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A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed. Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing. Now on with the story.

Chapter 3: Worries and the Truth

Albus Dumbledore walked slowly back to his office his thoughts lingering on the two most important young men in his life. The first young man was lying on a bed in a coma in the infirmary and the second was silently stalking his dungeons quarters.

Albus looked down at the vile of dark red liquid in his hand and sighed heavily.

They needed to know the truth.

When Harry first came to Hogwarts he looked so much like James and he pushed the conversation that he had with Lily out of his mind. There was no way he thought that James Potter wasn't Harry's biological father. But the more that he thought about it over the years the less sure he became of what he thought was the truth. He remembered that day when a sobbing Lily had came running into his office and told him that she had ended her and Severus's engagement and instead was going to marry James. When he asked her why she said that she had made a mistake and she loved James.

But Albus had seen through her lies and figured that she had seen Severus's mark and ran before she gave him a chance to explain. Albus sighed. But she had fooled everyone including himself when she had announced that she was pregnant by James shortly after the secret break up with Severus. He remembered a certain dark haired man's reaction to this news. Severus after hearing this and jumped to the conclusion that Lily had been cheating on him went on a 3 week drinking spree.

Albus had been so deep in his thoughts he hadn't realize that he had reached the gargoyle statue until he smacked into it. Shaking his head he looked at the statue. It was then that he knew what had to do. Turning around he started the long walk to Severus's chambers.

This needed to be done tonight.

Meanwhile in the dungeons Severus was pacing the floor in front of the fireplace wearing a groove in the carpet. But his thoughts weren't on the carpet but on the past. The first time that he had seen Harry it was like seeing a ghost. He was a spitting image of James except the eyes; he had Lily's eyes. Just saying her name brought tears to his eyes, Merlin how he
missed her.

Over and over again their last fight played in his head. If only he had made her listen, but he let her walk out the door and straight into James's arms. If only he had stood up to his father when he was told that he was to become a Deatheater, but he had been to afraid of what would happen to Lily.

His father had forced him to become a Deatheater. He told Severus that if he didn't go through with it then he would personally turn his beloved Lily over to Voldemort. So he did it.

But as soon as he could he ran to Dumbledore and explained what had happened.

Albus was very understanding and told him that he had a choice. He could continue following his father around or he could become a spy for the light. He chose the latter of the two.

Unfortunately for him Lily had seen the Mark on his arm and assumed the worst. She ran, not giving Severus the chance to explain. That was the end of their relationship. He would remember that night for the rest of his life.

Severus had been so lost in the past that he failed to hear Albus come into his quarters.

Albus stood in the doorway and watched the young man pace back and forth in front of the fireplace. He would have laughed if the reason that he was here hadn't been so serious.

"Severus," Albus said quietly, "I need you to tell me what happened when you retrieved Harry from the Dursley's."

Severus stopped abruptly looking up sharply at the old wizard. He took a ragged breath in as he was assaulted with the images that still lingered in his mind.

"In all my years of being a Deatheater I had thought that I had seen it all. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw and smelled when I opened that door to Harry's room. If I had not been told that we were getting Harry, I would never have realized that it was him." He said his voice wavering with emotion and there was also an uncharacteristic watery glaze in his eyes.

Albus watched and listened to Severus as continue ranting and pacing. When he saw that Severus was wearing down he took that opportunity to ask for his favor.

"Severus, do you think that you could possibly make up a potion for me?" He asked gently.

Severus looked into the Headmaster's eyes and saw that annoying twinkle. He was starting to feel a little suspicious toward the old wizard. "Yes, I could. What potion do you need?" He asked warily watching.

"I need the Paternity Potion. And before you ask who it is for I will only tell you after it is done." He said feeling proud of himself. He hoped that he was right in his assumptions.

"I can do it. Do you want me to do it now?" Severus asked wondering what the old man was up to.

"Yes, I need you to do it tonight." Albus watched Severus start gathering up the items that was needed and followed him into his private lab. Albus stood back and waited until Severus was done making the potion.

"Alright, now all I need it the two blood samples." Severus said watching as Albus pull a vial out from an inside pocket in his robes. Severus took it from the Headmaster and let two drops fall into the murky black liquid.

"Ok now I need other sample." Severus looked at Albus expectantly wondering where the other vial was.

Albus turned to look at Severus, " You are the other sample."

Severus had heard what Albus had said but the reality of the statement had no sunk in, a few seconds later it did however. "What are you playing at, why would I be the other sample. Who is trying to say that I am the father of their child? My God I haven't been with another woman for… for… Bloody Hell! I haven't been with anyone in almost sixteen years!"

Actually it was a little closer to seventeen years but he was not going to say anything about Lily, it still hurt him to think about how Lily had betrayed him. He didn't want to believe that she had cheated on him with James but the proof was laying in a coma in the infirmary.

Harry should have been my son. MY SON, not Potters. Severus thought vehemently to himself.

Albus cleared his throat causing Severus to snap back to the present.
"Hold out your hand Severus." Albus gently commanded.

Severus sighed. He might as well get this over with; he had other things to do. Like finish brooding over his past mistakes.

He held out his hand and watched as Albus painlessly took a sample of his blood. He then watched with morbid fascination as Albus added two drops of his own blood to the mixture.

Nothing happened at first and Severus started to turn away but then the liquid started swirling around until the two blood samples became one. He just stood with his mouth hanging open.

He was a father!

"Who?" Was all that Severus managed to squeak out.

Albus smiled "I think that you already know who he is, deep down you have known all along. It really is amazing how a simple little charm can make someone look totally different." He stood there and waited until it sunk in to Severus's thoughts.

"Harry." And with that Severus collapsed onto his knees, his face buried in his hands trying to hold back the strangled sobs that were threatening to break through. He felt Albus hand rest on his shoulder, "It's ok to let it out. Don't hold it in, you will feel much better in the long run"

And with that Albus walked out of the dungeons leaving Severus alone to come to grips with this revelation.