DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any other familiar characters/places.

A/N Earlier chapters are being revised (thank you Enarra) & reposted.

Sorry it took so long for this chapter, wasn't sure if I liked ch 28 & if I redid that chap had to be sure it still fit with 27.

Chapter 27 telling secrets

"Okay, Harry." Hermione said as the two sat in the common room late Monday night after Harry returned from detention with Snape. "We need a plan. You have to tell him. You should also tell Ron and Remus. Both of them deserve to know and they should hear it from you. And you should definitely tell Professor Dumbledore as well."

As Harry remained silent, Hermione continued. "You missed the perfect opportunity to tell him tonight. You had detention with him. You should have told him then. I really think that he should be the first one you tell."

Harry continued to just sit silently next to Hermione looking blankly at the wall.

Hermione, finally realizing that Harry wasn't really paying attention, decided to write down a 'plan' for Harry, that included who he should tell and what he should say. He could read it after he recovers from the shock of discovering who his father is.

A nervous Harry knocked on the door.

"Come in," called the voice behind the door.

As Harry entered the room he said "I need to tell you something. Some of it you all ready know, but it's easier for me to start at the beginning. One thing I ask is that you let me finish before you interrupt or stop me. This is kind of difficult for me to say."

At the older man's nod, Harry started to pace and continued to speak. "Um, as you know, I was adopted by the Potter's when I was about three months old. I later found out that I was adopted by Cybelle Swann before that.

"Hermione thought that Cybelle's adoption of me wasn't legal. She believes that I was abducted from my birth father. After listening to her reasons, I 'm beginning to believe her." At the man's puzzled look, Harry went on to explain the references in Cybelle's journal about his father not deserving to raise him and how Cybelle 'took' him to Sweden. He also explained the meaning of the name Cybelle chose for him. "Anyways, both adoptive parents used the Novo Visius Adoptio spell. As you know, this explains why I looked so much like James. The spell Lily & James used wore off four weeks after I found out about that adoption, after two weeks my appearance then resembled how I looked before that spell was used. The other spell started reversing itself about two weeks ago. Since my appearance started to change, I kept thinking that I looked familiar, but I couldn't remember who I was reminded of. Now I know."

Harry paused, looking at everything in the room except the man across from him. "I look like Sonja Snape."

"I-"

"I'm not done yet. She was Professor Snape's wife. She died July 31, 1980, from complications in child birth." Taking a deep breath, Harry concluded, "I think I'm Professor Snape's son."

After a few minutes of silence, Harry looked up at Remus.

Remus looked back at Harry, a confused expression on his face. Finally he was able to say "Severus wasn't married and he doesn't have any children."

"He was and he did." Harry replied. "I promised him I wouldn't tell anybody this, but, well, I already told Hermione. Besides, if I'm right, then it's my story to tell as well."

"Maybe you should talk to him before you tell me this."

"Are you kidding? Every time we're in the same room he deducts house points. He is so mad at me right now that there is no way he would listen to anything I have to say."

"Why is he so mad at you?"

"At first I wasn't sure. I just figured the old 'Snape' was back. Now however, I believe it is because he thinks that I purposely changed my appearance to look like his wife with the help of the potions he taught me over the summer. He thinks that this is all some joke that I am playing on him."

"How could you possibly know what his wife looked like? How did you even know that he was married and had kids?"

"Occlumency lessons. The week before my birthday when I pushed him out of my mind, I got trapped in his. I saw his memories of his wife, their wedding, the birth of his kids and their graves."

At the last word, Remus gave a jolt. "Did you say graves? If they're dead, how can you be his son?"

"That's the one thing makes me say that I think I'm Snape's son, rather than actually saying it for sure." Harry said quietly. "All I know is that all of this is too much of a coincidence."

"Harry, you do know that you have to talk to Severus about this, don't you? He might have the answers you are looking for."

"Harry, have you told him yet?"

"No."

"Harry."

"I know, Hermione, I know. It's just difficult, okay?"

"I understand that, Harry. That's why I created that plan for you. Have you even looked at it? It's been two days since you found out."

"Yes, I looked at it. I even used it a bit when I told Remus."

"Well, I'm glad you told Remus, at least. How did it go?"

"Pretty good. It was the first time I said it out loud to someone. I'm glad it was Remus."

"When are you going to tell Professor Dumbledore?"

"I'm not."

"Harry."

"Hermione." Harry imitated. "It's not entirely my decision to tell the headmaster. I don't see why he has to know, anyways. This is about my personal life. It doesn't effect the school, the order, or the prophecy."

"Even if it is about your personal life, you should still tell him. I mean he care-" Hermione stopped mid-sentence as she realized what Harry said. "What do you know about the prophecy? I thought it broke that night at the ministry? Why didn't you mention it before?"

"Um, oops?" Harry responded sheepishly. "Would you believe that with everything going on about being adopted, I forgot to tell you?"

"No." Hermione said as she gave him a calculated look.

Harry sat silently for a moment thinking that he could share the prophecy with Hermione now and get her off the subject of telling Snape about their suspicions.

"Since we already have silencing and privacy charms up, I might as well tell you now."

"Gee, thanks." Hermione said sarcastically.

"Oh, come on, Hermione, I didn't mean it like that."

Harry went on to explain about what happened in the headmaster's office the night of the Ministry of Magic incident. Except for an outraged "I can't believe he told you that the night Sirius died. What was he thinking?" and "He really should have told you about that sooner", she listened silently until Harry finished.

"A power he knows not. A power he knows not." Hermione recited. You could practically see her brain trying to figure out that riddle. "Okay, it's obvious because of your scar that you are the one he marked as his equal. You're right. There is no doubt that the prophecy applies to you."

"Don't sound so surprised that I'm right," Harry interrupted.

Hermione ignored Harry and continued. "So Professor Snape and his wife must have defied Voldemort as well. Hmm, that makes sense, since he is a spy. Now we just need to figure out what this 'power that he knows not' is."

"Dumbledore thinks that it has something to do with love. That was the reason why Quirrell couldn't touch me my first year. It was also why Voldemort couldn't stay in my mind and body when he possessed me."

At Harry's words, Hermione stared at him, her mouth open, before she recovered. "WHAT! Harry, you didn't tell me that Voldemort possessed you. How? When? Why?"

"Oops. Would you believe that I was so shocked and consumed with my godfather's death that I forgot to mention this?"

"I could understand you forgetting a lot of things do to Sirius's death, but I don't think being possessed by Voldemort would be something anyone could forget, for any reason."

"It was that night at the ministry in the atrium. After Sirius died, I ran out after Lestrange. Both Voldemort and Dumbledore appeared in the atrium. Voldemort possessed me, hoping that Dumbledore would take the chance that killing me would also kill him."

Hermione sat there stunned. No wonder why Harry had been so quiet those final few days of school and on the train trip home. So much had happened on that one day that only he knew about. "Anything else like this that I should be aware of?"

"Merlin, I hope not." Harry said. "I think that this is more than enough."

"So, when are you going to tell Professor Snape?"

Harry groaned, so much for distracting Hermione.

"Do I really need to tell him?"

"Harry."

"Fine. I just wish that I had actual proof. Everything is just our speculation and coincidence. Not to mention the fact that he buried his kids. I mean, there was a body and everything. Do you know how much of an idiot I'll feel like if I share this with him and he has proof that it isn't true?"

"You should share your suspicions with him. Then the two of you can work on the lineage potion together to find out whether or not it's true. I think it would be good for the two of you to be together for the results."

Once more, Harry groaned. They only suspected that the two of them were father and son and already Hermione is planning family bonding moments.

"Of course, you should probably wait a few days before you brew the potion. You want to make sure that the adoption spell wore off; otherwise it would show your adoption parents."

Harry nodded at Hermione words, he could just imagine how much trouble he would be if he shared his suspicions with Snape and the potion came up with Cybelle's name. Of course, maybe this could buy him some time before he tells Snape . "I'll think about. I just don't know how he'll react."

"Well, if you want more practice, you can always share the news with Ron first."

Harry wasn't sure if that was better or worse. Who could tell how Ron would react to this news.

"I think it would be best to have proof before I tell Ron. I mean, no sense in getting him all worked up if it isn't true."

"Fine, then tell Professor Snape and get the proof you need."

As Harry just sat there thinking, Hermione continued, "If you don't tell Professor Snape what we suspect, I will when I serve my detention with him."

Harry paused outside the door. If he didn't enter soon then he would be late for detention. An opportunity that Snape was sure to use to deduct more points.

Gathering his Gryffindor courage, Harry took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in."

As Harry entered the room, Snape pointed to the cauldrons in the corner and said, "Clean those, Potter, and no magic."

"Sir, I wonder if I could speak to you first."

"Potter, this is detention, not a social gathering. Now get to work." Snape said as he waved a hand towards the cauldrons.

"Please, sir, this is important."

"I'm sure you think it is. However, I am sure that I would not be inclined to agree with you. Twenty po-"

"Sir, you really should listen to me."

"Don't you dare tell me what I should do. Fifty po-"

"Sir. Please." Harry begged. He knew it would be tough getting Snape to listen to him, but he had expected the man to at least be willing to hear what he had to say. "If after I finish, you disagree that it's important, then you can take all the points you want. Just please listen to me first."

Snape looked at the boy in front of him. He had no doubt that whatever Harry had to say wouldn't be worth his time, but he was curious as to what was on his mind that a Potter, adopted or not, would beg for him to listen. "Fine. You have ten minutes."

"Well, first I was wondering if you might be able to help me brew a potion later this week.-"

"Potter, that is not important. So, according to our deal, I'll deduct Fif-"

"Professor, you said I had ten minutes. Please listen." Taking Snape's silence as agreement, Harry continued, "I didn't understand why about two weeks ago you started acting all hateful and cruel towards me again."

Harry ignored Snape's glare and mumble of disagreement, instead Harry started to pace, trying not to look at his professor. "At first I thought it was because you were keeping up the image of a Slytherin Death Eater, hating all Gryffindors and especially the boy-who-lived. But then you just got worse. It became personal and I didn't understand why. Then I found out that you could read my protected journal-"

Snape couldn't see what those two instances had in common and interrupted Harry to tell him this. "Potter, what do they-"

Harry held a hand as if to stop Snape from speaking, "You said I had ten minutes," he reminded his professor as he resumed his pacing.

"The journal was protected And you may not think that the two are connected but they are. You reading the journal is what helped me and Hermione to put all the pieces together. The spell Hermione and I used on the journal was 'Cognatus Lamia Lector'. The only people who can read m-"

"Potter." Snape said with a glare towards Harry, "I am familiar with that charm."

"Well, then," Harry said, thrown off track since Snape interrupted his 'speech'.

"Well, then, nothing. What you are implying is impossible. Neither myself nor Sonja had any siblings. I am not related to you in any way, and especially not your uncle."

"Sir," Harry said quietly, "I don't think you're my uncle."

"Good." Severus mumbled. "Then you must have made a mistake on the charm."

Harry shook his head both in response to Snape's interruption and his statement about an error in the charm. "No mistake was made on the charm."

Harry took a deep breath before continuing, "Sir, it can't just be a coincidence that I look like your wife, that my birthday is July 31 and that you can read my journal. I think I'm your son."

Snape stared at Harry, anger and disbelief showing on his face. "I don't know what kind of game you are playing or what you hope to gain from this, but I'll tell you now, it won't work. There are so many holes in your theory, that I don't even know where to begin. But be assured that I will have you expelled for this, even if you are the headmaster's 'golden boy'. Now get out!"

"No." Harry said as he stared at Snape.

"What did you say?" Snape hissed, one eyebrow raised.

"I said no. You said there are many holes in my theory. I agree. Which is why I am talking to you about this. We need to figure this out and I'm not leaving until we do."

"You don't have a choice. Leave now before I get the headmaster."

"Go ahead and get the headmaster if you want. I'd prefer he didn't know about this until we are sure, but if you want to tell him now, be my guest, because I'm not leaving."

The two wizards glared at each other, neither one wanting to back down.

Finally Harry broke the silence. "At least let me explain some more before you throw me out. Maybe we can fill in some of those holes."

Severus was an intelligent wizard, and prided himself on his logical mind. He finally agreed to wait before getting the headmaster and expelling Harry James Potter from Hogwarts.

"Fine. Show me your proof then."

"Um," Harry hesitated here. "Er, I don't actually have any proof." At Snape's triumphant smirk, Harry quickly continued, "that's why I asked if we could brew a potion. Everything else is just too many coincidences that I can't ignore. The lineage potion should give us the information we want to know and the proof we need."

Snape stared at Harry before waving his wand and mumbling words that Harry couldn't identify.

"What was that?" Harry asked as a blue fog swirled around the desk.

"A spell," Snape smirked.

Harry rolled his eyes. "What was the spell for?"

"To determine if you are who you say you are. This spell will give us the name of your parents. We should see the results soon."

"But, sir," Harry started to protest, since the adoption charm still hadn't worn off.

"Cybelle Swann and David Fox." Snape said as the words faded away. "Looks like you were wrong. Now let's go see the headmaster and get you expelled."

"No. I'm not finished yet. I was adopted by Cybelle Swan-"

"You were adopted by the Potters. You wrote about it in your journal."

Harry gave an exasperated sigh. "Before I was adopted by the Potters I was adopted by Cybelle Swann. The spell Cybelle used to adopt me hasn't worn off yet, that is why I wanted to wait a few days before brewing the lineage potion."

"What spell?"

"Novo Visius Adoption. The spell makes me resemble my adoptive parents. It will also identify them as my parents if any maternity or paternity testing is done, until the spell wears off completely. It's not a very common spell. Usually only ministry personnel know how to apply it." At Snape's look of disbelief, Harry pulled out the copies he made of the adoption book and handed it to his professor. "Here, read."

After Snape finished reading about the spell he put the papers down and looked at Harry.

"Explain how you ended up as Harry James Potter."

Harry started his tale with the letter he received from Sirius at the beginning of July. "Sirius's letter said thatJames and Lilyadopted me while they were in Sweden after theirdaughter died."

"Sweden! How did you end up in Sweden?"

Harry just glared at Snape when he interrupted and continued, "I figured there had to be some kind of charm or potion on me for me to resemble James so much. When none of the reversal charms I tried worked, I asked you for your help with appearance altering potions."

Harry heard Snape mumble something about 'first smart thing you've done', but decided to ignore it, this was not the time to get into a debate with his professor.

"I got a second letter from Sirius on my birthday. This letter included a copy of my birth certificate that Cybelle had and the name and address of her parents. I wrote to them asking about Cybelle and my father. They replied that they didn't know about my father nor did they have any desire to get to know me."

"The letter." Snape murmured as he heard the bitterness in Harry's voice.

"However, they did send me a journal of Cybelle's that included the last few years of her life. Reading the journal I found out that she also adopted me. Hermione thinks-" Harry stopped, not sure if he wanted to bring Hermione into the middle of this. He also wasn't sure how to talk about what happened with Snape's family.

"Well, go on," Snape said. "What does the Know-it-all have to say about all this?"

"Hermione thinks that my adoption to Cybelle wasn't really legal. She also thought that my father didn't put me up for adoption, but that I was taken from him. It seemed to fit with what happened to you, except-"

Before Harry could finish, there was a knock on the classroom door, it soon opened to reveal Dumbledore standing in the doorway.

End Chapter 27

Darn thatDumbledore, what could he possibly be up to?

You guys are incredible! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, I think ch 26 got the most responses (a lot of 'new reviewers', as well). Hope I don't disappoint all of you.

I enjoy hearing your feedback, opinions & ideas.

12/10/04