Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews – it's nice to be back!

Chapter 17

The Worries of Fatherhood

Snape sat back, quickly, his expression betraying nothing of what he felt at the moment.
'Draco,' he said smoothly. 'What can I do for you?'
Malfoy looked from Snape to Harry and then back again, a confident smirk on his face.
'Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt you, sir,' he drawled. Harry snorted contemptuosly, and Snape shot him a warning glance. 'Would you like me to come back later?' Malfoy went on, his eyes wandering between them again.
'Not at all!' Snape said coldly. 'Potter and I are finished here.' He turned to Harry and looked at him with narrowed eyes, forcing his face into that expression of loathing that he had always reserved for Harry before he found out that he was his son. 'You may go now, Potter. I shall speak to Professor Dumbledore about you.'
Harry looked at him for a few moments, then he lowered his eyes.
'Yes, sir,' he said quietly. He got up and left the room, without looking at either Snape or Malfoy.
'Sit down, Draco,' Snape said.
Malfoy sat down on the chair that Harry had just left, and pulled out a long piece of parchment from his pocket.
'I've just had a letter from Mother,' he said.
'Oh, really?' Snape said, trying to keep his voice as polite as possible. 'I hope she is managing all right under the cirumstances.'
Malfoy's expression darkened.
'Well, it is rather trying for her without my father,' he said. 'That's why she was hoping that you could do something about ... well, my Potions classes, sir.'
'I have already discussed this with Narcissa on numerous occasions,' Snape said calmly. 'And I have explained to her that my hands are tied as far as this matter is concerned. The Headmaster won't let students who have not passed their OWLs into NEWT level classes. I might have been able to do something if you had at least managed an A in your Potions OWL, but as it is, there is nothing I can do.'
Malfoy looked dismayed.
'You let Potter continue his Potions classes!' he said accusingly. 'And that idiot Longbottom – and they've always been horrible at Potions. You didn't let any of the Slytherins continue!'
'That's not quite true, Draco,' Snape said. 'Theodore Nott is still taking Potions. He, like Potter and Longbottom, received an Outstanding Potions OWL, so there is nothing I can do about that. I may say that I was very disappointed that he was the only Slytherin to achieve an O. I have come to expect more of the students from my own house.' He looked reprovingly at Malfoy.
'Yes, Nott ...' Malfoy drawled. 'I know Nott. He tells me that you're not nearly as strict with the Gryffindors as you used to be, sir. I suppose they're your new favourites all of a sudden. And maybe they've taken a liking to you too – Potter's even imitating your hairstyle. I wonder what my father and his friends would have to say if I told them that.'
Snape's face was inscrutable.
'I doubt that Lucius and his friends would have much to say on your absurd accusations,' he said smoothly. 'I'm sure they have more important things on their minds, seeing as they are in Azkaban, almost all of them. Furthermore, I certainly don't have any favourites among my students – I never have. As for Potter's hairstyle, that is hardly my business. Now I suggest that you go back to your common room and do some studying. From what I hear from the other teachers your work has been far from satisfactory this term. And I am certain that Lucius will have something to say on that when he gets out of Azkaban.'
Snape swept to the door, and opened it. Malfoy glared at him, but didn't dare say anything more. He got up and left the room without another word. Snape closed the door behind him.

Insufferable little brat! he thought furiously. Why did he have to barge in and interrupt of all times just when Harry and he were having an important discussion? If only he had locked the door. Snape stayed in his office for a few minutes, thinking about all the things he wished he could have said to Malfoy, and at the same time hoping he had not been so strict as to arouse his suspicion even further. Still seething with anger, he then made his way to Dumbledore's office to tell him about Harry's dream, as he had promised.

He knocked on the door and entered, and found that Dumbledore was immersed in a discussion with Professors McGonagall and Lupin.

'Severus!' Dumbledore said pleasantly. 'I was just informing Minerva and Remus of your latest report. I am pleased that your mission was a success.'

'Yes, yes, Headmaster,' Snape said dismissively. 'May I have a word with you?'

'By all means,' said Dumbledore. 'I take it this does not concern your mission?'

Snape hesitated.

'Would you like us to leave, Severus?' Lupin suggested.

'Oh, suit yourselves,' Snape said irritably. 'This is about Harry.'

Dumbledore gave him an apprehensive glance. 'Indeed?'

'He wanted to speak to me after class today. It seems he had another dream about the Dark Lord last night.'

'He did!' Dumbledore said sharply.

'That's odd,' McGonagall said, looking puzzled.

'Not very,' Snape said contemptuously, 'considering that Mundungus Fletcher was on duty last night.'

'No, I didn't mean that,' McGonagall said slowly. 'Why would Potter come to you? Why not me or Remus? And since when are you calling him Harry? I've never heard you call anyone by their first name, unless it was a Death Eater, or child of a Death Eater.'

Snape looked somewhat uncomfortable. Dumbledore and Lupin exchanged a meaningful look.

'What makes you think Potter isn't the child of a Death Eater?' came an amused voice from the wall. Phineas Nigellus was smiling smugly.

McGonagall turned to face him. 'I hope you're not suggesting that Lily and James Potter were Death Eaters, Phineas!' she snapped.

'I wouldn't dream of it,' said Phineas.

'Then what do you mean? That they aren't Harry's real parents? That's preposterous! Harry has Lily's eyes, and apart from that he's always looked exactly like James ...' McGonagall stopped suddenly, looking startled. She turned to Dumbledore. 'It's preposterous ... isn't it?' she said hesitantly.

Dumbledore gave her a grave look. 'I'm afraid Phineas is telling the truth, Minerva,' he said, then turning to Phineas. 'Although you should know better than to disclose to anyone what has been said in this room.'

McGonagall sat down again, looking shocked.

'Well, it does concern my own family, Dumbledore,' Phineas said airily. 'Besides, I am sure that Severus had every intention of telling Professor McGonagall sooner or later. I just thought he needed a little push.'

'Yes, thank you very much, great-grandfather!' Snape snapped. 'Now, could we please get back to the point? Namely, that my son has been subjected to grave danger yet again due to the negligence of Mundungus Fletcher.'

'But ... But how is this possible?' McGonagall said faintly.

Snape rolled his eyes. 'Must we get into this again? I'm sure Phineas will be more than happy to explain everything to you once I've left.'

Lupin got up. 'Why don't you come with me, Minerva. I'll tell you exactly what happened.' He took McGonagall's arm and led her out of the room. Dumbledore still looked very grave.

'I shall deal with Mundungus presently, Severus,' he said. 'How did Harry take this?'

'He was upset, of course,' said Snape. 'I had to tell him about the shield. But our discussion was interrupted by Draco Malfoy.'

Dumbledore sighed heavily. 'And what did Mr Malfoy want this time?'

'Oh, the usual – he complained about not being in my Potions class. But it seems some of the Slytherins suspect something, Headmaster.'

'Suspect something?' Dumbledore repeated, looking alert.

'Yes. They think I'm coddling the Gryffindors. And Malfoy suggested that Harry was imitating my ... hairstyle. I did my best to throw him off track, of course. Told him I never have favourites.'

Dumbledore chuckled merrily, and Snape couldn't supress a smirk.

'Oh, dear,' said Dumbledore after a while. 'Well, I suppose you had better be more careful in class.'

'That's easier said than done, Headmaster,' Snape said testily. 'I seem to remember that you specifically told me to be kinder to Harry ... It would be difficult to simply revert to my previous behaviour now.'

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. 'Yes, of course. But it can't be helped, Severus. We must avoid suspicion at any cost. I'm sure you'll be able to think of some way to arrange this.'

'Very well,' said Snape. 'I shall give it some thought. Meanwhile, can I trust you to take Mundungus Fletcher off guard duty for good? I have enough on my mind without having to worry constantly about the Dark Lord being a threat to my son.'

Dumbledore smiled at him. 'I give you my word.'

Next chapter: Detention with Dad ...