Eye of the Storm
Chapter 16 - The Son
Snape just stood there, outside number four Privet Drive with his mind a blank and his mouth opened. Harry Potter was his son? How could that be possible? Every kind of sick thought ran through the potion master's mind. How was he going to tell Harry? Was he even going to? What about his 'job'? What about Remus Lupin? Were the Slytherin's going to declare war?
Dumbledore saw the distress on the younger wizards face and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come my dear boy you look like you just saw a ghost. Finding out you have a son should make you happy not distressed."
"Happy? How can I be happy when my son is Harry Potter!" Snape said, his voice unnaturaly low and calm. "How do you even know anyway?" Snape said a rise of hope coming to his chest. Maybe Albus was going to yell "April Funny Day!" or whatever that stupid holiday was.
"Lily told me."
Snape rubbed his eyes and headed for the house, Albus not far behind. When he opened the door he was relieved when Harry wasn't anywhere in sight. "Let us go upstairs to my office so we can talk about this."
"I thought you said you were very tired."
Dumbledore smiled and headed up the stairs. "I feel revived."
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In sixty seconds Severus Snape's life turned upside down. He had a son, great. His son was Harry Potter, not great.
He sighed heavily and wished Voldemort would kill him when he was summoned again. He didn't even care if it was a painful, long death. He just wanted to die.
The worst part about it was that Lily even knew he was the father. When Dumbledore told Snape this his heart about stoped. Lily knew that he fathered her child and she kept it. He remembered when he and Lily were together but it was just a fling. It was something stupid they did, a spur of the moment type thing. She was upset and worried about the rise of Voldemort and Snape was the only one there for her.
"Stupid girl." He said to himself quietly. She knew he was a death eater but she also knew he didn't want to be.
Lily of course regreted it the next day crying and saying how she hated herself for being unfaithful to James. It was only one time and it never happened again. But once was all it took, and now here he was with Harry Potter, the son of himself, Severus Snape.
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Harry was sitting in the kitchen with Remus when he realized where he was. He was back at his aunt and uncle's. He felt his face drain of color and his head flet light. "Remus, why are we here?"
The older man turned to him and almost gasped when he saw Harry's face. "Harry what's the matter?" He asked, crossing the room and putting a hand against his head.
"Why are we here?"
"This is headquarters." Remus said slowly and summonded a glass of water over to the table.
"I know, but why here?"
"Oh. Dumbledore reasoned that lightning only strikes once in the same place. Since death eaters were already here and did their job why would Voldemort retrace his steps?"
Harry stared at his cup of water for a moment, "Yeah, that makes sence."
Mundungus came in and sat at the table. "Hey Harry you hear the one about the flying bikele and the muggle riding it. No, well it was a female muggle and,"
"Mundungus what are you rambling about?"
"Oh hi Lupin, I didn't know you were here. I was just telling Harry about this joke, you heard it?"
Lupin got another glass out for the other wizard and nodded his head. "yes I have and Harry doesn't need to hear it." He said and gave him the look.
"That's okay Remus, I think I'm going to go outside to get some fresh air anyway."
"Okay Harry be careful and stay around the house."
Harry nodded but felt annoyed, where else would he go? The adults all made him feel like he was worthless, like he couldn't take care of himself.
"Hold on there a minute Harry, I just remembered, Dumbledore wants to talk to ya. He's upstairs in his office."
Changing direction Harry walked up the stairs and went into what used to be his anunt and uncle's bedroom.
"Come in Harry, come in." Dumbledore's voice called.
Harry walked into the room and sat in a large lounge chair opposite of the headmaster. There was no one else in the room and Harry wondered where Snape had went. He did remember his potions master coming with them.
"I have some news Harry. You will not be staying in Snape manor anymore this summer. You will be staying here with us until school starts. During the holidays you may either return here or stay with Severus. Next summer however is too far in advance to worry about where you will be staying but I assume you will be staying with Severus again."
Harry didn't feel like arguing and he would rather be at Snape Manor than at this place that held so many bad memories. "Yes sir."
"Good good. Well you will see Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley on the train to school on the first of Septemeber and you will start your second year like everyother year. Now, it's getting late, the sun seems to be against us today. Go to bed Harry and sweet dreams."
"Goodnight Professor."
Dumbledore watched as the boy left the room. He and Severus discussed it and found it would be better if Albus was the one to tell Harry of his parentage. The older wizard simly couldn't bring himself to do it, and in his heart he knew it was Severus who should tell Harry, after all he was his father.
TBC