A/N: Thank you reviewers.
Ms. Padfoot - I know! You'll have to wait a bit longer for grandma.
Harry's Muggle Sister - Thank you.
Charley4 - Not Xmas yet.
lillinfields - Thanks
Tropic - Thanks
Jaded Angel8 - Parsletongue or bust.
klee - Yup, and that will probably happen at some point
DxInsider - Yea, they are funny aren't they.
Calani - Okay
Toria - Thank you
Mikee - He can't always see them as you will find out later.
Disclaimer - Not that it matters, I don't have any money anyway.
Tangled Relations
Chapter 14 - Looking in the mirror
During the following month Harry routinely got at least one detention a week in order to spend time with his uncle playing chess or helping him with a potion. So, with D.A. lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, quidditch practice on Wednesday, and detentions on either Monday or Friday, Harry had little time for anything else other than studying. The runespoor was doing fine, as long as he kept the three heads from fighting, and Harry couldn't wait until Christmas so he could give it to his uncle.
It was during one of his detentions in the middle of December that he asked about making the potion again.
"Uncle, can I make that charm-revealing potion again? I'd like to see what I look like."
"Sure, Harry, we can make it right now if you want."
"I'd like that."
So, they started brewing the potion. Harry chopped the ingredients and his uncle added them at the correct times and stirred. Once again it had to sit and simmer for a while. When it was finally done Harry ladled some into two goblets and carried them over to a mirror in his uncle's office. He handed one to his uncle so that they could look at him together.
Severus wasn't sure how Harry would react to seeing himself so he put a steadying hand on the boy's, no young man's, shoulder.
"I'm warning you Harry; you might not even recognize yourself."
Harry nodded and swallowed the potion. Severus did the same and then they counted to three and opened their eyes.
Harry stared in shock. His hair was no longer unruly. It looked very silky and was longer, down to his shoulders. He still had his green eyes and he still had his dad's skin tone and nose. He wasn't quite as pale as his uncle. His face was slightly longer, but he still resembled his dad. He was also several inches taller. It was weird. It was like he was a combination of James Potter and Severus Snape but with his mother's eyes. Harry decided that he rather liked this look for him. 'I'm rather handsome.' He chuckled slightly, but stopped when he noticed his uncle's reflection. The potions master had tears sliding down his cheeks.
Harry turned around to face him. "What's wrong Uncle Sev?"
Severus couldn't find the words to say so he pulled Harry into a tight embrace and let more tears fall. He had been trying to hold it in but it was no use any longer. He held Harry for what seemed like hours but it was only a few minutes before he released him to look in his eyes once more. Unfortunately the potion had now worn off and he was looking at the charms again. He sniffled slightly and walked away, leaving Harry to ponder what had happened.
Severus went over to the sofa and sat down, staring into the fire. Harry wasn't sure what he was thinking about but he didn't like the sad look on his uncle's face, so he walked over and sat down beside him. They sat there for a while in silence until Harry decided to finally break the silence.
"Are you okay sir?"
That pulled Severus out of his thoughts and back to the young man sitting beside him. "I'm fine Harry. I just..." he trailed off.
"It's okay, you can tell me. What's wrong?"
Severus turned towards Harry and blinked back a couple of tears. "Back in my sixth year I wondered what our child would look like. Lily must have looked just like me without the charms, with my mother's eyes of course. You look just like I would have pictured my son to look like. I always dreamed of having a son Harry."
Harry felt tears forming in his eyes now. He felt so bad for the lonely potions master. He turned towards his uncle again. "You have me sir. I may not be your son, but right now you're all I have in this world. Your alot closer to a father than my other relatives ever were. I would be honored to have you for a guardian." Harry swallowed hard, hoping that he wasn't going out on this limb for nothing. He closed his eyes hoping for the answer he wanted to hear.
Severus pulled him into yet another embrace and thanked every deity he could think of for the boy in front of him. "Harry, it would be my honor. I told you that I would never let you go back to those muggles and I mean it. I'd love to be your guardian Harry."
They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. Both of them had tears to shed, so they did. Harry had always wished that he had a real father figure. Sirius was a great godfather but he wasn't serious enough to be a father. Harry figured that Severus would have made a great dad if he had been given the chance. Maybe their relationship could be like that. Severus needed a son, someone to care for, to make him feel needed. And Harry wanted someone who would care for him like a father. Harry could feel his uncle starting to pull away so Harry did as well. They stared at each other for a momment as if they were searching for an answer, wondering if the person in front of them could be that answer.
"Harry, it's very late. You should head up to your tower now. I'll see you in class."
"Yes sir. Oh, Uncle Sev, when are we leaving for your mom's house?"
"Well, the headmaster wants me to be here for Christmas dinner, but we can go there the day after and stay until holiday is over. Is that alright?"
"That's fine. I need to give you your gift here anyway. It won't travel well." He said with a cheeky grin.
Severus raised an eyebrow, "A gift? I didn't know we were getting each other gifts."
Harry could tell that he was joking and laughed aloud. "I didn't know you had a sense of humor Uncle Sev."
Severus gave him a mock glare. "Detention is over. You are free to go. See you tomorrow in class."
"Okay. Detention seemed to last longer when I actually cleaned things. Now that I enjoy it, it's over in no time." Harry said sulking.
"Goodnight Harry"
"Goodnight Uncle Sev"
Harry made is way up to Gryffindor tower and settled into his bed. That night he had sweet dreams of spending time with his uncle and grandmother.
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