Aimee
Harry woke up on July 31st at the crack of dawn; glancing over at his clock, he sighed and rolled over, trying to get back to sleep, before he realized it was his birthday. Even then, it took him a moment to remember he was going to have a true birthday this year, not one with the Dursleys. He debated with himself for a moment whether or not to get up when he heard the clattering of dishes coming from the kitchen. He rose and quickly dressed, combing his now shoulder-length hair quickly and rushing downstairs.
He saw Severus sitting down at the table, a mug of
coffee in his hands. He smiled feebly at Harry, who sat down next to him.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked instantly.
"Nothing you should be concerned with." Severus answered. "Happy Birthday, by the way."
Harry grinned, "Thanks."
Once they had finished breakfast, Harry walked into the sitting room to find piles of presents from Severus, Remus, Sirius, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and many other friends and family members he never knew he had, such as Dumbledore's other great-grandchildren, many of which were ecstatic to find they were related to the Boy Who Lived. (A/N: Can't call him Harry Potter anymore… damn.)
Severus walked in just as Harry started tackling the pile. He sat down and watched Harry open present after present, looking amazed at the fact people he never even met had sent him gifts. He watched as Harry carefully took down everyone's name and the present they had sent, and then tried to suppress the urge to laugh as Harry unwrapped a cardboard box.
"Who the hell sent this to me?" Harry exclaimed, examining the bright colored box. "Condoms?"
Severus couldn't help himself; he started laughing as hard as he ever had. "My bet is Dumbledore."
"But why?" Harry asked, confused.
"Like I said before, I was your age when I got your mother pregnant; the memory is still probably fresh in your grandfather's mind."
"God…" Harry sighed, a smile escaping from his lips. "You two enjoy torturing me, don't you?"
"Indeed." Severus nodded, "Now keep on going… You haven't reached mine yet."
Harry reached for one of the smaller presents bearing his name in Severus' curvy handwriting. He opened it quickly, and then smiled.
"A Pensive?"
Severus nodded once more, "I figured it would be a good place to store the memories you have received from me. Also, as you grow older, you will find it to be of much use."
"Thank you." Harry said sincerely, "Do you have one?"
Severus nodded, "I do. However, I have not used it in nearly three years."
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"Too painful." Severus grimaced.
Harry stood up and walked over to his father; "Are you sure you're all right?"
Severus shook his head, "I'm not all right, Harry, but it's none of your concern at the moment."
"You aren't sick, are you?" Harry asked, his heart skipping a beat. He had already lost his mother and his would-be father; he didn't want to even conceive of losing the last of his family.
"No, I'm in perfect health." Severus answered honestly.
"I've just had a rough night."
"Why, what happened?" Harry pressed on.
"Please, Harry. I'm not going to tell you, so please stop asking."
"But –" Harry paused. "Are you sure? I don't want anything to happen to you; you're the last family I've got."
"Harry, I assure you, if I were in any immediate danger, you would know." Severus sighed, "Now please, don't argue."
Harry sat down, shaking his head. "If this has anything to do with me – "
"Harry, if you must know, it has everything to do with you."
Harry looked up at Severus, surprised. "What do you mean?"
Severus shook his head, "Voldemort has start suspecting me once more; he knows I have the ability to kill him if I so choose. He is testing me, putting his own life on the line to make sure I am loyal."
Harry looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"
"I can not tell you, but I assure you, if I am in any immediate danger, I shall tell you."
"Do they want me?" Harry asked quietly.
"Once you are fully grown, Voldemort plans on killing Dumbledore and taking you to his side, yes."
Harry looked up, startled. "What?"
"You are, as I have said before, powerful. Even the Dark Lord knows this; he wants you on his side, but he knows as long as Dumbledore is still around, you will not be in reach. I am the quickest way to you; he wants me to make sure you follow my footsteps and go with him."
"But I won't!" Harry exclaimed, "He killed my Mum! He killed her, he ruined my life, why on Earth should I even consider it?"
Severus shook his head once more, "That is where my powers come in. He wants me to try and control you so you will join him. He is power hungry and will stop at nothing to get it."
"Aren't there ways around this?" Harry asked quietly. "I don't want him to kill you or Dumbledore."
Severus shook his head, "I will not let him touch you. Even if you weren't my son, I promised Lily I would protect you. If that means sacrificing my own sanity, then so be it."
Harry stood up in front of Severus abruptly. "Give it to me."
"Give what?" Severus asked, confused.
"If I can control minds… Maybe he won't be able to control mine."
"Harry… No. It's far too dangerous." said Severus.
"You MUST!" Harry exclaimed, "I do not want to see you hurt, and this is the only way. I can't lose you, I won't lose you. I can handle it; Honestly. Why are you withholding this from me if it means your life?"
"Because – " Severus faltered for a moment, "Because I see no reason for you to have it yet. It's terrible, Harry. I hear things you wouldn't believe. Right now, I know you're so angry you want to pull out your wand and hex me. You're going through different curses you think might make he do it. I can hear Remus; the full moon was last night. I can hear his cries of pain, even from a hundred miles away. I can hear Sirius and his memories whipping around his head like a bullet; they're the only things he has to hold on to. Even though I haven't heard your mother's voice for sixteen years, I can still hear her last thoughts. It's absolutely torture.
"In the past twenty years, it has made me consider myself insane multiple times. I hear the dying as they take their last breaths, I hear your grandfather's doubts, even though he will never show them. I hear your nightmares of your mother dying, of Voldemort coming and killing either myself or Dumbledore. I can hear them even when I don't want to, Harry. I don't want you to have to suffer the same as I do."
He sighed, then continued. "It is not a gift, Harry. It is one of the worst curses imaginable."
Harry sat silent for a moment. "I am the enemy then. It's my fault you've gone through this all."
Severus shook his head vigorously. "No, it's not, and don't you ever think that again. It will never be your fault; it never was. I do not want you to suffer the same fate I do, that's all."
Harry sighed, "I know I could do it."
Severus paused, "So do I."
"I know I can…" Harry said quietly.
Severus scooted over, offering Harry a seat next to him. Harry sat down gratefully, and a moment later, Severus had his hand on Harry's shoulder.
Almost immediately, Harry heard the voices. He covered his ears with his hands automatically, but he still heard them. They were inside his mind.
Severus pried his hands away from his ears, making him looking up towards him. "Concentrate on me."
Harry squeezed his eyes shut and formed a picture of Severus in his mind; a moment later, the voices quieted and all he could hear was one solitary voice.
Understand why I didn't want you to have it?
Harry nodded, "Yes, but thank you."
You're welcome. Severus touched Harry's shoulder once more and a surge of pain moved through Harry's body. His back went rigid and his knuckles turned white in almost an instant.
"What – is – this?" Harry managed. Severus took his hand away and lowered his eyes.
"Exactly what I am feeling right now."
Harry's eyes widened. "Oh God, I'm sorry… I shouldn't be… God…"
Severus shook his head, "Understand that I trust you to use it well. However, one wrong move and I can assure you I will take it away from you."
"Thanks Dad." Harry said quietly.
I like it when you call me that.
Harry smiled, Well I like calling you that.
"You're welcome, son."