~Chapter Three ~
"Severus, have you decided what you want?" Albus Dumbledore asked Severus Snape two years later. Severus looked up from his son; who was sitting on the floor playing with Fawkes.
"Ah, well yeah, um, I want to keep Harry obviously, so, yeah I guess I want the hearing. I…Albus I know I said temporarily two years ago, but, well, the little guy tends to grow on people," Severus said affectionately smiling down at his soon to be son.
"Severus, you realize what you're saying?" Albus said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I…I guess I'm saying, that I want to keep Harry permanently. Come here little guy," The five year old boy got up and made his way towards Severus. Smiling the older wizard lifted his surrogate son onto his lap, wrapping his arms around the boy Severus smiled.
"Harry, how would you like to have Severus as your dad?" The child looked up at Severus, he didn't remember his mother or father, but Severus had told him a lot about them since moving in with Severus two years ago.
"Yeah, Severus takes good care of me, even when he's mad. He loves me, and says so every night." Albus smiled and looked at Severus.
"The hearing is tomorrow morning at eight, you and Harry should both be there early. You're against Lucius Malfoy, I'm just warning you, you've got a lot against you, but I know you can win this hearing."
"Don't worry Albus, truth will win out." Stated Severus, with that he easily got up, shifting Harry onto his hip.
"Severus, why do people not want me living with you?" Harry asked as he held onto Severus.
"Well, um, a lot of people don't realize I'm a good guy Harry. A lot of people don't really like me. They think I'm mean."
"But why? Uncle Remus and Aunt Minnie like you," Severus chuckled as he headed into the kitchens.
"Well Harry, they've known me…since I was little, well Minerva has, she's known me since I was eight, and well she knows me better than most people. As for Remus, he didn't always think of me in a good way."
"Severus, were you a bad person?" Severus' breath caught slightly.
"Harry, I don't think you're old enough for this part of the conversation yet buddy, I think someone else should tell you that part anyway."
"Okay Severus." Harry whispered lying his head on Severus' shoulder.
"This time tomorrow you're gonna be Harold James Potter Snape, you're going to be my son." Harry smiled softly as he heard his father's words.
"I love you Severus."
"I love you too little guy."
Eight came all too soon for Harry and Severus, they were on time, and both dressed in their best robes, facing the Ministry of Magic. Just as the council from the Ministry came by Severus felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked into the eyes or Arthur Weasley.
"Good luck today Severus, I'm behind you." Severus smiled gently.
"Thanks Arthur, that makes me feel a little less nervous," Arthur nodded and joined the rest of the Ministry.
"Severus Snape, you have requested the adoption of Harold James Potter, do you have evidence that this child was abused?" The Minister of Magic asked sitting up high in his seat. Severus looked at him.
"No offense Minister, but I think the boy is evidence in his self," Severus said quietly.
"If I may say something Minister, this Potter child was sent to the Dursleys', his only remaining family for a reason, for protection. What good will it do if he lives with Snape," stated Lucius Malfoy, Severus shot a glare at the man against him.
They had been friends once, he and Lucius but that had been some time ago, and while Severus played on that friendship, he hadn't really spoken much to the slightly older man, and didn't agree with Lucius way of treating children.
Lucius was a lot like Severus' father, a man believing that the only way through a child was to beat the hell out of them, however Severus knew better, and didn't very much like that way. Severus' eyes averted to Harry sitting next to him at the table, beside the child was Remus Lupin and on the other side was Minerva McGonagall. Dumbledore hadn't shown up yet.
"May I remind you sir, that Severus Snape is a Death Eater!" Yelled Lucius, Severus looked down, he felt pain rip through his soul, just then the court room opened, and Albus Dumbledore walked in, smiling softly as he headed towards the front. When reaching the front, he place hands on Severus' shoulders and smiled widely.
"May I remind you, sirs, that I, personally vouched for Severus Snape, and while yes he is a Death Eater, with the Dark Lord being, gone, Severus is now true to the light," Severus felt a sigh of relief.
"Do you have anything to say Severus?" Severus looked down at the floor for a moment, then decided the best way to go would be speaking up from the heart, although some people didn't believe he had one.
"Minister, sir, I rescued Harry at the age of two, he's spent close to three years living with me. I could easily tell you about the behavior and how well he is, I could also tell you how annoying he is and how sometimes I have to harshly reprimand him with words, such as "that was wrong". However, I have never placed a hand on this child in anger, or frustration, and I have always told him why he was wrong, or asked him why he was wrong. Though, instead of harping on such small things, I'd like to point out the demeanor, the love this little boy is…full of, the things he can do. Harry amazes me every day, whether it's waking me up in a different way at a earlier hour, riding his broom I bought him to practice on when I'm around, or knowing exactly where the ingredient I want is. You're right Lucius, I'm not Harry's biological father, and I don't want to be, James was…a decent man, especially to his little boy. However, when Harry cries in the night because of his nightmares, I'm the one he cries for. When he's ill, I'm the one who rocks him to sleep. I'd be lying if I looked you in the eyes, and said…I don't love this child. This miracle…he's just that, in his eyes I'm his savior, his protector, but in my eyes he's my savior, he's my little miracle. He's brought me from the furthest depths of hell. He made me care, when no one else could, love. He stepped somewhere that no one else has been and took a chance, he reached out…and NO ONE will take this child from me!" Severus finished. Everyone looked at him and at Harry, there was complete silence, then a lone clapping started until finally the whole court was clapping.
"Court adjourned, Severus, take your son home, I'm sure you guys have better things to do," Fudge said as Harry bounded out of his seat and into Severus' waiting arms. The two held each other tightly.
"Can I call you daddy?" Harry asked.
"Yeah Harry, you can, I love you buddy," Severus whispered, tears in his eyes. He had won, somehow he had won.
Severus felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into Dumbledore's eyes, a faint loving twinkle behind them.
"Congratulations, guess you're a father now, looks like you didn't even need me," Dumbledore stated. Severus shook his head, still clinging to Harry.
"I need all of you," he murmured as he rubbed the child's back.
AN: You guys sure do ask a lot of questions, lol, I can't answer many of those, because most will be answered as the stories continue. I don't know if it was in this chapter or the next chapter where I explained why Severus' mother knew Severus would end up caring for Harry, but if you haven't guessed it yet, she's a seer. More authentic than Trelawney herself, much more and there is a chance Severus "might" have the same gift…no more hints! Sorry bout some of the chapters being short, I understand what you mean, I've made some of the following chapters longer, six being the longest so far, hehe I liked that chapter. Amazingly many of you have answered my questions, and for the most part, I have chosen the house Harry shall be in, no not Hufflepuff, lol. You guys are blowing me away with all these reviews, it's really great to know you're appreciated, and that people like your stories. Thanks again, keep reading! Enjoy!
Steph