A/N First, I would also like to thank Kateri1, Corgi1 agent Erica, Jeanne, Lady Lighterning, Charma1219, Toria, and Carpathia for taking the time to review and for encouraging me to continue the story.
Important: At least I think it's important. I have started a companion to this story. "The Order of Life: The Dursley's Point of View" You might find it interesting…
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Chapter 8 ½
Secrets
Harry woke the next morning to what felt like a small earthquake. Opening his eyes he stared up at Ron who was jumping on his bed.
"'Bout time you woke up," said Ron as he climbed down. "I can't believe Snape let us sleep in."
After grabbing his glasses Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione were both up, dressed, and ready for the day. "Why didn't you wake me earlier?"
"Really Harry, you needed your rest," scolded Hermione. "Professor Snape has been holding breakfast for us. We really should get out there."
"You go ahead. I'll change and be out in a minute," said Harry as he pulled some clothes out of his drawer and hurried into the bathroom.
"He must be joking," mused Ron reclining on his bed
"Really," answered Hermione with a roll of her eyes as she left the room. "Good morning Professor."
"Good morning Miss Granger," Snape's cold voice gave no hint of the caring man she'd seen the night before, "is everyone up?"
"Good morning Sir, good morning Professor," said Harry and Ron as they entered the room.
"I take that as a yes," said Snape, "breakfast is on the table. Have you worked out your plans for today?" he asked as he sat down.
"Yes Sir," they answered in unison. "I really should owl my mother though," added Ron looking questioningly at the jug of milk Snape had added to the breakfast ritual.
"I will leave the doors to the garden unlocked for you today," said Snape thoughtfully, "but be sure and latch the door when you are not outside."
"Yes Sir," said Harry as he poured himself a glass of milk. "Would you like some milk Ron?" he asked as he tried to prevent his cup from tipping over under Ron's close scrutiny.
"Milk? Is that what that's called," asked Ron. "What does it taste like?"
"It tastes like milk Ron. Try it," suggested Hermione. "It has calcium in it, it's good for your teeth and bones."
Ron seemed uncertain as he carefully smelled, then took one small sip of the white substance. Eyes wide, his timidness disappeared as he drained the goblet leaving a white moustache on his upper lip, Snape noted with hidden amusement.
As they finished breakfast the trio gave Snape an idea on their plans for the day. The only glitch was his insistence that they find an adult to supervise their time on the Quiditch pitch. A smile told Ron that Harry already had that little problem solved.
Snape sighed to himself as he watched the three friends leave to write the necessary letters to the Weasley family. He had a feeling they had not told him all of their plans for the day. This father thing wasn't easy when the last time you saw your son he had been three days old. He had to tell Dumbledore about those dreams, he frowned. He hadn't realized how bad they were. Harry hadn't just seen and felt Voldemort's cruatious curse, his body had actually reacted to it. Not as severely as if he had been hit by the curse directly, but bad enough that repeated exposure could prove dangerous. He glanced toward the chattering teenagers as he unlocked the garden doors. As long as they stayed in the castle they would be fine, whatever they had planned. Grabbing his folder of lesson plans Snape left to complete his class preparations and have a long talk with Dumbledore.
"He's gone," reported Hermione, "What did you want to show us?"
"This," said Harry pulling a gold chain out of his shirt. "My par… the Potter's wedding set. Sirus gave it to me for my birthday. I don't know if I should… accept them now," mumbled Harry sadly.
"Harry they adopted you, they are your parents," reasoned Hermione.
"But they had a real son, he died. He should have these."
"So you had a brother and he died?" asked Ron.
"Not my brother Ron, the Potters son."
"Harry, if he is the Potters son, and you are the Potters adopted son, that makes him you brother." Hermione informed him exasperatedly.
"Even I get that one Harry," agreed Ron.
Harry looked back and fourth between his two friends. "My brother?" he asked.
"Harry the Potters invited you into their family, they loved you. Everything that has happened doesn't change that. Your relationship with the Potters is the same. They are your parents, there's just… more," explained Hermione gently.
"Look at my family Harry," said Ron. "Parents can love more than one child. Having more children doesn't take anything away from the first. They still love them."
Harry wanted to think on the matter for awhile and they did have plans for the day. He tucked the rings away and asked "Hedwig, feel like delivering some letters?"
Hedwig agreed with a soft "Hoot" and barely 30 minutes later found the three friends entering an empty library.
"So, what are we looking for?" asked Ron.
"Hogwarts - A History," replied Hermione.
"Hermione, don't you have that book downstairs in your trunk?" asked Harry.
"I have a copy, but we need the Professional Edition for this." explained Hermione. "Here it is. Let's see…Andrews…"
Hermione opened the large book to the index, her finger trailed down the page. "Andrews, Elizabeth Rose," she stated authoritivly. The books pages flipped rapidly to the profile. "Here she is…"
Harry and Ron crowded around the book attempting to read over Hermione's shoulders.
Andrews, Elizabeth Rose 1961-1981
Child of: Anthony Rae Andrews and Emma Louise Potter
Wife of: Severus Simon Snape 1960- Married: July 1980
Child: Henry Alexander Snape 1981-
House: Ravenclaw
Honors: Ravenclaw Prefect, 10 OWL's, 5 NEWT's
Activities: Quidditch - Ravenclaw Seeker, Dueling club
"Harry, your mom was a seeker?" asked Ron.
"I am a Potter. That's what Voldemort said last night. He was trying to kill all the Potters. Hermione, exactly how were James and Elizabeth related?" asked Harry.
"That's going to take a bit of research. I can look into it while you two are playing Quidditch this afternoon…" suggested Hermione.
"Well if we aren't going to get any farther on this right now how about showing us what you found. How did you get the marauder's map back anyway?" asked Ron.
"I don't know Ron, I just found it in my desk one day. Maybe Dumbledore gave it back?" shrugged Harry. "Anyhow, I found a secret room. I think it will be perfect for private conversations this year. Come on!" Harry led the way.
Severus had been, for the past hour, trying to explain to Dumbledore why Harry should not be roomed in the dorms.
"Albus, he should be supervised. Those dreams are serious. His body is actually reacting to curses Voldemort casts. He needs to have an adult present."
"Severus, I understand your concern. I just don't agree with your answer, removing Harry from the dorms would not be the best thing for him overall. How do you think he would feel about it? And where would you have him put? Would he spend every night in the hospital wing 'just in case' he had another dream? Really Severus, think about it."
"What if he needs help…"
"There are four other boys in that dorm, perhaps a messaging system?" suggested Dumbledore. "We could add an emergency direct line through the floo network. Connect the Gryffindor common room to the infirmary."
"And my quarters," insisted Severus.
"Of course, your quarters. You would know right away if there was anything wrong… Agreed?"
Severus was still balking somewhat, he wanted more. "Agreed," he finally decided. This was the best he was going to get.
"I have one more thing I wanted to talk with you about. Harry's security."
"Harry is safe here at the school," answered Severus.
"Saver than anywhere else, yes. Unfortunately our enemies have, upon occasion, found ways past the schools defenses. I'd like to add one more layer to Harry's protection… with your approval of course."
"Of course I approve. I want my son as safe as possible."
"Good, good. I think you will enjoy having family house elves again."
"House elves?" asked Severus. "What do House elves have to do with protecting Harry?"
"Now Severus, House elves have their own kind of magic. Magic that they can use to protect their families and friends. By having house elves that willingly ally themselves with your family, you will add their talents and strengths to protecting Harry. As you said, you want your son as safe as possible, right?"
Severus did not look happy. He had not had house elves in his employment since he'd left home all those years ago. He had managed on his own quite well, if he did say. House elves, willingly ally themselves? Free house elves he must mean, choose for themselves. Yes, they are powerful magical creatures in their own right, but…
"Here it is… behind here," said Harry as he let them behind a suit of armor. "Look, no one would even notice us slipping back here."
Sure enough, the banner was hung between two noisy suits of armor, and covered a recess in the stone walls. Disappearing through the hidden door couldn't be easier. The door opened into a large room, the walls were decorated with dusty empty bookcases, several tables were stacked in the far corner covering a dim window.
"It's so completely unused…won't someone notice if we clean it up?" asked Hermione.
"Completely unused, right off a main corridor, and…" teased Harry climbing the stairs leading up the right wall. "a second convenient entrance. What does this look like to you?"
"The common room?" asked an unbelieving Ron.
"Exactly. I don't know what this room was originally for, but I don't think anyone will notice our using it. It almost seems forgotten…"
"The location is perfect, I won't argue that… but Harry… well…" fumbled Hermione.
"Hermione, it would practically be a crime not to use it. Think about it, a second entrance to our common room. There are no locks or charms on these doors. We would be doing everyone a favor by putting up some protection on these doors." reasoned Harry.
"And as payment for our consideration, use of this room. Sounds good to me," agreed Ron. "Come on Hermione…"
"…All right, but we tell Professor McGonagall about this room…"
"Right after we graduate," finished Ron and Harry together.
"It will be nice to have our own private library," mused Hermione as she started dusting the bookcases.
Harry and Ron answered by rolling their eyes, before pulling the tables away from the window.
"Albus, which house elves are you suggesting I consider taking into my employment?" asked Severus.
"Oh," smiled Albus, "a couple free house elves. I believe you have already met them, Dobby and Winky."
Severus closed his eyes against the headache threatening to shatter his scull. "You cannot be serious." He wondered if the school contained two less suitable house elves.
"Severus, Harry set Dobby free. Before that, even while Dobby was bound to the Malfoy family, he demonstrated his loyalty to Harry. By taking him into your employment you will strengthen that bond. He could be a very powerful and useful ally Severus. As for Winky, she needs a family. She will never be happy serving the school. You would be doing her a tremendous favor."
"Mr. Harry Potter! You have come to visit Dobby!" squealed the excited house elf, "and you brought your Wheezy and Miony. We is very glad to have you here."
Harry and Ron greeted Dobby and explained their lunchtime visit while Hermione made her way to Winky.
"Winky, how are you?" asked Hermione.
"Winky is very bad mistress," said the little house elf staring up through teary eyes, "Winky failed her masters."
"Winky you did not fail, and the Crouch's are not your family anymore. You work for the school, Hogwarts, remember?"
Hermione spent her lunchtime trying to get Winky to understand and appreciate her freedom, and failing miserably. Harry and Ron got along much better with Dobby, telling him tales of Quidditch victory until their stomachs could hold no more food.
When Hermione finally left Winky she looked no better. She sat, ears drooping, in front of the fire. Miserable.
"Come on Hermione, Quidditch practice remember?" stated Ron pulling Harry and Hermione across the entrance hall. "We just have to get our brooms."
"There you are," following his conversation with Dumbledore, Snapes usual malice was once again prevalent in his voice. "I have changed my mind. I don't want you three outdoors today. Stay within the castle." With no explanation he walked off.
"Get that! He doesn't even tell us why!" huffed Ron.
"And he's not going to. Now what are we going to do this afternoon," sighed Harry.
"Well… I was going to research your mother and you two could look up some charms to secure the entrances to that room. We could take the books up that garden you showed us earlier Harry. It's within the castle but still outdoors. It's not Quidditch, but we could still enjoy the sun." Suggested Hermione.
"Great, we spend our last day studying…" groaned Ron.
"Better than nothing, and we can place the charms tomorrow before the train gets in." decided Harry.
"Fine," agreed Ron reluctantly turning back towards the library.
Studying, as Ron put it, did not turn out as bad as he thought it might. The garden was perfect, the three found a shady spot near one of the ponds and spread the books around them. They passed the afternoon quite pleasantly amidst the sweet smelling flowers and twittering birds. In the passing hours Harry and Ron found eight charms they could use and Hermione learned that James Potter and Elizabeth Snape were cousins.
"Cousins?" asked Harry. "That doesn't explain why Snape hated James. They should have at least gotten along, they're family."
"By marriage, Harry." reminded Hermione, "I'd have to do a lot more research to find out if they have a blood relationship."
"Don't you two have dinner arrangements?" asked Snape.
"Y…yes," stuttered Hermione wondering exactly how long he'd been standing behind them. "We'd better get going Ron. See you Harry."
"See you," called Harry as he watched his friends disappear down the stairs. "What are our plans Sir?" he asked his father.
"Dinner is waiting for us downstairs. There are a few things I think we should discuss," stated Snape his mood little improved from his earlier discussion with Dumbledore.
Snape followed his son down the stairs to his quarters. I am not ready for this. He should be better protected, house elves, hrumph.
"Are you ready for classed?" asked Snape as he took his seat. "Homework all completed?"
"Yes Sir, it's going to be a challenging year. I am looking forward to it. I still haven't packed my trunk, guess I better do that tonight."
"You don't have to take everything, Mr. Potter, you room will be here for you."
"Why don't you call me Harry?" My room, my very own room. I guess Hogwarts really is my home.
"You wouldn't mind? I'd call you Henry in public, Harry isn't proper." insisted Snape.
"Ok, how about Harry in private and Mr. Potter in public. Henry is the baby you gave away, Harry is who I am now."
"Very well… and what should you call me?"
"Sir is a bit formal, but James is my Dad."
James is his Dad. Will I ever forgive myself for giving him up. I gave away my child, they died protecting theirs. "Perhaps my first name? Severus, in private."
"Severus… but professor in school," insisted Harry.
"Agreed," Severus smiled inwardly, "now I have a request. I would like to arrange to spend some time with you during the school year. Maybe dinner once a week?"
Harry thought for a few minutes, causing Severus no end of worry, before suggesting Mondays. Of course, by the time he made his suggestion Severus was ready to agree to anything, so Monday's it was.
"Professor Dumbledore has made a recommendation that I add to my family, two house elves to be exact."
"Dobby and Winky? That's great! Only… Dobby can be a bit, enthusiastic. Do you really need the help? They might be more trouble than anything."
That is what I tried to tell him. He felt the assistance they could offer would be more valuable than any inconvenience they might cause."
"It's your choice, of course. Dobby is very loyal and Winky would do better with a family of her own, I think. House elves do have powerful magic of their own, and I trust Dumbledore's judgment."
"House elves it is then. I'll make the arrangements tomorrow. I will have to set up a room for them also, maybe the closet?" mused Severus.
"I'm sure Hermione would be happy to help," teased Harry thinking of S.P.E.W.
"Oh no. With Hermione's help, I'll end up in the closet and they'll be in my room," said Severus picking up on his son's tease. "On a more serious note, I received a letter from Mr. Alfonsis. They started the investigation into the Dursley family. He says it's time for us to decide who will be applying for permanent custody of you."
Harry knew this was coming but wasn't prepared for having to made a decision so soon. Things were better with Severus, but he didn't want to betray his parents. He didn't want to forget or lessen the memory of the people who died to protect him. How do I keep my Mom and Dad…and brother. He deserves the opportunity to be known, remembered.
"You don't have to decide today, but soon."
"It's ok, I want you to apply for custody. Lily and James adopted me, they loved me, gave me a good home. I will never forget them, I will always be their "Harry." I'll just think of this as you adopting me back. Ron said that Parents can love more than one child, maybe children can love more than one set of parents…" pondered Harry.
"Very well, I… will take care of it tomorrow."
Hermione's knock at the entrance portrait ended their conversation. The three teenagers spent the evening packing and talking about what the new year might bring. Severus ws thinking about that new year also. Some things would be different this year.