A/N - First I'd like to thank pixyfairy120, Little Bit, Kateri, Corgi, Sela, Someone, katydidnt, Charma1219, Ox king, xikum, Enamah, Lady Lightening, Mikee, and myrhfire for taking the time to review and for encouraging me to continue the story.

Mikee - I love your reviews, you make my day.

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Chapter 6

Greetings

"Would you like to hear more about your mother?" Snape asked.

"Yes… If you don't mind telling me" Harry replied as he took a set at the end of the couch.

Snape closed his eyes against the flood of memories threatening to overpower him.

"Elizabeth was perfect. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She wasn't flashy… or plain… she was somewhere in between. The day we married was one of the happiest days of my life."

Snape continued to tell Harry about his married life and their joy at the birth of their son. It felt so good to share those memories. To have someone else who would treasure them.

Harry went to bed that night with his head full of thoughts. Thoughts about a family he never knew. Before he fell asleep he realized that he had lost two sets of parents before his 2nd birthday. Voldemort had cost him more than he'd ever known.

Severus Snape sat before the dying fire in a darkened room, buried deep in memories of the only woman he had ever loved.

* Flashback *

Severus sat alone at the Slyitherin table in the great hall. It was the start of his second year at Hogwarts, all four tables were lined with student returning from their summer break. The opening feast was about to begin and every student was present, the tables crowded with happy young faces greeting their friends. Severus looked down the table at his Slytherin counterparts, the seats surrounding him were noticeably empty. He knew the other students, but there was no one who he would call a friend. Slytherin House was filled with students of tradition, most of their families had been in Slytherin for generations and they didn't take kindly to newcomers. Yes Severus's family was as old as any of the others, but the fact remained that he was the first Slytherin in his family. To a group of youngsters who were not only housemates, but also in most cases cousins, he was an outsider.

The Slytheins treated Severus even worse than they treated members of the other houses. While any Hufflepuff had a house to back him up, Severus was on his own, teased and tormented by those who were supposed to form his family. No member of another house would be seen with even an outcast Slytherin.

Severus was thankful when a hush fell over the tables signaling the entrance of the new first years. As he watch their scared faced he vividly remembered his own introduction to Hogwarts just one year before. His eyes were drawn to the second face in the long line, drawn to an eleven year-old girl her black hair pulled back in a braid reaching nearly to her waist. She stood erect, head held high, whatever nervousness she may have been feeling she was determined not to show. She didn't look around or whisper, her attention remained solely on the task at hand as she waited for her name to be called. Severus wasn't sure why, but he felt a pang of disappointment when the sorting hat called out Ravenclaw. He watched her smile as she joined the house that would become her family for the next seven years.

* End Flashback *

The next few weeks passed quickly. Snape had much to prepare for the coming term and Harry had homework to complete. Occasionally they talked about the past but as the past cannot be changed they both focused on what could be in the future. They were starting to understand each other a little, but there was a long way to go before either would consider what they had a family.

With the entire Hogwarts library at his disposal Harry quickly completed his studies and chose to amuse himself exploring the castle. There was only so much one could see during the school year when students crowded the halls. At the present time the castle was almost empty, a few professors were busy preparing for the next term but most were at their homes or off visiting family and friends. The halls deserted it was easy for Harry to move about the castle undetected searching for empty rooms to be used when privacy was needed, or new shortcuts to get around. He spent the evenings with his father but the days he had to himself. A stop by the kitchens was easy enough for a snack, or a visit with his two house elf friends and there was no better way to spend a hot afternoon than flying around the Quidditch field. The only things he missed were his two best friends.

In no time at all Harry found himself falling out a fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron clutching an overnight bag, and waiting patiently while Snape arranged for two rooms for the nights they would be spending in London. After seeing their rooms and lunch in the dining room they set off for their meeting with Mr. Alfonsis.

"Professor Snape, Mr. Potter, good to see you both." Mr. Alfonsis wasted no time and set immediately down to business. "The court has agreed to seal the proceedings and records, that's good for us. I have reviewed the auror's reports and they seem to be in good shape to prosecute a successful case. The bulk of the investigation into Mr. and Mrs. Dursley will not begin until they return from their vacation on September 5th, but both the auror's and myself have been compiling as much background as possible on their family. Fortunately their son, Dudley, also attends a boarding school so if his parents are found unfit and he is removed from their care he will still have school as a stabilizing factor in his life. I do have one question… Harry, I understand that you received a sizable inheritance after your parents death. Do you feel there is any chance your relatives may make a claim against that money?"

"Well, they are always saying how much it cost's them to raise me. When they find out that was adopted and not even a blood relative, they'll probably be even more upset about it. They will most likely try to take everything they can get their hands on. But, that money in in my Gringotts vault, they can't get to it can they?"

"I have a copy of your parent's will and they legally left that money to you, but the Dursley's can contest the will. From what you are telling me combined with what I have been able to find out about them, they most likely will. The best way to protect against that event is to put the money into a trust that would not give you access to the funds until after you are of legal age, and preferably not until after you graduate from Hogwart's. I understand that the money has been paying for your school tuition and supplies… is that correct?"

"Yes, I can't pay for school without it"

"That is the problem, if you continue to use the funds to support yourself the Dursley's can try to claim reimbursement for the expense of caring for you. They may have done a abysmal job of caring for you, but I have no doubt that they'll go after every cent in that vault claiming it as appropriate reimbursement. By removing that money as a means of support it greatly reduces their case."

"Mr. Potter, you have my word that your tuition and school supplies will always be paid for, regardless of who ends up your guardian." Snape took his first part in the conversation "You will not have to worry about funding your education."

Leaving Mr. Alfonsis's office, after completing the second major installment of paperwork, Harry was keenly aware of the slight weight of his moneybag hanging from his belt. He had just signed away access to his inheritance until after his 17th birthday and what was left of his last yearly withdrawal amounted to only a few knuts.

Snape had told Harry to dress in Muggle clothes for their visit that day as they would have to travel through the Muggle world to reach their destination. So bright and early the next morning, after a quick shower, Harry pulled on a pair of slacks and a collared shirt. Not to formal, but also not a t-shirt and jeans. He looked in the mirror satisfied with his outfit, but what to do about his hair, additional length had done nothing to tame it's flyaway tendency. A trim had evened out the ends, but it still had a talent of sticking up in the most annoying places. Harry did not know who they would be visiting but this would not do. He searched the room for something, anything that would help him tame his hair. Finding nothing, he pulled a loose string off his overnight bag and used it to tie his hair back at his neck. They took the floo network to a small pub in Dogellau then walked a few blocks to catch the local bus. The ride to Harlach wasn't long but it gave Harry the opportunity to ask were they were going.

"We are paying a visit to my parents, your grandparents" Snape briskly answered "I think you should get to know them."

It wasn't a lot of information but it was enough to set Harry's head spinning. Glancing over at Snape he wondered about the two people who brought the sullen potions master into existence. Still preoccupied Harry didn't see the path they took out-of-town, he didn't notice the overgrown trail they followed through the woods. He could not however ignore the clearing surrounding a large stately manor.

*Pop* "you are not welcome here Master Snape" the elderly house elf informed them.

"Mr. Potter is visiting. I will return for him at 5:00PM. Be on your best behavior Mr. Potter" With no other greeting Snape turned on his heel and made his way back down the trail.

Harry wondered why Snape would not be welcome at his parents home as he followed the house elf though the formal gardens and into Snape Manor. He was surprised by the bright colors decorating the entrance and the sunlight shining through the large windows. The house elf led him through the first door off the entrance hall and presented him to a tall, plump woman, with merry black eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Snape" Harry uncertainly greeted the woman.

"Mr. Potter, it's a honor. May I ask to what I may owe the pleasure of your visit?" Mrs. Snape seemed as curious as he did.

"I was recently reunited with my father, Professor Severus Snape, he had given me up for adoption… Are you ok?"

Indeed the woman before him didn't look well at all. The rosy glow that graced her cheeks when she greeted him just moments before had faded, the strength and power she radiated diminished leaving her unsteady on her feet.

"You are… Henry… you're… alive… Simon, SIMON"

A tall pale man, his dark blue robes covered in multicolored splotches, ran into the room, showed Mrs. Snape to a chair, and tried to ascertain what was the matter.

"Celia, calm down, what is it, are you sick?" The man seemed almost frantic.

"It's Henry…"

"No dear, that's Harry, Harry Potter"

"Yes I am Harry Potter, the Potter's adopted me." Harry was slightly irked that his Potions Professor has abandoned him to explain the situation alone. "I recently found out that Severus Snape is my real father. I thought… he'd told you."

"He told us you died… years ago. I can't believe you're Henry…" Simon Snape joined his wife on the couch. "He gave you away… if he couldn't care for you he could have left you with us… Why didn't he tell us."

"I'm sorry… this is a shock to you… I'll go" Harry turned to leave.

"NO"

Next thing Harry found himself smothered in hugs an bombarded with questions from his two grandparents.

"Such a handsome young man"

"Do you go to Hogwart's?"

"What house are you in?"

"You have your mothers eyes"

"What is your favorite subject?"

"Is that a Snape chin I see?"

"You're much too thin, a growing boy needs food, how about a snack?"

"You're in Gryffindor, Celia was in Gryffindor, I'm Ravenclaw"

Between the questions Harry was able to tell his grandparents a highly edited background about is life, school, and his two best friends. Catching up on fifteen years takes time and they were seated for lunch before Harry got to ask the question that had been troubling him since he first arrived.

"Why don't you want to see your son?" The tension could be cut with a knife.

"Severus was such a special little boy, so clever and smart. He loved magic, from a very young age he showed unusual patience. As you know children don't get their wands until they start secondary school at eleven, but he would read everything he could get his hands on. He learned about magical animals, tried to memorize spells, he'd follow his father down to his workroom and beg to be allowed to mix potions. There… aren't many wizarding children in this area. He didn't have friends that he could share his interests with and didn't like playing Muggle games, so he was really looking forward to attending Hogwarts. He was so proud the day he got his letter, he showed it to everyone including all the house elves. His trunk was packed and ready to go weeks before the start of term." Celia Snape quietly offered.

"We were… concerned when he wrote that he was sorted into Slytherin, but he was proud. There was so much that he wanted to do and he felt that Slytherin could help him on his way. He actually wrote that first letter just after he had been released from the opening feast, had to share his news before he went to sleep. It wasn't until the next day that he learned how cruel Slytherins could be. He was young though, he didn't see what we saw in his letters. He wanted to be accepted by his housemates, he wanted to earn his place. Those Slytherins did everything they could to make his life as miserable as possible, they wouldn't leave him alone. Then to add to it a group of Gryffindor troublemakers decided that he made a good target for their jokes." Simon continued.

"He was so unhappy. We tried to convince him to transfer, we had a place arranged for him at Beauxbatons, but he wouldn't have it. He was determined to make his place in Slytherin, he was going to be the best. He got top marks, did everything the other students asked him to do, whatever he had to do to get them to accept him. It wasn't until his 5th year when he started really excelling above the other students in potions and defense against the dark arts that he finally started making friends in his house."

"We were thankful when things started improving for him, we thought he was past the worst."

"And there was a girl, a Ravenclaw. He rarely ever mentioned her but we could tell she was something special to him." Celia gushed.

"The day he graduated we were so proud. He stood tall, surrounded by the other Slytherin students, he had finally earned his place. We didn't know… how."

"Straight out of school he got a job, junior potions master at a private research facility, after work he would go out with his friends. We didn't see anything unusual about his behavior, young people stay out late. It was actually, just a few months before he was married, I had asked him to join me for afternoon tea. He reached across the table to grab… something, and his sleeve pulled up showing part of a tattoo on his arm. I couldn't believe what it was…"

"Celia dear, calm down" Simon tried to sooth his wife "She discussed what she had seen with me that evening and we confronted Severus. We demanded that he show us his arm, there it was the dark mark. We asked him to leave and told him to never return."

"Our son, a Death Eater… I can't believe we raised a son who would do such terrible things"

"He sent us an announcement when he married Elizabeth and a short note to tell us about both her and your deaths. Other than that we have not heard from him" Simon finished.

"He's not a Death Eater anymore, he actually has been a spy for Dumbledore for… well I don't know how long, but awhile. He doesn't even have the dark mark anymore, I don't think I would be allowed anywhere near him, no matter who he is, if he was still involved with Voldemort." Harry didn't know why he was defending his professor but no one should be separated from their parents, especially for a reason that no longer applied.

"The dark mark cannot be removed Harry" Simon insisted.

"I didn't think so either, but if anyone could find away, Dumbledore can." Harry replied "I saw his arm, it's not there anymore."

5:00PM quickly rolled around and no matter what the senior Snapes thought of their son, they were not about to separate themselves from their only grandchild. An invitation to spend part (or all) of Christmas break with them was extended before Harry left.

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A/N - Ok, Snape and James, according to JK, were born the same year, for the purposes of this story I am playing with birthdays. I am assuming that they were born enough months apart to place them in different years at school. For this story Severus is one year in school above the marauders, Lily and Elizabeth. Why am I doing this? I want to give Severus enough time in school to be very aware of his place in the Slytherin hierarchy, namely at the bottom. It goes into his reasons for making certain choices and gives him time to make a name for himself in the Death Eater organization before his marriage. I hope this doesn't bother anyone too much. If it does, please accept my apology.

- For those who are familiar with Severitus Challenge you know that there are certain criteria that must be met. And, you are probably impatient to see those important areas of the story develop. The clues to answer some of those questions have, thus far, been few and far between. Because I am writing from the adoption point of view, and because I am trying to set up a situation very much different from other Severitus Fic's, it is taking a lot longer to introduce background, and there are other issues I'd like to cover. I admit it would be easier to have Harry just wake up looking like Severus but that wouldn't really get into addressing the family the way I'd like to. (Also, the reasons for Harry's looks have a lot to do with the plot of the story, looks over shoulder "don't tell") If I have been doing a good job developing the story, hopefully you won't notice the clues until I actually answer the questions (yep, I'm going for the Aha! Factor) I want you to, looking back, see that the answers were there but not get ahead of the story, which would make it boring. I know the story has been moving kind of slowly thus far, please try to be patient with it, it will speed up after school starts (ch 7 maybe 8). (waves hand over crystal ball "It will all be explained in time" in my best Professor Trelawney voice.)