Chapter Eight: Day Fourteen at St.Mungos
Warning(s): a bit of angst
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"Are you nervous?" Harry turned to glare at his boyfriend, who grinned. "Stupid question then." Harry nodded in agreement. "Well you know that I'll be right beside you the whole time, right?"
"Yes, and thanks." Harry muttered. Kayan wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and squeezed.
"By the way he wrote his letter, it sounds as if he's accepted you already." Harry gave Kayan a small smile. "Will you accept him?"
"Probably. Unless it turns out he threw me out." Harry pulled a face. "Which, by the sound of his letter, he didn't. You're right." Kayan nodded and they turned to the door as it cracked open. Nevans popped his head in.
"Are you two ready? I already told Severus about the two of you, just so he wasn't too shocked." Harry squared his shoulders and nodded. Nevans retreated and minutes later Severus Snape walked inside.
His black hair was no longer greasy, and instead grew down to his shoulders in silky waves. His black eyes were sparkling with life, although they looked a bit wary. His nose was no longer crooked, he had it fixed Harry guessed, and he no longer looked intimidating. He offered Harry a tentative smile, which Harry returned.
"I have so much to tell you." He spoke after a minute of staring.
"I won't interrupt." Harry said. He motioned to the chairs and the four sat. Severus cleared his throat.
"You're mother was a very bright woman." Severus began. "I first met her at Hogwarts. We were in the same year and house, although I bet no one told you that." Harry shook his head. "Well we got along okay until she met up with and joined James' little gang. She defied Slytherin rules and hung out with Gryffindors. It was an inexcusable action and she was shunned by our house. She was ordered to tutor me in Transfiguration in our sixth year. It was the only time we spoke to each other because of our House status." Here Severus paused.
"You'll have to tell me more about her." Harry said as Severus took a breath.
"I will. Well, we got along surprisingly well and we started dating. Her guardian at the time didn't approve so he suggested an arranged marriage to James Potter's father. He agreed and Lily was forced to break up with me. They married and I was furious. That's why I joined the Dark Lord. He promised a world I would have loved to live in. A free world, with law enough to make us safe. I fought for Lily. One night I was out and we bumped into each other. One thing led to another and she became pregnant."
"With me."
"Yes. But neither of us knew at the time because a week later she slept with James. She wasn't sure who the father of the baby was until a mediwitch told her. It was a terrible shock to her but she knew she had to keep it. She placed charms on you, so when you were born you'd look like James' child. She was never able to tell me because that's when Voldemort turned evil."
"I thought he'd always been evil." Harry commented in surprise. Severus smiled softly and shook his head.
"That was a lie, Harry. Made up by Dumbledore and back by everyone. He knows that Tom is not evil." Harry blinked. "That is another matter I wished to discuss. Do you have any questions now?"
"Yeah, one. Who was my mother's guardian?" Severus curled his lip.
"Dumbledore." Harry mimicked his father and heard a snort. He turned to see Kayan smirking at them.
"You two look alike when you do that." He said in response to their stares. "Carry on."
"Tell me about his lie then." Harry demanded. "I swear that meddlesome old fool will never hear the end of this..oh god please tell me he's not my grandfather or something?" Harry suddenly asked.
"Nothing like that. Albus just forgot to mention the evil spirit that possessed Tom when he was younger." Harry blinked. "Voldemort is a Shadow, or evil spirit. He possessed Tom a long time ago, when he was in school. He fed off of Tom's life and memories until he could take over. The take-over was slow, and he only really turned evil weeks before the attack on Godric's Hollow. Up until then he stored his hatred and waited patiently until he could strike." Harry fell backwards on the chair and felt Kayan's arm go around his waist.
"So I've been fighting a Shadow in an innocents body?" He asked hollowly. "And Dumbledore knew?"
"Yes." Severus said. Harry sighed.
"Is there a way to get rid of the Shadow?"
"It already ahs been. Tom managed to claim his body about a month ago and told us how to stop the Shadow before it took over again. We managed to get rid of the thing and it's dead. Tom's been going through therapy with me and Nevans…"
"You!" Harry turned to Nevans. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Doctor-patient privilege." Nevans defended himself. "Not that you ever asked if I had any other patients." Harry snorted softly and leaned back into Kayan's arms.
"So I'm free from the Prophesy?"
"Yes." Harry sighed.
"Tell me about Tom then." Harry requested. "I want to know what he's like without being possessed." Severus smiled.
"Well, he's a lot like you. He's eager to explore new things." Here Harry flushed, remembering his little trip into Severus' pensieve. "He also likes to argue, has a disregard for the rules, and has certain ambitions."
"Tell me. Are they like before?" Harry asked a little worriedly.
"Similar, but he has a new plan at how to achieve his goals. He wants equality among all magical and non-magical beings, and is planning to place some supporters high in the ministry."
"Equality would be nice." Harry agreed, thinking of Remus.
"And he would like to re-try those in Azkaban who say they had an unfair, or no, trial." Harry brightened. "But that would have to wait until they appoint a new Minister, also something he's working on."
"His world does sound nice." Harry agreed. He sat back and frowned. He heard Severus continue to talk to Kayan or Nevans, but Harry didn't butt in until he'd made up his mind. "I want to help." Severus jumped. "I'm guessing his supporters have deserted him practically, and he would get so much more support if I supported him."
"He would like that. I have already decided to support him." Harry nodded.
"I'm with you on this." Kayan said. Harry grinned and turned to Severus.
"We're in." Severus smiled softly. "And I'll have you know…..Dumbledore will be hearing from me soon." Severus laughed. "And…I accept you as my father, if you'll accept me as your son."
"Of course I do Harry. Of course I do."
TBC
I was thinking about ending it here….but I won't.
