Summary: Can one person and fate make the difference in Severus' life?
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, sue me and become poor.
A/N: This fic is AU, not canon. and thanks! to my beta Karri
Now to my reviewers! Do not kill me for taking so long to update.
viva rose: yes the fluff! I love it!
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mb: Harry is ten now, by this chapter anyway.
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Chapter 27
Severus had purchased the unicorn hair and was on his way back to The Leaky Cauldron to floo back home when someone grabbed him by his arm. Severus' hand went directly to his wand and when he turned it was pointed at the strange man. "Who are you and what is your business with me?" When the man just stared at him, Severus replaced his wand and started again toward the floo.
"Lucius told me you were a man of few words, but I had to see for myself." The use of the Malfoy name made the hairs on the back of Severus' neck stand up, but as he turned, he showed no fear.
"And just what did Lucius have that was so important he sent you?"
"I have been sent to see why you have been avoiding the meetings. Lucius asked me to see what has been keeping you away for so long. I suggest we go back to your place Severus and discuss this, or I can just go back to the Dark Lord himself and tell him you are obviously avoiding him for some reason."
Severus had no intention of taking this man to his home. Harry was there, and one look at his scar would send the man running to the Dark Lord and he and Harry both would be dead. "Must you intrude on my home and my solitude to talk? Can we not discuss this here?"
Just as Severus spoke, several of the students from Hogwarts came bustling through the door, and in a fit of panic he pushed the man into the corner. "You may come to my home, but if you find yourself wandering about it, I will have your head. Is that clear?"
The man sneered at Severus, but this meant nothing to him as Severus was trying to think fast of what to do about Harry, he hoped he was still in the potion lab. Severus felt the relief wash over him when he stepped out of the floo and did not see Harry. Thinking he was still in the lab, Severus put a locking and silence charm on the door. "You will be quick and discuss your business, I have many things to do and you are keeping me from my appointed tasks."
The wizard sat down on the settee, much to Severus' dismay, and started explaining why he was sent. "Lucius says you have not been to any meeting in over a year, and he is perplexed as to what could be keeping you from your duties to the Dark Lord?"
While the two men spoke Lotty brought over coffee for them and looked menacingly at the strange man.
Severus took a sip of his, and then stared balefully at the man. "You may tell Lucius, whomever you are, that my duties to the Dark Lord are being fulfilled. I am researching for him everything about the old fool Dumbledore, and how to get into Hogwarts past the wards. I also am brewing many potions for our master, that I would think would not be of interest to you. Now, if you are done with your questions, I will escort you to the floo," Severus said, setting down his coffee cup.
They never reached the floo, however, as Harry bounded into the room freshly clean from the tub, dressed in his nightshirt and sleep pants.
"Daddy you made it home in time for a story!" he yelled, running toward Severus. The potion master reached for his wand, but not before Lucius' friend had his drawn and pointed at Harry.
"One wrong move and the boy dies, Severus. How is it you have a son and no one knows about it? I think the boy should be delivered to the Dark Lord at once," he said before grabbing Harry by his hair. Harry screamed out at the roughness, but he was not prepared for what happened next.
The man was about to drag Harry over to the floo when he spotted the scar on his forehead; a lightning bolt scar, and then it dawned on him. "You have Harry Potter here, and have not notified the Dark Lord! And he is your son? I will save the Dark Lord the trouble and kill him myself, and take my rightful place as his right hand man."
The house elf appeared out of nowhere, and stood before the odd man with the yellow hair. "You shall not harm Master Harry!" Lotty screeched, her eyes blazing red.
"You should learn to keep your house elf under control," the stranger began, but these became his last words. The next sound was his scream as the red stream of light hit him square in the chest, killing him instantly. Harry yelled and cried as he tried to untangle himself from the dead man's clutches. When he finally did, he ran to his father and sobbed in his arms.
"Daddy, why did he try to hurt me? Why did he want to take me away from you?"
"Sshhhh, do not worry about him for now Harry. I have told you that not all wizards are good, this was one of those sort. Come now and sit with Lotty while Daddy calls Albus in the floo."
Severus had a hard time convincing Harry to let him go, but when Lotty sat down with him Harry clung to her weeping and wiping his nose on his sleeve. Severus stopped by the fireplace, and turned to the house elf now holding his son, comforting him. "Lotty, how... why?"
"No one shall harm Master Harry. Lotty had to kill the bad man, for he wished to take Master Harry away. Did Lotty displease you sir?"
"On the contrary, I am in your debt. Thank you Lotty. Will you please keep Harry there till I am done?" The house elf wrapped her arms tighter around the crying child, and Severus went to firecall Albus, and get the dead man out of his sitting room."