A/N: I lied. I started reading the reviews, decided to change the direction the story went in, and was inspired to churn out another chapter, despite the fact that I should be packing to go to the beach. If only I had a laptop and wireless internet on the beach, so I could write and read fan fiction in the sand, lol!
Muchas gracias for the lovely reviews.
I'm still uncertain about the early Harry-Sev interaction in this chapter as well. It seems more natural in later chapters (or at least in snippets I have done), but it seems too fast, maybe? I don't know. At any rate, enjoy!



Sev walked in to breakfast somewhat nervously the next morning. He had gone directly back to his quarters the night before, and had sunk into an exhausted sleep. He sat down next to Remus Lupin as he scanned the room for his son.

How did it go last night?

Well, I think. Harry's going to come down to the dungeons today so we can talk some more.

Remus smiled. He looked up then to see Hermione and Ron enter the hall, who waved and smiled happily at the pair. Remus motioned them over.

Where's the other vertice? Remus teased.

Hermione smiled. He's not coming to breakfast; he was out late, thinking, last night, and he stopped at the kitchens and got some food from Dobby before he came back upstairs. She paled then. Oh, say you won't punish him, please, she wailed.

Don't worry, Ms. Granger, Sev said. I think we can overlook both you and your friend's transgressions for today.

The pair turned and walked back to the Gryffindor table, where Sev observed some of the others questioning Hermione and Ron as to why they were so friendly to the Head of Slytherin. The pair waved them off, and grabbed some food and went back up to their dorm. A few minutes later, Sev finished his meal and stood up, suddenly nervous again. Remus looked at him and smiled. It will go well. Don't worry. Sev smiled in return and walked from the hall, trepidation still snaking in his heart.



Harry had come to a few conclusions as he walked that morning, and the first one was that he was going to ask Snape – no, his father, he corrected mentally – to remove the remaining portions of the charm. There was, truly, no sense in going around in such a manner any longer. It wouldn't change any of the facts. That is, he would have the charm removed as long as his father was amenable. There. He had thought it.

He also wondered what he – they, rather – should do about telling others. His changed appearance would be a giveaway to some, and then the story would begin to leak out into the wider wizarding world beyond Hogwarts. Not only that, should he change his last name? In the darkness of the night, he had waffled back and forth on the issue many times before deciding to ask about that as well.

He knocked on the door to his father's office. Come in, called a soft voice, and Harry slipped in.

he said nervously.

Good morning, Harry. Sev smiled, but he was inwardly trembling. The pair just stood looking at each other for several moments before Harry finally spoke.

I, er, I was thinking last night, and – if you want to, that is – I thought you could removetherestofthecharm. The last part was said in a hurried rush, and it took Sev a few moments to decipher what his son – his son! He still couldn't believe it – had said.

he said quietly. I... that is, if you are sure that you would like to, I certainly don't have a problem with it.

Harry replied. Would you – would you go ahead and do it now, please?

Sev nodded, and Harry shut his eyes as the counter-charm was muttered and he felt himself delved by the magic of the complex and intricate spell. When it was over, he opened his eyes and found himself almost the same height as Sn– his father.

He didn't even recongise his own voice! It was deeper, and smoother, more like his father's, thought Harry wryly. Wordlessly, Sev handed Harry a mirror, and a moment later Harry was staring at himself as he truly looked for the first time.

His hair was the same, as was his eyes, but his cheekbones and chin were more defined, a cross between the sharp planes of his father and the angled roundness of his mum. He was several inches taller, and his eyes were placed slightly differently. His ears were proportionally smaller, and his limbs were longer, but the knobbly knees were gone. he said. I'm going to need a couple of weeks to get used to this on a broom.

Sev couldn't help but laugh. I have no doubt that your natural Quidditch talent – which, by the way, comes from my sterling performance as Slytherin Seeker – will overcome any hardship.

Harry bit back a laugh, but then realised that he had a problem. His clothes were much too small, and they were the largest he had.

Um... I don't have any clothes that fit anymore. My shoulders are broader and I'm seven inches taller than I was when I bought my school things!

Well. Harry. What do you say to taking a trip into Hogsmeade to go clothes shopping? Sev asked, humor in his voice.

Harry laughed. That might be a good plan. Smiling, the pair left Sev's office and headed out towards Hogsmeade, Harry wearing the invisibility cloak until they were clear of Hogwarts grounds.

You realise that you don't have to go back to the Dursleys' now, Sev mused. Harry's eyes widened. He hadn't thought of that.

Merlin! I didn't even think about that! That's fantastic!

Sev laughed. It was something he had done infrequently until the past few hours, but he found it to be pleasant. He led Harry to an outpost of Madam Malkin's, where he bought Harry new school robes, two sets of dress robes (over Harry's protests), as well as a few non-school everyday robes. he held one, a deep scarlet, out to Harry. Put this on, for the rest of the day. Harry nodded. Dressed in the robes, with his hair long and without his glasses, the lightening bolt scar was the only feature that connected him with the Boy Who Lived.

After leaving the robe shop, Sev went to a store with Muggle clothing, which Harry enjoyed slightly more. He found a pair of leather pants that he was particularly intrigued by, and convinced his dad to buy both them and some leather boots as a late birthday present. He exchanged his shoes for the boots immediately, dropping Dudley's old shoes in the nearest rubbish heap. Good riddance, he grimaced.

By then it was lunchtime, and the pair went to the Three Broomsticks before heading back towards the castle. They had spent the morning talking almost constantly, and now Sev offered to go flying with his son.

Harry's eyes lit up. Really? Excellent. We can have a one-on-one Seekers' game. He summoned his Firebolt and mounted expectantly while he waited for his dad to select one of the school brooms. They were all old and somewhat battered. Harry said finally. Use Ron's. He won't mind. Fred and George made enough this summer to get him a used Nimbus 2000, which is definitely better that that old Shooting Star you're about to choose.

Sev smiled and rolled his eyes but complied, and the pair kicked off together. Harry was elated to find that his father had no little amount of skill, and it took the better part of two hours before the game was over.

There's one or two other things we need to do before dinner, Harry said somewhat solemnly. We need to tell Dumbledore that I know, and... we need to discuss my last name.

Your last name?

Well, I'm not really a Potter, now am I?

Sev said slowly. I just didn't think that you'd want to...

Change it? Sev nodded. Well... I don't know. I mean, I don't, but I do. It seems like I should... as long as you don't mind.

Mind? No! Heavens, no. Not at all. I just... I never expected you to accept me so easily.

Harry grinned, somewhat sadly. We're both love-starved... Dad.

Sev beamed at the simple word. Thank you, he said softly, and Harry smiled in acknowledgment as they walked back into the castle and up towards the Headmaster's office.


The pair arrived in Dumbledore's office, to a quizzical look. Hello, Severus. Who is this?

Harry grinned, and swept his hair away from where he had pulled it to temporarily conceal the lightning bolt scar. Hello, Headmaster.

Harry! Merlin! I assume that you now know.

Yes, sir.

And... you are okay? Harry nodded, smiling once more.

We thought you should be aware that Harry now knows, Albus, Sev explained to the headmaster.

Ah, very good. I am glad that the two of you are getting along well, he smiled. I'm about to head to dinner, would you care to walk with me?

There's one more thing, Harry said quickly. My last name.

Your last name? Dumbledore asked blankly.

I'm not a Potter, Harry said, raising one eyebrow. So how do we change it?

Now Dumbledore was smiling, and he cast a few spells, producing a sheaf of parchment. This is your corrected birth certificate, this is a name change form, and this is a statement confirming that the Dursleys no longer have guardianship. You just both need to sign the name change form and it will be automatically official.

Harry grabbed a quill and signed the form quickly, grinning as he handed the quill off to his father, who signed the form equally quickly. Harry grinned. That's that.

Yes, it is, Mr. Snape, Sev joked. Harry Snape doesn't sound all that bad.

No, it doesn't. Harry smiled. I told Ron and Hermione I'd meet with them outside the hall, so I'd better run. I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay. I had fun today.

Me too. Dad. With that, Harry smiled and headed down the corridor.

He smiled as he came up on Ron and Hermione, who were snogging in an alcove as they waited. I'm glad to see you two can keep yourselves entertained without me, he joked, as the two blushed and broke apart.

Harry! Is that you? How did today go?

Harry smiled. Yes, it's me. Oddly enough, today went fairly well. He paused. We went shopping.

The other two laughed. And you talked?

Yes, and we went flying, and we just went to see Dumbledore.

Why did you need to see Dumbledore? That was Hermione, ever curious.

Well, he needed to know that I know, and... Harry paused. I, uh, changed my name.

So you're not Harry anymore? Ron asked, incredulous.

No, my last name, you prat! Harry laughed.

Oh! So you're Harry Snape now?

Harry nodded. This weekend has been unreal. I just hope Sirius doesn't freak out too badly. That's why I sent him to Remus first.

The other two laughed and then they entered the dining hall and sat down. Harry noted that his father hadn't arrived yet as he sat down.

spewed out Seamus, echoing the thoughts of many at the table. Harry POTTER? Is that you?

Er, well, yes. Sort of.

Sort of?

I, uh, found out yesterday that I'm not a Potter. I mean, James Potter loved me and all, but it was to protect me, and my real father. He didn't even know.

demanded Fred. Who is it?

Ron grinned. Who does he look like, Fred?

Well, Harry, I hope you're not insulted if I'm wrong, because I hope I am, but, mate, you look... you look like Snape!

Harry couldn't help it; he grinned.

The table fell silent. Seamus said finally. That's a bloody big secret not to tell anyone for fifteen years.

Harry nodded soberly. Yes. But it was a result of the war more than anything.

Seamus nodded halfheartedly, and the stunned table moved on to other topics. Harry just wondered what the reaction would be from the Slytherins the next morning in Potions.