(For future reference, Harry will now be called Severus..)
Harry's Letter, Flying,
and Ron and Hermione's Arrival
"Harry, I am your father." Professor Snape repeated. Harry looked like he was going to explode. "Before you react, Harry, I want you to read this letter. It is from your mother." Professor Dumbledore asked. He handed him an envelope which Harry tore open.
My Son,
If you are reading this letter, than James Potter and I are dead. I must first tell you that right after I graduated, I married Severus Snape, the love of my life. We were married for a good year or so before I was informed that I was one of Voldemort's targets. For my safety, I had to leave Severus and marry James. Before I left, I found out that I was pregnant. I knew you could not be James' because we were married only in name, not physically. James and I named you Harold James Potter but I'll let your father tell you your real name (I like leaving people in suspense). I gave you a potion on your first birthday so that you would look like James until you turned sixteen. You will have turned into a spitting image of your father by now, I should think. I wish it hadn't been this way. We could have still been a family. Anyways, I have to go now. I hope you're good at Potions!
Love,
Your Mother,
Lily Snape Potter
"You are my father?" Harry asked in shock. "Yes, I am. Would you like to know your real identity?" Harry's father asked. Harry nodded. "Your real name is Severus Severin Snape III." Professor Snape said, Severus ran his hand through his long hair. "How am I going to tell my friends?" Severus asked. "I will write to them explaining the situation and they may come to Hogwarts early if they wish." Professor Dumbledore offered. Severus nodded and the headmaster left father and son alone. "I've never known a father." Severus said all of a sudden. "Well, I've never known a son." Professor Snape said. Severus scowled. "Have you ever played Quidditch?" Severus asked his father. "Yes. I played on the Slytherin house team for six years and in my last year, I was captain. I was a seeker." Professor Snape said proudly. "You don't seem the type to play Quidditch. Wait until Ron hears about this." Severus said. His father scowled. "How long has your uncle been beating you?" Professor Snape asked. Severus' face went all pale. "At regular intervals since I was three. I was bringing him a cup of coffee and he told me not to spill it. I was being really, really careful and then my cousin stuck his foot out and tripped me. I spilt the scalding hot coffee all over my arms and hands and I started to cry. My uncle just told me to clean the mess up but I couldn't move. He kicked me in the ribs and I broke two of them. He threw me into my cupboard and he said, 'That'll teach you not to cry!'" Severus said in a gruff voice. "I won't have to go back there will I?" Severus asked. His father looked shocked. "Of course not, Criminals shouldn't be put there!" Snape said harshly. Severus recoiled and drew away from his father. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way." Snape said. He pulled his son to him and let him cry for the first time in thirteen years.
A few hours later, Severus was let out of the hospital wing. "Would you like to stay in Gryffindor Tower or in the dungeons? Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley could stay in the dungeons for the rest of the summer if they like." Professor Snape said to his son. "I would like to stay in the dungeons with you. We can get to know each other better that way." Severus said to his father hopefully. "That's settled then. I'll show you your room." The elder Snape said. He led Severus into a large room decorated in red and gold with a Quidditch motif. "Wow." Severus said simply. There was a four poster bed much like the ones in the Gryffindor boy's dormitory except this one had a Quidditch game playing on the canopy of it. "Thank you," Severus began. "What should I call you?" He added. "You can call me Dad, I guess." His dad replied simply. Severus ran up to him and hugged him. "Thanks a lot Dad." He said. Severus Snape hugged his son back very tightly. "I'll let you unpack. You'll notice the initials on your trunk have changed." The professor told Severus. He turned with a billowing of robes and left his son's bedroom. Severus began to unpack his trunk. It now bore the initials S.S.S III on it instead of H.J.P. He carefully took his Firebolt out of his trunk and placed it carefully on a shelf near his bed. He placed loads of parchment and quills on his desk and got out his clothes. He put on a pair of trousers tied together by a cord and an oversized T-shirt that was his cousin Dudley's. After he got changed though, he decided against the clothes he was wearing and put on his Quidditch practice uniform. He grabbed his Firebolt and headed out to the sitting room where his dad was. "I'm going outside to fly around a bit Dad, if it's all right with you." Severus said. "How about I join you?" His dad said. "Okay!" Severus exclaimed. "Accio Firebolt" Snape said. Another Firebolt came whizzing through the air into his outstretched hand. Another flick of his wand and he was in Quidditch uniform as well. Father and son made their way out to the Quidditch pitch in good spirits. "Dad, watch this. I perfected it last year." Severus called to his father. He pulled into a completely vertical dive at breakneck speed and an inch before he hit the ground he pulled up shot up straight through the air. "Was that a Wronski Feint?" Professor Snape asked in amazement. Severus nodded. "Oi, Harry come down from there!" A familiar voice called from down by the Quidditch pitch. "Hey Ron! Hey Hermes!" Severus called down as he landed gracefully. "You really look like him Harry. And don't call me Hermes." Hermione said. Father and son grinned. "My name isn't Harry James Potter anymore, you guys. It is now Severus Severin Snape III." Severus said proudly. 'I can't believe how well he is taking this.' His dad thought. He placed a hand on his son's shoulder and smiled at him. "You actually play Quidditch Professor?" Ron asked bemusedly. "Yes, Mr. Weasley, I play Quidditch. I was captain of the Slytherin team when I was in my seventh year. I was a seeker." Professor Snape said. Severus noticed that Hermione was holding onto Ron's arm. "So you two are finally going out?" Severus asked. They both blushed. "Yes, we've been going out since the beginning of our fifth year." Hermione explained. "Well, it's about time." Dad said. The trio looked at him. "It was obvious. You act more like a married couple than best friends." Dad said. Severus smirked at his two friends who were now blushing. "Are you guys staying in Gryffindor Tower?" He asked. They nodded. "It's time to go to supper, Severus." Dad said when it was six o'clock. The four of them walked to the dungeons so Professor Snape and Severus could get changed. "Nice place, Professor Snape." Hermione said. It was decorated in rich colours. There was a desk, three chairs, a sofa, and a marble mantle above the fireplace. "It's not a bat cave." Ron said in amazement. Professor Snape glared at him. "Ronald, don't be so rude!" Hermione chastised. "Contrary to popular opinion, Mr. Weasley, I am not a bat so I would not live in a bat cave." Snape said in a sarcastic tone lacking any malice. Severus went into his room to change his clothes. When he came back out, Hermione and Ron were snogging on the couch. "Get a room!" Severus called. They pulled apart and blushed a deep scarlet. They waited a minute before Dad came out. "What are you wearing?" Professor Snape asked his son. "I am wearing my clothes, why?" Severus marveled. "We have to go shopping for you, young man. Those clothes must be at least ten sizes too big for you." Professor Snape said. Severus smiled. "Can we go tomorrow, Dad?" Severus asked hopefully. "Sure, if you like. Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley could come as well." Snape said. Severus nodded and they went up to the Great Hall. "Ah, good evening Severus, Severus, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley. Would you care to join us?" Professor Dumbledore said with his eyes twinkling as usual. The quartet sat down at the staff table and Ron started to pile his plate with food, as did Severus. They talked about how their summers were going and what they wanted to do at Diagon Alley tomorrow. "Are you sure you don't mind taking us to Diagon Alley tomorrow, Professor Snape?" Hermione asked while cutting up her chicken gracefully. "It really is no problem, Miss Granger." Professor Snape told Hermione. "Ronald, you're supposed to cut your meat up not bite pieces off of the bone!" Hermione exclaimed to her boyfriend. She flicked her wand and his chicken was cut up into bite size pieces. 'She sounds remarkably like Mrs. Weasley.' The elder Snape thought. "I heard they got a new broomstick out, Sev; the Firebolt XP. I wish I could afford one." Ron said dimly. "I can't believe how different you are when school isn't in session, Professor Snape." Ron said. "In school, you're a complete a-." Ron began but was cut off by Hermione. "Ron Weasley, you finish that sentence and see what I do to you!" She said angrily. The professor laughed. "You two should get married and get it over with." He said with a laugh. They glared at him. "You and Mrs. Weasley must get along great Hermes." Severus said with his new deep voice. "Don't call me Hermes!" She said angrily. "You know you love it, Hermione." Severus said with a smirk. She went back to eating her supper disgruntled. "What do you think about having a son, Severus?" Minerva McGonagall asked her colleague. "So far, I'm enjoying it, Minerva. He hasn't been any trouble at all... so far." Professor Snape replied optimistically. The supper lasted an hour more and everyone left to go to their respective quarters. Severus went to his bedroom to get his pyjamas on. After he got that done, he went out to the sitting room to get his book that was lying on the coffee table. "Are those your night clothes?" His father asked. He was wearing a pair of black silk pyjamas. "Yeah Dad. They are my best fitting pair." Severus said. His dad threw him a pair of black pyjamas. "Wear these one instead and throw all of your clothes out. You can wear some of my clothes while we shop tomorrow. I can't believe those people never even gave you proper fitting clothing." His dad exclaimed. "My pleasure." Severus said. He went back into his room, changed, and brought all of his clothes into the small den. "Evanesco." His dad said with a wave of his wand. "The only thing the Dursleys ever bought me was my glasses and they weren't even the proper prescription for my eyes." Severus explained. He placed a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "Goodnight Dad." Severus said. "Goodnight Severus." His father replied. They hugged somewhat awkwardly and Severus went to bed. He lay in bed staring at the canopy of his bed before falling into a restless sleep.