A/N: The conversation between Sev and Harry was giving me fits... I'm still not really happy about it. Ananda makes a brief appearance (she'll be more important later on), and we discover who Harry has a crush on. Won't be the final pairing in the story, although it may last for a bit.
Thanks for all the lovely reviews!!! :-)


As the next few weeks went by, Harry was quite busy. True to his summer promise, Professor Lupin was giving Harry some private tuition in the evenings on the Dark Arts and how to combat them. Additionally, living with a coral snake in the dorm had taken the other boys a bit to get used too, and he had additionally had to make several kitchen raids to build up a suitable store of food in his room. Ananda frequently wanted to accompany him to class, so he made sure to bring her to Care of Magical Creatures during the second week, and Hagrid had been quite entranced by the venomous snake. The other members of the class, especially Hermione's dormmates, had been less than impressed with Ananda's presence, Harry had noted with a chuckle. Now that he had come to grips, at least somewhat, with the fact that other males were definitely attractive to him, he was finding less and less appealing about the opposite sex, unless they were a friend, like Hermione.

He began wearing his hair in a ponytail to keep it out of his way, especially during Quidditch practise – Ron had earned the spot as Keeper – and the evening session with Professor Lupin. The evening course was entirely practical, and Harry was usually rather sweaty when he left the classroom. A few times, he attempted to ask Professor Lupin about the weird changes in his body, but the former Marauder seemed as clueless as Harry himself, and he stopped asking. Still, as a result of keeping his hair in a ponytail except for brief moments in the shower, he wasn't exactly sure when it had become wavy, but knew that it was another of the odd changes he had been experiencing lately. His skin seemed even more pale, if that was possible, and Harry cornered Hermione late one night in the Common Room.

Hermione, can we spend Saturday trying to figure out what in the world is going on with me? My hair's... wavy now, and I swear that my skin's turning more pale as well.

You've grown an inch or two, I think, Hermione noted clinically. Yes, Saturday is fine. Is Ron going to join us?

Harry shrugged, but mentally he was thinking, would you two just go ahead and snog already? I'll ask him when I go up. I'm canceling practise Saturday morning anyway, since we've been doing so well, and our first match isn't until November, so let's go immediately after breakfast.

Hermione nodded her agreement, and Harry headed upstairs, securing Ron's assistance on Saturday before his head hit the pillow.


On Saturday, Harry padded into the bathrooms to shower, and screamed when he saw his reflection. His nose, normally quite round, had grown slightly, but the major change was that it had acquired a point, and overnight. His scream roused Ron, who came running, to find Harry staring in the mirror in shock. Ron did a double take as well, then shrugged. Good think we're going to the library, mate.

Harry nodded dumbly. A good thing, indeed.

Once in the library, Hermione approached Madam Pince with their problem. We're trying to do research on spells, charms, potions, anything that might change someone's appearance and then wear off in 14 to 15 years.

Ah. You'd best start by looking at the section on glamour magic. If you don't have much success, come find me again. We don't have many people that look for that sort of thing, although I do remember a similar request quite a few years ago.

Harry's eyes narrowed. Do you remember who was asking, by any chance? It was a long shot, but maybe, if this was a spell, as Hermione suspected, the person who had cast it had found their information here.

The librarian shook her head. No, I'm sorry, I don't right now. If I remember, though, I'll tell you.

The trio spent the day paging through the huge tomes. Ron left midday and smuggled food from the house-elves back in when Madam Pince wasn't looking. It was nearing dinnertime when Harry and Hermione both found clues.

This is a potion that makes a glamour spell last for an unspecified amount of time', Harry read. It says that in most cases, the spell was terminated before the duration of the potion could be tested, but it also says to look for more recent results in Annals of the Potion-Charm Interaction Society. This was written in, Harry checked the date, 1960. I'm going to go ask Madam Pince about the Annals. Harry started to walk away when Hermione called him back.

Wait! This is a charm that's used with that particular potion, Harry. It's used to conceal someone's true identity, and will impose most of the caster's features on the user.

Harry stopped dead. Everyone always says I look exactly like James, he whispered to himself. Louder, he addressed his friends. I'm going to get those Annals and check them out. Hermione, would you mind getting that book as well? Hermione nodded her agreement as Harry crossed the library and asked Madam Pince about the aforementioned Annals.

Well, there's one book that has the Annals from 1965 to 1985, and one from 1985 to the present. Which one do you need?

I think just the one that covers up until 1985. Thank you. Harry rejoined his friends and headed to dinner, concentrating on turning the pages in the heavy book until he found the entry he was both dreading and hoping for.

The Familiritae Potion,' he read, has now been found to show a duration of 25 years on adult subjects, while it lasts only approximately 15 years when administered to an infant or child under the age of 12.' He sighed. That's it, then, isn't it? Someone – most likely James, he added mentally – administered this potion and performed the charm that Hermione found on me. But why?



Sev was sitting at the faculty table when Harry entered. His eyes went first to his face, where he gasped at the new shape of his nose, and then to the book that Harry was staring balefully at. Hermione was holding another large book, and none of the trio looked very happy.

Remus. Look at Harry, he hissed to his friend.

Dear god, breathed Remus. It's definitely accelerating. And it is nearing October.

Not a moment too soon, Sev added. I recognize that book he has; it's the Annals published by the Potion-Charm Interaction Society, unless I'm mistaken. I can only guess that he and his friends have been trying to figure out what's been going on.

Remus stood. Let me go over to talk to them, and see what the books are. I need to talk to Harry about his godfather anyway.

Remus stood, and Sev watched with a slight pang in his heart as his son greeted the werewolf happily. Sighing, Sev returned to his meal, averting his eyes from Harry and the Gryffindors.

That night, Remus came to visit Sev's quarters. The book was on glamour magic and charms. If they haven't put two and two together, then they will soon.

Sev swore. I wanted to tell him on a weekend, so he'd have a bit of time to himself if he needed it. But if I wait until next Friday night or Saturday morning, he's going to have guessed too much.

Remus nodded. Yes. That's why I told him to come see me in an hour, in my office. I didn't tell him what it was about, just what it wasn't about.

Sev took a deep breath. An hour?

Yes, I know it's short notice, but you'll get less upset about it, Sev. Let's go ahead up there and wait.



Harry knocked on Professor Lupin's office door, his curiosity heightened even further when he saw that Professor Snape was also there, looking sad and lost. Bewildered, he looked to Professor Lupin for guidance, but he merely smiled sadly himself and gestured for Harry to sit down.

Harry, there is something very important that you need to be told. Before we tell you, we want you to know that no one living knew of this until this summer, and it has taken awhile for us to adjust to, Sev especially, and that is the main reason we have waited to tell you.

Does this have anything to do with the Familiritae Potion and the charm Hermione found?

Remus nodded. Once I saw what books you three had uncovered, I knew we had to tell you tonight, rather than letting you guess and assume.

asked Harry, more than a little shocked.

Sev took a deep breath, and faced his son. Yes. Harry, James left a letter with delayed delivery, to be sent to one of the Marauders on your fifteenth birthday. Remus received the letter, and passed it along to me the next day. I... I think you need to read it now.

Wordlessly, Harry reached out for the piece of parchment that had already shattered two men's conception of the world. He unfolded it slowly, grasping at the immensity of the moment even if he didn't know its direction.

Harry read the words, stunned. James and Sev, close friends, to the point that James trusted Sev with his wife. Lily, unknowing that she carried some other man's child. James' love for his friend and his wife so strong that he concealed Harry's true identity, and loved him and protected him as his own. And, behind it all, the constant drumbeat of words that Harry never thought he would say, much less think. Yet, here he was, thinking them. I have a father. My father's alive. I have a father. A father.

Realising his mouth was open, he closed it and looked up at the two men who were watching him intently. This is why you quit spying. It was a statement, not a question, but Sev nodded anyway. Professor Lupin? Do you mind if we, er, talk privately for a moment?

Remus shook his head. Not at all. I'll be in the staff lounge if you want to find me. He shut the door behind him and Harry looked at Professor Snape, curiosity in his eyes.

So you're my dad.



And... you're not mad.

No, Harry. James did what had to be done. I wish that I had known sooner, I could have cared for you, instead of those wretched Muggles, I...

Wait. You mean... you want to be my father? Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Merlin, yes! Oh, Harry, how I envied James that he had a family! I always wanted a family, and now... now I find out I have a son... that is, if you'll have me.

Harry was overwhelmed, but it was made somewhat easier by the fact that Professor Snape had change remarkably that school year. I... Well. This is... overwhelming, right now. It's not like James didn't love me, he gestured with the letter, but... everyone has always. I don't know. So many people here at Hogwarts, their conception of me is tied up in seeing me as James Potter's son, to the point that... well, sometimes I wondered why they never said anything about me being Lily's son! And this... changes things. Harry took a deep breath. I won't deny that the idea of having a parent that's living... someone to be proud of me, or even to scold me... All I've known is the Dursleys and...

Sev's instincts took over, and he crossed the room to hold his gently weeping son in his arms. Harry, I have always been proud of you, even when I thought you were James' son. I couldn't be prouder to have you as my son. I... well, I can't say that I understand what you are going through, but I know it must be difficult. I know you may need time to come to terms with this, and that's fine.

You really mean that? Harry looked up at him through his tears.

Yes, I mean it!

There was a long silence as Sev held Harry, both of them lost in their own thoughts.

And... that's why my appearance is changing gradually?

Yes. The process should be complete by mid-winter. That gives you some time to decide what you want to tell people.

This explains, Harry mused, why the Sorting Hat said I could do well in Slytherin.

Sev had to laugh. Yes, I suppose it does.

Can... can we spend the day together tomorrow? Talking, I mean? We don't really know each other, not really, and...

I think it's an excellent idea, Harry.

Okay. I... I think I'm going to go for a walk, if that's alright. Good night.

Good night.

Harry walked back towards Gryffindor Tower, stunned. He didn't know what he was going to say to his friends, much less the rest of the school, although part of him was quite impatient and wanted to just have the charm taken off. Having to wait until midwinter to see what he really looked like didn't really appeal to him. Then again, he thought, as he entered the common room, surely Hermione would know how to do it. The thought cheered him – he could basically perform the countercharm at any time of his choosing – and he went immediately to where Ron and Hermione were sitting in front of the fire.

Hey, you guys. We need to talk.

What's up? Hermione put down her book slowly, while Ron looked immediately happier at the thought of ending his charade of pretending to study.

Not here, Harry shook his head. Let me get the Map and the cloak, and we can head somewhere private.

Harry returned a moment later, and the three students slipped out of the common room as Harry shook the cloak out around them. He activated the Marauders' Map and led his friends to an abandoned room off the second-floor corridor. Here. No one should be coming by here. Hermione, why don't you conjure us one of your fires?

Hermione smiled, and the room was soon filled with warmth and a pleasant blue light.

Okay. Here goes. You know how Snape said that he and James worked together? Ron and Hermione nodded. Part of the operations often involved the two of them swapping places, through polyjuice and glamour spells. They were apparently close friends, really close, to the point that they trusted one another with their lives. But there was one secret that Snape didn't know. Nobody knew, until Professor Lupin got a delayed delivery letter on my birthday. Harry took a deep breath. He was beginning to accept what had happened, and who he was, but his friends hadn't seen their Potions Master that evening, and Ron might be the type to hold grudges.

From James, I assume? Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. He's the one that performed the spell on me, and gave me the potion, in order to protect all of us. He was the only one that realised that... well, one of the times in which they had switched, Snape had to sleep with my mum. Hermione gasped, but Ron still looked puzzled. Severus Snape is my biological father.

Ron sat silently, just staring off into space.

Harry reached into his pocket and withdrew the letter that his... father... had let him borrow. He handed it to Hermione, who was sitting very close to Ron. I think you ought to read this.

Hermione took the proffered parchment, and managed to attract Ron's attention to it. Harry watched in silence as his two best friends read over the letter.

So... you have a dad, Ron said in a strange voice. But. How does he feel about it? I don't want you to get hurt, Harry.

Oh. That explained Ron's behavior. You didn't see him tonight, Ron. I think none of us know the real Severus Snape, but I think I trust James' judgement, at least.

Hermione nodded slowly. And the potion and the charm are slowly wearing off?

Harry nodded, his lips pressed together tightly. The full charm won't wear off until mid-winter, unless I decide to take it off before then. He paused. I... I think I'm going to walk around for a bit, before I come back to the tower. Do you two mind going back without the cloak?

They shook their heads, and Hermione gave him a little hug before the two disappeared. Harry headed up to the Owlery first, to send a letter to Sirius. He simply wrote that his godfather should contact Remus as soon as possible.

After that, Harry wandered aimlessly around the school. The affection that James Potter had had for Harry was clear in the letter, and, in a way, it did mean that Harry had two fathers rather than just one. Leave it to me, though, he thought, to have a dead man and the most hated professor in school – one who used to be a Death Eater to boot – as the two fathers. Granted, Snape wasn't hated as much, since he was now equally hard to his own House in class, but he was still far from liked. Oddly, the Slytherins still maintained their easy regard for the man, and Harry could only figure that there were things that went on in the dungeons that no one else knew about.

Things you could've known about, a voice in his head said silently. Your father was a Slytherin, and you know what the Sorting Hat said.

No, thought Harry angrily, I am a Gryffindor, regardless of who my father is. He smiled, then, knowing that that particular fact was, at least, true. And it wasn't like Snape was really the person he had pretended to be for so long.

It was around two am when Harry had another alarming thought. His newly-discovered sexual orientation. He couldn't deny that he was noticing the other male students more and more these days, and he was nursing a rather large crush on Justin. He had even partnered him in Herbology on a couple of occasions. Harry didn't know what the wizarding world thought of gays, but he couldn't imagine that his... father – he gulped once more – would be pleased to acquire a son, only to find out he was – gay.

Oi! Harry thought to himself. Am I gay, then? Harry hadn't admitted it even to himself. What a night, he thought bitterly. I can go from being Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, to Harry Snape, the Boy Who Likes Boys, all at once. He shook his head. The whole gay thing would have be kept a secret for awhile longer, that was for sure.