DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote this before something happened.  I didn't mean for the eggs to appear there, but they did and now I must share a joke with you.  We went to a restaurant with two other families.  It was one of those where you could order breakfast all day.  The lady asked what Brian wants and he points to the picture of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.  The lady then asked 'How do you want your eggs?' And Brian hesitates before saying, "Umm, cooked."  It's even funnier considering he's 14. Enough about me, on with the story!

Chapter 6

Tearful Remembrances

            "Tristan!  Come here!  I've got something I wanted to share with you."

            "It's over with.  My girlfriend didn't think a long distance relationship would work and technically dumped me.  So what did you have to tell me?"

            "Remember how you said we could learn what other crazy things our parents did?  Well, I've kept in touch with my godfather and Remus Lupin, who doesn't remember you exist.  My godfather, don't panic, is Sirius Black," Harry said, not knowing how Tristan would react.

            "The one who escaped Azkaban?  Isn't he the one who also betrayed your parents?"

            "That's what everyone thought.  It turns out that another one of my parents' friends really betrayed them and I'm in close contact with my godfather.  He told me about a prank that he played on Snape.  Apparently, my father and Snape detested each other.  Sirius played a trick on Snape and somehow my father saved his life.  I never understood it, but somehow my father and your father were able to be in the same room after then.  My dad was a big prankster during his Hogwarts days.  Anyways, Sirius is the best.  He's a little overprotective of me, but that's because he acts like a father to me.  It's getting late and Aunt Petunia asked us to cook breakfast tomorrow morning.  Can you cook anything?"

            "Yeah, little bro, I'm not completely useless.  Eggs are okay with you, right?"

            "Eggs are perfect!  I can make bacon."

            "Perfectly balanced meal!  Now, night."

            "Hey one more question," Harry said to Tristan as he climbed into bed.

            "What?"

            "How come you don't speak with an English accent, but more of an American one?"

            "Simple question, simple answer.  My adoptive parents were Americans and then when I moved to the United States I fully lost my English accent.  Why?  Does it bother you?"

            "It doesn't bother me.  I just find it different, since you were raised here."

            They both slept peacefully with no interruptions.  Harry's alarm clock went off promptly at 6:30 and he woke up Tristan, who seemed to be a deep sleeper.  Tristan awoke with a start saying, "Professor, I swear it wasn't me!  Darryl and Jake were the ones who did it!"

            "Who are Darryl and Jake?" Harry asked Tristan.

            "Oh them.  They're friends from school.  They live in Brooklyn and are always getting me in trouble with this one professor.  I'm surprised I haven't been suspended because of them.  Enough about them, let's make breakfast."  They got dressed and hurried upstairs.  Tristan enjoyed helping out his aunt and uncle, knowing that his father would be writing back anytime soon.

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            Severus Snape was sleeping late for once in his life.  He spent the last night finding new ways to torture Potter and his dear little fan club.  As he rubbed his eyes to wake himself up, a snowy owl flew in.  Snape peered at the owl, not knowing what to make of it.  Rarely did he get mail over the summer, unless it was someone's idea of a prank.  He looked at it carefully before realizing it was harmless.  He opened the letter and gaped.  It was in Tristan Winbaf's handwriting, who was easily the best potions student he had had in years.  He always wondered why that boy was placed in Gryffindor, considering his potions skills. 

Dear Prof. Severus Snape,

                        You may remember me as the 'best damn Gryffindor at potions.'  Tristan Winbaf, though I changed my name to Tristan Hollen once I moved to the United States.  I gave up my life as a wizard; until I received a letter from whom I believe is one of your students.  Harry Potter contacted me about a secret his mother had.  You do remember Lily Evans from your seventh year at Hogwarts?  Apparently you two led a romantic life over the summer after you graduated.  Your little fling led to me.  My mother was only 18 when she had me and felt that she could not give me what I deserved.  I was given up for adoption when I was only four months old.  I never knew who my father was until Harry told me.  I've decided to tell you as soon as I found out.  I suppose I got your genes for my strength in potions.  I've sent a recent picture of myself.  As Harry has told me numerous times, I have my mother's eyes and her smile.  He also decided to point out that I have your nose and your height.  My hair is a mix though; it is black with natural red tints to it.  I wish I knew sooner so I would be able to get closer to my father, you.  If it is at all possible, would Harry and I be able to come to Hogwarts early and speak with you?  We both would love to hear about our mother and we have many unanswered questions for you.  I expect a prompt response, knowing whether or not you would like to get to know me, your son, better. 

            ~Tristan Cameron Hollen (Snape)

            He gasped again.  He had those eyes, the same eyes as Potter.  That was one of the reasons he could never stand looking at Potter.  It reminded him too much of her and that summer.  He never knew that Tristan was his own son, but it fit.  Then Snape reread the letter.  He found Potter's name mentioned quite a few times and realized that Potter knew about all of this.  His life was ruined.  Tristan Cameron Snape, what a fitting name, Snape thought.  He wondered why he had never seen it sooner though, that hair, those eyes, the nose, and his charming smile all fit as the perfect cross between himself and Lily.  Knowing what he had to do, he sat down to write his response.

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            The Dursleys, Tristan, and Harry ate their breakfast without a word.  Uncle Vernon declared that he should take little Dudders to work to show him what a real man does.  Aunt Petunia was going to play bridge.  The only reason they trusted Harry in the house was because Tristan was there as well.  Tristan and Harry waved good-bye to their relatives and sat down to plan out their day.

            "Well, what do you want to do?  I don't know what's good around here," Tristan said, wishing Harry had come to New York City instead.

            "They rarely let me do things.  I'm gone from September to June anyway.  Maybe Snape's letter will come soon."

            "What will I call him?"

            "Slimy git always fits!" Harry joked.

            "It fits, but I'm his son.  Dad doesn't sound right, you know?"

            "Snape? A dad?  It doesn't even fit in the same sentence!"

            "Very funny."

            "HEDWIG!" Harry yelled, pointing to his owl.

            "What?" Tristan said, as he turned around to where Harry was pointing.  "It's your owl.  You don't think…no, it can't be…so soon?"

            "We'll never know until we open it now will we?" Harry said, "I think you should be the one to open it.  It's most likely addressed to you."

            Tristan opened the letter, "Harry, come you can read it too."

            Dear Tristan Hollen and Harry Potter,

                       

                        If only I knew about this sooner, Tristan, I would have loved to get to know you.  I know why Lily didn't let me know in the beginning.  She was afraid.  If you didn't already know, I was a Death Eater.  Lily must have found out and she knew what it meant.  A Death Eater's son is like a future Death Eater.  Harry, who else knows about this?  Do your little friends know?  What about Black?  Be cautious with who you tell.  I need to speak with both of you.  I will be coming to Harry's house at six o'clock on August 9th.  Be packed and ready to go ten minutes early.  I know where your house is, Harry, don't worry.  Also, Harry, bring everything you would need for Hogwarts; you most likely will not be going back home in between.  I will be taking both of you to Hogwarts, where we will sort everything out with Dumbledore.  I will not be late and I expect both of you to be ready promptly.

            Severus Sadiron Snape

            "Do you think he's lying?" Harry asked, still in awe over the fact that Snape was going to take them to Hogwarts.

            "I've never known Snape to lie over something this serious.  Who did you tell?"

            "Sirius was there when I opened the letter.  My two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, know that I have a brother but nothing else.  Sirius knows everything and I think Remus knows as well.  That's all, I swear!"

            "I believe you.  What time is it?"

            "It's around three o'clock, why?"

            "When do Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia usually return?"

            "Aunt Petunia will be back around four o'clock and Uncle Vernon will be back with Dudley around five o'clock.  Again, I ask why?" Harry said, irritated that Tristan wasn't answering his question.

            "Well today's the ninth, remember?  That means Snape is coming tonight to get us and I figured that we should at least let the Dursleys know that you weren't coming back until next June.  Plus we'll want to make them a dinner they'll never forget," Tristan said with a twinkle in his eye.

            "I don't think so.  I think we should just leave.  It's not like I'll be missed anyway," Harry sighed.

            "You'll be missed.  Trust me.  We should start packing all your stuff.  We don't want to forget anything important, like those photo albums of yours.  It can't be that hard.  Where's your trunk?"

            "It's under my bed.  I'm going upstairs to get us some water.  I'll be right back."

            They loaded the trunk without much difficulty.  Harry hunted all over the house to make sure nothing else was missing.  Aunt Petunia had come home and Uncle Vernon was due home any moment when Harry and Tristan finished their game of Exploding Snap.  Dinner was the time when Harry and Tristan were going to tell the Dursley's about leaving.

            "Umm, Uncle Vernon?" Tristan asked cautiously.

            "Yes, boy, what do you want now?"

            "Well, my father is coming to pick Harry and I up tonight at around six o'clock.  Harry most likely won't be coming back.  My father can take him to the school train himself, I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all.  We just need your permission first."

            "It's fine by me.  Harry," Uncle Vernon glared at Harry, "You'll be staying at school for the holidays, right?"

            "Yes sir.  It's almost six o'clock.  May we be excused?" Harry said, his smile becoming more common around the Dursley household.

            Promptly at six o'clock, they heard what sounded like thunder.  Snape walked in and said icily, "Where are Tristan and Harry?  We don't want to be late.  Hurry up, hurry up."

            "Coming Professor," Harry shouted up the stairs.  Tristan was levitating the trunk up the stairs as Harry was carrying Hedwig up.

            "Come, I can't be late for dinner now.  Come along, outside, outside."

            Tristan and Harry found themselves inside one of the many Hogwarts dungeon hallways.  Snape pointed to a door and the boys hurried inside.

            "I'll speak to both of you later.  Seeing as how you already ate, I'll let you guys get comfortable in your room right here.  I'll be back in no less than an hour.  Don't blow anything up."

            Harry whispered to Tristan, "Did you ever blow anything up in his class?"

            "Oh, loads of times!  He knew it was me of course.  Who else could make such advanced potions?  It's no wonder I'm his son.  Anyway, let's explore.  There's got to be a nice bathroom around here somewhere…ah there it is!  Harry, come look at our bathtub!  It's like a swimming pool!  Come look, come look!" Tristan said excitedly.

            "Wow! It is like a swimming pool!  Have you tried out the beds?  They're so soft!" Harry shouted back.

            "I know this room is nice, I picked it out myself.  Now calm down," both boys whipped their heads around to see Snape, "Ah, Tristan, I see how you look like me.  Harry, your eyes, why they're the exact same!"

            "Yeah, we have identical eyes.  Want to look at my photo album?" Harry suggested.

            "Let's look at it!  I can't wait to see more pictures of Mom and Dad!" Tristan shouted.

            "You don't act like a twenty year old," Snape commented to Tristan.

            "Well, you don't act like a thirty-eight year old, you act like my grandfather!" Tristan said, while sticking his tongue out at his father.

            "Tristan, do you not have any English pride?  What happened to your accent?"

            "It vanished! Poof, like magic!" Tristan joked.

            "He moved to the United States, why else would he lose it?" Harry said, gaining stares from both Snapes.

            "Where are those photo albums?  If Dad looks like this now, can you imagine him twenty years ago?  During the seventies…" Tristan could barely speak; he was laughing too hard.

            Harry caught on to what Tristan was referring to while Severus still didn't get it.  Now with both Harry and Tristan laughing hysterically at him he gave them one of his death glares.  That shut them both up right away.  When Harry managed to regain himself, he told Severus what they were laughing about.

            "The seventies, afros, platforms shoes, bright colors, do you see where I'm going?"

            "Yes, I do.  I see I'll need to find some lovely headache cure, considering I will have one nonstop with the two of you around," Severus sighed.

            Tristan came up and gave Severus a 'nice' pat on the back, "Hey, Pops, we're not bad at all!"  Harry and Tristan couldn't contain themselves, once again, and began to laugh hysterically.

            "Harry, if you don't mind, I'd like to look at the photo album," Severus said nicely, the first time ever to Harry.

            "Here it is, have fun!" Harry said as he and Tristan began a pillow fight.

            Severus looked at the photos and then looked at the two boys.  Tears flowed naturally and Severus could not hold them back anymore.  He remembered Lily's beautiful smile and her eyes.  Those beautiful emerald eyes that would change depending on her mood.  The same eyes that both boys have.  Harry stopped throwing pillows at Tristan and stared at Snape.  The same Snape that had always been heartless was crying.  Tristan noticed this too and realized why he was crying.  There, in front of him, stood two boys that were tearful remembrances of the one person Severus had truly loved.