~Chapter Five~
"Harry what's wrong?" Harry shook his head, and against everything in side of him he wrapped his arms around Severus' neck and clung to his father. Severus wasn't sure what had happened, and did wonder if it had something to do with Lucius who had left just as he'd come in, but without a thought he lifted the child into his arms and stood up.
"Severus, is Harry all right?" Asked Minerva when she said the pale child clinging to his dad.
"I don't know Minerva, I'm taking him home, I'll see you two on the start of the term," Severus said, and within seconds he was gone, apparating home.
"Harry, I need you to talk to me if I can make whatever hurts better son," Severus said placing Harry down in his lap so he could look at him, tears were streaking down the boy's pale face.
"Nothing hurts papa, I'm tired," whispered Harry. Severus nodded.
"Yes, well would you like to lay down for a nap then?" Harry nodded.
"Papa, is the Dark Lord coming back?" Whispered Harry, this surprised Severus greatly to the point where he pulled away and stared at the young child.
"Why would you ask that, does your scar hurt? Did someone tell you that?"
"No my scar doesn't hurt, but… Mr. Malfoy said the Dark Lord was coming back and would win….and that I would die."
"Harry listen to me, there are those who believe that Voldermort will come back, someday, and that somehow he'll win this fight, however, most people don't think like that."
"You don't do you papa?"
"No Harry, The Dark Lord is dead, and will be forever, I'm behind you and Dumbledore one hundred percent, and if anything ever did happen, you wouldn't be alone in the fight okay."
"Kay," he whispered, and soon Harry was fast asleep against Severus.
Early the next morning, Harry got out of bed, with some fear he reached Severus' room and slowly went in, it was decently dark, with a small bit of light coming from the window. Severus was as normal dressed in a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a long sleeve shirt. Harry reached out and pushed the sleeve back, Severus snorted but didn't wake up, turning his head to the other side. Harry continued to push the sleeve up until he saw it, the dark mark, shaking his head in terror he began to back up, until he hit the wall, Severus awoke at the loud thump.
"Harry…what?" within seconds Harry was out of his room and running down stairs, Severus jumped out of bed, and headed out of the room, however as Severus reached the living room, Harry was in the floo and screaming Dumbledore's Office with the floo powder in his hand. Severus watched the green flames erupt and Harry disappear.
"Dammit!" Severus screamed as he looked down at the Dark Mark, mutter a spell he watched his clothes change from pajamas to jeans and a sweatshirt.
Harry landed in Dumbledore's office and ran quickly, not knowing where he was going, until a strong pair of arms caught him and brought him up onto his hip….Dumbledore.
"What might you be doing little one?" Asked Dumbledore as the small child buried his head in Dumbledore's shoulder.
"There, there child, what's wrong," a second later Severus appeared in the office, looking pale and ill.
"Severus, what's going on?" Albus asked, Severus walked over, but if Harry knew his dad was in the room, then he reacted to it, by curling up further in Albus' arms.
"He has the Dark Mark, papa…papa is evil, The Death Eaters followed Voldermort, and you're a Death Eater!" Harry screeched.
"That's not true Harry…well okay Part of it is true, but there's more to it then that Harry!" Severus bit, then sulked slightly when Albus shot him a bit of a glare.
"I'm sorry Harry, but you have to understand, I was young and stupid, my father…you don't know, you don't understand Harry…"
Flashback
"Almost killed, ha, you're weak child! How are you going to serve the lord if you can't even defend yourself against dumb asses like Potter and Black!" Yelled Salazar.
"Father, you don't understand…they…" a sharp hand connected with Severus' cheek, causing the boy to gasp in pain.
"They what!? Haven't you learned anything boy! Stupid little shit, your mother coddled you too damn much. Useless little pathetic child!"
"I'll take the mark," 'finally' Salazar thought as he looked down at his only son.
"Damn right you'll take the mark, get your ass off my floor, we're going," Severus slowly picked himself up and followed his father.
~~~~~
Severus trudged through the halls the next morning, feeling sick to his…everything. Suddenly a hand touched his shoulder…Lily, god she was so beautiful, the only woman to ever make him feel good about himself.
"Lily…I…."
"You took it didn't you," she whispered. Severus looked down.
"I don't know what you're talking about…." Severus said angrily.
"Severus, don't lie to me, we've come too far for that, I would like to say we're friends, but if you're going to lie to me, then I'm simply going to have to believe otherwise."
"My father…he was going to beat me, probably worse than ever, I was scared…for my life, so I…I took the mark Lily," he whimpered.
End of Flashback
"Harry listen to me, I didn't take the mark to spite anyone, your parents, your father, your god-father, Lupin, anyone. I took it because my life was in more danger without it than with it, and I couldn't risk that, I had someone to live for."
"Who?" Harry asked.
"You."
"Me? I wasn't even born yet was I."
"No Harry, but when I was five years old, my mother, my real mother, that is; told me something very important. She said 'Severus, somewhere out there, there is a boy who needs you, who will need a savior. You're his savior, if I die, you have to keep living, for me and for that little boy.' Mom was smart like that, I think she was really a seer and didn't tell anyone, because she always knew what was going to happen, I used to come home from a Quidditch game, and she'd be ready to heal me. Or dad would beat me, and she'd be there. I had to live Harry, don't you see. If I had died I wouldn't be here, and neither would you. I know this is hard to understand, but I need you to do your best, because your not ready to hear everything yet, but I loved your mother very much, she was more than my very best friend, okay, and I would have done anything for her, in a heart beat. She told me I needed to tell Albus about the mark, that he could protect me…she was very right. I told Albus, and after the death of Voldermort, I was freed from all charges because Dumbledore defended me. I didn't betray your mother, or anyone, except Voldermort himself."
"Really?" Harry asked facing his father, Severus nodded and took the child back into his own arms.
"I love you Harry, and I won't betray you either."
"I know papa."
A/N: Mikee-- no worries, Harry will eventually hear all the stories, and some he will found out quite harshly, however you shall have to wait and see what's
Going to happen from here on out. Have a great one and thanks for reviewing.
Jaximillion--hehe sorry about that, my beta is overworked but I think that was my fault, thank you, I meant for Dumbledore to say that.
Heather Snape--I'm glad you're enjoying this, Lucius will only get worse as time goes on I'm afraid to say, and get's much worse in Harry's final
Years at Hogwarts.
Athenakitty--Many questions, all of which I cannot answer as you already know, however, yes Snape will speak to Harry and hopefully get through
It together.
Lady Lily3--I'm glad you like this, and I hope you've liked this latest chapter!
Rosaleen--You are correct things get more difficult as they go on, please continue reviewing! Thanks again!
Unfortunetly I didn't as many reviews as usually, which I'm afraid to say has gotten me spoiled probably, anyway for those of you reading
This and enjoying it, review or no review the net chapter will be up shortly, and I do hope you enjoy it.