Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and you've heard it all before.
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As Harry came to, thoughts started racing around in his head. 'Should I tell Dumbledore? Has Professor Snape's memory charm worn off? How much more will I change? What about my talents? Are those affected by this charm? How can this be? Will Professor Snape accept me as his son?' Harry had many conflicting thoughts. First of all, he was glad that he had some family still alive. After all that had happened, he was so happy to find that there was still someone around related to him. However, it was Professor Snape. Harry knew that Professor Snape did not like him.
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Meanwhile back in the Potions room as Severus was preparing a potion, he had a flash of a memory come to him.
"Oh Severus, we didn't mean for this to happen, what are we to do?" Lily asked.
"Don't worry my love, I know that we must protect the child at all costs." A very young altogether different Severus replied. "How about this: why don't you go to James. Only Dumbledore knows of us marrying anyway. I'm sure he could be persuaded to help us out. You can marry him and when the baby is born cast a charm over him so that he looks like James. I hate to have you away from me, but I know that this is for the best. God only knows what would happen if Voldemort got a hold of this child."
Gulping Lily replied, "You are right of course. This is our only option. But what about you? You know that Voldemort can easily look into your mind. What if he sees this there? What if he finds out? It could be death for you and the child for keeping such a secret."
"We have but one choice. You must cast a memory charm on me. Make sure that it is only long term and not permanent. That way if anything happens it will wear off, but when Voldemort is finished off than you can cast the counter curse and I will have the memories back. It's the only way."
Back in the present, Severus put down the potion ingredients and tried to figure out where in the world this memory had come from. It came on so suddenly that it left him confused and disoriented. He tried to reason this out. 'So I must have been married to Lily Evans. Yes, Yes, that must be right. I think it's coming back to me now. We got married in secret because I was still a death eater. I have a child. But that must mean… oh no! Harry Potter is my son!'
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Harry, still reeling from the shock, decides that the best course of action would be to talk to Dumbledore. 'Once he gets his memories back he'll be able to tell me exactly what's going on and answer my questions. He will know whether I should talk to Professor Snape… my father or let him discover on his own.
Meanwhile, back in the potions lab, Severus was coming to the same conclusion. 'I must go talk to Dumbledore. He will know how to proceed. After all this time and how horribly wicked I've been to the boy, I don't know if Harry will even give me the time of day. I can't believe that this is happening.'
As Harry approaches the door to Dumbledore's office he realized that he did not know the newest password. As he looked up, pondering what to do, he saw Professor Snape coming from the other direction. 'I wonder if he's coming here for the same reason as I.'
"Harry Potter, I imagine that we are both here for similar reasons. Let's go up and give Dumbledore his memories back so that we can all have a nice long conversation, shall we?"
"Yes, Professor, I think that would be a wise idea." Harry said quietly.
"Butterbeer" said Professor Snape.
"Ah, Severus, Harry. To what do I owe this honor?"
"Before we begin meeting, I think that you need to retrieve a penseive that is located behind the painting of the 1st headmaster of Hogwarts." Harry stated.
While Dumbledore was retrieving his memories, Harry looked around and thought about how many times he had been in this very office. 'It's a wonder I don't have my own special seat,' thought Harry.
"Ah, yes! I now see why the two of you are here. I have a few things to say to both of you before you ask the many inevitable questions. First Severus. I know that you are used to putting up a hard exterior in front of your classes to keep up appearances of being a death eater. I also know the many losses you have suffered in your life and how they affect you. I would advise you to let down your guard with Harry and get to know him. He is not as bad as you think. Give him a chance and I believe that you will find that you do still have the capability to love and yes even be a good father to him. Now Harry, I know that you and Professor Snape have not always gotten along. In fact that is part of the reason that I placed you with him this summer, in hopes that you two would reconcile your differences. I would advise you to give him one more chance not that he has all of his memories back. Sometimes there is such a void left by missing memories that it can affect you in strange ways especially towards those whom your memories are about. Now before we discuss what will need to be done next. Do either of you have any questions that need to be asked?"
Harry thought back to all the questions that had rushed at him in the library and wondered where to start and which one to ask first. Finally he decided, "Professor Dumbledore, just how much effect does this charm have? I have been noticing changes in my appearance, do you know how much more I will have to undergo? And does this also affect my abilities and talents? My personality?"
"Good questions, Harry and I'm afraid that we may not know the extent of the answer until after the charm wears off. What I can tell you from what Lily told me is that the charm should be completely gone within one week of your birthday. This particular charm does more than change your looks, it turns you into an almost replica of the person. Therefore, I believe that it will affect your talents and personality some and I imagine that you still have a little ways to go on the appearance."
Harry, who didn't think he could take any more news, just sat there in shock as what Professor Dumbledore told him sunk in.
"I can see, Harry, that you have had a lot of news today. You can feel free to come back any time to discuss this or ask me any questions. I also believe that your father will make himself available in case you need anything. I believe it wise if you two spend the next few weeks getting to know each other better before the new term starts. As to questions about your future and Voldemort, well - we're going to have to answer those after the effects of the charm have completely worn off."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore, I think that it would be best if I headed back to my room now. If you don't mind Professor Snape I would like to skip our lessons together today as well as supper so that I may digest what I have learned today."
"I think that would be perfectly understandable, Harry, but we will meet at 8:00 sharp in the morning so that we can discuss a few things. I want you to know Harry that I am sorry about the way I have treated you. Dumbledore is right in that because I did not have any memories of you, it left a hole and when I saw you I could not control my urge to lash out. I also have to be able to keep up appearances for those in my classes whose parents are deatheaters. If I was suddenly nice, I believe that Voldemort would be suspicious. I hope that you will forgive me and allow us to start over."
"I think I will be able to do that, Professor Snape. I will see you tomorrow. Goodbye, Professors."
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Author's Note: Please review and tell me if you think the story is boring or if you are actually enjoying it. If this is horrible and no one wants to read it then there is no point in continuing. Thank you!