Aimee
The relationship between father and son was never the same; Harry eventually apologized and Severus eventually forgave him, but from then on, the bond they had was broken. Before this, they had rarely ever argued; now, arguments were a weekly occurrence, much to Draco's delight.
Severus was torn between striking down on his son or brushing it off as a phase; Ethan was now a first year and Lily was getting busier and busier, dealing with Dakota and Drake at home. Dea and Kaylee, however, were perfect angels, according to her.
Severus didn't get to see Lily until Christmas vacation that year. The Tri-Wizard Tournament was being held at Hogwarts, and the Hogwarts school champion, Cedric Diggory, was in first place. Severus barely had time to breathe, let alone see Lily.
Harry, Ethan, and Severus went back to the Snape mansion on the 17th of December, despite Harry's best efforts to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays.
Severus was greeted with open arms from his children, while Ethan went directly to his mother. Harry didn't even bother with the family; he went up to his room as soon as he walked through the door, not even greeting Lily. Setting his small bag containing his wand and a few other necessities, he collapsed onto his bed and sighed, starring up at the ceiling.
Severus, meanwhile, watched his son climb the stairs in a dejected way, dragging his bag along with him. He reached Lily and gave her a kiss, trying to transfer his feelings to her.
What's wrong?
I told you about the fight Harry and I had…
Yes, you did.
I think he hates me.
Sev! He could never hate you.
I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you.
There was a pause, and then their lips connected once more.
Listen to him…
Ok… God, it's good to see you again.
It's good to see you again too, Sev.
The two broke apart and Severus slowly shifted his concentration from her to Harry, slightly confused by the rage he suddenly felt.
Those bastards… How can they understand? He's down there, hugging his children while I'm up here, the bastard son… Why the hell does he hate me so much?
Severus flinched at these thoughts, and then excused himself from the rest of the family. He made his way up the stairs, careful not to make a sound. He came to Harry's door and knocked softly.
Bastard… "Come in!"
Severus opened the door slowly and then closed it behind him, pausing for a moment.
"Yes?" Harry asked.
Severus walked forward to the edge of Harry's bed. "Are you ok, son?"
Why are you calling me 'son' all of the sudden? Change of heart?
Before Harry could verbally answer, Severus held up his hand. "I'm calling you son because you are my son... I never had a change of heart."
Harry looked at Severus, his mouth hanging open slightly.
What the hell…?
"If I asked you not to use that language under my roof, would it make a difference?" Severus sighed. Harry shook his head.
"How are you… What?"
Severus smiled slightly, "Let's just call it a gift."
Can you hear what I'm thinking?
"Yes." Severus answered.
Harry sat up, "Oh my God…"
Severus sat down lightly at the end of Harry's bed. "Would it make any difference if I apologized?"
"For what?" Harry asked, voice shaking slightly.
"For making you think I hated you."
Harry shook his head, "I know you do… How could you not? I heard the story, Professor Lupin told me all about you and Mum, how you had to break up with her because of Voldemort… How my father was killed – "
"Your biological father." Severus corrected, "I raised you, Harry. Just because you're James' child doesn't mean I hate you, quite the opposite actually. If Remus told you the whole story, then do you know how for the first year of your life, only your grandfather knew who your father was?"
Harry cocked his head a bit, looking up at Severus. "What?"
Severus took in a deep breath, "You know how babies are made, I'm sure. Lily was married to both James and I; neither relationship was illegal or morally wrong. Understand?"
Harry nodded, "But… you mean, you could have been my real dad?"
"Your biological father." Severus corrected once again, "Yes, there was a total possibility. Harry, just because I'm not – don't think I hate you."
"Then why do you treat Ethan and everyone different? You hug them more, you… I don't know, look at them differently, I guess."
"How?" Severus asked gently, "If anything, I try to be more of a father to you than to them."
"You look at them like…" Harry thought for a moment, "Like you simply adore them."
"And I don't look at you like that?" Severus smiled a bit, "Your mother tells me at least twice a week to pay a bit more attention to your younger siblings. I love and adore you just as much as I love them; they might have my blood running through their veins, but you – God Harry, you're my son. With you, blood has never mattered. It will never matter, I see no way how."
There was a pause as the tense in the air slowly decreased. Finally, Harry cracked a smile.
"Ok."
Severus smiled and hoisted himself up next to Harry. "What do you say me and you spend a day together – just us, sometime during the holidays?"
Harry nodded, "That sounds like fun."
Severus nodded back, "Good, I'll tell your mother she's going to be stuck without us for a day – think she'll survive?"
Harry smirked, "With Ethan and Dakota running around? It's hard to call."
Severus grinned, "I'll say… Do you think I could talk you into coming downstairs? I know a certain five year old is terribly excited to see you."
"Dakota?" Harry asked.
"That would be the one."
Harry nodded, "Ok, but I want to ask you something first… How long have you been able to…?"
"Read minds?" Severus finished, "Ever since I graduated from Hogwarts."
"You mean to tell me, all these years you've known when I was lying and what I was thinking?" Harry asked.
Severus shook his head, "No. Lily and I made a rule when we moved in; we weren't going to listen to you children unless we had a very, very good reason to."
"You mean… Mum…?" Harry looked faint. "Does this mean all the other kids can too?"
"Hardly." Severus shook his head, "I'd sooner have Voldemort back than let those children have access to all the minds on Earth. Believe me, you'd be the first child to get the Gift, if I ever saw a reason to – which I haven't and probably never will."
Harry nodded, "I find out more about this family every day…"
"So do I," Severus agreed, "So do I."