Chapter 4
"Snape? SNAPE?" Ron looked at Harry incredulously.
"Calm down! Do you want everyone to hear?" hissed the exasperated Harry. "Yes, Snape's my 'other' father."
Ron sat beside Hermione, still with the incredulous look in his face. Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder in an attempt to offer some kind of comfort.
"But why do people always say that Harry has his mother's eyes?" asked Hermione.
"Perhaps it comes from Snape's side of family, Hermione," Remus answered. He, too, still felt disbelief over the truth, but Sirius couldn't possibly lie. He had noticed some time ago that Harry was like Snape in all sorts of odd ways. Harry's cunning side that he showed during the Last Battle, for example. It was just like young Severus.
"So, what now?" asked Harry miserably.
"Let's go back to my house first, then we can calmly discuss this," Remus said, squeezing Harry's shoulder in reassurance.
"Okay then," Harry said. Hermione and Ron nodded their agreement.
***************
They Apparated back to Remus' cottage. The trio had learned to Apparate in their fifth year, taught by Remus and Sirius on their Christmas holiday in preparation for the upcoming battle with Voldemort. It was not fun to Apparate, however, even less than traveling by Floo. Perhaps that was why not all wizards and witches chose to Apparate.
"So, what's your plan, Harry?" asked Hermione after they were all settled comfortably on Remus' couch.
"I don't know," Harry said. He truly had no idea of what he was supposed to do. This new revelation was so shocking that he wished he hadn't asked Sirius. Perhaps it would have been better if he hadn't learned the truth. No. Harry always preferred truth above all else, no matter how hurtful it was. Besides, he was glad that his other father wasn't Remus. He thought he had fallen for his former teacher. Of course, Harry couldn't possibly pursue Remus, because Remus was his guardian to be. But still, it would be *very* weird if you happened to fancy your own father.
"Will you confront Severus, Harry?" asked Remus.
"I don't know, Remus. I just don't know." Harry sighed in frustration.
Ron sighed too. Poor Harry, he thought. Hemione felt rather guilty. If she hadn't found out about Harry's parentage, her friend wouldn't have found himself in this mess. True that Snape had donated his seed, but did that made him Harry's father in every sense of the word? He hated Harry. Although it was in such an unusual way, Harry was still his offspring. Hermione did not understand anyone who did not like children, especially their *own* children.
"Harry, I think you should talk to Severus," said Remus cautiously, afraid to offend Harry.
"What!? He hates me, Remus. What do you think he will say when I walk into his dungeon and say, 'good evening, Sir. By the way, I just found out that I am your son.' That's a bloody brilliant plan, isn't it?"
Now I know where Harry got his sarcasm and wit, thought Hermione. If the situation hadn't been so dire, she would have laughed.
"Did Sirius tell you why they ultimately used Snape's instead of Sirius'… ehm… er…" Ron blushed.
Hermione could not help smiling at Ron's embarrassment. Remus smiled faintly too. Only Harry did not look amused at all.
"No, he didn't tell me. Sirius said that he didn't know either. He just knew from James that Snape had decided to use his. James said that Snape's worked better in the potion or something."
"Hmm, perhaps that is one of the reasons why they hate each other so much," said Hermione thoughtfully.
"I bet."
"Does Dumbledore know?" asked Ron.
"I don't know," replied Harry. "After all, my … ehm… mum…"
"You can still call Lily your mum, Harry. After all, she was pregnant with you," assured Remus.
"Oh, okay. Well, my mum was really pregnant with me. And I really look like my father. James Potter," Harry hastily added.
For a moment Harry remembered all the comments people made about how he looked like James and Lily Potter. No one had ever said that he looked even remotely like Snape. Besides, Snape *hated* him. Surely he wouldn't hate Harry so much if he knew that Harry was his son, right? Surely he would be proud for Harry, instead of constantly mocking his parents, right? No matter how nasty Snape was to Harry, Harry always respected Snape as one of Dumbledore most trusted men. His trustworthiness and loyalty had been proven in the last battle, when he had almost gotten himself killed in order to protect Dumbledore, giving a chance to Harry and Dumbledore to combine their power and destroy Voldemort for good. Snape had earned himself Order of Merlin First Class for his bravery, but he had lost his left leg as the result. Mediwizards from St. Mungo's had replaced his left leg with a charmed wooden leg, but Snape would limp forever. He would never be graceful like before. The tragedy had caused Snape to be even nastier than before. Why on earth must it be Snape? This world was such a terrible terrible place sometimes.
Remus offered Harry a glass of lemonade with a concerned expression. Harry smiled faintly to reassure Remus that he was okay. Perhaps the world wasn't so terrible at all. He drank the lemonade and thanked Remus.
"You're welcome," the golden-hearted werewolf said.
Harry thought for a moment and asked, "Remus?"
"Yes?"
"Would you mind if I stay here for few days? You know, to clear my head. Your house is great, Ron. But sometimes I need a quieter place."
"It's okay, Harry," Ron said.
"Of course, Harry. You can stay here as long as you like. After all this will be your home," Remus smiled.
Harry hugged Remus gratefully. "I am so lucky to have you, Remus."
Remus hugged Harry back and laughed. "So Padfoot's melodramatic streak has rubbed off on you, eh?"
"Kinda," Harry smiled, feeling better.
***********
That night was wonderful. Harry transformed into his Animagus form, a stag, and ran through the woods alone, enjoying the cool breeze of night air and playing with Buckbeak, who had known Harry ever since the boy's first successful Animagus transfiguration. Harry felt so carefree as he gazed into the starry night and finally fell asleep on the grass near Remus' cottage.
***************
It was then that a large cobra slithered unnoticed to the sleeping boy.
*********
Cliché Cliffie I know!
Sorry it takes so long to update. Real life and my other WIPS rear their ugly head.
Thanks to Lizz for beta reading!
