Who Are You To Me?

Chapter Five

'Dissimulare' is Italian, it means 'Conceal'

Big thanks to my reviewers – HecateDeMort, hermionegreen, Incensio Lady, and bob.

Severus received Harry's letter the next day, and sighed. He'd known, of course, but he had never told anyone. No one knew, except for himself, and now Harry. That was one of the reasons he'd always hated James. James got to look after a gorgeous baby, a baby he'd always thought was his, when, really, Lily should have been with Harry's real father.

He'd always known why he was miserable, he should have been able to tell people, let them know Harry was his son; he would have been able to look after him instead of those damn muggles. It angered him that Albus had allowed those muggles to keep Harry. He knew, of course he knew, Harry was treated badly. You'd have to be a fool not to notice the telltale bruises Harry always came back to school with in September. And an idiot not to notice how much the boy ate at the beginning and end of the year.

Severus had always called his son by his last name in class, although it had angered him, Potter should not have been his last name, and he shouldn't have a grudge against him. But, in his head, Severus always called him Harry. He'd even began to call him Harry in his letters. But, would they now have to start again? He would prefer that. But, first, he had a letter to write.

Harry,

Yes, it is true, you are my son. No one ever told you because no one ever knew. You and I are the only 2 people to know. I'm sorry I never told you, I never told you because I carried a grudge against you and James. A grudge against you because I couldn't have you when your parents died, and a grudge against James because he got to be there for the first year of your life.

I'm very sorry for everything that you have gone through in your life; you are a very brave person. Of course I knew what went on at that place, it was obvious. I can't quite explain why I never came to rescue you; Albus always told me that you would be fine; I guess he's just blind to these things sometimes.

I do want to know what went on in your house, so that the muggles may get the punishment they deserve.

I regret missing out on the first 11 years of your life, I could never really ask Albus, as he would have guessed something was not right. I did not want to add to your ever-increasing fame, which I'm sorry you had to endure.

I also apologise for any hurt I may have caused over the years, I hope that you understand that I am still thought of, at least by Voldemort (I, unlike most others, am not afraid of his name) as one of his minions, when, as you know, I am not. I have to keep up the pretence of hating you.

I also want you to know, strange as it may seem, that I have always loved you, I have always thought of you as my son. I loved you every time I took points from your house, I loved you every time I gave you detention, and I loved you every time I hurt you.

I hope you can forgive me for never telling you, and I also hope that we can begin to improve our relationship. I plan to inform Professor Dumbledore of these revelations, as long as you agree. Please let me know as soon as possible.

Severus

He sent the letter back with Hedwig, Harry would get it that same day. He also began to think about the last two weeks of his holiday. Maybe Harry would agree to visit, and stay for a couple of weeks. He would have to ask Harry in his next letter.

He would have to let Albus know if Harry was to be taken from the Dursley's, and where he was going to go. He began to plan a letter to Dumbledore, informing him of what had been discovered.

August 15th

Albus,

I am sorry to disturb you in the middle of the summer holidays, but I have some news you may wish to hear.

I am planning to remove Harry Potter from his home in 3 days time (Tuesday) if he consents to this. I will be bringing him back to my house for the remaining 14 days of the summer holidays, until school begins again.

The reason behind my decision is as follows. I do not know if you were aware that Harry is my son. Harry only found out yesterday, I can only assume it was from his mother's diary. I have known since I first learned of Lily's pregnancy.

I am not sure how it is that he looks like James; I can think of only one spell that Lily could have performed, the 'Dissimulare' spell, which would have made Harry resemble a person of Lily's choice, in this case, James.

I ask that you do not inform ANYONE of this information; we will discuss it when I return to Hogwarts.

Severus