~~~Chapter 2:Discoveries~~~
In Albus's office,Severus began to tell Albus about Harry's abuse,and Remus offered input.
"Well," Albus said,his eyes falering in their twinkle, "I will hae a not-so-kind word to the
Dursleys and they shall cease their behavior immediately."
"Albus! More needs to be done than that! Harry is petrified of what will happen if the Dursleys
find out he told someone of his abuse! You can't keep him there!"
"He needs a blood relative to
keep him safe." Albus said. "You're in luck Albus," Remus said "because I have found one."
Severus started to explain that he was Harry's father,and that he had once loved Lily Evans/Potter.
He explained how Lily and he had had an affair roundabout when James went missing.
"Well,only one thing can be done.Severus,Remus,we're getting him out of that house." Albus stated.
"When?" Both asked in unison. "Now." Albus replied,waking the Phoenix that was sleeping on it's perch.
"Fawkes,could you take us to Harry Potter." Albus said.Before anyone could say another word,they
appeared outside of number 4 Privet Drive.
***
As Harry settled down in his cupboard,he heard a distinct popping sound.'No,it couldn't be a wizard.'
Harry thought.At least until he heard the voices of his headmaster,professor,and former professor.
He looked at the door of his cupboard.It was open and his potions professor was helping him up.
The last thing he saw was black.
***
Harry woke up the next day in the hospital wing.He saw his injuries were healed,he decided to take a walk.
He put a spare school robe that Madam Pomfrey had left for him opn,and set off across the grounds.
He headed to the lake,and made to sit down on the bench that was there.Trouble was,there was already someone sitting on it.
His potions professor."Hello,Professor Snape." He said."Mind if I sit here?" He asked politely.
"Not at all." Snape said.Harry sat.Snape tried to strike up a conversation.
"You've changed this year."
"Er...yes. It started around my birthday.I'm not sure what to make of it."
"It's nothing to worry about, too much at least."
"What is it?"
"A spell, likely cast by yourself when you were just a baby. It's not all that uncommon.
You wanted to know your father; therefore...you became him. Fifteen is often a pivotal age...
it's not surprising that it would wear off now."
"So you mean that all these years I've only looked like my father because I wanted to?"
"Yes."
"So...I'll look more like my mum, then?"
"Perhaps. Harry, there is something that I must tell you."
"Excuse me, Professor...but did you just call me by my first name?"
"Yes...and I suppose I must make a few things clear before I continue."
"Alright..."
"First off...I wish to apologize. The way I act in the classroom, towards you especially,
is not the way I am; it hasn't been for a long time, anyway.
I behave the way I do because of the Slytherins...I'm sure that you're aware that many of their
parents are Death Eaters?"
"Yes...I know of a few."
"As far as they know, I am a loyal Death Eater. As long as I am needed as a spy,
I must keep up my act. All Death Eaters are expected to despise Gryffindor and Muggleborns,
and you especially for what you did to Voldemort. If I were to show leniency, any at all...
my loyalty would be questioned. In reality, I can't stand that brat Malfoy...he's
just as bigheaded and pompous as his father. And you...I don't hate you. As of yet, you
won't understand why, but...you bring up many painful memories for me, as well as a lot of
other issues that I'm still trying to deal with. Therefore...I am sorry, Harry. I should
have told you that it was an act, and nothing more."
"That...that's alright, Professor. You've told me now."
"I appreciate that, Harry...but I'm sure you won't feel that way in a minute.
I'm sure you're not fond of all the secrets that have been kept from you over the years."
"No, I'm not...it always seems like everybody else knows more about me than I do."
"Yes, and I'm afraid I didn't know that until recently.
I always thought that you grew up with full knowledge of who you were, of what you did.
I assumed you'd been spoiled by your aunt and uncle, placed high on some pedestal like so
many seem to do. But now I know differently...Remus told us about what they did to you,"
"He...he told?! But, he promised that he wouldn't..."
"He kept his promise well, Harry...he had good reason to tell me,"
"You haven't...told anyone else, have you?"
"Dumbledore knows, but that is all."
"Oh".I suppose I'll be...staying at some orphanage now..."
"No, you won't be. I made a deal with Remus after he told me, Harry.
I agreed to tell you a...rather large secret, if he promised to tell Dumbledore about the abuse,"
"What is it?"
"First you must promise me that you won't run off, and you'll hear me out,"
"Okay...I promise."
"Thank you. Now I'm quite sure you'll hate me even more than you already do after this...
but you must be told the truth...James went missing about a year and a half before you were born.
Lily was distraught.As we were best friends,she came to me for comfort...we got a little carried
away that night...we ended up sleeping together..."
"But...if that's true, then that means that...that...you're my father."
"Yes, it does,"
"H-how do you know? For sure? I mean...surely someone would have..."
"I know because there is no way that you could not be.
Looking at you, now especially, I can see little pieces of myself.
Your position in Quidditch, some of your attitudes and expressions...
they all remind me of myself when I was your age. And before you argue
that it could be coincidence, I did have a test performed, so that I'd know
for sure. I was able to acquire a sample of your blood during your last
stay in the hospital wing. I gave it, along with a sample of my own blood,
to Poppy to test. You are my son, Harry, the test proved that beyond a doubt."
"But...why didn't anyone tell me sooner? Why was I..."
"I thought that you would be better off living with the muggles.
After the fall of Voldemort, I was hospitalized during the time you
were being delivered to the Dursleys. Afterward, I was imprisoned for a short
time while I was put on trial for my association with the Dark Lord. When I was finally
freed, I thought that you'd be better off surrounded by family and with a memory of Lily
and James, than you would be with me, a former 'dark' wizard. If you had grown up knowing
about me, you would have been ridiculed about your birth, assaulted with questions. I was
afraid...I didn't, and still don't, have the slightest idea on how to be a father. I was terrified
that I would mess up, that something would happen to you if I were to claim you as my son.
I am sorry that you had to grow up with those...people, and that you've lived with yet another
lie. I should have checked up on you, and I should have found out how they were treating you,
taken you out of that place..."
"It's...okay. Don't worry about it. I'll forgive you all that if you promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Promise me that I'll never have to go back to the Dursleys,
or go to an orphanage or anything like that."
"I promise that you'll never have to see those people ever again.
You could stay with me for the holiday, if you wish."
"Okay, I think I'd....like that...god...you're my father...I have a father!"
"Harry, I'd better get you back to the castle now. I know it's an awful lot to take in,
but I'd like to talk to you again tomorrow, if that is alright."
"Yes...that sounds like a good idea."
In Albus's office,Severus began to tell Albus about Harry's abuse,and Remus offered input.
"Well," Albus said,his eyes falering in their twinkle, "I will hae a not-so-kind word to the
Dursleys and they shall cease their behavior immediately."
"Albus! More needs to be done than that! Harry is petrified of what will happen if the Dursleys
find out he told someone of his abuse! You can't keep him there!"
"He needs a blood relative to
keep him safe." Albus said. "You're in luck Albus," Remus said "because I have found one."
Severus started to explain that he was Harry's father,and that he had once loved Lily Evans/Potter.
He explained how Lily and he had had an affair roundabout when James went missing.
"Well,only one thing can be done.Severus,Remus,we're getting him out of that house." Albus stated.
"When?" Both asked in unison. "Now." Albus replied,waking the Phoenix that was sleeping on it's perch.
"Fawkes,could you take us to Harry Potter." Albus said.Before anyone could say another word,they
appeared outside of number 4 Privet Drive.
***
As Harry settled down in his cupboard,he heard a distinct popping sound.'No,it couldn't be a wizard.'
Harry thought.At least until he heard the voices of his headmaster,professor,and former professor.
He looked at the door of his cupboard.It was open and his potions professor was helping him up.
The last thing he saw was black.
***
Harry woke up the next day in the hospital wing.He saw his injuries were healed,he decided to take a walk.
He put a spare school robe that Madam Pomfrey had left for him opn,and set off across the grounds.
He headed to the lake,and made to sit down on the bench that was there.Trouble was,there was already someone sitting on it.
His potions professor."Hello,Professor Snape." He said."Mind if I sit here?" He asked politely.
"Not at all." Snape said.Harry sat.Snape tried to strike up a conversation.
"You've changed this year."
"Er...yes. It started around my birthday.I'm not sure what to make of it."
"It's nothing to worry about, too much at least."
"What is it?"
"A spell, likely cast by yourself when you were just a baby. It's not all that uncommon.
You wanted to know your father; therefore...you became him. Fifteen is often a pivotal age...
it's not surprising that it would wear off now."
"So you mean that all these years I've only looked like my father because I wanted to?"
"Yes."
"So...I'll look more like my mum, then?"
"Perhaps. Harry, there is something that I must tell you."
"Excuse me, Professor...but did you just call me by my first name?"
"Yes...and I suppose I must make a few things clear before I continue."
"Alright..."
"First off...I wish to apologize. The way I act in the classroom, towards you especially,
is not the way I am; it hasn't been for a long time, anyway.
I behave the way I do because of the Slytherins...I'm sure that you're aware that many of their
parents are Death Eaters?"
"Yes...I know of a few."
"As far as they know, I am a loyal Death Eater. As long as I am needed as a spy,
I must keep up my act. All Death Eaters are expected to despise Gryffindor and Muggleborns,
and you especially for what you did to Voldemort. If I were to show leniency, any at all...
my loyalty would be questioned. In reality, I can't stand that brat Malfoy...he's
just as bigheaded and pompous as his father. And you...I don't hate you. As of yet, you
won't understand why, but...you bring up many painful memories for me, as well as a lot of
other issues that I'm still trying to deal with. Therefore...I am sorry, Harry. I should
have told you that it was an act, and nothing more."
"That...that's alright, Professor. You've told me now."
"I appreciate that, Harry...but I'm sure you won't feel that way in a minute.
I'm sure you're not fond of all the secrets that have been kept from you over the years."
"No, I'm not...it always seems like everybody else knows more about me than I do."
"Yes, and I'm afraid I didn't know that until recently.
I always thought that you grew up with full knowledge of who you were, of what you did.
I assumed you'd been spoiled by your aunt and uncle, placed high on some pedestal like so
many seem to do. But now I know differently...Remus told us about what they did to you,"
"He...he told?! But, he promised that he wouldn't..."
"He kept his promise well, Harry...he had good reason to tell me,"
"You haven't...told anyone else, have you?"
"Dumbledore knows, but that is all."
"Oh".I suppose I'll be...staying at some orphanage now..."
"No, you won't be. I made a deal with Remus after he told me, Harry.
I agreed to tell you a...rather large secret, if he promised to tell Dumbledore about the abuse,"
"What is it?"
"First you must promise me that you won't run off, and you'll hear me out,"
"Okay...I promise."
"Thank you. Now I'm quite sure you'll hate me even more than you already do after this...
but you must be told the truth...James went missing about a year and a half before you were born.
Lily was distraught.As we were best friends,she came to me for comfort...we got a little carried
away that night...we ended up sleeping together..."
"But...if that's true, then that means that...that...you're my father."
"Yes, it does,"
"H-how do you know? For sure? I mean...surely someone would have..."
"I know because there is no way that you could not be.
Looking at you, now especially, I can see little pieces of myself.
Your position in Quidditch, some of your attitudes and expressions...
they all remind me of myself when I was your age. And before you argue
that it could be coincidence, I did have a test performed, so that I'd know
for sure. I was able to acquire a sample of your blood during your last
stay in the hospital wing. I gave it, along with a sample of my own blood,
to Poppy to test. You are my son, Harry, the test proved that beyond a doubt."
"But...why didn't anyone tell me sooner? Why was I..."
"I thought that you would be better off living with the muggles.
After the fall of Voldemort, I was hospitalized during the time you
were being delivered to the Dursleys. Afterward, I was imprisoned for a short
time while I was put on trial for my association with the Dark Lord. When I was finally
freed, I thought that you'd be better off surrounded by family and with a memory of Lily
and James, than you would be with me, a former 'dark' wizard. If you had grown up knowing
about me, you would have been ridiculed about your birth, assaulted with questions. I was
afraid...I didn't, and still don't, have the slightest idea on how to be a father. I was terrified
that I would mess up, that something would happen to you if I were to claim you as my son.
I am sorry that you had to grow up with those...people, and that you've lived with yet another
lie. I should have checked up on you, and I should have found out how they were treating you,
taken you out of that place..."
"It's...okay. Don't worry about it. I'll forgive you all that if you promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Promise me that I'll never have to go back to the Dursleys,
or go to an orphanage or anything like that."
"I promise that you'll never have to see those people ever again.
You could stay with me for the holiday, if you wish."
"Okay, I think I'd....like that...god...you're my father...I have a father!"
"Harry, I'd better get you back to the castle now. I know it's an awful lot to take in,
but I'd like to talk to you again tomorrow, if that is alright."
"Yes...that sounds like a good idea."