~Chapter Seven~
Two years had gone by, and the school terms had just finished, and young Harry Potter was only a month from beginning at Hogwarts. As it had been discussed Harry had been placed in care of Lei Dumbledore-Prewett, who had a young boy named Damien, who got along quite well with Harry the two had become inseparable over the past two years. Harry would return on weekends and breaks to his father, and sometimes Lei and Damien would join Harry and Severus for dinner and such, Harry had noticed they had a sort of chemistry together, and wanted Severus to fall for Lei.
Severus smiled as he decorated the house, Harry was over at Lei's right now, playing with Damien, and she would bring him by soon, so that they could all celebrate Harry's eleventh birthday. Lupin would also becoming, and so would Dumbledore, Minerva some of Harry and Damien's friends.
"When is he arriving?" Lupin's voice filled the living room, Severus swiveled around and smiled.
"Any minute, I think he knows something is up, but I don't want to ruin it for him, he's so excited about Hogwarts, I swear Damien and him, it's all they ever talk about," Severus stated as Lupin helped him set out the food plates and such.
"He's gonna be a Ravenclaw, I'm telling you Sev, I've seen these children before, they're genius, when he's not playing the child is sitting in that library reading."
"Anything is better than Hufflepuff or Gryffindor."
"His parents were Gryffindor, he could very well go there too, if you think about it, he's got the courage to be Gryffindor, I've seen you two in an argument. Could be in Slytherin as well, he's very devious at times."
"Are you finished analyzing my son?" Severus said smiling.
"Yeah, guess so, you're right though, he doesn't belong in Hufflepuff."
"I may rip the hat apart if he goes to Hufflepuff," Severus huffed.
"He's a lot like you Sev, sometimes if I didn't know better I'd say he was more your son than James'; Although he has some of James' mannerisms."
"He's not like me."
"Oh no, has he ever glared at you…yeah that glare the one you're shooting at me now, he picked that up from you Sev. He also has your walk, and when he's angry he stalks slightly. Oh and when he's confused or surprised his brow furrows just like yours…"
"Lupin…"
"Oh, and there's…" Severus slapped his hand over the man's mouth.
"Shut up," Severus finally said causing Lupin to smile.
"He doesn't have your hair!" Severus picked up the nearest harmless object and threw it at Lupin.
"What…I'm serious," Lupin said laughing.
"My father had greasy hair thank you, if I could help it I would, and it's no that bad!" Severus yelled.
"Oh this is always a dream conversation between two men," Dumbledore's voice came, causing the two men to chuckle lightly.
"As always impeccable timing sir," Lupin said smiling and clapping Dumbledore on the shoulder. Severus suddenly noticed the large package in Albus' arms.
"You guys need to stop spoiling that child," Severus stated.
"Come now Severus, what are grandfathers and uncles for, but spoiling their children."
"Yeah well, he needs to get used to the fact that he can't have everything he wants, he's famous, he doesn't need a big head!" Severus stated.
"Severus, your son hardly has a big head, thanks to you," Remus stated.
"What are you trying to say werewolf?" Severus said taking offense.
"I'm trying to say that you spoil that child just as much as we do, but he is well grounded. He doesn't think he's famous, or lucky, he thinks his mother is famous, that she's the one who saved him. So don't punish him for something he had nothing to do with."
"I don't punish him for anything."
"Oh no, can you look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't push it sometimes…that you don't look at him from time to time and hate him because of James."
"I do not!" Severus defended himself.
"Liar!" Remus argued.
"Severus, Remus, do not start this," Dumbledore intervened, "You were both pleasant a moment ago, and need I remind you that Severus is Harry's father now, what he thinks or does is his business Remus, not yours. As for young Harry, he's very happy, and he does not have a large head. Now let's go back to having fun, we've got a little boy's birthday to enjoy."
"Sorry Albus," Remus muttered. Severus remained quiet. Minerva walked in a few minutes later, when finally the guest of honor arrived.
"Dad!" Harry cried as he entered the house, Severus smiled as his son practically bounded into his arms.
"Happy Birthday Harry," Severus whispered hugging him. He smiled over at Damien, and then at Lei, he quickly pecked Lei on the cheek.
"Well, let's get too it then, come on Harry, you've got tons of presents to open," Severus said smiling as Harry hugged each of the people that had come, Hagrid had now joined the group as well.
They ate come cake, and finally Harry sat down in front of his father, everyone sitting around him, Damien right beside him and smiled, the two had become best friends, and loved one another like brothers.
"Open mine first," Damien said smiling widely, Harry nodded and took the gift in hand. In a matter of moments the gift was opened, inside was a necklace, a small jade tiger on a black twine.
"Cool," Harry said smiling.
"I've got one too, mum says it was my dad's and his brother's. They could talk to each other with it, you know like hear each other's thoughts if they needed to. That way if you or I are ever in trouble we'll know," Damien stated. Harry smiled and placed it around his neck.
"Thanks Damien, I love it," Harry said, causing Damien to smile widely again. Harry smiled as Hagrid handed him a present.
"Thanks Hagrid," Harry ripped it open and smiled, a brown photo album now sat in his lap, opening it up Harry gasped.
"Mum, and dad?" Harry asked looking at the picture of the two people waving and holding him as they smiled. Severus looked at the picture of Harry's shoulder, he had forgotten how beautiful Lily had been.
"Yep, you're father took that picture, your father being Severus now, not James, since he's in the picture," Hagrid said smiling. Harry smiled as well and turned to the next page, a younger Severus waved at him as he held a smiling Harry, only a little older than the last picture.
"That's two days after you came to live with me," Severus said smiling, he remembered Hagrid taking that picture. Harry smiled and turned the next page, Severus was fast asleep in a rocking chair, leaning against him was Harry, probably four, fast asleep.
"I like that picture," Harry said smiling.
"I do too," Severus said. As Harry continued he found several with all the people he loved, including Damien and Lei.
"Thanks Hagrid."
"You're welcome 'Arry."
"Here Harry, this one is from me and Damien," Lei said smiling as she handed the boy a box like package. Upon opening it Harry found several books inside and smiled widely.
"I've checked you don't have any of them, one is a Quidditch book, and most of the others are other various books I thought you'd like." Harry nodded as he looked at the wide variety.
"Thank you," he said smiling.
"Harry, this is from the teaching staff including myself and Dumbledore," Minerva said smiling and handing him the package. Harry quickly ripped it open, inside were several items, the one that interested him the most was sitting right on top.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
~
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please
find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await you owl by no
later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"I'm in? Really?" Harry asked, Severus rolled his eyes and chuckled.
"As if you wouldn't be, child your name has been on that list since the second you were born, and since you were born you have been an absolute yes. By the way Damien you've been accepted too," Severus said handing the boy his letter as well, causing the boy to smile and cheer.
"This is great," Harry said.
"Well pet, what are you waiting for, open the rest," stated Minerva, causing everyone to laugh. Harry looked inside and found a hat, like the students usually got, as well as a book from his school list.
"This is great, thanks Minerva," he said smiling.
"Please realize Harry you can't call us what you usually call us here at school," Severus stated.
"I know, although it would be pretty funny to call you Sevy in the middle of potions class."
"You do and I'll curse you till Christmas," Severus stated smiling at the child.
"Here Harry, open mine next," Remus said handing him the well wrapped package. Harry easily ripped it open and gasped, what looked to be an iron paper weight with raven sitting upon the back of a lion, which looked to be on the prowl, in front of the lion was a snake raised up protruding his fangs, and a badger just on the other side of the snake, as though observing the scene.
"Those are the mascots of each house at Hogwarts, I thought you might like it," Remus said smiling. Harry nodded. Then he noticed something from under it.
"What's this?" Harry asked holding up the journal.
"Open it," Harry nodded and slowly opened the journal.
Moony- this class is killing me, oh my god, hey did you catch a glimpse at Evans this 's'morning, man she was hot…swear I'm gonna marry her one day. -Prongs-
-Prongs- Stop your dreamin' hoof boy, looks more like Snivelly has her -Moony-
-Moony and Prongs- You're both dreamin' Snivelly's too goofy for her, has his nose stuck in that book all day. I didn't know better I'd think he deserved to be in Ravenclaw. -Padfoot-
-Moony, Padfoot, Prongs- put it away, we're in the middle of transfiguration, and Sev isn't the only looking, so is MM -Evans-
"What is this Uncle Remus?" Harry finally asked watching as the words wrote themselves down on the journal like book.
"Well, your father liked to call it Scribbles in History, but truth is it would have to be scribbles in every class, if you read on long enough you'll see that not only Lily, me and my friends wrote in it, sometimes we passed it around the entire class when we could and everyone wrote in it a little bit. I must admit, it was the only idea ever invented by everyone in a single history class, that caused all the houses to come together. A person from each house eventually wrote in there," Remus said.
"Hey yeah, I remember this thing, can't remember how many conversations I had with my buddies too," Severus stated.
"Yes, I must admit I remember this too, I do believe Professor Kirkston took it one day, and we had quite a round with it in the staff room," they all looked at Minerva as she said this.
"Who says adults can't have some fun," stated Dumbledore, as everyone laughed.
"Here you are child, this is from me," Dumbledore said handing Harry a gift. Tearing it open Harry smiled, a large book sat inside, as well a picture of the entire staff at Hogwarts, with Harry sitting in Severus' arms. The book was Hogwarts…a History.
"Thanks Grandpa Albus, I love the book, and the picture," Harry smiled and then saw his father place a considerably large present in front of him.
"This is from me, for the most part, a couple things from your mother Lily, and one item from your father James." Harry smiled softly and ripped the paper away from the package. On the top were a small velvet ring box, and a larger wider box. Harry reached out and opened the ring box first, inside lay a beautiful ring, with a green stone, and a crest on the engraved in the stone.
"It's the Snape family ring, I actually got it from my Uncle, who didn't believe my father deserved it, so I was given it, as my uncle had no children. Anyway, I thought you might like it, seeing as you are old enough, and you are my son." Severus said smiling.
"Cool," Harry opened the next one and smiled, a cloak clasp sat inside, it held the Snape family crest. Underneath he smiled as he noticed a small leather bound book. "What's this dad?"
"It's your mother's journal, uh, she gave it to me, well left it to me in her will, with directions to give it to you when you were ten or eleven. So there you go, um, she wrote in it a lot, I know some of her later entries were about you."
"Thanks dad, I know this probably means a lot to you," Harry said smiling.
"Your welcome son, your mother meant a lot to me, but you mean more."
Harry smiled and reached for the last three books, one of which was a Christmas story, it didn't look brand new though, it looked fairly old.
"It was your dad's, read the inside," Severus said smiling. Nodding Harry opened it up and began to read.
Harry,
If you're reading this, then I have passed on and one of four people are giving this to you, I want you to understand right now, I love and adore you, my little boy, you were a miracle in waiting. I hope you protect yourself and live your life as best you can. Remember your mother and I adored you with all our hearts, and if you're with who I think you're with, then, I do believe you may be in the best care you could have, even if I never got along with the man.
This was my favorite book as a young boy, and I thought I'd pass it down, I also have it on highest authority that if you are indeed with Severus Snape, then you're a reader, and most likely your nose is always in the book. Snape's always was, and truth is so was your mother's. That's probably how they first met, in the library, Severus and she were very close. Sometimes I think they both should have been in Ravenclaw, because if your mom hadn't been in Gryffindor I would be convinced that's where she should have been.
One time your mother told me about her sorting, and she said that the hat had problems with where to place her, your mother had a thirst for knowledge, and from the sound of it, so does Severus. Good luck son, take this with you and treasure it, and always remember you've always been loved since before you were born.
Love Always,
Your father James Potter
Harry wiped a tear away gently and sighed, looking down at the book he held it tightly to his chest, he slowly got up and sat in his father's lap, the older man hugged him tightly and kissed his head.
"He's right you know, you've been loved since the moment you were born, Happy birthday Harry, I'm proud of you," Severus said smiling.
It was later that night, everyone had left for the most part, Harry would remain with Severus until the term started, but Damien would be coming with them to Diagon Alley in three weeks to pick school stuff. Harry was sitting in his bed, his bed clothes wrapped around his body, up to his waist, leaning against the head board and pillows as he read a book he had received for his birthday, when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come on in dad," he said, he watched his father come in with a piece of cake and a single candle in it.
"Dad," Harry said chuckling as his father sat down beside him, and placing the plate on the bedside table.
"Happy birthday son, you made it, you're going to Hogwarts in a month," Severus said looking at the young man, the boy had grown so much, they had come so far since they had become a family.
"Thanks dad…it's not going to change is it?"
"What?"
"Our relationship? I mean, I'm not going to see you all the time, although more than the past few years, but…"
"No worries Harry, you and me, we're safe son. We'll always be friends, and father and son."
"I love you dad," Harry said smiling. Severus nodded and took the book from his son's hands and also placed it on the bed side table, with that he leaned forward and placed a kiss on the boy's head.
"Get some rest kiddo, see you in the morning." Severus leaned over and turned the light off, watching Harry lie down in the bed and rolled over on his side, reaching out Severus ran a hand through Harry's hair for a few moments, until he heard the young man's breathing even out as the boy fell into a deep sleep.
"Sleep well buddy."
Can You See --I always felt that J.K. Rowling had Snape kind of hiding in the shadows, but I knew he had to have a heart, I believed it. I'm glad others do too, thanks for the review!
Heather Snape --I'm sorry your sick Heather, and I hope you feel better, and I'm glad you felt better with my chapter, I love Christmas too!
Eva McGregor --Lol, I read your story, the unfinished one, it was great so far, please do finish it! I can honestly tell you minus a few glitches I am almost finished with the first part of the series and will be moving on shortly with part two, I hope you will continue to read the rest.
Prophetess Of Hearts-- lol I wouldn't mind, don't worry the bas…I mean jerk gets what's coming to him eventually.
Rosaleen--You will continually noticed that Sev continually has Albus, Minerva and Remus(most of the time) to back him up. I made it that way because I could never figure out why they seemed so angry sometimes.
Headncloud--I enjoy writing as much as you guys like reading it!
Dir en Grey --Yes this story will continue on to Hogwarts, and cover each year, there will be four parts to this series, the next part will be years three and four at Hogwarts.
Mikee--I used to ask about traditions in my house when I was little, because I live with my grandparents, so I thought it would be cool to bring that bit alive. Lol, I don't think you're the only one who wants these two to finish each other off, unfortunately it won't happen quite like that, but you're not far off.
Pip3 --I've written on of the stories when Severus made a complete 180 during the middle of the school year, and I found it more complicated than this one, because you were dealing with already set emotions. I enjoy writing this one a lot.
Lady Lily3--Thank you, it means a lot to know people look forward to every chapter ahead. I know I look forward to it as well, lol maybe that sounds goofy but I like it when people like what I write. Enjoy.
Jaximillion--Yes within the next…(three chapters I believe) Harry will be headed to Hogwarts, Then from there on most of the time he will be at Hogwarts.
Athenakitty--I love how you phrase the questions, and sometimes I want to answer every question, sometimes I know I can't. However, I hope you are enjoying this story thanks for the review!
SlythGrl18 --Thank you for the review, please enjoy!