A/N: Thank you to all of my reviewers.

shiroiryu144 - It is a mess isn't it!

Mikee - It's a good thing. Just don't tell Sev that he's sweet.

DxInsider - Who knew Snape had a temper?

emma - Thank you.

Ms. Padfoot - Okay. Here's more.

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Jaded Angel8 - Thanks for the tip. I'm using MS Works. Seems to do the same thing.

Englishgirl - OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK

Disclaimer: I don't even live in the right half of the world to own this.

Tangled Relations

Chapter 9 - Mother Knows Best

The following morning Harry was released and he went straight to Gryffindor tower to put away the diaries and to find Hermione and Ron. It was a Sunday so they didn't have to worry about classes.

He found Ron first. He was still laying in bed reading Quidditch through the Ages again. "Ron, get up and get dressed I have some news for you and Hermione."

Ron groaned as he got out of bed and headed for the shower. As Harry went to head over to the girls' side he noticed Hermione heading for the common room. So he yelled out to her. "Hermione"

"Harry, your out, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. I have some news though. Ron's getting dressed. I want to wait for him."

They waited together in the common room for several minutes until Ron finally came down. "Okay guys, lets go for a walk." They headed outside and started walking around the lake. He explained everything he had read in the diary and Snape's reaction.

Ron's reaction was typical Ron. "Your mom was a Snape? How awful."

Hermione was a little more understanding. "Oh Harry no wonder she broke it off. I wonder why she couldn't just tell him when she broke up with him though."

"I don't know Hermione."

When he was done they walked to the hall for breakfast. Professor Snape was missing from the head table. 'Well he did say he had to talk to someone. I suppose he's doing that.'

Just then a few of the other Gryffindors walked over. Ginny apparently decided to be the spokesperson. "Harry, we were all wondering if you plan on continuing the D.A. lessons. We really miss them and we still have to worry about V . . V . . Voldemort."

Harry scolded himself briefly. With everything going on he had forgotten all about wanting to start it back up this year. "I would love to start it back up but this year we have a competent DADA teacher, Professor Lupin. I'll have to talk with him about it first."

The group thanked him and went back to their seats. The rest of the day consisted of homework and quidditch practice. He wasn't allowed to fly yet in case he got light headed but he was still the captain so he watched from the ground, yelling out orders. If they were going to beat Slytherin or Hufflpuff the beaters were going to have to improve. At dinner, Professor Snape was back. He caught Harry's eye and gave a little nod. When the food appeared a note appeared next to his plate.

Mr. Potter

Your detention for tonight is for 7:00pm.

Don't be late. Meet me in front of the

potions classroom.

Professor Snape

Harry showed Ron and Hermione the note and had the sense to look upset about it.

Ron was livid. "How could that bat give you detention on a Sunday?" Harry smirked inwardly, leave it to Ron to keep up appearances. Hermione just winked at Harry before glaring at both of them. "Ron if Harry wasn't such a prat he wouldn't get detention."

At 6:50 Harry headed to the dungeons. He waited outside the potions classroom and at 7:00 sharp Professor Snape came out of the classroom and motioned for Harry to follow him. They went several meters down the hallway until he stopped in front of a painting of Salazar Slytherin. The portrait spoke first. "Hello there Severus, a guest? This is a first."

Snape replied briskly "Sod off Sal"

Harry had to muffle a laugh. It wouldn't do well to upset the potions master. He decided to join the conversation instead but wanted to see if the portrait was a parselmouth like the person. ~Nice to meet you Salazar~ Snape looked at Harry in awe for a brief moment before replacing his mask.

~Ah! Finally another parselmouth. I'm glad there is finally another one at the school. That last kid, Riddle, he was a weird one. Why are you wearing a Gryffindor badge, you should be in my house? ~

~Well, It's a little complica....~

Snape decided to end the conversation before someone saw him in the hallway with the pride of Gryffindor. "Sal, you two can continue this little chat later." "Salazar's pride"

The portrait replied "Very Well" and swung open to reveal a richly colored room with comfy looking furnishings. Tapestries hung on most of the walls, covering the brick. A fire burned brightly in front of the sofa.

"Mister Potter, you may have a seat. Would you like a drink? Tea perhaps?"

"Yes Sir, thank you. Tea is fine." He replied as he sat on the sofa. It was as soft and warm as it looked. He never would have imagined Snape living in a place like this.

The professor returned with two cups of tea and a bowl with some pastries.

"Mr. Potter, may I call you Harry when we are in private?"

Harry looked shocked at the question but quickly replied, "Yes sir; I would like that very much."

"Good. Good. Last night I mentioned that I had to talk to someone, that someone was my mother. She's the only living relative I have, other than you of course." He cleared his throat and began again. "This is a lengthy story Harry so please do not interrupt. You may ask questions when I'm finished." Harry just nodded in return and took a sip of his tea.

"I explained to my mother all that we had found out, but she was reluctant to add anything. Up until now she maintained that I had no siblings even when I asked her just last week. It wasn't until I promised her that I wouldn't hex her that she began spilling her secret."

Sitting back into the chair he continued. "When my mother was pregnant with me she discovered that she was having twins. Now, some of the old fashioned pure-blood families, like mine, believed that twins shared the same magical powers. It used to be common practice to kill one of the babies when they are born so that the one that is left is more powerful. My mother knew that my dad's family still held to these practices so she lied to my dad about the expected date of birth. My father was often away so she knew if she told him that I was to be born a week after I was really due then he would miss the birth. It worked, because when I was born my father was in France and didn't know my mom was in labor until two days later. In that time my mother placed a series of complex charms on your mother to make her look completely different except for her eyes which she left the same. They are the same eyes that my mother has as well. She then left your mom at a muggle adoption agency in hopes that she would have a good life. The rest of her life you already know." He paused to let all of this sink in. "Do you have any questions so far Harry?"

Harry swallowed the piece of muffin he was eating and answered. "So not only was my mom your sister but your twin sister. No wonder I look so much like you. I can say that I'm relieved that my parents are who I always thought them to be. Some of the thoughts that have crossed my mind the past couple of months have been really frightening."

"Yes, I agree. I'm glad we finally learned the truth about all of this. I would never have thought your mom to have been adopted. Adoptions are rare in the wizarding world. Pure blood lines and all that. Any other questions?"

Harry nodded before continuing. "Your mom saved my mom's life and risked her's in the process. I would like to thank her personally. Could I do that?"

Snape smiled which shocked Harry almost as much as the story he had just been told, "Of course Harry, my mother already said that she would like to meet you too. I didn't tell her who you were, I just said that it was a student of mine."

"Wonderful" He grinned. "Another question Professor...."

Snape nodded.

"How did my mom figure it all out? I know she saw her true appearance in the mirror, but I would think that she would have been curious about it. Did she ever talk to your mom?"

"Actually Harry she did. According to my mom, your mom owled her adoptive parents and asked if she had been adopted. They replied saying that she had. Then she owled my mom, anonymously, and asked her about the charms. My mother told her the truth but told her never to repeat it as long as my father was alive. Both your mother and my mother's lives would be at risk. Your mother agreed and left it at that."

"So, when can I meet your mom?" Harry asked, looking like Christmas had come early.

"Well Harry, I suppose I could take you there sometime during Christmas holiday. I'll have to check with the headmaster. Now that we know the whole truth we can let certain people know. Mainly those who are in the order. We can't let everyone know because Voldemort will try to use it against us. You do know my position don't you?"

"I have my ideas about it sir. And if I'm right, then you are the bravest person I know."

The potions master was floored. He had never received such a great complement, and from the boy-who-lived at that. All he could do was nod to affirm Harry's assumption.

Harry sat there thinking things over before a thought popped into his head. "Professor, if my mom was adopted that means that Petunia Dursleys isn't really my aunt. Is that why the protections around my house failed?"

Snape pondered that before nodding. "I believe you may be right. I'll discuss it with the headmaster."

"Professor, could I make that charm-revealing potion again someday? I'd like to see what I'm supposed to look like. Maybe after I defeat Voldemort we can remove the charms. Is that possible?"

"Yes and Yes to both of your questions. It is getting late. Since it is past curfew I will walk you back to your tower." He had kept his tone remarkably neutral throughout the conversation.

"Thank you. I'd like that." Harry replied with a grin.

They exited the rooms and began their walk up to the tower. As they approached the tower Snape turned to Harry. "Harry, I think you should do something in class this week to earn yourself another detention. I would like to talk more, and I will speak with the headmaster about Christmas tomorrow."

Harry nodded and smiled, "Goodnight Sir"

"Goodnight Mister Potter"

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