Author's Note: From now on, I will answer reviews in a floating chapter. This chapter will always be the last one, and will move every time I update. That way I can answer everyone, like I wish to, and still keep those who don't like my replies in the way happy. Other information will also be on that page, tho I don't plan on needing to tell you anything. But should I need to inform you of time away from home or something, it will be in this last chapter. Thank you. And thanks to all reviewers. Your replies follow this chapter. Let me know how you like it this way. If too many don't want it this way, then I'll change it back.
House Points question winners are: candledot, Tracey Claybon, Deathevn, Felis, hermionegreen, Anna L. Black, Vikki, Allison Lightning, SlytherinHeadGirl, Butler, fullsailnate, Savage Damsel, Shadow Adams, blun-but-honest, Kim13, Badassgothicgirl, fairygirl131129, ResQgal! Way to go, guys! We got at least three right answers per house!
House Points stand as thus:
Gryffindor: 165
Slytherin: 150
Hufflepuff: 75
Ravenclaw: 90
Gryffindor is in the lead! Come on Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws! I know you can do it!
'these' are thoughts
**this** is parseltongue
*~*~*~*~*~*~ is a new perspective or scene
Chapter Fourteen: Thoughts, Decisions and Start of Term
Severus sat in his four poster bed, staring at the wall across from him as he thought over the night's conversation. What Harry had told him just didn't reconcile with all that he had believed. His son had told him that his life was not full of pampering, nor was he treated even remotely wonderful. In fact, he was treated worse than many house-elves he had known of. With the exception of those like Lucius Malfoy and Bartemius Crouch. He had been forced to do labor at his relatives, which in itself wasn't so unusual for Muggles. The fact that he had to do almost all of it himself, and from such an early age, was. He was furious with Albus for leaving Harry there. He was furious at himself for not noticing. He was even furious with Minerva, Weasley and Granger. As Harry's Head of House and two best friends, those three should have seen the signs. But they hadn't. He hated those Muggles with a passion he didn't know he possessed, and Severus knew he was never going to let the boy return there. Harry had told him many things that night.
And yet, Severus knew that Harry hadn't told him everything. Not even half of most things.
'Why did he get such a queer look on his face when he got to his sorting?' he wondered.
'And he almost broke down laughing when he told me of Hagrid showing up to get him. I wonder why. Of course, there was humor in him setting the Malfoy's elf free. After all, the elf did try to save his life. And yet he neglected to tell me how he set Black free. He said he was part of it, had done so, but not how.'
Severus also knew that much of what Harry didn't tell him had to do with his life outside of school. For the boy to jump at the chance to go live with the mangy mutt, then he must have serious issues with the Muggles. It's a wonder he didn't turn out like the Dark Lord. There was something nagging at him about this. Something that didn't seem right. It was almost as if Harry... trusted him or something. He knew that his son didn't hate him, but there was more. Like he was so starved for affection that he would grasp at any chance to have it. As evidenced again my his wanting to go to the mutt's home. But that seemed like just the tip of the iceberg.
He, Severus, knew what it was like to have a lonely childhood. To feel unwanted. Hell, to be unwanted. His parents had been much like young Draco's father, Lucius. Strict, unyielding, and above all, power hungry. And proud. Proud to be Pureblood. Never associating with anyone not of pureblood status. Nothing Severus had done was good enough for his parents. His grades at school were only tolerated because he was in the tope five of his year, along with Lily Evans, who was first, and James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. He didn't have the correct friends, until another boy a few years ahead of him introduced him to Malfoy. Malfoy was already a Death Eater, as were the elder Snapes. So, Severus had become reclusive, a loner. Barely tolerating the company of others from his house, and outright ignoring the company and companionship of other houses. The only thing he ever did right, in his parents eyes, was the one thing he regretted more than anything. Taking the Dark Mark.
'That was the height of stupidity.' he thought. Then he pushed those thoughts aside and returned his troubled mind to his son.
There was so much more he wanted to know about Harry. So much more he needed to find out. He knew Harry was an anomaly with his flying, as his mother wasn't that good at it, and Severus never really tried, either. But Harry was superb. He watched him often, more because he couldn't help it than from actually caring. Until now. Before, watching Harry had been like watching a well choreographed dance. He was flawlessly beautiful in the air. And now Severus Snape, loner of Slytherin House, could claim pride in his offspring. Which brought up another point.
What were they to do about Harry's parentage? Albus had called him up to his office earlier that day to inquire that very same thing. He had told Severus to talk to Harry tonight, while they were getting to know each other, and find out what Harry thought of it all. There was no way to change his appearance back, of course, with James being dead. So Harry had three options. One, he could admit to the rest of the wizarding world what they themselves had learned this summer. Two, he could send himself off into hiding and return to school as a transfer student, and Severus' son. Three, he could go into hiding and not acknowledge his ancestry. The third option, to Severus, was out. There was no way he would allow it. The only place that Harry would be truly safe was back at his aunt and uncle's, and that wouldn't happen. Not even if Voldemort himself told him that Harry would be safest there. With his blessing.
'No,' he thought, 'I am not about to lose the son I have just found. Besides, that would hinder his training. And he will need that more than ever with Voldemort after him.'
So options one and two were the only viable ones. But still, the choice was up to the boy sleeping on the sofa. His sofa. His son. Finally, he attempted to find bliss in the land of dreams, but after struggling for what felt like hours, he sighed in defeat. He pulled his dressing gown over his pajamas and went to sit in the armchair that Harry had sat in earlier and watched his son sleep. He wouldn't sleep at all, he knew, until he had Harry's answer. It was distressing how much he was scared of what the boy could do to him with one little phrase. So he watched his son until the sun came up. Watched him until he finally stirred and opened his brilliant green eyes, his face a picture of confusion.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry woke up confused and disoriented. The bed he was sleeping on didn't feel like his normal bed in the Tower. It was comfortable, but it wasn't familiar. With a mental shrug he stretched, his arms above his head encountering the arm of the sofa that Sal was sleeping on. Then the nights events came rushing back and he groaned.
'I can't believe I told him everything. Well, maybe not everything, but enough.'
Suddenly he felt that he wasn't alone. Like someone was watching him. He fumbled on the coffee table for his glasses and slipped them on before looking up. Sure enough, his gaze met his father's.
'He looks like hell. Like he hasn't slept all night.'
The man he was looking at had shadows under his eyes and he looked tired. He was slouched in his chair, his eyes glassy from lack of sleep. But he was alert. Harry could tell that much.
'It's now or never.' Severus thought.
"Why don't you get ready. The house-elves brought you a change of clothes, and when you're done breakfast should be ready."
Harry nodded and made his way into the bathroom to shower and change. When he emerged fifteen minutes later, breakfast was indeed set out on the table in front of the fire. He settled on the sofa again and began to eat, somehow starved after the night before. He and his father ate in silence, and soon both were done. They sat for a few hours, reading or, in Harry's case, chatting with Hermione and Ron via their books.
At about eleven o'clock, Severus cleared his throat and glanced at Harry, who gave him a questioning look.
"Harry, I have a few questions for you. The first being, how did you get so good at potions? Last year you wouldn't have even known what half the ingredients were in that potion you brewed, and now you can do a complicated potion like it was a pot of tea. How?"
Harry grinned slightly.
"That was easy, sir. After I read a couple of potions books, and finally understood it, the rest just became simpler. It was understanding the how and why of each ingredient that was the answer. How do they interact, and why do certain ones react to others the way they do? I got a book that explained all that in relatively simple terms, and it eventually clicked. Now that I know, I can do it. Before I just didn't get it. Besides," Harry shrugged and smiled wider, "it's in the blood."
Severus smirked at the last part, but was inordinately pleased.
"I see. Now, I need to ask something that is very important. Professor Dumbledore told me to ask you what you wanted to do. How you wanted to go about things with the new term approaching. There are a few ways we could do things, but I need to know what you wish to do."
"What do you mean, a few ways?"
"First off, you could be you, and let everyone know that we are related. The second is, you could send Harry Potter into hiding and return to school as a transfer student and my son. Or you go into hiding with no-one the wiser. But it is up to you to decide."
Harry nodded his understanding. He had been thinking about this a lot, and curse his Gryffindor bravery for not taking the easy way out. In fact, he had gone through much of what he was about to say with Hermione and Ron earlier that day. Ron, of course, was dead set against it, but Hermione had straightened him out quickly enough. He spoke slowly as he answered, reasoning everything out once again.
"The easiest thing would be to hide out. But how will I train? No, I can't do that. I could do the second easily enough, but that would mean resorting and I don't want to deal with the hat again." Snape arched an eyebrow at this, but didn't interrupt. "The wizarding world needs to know that I'm alive and not scared of old Voldie, and I can't lie to everyone like that. Besides, Voldie will figure it out soon enough anyway. He's not stupid. Just a bastard. No." He looked his father straight in the eye. "For the first time, I know exactly who I am."
"And who is that?"
"I'm Harry Potter. Son of Lily Potter and Severus Snape."
Severus didn't understand the jumble of emotions that went through him as Harry said that, but he didn't have to. The main ones, the strongest ones, were easy to identify. Pride and happiness. Pride in this young man who was about to face one of the toughest things he'd ever have to deal with. Gryffindor House finding out their star seeker and resident celebrity was the son of the Slytherin Head of House. And happiness that his son didn't reject him outright, nor chose to hide the relationship under the mask of being a different person.
"But how are we going to tell everyone, sir? Or should we just let them figure it out on their own? I won't lie to them about it, but I'm not going to stand up at the Welcoming Feast and announce it." Harry cocked his head slightly. "Yes, I think I'll just let them figure it out. Those who care to know the truth can ask. Those who don't, well. They're probably the ones who believed I was insane last year, anyway, and so don't count."
Severus nodded, his thoughts mirroring Harry's.
"Let's go up to the Great Hall now. Lunch is about to be served, and I'm sure the werewolf and Miss Granger are waiting for you."
Harry nodded and retrieved Sal, who had found out that it was rather warm on the stones in front of the lit fireplace, and had curled up there. Once the snake was firmly ensconced about his waist, Harry, Sal, and Severus left the dungeons heading for the upper levels of the castle. In the Entrance Hall they found Hermione waiting for them, and she immediately pulled Harry along into the Great Hall, an envelope in her hands.
"Harry, this came for you at breakfast, but since you weren't here I took it and sent the owl off." She pressed the envelope into his hand and settled down next to the Transfigurations Professor. Harry sat next to her and ripped the letter open. As he unfolded the parchment, a bewildered look came over his face. The letter was addressed to Mr. Snape.
Mr. Snape,
I met you a short while ago in Diagon Alley. I assume that you'll
be a Slytherin.
That is, if you're going to come to Hogwarts. Are you a transfer
student? What
year are you going into? I hope you're in my year, and that we can
be friends. I
know that we got started off wrong, but I'm hoping you'll overlook
that bit. I'm
willing to forgive you for saying what you did about my father,
as the Mudblood
probably told you stories that aren't true. Hopefully you'll listen
to my side before
you jump to conclusions.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
Harry quickly re-read the letter to make sure he wasn't hallucinating then burst into laughter. He was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his face, and Hermione was looking at him rather oddly. As were most of the others at the table. Shaking with laughter he merely handed the letter to Hermione and let her read. Soon he was joined by her laughter, and apparently they made an odd sight, because many teachers looks indicated that they clearly thought that both students had finally gone crazy.
Remus Lupin eventually asked the question.
"Harry, Hermione. What, may I ask, is so amusing?"
Hermione looked at Harry, who gestured for her to give the letter to Remus. After he finished reading it, he was chuckling as he passed it on to Snape. Who arched an eyebrow, valiantly restraining the urge to laugh as well.
Harry finally recovered enough to gasp out, "Wait until he finds out who I really am."
At that, Hermione and Remus both gave gales of fresh laughter, causing Harry to join in again. Meanwhile, Snape had passed the letter on to Dumbledore, who chuckled and twinkled and gave it to McGonagall, who looked sternly disapproving except for the smile that was trying to creep onto her face.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The rest of the week passed quickly for those at Hogwarts. Hermione and Harry had spent part of each day talking to Ron, who also found Malfoy's letter funny. He planned to be in the Great Hall before Malfoy so he could see the look on the git's face as he realized that Mr. Snape was actually Harry Potter, his hated arch rival. Harry and Severus talked about a great many things, although Harry still did not tell him anymore about Sirius' escape, his sorting, or when Hagrid had come to get him. Harry had given his father the fourth book and set it so that Severus' initials were in the other three books. He had done so after a particularly horrifying vision of Voldemort had sent him into severe pain from the curses he cast. He would need to be able to reach his father for some potion, or possibly just comfort, when they happened again. Which they will. He was sure of it.
Finally September First arrived, and Harry and Hermione were waiting anxiously for the carriages to arrive. They had been told by McGonagall that they had to wait at Gryffindor table, so they sat and quietly talked about what the reactions of the other students could be. Hagrid had arrived the night before along with the rest of the missing teachers. Firenze had been with Hagrid, out trying to talk to other Centaurs. But Hagrid had only told Harry that he didn't care who his father was. He was still Harry. Just Harry. And that was all he needed to be.
As the sounds of the first students arriving reached them, they stopped talking and watched the huge oak doors, waiting to see who would come through and what they would say. Ron was among the first to arrive, followed by Ginny, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood. Ginny and Luna were talking about their summers and Neville was walking a bit more confidently after last term. Ron reached the two first and grinned.
"Harry mate! 'Mione! Good to see you! Blimey Harry, you do look just like him! I can't wait for Malfoy to show up! He was looking for you all over the train. I heard him talking to his goons about meeting Mr. Snape again, and he was trying to get to you before the rest of Gryffindor. It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen! I was bursting to tell him, but I figured you wouldn't like it if he already knew by the time he got here. He noticed that you, Harry Potter, and 'Mione were missing, too, and thought that You-Know-Who finally got you. Anyway-"
"Ron! Sit down and wait a minute! I want to see him when he gets here, and you'll ruin it if your standing in the way!" Harry said.
Just then, Malfoy and his two goons, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle entered, the blond Slytherin looking everywhere for Harry. His eyes fell on Hermione first and he sneered, then noticed Harry. The silver eyes widened, but no recognition flashed across his features. He sauntered over to where the trio and Ginny and Neville were and he smirked.
"Sitting with the Weasel and Mudblood, Snape? I thought you're father would have taught you better than that. Just wait till Potty shows up, if the Dark Lord hasn't killed him yet. Then they won't want to talk to you."
Harry smirked, a frightening imitation of his father.
"Hello Malfoy. I have to say, I loved your letter. But you got the name wrong. I'm not Mr. Snape, I'm Mr. Potter. Next time, get it right." With that, Harry turned back to his two closest friends, but not before he saw the dawning look of understanding, horror and rage cross his year-mate's face. With the patented Malfoy Glare, which wasn't as good as the Snape Glare, but better than most, Malfoy, hatred written in every line of his being, stormed off to the Slytherin table, no doubt to plot the demise of The-Boy-Who-Lived with more energy than ever.
A/N: Tell me what you think! I need to know! Please? Review!!
House Points question:
How will Voldie inform Harry that he knows about Harry and Sev? (15 points) Don't forget to add your house to your answer!