A/N: Thank you reviewers
KuCarrie - Thanks
Lunarian - I hope you're not too disappointed. I'm hoping to make this original.
MarsMoonStar - I'm glad you love it.
Sorena - Thank you!
Rhysel Ash - Good, cause I'm going for different.
Selua - Sorry that it's going so fast. I just got carried away.
Disclaimer - I took a polyjuice potion but that doesn't make me JK.
Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Chapter 4 - Explanations
"James Potter was not your father."
Harry's face paled, "How? Who is?"
"I am"
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Harry looked at his professor in disbelief and stomped away, once again pacing.
"After all the other lies and half-truths I've been fed do you honestly expect me to believe that?"
"No, I don't. But, this is the truth. I feel you have a right to know. You've always had the right to know, but Albus, the bastard, wouldn't let me tell you."
"What do you mean he wouldn't let you?"
Snape sighed and took a deep breath. "This is a long story. Pot... Harry, I joined the Dark Lord during my sixth year at Hogwarts. Your mother, Lily, and I married right after graduation."
"You were married to my mom?"
"Do not interrupt. Now, as I was trying to say, we both served Lord Voldemort but she wasn't marked. She was my support. Most wives aren't marked. After graduation, our Lord asked me to be a spy for him, so I went to Albus to beg for his forgiveness and said that I wanted to rejoin him and spy for him on Voldemort. Albus liked that idea so I was made part of the Order of the Phoenix and gathered information for my true Master while giving the Order a few misleading tips to keep in their good graces."
The professor rubbed his left arm unconsciously. "When your mother was pregnant with you, Albus cooked up this scheme to have Lily live with James Potter to protect you both from Voldemort. He even put charms on you after you were born to make you look like James. I explained this to Voldemort, however he still believed you to be James' son. Hence, on Halloween 1981 Voldemort went to your house to kill you and James. He wanted to spare Lily, but she wouldn't let you go. I loved your mother very much. She was my world."
Harry could see the sadness in his eyes and knew that Snape, someone who never showed emotion, must really have loved his mom. He felt a tear slide down his own cheek, and he hastily wiped it away. "I miss her too, Sir."
After conjuring a cup of tea for each of them, the professor continued, "After that night I went to pick you up so that I could raise you, but Albus stopped me. He said that he was the only person who could vouch for me being a spy for him, and that if I didn't let him place you with the Muggles that he'd turn me in to the Ministry. He said that the Dursleys would love you and raise you as their own. He also said that if I tried to interfere with the life that he'd created for you that he'd tell the Ministry that I was dangerous and to give me the Dementors kiss straight away."
He paused to take a deep breath, "Now you see why I couldn't tell you, Harry. I figured you were better having a father you didn't know about than a dead father."
Harry nodded blankly.
Snape placed a hand on Harry's arm. "I'm sorry I was always so cruel to you. I have been bitter since the day that you and Lily were taken away from me. I'm sorry I was never there for you Harry. I wish I could have raised you as my son."
Harry growled, "I can't believe I have a father and he can't even be my father. I'm tired of playing the headmaster's games. I want my family back."
Snape looked hard at his son and shook his head. "I don't think we have a choice. The charms are starting to wear off."
"They are?"
"Yes, you probably don't notice it much because you see yourself everyday, but you have changed since the end of the summer. We weren't sure how long they would last, but I guess sixteen years is the limit."
Harry jumped up and ran into the bathroom and stared at his reflection. It was then that he realized that he had been hiding his scar because his hair was more tame. After looking hard at himself he understood how he had gotten away with hiding so well. He really did look more like a Snape now. His face was more angular and he did notice he had been growing taller this summer, but he figured it was because he had been eating better since he ran away from the Dursleys.
Harry smiled when he saw his father enter the reflection and place a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad to have you back son."
Harry turned around and hugged his father. Wasn't it just an hour ago that he had wished to have someone, anyone. 'Happy birthday to me.' "I'm glad to have you, father." The father came out soft as Harry wasn't sure that Snape was ready to hear it, but if Snape was upset he hid it well.
"Harry, I'm going to have to tell the headmaster that the charms are wearing off. I'll see what he wants to do about it. Hopefully we can bring all of this out in the open with his blessing rather than go against him."
Harry wasn't sure what to say next, many questions were floating through his mind, so he just blurted it out, "So you are loyal to Voldemort?"
Snape took Harry's hand, "Yes, Harry, I am. I know that Albus has tried to train you to be the perfect Gryffindor and fighter for the light, but maybe I can explain my views to you later."
Harry nodded.
"Harry, I don't want to leave you here alone because you could be in danger. Unfortunately I have no choice. Just remember that you are not to use magic unless it comes to a life or death situation. Stay inside until I come back. I'll talk to Albus tonight. I'll tell him that I saw you but you escaped."
"Yes sir. I'll stay inside. Please hurry back."
"I will. Good bye, Harry."
"Good bye, Father"