A/N First, I would like to thank the Nurse Practitioner at the clinic for the allergy medication. Thank you, thank you, thank you, I can think again. Yea!! It will be a few more days before I'm back to normal but I feel much better already. ((((hugs))))

I would also like to thank Corgi, Charma1219, Mikee, carpathia, Thranx, Toria, Lady Lightning, xium, myrhfire, Sela, and coldfiredragon for taking the time to review and for encouraging me to continue the story. Thanks to everyone who emailed me and told me to hurry up and update, you know who you are. I was listening, my brain just wasn't cooperating.

I have started a group for all those who would like to be emailed when I update. You can find it at . Hopefully it will be more convenient for everyone.

I am splitting chapter 8 up into chapter 8 and chapter 8 ½. I wanted to keep it together in one long chapter but it's not going to happen. It will most likely be a good week before I get chapter 8 ½ up (I am going out of town, again.) Sorry.

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Chapter 8

Together Again

In a flagrant indulgence of wishful thinking Snape had, somewhere deep in the back of his mind, convinced himself that Ron and Hermione's parents were not going to allow their children to visit. So, as he levitated two trunks down to his quarters he forced his concentration away from Lucius and Voldemort and focused on another troubling thought. What was he, Professor Severus Snape feared Potions Master, going to do alone with three teenagers for two days? Moreover, he was certain that part of the reason the Weasley's allowed Ron to visit was so that they could get an idea on how he, Severus, Professor with years of experience dealing with children, was taking care of Harry. You'd think they didn't trust him to care for his own son.

Allowing the teenagers to enter before him, Snape lowered the two trunks in a corner of Harry's room and set about making the sleeping arrangement. A quick spell changed Harry's large bed into three smaller, but still roomy, beds. The three beds crowded the room a little but they would still be able to move around, as long as they left the door open they should be alright. He didn't think there was anything overly romantic going on between any of them, but with teenagers one could never be certain. Satisfied, Snape lit the fire, requested the kitchen send down some snacks for his visitors, and excused himself to go talk with Dumbledore.

Harry had a lot to tell Ron and Hermione. He anticipated a conversation covering Snape, Elizabeth, Voldemort, the Dursleys, his Grandparents, and that was just to start. He was expecting to be jumped with questions particularly about Snape so he was a little surprised at the first words out of Ron's mouth.

"Harry, your room, it's not green!" Ron proclaimed with wonder.

"It was when I first got here, but Snape changed it," Harry clarified.

"Are you alright… are you sure… Snape, your father… how?" count on Hermione to stick to the topic.

"How come you didn't tell us Snape was your father, we would have come to get you, we wouldn't have left you with that slimy git," Ron sat down on the bed he had claimed "and why are we all here now? Don't we spend enough time avoiding the arse during the school year, now we have to spend two extra days with him!"

"Ron, I wasn't happy with the situation at first but I promised Dumbledore I'd give Snape a chance. Dumbledore asked that I stay the summer with him and said that it would be my decision where I lived after that. He hasn't been that bad actually. He's not what I really want in a parent but he has been trying, and well, it's only a few days. Will you please give him a chance? We probably won't see much of him anyway…Please?"

"Of course we will, Harry" Hermione claimed the bed furthest away from Ron "But why did Snape give you to the Potters when everyone knew he hated James?"

Harry explained to the best of his knowledge and ability the events that led up to his becoming Harry Potter.

"There's a picture of my mom, wanna see?" Harry asked as he led them into the living room "Her name was Elizabeth" He said as he pulled the photograph down from the mantle to show them.

"That baby doesn't look anything like you, it's all pink and wrinkly" Ron was doing his best to help Harry get away from their unpleasant Professor.

"Harry, where is your photo album?" Hermione asked as she closely examined the picture.

Harry retrieved his album from his room and the three sat comfortably on the floor in front of the fireplace comparing the photographs. The one photograph of Elizabeth, dark brown hair dangling haphazardly, brilliant green eyes dancing out of a pristine face, smiling down at baby Harry. The other pictures showed Harry grabbing at James nose, crawling towards the Christmas Tree, decorating himself with his first birthday cake, happily seated between the two people who chose to make him their son. No casual observer would doubt the parentage of the handsome Potter baby, his featured mixed his James's face with his Lily's green eyes perfectly.

"What was Elizabeth's full name Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Elizabeth Rose Andrews, why?"

"She just seems familiar, what do you know about her family?"

"Nothing really, Snape doesn't talk about her much" Harry sighed "I haven't wanted to pry too much. I think he really misses her. Sometimes he seems kind of sad."

"Oh, well we could probably find something in the library, if you want…" Hermione offered.

"Hermione, that's your answer for everything! Just because we are at school doesn't mean that we want to memorize the library. We only have a little time before classes start, we want to enjoy it!" Ron exclaimed.

"Actually, Ron, I would like to learn more about my mother" Harry quietly muttered.

"The three of us haven't been together all summer and you want to spend what little time we have left on the library? You've both lost it" Ron grumbled.

"Ron, I would have visited you if you had invited me. You don't have to come to the library, it shouldn't take long." Hermione tried to diffuse Ron's anger.

"No, you were to busy with Victor Krum! Is he your boyfriend now? And what am I supposed to do while you two are off in the library, have a nice little social visit with Snape?" Ron demanded.

"Ron, I don't think that is exactly fair…" Harry started

"Fair! Your were here, Hermione was off in Bulgaria, and I was home alone! You barely sent me any letters and now you want to spend the only time we have to talk in the library? What exactly is your idea of fair?" Ron had resorted to shouting.

"You don't know anything Ron! The summer hasn't been exactly fun and games for me you know." A normally calm Harry surprised his two friends by shouting right back.

"Yea right, you've been just miserable here. That's why you want to stay. Snape is a mean, cold hearted, slimy, greasy git! He's been horrible to all of us, especially you. What are you thinking! Are you that desperate for parents… that you'd actually want that… argg…" Ron voice kept getting louder.

"You don't know everything that has happened yet Ron" Harry's voice was quiet but his eyes betrayed his anger.

"Stop it… stop it… both of you" Hermione joined in the fray.

"If you don't want to be here Ron, then by all means…"

The trio jumped at the unexpected slam as the door was thrown open so hard it the wall. The echo resounded in the stone walls around them. Their attention was drawn to the impassive black eyes that stared coldly out of the pale face of Severus Snape.

Confronted with his most hated professor, Ron quickly forgot the reasons for the argument, focusing on more important matters… how to survive the encounter.

"Goodness!" Professor McGonagall blustered out from behind Snape "We could hear you from three corridors away! What is this all about?"

"Nothing Professor, we're fine" Harry quietly piped.

The two professors pierced the three teenagers with penetrating stares. They were obviously not fooled.

"Hermione, I want to make sure that you have everything that you need and that you are comfortable. We can make other arrangements."

"Oh, I'm fine Professor McGonagall. Thank you." Hermione smiled "Professor Snape has been very kind with the arrangements, we are quite comfortable."

"Very well, you and Ron are invited to dinner with Professor Dumbledore and myself tomorrow" Professor McGonagall stated "We'll expect you at 7pm in the Headmasters office."

Ron and Hermione exchanged puzzled glances and thanked her, promising to arrive at the proper time.

Severus had used the passing few minutes to notice the photographs spread out on the rug in front of the hearth. Put together with the argument he heard while approaching his quarters, he managed a fairly accurate picture of what had happened during his absence. What he didn't know was why.

"Perhaps you should get ready to sleep" Snape said as he took a seat before the fire "Miss Granger why don't you go first."

Hermione uncertainly went to change while Ron and Harry nervously waited to find out what their punishment would be. They stood staring at their Potions Professor, barely daring to breathe for fear they might increase his anger, mentally cataloguing the likely punishments they might have to endure. The passing minutes only increased their nervousness as they waited silently.

"Sit" there was none of the usual malice in Snapes voice but still the two teenagers jumped in surprise before following the direction. "Mr. Weasley, I understand your concern, I have not been… anyway I was hoping to discuss the new situation Mr. Potter and myself find ourselves in with you and Miss. Granger tomorrow, but…"

"Oh," Ron blushed "I'm sorry Professor, I… I'm not really upset about that. I… am a little… upset… with Hermione. If… we can talk about that tomorrow… that would be good. I'm sorry." Ron ended his explanation at a whisper, looking down at his hands.

"Please try to keep your disagreement at a lower noise level, I am retiring for the night. Be in bed before midnight and leave the door to your room open. Goodnight." Snape promptly excused himself silently cursing his lack of parenting ability.

"He didn't give me detention" Ron stared in shock at the closed door.

Harry smiled over at his friend. "He's not that bad, I think most of his attitude before was an act. Anyhow, why were you yelling at me when you were mad at Hermione?"

"Well I didn't realize how mad at Hermione I was. I guess I just picked up on the first thing to yell about, and that was the library. I'm sorry." Ron sighed.

"Who's next?" Hermione asked as she rejoined the group.

"I'll go, sorry again Harry" Ron mumbled as he left.

Hermione sat down leaning her head back on the couch. "What are our plans for tomorrow?"

"Do you want the whole day planned out or just a general idea?" Harry teased.

Hermione have him a small smile. "A general idea will work in a pinch."

"Ok" Harry laughed "I vote we start with breakfast."

"What's that Harry?" Ron asked.

"Were laying out a general idea of what we want to do tomorrow" Hermione answered. Ron wisely bit his lip. "So what's after breakfast?"

"We'll probably get t talk from Snape at breakfast. I vote we do the library early, and I found something while I was exploring the castle with the Marauders map I'd like to show both of you." Harry got things started.

"Well that sounds good for the morning, how about lunch in the kitchens with Dobby?" Ron suggested.

"Oh that's a wonderful idea! Are you two going to want some Quidditch practice in the afternoon?" Hermione asked.

"Yea!" they cried in unison "You don't mind?" Ron asked.

"No, I'll just bring a book out and enjoy the sun." Hermione answered "Then Ron and I have dinner plans."

"And we can spend the evening down here together." Harry finished.

Agreed, Harry went to change while Ron and Hermione tried not to look at each other. The three climbed into their beds and fell asleep between whispers.

* Dream *

"What news have you brought me?" Voldemort asked the circle of Death Eaters surrounding him. "You!"

"Yes master?" the bowed form of Lucius Malfoy asked.

"What news have you brought?"

"Master, today at Diagon Alley I learned an interesting fact." Lucius was savoring his opportunity. "I learned that Harry Potter, was not in fact born to Lily and James, he was adopted into that family."

"What? That is not possible, he must be a Potter, you lie. Crucio!"

Panting after having been released form the painful curse, Lucius continued "Master I mean no disrespect. He is of the Potter line, simply not the son of Lily and James. I heard from his fathers own mouth."

"There are no other living Potters. I made sure of that. Do you wish another punishment for your insolence?"

"Master, the traitor, Severus Snape claims Harry Potter as his son!" Lucius was desperate to make his master understand before he was subjected to another punishment. "Master, what if the child born to the Snape's did not die at birth? What if the child was hidden?"

Not one to accept any but the best of news well. Voldemort once again cast the painful curse towards Lucius Malfoy while he thought on the puzzle.

* End Dream *

Frantically, Hermione and Ron had been trying for several minutes to wake Harry from his nightmare and failing. Scared, Hermione went to the nearest adult for help. Snape woke to the pounding of fists on his door.

"Professor, it's Harry, he's having a nightmare and we can't wake him up! Please!" Hermione was dragging the reserved Professor toward Harry's room.

Snape was startled to see his son drenched in sweat, thrashing about his bed, moaning in pain. He jumped immediately into action; pulling Harry into his lap, holding his arms down to his sides so he wouldn't hurt himself, trying to calm his son and wake him up.

Shocked at Snapes gentle manner Hermione and Ron just stood and watched.

Minutes passed as Harry slowly calmed and was eventually shaken awake. "He knows, Voldemort knows."