Summary: see chapter one
Disclaimer: see chapter one
A/N: Still and AU fic. Any reviews are welcome, all flames shall be amusement for my friends.
Now I go to the reviewers!!
Kaorethein: LMAO! Thanks, I died laughing as I wrote it.
reader: I shall try to explain. They gave Harry the name Potter to keep him safe from Voldemort. I believe it shall be explained even better in a later chapter.
Rachel Snape: Harry's appearance will not change, and his friends will find out.
Elfeh: snicker yes they were some greap pranks I thought.
DarkMark4Ever: welcome to the fic and thanks for the review.
opal: Minerva won't kill him, but you do know Sirius is a devious thing.
Pure Black: Thanks!
Child-of-Darkness1988: woo hoo! thankies! glad you liked it!
Rebecca: Thank you for your truly kind words. I have never been so motivated by such sweet an endearing words.
Ymmas Sirron: Thanks! You reviews make me smile big time. Is an UPDATE!
rosiegirl: sad to say the pranks are over, now is time for Harry
HecateDeMort: thanks!
I wanted to say thanks to all my reviewers and even to my flamer, you all made me smile! Now to the fic
Chapter 24
As Harry opened his eyes the next day he was refreshed, like he had never been. He had not slept that well in quite some time. Slowly he wondered where Severus was and why he had not woken him up earlier. Severus never let him sleep in, he had said it would make him lazy and always woke him promptly at seven every morning. Harry turned to look at his watch and noticed it was already nine, and Severus was nowhere to be found.
Severus was standing in the Great Hall supervising the finishing touches to the decorations. He knew Harry had never had a birthday party, and he had even swallowed all the bile rising in his throat and invited the Weasley's and the Granger girl. He was on the verge of being sick when he had sent the owl asking if they would like to come. He still had to get his revenge on the bastard Sirius, but he now had all those red headed moungrels to deal with too. Looking at the time he rushed off to wake Harry. He couldn't miss his own birthday celebration.
With long strides he made it back to the dungeons in only five minutes and went to wake Harry. As he opened the door he was caught off guard as Harry stepped out of the room. "Well it seems you woke up on your own."
"Yes, and why did you let me sleep so late?"
"Well I thought you would like to sleep late today of all days, I know I enjoy doing so on mine," Severus said trying to keep the smile on his face at bay.
Harry walked over to the table and grabbed a muffin off it. "Why would you let me sleep in today? There is nothing special about today, than any other day."
Severus' mouth fell open in shock. Could it be that Harry truly did not know it was his birthday?" Harry it is your birthday today, and I thought you would enjoy a sleep in."
"Oh thanks Dad, but I am not used to it being any different. It is not as if we ever did anything special at the Dursley's."
Severus' face fell as he realized yet again the harsh life Harry had endured at the cruel hands of those muggles. He smiled as he thought of the house elves serving all of Hogwarts for the rest of their lives, and he would make sure that they were present today, to see that Harry did have people who cared about him.
"Wait," Harry said "There was one time they got me a sock for my birthday and I got three saltines with a match on top to blow out.
Severus could feel the rage building up inside him "They gave you a sock!, and three saltines! You must know Harry that is not acceptable behavior. I cannot believe someone would do such a thing!" Severus yelled finally losing his calm exterior. He noticed however that Harry was crawling away from him, scooting back into the corner, his eyes as big as saucers.
"Harry, are you okay?" he said coming over to the corner trying to calm his son. He flinched when he saw Harry scoot away, the fear in his eyes broke his heart. "Harry, I am sorry I just cannot stand how they treated you. It is beyond my comprehension as to why anyone would treat family like that."
Harry visibly relaxed and let his father pull him from the corner. "I am sorry, I just get scared sometimes. Could I possibly go see Ron today. Maybe his mom would let us go flying for a while."
"Perhaps she will indeed, how about we have a nice brunch here, just the two of us? I will even suffer and let it be your choice." he said rolling his eyes in mock annoyance. When the house elf appeared Harry leaned down and whispered into his ear, and with a pop he was gone.
"What may I ask are we having for brunch?' Severus said his eyebrows rising.
"You shall see," said Harry trying to keep his giggles to himself. Within moments the house elf reappeared and was brandishing two trays. He set them down and left in a hurry, taking time to smile at Harry.
Snape cautiously picked up the lid and peered inside. What he saw he did not know, and looked to Harry for some help. "What would you call this thing on my plate?" he said picking it up and examining it.
Harry chuckled, "That is a hamburger and french fries"
"Well where are the forks, the utensils for this meal?"
There are no utensils, you eat them with your hands. Harry said a slight smile returning to his face. Severus looked at the hamburger as if it were a bomb, but slowly picked it up and took a bite. As he bit one side, a glob of mustard squirted out the other end of the bun, and landed on his plate. Severus' face lit up as he devoured the burger in only four bites. As he went to pick up a fry he noticed the look on Harry's face.
"I've never seen you eat like a starved animal before." Harry said not being able to even eat half of his.
Severus cleared his throat, and smiled. "It was good, but we shall not speak of this to anyone. I can't have my reputation tarnished."
Harry laughed but agreed and they both finished their lunch in silence. As the plates disappeared Severus turned to Harry, "Today is your day, what would you like to do?"
Harry sat a look of puzzlement crossing his face. "I've never done anything special honestly. I guess we could go outside, and maybe you would let me ride my broom."
"Very well, but how about we stop by the Great Hall first. I have something to give the headmaster, as he is sure to be at lunch. Harry shrugged but followed his father out the door. As the walked down the hall Harry asked again, "Dad, seriously can I go outside later and ride my broom?"
"I believe I can allow that considering it is your birthday." Severus said smiling down at Harry, yet in his mind he thought how sad it was the boy had never had a proper party.
As they entered the Great Hall Harry noticed it was empty which was unusual for lunchtime. "Where is everyone, Where is Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, the rest of them?" he questioned.
"Ahhhhhhh Harry I see you have made it at last" came the voice of Albus Dumbledore as he stepped from behind a curtain near the head table.
Harry smiled and nodded at him and then he was tapped on the shoulder by his father. "Harry could you go and get Hagrid from outside, I think he could use a hand." Harry ran out to get Hagrid, and was surprised when he could not find him at all. He had even walked all the way to his cabin and was now getting aggravated. He slowly stomped back to the castle, as he was mad that Dumbledore had sent him to fetch someone that was not even there. He was wasting time he could be on his broom. As he opened the door to the Great Hall he did not expect what awaited him.
