CHAPTER 2

Mere ten minutes later, a very green Orion stumbled back into the room with her soon to be son. Grimclaw chuckled a rusty, grating sound and handed her a small phial of anti-nausea potion. Downing it quickly, and gaining back her natural skin tone, Orion picked up Harry from the Goblin King's arms and smiled.

"You will have the best life I can give you, Kai Eryk Sirrah."

"A fine name for a strong lad, Madam." Ragnok breathed.

"Thank you very much, your highness. Is there anything else you need from us, sir?"

"Here is the receipt from your potions usage. Anything further will be deducted from the Potter Vault." Grimclaw replied instead, holding up the leaflet.

"I believe there may be persons connected to the vault that should not be. Can we check this before we leave?" Orion asked.

"Yes of course! It will come at a cost of course but anyone who is found to be stealing will be made to pay reparations." Ragnok explained, baring his sharp teeth in a horrifying smile.

"Perfect. Thank you. I believe we shall say our farewells for now. May your coffers ever fill and may your enemies meet their doom, Good King Ragnok. And to you, Master Grimclaw."

Both goblins grinned a feral type of smile and bid the strange pair farewell.

"May you have success in your ventures, Madam Sirrah."

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A few months came and passed, all while Orion got used to living with a baby in her small shack. She quickly found that she had quite a knack for taking care of her charge. When they had left the grand bank, Orion and Kai spent a short time finding some suitable clothing for both of themselves, and some proper food to take home. Small Kai didn't grow much in that time, as he was still too young to have the horrible potions and spells removed without causing the baby trauma and excessive pain.

One evening, an owl flew into a small, open window to find Orion sitting on a cushion reading a tattered book, with Kai napping in her lap. The owl dropped a letter into her book and left as quickly as it came.

Strange, she thought. Usually, they stay for some kind of repayment.

Absentmindedly, she scanned the mysterious envelope for spells, curses, or jinxes. Thankfully, there were none. Breaking the wax seal, Orion's eyes widened exponentially.

Dear Ms. Sirrah,

I know you are wondering as to how I obtained the location of your place of residence. I will explain that momentarily. I am Severus Snape, teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and I am Harry's godfather. Because I have been appointed to such a position, I have the ability to ascertain where my godson is. I would like to come meet you in person and have a conversation. Please respond at the earliest convenience.

Cordially, Severus Snape

"Good gracious." Orion whispered to herself.

She carefully moved Kai to the floor with a silent, wandless cushioning charm. Thankfully, Kai didn't wake, or even fuss. Orion moved quickly to find a piece of parchment and her self-inking quill. Sitting at the nearby desk, she penned a short letter.

Dear Severus Snape,

While I cannot say I am not concerned and worried that someone knows where my shack is. I can accept that you are indeed my son's godfather, but I need to receive some sort of proof that you are indeed Severus Snape. Once I have that confirmation, I can allow you to meet us in a public park nearby. I know you do not know the exact location of Kai. Please provide some confirmation and we shall discuss further about Kai.

-Orion Sirrah

Postscript: I am going to blood adopt the child once he is old enough to handle it. I have renamed him Kai Eryk Sirrah. He is no longer Harry James Potter. If you cannot accept this then I cannot allow you to be a part in my son's life.

She proceeded to add a single drop of blood next to her signature, and very carefully charmed and warded it so that it cannot be used for anything except identification. Furthermore, she charmed the letter to only open if it was Severus Snape. Orion headed into an adjacent room so as to not wake Kai with her sharp, piercing whistle, summoning an owl to take her important letter.

Returning into the room where her baby slept, Orion carefully picked up Kai and moved him to his small crib. Sighing softly, she silently hoped that she would be able to gain an ally. She needed help and knew that the money she had wouldn't last much longer. Until she adopted him, she wouldn't be able to access any more of his money. If Severus was really behind this, then he could be a huge help.

Everyone in the British Wizarding World knew Severus Snape to be the youngest potions master ever, and a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was notorious for being sour and cold to everyone but his Slytherins, which he was the Head of.

Kissing Kai on the forehead, just next to his scar, she slipped out of the room and got ready for bed.

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A few days passed, and Orion gathered her child and various items for an outing. Severus Snape had indeed confirmed that it was him, and they were meeting at a nearby public park. Orion sat Kai in a baby swing and was gently pushing him back and forth, waiting for Professor Snape. Exactly at 12 pm on the dot, a small crack was heard behind a close building, and the man himself turned the corner.

"Welcome, Professor. It is pleasing to see you here." Orion smiled brightly at the scowling man.

"Madam Sirrah." Severus bowed his head towards the older woman.

"None of that, Sir, please call me Orion." She waved her hand, and beckoned him to come over to her.

Quickly picking up Kai, and moving over to a nearby picnic table, they sat and started conversing. Over the next couple hours, they discussed many things.

"I am aware that as his Godfather, you have the right to take him. But I must point out that you did not take him when he was being transported to his ghastly aunt. He was left outside on their front stoop all night without so much as a warming charm. Just a ratty and thin blanket. I do not know what happened after he was taken inside, but I can assume that it was not good, based on some bruising and the fact that I found him near my house in a dirty alley." Orion scolded the man, not quivering under his gaze, as most would.

As Severus listened, his eyes widened and he felt his heart crumple. He had been led to believe that he was being taken to a wizarding household, and was going to be pampered. His soul clenched when he heard that his beloved Lily's son was dumped on her blasted sister's doorstep.

"I did not realise that he was not being properly taken care of. I did not claim my guardianship because I was led to believe that it would not be in my best interest to take a child. And that Har-Kai would be taken in by a capable wizarding family." Snape slumped ever so slightly.

Orion's eyes frosted over. "Do you mean to tell me that the oh so great and wise Dumbledore lied to a master legilimens such as yourself? You trusted this man blindly, and almost lost the last connection you had to Lily?"

Severus said nothing, as one small, almost unnoticeable tear slipped out of his eye. Orion did notice, however. She patted Severus on the shoulder.

"Let us go to my house, and have a cup of tea. It is time for Kai's nap anyway." Orion gently suggested, and Snape absently nodded.

"May… may I hold him?" Severus asked, surprising even himself.