Hermione sat in the Great Hall reading the Daily Prophet that she now got delivered. Ron was reading a note from his brothers Fred and George. They even sent him some of their new gag gifts. One was an exploding marble, another was a piece of gum that made you teeth grow. Ron giggled at some of the wizard photos of Fred and George's test subjects. Harry looked at his letters.

"Go on and open them Harry." Hermione smiled.

Harry nodded and picked up the first letter. He pulled the old piece of parchment out of its envelope and carefully unfolded it. He looked at the date. It was written about three months before he was born.

Harry read the letters slowly, He smiled as he had with the others but soon his expression changed. This letter was clearly not from his father, but from a certain person at Hogwarts. He couldn't comprehend what the letter was trying to say.

It read:

Dear Lily,

Do not blame your mistake on me. It was only one night. Granted it should not have happened but it did. The child cannot be mine. Do not go around spreading these lies. You will be hurt if you do. If some thing should happen to you or to James the child will be taken care of. He will live. I however will not change my life to accommodate your misgivings about the blood of your child. Do tell the idiots you have for doctors that if one word gets out all of them will be seriously hurt. I have returned your letter to you. Keep it secret. Do not let James find it for the idea you hold in it is false.

Professor Severus Snape

Potions master of Hogwarts.

Harry then read the other letter and the entire meaning of the first letter bore thru him.

The second letter read:

Dear Severus,

As you know James and I are with child. However things are not as they seem. I'm a bit worried. I have not told James yet. Though I should have. The baby is fine. However I don't know how long I can keep the secret from James. Severus, he is not the father. I have lied to him to keep you safe. That night together before I married James was a mistake, I know that now. I have told him the doctors said that the baby may be early. Severus the doctors have done tests, they know. You are this child's father, don't deny it. You know what happened that night. Be a man and take responsibility. If anything should happen to me or to James, please promise me you will take Harry. Do not let my sister take him. She and her husband do not like our kind and I fear for my, our son. Please take your son and be his father and make things right.

With deepest regrets,

Lilly Potter.

Harry's face grew long. He read the letter over and over.



"No, this isn't right, not at all. This is false. This isn't true. This can't be." Harry thought. Ron and Hermione saw that something was really wrong.

"What is it Harry? What did the letter say?" Ron asked.



Harry remained silent. He looked up to the teachers table and to Professor Severus Snape. The professor was talking to Professor Flitwick. Harry turned to his letter again and then to Hermione and Ron.

"It's nothing." Harry said coldly. He got up from the table, picked up his belongings and ran out fo the Great Hall.

"Something's up." Hermione said. The two friends nodded and got up. They also left the Great Hall in a rush to catch up to Harry. Dumbledore saw the three and calmly removed himself from the teachers table and made his way out of the room.

Harry bolted down the halls looking for a place to hide. His eyes were tearing up and he was having trouble seeing. He rounded the corner and bumped into someone.

"Get out of my way." He said between tears.

"Harry wait up " yelled Ron and Hermione turned the corner. They came face to face with Harry and Professor Lupin.

"I will do nothing of the sort Harry, care to tell me what's wrong?" Professor Lupin said calmly.

"Just leave me alone. I just want to be alone." Harry was crying.

"Harry, what did the letter say to make you this upset?" Hermione said. She was as confused at Ron. Ron put a hand on his friends shoulder to try and calm him. Harry stepped out of it.

"Ron, Hermione go to your next class. I'm sure the headmaster will like a word with Harry. I also need to speak to him. Our little meeting will be earlier than I thought. Though I was hoping to have it later, and before you read that letter." Professor Lupin replied.

"You knew and you didn't tell me " Harry shouted.

"Of course. I asked and was told. However your fame precedes you and it wasn't the right time to tell you. We knew you would react like this." Professor Lupin said calmly.

"Well how am I supposed to react. I just found out my father isn't who I thought. And that my true father is alive after all these years." Harry said angrily.

"What are you talking about, professor what is this about?" Hermione spat out in confusion.

"Hermione and Ron please leave. This is between Harry and his father. All right? Everything will be explained to you when the time is right."

"Sorry professor, but I'm staying with Harry."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger, leave now." Came a cold voice from behind the group.

Harry turned around and glared at the man in black.

Hermione and Ron knew the voice instantly and knew better then to ask. The two nodded goodbye to Harry and walked off.

"Professor Snape, I believe Harry is confused right now. I will be taking him to the headmaster."

"Not before I have some words for the young Mr. Potter." Professor Snape hissed.

Harry was over come with emotion now and glared at Professor Snape with extreme hatred.

"Why didn't you tell me?! Why didn't you! Father " Harry blurted out.

"I am no such thing to you Mr. Potter. Nor have I ever wanted to be. Your mother made a grave error in thinking that I could be that type." Snape said in a voice that could send chills down the spine of the bravest student.

"But I read the letter my mother wrote to you." Harry said angrily.

"Clearly your mother was confused or delusional at the time. There is no way a mistake of one night could cause this much confusion. Now I do suggest you clear that befuddled mind of your's Potter, speak with the headmaster and leave me out of your delusional babbling. If I should hear rumors about myself being your father. You will find yourself in a worse state then you are now."

Professor Snape glared at Harry and spun on his heel. His cloak billowed menacingly and he walked off and disappeared in the shadows. Harry turned to Professor Lupin who was shaking his head.

"Denial, its not pretty." Professor Lupin said. He turned to Harry. " I believe the headmaster is waiting Harry."

Harry nodded clearing the remaining tears from his eyes.

The two walked off toward Professor Dumbledore's office. They went to the gargoyle. Professor Lupin said the password and the two continued up the steps. Professor Lupin knocked on the door and it opened. Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk writing down a note. Fawkes was on a perch. It's eyes looked at Harry and it gave a squawk. This alerted Dumbledore who looked up. He smiled at Lupin and Harry and motioned for the two of them to have a seat.

"Professor Dumbledore I brought Harry hear as you asked. Unfortunately Professor Snape had interrupted us." Professor Lupin stated.



"Ah, though I wish he had not, it was to be expected. Remus you may leave and I thank you for your help. I do believe you are late for your next class. It is best not to keep the students waiting."

"Alright sir, I will meet you later for our meeting." Professor Lupin said.

"Of course." Professor Dumbledore smiled. The candlelight in the room reflected off his glasses.

Professor Lupin nodded and left. Professor Dumbledore looked to Harry.

"So now you know our Potion Master's secret."

"But he said it isn't true. I don't know what to think sir. Who am I now?" Harry asked with confusion.

"You are still Harry Potter, that hasn't changed. What has, is who your father is. I shall explain." Dumbledore said as he opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out some more letters that looked like the one Harry had read.