A/N: I don't own the Remus and Snape scene, it's just a modified version,
please no flames, review.
Chapter Two-The Temper Ron slowly awoke the next morning and looked at his best friend. While Harry had changed a lot over the summer, Ron hadn't realized how much until he got a really good look at him.
"Harry, you changed so much," Ron whispered. Harry shrugged, the truth was he knew it too. He had grown a good four inches, growing lankier, he had slightly broader shoulders, his face was skinny and pale, with high cheek bones. His eyes were still their usual intense green color. His hair was now jet black with auburn streaks through it.
"You okay Harry?" Ron asked quietly. Harry looked at him and nodded. Sighing, the two headed downstairs to the Great Hall, where they were joined by the girls. They were all eating when Leanne Dumbledore walked over.
"Well?" She asked, smiling at her God-daughter.
"It was good," Emily said smiling back. Leanne nodded, she looked across at her God-son, and realized that Severus wouldn't be able to hide the truth much longer. Harry was already starting to resemble his father to every detail, except for Sev's dark eyes.
"I'm Professor Leanne Dumbledore, you must be Harry Potter. Call me Leanne. I'll see you later," she said, she leaned over to kiss Emily's head, before heading up to the table. Harry watched her sitting down next to Snape. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. He watched her say something and then for the first time in Harry's five years at Hogwarts, he saw Severus Snape smirk.
"What's your relation to her?" Harry asked.
"She's my God-mother. I really don't know much more than that. I have a father and a brother. My real mum is dead, but Leanne has always been my mother."
"Wicked, Both Harry's folks are dead too" Ron said, and was elbowed by Harry at the same time. They continued to eat, though all the while something was bothering Harry. There was just something about Snape and that woman. He gasped when he felt a punch in his arm, instantly he sent his hand to protect it.
"Harry," Ron said, surprised by his friend's reaction. He hadn't hit Harry that hard, but Harry acted as though he had snapped his arm in two.
"Merlin Ron, all you had to do was call my name!" Harry bit in a sharp warning tone, that reminded him far too much of Snape.
"I did Harry! Four times." Just then Snape passed the table looking at Harry.
"Potter, see me after class," with that he walked by.
~~~~~~~~
The potions class room was dimly lit, Snape briskly entered the room, speaking in his usual monotone voice.
"Pair up with the person to your right, here is your potion, make it," he said. Emily looked over at Harry with disgust.
"Is he always such a bastard?" she asked. Snape flinched at the words used to describe him by his own daughter. It hurt to know that everyone thought of him as a jerk.
"Yes," Ron said.
"Ten points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley, for being too loud, and being a redhead," he said eyeing his children and Ron. As he watched Harry and Emily side by side working through their potions, he couldn't get over how much they seemed to look like him, though he smiled inwardly when he saw their brilliant green eyes. Exactly the same, with just as much passion in them as Lily's.
Lily had been good in Potions, but she had a knack for everything, including History and Transfiguration. She would come to Severus every year holding up her grades and smiling. He would always tell her how proud he was of her and then continue with what he was doing.
Class finally ended and the students all filed out, but before Harry could leave, Snape reached out and grabbed his bruised arm. Harry cried out in pain. Snape withdrew his hand in horror.
"What happened?" He asked. Pushing the sleeve to the robe back he surveyed the damage. Harry's left arm was black, blue and swollen.
"Nothing," Harry said, fearfully. Snape could see the shame in his eyes.
"This isn't from Weasly, it's an inflicted mark. Potter, what's going on?"
"Nothing, damn! Why doesn't anyone listen. Just leave me ALONE!" He yelled in his potion master's face. Snape stood, dumbfounded, as Harry stalked out of his room, in the same demeanor as he himself would if annoyed or angry.
Snape made a mental note to talk to the boy later, and got ready for his next class. Meanwhile Harry arrived in DADA and took a seat beside Ron.
"Nice of you to join us Harry. As I was saying, this year will be a tough one and I don't want anyone late unless they have to be," Lupin wasn't usually harsh, but with what was going on, he had to be.
"Yes sir, sorry Professor," Harry spoke softly. Lupin smiled.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter, Professor Snape won't be holding you back again." With a smile he turned back around. Harry smiled softly and quickly got to taking the notes.
~~~~~
Remus hurriedly stalked the potions master, tailing him until he finally caught up with his old and bitter friend. He growled slightly, realizing this wouldn't be easy.
"Severus," he spoke.
"Leave me alone," Severus said angrily.
"I can't believe you still haven't told him," Remus said, a vague tone of disbelief coloring his tone. Severus whirled to glare at him angrily, lips pulled back from clenched teeth.
"Told who what? I haven't the slightest idea what you're on about." Severus growled, but was cut off by a sharp returned gaze from Remus.
"You know very well who and what I mean, Severus. It's been fifteen years.he has a right to know you."
"Know me?! Why in the hell does he have a right to know me?" Snape yelled, and turned to stalk away. Remus, however, latched tightly onto his shoulder and forced him to stay his ground.
"Let me go, werewolf." He growled, but Remus kept his grip. For a moment, he didn't say anything, his expression shifting between concern and disbelief.
"He IS yours, Severus. Surely you know that. they are both yours, you were there. Or have you forgotten the pain you two went through to protect your children."
Snape didn't replied, although his eyes said all Remus needed.
"Then why didn't you tell him?! He could have grown up without all the lies."
"Oh, yes indeed. As if I would just pop up on his doorstep and admit to marrying his mother, that would go great wouldn't it Lupin. 'Hi Harry, listen your mum and I went on about if for nearly five years, we had you and your sister, sorry about not being there for you, will you be my son? He would love that."
"Well, you've never seemed to worry about other's reactions to you before. You've got to TELL him! He'll probably find out on his own eventually, and just imagine what a mess that would be.."
"Not anymore of one than if I WERE to tell him. Can you imagine what would happen were he to know? ME?! His FATHER?! You can't honestly expect that he'd be happy in the least. I am not the type of person that can be a father."
"Oh, so that's it."
"What?"
"You don't think you're worthy."
"I'll be astounded if you can think of anyone LESS worthy. I was a Death Eater, Remus, I've done more evil than I can rightly remember.I'm not worthy of being ANYONE'S parent, and besides, I wouldn't even know how. And how do you think he would feel? You obviously have taken a liking to him, what do you think it would do to him if he were to discover that his real father was a murderer? A conscienceless follower of the Dark Lord? A cruel, bitter teacher hated by the entire school? It'd break him, I've no doubt that it would."
"Then that just proves that you need to get to know him."
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Tell me.why ARE you always on his case? Why is it that you always single him out for ridicule?"
"Simple. To teach him a lesson. Everyone else here, you included, tend to treat him like some high-and-mighty savior of the wizarding world. Half of the people who claim to be his friends would turn on him in an instant if his 'heroic' image were to be tarnished. He's got to learn to fend for himself out there, one way or another. If I don't break him of the spoiled lifestyle he probably enjoys at home, who will? You? Dumbledore? I highly doubt it."
"I thought that might be your reason."
"What? You'd better not even consider criticizing me for my methods, for I assure you, there's plenty I could say about yours."
"Have you heard about the Dursleys at all? The muggle family he lives with?"
"Of course not. If you'll remember correctly, I was comatose when he was placed with them, and I don't tend to bother with 'gossip.'"
"I've noticed. Either way, you wouldn't have learned anything more. Harry doesn't like to talk about them at all, I'm afraid I found out rather by accident."
"Found out what?"
"Have you ever seen Harry getting mail in the Great Hall? Or going home for the Christmas holidays?"
"No, but I hardly see what that has to do with anything."
"Severus, the first day of classes I asked him to stay after the lesson. I'd noticed he was looking ill, and I wanted to ask what was wrong. He was VERY reluctant to tell me, but after I slipped a little calming potion in his tea, he eventually gave in and told me some of what had happened."
"Go on."
"His uncle beats him, Severus; quite often, in fact. As it turned out, he had a pair of cracked ribs, as well as severe bruising across his chest and back. I cornered Mr. Ron Weasley to find out more about the Dursley's, and I daresay it isn't pleasant. Evidently, they weren't even going to let him come to school this year. I suppose it was a lucky thing that I showed up.Anyway, one year, Weasley and his brothers had to actually break him out of that house as if it were a prison, bars on his window and everything."
"What?! Impossible.Dumbledore wouldn't allow him to stay in a place like that."
"Dumbledore doesn't know about it. Harry's too proud and ashamed to tell him, and I imagine he doesn't want any more attention drawn to him, either. He made me promise not to tell a soul after I found out, and I've kept that promise until now. I tried to get him to tell Dumbledore, but I'm afraid he's just as stubborn as you."
"They .beat him? Why? He's their blood, surely they didn't.."
"The Dursleys hate magic, Severus. You didn't know Lily as well as I did, but I'm sure you heard her mention Petunia?"
"Once or twice, and never with pleasure."
"Yes, well Petunia hated Lily above and beyond a simple sibling rivalry.she thought Lily was a freak. Once they no longer had to live in the same house, Petunia severed all relations with her sister. She's carried that hate on to Harry, and her husband is the same way. Harry had to sleep locked in a broom closet for eleven years."
"Remus, you are coming with me to see Albus this instant, I'll not allow that.that FAMILY to ever."
"No."
"What?!"
"Tell Harry."
"I can't, you know that!"
"He's your SON, Severus."
"I'm aware of that."
"Then say it, admit it out loud."
"Fine. Harry is my son. Now, can we please get on with it? I may not wish that fact to be known, but I will NOT stand for ANYONE mistreating him."
"And how, precisely, do you think he sees YOUR behavior toward him and all the Gryffindors?"
"That is different. I have no choice, as long as Voldemort lives and I retain my title as 'spy.'"
"Yes, but you could always let him know that..let him know YOU."
"Oh, so we're back on that again, are we?"
"It's the only way you can keep him safe from the Dursleys..by telling him the truth."
"As I've already said, no. WE will inform Albus of the.abuse, and nothing more."
"If we tell Dumbledore, he will remove Harry from that house. Harry will have no choice but to go to an orphanage or a temporary care facility. Now, imagine what that would do to him..he's already got more than enough in common with the Dark Lord, how do you think he'd react to yet another?"
"Surely no worse than if I talked to him."
"I doubt that, Severus. I will make you a deal. If you agree to tell Harry and Dumbledore the truth, then I will come with you right now to talk to him about the Dursleys."
"But then Albus would send him to live with ME. I couldn't do that Remus, I'd be worse than the Dursleys."
"No you wouldn't. You've never hit a student, and I know for a fact that all that yelling you do is just an act. You only need to give yourself a chance, and spare your son another summer of beatings."
"Very well.."
"Promise and swear that you will tell Harry, and soon."
"I promise that I will tell.Harry.the truth before Christmas. Are you happy now?"
"Yes, but you understand that I am not doing this for 'me.' I'm doing this for Harry.and for you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You have a son and a daughter, Severus. You have as much right to know them as they does you. You're all the only real family the three of you has."
"I'd have to agree with you on the last.but can we please get on with it? I'd like to tell Albus and get this whole thing over with as soon as possible, I'm sure he'll have plenty to say."
"He won't be ashamed of you, you know that."
"Yes.but then he doesn't have to be, I'm plenty ashamed for both of us," Remus stopped and placed a hand on Severus' shoulder.
"No matter what anyone says, you are a decent and carrying man, stop showing people otherwise."
Chapter Two-The Temper Ron slowly awoke the next morning and looked at his best friend. While Harry had changed a lot over the summer, Ron hadn't realized how much until he got a really good look at him.
"Harry, you changed so much," Ron whispered. Harry shrugged, the truth was he knew it too. He had grown a good four inches, growing lankier, he had slightly broader shoulders, his face was skinny and pale, with high cheek bones. His eyes were still their usual intense green color. His hair was now jet black with auburn streaks through it.
"You okay Harry?" Ron asked quietly. Harry looked at him and nodded. Sighing, the two headed downstairs to the Great Hall, where they were joined by the girls. They were all eating when Leanne Dumbledore walked over.
"Well?" She asked, smiling at her God-daughter.
"It was good," Emily said smiling back. Leanne nodded, she looked across at her God-son, and realized that Severus wouldn't be able to hide the truth much longer. Harry was already starting to resemble his father to every detail, except for Sev's dark eyes.
"I'm Professor Leanne Dumbledore, you must be Harry Potter. Call me Leanne. I'll see you later," she said, she leaned over to kiss Emily's head, before heading up to the table. Harry watched her sitting down next to Snape. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. He watched her say something and then for the first time in Harry's five years at Hogwarts, he saw Severus Snape smirk.
"What's your relation to her?" Harry asked.
"She's my God-mother. I really don't know much more than that. I have a father and a brother. My real mum is dead, but Leanne has always been my mother."
"Wicked, Both Harry's folks are dead too" Ron said, and was elbowed by Harry at the same time. They continued to eat, though all the while something was bothering Harry. There was just something about Snape and that woman. He gasped when he felt a punch in his arm, instantly he sent his hand to protect it.
"Harry," Ron said, surprised by his friend's reaction. He hadn't hit Harry that hard, but Harry acted as though he had snapped his arm in two.
"Merlin Ron, all you had to do was call my name!" Harry bit in a sharp warning tone, that reminded him far too much of Snape.
"I did Harry! Four times." Just then Snape passed the table looking at Harry.
"Potter, see me after class," with that he walked by.
~~~~~~~~
The potions class room was dimly lit, Snape briskly entered the room, speaking in his usual monotone voice.
"Pair up with the person to your right, here is your potion, make it," he said. Emily looked over at Harry with disgust.
"Is he always such a bastard?" she asked. Snape flinched at the words used to describe him by his own daughter. It hurt to know that everyone thought of him as a jerk.
"Yes," Ron said.
"Ten points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley, for being too loud, and being a redhead," he said eyeing his children and Ron. As he watched Harry and Emily side by side working through their potions, he couldn't get over how much they seemed to look like him, though he smiled inwardly when he saw their brilliant green eyes. Exactly the same, with just as much passion in them as Lily's.
Lily had been good in Potions, but she had a knack for everything, including History and Transfiguration. She would come to Severus every year holding up her grades and smiling. He would always tell her how proud he was of her and then continue with what he was doing.
Class finally ended and the students all filed out, but before Harry could leave, Snape reached out and grabbed his bruised arm. Harry cried out in pain. Snape withdrew his hand in horror.
"What happened?" He asked. Pushing the sleeve to the robe back he surveyed the damage. Harry's left arm was black, blue and swollen.
"Nothing," Harry said, fearfully. Snape could see the shame in his eyes.
"This isn't from Weasly, it's an inflicted mark. Potter, what's going on?"
"Nothing, damn! Why doesn't anyone listen. Just leave me ALONE!" He yelled in his potion master's face. Snape stood, dumbfounded, as Harry stalked out of his room, in the same demeanor as he himself would if annoyed or angry.
Snape made a mental note to talk to the boy later, and got ready for his next class. Meanwhile Harry arrived in DADA and took a seat beside Ron.
"Nice of you to join us Harry. As I was saying, this year will be a tough one and I don't want anyone late unless they have to be," Lupin wasn't usually harsh, but with what was going on, he had to be.
"Yes sir, sorry Professor," Harry spoke softly. Lupin smiled.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter, Professor Snape won't be holding you back again." With a smile he turned back around. Harry smiled softly and quickly got to taking the notes.
~~~~~
Remus hurriedly stalked the potions master, tailing him until he finally caught up with his old and bitter friend. He growled slightly, realizing this wouldn't be easy.
"Severus," he spoke.
"Leave me alone," Severus said angrily.
"I can't believe you still haven't told him," Remus said, a vague tone of disbelief coloring his tone. Severus whirled to glare at him angrily, lips pulled back from clenched teeth.
"Told who what? I haven't the slightest idea what you're on about." Severus growled, but was cut off by a sharp returned gaze from Remus.
"You know very well who and what I mean, Severus. It's been fifteen years.he has a right to know you."
"Know me?! Why in the hell does he have a right to know me?" Snape yelled, and turned to stalk away. Remus, however, latched tightly onto his shoulder and forced him to stay his ground.
"Let me go, werewolf." He growled, but Remus kept his grip. For a moment, he didn't say anything, his expression shifting between concern and disbelief.
"He IS yours, Severus. Surely you know that. they are both yours, you were there. Or have you forgotten the pain you two went through to protect your children."
Snape didn't replied, although his eyes said all Remus needed.
"Then why didn't you tell him?! He could have grown up without all the lies."
"Oh, yes indeed. As if I would just pop up on his doorstep and admit to marrying his mother, that would go great wouldn't it Lupin. 'Hi Harry, listen your mum and I went on about if for nearly five years, we had you and your sister, sorry about not being there for you, will you be my son? He would love that."
"Well, you've never seemed to worry about other's reactions to you before. You've got to TELL him! He'll probably find out on his own eventually, and just imagine what a mess that would be.."
"Not anymore of one than if I WERE to tell him. Can you imagine what would happen were he to know? ME?! His FATHER?! You can't honestly expect that he'd be happy in the least. I am not the type of person that can be a father."
"Oh, so that's it."
"What?"
"You don't think you're worthy."
"I'll be astounded if you can think of anyone LESS worthy. I was a Death Eater, Remus, I've done more evil than I can rightly remember.I'm not worthy of being ANYONE'S parent, and besides, I wouldn't even know how. And how do you think he would feel? You obviously have taken a liking to him, what do you think it would do to him if he were to discover that his real father was a murderer? A conscienceless follower of the Dark Lord? A cruel, bitter teacher hated by the entire school? It'd break him, I've no doubt that it would."
"Then that just proves that you need to get to know him."
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Tell me.why ARE you always on his case? Why is it that you always single him out for ridicule?"
"Simple. To teach him a lesson. Everyone else here, you included, tend to treat him like some high-and-mighty savior of the wizarding world. Half of the people who claim to be his friends would turn on him in an instant if his 'heroic' image were to be tarnished. He's got to learn to fend for himself out there, one way or another. If I don't break him of the spoiled lifestyle he probably enjoys at home, who will? You? Dumbledore? I highly doubt it."
"I thought that might be your reason."
"What? You'd better not even consider criticizing me for my methods, for I assure you, there's plenty I could say about yours."
"Have you heard about the Dursleys at all? The muggle family he lives with?"
"Of course not. If you'll remember correctly, I was comatose when he was placed with them, and I don't tend to bother with 'gossip.'"
"I've noticed. Either way, you wouldn't have learned anything more. Harry doesn't like to talk about them at all, I'm afraid I found out rather by accident."
"Found out what?"
"Have you ever seen Harry getting mail in the Great Hall? Or going home for the Christmas holidays?"
"No, but I hardly see what that has to do with anything."
"Severus, the first day of classes I asked him to stay after the lesson. I'd noticed he was looking ill, and I wanted to ask what was wrong. He was VERY reluctant to tell me, but after I slipped a little calming potion in his tea, he eventually gave in and told me some of what had happened."
"Go on."
"His uncle beats him, Severus; quite often, in fact. As it turned out, he had a pair of cracked ribs, as well as severe bruising across his chest and back. I cornered Mr. Ron Weasley to find out more about the Dursley's, and I daresay it isn't pleasant. Evidently, they weren't even going to let him come to school this year. I suppose it was a lucky thing that I showed up.Anyway, one year, Weasley and his brothers had to actually break him out of that house as if it were a prison, bars on his window and everything."
"What?! Impossible.Dumbledore wouldn't allow him to stay in a place like that."
"Dumbledore doesn't know about it. Harry's too proud and ashamed to tell him, and I imagine he doesn't want any more attention drawn to him, either. He made me promise not to tell a soul after I found out, and I've kept that promise until now. I tried to get him to tell Dumbledore, but I'm afraid he's just as stubborn as you."
"They .beat him? Why? He's their blood, surely they didn't.."
"The Dursleys hate magic, Severus. You didn't know Lily as well as I did, but I'm sure you heard her mention Petunia?"
"Once or twice, and never with pleasure."
"Yes, well Petunia hated Lily above and beyond a simple sibling rivalry.she thought Lily was a freak. Once they no longer had to live in the same house, Petunia severed all relations with her sister. She's carried that hate on to Harry, and her husband is the same way. Harry had to sleep locked in a broom closet for eleven years."
"Remus, you are coming with me to see Albus this instant, I'll not allow that.that FAMILY to ever."
"No."
"What?!"
"Tell Harry."
"I can't, you know that!"
"He's your SON, Severus."
"I'm aware of that."
"Then say it, admit it out loud."
"Fine. Harry is my son. Now, can we please get on with it? I may not wish that fact to be known, but I will NOT stand for ANYONE mistreating him."
"And how, precisely, do you think he sees YOUR behavior toward him and all the Gryffindors?"
"That is different. I have no choice, as long as Voldemort lives and I retain my title as 'spy.'"
"Yes, but you could always let him know that..let him know YOU."
"Oh, so we're back on that again, are we?"
"It's the only way you can keep him safe from the Dursleys..by telling him the truth."
"As I've already said, no. WE will inform Albus of the.abuse, and nothing more."
"If we tell Dumbledore, he will remove Harry from that house. Harry will have no choice but to go to an orphanage or a temporary care facility. Now, imagine what that would do to him..he's already got more than enough in common with the Dark Lord, how do you think he'd react to yet another?"
"Surely no worse than if I talked to him."
"I doubt that, Severus. I will make you a deal. If you agree to tell Harry and Dumbledore the truth, then I will come with you right now to talk to him about the Dursleys."
"But then Albus would send him to live with ME. I couldn't do that Remus, I'd be worse than the Dursleys."
"No you wouldn't. You've never hit a student, and I know for a fact that all that yelling you do is just an act. You only need to give yourself a chance, and spare your son another summer of beatings."
"Very well.."
"Promise and swear that you will tell Harry, and soon."
"I promise that I will tell.Harry.the truth before Christmas. Are you happy now?"
"Yes, but you understand that I am not doing this for 'me.' I'm doing this for Harry.and for you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You have a son and a daughter, Severus. You have as much right to know them as they does you. You're all the only real family the three of you has."
"I'd have to agree with you on the last.but can we please get on with it? I'd like to tell Albus and get this whole thing over with as soon as possible, I'm sure he'll have plenty to say."
"He won't be ashamed of you, you know that."
"Yes.but then he doesn't have to be, I'm plenty ashamed for both of us," Remus stopped and placed a hand on Severus' shoulder.
"No matter what anyone says, you are a decent and carrying man, stop showing people otherwise."