Severus answered, still in awe. He handed Harry the mirror, watching his expression change from curiosity to his own: awe.
"I look exactly like you." Harry said quietly. "And I'm taller than Ron."
"Do you like it?" Severus asked, unable to take his eyes off Harry.
"Yes, actually. It might take a little getting used to, but it's much better than looking like James."
Severus smiled, "It's amazing… I'm looking at myself, twenty years ago."
"I still can't believe it. You're my father." Harry shook his head, hair falling into his eyes. "For all these years… You were right here."
"I'm sorry." Severus said quietly, "I should have at least informed you of the possibility."
"No, I'm glad you didn't." Harry said, "I don't know how I would have reacted… But knowing for sure makes it better."
"This has to be painful for you. I'm sorry about that, but you have no idea how glad I am that you're… my son…" the words were foreign to Severus, but somehow they seemed right.
"I never got to thank you for saving my life in first
year." Harry said slowly, "So I'm going to now. Thanks, Dad."