Ah! All my lovely reviewers.... who are NOT going to lynch at the end of
the chapter *crosses her fingers behind her back*
della luna: other people won't find out until school begins....other than Siri that is.. I don't think... Erm, will check with my Muses
Pagan witch: at the mo', I'm kinda just coasting from moment to moment as it pops into my mind.... although several moments that recently popped into my mind belong in an all together new fic *grumbles* You have NO idea how hard Sev is to keep in character... Or maybe you do..*shrugs*
Madame Padfoot: I must say that James and Severus aren't my favourite couple either.... eh. Whatever way the story goes...
Tantz: who is ever NOT greedy for reviews? = P I WOULD order all my readers to go and read your fics (which I DO recommend) but I'm afraid of them *cringes* = P erm... about the hijacking... Sev just gave me a fright when he started yelling like that (I know, I know, I'm crazy.. either that or the rest of the world is)
Suspect: *snaps to and slautes* Yes suh! I am attempting to complete it as we speak.... in so far as that is possible...
Myr (you know who you are): the first scene is for you...
raya: Oh my. I made you cry? Really? THANK YOU! But... Can I ask where?
Lee Lee! Oh wouldn't you guess about Siri? He, I think, might be the most difficult of all the characters to write....
qwik: thank YOU for sharing your opinion. There is very little else I thing about then this fic and several others....
Lisa: I just LOVE long, detailed reviews... I actually came away from writing what the Death Eaters planned to do to Harry feeling a little ill....
anne: Always happy to oblige. But did I mention it was a magic button? The more you use it, the luckier you'll be. ^_~
Ariana Deralte: I almost chopped that lancing a wound comment. Then again, I almost chopped that whole convo...
Tora: Well, when you put it like that, who am I to refuse?
Charon: ah! Gotta love that slash. Yes. The relationship between Remus and Sev IS interesting isn't it? Just wish I knew where it was going....
Mikee: ermmm. I think I'll came back to you in just a mo'
mosquito_marie: another person asking about the relationship of Remus and Severus. I just wish I understood it. Although I think Remy is no-nonsense enough to take on Sev
schulyr: I love writing original stories, but that's so hard to do...
SilverMoon: thank you for your suggestions! Now to decide which one suits my purposes best... I don't actually thing they'll come in to THIS tale, but I AM planning a sequel... Watch out for it... I'll tell you before hand since I think I'll be using one or more of your suggestions....
Tinne: Danka shern. I practically had to re-write the whole thing because Sev went MAJORLY OOC on me..
And now back to Mikee: you felt like a voyeur? *shivers* that, my friend, is HIGH praise. Can I just ask: when you put down a book, do you ever get the impression of deep silence, because the characters had been speaking so loudly in your mind?
Sorry. Wandered off track there. Back to your review(s)... You're apologising for a long review? That's my favourite kind! And for controlling my characters? I think you might be right: I never really had them under my control... They strolled into my head one night as I was trying to fall asleep and hijacked my imagination.
Whew. That was fun. Lotsa lotsa reviews there!
Anyways, read on....
Chapter Fourteen: What's in a name?
~ Below the darkened window, in a muggle street of London, an occasional car swished by, throwing up plumes of water that danced in the light of the street lamps. The odd pedestrian hurried on their way, collars turned high, umbrellas held low.
~ The window stood open to the fitful breeze that sporadically stirred the muggy air of the room. Somewhere in the distant, a bell tolled, marking the first hour of the new day. The breeze fitted again, stirring the curtains of the bed and rocking a white draped bassinette.
~ A weak cry rent the still air, quickly growing stronger.
~ The curtains about the bed wafted as a figure brushed past them, stumbling to the bassinette.
~ The raven-locked man leant into the crib and lifted out an equally dark haired child, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
~ 'Ah, Harry,' whispered the dark-velvet voice, 'It's one in the morning. You can't possibly be hungry again.'
~ Gently hugging the weeks-old child to his chest, Severus moved to the bureau standing against the wall. Retrieving his wand, he muttered a quick spell to warm the bottle that held pride of place amongst the clutter lying there.
~ Harry still fretting in his arms, he scooped up the bottle and moved to stand in the paltry breeze by the window.
~ By the glow of the street lights below, he could see green eyes blinking up at him as his son latched greedily onto the bottle's teat. One tiny hand worked its way free of the swaddling clothes and wrapped about Severus's pinkie as he tilted the bottle up.
~ For a long time the only sound in the room was the gentle gurgling of the baby drinking.
~ When the last of the milk drained from the bottle, Severus set it down and raised the baby Harry to his shoulder to burp him. Rubbing the infant's back, he moved to the bassinette to lay him down. But Harry began to fret again the moment his father's hands left him.
~ Severus sighed, and lifted the child back into his arms. He held him close to his chest and rocked him.
~ 'Shhhh shh shh shh,' he murmured soothingly, 'Shhh....'
~ 'You might try a lullaby,' said a soft voice behind him.
~ Severus glanced up from his son and over his shoulder to see his husband slipping from their bed.
~ He looked back down at the fretting child in his arms, 'I don't know any.'
~ James stepped up behind him and wrapped his arms about Severus's waist, under the bundle in his husband's arms that was his son.
~ 'That's okay. I'll teach you.'
~ James began to sway, taking his husband and son with him.
~ 'Hush, little baby, don't you cry,' he began in a soft tenor, 'Papa's going to sing you a lullaby....'
~ Soon enough, the bright green eyes drifted closed and Harry relaxed into a peaceful slumber.
~ 'There, you see? He's fast asleep now.'
~ Severus snorted softly, careful not to disturb his infant son and turned to lay him in the bassinette. James stopped him.
~ 'Bring him back to bed with us. We'd just have to get up again anyway.'
~ As Severus and James returned to their bed, settling their newborn son between, someone stirred in a dark corner.
~ Harry felt himself lifting out of the memory as it ended, and he let the pensieve carry him to the surface, thrusting him into reality.
Harry blinked rapidly to adjust his eyesight to the brighter light of the summer afternoon. He set his pensieve aside and drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms about them. Idly, he began twisting his signet ring about his finger.
Ron and Hermione had left five days ago and Harry had spent the intervening days talking.
He talked to Albus Dumbledore who told him of his parents as students; about Severus's thirst for learning and James's fixation on Quidditch. The headmaster had told Harry about the adult Severus had become and the man James barely had a chance to be.
Harry spoke to Remus and the werewolf indulged him with stories of the friendship that had stood between the four of them: James, Severus, Lily and Remus, himself. He warily disclosed to Harry Severus's reaction after the loss of his family and the depth of emotion and pain the man still harboured.
Harry had even talked a little to Madam Pomfery. The matron had regaled him with tales of the wounds both his fathers had managed to collect over the years....
But mostly Harry talked to Severus.
The potions master had made himself scarce in the days immediately after the.... discussion in the headmaster's office. He had only reappeared as the carriage carrying Ron and Hermione had disappeared through the school gates, emerging from the darkened doorway to stand at Harry's side as though nothing stood unresolved between them.
Standing there, on those sun-bathed steps, Severus had begun to talk. He didn't look at Harry, and Harry never removed his eyes from the distant gates.
Severus spoke then of simple things, nothing too personal nor too raw. He told Harry of the first time he had flown a broom - and ended up stuck in the top of an old oak tree. He told him of the first potion he had ever made - a love philtre that had failed abysmally.
He told Harry to many things, none of which really mattered. Every word that left his mouth was safe - carefully planned. Harry had listened and offered a small smile when Severus was done.
The next day, in fashion almost too casual, Severus came upon Harry in the Astronomy Tower. They sat on opposite windowsills, staring at one another until Severus finally began to talk.
That day, he had ventured into more dangerous ground and told Harry of his childhood. About how the only male role model he had had, had been a hopeless, spineless romantic without the stomach to stand up to his wife and with the insight to understand his only child. About enduring a mother who only saw him as a prop, something to be exploited to her own ends.
Harry had retaliated in like form. He had told his father of the cupboard beneath the stairs that had been his home for so many years. He told him of the lies the Dursleys had fed him. He raged at his father for allowing him to be raised by people who hated everything he represented and resented the very air he breathed.
Severus had bowed his head and let Harry's pain wash over him. When the rage had gone and only tears had remained, Severus had touched his son's shoulder briefly and walked away.
When next they encountered one another, the following afternoon, Severus had told Harry of his first year at Hogwarts. Of the feeling of isolation when he had stood in the middle of the common room, surrounded by his housemates. He told Harry of the day he had wandered into a secluded corner of the library and finding a little muggle-born witch crying. He described the friendship that had developed between the pair and how elated he had been two years later to discover that that girl was actually his sister.
In his own turn, Harry told Severus of how the first friend he had ever had had been Hagrid at the age of eleven. He told the potions master of the wonder he had felt at entering the wizarding world, seeing things that until then had been beyond his wildest imaginings. Harry had even found the courage to tell his father what he had never told his best friends: that the Sorting Hat had considered him for Slytherin.
Severus had smirked at that, pleased to hear that Harry had inherited some of his Slytherin traits.
Just yesterday, Severus had begun to tell Harry of his dad and his aunt. He told Harry of some of the pranks James had pulled on him in their earlier schooling years and revenges he had taken. He told Harry of the more subtle practical jokes they had teamed up to pull on the other Marauders in their seventh year. He told Harry about Lily trying to mother them both and of her devotion to her family.
He had painted such vivid pictures of them both that Harry began to feel that he actually knew them. He had only listened, not talking at all that day.
But in all the hours they spent talking, they never once touched upon the subject of what was to come. That first morning they had come to some unspoken agreement that they would deal with the future only when it arrived on their doorstep. For now, they ignored it in favour of attempting to compensate for the common past they lacked.
They hadn't spoken yet today. Instead, Harry had taken the pensieve he hadn't touched since that first night and sat on the shores of the lake, sifting through the memories within.
Harry wrapped his arms tighter about his knees. He thought that perhaps now he was ready to accept that he had a father, alive and well and willing.
Without turning his head, Harry spoke.
'What should I call you?'
Severus stepped away from the tree he had been propping up and moved forward to stand at Harry's shoulder. He considered for a moment, then slanted a look down at the boy.
'Anything but "Daddy".'
Harry tilted his head meet the gaze turned down to him. He grinned slyly, '*Anything*?'
Severus realised the mistake he had made but the glare he bent on Harry was a pale imitation of what he was truly capable of, 'Within reason.'
'Ah!' Harry grinned up at him, then turned to look out over the lake again, thinking, 'Not "Father", if you don't mind. It's too.... stilted for my tastes.'
He dug a pebble from beneath his thigh and skipped across the placid waters.
'And not "Dad" either,' Harry looked down, fiddling with his ring, 'No offence, but it deosn't really suit you..' Harry trailed off rather lamely, still twisting the ring.
Severus folded his arms across his chest and watched an eagle swoop above the forest. He murmured absently, 'James was "Dad" to you.'
Harry looked up, startled, 'Huh? I was talking?'
His eyes still following the dive of the distant eagle, Severus nodded, 'Remarkably well for your age. Something,' - he smirked - 'I'm sure can be attributed to my blood.'
Harry smirked at his father's small conceit. The expression faded as a thought occurred to him.
'What did I call you?'
Severus drew his back to look down at Harry, opening his mouth to reply.
But before the answer ever left his tongue, Harry - with some flash of inexplicable insight - knew the answer already and pronounced the word with him:
'Pater!'
Severus's eyes widened, 'You remember?'
Harry shook his head, then shrugged, looking just as startled as his father, 'I don't know. It's just.... That *is* what I called you isn't it?'
Severus inclined his head slightly, 'It is, but for you to remember....'
He shook himself lightly and turned his attention back to the far shore in time to see the eagle soaring away with something dangling from its talons, ' "Pater" is latin for father. We could never figure out where you got it from.'
Harry nodded, although he had no idea what he was nodding at. They lapsed back into silence, each thinking their own thoughts as their shadows lengthened to the east. It is hard to say whether or not they would be surprised to know that their thoughts travelled along surprisingly similar lines.
The sun dancing of the water and directly into Harry's eyes was what induced him back to movement. He released his knees and attempted to stand. Unfortunately, he had been sitting in one position too long and his legs had fallen asleep on him. He fell back on his butt.
Severus turned to look at him when the sudden movement and soft thump attracted his attention. He chuckled at the sight of his thoroughly annoyed son.
Harry glared up at him, his mouth twisting wryly, 'Yeah yeah, very funny, Pater,' he threw out a hand, 'Now help me up.'
Severus froze in the middle of a breath. Harry had said it. He had called him "Pater". Some tight anxiety deep inside him that he had refused to acknowledge let go. It was amazing how so small a gesture could mean so much.
He grasped his son's hand and pulled him up. And to his side, enveloping him in a one armed embrace. Harry stiffened against his side, but before Severus could release him, he relaxed again and actually leant into the hug.
When they pulled apart, neither looked at the other. Severus set off immediately for the castle, and - pausing only briefly to scoop up his pensieve - Harry followed behind.
TBC
AN: So, here's the thing....
*drops to her knees and immediately starts begging for forgiveness* I know I told you all that THIS would be the chapter in which Diagon Alley was featured.... And it was going to be....
But I got sidetracked by several things.... Last night I watched 'The Matrix' on TV. And there's no way in HELL I'm staying home tonight to finish the chapter.... For the simple reason that I am spending tonight watching 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' (again and again and again - actually, I'm considering stealing the spool and setting up my own theatre. That way I can freeze the frames on my fav guys....)
So yeah. Instead of leaving the next chapter to be uploaded on Monday, I decided I'd shorten it and upload today.... the lesser of two evils..
Keep in mind, you kill me, I don't get to finish my story....
della luna: other people won't find out until school begins....other than Siri that is.. I don't think... Erm, will check with my Muses
Pagan witch: at the mo', I'm kinda just coasting from moment to moment as it pops into my mind.... although several moments that recently popped into my mind belong in an all together new fic *grumbles* You have NO idea how hard Sev is to keep in character... Or maybe you do..*shrugs*
Madame Padfoot: I must say that James and Severus aren't my favourite couple either.... eh. Whatever way the story goes...
Tantz: who is ever NOT greedy for reviews? = P I WOULD order all my readers to go and read your fics (which I DO recommend) but I'm afraid of them *cringes* = P erm... about the hijacking... Sev just gave me a fright when he started yelling like that (I know, I know, I'm crazy.. either that or the rest of the world is)
Suspect: *snaps to and slautes* Yes suh! I am attempting to complete it as we speak.... in so far as that is possible...
Myr (you know who you are): the first scene is for you...
raya: Oh my. I made you cry? Really? THANK YOU! But... Can I ask where?
Lee Lee! Oh wouldn't you guess about Siri? He, I think, might be the most difficult of all the characters to write....
qwik: thank YOU for sharing your opinion. There is very little else I thing about then this fic and several others....
Lisa: I just LOVE long, detailed reviews... I actually came away from writing what the Death Eaters planned to do to Harry feeling a little ill....
anne: Always happy to oblige. But did I mention it was a magic button? The more you use it, the luckier you'll be. ^_~
Ariana Deralte: I almost chopped that lancing a wound comment. Then again, I almost chopped that whole convo...
Tora: Well, when you put it like that, who am I to refuse?
Charon: ah! Gotta love that slash. Yes. The relationship between Remus and Sev IS interesting isn't it? Just wish I knew where it was going....
Mikee: ermmm. I think I'll came back to you in just a mo'
mosquito_marie: another person asking about the relationship of Remus and Severus. I just wish I understood it. Although I think Remy is no-nonsense enough to take on Sev
schulyr: I love writing original stories, but that's so hard to do...
SilverMoon: thank you for your suggestions! Now to decide which one suits my purposes best... I don't actually thing they'll come in to THIS tale, but I AM planning a sequel... Watch out for it... I'll tell you before hand since I think I'll be using one or more of your suggestions....
Tinne: Danka shern. I practically had to re-write the whole thing because Sev went MAJORLY OOC on me..
And now back to Mikee: you felt like a voyeur? *shivers* that, my friend, is HIGH praise. Can I just ask: when you put down a book, do you ever get the impression of deep silence, because the characters had been speaking so loudly in your mind?
Sorry. Wandered off track there. Back to your review(s)... You're apologising for a long review? That's my favourite kind! And for controlling my characters? I think you might be right: I never really had them under my control... They strolled into my head one night as I was trying to fall asleep and hijacked my imagination.
Whew. That was fun. Lotsa lotsa reviews there!
Anyways, read on....
Chapter Fourteen: What's in a name?
~ Below the darkened window, in a muggle street of London, an occasional car swished by, throwing up plumes of water that danced in the light of the street lamps. The odd pedestrian hurried on their way, collars turned high, umbrellas held low.
~ The window stood open to the fitful breeze that sporadically stirred the muggy air of the room. Somewhere in the distant, a bell tolled, marking the first hour of the new day. The breeze fitted again, stirring the curtains of the bed and rocking a white draped bassinette.
~ A weak cry rent the still air, quickly growing stronger.
~ The curtains about the bed wafted as a figure brushed past them, stumbling to the bassinette.
~ The raven-locked man leant into the crib and lifted out an equally dark haired child, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
~ 'Ah, Harry,' whispered the dark-velvet voice, 'It's one in the morning. You can't possibly be hungry again.'
~ Gently hugging the weeks-old child to his chest, Severus moved to the bureau standing against the wall. Retrieving his wand, he muttered a quick spell to warm the bottle that held pride of place amongst the clutter lying there.
~ Harry still fretting in his arms, he scooped up the bottle and moved to stand in the paltry breeze by the window.
~ By the glow of the street lights below, he could see green eyes blinking up at him as his son latched greedily onto the bottle's teat. One tiny hand worked its way free of the swaddling clothes and wrapped about Severus's pinkie as he tilted the bottle up.
~ For a long time the only sound in the room was the gentle gurgling of the baby drinking.
~ When the last of the milk drained from the bottle, Severus set it down and raised the baby Harry to his shoulder to burp him. Rubbing the infant's back, he moved to the bassinette to lay him down. But Harry began to fret again the moment his father's hands left him.
~ Severus sighed, and lifted the child back into his arms. He held him close to his chest and rocked him.
~ 'Shhhh shh shh shh,' he murmured soothingly, 'Shhh....'
~ 'You might try a lullaby,' said a soft voice behind him.
~ Severus glanced up from his son and over his shoulder to see his husband slipping from their bed.
~ He looked back down at the fretting child in his arms, 'I don't know any.'
~ James stepped up behind him and wrapped his arms about Severus's waist, under the bundle in his husband's arms that was his son.
~ 'That's okay. I'll teach you.'
~ James began to sway, taking his husband and son with him.
~ 'Hush, little baby, don't you cry,' he began in a soft tenor, 'Papa's going to sing you a lullaby....'
~ Soon enough, the bright green eyes drifted closed and Harry relaxed into a peaceful slumber.
~ 'There, you see? He's fast asleep now.'
~ Severus snorted softly, careful not to disturb his infant son and turned to lay him in the bassinette. James stopped him.
~ 'Bring him back to bed with us. We'd just have to get up again anyway.'
~ As Severus and James returned to their bed, settling their newborn son between, someone stirred in a dark corner.
~ Harry felt himself lifting out of the memory as it ended, and he let the pensieve carry him to the surface, thrusting him into reality.
Harry blinked rapidly to adjust his eyesight to the brighter light of the summer afternoon. He set his pensieve aside and drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms about them. Idly, he began twisting his signet ring about his finger.
Ron and Hermione had left five days ago and Harry had spent the intervening days talking.
He talked to Albus Dumbledore who told him of his parents as students; about Severus's thirst for learning and James's fixation on Quidditch. The headmaster had told Harry about the adult Severus had become and the man James barely had a chance to be.
Harry spoke to Remus and the werewolf indulged him with stories of the friendship that had stood between the four of them: James, Severus, Lily and Remus, himself. He warily disclosed to Harry Severus's reaction after the loss of his family and the depth of emotion and pain the man still harboured.
Harry had even talked a little to Madam Pomfery. The matron had regaled him with tales of the wounds both his fathers had managed to collect over the years....
But mostly Harry talked to Severus.
The potions master had made himself scarce in the days immediately after the.... discussion in the headmaster's office. He had only reappeared as the carriage carrying Ron and Hermione had disappeared through the school gates, emerging from the darkened doorway to stand at Harry's side as though nothing stood unresolved between them.
Standing there, on those sun-bathed steps, Severus had begun to talk. He didn't look at Harry, and Harry never removed his eyes from the distant gates.
Severus spoke then of simple things, nothing too personal nor too raw. He told Harry of the first time he had flown a broom - and ended up stuck in the top of an old oak tree. He told him of the first potion he had ever made - a love philtre that had failed abysmally.
He told Harry to many things, none of which really mattered. Every word that left his mouth was safe - carefully planned. Harry had listened and offered a small smile when Severus was done.
The next day, in fashion almost too casual, Severus came upon Harry in the Astronomy Tower. They sat on opposite windowsills, staring at one another until Severus finally began to talk.
That day, he had ventured into more dangerous ground and told Harry of his childhood. About how the only male role model he had had, had been a hopeless, spineless romantic without the stomach to stand up to his wife and with the insight to understand his only child. About enduring a mother who only saw him as a prop, something to be exploited to her own ends.
Harry had retaliated in like form. He had told his father of the cupboard beneath the stairs that had been his home for so many years. He told him of the lies the Dursleys had fed him. He raged at his father for allowing him to be raised by people who hated everything he represented and resented the very air he breathed.
Severus had bowed his head and let Harry's pain wash over him. When the rage had gone and only tears had remained, Severus had touched his son's shoulder briefly and walked away.
When next they encountered one another, the following afternoon, Severus had told Harry of his first year at Hogwarts. Of the feeling of isolation when he had stood in the middle of the common room, surrounded by his housemates. He told Harry of the day he had wandered into a secluded corner of the library and finding a little muggle-born witch crying. He described the friendship that had developed between the pair and how elated he had been two years later to discover that that girl was actually his sister.
In his own turn, Harry told Severus of how the first friend he had ever had had been Hagrid at the age of eleven. He told the potions master of the wonder he had felt at entering the wizarding world, seeing things that until then had been beyond his wildest imaginings. Harry had even found the courage to tell his father what he had never told his best friends: that the Sorting Hat had considered him for Slytherin.
Severus had smirked at that, pleased to hear that Harry had inherited some of his Slytherin traits.
Just yesterday, Severus had begun to tell Harry of his dad and his aunt. He told Harry of some of the pranks James had pulled on him in their earlier schooling years and revenges he had taken. He told Harry of the more subtle practical jokes they had teamed up to pull on the other Marauders in their seventh year. He told Harry about Lily trying to mother them both and of her devotion to her family.
He had painted such vivid pictures of them both that Harry began to feel that he actually knew them. He had only listened, not talking at all that day.
But in all the hours they spent talking, they never once touched upon the subject of what was to come. That first morning they had come to some unspoken agreement that they would deal with the future only when it arrived on their doorstep. For now, they ignored it in favour of attempting to compensate for the common past they lacked.
They hadn't spoken yet today. Instead, Harry had taken the pensieve he hadn't touched since that first night and sat on the shores of the lake, sifting through the memories within.
Harry wrapped his arms tighter about his knees. He thought that perhaps now he was ready to accept that he had a father, alive and well and willing.
Without turning his head, Harry spoke.
'What should I call you?'
Severus stepped away from the tree he had been propping up and moved forward to stand at Harry's shoulder. He considered for a moment, then slanted a look down at the boy.
'Anything but "Daddy".'
Harry tilted his head meet the gaze turned down to him. He grinned slyly, '*Anything*?'
Severus realised the mistake he had made but the glare he bent on Harry was a pale imitation of what he was truly capable of, 'Within reason.'
'Ah!' Harry grinned up at him, then turned to look out over the lake again, thinking, 'Not "Father", if you don't mind. It's too.... stilted for my tastes.'
He dug a pebble from beneath his thigh and skipped across the placid waters.
'And not "Dad" either,' Harry looked down, fiddling with his ring, 'No offence, but it deosn't really suit you..' Harry trailed off rather lamely, still twisting the ring.
Severus folded his arms across his chest and watched an eagle swoop above the forest. He murmured absently, 'James was "Dad" to you.'
Harry looked up, startled, 'Huh? I was talking?'
His eyes still following the dive of the distant eagle, Severus nodded, 'Remarkably well for your age. Something,' - he smirked - 'I'm sure can be attributed to my blood.'
Harry smirked at his father's small conceit. The expression faded as a thought occurred to him.
'What did I call you?'
Severus drew his back to look down at Harry, opening his mouth to reply.
But before the answer ever left his tongue, Harry - with some flash of inexplicable insight - knew the answer already and pronounced the word with him:
'Pater!'
Severus's eyes widened, 'You remember?'
Harry shook his head, then shrugged, looking just as startled as his father, 'I don't know. It's just.... That *is* what I called you isn't it?'
Severus inclined his head slightly, 'It is, but for you to remember....'
He shook himself lightly and turned his attention back to the far shore in time to see the eagle soaring away with something dangling from its talons, ' "Pater" is latin for father. We could never figure out where you got it from.'
Harry nodded, although he had no idea what he was nodding at. They lapsed back into silence, each thinking their own thoughts as their shadows lengthened to the east. It is hard to say whether or not they would be surprised to know that their thoughts travelled along surprisingly similar lines.
The sun dancing of the water and directly into Harry's eyes was what induced him back to movement. He released his knees and attempted to stand. Unfortunately, he had been sitting in one position too long and his legs had fallen asleep on him. He fell back on his butt.
Severus turned to look at him when the sudden movement and soft thump attracted his attention. He chuckled at the sight of his thoroughly annoyed son.
Harry glared up at him, his mouth twisting wryly, 'Yeah yeah, very funny, Pater,' he threw out a hand, 'Now help me up.'
Severus froze in the middle of a breath. Harry had said it. He had called him "Pater". Some tight anxiety deep inside him that he had refused to acknowledge let go. It was amazing how so small a gesture could mean so much.
He grasped his son's hand and pulled him up. And to his side, enveloping him in a one armed embrace. Harry stiffened against his side, but before Severus could release him, he relaxed again and actually leant into the hug.
When they pulled apart, neither looked at the other. Severus set off immediately for the castle, and - pausing only briefly to scoop up his pensieve - Harry followed behind.
TBC
AN: So, here's the thing....
*drops to her knees and immediately starts begging for forgiveness* I know I told you all that THIS would be the chapter in which Diagon Alley was featured.... And it was going to be....
But I got sidetracked by several things.... Last night I watched 'The Matrix' on TV. And there's no way in HELL I'm staying home tonight to finish the chapter.... For the simple reason that I am spending tonight watching 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' (again and again and again - actually, I'm considering stealing the spool and setting up my own theatre. That way I can freeze the frames on my fav guys....)
So yeah. Instead of leaving the next chapter to be uploaded on Monday, I decided I'd shorten it and upload today.... the lesser of two evils..
Keep in mind, you kill me, I don't get to finish my story....