A/N:Boy we are demanding aren't we.hehe, jk. Okay here's the deal, remember
how I was telling you there was a part in this story where Sirius fans
would cheer and Severus fans would glare at Sirius, here it comes. Get
ready. It's about to get interesting. Thanks for the reviews. The first
chapter of the first story should be up probably Monday.
Chapter Twenty-Three--The Final Decision
Sirius, Lupin and Severus sat quietly in Dumbledore's office, none of them really feeling comfortable. Sirius was not yet on good terms with his enemy, and Lupin didn't like being stuck in the middle literally.
"I'm sorry to take you away from your families at the moment, I realize the end of the year is upon us, and you are all busy trying to get ready for where you will be staying this summer. Severus, it's good to hear that you will be returning to the mansion, I'm sure Harry and Emily will love it there. Remus, I'm pleased to hear you are also returning to the Manor, I know you haven't seen that place since you were a small child, and it will be hard of course. Now, due to the fact that Professor Flitwick had to leave, I now have a spot open, Charms. Lupin, I know you truly fancy charms and you would rather be doing that, is this correct?" Lupin shrugged, he loved charms. He and Lily had always been the best in that class.
"Starting next year I would like you to begin teaching Charms, I know you will make it fun and exciting for the students. Severus," Dumbledore looked at his son-in-law, hating himself for what he was about to do. He could see in Severus' eyes' that he wanted nothing more than the chance to take over the Dark Arts, so he could finally show that he was good at something.
"Severus, I need you to remain in Potions," he said. Severus' eyes grew wide, and slightly annoyed.
"Who is taking over DADA?" Sirius asked, slightly hesitant.
"You are," If Severus' eyes could have grown any wider they did. He stood up in a fury, knocking his chair backwards.
"NO!" Severus yelled. Dumbledore raised his hand.
"Severus, you were always good at Potions, and Sirius always topped you at." Severus didn't let him finish.
"Everything!" Severus yelled with that he stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him in anger. He shoved past several students through the halls, including his own son.
"Get out of my way Potter!" He spat and hurried past him up the stairs, to the tower, where he had once claimed it at his 'thinking spot'. He was furious, as furious as he could ever be. It hadn't even dawned at him that he had called his son Potter, and that he had slammed out of his mentor's office. All he kept registering was that Sirius Black had once again beaten him to something, at something, and hadn't even been around practicing magic in nearly fourteen years. Barging into his 'thinking spot' he placed himself in the crook of the window, much like he had all those years back.
~~~~~~~~
Harry turned as his father rushed past him in an angry tone. He hadn't heard his father call him Potter in months, and suddenly the tone was all to familiar. Finding it somewhat disturbing he quickly hurried towards Dumbledore's office, he murmured the password and headed upstairs, where his God-father, and Uncle Remus sat, as well as the Headmaster.
"Dad just rushed by, he called me Potter. He looked pissed all to hell, what's going on?" He asked. Dumbledore sighed.
"One of us should go talk to him," Remus said.
"No, give him time to cool off, Severus won't speak when angry, not unless it's in violent ways. Give him time, and then I shall go speak to my way ward son-in-law. Harry, perhaps you should have a seat." Dumbledore said. Harry sat down and listened to the entire story, he could feel himself growing a little annoyed as well. When he had asked his God-father to come back and stay he didn't mean to come take over a position his father had always wanted.
"No wonder he was angry," Harry whispered.
"Harry, your father has always been a wonderful Potions Master," Dumbledore explained.
"Grandfather, no offense sir, but my father has wanted that job since before I came here. While I love both Sirius and my dad, don't you think it would have been fairer to give it to someone with more experience?" He asked. Sirius didn't react.
"Harry, can you find anyone who has had more experience with the Dark Arts than someone who was placed wrongly in Azkaban?" Harry sighed, he could see his grandfather's point. Azkaban was a horrible place, and Sirius had no only survived it, but was stronger because of it.
"I suppose you're right, but well, what about dad?" He asked quietly.
"Harry I will not change my mind on this, and come next year I plan on having all my teachers where they belong, including your father."
"I hope you're right Grandfather," Harry said as he too got up and left, only slower than his father.
~~~~~~~
Dumbledore slowly walked up to the tower and smiled, oh the time he had caught the young rebel Slytherin sitting up in the moon lit room, starring out at the star filled sky, wishing he could be anyone but Severus Salazar Snape. As He quietly opened the door and gazed on the younger man he smiled. Severus was sitting on the window, a foot up on the level he sat, another on the floor as he gazed out the window.
"There was a time you and I could talk about anything," Dumbledore said. He was pleased to see just like old times, that Severus didn't jump, respond or move.
"There was a time when I wasn't feeling betrayed." Severus whispered.
"Betrayed, surely you know me better than that my child. Severus, you and I go back to your birth. Severus speak to me," Dumbledore whispered.
"I don't know if I can," he said, still not facing his friend, and mentor. Dumbledore observed his face in the moonlight, the anger was gone, and Dumbledore did indeed see some hurt feelings and maybe even a trace of tears.
"Severus, if I had thought for a second that you were the perfect man for the job, it would have been yours. While I feel you have an in depth concept for DADA, the truth is I don't think you would have been half as good as Sirius might be."
"That's the problem, Sirius beats me at everything. Part of me is so terrified my son will decide to live with him," he whispered.
"Is that why you were so angry? Severus, Harry does love you. There was a time when he didn't like you, but I don't think there was ever really hate there, and if there was. It's gone now. He made his choice. He made that choice months ago. He wants to be with his family, his sister, his father and his new mother. He wants to get to know his family. Harry hasn't lived in a good home life for a long time, and he knows deep inside that only you can offer that now. Not Sirius, not Lupin, Not the Dursleys, only you. You're willing to give him something no one else can, a family. A chance." Severus said nothing.
"Yes, you were with the Dark Lord for awhile, and you are an ex-Death Eater, but Sirius battled Dementors everyday of his life for thirteen years, and Severus; in my book that beats you. He should have died in there, but he didn't, he survived, with a vaster knowledge of pain, suffering and fear than most people know. Severus, I know right now that seems dumb, since you've seen a lot of pain and suffering too, but please believe me when I tell you that I picked the best man for the job," still Severus was quiet. Dumbledore sighed, he hoped he hadn't lost his link to the man in front of him. He could remember millions of times sitting with the boy to his left, looking worried about something, as they spoke in this small room.
"Plenty of memories in this room," Albus spoke. Severus shrugged.
"You can't ignore me forever Severus. I love you son, don't ever forget that," Dumbledore said. He walked over and looked at the boy he considered his son, that had just now finally become his son.
"I do love you," Dumbledore spoke again and then left. Severus looked out at the moon.
~~~~~~~
"Of course he's angry, Sirius, he thinks you're going to steal everything he has. I don't blame him!" Remus yelled.
"What do you want me to do, leave forever? Merlin, Lupin, the man is acting like a five year old."
"Sirius put your self in his shoes. He just gained a son, a daughter, a wife and soon he will have a newborn child. Severus wanted a family all his life, he wanted to do what his parents never did for him. He wanted a boy, to treat with love, to be placed in the Gryffindor. So when Harry comes along and can finally be told the truth, the boy accepts it. He doesn't get angry, he takes it in, and decides that having Snape for a father is better than living with the Dursley's. Then suddenly he realizes he has a sister too, he has a family. Something the boy always wanted. Severus doesn't know how to interpret this, but he knows it's a good thing and that he has to take it for all it's worth. He finally has his family, his lover. Suddenly the person, who he never really liked, but didn't loathe comes barging into his life again. Severus didn't ask to be in the Slytherin, he didn't ask to have a screwed up childhood. So when you came along suddenly, when everything seems perfect he's terrified. Horrified that you might rip his newly found baby boy from his arms, before he even gets a chance to be a father."
"Harry asked me back."
"Yes, Harry did. Because Harry is sick and tired of being torn. Between good and evil, between fear and love, between fame and shame. He's sick and tired of being the hero. He's tired of getting something good and losing it. He's been let down so many times, and it hurts him every second. So he finds you saved his father, as though you were making it up to him, and he wants you to know he's thankful for it. You're free now, and Harry wants you in his life as much as he wants his father. Can you blame the boy Sirius? The kid finally has a chance at a real childhood, maybe a short one, but he can have one. He finally can have his family. Of course he invited you back, he wants you to share this happy moment with him. Instead you did rip it away. Not intentionally, but the pain is still there, because suddenly Harry realizes his father is in pain, and Harry won't stand for that."
"So do you want me to give Snape the damn job!" Sirius yelled.
"NO! I want you to realize that Harry isn't your claim. Yes technically speaking you are the boy's god-father, but who appointed you his god-father. James and Lily. Severus had no choice in it, he feels like that's just one more thing to add to something you get and he doesn't. You always got the grades, the girls, and his son. Now you have his job, and he is afraid you will take his son back. Harry isn't a possession, but a boy and he loves you both so very much. He's torn between wanting to honor James and his mother, and wanting to love his new father and mother."
"So I guess asking Harry to spend the summer with me is out of the question," Sirius said. Remus looked at him.
"Probably."
~~~~~~~~
Harry sat in the common room in the Gryffindor house, reading a book, his mind really not on the book as it was more on his father. Hermione was also reading in front of the fire in another seat when she glanced over at her best friend and giggled. Harry looked up at this, snapped out of his trance.
"What?" He scowled. She smiled again.
"Nothing, except well your reading your book upside down," she said. Harry looked at the book and blushed, turning it around he looked at it then closed it.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"Eight."
"I'm going downstairs to see dad. Hermione, you smiled a second time when I scowled why?"
"Oh no reason, you just really looked like your father," she said. He smiled.
"I love him 'Mione."
"I know you do Harry, I never doubted it, from the moment you told us."
"Thanks, I'll see you later," she nodded and watched her friend leave; shaking her head she sighed and looked down at his book. "How to Be a Master at Potions." She smiled.
~~~~~~~~
Harry hurried down stairs to the dungeons, he saw his mother sitting in front of the fire, reading a book on how to care for babies, it was a muggle book.
"Mum?" He called. She looked up and smiled.
"He's not here Harry, in fact he's probably upstairs in the tower. That seems to be his favorite hide away."
"Can I go see him?"
"Of course, I'll see you tomorrow morning handsome," she said. He nodded, before walking out the door he walked towards her and pecked her cheek.
"I love you mum," he said. Then hurried out of the room.
~~~~~~~~
Harry slowly stepped into the dark room, the sun had set hours ago, and yet here sat his father in a window starring out into the moonlit grounds of Hogwarts School.
"Dad?" he called slightly.
"What," the cold voice said.
"You can relax, I'm not here to get yelled at. Dad, I just really wanted you to know something." Harry said walking over to his father. Reaching out he grabbed his father's face between his left hand and thumb and pulled it around gently to look into his father's eyes.
"Believe me when I tell you this. I love you. I love you for telling me the truth, I love you for telling me for loving me, and I love you for everything you are now. You've changed lately, and I love you for that. You never stopped protecting me even during my first years of school; believe it or not, now that I look back you were only trying to protect me. You used to threaten to expel my ass so I could go home where I might be safer, you had no clue I was in more danger at home than I was at school," Severus felt tears clouding his vision. How had his son come to know him so quickly?
"I don't want to lose you," Severus whispered.
"You won't. I've made my final decision dad. My final choice. I'm going to remain with you, until I'm on my own. I'm staying with my family, because right now I need a family more than anything. Sirius can't give me the family you can. I love Sirius, yes, but not like I love you. Not like a son loves a father. Like a boy who loves a mentor, or a nephew loves an uncle." Severus nodded and reached down, grabbed his son into a hug.
"I love you," he said.
"I know dad," he whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Three--The Final Decision
Sirius, Lupin and Severus sat quietly in Dumbledore's office, none of them really feeling comfortable. Sirius was not yet on good terms with his enemy, and Lupin didn't like being stuck in the middle literally.
"I'm sorry to take you away from your families at the moment, I realize the end of the year is upon us, and you are all busy trying to get ready for where you will be staying this summer. Severus, it's good to hear that you will be returning to the mansion, I'm sure Harry and Emily will love it there. Remus, I'm pleased to hear you are also returning to the Manor, I know you haven't seen that place since you were a small child, and it will be hard of course. Now, due to the fact that Professor Flitwick had to leave, I now have a spot open, Charms. Lupin, I know you truly fancy charms and you would rather be doing that, is this correct?" Lupin shrugged, he loved charms. He and Lily had always been the best in that class.
"Starting next year I would like you to begin teaching Charms, I know you will make it fun and exciting for the students. Severus," Dumbledore looked at his son-in-law, hating himself for what he was about to do. He could see in Severus' eyes' that he wanted nothing more than the chance to take over the Dark Arts, so he could finally show that he was good at something.
"Severus, I need you to remain in Potions," he said. Severus' eyes grew wide, and slightly annoyed.
"Who is taking over DADA?" Sirius asked, slightly hesitant.
"You are," If Severus' eyes could have grown any wider they did. He stood up in a fury, knocking his chair backwards.
"NO!" Severus yelled. Dumbledore raised his hand.
"Severus, you were always good at Potions, and Sirius always topped you at." Severus didn't let him finish.
"Everything!" Severus yelled with that he stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him in anger. He shoved past several students through the halls, including his own son.
"Get out of my way Potter!" He spat and hurried past him up the stairs, to the tower, where he had once claimed it at his 'thinking spot'. He was furious, as furious as he could ever be. It hadn't even dawned at him that he had called his son Potter, and that he had slammed out of his mentor's office. All he kept registering was that Sirius Black had once again beaten him to something, at something, and hadn't even been around practicing magic in nearly fourteen years. Barging into his 'thinking spot' he placed himself in the crook of the window, much like he had all those years back.
~~~~~~~~
Harry turned as his father rushed past him in an angry tone. He hadn't heard his father call him Potter in months, and suddenly the tone was all to familiar. Finding it somewhat disturbing he quickly hurried towards Dumbledore's office, he murmured the password and headed upstairs, where his God-father, and Uncle Remus sat, as well as the Headmaster.
"Dad just rushed by, he called me Potter. He looked pissed all to hell, what's going on?" He asked. Dumbledore sighed.
"One of us should go talk to him," Remus said.
"No, give him time to cool off, Severus won't speak when angry, not unless it's in violent ways. Give him time, and then I shall go speak to my way ward son-in-law. Harry, perhaps you should have a seat." Dumbledore said. Harry sat down and listened to the entire story, he could feel himself growing a little annoyed as well. When he had asked his God-father to come back and stay he didn't mean to come take over a position his father had always wanted.
"No wonder he was angry," Harry whispered.
"Harry, your father has always been a wonderful Potions Master," Dumbledore explained.
"Grandfather, no offense sir, but my father has wanted that job since before I came here. While I love both Sirius and my dad, don't you think it would have been fairer to give it to someone with more experience?" He asked. Sirius didn't react.
"Harry, can you find anyone who has had more experience with the Dark Arts than someone who was placed wrongly in Azkaban?" Harry sighed, he could see his grandfather's point. Azkaban was a horrible place, and Sirius had no only survived it, but was stronger because of it.
"I suppose you're right, but well, what about dad?" He asked quietly.
"Harry I will not change my mind on this, and come next year I plan on having all my teachers where they belong, including your father."
"I hope you're right Grandfather," Harry said as he too got up and left, only slower than his father.
~~~~~~~
Dumbledore slowly walked up to the tower and smiled, oh the time he had caught the young rebel Slytherin sitting up in the moon lit room, starring out at the star filled sky, wishing he could be anyone but Severus Salazar Snape. As He quietly opened the door and gazed on the younger man he smiled. Severus was sitting on the window, a foot up on the level he sat, another on the floor as he gazed out the window.
"There was a time you and I could talk about anything," Dumbledore said. He was pleased to see just like old times, that Severus didn't jump, respond or move.
"There was a time when I wasn't feeling betrayed." Severus whispered.
"Betrayed, surely you know me better than that my child. Severus, you and I go back to your birth. Severus speak to me," Dumbledore whispered.
"I don't know if I can," he said, still not facing his friend, and mentor. Dumbledore observed his face in the moonlight, the anger was gone, and Dumbledore did indeed see some hurt feelings and maybe even a trace of tears.
"Severus, if I had thought for a second that you were the perfect man for the job, it would have been yours. While I feel you have an in depth concept for DADA, the truth is I don't think you would have been half as good as Sirius might be."
"That's the problem, Sirius beats me at everything. Part of me is so terrified my son will decide to live with him," he whispered.
"Is that why you were so angry? Severus, Harry does love you. There was a time when he didn't like you, but I don't think there was ever really hate there, and if there was. It's gone now. He made his choice. He made that choice months ago. He wants to be with his family, his sister, his father and his new mother. He wants to get to know his family. Harry hasn't lived in a good home life for a long time, and he knows deep inside that only you can offer that now. Not Sirius, not Lupin, Not the Dursleys, only you. You're willing to give him something no one else can, a family. A chance." Severus said nothing.
"Yes, you were with the Dark Lord for awhile, and you are an ex-Death Eater, but Sirius battled Dementors everyday of his life for thirteen years, and Severus; in my book that beats you. He should have died in there, but he didn't, he survived, with a vaster knowledge of pain, suffering and fear than most people know. Severus, I know right now that seems dumb, since you've seen a lot of pain and suffering too, but please believe me when I tell you that I picked the best man for the job," still Severus was quiet. Dumbledore sighed, he hoped he hadn't lost his link to the man in front of him. He could remember millions of times sitting with the boy to his left, looking worried about something, as they spoke in this small room.
"Plenty of memories in this room," Albus spoke. Severus shrugged.
"You can't ignore me forever Severus. I love you son, don't ever forget that," Dumbledore said. He walked over and looked at the boy he considered his son, that had just now finally become his son.
"I do love you," Dumbledore spoke again and then left. Severus looked out at the moon.
~~~~~~~
"Of course he's angry, Sirius, he thinks you're going to steal everything he has. I don't blame him!" Remus yelled.
"What do you want me to do, leave forever? Merlin, Lupin, the man is acting like a five year old."
"Sirius put your self in his shoes. He just gained a son, a daughter, a wife and soon he will have a newborn child. Severus wanted a family all his life, he wanted to do what his parents never did for him. He wanted a boy, to treat with love, to be placed in the Gryffindor. So when Harry comes along and can finally be told the truth, the boy accepts it. He doesn't get angry, he takes it in, and decides that having Snape for a father is better than living with the Dursley's. Then suddenly he realizes he has a sister too, he has a family. Something the boy always wanted. Severus doesn't know how to interpret this, but he knows it's a good thing and that he has to take it for all it's worth. He finally has his family, his lover. Suddenly the person, who he never really liked, but didn't loathe comes barging into his life again. Severus didn't ask to be in the Slytherin, he didn't ask to have a screwed up childhood. So when you came along suddenly, when everything seems perfect he's terrified. Horrified that you might rip his newly found baby boy from his arms, before he even gets a chance to be a father."
"Harry asked me back."
"Yes, Harry did. Because Harry is sick and tired of being torn. Between good and evil, between fear and love, between fame and shame. He's sick and tired of being the hero. He's tired of getting something good and losing it. He's been let down so many times, and it hurts him every second. So he finds you saved his father, as though you were making it up to him, and he wants you to know he's thankful for it. You're free now, and Harry wants you in his life as much as he wants his father. Can you blame the boy Sirius? The kid finally has a chance at a real childhood, maybe a short one, but he can have one. He finally can have his family. Of course he invited you back, he wants you to share this happy moment with him. Instead you did rip it away. Not intentionally, but the pain is still there, because suddenly Harry realizes his father is in pain, and Harry won't stand for that."
"So do you want me to give Snape the damn job!" Sirius yelled.
"NO! I want you to realize that Harry isn't your claim. Yes technically speaking you are the boy's god-father, but who appointed you his god-father. James and Lily. Severus had no choice in it, he feels like that's just one more thing to add to something you get and he doesn't. You always got the grades, the girls, and his son. Now you have his job, and he is afraid you will take his son back. Harry isn't a possession, but a boy and he loves you both so very much. He's torn between wanting to honor James and his mother, and wanting to love his new father and mother."
"So I guess asking Harry to spend the summer with me is out of the question," Sirius said. Remus looked at him.
"Probably."
~~~~~~~~
Harry sat in the common room in the Gryffindor house, reading a book, his mind really not on the book as it was more on his father. Hermione was also reading in front of the fire in another seat when she glanced over at her best friend and giggled. Harry looked up at this, snapped out of his trance.
"What?" He scowled. She smiled again.
"Nothing, except well your reading your book upside down," she said. Harry looked at the book and blushed, turning it around he looked at it then closed it.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"Eight."
"I'm going downstairs to see dad. Hermione, you smiled a second time when I scowled why?"
"Oh no reason, you just really looked like your father," she said. He smiled.
"I love him 'Mione."
"I know you do Harry, I never doubted it, from the moment you told us."
"Thanks, I'll see you later," she nodded and watched her friend leave; shaking her head she sighed and looked down at his book. "How to Be a Master at Potions." She smiled.
~~~~~~~~
Harry hurried down stairs to the dungeons, he saw his mother sitting in front of the fire, reading a book on how to care for babies, it was a muggle book.
"Mum?" He called. She looked up and smiled.
"He's not here Harry, in fact he's probably upstairs in the tower. That seems to be his favorite hide away."
"Can I go see him?"
"Of course, I'll see you tomorrow morning handsome," she said. He nodded, before walking out the door he walked towards her and pecked her cheek.
"I love you mum," he said. Then hurried out of the room.
~~~~~~~~
Harry slowly stepped into the dark room, the sun had set hours ago, and yet here sat his father in a window starring out into the moonlit grounds of Hogwarts School.
"Dad?" he called slightly.
"What," the cold voice said.
"You can relax, I'm not here to get yelled at. Dad, I just really wanted you to know something." Harry said walking over to his father. Reaching out he grabbed his father's face between his left hand and thumb and pulled it around gently to look into his father's eyes.
"Believe me when I tell you this. I love you. I love you for telling me the truth, I love you for telling me for loving me, and I love you for everything you are now. You've changed lately, and I love you for that. You never stopped protecting me even during my first years of school; believe it or not, now that I look back you were only trying to protect me. You used to threaten to expel my ass so I could go home where I might be safer, you had no clue I was in more danger at home than I was at school," Severus felt tears clouding his vision. How had his son come to know him so quickly?
"I don't want to lose you," Severus whispered.
"You won't. I've made my final decision dad. My final choice. I'm going to remain with you, until I'm on my own. I'm staying with my family, because right now I need a family more than anything. Sirius can't give me the family you can. I love Sirius, yes, but not like I love you. Not like a son loves a father. Like a boy who loves a mentor, or a nephew loves an uncle." Severus nodded and reached down, grabbed his son into a hug.
"I love you," he said.
"I know dad," he whispered.